Chapter 9
Danny didn't know how he could feel so nervous. Oh wait, he did know!
It was probably because he was heading out to meet one of the most frightening, intelligent and most powerful person in the world. Batman.
If anyone could figure out Danny's secret identity at first glance it was Batman. Two days after the mission that Red Arrow asked him to be on with the team, Batman was contact him and requested to see him on the outskirts of Amity Park to discuss about him joining the team. Yeah, meeting one of the most powerful superheroes in the world alone outside of town totally didn't make him feel scared out of his mind.
He was lucky that he was even able to convince Vlad and Dani to stay home and not follow him. He had no idea what they would do if they meet the dark knight.
Ready to meet one of the most badass people of all times Danny? Ex asked causally.
Danny scoffed. "No, I feel like I'm going to throw up at any moment because the flips my stomach is doing."
I doubt it's going be that bad. I bet that old bat will just be asking if you're sure you want to join the team, why are you joining and maybe tell you he knows your secret identity. Ex stated all too causally.
"And that's what I'm worried about." He could start to see some of the old buildings indicating he was getting closer to the meeting spot. "Batman is the best detective out there. He's probably going to drill me with all sorts of questions before he confirms it with me if I'm even allowed to be on the team."
He spotted the old dinner he agreed to meet Batman at and landed softly on the building's roof.
Think of the positive Danny. Aqualad already welcomed you and accepted you into the team, he and the others would probably be upset if their other new team member wasn't allowed to join. Ex said.
"But I just met them two days ago, I don't think they would mind if their mentors say I can't join," Danny pointed out.
"I would be surprised if they were."
Danny spun around so fast he thought his neck would snap. In the shadow's there was a silhouette of someone Danny couldn't identify so he automatically took a defensive pose just in case he was attacked.
"Relax, it's me." The dark silhouette came out from the shadows revealing that it was none other than Batman.
Danny relaxed and let out a small breath of relief as he relaxed, well as relaxed as he could be in front of the Dark knight.
"Nice to meet you Danny Phantom," Batman said.
The two shook hands.
"Nice to meet you too," Danny said; as they stopped shaking hands Danny rubbed the back of his neck unsure of how to speak to the elder hero. Also wondering why Batman hadn't questioned Danny about who he was talking too, though no one was around. That wasn't important though so he just coughed awkwardly. "So how do we go about this? Do we do this like I'm getting an interview for a job or do I have to go and get my hero resume for you?"
"...Why do you want to join the team?" Batman asked in a flat tone.
All business isn't he? Ex noted.
Danny almost nodded to respond to Ex's comment but stopped himself. He couldn't respond physically to Ex while he was in front of Batman; he didn't need the dark hero to start wondering who he was nodding too.
"Well...I guess I want to join because I would be able to improve my fighting abilities by working with the professionals," Danny explained.
Ex snorted. You just joined so you wouldn't have to listen to me talk or rant or hear me go on about my OTPs and why my OTPs should be cannon cau-.
"Is that really your only reason?" Batman questioned interrupting Ex's babbling, much to Danny's relief.
"Yeah, that's pretty much the only reason," he replied with some slight curiosity in what Batman actually meant.
"Phantom do you understand what it will take to be a part of this team?" Batman inquired.
"Lots of hard work and dedication?" He guessed.
"Yes but you have to be one hundred percent devoted, your mind has to be on the team and your team mates." Batman paused to let that info sink in. "Y have your own town you need to protect, will you even be able to focus on missions with the team when you know you left your town unprotected?"
Now that was a fair question. Would Danny be able to leave the town alone he was on a mission? He did have Dani to watch over the town while he would be with the team so he knew he didn't have much to worry about and he could probably convince Vlad to help watch over the town with Dani, the man did have all sorts of connections in Amity after all. And if he was really desperate he could go to Valerie while she was the Red Huntress and ask her to help out too... If he survived another interaction with her as Phantom that is.
Besides, the town could survive for a few hours without him.
Danny gave him an easy going smile.
"I can focus on the team while I'm away from Amity Park, it's not a problem. I have, I guess you could say, a sidekick to take care of the town while I'm gone," Danny said.
"It's that ghost girl isn't it?"
Danny blinked in surprise. "Yeah, how did you find out about her?"
"You should know I always do my research. It was reported in different areas of witness being saved by a ghost who appeared to look like Danny Phantom. Witnesses later said that the ghost was a female and was not you but very similar. It will only be a matter of time of hearing about this look-a-like to be here in Amity," he explained and then continued. "She looks very similar to you a lot like that other ghost."
Danny's laid-back nervous attitude disappeared at Batman's last words. He narrowed his eyes.
"What other ghost?" He asked suspiciously.
"We both know what ghost I am talking about."
The calm and friendly atmosphere had vanished leaving the two heroes to stare each other down waiting for the others next words. Batman was first to act; he brought his arm up and typed something on a keypad, Danny guessed, on his gloved hand. A few seconds later a holographic image of Dan appeared from the fight Danny was in with him. Batman pointed to the D on Dan's chest.
"This is your symbol Phantom and I have a feeling that explosion that killed most of the Fenton family, Sam Mansion and Tucker Foley and put Mr. L. Lancer in a coma was not an accident," he said.
"...So what? Are you going accuse me now for murdering them?" Danny asked calmly. Man, was he glad his emotions were sealed are he would be screaming at Batman for even bringing up that fight.
"...No." His answer made Danny look at him in shock. "It was obvious that it was most likely that ghost's fault for their death."
"Then what does that ghost have to do with me joining the team?"
"Nothing, I was pointing that ghost out to ask you what happened to it." Before Danny could speak he interrupted him. "That ghost almost killed you and it is a danger to everyone since it was able to kill people under your watch.'
Danny looked away from Batman with fists clenched; he didn't need to be reminded about his failure. He didn't look back at Batman as he answered.
"That ghost is gone, he won't ever come back." He let out a small breath before looked back at the Dark Knight with a casual expression. "So no need to worry about him."
Batman was quiet, a little too quiet for Danny's liking. His expression didn't change so Danny had no idea what he was thinking. Ex coughed in Danny's head.
So um, this meeting took an awkward turn. Ex said; he was a little worried about Danny not replying so he tried to distract his contractor. Can we get on with this? We're missing valuable anime marathon time and you promised we would watch some tonight.
Danny felt his mouth tug up into a small smile. Take Ex's ranting about anime to distract him from some one of the most important meetings of his life.
His small smile didn't go unnoticed by Batman though.
"I see," Batman said; it looked like he was going say more but stopped.
Batman turned away and started to walk away. "You start training with the others tomorrow."
Danny was once again surprised.
"Whoa, wait, that's it? I'm in? T-That's awesome!" Danny exclaimed.
Congrats Ghosty! You're on the team, good for you! Ex congratulated.
Danny knew Ex only said that to be polite, he still needed to be quiet when Danny went back to the team and he knew Ex hated that fact.
A question popped up in Danny's head as he thought about where he would meet the team.
"Wait, I don't know where I'm supposed to go or how to get there."
"Unfortunately your city doesn't have a Zeta-Tube but Metropolis does," he said; he turned around to face the Halfa. "Red Tornado will meet with you and get you registered in the Zeta-Tubes. There will be no missions tomorrow so you can just focus on training with the others."
Danny nodded showing he understood and started to ascend to the sky.
"Alright then, I'll meet Red Tornado in Metropolis tomorrow understood," Danny confirmed. "Then it was all fine and dandy meeting you finally Batman but now it's time for me to go-." He stopped talking when he turned back to Batman to see he was gone. Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "No goodbyes, I guess."
Oh well, at least you're in and you have something to do tomorrow. Ex said.
"After I take Dani to the park," Danny mentioned as he flew away from the old dinner.
I forgot you had to do that, but let's focus on your plans for tomorrow for you know tomorrow and hurry home. It's time for anime!
XXXX
How...Did this happen?
It was the next day and just as Danny had promised to Dani he took her to the park to have a picnic and somehow they met up with Kwan, who was at the park jogging, and agreed to play a small game of football with him and Dani. Dani had decided to make the teams (though neither teams would really be fair since there was an odd number of people), she made it so she and Kwan would be on the same team while Danny was all by his loathsome. In addition of being alone he got to experience all the joys of get all kinds of bruises during the game along with the constant gloating, courtesy of Dani. Kwan was being nice and encouraging to him along with even giving Danny some free wins.
Though it irritated Danny to no end with all the pity wins, he couldn't really show of his skills in front of someone who's know Danny Fenton to be a weak and non-athletic geek. So that was a no in using any super strength or any of the like.
Danny was panting by the time Dani and Kwan had decided it was time for a break. He draped himself along the park's bench and lifted his water bottle to be poured into his mouth not really caring that most of the water missed its target and landed on his face. Kwan and Dani sat by him as they took a sip of water from their own water bottles.
"Jeez Danny, I didn't know you were that out of shape," Dani teased.
"Maybe I should take you to the gym sometime Fenton! It probably would help," Kwan offered happily.
Danny stopped trying to drown himself and put the water bottle down beside him.
"I *huff* just might… Take up your offer Kwan," Danny said after much panting.
Dani gave him a look that clearly shown she was wondering how the hell he could be out of shape when he fights ghosts on a daily bases.
I thought it would take more than a simple game of football to get you panting Ghosty. Ex quipped.
I usually use my ghost half; I don't really train my human half. Danny finally made himself sit up. I really need to change that considering all the times I've been stuck in my human half.
Yeah you should if it will help with all that sweat and the smell, ugh! You better take a shower before we head to Metropolis.
Ugh, I should head out then; we spent a good few hours out here after all. He looked over to Dani to say how they should head home he stopped himself. Dani was chatting up a storm with the jock, which they both had gotten to know better. Who knew the guy liked to bake?
Might as well leave the two here to chat, Dani can get back home by herself anyway. Danny thought.
The hero stood up as he stretched getting the two's attention.
"Dani I'm going to head back home okay? You can hang out with Kwan a little longer if you want." Both Kwan and Dani whined to his surprise.
"You said you would hang out with me today though Danny."
"You're not really going leave your cuz alone are you Danny?" Kwan asked.
Danny sighed not expecting them to be upset by his leaving.
"I promised to take you to the park Dani and I did plus we spent a good few hours here," he said and turned to Kwan. "And Dani here is a tough girl she knows how to handle herself and how to get back home plus I have lots of schoolwork I need to work on." He empathized on the schoolwork and glanced at Dani when he mentioned it.
Dani gave a silent 'oh' showing she understood, he did tell her he was going to train with the other heroes today after all. She gave him a thumbs up before pulling on Kwan's arm trying to lead him away.
"I guess if you have schoolwork then nothing can be done," Dani said as she successfully started leading Kwan away. "I'll just hang out with your friend Kwan here!"
"Wait we're really leaving?" Kwan asked; Danny was slowly walking away.
"I could help you with your schoolwork Danny I've been getting straights A's so far," Kwan offered.
"No! I mean I couldn't possibly let you spend this beautiful weekend indoors doing schoolwork. You two go have fun," Danny said quickly as he made some shooing motions.
"Yeah so I'll just be stealing your friend away Danny and we'll be seeing you later!" Dani exclaimed.
Kwan still looked a little perplexed but gave in.
"Alright if you say so, see you later."
Danny waved goodbye to them as Dani dragged Kwan off still talking his ear off. Once they were out of sight Danny sprinted to the nearest tree and hid behind it. He made sure no one was around before he transformed into his ghostly half and speed off back to the mansion.
"I'll take a quick shower, get a quick snack and we'll head off to Metropolis," Danny said.
She called him your friend. Ex said.
"What Ex?"
Dani, she called Kwan your friend, what'cha think of that? Ex asked.
"Hmmmm. Nothing really, he isn't really my friend or anything and she was just saying that to help get Kwan away," Danny answered.
Well he could be your friend. Ex started to say but Danny laughed. Hear me out Danny, Kwan is obviously a nice guy and sure you had some rough patches with him in the past but maybe you...Should become friends with him and make other new friends too.
"...You're kidding right?" Danny asked with doubt. "I don't need any new friends Ex or really any at all."
Yet you're leaving to meet with other kids around your age and go on missions with them and you think you won't become friends with them at all? Ex said with more doubt.
Danny huffed. "Yes I do think so and I don't plan on making any friends at all when I already have...Had two best friends…" Danny quieted down.
It seemed he had forgotten that Sam and Tucker were dead, even though it was only for a moment. This would be the part when he starts crying his eyes out or yelling out in rage but thanks to his deal with Ex his emotions were instantly frozen.
Thankfully Ex was quiet for a few moments as Danny regained his composure.
Still. He started. It doesn't mean you can't make new friends; you can't keep yourself isolated from making new connections. Humans are social creatures.
"Well I'm only half-," Danny's argument was cut off.
Half human or not, you need friends Ghosty. Ex stated ending the argument.
Danny groaned.
"This is going be one of the things you pester me about isn't it." Danny stated more than questioned.
Aww, you know me so well! Ex said happily.
Danny just shook his head with smile and took off towards the mansion.
XXX
"Hello Phantom, I am Red Tornado."
Just as Batman had said the robot had met with Danny shortly after he had arrived in Metropolis in the sunny afternoon.
Red Tornado as his name implied was a red colored robot with a yellow circle on his chest with a red T over it. He wore a blue cape with yellow lining and he also had a yellow arrow on his head.
Danny waved at the League member as he landed in front of him.
"Hi," he greeted back.
"Please follow me," Red Tornado said and started to walk away.
Danny followed him as he silently looked around the building. This was his first time in Metropolis and it was a lot like any other big city. It was loud, had that carbon dioxide with a hint of hot dogs smell to it and was bustling with people hurrying to their destinations. Flying over the city was a beautiful sight to behold to the Halfa. It seemed he had arrived in Metropolis on one of those perfect days, where the sun is shining but it isn't too hot and there's a nice wind blowing to keep you cool but not freezing.
It was a shame he didn't get to enjoy the overview for long as he went to meet up with Red Tornado and was now entering a dark building with him in the warehouse district. Well Danny could always come back to enjoy the view at a later time if the sidekicks base was here. No scratch that, Batman said something about a Zeta-Tube, whatever that is, and using that to get to the others so that leads to the question of where exactly he was going be meeting with them.
"Red Tornado what exactly is a Zeta-Tube? And by the way where is exactly the team's base?" Danny asked. "Batman never really briefed me about all the details during our meeting."
"Yes, Batman has asked me to inform you of all you need to know about the team and to answer any other questions," he said.
"Let me start by explaining to you what the Team does," the robot started. Danny stood up a little straighter making sure his focus was on the hero in front of him. He could tell a whole lecture of information was going to be told. "The team does more covert missions for the Justice League. Batman is in charge of giving those covert missions to the Team while I am the acting "den-mother" for them. As for where the Team's base is located, they are located on Mount Justice, the old headquarters for the Justice League."
"Okay," Danny said as Red Tornado stopped talking. He surprised himself with actually staying awake during the lecture.
It sounds more like you and your new friends are spies then heroes. Ex voiced out his thoughts to the Halfa.
Oh now you decided to talk to me? Danny questioned the demon.
Ever since he flew into town Ex had decided to give him the silent treatment. After he said to him that he hated his guts because now he was going have to be quiet whenever they were near the Martian girl or on missions with the team. Though he was happy that Danny was in a sense "hanging out" with people his age.
Well I might as well talk as much as I can before I am silenced forever, never to utter a word ever again. Ex said with a heavy sigh at the end.
Dude your just gonna have to be quiet for a couple of hours not till the end of time. Danny said.
A few hours will feel like an eternity to me anyway! Why do you wish to cause so much distraught to your demon Danny?! Whhhhhhhhyyyyyy!? Ex said way too dramatically.
Danny just rolled his eyes at the fire demon's antics and went to look at the large round device on the far side of the room he and the other hero entered. The device reminded Danny of the Ghost Patrol before it was activated, being a long tube filled with wiring and other technology required to work. Red Tornado stopped in front of a panel and started to type into the little hologram keyboard that appeared above it.
"To answer your early question Phantom this is a Zeta-Tube, we use them in order to get to other areas quicker," Red Tornado explained.
"I see, so it's a teleportation device," Danny said.
Red Tornado nodded before typing in a few more things into the panel before moving away.
"Phantom please put your hand on the panel."
Danny did as he was told and placed his hand on the holographic screen. "Why do I need to do this?"
"I am registration you into the computer so you can have access to the Zeta-Tubes," Red Tornado said as another little holographic screen appeared in front of him and he started to type on it. "Until we can build a Zeta-Tube in Amity Park you can use the Zeta-Tube here in Metropolis in order to get to Mount Justice."
After a few more minutes of typing the Zeta-Tube turned on with a whir of high speeds and a bright light appeared from the tube.
"You are now registered into the computer. I took the liberty to turn on the tube and tell it where we wish to go. If you wish to activate the Zeta-Tube just say where you would like to go and the computer will scan you," he said.
The two headed over to the tube's entrance and Danny took in a deep breath and let it out to help quell his nerves.
"Phantom are you alright?" Red Tornado stopped walking to face Danny.
Danny smiled at him.
"Just getting ready to actually interact with the others, without having assassins breathing down our necks."
The League member looked a little confused at what he said (somehow Danny was able to see confusion on the robot's non-existent face) but nodded none the less and entered the blinding light.
Remember Ex stay quiet. Danny reminded him.
Yeah, Yeah, I will be. Enter the portal already.
Danny just chuckled lightly at Ex's impatient tone and did just as he had order and entered the portal.
XXXX
Recognized: Danny Phantom B08
M'gann and Artemis had stopped talking as they heard the computer announce who was entering the cave. The two of them and Wally looked over to the Zeta-Tube to see the young ghost hero leave the tube shortly after Red Tornado had entered and the machine's light go off.
M'gann smiled brightly as she spotted the other new addition of their team
"Come on Artimes let's go and greet them," she said and quickly walked over to them leaving Artimes behind.
It seemed Wally had beaten her to Danny though and now stood in front of the ghost.
Danny blinked in surprise and confusion as a two green eyes and a freckled face appeared in front of him.
"Dude! I was wondering when you would get here," Wally said.
Danny gave him look with slight confusion. The green eyes and red hair looked familiar and then that little light bulb went off in his head.
"Kid Flash?" He questioned.
Wally smiled. "The one and only! We were wondering when you were going show up."
This was around the time Artimes and M'gann come over.
"It's nice to see you again Danny! Or do you like being called Phantom?" M'gann asked meekly.
"It's fine if you call me Danny or Phantom if you want," he replied with a casually shrug.
"Alright then I'll call you Danny, Oh! You don't know our names, well you do but that's our Superhero names," M'gann rambled. "Anyway my name is M'gann M'orzz or you can call me Megan since it's an earth name and we're on earth."
"I'm Wally," the speedster said as he proudly pointed to himself.
"And you already know my name," Artimes said.
Danny raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Your superhero name is your real name?" She just shrugged.
"Isn't it the same for your name?"
"Err, fair point," Danny said. "There's not much I can do about that since I can't have a secret identity."
Fail: Aqualad
Danny looked over to where Aqualad and Superboy sparing to see the Atlantean on his back while Superboy was smiling with victory. Aqualad seemed to be the only one in his hero clothes while everyone else was dressed in some regular clothes. Minus Superboy who was just wearing jeans and Robin who was nowhere to be seen.
"Kaldur, Superboy get over and say hi to Danny," Wally called over.
The two heroes looked over to see where their friend had called them over and spotted Danny. The Halfa was obviously showing he wasn't sure what to do with all the attention.
Aqualad smiled at their new member as he and Superboy went over to them
"Greetings Phantom I'm glad to see your finally here," he said and shook hands with him.
Danny smiled at him becoming more relaxed with his new team members.
"Me too." He looked over at Superboy. "It's nice to see you too Superboy we didn't really talk during that first mission."
"...Yeah, I guess welcome," Superboy stated rather flatly.
Danny's smile faltered a little but Wally whispered to him.
"Don't worry about the big guy just needs to warm up to you, he's like that to everyone," he reassured him.
"You know I can hear you right?" Superboy stated.
Wally laughed nervously and backed away slowly causing Danny to chuckle at him and Superboy to smirk.
"Since we are not working let me reintroduce myself, I am Kaldur'ahm, Kaldur for my friends. I see the others have already told you their names," Aqualad or Kaldur said.
"Well everyone except you Superboy, oh, and Robin too." Wally snorted at that.
"Good luck finding out his name. Batman has forbidden the Boy Wonder to tell anyone his real name," Wally explained.
"Okay I'll make sure to remember that," Danny said. "Do you have another name Superboy or is it just 'Superboy'?"
"..It's just Superboy," he stated a little angrily.
An awkward atmosphere almost came up at because of Superboy's sudden angry but luckily Artimes intervened.
"So what shall we do? It's not like we have any missions," she said.
"Batman just told me to train with you guys today," Danny said.
Wally let out a loud sigh. "But that gets boring after a while. A mission is the perfect way to show you the ropes." Out of the corner of his eye Wally saw Red Tornado typing away on the holographic computer and in a flash he was by him.
"Hey Red Tornado do you have any missions for us?" He asked hopefully.
The robot stopped what he was doing and looked over to the hero as the others started to gather by him.
"Missions assignments are the Batman's responsibility," he stated.
"Yeah, but the Batman is out with the Robin doing the dynamic duo in Gotham buuuttt you're heading out somewhere right? Like a hot date or maybe a mission?" Wally said.
"If we can be of some help," Kaldur added.
Red Tornado just stared at them before he typed something else and looked up at a holographic screen. The image on the screen showed an old man dressed in a suit and combed back grey hair along with a black cane with a golden handle.
"This is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is 106 years old," Red Tornado said as Wally whispered something to Artimes. "And he has been missing for 23 days. Kent was a charter member of the justice Society; he was the precursor to your mentors Justice League."
The image of Nelson changed to him as was Doctor Fate. He was wearing a blue body suit with golden gloves, boots, belt, cape and helmet. Danny looked at the image curiously before he felt a rush of heat. Danny's eyes widen wondering what Ex was trying to tell him. That heat he felt gave him the sense of dread and fear, not the usual calming heat. What made Ex so nervous about this guy?
"Of course!" Kaldur exclaimed breaking Danny's musing. "Nelson was Earth's sorcerer supreme. He was Doctor Fate."
"He may be on one of his... walkabouts, but he is the caretaker to the Helmet of Fate, the source of the Doctor's mystic might and it is unwise to leave such power unguarded," Red Tornado continued.
"He is like the great sorcerer priest and priestess of Mars, I would be honored to help find him," M'gann said.
And just like that Wally's hand shot up in the air.
"Me too!" He exclaimed. "I would be so honored to find him that I can barely stand it! Magic rocks."
Danny wasn't sure if he should cringe or face palm at how fake that sounded. Kaldur and the others except M'gann, who just smiled, rolled their eyes. It seemed they were used to Wally's antics in impressing the Martian. Ugh, it seemed Danny was going have to get used to it too.
"Take this it is the key to the Tower of fate," Red Tornado said handing Kaldur key.
"What were the chances that we'd both admire the mystic arts?" Wally asked Miss. Martian who just gave him a tired smile.
Danny held in a sigh.
It seemed it was going be a long night.
XXX
"This ship is so cool!" Danny said as he looked outside the Bio-Ship's window.
M'gann giggled and smiled at Danny.
"Thank you," she said.
Danny had to admit, he loved flying on his own but riding in a Martian ship was pretty fun.
"So Wally," Artimes started. "When did you discover your honest affinity for sorcerer?"
"Well I don't like to brag," he stared.
Danny rolled his eyes. Here we show an example of a guy trying too hard.
"But before I become Kid Flash I considered becoming a wizard myself," he said as he leaned back and gave M'gann a closed eyed smile.
Everyone just rolled their eyes and went back at looking at the sky.
"We've reach Red Tornado's coordinates," M'gann said.
"I don't see anything," Danny said.
"Yeah, nothing is here," Superboy added.
Kaldur, dressed now in his own causal clothes, looked down at the town thoughtful. "Take us down."
M'gann complied and landed the Bio-Ship on a parking lot by the park. Everyone left the ship after the hatch had opened and started to look around. When they couldn't find anything Kaldur told Danny to get a quick bird's eye view while Wally did a quick lap around hoping one of the two would spot something.
When they came back they both reported that they didn't find anything.
"Do you think he used adaptive micro active electronics combined with phase shifting to hide the tower?" Artimes asked.
"That is absolutely," Wally glanced over at M'gann. "Wrong! Magic is obviously being used to hide the tower."
Artimes she gave him a disappointed look.
Danny was quiet as rested his chin on his hand as went in thought. "Maybe...we just need to test our fate?" Danny said.
"How are we supposed to do that?" Superboy asked.
"I have no idea," Danny deadpanned.
"Wait I think I know how," Kaldur said and walked past the others. "Everyone stay back."
He inserted the key into the air which made a click and disappeared like it was in a key lock. Kaldur turned the key and the tower they were looking for appeared. Everyone looked up at the stone building.
"It's….Not as impressive as I thought it would be," Danny said with a frown.
Kaldur pushed the door and headed into the building the others following. Superboy was the last to go in as the door disappeared.
"Uh, where the door go?" The clone asked.
A hologram of Kent appeared in front of them.
"Greetings, you have entered with a key but the tower does not recognize you. Please state your purpose and intent," the hologram demanded.
Danny opened his mouth to speak, sensing that they should be truthful but Wally placed a hand in front of him to stop.
"I got this dude," he stated and glanced at M'gann.
Danny sighed and moved out of the way for Wally.
If he still trying to impress M'gann and we end up in some kind of trouble because of it I'm going to knock him on the head. Danny promised himself.
Wally cleared his voice. "We are true believers! Here to find Doctor Fate!"
The hologram looked at Wally with an expression that clearly said "really kid? You're really trying this?" before vanishing. Wally frowned wondering why that didn't work before the room started to shake and the floor broke apart under all of them. Sending them down to a pit of lava.
"Ahhh!" They all screamed as they suddenly dropped.
Danny quickly sprang into action after he got over his shock. The closest person to him was Superboy and so he grabbed the hero by the waist and flew upwards while holding him. The others had taken quick action too; M'gann had caught Wally while Artimes had used a grappling hook to keep herself from falling and caught Kaldur.
Superboy sighed in relief.
"Thanks man," he told Danny.
"No proab," he replied. As the two flew upward towards the others he yelled up to Kaldur. "Hey what are we going to do? I'm open to any ideas!"
The two smiled at each other but it was short lived as Superboy pointed to M'gann and Wally.
"We need to get over there, M'gann is starting to fall."
Danny looked up and saw that she was starting to descend. He flew up to her and grabbed her waist and started to pull her up.
"You okay there?" He asked
"It's hard to concentrate with all these heat." She was starting to sweat quickly. "Ugh, I'm so hot."
"You certainly are," Wally said with a dreamy expression.
"Wally!" Artimes yelled.
"Really man!? You're going flirt while we're falling down to a pit of lava?!" Danny yelled.
"Hey! Were inches above sizzling death, I'm allowed to speak my mind!" He argued.
"My and M'gann's physiology are sustainable to extreme heat. We have to climb out quickly," Kaldur said urgently.
"Right I'll fly these guys to the top and come back for you guys," Danny said.
"Uh, that may be a problem," Artimes said.
"Uh?" Danny looked up to see no opening. "What the-where the opening go?"
"The tower is probably doing this to keep us trapped," Superboy voiced out.
"The tower, oh the tower! Hello Megan! We never truly answer the question," She said as she knocked herself on the head. She cupped her hand around her mouth and yelled. "Red Tornado sent us to see if the helmet and Mr. Nelson were safe!"
As soon as those words were spoken the lava pit was replaced with a real floor. Danny and M'gann quickly brought themselves and Superboy and Wally down to the new floor while Artimes used the grappling hook to lower herself and Kaldur. The Atlantean crouched down to the floor and placed his hand on it.
"This platform should be red hot but instead it is cool to the touch," he observed.
"Don't worry Megalicious, I got you," Wally said has he gently held M'gann so she could rest.
Danny felt like the room got colder from where Artimes was as she glared at Wally. She didn't need to have ice powers with that cold glare of hers. She stomped over to Wally and pushed him roughly away.
"ENOUGH! Your little game of 'impress Megan at all cost', nearly got us all killed!" She scolded.
"Well I'm already dead so," Danny quickly shut up as Artimes sent her glare at him to. "I'll just stay quiet."
Wally sent back his own glare at the archer.
"When did this become my fault?" he questioned.
"When you lied to whatever that thing was and called yourself a true believer!" She said.
"Wally do you not believe?" M'gann asked with some sadness.
They were all looking at him expectantly for his answer.
"Fine, fine! I don't believe but you know what magic is the real lie, it's a major load!" he yelled and crossed his arms as he looked away from them.
"Wally, I studied for year at the Conservatory of Sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts I learned there helped to create my water bearers," Kaldur said.
"Dude did you ever hear of bio-electricity? You know in primitive cultures fire was considered magic too!" He exclaimed. "Today it's all a bunch of tricks. Everything can be explained with science."
"Alright then how about you explain how a ghost is made to us then with science," Danny said.
"Easy that leftover electro pulse from the brain is what forms the ectoplasm of a ghost into well, a ghost!"
"That doesn't explain how a ghost has a personality though," Danny retorted.
"And so what if it doesn't? You asked me how a ghost is made, not how it acts," Wally said stubbornly with arms crossed.
Danny felt his eye twitch a little but his emotions did not get out of control. He did promise to knock Wally on the head if they got into some kind trouble with his flirting and that exactly what he did.
"Ow!" Wally grabbed the top of his head and glared at Danny. "What the heck was that for?!"
"Promised myself I would whack you if you got us in trouble which you did," Danny explained.
The two glared at other until M'gann intervened.
"Stop fighting we need to focus on a way out of here", she said.
"M'gann is right and I think I may have found the way out," Kaldur said. He found a little latch on the platform and started to lift it.
Wally gasped.
"Wait! The back draft from the lava will roast us alive!" he said panicking.
Kaldur didn't listen to him and open the door to let out soft snowflakes and cold wind not hot lava.
M'gann smiled as the snow touched her as did Danny. For some reason he had always liked winter though Sam didn't like it that much since it would freeze her plants.
Artimes looked at the astonished speedy hero and smirked.
"Do you ever get tired at being wrong?" She asked innocently. He just gave her a dirty look.
One by one they jumped through the door and landed in a snowy wasteland. Dotted with mountains. After Wally dropped down the door behind them shrunk until it was non-existent. He looked over to his teammates to see them looking at him expectantly.
"Still don't believe?" Danny asked.
"Ever heard of the string-theory? Were obviously in a pocket dimension," he stated.
Artimes groaned at his answer.
Danny pinched the bridge of his nose.
Ugh, it's like trying to tell Tucker to eat his veggies. Danny thought.
"What's that?" M'gann asked.
Danny looked over to what she was pointing at to see a cane, the same cane that was shown with Nelson! He and Artimes both headed over to the cane.
"Ohhh, maybe it Nelson magic wand," Wally' voice oozed with sarcasm. He headed over to grab the cane too.
For some reason all three of them decided to grab the cane at the same time which somehow got them all stuck to it.
"I can't let it go!" Artimes exclaimed.
"Crap! Were stuck to it-whoa!" Danny was cut off as the cane lifted all three of them off the ground and teleported them away.
Kaldur, Superboy and M'gann looked at the area where their friends had disappeared with shocked expressions.
"Uh, where did the go?" Superboy asked.
XXXX
"Uff!" All three teens landed in a heap of each other since their hands were still connected to the cane.
Danny's first reaction was to tell Wally to get his foot out of his face but instead he felt a flash of heat go through him that was powerful enough to leave him in shock for a few seconds. Ex was warning him and someone really powerful must have been near since that flash of heat was stronger than any of the others he experienced before.
He looked around their new surrounds to see a whole bunch of stairs in some of the strangest positions. His eyes landed on a small group and he recognized two of the people in it; the first guy he spotted was tall and thin. He had black hair placed in a ponytail with sideburns and a goatee. He had a narrow face and brown eyes which were currently glaring at them. He wore a poet shirt that exposes his hairy chest which Danny really didn't need to see and a gold necklace, accompanied with black trousers over black briefs, black gloves, and a gold belt buckle with a letter A on it.
The other person he didn't recognize was a scraggy teenager with long, thin limbs, a thin neck and an angular face. He had black hair in a mop-top style with V-shaped bangs and devil-horns rising over the ears to points slightly above the top of his head. His clothes were all black except his white shirt with a tall, stiff collar. On top of this he wears a black skinny tie, black skinny trousers and pointed shoes, as well as a distinctive jacket. The jacket resembles a standard suit jacket around the chest and shoulders, though it had long sleeves that flared, pointed cuffs, and the jacket's skirt was similarly long and shaped so that it comes to a point at the front.
He reminded Danny of a wizard except he gave off a very, very, bad vibe. Like a-
Demon. Danny thought and another flash of heat went through him. He must have been right or close to it since Ex was confirming it.
The two Danny did recognize were Mr. Nelson who was currently tied up and that ghost he had fought on the day he met Artimes, Nokoru.
The ghost stood by the strange boy and saw them and started to draw his sword. Danny was completely focused on him unsure if he would attack him and his teammates or Nelson.
Wally was the first to react to the newcomers and glared at them.
"Abra Kadabra!" He yelled at the man nearest to Nelson.
Danny snorted. "Okay, that's a pretty bad name for a villain."
Abra Kadabra scowled at the Halfa while Nelson smiled.
"Well would you look at that," Nelson said.
The cane started to glow golden and the same aura appeared around Nelson. He started to float and shot straight past his kidnappers to the teens. He landed in front of them and grabbed his cane, the force that held the heroes to be stuck to the cane dropped and all three let go with relieved breaths. Nelson's bounds unraveled themselves and he was once again free.
"Quick! In here," Nelson said as an elevator appeared courtesy to his magic. No one wasted any time to rush in as the doors open.
"No, No, NO!" the witch boy yelled and started stomping. "I want that helmet! Nokoru get them!"
The ghost immediately complied and rammed into the elevator's doors with his katana. The doors closed just in time as his blade rammed into the elevator.
Soft elevator music started to play as the group stood in an awkward silence, well awkward for the teens Nelson looked relaxed.
"Umm," Danny started while he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh, I'm Kent Nelson by the way," Nelson introduced himself.
"No duh. Ow!" Wally exclaimed as Artimes and Danny elbowed him in the ribs on both sides.
"My name is Danny."
"And I'm Aritmes and Ms. Manners over here is Wally," she introduced herself and Wally.
Nelson smiled at them clearly amused.
"Well Artimes, Danny were up against an opponent with tremendous mystic power." His smile replaced with a deep frown.
"Arba Kadabra?!" Wally said surprise and doubt lacing his voice. "Flash proved that he used futuristic technology to simulate magic. He's all show and no buiz."
"Wally I think he was talking about that boy with the cat," Danny said.
"You are both right. Abra is indeed a fake but Klarion, the kid with the cat you mentioned, is a Lord of Chaos. The ultimate enemy of a Lord of Order," Nelson explained.
"So he isn't a demon?" Danny asked while his comrades gave him a look wondering what made Danny ask that.
"No but he has been called one and has helped demons come to our world multiply times. He also has the ability to control weaker demon to help his cause in creating as much chaos as he wants," Nelson explained.
That must be why Ex freaked out. Klarion has the ability to control demons. Danny thought.
But that brought up the question in how powerful Ex was. Klarion could only control weaker demons, so either Ex was indeed powerful but still weak enough to be controlled by Klarion or that he wasn't that very powerful at all and would be controlled as soon as the witch boy realized he was in Danny and he had no idea what that would do while Ex was inside him.
I better be careful if we come across Klarion and his group again. Danny was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the others conversation until the elevator stopped.
Nelson led them out of the elevator and back to the stairway room and headed towards a huge bell. Hissing was heard behind them and all of a sudden Kaldur and Superboy fell down onto the platform with a grunt. M'gann came shortly behind them except she gracefully floated down to land. Artimes grinned and ran over to check on their friends.
"Friends of yours?" Nelson asked.
Wally swiftly pulled Nelson down to dodge a red blast while Danny put up a shield to block Nokoru's blade.
"Friends of yours?" Danny repeated Nelson's word to him.
With a grunt Danny pushed his shield against the samurai-skeleton ghost and powered his push with an ecto-ray. This flung the ghost back to crash into one of the stair-cases.
Danny heard the bell rung and looked behind him to see Wally and Nelson walking into it and of course Klarion followed behind them. Danny wasted no time in entering the bell too not knowing where he would appear.
He appeared just in time to see Klarion zap Nelson with his chaotic energy.
"Mr. Nelson!" Danny yelled.
He was about to fly over to them but was knocked to the ground. He was dazed but not enough to not roll at of the way as Nokoru stabbed the ground where a moment before his head was. He sent an ecto-blast at the ghost and at the ray Klarion sent to Wally and Nelson driving the ray off course.
Klarion glared at Danny and yelled at him and sent a ray at him. At the same time Nokoru had decided to charge at him so all Danny had to do was waiting at the very last minute to side step. As soon as he dodged Nokoru was hit by the ray instead and was sent flying back. He took this chance to fly over to Nelson and Wally. It seemed Nelson had started to put up a shield and Danny barely made it in.
The old man seemed weakened and he started to sway as he faced Wally.
"N-not bad for a Doctor fake right kid?" He was able to say before he fell over. Wally caught him.
"The shield will give enough time... for the two of you... to do what you need to do," Nelson managed to say between gasps.
Danny's eyes widen. No, he can't be… He didn't bother to finish his thought.
"What do you mean?" Wally asked.
"Just have faith...do what you can no longer explain and believe in what you cannot...deny." With those last words Nelson's eyes closed and the hand that held his pocket watch dropped.
Both heroes' eyes widen knowing that Nelson...was dead.
Wally didn't let that fact stopped him and started to perform CPR on him while Danny threw ecto-blasts out to the Lord of Chaos and the ghost.
"Arrrrggghhh! I'm getting tired of this! I want that helmet and I want it NOW!" Klarion yelled.
Crap, crap, crap! What do we do?! Danny asked himself and looked over his shoulder to see Wally still trying to revive the sorcerer.
Alright let's just go over what we know and we have. Danny thought as he threw more blasts at their enemies. We have a Lord of Chaos whose super powerful and trying to blow us up, a crazy, annoying ghost who's under that brat's orders. Our old Doctor Fate is dead and Wally is focused on trying to revive him, our teammates are nowhere near us and are fighting a stupidly named fake wizard!
Danny listed off all of this trying to think of a plan. So basically were sitting ducks. He thought mournfully and it didn't help that M'gann's voice cut through.
Danny, Wally! Tell Nelson we need Doctor Fate! M'gann told them.
An image appeared in Danny's mind showing him how the rest of the team was doing on their end of the battle... Let's just say it wasn't that good.
All of them were trapped in electric nets and a scream was heard from M'gann before the mental link was violently cut off.
Danny opened his eyes with a gasp and looked over Wally seeing the shock look on his face. He must have received the same image too.
There had to be something they could do! Danny was not going give up without a fight. If only they had Doctor Fate.
Wait that was it! Danny grinned as an idea came up in his head and he walked over to the helmet and touched.
A rush of heat flashed through him from Ex a lot like when Ex was warning him about Klarion but this time Danny had to ignore the fire demon's warnings.
"Danny what are you doing?" Wally asked as he watched the Halfa grab the helmet.
"Well I guess you could say I'm testing my faith," Danny said.
Before Wally could tell him not to do it and Klarion had finally broken through the bubble Danny had put on the helmet.