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starlit-crossing · 4 months ago

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A Ghost of Yourself

Chapter 7 - Brotherly Bonding

Bruce hadn’t been thrilled when they returned later that afternoon. Luckily Danny didn’t have to deal with the fallout. Bruce was more relieved he had returned, than angry at his leaving. He gave him a look Danny was very familiar with and sent him to his room without a word. He didn’t care the mall had been fun, like afternoons spent with Sam and Tucker after school. The others watched him calmly walk up the stairs, stopping at the top to give them a thumbs-up before disappearing. The others were stuck under Bruce’s gaze.

“What were the four of you thinking? What made you think taking Danny out shopping was a good idea? He’s still a flight risk.” Bruce demanded.

“We get that Bruce, but it’s been two weeks since he got here. Have you talked to him? Gotten to know him?” Steph challenged.

“Steph’s right, he’s not going to want to stay if he feels ignored. Duke and Damian can’t be the only ones.” Tim added.

“If that was the case he wouldn’t have left the other homes. He’s trying to get somewhere, and we still don’t know enough about him to let him do whatever he wants.” Bruce sighed, head in his hand from stress.

“But letting him wander the grounds till he’s stir-crazy is better?” Tim scoffed. “We got more out of him just by talking than anything we’ve tried to garner from research.”

“Like what?” Bruce pressed.

“He has never heard of the Justice League,” Duke chimed in. “Anything about heroes really.”

“He seems to have a regular civilian life, video games, and friends. Not that he’d let much slip about the friends.” Steph added.

“He has shown immense interest in astronomy and aerial advancement.” Damian spoke up.

“It’s why we took him out, Bruce. We wanted to see if we gave a reason to want to stay, that he’d take it. The hope is eventually he won’t need strings attached.” Tim concluded.

“So, you took him out as a test.” Bruce looked amongst them reminded of how well he trained. “What did you promise him?”

“A tour of STAR Labs in Metropolis, to see the space exploration department.” Steph answered waiting for a familiar bat glare, instead, Bruce pondered the thought.

“I’ll allow it, but there should be more of you. What would happen if an incident were to occur while you were there? Who would make sure Danny was out of the way while the others went to help? I’ll reach out to Clark and see what I can do about a tour. It’s his city so he’ll be best as back up.” Bruce answered, tugging his phone from his pocket. The four of them were surprised but decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Duke and Steph went off with their haul while Damian went to find Alfred the cat. Tim followed behind Bruce as he made his way to the study. He offered Tim a seat setting the phone aside.

“How was the mall?” Bruce smiled, taking his seat.

“It was fun, Danny seemed to have had a good time at least from what I could tell. Though something else happened I wanted to brief you on.” Tim answered, pulling out his phone.

“What did you find?” Bruce leaned over to get a closer look.

“So far, we know Danny was traveling to Gotham via a Greyhound, no city he’s passed through holds a record of someone named Danny or Daniel matching his description. The brands of the clothes he arrived in can only be found in the northeast side of the U.S.” Tim explained.

“What states does that leave us with?” Bruce asked.

“Everything west of Indiana, then Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois. A burner phone was in his bag, but neither the phone nor the contacts within have ever been used. The location on the phone was turned off and didn’t ping until he entered Gotham.” Tim answered.

“Hmm… Any contacts on the phone?” Bruce inquired.

“Two numbers neither used and no location mentioned since purchase. It almost feels like he must live in an electronic blackout, but such things would’ve been noticed by now.” Tim rambled.

“How does this relate back to the mall?”

“The attention we garnered is something we’re all used to. It comes with the Wayne name. Danny actively hid from the cameras. Though not many were focused on him, one did catch something.” Tim turned the phone to Bruce showing the blurred image of Danny, his eyes a glow. The man’s face was unreadable as he looked at the phone. Then it shifted to a look only Tim could recognize; he’d seen it when Bruce brought in new members. Whether Danny liked it or not he was stuck with the Waynes at his side.

“Dick will be taking those who wish to go to STAR Labs. I’m sure Connor or Wally can tag along as backup.” He spoke leaning back in his seat. “Let’s also keep an eye on that photo, on the off chance anyone is able to recognize him.”

---

Bruce had given the green light to visit STAR Labs. They had a chaperone, Dick, who would be joining them. He was the eldest of the adopted children. Danny had seen Tim roll his eyes at the mention of the brother though a smile lit his face. Danny didn’t care though so long as he could go he was happy. They would head out the following weekend, anyone who wished to go could tag along.

So far it was just Tim, Duke, and someone named Cass. Damian and Steph had schoolwork and were unable to take the day off. Danny himself was buzzing with excitement, all week he had been in the library reading up on advancements he had missed because of hero work. They had images of black holes and had found so many lives amongst the stars. Danny had also taken the time to learn more about the Justice League.

There were way more than Danny had thought. So many Danny wondered how no one had heard of what happened in Amity Park. His entire town had been dragged into another dimension and were attacked on almost a weekly basis until recently. Way more than some of these other cities. Those cities did deal with crime he wasn’t used to, except for maybe robberies. They were human crimes, which dried up with the constant ghost attacks.

Nothing about his home, family, or hero life were online. Tourism was prominent for people visiting for work or on the way to Chicago. He could still picture the lawyer’s face when he saved him from getting hit by a truck when fighting Technus. It was so funny when he realized he was a ghost and not a normal hero. The only conclusion he could come up with was the Guys in White creating a media white out on Amity Park. Powerful people had an easy time silencing those who didn’t have a lot of eyes on them.

In comparison the whole world had their eyes on the Justice League, not just Earth but throughout space as well. This meant they also had the whole world on their back. The UN tracks the heroes across the world and will even try to keep them from getting involved. That shut down his hopes of getting help from the JL. If they were bound by the law and he approached them seeking help he would thrust onto the world stage.

The Anti-Ecto Control act would come up and he would be left just fighting for his right to exist. Still, he wanted to meet them at some point, especially Martian Manhunter. It would be amazing to meet him and learn about Mars, Superman too. Superman seemed to have similar powers to himself, mainly the flying and shooting lasers, but he could probably give him some tips.

Then there was the other teams, all young heroes just like him! Other kids his age doing hero work and getting to hang out. Red Robin and Robin were the most familiar as they were from Gotham. Steph and Duke were more than willing to tell him all about Gotham’s iconic bat family. They also skimmed over the Young Justice and the Teen Titans who were more popular online than the adult hero teams.

The Outsiders were the most recent of the teams, focused on public image alongside heroism. Danny had binged through their social media, spending many hours watching their videos. It gave him a peak into what being a hero was like for other teens. All of this filled out his week of waiting very well and let him get to know Damian and Duke more. Damian still had a wall up with him, but was willing to let him help with taking care of Titus, Alfred the cat and his other pets.

Hiding his emotions was easier now, he barely had to consciously focus on it. His emotions felt stronger too, due to being unable to express them he felt more. The excitement for the next day was almost too much at this point. It had been growing gradually throughout the week and was starting to make headway at dinner. Danny could feel the eyes on him as he wolfed down his food, delicious as always thanks to Alfred.

“Thanks for the food, I think I’m going to turn in early. See you all tomorrow!” Danny announced as he finished off his last bit of steak. Rushing out of the dining room to the stairs and back to his room. He changed quickly into pajamas and settled in for the night. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep right away so he opened the window letting the crisp fall air drift in while he turned on a movie on the computer.

The screams of the Tormentor filled the room, his eyes wandering from the screen every few minutes. At first it was his leg bouncing under the table, then a hang nail on his thumb, the sound of the leaves rustling outside. His eyes fell back on the window, rolling his swivel chair to face the rolling countryside. The lights of Gotham twinkling in the distance, a few bats swooping through the trees.

When was the last time he flew? The last time he just got to have fun with his ghost powers. His mind reached out to the ghost half of himself, it was still there buzzing with energy ready to go at moment’s notice. A light started to flitter through the trees along the main road. He leaned out the window, seeing if it would stop at the gate as it began to slow. As the car made its way down the drive, Danny felt his head bump against something rigid. Above him was the top of the open window, the floor serval inches below him.

A shout escaped his lips as he forced his flight off knocking the wind out of him as he landed halfway out the window. Scrambling back inside his room before the car parked in the drive.

---

“So, B wants you to babysit?” Jason Asked in between dodging goons.

“Yep, Red came up with the idea to take the kid on a field trip. Keep him entertained and wanted while he’s on house arrest.” Dick answered. “Apparently he’s a big space fan.”

The two of them were currently in Crime Alley raiding an old office building that had been coveted by a newly formed gang. Jason had little interest in the gang itself, but the group had been bragging about knowing everything that happens in the alley. Rumors had surfaced they got a hold of an old Black Mask info broker. So, Jason and Dick went out to raid the place, well Jason did Dick decided to tag along while Jason ignored him but it was progress. So far the man they’d been looking for was a no show, they had cleared the first two floors with little issue but were growing concerned as more members showed but not the target.

“In that case I’m guessing you’re bringing baby blue with you? I don’t wish to be you this weekend.” Jason laughed, chucking a man out the window.

Dick just gave him a look, “Are you serious?” the sibling just gave him a shrug as they pushed deeper up to the third floor. “Superboy is on holiday with Miss M, I thought of Kaldur or KF but they both are busy with family.”

“So that’s why you followed me out here, you want me to help watch the roamer.” Jason exclaimed.

“That isn’t why I came; I wanted to hang out and catch up on what’s happening at the Manor. You wanted to spend family bonding time beating up a gang.” Dick explained.

“What do you mean, that’s how we always bond in this family.” His brother defended kicking open the next door. The fourth floor was different than the others, it was quiet with an open floor plan with large floor-length windows. Crates and boxes with stacked around creating strange angles and cover.

“True, but if I needed backup for the kid I already have it since Orphan is tagging along.” Dick smiled. They crept forward, movement in the back of the room catching their eyes. The two nodded to each other before splitting up. Dick kept talking, keeping the stranger’s attention.

“I don’t really need an excuse to want to hang out with you do I, Little Wing?” he called, moving between the door and the unknown lurker. “I’m mean really it’s been ages, or maybe just a month. You should swing by more often, I know you can cook at least better than the rest of us.”

Finally, with the man cornered, Dick turned past a pile of crates to see a skinny stick of a man. His wiry frame was covered in tattoos with a large jacket hanging loose over his white tank. His dark hair slicked back with so much product it looked greasy and had a small trigger in his hand. He’d rigged this place to blow, and they were standing at the top of it. Before Dick could think any further, Jason was perched above the man ready to jump him.

He had to get the trigger away before Jason made a move, so he went off instinct and side kicked the trigger out of the man’s hand. Second the info broker let go Jason dove on him throwing both out the window. Dick fell to catch the trigger catching the piece just before the thing landed button first. The room felt too quiet after that, Dick was missing something during all the commotion. A crash was heard outside the building, Jason’s grappling hook couldn’t be seen outside.

Dick ran to the window to see two bodies lying on the ground in a pile of trash. Jason seemed to lay on top letting the broker take the brunt of the fall. Dick deactivated the trigger and followed down to check on the two.

“Hood! Are you alright? What happened?” Dick yelled rushing to his side, a groan met him as an answer. He checked Jason over before rolling him off the crushed man. Jason then proceeded to remove his helmet leaving him in his domino mask.

“Fucker decided that holding my arms as we fell was better than letting me save us from the fall. Is he dead?” Jason huffed, pushing himself up into a sitting position. He looked over the man Jason landed on, surprisingly he was mostly fine outside a few broken bones.

“You definitely broke a rib or two, lucky for him he’s out cold.” Dick answered.

“Great, so I can kick him, and he should wake up!” Jason hissed, trying to move his foot but couldn’t get far.

“He needs to go to the hospital before any integration and we should get you back to the cave.” He ordered, calling over his car.

“Like hell! He was going to blow up an entire building, what for? He could’ve died in there with us, so he’s got something worth hiding.” His brother spat.

“You’re right, but if dies due to a punctured lung than he’ll be useless.”

“Fine.” Jason muttered.

“Good, I know you won’t like it but I’m going to have B look over your guy.” Dick began messaging Bruce through his arm communicator.

“Whatever, but if he wakes up have the kid interrogate. It’ll give him some practice.” Dick smiled at the suggestion of having Damian take lead.

“Sounds good, he’ll be glad to.” He grabbed Jason’s unhurt arm and helped him into the car as it pulled up to the alley.

As they reached home, Dick received confirmation that the broker had made it to the hospital alive. Bruce and Damian would be keeping tabs on him until he woke, but he wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Jason on the hand kept insisting he was fine, but his attitude on the drive back suggested otherwise. With every tight turn or bump his face would strain and a curse would slip out.

It was a family trait at this point to pretend you were fine when you really needed rest. No one could stand being benched, but doing anything else would risk evoking Alfred’s wrath. As Dick approached the manor he could make out a figure in one of the upper floor windows. He couldn’t tell what they were doing but when the figure suddenly fell half way out the window he picked up on the gas.

By the time they were out front the figure was back inside, he wasn’t sure if it was Danny trying to escape again but it wasn’t the best time to go see. It wouldn’t make sense if Nightwing showed up with an injured crime lord to a billionaire’s house. Dick wasn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow. He’d ask around tomorrow if it could’ve been anyone else and put the alarms on alert.

Rolling into the garage and helping Jason to the Batcave didn’t take long, Alfred was waiting at the bottom to help. They wrapped a cast around Jason’s hairline fracture in his forearm where the brunt of the fall seemed to be. Luckily his only other injuries were a twisted ankle and some bruised ribs. Bedrest was Jason’s best bet despite the many complaints. Alfred went a head and helped the man to bed while Dick followed suit going to his old room.

It still amazed him that Bruce bothered to keep the rooms untouched. Though it’s not he had much of a chance to go through them. Bruce tended to acquire new bats effortlessly, often finding him before he could begin to miss the company. Alfred never dared move anyone out, even with Jason’s first death he just knew that we may need them again. With that thought Dick changed into some pajamas and crashed as his head hit the pillow.

---

Sleep was something hard to come by Danny knew this and still fought off slumber for as long as he could. Waiting for ages for someone, anyone to barge in and begin questioning him. For the GIW to smash through doors and windows, drag him away far from Wayne Manor and Amity Park. Nothing happened, no one rushed in and slowly the quiet of the night crept into the room. The only thing keeping him from panicking was the focus he held on to. He had to keep his breathing even, so deep in slumber back to the door only the dead could wake him kind of sleep.

Eventually it wasn’t an act, and sleep slowly stole him away from his adrenaline. Just a cozy comforter and bed spread, the sounds of the countryside and crickets easing the tension in his body. As night went on, Danny’s dreamless sleep got interrupted by the cool air as the comforter slipped away. Danny cracked open his eyes to find himself waist deep through the ground floor.

“Ah!” Danny yelped pulling himself back up out of the floor.

“What is going on?” he whispered to himself. “I’ve been good, doing so good. I should have control.” He needed to think, this hadn’t happened in so long why would it come back. What would his parents think? Wait, that was a dark path and heavily biased. What would Jazz think?

She’d probably say it had to do with bottling his emotions, keeping everything in and making his powers unstable. It wouldn’t be the first time his powers had acted up due to his emotions and Jazz tended to focus on the psychological. It felt wrong, like the answer was deeper than that. Could Clockwork know? Would he help? he thought.

“Clockwork? Any chance of some cryptic wisdom?” Silence was the only answer Danny received. “Should have known, when has he ever stepped in to help when I ask for it.”

With a huff, he decided to forgo his mysterious power instability questions for now. He would just be extra careful; the others would be suspicious if he suddenly refused to go to STAR Labs and it may be a good distraction if he needed. Danny meandered down the hall to the kitchen, hopefully a snack would help him back to sleep. As the door swung open he came face to face with a stranger.

He was taller than any of the Waynes aside from Bruce, a cereal bowl balanced a top a cast as he froze midbite. His hair was black with a white streak dressed in plaid pajamas and a shirt that read Don’t be a “Dick”ens. Danny opened his mouth to speak but felt a familiar chill creep up and out of his mouth in a frosted breath.

The man before him was a ghost, he looked too normal how was he a ghost. Was he like Spectra or Johnny 13 hiding amongst humans gaining power on their emotions. He shouldn’t jump to conclusions but based on the man’s expression he knew Danny wasn’t human. Whether this was a relief for the ghost he couldn’t decide, but as the spoon fell from his hand Danny was already out the door.

“Wait!” The stranger yelled, the sounds of dishes falling could be heard behind him, but he didn’t dare look back as he dashed to his room.

---

Hello people of the internet! Spring break is near for me, so I’ve finally gotten to work on chapters! I had some more written for this but decided to save it as a head start for chapter 8 so I can hopefully get the next chapter out sooner. I’ve been loving the comments and hype, I can’t wait to see how everyone feels about this chapter.

I’m not sure if anyone else has this issue with their fics, I’m not sure if it’s bots or actual people but I’ve been receiving messages that are basically ads for artists to make art and comics of my story if I pay them. I understand promoting and advocating for yourself as an artist and your artwork but it definitely feels like automated bot messages and it only seems to occur on Fanfiction.net for me. I go into it deeper on fanfiction.net, but in the meantime I hope you all enjoy the story, and I’ll see you next time! Byee!

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