[Third Person's PoV]
"Now that introductions are out of the way, let's head inside," Dick said, leading the way.
"So, you're the new sidekick, huh?" Wally asked, giving Danny a once-over as if appraising him.
"I'm not a sidekick," Danny replied, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
"You're not? Then what are you?" Wally asked as they entered the mall, already munching on a hot dog.
"An apprentice," Danny said, puffing out his chest and holding his head high.
Dick snorted.
"Ooh, I like that—'apprentice' sounds way better than 'sidekick,'" Wally said, grinning.
"Stop talking about it in public," Dick warned as they stepped onto the escalator.
"Sorry, I can't help it. I'm curious." Wally leaned in closer to Danny and whispered, "Is it true? You know… what you are? That can't be real, right? I mean, ghosts aren't real."
Danny shot Dick a look that said, Is he serious?
"Aliens exist, but you think ghosts can't be real?" Danny asked, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, by the way, I'm only half."
"Aliens can be scientifically explained. The universe is huge—there are tons of planets. It'd be weirder if we were the only life forms," Wally said with a shrug. "But are you sure you didn't just develop ghost-like powers and aren't actually a ghost?"
"My parents opened a portal to an alternate dimension full of ghostly beings—that's how I got my powers. Dick and I have fought them more than a few times, so I'm pretty sure my abilities aren't just imitations." Danny sighed.
"Your parents did what?! There's a whole dimension of ghosts?!" Wally exclaimed as they reached the third floor.
"You guys need to stop talking so loud," Dick warned, shooting them a sharp look. "If you want to talk about this, keep your voices down."
"But did you hear what he just said? A whole different dimension of ghosts! That's freaky, man." Wally shivered slightly as they walked past a row of stores.
"Yeah, I know. I've seen it. The portal's in his parents' basement," Dick said, exasperated.
Wally placed a hand on Danny's shoulder, his expression pleading. "As creepy and weird as that is, please, I beg you—invite me over. I have to see this."
Danny smirked. "I'll think about it."
Dick nodded toward a shoe store. "Weren't you here to buy sneakers?"
"Oh, right." Wally led the way inside. "Mine wear out fast, so I have to keep buying new ones."
"Why not have some made from the same material as your suit?" Danny asked as they browsed.
"Because those aren't stylish, obviously." Wally scoffed. "Your boy's gotta dress to impress, you feel me?"
"Right…" Danny said, glancing at Dick, who was shaking his head.
As Wally tested out a pair of shoes, he leaned in close to Danny and lowered his voice. "Since you're part ghost and all, does that mean you can turn intangible and invisible?"
"Yeah?" Danny replied, skeptical about where this was going.
"So… have you ever used it to sneak a peek into the girls' locker room or bathroom?" Wally asked, completely serious.
"Wally," Dick groaned, covering his face with his hand.
"What? It's a valid question! I'm just making sure he's using his powers responsibly. We are his seniors, after all." Wally patted his chest as if he were on some moral high ground. "So? Have you?"
Danny immediately looked away, his face turning red.
Dick stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
Wally burst out laughing, slapping Danny on the back as he tested out his new shoes. "Hahaha! I get it, man. We're all young—you were curious!"
"I'm telling Bruce," Dick said, looking at Danny in disappointment.
"Please don't! It was a one-time thing, I swear! I felt horrible as soon as I did it and never did it again," Danny said, clearly embarrassed.
"Man, now I'm really jealous of your abilities," Wally sighed.
"Oh, wow, look at this beautiful pair of sneakers," Danny suddenly said, moving away from them to inspect a random pair—anything to escape the conversation and Dick's judgmental stare.
Wally just chuckled as he sat down to take off his shoes.
They continued browsing the shop, with both Danny and Dick trying on shoes before picking out a few to buy. When they finally left the store, bags in hand, they wandered through the mall, stopping at different shops and snack stands—mostly because of Wally.
Throughout it all, Danny and Wally got to know each other better, quickly becoming friendly.
"Shall we hit that before calling it a day?" Wally asked, pointing to an arcade while sipping his drink.
"Oh, and here I thought you were going to point at another food spot," Danny teased. "Maybe this time it's pizza."
"Wait—do you think they sell pizza in there?" Wally asked excitedly.
"You have a serious problem," Dick chuckled, shaking his head as they headed inside.
"It's not my fault I burn through calories like crazy," Wally scoffed as they stepped in, just as someone else was walking out.
"I'll go grab some tokens. Be right back," Dick said, handing his bags to Danny.
Wally set his bag down next to an arcade machine and cracked his knuckles. "It's time to set a new high score."
A few seconds later, Dick returned with three pouches of arcade tokens, handing one to Danny and one to Wally before keeping the last for himself.
The three of them jumped right in, collecting tickets as they played various games.
At one point, Danny and Wally faced off in a fighting game. Danny's tongue stuck out slightly in concentration, his brows furrowed as his fingers flew over the buttons.
A second later, the screen flashed: [YOU LOSE]
"God damn it! You definitely cheated—there's no way!" Danny exclaimed, staring at the screen in disbelief.
"HAHAHAHAHA! CRY ABOUT IT!" Wally cackled, arms raised in victory.
"There's no way you didn't cheat!" Danny insisted, glaring at him. "I never lose at fighting games!"
Wally just smirked. "Well, you did today!" He rubbed his nails against his chest and blew on them. "You just gotta get good, you noob."
"He actually didn't cheat. You just got your ass kicked that badly, Danny. I was watching his fingers the whole time," Dick chuckled.
Danny slammed his fist down on the machine, looking utterly dejected. "My winning streak…"
Wally fake-yawned. "Well, I suppose that was an entertaining warm-up."
"I'll show you a goddamn warm-up, you b—" Danny started but caught himself, clicking his tongue in frustration.
"Another game! I won't stop until I beat you!" Danny challenged.
"Sure, I'm up for any challenge," Wally said, stretching his arms behind his head as he walked away.
The trio moved toward a motorcycle racing game that allowed all three to compete. They leaned and weaved from side to side, intensely focused. However, despite their efforts, Dick dominated the race, with Danny finishing second and Wally dead last.
Although Danny lost, he took solace in the fact that he had beaten Wally. Meanwhile, Wally trailed behind them, staring at his hands in disbelief. "I… lost in a racing game… What has the world come to?"
Next, they moved to a Just Dance station, determined to see who could rack up the highest score. Their feet moved in sync with the arrows, eyes darting to follow the rapidly approaching patterns.
As the song ended, Wally dramatically twirled, draping an arm over his waist and covering his face with his hand.
They checked the results—once again, Dick came in first. Wally managed to snag second place, leaving Danny in third.
Danny clung to the railing, defeated. "I suck… I don't deserve to live anymore."
Wally and Dick exchanged a look before dramatically bowing before their friend. "Teach us your ways, Game Master! You have bested us at every turn. Please, share your secrets!"
"Sorry," Dick said with a smirk, pressing a finger to his lips. "That's classified." He turned and walked away.
"I bet he thinks he looks cool right now," Danny scoffed.
Wally chuckled. "Oh, I know for certain that he does."
After collecting their tickets from all their games, they made their way to the prize booth. Since Dick had the most, he led the way, stopping when something caught his eye.
"Oh, cool. First prize is tickets to an upcoming concert tomorrow," Dick said, studying a poster.
Curious, Wally and Danny stepped up to look at it.
Danny froze the moment he saw it, muttering under his breath, "Damn it…"
"What's wrong?" Dick asked, noticing Danny's sudden change in demeanor.
"Whoa, she's freaking hot!" Wally said, staring at the poster.
The image showcased a tall, stunning teenage girl with pale cyan skin, green eyes, and long, flaming robin's egg-blue hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Two sharp-angled locks framed her face, and she wore amethyst-purple lipstick and curled black eyeliner. She held a purple guitar decorated with blue flames.
Wally grinned. "And what is this beauty's name?" He read aloud from the poster. "Ember McLain…"
Danny leaned toward Dick and whispered, "She's a ghost."
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