[Third Person's PoV]
Sam, Tucker, and Danny were all in the cinema room, popcorn in hand. Dick lounged behind them, one leg over the armrest as he typed away on his phone.
As the movie ended, Sam checked her watch. "Damn, I forgot about my curfew," she said, disappointed. Tucker also checked the time and let out a sigh.
"Do you think if I ask Bruce Wayne, he'd adopt me too?" Tucker asked hopefully.
Dick resisted the urge to roll his eyes, though a look of amusement crossed his face.
"He just might. You never know," Danny said, chuckling as they all stood up and began heading out of the cinema room.
"Thanks for having us over, Danny. It was fun," Sam said as they grabbed their bags.
Alfred, having heard they were leaving, approached. "Since it's late, I'll take you both home," he offered, already adjusting his chauffeur cap.
Sam and Tucker both expressed their gratitude. Dick and Danny watched from the door as Alfred drove them off into the night.
Closing the door, Dick turned to Danny with a smirk. "Relieved you got them off your back?"
"No, I'm not," Danny replied solemnly. "I feel worse than ever." He shook his head and started walking away.
"What? Why?" Dick asked, catching up.
"Because they've shown me nothing but concern and care. How do I repay them? By lying constantly… They're my best friends. I've grown up with them, and I'd hate to lose them if they found out I've been constantly lying," Danny said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
Dick gave him a look of understanding. "Danny, you know why you—"
"Yes, I know. You don't have to tell me. I understand why I have to keep lying to them. This isn't just my secret; it's yours and Bruce's. The less they know, the safer they are. I get it, really. It's just... I hate the act of lying to them," Danny interrupted, his voice trailing into a mutter.
Dick patted him on the back. "Come on. Let's do something to get your mind off this. No need to keep your mind tracted on it."
"Tracted?" Danny raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, when you're not distracted, you're just tracted," Dick said proudly.
Danny scoffed in amusement. "That's so lame! And you call my jokes corny? The nerve!"
"It makes sense—tracted is a word for keeping your mind or focus on track," Dick explained with a serious expression.
"I can't believe you gave it a dictionary definition," Danny said, shaking his head. "So, what did you have planned?"
"Since Bruce isn't coming in today, it's up to us to keep Gotham safe! A night out patrolling should do you some good," Dick said, leading the way to a room with a grandfather clock.
"You know what? Sure, it could be fun," Danny agreed as Dick twisted the clock's hands, setting them accordingly.
The large clock shook slightly and moved aside, revealing a passage with stairs leading down. As Danny followed Dick, the clock closed behind them.
"I'm sorry, but can we go back to the tracted subject?" Danny said, still amused.
"In awe of my genius?" Dick asked as they made their way down to the Batcave.
"I just hate how much sense that made," Danny said in disbelief.
Dick held his head high. "Of course it makes sense. Once your mind or focus goes off track, it becomes dis-tracted."
As they reached the center of the Batcave, Dick turned to Danny. "Wait for me while I get changed."
"Take your time," Danny said, waving him off.
A few minutes later...
Robin returned in his costume, only to find the Batcave empty. Danny was nowhere in sight. "That idiot! Did he go on without me?"
Suddenly, an icy chill ran down his spine as if an ice cube had been dropped down his back. His body shivered as Danny phased through him, materializing on the ground, chuckling.
"Don't do that! It feels weird," Robin said, shaking his body in disgust and glaring at Danny.
"Then don't call me an idiot," Danny retorted, rolling his eyes. "Shall we get going?"
Dick nodded in agreement.
---
Danny Phantom and Robin spent the majority of the night surveying the grueling streets of Gotham.
Robin rode his red motorcycle, the letter "R" embroidered in yellow. Danny flew beside him, keeping up with Dick's speed.
"When can I get my own?" Danny asked, eyeing the motorcycle jealously.
"One, when you learn how to drive, kiddo," Dick teased. "And two, when you learn how to make one. I had to build mine when Batman was teaching me how to be a mechanic."
"Of course you did..." Danny said with a lopsided smile.
As Danny opened his mouth to speak, a blue wisp escaped his lips. His eyes widened in alarm. Before he could react, a net appeared out of nowhere, capturing him.
Robin's head snapped back, realizing Danny was no longer beside him. He twisted around and executed an Akira drift, his foot sliding along the ground as he came to a halt.
Robin looked toward where the net originated and saw Skulker, the Ghost Zone's greatest hunter, standing with his arm outstretched. Attached to his forearm was a blaster from which the net had emerged.
"Hahaha! Trying to be a ghost hunter but getting caught by a sneak attack like that? Talk about unprofessional," Skulker taunted.
"A professional ass whooping is what I'll show you!" Danny retorted, irritated at being captured.
He placed his hands on the net, ready to rip it apart, but as soon as he touched it, Skulker sent a powerful electric charge through the net.
"ARGHHHHHH!!!" Danny screamed in pain as electricity surged through his body.
Robin appeared on the rooftop with Skulker, already swinging his staff down. "Release him!" Robin shouted.
Skulker blocked the staff with his forearm, a metallic clang echoing through the night. Rockets emerged from Skulker's shoulders, firing towards Robin. "Out of the way, kid! My deal isn't with you!"
Robin's eyes widened, and he held his staff protectively in front of him.
BOOM!!!
The rockets exploded, sending Robin flying. He landed with scorch marks, a ripped suit, and half his mask broken, blood splattering around him.
"ROBIN!!!" Danny shouted in shock, his face contorting in anger. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the electric surge as he gripped the net and ripped it apart.
Smoke rose from Danny's body, but he ignored the pain. His eyes glowed a fierce green, and his fists blazed with ectoplasmic energy as he flew towards Skulker. With a powerful punch, a green explosion erupted from Danny's fist, sending Skulker flying with a grunt.
Danny's fists smoked with residual green energy. He flew to Robin, who was using his staff for support as he stood up.
"Are you alright?" Danny asked, worried.
"I'm fine," Robin replied, spitting blood to the side.
"How can you be spitting blood and say you're fine?" Danny exclaimed.
"I've been through worse. I wasn't expecting shoulder rockets. That took me completely by surprise." Robin glared at Danny. "Now, come on. Keep your mind tracted on the fight and your opponent. Don't lose sight of him."
"What about you?" Danny asked, still concerned.
"I'll be fine. Let me recover a bit, and I'll join you afterward," Robin nodded reassuringly.
Danny looked reluctant but nodded, his determination hardening. His green eyes glowed brightly as he flew off to confront Skulker.
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