INSIDE OUT (DP+Batman crossover)

A safe place to stay

"One day, they built a portal to another dimension, to the Ghost zone. It is a dimension where all the ghosts live. At first, the portal didn't work so I took a look inside. I accidentally touched a button and it turned on, rewriting my DNA, making me a halfa. Half human, half ghost." Danny was about to continue when Red hood suddenly started talking.

"So that's how you got your powers, but why do you kill?"

"You tell him and you are dead..." the ghost side threatened, finally waking up from his light come caused by the pain and presence of ectoranium.

"You can't tell me what to do!" Danny shouted, making the vigilante raise an eyebrow. Danny continued, but now talking only in his head. "I have the right to tell him and you can't stop me. Maybe he's the only person who can help me with you." Dan was about to have a full argument with his human side, when Danny started talking again, ignoring Dan.

"During my hero days as Danny Phantom, I came across a new ghost. I found out that the ghost was basically my evil future self but during our fight, my two friends died. After that, my parents found out that I was a halfa and started working on a cure. My enemy, Vlad Masters was a halfa too but nobody knew except me and my sister. We came to his house where the treatment should have been launched but the things went wrong. My ghost half, after the long time of being suppressed got out of control. He ripped out the ghost half of Vlad too and the two ghosts merged together, creating the evil adult ghost. There was an incident and I merged back with the ghost since it used to be me. It wouldn't be that bad but the ghost form came with its owner. His name is Dan and he was the one you fought, not me. He killed my parents and my sister... that's why I don't like talking about them."

"How do I know he's not controlling you?" Jason asked suspiciously, eyeing the kid in the bed.

"These days, Dan's the stronger personality so he's in control over the body, not me. That's what I meant when I said I didn't kill those people."

"Who's in control now?"

"When I'm in my human form, I'm the one in control, he can't take over without the world noticing. He is in control in the ghost form and then I'm only an observant of my own life. We can also talk to each other telepathically as you could see..."

Red hood stayed quiet for a long time, processing all the new information. He could tell that he was telling the truth because he has never met a villain who would come up with a complex story like this one. His story was also based on the many facts they had on the Fenton family.

Back in his mind settled a feeling, a need to protect the boy but he didn't know why. He didn't want to have Danny strapped to the table all the time so he went to untie the cuffs.

"I will let you go if you promise not to kill anybody." Red hood informed the boy and started with untying his hands.

"As if I wanted to." Danny scoffed. "And even if he goes rogue, at least there's a way to stop him now."

Jason looked at the boy weirdly. He just said that if things went wrong, he had a permission to kill him. Those words could only come out from a person who was at the rock bottom or was really afraid of himself. As soon as he was free, Danny stood up and headed for the exit. He really appreciated Red hood's help but since he was healed, there was no reason to stay longer. Danny headed for the direction where Red hood came from for the first time and he found the main door.

"Thank you... for everything." The boy managed to say before he opened the door.

Jason just stood in the kitchen door which were close to the main ones, watching the boy leave. He was having an internal struggle with himself weather to offer him a place to stay or let him go.

"Is there a place for you to stay in Gotham?" Jason asked, wanting to know if he lived somewhere.

"No, I've been living in the streets for a while now." Danny answered, stopping midway out.

He doesn't have a place to stay. Red hood thought, watching him carefully. I could offer him a place to stay and as a bonus, I can keep an eye on him. On the other hand, do I want a killing monster to live under my roof? The brotherly instincts won over the fear, making his final decision.

"Uhm Danny... here is too much space for one, I was wondering if you would like to stay." Those words shocked both of them.

"Are you sure you want to keep him... well me under your roof? You know what he's capable of."

"Yes, I know what you are capable of and yes, I want you to stay here with me."

Danny turned towards the tall man, his eyes unwillingly tearing up again. Red hood didn't know him even for a day and he was already treating him like an old friend who needs help. Jason has done so much for him.

"Thank you, Thank you Jason." The boy sobbed, his eyes filled with tears of joy, replacing the tears of fear and pain.

"Who's Jason?" Red hood asked, playing the same old game when someone found out his identity. He looked at Danny, searching for any clues on how he knew about him. Danny caught his look and a small smile appeared on his face.

"He was the one at the Galla and in the cave, I saw everything." His smile dropped, now waiting for his reaction.

"Glad you didn't spill the secret. Name's Jason Todd." Red hood took off his domino mask, revealing his icy blue eyes. He stretched his hand out and they shook their hands.

"Nice to meet you." Danny replied with a huge smile on his face.

~TheWhiteKnights