Ghosts in Gotham

Wayne Gala

Thank you for reading and enjoy!

Danny was stunned by the man who stood in front of him. He looked mature and handsome beyond belief like a model from a fashion magazine.

"Master Danny, do join the land of the living." Danny glanced at Alfred through the mirror. He still could not believe his eyes. Was that really his reflection? The designer suit highlighted his muscles, and the tie brought out his blue eyes.

"Danny!" Dick barged through the door. He too looked like a model from a fashion magazine in his black suit and blue tie. "Wow. Look at you." Danny couldn't help but match the man's smile, gladly accepting his embrace. "Come on, the boys are waiting."

"Dick....I'm not sure....." Danny was not afraid of a crowd but this crowd was different. This crowd was the bourgeoisie and not only of Gotham. He did not belong there yet this was for him. He clenched his hands. Danny Phantom was afraid of a crowd of humans that he could wipe out with a single wail. He couldn't help but feel pathetic.

"Hey, we'll be by your side." Danny wanted to believe Dick however he knew better. It would be a miracle if he lasted five minutes. Not only was he nervous and overwhelmed by the crowd but the ringing in his ears. He had not even stepped out of his room yet he could hear the murmuring of the guests. Dick patted his head before opening the door for him. Danny sighed before taking a step outside. Bruce, Tim, Damian and even Jason stood by the stairs. All of them looked no less than Gucci models. Their suits were the same black style, the only difference were the ties. Jason with red, Tim with yellow, Damian with green, Bruce with black, Dick with the baby blue matching his eyes and Danny with his sky blue.

"Took you long enough," Jason grumbled. Danny's smile faded as quickly as it appeared. He knew Jason didn't mean for him to hear but how could he not?

"Ja-"

"Glad we could all make it. Now put on those smiles and make your way down," Bruce pulled on his playboy smile before beginning to step down the stairs. The boys copied his actions without one look back.

"Master Danny." Danny nodded at Alfred before pulling on his best fake smile and making way to the boys. He didn't want this. All he wanted to do was silently live his two years in the manor before disappearing but Bruce would have anything but that. No, he would arrange a gala to introduce him to the whole world. It hurt Danny to see the same people who stood up to their own father for him, treat him like he was the issue. Damian, he could understand even Tim but why Jason? Danny wasn't blind. He noticed how Dick's smile never reached his eyes. He hadn't seen the two ever since ...... but now that he did, they acted distant. He thought he had passed the first wall only to learn he wasn't even in a hundred kilometer radius.

"Danny? Danny?" Bruce's voice laced with fake kindness, broke him out of his thoughts. "I want to introduce you to a few important figures and a couple of my friends." Danny gave a small nod, using all his energy to focus on Bruce's voice. His head was filled with chatter but Danny focused on Bruce. Or he tried. He shook and smiled at whoever Bruce introduced, not caring who they were. He despised the gala and it had only been two minutes. His head felt heavy. Dick stood beside Danny, allowing him to lean on him for support. Danny was sure he must have been swaying awfully well for Dick to have noticed. He could see the panic and worry in the man's eyes as he whispered something to him but there was simply too much noise for him to hear. Danny felt someone guide him to the garden, seating him on the fountain edge. Couple of seconds later, the boy was able to sit without having to worry about falling back.

"You alright kid?" Danny didn't reply to Jason, staring at the ground. "Be thankful b-"

"Shut up!" He grinded his teeth, tightly holding his hands together. "So no-"