(Y/N) had known the risks of working alongside the Justice League and their allies. She'd braced herself for dangerous missions and close calls with villains. But nothing could have prepared her for the sudden ambush that changed everything.
It happened during what was supposed to be a routine visit to Central City. (Y/N) had tagged along with Barry Allen, eager to learn more about his role as The Flash, when Deathstroke struck.
The attack came without warning. One moment, (Y/N) was laughing at Barry's animated explanation of a new piece of tech in his lab. The next, a flash of smoke and an explosion shattered the calm.
Barry was on his feet in an instant, his speed allowing him to shield (Y/N) from the blast. But before either of them could react further, a blur of orange and black streaked through the smoke.
"Deathstroke," Barry growled, his voice low and tense.
"Sorry, Flash," Deathstroke said, his tone calm and mocking. "This one's coming with me."
(Y/N) barely had time to process his words before a dart struck her neck. She felt her vision blur as the tranquilizer took effect, Barry's shouts growing faint.
When (Y/N) woke, she was bound to a chair in a dimly lit room. Her head throbbed, and her wrists ached from the tight restraints.
"Ah, you're awake," came Deathstroke's voice. He stepped into the light, his one visible eye cold and calculating.
(Y/N) forced herself to stay calm. She'd spent enough time around the heroes to know that panicking wouldn't help.
"Why me?" she asked, her voice steadier than she expected.
"You're leverage," Deathstroke replied simply. "The Justice League has a soft spot for you, and I'm being paid handsomely to exploit it."
(Y/N)'s mind raced. She needed to stall, to find a way to contact the others.
"You know, this is a bad plan," she said, injecting a hint of sarcasm into her tone. "They're going to find me, and when they do, you're going to regret this."
Deathstroke smirked. "We'll see."
Unfortunately for (Y/N), Deathstroke wasn't working alone. Unbeknownst to him, word of her capture had reached Gotham's most infamous criminal: the Joker.
(Y/N)'s predicament took a chaotic turn when the Joker and Harley Quinn crashed Deathstroke's hideout, much to his annoyance.
"Slade, my dear mercenary," Joker said with a theatrical bow, his manic grin widening. "You didn't think you could have all the fun without inviting me, did you?"
Deathstroke glared at him. "This isn't your business, Joker."
"Au contraire! Anything involving the Bat-brats is my business," Joker replied, gesturing dramatically toward (Y/N).
Harley, meanwhile, tilted her head, examining (Y/N) with curious eyes. "She doesn't look like much," she said. "Kinda cute, though."
(Y/N), sensing an opportunity, decided to play along. "Thanks... I think?"
Harley giggled. "Oh, I like her! She's got spunk."
While Joker was distracted by his own theatrics, Harley slipped (Y/N) a piece of gum wrapped in a tiny piece of paper. Scrawled on it were the words: Keep quiet. I'll help you later.
(Y/N) nodded subtly, her heart pounding.
Back at the Watchtower, chaos erupted as news of (Y/N)'s capture spread. The Batfamily, Young Justice, and Teen Titans quickly mobilized, each group blaming the others for failing to protect her.
"This never would have happened if she'd been in Gotham!" Damian snapped, glaring at the Teen Titans.
"Oh, because Gotham's so safe?" Kid Flash shot back.
"Enough!" Nightwing said, his voice cutting through the arguments. "We're wasting time. (Y/N) needs us, so let's focus on finding her."
Barbara's voice crackled through their comms. "I've tracked Deathstroke's location. Sending coordinates now."
The combined teams launched a joint operation, their usual rivalries set aside in their determination to save (Y/N).
The rescue was anything but smooth.
When the teams stormed Deathstroke's hideout, they found the mercenary and the Joker already at odds, their partnership having dissolved into chaos. (Y/N), in the middle of it all, had managed to loosen her restraints thanks to Harley's help.
"Am I late to the party?" (Y/N) quipped as the heroes burst in.
"(Y/N)!" Damian was the first to reach her, his sword drawn and his expression dark.
Before Deathstroke could react, Wonder Girl and Superboy tackled him, while Nightwing and Batgirl went after the Joker.
The younger heroes fought with a newfound intensity, their concern for (Y/N) evident in every move. Even Harley jumped into the fray, whacking one of Deathstroke's henchmen with her mallet and winking at (Y/N).
Amid the chaos, (Y/N) managed to break free and grab a makeshift weapon. She wasn't a fighter, but she'd learned enough from her time with the heroes to defend herself.
"Get down!" Damian shouted, pulling her behind him as an explosion rocked the room.
When the dust settled, the villains were subdued, and (Y/N) was safely in the arms of her friends.
Back at the Watchtower, (Y/N) found herself surrounded by worried faces.
"You're staying with us from now on," Damian declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Not so fast," Superboy interjected. "She's safer with us in the mountain."
"You're both wrong," Nightwing said, stepping between them. "She needs training, and the Tower is the best place for that."
(Y/N) raised her hands, trying to protest. "Guys, I'm fine—"
"No, you're not," Barbara said gently, placing a hand on (Y/N)'s shoulder. "You've been through a lot. Let us help you."
(Y/N) felt a pang of guilt. She appreciated their concern, but the overwhelming attention was stifling.
As the argument continued, she noticed Alfred standing nearby, his wise eyes watching the scene unfold.
"Miss (Y/N)," he said softly, drawing her aside. "Perhaps it's time to remind them that you are not a damsel in distress. You have a voice in this, and they would do well to listen."
Taking a deep breath, (Y/N) stepped forward. "Enough!" she said, her voice firm. "I appreciate everything you've done, but I need some space to figure things out. You can't protect me from everything."
The room fell silent. Slowly, the heroes nodded, though their concern lingered in their eyes.
As (Y/N) left the room, she couldn't shake the feeling that their attachment to her was growing into something more complicated than simple friendship.
YOU ARE READING
Between Two Worlds
Fanfiction(Y/N) is one of Danny's best friends. Alongside Sam and Tucker, they helped Danny as Phantom when it came down to it. Whether it be to cover up his tardiness, hide him from his parents or even fighting alongside him to defeat the ghosts, (Y/N) was r...
