Avoiding Past And Future

(64) Secrets 2

though i doubt anybody would care, sea shanty credit goes to Sail North for his song Against The Tide. The random "Youngblood ship" lore in this story is taken from more of Sail North's song lore in case anybody would be wondering. (and just for fun in case anybody wants a hint of a spoiler, just imagine Phantom Sea was written by the crew about Danny)

Soft Warning: implied child death

October 31

Robin climbed onto Cujo's back, letting the hound grow so he could be brought over to the ship without Phantom having to carry him. The added bonus of having a hold on Cujo so he doesn't try to steal the crewmate's leg again was just an afterthought.

Phantom paused before the port beam, waiting for the lines to snake around his arm. "Ello, beauty." He greeted warmly, smiling as the Shadow softly wrapped around his scarred arm. "Do you think you could let us hang out here for the night? I promise to keep them both in check."

Hesitantly, the line around his arm retreated and went over to Robin, snaking around his arm a bit less kindly. "Um, Ni? What's going on?" He watched on with worried eyes as the line slowly snaked around his whole body, pulling him in.

Phantom laughed, petting the port beam as he boarded. "She's just saying hi."

"She?"

"Yeah. The Shadow's a ghost ship." He supplied utterly unhelpfully. With a slight frown on his face, he hurriedly pulled up the nearest crewmate who bowed towards him. Clapping the deckhand on the shoulder, the others soon followed suit, albeit a bit hesitantly.

"Ha ha, very funny. Not the time for puns, man. I'm cool with being part of a ghost crew but some info would be helpful." Robin mumbled as he got off Cujo's back. The line around him unwind itself before disappearing back up where it belonged.

Phantom turned back to face his brother, brows furrowed in confusion. "It's not a- I man it kinda is. But no, I meant that she is a ghost, who happens to be a ship. You know?" He tried to explain, not sure if he made much sense. It wasn't like they had the time to go further into it as Youngblood took to the helm.

"Hoist the colors, you lily livered scoundrels!" He bellowed out far louder than his size would indicate he could. "We're sailing under the crown tonight!" With glee the crew set to work, well, whatever work the Shadow didn't do herself. The halyard undid itself, letting the sail wave freely in the unseen winds. With the fabric moving freely, the skull of the jolly roger painted on it changed to an image of a hollow eyed Phantom before the lines fastened themselves again. A flag with a symbol Robin didn't recognize now waved proudly atop the mast.

Phantom looked at the new sail decoration in discontent. "Seriously? You still have that thing?" He mumbled as he floated up the steps to hang around Youngblood, Robin and Cujo trailing behind. "Could you please add Batman's symbol to it at least? This is still his city." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.

Listening to his request, the Shadow formed an ensign with the telltale Batlogo on it. Phantom smiled gratefully, giving his thanks as he let a hand trail over the guardrail overlooking the main deck. At least now Gotham will know whose side they were on. Softly fueling some extra ecto into the Shadow, he leaned back to look over to Youngblood and his brother. "What do you think? Up for some warfare while you're here?"

Youngblood smiled deviously, unsheathing his sword and pointing it to the sky. "Ready the cannons, prepare for battle!" He cried out in delight as the Shadow opened up her gunports in an all too familiar rhythm. Phantom and the crew buzzed with excitement as they all fell in line with the impromptu shanty.