Ghost in Gotham

Chapter 8: A Bit of a Mess

'Kay, it looks like, for the 'Your Choice' thing, that number 5 won! I'll be working to add that to the story. Also, I wasn't able to do the Valentine's Special due of an unexpected vacation.

Danny's POV

I saw Ember. Ember was in front of me. She got me worried for nothing. I have half the mind the mind to slap her face, an the other to be happy. It's nice to see my old band mate. We became buds during my Ghost Zone Years. Wait, I should probably explain this. One day on Earth is seen as two  in the GZ. I know it doesn't make much sense. But time is but the perception of what humans see fit. Ghosts just perceive time in a different way. (Got that from Clockwork) 

But back to the matter at hand. Ember was in front of me.

"Ember? What are you doing here? I questioned, still ever so confused. I didn't know what I was feeling. It was somewhere between anger, confusion, happiness, and annoyance.

She smiled at me, "What's it look like? I'm visiting my best friend, dipstick!" After she said that, she flicked my forehead.

I push her hand away. "Ember! I told you that I want to get away from all of that ghost stuff for at least three years!" I exclaimed. I wasn't mad or anything. I just had a feeling to put authority in my voice.

"I know, I know. But I couldn't help myself! I heard that your going to a party, so I just had to come!" I don't know how, but her eyes looked as if they were sparkling. Like some anime girl.

I rub my temples. "Ember, I want to know how you even found out. But I think it's better if we discuss this at my house." She gave a nod. Still smiling ever so.

I quickly went ghost and grabbed Ember's hand. After a few seconds, we were teleported into my humble abode. I decided just to talk to her in the living room, right after turning back to my original self.

She let out a whistle, "Nice place ya got here, Betwixt." Betwixt was a nickname she gave me during my last month in the Ghost Zone. The word meant neither one nor the other, in between. And, I have to say, it fit me perfectly. If I was described in one word. It would be Betwixt. 'Cause that is what I am.

"Now tell me, why in the worlds between would you come to Gotham?" I ask, my tone slightly aggravated.

"Well, it's simple really. I wanted to see me favorite band mate. But really, I thought you would notice me sooner. I have been following you for the last 3 hours." she said, taking a seat on my couch. 'She was the one watching me?' I asked myself.

She added, "I also heard that you're thinking about going to a party! Two word: We're going."

"Three questions: Why did you follow me? How do you know about the party? And how come the sage didn't stop you'?" I said. I pull some of the sage out of my pocket.

"You're the only person I actually know in this confusing city. I was following you, of course I would know! And your 'sage' is way weak! It hasn't even been fully grown! Not only that, you need it's essence  for full power. The only thing that could block is a woodland sprite. Man, you are stupid!" She answered in order, laughing at the end. 'Note to self, grow the sage longer. and extract the essence'

"But that sti-" I was cut off by a familiar screech. I looked at the direction of the noise, just to see Spooky swoop down on my shoulder.

"Oh, hey Spooks! Did I forget to feed you? Come on, let's go the kitche-" I stop myself when I see red stuff on his claws.

I inspect his (her?) claws. Blood. I check around his (her?) body to see if Spooks been scratching himself (herself?) (I seriously need to know Spooky's gender). Not a single scratch on the body. I held a face of confusion.

"When did you get a snowy owl, Betwixt?" Ember asked. 'I forgot I got Spooky after I left the Zone!'

"Oh, after I left. Pandora wanted to give me a gift." I told her. But I put back on my serious face. The matter at hand has to be inspected. The mouse cabinet was locked, so Spooky couldn't have scratched them. That only left one other option, someone else was here!

"Hey, Em. I'm gonna check if a burglar broke into my place. Care to come?" She gave me a simple nod, getting off of my couch.

I settle Spooky on a bird perch on the wall.  I look around. The living room looked good. The bathroom also. But then I went to my room. Everything seemed normal there until I took a look at my work desk. My 'special' drawer was opened. So was the mini-safe with my unopened wooden box.

I widen my eyes. 'Dang it. I knew I should have installed that security system earlier. I wonder how this person knew about the-' My thoughts were cut off.

"Your doing it again," Ember said, crossing her arms.

"Doing what?"I tilt my head in confusion.

"Your mumbling again. I told you, you tend to mumble your thoughts." She explain. It was true. Back in the Zone, Ember would always complain about mumbling habit. Somehow, I still hadn't gotten rid of it. Sure, sometimes I don't, but I usually do.

I shrug it off. But then I see some kind of device on the floor.  I pick it up. I inspect it for a few seconds. It seemed to be some radar device. There was a big red dot in front of me. I look up and see my desk. Then, I realized what it was.

"Em! Do you know what this is? It's some kind of Radiation Locator!" I tell her. Someone was on to me. I started to ponder who it was 'til I see a familiar symbol from the corner of my eye. I turn the device over, and see a bat symbol.

Realization hit me like a brick. The Bat was on to me...

I suspiciously look around. Ember gave me a look of curiosity, but I ignore it. Now, don't go on thinking I have some kind of x-ray vision. I just have good eyesight. I look at my NASA poster near me door. There was something sticking out of it a bit.

I took cautious steps, making sure I was even quieter than a ghost. Ember was still give me looks. I carefully lift the poster up. As I suspected, another, tiny, bat-shaped mechanism was behind it. I didn't want to find out what it was, I just needed to destroy it as soon.

I rip out of the wall it was sticking on, throw it to the ground, step on it until it broke, and took a wrench from my desk and whacked it until it was just itty-bitty bits. And just for a little reassurance, I blast it with my ecto-blast til it was fully obliterated. Some may say it's overkill, but I really don't want anyone to find out about my secret 'occupation'.

"You got some explaining to do, Betwixt." Ember told me.

I sigh, "I'm in a bit of a mess."

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Look! I found some old digital drawing I did long time ago! It's an OC slug from Slugterra. I know it looks sucky. I think I was going for some kind of meta-morphing slug.

By the way, I want to change Aster's appearance to someone actually real. You know what I mean? I just don't know what person could fit his personality! Any ideas?

<<Bat Fact>>

Bruce had a dog named Ace. Ace is known as 'the Bat-Hound'. Not only that, this dog has a huge history. Including amnesia, surgery, crime, unexplained side-effects, and super powers.