Chapter 34: A Prince is to Deliver
Pixie-Bob did not wait long to put her paws to the ground. The next moment Fright was surrounded by an army of mud beasts of varying sizes.
"An impressive menagerie. This shall be the end of my flattery," the knight said and unsheathed his wicked green blade.
The first giant beast lunged forward, but Fright did not budge at its approach. As it swung its long front limb, the ghost slashed his sword without making another step. The creature stumbled forward, with its enemy right beneath it. Fright put the blade up and slashed it across the chest, splitting it in half and smearing his armour in mud. He easily phased it off and diverted his attention to the rest. His eyes glowed, before he unleashed a devastating ghost ray that cut through the beasts with ease, setting the surrounding area ablaze. The heroes realised that the newcomer was far from being a simple villain goon. And so soon after the last incident, too.
Tiger lunged forward, bravely coming at the knight who could see his approach. Quickly sheathing his sword back, Fright met the tall man's paw-gloved fists with the palms of his gauntlets with ease.
"You think you can just come and demand what you want?" The hero asked menacingly.
"I serve a higher power. I need not your permission," said Fright, before his hands were engulfed in purple flames and his grip on the hero became tighter. Tiger attempted to pull away, but couldn't, initially. He held back the scream of pain at being burnt.
A mud beast came to his rescue. As a bear-like creation swung its paw at him, Fright did not budge. His head did not even move after the impact. However, his attention was still on more beasts, so that gave Tiger the opportunity. Instead of escaping, he grabbed Fright back, lifted the ghost and swung him into the nearest tree. The knight let go at the last second and phased through, landing on his feet. This was turning out to be more interesting than he had originally anticipated. But he himself posed a conundrum to the heroes who saw him easily evade the danger by going through something.
"That's...that's more than one Quirk!" Ragdoll exclaimed.
"Doesn't his move set also remind you of someone?" asked Pixie-Bob.
"The Ghost Child must have left an impression," Fright butted in. "But then again, he was willing to show you some compassion. The most powerful of our ilk he may be, but I am the power that you cannot beat."
"What 'ilk'? Who are you?" Ragdoll demanded to know.
"Fools you are if you cannot fathom this one."
The heroes were buying themselves time. The villain's love for dramatics was certainly helping them out. Ragdoll was using her Quirk to try and detect a weakness in their enemy. However, to her shock, the Quirk could not show anything, as if it was targeting an absolute void. Search always targeted either DNA or Quirk factor. Even with Danny everything had gone well, his DNA was right there for her to find. But that man had nothing. How was this even possible? Was he a Nomu? No, too sentient and human-like. A machine? There wasn't anything this advanced in that world. A...ghost?
All her speculations ultimately meant little as the villain steadily approached them, blowing the mud creatures to bits. He also avoided Tiger's attacks, hitting him with his own and throwing fire and light beams at him to keep the distance. And the more he did this, the more the Pussycats were convinced that Fenton and that villain were similar in more ways than one. Their powers were one and the same in many aspects. Could it be that the ghost hero could actually share Quirks like his presumed father?
But that would be a rather unpleasant conclusion about the boy's new alignment, would it not? If Fenton and that villain worked together, then the boy's own new morals would be put up for debate as well.
The fight continued as Tiger lunged at the opponent once again, but this time his arms bent in an unnatural way, courtesy of his Quirk, allowing him to land a strong punch on the ghost's helmet. But Fright did not budge. Even Tiger's considerable strength was not enough to shake him. Surprised, he did not react when Fright grabbed his arm, lifted him and smashed on the ground nearby. From landing another kick he was once again interrupted by a mud creature, which grabbed him with its tentacles.
"A dirt mollusc. Charming," Fright said dryly, before pushing himself out of the grip and ripping the tentacle in the process. "I suppose I have to bring the cavalry."
Whistling loudly, he called for his loyal steed. A moment later with a loud screeching sound from the forest emerged a dark armoured horse with leathery wings and fiery mane, which immediately stomped to death the nearest mud beast and started attacking the rest. Fright turned his attention to the heroes again.
"Wow, you really leaned into the theme," Ragdoll commented.
"Themes are the tools of jesters. I am no mere actor. I am fear incarnate!"
Fright, however, was getting tired of entertaining the mortals. Despite what he was saying, he was still cautious of the reaction his Prince would have once he inevitably learned of the encounter. However, it would also be worse to come empty-handed atop of that. Perhaps it was the time for the best tool at his disposal. If he was quick enough, the damage would be minimal. To them, of course. Fright saw Tiger coming at him again, but the hero saw the ghost ready to swing his weapon. He put up the defence with his gloved hands, which could protect him, but he missed Fright's smirk. The next moment, he swung his weapon. It went through him, seemingly doing nothing at all, before Tiger vanished into thin air.
"TIGER!" The female members of the team exclaimed simultaneously.
"Your comrade is alive, if kept in clutches of his worst nightmare. I am the only force that can return him and may have the drive. Your secret you share and his misery ends."
The heroines looked at each other. They had no idea how the villain's ability worked, but they had to take that chance. If only to survive the encounter and warn everybody.
"The police took that thermos," Pixie-Bob said.
"Not the Commission?"
"They probably passed it on them, but for all I know, they do usually do everything themselves."
"So which police was it, then?"
"From Hosu city. That's what we know! Now release our friend!"
Fright sheathed his sword, before snapping his fingers. Tiger reappeared, lying on the ground and shaking. But he relatively quickly regained his composure, being a seasoned hero and not having been in the realm of nightmares for too long. To him it might have felt like an hour, but it was still relatively little. Fright did not stop the heroines from running to their friend, instead calling forth his steed and sitting on it.
"My lord is a generous one. Had it not been for his direct command, you would not be alive. Next time, do what you are told from the start."
And with that, the knight rode away into the dark night, leaving the worried and beaten heroes to think what had just happened.
And who was that lord the villain spoke about.
That was something Giran could have expected and was surprised about all at the same time. The kid still had his number and was in a position where he could not just scoff at the man's questionable practices. Yet, that was awfully quick after the hero trainee's display in the court and his subsequent escape. He would expect more time to pass, just for some mental stipulations and pride to let go. Thus, to his mind experienced in psychology of super-powered individuals, the boy had something in him after all. And that juicy rumour about him being the son of the biggest kingpin imaginable. The man who put an end to a whole era. Needless to say, the information broker was quite enthusiastic about the meeting. Phantom was brief though, only exchanging a couple of jabs while in the background Giran could clearly have heard the sounds of an arcade centre. A peculiar location for him to be, the kid sure was hiding in plain sight. Or the opposite — being completely reckless and easy-going about the whole mess he was in.
From the kid's brief message Giran could only infer the desire to meet, and he was firm enough to go and immediately point to the location. And of all places it had to be a karaoke place. It was a smart location, Phantom was certainly improving in doing shady business. Karaoke spots were everywhere, hence availability and the aforementioned "hiding in plain sight". A step above Shigaraki, who had been living in a shady bar anyone could point towards if they saw people coming in. Which was exactly what had led to the League of Villains being detained. The walls in decent karaoke places were also soundproof, so no conversation of theirs would be heard by someone simply passing the door. The biggest concerns were the possible security cameras, but he wouldn't be such an idiot so as to ignore the fact. Or Giran would be seriously disappointed.
The sun had already set by the time Giran made it to the spot. It was in one of the main streets of Musutafu, and the broker was starting to think the kid was still sentimental about the city if that's where they were meeting, so close to people that could actually recognise him. Fenton's human appearance was known, but not something an average passerby would notice immediately. But his classmates would certainly see through his attempts to hide. Then again, the kid could turn invisible. The karaoke place was far from seedy and unwelcoming, and it begged the question of Phantom's budget. Perhaps it was also a form of diguise: who would be looking for a homeless high-schooler in a place such as that?
Giran was polite with the desk lady. He was always polite with civilians, lest they suspected something. Polite enough people they saw everyday, but the workers tended to remember those that did not know any manners. But he would make sure to erase her memory about his visit when he would leave. The lady directed him to the booth number seven, and he told her that he would get there himself. Once he passed a cozy black corridor, he approached the door through which he could clearly hear some noise. Had he actually decided to sing? Giran scoffed and lightly opened the door, and before his eyes was the most bizarre sign.
Phantom could not sing for the life of him. He missed the notes and sometimes was making up words to compensate for it, but he was most definitely having a blast and putting all his passion and energy into it. However, someone by his side was actually trying and not half bad. The child also seemed to be enjoying this, judging by the grin on her face. Giran stared at the little girl by Fenton's side and could immediately see an absolute resemblance she had to him. But that was another revelation Giran had had no idea about and would have to remember. Phantom had a little sister, it seemed. Giran did not interrupt them, amused to watch the scene until the song was over. But he still closed the door behind him.
"Phew, that was an exhausting one," Danny commented, putting down the microphone.
"Can we do another? Pleeeease," the girl begged.
"Sure thing, but you will have to do without me, kiddo. We have a guest," said Phantom and finally turned to Giran. It wasn't a welcoming expression he had, but a somewhat reproachable one. "Hello, Giran. Been a while."
"Not as long as you claimed to be. I thought it would be 'forever'."
"Time sure flies," Danny shrugged, before noticing Giran looking up at the small camera. "Oh, that, don't worry about it," the halfa said, before snapping his fingers. The camera light turned green. "It won't show anything I don't want it to."
"Now why is that?"
"A power I snagged from one of my enemies. Isn't quite on the level of making death robots out of cars and scrap metal, but this is enough," Danny said as he sat and took a sip of his milkshake.
"So you really are capable of this," Giran mumbled and sat nearby.
"Seems that way," Danny shrugged, omitting the part where Observants forbade him from doing that. In the meantime, Danielle started singing the next song and lightly dancing in her spot.
"What's with the kid?" Asked Giran.
"That's Elle. My...well...I guess we go by father-daughter thing."
Giran stared at him. "I...for once I am at a loss for words."
"That's what everyone says," Danny rolled his eyes. "Imagine what I felt when I learned it. Surprise doesn't cut it."
"How old are you again?"
"Almost sixteen," Danny shrugged. "Then again, she is less than a month old, so it is not as bad..."
Giran simply stared. "How even..." he sighed and rubbed his temples. "And you think it is fine having her here?"
"She is a strong girl. Every power of mine was inherited by her. Besides, I am nearby. And if you as much as look at her funny," he leaned closer, "I will rip your heart straight out of your chest," the halfa threatened quietly and smirked.
"Privacy of a client, boyo," Giran raised his hands. "I mean, the kid is right here, and we are gonna discuss some less child-friendly topics."
"That depends on you," Phantom shrugged. "Anyways, you trade information, I want to get it off your hands. Win-win."
"And what would that info be?"
"I need to know where the Commission took all the research All for One had in that lab. And if he had any others."
"You could just ask them," Giran gave a smirk, reaching for a juice box, of which there were plenty on the table.
"I will. If only to ask for the permission to destroy it. But I'd like to come with some information on my hands already."
"Why do you want to destroy it, though?"
"Because they don't know how dangerous it is."
Giran tapped on the ground thoughtfully, causing Danny to raise his eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
"Look, kid. When you up and decided to leave, it was spectacular. Nobody ever put the Commission in its place like you did. In case you have been living under a rock, the people started to look up to you as someone both capable and willing to change things. Even Stain did not cause a stir such as this. Now you come and tell me that this return of yours is just for some half-baked 'saving the world' crap. Come on."
"What do you get out of me becoming a revolutionary? Me creating chaos which fills your pockets?" Danny asked not hiding his contempt.
"That's just a step in the bigger picture. But even the lowliest people have their own ideas of a better world. I am no exception. And besides, what would you do if the Commission doesn't listen? Walk away and forget your plans? Or are you gonna remove the problem altogether? If so, why not try and do something even more?"
"And how many lives are gonna end in the process? I will just end up proving them right, that an uncontrolled vigilante is as evil as All for One. I don't want any part in this."
"Now where is the defiance everyone saw in that courtroom, kid?" Giran leaned closer.
"It was me saying that I do not plan to follow their stupid rules. I and I alone."
"And thousands agreed with you. Ya won't be alone in this crusade, you know?"
"So glad I have allies like you people," Danny grumbled.
"Forget me, kid. We both know there are different people who take liking to your words. You are powerful enough to take charge and mold them however you like. They will listen. Your plan is naivety multiplied by stupidity. The Commission NEVER backs down. They show lenience once, it all comes crashing down. They will never accept the demand from a wanted vigilante."
"Still, who am I going to be if I don't even try?" Phantom looked at him with grave seriousness. "You don't understand what's at stake. For me, for you, for this world."
Giran sighed. "Guess I am doing this. Alright, I do have information for you."
"How much?"
"It ain't about money. It is about you learning a lesson and me confirming the reputation that I can establish contacts even with the likes of you. Reputation is everything in my line of work, kiddo. So, meet a couple of people. You talk. And then I give you the information you need. Listen...I mean it. You are perhaps the best person for that role ever seen Destro. But that guy had charisma, not the most destructive Quirk. You have both the sway and the power All for One never would have used for betterment of the world."
"You were helping him, though."
"Guilty," Giran said and got up. "But that was for money. You, however, are someone worth investing into. Don't just throw everything away."
With that, the information broker left, leaving Danny to his thoughts. Were people really that desperate they would follow a simple teen? Well, maybe not that simple. He didn't want to be responsible for the fate of that world. Then again, he already was. If he failed to stop the Commission, it would mean disaster for both worlds. Giran was right in one thing: he did not have a plan for when the Commission would inevitably refuse. Danny himself did not believe otherwise. Those people were stubborn and, most importantly, stupid. There would be no going back afterwards.
Why did he have to accept it all?
Danny then felt a small hand on his shoulder. Looking to his side, he saw Elle sitting next to him and then giving him a hug.
"Are you worried, Daddy?" she asked.
"I..."
Danny wasn't sure what to tell a small child. As her father figure he should show confidence, be the impenetrable wall behind which she could always hide. That's what they say, at least. But would there really be any shame in admitting that he was a human, too, if not a partial one?
"I guess you can say so, kiddo. It's just...if I do something wrong I may put everyone in danger."
"Well, then you should just do somethin'," the girl said sagely. "Ehm...I mean...it will be worse if ya do nothin'," Danielle hugged him tighter. "I know you will beat everyone, Daddy. Here."
The older halfa felt something on his cheek. Blinking, Danny took out his phone to see his face and then noticed a glowy ghost sticker left by the girl. Phantom touched it lightly and smiled. So far Vlad's words were to be disproved. The girl really was someone who would be by his side in a moment of doubt. He would have said something else, when suddenly his hearing caught the commotion outside.
"What was that?" Asked Elle, also possessing heightened senses.
"Bad guys..." Danny said thoughtfully.
On the one hand, staying out of sight brought him certain benefits, freedom of movement. And there was no active search for him yet, as he had left assumption that he was gone for sure. From what little he had gathered so far, the Commission was content with not bringing him up. But on the other hand, he would remind everyone that he was there, that he was someone they could not just ignore. It was, perhaps, his greatest argument and offer — to vanish completely. But until then he would probably have to make sure they see the benefit of said offer. Besides, what point would there be of his statement if he stopped being a vigilante? Danielle could also use some experience...
On the outside, a robbery was taking place. A gang of street urchins had attacked a shop. One of them, a large criminal jumped out of the shop window, carrying the entire counter. Full of glee, he ran towards a white truck, before being met face to face with a hero — a gruff-looking man with a cannon instead of his right hand. However, the hero was caught off guard when he was hit with a metal pipe from behind. The strike landed on his head, knocking him unconscious. The gang in reality consisted of four people, each wearing a piece of cloth of different colours, each corresponding to the wearer's name.
"You idiot, you took the counter!" One of the gang members exclaimed, but they still loaded it in the truck.
"Too bad, hero! There's more than one of us! We are Team Reservoir Dogs! And don't you forget it!"
Then they, and everyone around could hear a laughter coming from above them.
"Well, points for the creative name, you four."
To the shock of the villains, Danny emerged from invisibility, hanging by his legs face down on the street lantern.
"But I'm afraid I will forget it this very evening."
"Ph-Phantom!" The villains exclaimed in fear.
"So you remember me. Wanna take your chances?" Phantom grinned deviously, noticing with the corner of his eye how bystanders were taking out their phones. Of course. Well, better make most of it.
"Leave it!" The man with red horns shouted as they jumped on the truck, with one of them running to the driver's seat. The other three were immediately attacked by the young hero. A series of blasts followed and hit the villains dead on, allowing the halfa to fly towards them and punch the largest villain, tossing him out of the vehicle. Turning towards the rest, he fired ectoblasts from his palms.
In the driver's seat, the villain tried to shakily take out his keys and put them into the hole, but then he felt like he wasn't alone. Turning left towards the passenger seat, he saw a small white-haired girl. Swinging her legs slowly, she turned towards the villain, tilted her head and grinned.
A second later the older Phantom, stopping his beating for a moment, saw how the driver was blasted out of the truck alongside the door that slid across the ground.
"The hell..." the villain moaned, trying to get back up, but failing.
Upon seeing this and assessing the damage, Phantom froze his own opponent to the truck and hopped down.
"You shouldn't put so much energy into your blasts. You can hurt them too much."
"I was trying!" Said a disembodied voice, before floating Elle appeared out of nowhere, pouting and crossing her small arms.
"There are two of them now!?" Exclaimed a villain and opened fire from his gun. Elle surprised Danny by jumping in the air and creating a shield in front of them. Even though going intangible was an option Danny had opted for. Not only did she show initiative, but actually considered him…smart kid.
"Well, I just happened to find myself a sidekick," Phantom shrugged. "How does it feel being beaten by a small kid?"
"Yeah! You are goin' down, villain!" Elle said, punching the air, before processing what had been said. "Hey! I am not small," she pouted.
"Sure you aren't," Danny chuckled. "Now, Elle, you need to make sure these guys can't fight back anymore. Your core is still undeveloped, so just use the ectogoo."
"Okay!" The ghost girl beamed and turned to the last villain standing. On shaky feet. The villain shot last couple of bullets from his magazine, but Elle turned intangible, before flying towards the enemy. She hit him dead on, pushing him to the ground. Then, she swiped her palms and shot the green viscous substance, all the while Danny watched with amusement.
She showed great promise, but Elle was a tiny girl with powers already rivalling many local heroes, and with mental programming to control them to a degree. Never once had she stumbled and used her powers by accident, unlike his first months as a halfa. Vlad really had planned to create a perfect heir. And speaking about frootloop, Danny found it ironic that he was the only person who could train her. So much like what Vlad wanted to be to him, even if with little success. From his musings he was interrupted by the girl herself, who was excitedly jumping in front of him.
"Did I do good?" She sought her father's praise.
Danny looked at the immobilised criminal and patted Elle's head. "I guess we will start your trainings from now on," he said before becoming more loud and speaking in front of the gathered audience, which would only expand via internet. It wouldn't hurt to tap into one of his newest power and...inspire the locals. He wondered if it worked even on the net.
"These were small fries, but they just happened to be the closest," Phantom said and shrugged. "The caliber does not matter, for even one soul lost due to even the lousiest of them is a tragedy. I make no difference, and neither should anyone. It was fortunate that someone capable of stopping a villain happened to be close, wasn't it? And I would not let even the charges against myself stand in the way of my only goal, to keep people safe from the lowest scum of this world! Just you wait. You hear that, Commission?" He pointed towards the largest gathering of phones and cameras. "Try and stop me!"
He then jumped from the truck and started walking towards the felled hero, who was slowly regaining his consciousness, bearing witness to the last moments of fighting.
"Are you alright?" Danny asked.
"Phantom..." the hero blinked, before huffing. "I've still got ways to go..." he mumbled, before shaking his head. "You know that I have to arrest you, too, right?"
"Well, it's not like you can, with due respect," Phantom smiled. "So..." he whispered. "I only ask that you play along and try to capture me. Don't want you to get into trouble."
"Ah, damn it, not like I'm gonna sink any lower," the man sighed. "Alright, Phantom," he spoke loudly, "How about..."
He pointed his gun hand at Danny, before he easily vanished. "Of course he does that."
Meanwhile, as the people around were talking in hushed whispers and loud exclamations, in one of the alleyways stood three people in costumes hardly suited for a leisurely stroll. They were all lead by a young man with messy brown hair and a beak-like mask, who curiously eyes the aftermath of the fight.
"So, Phantom is back..." the leader commented.
"Is he gonna be a problem, boss?"
"At this point there is no telling what he does next...let him keep playing cat and mouse with the Commission. It doesn't affect our plans whatsoever."
The students of class 1-A had grown accustomed to their dorms. The Heights Alliance was truly spectacular — dorms that were built in a matter of days, worthy of the school's status. Even though decorating their own rooms was left to the students themselves. They had had an initial contest of the best room, and it had been a good way to bond over their shared living space. Other than that, the first floor was dedicated to the common area, the living room, the kitchens and others, all for the students to use in their spare time. The same way it was on the evening of that day. With several girls occupying the kitchen and eagerly chatting, Kirishima was storming towards the main couch area, where Kaminari sat alongside few others.
"Kaminari-san," he said, coming to him.
"What's up, Kirishima?" The blonde smiled innocently.
"Where is that manga I let you borrow?" Kirishima asked with suspicion. "I'd like to have it back."
"Oh, you mean Grok the Barbarian?" Kaminari hissed. "I'll give it to you in a week, I swear!"
"Kaminari..."
"It was an accident! I spilled soda on it, forgive me!" Kaminari put his hands together and begged.
Kirishima gave him a dry expression, before sighing. "Fine, keep it."
"You could get him another in return."
Both boys turned towards an armchair to their side, seeing Shinso lazily flip a page of his book. The purple-haired student lifted his tired eyes from his read and noticed how he had got attention.
"It's only fair," he added, although he sounded rather disinterested.
"For someone who 'doesn't need friends' you know an awful lot, grumpy," Mina suddenly emerged from behind their newest classmate and grinned. "Is it because we are growing on you?" She poked his face.
Shinso rolled his eyes and returned to his reading. The student was also slowly getting accustomed to his new class. Sometimes he would feel like he was out of place in that small jolly world. Not because of his seemingly dour and stoic nature, but because he knew all too well whose room he was occupying. The room meant for their past class rep. Used to judgmental looks and whispers, he initially believed that 1-A were doing the same while he was not looking. Phantom enjoyed popularity even among his own former classmates, so he expected them to feel like he was a last-minute replacement. What was there to say if he himself felt that way to an extent? He did not get there on his own, he managed to get in because Fenton had decided to go rogue. And it angered Shinso, drove him to try his hardest and catch up to the rest as soon as he could. Thankfully, his fears about 1-A ended up being unjust. They still welcomed him, even if sometimes they were perhaps too willing to break his comfortable shell.
"Aw, man..." Kaminari mumbled. "I'll go break my piggy bank..."
"Not like you have any savings," Mineta teased as he walked by.
"The hell were you doing in my room?!"
"You borrowed from me, too," Mineta shrugged. "I got it back before you could do this very thing."
"I shudder to imagine just what he borrowed from you," Mina shook as she dropped on an empty armchair upside down.
"Alright, you guys," said Yaoyorozu as she approached the lounge area. "Dinner is almost ready."
"Aw, man, I just sat," Kaminari sighed as he twirled the TV remote in his hands. "Maybe there is a good movie to make dinner even better."
He switched on the TV, which just so happened to be turned to the news channel. And immediately everyone's eyes were glued to the headline and their ears immediately caught the lady anchor's words.
"Several videos emerged on the internet, showing that the former hero trainee and vigilante convict Phantom is still at large."
Within seconds, the crowd gathered around TV.
"Danny is still around?"
"I knew it!"
"What is he doing?"
Shinso also closed his book and looked at the gathering. Yes, they still cared for Fenton, he would expect nothing less. Shinso never tried asking about him, and was a subject to his own conceptions, true or not, that he could form as someone watching from the side.
"From the circulating footage, it appears that Phantom has taken to overt vigilantism, despite the existing charging charges against him."
The footage then showed the former student easily dispatching of the lowly gang.
"Heh, he's still got it," Kirishima smirked.
"It's not like these idiots are anything to write home about," noted Mina. "Wha…"
It was then when Danielle emerged on the scene, earning collective confusion. That small girl was Phantom's splitting image. But how was this possible? Didn't he tell them that he only had an older sister?
"I guess that's one more thing he chose not to tell us," sighed Iida.
"Aww, but look at her, she is so cute!" Hagakure squealed, before seeing the girl easily dispatch of the criminal. "Oh."
"…so unlike Danny she already has and controls her Quirk while so young…."
Everyone could see Midoriya scribble something down in his journal. He was, just as the rest, interested in seeing his classmate, even if his curious side got the better of him. Still, as he finished, his mind went back to the situation at hand. He was still conflicted and worried for his classmate's fate. He could hear the talks on the internet, no matter how hard the government tried to keep the conversations within acceptable topics. Nobody stopped the people from discussing his presumed relation to All for One. The Commission and involved heroes stopped entertaining that theory a while back, but the general public was being exposed to that false knowledge only now. It worried Midoriya, made him wonder how Danny himself felt about that, also having heard this on that horrid day. But as long as he didn't know where he was, he could only guess.
"To bring someone so young into this?" Iida kept being the judgemental one. "What's he trying to do?"
"Maybe that is his way of training this girl," Momo suggested. "It could explain why Fenton-san decided to go against someone so low in the pecking order."
"Yeah, I don't think he would have brought her if it was someone dangerous," Kirishima shrugged.
"You hear that, Commission? Try and stop me!"
"I guess this answers what's he planning," Kaminari grumbled. "He's doubling down!"
"Fenton-san is too stubborn. He couldn't do anything else," spoke Momo with concern. "Even if nothing good may come of it."
"Does he expect to win against the Commission?" Asked Sero in shock. "Alone? With only one little girl to back him up? He's gone insane!"
"Doesn't look this way to me," Kirishima defended. "Danny can plan ahead if he wants. It's not like him to just come out and challenge a whole institution and every hero with it."
"But what is his plan, then?" Iida asked. "Whatever it may be," he sighed. "It doesn't help the situation at all. Or does he expect that this simple video will cause the Commission to respond? All it does is create more confusion and makes people anxious," he said sadly.
Curse that guy. Iida was being torn apart by a conflict within himself. Ever so slightly Fenton was pushing the boundaries, his and those of everyone around him. Iida intended to play by the book, but then the incidents with the Hero Killer and All for One happened. It used to be so simple. And now their former friend and leader intended to challenge them as well? Had he truly gone mad?
"On the other news, there has been another attack on the Pussycats' agency…"
Unlike Iida, the Commission was more confident in what they were about to do. The news sharing could not be helped, but now everyone was awaiting their response to the metaphorical glove toss. Their solution — ignore it and let it blow over, that's how they handled out of hand vigilantes before. It didn't mean they would just sit idly and wait - their plan was to find their enemy and eliminate him if necessary. Hawks was already dispatched, but he was only one man, they had to double their efforts. The president said just that during their urgent meeting on the subject. One that was over perhaps too quickly. She issued the orders and decreed that that was enough, she could not allow to display any weakness or hesitation even to her own colleagues.
"Are you sure it is wise?" Her assistant nonetheless asked the question other members of the Commission had no desire to ask. "Phantom's supporters are already saying that the Commission has been left unchecked and thus too shadowy for their tastes. We need to give them an answer."
"They will have their answer eventually. Once the child is captured," the president said with finality. "We just need more time."
"But won't the answer buy us this much?" The assistant asked as they entered the office.
"It will give him extra publicity. A duel requires two people," the president explained. "If one does not show up, to hell with perception, the duel does not happen."
"You read my mind, ma'am."
Both officials looked towards the president's desk, as the chair spun around and revealed Phantom's regal ghostly form. The assistant immediately reached for the gun on his belt and pointed it at Danny. The halfa tilted his head curiously. A force of habit rather than a hope of achieving success with that weapon, it seemed. Phantom ignored it, smiled, and stood up.
"It is way too firm for my liking anyway," he commented. "Oh, and don't bother with calling the security. I disabled those funny buttons under the desk."
"Why are you here?" The president demanded to know. "Certainly not to apologise for your stunt."
"On the contrary," Danny turned to look at them. "It is exactly that. In a way, at least."
He saw that the bureaucrats were not showing any emotions. He still opted to go on.
"I really didn't expect the people to be so eager to share those stupid videos. All I did was to use a little trick to make them impressed with that half-assed speech."
"What trick?"
"A trip back home taught me a few things. I can borrow powers, remember?" Danny smiled. "In any case, I am sorry. Usually it is followed by 'I won't do that again', but it is up to you."
"Up to us? Do you expect us to back down just because of this?" The assistant asked.
The president could see something different about the boy in front of them. He carried himself, spoke differently than during their past meeting. Something was off.
"You are saying this like I want you to drop charges. Nothing like that. Let's get straight to the point. If you do one thing for me, a stunt like this will be a one-time show. And I will stop being a problem for you."
"After everything you did, you still make demands of us?"
"What did I do? Question you?" Danny asked, his eyes glowing brighter. "I can surely do more. It is people who cling to every single figure willing to offer them something better. But. I am not interested in being that figure."
"That's rich, coming from someone who acted the opposite this entire time."
"You crooks wanted to make me your indentured slave. You had it coming. It was just out of spite, not some greater goal."
"What if we refuse your demand?"
"This will be an open conflict, then," Phantom said gravely. "Just today I received an offer to meet with several groups. I am yet to respond. The last thing this world needs is a split. You are a bunch of corrupt bureaucrats, but one thing I give you — you maintain stability. I don't want to be the one who disrupts it. But if I am forced to by my new duty, then so be it. A much greater alternative to thousands of deaths."
The officials stared at him. What was he insinuating?
"You wouldn't…it is a bluff."
"It's hard to bluff by using things out of your control. So it is three ways — we compromise, we fight or I am forced to…exterminate the threat."
The pause was not there for dramatics, they could hear the boy's echoing voice shaking.
"So I beg you to listen and do what I ask. If you accept, I will be gone forever, my threats just a bunch of nothings, myself a coward in everyone's eyes. Just what you need to keep things under wraps. And many lives will be spared."
As she was sitting in her seat, the president was deep in thought. Just what was so important that Phantom, who so far had not murdered a soul, throw around such threats?
"I can at least listen," she said.
"All for One dabbled in things he did not understand. What neither he nor others are meant to understand. The ectoplasm is dangerous, president. You may think it is a solution to everything, a gate to a million prospects, but in reality the prospect is only one — war and genocide."
"This is it? We are playing pacifists now?" The assistant asked.
"Pacifists?" Danny looked at him. "You won't be the ones declaring this war, good sir. It always happens like this, once humans discover the true power of ectoplasm, it spirals out of control."
"You are speaking in riddles, Phantom. Are you the one to declare it?
Danny sighed. How could he not speak in riddles without revealing too much sensitive information?
"Please, let me destroy everything All for One created concerning ectoplasm. Everything I left behind. I don't want things to come to that. Don't make me…" he spoke softly.
"You are made out of ectoplasm partially, correct?"
Danny blinked, still looking at the unmoved president. "Why are you asking?"
"You speak of not wishing to start a conflict. But is this what it is about really? It is the first time we see Phantom's fear."
Phantom stared at her. "What are you thinking…"
"Is this, perhaps, because this is your weakness?"
The halfa gritted his teeth. "It has nothing to do with me."
"Then what's in it to you? Just leave and stay out of our sight, and this will never be used against you."
"So it is fine to use it on others?!" Phantom exclaimed.
"We will find a responsible use. It is not up for a child criminal to dictate what he wants."
After a momentary silence, Danny huffed a laugh, and then another, even louder.
"Some nerve, saying this in front of someone who can kill you with a look."
"Then why don't you?" The president asked as she stood up in front of the window. "You won't need any of my permission that way."
Danny stared at her, as his fist glowed with energy. But then, he stopped.
"This is why all your threats are meaningless. You are not the type, Phantom. You are a vigilante — a confused outcast who doesn't know which side to tilt to. Not diligent enough to be a hero, not vile enough to be a villain."
Phantom cursed mentally. How foolish of him to hope for anything different. Those people were more machines than humans, unable to feel anything but pride and superiority. They loathed him, hated him for defiance and refusal to die for it. And it was that hatred that was now driving them to pursue the technology further. And it was also his fault to an extent, he was to be blamed just as much for not being able to impose his will.
"And who are you, president? While I am neither, you are both."
"Someone who is needed to ensure peace and order. You would not understand, child."
"You are right, I don't. Even after everything, after bringing so many of my enemies to heel, I can't bring myself to act on my threats. While this is something a prince is to remember well. Thank you for making me understand it," Danny muttered.
"And what will you do with this knowledge?"
"I will get what I want. And if your own survival demands from me to obliterate everything you stand for, then so be it. I will destroy your very foundation, I will show this world what you crooks really are."
"And what about the chaos you so fear to invite?"
"Chaos is still one step above extinction," Phantom said with finality, also approaching the window. "Is this…your final word?"
"Do your worst, Fenton. This world endured far worse."
"Perhaps. It still endures you."
With that Phantom stepped out of window, falling to the ground and vanishing. Less than a minute later, a raven-haired teen stepped out of an alleyway, pulling a cap lower over his forehead and dialing a number.
"Giran…" Danny made a pause. What he said next could potentially lead him down a line from which there was no return. But he had to be someone everyone expected him to be. A prince did not just force, he led and brought the result. "…who did you say we are meeting?"