SWNOVELXO Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Danny felt the new knowledge settle into his mind like a missing puzzle piece, seamlessly integrating with his thoughts and instincts. While it was just a fragment of the larger skill, it was enough to make him feel a newfound confidence. His movements, his demeanor—everything felt sharper, smoother.
"I knew you were meant to be my master," Danny thought with a grin, pride swelling at his small victory. He was still a teenager at heart, and the thrill of learning cool new skills—martial arts, vehicles, and now this—was exhilarating.
"Oh man, I can't wait to get a bike and ride into the wind," he mused, already picturing himself cruising down the road, the wind in his hair, and the admiration of onlookers.
Naruto's voice cut into his daydream. "You've only seen the tip of what I can do. Hurry along, and you'll learn why they called me the Master of All."
Danny's attention shifted back to the present as Sam walked beside him, her gaze full of concern.
"Danny, let's go to the infirmary," she said, noting his bruises and the cuts that dotted his body.
Danny nodded but couldn't resist fishing for some validation. "How was the battle?"
Sam smiled, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. "You were awesome. I never thought you could move like that."
Her words warmed Danny, and he couldn't help but grin. "Hehe, you'll be learning this too, so get ready for some sweating and pain."
Sam tilted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "I'm always ready for some pain and sweating."
Danny's face flushed as he turned away, her boldness catching him off guard. "I never knew she was this direct," he thought, his mind racing.
Naruto's amused voice echoed in his mind. "Who's supposed to be the guy here?"
Danny recovered quickly, leaning closer to Sam. "Is that so? Then I'm looking forward to it after school," he whispered near her ear, his voice low and teasing.
Sam visibly shivered at his tone, her cheeks dusted with pink.
As they walked toward the infirmary, Danny marveled at how effortless it had felt to create such a reaction. "This skill is so damn broken," he thought, his expression shifting to match the confident mood he was projecting.
But as the excitement settled, a flicker of guilt surfaced. Sam's willingness and their relationship made it easy to play along, but Danny knew he wasn't ready to take things too far. He didn't love Sam—not yet, at least—and a part of him wasn't ready to cross that line.
To him, relationships were serious, long-term commitments once they reached a certain point. He hadn't experienced enough of life—or love—to make that leap.
Naruto's voice broke into his thoughts. "Not to burst your bubble, but that wasn't an invitation for sex. Just a make-out session."
Danny rolled his eyes, choosing to ignore the remark. He squeezed Sam's hand gently as they reached the infirmary, resolving to take things one step at a time. For now, he'd focus on the present and the small victories that were finally making him feel like he could handle anything life—or the jocks—threw at him.
Barbara returned to the Batcave early that morning, the previous night's events playing on an endless loop in her mind. The cryptic warning, "Don't touch my pawn," echoed in her thoughts, the gravity of the situation becoming clearer as she analyzed it.
The man she encountered had a calculated plan—he aimed to take control of the gang and repurpose their resources. He had promised to put an end to their criminal activities, but his intentions were murky, and his identity remained a mystery.
Sitting in front of the Batcomputer, Barbara voiced her concerns. "The way he moved, the way he spoke—it felt like he had training. Assassin-level training. Maybe even League of Shadows."
Bruce, leaning back in his chair, steepled his fingers in thought. "Your analysis lines up. He could be a rogue ninja or someone with similar training. He's dangerous, no doubt about that."
Barbara cut to the chase. "So, are we taking him down?"
Bruce's expression remained stoic as he weighed the situation. "Not yet. He hasn't directly crossed a line. If his promise to stop the gang's activities holds true, then it's worth observing. We'll give him a week and monitor the situation closely. If he's lying or if he oversteps, we move in."
Barbara arched an eyebrow at his response but chose to trust his judgment. After all, Bruce wasn't one to take such risks lightly. "I'll keep an eye on it," she said, though her tone hinted at skepticism.
Bruce turned to the Batcomputer, pulling up surveillance footage of the gang boss's house. "Don't worry. I've got eyes on him too. We'll see what he's really up to."
Barbara couldn't help but smile. 'That's my boss,' she thought, feeling reassured. But her thoughts soon shifted to her personal performance.
"How do I improve, Bruce? He saw through me so easily, and if he'd wanted to, he could've killed me in a heartbeat."
Bruce's gaze softened as he stood. "That's on me. It's been too long since our last training session. Let's spar. I'll teach you what I can about reading opponents like him."
Barbara's eyes lit up, her excitement palpable. "Woo! Let's do this!"
Bruce chuckled, shaking his head at her enthusiasm. Despite all the darkness they faced, Barbara's ability to maintain her bright and optimistic spirit never ceased to amaze him. It was moments like this that reminded him why he had taken her under his wing.
"All right, Batgirl," Bruce said, stepping into the training area. "Let's get to work."
Tucker skidded to a halt in the school corridor, his breath coming in heavy gasps. Beads of sweat clung to his face, and his chest heaved from exertion. Physical activity was his nemesis, and this sudden burst of speed had left him on the verge of collapse.
"Danny, run! They're coming for you!" he managed between wheezes, his voice frantic.
Danny blinked, genuinely shocked. Tucker actually followed through on his morning run? That alone was almost as surprising as the warning itself.
"Calm down, Tucker. Who's coming?" Danny asked, furrowing his brows.
But before Tucker could respond, Danny's question was answered by the sharp click of heels on the linoleum floor. Pauline approached, her presence commanding the hallway. She stopped a few meters away, her icy gaze locked onto Danny.
"Fenton."
"Pauline."
Danny's response was steady, though his heart was already hammering in his chest. His eyes darted to the surroundings, taking in the small crowd that had gathered. But his attention couldn't help but drift back to Pauline. She was stunning. Her sleek outfit showcased her long, creamy legs, and the confidence in her stride made her even more alluring.
For a fleeting moment, Danny's resolve faltered. 'Damn, she's too beautiful.'
Pauline's frosty expression didn't waver. "Hmph, where did this so-called new personality go? Or was it all an act to get my interest?"
Danny clenched his jaw, reminded of her reputation for toying with people. "What do you mean? I've never denied that you're attractive—just not on the inside."
Her lips curled into a smirk, icy and unamused. "Still the same loser as the rest of the boys, I see. Come on, Fenton, I challenge you—slap me right here, right now."
Danny froze, her challenge catching him off guard. The air felt heavy as he weighed his options. Pauline's frosty demeanor was intimidating, but Sam's warm grip on his hand anchored him, reminding him to stay calm.
Naruto's voice remained silent in the back of Danny's mind, deliberately leaving him to face this test on his own. Reliance bred weakness, and Danny needed to grow stronger by his own will.
Finally, Danny spoke, his voice calm despite his inner turmoil. "Forgive me, but I won't partake in such ungentlemanly acts."
Pauline chuckled softly, her smirk widening. "Hehe, I knew it. You're no different. Fine, I'll let you follow me, then." She extended her hand, her voice laced with mockery.
For a moment, Danny felt his heart waver. It would've been so easy to give in, to bask in her attention. If he hadn't tasted the sweetness of self-confidence or understood the manipulation in her expression—thanks to his newfound knowledge—he might have accepted. But the thought of what he'd endured, and the demon sharing his body, quickly snuffed out the temptation.
Straightening his posture, Danny met her gaze with calm defiance. "I have a counteroffer. Follow me." His tone was steady, masking the nervousness swirling inside.
Pauline sighed dramatically, her smirk unshaken. "Sigh, and here I was trying to be nice because you looked so fragile." She stepped aside as heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Danny turned to see Dash and a group of jocks approaching, their expressions filled with disdain. Dash's sneer deepened as he looked Danny over.
Dash sneered as he looked down at Danny, his lips curling into a smug grin. "Fenton, come along and don't make a fuss," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. To him, Danny wasn't even worth the effort of a proper insult—just a wimp, the brother of his crush, and nothing more.
Inside Dash's mind, his contempt boiled over. 'Pathetic.' The thought came as naturally as breathing. 'He will always be pathetic.'
Danny stood there, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The words stung, but he didn't let them show on his face. Instead, he straightened his posture, forcing himself to hold Dash's gaze.
Behind him, Sam and Tucker watched anxiously, their loyalty unwavering. Sam's glare was fierce, her fiery personality ready to lash out at Dash if he took things any further. Tucker, though visibly nervous, clenched his jaw and stood firm beside his best friend.
Danny's voice, steady but low, cut through the tension. "You have no business commanding me, Dash. Get lost, buffoon."
Dash's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, his ego bruised by Danny's defiance. But then he laughed, loud and exaggerated, as if to dismiss the insult. "Oh, look at this. Fenton grew a spine. How cute."
The moment hung in the air, charged with unspoken challenges and simmering tensions. Danny's mind raced, not with fear, but with a resolve he hadn't felt before. He wasn't the same helpless kid he had been. He wouldn't let Dash dictate his place in the world anymore.
But Dash wasn't done yet. His pride demanded retribution, and his disdain for Danny urged him forward. He stepped closer, looming over Danny with the weight of his presence. "You think you're better than me, Fenton?" he said, his voice low and threatening.
Danny didn't flinch. For once, he met Dash's gaze head-on, his defiance shining through. "I don't think I'm better. I know I'm better."
Dash's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as the hallway seemed to hold its breath. But before he could act, Sam stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "That's enough, Dash. Back off."
Tucker, standing off to the side, caught Danny's subtle signal to run. But instead of retreating, Tucker squared his shoulders and stepped beside his best friend.
The tension thickened as the two sides faced off. Danny's courage burned brighter with Tucker by his side, and the heat of confrontation felt like the spark of something new—something stronger—igniting inside him.
Tucker caught Danny's signal to run, but instead of fleeing, he planted himself firmly by his friend's side. His voice, though slightly shaky, held determination. "We always stand together."
Danny's chest swelled with gratitude. 'Yes, we will always walk together,' he thought, his heart warmed despite the dire situation.
Sam stepped forward, placing herself between the group and her friends. Her glare was intense, directed squarely at Dash and Pauline. "Dash, leave now, or you'll have to answer to me."
Dash's smug demeanor faltered momentarily. Sam's fiery determination made it clear that pushing any further could escalate into real trouble. Still, his pride wouldn't allow him to back down completely.
"As you wish, princess," Dash said with mock politeness, placing a hand on Sam's shoulder. But in the same motion, he lashed out with a kick aimed at Danny.
Danny had been watching Dash's movements carefully, and when the kick came, he braced himself. Raising his palms to absorb the blow, he moved with the force, rolling across the floor. His exaggerated groan echoed through the hallway, convincing the onlookers that Dash had gotten the better of him.
As Dash stood there, watching Danny writhe, a flicker of confusion crossed his face. 'Did I get stronger? Or has Fenton lost some weight?'
Before Dash could ponder further, his gang surged forward, emboldened by the apparent victory. This time, Danny couldn't evade all of them. Seven pairs of feet rained down kicks, and despite his attempts to minimize the damage, some blows landed hard enough to draw genuine cries of pain.
Sam rushed to their side, her eyes blazing with fury as she knelt beside Danny and Tucker. "DASH! You'll pay for this, and so will all of you!"
Dash smirked, shrugging off her threat. "Ooh, I'm shaking. Relax, princess. Unless I break his bones, no one's going to care. I'm the star, and he's just… nothing." He turned to his crew, smirking. "Thanks, boys. Drinks on me."
Pauline, flanked by her friends Star and another girl, laughed lightly as she followed Dash. "Good work, boys," she said, her tone dripping with amusement.
As the crowd dispersed, Danny lay on the floor, his body aching. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the sting of realization.
The voice inside his mind spoke, calm and direct. 'How does it feel to be lower than dirt? Do you see the difference between your world and theirs?'
Danny clenched his fists. 'I don't like it. I understand now. I accept you as my master… willingly.'
For the first time, the fog in Danny's mind began to clear. He had always clung to a delusion—that he could somehow win Pauline over, that he could rise above his station with charm alone. But now, it was painfully clear. To her, he wasn't just beneath notice; he was beneath contempt.
The disparity in treatment was glaring. The only people who truly cared about him were his friends and family, but even then, was there any respect in their eyes?
No.
And he understood why. He hadn't done anything to earn it.
'I don't want to see my friends in pain. I don't want to get hurt. I want to live comfortably. I want to help my family.'
The voice responded with a dry chuckle. 'You forgot the people.'
Danny hesitated. 'You already know—I'm not a saint. I'll follow your commands for that.'
'Small steps. You'll build character with each mission. You've acknowledged your desires, and that's the first step toward maturity.'
'Can it be less painful?'
'You can dream.'
Danny groaned, more in frustration than pain, though his body protested every movement. "Shit!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of anger and exhaustion.
Tucker and Sam helped him to his feet, their concern evident. Danny looked at them, the weight of the moment pressing on him. He had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he was truly on a path—one that would forge him into someone stronger.