[Third Person's PoV]
Batman, Robin, and Danny stood around the restrained Solomon Grundy, who lay strapped down on the cold floor of the Factory.
"So, how do we get him back to his hiding place?" Robin asked curiously. "Do we tie him to the Batmobile? Though that doesn't exactly seem ethical."
"First, we interrogate him," Batman said with a small frown. "We need to figure out why he's here when he should be down in the sewers where he usually stays."
"I could overshadow him and take him back down there," Danny suggested.
"That should always be a last resort," Batman replied, giving Danny a warning look. "Don't rely too quickly on the easy way out. Taking control of someone's body isn't a solution to be used lightly. If there's another way to solve the problem, even if it takes a few extra steps, you should take it. Respect their will."
Danny scratched the back of his head awkwardly and nodded. "I didn't mean anything bad by it. I was just offering an idea," he muttered.
Batman didn't respond further. Instead, he turned his attention to Grundy, who was still struggling against the restraints. Kneeling beside him, Batman placed a firm hand on the zombie's chest.
"Grundy, listen to me," he said in a softer tone. "We're here to help you. Talk to us. Why are you here? Why aren't you back home?"
Grundy let out savage grunts and guttural growls, though they gradually softened under Batman's steady gaze. Finally, the monster met Batman's eyes.
"Grundy's home…" he rumbled slowly, his voice gravelly and broken. "Destroyed."
Batman's brow furrowed slightly. Grundy stopped struggling and continued, his tone mournful. "Ceiling… rocks falling on Grundy. Grundy didn't want to be buried. Grundy ran out. Home… blocked by large rocks."
"A cave-in?" Batman asked with concern.
Robin frowned. "Have there been any recent explosions that could've caused an underground collapse? We haven't dealt with any villains using large-scale explosives lately."
As Batman and Robin pondered, Danny let out a heavy sigh, catching their attention.
Batman's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to Danny as he finally remembered.
Closing his eyes, Danny admitted, "There was an explosion recently, but it wasn't caused by a villain… It was caused by me."
Robin's eyes widened in realization. "The night of your transformation… it caused a strong seismic event. That must've been what caused Grundy's home to collapse."
Danny nodded solemnly, his shoulders slumping as he released a shaky breath.
Batman placed a hand on Danny's shoulder briefly before addressing both of them. "You two double-check that all the men we've taken down are secured and ready for transport to police custody. Meanwhile, I'll stay here and convince Grundy to lead us to his home so we can assess the damage."
Danny and Robin nodded. Robin fired a grappling hook, swinging around the factory, while Danny's legs transformed into a ghostly tail as he floated away.
A few minutes later, they returned to find Batman cutting through Grundy's restraints with his batarangs. The hulking zombie slowly got to his feet.
"It isn't far from here, the police are already on the way" Batman explained. "We can walk the distance."
Turning to Grundy, Batman instructed, "Lead the way."
Grundy let out a low growl and began to lumber forward, his heavy footsteps echoing. Batman and Robin followed closely, while Danny floated casually above the ground.
After a few minutes, they stood before a massive entrance to the sewers, the archway towering even over Grundy. A thin stream of greenish water trickled across the ground.
Robin grimaced, lifting his foot to avoid the foul liquid. "You're lucky you can float…" he muttered to Danny.
Danny grinned and gave a sly wink, causing Robin to roll his eyes.
Grundy lumbered ahead, leading them deeper into the expansive sewer system. After several turns, the group arrived at a section blocked by large rocks and boulders, with scattered pebbles littering the damp floor.
Grundy's shoulders slumped as he stared at the blockage. "Grundy's home…" he said mournfully, his gravelly voice heavy with sadness.
Floating closer, Danny gently patted Grundy's shoulder. "Leave it to me," he said firmly. "I caused this. It's my fault—"
"Danny," Robin interrupted, but Danny shook his head.
"This is my responsibility," Danny said, his expression resolute. "I created the explosion, and even if it was accidental, it took away his home. It's on me to make it right."
From the shadows, Batman observed Danny with a subtle, approving nod.
Anticipating further objections, Danny continued, "I'll make most of the boulders intangible, move them out, and break them apart with my ghost rays. I've got this."
Danny wasted no time, speeding around the area with supernatural strength and precision. The group watched as he phased the rocks free and floated them out, clearing the blockage bit by bit. Occasionally, he hurled the debris into the air and disintegrated it with concentrated ghostly energy.
As he worked, the water in the sewers began flowing more freely, the blockage loosening with each boulder removed. Batman kept a watchful eye, noting the efficiency and dedication with which Danny worked.
Nearly an hour later, Danny grasped the largest rock blocking the entrance. Turning intangible, he phased it out and flew a safe distance away. With a burst of ghost rays, he shattered the massive boulder into harmless dust, dodging the debris as it scattered.
When he floated back, his movements were sluggish, his breathing heavy. Danny's eyes were half-lidded with exhaustion, and he wavered unsteadily in the air.
Grundy's eyes lit up with excitement as he saw his old home once more. Though parts of the ceiling pipes and walls were damaged, the space was clear enough to be livable again. Grundy crouched to fit through the entrance, settled into a corner, and let out a deep sigh of relief.
Batman placed a firm hand on Danny's shoulder. "Good work, Danny Phantom."
Danny managed a weak smile. "Thanks."
Robin clapped him roughly on the back. "Yeah, nice job. A few more missions like this, and you might just be almost as good as me."
Danny scoffed softly but was too drained to respond.
Batman began leading them out, tapping a few buttons on his gauntlet. As Danny followed behind, he heard a low growl from Grundy.
"Thank… you," Grundy said slowly. "From Solomon Grundy, who was born on a Monday."
Danny's eyes widened briefly before his smile softened. Turning back, he said, "Sure thing, big guy. Anytime, after all I'm a friend to both the living and the dead"
When they emerged from the sewers, the Batmobile awaited them. Once they secured themselves inside, Batman started the drive back to the Batcave.
Robin stretched in his seat with a yawn. "Talk about a first night on patrol, huh, Danny?"
A sudden flash of light from the back seat drew their attention. Batman and Robin turned to see Danny, back in his human form, curled up and fast asleep.
The two shared a quiet chuckle before turning their attention back to the road.
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