Danny turned his camera off before turning back to the portal he just stepped through. Fry, Leela, Bender, and the Professor stood on the other side of the portal looking around his dimension.
“This definitely isn’t the weirdest thing we’ve done and seen but it's on the list.” Fry said as he leaned forward looking around Danny’s room. “Dude sick ceiling!” Danny laughed, smiling at the red head before nodding.
“I know right! Thanks for helping with my video you guys! It’s gonna be crazy popular. Once I am twenty-one I will definitely drop in to have a night in the space clubs with you all!” Fry laughed, nodding and he pulled his head back through the portal.
“Hell ya! We’ll plan the best night out for you right Bender!” Bender waved his hand after opening a beer and starting to chug it.
“Ya, ya whatever as long as we’re drinking I don’t care.” Danny snorted, rolling his eyes before looking at Leela who just smirked at him.
“Remember what I said, and please don’t share it with them.”Danny said, reaching out and shaking her hand. “They’ll use it willy-nilly, you’ll use it when needed.” Leela nodded as she returned the hand shake.
“Trust me, they won’t know anything. It was nice meeting you Danny, feel free to stop by anytime.” Danny nodded with a grin before they all stepped back waving to each other as Dani closed the portal.
“I’m going to have so much editing to do.” Danny groaned, causing his friends to laugh at him.
“You act like you didn’t fall in love with videography and editing. Sure it will be tedious but at least it isn’t a meeting with the Observants."
Val said, patting his back and Danny couldn’t help but nod. “Now I’m going to go take a shower. I still feel like I’m covered in that Slurm drink Bender poured on me.” Wes laughed before he punched Danny shoulder as Val walked past.
“Come on Danny, I’ll edit the first video you edit the second. Don’t worry I’ve studied how you edit, no one will know the difference. Besides with my curse I’d just have to tell people I had edited it and no one would believe I did.” Danny snorted, shaking his head as he followed Wes up to his room.
“Take the bed Wes.” Danny said place the USB with the first video on it before moving to grab his laptop.
“Danny I can't just take the bed from you I’ll sit in your chair you take…the bed.” Wes slowed his sentence as he turned around to see Danny floating in the air, legs crossed and leaning back slightly. “Oh, I’ll take the bed.” Danny snorted rolling his eyes as Wes set himself up on his bed.
“Alright so Jack and Maddie are Danny's parents, that means Bruce has a connection to them.” Tim said confidently before taking a few bites of his dinner in front of him. “It’s been a long time now but I think we can swing something especially with these coordinates to Amity Park. I was able to hack into the computer of Alicia Burgess and confirm through a few emails that they live in Amity Park.” Bruce nodded as he glanced around the table at his family as he thought on how to go about this.
“The question is how to go about it, I can’t just walk about and say I wanted a reunion. I didn’t even graduate with them.” Tim snorted softly, rolling his eyes as if Bruce was asking a stupid question.
Which in Tim’s eyes he was.
“Of course not, it’ll be you and Harley reaching out. Harely insisted on reaching out and finding two of her old college buddies wanting to have a reunion given their twentieth college reunion passed and neither they nor Harley went. As a celebration of having her sanity nearly fully back she decided she wanted to find them and decided you were going along with her.” Tim smirked, setting his fork down as he leaned back in his seat. “Of course, we couldn’t just let our adoptive dad go off on his own. Brucie would get into a lot of trouble left alone with just Harley. So of course I’ve decided to take my vacation time now and go with, and Jason is currently on his ‘summer break’ since he attends college during the summer. Cass is visiting so she’ll come to enjoy a part of her vacation with us and of course Harley’s fiance Ivy will be coming to meet these old friends!” Everyone looked at Tim as they thought over his plan and Dick was the first to speak up.
“I’m gonna have to be Batman again aren’t I?” Tim nodded, causing him to groan and earn an amused look from Bruce.
“Don’t worry Chum, I won’t leave you with the cowl for long I promise. Or you could go and I could pretend to be Nightwing.”
“NO!” Dick stood up pointing a finger at Bruce with fake over dramatic tears in his eyes. “I had to deal with continuous social media on Nightwing letting himself go the last time you went out as me! Never again!” The table burst into laughter as Bruce covered his face groaning.
“Really Richard?”
“Yes really! You had my criminals crying and thanking the lord when they realized I was actually Nightwing! People were going around saying how happy they were that Twink-wing was back! They were calling me TWINK-WING!!! You’re going on the trip or so help me Bruce, so help me I’ll go over the edge.” Bruce coughed not making eye contact with Dick as he looked at Tim.
“I look forward to our small trip Timmy, thanks for coming along with us.” Tim snorted, nodding as he started eating again. Jason looked around the table at everyone as Dick sat down taking some calling breaths.
“Sooo anyone but me gonna acknowledge it?” He smirked, crossing his arms and leaning back staring at Tim, who tensed eyes narrowing as he looked at Jason. “Okay, okay, I’ll say it. Tammy here is only coming along to see his internet crush.” In seconds Tim was over the table attempting to strangle Jason who grinned, grabbing and tossing him across the room towards the door. He was out of his seat in seconds and a slightly playful fight broke out between the two that had everyone but Bruce and Alfred cheering on either Jason or Tim.
“This will be an eventful trip.” Bruce said as he continued eating, ignoring the fight happening. Alfred said nothing as he watched the two, he could recognize it as a bonding fight over an actual one. So instead of getting on their case he simply watched.
“Phones?”
“Check.”
“Chargers?”
“Check.”
“Toothbrush, toothpaste, and hairbrush?”
“Check, check, and check, honestly Master Bruce are you doubting my ability to sufficiently pack for a two week trip for you all.”
“What no Alfred I'm not I just-”
“He's just paranoid because he is leaving Gotham for longer than a weekend trip and is too hands on to calm down. Resulting in him micromanaging everyone.”
“Ah Richard, do me a favor, take your father off my hands so I may finish my job.” Dick laughed walking into the room grabbing Bruce’s arm.
“Now that I can do without a problem!! Come on B!” Bruce sighed letting Dick lead him out of his room and down to the library. “Stop worrying Alfred will have everything you need. You just need to make sure you have your belt on you.”
“I always have my belt on me.” He grumbled earning an amused look from Dick. “Do you have yours?”
“Of course I do! Do I look like Steph?” Seconds later a book hit him as Steph’s head popped over the edge of the bird nest Bruce had built for him.
A small smile crossed his face as he looked up at the nest while Steph and Dick bantered back and forth playfully. Looking down from the nest and to Dick, Bruce felt as if he closed his eyes he could remember his little Robin. The boy who insisted to have the nest built so he had somewhere high up to rest and wait for Bruce to get home. He used it anytime he got hurt and put on bed rest, and the rest of his birds followed. It was the first change he had made to Wayne manor, apart from having Alfred remove all of his parents' pictures after their passing. Though those went up soon after Dick joined him, when Dick said the walls were bare Bruce jumped to show off the pictures. He hadn’t realized how much he missed them until then, and the family of three made it a day putting them all up together. Now his family had grown to twelve and their pictures had been added around. Surrounding his parents' photos as if to show off his kids to them.
He blinked when Dick punched his arm slightly gaining his attention. “Caught in memories old man.” He playfully pointed a finger in Bruce’s face, a twinkle in his eye that made Bruce smile softer. “You know you make me feel old when you do that! I’m still young, still beautiful.” He dramatically held his hand to his chest as he said the last sentence. Bruce couldn’t even hold in his laughter after hearing that come from his eldest.
“Honestly Chum, let an old man remember his little angry filled nine year old who demanded a nest in the library so that he could wait for me to get home when on bed rest.” Dick snorted, looking away with a bashful smile.
“Ya that nest worked out pretty well, it's the perfect meet up spot.” He chuckled, punching Bruce’s shoulder before making his way up to the nest. “Come on B, relax with everyone before you leave.”
My FBI agent must love watching over my search history when I'm invested in a fic. I swear when I die if my twin doesn't throw my laptop into the lake I will haunt them.
“Alrightie, Duke your classes don't start for an hour right, LightBrite?” Duke snorted, nodding as he got comfortable pulling his blanket tighter around his shoulders. “Good good, should be enough time, ehhhh maybe we'll see, anyway!!”
Harley snagged a cookie munching on it before she began. “Sooo years ago before I was a doctor and your daddio a crime-fighting college drop-out vigilante, we went to Gotham Uni. Bruce had been studying to be a Doctor like your granddaddy, so all of us had the same base classes. We actually had a study group and we'll as a ‘Fuck Professor Tanner’ club.
We met in advanced Calculus, I sucked and Brucie was my seat buddy along with Vladdie. After a bad failed test on my part and Professor Tanner purposely marking the others down, we formed a spite study group. I dragged Crane into it and Vlad pulled Jackie and Mads in! It kinda cemented our friendships a bit!” Harley snorted, shaking her head while reminiscing on the old days.
“Jackie, Mads, and Vladdie we're going for Doctorates in Science and Engineering. Jackie was more towards Engineering that was his crazy strong point while Mads and Vladdie were genius to boot. Would've fit in very well with your bunch now that I think ‘bout it! It grew a pretty decent friend group between us. Of course Brucie dropped out after that year, but Crane and I stayed pretty close with them. It was our final year when a lot of drama happened.” Harley sighed before grabbing her Tea cup downing it.
“The three of them were convinced that another universe lay parallel to ours. Called it the Ghost Zone, they'd been attempting to make a portal to it for months. Then the accident happened, it exploded and Vlad got carted off campus, didn’t see him again after that. He transferred out and last we heard he went to Wisconsin. Jackie and Mads were heartbroken, they’d been friends for a while at that point and losing Vlad made them a little unstable. Not ya know, rouge unstable but they started designing weapons to hunt ghosts. Caught some attention shortly before graduation and got a couple grants, they were really ecstatic. They left soon after we graduated, Jackie proposed and Mads said yes, went back to Mads hometown for the wedding. I got invited but at that point I was already at Arkham and well, you know my story already.”
Tim stopped his note taking, looking up at Harley, who seemed slightly trapped in thought. He coughed slightly, breaking her out of her remembrance of who Harleen Quinzel used to be.
“Ghost Zone? Huh? Weird niche of all things but ya know, we dress up and go fight crime nightly.” Duke elbowed him teasingly as he ate a cookie, and Tim rolled his eyes. “Right, right I forgot one of us is a weirdo and patrols during the day time!”
“Oi! At least I don’t have an ugly ass cowl, owl head ass.” Tim gave him the dirtiest look, already calculating how far Duke dropped on his favorite sibling list.
“Congrats Duke, Damian has officially passed you on my favorite siblings list. It’s a sad day when two siblings drop below the one that has stabbed me multiple times.” Duke went to respond but was cut off by Harley’s barking laughter. Harley was bent over holding her stomach laughing so hard Duke contemplated running to get a cure for Joker Venom, but seeing the satisfied look on Tim’s face calmed him. Tim’s plan to distract her clearly worked, besides he had enough to work on now.
Of course Danny had contact with the Realms, his parents succeed in making their portal after all.
Alfred hummed lowly to himself as he entered his bedroom for a short break. He set the tea tray down before pulling out both his chairs and sitting down.
“You were cutting it close you know, old friend.” He sipped his tea slowly before looking up at the person now sitting in the chair across from him. “You’ve set my charges into a protective mode that will lead to less sleep. Honestly the extra stress you’ve added to my plate with this stunt.”
“Apologies are in order for that, you know I should not interfere too often. Their eyes weren’t on me for only a few seconds, talking with Young Timothy was not possible.” His form shifted and Alfred hummed taking in the appearance of the elderly man in front of him.
“Your form has changed. I see you added to your family circle, congratulations.” Clockwork chuckled knowing he had taken some aspects from the kids he had practically adopted when they were fourteen.
“Indeed, not as many as your brood, but I am content. They have fine futures, fine futures indeed.”
“I see, and their futures are now intertwined with my charges.”
“Yes they are, we will be seeing more of each other in the future. Young Timothy will get along very well with my Phantom. They will be a force to be reckoned with.”
“Dear Clockwork, I believe they are on their own, together they could rule the multiverse.” Clockwork and Alfred were silent for a while, simply enjoying tea together. However he was the first to break their silence with a chuckle.
“I believe you are quite right Alfred. Quite right indeed.”
Dani typed silently on her phone as she sprawled across Danny’s back. The other Halfa too busy editing a video to pay attention to her. The others in their family were in varying places of Fenton Works but the two self-proclaimed siblings had holed up in Danny’s room. At first they simply sat staring at the ceiling, or rather staring into space, literally. After discovering Danny was the new Ancient of Space came even more power training that had Danny wish to rip his hair out.
Danny had discovered the ability to make a rift that could remain open until he willed it away, it was unlike portals that he needed to concentrate on to keep open. No those portals were Dani’s expertise, able to portal them to any place and even universes. Danny’s rifts allowed him direct access to space, and since discovering it his ceiling had been a constant show of the different galaxies that graced their universe. So often the others would come to call them for dinner and find the two’s eyes locked on their stars.
Val often joked that Dani’s love for space came from her template. Of course Dani wasn’t as crazy about space as Danny was but she still loved it. Dani paused her typing looking up at the ceiling for a moment before grinning.
“Danny, I have a great idea. Our next video should be in space.” Danny stopped editing mind racing between different ideas before his core was vibrating so hard in excitement that he was purring. Dani’s mirth couldn’t be contained as her body took flight lifting off him and towards the rift. “We could do so much!”
“Visiting other planets!”
“Space fights!”
“A day in the life with off-world species!”
“Jumping universes! People will lose their minds if we go to the ‘Futurama’ universe!”
“Oh my crown Dani! The possibilities are endless!!” Danny laughed as he took flight playfully taking the girl out of the air, both phasing through his bedroom floor and bouncing off the couch as they began a mini fight. Wes watched them amused as he paused his show, thankful he was sitting fully to the left of the couch and not in the middle. “Black holes! We can explore black holes!!” Danny announced laughing as he got Dani into a headlock only for her to phase out and land a hard elbow to his gut.
“Yes! Oooooh I want to kick you into a black hole so bad!!” We can cut the video there and the next one can be you in the Futurama Universe trying to find your way back!!” The two cackled together as their fighting amped up.
“That is a pretty good idea.” Wes hummed, blinking as mischievous eyes locked on him. “Don’t even think about it you two.” He warned as they started grinning, he threw himself to the side flipping over the arm of the couch as they lunged at him phasing through and landing on the other side in a crouch. “Damnit!” Wes yelled as he scrambled up taking off up the stairs. The two grin as they jumped flying up through the floor to the hallway waiting to ambush him, only to be surprised when the front door slammed shut.
“Did he just?” Dani asked as she stuck her head through the wall Danny followed a second later as they watched Wes booking it down the street.
“He just juked us. Oh we gotta get him now!” The two flew through the wall, not even transforming as they rushed after him, waving to a few people who called out to them. Jack and Maddie watched them go from where they were unloading groceries from the Fenton Ghost Assault vehicle.
“Oh I hope they have fun hunting Wes!” Jack said with a laugh as Maddie slid a fifth bag onto his right arm. “Ah these kids keep up young Mads!” Maddie laughed leaning up and kissing his cheek as she grabbed the last four bags and locked the assault vehicle.
“Those kids of ours they really do, and they’re all growing up and breaking my heart! I wish we could have more.” Maddie said with a small laugh as Jack wiggled his eyebrows at her, Tucker opened the door for them as they approached and Maddie kissed his forehead in thanks as they walked to the kitchen. “Thank you Tucker dear. Are Sam and Val here?” Tucker nodded following them after he took some bags from Jack.
“Yes, they’re in the kitchen waiting to help with groceries. I was gonna let the other three know but Danny and Dani were having one of their bonding fights, then Wes got dragged into it.” Jack laughed as he put the last bags on the counter.
“We saw that! If it wasn’t for the groceries I had I would’ve ran after to join them! It's that Fenton blood after all!” Maddie chuckled, sharing a look with Sam before she moved over to the fridge starting to clean it out.
“And the fact that ghosts literally bond through fighting, it's like another language to them.” Val said with a chuckle as she unpacked some bags. “How about spaghetti tonight?” Moving aside the needed ingredients as agreements rang out from the room. “Sweet, is it alright if I invite my dad? He makes some mean garlic bread.”
“Of course Val! You’re our kid now and that makes him a Fenton too! The more the merrier!” Jack said moving over to pull out the needed cooking utensils. Sam was quick to take them from him, shooing him away while waving a spatula.
“I’ll invite my grandma over too. She made cookies yesterday and wanted more people to try her new recipe. I’ll make dinner with Tucker, you two aren’t allowed to make food anymore after those hot dogs took over the town.” Jack held his hands up defensively with a laugh as Maddie didn’t make eye contact with anyone.
“In my defense we didn’t know they were hot dogs from the Infinite Realms!”
“We came back to them trying to sacrifice Lancer, Dash and Kwan to their god.” Val said deadpan remembering the return home from their senior trip. “I smelled like hot dog water for weeks. I couldn’t look people in the eye anytime they questioned the smell.” Maddie couldn’t hold back her snort as she continued to not look at them. He shoulders shaking as she remembered the look on their kids faces the moment they stepped through the portal in front of City Hall. Laughter finally burst from her lips as she shook her head sitting on the floor in front of the fridge.
“Your faces that day!! You all, you all looked so done!” Soon everyone joined in laughing with Maddie as they remembered that day and the fight that followed.
“What's so funny?” Danny asked from the doorway Dani standing next to him with a slightly bruised and pouting Wes slung over her shoulder. Everyone turned to them laughter pausing for a second before they just laughed harder remembering when the biggest hot dog attempted to eat Danny.
“Welcome back to the channel, GalacticPhantom here and today we’re playing Vikings vs Pirates!” The camera pans over to a ghost pirate ship zooming in on a kid's face. “And we’re gonna kick his—!!!YAAA!!! Oh wait, SKOOOOL!!” The camera zoomed out to show two large floating ships one obviously an early age pirate ship and the other clearly Viking.
Tim paused the video smirking as his eyes scanned the town below him, noting a few landmarks he’d be able to search out. He hummed before taking a sip from his tea cup. While finally off the mandatory rest, Alfred was still displeased it ended sooner than he wished. That meant Tim was still subjected to his coffee ban, something he’d lamented the last hour.
He was under the firm belief that the reason it took him fifteen minutes to find this video was because he didn’t get to enjoy his usual three am coffee.
Tim would not be telling Alfred that he thought so, that would be a death wish and he’d be banned from being active in the current, ah ghost hunt?
Tim grimaced at the thought, shaking his head as he didn’t want any association with the GIW, he’ll just refer to it as a manhunt. Sounded slightly worse but less ‘were just gonna decide an entire universe is non-sentient and undeserving of basic rights and protections’.
One last skim over the video had Tim turning back to his notebook noting the areas he had written down.
Nasty Burger
Casper High
Fenton Works
It wasn’t much to go on but Tim had worked with less before so this should be easy work for him.
It was not easy work.
Nasty Burger was a fast food chain said to have completely shut their door in 1974, no reasons were given they all just shut down overnight and disappeared. Any searches just lead to conspiracy theorists talking about how the food chain appeared out of nowhere one day in the seventies. Tim had to give them credence though, he was also scratching his head on how the chain just appeared. It was quoted to have ‘Good food but a creepy vibe, like I don’t really know what I’m eating. They don’t say beef, lamb or chicken, just well, meat patties. It was good though so I didn't question it.’
Tim had a feeling that Nasty Burger was somehow linked to the Infinite Realms, he was convinced Danny’s entire town somehow had a direct link. Of course in order to follow that path he’d have to find the actual town in question!
Casper High was also a dead-end, it did not exist anywhere, ANYWHERE even in Casper, Wyoming. Where one would expect the high school to be named Casper High! He’d even hacked into government servers to see if the GIW had them in a media and information lock down but there was nothing! The most mentions he could get was that the GIW had been driven out of a town years ago after a few failed attempts of catching a ghost named Inviso-Bill, stating large property damaged that left them deciding to never return. That would've been a lead if they actually mentioned the town in question! Like seriously!! It wasn't even redacted or hidden from clearance, it just wasn't mentioned!
Tim’s last chance was Fenton Works which wasn’t a complete dead-end but still a dead-end. He was able to drag up a little information on them but not much. Jackson Fenton and Madeline Fenton nee Burgess, a couple that got married years ago in a courthouse wedding in Madeline’s hometown of Spittoon, Arkansas. He thought for sure he’d find more but their file was gone, just gone, any existence of them past their home towns was gone including that of their families. He groaned, flopping back on his couch after hitting his third dead-end of the search, even his searching systems were coming up with nothing. Like none of them actually exist, which is impossible because Tim had been watching Danny’s videos for a few months now. That adoption bait definitely existed the question was where the fuck was he.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and trying to settle his thoughts before complete unease set over him. Shooting off the couch and into a fighting stance his eyes scanned the room as he pressed his bracelet emergency alert three times. Someone was in the living room with him, someone had been, something was off. Tim could feel it. He didn’t move until Bruce burst through the door and in second he had moved behind his dad and in front of his siblings that stood in the hallway still.
“Someone was here B. I don’t know how but they were and then they were gone in seconds, not even. I had closed my eyes and things immediately felt wrong.” Bruce scanned the room waving Dick and Cass inside, the two oldest immediately doing a top to bottom inspection of every corner trying to find any clue.
“Are you sure Tim? The security systems caught nothing, and I would’ve been notified immediately of a system shut down no matter how small.”
“I’m positive Bruce, I don’t know what happened but someone was in here.” Bruce watched Tim for a second before nodding looking at Duke.
“Can you sit in on your lectures over video call today? I want everyone in pairs until we discover who stepped foot in the manor.
“Sure won’t be an issue. I’ll pair with Tim today since he is working through an investigation. Dick frowned, moving forward wrapping an arm around Damian’s shoulder only earning a fake dirty look.
“I’ll pair with Dami, we already planned an outing to the zoo today. We’ll stop and pick up Babs along the way and bring her back to the manor afterwards.” Bruce nodded, turning to Cass with an upturned eyebrow, the girl hummed before shaking her head. She looked around the room one more time before looking back at him.
“Steph.” She said and the blond was seemingly at her side in seconds grinning, linking their arms together.
“I’ll text Babs for a weekend sleepover so Gordon won’t accuse Dick of trying to date her again!” Steph crowed grinning at Dick who gave her a mock offended look.
“So mean to your favorite older brother! I can’t believe this betrayal.” Steph laughed, punching his shoulder.
“I don’t know about favorite Dickie.” She said, earning a gasp that quickly developed into playful banter between the two most outwardly cheerful of the Batfamily. Bruce smirked slightly before looking at Jason, a suggestion of him and Babs pairing up on his tongue before he noticed the slight glare Jason directed at him.
“Don't even think of it. Babs will be fine with Cass and Steph. We're pairing up assshole, you don't get out of this just because you're the big bad bat.” Bruce thought about arguing for a second but instead just shook his head. A rare fond smile took over his face as he looked at Jason.
“If you insist Jaylad, we're gonna have so much fun at the Gala tonight. You know a lot have been asking how you're doing, so this will be a perfect opportunity to reconnect with some old friends.”
“Oh fuck I didn't think this through.” Jason groaned, earning grins from his family as he knew this night would be painful. Alfred knocked on the door calling the attention of the family who quickly clocked a panting Harley Quinn standing beside him.
“Miss Harleen arrived a few moments ago in response to Tim’s distress signal going off. I've assured her everything is being handled but she wished to make sure as well.” Harley gave them a grin as she stood straight walking into the room.
“Messy.” Cass said with a teasing smile as Harley did look very disheveled. One pigtail up with mismatched clothes and one pink and the other blue shoe on.
“Ya know it baby cakes! As soon as I got Birdie the third's signal I rushed over. Brucie gave Pam-a-lamb and I a run down since we could be at the original meeting, I nicked a com from him before he left.” Bruce smirked slightly, rolling his eyes as his kids looked at him surprised.
“Harley has proven to have your health in her best interest since her reform. So yes I let her take a com from me, I knew she'd get to one of you as soon as possible.” Harley grinned before walking over plopping on the couch. She nodded to Alfred as she kicked her shoes off and moved to sit criss-cross. “As you can see she did.”
“Of course! Ya know Bruice and I were close in college before he dropped out! like siblings really along with Crane and a few others! That makes you all my little nieces and nephews!! All the better now that my minds mostly back to normal cause I can spoil and tease you all!” Harley laughed, earning Some grins from the others. She paused, staring at Tim's computer confused. “Hey Timmy, why are you looking up Jackie and Mads? Wow I haven't seen those faces in forever! Look Brucie You remember them right! Jackie, Mads, and good old Vladimir! Though his picture isn't pulled up.” She paused, grabbing a sticky note that Was a glowing neon green. “Sick stick notes I want one, Amity Park? With coordinates too? Is that Where they moved to?” Tim stared at the sticky note in complete shock looking quickly at Bruce.
“That's not mine B-wait wait you know them Harls???” Tim said looking between both of them torn by either examining the note that randomly appeared after Tim’s intruder scare or grilling Harley and Bruce, maybe even Crane as they were his only leads now. Bruce put a hand on his shoulder, halting his runaway thoughts.
“Later, for now let's get this analyzed. Something tells me someone decided to give us a little help finding them.” Tim nodded as he carefully took the sticky note from Harley with a thank you.
‘Latitude: 41° 19' 27.60" N
Longitude: -87° 47' 25.19" W
Amity Park. -CW’
Whoever this CW was somehow managed to get in and out in seconds. Tim's mind was sprinting with all the different possibilities moving about. His determination settled as he handed it off to Bruce who waved Jason along to follow him. He gave Duke a small smile as the other punched his shoulder playfully.
“Let's grab my stuff from my room and we'll settle down here until dinner ya?” Tim nodded moving toward the door with him before turning to Harley.
“Are you staying for dinner?” Harley hummed dramatically before placing her hands on the couch arm and pushing into a handstand.
“Can I invite Ivy over?” She carefully tipped over in a slow back bend before pushing off and landing on her feet.
“The more the merrier, can she look over the garden though? Damian is trying to grow tomatoes and struggling horribly. He doesn't want to ask her as he feels it beneath him.” Harley snorted as she followed them out the door, all three ignoring Damian's indignant yelling.
“She’d love to, you know how she is with plants!” Tim nodded before grinning abit deviously.
“And while we wait you can tell me about Jack and Maddie Fenton and what B was like in college.”
“Oh you got yourself a deal there Birdie!”
Danny stared blankly at Clockwork, who acted as if he didn't even notice. His mentor was in his teenage form, Danny knew it meant something, if only the Titan would acknowledge it. The others on the Council glanced between the two a few times until Frostbite decided To speak up.
“Your Majesty, you rarely call Council meetings, might I enquire on why this meeting has been called.” Danny stared a little harder at Clockwork before sighing and turning back to the others.
“Thank you all for coming so suddenly, I know it was last minute and I apologize.”
“My Lord apologies are not needed! Anything that is this important to you is something we are thankful to be privy to!” Pandora said confidently grinning at Danny who smiled appreciatively.
“I am still very thankful. I was hoping Clockwork would help clue us in but I can see he has chosen to keep his end quiet.” Danny sighed slightly knowing whatever was happening was important. “As you know my full title clues me in when spoken aloud. As we use this when I am needed for things in the Realm. Early today someone not of the Realm used my full title.” Ghost Writer hummed, crossing his arms leaning back.
“Could it have been someone in Amity Park?” Danny shook his head with a sigh as he thought about it.
“No, I would've felt the proximity, and given how close I'd be, would've known who spoke of me like I can with our people. This was further much further and by someone I don't know. It left me rather stumped and uncomfortable.” Danny paused for a moment glancing at Clockwork, who kept a serene expression. “Given that Clockwork is still silent, I can only hope that means I have nothing to really worry about.”
Princess Dorathea looked between the two before giving Danny a serene and gentle smile.
“Well, I believe we must not fear this too much. If it was something truly dangerous I am certain Lord Clockwork would alert us immediately. Perchance it is just some new magics being told of who rules our Realm, please fear not My King.” Pandora nodded along enthusiastically, still grinning, causing the other to smile as well.
“Perhaps we should have a few of the guards patrol Amity Park.” Frostbite announced after a moment of thought. “I have no doubt Princess Dorathea is correct but I can still see the worry in your posture. Amity Park is officially a part of the Realms, so I have little fear of it being found. Especially with Royal Secretary Foley adding his own intense firewalls.” Tucker nodded in conformation as he put his PDA down.
“I think that would be a good idea, have a few patrols. I am not overly worried. I've essentially wiped the town off the maps, it can only be found by chance and coincidence.” Danny nodded, thinking it over before giving them one of his normal bright smiles.
“Alright, then we are in agreement? Moving forward I will have five Knight patrol Amity Park throughout the day. Knight Wes will obviously remain with me so I will have Fight Knight pick four Knights to patrol with him. Now with that determined, why don't we have lunch together?” A chorus of agreements sounds from around the table.
Do you have an Ao3? I love the Youtuber Danny story, but the links on your masterlist aren't working, so I am having trouble finding any of your stories.
I'm sorry they aren't working, I am on Ao3 under FanficAndFanficAccessories
“I expected this from Dick, not from you Alfred.” Tim said blankly from his place on the ground. Wrapped in what he could only define as a Military grade Bat-proof burrito blanket.
“Well Master Timothy I know better than anyone that you would not listen to reason. The moment your brothers’ and father's back are turned you'd be gone and already ten feet deep in your newest case.” Alfred moved forward placing a cup to the side of Tim’s head before bending the straw so that he could turn his head to take a sip. “Be happy I am letting you sit in on over video call for the Justice League meeting.” Alfred pulled out a domino mask, securely attaching it to Tim’s face.
“This is mildly embarrassing.” Alfred looked at him for a second before reaching over and turning off the camera feed on their side.
“Better?”
“Slightly.”
“Good, now I expect that water will be gone by the end of this meeting or your coffee ban will be extended. I will be in the kitchen, just call if you need me.”
“Understood.” Tim said glumly as he thought about coffee. Alfred gave him an amused smile before walking off towards the kitchen.
Tim couldn't help but pout over the fact that he was even in the situation. He just wanted to do an intensive search into the Infinite Realms, while simultaneously hacking into the government agency known as the Ghost Investigation Ward, light work really. He barely had time to react before he was caught by Alfred. Honestly they act like he had a problem.
Tim in fact does have a problem.
Dick had managed to convince them to let Tim at least listen into the meeting. Which won him some points in Tim’s book, going off a mental tally he was now tied for second place with Duke. Cass remained in the number one favorite sibling spot, while Jason had dropped to last after the spam of pictures he took of him in the burrito.
The complete asshole he was had probably already posted them all over Twitter and Instagram. Tim wasn't ready for his Wayne Enterprises PR team email, he was gonna get Jason back for this.
He sighed, taking a sip from his straw tuning back in as Batman called attention.
“Very startling information has been brought to my attention. Something that we should've known sooner but slipped under the radar.” Batman straightens, moving to the side as the projector turns on. Displaying a PowerPoint that Tim considered woefully uninformed considering Jason had made it. Jason's the only one that uses PowerPoints weird transitions, and Tim knows he could have found everything Jason compiled in under an hour.
“The Anti-Ecto Acts a law passed by Luthor during his President run. It was signed into law the day after Gotham was declared no man's land, leaving it to slip our attention.” Nightwing turned the page in the packet he had gotten made up, signaling the others to turn as well. It was the bill in full for them to read over. “This law states that any being made of ectoplasm or able to create it are classified as undead and non-sentient. They automatically lose all human rights, and are open season to be experimented on or exterminated. They also declare it a crime to be a ghost or Ecto-Entity, the Ghost Investigation Ward, operating under the government, is given full rights to arrest those they deem undead.” Batman clicked the next slide to show multiple League members’ pictures. “Multiple League members are considered to be undead.” Everyone was stunned as they looked over the pictures, Superman was the first to speak up.
“Batman, seven of those pictures.” Batman nodded his face blank but his kids could read him clearly.
“Seven of Gotham's vigilantes are considered non-sentient and inhuman. Myself included, anyone in the Justice League that has died and managed to come back. If we don't move fast, we'll all be in trouble.”
Tim sighed, shaking his head deciding to step in.
“Under statement of the year B. This is one, either a plan Luthor made to take us down, or two, the start to tearing down all protections Metas and Aliens currently have.” Constantine nodded before standing up moving to the front.
“I thought you all knew about this, else I would've told you sooner. We're all in lot of trouble with these Acts. Luthor basically declared war against another nation.”
“What do you mean John?” Superman questioned as he leaned forward more his Eyes kept straying back to his picture and that of his god kids. Batman nodded to Constantine letting him take over the presentation. Tim was surprised to see screenshots of Danny’s videos on the next slide.
“There is a Realm that coincides with ours and every other universe that exists. It's known as the Infinite Realms, to put in bluntly, if the Infinite Realms was to be destroyed every universe would too. The Infinite Realms is inhabited by ghosts and primordials, beings that could and would destroy worlds if they simply teamed up. The Anti-Ecto Acts is a declaration of war against them.” Constantine sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at the pictures. “For one we need to get it repealed immediately. Second we need to start peace treaties with the Infinite Realms, up until a few years ago it would’ve been impossible. The King was a tyrant that would love a war, however three years ago he was defeated in battle and another was Crowned.”
“How do we get in contact with this new King?” Wonder Woman questioned crossing her arms determined to see the Acts abolished.
“The only lead we have is, and I shit you not, this YouTuber.” Tim blue screened for a moment as his eyes zeroed in on a screenshot of Danny’s grinning face. Constantine held his hands up at the incredulous looks he was getting. “I know, sounds down right loony but it’s true. GalacticPhantom, also known as Danny, has posted multiple videos of himself and friends interacting with Ghosts from the Infinite Realms. The most important being the young ghost girl with white hair in the last photo. If our connections are correct, that girl is Princess Danielle Phantom, clone of High King Phantom and heir apparent. In order to reach the King, we need to reach her, and to reach her, we need Danny.”
Tim blinked before dropping his head against the floor groaning slightly, thinking about how they’d have to go about this.
“Before we continue with this.” He interrupted grumpily knowing this was going to cause issues. “So as the resident expert on GalacticPhantom,”
“Yes Red, we know you have a crush on the YouTuber.” Hood called out teasingly, earning a few small smiles. Tim was silent just glaring at the camera before speaking again.
“Congratulations Robin you’ve moved up the rankings of my favorites lists.”
“Tt- I don’t care about the nonsense you’re spewing Red.”
“Awe, Robin are you smirking? That's so cute! My baby birds are bonding!”
“Nightwing I swear I will stab you.”
“Back to the point!” Tim said loudly, wanting to slam his head against the floor. “Danny’s friend Wes, he is either incredibly smart or a psychic of some sort. He has a majority of our identities clocked. Stop yelling, honestly, I believe he has a curse much like Cassandra of Troy, the only people that believe him are his friends.” Batman sighed and everyone watched in shock as he pinched his nose.
“Red, we are going to have a serious talk about sharing important information like that.” Tim snorted, rolling his eyes as he took a long sip of his water.
“Honestly B, the only reason I’m telling you now is because he is going to immediately know something is wrong. Given that only his friends listen to him, well I have no fact they all will be on high alert. To put it plainly, for once we can’t sneak around in the shadows.”
“Damn, we have to do a Superman confrontation.” Nightwing said glumly, earning a teasing offended look from the man himself.
“What’s wrong with my way?”
“It’s not as fun ‘cause they see you coming. It’s never a surprise, I like surprising them.”
“Ya, you would Wing.” Superman said affectionately before Batman called attention back to their meeting.
“We better start planning then, I want us to be in peace talks within the week. I am giving Oracle and Red Robin full permission to pull up everything from GIW and get it blasted through every media outlet, converging with Superman on certain points of this. Given the new knowledge our best bet would be to go in with civilians. I will ask the Waynes to act as liaison for us, given they are our biggest benefactors they can be direct contact between the two.” Batman turned the power point off before moving to the middle of the table again.
“Given the threat all of us are currently facing, I am enacting Protocol Convergence effective immediately. No hero is to do sole patrols, heroes are required to keep emergency homing beacons on them at all times. If anyone is confronted by the GIW they are to retreat immediately and alert the others. The Watchtower is having its shields upgraded and will be ready for the possibility of an attack. If the GIW does approach one of us, either meet here, Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, or the Batcave. I will be temporarily opening the Zeta-Tube for the cave, do not abuse this.Now, we need to get to work everyone is dismissed.”
Danny stopped suddenly causing everyone to look at him confused as he slowly put his missing bowl down and looked around the school kitchen suspiciously. Lunch Lady also stopped in her mixing, having agreed to have a bake off with King Phantom for one of his videos.
“What's wrong Pudding pop?” She asked softly, placing a hand on his back, Danny didn’t respond for a moment before turning to them and making eye contact with Dani, who also looked off put.
“Someone not of the Realms used our official titles.” Danny muttered shifting back and forth before giving Lunch Lady a tense smile. He stood taller, no longer slouching as his transformation took place, leaving him in his royal regalia, Dani transforming soon after moving to stand beside him. “I’m sorry, can we reschedule this? I feel the need to speak with my Council.” Lunch Lady nodded, snapping her fingers causing their ingredients to disappear and be replaced with freshly baked cookies.
“Of course your Majesties.” She said curtsying before offering a plate to Dani who took it with a grin. “I will reach out to Royal Secretary Foley to reschedule. I hope that you find everything well.” Danny smiled nodding as he opened a portal for her back to hers and Box Ghost’s Haunt.
“I do as well, please tell Box Ghost I said hello.” Lunch Lady smiled, thanking Danny and promising to do so before stepping through and waving goodbye. “Do you all want to come?” Wes glared, rolling his eyes as he stood up stretching.
“Stupid question, of course we’re coming.” Danny grinned rolling his eyes as he opened a portal to the Infinite Realms Castle. Dani bounced through calling out to them as she started flying down the hallway.
“See you in the Council room! I’m going to summon the Council!” Val snorted, walking through after Sam and Tucker. Wes entered the portal two steps behind Danny watching carefully until it was closed.
“This’ll be interesting.” Sam said, stretching out her arms as the Realms fueled her liminal side and green vines wrapped around her left arm sprouting a few black and red roses. Tucker snorted as his hat was replaced by a Nemes and the traditional makeup of a Pharaoh appeared marking him as the reincarnation of Duul Aman. Val paused looking herself over before huffing and crossing her arms glaring at the ceiling.
“Really?? Still nothing? Is it because I tried to kill him at one point, come on I’ve changed and been reformed! Give me some cool ghostly changes! Even Wes gets them!” She said, glaring at Wes, who just grinned back as he adjusted the chest plate and sword that appeared on him.
“To be fair Val, I only get it because I forced my way into being his knight.” Val huffed, throwing her arms up more playful than frustrated. Danny snorted before starting to walk towards the Council room the other following after.
Tim stationed himself in the third sitting room in the Manor. It was the closest to the kitchen, and furthest from the bedrooms and entrance of the manor. In other words, the perfect hiding spot from his overactive family that have united to try and make Tim rest. The only member that would find him right away would be Alfred, who already left him a cup of tea with a few of his cookies along with one of his laptops.
A note left on top stating that Alfred expected him to actually relax, and spotting the stickers Tim could tell this was his personal laptop. Taking Alfred seriously, Tim booted up YouTube and decided to watch his new favorite, GalacticPhantom, or Danny. He had found the channel a few months ago when one of his search engines caught a mention of Tim Drake and Red Robin being the same person.
The video in question had started off with a very well made video of the camera zooming down from a space view of the Earth to Danny’s home town, through his window and coming to a screeching halt in front of Danny and his friend Wes. The opening was highly impressive to Tim and the twenty-five minute video that followed had Tim wanting to pull his hair out.
Everything Wes said was true, completely true.
Tim was absolutely stunned and terrified because the other teen had managed to fully pull together who Red Robin was without even being in Gotham. The only thing that stopped Tim from calling a meeting about it, was that no one in the comments believed him. Instead Wes was mocked with the tried and true, ‘what do the butts match?’. He ended up watching every video under the playlist, ‘Wes the Detective’ and every single video hit right on the money but absolutely no one believed him.
Well, no one but his friends it seemed. Tim had a couple theories about it and if it wasn’t for the fact that Wes has his identity clock he’d be staking out the town now. So he chose to stick to the theory that Wes was incredibly smart, but cursed in some way.
However today Danny had posted a new video and Tim could barely wait to watch it. The title was called ‘This thing wont leave me alone.’ and the thumbnail showed a screaming Danny holding a broom with a humanism but clearly not human girl spiderman to his ceiling seemingly hissing at him.
Tim grinned as he pressed play and settled back into the couch to watch. As the intro came to an end it found Danny in the closet of his bedroom speaking into the camera as if he was documenting his last moments.
“Hello everyone and welcome back to my channel.” He whispered softly only stopping at a noise outside the door that sounded like nails scratching against something. “What the—” the chittering of a badger interrupted him to cover his curse. “Today I’m hiding in my closet because this demon thing showed up and won’t leave me alone.” Something being knocked over in the background was heard causing Danny to freeze again. “I am taking my stand though, I have my makeshift weapon and-and I’m gonna face it. In the event that I don’t come out of this alive, Tucker you can have my Doomed character, Sam just ask them out already, Val you can sell all my stuff, and Wes I’m sorry I gaslight everyone in school that one time into thinking you weren’t real.”
“That was—you Danny, oh you better hope you don’t survive after this!” Wes snapped from behind the camera, his curse being covered by bird chirps, and a second later Tucker’s head popped up from the bottom right screen.
“You’re focusing on that rather than the fact Danny said that all to the screen like we weren’t even here.” Danny shushed them all dramatically holding his broom in front of him like a weapon.
“It is time. Remember me views, remember me.”
“So—dramatic.” Sam is heard but not shown on camera, soon after Danny is shown bursting out of the closet startling the humanoid creature with white hair and bright neon green eyes.
Tim assumes the creature is one of their little siblings decked out in a creepy cosplay, a really creepy one that Sam definitely had to have a hand in making.
The girl immediately starts screeching and hissing at Danny who starts screaming back before starting to swat at her with the broom. Only for her to drop on all four and start crawling around to dodge him.
“Why won’t you stay still!!” Danny cried out as he panted slightly out of breath. The girl let out an evil cackle starting to crawl toward him and the others fast as he head began to turn to the point that it was upside down. Everything was silent before Danny began screaming hysterically while hitting the girl with the broom before she managed to jump on him and they began to fight. The video cut off right as the girl got a good hit on his nose, only to come back to Danny back in the closet with a bloody nose.
“You okay man?” Wes asked from behind the camera as Danny just stared dazed ahead. Danny turned to him, eyes unfocused as he stared at the camera.
“Do-do I call an exorcist? Do we have exorcists around us? Bro I have a demon in my house, and my parents who are ghost hunters can’t even detect it. What do I do?”
“Danny, I think she might have broken your Lego space shuttle.” Val was heard and seconds later Danny was shown back outside the closet in a screaming match with her while fist fighting and rolling all over the ground.
“THAT LEGO SET COST ME FOUR MONTHS ALLOWANCE!!”
“I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU REGRET BREAKING IT!”
“ALL I DID WAS HIT YOU WITH A BROOM!”
The girl seemed to be responding to him in either gibberish, or a language they created. Which only seemed to anger Danny more.
“ENGLISH! SPEAK ENGLISH!!” The girl paused, stopping herself from landing a solid punch to his cheek before grinning at the confused teen.
“No.” Danny seemed stunned before anger took over again and the fight continued.
“You can_____speaking english! You____daughter of a______!!” The feed cut off before returning to Danny who was sitting on the bed of his wrecked room. The girl in question nowhere to be seen as Val cleaned some blood off Danny's cheek with a grin.
“I don’t know where she went, but I know she is still in my house. Tune in next time I find her because she better have some money to pay me back for my lego set. Thanks for stopping to watch this episode of mine and until next time, don’t let the ghosts get ya.”
“That was pretty interesting.” Dick said as he stole a cookie from Tim’s plate. “Are all his videos like that?” Tim didn’t even blink at his brother's sudden appearance as he moved to type out a comment.
“For the most part, ya. He’s a shit poster, his content is just a tun of stuff that is so outrageous and realistic but clearly not real.”
‘That fight gave off peak sibling energy. It’s giving, I’m gonna fight my sibling to the death because of one slight inconvenience.’
Jason hummed as he picked his book back up, dropping down in front of the couch to reread Pride and Prejudice. “Ya he was definitely fighting his little sister. He held back too much and she wasn’t pulling her punches.”
“Only Drake would spend his time watching pointless videos.” Damien huffed, causing Tim to roll his eyes.
“Awe Dami, you know Tim is on mandatory rest. No work of any kind.” Dick grinned before jumping up, wrapping his arms around Damien and dragging him down onto the couch.
“Richard!! Let me go this instant!!” Damien screamed struggling to get away from his octopus of an older brother.
“No! I need my little brother cuddles and I need them from my Dami! No escape for you now.” Damian kept fighting Dick’s hold for the next twenty-five minutes while Tim put another of Danny’s videos on and rewatched it with Jason and Dick watching as well. The video in question was one where Danny went through a locker with his friends and went back in time to when his school first opened. Jason snorted, commenting on them making everything black and white. Danny meets a seemingly see-through kid named Sidney Poindexter and it ends with the two of them having a dance off.
“Bruce, why the fuck are your kids watching a video of a kid dancing with an Infinite Relams ghost?” Tim paused, staring blankly at his computer screen before turning to look at Bruce and John Constantine. “Wow holy shit, the Infinite Realms rarely interact with us since Luthor let the Anti-Ecto Acts pass. Yet that kid is interacting with one like their friends.”
“You’re saying this shits real?” Jason asked, closing his book looking at the screen more interested.
“Language Master Jason.” Alfred said as he walked in from a tray of tea for everyone.
“Sorry Alfred.” John nodded as he moved closer, eyes trained on Poindexter.
“If it is not real it is still more similar than could be possible. They’ve definitely had interactions with the Realms.”
“Wait, what are the Anti-Ecto Acts?” Tim asked his attention zeroing in on John.
“Well fuck, you don’t know? It affects like all of you, thought for sure you’d know. Shit this is gonna take so long to explain. We’re gonna have to call a JL meeting for this explanation because I’m not doing it twice.”
I have fallen so far into the trolls fandom I can't get up. I will never be the same. I have written a 24 chapter fic so far, and have started another one.
My fic is popular, people actually like it.
I don't think I'll ever leave this behind, I've made Trollsonas...TROLLSONAS. I thought I left that behind when Homestuck ended.
Ya'll adulting is so hard, and sometimes it stresses me out so much. I am 23 and have grey hairs, I shouldn't be stressing to the point of grey hairs.
I have ten dollars to my name, and it's payday. The apartment complex I am going to be renting at starting next week claims that it accepts both card and bank account payments, but it doesn't.
I had to pay an extra 30 dollar service fee to pay with a card because there is no other way to pay. That's $30 that was meant to go to my gas now gone.
I had everything budgeted out and then surprise! We're charging you just to pay!
The thing about suddenly becoming aware of all the unspeakable wants burning in his chest is that Zuko doesn’t actually have to do anything about them. Right?
He's having a good time :)
tagging @chitsangenthusiast @spacecasehobbit @haroldtea @queendollophead-ao3 if you want to join!
appreciate the tag <33 the last wip i worked on was just full-on explicit so let me share something a bit more appropriate from another wip:
And he had been so close in finally kicking him out for the night. “‘Hobie Brown’ isn’t an alliteration.”
“Perceptive, Miles Morales,” he fires right back, doing a brazenly terrible job of popping the two M’s of his name. Dodging the pillow sent flying his way, he powers onward. “Classic storybook bullshit, bruv. [...]”
hobie is hanging from miles' ceiling, seconds away from breaking the fourth wall deadpool-style and doesn't even know it lol
tagging @marriedzukka @kyoshialone @lizardlicks and anyone else who wants to!!
I was just working on my new RE2 XLeon fic when I got tagged for this. So good timing haha!
Leon’s new plan of action was putting his muscles and flexibility to the test as he assumed his best yoga impression while folding himself beneath his own desk.
I'll tag @noxgold @poetic-poltergeist @silurisanguine
@purrincesskittens @mysticpandora and anyone else who wants to join. (i'm terrible at remembering usernames.)
Zuko’s focus on the ball of heat he was pulling towards him up from below deck was broken by a loud shout of, "Anja!! I'm going to kill you!!" ; followed by Koji cursing colorfully and Anja's gleeful deranged laughter as she sprang to her feet and took off running leaving Zuko sitting there confused.
Tagging random people I follow that I know write @muffinlance @a-witch-in-endor @gallusrostromegalus @suzukiblu @fanboyzuko @hauntedbythefanficsofmypast @goggles-mcgee @on-a-lucky-tide @jaskiersvalley @shanastoryteller
"Monty? Are you sure about this Harv guy?" Marinette asked shortly after the phone call had been ended.
"He is giving me a chance and I don'thave the luck that you do." Montgomery smiled, nudging his cousin's shoulder. "Your best friend is practically trainined to be an agent. Though she did strong arm you into signing with her...thats besides the point! Forget Harv and Chloe! Mari, we're going to take the racing world by storm!"
She had not been prepared for her third bird, no, the boy came crashing into her life quite unexpectedly. In fact he had sought her out one night as she was trailing behind a depressed and hurting bat. Marinette had to admit the little bird had some spunk he had practically thrown himself off the building when he saw her.
Ignoring her reprimanding him over dangerous stunts like that, and he just pulled out a picture.
A picture of her, Dick, and Jason-her sweet babybird-a picture she had never seen before.
Soon after pulled out another one, this time of Lady Noir, Robin, and the newly named Nightwing, it was his first patrol after finally letting go of Robin. Two things ran though Marinette’s mind as she stared at the pictures.
1-I’ve never seen these before, Alfred would have given me copies.
2-He knows.
It was after he lowered them, that she recognized him. Tim Drake, the shy little boy that was Bruce’s neighbor.
'He shouldn’t be in Gotham. Janet and Jack are currently in France. Why isn’t their son with them?’
Tim looked up at her before placing the photos in her hand giving her a small smile.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me fall, Miss Marinette, you never let them fall.” This caused her to flinch, she still blamed herself for what happened to Jason. Tim had noticed and knew he had to plead his case before the hurting mother closed in on herself. “Just like how you won’t let Bruce fall completely into the darkness. You can’t do it alone though.” He said softly, grabbing her free hand in his own attempt to be comforting. “Batman needs a Robin, without one he sinks into the darkness.” Marinette turned looking away from the boy, slightly anger burning in her chest. It wasn’t directed at Tim though, no it was at herself.
“Robin is gone kiddo, we can’t keep living in the past.” She said and stood up, ready to summon Kaalki so that she could take Tim back home.
“Jason wouldn’t want you to blame yourself, and he wouldn’t want Bruce to self-destruct.” Tim said determined, not flinching when Lady Noir turned her neon green eyes on him. “Dickie needs to be his Robin again.” He pulled out another two pictures, this first one older and more worn.
It was her and Dickie out on his first patrol, Batman stood behind them in the picture. She was Ladybug, a rare sight, Ladybug rarely showed herself in Gotham, and Dick was in his first Robin body armor. They sat on the edge of a building, feet dangling as they ate ice cream.
She had insisted on it, stating that they had to celebrate and Batman had simply grumbled knowing better than to argue with someone even more stubborn than him. The second picture was Ladybug and Robin again, but this time it was her tough little bird and Nightwing sat on her other side. They all sat eating ice cream, smiling and enjoying their time together. Lady Noir let out a soft ‘oh’, she missed her babybird so much. “You need a Robin too, a Robin to help you.” Lady Noir stared at the picture before sitting down a fake nail carefully rubbing over Jason’s face.
“My baby boy.” She whispered softly a sad smile on her face before she looked up at Tim. “May I keep these?” Tim nodded vigorously, smiling as he moved closer.
“I have more pictures in my room at Drake Manor!” He said, scoffing his foot against the ground and looking down abashedly. Lady Noir nodded looking up at him with a gentle smile.
“I’d, I’d like to see them please, Mister Drake.”
“Just call me Tim”
“Very well, Tim.”
Tim was on the right track, Batman did need Robin, but Dick had already flown. He started making a name all his own, but this time he’d get to help in training their next bird.
The start had been rocky, Bruce hadn’t wanted anything to do with him. He had even snapped at Marinette accusing her of trying to replace Jason.
That had landed him in a fight he couldn't win, Marinette had thoroughly beaten him for it before snapping at the man verbally. Alfred had taken his anger out in a less violent way but extremely unpleasant way.
Bruce had to endure burnt food for what felt like months.
Marinette had taken the boy under her wing from the moment she had found out he was completely alone at Drake manor. She didn’t report the Drakes right away however, instead she took Tim in, giving him his own room. She went through the entire manor, taking pictures of all the rooms absolutely covered in dust. Showing that only three places were taken care of Tim’s room, the kitchen, and the library. She then reached out to all former employees, including the Nanny that had been employed just a year previous. The amount they had to say left Marinette very happy and unhappy. Happy for it was more to add to her case, a case that her lawyer was more than excited to work on. It wasn’t a surprise, Adrien had always loved it when she brought him hard cases that needed a lot of work. Unhappy because of what poor Tim had gone through.
Since taking him in Marinette and him had slowly grown closer, however she still refused to let him go out as Robin. Which annoyed the young boy greatly because it was clear Robin was still needed. Dick was the one that provided him the help he needed.
For a year Dick would pick Tim up every weekend claiming they were going camping, when in reality they were going to the old Titan’s tower. He had trained Tim for a year and then he had given Tim his own Robin uniform. Telling him to be safe and let him know when to expect his first patrol, already in fear of Marinette’s reaction.
“The woman is scary ya know?”
“But you love her.”
“I do.”
When Lady Noir first saw a new Robin flying she nearly snapped until she noticed her first bird trailing behind. Instead of rushing in and snatching her bird up she decided to follow him. The entertainment of watching the bird drive the big bad bat up the wall made it worth it. It took half an hour for Batman to finally call it quits and call a family meeting, or well, he called it a team meeting but pot meets kettle.
“Did you do this?”
He immediately rounded on Marinette which caused an immediate glare at him as she crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. Dick and Tim were tense watching the two questioning if they should speak up. It took a rather hard hit to Dick’s rib cage by Tim for their eyes to snap to Dick.
“Ya so it may have, possibly been me.”
He said giving them his most charming smile, Bruce’s face didn’t budge but he saw Marinette’s lip twitch just slightly. Which calmed him only a little, the night was long and ended with Bruce agreeing to take Tim as his Robin. He had tried to get the kid to stay at the manor but Marinette refused.
“Not gonna happen Bruce, you can pick him up every night from me, two buildings over from my penthouse. Now come on Dickie, we need to get ice cream.”
———————————<3————————————
Tim Drake, His Parents Return.
Tim had flourished under Marinette’s care; he was only twelve and yet he was one of the smartest people she’d ever met. Everything she decided to teach him he learned in less than a week, and as they progressed he learned even quicker. So much so she couldn’t keep up with him. Her boy was incredibly smart, probably smarter than Bruce as well.
He had already surpassed her with his knowledge in technology and science. The only thing he could not surpass her in was her talent in fashion. He had attended multiple Galas with her at this point and knew almost everyone in the fashion industry by name. He also knew those to watch out for and those to treat with high regards. For instance, to avoid Lila Rossi at all costs, they had not been able to dig up solid proof of her working with Hawkmoth so she still ran free. He knew could trust Adrien Agreste with his life and that the man would do anything to help him or Marinette, granted. Finally he knew to always give respect to Audrey and Chloe Bourgeois, but if they overstepped a boundary it was imperative for him to stand up for himself. Neither women respected people that allowed themselves to be walked all over, that’s why they held Marinette in such high regards.
But it was his attendance to those Galas that brought his parents attention back to him. The night they arrived at Marinette’s penthouse she had been ready for a fight. She had Adrien there already, having sent Kaalki to get him. Tim sat on the couch finishing his homework glancing up every so often at the two adults whispering together.
“Mari, there is nothing we can do until the police are involved, and you know they can take him. You can't leave him in the dark about this.”
“I don't want them to take him, Rein. There must be something we can do.”
“Not right now, I have pulled up everything I could, but if you refuse to let him go they can charge you with kidnapping. You need to tell him Mari.”
“Fine”
Marinette stood walking over to Tim, she slowly kneeled on the ground by the couch. Tim refused to look at her, he already knew what was coming and didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“Tim.” She said softly calling for his attention, he simply shook his head, burying his face deeper in his textbook. Marinette’s heart broke as she slowly reached up, taking the book from his hands. “Tim, I need to talk to you.”She took his hands in hers, kissing his knuckles softly. “Please look at me TimTim.” He hesitated before looking into her eyes, tears brimming his own. “Tim, you are going to have to go with them.”
“I don’t want to, please don’t make me.”
“I don’t want you to either Birdie, but if I keep you they can charge me with kidnapping and that will hurt our case.” She slowly pulled the bird into her lap cradling him against her chest. “I promise you Tim, you won't stay with them long. I will not stop fighting until you are released into my care. I have Bruce, and Commissioner Gordon on my side, not to mention Adrien who is one of the best lawyers in the world, as well as Bruce’s large list of lawyers. I will get you back TimTim, it will just take me a little time.” Tim wrapped his arms around her waist crying into her shoulder. Marinette stroked his back, rocking slowly as she held back tears, she hated this, all of it.
“I am moving in with Bruce until this is over, Adrien is coming with me, and Dick is finishing the week off, then taking a Leave of Absence from Bludhaven PD. He will be at the manor too and will be sneaking over to Drake manor to see you.” Tim nodded before pulling back, wiping at his eyes, only stopping when Marinette pulled his hand away. She began softly dabbing under his eyes, a gentle smile on her face. “Let's get your school work together okay?” They put away his work, sending each other teasing little comments and lightening the mood. Adrien watched his best friend with a soft smile, as she completely relaxed. Their peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Marinette gave Tim one last tight hug as her housekeeper slowly made her way over. Mrs. Reynolds turned looking at her young employer, her hand hovering over the door knob.
“You can still run. I know the Horse God can take you anywhere Miss. I can say you’re not here.” Marinette smiled at her shaking her head even though she wanted nothing more than to take him and run.
“Non, Mrs. Reynolds, we can not run from everything. The barbarians are at the gates, and I fear it's time to face them.” She gently brushed Tim’s hair down, nodding for the women to open the door. Janet was the first to enter storming past Mrs. Reynolds nearly knocking the women over, Jack following behind her.
“You! Give me my son back! How dare you take him from his home, and make it look like my husband and I are unfit parents!” Janet said, beginning to get in Marinette’s face, expecting the smaller woman to back up, but Marinette stood her ground looking unimpressed.
“Oh no, you did that to yourself Janet. You and your husband are unfit parents, and don’t worry soon everyone will know it. Adrien if you’d please.” Adrien stood up making his way over and held out a neat stack of papers to Jack as he looked at Janet.
“You may be taking young Tim home tonight, but I promise you, he will not be there long.” Adrien smirked, pushing his glasses up; he didn’t need them he just thought they made him look mature. “You see I already had Commissioner Gordon get a search warrant for your mansion. Given you two just arrived back in the states, you were already much too late to have the mansion cleaned up in time.” Jack and Janet’s confident looks slowly dropped as Jack took the papers. “I promise you this, Tim will not be in your care for longer than a week.”
“Enough I am not scared of new money! Give me my son now!” Janet snapped glaring at Marinette who simply stared back at the women. She turned away looking down at Tim with a soft smile.
“Go with them, I promise we will have you back soon TimTim.”
Tim nodded before walking towards Janet and Jack, tensing when Janet gripped his arm dragging him out of the penthouse.
“We’ll get him back Marinette.” Adrien said softly while Mrs. Reynold’s closed the door, Marinette nodded before turning and heading towards the balcony. Plagg slowly floated up resting on his kitten’s shoulder.
“Just let her be for a bit, Adrien. She needs time.”
“I know Plagg”
Marinette walked out and stared down at the entrance to the building watching until Tim and the senior Drakes finally exited. Janet still dragged him as they headed towards their limo, a tear fell as she watched her bird forced in. She pulled out her phone dialing Bruce’s number.
“Brucie, they took him. Ya could you send Alfred please, I-I don’t want to be here right now. Thank you.”
It wasn’t until four days later Marinette saw her TimTim again. Her, Bruce, and Adrien sat with Commissioner Gordon and a Social worker discussing the case. When Dick burst into the room carrying Tim in his arms pure rage clear in his eyes. “I swear to the lord above if you don’t get him out of that house I am going to commit murder.” Dick sat down in Marinette’s lap much to the amusement of everyone in the room. Both boys curled in the smaller woman’s lap as she wrapped her arms around them. “The nerve of that woman! How dare she! How dare she think she could get away with it too!”
“What happened, pretty bird?” She asked softly, running her hand through her eldest’s hair, calming him slightly.
“She slapped him mom! She slapped him and blamed this all on him! I went over to check on him and their housekeeper let me in and immediately rushed me to the living room! The woman was begging me to get him away from them! I entered the room right as she slapped him, while Jack watched drinking bourbon from his arm chair!” Marinette reached up with one hand tilting Tim’s face towards hers showing the bruises.
“Oh baby.” She whispered softly, her eyes tearing up. Bruce frowned, turning to the shocked social worker and determined Commissioner.
“Enough proof?” The social worker nodded, pulling out her phone and typing on it.
“I am giving you and Miss Dupain-Cheng temporary custody of Tim Drake until the trial. At which you will both be given the opportunity to adopt him.”
“Good.” Bruce said, turning to look at his boys and their mother, only wishing that their second bird was there with them. Soon enough Marinette and Tim were splitting their time between the manor and their penthouse.
———————————<3————————————
Tim Drake, The Titans.
Restarting the Titans had been Marinette’s idea, Tim wasn’t so little anymore, in fact he was now taller than her by eight inches and was fifthteen. She knew her little bird needed to spread his wings, much like her first did. However he needed a little push, and she was more than happy to push him, with her eldest’s help of course.
It was one Saturday morning when the newest Titan’s were called together, Robin the third, Wonder Girl the second, Impulse, and Superboy, of course they had no idea why they were there.
Nightwing had them under the impression that it would be a temporary teamwork when it happened. You see, Cyborg knew that something was going to happen in Jump City and agreed to see how they worked together. Of course the original Titans and Ladybug along with Chat Noir were watching to make sure nothing happened if the team self-destructed, but they were all pleased that they worked as if they had been together for years. Ladybug slowly lowered herself to land beside Nightwing and Starfire, as the team celebrated their win. Until Robin noticed his mother and brother’s smug looks, putting the pieces together rather quickly.
“So this was your plan? You wanted to test us all together as a team, I knew something was up when Nightwing pulled me out of Gotham for this team up. However I did not think Ladybug was also behind this, along with Chat it seems.” Ladybug waved her hand with a smile, looking up towards the building she had come from where her old partner resided. He grinned waving down at the currently shocked new Titans. “Well he wanted to stretch his legs for a bit and I wanted to see how my bird would do with a team. What do you think, Robin, Wonder Girl, Impulse, Superboy? I have all your mentors' approval, how would you like to be a team together under Nightwing and Starfire’s supervision?” Nightwing startled looking at his mother in shock.
“Hold up, under my-” He paused seeing the look Ladybug was giving him before nodding vigorously much to Starfire’s amusement. “Yes, yes under mine and Star’s supervision.”
Robin gave him a deadpan look before turning back to Ladybug, the two sharing a silent conversation.
‘Are you trying to get rid of me?’ His eyes glancing down at the ground then back up.
‘Never. You need some time with others, not Bats’ She shifted onto her right leg leaning towards the others, placing her left hand on her hip.
‘And if I say no?” His nose twitched slightly.
‘I will accept it, but be sad.’ Her head tilted to the side, slight frown.
‘Fine, I will try for you.’ He crossed his arms, meeting her eyes.
‘Thank you.’ She smiled at him.
Robin turned towards the others stating that he’d be willing to try if they would, and soon after the new Titans were formed.
“Hold up, no one's gonna comment on their freaky silent communication?” Beast Boy asked, causing laughter to ring out from the old and new Titans.
Soon Tim spent every weekend in Jump City, and while Marinette missed him, she was happy because her bird was finally making real friends.
———————————<3————————————
Time Drake, Joker Jr.
“Three weeks! He has been gone for three fucking weeks!” Marinette snapped, slamming her first against the wall of the cave. “Three weeks and we have no leads to where my boy is!” Tears fell from Marinette’s eyes as Batman removed his cowl and moved over to her. Marinette hugged him, needing someone to stabilize her and bring her back down to earth. “Three weeks...three weeks.” She whispered weakly, cherishing this rare moment of Bruce’s comfort.
“We’ll find him Marinette, Dick and Barbara are out there now, and we need to be out there too.”
Marinette was silent before nodding and pulling away.
“You are right. Tikki, spots on!....Tikki, Plagg, Unify!!”
Bruce slipped the cowl on and soon they were both in the Batmobile speeding through the streets of Gotham.
Lady Noir was jumping over an alleyway when a familiar high pitched voice called out to her.
“Sweetie! Sweetie! Ah geez, what-a the bird brats call ya again? Oh! Oh! Miss Noir! Or is it Mrs. Noir?” Lady Noir’s eyes narrowed as she dropped into the alleyway taking in Harley Quinn’s beat up appearance. She dropped down ready for a fight when to her surprise Harley threw her hands up. “Wait-wait! I’m not here to fight ya see! I swear it! I need your help Miss Noir and I can help you in return! Mista J has gone too far this time, and it affects your third bird!” Harley was wringing her hands together looking at the ground before back up at the hero. “You know just as most do, I’m not all there there in my old noggin. But I could never-would never hurt kids to the point that my Puddin has, first your second bird boy and now this one. I needed to stop him but I wasn’t strong enough! I thought I wouldn’t be able to do anything! But then! Then I remembered you! Oh geez Miss you gotta hurry before he hurts your boy for good!” Harley pleaded tears in her eyes as she grabbed the shocked heroine’s hands. “Save him before he is too far gone like me.”
“Where is he?”
“Old Arkham, the first one. You need to hurry Miss, you and the rest of you birds and bats. I’ll stay here, I swear it-can’t exactly go far right now anyway.”
Lady Noir nodded before using her yo-yo to get back to the roof. Setting off her com as she went alerting the other three heroes out.
“The Arkham ruins now, and hurry.”
Lady Noir arrived after Batgirl and froze in horror at the sight she saw. Batgirl was currently fighting a miniature Joker while the real Joker stood and laughed. It wasn’t until the tiny Joker pulled a move only four others knew that realization sank in. That was her third bird. Joker had tortured her bird and created this. He took one from her forever and permanently scared the other. Lady Noir launched herself at the Joker landing a solid right hook to his face, sending the insane man stumbling. His laughter never stopped as he faced Lady Noir addressing her as the other two fought.
“Well, well, well! If it isn’t the other cat that prowls Gotham!!” Joker said laughing as he wiped blood from his mouth. “Tell me kitty cat! Have you met my boy yet?” He laughs, dodging a punch from her, leading them both towards stacks of crates. “He is just perfect!! HAHAHA!!! I really did a number on this one!” Lady Noir let out an animalistic growl lashing out and caught Joker’s shoulder. Ripping the clothes and drawing blood. “Ooooh! Kitty does have some claws!” He said stumbling back and leaning against the crate. He stuck his arm behind his back, acting like he was stabilizing himself. His fingers wrapped around the crowbar laughing even louder as his crazed eyes met Lady Noir’s unfocused ones. She advanced on him, lost in her anger and not thinking straight.
Joker let out a cackle as he swung the crowbar hitting her hard on her right side. She let out a pained scream, jumping back when he raised the crowbar for another swing. Noir gripped her side jumping back again ignoring the pain flaring in her side as she dodged the crazed clown. She kicked her leg up, hitting him square in the jaw before keeling in pain. She took a deep breath as the Joker got back up laughing at her. He stumbled slightly rubbing his jaw as he looked at her. “Oh come on kitty cat! Don’t you just feel like laughing with me! Look, your wannabe bat over there is losing! It’s a great show!! HAHAHA, shame you had to interrupt my show. You know, I have put up with you for a long while now. You’re getting in my way now, YOU AND THOSE STUPID BIRDS! I’VE HAD ENOUGH! It’s time to put you all down! Then you won’t get in the way of me and Batsy! Oh well I suppose one of those birds will get to live, though he’ll live as Joker Jr. First I’ll take care of you oh I’ll have so much fun beating you black and blue. Just like I did to the second boy blunder, except I’m going to beat the life out of your eyes!” He said before laughing and charging at Lady Noir. She continued to dodge him, using her baton to block a few swings. She spun out of the way before gasping at the sudden sharp pain, and dropping her baton. The Joker laughed using her momentary distraction to hit her again. This time hard on her right forearm, bursting out in laughter at the audible crack. She bit her lip holding back her scream, causing her lip to bleed. She jumped back again doing her best not to move her now broken arm. Joker followed her laughing harder until his sight of her was blocked by Batman. “Batsy!! Finally arrived to the party, late as always I see!!” He laughed, swinging the crowbar around with a mad grin. Batman glared at him while Nightwing dropped down next to Lady Noir standing defensively by her side. She grabbed his arm gently looking up at his covered eyes.
“Help your father.” She whispered, ignoring Batman and Joker’s fight, her eyes trained on Batgirl and her baby bird. “I have to help him so make sure your father puts Joker in a full body cast.” She nodded to him before gingerly making her towards the two watching Batgirl hold her own against him. She took a deep breath bracing herself before rushing him from the back. She grinned as he tried to turn to hit her but she already had her arm wrapped around his torso pinning his arms down. He struggled elbowing her and trying to scratch her through the suit, she let out a yelp when he hit her rib. Then bit back a sob when he began hitting it repeatedly, tears gathered in her eyes but she refused to let go. “Smart bird.” She gritted out, tightening her grip pulling them both to the ground. Batgirl took a deep breath watching Lady Noir hold her hurt bird. Joker Jr. froze at the nickname, tears beginning to fill his eyes as he started to elbow her hurt ribs even harder. Lady Noir let out a broken sob as pain erupted and soon began struggling to breathe. Her rib just punctured a lung, if they didn’t wrap this up soon she’d be in danger. “My baby bird.” She whispered softly criss crossing her legs so he sat in her lap. “I’m so sorry, I should’ve found you sooner. I should’ve protected you.” Joker Jr. stopped struggling and broke into uncontrollable laughter before tears began to fall. Soon laughter turned to sobs and he curled over her good arm gripping it tightly. “It’s gonna be okay, we’re gonna get through this together. You,the family, and me, we’re going to get through this baby bird.”
———————————<3————————————
Tim Drake, Youngest CEO of Wayne Enterprises.
They weren’t prepared in the least bit, and Marinette felt lost. Bruce, the Batman, one person she thought would fight till he was old and gray. Now he was gone and left behind his family and his newly introduced son.
They were struggling, bad, and Marinette barely kept them together. She nearly snapped when Tim told her he was taking over Wayne Enterprises. Her baby bird, seventeen, not done with school taking over an entire company. She stopped herself when Dick stepped in, her boys would be managing Wayne Enterprises together. Tim took over as CEO while Dick took over the publicity side. Together they moved into Marinette’s penthouse bringing Bruce’s birth son with them. Her smart bird was very disgruntled over that, upset because the boy tried to kill him and over how he talked to Marinette. Things weren’t smooth, the family was hurting, Marinette was hiding her bout of depression. Tim was getting no sleep, running the company and finishing school at night. Dick took over as Batman, running himself ragged trying to manage three jobs at once. Marinette finally put her foot down and Dick conceded taking family leave from BPD, and she slept in Tim’s room until he began sleeping curled up against her side. She hid her depression as best she could from a family of detectives and focused and took care of her boys. Alfred helped every step of the way, while also forcing her to talk to him about her own feelings. Alfred knew everything after all, her boys didn’t see the depression but he did. Mrs. Reynolds was at a loss for how to help them all, but did her best to keep them all on schedule.
The only real struggle they had was Tim being convinced that Bruce was alive. God did they want to believe it. Dick was too scared, worried that in the end it wouldn’t be true. Marinette because she didn’t know if this was denial or not. After long family talks including Damian who vehemently denied being a part of the family. They all agreed to support Tim in his search, and search he did even calling in favors from all over. Marinette was surprised by the amount of friends her TimTim had, proud wasn’t even able to describe how she felt. Her boy hadn’t even graduated yet but he was so far in life. She just wished Bruce was there to see him running Wayne Enterprises.
———————————<3————————————
Time Drake, Bruce is Found.
Life was better, much better than it was a year ago. Damian was still rough around the edges but was much closer to them. Especially Dick and Marinette, and he no longer tried to kill Tim. They were slowly healing, Marinette’s depression was gone and she had informed the boys of it half way through the year. They were not prepared to find out Bruce was stuck traveling through time. Marinette joined Superman, Green Lantern, Rip Hunter, and Booster Gold jumping through time in an attempt to get Bruce back. Only for Bruce to find them first and of course have a fight following him. Now, they were locked in a room monitored by Superman and encased in green thanks to Green Lantern. Unable to do anything as they stop Bruce's heart without even telling his family the reason why. She paced back and forth hoping Tikki would make it back in time with Kaalki.
“Mistress Marinette I must insist you sit down. You have been fighting all morning and you only just got back from jumping through time.” Alfred insisted, causing attention to fall on Marinette, all of them taking in how stressed she was. He led her over to a chair ignoring her protests and getting her to sit down. Tim walked over fidgeting with his computer still trying to get service. He groaned, shutting it with a snap while wiping his eyes.
“I don’t know what to do.” He whispered softly and held back tears. The people he thought they could trust had locked them in this room. Marinette reached out, pulling him down in front of her. Tim rested his head on her leg crying quietly as she ran her fingers through his hair. Dick shuffled over sitting beside him leaning back against Marinette’s leg. Jason moved sitting on the arm of her chair turning to look behind her at Alfred. While Damian took a spot leaning against Dick.
“It’s okay Tim.” She whispered softly a few tears slipping as Alfred laid his hands on her shoulders. “It’s gonna be okay. They’ll slip eventually, we just need to stay calm. Tikki and Kaalki will be here soon.” Tim huffed, leaning his head into her hand.
“But will Bruce still be alive when we get out? All this work, all this time and when we finally get him back his own friends want to kill him!” The family was silent before Tim turned to Dick meeting his eyes. “Dickie, you know them best, why are they doing this? Is this even them?” Dick winced as he wrapped an arm around Damian’s waist pulling him closer.
“I,” he started turning to look at the door. “I don’t know Tim. Clark wouldn’t even say anything to me, he just ignored me.” Marinette ran her fingers through his hair before turning attention back to Tim.
“We’re here Tim, we’re here and together.” Tim nodded, wrapping an arm around her leg turning his head to look at his brothers. He snorted at the mild glare Damian had sent him and the middle finger Jason was failing at hiding.
“Just putting it out there though, this is not what I meant when I said we should spend more time together.” Dick said, causing a few chuckles and a flick to the head from Jason.
“Not the time, Dickhead.”
“Jason! Watch your language!”
“Please the Demon Brat has heard worse.” He mumbled out not looking Marinette in the eye.
“Master Jason, you better apologize to your mother, young man.”
Jason groaned, throwing his head back dramatically at Alfred’s comment. He turns to Marinette, meeting her eyes.
“I am sorry for calling Dickie, Dickhead.” Marinette smiled softly nodding in response ignoring Tim’s snort of amusement.
“Mom?” He asked softly, pulling away and sitting up. He was quiet for a second before seemingly making up his mind. "After we get out, can we take a break? Like can we leave Gotham and the public eye for a while and go to the Temple?” Marinette was surprised at the request and before she could question him, he continued. “Stephanie, and Cass can handle it for a while, especially with Barabra watching over them, and if they need help I’m sure the Titans would be willing to help as well.” Marinette thought it over before looking at Alfred, sharing a silent conversation.
“We’ll go to the Temple once Tikki and Kaalki get here. Alfred deserves a vacation, and I think it’s time I begin training you in using the Miraculous. We’ll have Mr.Fox tell the press that we are going on vacation. The Justice League won’t be able to find us as well.” Her boys smiled, even Damian gave a slight smile at the idea and soon after Tikki flew into the room, Kaalki’s glasses held in her arms and her fellow Kwamii followed. Marinette stood quickly taking the glasses, placing them on. “Kaalki, full gallop!” She called out transforming and grabbing the Horseshoe off her back. “Voyage!” She called, opening a portal to the temple, ushering her boys through as she watched the green disappear. She jumped through as Superman appeared, but he didn’t reach the portal in time. The last of the Batfamily was gone. “Quickly Tim hack the WatchTower, and find Bruce’s status!” Marinette said, waving the Monk’s off as she reached Tim. He sat crisscross typing quickly. His eyes widening and tears beginning to fall giving it all away. “Oh...oh Bruce.” She whispered softly, dropping transformation as she fell to her knees pulling Tim against her chest. Dick, Jason, and Damian joined the hug soon after. Alfred nodded to the Monks asking for a bit of privacy before joining his family in all but blood.
A few months past and they hadn’t left the Temple once, all of them healing from actually losing Bruce. Marinette took her time training her boys with the Miraculous that fit them best.
Dick and Xuppu take to each other like long lost best friends, learning the ins and outs of their partnership flawlessly. Jason and Trixx took to each other after they caught the other sneaking around the Temple. Damian and Longg bonded over formalities and soon you could not find the two separated from each other. Tim, her smart bird bonded with Nooroo, helping the gentle butterfly Kwamii heal in ways Marinette couldn’t. She couldn’t be prouder of them, especially her little Tim. He opened Nooroo’s heart back up and she finally got to see the Kwamii that existed before Hawkmoth took him. None of them were prepared for when Bruce came to the Temple and refused to believe it was him until blood tests were done. Tim demanded an explanation, glaring at his father figure as he held back tears.
“You were dead! You were dead and they didn’t tell us anything! They-they locked us in a room and didn't even acknowledge us!” Bruce frowned, pulling Tim into a hug, comforting the young man as best he could.
“Bruce.” Marinette called, eyes soft as they met his own. “Tell us what happened.” Bruce nodded letting go of Tim.
“They had to stop my heart in order to dissipate the Omega Energy that remained inside me. I don’t know why Clark didn’t explain this to you all.”
“You’re back then, for good? No more jumping through time? No more wondering if I’m crazy, you're actually back and alive?” Tim questioned looking Bruce in the eye, hands shaking not wanting to believe it was all over.
“Yes, it's over, Tim. I’m back and I don’t plan on leaving again.”
———————————<3————————————
Tim Drake, Sexuality Crisis.
Marinette sat on the bed purposely not looking at her bird who had buried himself under his blankets. She kept focused on her newest book, waiting for him to pop out. Tim shifted slightly under the blankets and his head slowly moved out from under. Marinette held back a soft laugh as she watched from the corner of her eye. After a few moments his head was fully out and resting on her thigh. She slowly began carding a hand through his hair, scratching his scalp softly.
“Do you want to talk?” She asked softly using her thumb to change the page. Tim was silent as he stared at the wall, he shook his head as he placed a hand on her calf squeezing it. “Okay TimTim, whenever you’re ready.” He smiled softly nodding as he thought to himself, sitting in silence together.
"Mom," he said softly, looking up at her. "I think I like Bernard." Marinette closed her book looking down at him.
"Okay." She said softly, waiting for him to continue.
"But I also liked Stephanie. I liked both of them...is..is that weird? I mean like both of them like boys and girls??" Marinette brushed his bangs out of his face, shaking her head.
"Tim, this doesn't make you weird at all. It makes you human. Bisexuality is common although unfairly frowned upon. So you like both genders, who cares? It is your life, no one else's."
Tim smiled as he sat up and hugged her tightly.
"I think I'm going to ask Bernard out." Marinette smiled, returning the hug.
"Just be careful, your brothers already have the shovel talk ready."
"Already!?!?"
"Ya we all thought it was going to be Kon but you never cease to surprise us."
"Kon?!?"
"Ya I thought it was gonna be me too." Kon said from outside the window, causing Marinette to let out a bout of laughter.
"Kon!?" Tim jumped out of Marinette’s arms glaring at the window.
"What I thought I finally had my chance, and then this Bernard guy slips in, so unfair Tim-Tam." He says in good-hearted teasing, Marinette waves her hand giving Kon permission to come in.
"Why don't I leave you two to talk this out, I need to go stalk Jaybird and his new team anyway."
She said as she walked to the door.
"Take pictures!" Tim called, causing Marinette to laugh softly as she walked down the hall.
———————————<3————————————
Tim Drake, Coffee Addiction.
"An intervention.” Batman said finality in his voice as he stared at Lady Noir and Red Robin who were beating the life out of a for once terrified Joker. Matching cackles and a particularly hard hit to Joker’s groin had Nightwing cringing and nodding. Red Hood sat on a crate with a baggie of cookies helmet off as he ate.
“Count me out, this is therapeutic. Kick him in the balls again!” A quick thumbs up was all they got in response as Lady Noir and Red Robin kicked him simultaneously.
“Holy guacamole, how much coffee did they drink??” Nightwing muttered slowly backing away. “Ya know B, Bludhaven is really busy right now I should-”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Damn.”
Lady Noir delivered one last punch to the Joker’s face before dropping him to the ground and Red Robin promptly maced him. She grinned, flipping her braid over her shoulder turning away from the screaming clown and wrapped an arm around Red Robin’s shoulder as they began to walk away.
“Let go after the Penguin next!” She chirped out excited only to be stopped when Batman walked over and picked her up holding her under his arm as he used Red Robin’s cape to make him stumble towards Nightwing. “Hey! B! Put us down! We have work to do!”
“No. Sleep time.”
“Oh you're one to talk hypocrite! If we go to sleep now, everyone goes to sleep now!” Lady Noir said, turning slightly to point a finger up at him.
“Lady Noir.”
“Everyone.” Lady Noir hissed out glaring up at him, Batman was silent before looking away.
“Fine.” He said as he carried her to the Batmobile Nightwing following with Red Robin. Red Hood trailed after them before voicing out the one thought on his mind.
“So are we gonna just ignore that RR, who definitely doesn’t share moms blood, inherited her coffee addiction?”
“Yaaa, we are definitely having an intervention.” Nightwing sighed, already making plans to get Harley Quinn available as the mediator.
———————————<3————————————
Tim Drake, Mom meets the Boyfriend.
Marinette was rushing around the living room straightening pillows, folding blankets, and brushing her boys hair down repeatedly no matter how many times she had passed them. “Ma, you’re gonna give me a bald spot at this point.” Jason complained only receiving a glare in response. He smiled at her cheekily before getting up from the couch and pulling her into a hug. "Come on Ma, if you keep pacing around you're gonna make Alfred think he does a terrible job cleaning." Alfred sniffed from his place besides the living room door.
"As if I could ever Master Jason, do not even insinuate that." Jason shot him a grin nodding in acknowledgment as he moved Marinette to sit in the chair besides the window. Bruce standing behind gazing out the window at the drive watching Tim’s car pull up.
"They're here, now boys remember Bernard is not from the hero community. On top of that he is a theorist of our identities, do not give anything away." Dick rolled his eyes sharing a look with Jason.
"Honesty B, we know this song and dance you don't have to worry." Damian huffed as he walked in with Jerry on a leash.
"Richard, father has every right to worry. Bernard is not one of us, there is no way to know what he could do if he finds out." Dick and Jason stared blankly down at Jerry as Damian walked over to Marinette. Bruce raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching in amusement as he watched Marinette lift Jerry into her lap. Damian gave a small smile as Marinette pulled him closer to her chair and ran her hand through his hair. "Ommii, Jerry wanted to see you." Marinette snorted softly cupping his cheek.
"Yes of course, it's not because Jerry will attack someone as long as you point at them." Damian sniffed, pulling an innocent look.
"Of course Ommii, don't make assumptions, that's beneath you." Marinette nodded, stroking his cheek before removing it, starting to gently run her fingers through Jerry's feathers. Bruce moved over, placing a hand on the back of her chair.
"You two spoil that turkey." He said, earning a reproachful look from Damian.
"Hush now Bruce, they are almost here." Marinette said, smiling softly as her and Damian shared a look.
"The family is this way Master Tim, you know Mistress Marinette is partial to this living room because of the gardens." Alfred's voice was heard approaching the door.
"Ah that's right! Your mom loves the gardens of Wayne manor doesn't she? Or well you said she loves every garden that is well taken care of but the Wayne garden is special." Tim’s familiar laugh rang out as the door opened and Alfred let them in.
"I do hold very fond feelings of the Wayne Gardens. Alfred and Damian take very good care of them." Marinette answered looking over Bernard with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes at his slight embarrassment. "Hello Tim" Tim grinned at her, grabbing Bernard's hand and pulling him over to her.
"Mom! This is Bernard, my boyfriend. Bernard, this is my Mom behind her my adopted father Bruce, my youngest brother Damian and in Mom's lap is his Turkey Jerry. My brother Jason is the one closest to the bookshelf and my brother Dick is the one upside down on the couch." Tim said shooting Dick a blank look that was returned with a grin.
"Richard."
"Yes Mom. Sorry Mom."
Dick was quick to correct himself on the couch but didn't lose his grin. Marinette turned back to Tim and Bernard with a gentle smile.
"Hello Bernard, it's a pleasure to meet you, Tim has told us about you."
"More like bagered on and on about you." Damian said, wincing when Bruce pinched his side.
"Ignore Damian, he likes to be a bratty younger brother." Tim said with a glare directed at Damian. Marinette held back a snort as she glanced between her two youngest.
"Ignore both of them Bernard, I think they like bickering back and forth." Marinette said teasingly as she stood up gently, setting Jerry on the ground. "It really is a pleasure to meet you! Tim has told us about you but getting to know someone in person is always better." Bernard grinned nodding as he walked closer.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss! Tim talks about you a lot!" He announced his smile brightening at the twinkle in Marinette’s eyes. "I'm happy to meet you all and can't wait to get to know the actual people behind Gotham's royalty." Marinette let out a loud laugh, nodding at the comment.
"Oh, we are just as crazy as the media shows, if not a little more! Come, come let's sit down, we still have sometime before dinner is finished. Tim told me you love going over conspiracies with him, I'd love to hear what you have been talking about." Bernard glanced at his boyfriend that was being held apart from Damian by a deadpan Bruce.
"Well, I totally think the Mr. Wayne is secretly Superman." Bernard said after they sat on the same couch as Jason. Marinette grinned brightly as she saw the horror full Bruce’s eyes as he tried to pretend he hadn't heard. Jason snorted, struggling not to laugh as he looked between Bernard and Bruce.
"Oh kid, you're my new favorite. I gotta introduce you to my partner Roy."
"That Oliver Queen's adopted son right? One of my favorite theories is that Mr. Queen is Green Arrow." Jason and Marinette were silent before Marinette made a face shaking her head.
"No Oliver is definitely too traumatized to pick up a bow and arrow after all that time he was missing. However, I definitely think he might be Batman, it's a great cover you know! Plus I have never seen them in the same place before!" Jason held back a laugh at the look of betrayal Bruce sent Marinette.
It's funny, I never thought I'd be on the other side of this.
Maybe it's the trauma of everything?
We had been doing it for years basically since we were able to walk and our parents didn't care where we were unless the street lights were on.
Maybe I wanted to see what it was like on the other side, maybe I just snapped when he died.
They weren't there for me or him after all. Maybe all the trauma just spiraled.
Or maybe. Maybe I'd always been this batshit insane enough to not just kill, but kill children.
Maybe he was just keeping me together.
He was always good at that after all, he was my first friend, my best friend, and the only friend I had left.
When he died I went off the deep end, definitely a case of codependency gone very very wrong. Wrong enough for me to murder, a step above what the creeps we use to investigate would do.
Hell I went as far to disappear, change my name, twice now.
Steve Raglan.
William Afton.
Norville Rogers.
Shaggy.
'Raggy.
I fell so far from what I had been, I wonder what the gang would think of me now. I wonder if they even think of me?
Maybe Velma would be proud I was smart enough to create two new identities…ya, no. She'd be too disappointed to unmask me after Fred announced he thought it was William Afton all along.
He wouldn't be wrong, but definitely not right. They'd be disgusted, he'd be disgusted.
I wish I could see him again, but I know my fate. I'm a murder, I've killed too many to ever join him, no, I'll be in this suit forever.
Because I always come back.
I'm sorry Scoob, but Shaggy died the day you died.
Hopefully....you can remember him, and not what he turned into.
Gray ran up the steps to the Innovation Center pausing to look back at his siblings every so often.
“Come on!” He called out excitedly bouncing in place on the steps when everyone but Zach sped up a bit.
“Relax.” Zach called out as he started walking up the stairs, Gray glared slightly at him before continuing up the stairs.
“Come on!” He called out again, causing Zach to roll his eyes.
“Dude, chill.”
Nora and Gray pushed the doors open looking around excitedly as their siblings followed behind them. Zara barely made it through the doors as she paid too much attention to her phone. The announcer chimed overhead as the siblings looked at the holographic platform displaying a life-size projection of an Apatosaurus roaring seemingly at them.
“Welcome to the Innovation Center, where technology meets Prehistory. Join us on an exciting journey 65 million years into the past.” Gray rushes over the Mr. DNA Show, and after looking over the screen he immediately begins pushing buttons, reciting the answers.
“Cytosine, Guanine, adenine, and thymine. The same four things in everything that ever lived.” A 3-D Mr. DNA appeared on screen with a thumbs up before the computer called out.
“Test your knowledge!” Zach walked up beside him looking around grumpily as their other siblings had dispersed to their own areas.
“Hey, don’t wander off, all right? Mom’s not paying me for babysitting.”
“Mom never pays you for babysitting.” Gray said unimpressed and Zach is cut off from responding by Claire calling out to Gray.
“Gray, is that you?” She asked, smiling as she held her phone to her ear walking down the stairs. Gray and Nora hurried over grinning as they called out to her.
“Aunt Claire!” Claire rushed finishing the call as she made it to the bottom of the stairs.
“Okay, yeah. No, I’m going to have to go. My nephews and nieces are here.” She hung right as the two hugged her causing her to smile in surprise and awkwardly hug them back. “Hi!” She laughs patting their backs looking down at them. “Oh, my gosh you guys are so sweet!” She turns smiling at Alice, Simon, and Zach as they walk closer. “Whoa! Zach Simon! Last I saw you two, you were like..” She held her hand a little higher then Gray and Nora’s height causing a grin to spread on Alice’s face and Simon ruffled his hair awkwardly. “That must’ve been, what? Three, four years ago?” Zach frowned, rolling his eyes slightly.
“Ya, seven. Seven years.” He said unimpressed, causing Simon to elbow him before moving forward.
“But close, you know! It’s good to see you again, Aunt Claire, you look beautiful.” Claire smiled softly at Simon.
“Thank you Simon, you’ve both grown up handsomely. I see you already got your wrist bands! This is for food!” She said, pulling a card out and handing it to Alice with a smile. “Zara is going to be taking care of you until I’m off work tonight, okay?” Zara glanced up uninterested before returning to her phone, and Gray looked up at her upset while Nora looked at Alice in understanding.
“You’re not coming with us?” Gray asked, causing Claire to look down at him awkwardly.
“Oh, um, I really wish that I could, but tomorrow I can take you into the control room, show you behind the scenes and all of that. That’s…that's gonna be cool, right?” She asks, smiling at them before her phone rings, not noticing the disappointed and unimpressed looks she was getting. “Okay, so I will see you tonight at, uh, uh, six.” Zara didn’t look up from her phone as she responded to Claire.
“No, no, don't forget you have the…” She stopped when Claire cut her off, nodding.
“Right, of course. I will see you tonight at eight. What time do you go to sleep? Or, or, do you go to sleep at different times?” They don’t respond as her phone continues to ring and she checks it. “Okay, so, um, have fun.” Claire turns to look at Zara. “And take very good care of them.” She smiled at them before walking off through the holographic dinosaur answering the phone. “Yeah, No, I’m here.” Simon smiles tightly at Zach and Alice before pulling Gray and Nora close.
“Well let’s set off. I have it on good authority that the T-Rex will be feeding soon!” Zach snorted, tilting his head to the side.
“Who’s authority?” Simon gave him a deadpan look before rolling his eyes playful and holding up a pamphlet.
“Well as I can tell, I’m the only one who grabbed the paper that tells you everything that's happening.” He said smugly, earning a laugh from Alice who took the pamphlet walking towards the doors.
“Nice one Bub! Alright let’s set out!”
Gray was bouncing up and down trying to see over all the others at the petting zoo. Zach stood by him looking around while Alice helped Simon lift Nora up enough to see the babies.
“Zach, lift me up. I can’t see!” Gray called out tugging on his brother's hoodie sleeve. Zach made a face pulling away from him.
“I’m not Dad, and you’re not five.” Gray huffed running to a different spot to get a better look, Zach following.
“I can still ride the Triceratops, or we can go on the spinning dinosaur eggs!” Gray said, looking down when Zach tugged on his shirt.
“Nope and cover up your dork pouch.” Simon gave him a look as he lowered Nora down with Alice.
“Zach.” He said warningly but was cut off when Zach grinned looking behind him at Zara, who was arguing on the phone.
“Scatter.”
“What?” Gray asked, confused only to be pushed slightly as Zach started to run in the opposite direction of their babysitter.
“Go. Run. Go!” He urged grabbing Simon’s hand as he passed him, the others soon following, Nora giggling loudly. Simon groaned as he ran with them, not looking back.
“Zach! You know I suck at running!” Simon lamented before tugging him away from the T-Rex feeding area. “No! She overheard us talking about the T-Rex, that's the first place she’ll go!” He looked around before pulling them toward the Mosasaurus’s enclosure. “Quick, let's get in line!” Zach nodded and the two started running again, their other siblings following behind them. Simon signed leaning against Zach tiredly after they got in line. “Make me run again on this vacation and I might kill you Z.” Zach snorted, rolling his eyes as he looked over at a few girls.
“No you won’t.” He said smirking slightly looking at Simon who was acting overdramatically tired. “Stop being dramatic, Si.” Simon was going to retort but Zach’s phone went off catching all of their attention.
“Zach we said no phones.” Nora said, jabbing him in the side. Zach swatted at her, hitting her arm slightly.
“It's mom, so calm down Miss phone police.” He grumbled before answering the phone. “Hey, mom.”
“Hi mom!” Simon called out leaning against Zach more so that he could hear their mom.
“Hi, I miss you boys. Are you having fun?” Emily asked, smiling as she heard two snorts.
“Yeah, I guess. Aunt Claire gave us passes, so we don’t have to wait in line.” Alice cursed lowly earning a look from Gray. “And we are just now remembering that after standing in line for twenty minutes.” That earned a laugh from Emily until she realized that meant Claire wasn’t there.
“Wait a second, she’s not with you all?” Simon and Zach shared a look as they followed after their siblings to the very obvious ‘Skip the line’ entrance. “Boys I will talk to you later, I love you both tell Alice, Nora and Gray I love them too.” She said before the line went dead, Simon leaned away looking at the ground awkwardly.
“Uh-oh, we got Claire in trouble.” Simon said and Zach shrugged as he pulled him forward.
“Worry about that later, come on, let's watch the show.”
“The Mosasaurus was thought to have hunted near the surface of the water where it could prey on anything it could sink its teeth into.” The announcer said as she clicked a button and a great white shark was moved above the water via a mechanical hook. Gray started bouncing excitedly, shaking both Zach and Simon. Simon laughed while Zach just continued to stare at the photo of his girlfriend on his phone.
“Isn’t it illegal to kill and well, feed great white sharks?” Nora asked, leaning closer to Alice.
“Well in the states and possibly a few other countries, but we’re in Costa Rica so laws are different.”
“Okay folks, let’s see if she’s still hungry after eating already today. She’s a little shy so be nice and give her a hand when she comes out!”
Gray shook them even harder as the Mosasaurus leapt out of the water and its jaws snapped closed around the great white dragging it under the water, sending a pool of water onto the audience. Zach laughed loudly, while Simon groaned, pulling his glasses off having forgotten they were in the splash zone.
“That was so cool!” Gray cheered loudly, earning a laugh from his siblings. As the bleachers started to move downwards, showing them the Mosasaurus underwater.
“Okay, hold on tight! We’re going to give an even closer look at our Mosasaurus!” Gray turned to Zach grin never leaving.
“It has eight-eight teeth!” Zach chuckled looking at him.
“Hey, you wanna see something else cool?”
“Yes!” Nora and Gray yelled at the same time earning a laugh from all the others.
“Hey, I’m gonna skip the Gyrosphere ride. It's a two person only ride and I don’t wanna get stuck with some rando, so you four go and have fun.” Alice said with agrin as they neared the monorail that would take them. Simon looked at her worried and she simply rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry Bub, enjoy the ride and get up close and personal with some dinos! I am going to get up close and personal with all the food this card can buy me!” Zach snorted, nodding to her before steering Nora and Gray onto the monorail, Simon followed right after. Nora and Gray immediately took a seat together leaving Simon and Zach to sit together. After a while it took off, shuttling them to the ride.
Nora and Gray talked quietly in front of them about the dinosaurs they’d seen so far. Simon kept glancing at Zach out of the corner of his eye having noticed that he closed in on himself again. Simon sighed, catching Zach’s attention.
“What did I do?” He asked, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice.
“What?” Simon huffed, rolling his eyes and turning to him.
“What did I do for you to hate me!?” Zach turned to him looking shocked and slightly angry.
“I don’t hate you!” Simon let out a short bitter laugh as he glared at the ground. “What makes you think I hate you!?” Zach question not looking away from his twi,
“What didn’t, Zach?! You don’t spend time with me anymore. Half the time I try to talk to you, you either roll your eyes and walk away or you don’t even acknowledge me! You have a girlfriend that hates my guts and I don’t even know why she does! So you tell me Zach, out of all those actions, what makes you think I wouldn’t get that feeling?” Zach glared, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes at the list.
“You have no room to talk! We’re twins Simon and what was our one big rule? No secrets! And I’ve been waiting for a very long time for you to tell me this secret you’ve been keeping but its been years, and recently it's gotten even worse!” Simon freezes thinking of the only secret he hasn’t told Zach, the secret that he found easier to tell Abby who he just met this year.
“Its, that's…Zach.” Simon stuttered at a loss for words terrified to say the words he wanted to tell his brother.
“Just forget it Simon.” Zach snapped, turning and looking out the window.
Simon sighed playing with his hoodie string as he looked down at his converse.
Gray and Nora stood in between the two while they waited in line. Nora argues with Simon about her and Gray going together while Gray mutters facts to Zach.
“Did you know the soft tissue is preserved because the iron in the dinosaur’s blood generates free radicals, and those are highly reactive. So, the proteins and the cell membranes get all mixed up, and and uh…act as a natural preservative. DNA can survive for a millennia that way.” Zach didn’t even hear a word Gray said as he smiles and stares at a group of girls. “See, now, even if the amber mines dry up, they’ll still have bones to-”
“Shut up?” Zach muttered not looking away from them, Gray turned looking at the girls before turning back to him.
“What do you think’s gonna happen from you just staring at them?” He asked, ignoring that the girls burst into giggles together and that he embarrassed his brother. Zach looked at him unimpressed letting out a sigh as they got into the Gyrosphere and drove away.
“Thanks, Man.” Gray smirked slightly, turning to look at the next Gyroshpere.
“You’re welcome.”
“Yes!” Nora cheered, pulling Gray into a hug. “Si agreed that we can ride together as long as we stay on the phone with him and Z! Let's go!” Her and Gray hurried onto the Gyrosphere buckling up and Nora gave Simon and Zach a thumbs up before driving off.
“Let's go Z.” Simon said softly before stepping into their Gyrosphere.
