Jason: Oh by the way, your sister can't come over.
Danny: What? Why not?
Tim: Yeah Jason, what's the big deal? Trying to keep more secrets?
Jason: She's a redhead.
Tim, turning to Danny: She's not allowed over.
Danny: What???
Damian, just joining the conversation: What is all this incessant racket about?
Danny: They won't let me bring Jazz along!
Jason and Tim at the Same Time: She's a redhead.
Damian: Ah that explains it.
Danny: WHAT?!?!? WHY?? HOW???
Tim, patting Danny on the shoulder: You don't wanna know.
So, for whatever reason, the Justice League are fighting Phantom, thinking he's evil or suspicious and trying to bring him to the watchtower or whatever, but of course Phantom isn't cooperating, either not trusting the JL/being bitter they didnt show up to help Amity Park/whatever
UNTIL... One of Clockworks' notes show up, and Phantom pauses to read it, before surrendering to the JL, saying he'll follow them.
Now obviously, the JL are confused and suspicious, but eventually come to the (wrong) conclusion that Phantom is just a lackey or something, and that the person who wrote the note is the real mastermind manipulating this poor innocent super-powered teenager.
Danny finds this all either hilarious, or stupid. Probably both.
Phantom swiftly avoids yet another attempt from Wonder Woman to get him in her lasso. He doesn't think it would work on ghosts, but he's not willing to try his luck here. He low-key would like to send all of them flying. They hadn't been around for any of the crazy shit that has gone down in the last year, and now that they finally show up they want to take him in?
He knew he should have let Technus destroy all the digital news declaring him a public enemy. It must be why the absent heroes decided to come and take him down. If only the ghost wasn’t also trying to take over the school news site just when Sam was publishing her own article on plant-based meal alternatives, he would have.
“Son, I suggest you surrender yourself before we are obligated to escalate things,” Superman says.
“You're not obligated to do anything, you asshole!" Phantom screeches, sending a wall of ectoplasm their way to force them to take a step back.
A batarang makes its way around the wall, damn its boomerang properties, but Phantom simply turns intangible and glares at Batman, who only narrows his eyes in return. The dull object eventually passes through Phantom and back into its owner's hand. This is ridiculous.
Phantom was halfway to opening his mouth to tell the heroes to leave him alone again when the note appeared. It somehow managed to stop the heroes in their tracks as well. Everyone looked confused at the floating Post-it note. Phantom grabbed the Post-it, mostly annoyed.
“They'll take you to space. Also, destroy this note. :)” Phantom stared for a minute at what was probably the most direct instruction he had ever received from the Ancient.
He groaned. “Whatever.” He crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it into his mouth. The piece of paper quickly dissolved into tasteless ectoplasm. He placed his hands over his head and then said, “All right, I'm all yours.” Clocky better be right about the space thing, or he's mauling him.
The heroes looked to one another, unsure. Then Martian Manhunter flew closer to him, taking cuffs from a compartment in his suit that shouldn't have been able to hold them. A bit over a year ago Danny would have been delighted to meet the man, and a part of him was still amazed by the alien, but he felt mostly annoyed right now.
“Please bring your hands to the front, young one,” the Martian said, softer than Phantom thought he would be for someone they perceived as a villain.
He raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn't it be behind my back?” he asked, slowly bringing his hands to the front anyway.
“If you're coming willingly, I see no reason not to offer you the most comfortable option,” Martian Manhunter stated simply as the cuffs clicked shut.
“I believe the most comfortable option would be without cuffs,” Phantom scoffed in return. He probably shouldn't be poking at the leniency he was being shown for some reason, but he still hated the whole situation.
“We can discuss options depending on your behavior,” Batman said before Martian Manhunter could say anything else.
-------
Martian Manhunter glanced at the teen who was glaring daggers at the Javelin's window. They had tried to ask about the note that had appeared out of nowhere, but the teen had simply looked away with pursed lips, refusing to speak a word from the moment they boarded the aircraft.
More often than not, young villains tended to be misdirected or acting out from pain. Powers rarely came without grievances, and even less so those that were visually notable. It didn't justify their actions, but it did mean that a push in the right direction and some support were often enough to help them leave villainy behind. And Martian Manhunter, despite being unable to read Phantom's mind, could feel a great deal of anger and sadness coming from him.
But what had once seemed to be a normal intervention became far more worrying once the note appeared. A teen lashing out on his own is one thing. A teen receiving directions from someone is something entirely different. Powered minors are especially vulnerable to being groomed into a life of villainy.
What's even more worrying is how readily this person not only asked Phantom to give himself up, but how easily the teen agreed. They'll have to consider whether this person holds blackmail over the kid's head, or if the kid is mentally that deep under their control.
It also raises the question of why this person would want Phantom to surrender himself. Are they hiding something bigger and using Phantom as a distraction? Or are they hoping to use Phantom to acquire information about them?
The mode of communication is also deeply troubling. None of them had been able to detect where the note had come from, or that it would appear at all. Even if none of them practiced magic, they had been around it often enough to usually be able to pinpoint it, but there had been nothing there.
Martian Manhunter sighed mentally. He's sure Batman would remain paranoid about this person spying on them, or gaining information through Phantom, until they proved that wasn't the case. He can't even blame him for this one.
Bruce didn't pull those baddies by being rich or hot or Batman. Those women didn't look at that man and go "he's hot, I got to have him". No, they all looked at this weirdo and each of them went "I want to study this man like a bug under a glass because he's so fucking strange" and then they got attached to the fucker.
You know how... world leaders can't just? SAY stuff? Because when they DO it's the Offical Stance(tm) of their Country?
That makes their Fuck Ups(tm) all the more serious. It's WHY they have press teams.
But!!!
WHAT IF?
They said something, PUBLICLY, on LIVE TELEVISION, that? Can not be taken back? Full on "masks off, behold the horrors you have payed for" moment?
Sure, they could SAY "that wasn't me" and "I was brainwashed" etc etc. But? If it's BIG enough? UGLY enough? TRUE??? People WILL find it. Dig and dig and dig like termites in the walls. Hunt like bloodhounds.
Riot in the streets.
Because? All it would TAKE? Is ONE half ghost, a few too many long nights trying to balance college classes and his internship, a bigotry filled call from back home, and staring down that empty fridge with just one box of moldering take out, because he's been too busy and stressed to remember to get GROCERIES AND-
Ah.
So this is what "so stressed you feel calm, I have run out of Fucks too give" feels like. Neat. *picks up phone* Hey, Sam? You still at that protest? Outside the presidential speech? Neat. Don't move.
One Phone Line Express later. SAM is telling him to breathe. Maybe... maybe calm down. Think about this. Others around her can see the same "spark of madness" glint in his almost zen like smile.
It Fiiiiine, Sam.
He's just here to Talk.
He disappears. Sam's freaking out. President stumbles but catches himself on the way to the mike. Up in the watch tower, various Magic users choke on their lunches, because a ghost just possessed the United States President.
ON LIVE TELEVISION.
He taps the Mike, smile, leans in real close like he's gonna Tell You Folks A Secret.... Aaaaand~
"The second you Die, you no longer have human rights. Doesn't matter how brief. Heart stops? You're sub-human scum! Non-sentient by American law. We here in the United Stares PROUDLY desecrate the bodies and graves of the dead. Tear apart the immortal souls of the innocent. And condemn you to oblivion crying, begging, and screaming for mercy! Why, obviously, is an act. Because souls don't have the RIGHT to feel fear or pain!
And YES. We do mean EVERYONE'S. Atlantian, Kryptonian, Martian. Canadian, Mexican, Russian, AND Chinese! I could keep going! Once you die? You belong to the United States to experiment on as we see fit! You're PROPERT now! So turn your nonrights having, nonsentient self in to the nearest GIW! For the good of AMERICA. Ectoplasmic Scum!"
*drops mic*
Jaws are on the floor. This was VETERANS DAY. Dead military Heros and smile for the cameras. A cake walk. Do a patriotism, rah rah. There.... there are DIPLOMATS in the crowd. Sure as SHIT, were more then a few foreign nationals WATCHING. Religious leaders looking on in fury, grief, and horror.
Reporters. Oh sweet Jesus the reporters.
The press secretary faints.
PANDEMONIUM. The president, still dazed and confused from being possessed, gets PUNCHED on live television be his VP, a deeply religious if moderately shady man. Take bribes? VP is cool with that. Bootstraps, peasants, and all that. But how DARE you fuck with the Souls of the dead. How DARE you!
Phones are blowing up, questions are being shouted, the JLA Dark FEEL like they should tell somebody about the ghost kid... but also this feels VERY "Call for help-y" so they might throw their weight around instead and pretend they know nothing. World leader are meaningfully staring at their Dear Beloved Dead Grandmother's photos as they send LIVID assistants to hound the American into answering the DAMN PHONE-!
And Danny?
Danny feels calmer now. He has stolen like....700 bucks from secret security's various wallets. He's going to buy himself BOUGIE groceries. Some...some NICE take out. Maybe a little cake. Yeah~ Cake for Danny~
If anyone needs him? No you don't. He needs to go do some shopping, eat, lie on the floor of his shower and just... vibe for a bit under the spray. In the dark maybe. Sleep for a week. Have his food. Yummy little treats.
Or he's gonna fuckin LOSE IT, man.
(Tucker is actively hacking his college schedule as they speak. He KNEW it. Called it! Too many classes! But does Mr "I can handle it" listen? Noooooooo! Now look what happened! Holy SHIT, Danny!)
John Constantine? Watched the ghost kid and laughed. The sheer brazen fucking cheek! He already likes this kid! Hates what he's learned cause of him. But that? Was the best move the kid could have made. What a fucking mad lad!
Obviously many of the JL are currently busy searching for these acts. And the people enacting them. And are going to break as many laws as needed to stop them. They'll call in the UN if necessary! Don't think they wont! JLD explained why this was such bad news!
Danny? Is having a nice, relaxing week. The world is in chaos. Protests everywhere. Amity Park is suddenly on international news. Phantom keeps getting (refused) summoning requests. Danny has enough money to get himself the nice treats. All is good! Also! Dani rang, and she's proud of him! So there!
Sam, after the shock wore off, loves it. It was a perfect move! It's worked so well! This is the best thing he could have done! Does she wish it was made in his right mind? Yes, of course! Tucker is just worried about how stressed his bud is. Danny clearly needs more sleep. Let's just let him rest.
Just? Dani, laughing hysterically, like she has been for the last 15 minutes on his speaker phone: *wheeze noises of joy*
All while Danny Very Deliberately ignores the world basicly on fire out side his apartment. He has his cup cake. His fluffy pj's. Cujo. He's gonna hang out on the nap sack of Blob ghosts and watch a space documentary. It's like a living, purring, stress eating sack of goo that loves you. Beanbags WISH they could be even half as good.
Just? I could see basicly every hero slowly losing their shit, the deeper and uglier it goes, the longer Danny isn't their to be a buffer to protect the living from the cost of what they've done. And just?
Occult DETECTIVE. Key word here being DETECTIVE. Constantine starts at Amity (horrifying place, rest of you guys deal with...*hand waves to the whole town* THAT) and works from there. Meanders his way following Danny's energy to his apartment building. Hums thoughtfully to himself.
Goes and gets some upscale pastries.
THEN he knocks.
Hey, you can't curse him! He brought pastries! Which... is a damningly good point. Well played, Mr. Constantine. But Danny REFUSES to host.
They end up hanging out. Watch his documentary together. Danny waiting for John to start in on his whole "blah blah, I'm an adult, I'm here to make demands and pressure you to do things" shtick that they always seem to do... but it just? Never comes.
John's just hanging out?
Doesn't he want answers? To demand Danny do something about the mess he made? And... nah, Danny seems stressed, according to John. He doesn't see any concerning relics or gateways to Hell, no plans for world domination stashed under the couch cushions, nothin. Just a stressed Supernatural teen who chose to go BIG to make sure everyone he cared about could actually go home.
Eat another pastry, kid.
John wants to see the one with Superman in it next. Let's roast him.
And just? That smash cut back and forth between over here is "tender and unexpected mentorly advice/grief counseling from a trash racoon in a trenchcoat" to "everything is on fire, the world is on the brink of WW3, Tense Political Dramas as alliances form and dissolve, the fate of humanity...rests on the SOULS of humanity *dramatic musical sting*"
And Jazz? Probably out of cell service. Girls camping weekend with her college buddies, to unwind and help maintain their mental health. All the psychology students in her classes do stuff like that! Helps to get away from Heroic Battles and city noise. You know.
It's not like she's gonna MISS anything.
Right Danny?
.....Danny why are you avoiding eye contact. Funny stor-? DANNY WHAT DID YOU DO!?
"You're not gonna try'n get me to, I dunno, apologize or anything? Ask a million and one questions? Arrest me?" The tone matched the weary look on the 19 year old's face.
"Nah. We wouldn't have known about the laws, or the security breach and spy, if you hadn't. Way I see it? You did us a favour in the least lethal way possible." The pointed sip of his tea-he was a bastard but he wasn't going to blatantly drink around the kid, so he'd made a cuppa-and raised an eyebrow.
That was met with a shrug and a head wiggle that was half nod half head tilt. "Alright. 'Spose so. Muffin?"
The baked-by the bakery down the road-treat was accepted as the next episode of the space documentary series loaded up.
Jazz storming into Danny's flat while him and John are chatting. Points at him, one hand on her hip. Scowl firmly in place.
Jazz: I was out of contact for ONE week! One! Week!
Danny: *shrug*. You left me unsupervised.
Jazz: One! Week! How did you manage this?!?
John is smirking on the background. Waiting for the sister to notice him. Ah, this reminds him of Zatanna finding out what he's been up to. Poor kid. He slid over another pastry. Kid needs one.
Danny: So! Anyway! Jazz, meet John. How was your trip!?
John lifted his tea to salute the frazzled looking woman.
John: Nice ta meet ya. Ya should be proud. He managed ta get this under fire without 'aving ta threaten war.
Loving that this means that just one week without jazz is all it took for danny to go oh ok possessing the president is definitely easier than putting up with mom and dad
Also what do you think is happening to jack and maddie here like they are unethical scientists theres gonna for sure be protests out side the fentonworks building and a lare part of them are gonna be the teens of amity or those who have been saved by phantom and realise oh oh he's not evil
Now they've all heard phantom that fucker puns as much as if not more than nightwingand you know whay they say puns are either the lowest or highest form of whit
He's gotta be sentient also the more they look into ghosts and the attacks and motivations they have something driving them they're not just rah destroy everything
Jazz isn't even mad. Not really. A little worried, and a little disappointed sure. But, it was effective. It worked. And Danny it! Her little brother will finally be safe! She was mostly frazzled because his phone was off! She couldn't check in with him! She's glad he's safe.
I wholeheartedly believe jazz would be at least a little upset that he didn't let her hello him plan the speech and he just winged it instead. She would have wanted to add in facts and statistics, for sure.
Danny: Why did you never bring up the idea?? I only did it from having a breakdown!! Why was this never brought up in a strategy meeting???
Jazz: Well, I needed to know you were feeling more ok with overshadowing before obviously!
Danny: Then you don't get to blame me! You always go on about open communication!! You weren't openly communicating! Hypocrite!
Jazz:... Dammit. Fine.
Danny: Plus, you can email the stuff you have to Lois Lane. She works with the Justice League for press releases a lot. Tucker's already sent over his stuff.
Oh yes, verifying information is much quicker than having to hunt for it. And of course, anything she can't verify? She can still use. So long as she mentions it can't be verified because of the blocks.
Something, something, person from inside the block sent me this. CAn't be verified. But even if is only so accurate, it paints a worrying picture, something, something.
The Fentons will have absolutely been arrested by the Justice League. Or at least "brought in to protective custody" while the League works on securing the legal grounds to arrest them. Either way, they have to be in JL custody because anywhere else would probably end up with them murdered.
The GIW are on their own warpath trying to find the ecto-scum that possessed the president. They are also trying to use this whole thing as proof that ecto-entities only want to cause destruction and mayhem. And there will inevitably be people who buy into that lie.
If people found the Fentons, it's only half a step further to find their children. Children who were raised mired in the Drs. Fenton bigotry. And with a mass of people whipped into this much fervor, people are going to make assumptions. Dangerous assumptions. And many are not likely to listen to reason, to pause and ask if these kids are actually guilty of the same hatred their parents spew.
John wouldn't have known walking into Danny's apartment that the very ghost who did this is also one of the Fenton kids. But as soon as he figures that out, he knows he's stuck there. With 2 frenzied groups out for both of the kid's heads, John needs to hang around in case the kid needs sudden extraction. At least the sister showed up before anyone else found them. Now both of them are safely in actual protective custody.
Tucker does a video compilation of all the Times Jazz and Danny tried to talk to their parents about ghosts. From their home security videos. After seeing the public opinions turn on them? Yeah he's not letting his bud get hurt. Videos of Danny sneaking into the lab to free captured ghosts. Jazz helping distract their parents. The public are horrified. Those poor poor teens. They tried so hard! Against their parents! Who appear to have been a clear and present danger to both their kids!
Danny as Jazz get a text saying to avoid the news at all costs. Both of them are that and grimace. What had Tucker done now?!? They are going to follow the advice mind. But what did he do? John watches it on his phone and is like... Hmm... Gonna recruit the lot of them for JLD. Clearly Danny and his friends have useful skills. Even if it's only for background work would be handy.
Sam is quietly talking to her parents. Getting them to reach out o their contacts. Would be good PR to work against those acts now right? Just Dan the flames. Be seen to care™ All the stuff she needs to say to pod the to get way of thinking. The Mansons approve. Look at her go! She's learned to use the skills we need for business!
Ellie calls and uses the phone trick. Since Danny clearly deserves his best clone by his side right now! Also! Since he has a Justice League Dark guy there? They can explain the clone issue! Get her area ID! She can liv with her template! Maybe go to school!!
John meets Ellie and is just so confused. Ghosts can be cloned now? How the fuck?!? You want an ID? To live with your template? Yeah he can call Batman. He's good for that shit. Might try to adopt you guys though. Even if your sister is 21, and big bro 19. Yeah he's a sap for this shit.
Lois? Is tearing through the data and videos. Oh if only she could get an interview with the Fenton kids! These videos are amazing! See if them and their friends do so much to save others! They deserve the recognition! A medal! some sort of reward! They have clearly been doing a lot to stop vile acts from happening.The video where Danny got shot rescuing a dog ghost? Phenomenal press. She can milk his for all its worth. He's definitely getting all the good PR!!
Phantom: *floats into the Watchtower with a baby strapped to his chest*
Batman: ...Phantom why do you have a baby?
Phantom: Oh, I was summoned last night and some lady sacrificed her baby to me, so I'm a dad now.
Superman: What?!
Wonder Woman: Oh? Congratulations.
Batman: You can't seriously just...keep them.
Phantom: Sure I can, anything thats sacrificed to me is mine to do with as I please. Got a puppy once, her name's Bugsy.
Superman: Do people often get sacrificed to you?
Phantom: Oh yeah, but most sacrifices are adults, so I just let them go back to their mortal lives. I'm working with Constantine to get the word out that I prefer nonhuman sacrifices, like food, or herbs, but its slow going.
Batman: Phantom we can't let you keep the baby.
Phantom: *tightens his hold on the baby and eyes falling into slits* And why not?
Superman: Well, you're a ghost and they're...living. I don't think you'd ever hurt them on purpose, but accidents happen, especially with babies.
Batman: A ghost is not equipped to raise living children.
Phantom: Oh, is that all you're worried about? Then- *transforms into living form and quickly puts on a mask* There! I'm human, problem solved. *happily walks away*
Superman: Did you know he could do that?
Batman: *shakes his head*
Wonder Woman: *nods her head* Phantom has many talents, tis why Pandora looks down upon him favorably.
They know him as a ghost. He lives in the Zone and comes to the living world. Which means no housing. Oxygen might be non existent over there for all they know, and that would kill the baby. If they DO know they can breathe there because they've been there before then they know they have no sun. We get vitamin D because we make it from the sun. We need sun or things that are fortified with it because the only food that naturally has it is mushrooms, provided u also put them in the sun beforehand. We need sun. That baby is gonna die of rickets in there.
Does Phantom have access to baby food there. Can human baby digest ghost baby food or get nutrition from it??? Most people regulate danger for baby based off their danger level. Too hot/cold for me if too hot/cold for baby. If it hurts me, it will hurt baby. Dangerous for me, and I need to not risk it because it is also dangerous to baby. Also baby rearing, a lot less in the West, tends to be communal. Phantom could pass baby on to trusted siblings, friends, cousins and older children if needed but those people need to also get human (and human baby) limits. Does he have this??? To the JL knowledge, those that Phantom could pass the baby to in an emergency, are them, who will also be busy with the emergency.
As a human, this solves a lot of instinctual problems but is still left with the resources problem. Man does not exist, his baby does not exist in a way connected to him. He has no house or money to their knowledge because he has never needed it before. If he transformed instead of shape shifted he will need to get used to his new limits. Someone needs to make sure he's not reported for kidnapping the first time he takes him to the doctor and he has nothing. He will need a job. Someone to babysit while he's out heroing or he will need to retire.
Someone will need to make sure the lady wasn't lying and this isn't a random stolen baby who has family or even the father looking for them.
So from their point of view it would be safer for the baby to be adopted by a batman approved family and checked on rather than Phantom going finders keepers. A baby is really hard work even with a support system, financial means, attuned instincts, and relatively similar limits, things they don't know he already has.
Superman: We are sorry 🥺. We were concerned about the baby’s needs being met.
Batman: Previous excursions into the Infinite Realms left us with valid concerns about its suitability for an infant mortal human. Extreme temperatures and lack of sunlight to name a few.
Susan from HR: *glances at witness report from Wonder woman*
Susan: I see. And how did you express these concerns to Phantom?
Superman: ……We said ghosts couldn’t be parents of a human child 😣
Batman: We had additional concerns about a ghosts ability to intuit a baby’s needs. Baby’s are very delicate. Phantoms reduced body temperature could leave him unable to provide for the baby’s needs and comfort. Similarly his super strength could pose risks.
Susan: So by your logic metas with cryokinesis or enhanced strength are also unfit parents? 🤨
Superman: We’re sorrrrrryyy 😭
Batman: ….
Susan: So it wasn’t really his powers that were the issue then. But his status as Post Mortal and his residence off Earth?
Superman: 😢
Batman: I stand by my concerns, but admit, they could have been communicated better. We just wanted to ensure the infant was safe.
Susan: After reviewing witness statements, your own testimony, and security footage of the incident I feel I can say confidently that your words were not intentionally malicious.
I understand your intentions came from a good place. However, your fears are coming from a place of ignorance. So, the prescription will be education.
You will both be required to review the League’s Employee Training Guides on Interdimensional Inclusivity and Sensitivity, and Communication Skills Across Space Time and Dimension.
Upon completion I am going to set you both up with individual meetings with our new Infinite Realms Specialist Dr. Jasmine Fenton who will be able to address your concerns about Realms Culture, Childcare, and anything else you would like to discuss.
Finally, you will both apologize to Phantom for discriminating against him as a ghost. I understand your intentions, but your actions were still discriminatory. Phantom will be unavailable as he is now on Paternity Leave, so I encourage you to apologize in the form of a letter. If you give them to me I will see them delivered to Phantom.
Do you have any questions for me, and do you understand the terms of our action plan today?
Red Robin watching from the rafters waiting for the rest to be in position to attack:
"So, the hostage has managed to derail the murder plan. Downside is that he's teaching Joker knife monopoly."
Batman "Repeat please?"
Red Robin "You heard me B. Knife monopoly. Least the victim has enough smarts to stall for time."
((That is not the case, Joker just doesn't register as a threat the same way a ghost would to Danny. He can survive anything a human can do unless they have ecto weapons. Which Joker does not.))
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