The Flashes are completely aware about Dan, ever since Danny joined Young Justice. But clearly something happened, since Dan will never happened - thanks to Danny, and none of the Flashes know.
Danny however, knows about the Flashes thanks to Clockwork and of course - decides to screw with them, because the Flashes don't know that HE knows about his Evil Future Self. Because he's currently reformed, at home, vibing with Vlad.
So, Danny decides to fuck with them the best way possible.
^0^
"Hey, Wally - c'mere for a sec! So I've been practicing this new move I created, and since I know your fast enough to dodge them - why not test it on you?"
Wally agrees, and is led to the Training room. There is a pause, before Danny pulls out his best Dan voice and goes, "Ready?"
Wally instantly has Flashbacks before instinctually dodging Danny's attack, only for Danny to stop, disappear - and then reappear next to Wally.
I’ve seen de-aged Danny AUs in crossovers before but have I ever gotten to see one where there isn’t a crossover attached??? because consider:
Clockwork decides the most efficient way for Danny to defeat Pariah Dark… is to have Pariah raise him.
no warning. no context. no explanation.
just toddler Danny, bundled up, dropped at the gates of Pariah’s fortress centuries before canon with a single note:
'' He’s o̶u̶r̶ your baby. – CW.''
and Pariah is standing there like.
'' When did I fuck with the embodiment of time itself?''
'' WHEN did this happen! ''
meanwhile Danny is just blinking up at him with big glowing eyes and reaching up like “uppies.”
and now Pariah —ancient tyrant, nightmare of the Infinite Realms — is stuck pacing his throne room at 3am with a ghost toddler who refuses to sleep unless he’s holding onto his cape.
but here’s the thing.
Pariah is prideful. He is royal. He is not raising a weak heir.
so Danny is trained.
battle strategy taught at bedtime.
sword forms before he can properly read.
history of the Realms instead of fairy tales.
because if this is his child (apparently???) then he will be a prince. and he will be formidable.
and somewhere in the background
Clockwork is watching like :)
because what better way to ensure Pariah’s defeat… than making him love the thing that will one day overthrow him.
Danny wished and would have wished even if Desiree were here, that he could be plucked from the planet and chucked into the ether. It was bad enough being in trouble for punching Damian Wayne. Having Clockwork added to the mix wasn't helping. Or, it would help because Clockwork was helpful, but then he'd have to deal with people swooning over and about them.
At least this time, he comforted himself, Bruce Wayne was taking some of the attention. Principal Grace didn't look as if she knew which to focus on. Wayne himself looked amiable the same way Clockwork seemed pleasant. His eyes were sharp on his son and then to Danny; before being drawn back to Clockwork.
Damian held out the ice pack. Danny accepted and it jolted the principal into motion.
"Sirs, I know that this is a grave situation. This academy has a zero- tolerance policy for violence." She clasped her hands on the desk. Danny hadn't seen much of her since his transfer. He knew his dorm-parents, the teachers, almost every single food cart in the area, but hadn't been drawn into detention in a long time. Not having to ditch class every few minutes to fight ghosts did wonders for attendance, sleep, and grades. Mr. Lancer would be shocked. And proud. Very proud. He'd almost cried when Danny had told him he'd be transferring.
He'd need to text Sam to tell Lancer that he'd gotten a detention. For old times sake.
"Mr. Wayne, I apologize this is."
"Do not apologize." Damian cut in, as imperious as ever. He'd been just as regal trying to break Danny's neck. It was something he'd have to learn.
"Damian, please." Bruce Wayne tilted his head, eyes suddenly sharper than ever. Which, considering his reputation was a surprise. Danny thought he was the sort of father to bully his son out of trouble. Or buy. He had the money. Still, Damian had a reputation too. "How did this fight start, Damian."
Danny used his powers to cool the ice pack a little more. "We were in P.E."
"Yes." With a regal tilt of his head, Damian continued. "We began a lesson on self- defense."
Oh, oh. His father knew where this was going. Eyes closing briefly with a sudden wave of exhaustion that Danny could sympathize.
"Volunteers were requested to demonstrate the value of such skills. I and Dan...ny." Bruce's eyes shot open. Clockwork remained placid. "Danny....engaged in a mock duel."
"Which turned a lot less mocking!" Danny added.
"He displayed great skill." The other boy insisted when Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose, leaning his head on his hand. "Father!"
"He really is good." Danny told Clockwork. "Aunt Dora would be impressed."
The scar tilted as the Master of Time smiled. "A warrior must know when to engage and when not to; to control their impulses."
Danny flushed, glancing toward the floor.
"Yes," Damian agreed, straight and with pink-tipped ears. "It was an unfortunate...lapse. I apologize."
Bruce Wayne and Principal Grace gaped. The other boy was trembling with an emotion that tasted like loathing and admiration.
A ruler must accept their faults to avoid the path of conceit and arrogance. Clockwork had told him that once.
"Same. I got carried away. You're pretty great, you know that! You should be proud, Mr. Wayne." The older man jerked back. "Damian's got chops."
"I am a vegetarian."
"Great! I'm not really a fan of meat....you know. There's a food cart that's got great falafel. We should go there."
"I...gentlemen!" Principal Grace blurted now thoroughly distracted by the teenagers. "I!" She glanced toward the adults for back up.
"Since this is settled. Danny, call your parents after class today." Clock work stood, brushing the braid to his back.
Danny shot them a thumbs up.
"Wait a moment! We have a policy, sirs."
"They have understood their error, apologized, and made an accord." Clockwork tilted their head. just patient enough to be irritated.
"We will spar properly." Damian assured them. "In proper facilities." He added once Bruce's expression narrowed.
"But!"
Bruce added. "Since it does seem consensual and their teacher did ask for volunteers."
"Do you intend to take time from their education when the matter is settled?" Danny almost felt bad for the principal. Clockwork made stronger people faint and given the paling expression she was already at her limit.
"Well....I suppose...not."
"I'll see you at home, Damian." Bruce opened the door for Clockwork. They paused. Danny knew the Master of Time was waiting for which questions had been foreseen. "Do you have time for lunch?"
A white eyebrow rose, green eyes skipping over Bruce Wayne's face, shoulders, and down. As unsubtle as a bloodstain on a white couch. Behind Danny, Principal Grace made a faint choking sound. Damian's expression grew pinched, furious.
"What?" Danny blurted, jerking to his feet.
"Father!"
Clockwork smiled again, just enough to expose an unusually sharp K-9. "I can make time."
It took every ounce of Danny's willpower not to shrivel inward. unsure if he was embarrassed by Clockworks joke or the implications of Bruce Wayne asking them on a date. "No, no, no, no. What are you doing?"
"Enjoy your classes, Damian!" Bruce Wayne followed Clockwork out. "Now, I've got a standing reservation with Cafe de Paris. They have an excellent menu and a fantastic wine selection."
"How promising." The pair vanished around the corner.
Danny whirled on Damian. "Do something! Stop him!"
"As you stopped your guardian?"
"Zeit doesn't listen to anyone. Alright! No one, ever. The last people who tried order them around!" He trailed off. He couldn't exactly explain what Clockwork had done to the Observants.. Not without making them more suspicious than they already were. Which, in Gotham, was pretty fucking suspicious. "Look, it won't work from my end."
Damian's expression soured even further. Impressive given how bitter he'd looked all day. "I...cannot. I have sworn a pact of non-interference in my fathers...companions. The last incident was...memorable."
Danny wondered what sort of shit the likes of Damian Wayne got up to when it came to his fathers love life, but was more concerned with Clockwork. "Dude! Didn't you leave any clauses for loopholes? A bad idea? A real and present danger? Anything?"
"It was well-negotiated, Danny Fenton. It is also notarized...and none of the emergency clauses apply in this situation."
Danny swore under his breath, pushing his hair back. "What about your siblings? Can't they?"
"Boys!" Principal Grace looked as drawn as a broken window shade. She waved a hand. "Go back to class, please. Please."
They obeyed with great reluctance. Damian paused before they entered their classroom. "My father is a worthy man, Fenton."
"That's not even what I'm worried about, Dami. Not even a little."
Danny finally has everything he wanted. Everyone knows who he is and respects him. Ghosts have chilled out. He has a cool gf and his best friend by his side. His parents love him, his family can finally work together.
Vlad is miserable. Everything is perfect.
Until his reality faded into a dark space, revealing Nocturn, holding a very familiar staff out to him. Clockwork's…
Danny hesitantly reached for it. When Nocturn grabbed his arm and yanked him closer. Placing the staff into his hand.
"My deal is done."
Danny jolts awake. Fluorescents lights blinding him immediately, and instead of a staff gripped tightly in his hand. It was a warm firm grip of another.
A woman with a firm expression, looked up to someone else. Announcing he was awake.
"We'll get the others. Stay with him, WonderWoman."
What kind of name is that?
"A strong one, nice to see you alive. Do you know where you are?"
Guess he said that aloud, "Heh, g-guessing not Amity? "
He felt the grip on his hand tightened.
"Breathe."
He couldn't.
i imagine Clockwork had Nocturn keep Danny asleep restlessly until he arrives in the universe or while skipping time. uou
Either way it cost Clockwork his spirit.
Danny safe but he has no idea where he is, whats real… reason he woke up where he does. So he can be helped.
WonderWoman and few others having found him. And carried him back.
Could even have Pandora leave a cryptic message left behind for her to find ages ago. To know a "god" will be born from tragedy. Time start a new… or something like that… if you want that kind of story telling. And it doesn't make sense til she knows Danny more.
Danny just panic central right now. Even have some new powers thanks to CW ;3 Time now free of observation.
So many external conflicts could happen- either from Danny's og timeline/dimension or old powers or the observant coming to try and either destroy the new mantle of time or control him.
While his new powers have visions of past, presents and future melding and overwhelming him. Diana being one of the few to keep him calm and keeping him gripped to reality. >:O
(imagine he kind of imprinted on her after waking up. Like ok.. this is fine- she cool. Dont trust the others. )
Could see this be taken so many ways >w< Either way the pain of deciphering whats real- what isnt.. what HAD happen. What he can do.
And WHY Clockwork did it. In the end Clockwork had done everything to make sure that Danny did not carry his chains nor sit in his prison. Danny is what Time should be. Free and unpredictable.
Talked more with others in discord about it but sums up my thoughts! Feel free to take this prompt, add on, remove etc >w< b
