So the Flash is one of the min JLers I see who is used as very “Ghosts aren’t real.” Most of the speedsters even. And I think at one point Hal as well. So Amity Park sent out distress calls when ghosts started happening, then again for each major crisis and each time there’s no response. No one knows why but every time they’re saved and protected by a child. A Dead Child. One that the JL obviously failed to save but clearly wanted to be a Hero maybe even like them given the chest logo like so many of the big league Heros.
Bear with me here. I'm so tired but i need to get this down. so enjoy this set up.
Imagine Phantom didn’t show up right away, a couple major ghosts happen before Lunch Lady takes place. The Drs Fenton scare them off but do just as much damage and also fail to catch the ghost. Imagine with me that Danny was one of the people who sent the first distress call. And when no-one answered and his friends were directly in the line of fire Danny realized they were on their own. Imagine how crushed he would have been realizing that their heroes weren’t listening even enough to send t minimum a message of skepticism and he was the Only Person in all of Amity Park who could do something.
Danny’s ghostly obsession wasn’t the drive to protect, and for the longest his true obsession takes blow after blow as he’s considered evil and part of the problem. His core developing a secondary obsession to cope. He just wanted to be accepted, to matter in some way, and now its worse because he also wants, needs to keep his people safe because no one else will.
Now it’s years later. Danny’s grown some, he’s 16 nearly 17. He ages normally and sure he’s on the short side but he no longer wants to be tall like his dad like Dan anymore. Stronger, more confident in himself now that he’s no longer hated, his parents know and they help. Things are nice. He’s thriving on both his obsessions and his living needs being met and there being a healthy balance. They’ve come a long way.
Now Vlad fucks up. Something he does puts them on the JL’s radar. Danny is brought in as an expert because he is and the watchtower is in space and well, Danny thinks he’s put his anger behind him but his friends and family haven’t they’re angry on his behalf because Danny forgives so easily, he’s willing to give a new chance, maybe they just has rotten timing and there was a bigger crisis happening.
So Danny goes to explain things to they League alone. (As if Tucker and Technus haven’t hacked into the camera system to watch the potential show.
Constantine excuses himself as soon as Danny walks into the room. These losers are on their own he already made his peace with Phantom before he became prince, whatever shit the League have gotten into now is their problem. Danny starts as Fenton, after all they invited Fenton.
Something happens. Maybe Flash says some accidentally insensitive shit or its at the end of the meeting where danny has provided defensive gear and carefully curated offensive. Or better, Danny starts the meeting next to Batman who announces what possible threat they are facing. And Flash says “ghost aren’t real though?” Danny zeros in on him. It’s unsettling in a way that the Bat is but leaving. Bone deep chill.
“Was it you?” Danny asked abruptly. Everyone in the room acutely aware of what the teen was asking. Batman had torn Flash, and Hal, a new one for the ignored distress calls. Lter on Amity Park was silenced by Constantine but the occult Conman insisted he did it on request of the towns personal hero. “Did you ignore us?”
No one moved as Barry shrank slightly under the gaze of those hard blue eyes. “I-“ the lights flickered and The youngest Fenton was standing on the table at the center but in front of the speedster.
“You left us to die because you thought our cries for help were a joke.” The young man’s posture was relaxed but he held himself like a warrior, as though he carried a weight unimaginable. Perhaps he did, Wonder Woman considered with no small amount of surprise. “I died because you ignored us, ignored me. I called and you refused to answer.”
“But-“ superman started to say, the question shriveling into ash on his tongue.
“I’m here because I’m the only one willing to give you this chance to make amends. All of you. But you, Barry Allen,” and Danny’s blue eyes flashed an acidic green as he stepped closer, “I want you to look me in the eye. I want you to see me as I was when I was forced to do was you refused to even Look Into, and I want you to tell me why no one came.”
The air was heavy with a cold so sharp that even Superman shivered. Before the eyes of the gathered heroes Daniel Fenton began to change. Shrinking from his five foot six height to five foot two. The lean and defined muscle gave way to the thin frame of a boy who likely couldn’t lift more than fifteen pounds. His messy hair hung at odd angles and his clothes clung to his frame as if desperate to avoid falling free.
There was a collective gasp as Danny looked back up at the Flash, his eyes watery and expression tight with unshed tears. “I was fourteen. I died on my birthday. At least I wasn’t alone. But it was my fault the portal worked in the first place. I sent the first request for help before anyone had even used the doorway I’d torn open.”
He turned to look at Batman with a weary smile. “Don’t come to Amity Park. We don’t need you anymore. Plasmius will be properly punished for his actions.” While everyone was still reeling the boy smiled. “You left us to die and so we did.”
When the lights flickered again Danny Fenton was gone and the conference room exploded into chaos.
After the Fenton’s release a study talking about how they have recently discovered that ghosts can form independent thoughts are not mindless, though they also say that average intelligence levels of dolphins, chimps, and crows. They also heavily implied that they are incapable of out of the box thinking and like animals are driven by their obsession.
This does bring up the topic of conservation efforts and research.
Valerie of course comes to the conclusion that Phantom did so much destruction as a result of being like a wild animal and because of these wild animalistic urges that he cannot control is the reason her life was ruined, so decides to tame him to prevent him from being so destructive.
She starts out slow and makes a truce and gains his trust with helping him hunt ghosts, playing, treats- which Vlad supplies because he finds this hilarious, and eventually head pats. As well as a necklace collar.
Danny accepts the head pats because he comes from a very affectionate family. + ghost purr head canon
Once she believes she has domesticated him she brings him over to meet Mrs. and Mr. Fenton. Whom she has formed a good relationship with by talking in secret about her project and exchanging information. But either Maddie or Valerie refers to him as her pet which greatly upsets him and causes him to run off.
This cannot be Gray ghost. Valerie genuinely thinks of him like an animal, we do not support bestiality.
