Wardayk_Gerblin

they/xem

[ratsoupee]

Part 3 - Start | Prev | Next

[murderandjam]

Daniel Fenton is the top expert in his field.

(Copy of my post from the DPxDC community.)

That field happens to be paleoxeno anthropology - the study of dead alien and/or interdimensional people and cultures.

The thing with becoming the top expert in a field of study, is that you often don't set out to become one. Danny just wanted to understand where his parents got the idea that ghosts aren't sapient. So, he read their research.

(Cut because this got long.)

And then, when that didn't answer things (because apparently they'd stopped citing their damn sources after college), he asked his parents what references they used. Which lead to reading those research papers, and looking into their sources.

And the deeper Danny went, the more he learned, the fewer offshoots the rabbit hole had. He started recognizing when authors were citing each other in a loop, when some researcher was plagiarizing a specific other researcher, and he eventually got good at cutting through the "as everyone knows" to the root "I've never read anything except X crackpot's work, but if I say that, you won't take me seriously."

Along the way, he learned that a lot of "ghost" research was cross-contaminated by other fields - aliens, gods, demons, elemental spirits, and basically everything else that wasn't "of this Earth" all got dumped into the same area of "pseudoscience."

Except, aliens were real. There were even alien super heroes - Martian Manhunter was very openly a non-human person from Mars.

So, why were all these papers swilling the same backwash?

Well, Danny found what he was looking for - the ultimate source of his parent's prejudices - a "research paper" commissioned and published to support a proposed law against "illegal aliens." Specifically, a law that would criminalize super heroes who couldn't prove they were born on Earth - Superman in particular.

It was all bullshit. Years of "professionals" were ultimately referencing a single biased "study" into the ability of anything not human to have conscious thought. It was all based on fucking xenophobia.

By this point in his research, Danny had entered college and majored in anthropology - since he was doing the research anyway, he'd may as well get credit for it, right? He'd written several papers on known alien cultures, talked to experts in the field of interdimensional communication (read: magic users), and generally become a known entity in the study of dead non-human and/or non-Earth-based people.

And if he maybe popped into the Ghost Zone to talk to a few "primary sources" for his papers, well, that was why he specialized in specifically dead cultures.

By the time he'd actually graduated, he'd written a (very well received) paper on the inherently xenophobic prejudices present in what he was calling the field of paleoxeno anthropology. He laid out his very well-sourced arguments, heavily referenced established research (and the sources for said research), and ended it with a list of the known crimes of Lex Luthor - the primary source of everything his parents had based their work on.

All in all, Danny was rather proud of the work he'd done. He'd upended the entire field of ecto-biology, started a few debates on the merits of interdimensional cultural exchanges (the idea of Christmas Truce was immediately adopted by the people of Gotham), and gotten a few prejudiced laws challenged.

His parents had copies of his papers on ghost culture proudly displayed throughout the house, and had been overwhelmingly supportive of the new ideas he had brought to their field. Jazz had a newspaper article about the legal changes he'd instigated framed in her office in Arkham - a surprising number of her patients weren't legally human, and were already receiving better care and accommodations now that they were being recognized as people.

But the thing that really made Danny realize he was not just an expert, but the expert, was Superman showing up at his door with a copy of his examination of Krypton's lost subcultures and fringe social practices.

"A few of my family members have entered their "rebellious teenager" phase. On the recommendation of my colleagues, I came here, hoping you could help them "rebel" in a way that helps them feel closer to our people."

[merchantziro]

Now I'm imagining Danny giving a public interview with a few alien ghosts, and by sheer dumb chance accidentally chose Jor-El, M'yri'ah J'onzz, and Abin Sur.

Jor-El and M'yri'ah were chosen because they were among these present for the last days of their species and seemed to be the most knowledgeable sources Danny could find on what exactly went down.

Abin was chosen because he wanted to also have a Lantern who could give insight into different alien races with their line of work and how the Green Lantern corps handles accommodating for so many different cultures.

One can only imagine how Clark, J'onn, and Hal might feel when they find out who were being interviewed by one Dr. Daniel Fenton.

[murderandjam]

Danny: Tell me what your day-to-day life was like, in the days leading up to the end.

Jor-El: I just wanted to get my son to safety. I knew there wasn't much time, but (horrifying story about who knew, who was in denial, how normal some people tried to act). I hear he made it, though! I'm so proud of my son, and the good he's doing for his new home.

The Justice League, watching Superman silently crying: What the fuck.

[ordinarysnake]

[ordinarysnake]

[xomintybreezexo]

I can imagine that, as much as it pains him to admit, Batman would see that it makes sense. He still refuses to kill, but he's less of a hardass about it when Jason or Damien get vengeance for wronged ghosts.

This eventually leads to a whole horde of ghosts asking for the Joker to get it, and Batman has to say goodbye to his situationship for the last time.

[xomintybreezexo]

I don't know why, but in my mind, Danny posted the Interview before the papers, so there's a very clearly teenage boy with crackpot parents who expected to get laughed at and mocked on the internet just like his crackpot parents when he posted the initial interview.

Instead, the Justice League show up in his small town, on his doorstep, asking for him, and later the JL and JL Dark have to confirm that the video was real and everything he said in the video was real/factual too.

This eventually culminates in Danny having to make a video titled "Not All Ghosts Know Each Other (Why it's called the Infinite Realms)" cause he got so many private messages and letters from people asking him to speak to their deceased family, friends, close colleagues, teachers, pets, etc for them.

[vln-vibes]

Bright Hope, Mighty Will

The Green Lantern Corps have lost many members over its years— a risk that came with maintaining the peace as told by the Guardians. Most of the rings reassigned to a new member of its given sector but on occasion there would come those that were so attached to its wielder that they would not accept another unless they resonated with their predecessors ideals.

It’s one such ring that had been on Oa with no new lantern to wield it. Or it had been.

The Blue Lanterns were still a growing group with whom the Corps had a close alliance thanks to their symbiotic relationship; after all a Blue power ring was at its highest potential when near a Green power ring and vice versa. So why not look for users together?

The rings were set off as a pair in an attempt to create a powerful Union and birthing the most powerful duo either Corps had ever seen.

Meanwhile in Sector 2814, on the third planet from its star— Earth, a small family from the Midwest were camping out in the woods after their youngest begged to see the shooting stars where they’d be the most visible. The oldest child explained to their parents that it was a good way to channel the younger’s passion for space and science much like their own. Everything had been well until the elder duo’s sensors brought up a strange signature from deeper in the wood— Ecto-entities or ghosts as they’d called them. Before being able to drag the children with them the youngest stood his ground and refused to be taken away from his stars, the elder assured that she could take care of her younger brother and that they’d be fine alone (they were alone even when in the same house more often than not)

The sun had since set, the telescope set up, blanket had been laid with snacks for them to consume as they sat in wait with jackets to help with the night chill. The duo sat near the campfire as the younger's anticipation grew but the thought of their parent's absences did as well. They'd been left home alone before but they were only 8 and 10 years old, in the middle of the wilderness with no way to guide them back home or even find where their parent's ghost hunting led them.

"Don't worry little brother, I'm sure mom and dad will be back soon"

"Ye-yeah! Besides mom knows how to kick butt, they'll be fine"

"Look!"

The duo took their gazes to the skies as the twinkling night was accompanied by steaks of white dashing by. The older grabbed her slightly old model camera and took photos of the unsuspecting boy's awe filled gaze before he could complain. He stuck his tongue out at her before turning to his telescope, doing his best to follow the streaks in the sky until no longer visible to him. The girl just took to taking some more photos to show their parents once they'd returned. It'd go on for a while like that, the stars as their only witnesses as they joked around.

"Hey that one's green! And that one's blue!"

She lifted her head from looking at her camera's saved photos to find the twin streaks flying together, a quick click of her camera to save such a strange occasion. She wasn't an astronomy expert but she didn't think shooting stars came in those colors. Taking her gaze off of the small screen and looking back up she noted the bigger size.

"Are they getting closer?"

"Maybe they'll land near here. How cool would it be to see them up close?!"

It was as though those words triggered something as the two stars seemingly stopped flying and began their rapid descent. Straight for them.

"They're headed right for us!"

"Run!"

The duo quickly picked up their discarded flashlights and began running away from the clearing their parents had chosen. No matter how fast or further away they got the stars still trailed towards them. The numerous twists and turns never deterring the streaks of light, even as the elder held the younger's hand in an iron grip to prevent them from losing each other or as the younger turned them around and took haphazard turns in an effort to get them away.

"Everything's gonna be alright!"

She panted as they approached another clearing, no idea where their own was but still looking and seeing the stars much closer to them, the lights were blinding. She felt her body get pushed aside and the roll of cold grass on her back, hair getting tangled with small twigs and a familiar but smaller body land on top of hers.

"Look out!"

They closed their eyes and braced for impact feeling a sudden breeze and a slight shake but nothing else. Until they heard different voices echo. Looking gazes and noticing the glowing eyes the other had they sat up--- only to be met by glowing, floating ----rings?

[Sentience located]

[Daniel James Fenton of Earth, you have been chosen]

[Jasmine Dahlia Fenton of Earth, you have been chosen]

[You have the ability to Overcome great fear]

[You have the ability to instill great Hope]

[Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps]

[Welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps]

A bright flash of blue and green surrounded the duo, hands still clasped and feeling a tug on their unoccupied hands, the warmth traveling on their bodies before disappearing altogether.

"Jazz what are you wearing?"

"What am I wearing!? What are you wearing Danny? Is that your old astronaut costume?"

Jazz noted the blue ring on top of her opera gloved right hand, also clenching the handle of a blue lit lantern? She could feel her knee length puffy blue dress move with the night breeze but didn't feel cold. White boots with blue bottoms kicked a pebble to the side, hearing it hit the nearby lake. Given the full moon she took a gaze at her reflection, finding her usual teal ribbon replaced by a giant blue bow at the back of her head and her eyes glowing a brilliant blue.

Danny was busy looking at his green suit, looking much like the costume he wore in a near daily basis when he was five until he started school. His own white gloves had puffier cuffs which reminded him of the astronaut costumes he and Tucker had looked at online for Halloween the year before, green ring also on his right, shaking the green weird lamp in the process. He pulled at the black suspenders before joining Jazz at the lake. His raven locks now had a single green streak near his bangs and icy blues now a vivid green.

"Cool"

Jazz was panicking, wondering what this could mean; what was a Blue Lantern anyway? Why did it choose her? And why was Danny green?

"Whoa!" Her glowing eyes turned to Danny but couldn't find him, hearing the sudden clatter of something falling on the floor and seeing the lantern rolling on its side, had he fallen in the water?!

"Danny!"

"Up here!" her eyes widened as he little brother flew above her, laughing as he looped around in the air, "C'mon Jazz!"

"How did you do that?" her eyes never leaving the faintly green glowing boy, "Can I do that?"

[You can. Just have Hope]

Trusting the voice in her head she reassured herself that they would be fine before feeling the ground disappear from under her feet and got closer to Danny, dropping her own lantern next to Danny's. She felt her surprise turn into a smile before doing a cartwheel in the air and the giggles escape from her.

Neither took track of time as they flew above the clearing before Danny had the idea to race above the lake, streak of blue and green reflected on its surface as it rippled from their speed. It wasn't until they flew back to the clearing that they remembered--- they had no idea where they ran off to. There hadn't been a lake where they'd set up camp.

"Mo-mom and dad will find us Danny! We'll be okay" They had to be okay, they would be fine. The idea of flying above the trees to look for their clearing was tempting but she had no idea how long it would take; did these things run on batteries? Would the power run out soon? Can they even take off these outfits? It'd be weird to be stuck like this for forever. If mom and dad find them what will they think of the glowing? It reminded her a bit too much of how the ectoplasm in the basement glowed whenever she or Danny were dragged downstairs and the substance covered near all the surfaces (that's when they'd know dad was making them clean up)

Whilst Jazz marinated in her thoughts and worries Danny couldn't help but think if there was a way to ask for help, though even if they had phones he doubted they'd even have service or know how to guide help towards them.

[Activating Emergency Beacon for Sector 2814]

"Huh? Emergency beacon?"

"What was that Danny?" Jazz snapped out of her thoughts as she heard his confusion, noting the slight pulsing now coming from his ring.

"I-I think my ring asked for help?"

"...Let's hope that's a good thing "

The brother-sister duo took to sitting by the lake once more, still viewing the stars above and keeping an ear out for any sign of their parents--- they were never quiet for too long. Especially when 'ghost-hunting', not that ghosts actually existed.

They were starting to get hungry again, having not touched their assorted snacks before the whole fiasco began when a steak of green, followed by another, approached the horizon. The first stopped, the second following suit... Were they like them? It looked like two people flying now that they weren't moving so fast. They were too far to properly see but it looked like they were searching for something.

Danny's ring flared up in quick brilliant flash before going back to its blinking; it seemed that was the cue the two in the sky were looking for as they made their way towards them.

"I think that's our ride Jazzy"

The duo finally hovered above the lake shore, the surprise clear on their faces even as one had a mask on.

"Hello, I am Green Lantern John Stewart of Sector 2814" the first man with matching vivid green eyes like Danny elbowed the man next to him.

"Uhh and I'm Green Lantern Hal Jordan of Sector 2814" he said sheepishly, running his white gloved hand through brown locks of hair. "You're the ones who send the distress call, what sector are you from?"

"Sector?" the duo looked at each other confused before Jazz remembered what the rings had said. "I- I think they said 2814?"

The duo looked surprised, disbelief easily conveyed even though Mr. Jordan's mask, actually he seemed more surprised than Mr. Stewart. "I'm sorry but what planet are you from?"

"Earth? I mean its not like--- Are aliens real!?" Danny's wariness disappeared and hovered in the air as he said it, "That's so cool!"

"You two are Earth children then" Mr. Stewart's eyes gained a dark look as he said so, "How long have you had the rings?"

"Umm I'm not really sure" Danny turned to his sister for guidance only to find her rubbing her arm nervously "Maybe an hour or two?"

Mr. Jordan's look matched Mr. Stewart's, like they were mad but they didn't seem mad at them like the teachers would when they caught him and Tucker talking during class. It was like whenever mom and dad's inventions malfunction and they'd go to school with bruises. (Those days mom and dad would mention their teachers calling them, they were always busy with the portal and never answered)

"Do you know what those are?" Mr. Jordan bent down to Danny's level, pointing at the matching green ring. Danny looked at his and wiggled his fingers.

"Not really? The voice said welcome to the Green Lantern cops?"

"Close, little man" Mr. Jordan chuckled, "My friend and I are part of the Green Lantern Corps. We help protect the universe, pretty much space cops if ya ask me"

"You get to travel into space! Awesome!" Danny literally brightened as his green glow intensified. "But why isn't hers green?"

"Your friend is actually part of the Blue Lantern Corps. They're a little different from us but we work together from time to time. They like to spread hope throughout the universe"

"Hope. It said I had the power to instill great hope. But why me? And why did they choose him?" her voice wavered as she turned to Mr. Stewart with a grave lookin his eyes.

"That... That is something neither of us can answer for you" he admitted, a solemn lookin his eyes as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "But we'll do our best to help you two with this"

"Its unprecedented for either Corps to choose children" Mr.Jordan frowned before looking towards Danny again, "What are you two doing in the middle of the woods?"

"I wanted to see the stars" Danny admitted sheepishly, all of this started from his request to their parents. They wouldn't be in this mess if he just watched from home like always, heck Mr. and Mrs.Foley had offered to take Danny and Tucker camping once school let out if he wanted to (but no he couldn't wait a month, he needed them now). "So mom and dad brought us camping but then the stars--- the rings started chasing us and we got lost"

"That must of been scary huh guys?" Mr.Jordan gave a look to Mr.Stewart and the man walked away a bit, placing a finger into his ear and whispering. How weird.

"So you guys are siblings?" he turned to Jazz, she just nodded slowly, took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. She kept rubbing the blue ring on her hand as she did. "Do you guys mind telling me your name?'

Jazz still had that worried look in her eyes, like when she knew the turkey would come back to life in any second but mom kept saying it'd be fine. (Jazz was always right, it was always the same every Christmas). His sister liked to think she was a grown up and didn't get nervous talking with strangers but she was still a kid like him. He would be brave for Jazz!

"I'm Danny and that's my big sis Jazz"

"Its nice to meet you two, or well at least know your names now?"

"Jordan"

"Hold right there"

The two adults just kept talking in whispers, looking back at them every few seconds, Jazz wasn't sure what to make of them but they were the ones who knew the most about the situation. Danny also had a pretty good sense for people and they seemed friendly but she also knew better than to trust complete strangers. Stranger danger was very much ingrained to them at a young age. Jazz knew it was rude but couldn't help but hear Mr.Jordan's outburst of "Seriously, nothing? Its been hours"

It seemed like forever before the adults came back and gave them strained smiles in turn.

"Well kids we're going to help you guys find your camp and make sure you get back to your parents" Mr.Jordan winked.

"We'll also explain more about the rings and what they mean while we wait. Sounds like a plan?" Mr. Stewart made sure to look at them in the eyes and didn't move until they both nodded in agreement.

"Okay"

The brother-sister duo didn't know what they were getting into when they went camping that day but everything was in motion, a new path diverging in time to create a brilliant new future; tragedy, love, and courage would always be on their path no matter how much he'd tried to avoid, it was inevitable. He could only witness as they embarked on this journey together and bring about the Rebirth with allies at their sides.

And he couldn't wait to meet them again, in due time.

[thebiggestfuckgiven]

DPxDC , Strange Allies

The JL(D) is up against an otherworldly and annoyingly powerful foe. Batman, Hal GL, Constantine, and Deadman (through a series of mishaps and miscommunications) have teamed up together for this one. They’re taking refuge in the House of Mystery, brainstorming how they’re going to take this enemy down after numerous failed attempts.

Out of nowhere, Deadman mentions that there might be someone who can help them. Constantine immediately rejects the idea.

Constantine: We are NOT calling him, Brand. End of discussion.

Deadman: Okay, I am not letting your weirdo debts get in the way of taking down a bad guy. Not again. I’m calling him.

Constantine: Then you can count me out of this shitty crusade!

meanwhile Batman and Hal…

Batman: Do you have any idea who they’re talking about?

GL: I gave up trying to figure out what their conversations are about a long time ago.

Deadman summons this new ally before Constantine even has the chance to leave the House.

A confused teenage boy in his pajamas with an empty glass in hand. He was just in the kitchen about to pour himself some water. This was decidedly NOT his kitchen. Danny takes in the scene, immediately noticing Batman (holy FUCK), some green guy, his cool af friend Boston Brand, and fucking Constantine.

Unexpectedly, Danny goes, “Whatever you need help with, count me out. I am NOT working with that asshole.”

[stars-obsession-pit]

[lbjeff]

Constantine: Said what, brat?

Danny: You had hear it, your old gross man who has his soul stink like a dying fish

Constantine: Said the boy who is partly dying

Danny: Well, still better than someone who steal his “ex-boyfriend”’s sand hours glass

Constantine: We didn’t broke up, and I just borrowed it and you have take it back right away before I could use it

Danny: Whatever, old man!

Hal: You two used to dated? What the hell, John?

Danny: Hell no! I didn’t date him. It is my grandpa that he dated and stole from. Good that they already broken up

Constantine: We didn’t break up! At least not until Clockwork says it to my face

Danny: Like hell I gonna let you meet my grandpa again. And my grandpa already has new boyfriend. A nice British gentleman named Alfred

Batman, who has listen and collect information silently now paying full attention: What did you say again?

[jey-chan]

Danny: oh a great man named Alfred. He is cool. His cooking is amazing and i dont need to kill it againg so- Also, he promised that even if they broke up he will take me up if my parents die.

Batman: Alfred what?

Deadman: anywsy... pretty bad ting ?

Danny: BRIGME THAT BITCH!

[vellcielle404]

Rookie Lantern [GL!Danny AU]

After a revelation gone wrong, coupled with a GIW raid that went even worse, Danny lost all his loved ones and decided to stay in the Realms, burying himself in all of Ghost King's backlog of work.

After a year of this, Clockwork decides to intervene and sends Danny to the DC Universe— to Coast City, to be more specific.

The OA, which has tried countless times to make contact with the unreachable Infinite Realms and unknowingly, with Clockwork's blessing, decides that the sudden appearance of a young, half-human, half-ecto-entity in the hometown of one of their Lanterns, practically radiating willpower, is a sign.

When a glowing ring appears in front of Danny, who has been wandering aimlessly around the city for a couple of weeks, he just shrugs and says, "Yeah, why not."

Danny is adored by Coast City, and Danny loves that his new haunt the new city he protects not only allows him to do so— but they're grateful for it and let him know it.

Meanwhile at the Watchtower, Hal Jordan, just back from a long off-planet mission, feels a chill run down his spine and the feeling that he should start looking for a bigger apartment.

[bet-on-me-13]

Undead Galaxy

So! Within the Ghost Zone, there exists a Lair unlike any other.

To a Ghost, a Lair is supposed to be an integral part of their Existence. When a Ghost Builds their Lair, they take a part of the Ghost Zone Itself and mold it into a Realm of their own, transforming it into a reflection of their Core.

As such, a Lair usually matches the personality, and more importantly the Obsessions, of the Ghost it was created by. It is meant to be the Eternal Home of the one who built it, a place to spend the rest of their eternal unlife, and as such it needs to be able to fulfill the Ghosts Obsessions.

Think of Skulkers Lair, an Island Jungle filled to the brim with Monsters and Beasts of all sorts, ready and waiting to be hunted down and skinned. The perfect home for a ghost with an Obsession based on Hunting.

Some take this a step farther, like the Ancients (which is just another name used for Gods in the Zone), who transform their Lairs into Entirely Seperate Afterlives for others to inhabit. Hades, Osiris, the Demon Lords of the various Hells, they all took this approach.

But there is a problem. For beings like God's, who are sustained by Worship, what would happen if their world were to die? If the planet their people resided on were to be hit by an asteroid, or blown up by an Alien warlord?

A God without its worship would Fade, and as such the Afterlife they used to maintain would fall apart as well. The Millions of Souls who trusted that God to protect them in death would be left to the mercy of the Void between Afterlives. Somebody decided that they didn't like that, and stepped in.

Within the Ghost Zone exists a Galaxy.

A Galaxy where all the souls and Afterlives of worlds that have died continue to exist. Worlds that were destroyed by a cataclysmic War that resulted in both sides dying, by unstable Mining Practices destabilize the Core, by a Psychic Virus that wiped out all life on Planet leaving a baren husk.

When their populations died, and the Gods who maintained their afterlives would have faded, they were saved by another and brought into his Lair.

The Ghost King, Phantom.

He was a spirit with two simple Obsessions. The Protection of others, and the Majesty of Space.

But there was no Space in the Ghost Zone, only the Infinite void. So he made his own. He constructed a Lair of incredible size, decorating it with Stars and Planets and Supernova and Nebula. He recreated the Majesty of the Space he adored, and the invited the wandering souls of dead worlds to enjoy it with him.

He gave them planets of their own within the Unliving Galaxy. All the souls of crumpled afterlives wandering the Ghost Zone were allowed to recreate it again, to find eachother and build their communities again.

With this he could fulfill both of his Obsessions at the same time, and he would he doing his duty as their king by helping his subjects.

He saw it as an absolute win.

...

They had been trapped in this strange dimension for days now.

Nobody had any idea how they ended up there. Clark had just fallen asleep, Diana was training, Hal was on patrol. Even J'onn himself was on Moniter Duty, when the next thing he knew they were all waking up on a floating purple rock in a Lazarus green void.

Thankfully Constantine that had been dragged alongside him when J'onn when he was taken, and managed to explain that they were in some kind of void in-between the afterlives.

"The Ghost Zone" "The Unending End" "The Collective Dead", it went by many names apparently. The most famous name for it was "The Infinite Realms", named for the way the infinite souls residing there would build their own personal Realms, or Lairs, to spend eternity in.

Not even he knew how they had ended up there. Constantine was confident that they hadn't died recently (the fact they needed to use "recently" was a sad thought), so it wasn't the old fashioned way at the very least.

Still, they needed to get moving. This place was dangerous and they didn't want to stay in one place for too long.

After days of traveling across the strange void (had they even eaten since they arrived there?) Constantine finally caught a hint of something. There was a draw on them, pulling them towards a specific direction. They had been unconsciously following it for days now, and now that they knew what they were doing they soldiered on even faster. If there were answers wherever they were being drawn, they would find them.

Once it came into view, it was obvious what had been calling to them this entire time. It was massive.

Spanning across the endless horizon, they could see something that looked like a Galaxy spanning in front of them. From their position on a floating island, they could see it in all its glory. Contrasting the green they had become accustomed to, the Galaxy swirled in a variety of Bright Blues and Deep Purples, with multicolored stars shining so brightly they stood out even as far as they were from it.

It took all their breaths away, and J'onn would admit to having stood there staring for longer than he should have. It was just so starkly different than anything he had seen thus far in this dimension of greens and purples.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

In an Instant their weapons were drawn and fighting stances set, facing the person who had appeared in their midst.

He was a young man, seemingly in his early 20's, with snow white hair and Lazarus green eyes. Above his head sat a crown glowing the same color as the galaxy spanning in front of them. They all knew instantly that this man was connected to it on a deep level.

"Who are you" Asked Diana. Her thoughts were filled with theat assessments and carefulness. She thought he was strong.

"Oh, my name is Phantom." He replied, "Sorry for startling you, this is one of my favorite spots to stargaze and I forgot that normal people usually can't see me when I zone out like that."

"What is that?" Clark asked, pointing to the Galactic Structure on the horizon. He was curious. The man before they didn't act hostile, so he had decided to match his energy.

"Oh, that's my Galaxy. Like it?" He asked excitedly, "Took me ages to get it looking just right, but I'm so proud of the results."

"Do you know why we are here?" Asked Hal, his mind was swimming with worry over his Sector of space. He had been taken while patrolling it. He wanted to get back quickly.

"I didn't bring you here, if that's what you're asking." He replied evenly, "But I know who did. They wanted to see you again, but with their Realms crumbled and their people scattered, they never had the chance. Now they do, and they wanted to say hello again. Sorry about the long journey, they messed up the Summoning process and you ended up a bit farther than intended."

"Who summoned us?" Asked Constantine warily. His thoughts were full of the various demons and gods he knew inhabited these Realms. He was worried.

"Well, You, accidently got dragged along through proximity, sorry." He apologized to the magician, "But as for the rest of you? Well, you'll just have to wait and see for yourselves. Trust me, it'll be a welcome surprise."

"Can you tell us where can we find the ones who summoned us?" Asked J'onn finally. He was curious, and wary, of who had decided to pull them into this dimension. But if the man before them was being truthful, then he wanted to meet them.

"Just keep following that pulling sensation that brought you here, you'll find them." He said, "I'll stay here for a while longer though. Just want to stargaze a bit more."

They left him on the island and kept going.

As the approached the Galaxy, it dawned on them how truly massive the realm in front of them was. Hal confirmed that it wasn't as big as a real one, but even he was in awe at its size.

As they drew closer is quickly became apparent that they were being drawn in different directions. After a quick discussion they decided it was best to split up.

J'onn approached the Planet he was being drawn to, and realized very quickly that it very closely resembled his old homeworld, Mars. The Red Sands, the Rocky Terrain, the two Moons that could be seen orbiting the planet, all of it seemed tailor made to resurface memories of his destroyed home.

It took all of a second for all of it to come together in his head.

The allusions Phantom had made to his summoners missing him. The resemblance to his old Homeworld. The fact he was currently in a version of the Afterlife.

As he made the connection in his head, he felt another two connections form. Ones he had not felt in the the Centuries since he had lost them.

"Hello, J'onn."

"...M'yri'ah..." His wife.

"Hi dad."

"...K'hym..." His Daughter.

It took nearly a full minute before his mind calmed enough to send them a response. It was a Whirlwind of wild thoughts, fear of this being a trick, and above all hope that it was real.

Eventually, he finally managed a response.

"I missed you."

[ordinarysnake]

[rynan16]

please, this is so good 🥺 It’s so precious and I love it, and I could read a whole fic about this. Please 🥺🥺

[siri-ike]

Danny knows all that goes on in his galaxy. It's both exhausting and sort of, cathartic? In a way? Like watching a Pixar movie. Like watching 10 thousand Pixar movies at the same time... while 8 billion hallmark movies are playing at the same time... and there's a lot of smut playing over multiple radios... also, there are telegrams all around him giving him updates about the 17 different wars going on simultaneously. That's why he needs time to staregaze.

But who can resist spying on guests?

This red-cape-guy went straight to the capital-of-hallmark-shenanigans: Krypton.

Pandora got a guest, which was always a disaster.

The green fellow seemed to have been summoned by ten different planet loads of spirits.

And Constantine was freaking out.

This could be the best day ever.

[siri-ike]

"Hi there."

Hal was battle-ready, well before he realized it was just that same kid from before.

Danny smiled his widest smile, but soon stopped, remembering that it made him look like the Cheshire Cat. "You seem torn." Danny floated curiously in the lack of air. His legs faded into a wispy tail. A section of space shined strangely in his eyes. Whenever his head moved, the stars stayed put, like they were just a pattern on a separate layer from the rest of his face.

Hal couldn't look away. "Did you follow me?"

"Nothing can hide from me in my Galaxy." He twirled in a vertical circle. Huh. Guess there's no avoiding the Cheshire. "Which call will you answer first, "Green Lantern from Earth"?"

Hal felt the pull from multiple directions. How was he supposed to know which one to answer? He looked at the boy in front of him. This would be so much easier if he were just hostile. Riddles weren't Hal's thing.

"Why don't I lend you a hand?" Danny made a show of unscrewing his left hand from his forearm and handing it to Green Lantern, who didn't so much as smile at his hilarious joke. With his dismembered hand, Danny pointed behind his back. "That way is OA, the original one." He snapped his fingers and a portal opened. "Skaro, Nestenia, and Traken are through here." He leaned in closer, holding his severed hand up to his mouth as though sharing a secret. "The erased need their own pocket dimension so the timeline can't correct them." He fluttered over and pointed in a third direction. "And over there are Earth 2 and Earth 3. I used the parts of Earth 1 that were lost to patch the missing pieces, so they're bound to be a little different." He turned back toward Hal, expectantly.

"I... I don't know."

Danny put his hand back where it belonged (it made a ripping sound. In reverse? somehow). "What's there to think about? It's not like the order matters. No one's in a hurry. They're all dead. You have all the time in the world." Danny swooped his arms above his head in a big motion. He paused. Hal looked uncomfortable. Danny rolled his eyes and swiped his hand across space. A second green portal opened. This one opened right outside the Hall of Justice. Danny floated backwards through it and landed on the ground on the other side. "Seize your opportunity now, and you could be finished within a month. Or put it off, as long as you want, and in return, you will owe me." He crossed his arms and huffed, like a child not getting their way.

Hal hesitated near the portal but stopped. "What would I owe you?"

"A year."

"A year?" Hal was shocked. He couldn't abandon his sector for a month let alone a year! "I can't, that's too long." He floated through the portal, making sure to stay between it and the boy so he couldn't leave suddenly.

"A year at the time of your choosing. It can be after you die for all I care. But-" He trailed off.

"But what?" Hal took note of the civilians around them.

The sky darkened and everything gained a faint purple hue.

If you wait until you die

Your soul will be forever mine

The boy held out his hand with a grin that disfigured his face. Hal hesitated for a moment. The second Hal grabbed his hand it grew long and bony, his skin felt charred, and it started to snow. In an instant, the kid vanished and so did the portal.

What had he done?

[akemi2003]

Fic prompt #46

Dpxdc

Danny loves being a little shit. He can’t help it — it’s not only part of being a teenager (an undead ex-superhero teenager), but also part of being a ghost. It turns out ghosts aren’t malevolent; they’re just extremely petty and love getting on people’s nerves.

But as a halfa, Danny rarely has the time to indulge in that kind of behavior. Sometimes, sure — but never enough to get the tingle out of his system. Eventually, he ends up asking Clockwork for help.

Together, they come up with a very interesting and simple solution: Clockwork would message him random phrases to say — things that mean nothing to Danny, but for someone else, would make it seem like he knows what they’re thinking, knows about something embarrassing, or has noticed something they don’t want anyone to know.

The Batfam is terrified of him — and of whatever it is they think he knows.

—————

Danny quickly learns that the results are hilarious. A single, out-of-context sentence from him can make even the most stoic ghost—or human—go pale.

Clockwork insists it’s a harmless experiment in “social entropy.” Danny just calls it fun.

And really, it is. Watching Vlad choke on his wine because Danny casually mentioned “the pink tie from ʼ98,” or seeing Tucker squint suspiciously after Danny mutters “left pocket” during lunch, is enough to make the undead teen’s week.

Sure, he’s half-ghost, half-human, and full-time busy saving both worlds—but sometimes, a guy just needs a hobby.

A hobby that keep him very full even when he transfers to Gotham

——————

Danny’s first try at Clockwork’s little scheme in Gotham happens at a quiet café. He’s pretending to study — mostly doodling ghosts doing cartwheels — when his phone buzzes.

Clockwork: say “I told your mom about the glitter incident.”

Danny blinks, shrugs, and spots a small group sitting nearby. They look perfectly normal… or at least as normal as people in Gotham can look. Perfect targets.

He strolls past, flashing a casual grin. “I told your mom about the glitter incident,” he says.

Instantly, the table goes stiff. One freezes mid-sip. Another frowns so hard you’d think he just saw a ghost in his cereal. The third whispers frantically, “What glitter incident?”

Danny tilts his head innocently. “You know… the one from… uh… never mind,” he says, drifting away.

Clockwork texts:

Clockwork: they think you know everything.

Danny: i literally just made up glitter

Clockwork: chaos = perfect

Danny smirks, sipping his latte. Half-ghost, half-human, fully mischievous — and now, apparently, a master of terrifying strangers with nonsense.

[akemi2003]

The fight was over, Gotham was smoking, and the Batfam was in cleanup mode — bruised, exhausted, and pretending they hadn’t just faceplanted through half a parking lot.

Danny had only been there because his GPS led him to the wrong pizza place. He was about to head home when his phone buzzed.

Clockwork: say “So… the rubber duck thing actually worked this time?”

Danny frowned at the message. Weird, even for Clockwork. Still, harmless fun, right? He glanced across the street — at the group of costumed vigilantes standing in the debris — and shrugged.

“So…” he called out, voice casual, “the rubber duck thing actually worked this time?”

Instant chaos.

Red Robin froze mid-keystroke. Nightwing’s eyes went huge. Red Hood let out the most painful-sounding groan imaginable. Even Robin, who normally had the emotional range of a brick, looked mortified.

Batman, naturally, turned immediately toward them. “What did he mean by that?”

Four simultaneous, overlapping responses followed:

“Nothing!”

“Inside joke!”

“He’s mistaken!”

“Totally unrelated to anything we’ve ever done, sir!”

Batman’s eyes narrowed. “There was a ‘rubber duck thing’?”

“NO!” the entire team chorused, way too fast.

Across the street, Danny raised an awkward little wave. “Uh… good job tonight, I guess?”

They stared at him like he’d just threatened national security.

Batman turned back to the others. “Do we know him?”

“Random civilian,” Tim blurted.

“Total coincidence,” Dick added.

Jason muttered, “If he talks, we’re all doomed.”

Batman gave them a long, suspicious look before stalking off toward the Batmobile.

The second he was out of earshot, Dick hissed, “Why would you SAY that out loud in public?!”

Tim snapped, “I didn’t—he did!”

Jason growled, “If Bruce ever finds out what ‘rubber duck’ means, we’re all dead.”

Damian crossed his arms. “You deserve it for naming a stealth plan after bath toys.”

Meanwhile, Danny wandered away, checking his phone again.

Clockwork: they’re panicking.

Danny: i don’t even know what i said.

Clockwork: oh, it’s hilarious.

Danny: should i ask what it means?

Clockwork: only if you want to die confused.

Danny snorted into his soda. He had no idea what “the rubber duck thing” actually was — but given how red those vigilantes’ faces got, he was definitely going to text that phrase again.

—————————-

It had been three days since the incident.

Three days since some random college kid had casually dropped the phrase in public — the phrase that must never, ever reach Batman’s ears.

Nightwing was still haunted by it. Red Hood refused to talk about it. Tim had purged half the mission reports just in case, and Damian kept muttering about “the shame of associating with idiots.”

Unfortunately, Batman had questions.

They were gathered in the Batcave, surrounded by screens and tension, when Bruce finally said it.

“Tell me,” he began slowly, “what exactly was the ‘rubber duck thing’?”

Instant panic.

Dick laughed way too loudly. “Ha! Rubber ducks! You know, kids’ toys! Total coincidence, not a—uh—thing.”

Tim jumped in. “Exactly! We were just… testing… decoy tech! For stealth! You know, like how ducks—uh—float!”

Jason muttered, “Oh my god, you’re making it worse.”

Bruce’s eyes narrowed. “You named a stealth op after bath toys?”

“Technically,” Dick said, sweating, “you named it. We just… ran with it!”

That did not help.

And then, as if summoned by irony itself, a text pinged on the Batcomputer. Untraceable number. Unknown sender. Just one line:

So… are we doing the rubber duck thing again tonight? ;)

Tim went white.

Jason swore violently.

Dick looked like he was about to start praying.

Batman’s voice dropped to glacier temperature. “Who sent that?”

“Uh,” Tim croaked, “just a random… fan? Civilian? Definitely not related to us!”

“Find him.”

“NO!” Dick said too quickly. “I mean—uh—why waste resources, right? Harmless joke! Ducks! Totally normal!”

Bruce gave him the world’s longest, slowest, I-know-you’re-lying stare before turning back to the Batmobile.

“…We’ll discuss this later.”

The moment the elevator doors closed, the entire cave erupted.

Jason threw his helmet on the floor. “I’m gonna haunt that guy.”

Tim groaned into his hands. “He’s everywhere. His number’s untraceable. How is he doing this?”

Damian scowled. “Perhaps this is punishment for your idiocy.”

Dick sighed. “If Bruce ever finds out what it really means, we’re all grounded until the next century.”

Meanwhile, across Gotham, Danny was lying on his dorm bed, snickering at his phone.

Danny: they’re still freaking out about the duck thing, huh?

Clockwork: completely. it’s delightful.

Danny: can i send another one?

Clockwork: i was hoping you’d ask.

Danny grinned, typing another message with absolutely no idea that he’d just reignited a full-scale Bat-level panic.

——————————

Batman had him cornered.

Literally. One second Danny was walking out of a coffee shop, the next there was a six-foot shadow looming over him in an alley, cape and all.

“Daniel Fenton,” Batman said, voice low enough to rumble. “You’ve been sending coded messages to my team.”

Danny sipped his coffee. “Yup.”

Bruce paused. “You admit it?”

“Sure do.”

“…How?”

Danny just grinned. “Trade secret.”

That threw Batman for exactly half a second — no one ever called it that tone. “This isn’t a game.”

“Oh, it’s totally a game,” Danny said cheerfully. “You’re just losing.”

Batman took a slow step forward, the kind that made hardened criminals confess on the spot. “You will tell me how you know those phrases.”

Danny tilted his head, pretending to think about it. “Hmm… nah.”

Bruce’s eyes narrowed behind the cowl. “You’re playing with things you don’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand plenty.” Danny’s grin widened, just on the edge of smug. “Like the fact you really don’t want the others finding out what ‘the pink mug incident’ was.”

Batman froze.

“…What?”

Danny sipped his coffee again. “Oh, nothing. Just, you know… the mug. With the hearts. And the glitter paint.”

A long, tense silence followed.

Batman’s jaw clenched. “How do you know about that?”

Danny shrugged. “Like I said — trade secret.”

“…You will not repeat that to anyone.”

Danny’s grin turned absolutely devilish. “So it is true?”

The Batglare intensified. “Mr. Fenton.”

Danny leaned against the wall, utterly relaxed. “Relax, big guy. Your secret’s safe with me.” He winked. “Besides, I think it’s kinda cute.”

Batman stiffened. “We’re done here.” He turned abruptly, cape snapping as he vanished into the shadows — far faster than usual.

Up on a nearby rooftop, the Batfam had been eavesdropping the entire time.

Nightwing’s voice crackled through the comms. “…Did he just run away?”

Tim sounded horrified. “He never runs away.”

Jason snorted. “Okay, I need to know what the pink mug thing is.”

“Don’t,” Dick said flatly. “Some things are sacred.”

Damian frowned. “So Father once possessed a pink mug?”

Jason cackled. “Apparently one with glitter hearts.”

Tim groaned. “We’re all dead.”

Back on the street, Danny checked his phone.

Clockwork: excellent work. he’s off-balance.

Danny: what’s the pink mug thing?

Clockwork: oh, just a heartfelt gift from someone he refuses to acknowledge.

Danny: oh my ancients, that’s adorable.

Clockwork: isn’t it? now text him “don’t forget to use a coaster.”

Danny grinned wickedly. “On it.”

—————————

It had been months since the “Pink Mug Incident.”

Months since the Batfam had collectively decided never to speak of that weird kid again — or his terrifying ability to know things no one should.

Everyone had moved on.

…Except Tim Drake.

⸻

Downtown Gotham, Saturday Afternoon.

Tim was actually having a decent day for once. Civvies on, no patrols, no rogue alerts. Just a calm lunch with Bernard and a couple of friends from WE.

They’d just sat down when Bernard looked up and smiled. “Hey, isn’t that guy from your biochem class?”

Tim followed his gaze — and almost choked on his drink.

It was him.

Danny Fenton. The walking, talking secret detector.

He was standing at the counter, ordering coffee with that same unbothered grin.

No way. Tim slumped in his seat, trying to shrink behind the menu. “No. Not him. Not today.”

Bernard blinked. “What?”

“Don’t make eye contact. Don’t—oh Ancients, he’s coming this way—”

“Ancients?” Bernard repeated, confused.

“Just act normal,” Tim whispered, eyes wide.

Danny approached the next table over, carrying his coffee. He smiled at Bernard. “Hey, nice to see you again! Cute keychain, by the way. Didn’t think you’d put that one back on your bag after the ‘locker thing.’”

Bernard froze. “…What?”

Tim’s soul left his body.

Bernard blinked, confused. “How did you—wait, have we met?”

Danny tilted his head. “Hmm? Oh, maybe I saw you around campus.” He sipped his drink, perfectly casual. “Anyway, that was a wild day, huh?”

Bernard laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, totally—uh—” He turned to Tim. “Wait, did I tell you about the locker thing?”

Tim was pale. “No. No, you didn’t.”

Bernard frowned. “Oh. Weird.”

Danny smiled, friendly as ever. “Anyway, have a good one!”

And just like that, he was gone — out the door, walking away, whistling like the embodiment of chaos in a hoodie.

Bernard watched him go. “He seems nice.”

Tim stared blankly at his coffee. “He’s not. He’s a menace.”

Bernard laughed. “Tim, he just mentioned a keychain.”

Tim looked at him like he’d just said the Joker was “a little quirky.” “No. You don’t understand. He knows things. Personal things.”

Bernard grinned. “Like what, your secret identity?”

Tim froze. “…Why would you say that.”

“…Wait.” Bernard squinted. “Oh my god, do you have one?”

Tim slumped over the table. “I hate my life.”

⸻

That night, in the Batfam group chat:

Red Robin: he struck again.

Nightwing: bro.

Red Robin: he talked to Bernard.

Red Hood: oh no.

Red Robin: HE KNEW ABOUT THE LOCKER INCIDENT.

Robin: what locker incident.

Red Robin: THAT’S NOT THE POINT.

Batman: stop engaging.

Red Robin: YOU DON’T GET IT. HE’S EVOLVING.

⸻

Meanwhile, across the city, Danny was sitting on his dorm bed, giggling into his phone.

Danny: I said “locker thing.” You think he bought it?

Clockwork: he believes you are an omniscient being of embarrassment.

Danny: …so, success?

Clockwork: absolutely.

[akemi2003]

It started simple.

Bernard ran into Danny again one afternoon after class — same coffee shop, same easy grin. This time, Danny waved first.

“Hey, muffin guy!”

Bernard laughed. “You’re not seriously making that stick, are you?”

“Already did,” Danny said, sliding into the seat across from him. “You want the last chocolate one again?”

“…You’re dangerous,” Bernard said, but he smiled.

And just like that, it became a thing — casual coffees, quick lunches, the kind of effortless friendship that happens when two people are both a little too good at pretending everything’s fine.

Danny was funny, charming in an offbeat way. He had this energy — a mix of sarcasm and kindness that pulled people in. And he actually listened when Bernard talked.

But sometimes — just sometimes — he’d say something that made Bernard pause.

⸻

One afternoon, they were walking across campus when Bernard complained about his lab group.

“Every week, someone sets off the safety alarm. I swear, at this point it’s a tradition.”

Danny hummed thoughtfully, sipping his soda. “You’re not the one who tripped it last semester, right? During the… er, vinegar thing?”

Bernard stopped. “How do you—okay, that was one time.”

Danny grinned. “Lucky guess?”

“Yeah, right,” Bernard said, shaking his head, laughing it off — because what else could he do?

⸻

Another time, they were at the student union, and Bernard’s phone buzzed with a message. He frowned at it, typing quickly.

Danny tilted his head. “He texted again?”

Bernard blinked. “How’d you—”

“You made that face,” Danny said smoothly, smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world. “You always do when you get a text from him.”

Bernard laughed, flustered. “Do I?”

“Yeah,” Danny said, “but don’t worry. It’s cute.”

Bernard’s face went a little pink, and he looked away, smiling into his drink.

⸻

A few weeks in, they’d gotten close enough that Bernard started inviting him to hang out with his other friends. Danny got along weirdly well with everyone — like he already knew how to make each person laugh.

Tim hated it.

Every time Bernard mentioned “my friend Danny,” Tim’s stomach did a little flip.

Because he knew. He knew what Danny was. Not a ghost, not exactly, but something worse — a supernatural chaos gremlin who could reduce Batman himself to awkward silence.

And now he was bonding with Tim’s boyfriend.

⸻

It all came to a head one evening at Bernard’s apartment. Danny and Bernard were playing cards, chatting lazily.

Bernard laughed. “Okay, I have to know — how do you do that? You always call my bluff.”

Danny smiled, eyes gleaming. “Maybe I’m just good at reading people.”

Bernard smirked. “No, seriously.”

Danny leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You really wanna know?”

“Yeah.”

Danny lowered his voice, almost conspiratorial. “Okay. It’s because you twitch your left thumb when you’re lying. And you always look at your cards twice when you’re sure you’re gonna win.”

Bernard blinked. “That’s… actually true.”

Danny grinned. “See? Totally normal.”

⸻

Later that night, when Bernard mentioned Danny to Tim over dinner, Tim tried to play it cool.

“So, you’ve been hanging out with him a lot lately.”

“Yeah,” Bernard said. “He’s great! Weird, but great. You’d like him.”

Tim smiled thinly. “Oh, I bet I would.”

Bernard laughed. “What’s that tone supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Tim said quickly. “Just… be careful, okay?”

“Of what? He’s a sweetheart.”

Tim sighed. “That’s what he wants you to think.”

Bernard raised an eyebrow. “Tim, he brings me muffins and helps me study. He’s not an assassin.”

Tim muttered under his breath, “You’d be surprised.”

⸻

Meanwhile, back at his dorm, Danny texted Clockwork:

Danny: we’re friends now. mission accomplished?

Clockwork: almost. soon he’ll trust you completely.

Danny: and then?

Clockwork: then you tell him his plants are judging him.

Danny grinned. “Perfect.”

—————————

It started with lunch.

Bernard had texted Tim, asking if he wanted to grab a bite with him and “his friend Danny.”

Tim had almost typed absolutely not before remembering he couldn’t sound suspicious.

So he went.

It was supposed to be a casual lunch.

No costumes. No chaos.

Just three normal guys eating sandwiches.

Except the moment Tim saw Danny’s grin across the table, he knew fate hated him.

“Hey, Hoodie Boy,” Danny said cheerfully.

Tim inhaled sharply through his nose. “Hi, Danny.”

Bernard smiled between them. “You two still doing that weird energy thing?”

Danny just shrugged. “Must be static.”

Tim muttered, “Feels more like shock.”

⸻

They were halfway through their food when Bernard’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it and frowned.

“Hey, my friend Duke’s around the corner. Mind if he joins us?”

Before Tim could say no, Danny smiled. “Sure! The more, the merrier.”

Tim slumped. “Of course he is.”

Duke arrived a few minutes later, clearly not expecting to walk into a social minefield.

“Hey, guys—oh. You’re here.”

Danny waved. “Hey, sunshine boy! Haven’t seen you since that traffic-light thing!”

Duke froze mid-step. “…What traffic-light thing.”

Danny blinked. “Oh, sorry, thought you were someone else. You just have that ‘I fix things I shouldn’t have broken’ vibe.”

Bernard laughed. “Man, you are way too observant.”

Duke shot Tim a look.

Tim’s only reply was a long, slow blink that said please don’t start.

⸻

A few tables away, Dick and Jason sat disguised under baseball caps — “just keeping an eye on things,” as Batman put it.

“Do we have to do this?” Jason grumbled. “The kid’s harmless.”

“Harmless?” Dick whispered. “He broke Bruce with one sentence.”

Jason smirked. “Yeah, but it was hilarious.”

Danny glanced up suddenly, catching their eyes for just a split second.

He grinned and raised his cup in their direction.

“Hey, Dick! Jason! Try not to argue about the donuts this time!”

Dick froze. Jason nearly choked on his coffee.

Bernard turned. “Wait, you guys know him too?”

Tim slammed his head into his hands. “Please stop talking.”

⸻

Later that night in the Batcave group chat:

Nightwing: okay, he saw us through TWO disguises.

Red Hood: and called out the donut fight. wtf.

Signal: he mentioned a traffic light incident that never made it off the encrypted comms.

Red Robin: do you see now why I’m concerned.

Robin: perhaps he is a god.

Batman: he is not a god.

Robin: you cannot be certain.

Batman: …

⸻

Meanwhile, Bernard texted Danny later that night:

Bernard: do you actually know all those guys??

Danny: oh yeah! Gotham’s a small city :)

Bernard: you’re so weird lmao

Danny: thanks! <3

Danny set down his phone, grinning as it buzzed again.

Clockwork: delightful as always. they still fear you.

Danny: yeah, but Bernard’s great. he thinks I’m just “weird.”

Clockwork: that’s the ideal outcome. keep it that way. next week, tell Red Hood his favorite helmet squeaks.

Danny: …how do you even know that?

Clockwork: omniscience, dear boy.

Danny: right. cool. love that for us.

Danny sighed, stretching with a smug little smile.

“Guess I’ll keep being a little shit.”

——————————

Jason didn’t plan to run into Danny Fenton again.

He was just doing a regular patrol through the Narrows — low-level stuff, quiet night — when he spotted the kid leaving a late-night diner, laughing with Bernard.

Red Hood froze on the rooftop.

Bernard.

Danny.

Together.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he muttered.

Because sure, Tim’s boyfriend was sweet. Nice guy. But he’d somehow befriended the walking anomaly who haunted half the Batfam’s nightmares — the one who could casually ruin Bruce’s composure with a single sentence.

And Jason was done wondering how.

So he followed.

⸻

They split up after a few blocks — Bernard heading toward his apartment, Danny cutting through an alley toward the university side of town.

Jason dropped down silently, landing in front of him.

Danny stopped, blinking at the red helmet in front of him. “Oh. Hey, Helmet Guy.”

Jason crossed his arms. “We’ve talked about this. Red Hood.”

“Right, right.” Danny grinned. “You’re the one with the helmet collection.”

Jason stiffened. “Excuse me?”

Danny’s grin widened just slightly. “What? You just… seem like a guy with a lot of helmets.”

Jason took a slow breath. “You’ve been messing with us for months. How do you do it? Microphones? Bugs? Psychic powers?”

Danny tilted his head. “Have you tried—” he mimed a swirling gesture “—just chilling?”

Jason took a step forward. “I’m serious, Fenton.”

“Wow, you know my name. Romantic,” Danny teased.

Jason’s hand twitched. “I could shoot you.”

“You could,” Danny said cheerfully, “but then you’d have to explain to Batman why you shot a random college kid who complimented your helmet.”

Jason paused. “…Okay, that’s fair.”

They stared at each other for a beat — Jason sizing him up, Danny looking entirely too relaxed for someone facing an armed vigilante.

Then Danny said, almost casually, “Oh, by the way, the squeaky one’s still your favorite.”

Jason froze. “…What.”

Danny smiled. “You know, the one that makes the noise when you tilt your head just right? You keep it clean, though. Impressive.”

Jason’s jaw actually dropped. “How—”

Danny shrugged, stepping past him. “Guess I’m just observant.”

Jason spun around, but Danny was already halfway down the alley, hands in his pockets, whistling something that sounded suspiciously like the Batman: The Animated Series theme.

⸻

The next morning in the Batfam group chat:

Red Hood: I hate him.

Nightwing: what did he do this time?

Red Hood: he knows which helmet squeaks.

Red Robin: HE KNOWS EVERYTHING.

Robin: perhaps it is penance for your poor stealth maintenance.

Batman: do not engage with him further.

Red Hood: i could take him.

Red Robin: you couldn’t even track him last time.

Red Hood: that was a tactical retreat.

Nightwing: sure it was.

⸻

Meanwhile, Danny was back at the diner that afternoon, sipping a milkshake and texting Clockwork.

Danny: so jason definitely suspects me again.

Clockwork: delightful. did you use the helmet line?

Danny: yeah. he looked like he was buffering.

Clockwork: splendid. next time, mention that Dick still hides cereal boxes in the ceiling panels.

Danny: you’re evil.

Clockwork: and you enjoy it.

Danny grinned into his straw. “Yeah,” he muttered, “maybe just a little.”

[dream-about-dancing]

Okay I know this is crack but imagine

Danny is super, super creepy in this fic. I really would avoid him because he creeps me out with his stalker-vibes in this fic. The longer the thread is the more creepy vibes Danny shows.

Imagine you meet a stranger who seems to know all your secrets, friends and family and then befriends your boyfriend. In the DC world I would think this guy could be a dangerous stalker who would be a danger for the Batfamily, their friends and Gotham.

Yes it is a crack fic but imagine the angst. This story totally shows that the GIW are right. Ghosts are dangerous. Imagine the Batfamily would find out Danny is a ghost and he finds out all these information through his ghost power. Imagine their situation - a meta is stalking them, playing with them, is a danger for them. Do you really think they would be believe he is innocent? I would bet they would try to research the GIW and I think they would be better fighters than them. They would be a danger for him and they have reasons to fight him. Would they believe him that is what all a joke? A joke about their secret identities? Something that already Jason because someone said to much to the Joker? How could they trust a stranger who talks about their double lives and says it as a joke?

[phiniusandjelly]

Im imagining danny gets a concussion or something during a villian attack and when the bats save him they take the opportunity to ask questions.

When danny starts talking about how he just says things “He” (clockwork) tells him to the batfam are super creeped out. Is he hearing voices? Are they magical? Is it a curse? Is he working for a supervillain who tells him what to say to get under he batfams skin? Whats the big plan? Is danny actually evil?

[madeofmanyfandoms]

concussed danny: grandpa time gives me things to say that make people freak out, it's really funny!

Batfam: fuckin' WHO?!

[hdgnj]

It'd be hilarious is over time he started to gain minor powers of getting knowledge of the nearest person's latest/greatest embarrassments. Because of course he does. People are starting to believe he has omniscient shame-dar.

[gothfoxx]

If this is a Danny-is-a-baby-god/ancient then he could def start getting the power to just know things, BUT I think since most of the time his godhood is attributed to space that his osmosis knowledge is based on locations, he just knows what happened here that embarrassed you or was a favorite memory or something.

Danny sees Damian at the zoo and mentions something about the first time Dami visited at night as Robin or something that normies wouldn’t know but isn’t a bad or embarrassing thing, just private.

Dick runs into Danny and Danny starts giggling cause he just saw in his mind’s eye the time Dick tried to flirt with a goon but she shut him down with the “I’m a lesbian” line but he responded with “Wow, you hardly have an accent.” Because he thought she said Libyan. Danny says it’s fair to mix it up when English isn’t your first language and that he found it sweet.

Then there’s a day he and Bruce(in costume) bump into each other close to that alley and Danny almost breaks down right there, he’s feeling little Bruce’s pain and next thing he knows he’s attached to the bat growling at everyone trying to get too close to “the baby”, that one was embarrassing for Danny but that’s the moment he realizes that this wasn’t from “Grandpa Time” but some new power of his own.

Danny: Peepaw wtf? I’m fleeing and seeing things that have happened, is this a punishment or something?

Clockwork: ah, your ability has reached that stage already? That wonderful, Daniel.

Danny: nuh uh! I went all scary and not harmless weirdo on THE Batman in a public place! I’m doomed!

Clockwork: you’re not doomed you’re just growing up, so much so that I’m apparently a great grandpa now. How’s your “baby”?

Danny: rude! Slander! You are so mean to me, your favorite grandchild! Also, he’s creeped out but fine.

[chekhovs-slinky]

Danny realizes that everybody thinks he died in a blizzard or something, so he leans into that to throw people off from trying to find and reactivate his parents’ portal (once he told them everything they realized it was their portal that the more violent ghosts kept coming in through- yikes! Sorry! And shut it down. Now they’re absurdly enthusiastic about studying ghost culture the same way a zoologist observes a tiger in the wild. Danny does indeed prefer a camera in his face while he eats meat to see if it makes his fangs come out, over the hypothetical of being sliced open, and his ghostly colleagues who visit for brawls are happy to have an audience).

This all leads the entire league to assume he has a weakness to cold- since he hardly uses his ice powers on missions. He’s got plenty of other abilities, and ice just never ends up being necessary in the field when he’s working with other superheroes.

They start ensuring his missions are in warm places, to avoid triggering any kind of PTSD related to his death.

This tragically leads to him being the one who’s on a mission to Mercury, which at first the’s thrilled about- but soon realizes oh dear god I’m like, physically melting.

The league reacts about how you’d expect.

[fanfic-prompts-from-the-depths]

DP x DC Prompt - Civic Duty

Nightwing is pestering Red Hood on a roof one night. It's been slow and Dick hasn't had a chance to spend any sort of leisure time with his brother in uniform for a while. Jason is bearing with it, but slowly losing his patience.

Suddenly, there's a tear in the space only a few feet away from them, and then there's a glowing portal of swirling green that makes Jason freeze. When something steps through, Nightwing and Red Hood both have weapons aimed at the arrival. It's someone in a suit of armor, only the armor is impossibly black with green seeping from the edges, and the being is floating a few inches off the ground.

They pull a scroll wrapped in twine out of… somewhere and hand it towards Red Hood. Then, they began to speak in a tilting, echoing voice.

“Jason Peter Todd of Earth, by order of the Infinite Court, you are hereby summoned to appear before the High King for the purpose of serving his majesty and witnessing the trial of an accused. You will appear at the gates of Pariah Castle in ten Earth days time. Failure to appear will result in an arrest, seizure of one's haunt and/or lair, and incarceration. If you are unable to enter the Infinite Realms, a liaison will be assigned to escort you. Reply to your summoning in a timely manner.”

Jason stared at the being, not sure what to make of the little script they had just recited. Slowly, the gun still trained between the beings eyes, he took the scroll. The knight gave a nod before doing an about face and floating back into the tear. There was a strange wobbling, hissing sound as the tear slowly closed back up, almost like a zipper being pulled closed.

Jason ignored Dick's initial “What the hell?” in favor of picking the twine loose and unfurling what he could now see was parchment. He read the contents over. Then again. Then a third and fourth time.

“What is it? What the hell was that thing talking about?” Dick questioned, stepping closer to try and get a look at the written missive. Jason was quiet for a moment, just staring at it, before slowly looking over to his brother.

“I think I just got summoned for fucking ghost jury duty.”

[nightingale-prompts]

A Matter of Perspective- DCXDP prompt

Danny used to be scared of ghosts. Hard not to when your parents constantly warn you how dangerous they are. It was comforting when his mom and dad would sit next to his bed at night telling him that if a ghost did try to hurt him they'd catch them and keep him safe.

Now he was a ghost and ghosts aren't so scary. They at alot like humans actully with wants and fears. He can't even remember why he thought they were scary.

Actually its humans who are kinda weird looking. They are so fleshy and oddly proportional. Their eyes are too small and dull. Then again Danny had trouble recognizing their faces now. They blur together most of the time.

What Danny didn't know was that he didn't remember what ghost used to look like in his human eyes. From twisted elongated necks that stretched from ceiling to floor, to hollow stretched black holes where their eyes would have been, to the rotted hanging jaws peeled of lips. Ghosts were a parody of normal anatomy, all twisted into horrid forms.

And their voices.

Their voices all sounded so familiar but strange, for a moment you wanted to listen and then you wanted to never hear it again.

He used to listen to them outside his window when he went to the countryside to visit relatives. He'd hear is grandfather tap on the glass.

"Danny you've gotten so big." he'd say "Why dont you come out and play with your Pop-pop? I can still throw a ball around."

Danny used to hide under the covers because he knew they just buried granddad a few days ago.

The thing's knarled black fingers would tap restlessly and get more insistent with each call. Its white pinprick pupils stared into his. Danny could only look at it paralyzed in fear.

Now Danny could play a few rounds with the old man and he couldn't understand how he didn't recognize his granddad.

Now he couldn't understand why people were so afraid of him. He was taking a bit of vaction/tour and whenever he transformed to do some light hero work people would run. Not just the bad guys but the citizens as well.

He didn't get it. Other heros around here didn't get that treatment. Was it because he was new?

He had no idea just how different he looking in the eyes of people who were not ghosts.

[deedevotee]

He had no idea just how different he looking in the eyes of people who were not ghosts.

He had no idea just how different he looked in the eyes of people who were not ghosts, or liminal, or other-adjacent.

Amity loved their hero Phantom.

Amity would fight for Phantom.

ALWAYS.

---

After Amity returned to the living realm, it took a while for people to notice the consequences.

Amitians that were not around when they pulled the city into the Infinite, screamed when they returned. To them, every one had been replaced by something other, and due to the block on their area/zip code, they couldn't even tell anyone, so they moved away and just hoped everyone would eventually move on.

The Amitians that stayed for a short while after returning, started to see the city people normally. Their subconscious locked away the fear and made them forget that they were initially afraid of almost everything. Similarly, those with connections (in the spiritual//magic sense) flocked to Amity in droves. The city was a ley line and its connection to the -other (it's what the community of spiritual and magical beings call the dimension they draw power from. It's an umbrella term)) had been made stronger.

Tourists and visitors typically entered the city by mistake or sped through jt to get to another state as quickly as possible. Since only ecto-infused tech could work within the city limits, people who tried to photograph the weird but their phones would not see anything. The reputation of being a ghost town started to grow.

When people left Amity, for work or school, they always had a hard time making friends or getting acquainted because there was always the energy of "if we don't see it, it won't acknowledge us." It was how outsiders reacted to Amitians. Ghosts were the horrors and Amitians were uncanny Valley (it was the origin of the use of the word in the U.S.). [Word was introduced in 1970 - Bukimi no Valley//Valley of Eeriness].

So, it was no surprise that when Phantom started showing up outside of Amity, that people ran. If those living on the edge of Amity had a rating of 4 (out of 10 on the Uncanny Valley scale) then those living in FentonWorks and close to the building, have a rating of 10. That, plus the ghosts as horrors, means that there is no ... nice way to accurately describe what Phantom looks like.

---

Many that encountered the entity, have been admitted into Psych wards. Others have been too afraid to do anything. Some under the latter have been moved onto life support as they literally starved and wasted away in their beds for fear of catching its attention. It wasn't until the entity made its way to Gotham that people finally got a hint as to what it was.

[HC being followed: Amity Park is the most liminal space in the world and in the U.S. Gotham City is the second most liminal space in the U.S. in terms of ambient ecto].

Gothamites did not reject the entity. It was more of a pause and then a carry on. It felt like one of their own, just a little to the left of things. Lady Gotham was pleased with the presence and Gotham saw no crime during the entities long stay. When Zatanna and John Constantine came across it, they finally got answers to their questions.

---

A JLA meeting was called. Everyone was present (JL, YJ, TT, JLD, Outlaws, etc.). John and Zatanna started off by stating that they had made contact with the entity and had great news to share. The entity was not malicious, had a name, and was, get this, a hero.

They explained a bit about what it was doing and why it was where it was. They also explained that the entity dealt with species of its kind to keep humans safe. It was well known in its home base (the word used to describe a Hero's place of origin//the place they protect the most) and had lots of civilian fans and contacts. They further explain that the entity was confused about the people running away, but did its job all the same.

Batman: you're saying he's a hero? Where is his home base?

The Flash: he?

At that, John and Zatanna zeroed in on Batman.

John: you can see him?

Zatanna: Truly?

Batman: Yes.

---

I have so much to say in this post, but I feel like this would be a good stop. I hope someone takes over and adds to the post. I wonder how it ends, if the JL would accept him.

Other HC: the GIW wear shades, even indoors, because it helps them ID the people in Amity and other high liminal spaces. With the shades, Amitians and Gothamites look normal. There's also a sonar that allows them ignore the skin-crawling, brain numbing, fight or flight that kicks in when you glance upon an -other with no protection whatsoever.

[akemi2003]

Fic prompt #53

Dpxdc

When Danny transferred to Gotham University after finally solving the whole ghost problem back in Amity Park, he had big dreams for his new, totally normal life. You know — good grades, a decent job, maybe some hobbies, and actual friends who didn’t try to exorcise him.

He nailed almost all of it. Grades? Great. Job? Got one. Hobbies? Sure. Friends? …Yeah, about that.

Apparently, “making friends” in Gotham was harder than fighting a ghost invasion. So Danny, in a stroke of questionable genius, decided to just gaslight people into being his friends. Step one: convince them they’d met before. Step two: keep acting like they were old pals until they actually became friends. Easy.

Meanwhile, somewhere across campus, Tim and Duke were losing their minds trying to figure out why neither of them remembered their best friend. Because clearly, they must’ve accidentally messed with the timeline again — there was no other explanation.

———————-

Danny’s plan started on a Tuesday. Because, in his experience, disasters had a thing for weekends — Tuesdays felt statistically safer.

He was hauling a stack of textbooks across the quad when he collided, hard, with someone coming around the corner. Books went flying. So did his soul — almost literally.

“Oh man, sorry—!” He dropped to help pick them up, then froze. “Wait. Tim? Dude! Long time no see!”

The guy blinked, all sharp eyes and caffeine exhaustion. “…I’m sorry, who?”

Danny laughed, easy and bright. “Oh, come on, you’re still doing that bit? Pretending we’ve never met? You haven’t changed a bit.”

The stranger — Tim, apparently not in on the joke — frowned slightly, like he was trying to scan Danny’s face for a memory that wasn’t there.

Before he could say anything, another guy showed up. “Hey, Tim, everything good?”

Danny lit up instantly. “Duke! Wow, both of you? This is déjà vu squared. What, did you plan this little act together?”

Duke blinked. “Uh—”

“Wow, you’re even doing the confused faces,” Danny said, shaking his head with mock admiration. “You guys really committed this time.”

The two exchanged a look — one of those silent conversations where entire theories were forming without a single word.

Danny could practically feel the gears turning. He recognized that face — the “there’s something bigger going on here” look. He’d seen it a hundred times from people who’d stumbled into ghost business. Except this time, he wasn’t the weird one. Technically.

He smiled wider, pretending not to notice their suspicion. “Anyway, it’s good seeing you again. You two still hang out at that café on Fifth, right? The one with the bad espresso?”

Tim’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “You know that place?”

Danny shrugged, casual. “Sure. I used to third-wheel you guys there all the time. Guess some things never change.”

A pause. Both of them were staring at him now, still saying nothing — just watching, analyzing, wondering.

Danny clapped his hands together. “So! Coffee? My treat. It’ll come back to you once the caffeine hits, promise.”

Neither agreed, but somehow, five minutes later, they were all sitting at a café table. Danny stirred his drink, perfectly at ease, while Tim and Duke kept stealing glances like they were trying to solve an equation that refused to add up.

Danny smiled into his cup.

“Man,” he said softly, “it’s really good to see you guys again.”

And that, as far as he was concerned, was that.

[akemi2003]

Tim couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

The guy sitting across from him — Danny, apparently — talked like they’d known each other for years. Casual, warm, familiar. The kind of comfortable tone people earned after a hundred late-night study sessions and shared caffeine addictions.

Except Tim had never seen him before in his life.

He was sure of that. Tim remembered faces, voices, details. He could name every classmate from freshman year by schedule order, recall license plates from across a street, but not this guy. Not even a flicker of recognition.

And yet Danny spoke to him like an old friend — the kind who knew his coffee order before he opened his mouth, who teased him about sleep habits without hesitation, who smiled at Duke like he’d done it a hundred times before.

It wasn’t that he sounded fake. That was the problem. He didn’t.

“Still take it black, huh?” Danny said, handing him his cup like it was muscle memory.

Tim hesitated a beat too long before accepting it. “Yeah. Guess I do.”

Danny just grinned, unbothered, and took a sip of his own drink. “See? I know you better than you think.”

Across the table, Duke gave him a side glance that said, you seeing this too? Tim didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to.

Something in his chest prickled. Not danger, not quite — but wrongness. Like déjà vu wearing a human face.

He watched Danny laugh at something Duke said, easy and unforced, like he belonged here — like he always had.

Tim set his cup down, studying him the way he’d study a crime scene. Small tells. Nervous habits. None. Danny was relaxed. Confident. Too comfortable.

A good liar, then. Or—

No. He wasn’t ready to fill in that blank yet.

“Hey,” Tim said casually, leaning back, “what class did we have together again?”

Danny didn’t miss a beat. “Intro to Chem. You fell asleep in the back row, remember? I had to take notes for both of us.”

Tim frowned slightly. That class had been real. He remembered it. The professor. The seating chart. His notes. Everything — except the person sitting next to him.

Danny smiled, small and knowing, like he could see the thoughts flickering behind Tim’s eyes. “You’ll remember eventually.”

The way he said it — steady, certain, almost kind — made Tim’s stomach tighten.

Because for the first time in a very long time, he wasn’t sure whether he’d forgotten something… or someone had made him forget.

————————

Tim

There was something about the way he smiled.

Not fake — just too easy. Like he’d slipped into a role he’d already rehearsed a hundred times.

Danny. That’s what he’d called himself.

Spoke like they were old friends. Looked him straight in the eye when he said Tim’s name — with that relaxed confidence people only had when they knew you.

But Tim didn’t know him. He’d remember a face like that.

He remembered everyone.

Duke seemed at ease, laughing a little as Danny told some story about “the world’s worst cafeteria coffee.”

Tim listened, quiet, dissecting tone, rhythm, phrasing.

Every detail said familiarity. Every memory said no record.

It wasn’t arrogance — it was just math.

If the data didn’t fit, something was missing.

Danny caught his gaze and smiled again, easy as breathing. “You’re still doing that thinking face,” he said lightly.

Tim blinked. “What face?”

“That one,” Danny said, tapping his own temple. “Like you’re solving a crime in your head. You always do that when you’re pretending to listen.”

Duke snorted. “That’s… freakishly accurate.”

Tim said nothing, but his pulse ticked up a beat.

How would he know that?

Danny leaned back, satisfied, taking a sip of his drink like he hadn’t just cracked open one of Tim’s tells. He didn’t elaborate, didn’t press — just let the silence hang, comfortable, unhurried.

It was disarming.

Tim hated that it was disarming.

⸻

Danny

Tim was definitely watching him now.

Subtle? Not even close. The guy was practically profiling his soul over a cappuccino.

Danny didn’t mind. He’d expected it.

You didn’t survive Amity Park by not recognizing when someone was cataloguing you.

He kept the act simple — steady breathing, loose shoulders, harmless smile. Not too charming, not too interested. Just familiar enough to stay believable.

It was weirdly fun, though.

He could almost see Tim’s thoughts — the way his eyes flickered, mapping details, cross-referencing memories. Trying to find a version of himself where Danny existed.

So Danny made it easy for him. Dropped little phrases that sounded right. Tiny hooks that let the guy build his own answers.

He didn’t lie. Not really. He just let them remember wrong.

Duke laughed again, asking something about study groups. Danny answered automatically, throwing in another casual, “You used to hate those.”

Tim went still again.

Right on cue.

Danny smiled into his cup. It wasn’t cruel — just practical.

Sometimes people believed what they wanted to, and if that got him a few friends? No harm done.

He glanced up, caught Tim’s eyes, and said softly, “You’ll get there. Memory’s tricky like that.”

Tim didn’t respond — just looked at him for a long, quiet moment.

And Danny could almost hear it: that whisper of doubt turning into conviction.

Perfect.

⸻

Tim

He didn’t trust him.

But God help him — he wanted to.

There was something in the cadence of Danny’s voice that felt like a memory trying to surface.

Not déjà vu. Something older. Something lost.

He sipped his coffee to hide the thought, but the name echoed anyway.

Danny.

He’d check later. Files. Photos. Student databases. Whatever it took.

For now, he just nodded slowly and said, “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

—————————-

Tim

Tim had a problem.

It wasn’t that Danny Fenton was dangerous. It wasn’t that he’d broken any laws. It wasn’t even that he was weirdly confident carrying three textbooks like he was auditioning for a circus.

The problem was: Tim couldn’t figure out why he felt familiar.

He sat at the Batcomputer, scrolling through official university records:

• Enrollment? Perfect.

• Classes? All registered, all valid.

• Cafeteria and library accounts? Fully active.

• Dorm assignment? On file.

Nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing.

And yet…

Tim couldn’t shake the way Danny’s posture, the tilt of his head when he laughed, the casual way he balanced chaos like it was a game — it all screamed familiar.

He leaned closer to the screen. Maybe it was the hair. Maybe the eyes. Maybe the universe had just decided to play a prank.

Tim muttered under his breath: “Right… totally normal. Officially normal. Definitely normal. And yet… wrong.”

He pulled up some security footage of the campus quad. There he was. Danny Fenton. Walking, smiling, spilling books, waving at someone Tim didn’t recognize.

And still, for some reason, Tim felt like he’d seen this exact scene before.

He sighed. He rubbed his eyes. “Okay, universe. You win. He’s enrolled properly, everything checks out… but I still don’t trust him.”

Across the table, Duke glanced over. “You good?”

Tim shook his head slowly. “No. But that’s fine. It’s officially fine. Everything’s fine.”

He didn’t say the part about feeling like he’d known Danny forever. That was strictly internal.

[littledan131]

I can already see the board with red strings and photos and files and all I can imagine is probably Bruce or dick just walking in stopping at the door and then slowly backing out like he's a wild animal

[fortunate-cookie]

Constantine’s apprentice

“Whose sidekick is this?” Barry asks.

Everyone in the watchtower turns to look at the skinny, black-haired teenager sitting patiently in the corner. He’s got big round blue eyes, and smiles and waves at the heroes when they look at him. He would be perfect bat-bait if he weren’t also the picture of innocence.

(Every Robin in existence has had an unmistakable aura of menace around them.)

That wide-eyed innocence is precisely why it’s such a surprise when the kid answers “I’m here with John Constantine”

“John Constantine?” Zattana asks, bewildered and worried all at once. She knows better than most how it feels to be burned by Constantine, and is instantly angry on the kid’s behalf.

“Someone call?” The man himself asks, as he steps into the room, bag of chips in hand.

“Why do you have an apprentice?” Zattana demands, accusatory.

John tsks and frowns, directing his next words towards the teen in question, “I told you no, kid.” Then he turns back to Zattana and the room at large, and says, “I’m dropping this kid off here. He’s being hunted by the US feds. Hole in the meta human rights bill. He is not,” John’s eyes slide back over to the kid, “my apprentice.”

The kid (and someone should really ask his name, sooner or later) frowns and crosses his arms. Now he looks more like a Robin.

“And why not?” He whines. “You’ve been teaching me just fine so far. I haven’t even been that annoying!”

“Son, no,” Hal Jordan speaks up from the back. “You’re lucky to have made it this far, you don’t want to spend any more time in Constantine’s company than necessary.”

Zattana nods and says, “he’s got a habit of sacrificing others. It’s usually for the greater good, but still… you don’t want to be the nearest convenient sacrifice.”

“Really feeling the love in here.” John mutters.

“Well… it’s true, isn’t it?” Dick shrugs apologetically.

“Not to mention you’re just a bad role model in general.” Hal tacks on with a shit-eating grin.

“Is that all?” The kid asks.

“Do you… need more?” Dick asks. “Betrayal in a life-or-death situation isn’t a small thing, kiddo.”

The kid (and really, someone needs to ask his name. And also get the report on that hole in the meta rights) just looks at John with a supremely unimpressed expression. “Y’know I haven’t been relying on you for my safety this whole time, right? We were always safe, I just stuck with you to learn magic.”

“Danny, what the hell,” John says.

Ah, so the increasingly-more-Robin-like kid’s name was Danny. Good to know.

Danny shrugs, and says with a smug smile, “the night before we left Amity Park, I contacted an omniscient time-god from another dimension and blackmailed them into giving me forewarning for any dangerous situations I might get into. I think the specific wording was ‘enough forewarning to be able to escape any situation resulting in my death, capture, torture, loss of powers, or sanity.’”

The watchtower is completely silent for a count of three.

Then Dick snorts.

“Did… did John Constantine get conned?” Barry asks with glee.

“God I hope so…” Zattana breathes.

“I really appreciate you taking me this whole way, though.” Danny says to John. “I definitely want to get a few autographs.” He says with an innocent smile.

It’s at this moment that it sinks in for the whole room that a kid tricked John Constantine into traipsing across some portion of America with him for no reason.

Hal doubles over laughing.

“You’ve been blackmailing a god this whole time?” John checks, face blank.

“Uh huh,”

“You were able to trick an omniscient being, and now have struck a deal for divine intervention any time you’re in danger?”

“Yup,” Danny pops the ‘p’

“You’ve been wheedling magic lessons out of me for weeks with the full knowledge that my only reason for sticking around — to safely get you to the watchtower — was a complete waste of my time because you are effectively safe for the rest of your life in every situation forever?”

“Uh, yes? To be clear, Clockwork won’t intervene in situations where I can handle it myself. But if I’m ever in over my head, then they’ll show me a solution.”

The room is filled with poorly concealed grins, and not-at-all concealed appraising looks. After a long moment, John finally throws his hands up in the air.

“Fine!” He says, exasperated. “I guess you’re my apprentice!”

[snowypebbles]

The perfect way to get Clockwork to help without the Observants coming down on their heads. Clockwork can just go: But you said to keep Dan contained???

[kizzer55555]

Now I’m just imagining the kind of scenarios where Clockwork uses the note. Like for example, Danny is still actively being hunted by the government so he and Constantine can never stick around in the same place for long. And after a major battle with a villain involving the other Justice league, always, without fail, a green sticky note appears telling Danny to leave, and he does right before the government and reporters and possibly Amanda Waller arrive to the very public battle. Or someone is trying to summon a demon (or convince the JL to summon a demon) and Danny gets a sticky note and is like, yeah, no, let’s not do that. Or a random meeting and possibly hanging out with the teen titans and a sticky note appears. Danny reads it, turns to Raven, and says her father is coming to visit soon.

Or even the opposite happening. Danny and a bunch of other league or Titan members are captured, held against their will by villains in an incredibly secure base/prison, multiple traps, some of their team’s powers disabled (like right next to kryptonite), and a doomsday device about to go off. And Danny tells them it’s not that bad yet. When they ask how it possibly isn’t that bad, Danny says he hasn’t gotten a sticky note yet. This means it’s still within their capabilities to escape. That shuts everyone up. (At this point they have all learned to fear and dread the sticky note.)

[snowypebbles]

All fear the dreaded sticky note, for it tells of great misfortune and sorrow.

[paroovian]

Then clockwork decided to start trolling and starts reminding Danny that milk is about to go bad or just shit posting in their mysterious ways

[snowypebbles]

*A sticky note shows up* Everyone: *Tense as Danny grabs it* Danny: *sigh* Something something, a cow got out??? Damian: *Scrambling* Danny: *Shrug* At least it isn't another apocalypse.

[monkeytoster]

Shocked this didn't happen sooner. DPxDC

Meanwhile, At the Hall of Justice! Booster Gold sat at the reception desk of the Hall of Justice. He managed to annoy some of the higher level heroes in the field and was demoted to desk duty. But that embarrassing story is irrelevant, because Booster was currently staring slack jawed down at the stack of legal documents he was just handed. "Wait, wait, wait! You're SUING, the justice league!?" Booster demanded. The hero was looking back and forth between the stack of papers he was just served and the skinny younger man that just handed them over.

Danny adjusted his tie, glaring at the golden hero with a dead, emotionless expression. "More specifically? I am suing Batman as a member of your organization. As your Watchtower is in orbit, I was unable to serve papers there outside of the domain of American law. However, your organization of unlawful, colour-coded, thugs has this headquarters in Washington. So I am delivering these papers on behalf of my family, that I am representing in this case." Booster Gold was flabbergasted, baffled, positively slobberknockered. Booster flipped through the legal documentation without a clue as to what any of it meant. "I-! But-!" Booster paused his stuttering and took a deep breath. "Whyyyyyyy though!?" Booster almost cried, drawing out the first word. Booster gold was prepared for almost any kind of attack. He could deal with bombs, gas attacks, giant robot dolphins, even a drunk supervillain throwing haymakers. But a LAWYER? What the fuck!? Danny sneered at the confused man sitting before him. "I am suing Batman and at least three of his identified children for various crimes, that apparently law enforcement refuse to hold you all accountable for." Danny declared, reaching over to the stack of legal documentation in front of Booster Gold and flipping through it to point towards each grievance in writing as he spoke. "Illegal surveillance, hacking, stalking, breaking and entering, destruction of private property, theft of intellectual and physical private property, destruction of private property, trespassing, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted kidnapping. All without any ACTUAL, law enforcement authority present and no warrant to excuse their actions." Danny's stone cold demeanor cracking with every charge he laid on the desk. By the end of his list he was angrily spitting out his words. "As Batman and his 'Bat family' operate under the banner and employment of the justice league, I am holding your entire organization liable and am suing you to the tune of a hundred million dollars. I'll see you in court." Danny practically hissed out his last words before turning and storming out of the front doors of the hall of justice, the last thing he heard was Booster Gold activating his communicator and telling someone; "Hey guys? I think Batman fucked up." Danny Fenton, 23 years old and only just starting his career in law was beyond furious. Everything had been going so good for so long.

Parents? Took the reveal of him being Phantom with a minimum of fuss.

Jazz? Working through her final thesis at Arkam Asylum.

Tucker and Sam? In university and in some witch school respectively.

Ghost attacks? Done with after Pariah. Nobody but Skulker wanted to fight with him anymore and he had helped the DECENT, members of his rogue's gallery get better outlets for their obsessions.

Vlad? The Fruitloop has been at the Far Frozen off and on for years now getting psychological therapy and treatment for the ectoplasmic rot that was driving him insane. Vlad's become downright tolerable in the past few years.

Dan? Also in therapy and running Vlad's company with slightly better morals than Vlad had.

Dani? Traveling the world and spending Vlad's money. Everything had been going SO GOOD that Danny needed a new outlet for his obsession with protecting people. Danny's solution? Become a defense attorney. A shockingly easy task once his core latched onto law as a way to protect. And now after all of his hard work? Studying, learning, passing the bar? His first case isn't going to be protecting someone as a defense counsel. He's suing the HELL, out of Batman. Apparently Jazz was too good at Arkham. Her work with those lunatics and some offhand comments about home had her investigated by the Bat family. Digging into Jazz's history brought them to Amity and to Fentonworks. Those costumed thugs instantly labeled his parents evil mad scientists. They hacked into Fentonworks and found his parents old blueprints for anti-ghost weaponry and worse, the ghost portal. That alone would have been enough grounds for this lawsuit. But the guano goons decided to do worse. They deleted and stole schematics for the ghost portal and weapons. Then those idiots broke into Fentonworks. Thankfully Technus had upgraded the security systems... and made them less homicidal. The bat family couldn't destroy the video evidence from the security cameras. Every time Danny watched those videos his fury grew. Batman, Batgirl, and Robin breaking into the lab. Smashing, stealing, sabotaging whatever they deemed 'dangerous'. Thank god his parents noticed before they could do anything to the ghost portal. The Bats clearly were NOT, prepared for Jack Fenton to kool-ade manning his way through a steel reinforced wall. His parents instantly went on the offensive, always prepared to start blasting and beating down any threat. Danny has to be careful that he doesn't crush whatever he's holding when he watches the mother get slashed with a GOD-DAMN KATANA, and then knocked unconscious by Batgirl. If it wasn't for his Dad taking a batarang to his shoulder and hurling most of a steel table at Batgirl and Robin, they were planning on kidnapping his mother. They already had her wrists bound behind her on the ground. Danny's never been happier about his fathers ridiculous strength than in that moment. Because that was clearly the reason that Batman and his kids retreated, unprepared for Jack's willingness to destroy his own home if it meant keeping his family safe. Danny TRIED, to get them arrested. But he couldn't even get warrants for their arrest put out. So suing them in civil court was the next best idea that Danny could do. Once that caped cock-head was in front of him across the court room, he could get SOME kind of justice. On the Watchtower, Batman felt a migraine coming on.

[noisytoadhoundzipper-blog]

Part 2

On the Watchtower, Batman sat in the monitor room, staring at the alert on his screen. Booster Gold’s voice echoed over the comms, panicked and too loud as usual.

“Uh, Batman? We’ve got a situation. You’ve been served.”

The silence that followed was deep enough to make even the void of space jealous.

Batman pinched the bridge of his nose. “Booster. Clarify.”

“Some guy — Danny Fenton, young, lawyer, very angry, and uh... apparently he knows his legal stuff — just dropped off a mountain of papers. Said he’s suing the Justice League. Specifically you. And uh… your ‘children’? His words, not mine.”

The clattering sound of someone dropping their coffee came from behind him. Flash, naturally.

“Wait wait wait—someone’s suing Batman?” Barry laughed nervously. “Can they even do that? He’s… you know… technically not real.”

“They can,” Diana cut in, arms crossed, eyes narrowing in thought. “If he’s suing the alias that operates as part of the League, he’s targeting the entity Batman represents under the League’s operational charter. Not the man.”

Clark sighed. “Which means this isn’t a personal lawsuit. It’s institutional.”

“Correct,” Diana said. “And if the court allows it… the Justice League could be held liable as his employer.”

Batman’s silence was deafening.

“Booster,” he said finally, his voice low. “Send me the documents.”

Back on Earth, Danny sat in his apartment, shoulders tight and jaw clenched. The apartment was quiet except for the hum of his computer and the ticking of an old clock on the wall. His tie was off, sleeves rolled up, and he was halfway through marking up his own copy of the court filing with glowing green sticky notes.

Technus’ avatar flickered to life on his screen, popping up with far too much cheer for the situation.

“Daniel! I must say, your legal vengeance protocols are truly—” “Technus,” Danny muttered warningly, rubbing at his temple. “Not. Helping.”

“—INSPIRING!” the ghost finished anyway, electricity crackling across the image. “You are doing the work of the ages! The meat-based judicial system will never recover from your wrath!”

Danny’s expression didn’t change, but his eye twitched. “You know what’s funny? That’s not helping either.”

He glanced back down at the footage still paused on his other monitor — Batman’s cape fluttering in the smoke of his parents’ ruined lab. His mother bleeding. His father holding a piece of broken metal like it was a lifeline.

Danny’s hands tightened into fists. “This isn’t revenge,” he said quietly, mostly to himself. “It’s accountability.”

His reflection in the monitor looked back at him, eyes faintly glowing green in the dark. “…Is this what Dan felt?” he muttered, voice low. “That bone-deep rage that makes you want to burn everything that hurt you down to the foundation?”

He let out a bitter laugh and leaned back in his chair. “Guess I’m lucky. I don’t need fire.” He tapped the stack of legal documents beside him. “I’ve got paperwork.”

On the Watchtower, Bruce’s headache had evolved into something cosmic.

Clark was reading through the first few pages of the lawsuit and let out a low whistle. “He’s good. He’s really good. Batman, he’s got timestamps, footage, chain of custody evidence… and half of this is so well written I think he’s quoting League bylaws against you.”

“That’s impossible,” Batman growled.

“It’s hilarious,” Barry said from the corner.

“Shut up, Flash.”

“Just saying, man. He even mentioned that time you pulled evidence from the GCPD database without a warrant. You can’t do that!”

“I can when it saves lives.”

“And apparently,” Clark said with a sigh, “he’s arguing that your definition of saving lives doesn’t exempt you from destroying private property and assaulting civilians.”

Diana’s lips curved into something that might’ve been a smile. “You may want to consider settling out of court, Batman.”

Bruce glared at her. “Not happening.”

“Suit yourself,” she replied, almost amused. “But from what I’m reading, this Mr. Fenton won’t back down. And something tells me… you won’t intimidate him.”

Bruce’s jaw tightened. “We’ll see about that.”

Danny smiled humorlessly when he got the League’s acknowledgment email:

The Justice League has received your formal complaint. We will see you in court.

He closed the email, exhaled slowly, and muttered,

“Good. Let’s dance, Bats.”

And for the briefest second, the air around him chilled — like even his ghost half was smirking.

I just used ChatGPT to make it look more understandable

[kitkat-4772]

@evilminji @kizzer55555 @shycorvid

Ayo my idols! My writers! My amazing tumblr peeps! This dude using ai to make a story. How about we show them how it’s done? And tag a writer mutual while ur at it! The more that join in the better!

Part 3

Batman warned Batgirl and Robin of the upcoming lawsuit they were facing. It really wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle, with his being a billionaire and all. But this wasn’t about the money, no. Daniel Fenton wasn’t suing the Justice League for money, he was doing it for revenge.

This was a smear campaign. And the worst rumors were the ones with a bit of truth in them.

Daniel Fenton had no intention of backing down, that much was clear. But that didn’t mean Batman was about to back down either. If Daniel went through with this, it would damage the reputation of the Justice League, and thus the people’s trust in them. And if Daniel wasn’t willing to think about that, then he would just have to make him think about.

. . .

Danny had a feeling that Batman and his birds would be paying him a visit, so he had some security measures in place. Ecto-infused cameras and mics all over his apartment with impenetrable cyber-defenses courtesy of one very amused Technus. And at his side was his trusty Anti-Creep Stick, gifted to him by his parents before he moved out.

Worst case scenario, he gets more evidence to use in court.

Thankfully, all of his efforts paid off that very same night as one of the silent alarms went off, signaling all of his security systems to activate. Unlike his parents, these weren’t rigged with weapons, but with emergency services. The real authorities would be here in minutes and the Bats would have no argument to justify B&E, especially given their predictable intentions.

A window silently slid open, immediately followed by a very angry-looking Batman. Not long after, the newest Robin crawled through with his sheathed katana at the ready, and with him was Batgirl the second. Danny sat calmly at his desk with no care for their presence, as it did nothing to intimidate him. Though seeing Batman deliberately stalk to the darkest corner of the room was almost enough to smile at. Almost.

“So, to what do I owe the displeasure, Knights of Gotham? Could it be I’ve done something wrong? Something illegal? Something evil?” Danny looked up from his computer now, “Or have I simply offended you so badly that you felt the need to appear before me, hm?“ he continued with a sly smirk.

The Bats in the room squinted slightly, but were still able to control their expressions enough to mask their rage. Though, Robin wasn’t as good as his mentors it seemed, as he stomped up to Danny, a hand twitching towards his sheathed sword in anticipation. The boy was practically itching for a fight. Danny wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Are you insinuating our actions are incorrect? Your family of villains is not to be trusted, and your throwing accusations to ruin Father’s image-“ Robin began, but was interrupted by the larger Bat, “Robin that’s enough. We came here to talk, not threaten. Stand down.”

Danny barked out a dark and bitter laugh, for it was indeed a laughable statement. After all they did to him and his family, now they want to talk? But then again, this might be a fun excuse to dig their grave a little deeper. Danny looked into the white eye lenses of Batman’s cowl.

“You’re here to talk, huh? You stalk my sister, assault my parents, attempt to murder and then kidnap my mother, try to destroy all their hard work, and ruin our lives without so much as asking what it was they were even researching or how they were going about it? And now you come after me?” Danny growled out,

“Did you even know that what they are doing is completely legal? That they are innocent civilians? Of course not, why would you? You only care about a means to an end. But that’s why you’re really here isn’t it? A means to an end?” He grinned cruelly.

Danny knew he was getting under their skin. And sure it was a risk to instigate a violent vigilante, but he was only stating facts, so it’s not like he could be charged for defamation or heresy. Still, it at least garner a reaction out of them. Score.

Batman spoke up once more, walking closer and out of the shadows.

“I understand you’re frustrated, but what your parents are doing is dangerous and could hurt a lot of people. They have to be stopped. And trying to put them in a good light is only going to encourage that behavior in both them, and many others. Additionally, it endangers the trust innocent people have in us to protect them from criminals like your parents.” He explained, as if it justified anything.

“Please, try to understand the danger you are putting everyone in with what you’re doing and turn back while you have the chance.” He tried to reason.

Danny thought it was comical, the Good-Cop-Bad-Cop method they were using. It was downright pathetic. Frankly, the man was an idiot if he thought he had a chance in hell of walking out of this unscathed. Legally, at least. But he found it funny that there was no mention of the stalking and harassment toward his sister, which was yet another mark toward them collecting blackmail to push her out of a job.

Danny hummed in fake-thought, “That’s an interesting plea. You start off saying my parents are unstable and dangerous, but haven’t once pointed out anything they did that was actually wrong. Then you try to paint me as an accomplice to crimes they haven’t committed. Only to finish it off with you guilt tripping me into not blowing the whistle by saying it’ll essentially ruin your reputation should anyone find out what you did, which also implies that you know you are in the wrong but won’t admit to it,” Danny counted off with his fingers in a mocking gesture.

“Oh, and of course there was absolutely no mention of my sister and why you felt that she deserved the stalker treatment, much less an apology for any of your actions. Am I correct so far?” He said with a sickeningly sweet smile that didn’t match the malice in his eyes.

The vigilantes gritted their teeth but said nothing. Danny smiled wider. He leaned back a bit in his cushioned office chair and crossed his legs, his hands now folded in his lap. The air was tense as he waited for a response. Danny could taste the anxiety and annoyance rolling off them in waves. His ghost half grinned, baring its fangs as it poised to feast on the fruits of Danny’s labor. His Obsession was rearing its head and Danny was more than eager to satiate his hunger on someone so very deserving.

He was ready to Protect his family.

. . .

Ok that’s all from me tonight, so imma let someone else have a turn now.

[kitkat-4772]

PART 4!!! Part 4!!

Post by @monkeytoster-blog

💬 8  🔁 40  ❤️ 258 · Shocked this Didn't Happen Sooner Part 4 · Sequel to -> Part 1-3 Meanwhile, at the Legion of Doom! "You have GOT to be

[kitkat-4772]

And 5!!

Post by @monkeytoster-blog

💬 12  🔁 13  ❤️ 62 · Shocked This Didn't Happen Sooner part 5 · part 1-3 part 4 "No, Miss Graves! I have no intention of turning my laws

[kizzer55555]

Danny barged into the police station, slamming the door so loud the receptionist flinched.

“Where are they?” He growled.

“Excuse me?” The receptionist attempted to regain his posture. He was an older man with sideburns and decked out in the standard Elmerton police uniform (because of course only Elmerton police would be dumb enough to attempt an arrest on the Fentons. Batman probbaly tried Amity first and got rejected.)

“I’m looking for Jackson and Madeline Fenton. They were arrested from Amity park 26 hours ago and have been illegally held in your station for most of that duration.”

The desk officer’s face soured. “Young man, you cannot just barge into this station to demand to see criminals-“

“They are not criminals.” Danny snapped. Doing his best to rein in his temper. “Criminals are those arrested with evidence supporting they’ve committed a crime. What you’ve done is arrest them on probbaly cause. This means that they are suspect for a crime but have not been confirmed. They also have a right to a lawyer, which I am, so now you are either going to take me to them, or I’m going to use this and the surrounding station’s video as evidence for a new case in which a corrupt officer is obstructing the laws and 6th amendment of the United States.” Danny advanced to the desk, boring holes into the officer as if he could see every sin the man had ever committed. “Are. We. Clear.”

The officer gulped. “C-crystal.” He shakily got out the keys and scrambled around the desk to lead Danny to his parents.

Danny held his briefcase close and followed. He was glad he had used the extra tough dragon leather Dora got for him or his ghost strength would have already torn off the handle. It was already enough of a struggle not to let his claws out.

When they finally entered *cough* stormed *cough* into the iron walled interrogation room, Danny was greeted to the sight of his parents, lacking their preferred jumpsuits and cuffed. They sat patiently in front of a table with another officer.

“Danno!” Jack’s face instantly brightened as he spotted Danny.

Something in the halfa’s core relaxed at the sight of both his parents, safe (for the most part) and unharmed. He did a quick check of their persons to make sure the arrest wasn’t ‘forceful’. But besides the bandages wrapped around his mother’s arm from Robin’s assault (which still made him growl), they were unharmed.

The commotion caused the officer already in the room to turn around and suddenly, whatever calm Danny had managed to force on himself during the walk evaporated.

Because sitting right there in the interrogator’s chair, acting like he owned the place, was Dick f-ing Greyson.

Oh HO, Danny was hating the bats more and more.

He wasted no time marching up to the table and slamming down his briefcase, eying the bat in ‘disguise’ like he was a chunk of Pariah’s snot Danny had just scrapped off his shoe.

Nightwing stood up and held out his hand, a charming smile already spread across is face. “Hello, you must be the attorney. I’m officer Grey-“

“This interrogation is over and I am taking my clients back to their accommodations.” Danny didn’t care what the bat had to say. It was just a waste of his time.

The man laughed as if Danny had made a joke. “You can’t do that.” He looked at the officer who lead Danny there. Shrugging as if saying can you ‘believe’ this guy? The receptionist though was still properly cowed from their earlier encounter and just gave a strained grimace, not meeting anyone’s eyes. Greyson just kept smiling. It was really grinding Danny’s gears.

“Oh I assure you, I can. You have made an unlawful arrest and I intend to correct that.” The Halfa started riffling through his brief case. “The Fentons have been arrested on suspicion alone. Without proper evidence to support that arrest, the state of Elmerton can only hold them for at most 24 hours. You are 2 hours over that time and therefore, according to the law, you are holding two innocent civilians against their will with no probable cause.”

Finally, Nightwing’s smile started to dim. “Young man-” what was with all these people using ‘young man’ “-I can assure you that the charges against these two are very real. We have multiple video evidence of them attempting first degree murder on the hero known as Phantom, as well as assault.” Danny could see his parents flinch at that. “And we have multiple reports and photographic evidence of property damage caused during their ‘ghost hunts’. And from an anonymous source,” Danny scoffed at that, “We also have reason to believe they were in the process of illegally making weapons. I don’t know what you call that, but those are serious crimes. We have more than enough evidence to convict them. As their attorney, you can fight for their defense in court but you can’t just walk out of here with them.”

Danny barked out a laugh. “Oh, that’s where you’re wrong.” He finally found what he was looking for and shoved a file into Nightwing’s chest, using just a smidge of ghost strength to make the officer take a step back. “This is a copy of the Anti-Ecto acts. A former law by the United States declaring that it was perfectly legal to hunt those who classify as Ecto entities such as Phantom. If you had done your research, you would see that all the timestamps for those videos are before the acts were repealed. In fact, the Fentons had not only ceased their attacks on Phantom and other ecto-entities before the law was repealed, but they were also a major help in getting it repealed in the first place. Using money from their own personal coffers. There is not a single piece of evidence indicating an attack on ecto-entities afterwards that was not self defense.” Nightwing struggled to hold the file before it could fall. Skimming through the papers to determine if what Danny said was true or not.

Oh but Danny wasn’t done.

He grabbed the next file. “This is a record of their previous court case.” The bat’s head snapped up. “The officers at Amity are not incompetent, and I’m not saying they have not had a record of property damage in the past. However, unlike the Justice league, they were tried and made to pay reparations. This file contains the court case, verdict, and even the amount payed to cover the damages for all previous and recent property damage. And as an officer of the law, you should know that once a court has made a decision, you cannot arrest someone on the same charge again. And THIS-” he slammed down the next file, taking immense joy in how rapidly the vigilante’s face was paling as he tried to read through all the files. “Is a record of a previous contract with the US government. But again, the Fentons had ceased making weapons a while ago and have since transitioned into scientific inventions and even medicine. Of course, you will also find the patents for each of the inventions filed and approved with legal permits to use them. Naturally, this will all be available again when Batman answers for why he decided to steal government contracted property in the upcoming trial.”

Nightwing was drowning in papers now. A few slipping between his fingers and falling on the floor, likely causing an organization nightmare. It didn't matter, the vigilante could keep them. Danny had copies of each of these at his home, the Fenton home, on a private server, with Vlad, and even a set hidden in the Infinite Realms with Ghost Writer.

“Finally.” Danny pulled out a single sheet of paper. “This is the filled out release form stating that I can in fact ‘just walk out of here with them.’ Now of you don’t mind.” Danny held out his hand expectantly. “The keys.”

Nightwing looked like he really didn’t want to comply, but Danny was nothing is not patient, and after about 10 minutes of the ‘officer’ trying his best to delay by reading all the files ‘thoroughly’, he finally gave in and set the keys in Danny’s palm. Sure, Danny could have gotten the receptionist (who had been slowly trying to back out of the room) to give him a copy. But it was so much more satisfying to have Nightwing do it.

With his parents now released, Danny made for the door. But at the last moment, he stoped. “Oh, and by the way, I know exactly who you are officer Greyson. During my research I discovered you are often working cases involving the bats. What I find curious, is why an officer of Bludhaven is operating in a completely differnt state without proper authorization or a warrant granting you authority?” Nightwing froze. “Hmmm, I guess it doesn’t matter. You’ll have your chance to explain when I bring it up in court, along with this whole incident. Oh…you do remember that court is held in the state the crime was supposedly committed right?” Danny gave him a shark-like grin, no fangs needed. “See you in Amity Dick.”

[tachvintlogic]

With his parents now no longer in jail and free to upgrade their security with Technus as much as they pleased, Danny let himself relax a bit and think about a conundrum.

Namely, that Batman and friends were probably going to try to contact Phantom and get him to support their case.

He wouldn't. He would be honest and say that they didn't speak for him and he didn't consent to their attempt to get his parents arrested.

The question was how were they going to contact him? He hadn't appeared as Phantom with any regularity in years, and as far as he knew summoning wasn't a thing. So how—

His phone started ringing, and the caller ID was Valerie.

Oh, that was how.

He answered it. "Hey Val, how's it going?"

"It's been interesting. I have 50 missed calls from different members of Justice League Dark and several unknown phone numbers that I assume are Justice League members. When I answered they said they wanted to talk to Phantom."

"When did they start calling?"

"Yesterday."

"Huh, so they did try to talk to me before getting my parents arrested on my behalf but were too impatient to actually get my approval."

"They got your parents arrested?!"

"Yeah, didn't you see it in the group chat?"

"No. An ectopus colony got very lost during their seasonal migration, so I've been too busy with that."

"Oh, that's rough."

While Phantom had been able to mostly retire from ghost hunting, there was still some need for it when lost ghost animals or human ghosts with unfinished business showed up. Valerie had taken to that role very well once she realized ghosts, like other people, could sometimes be reasoned with.

She wasn't part of Justice League Dark and only worked with them as an independent consultant on rare occasions. She was contracted by the city to deal with ghost matters that other people couldn’t handle.

He got her caught up on what happened, and she laughed.

"Seriously? They tried to get them for that? I've done the same thing to you and they seem perfectly fine trying to use me to contact you."

"If you tell them that, they might break into your house too."

"I'd like to see them try," but her tone didn't quite match her words. After all, they broke into FentonWorks despite its security. Valerie could handle herself, but she wasn't naive enough to think the danger wasn't real.

"So what do you want me to tell them?"

"Stop trying to use Phantom against the Fentons. They don't get to press charges on my behalf."

"Can I get them a number so they don't blow up my call history again?"

Did he have a burner phone he could use for the Bats? He should get one. "Sorry. Maybe later when I have burner to spare. Thanks Val."

"Good luck on your case. You'll need it."

"I don't need luck. I have evidence."

[siri-ike]

🎶"Lem-bra-rá meu nommmme."🎶

Ember held her stance as she caught her breath. The crowd screaming her name was so loud that her flames had engulfed the entire stage. A decade ago, she wouldn't have bothered containing it, but, well, maybe she was just a nicer person now.

"Amazing show. Your best yet." Her tour manager, Hector, commented as she skipped the steps in favor of jumping to the ground. "You got a call by the way. From the United States. They were asking if you know someone by the name Phantom."

That caught her attention. "Phantom?" She looked Hector straight in the eye. "Who's asking?"

"They didn't leave a name."

Ember reached out her hand and, without a word, Hector knew to give her her phone. She turned the screen on and touched it. Nothing happened. She touched it again. "Urgh."

"You have to swipe it."

Why does modern technology have to be so complicated? In the 70s everything had buttons. "You do it." She shoved the phone back into his hand.

Expertly, he navigated the device and pulled up her contacts. They were just in the phone itself, she didn't need to remember shit.

Ember pressed on Danny's logo and nothing happened.

Hector leaned over and pressed the green telephone symbol underneath the logo and suddenly she was calling him.

*click* "Hey."

"What did you do?" She asked, half accusing, half teasing.

"They called you, too? I guess I should have expected as much." He sounded tired. "Batman broke into FentonWorks, busted up the lab and one of his sidekicks injured my mom. I'm suing him."

Ember's eyes were almost as wide as her smile. "What?! Twerp! If I had known you were going to do this, I would have canceled the tour early to be a part of it."

"Is it really canceling early if it's already been 12 years?"

"Don't change the subject. Can I testify? I want to testify." She shook her fist in excitement. "I can practically taste the controversy."

"You weren't involved Ember, but you can come endorse the lawsuit if you want... make some public statements in favor of it, maybe?" He still sounded tired but slightly more alive.

Ember turned to Hector. "How many stops do we have booked?"

"Eight more this month, 12 the next, and 3 already booked two months from now. All sold out."

"I can be there in about two and a half months."

"The court date is in eight months, you have plenty of time." Danny nearly chuckled. "Oh, and if the league calls you again, you can let them know that "Phantom" says to "stop pressing charges on my behalf"."

[zealouswitchwerewolf]

Batman had a bad feeling about this. The situation with the Fentons had escalated in a way he had not predicted it would. When he had started the investigation on Jazmine Fenton and later Amity Park as a whole, he had not expected to find detailed plans to exterminate a whole plane of existence and a new level of discrimination by going after ghosts.

He had not thought he'd find that the small isolated town, previously considered a quiet tourist attraction, had its own set of teenage heroes who had been working by themselves against major threats with no external support. Not from the JL, not even aware of their existence. Not from the government, apparently more interested in catching and dissecting the clearly underage inexperienced hero struggling to keep his city safe than in helping his cause. Not from all the adults in town, so confident that every little problem in their lives was being caused by the same small boy trying so hard to protect them.

Even worse, after years of being hunted by other ghosts, the Fentons, and the government, Phantom had suddenly disappeared without a trace. Nobody knew where he was or how to contact him. No one had seen him in years. No one seemed to be looking for him at all. His previous rogue gallery was now living peacefully among the citizens and using their obsessions productively to add something to the community instead of destroying it.

The GIW, the government branch anti-ghost, had been dismantled after the sudden retraction of the anti-ecto acts. A retraction that had happened right after Madeline and Jack Fenton had decided to change their stance on the non-sentience status of ghosts. A decision that had not only gone against all their previous statements but also had come out of nowhere. No reason for the change. No evidence on why they had decided to redirect their efforts and start fighting against what they had believed so fiercely for years.

It made no sense. Batman was coming to conclusions that pained him immensely. He hoped against all odds that he was wrong but everything that had happened after the failed information gathering at FentonWorks was just reinforcing his theories and increasing the feeling of dread in his stomach.

It painted the picture of a young hero desperately trying to stay afloat and barely managing it. A kid with no support except that of other teenagers presumably in his age range. A boy that had already died once and was being hunted for sport by professionals on all sides and was despised by the civilians he was trying to protect. A scapegoat for everyone in the city trying to cope with all the ghost attacks.

And then the Fenton adults changed their views on ghosts. Suddenly, the anti-ecto acts were invalid, the ghosts stopped their attacks, and the Amity Park citizens radically changed their views on ghosts to accept them in their community. They even retroactively accepted Phantom to be a hero and started praising him. Through it all, Phantom had been nowhere to be seen. Not once. It all led Batman to believe that the thing that triggered the retraction of such deep rooted beliefs was directly connected to Phantom's continued absence.

Batman did not want to even consider that it had all been started by the capture and subsequent torture of Phantom until the Fentons had realized the error of their ways, a little too late to truly cause a difference for the young ghost. Batman did not want to consider that a child that had already died too soon had been tortured into extinction. He did not want to imagine the horrors phantom had suffered through until his total demise. He was just a child. Someone Batman should have helped. He had failed him.

His unwanted conclusions had only solidified the more he looked for a way to contact the hero and was instead given the run around with vague statements from everyone known to have been once connected to him.

Batman might have been too late to save Phantom but he'd be damned if he allowed the city-wide cover-up to continue. He would get justice for Phantom, one way or another.

[plotwholls]

Dani had been vibing in Syracuse when Wonder Woman had floated on down and asked for her help with a legal matter.

“Uh,” Dani hesitated, dubious. “I think you have the wrong Dan. You’re looking for Danny Fenton, with a ‘Y’.”

Wonder Woman winced. “We are looking for you, Danielle.”

“Okay. Weird. What for?”

Wonder Woman slid into the café chair across from her. “The Justice League would like your help in getting justice for Amity Park’s hero, Phantom.”

…huh? “What does he need justice for?” Dani asked, nose wrinkling. Had Danny mentioned anything lately? When was the last time they’d talked again? Hm. Maybe something happened between that.

“For what the Drs. Fenton did to him.”

Her brain had to reboot. “Jack and Maddie wouldn’t hurt Danny.”

“No; but they hurt Phantom.”

Her brain is still rebooting. Clearly. She squints, like that will make her vision clearer, or make her hear better, or something. Anything that will make this make sense will be a fantastic help. “I mean… yeah, they used to, but not anymore. They’d never hurt Danny.”

Thankfully, the Amazonian princess now seems just as confused as Dani.

“Are… we done?” She finally asks, pulling out her wallet. “‘Cause you’re freaking me out.”

———

“Sorry,” Sam drawled, eyes narrowed. “…What?”

“Help Phantom,” Zatanna asked her again. “Help us get him justice.”

“…Against… the Fentons.”

“Yes.”

“…Riiight…. Come back when you’ve done your homework, hack, and leave me to do mine.”

———

Tucker couldn’t stop laughing.

Flash opened his mouth.

Tucker laughed harder.

———

Dash and Paulie stared up at them like they weren’t speaking a language they could understand. Which was impressive, considering that Paulina Sanchez can understand and write Atlantean like a native. Her speaking skills in it were so renowned she’d been beating off translator jobs with sticks since she’d graduated.

“You want us to, like… testify? Against Danny’s parents? For Phantom?” Paulie sounds very doubtful.

“Yes,” Superman confirmed.

The look intensified.

Dash hefted his industrial Fenton Thermos up on his shoulder. “Paulie, I think it’s time to call our lawyer.”

She sighs, pulling a manicured hand off the ectorifle strapped to her chest to delicately brush her curtain bangs out of her face. “Yeah; call around. Something tells me we’re gonna be caught up a while.” She grabs her phone.

“You two aren’t in trouble,” Superman promised.

“Good to know,” Paulie deadpanned as she pressed the phone to her ear. “Danny, mira, can you come to Dash y yo? Yeah, Superman’s here. Something about testifying for Phantom??”

[seraphichana]

I love how literally everyone from Amity Park knows Danny is Phantom and are getting increasingly aware of how stupid the Justice League is.

Dani's wording can imply pitch pearl, wonder if they will go down that rabbit hole next?

[dcxdpdabbles]

*Throws half martian Danny au w/ dead serious at you and runs*

*extra points if he's related to J'ohn, I'm not picky but please grandpa J'ohn if you will*

- ✒️

"What do you mean?" Danny cut in, cutting off Frostbite's words.

Clockwork looked up from the magazine he was reading. Danny knows because he kept glancing at him throughout the appointment, waiting for answers to the questions Frostbite asked. It's not that Danny didn't know what to say; it just felt like whenever he had a medical appointment, all knowledge of his own body vanished from his mind.

It happened a lot whenever his mom went with him to the human doctor, too. Clockwork wasn't like his mom, who was more than happy to answer for him. The time being, just waved a hand at Danny dismissively when Frostbite started with "so what brings you in today?" and pulled out a magazine, doing a cover-story exclusive with Speed Force on the topic: The shocking truth of time-altering with mortals. Clockwork had been looking forward to this issue for weeks.

He hadn't resurface from between the pages as Danny waited in silence before he realized Clockwork was expecting Danny to speak. He fumbled at first, but over the course of the appointment, he relaxed enough to give proper answers instead of hesitant, almost doubtful one-word replies.

This was just to establish Frostbite as his main provider as his Ghost Doctor, though Frostbite preferred to be called a Healer, and everything was going well. They drew some ectoplasm a few days before his actual appointment to run some tests, and everything looked good.

Until Frostbite was reading the results towards the end of thier appointment, and the yeti started discussing his genetics.

"What do you mean?" Danny repeats, blinking owlishly as Frostbite flips to the last page on his clipboard. "I'm fully human-er as human as a Halfa can be."

"Well, there is no question about your living and dead stage, but according to our lab results, you are not only human," Frostbite explained, handing over the clipboard to Danny. There are a lot of words and numbers that he doesn't understand, mostly because Danny was pretty sure he was fighting a persistent ghost that entire unit in biology and missed most of the lessons. He did, however, understand the conclusion part.

Half Earthling. Half Martian.

Martian.

Frostbite thought he was part Martian.

"This is wrong," Danny tells the yeti. He starts swinging his legs from where they dangled over the edge of the examination table. The paper that was laid over the padding wrinkled loudly with his movement, belying how nervous he was. "I'm not adopted, and both my parents are full humans."

"Perhaps your parents aren't aware they are martian." Frostbite offers gently. He places one large paw on his shoulder, gently squeezing Danny as if to offer him strength. "Or despite you not being one of theirs by blood, they always saw you as thier son and saw no reason-"

"Oh, this was due to your accident in the Fenton Portal. Your DNA was spliced with the floating Martian DNA, as that was during the Martian mass extinction. Since there was so much death at once, it was slower changing into ectoplasm and was stuck between worlds when you punched a hole between the Realms and the mortal plane," Clockwork explained, reading over Danny's shoulder in his child form. He twirls his staff at his side, as if he is preparing to lead a marching band, before he swings it towards a wall.

In an instant, a large pocket watch zaps into existence. It flips open, its arms twirling rapidly, until the watch's face vanishes and an image of Danny's accident appears. He watches himself carefully slip on the hamate suit and take a few steps into the portal. Sam and Tucker were in the right corner of the scene, exactly as he remembered it, even the detail of Sam holding her camera ready to snap a picture of the dare that forever changed his life.

He even sees himself accidentally pressing the button that turned on the machine- a fault in the design by his father, no doubt- and as he is screaming while his body is electrocuted, the camera zooms into him. Suddenly, they see his DNA floating in place until a mush of green goo wraps itself around the strands, shifting them until the goo becomes part of the genetic makeup.

Danny's jaw dropped even as Frostbite let out a hum of intrigue.

"Fascinating. This type of genetic editing has never been seen before. It's seamless, with no trace of anyone making alterations." The yeti points to a few parts of his DNA, where the added green rests comfortably. "I can even see how the Martian part enhanced your basic three."

"Basic three?" Danny repeats in a daze.

"Intangibility, Invisability and flight," Frostbite explains, waving one large claw towards a poster on the other side of the room. On it is information about the Basic Three, along with drawn examples, facts, and cautionary symptoms that something may be wrong if a ghost experiences them while performing the Basic Three.

"Every aspiration can do these three, but usually they can't do two of them at the same time, much less three, unlike you. There are a few exceptions, but they can only do it for a little while before exhaustion forces them to stop. Flight is the most common and the least energy-wasting, but every ghost has a preferred ability they call upon. Think of it like this: every human has the ability to sing, but not the skill to be a good singer. You are a triple threat, so to speak. I always assumed it was because you are still alive, and thus power your abilities with living energy instead of pure ectoplasm, but it seems it's because of your martian dna."

Danny's head is spinning. "So what you're saying is, my ghost powers aren't strong because I'm a Halfa, but because I'm part martian?"

"Not exactly." Clockwork cuts in again, now as an old man. He points one trembling finger towards the chart in Danny's slack hold. "Your basic three are boosted, but everything else? That's because you're a Halfa. And by the looks of it, you didn't get too much from your third parent-"

"Third parent!?" Danny yips, springs up from the table. He starts pacing in place, forcing Frostbite to scramble towards the room's final wall to avoid colliding with him. This places him in the perfect place to catch the clipboard that goes flying out of Danny's hold as the boy starts waving his arms around like a manic. "I have three parents!?"

"Biologically speaking, yes." Frostbite flips through a few pages, eyes moving rapidly along the report. "You're what is scientifically known as a Core Chimera."

"Core chimera?"

"It's someone whose biological parents are more than two people, usually caused by the cores expanding and pulsing during a mating, especially when-"

Danny holds up a hand. "Stop, I don't want to know how a Core Chimera is made."

"Why? It's perfectly natural."

"He's at a special age," Clockworks chuckles, now a middle-aged man. It makes him fold his arms and smirk at Danny, far more embarrassing than it needs to be. "Anything to do with mating makes him burst into giggles or makes him so embarrassed he has to curl up into a ball for a few minutes."

Frostbite smiles, shaking his horns fondly. "Youth."

"Indeed."

"Can we, please, focus on the matter at hand?" Danny grumbles, checks aflame. "So I have a third biological parent-"

"A father"

"Right, a second biological dad who I accidentally made into my biological dad when I was half killed between the living world and the dead world. This second dad is a Martian from Mars who, during a mass extinction on his planet, had his Martian DNA boost my basic ghost abilities, but nothing else that makes Phantom into such a powerhouse. "

Frostbite hums, clicking his tongue a bit as he flips through the last pages of the lab reports. "Yes. That's a good summary. The only other noteworthy thing I see here is the concerning amount of sugar in your diet. Does your family have a history of diabetes?"

"I normally answer no, but apparently there is a third option that might be yes. I can't ask him, though, because he's dead!" Danny snaps, pacing more aggressively now. "Is there something else I should know about this third parent?!"

"He's not dead." Clockwork twirls his staff again, like he was about to throw it into the air for a showy catch. He floats over the examination table, just slightly before the pocket watch, still displaying Danny's altered DNA. "He only nearly died. Well, legally speaking, he was dead for maybe four minutes before his wife managed to resuscitate him. They attempted to escape the planet together, but she succumbed to her own injuries just as they were entering Earth's atmosphere-"

"He's on Earth!?" Danny pounced on that workding like a lion on a wounded gizelle. "I can find him!?"

"He's on a Earth...." Clockworks starts hesitantly, his face melting into a child. It makes the time lord's uncertainty a little more poignant, and the urge to find his other father rises up a notch or two. Danny gives the floating child a stern frown, which only causes the great Clockwork to raise his hackles. "There is more than one Earth. There are multiple realities, infinite timelines, worlds far beyond-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know about the other dimensions. I visited a few." Danny cuts in, crossing his arms. "The real question is, are you going to help me met my other dad on this other Earth?"

"It's not recommended.....this Earth is out of my jurisdiction." Clockwork began, but Frostbite raised a hand, waiting to be called on. There was a weird dynamic between the two. Clockwork acted like the yeti was a normal healer who would be treating his self-proclaimed ward, while Frostbite saw the always changing time lord as an all-powerful ancient that needed complete respect or bad things would befall his people. Almost like a living (sort of speak) god.

It was odd because Danny once saw Clockwork try to eat cereal with his foot and ended up in feudal Japan when he lost his balance and fell through his time portals.

"If the timeline is outside your jurisdiction, could you not petition a visitor's pass under the Youth Protection Truce? I could write a healer's note stating that Danny must seek out his other father for biological-related worries." Frostbite offers. His head is dipped, as if he were unworthy of speaking directly to Clockwork. This means he misses the way Clockwork's jaw slacks, likely never thought of the option. He often forgets that Clockwork only seems all-knowing because he can peek into the living world's flow of time, witnessing everything that was, is, and will be.

That did not mean he could peek into the flow of time for the dead world. There he was, just as helpless to time as any other ghost was, but he at least had monitors that played everything in the living world that he watched endlessly.

It was so hard not to see Clockwork as a disaster shut in after living with him for the summer. His parents thought he was at space camp when, in reality, he was watching Clockwork smack himself with his own staff and trip over air. While floating in said air.

"I could....." Clockwork starts, his ghost glow brightening up with glee, "I could meet Speed Force."

Danny knows that Clockwork had some kind of celebrity crush on Speed Force, since the being was the current most famous time ghost and was all the rage with time-inclined individuals in the Realms. "Yeah, and I could meet my other father-"

"Shush, Danny. I have to draft a letter. A petition for traveling to Speed Force's timeline." Clockwork gushes while snapping his fingers, causing a quill and parchment to appear from thin air. "Do you think he'll let me shake his hand?"

"Clockwork, I'm having a crisis."

"Danny, I'm having a moment." Clockwork dips his quill into the ink. The sound of the tip scratching against the parchment is nearly drowned by the time lord's words, "Don't ruin this for me, or I'm going to make you look stupid in front of Damian. He'll always think of you as the Hotdog Cart guy and not in a good way."

Used to his guardian randomly using references from his future, Danny rolls his eyes. He mentally slots the name away, assuming this Damian is going to be someone that Danny wants to impress as he turns to Frostbite. "What biological-related worries do you mean?"

"Nothing too serious, but if you are part martian, there is a chance that you may have some biological aspects that you may be unaware of. For example, I heard that Martians are weak to fire and can't even stand near it, which could explain why you developed an ice core. Now this is just a rumor, but if fire can cause such a reaction in living beings, I fear being around a flame, even something as harmless as a campfire, it may cause your core to melt." Frostbite shakes his head at Danny's horrified round eyes. "I am exaggerating, of course, but it's a good enough excuse to have you enter the other timeline, no?"

"Yeah, okay. I say we do this." Danny sighs. "I want to meet my other Father. What's his name?"

Clockwork glances up from his letter, his red eyes sparkling. "J'onn J'onzz. He believes he is the last of his kind, but a few survivors managed to hide on Mars, including his sister and her children. We can say you were born during J'onn's grief-driven binge of alcohol and human women that he drowned himself in when he first got to Earth. You were a normal boy in the foster system who wanted to send a message to Mars for a science project, and one of your "cousins" picked up the signal, starting a penpal system that eventually led to a conversation about biological differences, making you think you might be a Martian yourself. I'll ask Speed Force to make the proper paper trails and make our lie solid enough that no one will know it's false."

"Why do we need to lie about that?"

"That world is not ready to learn about different timelines. Not yet." Clockwork waves a hand. "It plays a big part in your love story with Damian."

"Who the hell is Damian!?"

"Watch your tone. You don't want to lose him. He's rich."

Frostbite looks between the two nervously as Danny throws his hands into the air with a huff. "Does he often speak of the future?"

"All the time. He thinks spoilers are funny when they really ruin all the excitement!"

Clockwork's eyes gleam. "Oh, there will be excitement, alright. And a lot of innocent hot dogs will forever be ruined."

"What does that mean?"

"It means we need to pay for this healer visit, then stop by the Truce center to get our visitors' passes processed. We're going on a life-changing adventure, baby!" Clockwork cheered, shifting into a teenager- he rarely used this form, but when he did, Danny knew he was going to have to work as the voice of reason for an annoying amount of time. "We're going to pose as runaway orphans on a quest for you to find your dad and for me to shake the hand of the most attractive time lord! Frostbite!"

The Yeti startles at the use of his name, twisting into a deep bow before Clockwork. "Yes, my lord?"

"Do you accept credit?"

"I do."

"Excellent, for I have forgotten my wallet." Clockwork reaches inside his chest, pulling out a plastic card and waving it around. "This is why we have the emergency credit card!"

Danny put his head into his hand. "This is going to be a long summer."

[cryptidstatusbreached]

[seraphichana]

Danny accidentally reanimating a hot dog cart and stopping Jason from getting a Chili dog when Damian was upset at him is how Dead Serious meets.

Due to Clockworks fanboying over the Speed Force, Danny is the mature one for once, just long enough to be deemed as both powerful and appropriate to socialize with. Then Damien gets the feral racccon boy side that slaps his inner animal lover.

Damian has to think very hard about if reanimating is a Martian trait or not, Batman is upset that he can't immediately say no it is not.

[remosdeerica]

DeadSerious prompt: #3

If there is one thing that Damian is afraid of, it's his mother and grandfather going after Danny.

Danny is one of the few normal people Damian has ever met that he actually likes to spend time with. And one of the only ones that can stand to spend time with him.

They've only been dating for a few months but already Damian knows that he loves Danny. He just hasn't gotten up the courage to explain the whole... Former assassin thing. Or the son of Batman thing. Or being Robin. Or that he maybe doesn't want to be Robin anymore...

He has talked to him about med school though. Damian thinks he deserves some points for that.

Needless to say, Damian knows that he's hiding a huge part of his life from Danny. And the longer he goes without telling him, the more likely it is to blow up in his face.

So one night Damian asks Danny to come over to the Manor and have dinner with him. He asked Alfred to help him make dinner for Danny as a way of hopefully smoothing over what he was about to tell him.

But Danny never shows. And he doesn't answer his phone when Damian tries to call him.

Immediately Damian is panicking. Even when they fight they never go no contact. Gotham is a dangerous city, they promised each other that they would always respond to a text or call no matter how angry they were with each other.

Instantly Damian suspects the al Ghuls.

And he's correct. Talia wasn't sure exactly what to make of Damian's paramour. He's quite handsome, with ice blue eyes and unruly black hair. His fashion choices could use a bit of work, but she can see why her son might be drawn to the young man.

But what perplexes her is that she has very theatrically kidnapped him... And he seems completely unbothered by this fact.

They are sitting together at a small table with tea and biscuits surrounded by league assassins and the boy is happily munching away on the biscuits without a care in the world. His innocent eyes taking in the people around them and giving them a kind smile.

"So, you're Damian's mom, right?" The boy asks.

"I am his mother, yes..."

"Yeah, I can tell. He looks just like you. Pretty and dangerous." The boy smiles at her.

Talia can admit that she's a bit flattered. Usually people go on and on about how her son resembles his father. It's nice to know that at least someone sees her in his features.

"You are Daniel Fenton." Not a question.

"Yup! Although I prefer Danny if you don't mind. Only people who want to kill me call me Daniel."

Talia smiled darkly, "and what makes you think I don't want to kill you."

The boy, Danny, just blinks at her and cocks his head in consideration. "Just a feeling," he says.

Before Talia can say more her son bursts into the room adorned in his Robin gear.

"Mother!" He cries frantically. "Release Danny at once!"

Before Talia can respond Danny laughs. "Oh, come on, Angel. Your mom is just looking out for you. We're all friends here."

Danny then takes a sip of the tea. Oh dear, Talia perhaps should have thought twice about brewing poison tea. It's one thing to poison her son's paramour when they are alone. Doing it with Damian in the room will likely result in her son not talking to her for a very long time.

But nothing happens. Well, nothing except for the wide smile that Danny makes when he looks over at Talia and exclaims " Oh my Ancients, I LOVE Belladonna tea! How did you know?"

Perhaps this boy is worthy of marrying into the family after all.

[apatheticsunday]

Google Searches to Put You on a Watchlist

AKA "Homeless-Danny-in-Gotham trope but he doesn't realize the Gotham Public Library is not as secure as Tucker's network. The Batfam are... concerned about Danny's search history." DPxDC prompt idea.

Okay, so I keep seeing tropes where Danny gets stuck in Gotham for whatever reason - Clockwork shenanigans, portal accidents, dimensional travel, etc - and immediately finds the Gotham Public Library. Which is great. But I give you this: Danny's best friend has an internet network more private than the Fortress of Solitude. Danny, Sam, and Tucker have practically admitted to war crimes via Tucker's secure line. So, it doesn't really cross Danny's mind that using the public internet at the library would be traceable.

Thus Barbara Gordon, otherwise known as Oracle, comes across several strange inquires during her periodical browser history checks.

Guest user: where is got ham

Guest user: where is gottham city

Guest user: gotham city nj to amity park il

Guest user: amity park il

Guest user: Link selected: r/AskReddit/missing-cities-in-america

Guest user: Link selected: r/AskReddit/What-To-Do-When-Flash-Changes-The-Timeline-And-My-City-No-Longer-Exists

Guest user: who is flash superhero

Guest user: Link selected: Wikipedia/Justice-League

Guest user: how to contact justice league about possible dimensional travel??

Guest user: how to undo dimensional travel diy wiki how

So... that's kind of suspicious. Barbara checks the cameras to find a black-haired and blue-eyed kid sitting at the computer that matches the IP address for the Google search history. Then rewinds the cameras, from the time the kid sat at the computer to the time to when he came in the library entrance; she picks through city surveillance footage until she sees the kid falling face-first through a Lazarus-green portal into an alley.

Welp.

(Cue the batkids frantically paging through Batman's thick binder of "What-If" scenarios, trying to find the "Dimensional Travelling" section before Bruce's adoption senses start tingling.)

[monotonykillsartist]

I've seen some people say that what if Danny was a diffrent dimensions Jason and I raise you, Jack Fenton is a diffrent dimension Jason Tood (yes this thought keeps floating in my head cause Jack used to have a white streak in his hair) or Jack Fenton is this dimensions version of Jason Todd's older brother who died (cause Jason had an older brother who joined a gang and died in one of the comics) (also also Jason km Danny's dimensions died at the same age as this dimensions Jason but unlike this Jason that one stayed dead).

Before leaving the library Danny Google some more stuff that he thinks Sam or Jazz would ask.

Search bar: Where to get food free?

What ends up coming up: bunch of articles about food scams, black mask food for hire, odd "jobs" for food no questions allowed.

Search bar: free food legal not sketchy

What ends up coming up: articles about avoiding getting pulled in to gangs for food

Search bar: please where free food safe no crime teen

What comes up: articles and articles of teens being trafficked for going to a free food handout

Search bar: please safe place for homeless teen to get free food no crim no scam in gotham reddit?

What comes up: posts about red hood giving some kids in crime alley food, another about red hood buying a kid from crime alley a buger from batbuger, another about red hood giving out winter supplies to homeless youth in crime alley

Search bar: Gotham public library to crime alleh

What comes up: map to park row also known as crime alley

Dany quickly scribbles down the directions because the library is about to close.

Danny walking around what he hopes is crime alley and sees a behemoth of a man that kind of looks like- "Dad?!?!?" He exclaims in surprise.

The man glances over with a raised eyebrow, and shit yeah thats Dad in his Skunk hair phase Danny subconsciously wrinkles his nose in disgust.

Jason Todd, confused and offended did that kid just call him Dad and why is he making that face at him.

[megasweetbones]

Jason having that uh-oh realization when the kid starts wondering out loud if he went backwards in time.

"Am I in the past? No, the technology here is ahead on a wider scale than in my Timeline. So is the whole Timeline here shifted forwards? So everything that happened in my world is lagging behind? If dad's a college kid now, will I have to wait twenty years for him to make another Portal? Or maybe he's already making the prototype and I can use that to get back home? If home still exists. No. Don't think of that. Okay, skunk streak means he's in his band of misfits. Mom should also be with him. That means my 'uncle' is also here. They're probably already trying to date Dad? Let's just hope I don't mess up too bad and erase myself."

Only for the clearly tired and distressed kid to groan with how exhausted he was and faceplant into the desk.

[nerdpoe]

still not for tiktok y'all's scalpers still don't have permission to rip my shit

Danny's been cornered by the worst kind of villain imaginable; reporters.

Okay, well, more like he's trapped in the same room as them and one of them is just asking random questions to keep him calm while they free him from one of Vlad's new and improved torture cubes. Some Metropolis vultures, a big farm dude named Clark and a sharp scary woman named Lois.

"You're a ghost, right?" Clark asks, straining as he tries to, according to him at least, hold open a panel for Lois to get into. "Do you have any living family you'd like for us to reach out to?"

Danny...Danny decides to give the craziest, bullshit answer he possibly can.

"Not in the normal sense; I'm a failed cloning attempt that was a mix of Superboy and Red Robin."

Clark seems to twitch, and Lois chokes on air.

"But you uh...are, what, only a few years younger than them?" Lois asks when she regains composure of herself.

"I mean I was adopted by Kronos, the timestream is a bit optional, so..."

The cube straight up cracks in half, and Danny shoots into the air, laughing.

"Thanks! One second this won't take long!"

Danny leaves the two reporters, unaware of the shitstorm he's left behind.