How to Tame An Al Ghul (5+1)

" Look," Barbara Gordons, Oracle's voice, echoes around the cave. She's working the comms, based at the Clocktower. " Something has to be done. Gotham knows something is up. Things are just going to escalate." 

Dick sighs, looking at her on the monitor, " I'll head back out. See if I can find any leads." Black Mask had gotten the ' fantastic' idea to spring a breakout. Reports place him and his men all around the city, going after other mob bosses, notably Penguin and Two-Face, at least this time around. " Any updates on Jason?" 

" Last sighting of the "gun bat" was thirty minutes ago, near the docks," Barbara replies and bites at her lip, hesitant. 

Dick notices, "What is it, Babs?" 

" I'm not saying I agree with what he's done, killing everyone, but taking one of B's old suits," she relents, " may not be such a bad idea–" 

" No," Dick shakes his head. " It's too soon. We can do this without a Batman. Gotham's still standing, and it'll continue without him." 

Barbara knows better than to argue with him when he gets like this. It's like speaking to a brick wall. " I hope you're right, boy wonder. I'll let you know when I find something– Oracle out." 

The call ends, and Dick puts his head in his hands and sighs, then looks at Tim lingering nearby. "Are you going back out?" 

Tim nods, " I'm hoping to find Jason– persuade him to stop. He hasn't had an… outburst like this in a while." 

Dick snorts, " Is that what we're calling it now? An outburst? He's coping. Like the rest of us." He looks at the monitor, a screen full of CCTV cameras. " Go get ready. I'll start suiting up in a minute." 

Tim heads off to go change but stops, turns around, and asks, " are you sure? About using one of B's suits. Bab's might have a point–" 

" Come on, Timmy, not you too," Dick complains. " There's only one Batman– I'm not him." 

" But you could be," Tim says passionately. " Who better than you? Not Jason, that's for sure. Gotham needs Batman." 

"You're right. It needs Batman, not you, not me, or anyone else. But he's not here. Gothams gonna have to make due," Dick says, walking over.

Tim's starting to get mad. This isn't the first time they've had this discussion. " That's not true, and you know it." 

" Tim–" 

" I told you, I showed you, all evidence points to time travel. Bruce is out there. We can get him back. You would just have to hold on until–" 

" Tim!" Dick yells, causing the boy to flinch. "Enough. He's gone. He's not coming back."

" But–"

" No. Enough. Go suit up," Dick orders. 

" Fine! If you're not gonna fill in. I will," Tim shoulder-checks him and heads to storage. Grabbing an older, smaller version of the Batsuit. He changes quickly, grabs his equipment, and yells on the way out. "Don't wait up." 

Dick goes through his breathing exercises, trying not to blow up at Tim. They don't work. " I swear, why couldn't B quit it with replacements." He gathers his stuff and starts talking to himself, " Oh, ' become Batman Dick' and ' take up the cowl, be his stand-in– his replacement.' Yeah, right," a hand goes through his hair. "Doesn't my opinion count. I don't want to be ' the Batman.' Why doesn't anybody get that?" 

Dick suits up in his uniform and heads out on his ' Wingcycle.' Stupid name. Once out of earshot, Damian dislodges himself from an alcove. He grabs his Kevlar, an older piece that was once Dicks, some thick, black, nondescript training clothes, and his old league mission boots. Once dressed, he grabs the Batmobile keys–

" Now, where do you think you are going, Young Master Damian?" Alfred asks, standing near the elevator. 

" I was…" 

" You seem to have forgotten something," Alfred says, walking over, domino mask in hand.

" You are not stopping me?" Damian asks, surprised. 

" I have raised many hard-headed young men. I can recognize when one has their minds made up," Alfred says, handing the keys and mask over. " I will launch the autopilot. It will bring you to the heart of the city. After that, where you head is up to you." Damian applies his mask, grabs his things, and gets in. " Safe travels, Young Master."

" I will return," Damian promises, the car rolling out. 

—————-

Tim's running across rooftops, taking care of or calling in incidents along the way. He's in the narrows, almost in Gotham Heights, when he hears ' bang, bang' and a scream for mercy. He peers over the ledge to find four downed goons. Two are tied to a lamp post, one is crouching over a body with their brains blown out, and the last is nursing his kneecaps. " I'll ask again," Jason's modulated Batman impression, which sounds like a Lovecraftian abomination, fills the street, "Where is he?" 

" I don't know," the goon cries, " come on, man." 

Jason takes the safety off and puts it against their forehead, " not good enough."

" Slow your roll," Tim says gruffly, dropping on top of the goon, knocking them on their back. Still standing on the goon, Tim says in his best Batman voice, " That's not how we operate." 

Jason belly laughs, the modulator making him sound demented. " Oh my—what are you wearing? That thing hasn't hit the streets since Goldie was Demon Brat's height," he continues to laugh. " Ooh," he wipes off an imaginary tear. " Who sent you like that, Wing?" Jason looks up, expecting to see the original boy wonder. 

" I sent me," Tim growls out, committing to the bit, " you need to stop." 

Jason just glares, "Need to stop? That's all you've got?" 

"Look, tempertan–" Tim coughs. "Oh my gosh, how ' cough' did he do that? ' Cough!' That hurts–" 

" Come on, baby bird, spit it out," Jason says mockingly. He then looks over Tim's shoulder, raises the gun, and fires.

" Ahh–" the other free goon started running off. Jason got him in the shoulder. 

" Stay put," Jason growls, then turns to Tim. " Get to the point—before I send you back with a punctured wing." 

Tim sighs and hardens his resolve. " You can't operate like this—not dressed like that." 

" Who are you to judge? I'm not the only one in the old man's clothes," Jason taunts, stepping closer.

" Oof," the goon they're both now standing on groans.

" Ah, sorry."

" Sorry," they apologize. Tim drags the goon over to the tied-up ones, attaches him to the poll, and resumes his lecture. " You're not worthy enough for the cowl. He had a code– you're not even trying to follow it!" 

" Call it an end to an era," Jason replies, grabbing the runaway goon and securing him. " Who do you expect to fill in? You don't even fit the suit." 

" You're ripping the seams," Tim points out, taking out a batarang, then whispers, " you're tainting his legacy." 

Jason grabs his trusty crowbar, the one he occasionally uses when out as Hood, off his back. " You'd know a thing or two about legacy, don't you, Replacement." 

Tim throws the batarang and rushes him, getting in close. Jason steps back and swings the crowbar. Tim drops, rolling away, sending out another batarang, and grabbing his collapsed bo staff out of his utility belt. The first batarang went off target, hitting a brick wall, while the other tore through the cape. Using it as a distraction, Tim pops back up and swings the staff. Jason counters with the crowbar. They push against each other, neither budging. Jason kicks Tim in the side of the knee, "Woah." 

Tim goes down, taking Jason with him, using his staff to hit him in the groin. " Low blow," Jason wheezes. The whole family wears similar protective gear. They know how to get around a cup. 

Using the staff, Tim knocks the crowbar away from Jason, " stand down."

" You're like a broken record. No more playing nice– baby bird privileges have been officially revoked," Jason snarks, taking out a gun. He fires ' bam- bam- bam-' Tim dodges, even knocking away one of the bullets. It continues like that till Jason needs to reload. " Shit," he grumbles. He doesn't have enough ammo to waste on the bird. Jason backs up, grabbing a batarang. While reaching down, Tim takes the crowbar off him and smacks him in the chin. The force sends Jason's head back, staggering, but he just comes back more vicious. Jason gets in close, swiping at Tim and slicing him up. He gets Tim cornered and is about to stab him in the chest when a rock comes flying, hitting him in the head. 

" Get off," Cass demands, dressed as Batgirl. " We don't have time for this." 

Jason turns, "Come on, BG. We were just playing." 

" Tell that to A. when he's gotta fix the suits," Cass sasses. " Robin, come on, we're needed elsewhere." She drags Tim back up to the rooftops, " are you going to call it in?" 

" Ah, yes," Tim says, pulling out his patrol phone. Once he has finished with dispatch, he asks, "What about Hood? We can't just let him go; not dressed like that." 

" He's not our priority," Cass says, readying her grapple. " He won't kill innocents, not like the escapees. Besides, Batman with a full mask, modulator, and gun? Obviously Hood. He's a known copycat. The best we can do for now is clear the streets. Less casualties." 

" I guess," Tim says. Putting his bo staff away. 

Cass looks him over, all injuries superficial– painful, but superficial. " Continue? Or back to the cave?"

Police sirens go off in the distance, and Tim chuckles, "On a night like tonight? Lead the way." 

—————

Damian creeps around shipping containers, trying to eavesdrop. He's got nothing. The men are Black Masks, he knows that, but besides that? Nodda nothing. They're very tight-lipped. One by one, Damian knocks them out– restraining them. Hogtied. He comes closer and closer, then– WACK. He gets hit across his back, knocking him into a few goons. He tries to overpower them, but he's outnumbered– by a lot. He kicks, scratches, bites, anything to try and get away. 

"This one's feisty," a goon jokes. 

They carry a fighting Damian towards a warehouse. Damian looks around and sees nothing to help him. ' Fine,' Damian thinks, forcing himself forward, flipping over their shoulder. 

" Grab him!" a goon yells as Damian sprints away, climbing onto a shipping container. They run around trying to find him. " Where is that little shit?!" 

" I don't know, man?" says a different goon. " Wait, where's Joe?"

Damian jumps off a shipping container, katana in hand, " Joe mama," and hits a goon in the head with the butt of the sword. Every time one goes down, another gets back up. Damian is starting to tire when reinforcements show up. " I may have miscalculated," Damian mumbles, a bit over his head. He's surrounded. " Come on," Damian taunts, slicing through whomever gets in his way. 

A goon comes from behind and goes to shoot. The clip's empty. The goon looks at it, then lifts it and bashes it into the kid's head. Damian goes down. The goons go silent. The one with the gun says in aww, "That… worked?!" 

" Oh my god– we did it, Joe," the others exclaim in celebration. 

" Oww," Damian groans on the ground.

" Come on, wanna be Bat-brat," says a grinning goon. " The boss is gonna love you." 

———

" You have got to be kidding me," Jason groans, going into the warehouse. " Sionis, holding a random kid hostage? I expected that from those two," he gestures to Penguin and Two-Face, sitting at a table—looking to be negotiating. Huh, you don't see that every day. Why don't you let him go, and we talk this out?" 

" You know what, I don't think I will," Black Mask says, not intimidated by Hood's cosplay. " I think I'll keep him. He's young– he'd go for a pretty penny." 

A bullet flies by Mask's head. " I won't ask again. Give me the kid," Jason says, ready to fire again. 

The next won't be a warning shot. 

" I think I'll take my leave," Penguin says, standing up, putting his hat back on, and grabbing his umbrella. " When you can follow through, have more than concepts of a plan, you know where to find me." 

Jason nods his head at the Penguin on his way out and asks, " what about you, Dent? Stay or go?" 

Harvey pulls out a coin and flips it, " staying." 

" Your loss," Jason replies, pulling out another gun, this one aimed at him. 

Two-Face pulls out his own, both aimed at Jason. " Fly away, birdie. Try again when you're able to fill out those boots," and fires. 

Jason dodges behind a support beam and fires back. He then turns and fires at Black Mask through Damian. The kid goes stiff and drops forward, giving Jason an unobstructed shot. ' Bang- bang.' One goes in the gut, the other the knee. Joining the other one near his rib. " Come on, kiddo," Jason says, grabbing Damian as Sionis goes down. He looks up to see Two-Face being restrained by Dick. He never even heard him come in. " Late to the party 'Wing." 

" My invite must have gotten lost in the mail," Dick replies, voice void of humor. He activates his comm, " O' alert the GCPD. We've got Two-Face and Black Mask in custody." 

" On it," Barbara replies, " good work, everyone. I'm logging off for the night." They've been looking for Black Mask for a while; it's time for a good rest. " Oracle out." 

" Night O'," the batkids reply, all over the city.

" Batgirl and I are headed back to the cave," Tim says.

" Okay, A, You still on?" Dick asks.

" Yes, Young Master Nightwing," Alfred replies.

" Sending Baby Bat to you, gsw to the left shoulder," Dick says. 

" What? When did he get out!" Tim exclaims.

" It's through and through," Jason says, picking up where Dick left off. 

" Go," Dick says to Jason, " take him to the batmobile– two blocks from here. South. I'll wait for the cops– I'll catch up." 

" Nightwing," Damian calls out, starting to hurt as the adrenaline wears off, " I was just trying to help." 

" We'll talk about it at the cave," Dick says, voice softening. 

Jason puts Damian on his back and starts the trek to the car. As the sirens come closer, they stick to back alleys and side streets. " What were you thinking? Coming out here, no backup. You could have died," Jason lectures. I know the move has been hard on you, but this is not okay." 

" I was unprepared," Damian admits softly. " Too accustomed to promised shadows." 

Jason makes sure his comms are off before whispering, " We've already lost Danyal, now B. Your mom and I can't afford to lose you too. If you want to go out, let one of us know. Don't do this again. Seeing you in that warehouse… it scared me, kid." 

" Alfred found me before I left and gave me approval," Damian replies, the batmobile coming into view. 

" He's got a habit of that," Jason says, setting him in the back of the car. " Gave me 'Wings old costume when the old man got in trouble. Started my stint as Robin." 

" Yeah, without asking," Dick says, flipping off a building, landing next to him.

" Oh my god, when are you gonna get over that?" Jason groans.

Dick slides into the driver's seat and sets the autopilot to the cave, " when you get over baby bird being third." He gets out, and the car shoots off, " The kid is on the way," he says, activating the comm. 

" The medbay is ready," Alfred replies. " Are you and the other Young Master not accompanying him?" 

Dick looks at Jason, "We've got a detour, but we'll be back soon," and takes the comm out before Alfred responds. Dick just sighs and grapples to a roof.

" What?" Jason asks, following him up. " Shouldn't we be headed back, too?" 

" What the hell is wrong with you?" Dick asks, looking over the city. " We won't stop you and your work in the alley. Your body counts lowered, and you used mixed bullets. I'm not B. I don't expect you to follow his code in the letter. I know I don't, but in his suit?" 

" Someone has to do it," Jason defends, " Robin and Demon Brat aren't big enough to do it. Batgirl is out of the running; she's barely here, and you're not going to do it. You've always hated the idea of being his replacement." 

" He doesn't need a replacement," Dick argues. " We've got this. We don't need a Batman." 

" This Arkham breakout? Only happened because he's gone. With no Bat on the street, more and more villains and run-of-the-mill criminals are gonna crawl out. Gotham needs the Bat. Or this city; it's gonna become a whole new type of hell," Jason argues. " Look, it's either gotta be me or you. There's no way around this." 

" I don't want this, I don't want this, please, don't make me do this," Dick begs, grabbing Jason, holding him at arm's length. " It'll destroy me." 

" You once told me the first thing you've gotta learn is how to fall," Jason says. He takes Dick by the shoulders, "It's a Robin's job to be Bat's safety net. We both know that doesn't go away, even after ditching the short shorts. You'll have a nest full of birds to catch you." 

" I can't go from a bird to the Bat–" 

" No one said you can't be both," Jason shrugs. " Go back and forth– no one said you have to give up being 'Wing to be B." 

" Littlewing," Dick starts, voice shaky–he flounders, unsure what to say. 

" Come on, Batsy," Jason says, tone joking, and swings his arm around him. " We've got a bird to check on."

"When they get back, Alfred is still working on Damian, so they hit the showers. Once out, Dick slips into the medbay. " Hey Damian," he says, sitting next to him, now in a t-shirt and sweats, " how are you?"

" I am well–" 

" It was a clean shot. The Young Master requires at least four weeks to recover," Alfred corrects. "Light training permissible in three weeks, if careful." 

" Thanks, Alfie," Dick says. Alfred just simply nods and walks out. They sit in silence, just the two of them, until Dick asks, " what made you go out there tonight?" 

" You needed help," Damian says simply, " and I could provide it. An acquaintance of mine told me asking permission to do the right thing is not a requirement for action. This, going out there, was right." 

" right for who?" Dick questions. "You got shot." 

" I would do it again," Damian doubled down. " I want to be out there. I have the ability and the means to help. This is what I am meant to do." 

" Yo, Dickwad, you're needed. Now!" Jason yells, poking his head in. 

The brothers rush to the cave to hear Cass going off, " No, you don't get to decide things." 

" Dick said no," Tim argues back, near the display cases, " we need you." 

" What is going on?" Dick hollers, gaining their attention.

" She's leaving," Tim says, pointing at her.

" What?" Dick asks, surprised. " but you just got back." 

" I came home for the family," she stalks towards him. " This isn't a family. It's a mess. Jason attacked Tim–"

" He started it!" Jason is quick to defend himself.

Cass sends a glare his way, "Not the point. Going after each other, now of all times– I want nothing to do with this." 

" Things will get better," Dick tries to convince. " Jason's convinced me. I'll wear the suit. I'll fill in–" 

" No. I can't do this, " Cass says, stepping away. " I'm close, my mission, I'm almost done. I have to see it through. I'll come back, but– fix yourself." She leaves the cave rushing out, fed up with them. 

" Wow," Tim says, watching her go. " It'll be okay, Dick. You'll have me. Batman and Robin, side by side again–" 

" About that…" Dick cuts him off and looks around the cave. Jason is gone, probably back to the alley. Leaving only him, Tim, and Damian. " Why don't we sit down for this." 

Tim and Damian side-eye each other and grab a chair. Dick takes the one from the computer and rolls it over. " What's this about?" Tim asks, not liking how Dick is dragging this out.

" He's ready," Dick says, gesturing to Damian. 

" You're going to let him out?" Tim says, surprised. He playfully shoves Damian. "See, I told you you'd get out eventually." 

" I want him to be Robin." 

" What," that stops Tim, all joy gone. " A-are you firing me?" 

" No, no, Tim, it's not like that," Dick is quick to say. " Robin, it's more of a training role nowadays. You–you've come so far. Damian has so much more to learn. I think you're ready for your own name. To be your own–" 

" Just because Damian needs training wheels doesn't mean I'm ready to get rid of my own," Tim says, standing up, voice quivering.

Dick reaches out, " I'm not saying this is immediate– Damian has to heal up. We've got time to figure this out– or-or- you could share the position if that's what you want. Take turns going out. You're both still in school, and Tim, you've got responsibilities with your team." 

" But would that not get confusing?" Damian asks. " What if we are both needed? How would you alert the correct person?" 

" I–well– let's think about this–" 

" I don't want to think about it. I don't want to give up being Robin– nor do I want to share," Tim shakes his head. " Dick– what have I done wrong? Why are you punishing me?" 

" I'm not," Dick says. " You're a great hero, an equal, not a–" 

" You know what? Forget it. I'm gone too," Tim says, stepping away. " I'm going to find Bruce. I'm going to get him back, and– and he'll make me Robin again."

" No, Tim, no, don't go. Please, Timmy," Dick pleads, going after him. 

" I was wrong; you're not my Batman," Tim says, swinging his leg over his motorcycle. " I'm going to find him." 

———-

" Wow, ahki, and he really left? Just like that?" Danny asks, surprised, during their next check-in. 

Damian nods, arm in a sling to reduce the strain. " He left Gotham. Last Richard heard he was with his team. Hopefully, just to cool off. He is… tolerable."

" Aww, Dami, you like him! Danny says. " You're bonding. Mother will be so proud. As long as I remain your favorite, I fully encourage this." 

" Shut it, ahki," Damian gripes.

Danny falls back on his bed, out of view. "Nah. I'm still supposed to give my report. Something you'll have to do soon~."

" Get on with it." 

" Okay, okay, Mr. Grouchy—take a Motrin or something," Danny quips before getting serious. " I will warn you, a lot has happened since we last spoke."

" That is what happens when you do not check in for three weeks, " Damian says accusatoryly. 

" All she said was that you were grounded and unable to contact me," Damian says.

" It's not my fault. There was this gothic circus, ironically named Circus Gothica.

Sam really wanted to go, and her grandma Ida got us tickets. Just my luck; the whole thing was a front for an occult smuggling and burglary ring. Almost everyone was spirit-bound to the ringmaster, Friedrich Showenhower, better known as Freakshow. He made them do things. I confronted him as Phantom, and, well—it didn't go too well. His staff would bind the spirits, and he used it on me. Mind control– ten out of ten, do not recommend," Danny says, holding himself.

" Did he hurt you?" Damian asks, concerned. 

" He made me steal things. Phantom went from unknown vigilante to villain all at once. All I'd done was reduced to nothing in an instant. He tried to get me to hurt people; that's what snapped me out of it. I couldn't hurt them, ahki. That part of my life—hurting people for another's gain—I couldn't do that again, not to innocents. I ended up breaking the staff, freeing myself and the others, and taking Freakshow into custody. They explained it on the local news, using Superman as an example, but it still tanked my reputation," Danny explains. 

" What did you do to get the truth out?" Damian asks, knowing that public opinion is fickle. 

" Went to the cops and returned everything I took. They just about had a heart attack when I floated in. I've stayed away from them for obvious reasons. I don't think they realized how old I am. They were disturbed," Danny says, frowning, barely in the camera's view. " I introduced myself as Phantom properly and explained, showing bits of the broken staff– don't worry, I didn't leave any with them. So, no threat is coming from there. It could have gone worse overall, but Jack and Maddie only knew I was going out at odd hours, so grounded, and Phantom doesn't have anyone to answer to, so…"

" I can see how that would be a concern for civilians," Damian replies. Can't really fault the Fentons for that. " What else has happened?" 

" Somebody reported Vlad to the feds," Danny says, " and the G.I.W showed up. You wouldn't happen to know something about that, would you?"

" I may have had Timothy look into Masters," Damian turns side to side in his chair. " What he has done with said information is unknown. However, I would not put it past him to report Masters."

Danny sighs, "Well, that answers who sent in the tip, at least. The G.I.W. ransacked the place. They were going through his place for days. He ran out of time to change his portal filter, and the place blew up. No one was hurt, thankfully, but now he's staying in Amity. I'm going crazy with him here. Thankfully, we don't have enough room to host him, but he's here a lot. ' Coincidently,'" he air quotes, " the day before he showed up, the G.I.W decided the house needs an inspection." 

" Did they find anything?" Damian asks.

" Just some of the Fentons tech. that was scattered around the house and the ones I've modified in my room. Thankfully, Sam was here. I hadn't been thinking and was kinda out of it when I found them going through my things. She asked for proof of a warrant, which they didn't have, and we forced them out. So, when that didn't work, that asshole put a million-dollar bounty on my head–" 

" He did what!" Damian exclaims.

" Shh," Danny rushes to adjust the volume and continues. " It brought out a lot of crazies, but nothing I couldn't handle. Besides the G.I.W., the rest of the out-of-towners have left. Just in time, too, because right after, my rogues decided it was the 'perfect time' for a team up." 

" We are not just going to pass by the bounty comment," Damian says exasperated.

" It's not like it's the first. There were a few put on us before. Nobody's gotten close," Danny says, not really seeing the big deal. " Don't worry about it, I'm not." 

" You are getting cocky," Damian reprimands. 

Danny huffs, " I'm telling you, these attempts, amateur hour. If they step up their game, I'll let you know– it's fine, ahki." 

" I will not argue with you. However, when things go wrong, I get to say I told you so," Damian retorts, crossing his arms. 

" Fine, whatever," Danny rolls his eyes. " Can I get back to my report?" 

" Proceed." 

" Now that I've got permission," Danny snarks, " I'll finish up. There's only been one other notable incident. Two rogues, Ember, whose music mind controls others, and Young Blood. A child spirit with a dislike of adults and authority." The emotions that come off Young Blood: hate–FEAR– go away– leave me alone– are very strong. That kid needs a lot of therapy. " They brainwashed the adults using Ember's new single and a few teenagers, Jazz included, and kidnapped them. Or is it adultnap? Is that a thing?" 

" I am unsure… I do not see why there would not be," Damian says thoughtfully. " I shall consult the others about this. Continue." 

" While kidnapping the Fentons, one of them grabbed a ghost shield– keeping me from rescuing in ghost form–" 

" How would that work? You are both, regardless of how you present yourself," Damian says, confused. 

" I may or may not have messed with the tech and the blueprints…. When in human form, I don't give off as much ectoplasmic radiation. It's condensed in me instead of radiating," Danny says, scratching at his neck. " When in my other form, I'm more of a liquid than solid, if that makes sense. Ectoplasm is malleable. Because of that, I can't really hold it in like I can when like this. What comes off me like this isn't anywhere near as strong. However, I will be the first to admit that Fentontech is becoming more sensitive. I've been messing with the upgrades and sensors, but not enough to be noticeable, just enough not to get picked up." 

" That is not sustainable," Damian frowns. 

" Yeah, I know," Danny sighs. " I'm trying to figure out an alternative, but so far, nothing. I modify tech as much as I can, but I might end up missing something. Especially the stuff they make while I'm out."

" Have you reconsidered moving in with us?" Damian asks. " Gotham doesn't have ghost hunters." 

" Oh my gosh," Danny exclaims, " did you just use a contraction? What have the Americans done to you?" 

" Speak for yourself," Damian blushes. " You sound like a… like a–"

"It's okay, ahki," Danny smirks cheekily. " Welcome to informal English. Stay a while, and you'll stop sounding like a walking academic report."

" Do not avoid my question," Damian says, clearing his throat. 

"Enough is going on over there. Me showing up would just add to the chaos. If– and I mean if– it gets bad, I'll pack my things immediately and head over. Okay?" 

" I do not want to see you hurt," Damian replies. Please, be more careful." He runs his fingers through his hair, "So what else happened? Since you were unable to fight as you usually would?" 

" Fought in human form," Danny replies, still smiling, though it's becoming more genuine. " Ember didn't expect that, especially when I started dueling Young Blood's men– he's the captain of a pirate ship– I don't remember if I mentioned that before. Won pretty easily, though I'll admit some skills are out of practice. Ghost fights are more instinct than form. Mind sending me some training exercises? New forms you got taught after I got," Danny runs a finger across his neck. " I've staggered a bit." 

Damian nods, " I can do that. Did anyone see you fight? Injuries?"

" No injuries," Danny says. " As for the humans seeing me, I don't think so. I dressed for movement and covered most of my face. And if, for some reason, they did see me, I don't think they'd remember. Ember's mind control leaves the victim with memory gaps." 

" Convenient." 

————-

Danny's ghost sense goes off for the nth time, and he groans. He looks around his classroom, hoping nobody saw. He sighs and looks at the clock. Ten minutes until school is out. He can wait that long, right? 

His ghost sense goes off again, so maybe not. He raises his hand. 

" Yes, Danny?" the teacher asks, calling on him. 

" May I be excused? I need to use the restroom." 

They look at the clock, "No, there are only a few minutes left. Finish up your work." 

" But it's an emergency," Danny tries to argue. 

" Sorry, but you know the rules. No one is allowed out this close to dismissal," the teacher replies. 

Danny huffs and waits. No point in arguing, and it's not like the ghosts can cause that much damage in so little time– right? Speaking of– where are the screams, the chaos? Whoever came by, they're not attacking. That's… rare. Danny can tell there's been more than one spirit passing by. Some stronger, some weaker– his ghost sense goes off again.

The school bell rings. Danny rushes to get his things together. Tucker comes over, " Do you want me to wait for you? I could put your stuff together so you can go?"

" Don't worry about it," Danny says, zipping up his bag. " Why don't you and Sam go ahead?"

" What? I thought we were all going to my house. My Dad just finished the treehouse," Tucker says, dejected. 

" Tomorrow, I'll stop by tomorrow," Danny says, putting on his bag. " I'm sorry, but I've really got to go." He rushes out of the room and heads to the toilet, hides his bag in the wall, and transforms. He flies out of the building, invisible, looking for threats, but nothing seems remiss. There are no new holes in the street, downed homes–nothing. " What on earth…" He goes back into the school, goes human, grabs his stuff, and heads home. He doesn't run into any issues and doesn't see any friendly spirits, animals, or blobs. Something is going on. 

" Hey, Danno," Jack greets as he walks through the door.

" We have a guest," Maddie adds. Vlad is with them in the sitting room. " He's staying for dinner." 

" Great," Danny replies, flat. His dislike of Vlad is well known, at least to Maddie. She's not the most fond of him either. " I'm going to head up–" 

" Oh, may I borrow Daniel before you turn him loose?" Vlad asks.

" Danyal," the Fentons correct.

" That or Danny," Maddie says, a bit sharp. This isn't the first time they've corrected him. 

" Yes, yes, Danny," Vlad says a bit dismissively. " Why don't we head to your room," he turns to the Fentons, " just for a few minutes?" 

" Um–"

" Go ahead, we'll be in the lab," Jack says, gesturing to Maddie. 

Danny can't keep the scowl off his face as they head up. He lets Vlad in and shuts the door behind them. " What do you want?" 

" So hostile, little badger," Vlad risks, inspecting the room. It's a bit bare. Besides the furnishings, the only decorations are ceiling stars, a couple of model spaceships, and 'replica' swords. " Not what I expected." 

" It's not like you know me," Danny remarks, sitting at his desk, arms crossed. " At the very least, you could get my name right." 

" Yes, yes, concerns for another time," Vlad waves him off. " We have bigger issues." 

" Does this have anything to do with all the ghosts coming through?" Danny asks. 

" What ghosts?" Vlad asks. " I haven't seen any ghosts today– don't try to trick me– no, our concern is those scoundrels in white. Madeline informed me they'd offered them a contract. While mediocre, that could change with access to Fenton technology. They're a lot more accurate than that oaf Jack." 

' So Vlad hasn't noticed,' Danny thinks, ' interesting.' He glares at the man, " While I don't appreciate the name-calling, I agree. This is a cause for concern. However, I don't see how I can sway their opinion against working alongside the G.I.W. I can try, but I doubt they'll listen to me."

" What, the little hero is in over his head," Vlad mocks.

" I'm a kid. This is an adult concern. They won't bring it up to me," Danny says, annoyed. 

Vlad straightens his bow tie. " Very well. I should have expected this. I'll see you at dinner, Daniel." 

" Get out, Fruitloop," Danny says, kicking him out. Vlad doesn't argue, and he grumbles out the door. Danny sighs as he locks the door behind him. Not that it'll do much, but it makes Danny feel safer all the same. " If it's not one thing, it's another," he grumbles, rubbing his eyes. Danny decides to utilize the quiet and do his homework. An hour or so later, there's a knock at his door, "Hello?"

" Danny," Maddie calls, " come on, dinner is just about done." 

He gets up and answers the door, " do I have to?" 

She huffs and comes in. " I'm afraid so. Good manners will get you far." 

" Yeah…" Danny trails off. Something on her feels off, strong. " What have you been doing down there? Is he going to stay after? Do you need an escape?" 

Maddie chuckles and ruffles his hair, "My knight in shining armor. I'll be fine, Danyal, and I'm sorry about Vlad. We keep correcting him–" 

" It's not your fault he's an asshole," Danny says, frowning. 

" Danyal Al Ghul, language," Maddie reprimands, then adds. " Don't let Jack hear you. Just this once, I'll let it slide. You're not alone in that feeling." 

————

After dinner, once Vlad leaves and the Fentons go to bed, Danny sneaks into Jack and Maddie's room. That feeling, the aura, lingers. He goes in, invisible, still in human form, and looks around. The aura has moved, no longer on her, which eases Danny's mind a bit. At least he can rule out anything having been done to her. He goes to the dresser and sees a faintly glowing ring. The ectoplasm coming off it is gnarly. Danny picks it up, noticing the skull and red eyes– it's giving one of Ra's cursed relics. ' What are you?" Danny wonders to himself, then pockets the ring and heads back to his room. ' Whatever this thing is, it's obviously powerful. What if I…" Danny asks himself and grabs a Fenton thermos. Like a vacuum, it sucks it up. " One problem solved, who knows how many more in the making." He sighs, puts the thermos on his nightstand, and crawls into bed. 

Too late to do anything now.

Dannys is almost asleep when his ghost sense escapes his lips. He groans into his pillow, "Whoever said you get to sleep once you're dead is a liar." He transforms and slips out yawning– BOOM. He races towards the commotion, to a warehouse, and finds a tear in reality and hundreds of ghosts coming through.

" Leave," Skulker threatens the night shift workers. " I won't give another warning." When the humans freeze out of fright, Skulker adds, " unless you'd like to be prey~." That gets their feet moving.

Danny waits for the humans to leave before showing himself. " That was nice of you. You're not usually one to give warnings." 

" Ghost child," Skulker growls.

" Woah, I'm not here to fight," Danny says, hands up, floating closer. " Just for answers." 

" Answers? We don't have time for that," Skulker says, watching the spirits fly off as the rift closes. " You'd be best to scatter too if you know what's best for you." 

" I know something's going on, something big, but I don't know what," Danny says. " I haven't stopped any of you. All of you know as long as you're not causing harm, I don't care– Johnny and Kitty let me ride with them, Ember's been giving me lessons, Technus has been teaching me code– I just don't want anyone to get hurt. And whatever this is has alarm bells going off." 

" You really don't know?" Skulker asks, suspicious.

" Really. I haven't been in the realms for a week. Not since Young Blood and Ember had that team up." 

" Temporary alliance– just for explanations. After that, every ghost for themselves," Skulker relents. Out of all the ghosts Danny's met, Skulker is one of the few that act purely as a rogue ( though he's hoping to pavlove him into good-ish behavior one day.) Skulker leads Danny into the nearby warehouse. Inside holds some of Amity's more frequent visitors: Ember, Technus, Johnny, Kitty, Box Ghost, and Lunch Lady.

" Baby Pop?" Ember exclaims as he floats in. " Are you running too?" 

" The brat doesn't know," Skulker says.

" What? But everybody knows," Johnny says, unbelieving.

" All I know is something bad is coming. I can feel it," Danny says, looking at all of them; they're frazzled. " I just want to know what's going on. Your reactions– you're starting to worry me." 

" Come here, kid," Kitty says. Danny floats over, and the ghosts fill in a circle, " what do you know about the King?" 

" Of which area?" Danny asks, sitting crisscross in the air.

" Not an area pipsqueak, but the realms as a whole," Johnny corrects. " Not too surprised you don't know that. His story isn't exactly kid-friendly," He looks at the others, at grim faces, " especially for your kind." 

" My kind?" Danny asks, confused.

Skulker huffs and takes over, " eons ago, Pariah Dark, the current King, came into power. His predecessor is known only as the Blood King. Blood was a neverborn, with unsavory views. During his reign, planets had just started filling with intelligent life, and once they passed, some souls migrated here. He hated that, seeing the deceased as invaders. He'd break the core of any former livings he came across. It's not like the souls had any choice in the matter, but he refused to see reason. As more beings died and filled the realms, he got worse. Pariah Dark, a former living, I don't know what planet, got fed up and gathered followers to help him overthrow the king. It took years, but they got strong enough to confront him. Nobody besides Pariah and his followers knows specifics. One thing that's known is their fight took them through dimensions. It's said the fight ended on Earth. The epics say Blood cursed the land– his remains scattering when his core was crushed. Making a world of undying. His last act of cruelty." 

" The pits…" Danny gasps.

" Pits? What are you talking about?" Ember asks.

" Never mind that," Danny says and turns back to Skulker. " If he did that, getting rid of someone that follows eugenics, what's so bad about him? He sounds like an upgrade." 

" After he won the position, through single combat at that, the realms rejoiced, thinking he'd bring about prosperity," Skulker continues. " Sure, It was fine at first, until the power went to his head. While trying to fix Blood's mistakes, he held court and got many reports of remains being dishonored– one of the dying's worst offenses. He decided to teach them a lesson. Sometimes personally, or a general in his steed. The fighting and influx of souls under his command drove him crazy. He became a tyrant, a destroyer of worlds. There used to be other halfas back then," he gives Danny an appraising look. " They were said to be strong. Fueled by pure ectoplasm, the realms children, beings of balance." 

Danny looks at him, wide-eyed, "You said used to– I know you said I'm rare, but you can't possibly mean–I–" 

" You're the first in a long time. Pariah crushed their cores when they spoke out against him," Skulker explains.

Danny plops to the floor, "all of them? I always assumed there were more– the realms are endless– I just thought I hadn't found any yet. I mean, Vlad isn't–" 

" He feels different, not like you, a cheap imitation at best," Skulker agrees. " A human with too much exposure to our world's energy. There are no other halfas, just you."

" Then why hasn't he gotten me?" Danny asks, freaking out a bit.

Lunch Lady notices and puts an arm around him. " He's only just woken up. The halfas weren't the only ones unhappy with his rule. He lost followers for his actions, and those who stayed did so not because of like-mindedness or loyalty but force. The most powerful of us, the ancients, got together and fought him. Locking him in the Sarcophagus of forever sleep. None of them were able to beat him in single combat, their abilities limited, leaving locking him up the only option." 

" And he's woken up? How long has he been asleep? Did he just wake up and break out?" Danny asks

" He was let out," Skulker says, voice hard. " Plasmius was seen rushing out of the castle, and soon after, Fright Knight, one of Pariah's old generals, flew after him." 

" Fright Knight? I've met him before, but he didn't seem to be the type to follow that kind of person. He's the spirit of Halloween. He likes to scare people, but who doesn't from time to time," Danny says, surprised. " I can't imagine him doing that kind of thing." 

Lunch Lady nods, " I remember when he came to Amity. He frightened many of the children. However, I must agree with Phantom. Wouldn't he have gone after him for being a halfa?" 

" Fright Knight is tied to the King, his guard. Unable to go against him," Skulker says. " Similar to Pariah's army, thralled to his will." 

" He's the main general," Danny says, putting things together. " He's a Dullahan, right? A headless horseman?" 

Skulker nods, leveling at him, "There's a lot more in the realms than spirits."

" So he's out, that's why you're all running," Danny says. " Any idea what he's gonna do?"

"Right now, he's mad," Ember says. " That's why everyone is getting out of dodge. One of the Items of power is missing. His thralls are looking for it. Nobody wants to get in the crossfire." 

" Items of power…" Danny's mind goes to the ring. " What was taken?"

" His ring, the ring of rage," Skulker says. " It's said to give a power boost, along with the crown of fire. It gives him absolute authority." 

" Somethings gotta be done about this," Danny says, looking at them. " If we got enough ghosts against him–"

" Nope, not it," Technus says, speaking up. " We," he gestures around, " are leaving." 

" But–" 

" You should come with us," Kitty says, looking at him sadly." You're in more danger than all of us combined. Plus, you're just a kid, Phantom. You shouldn't be here alone." 

" I can't just not do anything," Danny says, floating up. " The realms need help." 

" I'm sorry, Phantom," Box Ghost says. " But you're on your own. Sarcophagus is out of my range." 

" I'll figure something out," Danny says, backing up. " Be safe wherever you go." 

" Baby Pop," Ember calls before he can leave. " Don't do anything reckless." 

" Me? Reckless? Never." 

" Seriously," Johnny says. " Watch your back." 

Danny nods and flies out and back to the Fentons. " Okay, so let's think about this," he says to himself aloud, pacing back and forth. " An enemy, a King of another world, plans to invade this one. He's mad– been stolen from– by Vlad, of all people. He's got an army, an unwilling one, partially… he wants to end beings like me. No spirit will face him." Danny looks over at his phone. It would be so easy– no. No. That's not an option. Besides Damian, the rest of the Bats don't know him. He can't pull them into this. Especially with Father gone. If things go wrong… Danny, he can't let Damian watch him die– not again.

Instead, he goes on the computer and looks up a number he never thought he'd call. " Thank you for calling the Justice League HotLine. If you know your party's extension–" 

Danny sighs, "Speak to a representative." 

" I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that," the automated voice replies. " Please try–" 

" Representative," Danny repeats. 

"I'm Transferring you now," the voice says. The ringback tone goes on and on until it says, " I'm sorry, there's nobody available to take your call. Please state your name, location, and reason for calling and one of our team members will reach out as soon as possible—*beep*." 

" Hello, this is Amity Park, Illinois's vigilante, Phantom. I have been informed of an incoming attack led by Pariah Dark, the Tyrant King of the Infinite Realms, sometime within the next forty-eight hours. I need help. I have no backup. Please," Danny begs. " Send somebody, anybody, before it's–" the call drops, " too late… or just drop my call, I guess." He sighs, puts his phone on the charger, and goes back to bed. Nothing he can do about it now. 

Getting sleep was an upward battle. Every once in a while, his ghost sense would go off. Danny rolls over, eyes still blurry from sleep, and turns it off. Once ready for the day, he heads to the kitchen. " Morning," he says, seeing Jack and Jazz. " Where's Maddie? Sleeping in?" 

" Mom's freaking out," Jazz says, waiting for her frozen waffles to get done via toaster. " Vlad asked her to hold onto something, and now she's lost it." 

" What did she lose?" Danny asks, fanning innocence.

" Some kind of ring," Jazz says, grabbing her waffles as they pop out. " Something he found– Mom said something about him needing help cleaning it properly and thought she could help." 

" Sexist," Danny says in a sing-song voice.

Jazz snorts. 

" What?" Danny asks with a raised eyebrow. " I was raised by a strong single mother, then got sent here and got to see examples of healthy relationships. I can recognize unhealthy ones. Vlad has sexist views and is a bit of a misogynist. I'm just calling it how I see it." 

" Remember that once you start dating," Jazz says, patting his cheek and going to sit down. 

" Jack, I was wondering if I could stay here today. Instead of school," Danny asks. 

Jack gives him a look over, "You don't look sick." 

" I'm not," Danny agrees. " I just… feel like I need a personal day."

" Danyal, you can't just keep skipping," Jack sighs. 

" It's not skipping if I ask," Danny replies. " Please? I got, like, no sleep last night, and I need a day. Please?"

" If– If I let you stay home, you've got to stay quiet. Maddie and I are putting the finishing touches on the Ecto-Skeleton. We have to concentrate." 

" You won't hear a thing," Danny promises. 

" Go back to bed," Jack says, sighing, and turns to Jazz. " Would you like to stay home too?" 

" Nope," Jazz quickly shakes her head. " I am not messing up my attendance record." 

" That's my girl," Jack says, smiling, filling up a mug of coffee. " If you need me, I'll be in the lab, Danno. Jazzypants have a good day at school." 

" Love you," Jazz says as she finishes up, grabs her book bag, hugs her dad, and walks out of the house.

Danny makes himself something to eat– a hot pocket and chai tea– then heads back to his room and puts his pajamas back on. Before laying down, Danny checks his phone– no messages. He frowns and redials the hotline– the call doesn't go through. So he tries again and again–

Nothing.

" A solo mission," Danny says, getting into bed. " I… I don't have a good feeling about this." 

———-

Danny wakes with a cold, stabbing sensation in his chest. It's 1:15 in the afternoon—somebody's coming. He can feel it, knocking on the edge of his senses. He transforms and flies into the city, going towards the center and into a hotel room. " Fruit Loop, you here?"

" Ah—" Vlad comes out of the bathroom, holding a piece of toilet paper to a cut. " Haven't you heard of knocking Daniel?" 

" It's Danyal or Danny," he reminds and lands. " You've gotta help me– they're coming." 

" What on earth are you talking about?" Vlad asks, throwing the tissue away.

" Pariah's enforcers– the King you woke up," Danny says, crossing his arms. " Don't you feel it, the energy building?" 

" Child, I don't know what kind of game you're playing–" BOOM. 

The pressure breaks, 

" Get down," Danny hollers as the aftershock rings out, shattering windows and throwing objects into the air. Dust is flying about. His ears are ringing, " Fruit loop?" Danny floats up, looks around, and finds him on the floor, having crashed through a glass table. " Vlad?" Danny picks him up, phasing him through the table and placing him on a mostly clean area of the floor. Danny gives him a look over. Cuts and bits of glass stuck in him, all superficial. He picks Vlad up again and focuses on just the body, letting all inorganic matter phase out. Once in the clear, Danny places him back down and heads into the chaos. There's a tear in reality, splitting the sky, troops flying out, led by Fright Knight and his trusty steed.

The civilians scatter, booking it towards buildings for a modicum of safety. Danny goes around, quietly helping the trapped people get loose. Fright Knight and the troops head towards the suburbs and disperse. The ghosts break into homes and ransack businesses, not caring about what or who they have to go through. Danny… he's not sure what to do. If what the rogues said is true, the troops aren't really individuals but a reanimated hivemind. He can't put an army into a thermos. It wouldn't hold them all, and there's no telling how many more are coming. 

The tear still hasn't closed. Anything could come through.

Ectoplasm serges, startling Dannyu, turning around expecting an attack, just to see a giant ghost shield covering all of Fentonworks. More serges go off, shields activating to cover the schools. " Oh, thank goodness," Danny says. Those shields are built to last a while. The probability of civilian casualties just went down exponentially. Deciding to focus on the humans over the hivemind, Danny goes around directing and escorting civilians to safety.

" Freeze ghost," Jack bellows as Phantom comes close.

Danny raises his hands. " I'm just dropping them off," he gestures to the civilians, " I'm not here to hurt anyone." 

" You expect us to believe that," Maddie sneers as the humans walk through the shield. " When this is going on?"

" I'm just trying to help," Danny says, backing up.

" Oh yeah, I don't see you going after your 'friends.' There have been no reports of fighting–" 

" I'm more worried about sparing lives," Danny lands and walks to the divide– startling the Fentons a bit– guess they didn't realize walking was an option. " Dr. Fentons… I don't know what I can do to prove it to you, but I'm not the enemy here." He whispers, "The troops are looking for something. They haven't attacked any humans outright. I'm trying to keep it that way. I'm willing to throw down, but I can't fight all of them– their portal is still open– even if I send them back, they'll just come through again." 

Jack lowers his weapon and looks between Phantom and the portal, " how do we close it?" 

" Jack! Don't let it trick you," Maddie warns. 

" I don't think he is Maddie-cakes," Jack replies. On the ground, standing in front of them, there's something familiar about the Ghost Boy. He just can't put his finger on it. " How can we help?" 

" Take in whoever comes your way– the chance of survival is a lot higher that way," Danny sighs. " As for the portal, I'm still trying to figure that out." 

" You don't know?" Maddie's eyes narrow.

" I'm new at this– I haven't been like this for long," Danny retorts. " The only portal I've seen stay open is yours– the machine stabilizing it. If I had to guess, someone on the other side is keeping it open. I've tried calling the Justice League, but no answer." 

" The Justice League? You tried…" Jack trails off.

" The first time I called, it let me leave a message. Now, just nothing," Danny explains. " I'm a small-town vigilante. I'm not exactly equipped for armies and invasions." 

" Vigilante," Maddie huffs but lowers her blaster. " I'll try calling and keep up the shields. Next time you stop by I'll give you some items– a loan. Don't make us regret this ghost." 

" Phantom, my name is Phantom," he sighs and flies off, helping those he can. Most of Amity is behind shields when he notices Fright Knight land in the middle of the High School's football field. 

" Mortals," Fright Knight's voice booms, echoing throughout Amity. " An entity amongst you has taken an object above their station. Stolen from my Great King, Pariah Dark, who thus far has shown you mercy. Sending us, his loyal enforcers," the dullahan's core protests his words. " We have come for what is rightfully our kings' property, yet it is nowhere to be found. My King, my kind and merciful king, understands. How could mere babes, in the eyes of time, know what is not for that taking? You have not seen nor known his greatness. The slight was unintentional. However, his patience is fleeting. As is mine," he stabs his sword, soul shredder, into the earth. The grass nearby dies on impact. " Three days. He has granted you three days to return his property before earth, as a consequence, forfeits its rights for life." A dome forms over Amity, allowing nobody out. " Not returning his majesty's ring or releasing thy sword is an immediate forfeit, and you shall present yourselves to the King. Three days, humans. I bid you adieu." 

Danny watches the knight leave, most of the soldiers going with him, a few scouts and enforcers staying behind. Once Fright Knights group goes through the rift, it closes. Danny lets out a sigh of relief and heads towards the sword– not to pull it out, only to inspect it. He can feel the power radiating from it, making his ectoplasm sputter as if shocked– in fear. ' A side effect,' he supposes. Fright Knight is a being of fear. He tries to touch the hilt, but it shocks him. He's not human enough to touch it– not enough to count for the cursed decree anyway. 

A familiar presence joins him, " ready to surrender already, Phantom?"

Danny turns to see Vlad, " you weren't hurt too bad, good. We'll need to work together to–" 

" Work together?" Vlad sputters, "Against Pariah and his army of ghosts? Are you stupid, boy? There's no fighting that. No. I will be doing as any sensible person is to do: flee." 

" Where?" Danny quirks an eyebrow, "Through the Fentons portal? Right to them? Or, oh, I don't know, outside the city? The one he trapped us in?"

" Pish posh, that was made to condemn them," Vlad smears and gestures to the city. " Not beings like us. He trapped the humans. Not us." 

' How much ya wanna bet?' Danny is itching to snark but refrains. "And leave your precious Madeline to her doom?" 

" I– well–" 

" Save it," Danny says. " Flee if you can. Remember Plasmius, when this all comes to bite you in the rear end," at the surprised look Danny adds. " You gave it to Maddie, didn't you? Guess what? It's gone. We're shit out of luck. There's no appeasing this guy." Vlad flies off, and Danny gets comfortable, keeping vigil over the sword. He meditates and tries to plan, taking in the ectoplasm coming off the sword, stopping the curse that's spreading into the land until the grass stops turning brown and flaking away. Danny opens his eyes when Vlad comes back a good forty-five minutes later. " So, how was–" 

Vlad yanks the sword out of the ground.

" What have you done!" Danny yells, snatching the sword from him as a swirling portal forms over Amity. 

" I see no point in waiting," Vlad says, a bit bruised up from flying and running into the shield. " You are right, but so am I. We can't get out, nor can we fight–" 

" You didn't even give us time to try!" 

" What us, Daniel? The only one stupid enough to try is you!" 

" I hope you're happy," Danny says, forming a wrap, sheath, and scabbard, then attaching it to himself. Holding the large sword in place on his back. This is not the time to get sent to the nightmare realm." You've doomed us." Amity, the land and all, gets sucked into the afterlife, the sky now a swirling green rather than blue. Gravity falters, light objects floating in place, grass and leaves sticking straight up. Danny flies up over the city, looking for landmarks. 

" What are you doing?" Vlad asks. " This isn't a time for sightseeing." 

" I'm–" 

" Not even half a day," says a tall, imposing spirit wearing black and grey with red accents, with a glowing green crown above his head. " Out of all the beings I've encountered, none till now have been cowards, soft– Fright Knight, why is there a halfa in front of me? 

" He floats before you, Your Majesty," Fright Knight replies, rolling his eyes behind the king.

" Not where but why, you imbecile! My decree shall not be ignored!" Pariah Dark yells like an overgrown toddler. "Get him!" 

Fright Knight goes forward, reaching for his sword, just to grab nothing– forcing him to create one with ectoplasm. He swings it, movement rigid, not his own. " Woah, can't we talk about this?" Danny asks, dodging as Vlad books it back to the city. 

" My King can not be ignored," Fright Knight says, his moves predictable. Danny nods, creates a sword of his own, and counters. Their fight is more akin to a duel. Fright Knight's moves are more European, while Danny's worldly– multiple influences. Fright Knight resorts to adding ectoplasmic attacks, unable to best Danny with sword skills alone. That's not to say the knight doesn't get some hits in. Danny is slashed up, but so is he. The absence of Soul Shredder prolongs the fight. 

Pariah gets tired of waiting and orders. "Return once he's finished– and find my ring," he flies off, flanked by guards. 

Danny can't help but notice how tired the king seems. Danny tells Fright Knight, " I'm finished," once the king is out of sight, and the Knight crumbles, trying to catch his breath. " You okay?"

" How did you…" 

" His wording," Danny replies, creating distance. " Orders need to be specific– loopholes exist for a reason." 

" Very good, young one." 

" I try– any advice to stop him?" Danny asks. 

" I can not betray our King by telling his adversary, " Fright Knight replies, picking his words carefully. 

" Secrecy clause?" Danny guesses. " Hum… so, besides the ring, does he require anything else? No specifics, just a yes or no. Does he need you to gather anything else?" 

" No," Fright Knight replies, letting his sword fall apart back into ambient ectoplasm.

" Okay, okay, I can work with that," Danny sighs. " Thanks, Frighty." 

The knight just blinks at him, "Thank me not, for it is not I working alone against his majesty. Be careful young halfa. It will not be long till my king tries to rip out your core." He flies off, and Danny goes back to Amity, turns human, and slips back into the Fentons' house to patch himself back up. Due to being in the realms, he's healing a lot faster than usual, but it's not quick enough for his tastes. He ventures out of his room and sees the people he dropped off earlier. He goes about unnoticed and slips into the lab, where the Fenton adults and Vlad are huddled around a table. 

" Danny!" Jack exclaims, seeing him and rushing to look him over. " Where were you? You weren't in your room. We were so worried." 

" I had gone on a walk when everything went crazy. Phantom helped me get back." 

" I see," Vlad says, " how… convenient." 

" What's going on? What are we going to do?" Danny asks, acting clueless.

" Oh, I don't know, what do you suggest?" Vlad snarks

" He's a child. There's no reason to fuss at him," Maddie says, sending a glare to Vlad. Danny sticks his tongue out at him when Maddie gives him a side hug." Don't worry about it, sweetheart," Maddie tells him. " Everything will work out in the end." 

" Did you try calling the Justice League?" Danny asks and gains wide-eyed looks from the Fentons. 

" Yes," Maddie replies, arms going a bit tighter. " No answer. But not to worry," she crouches down and looks him in the eye. " We're strong. We can handle just about anything." 

" Do you think we'd have anything to fight the army? Phantom fought with their general. I saw them– they looked about evenly matched– and the Knight was acting stiff. I don't think the ghosts are doing this because they want to– they move funny– like those times on TV when Superman gets controlled," Danny says, pointing out similarities, not wanting blame to be put on Fright Knight and the others. 

" I doubt that," Vlad huffs. " Maybe that's just what they want you to think, to put your guard down." 

" Do you always have to sound like that?" Danny glares, "You sound crazy."

" Danyal," Jack warns. 

Danny just huffs and leaves Maddie's embrace. " I'm going back up," he snatches a vial of pure ectoplasm and inserts it into his thigh. "Let me know if I can help." Once out of the lab, he grabs a snack and goes back to his room. He downs the ectoplasm, eats his human food, plans, and waits.

' I've got Soul Shredder and the ring– limiting the two biggest players,' he thinks it through. ' At the end of the day, it's just numbers. I can't put it off for long. The more time Pariah is loose, the stronger he'll get. I just need… an amplifier,' that's when it hits him. ' The Ecto-Skeleton.' 

A suit made to manipulate ectoplasm, giving humans the standard abilities of ghosts along with ectoplasmic manipulation– ecto blasts, weaponry, temporary armor– the works. 

That– that could work.

If they've fixed it. 

The suit's been having issues staying charged. However, in the realms surrounded by ectoplasm, that may not be a problem. Danny ends up waiting for nightfall, or whatever the equivalent is called in the realms, to head out. He puts the thermos with the ring in his thigh and another one in his chest, restraps Soul Shredder to his back, and creeps down into the weapons vault next to the lab. 

" Daniel," Vlad says, creeping up behind him, " going somewhere?"

" Danyal," Danny corrects, grabbing the Ecto-Skeleton and extra ectoplasm cartridges. " Out. What are you doing down here anyway?" 

" I could ask the same," Vlad replies.

Danny rolls his eyes and heads towards the lab door, " goodbye, Vladimir." 

" You're going to fight the King," Vlad says, crossing his arms. " Like an idiot." 

"Someone's gotta do it, and I'm not seeing any volunteers," Danny says, turning around.

" Think about your parents–"

" A Father I've never met and a Mother that, despite her best efforts, isn't safe to be around," Danny says listlessly, " and that won't change if Pariah takes over the earth." He slams the lab door, leaves, and, once out of Fentonworks, from under the shield, transforms and puts on the Ecto–Skeleton. Can't find Bruce's ghost if Pariah has him executed. 

Danny flies towards Pariah's Keep, the castle, passing lookouts with no issue. ' Guess fighting isn't part of their orders– huh.' That all changes once he gets near the lair, the hivemind swarming. Using the suit, he quickly disarms and restrains them and goes inside. The keep is cold-looking, with no decorations or signs of life. He's seen deserted League bases with more personality. He follows the strong presence and finds Fright Knight stationed outside a set of double doors– throne room if he had to guess. He looks at the suit's battery, three percent. He changes it out– it's the last one. The first battery gave out on the fly over, the second while fighting the hivemind. Danny flies into the open–

" Halt!" Fright Knight demands, "You're trespassing out great King's lair– turn back!" 

" I have come for an audience with your King," Danny replies. " A duel. To release the people of Amity Park, my chosen haunt. To ask him to give up on his attempt to take the earth–" 

" A large request from something so young," Fright Knight says, amused. " If my King wins, are you prepared to give what he demands of you?" 

Danny takes a shuddering breath and nods, "Whether it's an errand or eradication, I will fight." 

" Then," Fright Knight creates a sword and embeds this one with emotion– fear. " A rematch is in order, little halfa." He rushes Danny, not giving him time to arm himself. Danny moves slower in the suit, causing him to get slashed in the leg and the suit cut open.

" Damn it," Danny huffs, then exclaims, " this is a loan!" He creates a sword but also pulls out Soul Shredder. Duel wielding. He attacks with Soul Shredder, deflects with the unnamed blade, and kicks the side of Fright Knight's knee in, making him kneel. Danny goes for the head, intending to stab it, but just knocks it off. 

A deep chuckle comes from the displaced part, " having trouble? Maybe a dagger is more your size." 

" Oh, shush it!" Danny yells, swinging down at him. The dullahan rolls to the side after his head, making him miss.

They clash swords, and Danny uses the suit to his advantage, but it only lasts for so long. It steadily gains rips and tears. He's becoming more and more vulnerable to Fright Knight's blade. Each slash radiates despair. Danny goes to make a shield as Fright Knight sends black, dark ectoplasm his way. It breaks the suit's shield function and eats it away. 

" That's more like it. A proper one-on-one," Fright Knight declares, delighted. 

" Oh, Maddie's gonna be pissed," Danny groans and looks at Fright Knight, trying to think what weakens him besides pumpkins. There's no running water or gold, and iron is out of the question– being a weakness all spirits have. He could try to tire him out… but he's also got to fight the King. Danny does what he can to keep up but eventually starts to tire. A good side swipe knocking him to the floor. Fright Knight looms over Danny and brings his sword down– on instinct, Danny jabs and twists. Soul shredder sliding between the plated armor, puncturing his chest. 

Ectoplasm sloshes out.

Fright Knight drops to his knees, and Danny stands, pushing the blade in deeper and twisting. Once they are eye to eye, Danny takes out the empty Fenton thermos, " forfeit—give up." 

" Yes. I Fright Knight, General of Pariah Dark, the Tyrant King, declare, you…"

" Danyal Phantom."

" Danyal Phantom, the winner, having bested me, the opportunity to challenge thy King," Fright Knight goes into a sitting position and eyes the thermos. " Best to keep me out– I can not intervene in the fight with Pariah, as is ritual–" 

" But he can still spend energy being connected to you," Danny finishes. " For an enemy general, you are very forthcoming." 

" Free will outside of directives and orders," Fright Knight shrugs and winces. " Perks of being the general." 

" I think you should hold onto this," Danny passes over Soul Shredder. " Why didn't it send you to the nightmare realm? I thought…"

" Forged with my essence," Fright Knight replies. " I am the only one with immunity besides the King." Danny goes off to the side and breaks open the cartridge from the Ecto-Skeleton, drinks the ectoplasm, and readies himself. " Go for his core," Fright Knight advises. 

Danny pushes open one of the double doors, heeding his advice. Pariah is sitting on his throne, eyes closed, in some type of meditative state. It isn't until Danny is two-thirds of the way in that he opens his eyes. " You evade my knight, yet come to me of your own volition. My, my, what an interesting creature you are." 

" I'm just doing what anyone would do," Danny argues, floating a good few meters away. " I request a duel." 

" A duel," Pariah asks, sitting up straight, sounding somewhat amused– though a flash of worry goes across his face. " And why should I honor your request? Instead of ending you halfa." 

Danny can't help but flinch at his tone; Pariah uses halfa as a slur. " As if you aren't going to try and end me regardless– if you're going to end me, I'm not going to make it easy," he looks the King in the eyes. " I haven't lasted this long for nothing." 

Pariah gets up and stretches, stalking forward, towering over Danny. " If we must, I accept your request—a duel, ending only once a core is crushed." 

Danny gives a slight bow to his King—his opponent. " Thank you, Your Majesty, for honoring my request." Pariah sends a strong ectoblast Danny's way—it's only instinct that lets him dodge, starting the fight. " What? No countdown?" Danny asks, sending blasts back. 

" Countdowns are a luxury– the realms don't operate that way, boy. It's survival of the fittest," Pariah preaches. The king is slow but precise in his assault, backing Danny into a corner. " Run, little halfa~" he grins. " You wanted to play– now play." 

Danny blocks with a shield, holding his ground. "It doesn't have to be that way—violence for the sake of it." He fires off little bursts of ecto-bullets. They take less ecto than rays but require better accuracy.

Something Danny has in spades.

The bullets make their mark but aren't strong enough to pierce the armor. Pariah lets out a hiss as a bullet grazes his cheek. " Not just all talk, are you? It's a pity you couldn't die right. You would have made an excellent soldier." 

" I am nobody's soldier," Danny retorts, going invisible, throwing his voice. " Been there, done that. Not really my thing these days." 

" Cheap tricks don't work in the big leagues," Pariah says, continuing his attack. Feeling Danny's ghost signature nearby, Danny reforms a sword, still invisible, and readies it as the king rushes him. Danny's back is to a wall, keeping him steady. The sword pierces the armor, going through the weak spot his echo shot made earlier. " – Ah!" Pariah stills, ectoplasm dripping out. 

Danny becomes visible, twisting the sword. " Ya know, you're a lot more predictable than most modern-day fighters—brute force only gets you so far." 

" How dare you–" Pariah coughs, ectoplasm spilling out. " I am your King–"

" You agreed to this duel," Danny says, putting all his strength into skewering him. " Though, I'll admit this fight is anything but fair. I bet it takes a lot out of you to control all those spirits, especially powerful ones like Fright Knight. You've gotta be working on what? Half power? Less? I mean, you're down that ring of yours, and you've just woken up from a few millennia's long nap–" 

Pariah wraps his hand around Danny's throat, " I have more power in this hand than you do in your whole b-ody," voice weakening. 

Danny yanks out the sword hard and shoves his arm through the hole. He fishes around the jello-like insides until he grabs a scorching core. " Just because you have it doesn't mean you should use it." He pulls the core outside the body, burning his hand.

" No!" Pariah bellows, trying to get Danny to let him go, but his hold is flimsy. 

Danny clenches it in his hand and digs his nails in– chipping at it, " Forfeit." 

" Never!" Pariah yells, trying to keep his form together but failing. His body breaking apart. Most of it gets sucked into the core, but bits of him dissipate into nothing. 

" Fine," Danny says and waits until Pariah is fully in to break the core, ripping it in half. The crown of fire loses its flames, clattering to the ground. He watches as its color fades, and the ectosigniture snuffs out. Leaving an empty, oppressing void. A wave of power rushes towards the keep, the last vestiges of power colliding together– through Danny– powerful enough to make him unsteady. Knocking him down. He goes intangible, trying to evade the force, but all it does is dislodge the thermoses placed in his body–popping off their tops. The ring of rage rolls out, now just a hunk of metal, stopping by the crown. 

The objects start to change, the crown no longer bulky, turning from hot metal to intricate twisting crystal, an aurora forming at the tips, dancing around it. While the ring changes to a sliver band embedded in runes and iridescent delicate jewels. " What on earth," Danny mumbles, sitting up, absolutely exhausted. He can feel them reaching out for him, his core. They feel nice– pleasant, like an old friend welcoming him home. With a shaky hand, he picks up the crown and feels it connect, expanding his senses, comforting like a cool breeze. It leaves his hand to rest above his head while the ring zooms onto his finger.

He can feel everything.

The realms—they're massive. There is so much loss, fear, and restlessness. Tears cascade down Danny's cheeks. It's so much—too much. He can feel the souls cursed to remain, lingering under another's will. With a sob, he releases them. All that sorrow fades to relief, joy for their eternal rest. Their presence turns light as they fade from one plain to another. The keep transforms around him from a dark, malevolent presence, harsh dark cobblestone to white marbled stone, soft light coming through stained glass images of the cosmos. The throne is now decorated in soft silver and blues, constellations on the upholstery twinkling. The rest of the keep changes as Danny's ectoplasm leaks out of the room, marking the territory as his. The power builds and builds until it explodes– a shockwave rushing out, pushing away the last remnants of Pariah Dark's reign. Black spots evade his vision as everything comes rushing back. His eyes roll to the back of his head, and he's out like a light. 

—————

" …N…!"

" ..mag….Pri…op..!" 

" …leave…I… why… it…" 

Danny comes to lying on his side, Fright Knight in front of him, blocking a floating eyeball from his path. He blinks a few times and pushes up onto his elbows, trying to steady himself. " What happened?" 

Fright Knight kneels to him immediately, "Your Majesty." 

Danny looks around for another figure he could be speaking to. Seeing no one, he asks, "What… what did you just call me?" 

" Your Majesty," Fright Knight repeats, and seeing Danny's confusion, explains, " you beat Pariah in single combat; as the victor, you inherit the position." 

" No, no," Danny sits up all the way, " there's gotta be some sort of mistake. I didn't fight for the crown." 

Fright Knight shakes his head. " When you accepted the terms, you did. Ghosts, beings like you and me, are long existing. There are no heirs. The only way to lose or gain a trial is by conquest." 

" Even it agrees," the eyeball-looking dude cuts in. " Give it to me. It will be handled." 

" Handled," Danny's eyes narrow, " who are you?"

" I," the eye says, tone full of self-importance, " am an Observant, a keeper of time, a–"

" A hivemind species of Neverborn that work under the high king to keep track of abnormalities and records," Fright Knight buts in deadpan.

" And in King Pariah's absence, holders of court– this– thing," the observant points at Danny, " should have been turned over to us immediately. Now, one sits on the throne!" 

" Wait, all this fuss because I'm a halfa?" Danny asks.

" An abomination!" The eyeball screams, "That's what you are. You're kind are–" 

" Children of the realms, just like all neverborns and former livings come to be," Fright Knight says. 

" Which he is NOT! Halfas are twisted vile creatures, mistakes of nature–" 

" Such harsh words for a child. The Protogenoi's youngest– their first in almost an eon," Fright Knight growls, " I will not allow you to harm him."

" A child King," the observant scoffs, " no sane spirit will follow it." 

" A child of whom?" Danny floats up, going between them.

" This is who you want on the throne? He doesn't know anything. 

" Which is no fault of his own. I recall the burning of records. Not to mention, he's not even a year dead," Fright Knight points out, then explains to Danny, " the Protogenoi made this dimension. Not all who pass are ready to move on, as you know. So, they created a home for the lost ones. The neverborn are new souls yet to enter the cycle of life. Eventually, if they don't become strong in their own right, they enter the reincarnation cycle. The other inhabitants are former living beings that have moved in over the years. Some are like me, ferryman of souls, others not. Halfa's aren't just a mixture of life and death, but more. Not many survive the transformation, either by natural or artificial portal. The ectoplasm within you comes from the very heart of the realm. The essence within you comes from Chaos, Anake, Tartarus, and Phanes– the four creators."

Danny gets an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach, "And this whole child thing of the Protegenoi, it's a figure of speech, right?" 

" Literal," the Observant says, annoyed, " like human DNA, your ectoplasm will show your connection, but my opinion stands– halfa's shouldn't exist." 

Danny ignores the eye, "If they're my… parents. Where are they?"

" All around you," Fright Knight replies. " They have many responsibilities, and condensing to a physical form is done sparingly. Chaos is everywhere, in the living realm, and this one. Anake weighed your fate and took you for her own. Tartarus is in the land and the darkest reaches of the land. At the same time, Phanes focuses on the living world. You have never been alone, not since your heart first stopped." 

" My mortal parents, they're still my parents, too, right?" Danny asks, unable to think of a world where his Mother isn't his Mother.

" Of course," Fright Knight agrees. " Like I said, you're now more, not less. With parents on each side of the veil." 

Danny takes that all in, puts it away for later, and says, "Okay, I guess. The more, the merrier. Um, now what? I know you want to end me," he points at the Observant. That's out of the question. I'm not gonna do that. Hey, I can resend that decree Pariah made about us, right?" 

" Of course, your majesty," Fright Knight agrees. 

Danny looks at the age, "Consider that rescinded. No genocide, thanks." 

The observant rushes, " he's too young." 

" How old do I have to be? To be an adult? It's different here, right?" Danny asks. 

" A millennia," Fright Knight answers.

" What?!" Danny practically yells.

" You're a special type of spirit, a protector of balance. Halfas become beings of legends," Fright Knight explains. " There's never been a halfa to mature all the way, what you will become is unknown, but I know, whatever you'll be, will be a sight to see. You will need help, yes, guidance, but advisors can get you there." 

" Would that suffice? Advisors– no, a counsel? I still have responsibilities in the living realm. I–I can't just stay here," Danny says, the realization of the impending responsibilities hitting him hard. 

" The realms have gone a long time without a king. A part-time one shouldn't be an issue," Fright Knight says, understandingly.

" We don't agree to this!" The Observant argues. 

" From my understanding, you don't need to agree," Danny says. " Look, I know you don't like me or want me in this position. But I promise to do my best." 

The eyeball somehow manages to look at him scathingly, "This is not the end of this," and flies out. 

Danny yawns. He's used so much energy. " Before I pass out again, how do I put Amity back?" 

" Leave that to me, Your Majesty," Fright Knight replies and snaps his fingers.

Danny can feel the rift opening and the city leave the realms, " huh." 

" You'll learn in time, my King," Fright Knight replies.

Danny yawns, "Can you open a portal for me too, please? I don't want them to catch on to the fact that I'm gone." Without another word, Fright Knight swings Soul Shredder and lets Danny float through straight to his room. " Thank you," he crawls into bed. 

Fright Knight follows through, tucks him in, and goes back to the realms.

It's a new day.

With new responsibilities.

For a long and lonely existence.