#Batman’s cape is another dimension | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

luxaofhesperides · 3 days

Text

greener on the other side.

Danny makes a habit out of hopping into portals and exploring the places he ends up. It just so happens that this time, he ends up in Gotham right as the Signal begins his patrol. Duke meets the strangest, funniest, cutest guy on the roof of the Gotham City Public Library. He knows Batman would not approve of literally anything he's doing, but sue him, he wants a meta friend and this guy seems to be up for it. -- OR: how Duke and Danny get together despite having secret identities and living in different dimensions.

chapter three: how it shines - 8.6k

read the entire fic on ao3!

the final chapter of this fic... and the end to the first fic in the series!! theres a lot i say in the end notes of ao3 so i highly recommend reading this chapter there! . . .

Signal: you ever feel like maybe the world is out to get you

Signal: [attached photo shows Signal lying in the middle of a torn up road, post-fight, his helmet lightly blackened with ash.]

Danny: buddy, the world has already taken me out

Danny: [attached photo is a selfie of Danny, frowning at the camera. Behind him, a large, flying robot is pointing a rocket launcher at him.]

Signal: okay, you win. are you alright???

Danny: lol im fine. this literally happens every week i know how to beat this guy up

Danny: tbh i think the real threat to my existence is school

Signal: so true. one day we will be free of it….

Danny: but not today

Signal: but not today

Danny: got a minute?

Signal: yeah what’s up?

Danny: u have a secret identity

Signal: …yes?

Danny: have u told other people abt ur secret identity

Signal: yes? but some of them just kinda found out on their own

Signal: why?

Danny: how did that go. did they react well? did u have to defend urself from them?

Signal: there were some problems about me throwing myself in danger, but i was always safe with them

Danny: okay. cool. got it.

Signal: everything okay?

Danny: im thinking about telling my parents a secret about me. im kinda terrified of how they’re going to react

Signal: are you coming out to them?

Danny: in a way i guess.

Danny: gonna recruit my sister into helping me talk to them. and also get rid of all their weapons beforehand so there’s a lower chance of them shooting me

Signal: shooting you?!?!? dude are you going to be okay??? don’t do anything that could get you hurt!!

Danny: gtg

Signal: dude??

Signal: danny?

Signal: let me know how it goes, okay? i can’t travel through dimensions like you can, but i can figure something out if you need a rescue

Signal: good luck danny!

Danny: ever get into a fist fight with a walmart knock off vampire in the parking lot of a burger joint?

Danny: [attached photo is Danny’s hand flipping off a man hovering in a parking lot. He’s wearing a cape and vampire-coded clothes.]

Signal: ever have a snack break in the middle of fighting a crocodile man?

Signal: [attached photo shows Signal holding up a half eaten taco, a giant crocodile man behind him with his own box of tacos. They’re sitting next to each other in an alley.]

Danny: point to u bc u actually got food

Signal: 😝

Signal: also, everything okay? with your parents?

Danny: let’s not talk about that.

Signal: okay. but if you do want to talk, i’ll be here for you

Danny: idk if dash is trying to annoy me into another fling or if he actually wants me to throw him across the field but if he doesn’t back off im going for violence

Signal: uh

Danny: THAT WAS MEANT FOR TUCKER IM SO SORRY

Signal: should i be jealous that someone is hoping for another fling with you lol

Danny: it was once and will never happen again. 1) he’s not my type 2) he’s so annoying

Danny: also why would u get jealous of anyone ure literally a hero? hello?

Signal: hey man that guy is with you in your dimension and im all the way over here

Signal: totally reasonable for me to get jealous!! this is like a more extreme version of having online friends

Danny: true… hey i can swing by for the weekend if u want!! honestly the less time i spend here the better

Signal: that bad?

Danny: i’ve known everyone here for my entire life. i need OUT

Danny: gothams cool! its a big city with things to do!!! obviously im gonna like it more than Normal Town Illinois 🤮

Signal: weather is bad all week tho…. even if you come over we wouldnt be able to go out

Signal: its been a while since we had a storm so bad

Danny: man if that was happening here i would be able to punch the storm away

Signal: im taking that as a joke

Danny: no i literally punched a storm away before. he was a dick tho he deserved it

Signal: ….this is still Normal Town Illinois right?

Danny: .

Danny: ok fine maybe u have a point

Danny: anyways!!! i just wanna hang out with you dude i would be happy just playing video games or something

Signal: we can do that!! let me know when u get here 😊

Signal: and good luck dealing w this dash guy!!

Danny: ugh dont remind me

Signal: hye u know our plana to hang out tody

Signal: maybe rain chek tht im not goos company rn

Danny: u ok? i can always come by some other weekend

Signal: got hit and everythif bad

Danny: did u hit ur head?

Signal: yes

Danny: ok im going to call u so you can stop looking at ur phone screen. just in case u have a concussion

The phone rings twice before Signal picks up. He mumbles something that might be a hello, but it’s honestly hard to tell.

“Hey, man,” Danny says, leaning back in his chair to look up at the faded glow in the dark stars he stuck up on his ceiling years ago. “Are you okay?”

Signal hums a vague response, then sighs, sending static down the line. “Just got a headache right now. Can’t even go out since it’s too bright.”

“Is it sunny in Gotham right now?”

“No, it’s super cloudy and that’s still too much. I hate concussions.” There’s a bit of a whine in his voice that reminds Danny that under the helmet, Signal is a normal guy just like anyone else. And like everyone else, powers don’t save him from the pain of brain trauma.

Danny would know; he’s gotten pretty good at taking care of injuries and the such through his high school career of getting tossed in lockers and attacked by ghosts. He’s pretty sure parts of his brain are still rattled from the amount of times he’s been thrown into and through walls.

“I hear you, man,” Danny commiserates, “Head injuries are the worst. But it should start feeling better in a few days, so you can just stay home and relax until the pain stops.”

“Ugh, I wish. I still have to go to school tomorrow.”

“Dude, that sucks. If you can stay home sick, then don’t force yourself to go. Concussions are no joke.”

Signal hums again, then mumbles, “I can’t think of an excuse. Cause the concussion is from being hit on patrol so like. I can’t say that! I have to figure out a reason for my civilian identity to have a concussion.”

“Can I suggest something?”

“Please, I’ll take anything at this point, man. My brain is done for.”

“Make up an embarrassing story. You have to make yourself look silly and people will believe you more and not ask follow up questions because you’re too embarrassed to say more.”

“...Keep talking. This sounds viable. The only advice I got was to basically fake my death or get into a car accident to get more injured.”

“I think you need to fight whoever said that,” Danny says, “That is horrible advice.”

“I know!” Signal laughs. “Oh I shouldn’t have laughed, my head is hurting more.”

Danny lets out a slow breath, tilting his head back to look up at the ceiling of his bedroom. If he strains his hearing, he can make out the rustle of fabric from Signal’s end of the call as well as the murmur of his parent’s voices downstairs. He closes his eyes and focuses on the call, pushing away the heavy weight of regret on his chest that hits him each time he thinks about his parents.

Now is not the time for that. Signal needs calm and quiet, so Danny is going to give that to him and then let him go to rest.

“Are you drinking enough water? Getting some comfort food?”

“Yeah, I’m being taken care of. Don’t worry Danny, I got a whole crew of dysfunctional caretakers.”

“Good. I’ll let you get back to resting, then.”

“I’m still so sorry I had to cancel. I was looking forward to seeing you again.”

Warmth rises to his cheeks and Danny rubs a hand against them, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach that came to life at those words. “We can always do a different day. Let me know when you feel better, okay?”

“Yeah, alright. Thanks, Danny.”

“I hope you feel better soon, Signal. I missed you too.”

There’s a pause where Danny’s heart pounds hard against his chest, as though trying to escape his ribcage. He bites his tongue, wondering it that was too much, if he made things weird, if Signal didn’t feel the same way.

And then Signal says with a soft voice, “I can’t wait to see you again. You’re too sweet to me.”

“Okay!” Danny squeaks, cheeks aflame, “Go sleep, Signal! I’ll talk to you once you can look at a screen again.”

“Alright. Thanks, Danny.”

“Of course, dude. Bye.”

Signal makes a soft mumble that could be ‘bye’ but it’s hard to tell with Signal’s voice going all rough and low, exhausting in every sound, and then the call is ending.

Danny drops the phone onto his desk and draws his knees up to hold them against his chest. He rests his chin on them, filled with longing for Gotham.

Not just for the Signal, though that’s a big part of it. But for the anonymity of a big city in a dimension where he doesn’t exist. A place where he can be himself, just Danny instead of being torn between his parent’s son and Phantom. Plus, Gotham has heroes! Not other ghosts, not ghost hunters, but people with superpowers who help people whenever they can.

It would be nice to be someplace like Gotham where he wouldn’t have to carry the responsibility of protecting an entire city on his shoulders. It would be nice to have friends who understand why he can’t not give his all to protect people, regardless of how they feel for him, friends who make the same choice, friends who aren’t weighed down by guilt with their part in his death.

As much as he loves Sam and Tucker, he knows that will be something that haunts them for the rest of their lives.

It’s better now that it had been in freshman year, but it’s still something that changed them all. He’ll always love them, and he knows they love him, but they need to spend some time apart.

In Amity Park, they’re the outsiders who are too weird for the rest of the school, outcasts who stick together, a tightly knit group full of secrets. They’ve been each others only friends for the longest time; sometimes, others come in and out of their lives, like Valerie, but the bond he has with Sam and Tucker can’t be replicated.

They need to be with new people to grow any more. He can see how they’re holding each other back.

They’ll always find a way to be together, but they have to be apart first.

Gotham will be good for that.

Hell, any place in that dimension would be good!

Danny just wants to be more than he is, wants to be better and he can’t do that here or with his friends.

And he certainly can’t do that with his parents.

After telling them about everything’s he’s done as Phantom, all the times he’s ruined their inventions or fought with the GIW or endangered people through his fights with other ghosts, his parents just stared at him. They were seated around the kitchen table, Jazz standing behind Danny with a comforting hand on his shoulder, as his parents just… stared.

There were no accusations of possession, no weapons drawn, no demands for an explanation. Just a haunted look in his parents eyes as they went silent, still, horrified.

“Danny,” his mom had whispered, “You mean you’re—”

“I’m Phantom, yeah. The ghost menace,” he had answered.

“You’re dead,” she finished as if he hadn’t spoken. “You died and we didn’t… we never noticed. What— How—”

The thing about being Phantom is that Danny knows he died. He knows he came back changed. But he doesn’t like thinking about it, still wakes up from nightmares of electricity racing through his body, frying him from inside out as it stops and restarts his heart in an endless painful pattern. Yes he died, but he got powers out of it! He got to meet other ghosts, explore the Infinite Realms, do so many cool things no one else is able to do…

But he still died. Half of him is still dead. He’s never going to be the kid he once was.

“It was an accident,” he had whispered, “With the portal. The on button is inside it, and when I went in for some stupid picture, I tripped and hit it.”

“And we only cared about the portal working,” his dad had said, grief coloring every line in his face. “We didn’t even look at you. We just went straight for the portal. We were so happy to be right that we didn’t stop to think about what it meant, how it could have happened…”

The tears he saw well up in his parents eyes made his heart twist uncomfortably in his chest. For several long minutes, silence settled around them as his parents closed either eyes are stared down at the table, refusing to look at him. Jazz had squeezed his shoulder, then pulled him up out of his seat.

“Danny, go upstairs. Or to Tucker’s place. I need to have my own talk with them,” she had said. There was a steel in her gaze that told Danny there was no use in arguing, so he walked out the front door and transformed so he could fly out into the woods where he could be alone, watching the sky change colors as the sun set.

It’s been two weeks since then. His parents still can’t look at him for too long. They can’t look him in the eyes at all.

He wonders if he would have preferred them trying to kill him. At least then they would acknowledge that he’s still here instead of moving around him as if he’s a memory haunting the halls of their home, one they’re too guilty to face just yet.

He misses his dad’s loud voice and enthusiasm. He misses his mom’s quick wit and quicker reflexes. He misses the chaos of each meal they would have together and how his parents would drag him and Jazz along on random, sudden trips for the sake of science.

He misses his parents.

Danny hates that the family he loves died with him in that portal.

As much as he still loves them, being in the house, and in Amity Park in general, is suffocating. The farther he can get from them the better; Danny isn’t sure he’d react well if he stayed in this universe and woke up one day with his parents decided to break into his new home because they finally feel up to having a conversation with him.

Maybe he’d talk to Signal about what living in Gotham is like. That might help him make a decision on what to do with himself once he graduates from Casper High School.

He’ll save it for the next time they meet.

Some things are better done in person, after all. And it wouldn’t hurt for Danny to use it as an excuse to make sure he’s fine.

But for now, he’ll wait until the days pass and keep daydreaming about better things.

Signal: hey man, u doing okay? i haven’t heard from u in a while

Danny: yeah im good! i was waiting for u to text first bc i didnt know how long you’d need to recover from a concussion

Signal: ive been good for a while, dude. dw abt waiting to text me, just send me something and i’ll reply once i can!!

Danny: i’ll keep that in mind for the next time u get injured 👍

Signal: but fr are u good? tell me to back off if u need but u seem kinda down

Danny: im fine!!! just dealing w the crushing weight of existence, that’s all 🫠

Signal: oh mood. anything i can do to make things better for u?

Danny: nah it’s fine, im just like this sometimes. i promise it’ll pass

Signal: want a distraction?

Danny: please

Signal: so i was just swinging thru the streets as i do and this group called me down while theyre having a huge argument

Signal: so i go bc i dont want things escalating yknow?

Signal: and idk the context of this argument AT ALL but one of them turns to me

Signal: looks me dead in the eyes

Signal: and says ‘penis enhancement pills are NOT a thing, right?’

Danny: SKDFJALSDJ NO WAY

Signal: oh man. this isnt even the best part of this story

Danny: there’s MORE?????

Signal: its gotham, danny, there’s always more lmao

Signal: so anyways……..

Danny: i hope you know that story has been haunting me all week

Danny: dash was being a dick again and i was half asleep so i told him ‘maybe u’d be less of a dick if u stop taking penis enhancing pills’

Signal: THATS GOLD

Signal: my job here is done. nothing will ever top that. i’ll see myself out ✌️

Danny: he looked so shocked lmaooo

Danny: tried to say he DOESNT take any pills but it was too late

Danny: he was too flustered by it no one believed him

Danny: top 10 things to say to ur former bully

Signal: i didnt know he bullied u. good for u! get his ass!

Danny: he’s fine now lol just annoying. we all grew out of the super cliche high school phase after freshman year when we had to work together to fend off ghosts and the government

Signal: nothing like a little anarchy to bring people together

Signal: its why im still good friends w the people who were in a gang i joined when i was younger to be like. street kid vigilantes bc gotham was going bad back then

Danny: everything u say about gotham and ur life is so fascinating literally how are u real?? ure the perfect ya novel protagonist

Signal: thats the sweetest thing anyones ever said to me ❣️

Signal: but also lol. lmao. gotham really is just like that. no one is immune

Signal: u also sound like a ya protag jsyk.

Danny: literally how im so boring??

Signal: danny. babe. im gonna have to bring out the capital letters for this bc i get the feeling that u really believe that

Danny: oh boy

Signal: Listen. You live in a small town that’s Haunted, fight ghosts, have powers, went from being bullied to being chill with your bully, and can travel the multiverse. You are a YA Protagonist.

Danny: damn i can’t argue with that :/

Danny: why’d i have to be the ghost hunter’s ghost son. i wanna be a side character. give me a refund on this life pls

Signal: do i dare ask clarification on the ghost thing?

Danny: uuuh no? its kinda personal and im dealing w it but its also kinda like ur civilian id?

Danny: its something i’ll share once we’re closer and i know u better and can trust u with it

Signal: totally fair. want me to pretend that part of the conversation never happened?

Danny: please

Signal: cool. watch this

Signal changed Danny’s name to YA protag (real)

YA protag (real): ooooh my god

YA protag (real): im not taking this lying down

YA protag (real) changed Signal’s name to YA menace

YA protag (real) changed their name to YA protag (retired)

YA menace: lmao

YA menace: does this mean… ure my senior…. my knowledgeable mentor… my senpai 🥺

YA protag (retired): i will throw us both into a black hole dont even try me 🔪

YA menace: LMAO

YA menace: fair. just saying that dealt me so much psychological damage

YA protag (retired): deserved

YA protag (retired): can we attempt Danny Visits Gotham: 2! Electric Boo-galoo?

YA menace: yeah!!!! im free this weekend if u wanna come by then!!

YA protag (retired): i can do this weekend!!

YA menace: i will do my very best not to get a head injury before then

YA protag (retired): can u maybe aim for no injuries?

YA menace: danny we need to be realistic here

YA menace: my goal is to have no bleeding wounds that need stitches. as long as i don’t bleed its not a problem 👍

YA protag (retired): …..

YA menace: no need for the judgment i have everything under control

YA protag (retired): …………

YA protag (retired): :/

YA menace: lmk when ure gonna be in gotham! i’ll make sure to be outside waiting for u

YA protag (retired): i’ll be another hour but i’ll send a msg before i head out!!

YA protag (retired): actually it might be a bit longer i gotta fight some people who are trying to cheer me up

YA menace: should i be concerned

YA protag (retired): nah its fine they’re just annoying

YA menace: if u need to reschedule

YA protag (retired): noooo!!!! i’ll be in gotham soon i swear!!!!

YA menace: ok!! ok!!!! i will keep waiting for you then 🫡

Duke waits for an hour and a half, swinging through streets and waving to people, before Danny texts him to let him know that he’s next to the botanical gardens.

One moment, Duke is perched on the roof of a Mexican restaurant in the Bowery. The next, he’s halfway across Gotham, swinging recklessly from building to building.

So what if he’s excited to see Danny again! That’s normal!

Anyone would do the same in his position.

Plus, Duke still feels so bad about having to cancel last time due to his concussion. The sooner he gets to Danny, the sooner he can start making up for it. He didn’t spend the last few patrols being extra careful for nothing; he only has a few bruise and no bleeding at all!

Danny’s star glow helps Duke find him behind the botanical gardens, hidden away from the rest of the street.

He drops down from the roof, using the shadows to soften the impact of landing.

When he looks at Danny, leaning against the building, he’s greeted with a bright smile.

“Signal!” he says, pushing off the wall to close the distance between them. “I hope I didn’t make you wait too long or anything.”

“Nah, you’re good. You alright?”

“Oh, yeah, of course! It was just some friendly fighting, and they wouldn’t be able to really hurt me even if they tried. I’m all good! So, what’s the plan for today?”

Duke looks him over just in case, but Danny does appear to be perfectly fine. Not a single bruise on him. Maybe it was just a few friends roughhousing with him? That might be it, since Sam and Tucker did try to take each other out last time they were in Gotham. So he’s just going to go with what Danny says! He’s fine, and they can move on!

He’s totally going to worry about it later, but right now is not the time for it when Danny’s waiting to spend the day with him.

“Well, I still have to finish patrol, but that’s just for another hour if you wanna join me,” he says. “And then we can head to the Hatch to just… hang out. Or we can find something else to do, totally up to you.”

“The Hatch?” Danny repeats, tilting his head to the side curiously. Duke has to take a moment and just appreciate how cute Danny is before he can compose himself enough to answer.

“Yeah, it’s like my… secret base? HQ? The place I go for superhero things that is for me, specifically, and that I don’t have to share with a bunch of other people.”

“You have a secret base?! That’s so awesome! I just have—” Danny falters, his excitement falling, and then he plasters on a pained, fake smile. “I’ve always wanted to see a superhero’s HQ. Are you sure it’s fine to show it to me, though?”

Part of him wants to ask about what he was going to say before switching gears, but the drawn expression on his face is more than enough to make Duke back off. “Yeah, man, don’t even worry about it. Besides, it’s not like there’s any other places we can go to without me revealing my identity, you know?”

“Fair enough,” Danny nods. “But maybe one day we can?”

“For sure,” Duke says. “Come on, up for a quick patrol around Gotham?”

“Oh, definitely.” The light returns to Danny’s eyes as he lifts off the ground, floating. The smile on his face is more sincere, and the sight of it makes the knot of worry in Duke’s heart pull loose. He pulls his grapple out and aims for the highest ledge of Poison Ivy’s greenhouse, tucked in the back of the botanical gardens, then takes off.

Danny is flying next to him immediately, a blur of invisibility, and they fall into a rhythm quickly as they head towards the Bowery. As Duke free runs and swings between buildings, Danny flies around him, the occasional laugh slipping past his lips as he circles around Duke.

It’s hard not to have his attention stolen by Danny, but Duke is here to protect the people of Gotham, so he focuses 90% of his attention to the streets, keeping an eye and ear out for any trouble.

There’s not much happening today, thankfully. He’s only had to stop a few burglaries, a bank robbery, and chase off a stalker before Danny arrived. Truthfully, the peace is making him nervous; there hasn’t been a big attack to the city in a while, with no word on the movement of rogues and nothing big brewing among the gangs and mobs. Peace rarely lasts so long in Gotham, and Duke is genuinely worried the next thing will be some continent destroying, apocalypse bringing disaster.

In the last hour of his patrol, he only has to stop a purse-snatcher and help someone move their broken down car off the street and into a parking lot. Danny stays in the air for both, invisible to everyone but him, and the blur of his aura floats around the areas Duke stops at curiously.

They hit up touristy places last time he was in Gotham, and food trucks before that. Maybe next time Duke can get takeout from a nice restaurant and they can have a rooftop picnic.

Not quite a date, not yet at least, but something close to it. A testing of the waters. An unspoken promise for something more.

With the hour ends, Duke comes to stop on the roof of a tattoo parlor and gestures for Danny to join him.

The blur of invisibility fades away and Danny’s features come back into focus as he lowers himself down to the roof.

“What’s up?” Danny asks, glancing around them curiously.

“It’s about time for patrol to end, so we can head to the Hatch now. But I do need to blindfold you so you don’t see where the Hatch is located.”

“Oh! Yeah, that’s fine. Will I just have to hold onto you or something? Since I won’t be able to see where we’re going.”

“I was thinking I’d just carry you. It’s easier that way.”

“Sure, that works!” Danny closes his eyes, cheeks already darkening with a blush. “I’ll just… let you blindfold me now?”

Duke desperately wants to smoosh Danny’s cheeks together in his hands, but valiantly resists the urge. He’s on a mission! To hang out with Danny! He can cry about how cute Danny is later!

He walks up to Danny on silent feet, circling around him. Then he lifts his hands, picturing the light solidifying in his palms, turning to fabric that darkens and obscures, bending the light to be darker and darker until it’s nearly black. He gently pulls it across Danny’s eyes, leaning in closer to him to make sure he’s not putting it on too tightly.

Danny gasps slightly when his back bumps into Duke’s chest, and Duke can’t help the way his eyes dart down to Danny’s mouth, his red cheeks, the long line of his neck.

Focus, he tells himself sternly, and draws the ends of his makeshift blindfold back to tie the ends together behind Danny’s head.

“There,” he says in a low voice. “All done.”

Danny doesn’t answer. He just leans back against Duke, pressing them together slightly, and Duke brings his hands down to Danny’s hips to hold his steady.

“Ready to go?”

“Ready,” Danny answers in a faint voice. “How do you want me?”

Now that’s a dangerous question to ask right then and there. Duke bites back a number of flirtatious, suggestive answers, and makes himself actually think about the best way he can carry Danny while grappling to the Hatch. He’ll need one hand free to grapple, but also needs to keep a secure grip on Danny…

He steps to the side and guides one of Danny’s arms up to wrap around his shoulders. Then he picks Danny up, leaving him to wrap his legs around his waist as he walks over to the edge of the roof and looks towards the area in Gotham where the Hatch is hidden. Duke takes a moment to adjust his arm to keep Danny secure against his chest, then takes hold of his grapple with his free hand.

“Ready?” he checks, tightening his hold on Danny’s waist.

Danny nods against his neck, tucking his face in the crook of Duke’s shoulder. “Ready!”

Duke grins and jumps off the building, shooting out his grapple as they begin to fall. Danny yelps lightly, then clings to Duke even harder, his blindfold still secure around his head. It’s become a bit fainter as Duke’s attention slipped off of it, but he focuses on it again to darken it and keep Danny from seeing where they’re going.

It occurs to him halfway to the Hatch how much trust Danny is putting in him. To put a blindfold on him. To lead him to a place he’s never been to before. To let Duke swing him across the streets of Gotham without using his own ability to fly.

Oracle’s apprehension about Danny (and his friends) is a heavy weight on his mind, but he can’t help but think it’s unnecessary. She’d understand if she ever met Danny in person. He wears his heart on his sleeve and offers it so freely; how could Duke not trust him?

The weeks they’ve been texting each other only make him sure that Danny’s a good person, someone he wants in his life for as long as he can stay, someone he wants to be honest with. They just click, somehow, like they’re each holding a puzzle piece that’s been missing in each other’s lives.

I think I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet you, he wants to say. But the street entrance to the Hatch is just a block away and Danny still doesn’t know his name, so Duke bites his tongue and forces all those feelings back into more platonic territory.

Just as the reach the building with the hidden panel to allow him entrance to the Hatch, Duke pulls at the light around them to hide them from sight as they drop down from the sky.

“Almost in,” he says, holding Danny up with one arm as he tucks his grapple away and push the fake brick cover out of the way to punch in his twelve digit access code.

A hidden door in the wall of the building, the back bricked off from the operating portion courtesy of Wayne Industries funding the restoration project for this area of the city after a major alien attack, opens up smoothly and without a sound. The ground slopes downward at a steep angle; he uses this door for when he’s riding his motorcycle out of the cave networks underneath the city that keep the Hatch connected to the Batcave, but it’s not too far from where the Hatch itself is.

He carries Danny in, then makes sure the door closes completely behind him before setting Danny down on his feet. “We’ve still got a bit of a walk to the Hatch, but you can take your blindfold off now.”

“I’ll wait until we get there,” Danny says. “I’m going to use this as an excuse to cling to you for as long as I can.”

“Fair enough!” Duke laughs, “Cling away, I’ll make sure you don’t trip.”

And cling away Danny does, wrapping his arms around Duke’s left arm, holding onto it as they make their way down the tunnel. Duke keeps an eye out for anything that might trip him and carefully steers him past them.

“Are we underground?”

“Yeah, there’s this huge cave system under the city that we use to get around,” Duke answers. “Though we’ve paved in small roads and made stable tunnels to go through, so it’s all safe.”

“Huh, that’s cool. It would be nice if I had a way to get around Amity like this.”

“Danny, you can fly.”

“That’s not relevant!”

“How is it not relevant?” Duke laughs incredulously, jostling Danny slightly. Danny turns towards him and they trip over each other slightly, clutching to each other to keep their balance.

“It just isn’t!”

They bicker lightheartedly down the tunnel until it opens up into the garage of the Hatch. Duke helps Danny up the stairs to the main area, where he keeps his suit, weapons, and the large computer Bruce installed when the Hatch was first made. Once he’s sure Danny’s comfortable, he leaves to change into his civilian clothes with only a domino mask slapped over his eyes to protect his identity.

And if Duke takes an extra minute to fix up his hair, the long locs in a disarray from being tied back and stuffed into his helmet, then that’s no one’s business but his own.

Maybe he does need to get a hair cut. He’s starting to get why Steph wants to shave her head and rock a pixie cut like Selena. But, on the other hand, he does like how he looks with longer hair, especially when it’s tied up…

Long hair for now. It makes him look good and he’s here to impress Danny.

When he heads back to where Danny is, he sees Danny sitting down patiently, his blindfold still on, though it’s become much more transparent than it was before. He can see how Danny’s eyes are closed beneath it, waiting for Duke to return, tapping out a slow rhythm on his knee with his fingers.

“You can take that off now,” he says as he walks up to Danny.

“You sure?”

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have brought you in here.”

Danny reaches up and gently pulls the blindfold off, slowly blinking his eyes open. He watches as the blindfold dissolves in his hand, becoming light again, then shyly turns to look at Duke.

“Oh,” he says softly, taking in Duke, who tries very hard not to fidget and reveal just how nervous he is to be out of his Signal armor before Danny. “You are so unfair?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You can’t be kind, a superhero, and attractive! Tell me something you’re bad at so I know you have some flaws.”

Duke grins, flattered. “You think I’m attractive?”

“Stop fishing for compliments!” Danny pushes him lightly, barely enough force to make him tilt to the side. “Give me something you’re bad at, come on.”

“Well, if you really need to know…” Duke takes a moment to think of something that won’t completely embarrass him. “I’m terrible at learning other languages. Vocab doesn’t stick in my head, grammar rules mean nothing to me, and my accent is atrocious.”

“That doesn’t count, that’s normal,” Danny argues.

“It the only thing I can think of right now! I’m just really bad at non-English languages!”

Danny rolls his eyes, shaking his head fondly. “I can’t believe you. You have powers, you’re cute, and you’re good at flirting. Stop winning at life so much, the rest of us stand no chance against you.”

“I promise I’m a disaster when I’m not trying to impress people.”

“Lies. You’re being perfect right now and there’s no one to impress.”

“I’m trying to impress you.”

Danny blinks. “Oh.” He bites his lip in an attempt to force down a smile. “Shut up. I don’t count. You don’t need to try to impress me, you’ve already done that.”

“Yeah? Well, maybe I’ll try to be more of a mess around you from now on.”

“Please do, I can’t be the only one making a fool of myself. Where’s the friendship? The solidarity? Suffer with me!”

Duke shoves him back playfully, and just like that, they fall back into a rhythm of easy conversation and light touches, skirting the lines of friendly with something more. Time slips away from him and Duke spends every second with Danny wishing he could have this always, that they didn’t have a time limit over their heads, that the universe itself wasn’t keeping them apart. He shows off the Hatch and some Bat gadgets, which Danny finds fascinating, then they spend an hour comparing their most commonly used powers.

Danny has to leave all too soon, opening up a small portal of swirling green with the help of a small pocketwatch-like device, and Duke can only hope that they can do this again soon, but without the domino on his face.

One day, he swears. One day they’ll have that.

YA menace: hey quickly rate this guys fit

YA menace: [attached photo is a goon with a black and white striped shirt with a purple question mark safety pinned onto it. They’re also wearing neon purple sweatpants and are glaring at the camera.]

YA protag (retired): ngl thats not the worst ive seen. 6/10

YA menace: 6???

YA menace: 6?????????????

YA menace: danny i say this with all the love in my heart, go get ur eyes checked

YA protag (retired): before u say anything else. look at what i regularly have to deal with

YA protag (retired): [attached photo is a floating man with blue-ish skin an d a very dramatic hairstyle. He’s wearing a long black cloak, a white suit, and a Green Bay Packer’s football jersey on top of all that.]

YA menace: damn. no wonder ur judgement of bad fits is Like That. this guys to blame

YA protag (retired): wanna know the worst part?

YA menace: this can get worse??

YA protag (retired): thats my godfather.

YA protag (retired): this is a man my parents thought were fit to be responsible for me and my sister if anything happens to us

YA protag (retired): THIS GUY

YA menace: u have my sincerest condolences

YA menace: oh shit more riddler guys are here i gtg they got guns

YA protag (retired): be safe!! please dont get shot!!!!

YA menace: i’ll do my best 🫡

YA protag (retired): came home today and all the weapons that were attached to my house disappeared

YA protag (retired): i feel like im in the twilight zone

YA protag (retired): if i start talking backwards or acting like a robot pls know it is not me but something wearing my face

YA menace: the weapons attached to ur house????

YA menace: im starting there but i want u to know that everything u said was concerning

YA protag (retired): have i not mentioned it before? my parents are kinda mad scientists and make a lot of weird but working things. mostly weapons to fight ghosts.

YA menace: cant believe ure only just dropping lore abt urself when we’ve been talking for so long

YA protag (retired): in my defense!!!! everyone here knows abt them so im used to not having to say anything!!!

YA protag (retired): people usually just Get It!!!

YA menace: moving on to my second point: having the weapons removed from ur house is whats concerning??? not the weapons being attached to ur house???

YA protag (retired): listen. i have spent p much my entire life with a house that doubles as an armed fortress. when i was a kid i was convinced it would come to life and protect me from monsters. this was also during my urban legends monster phrase and i scared myself reading abt them and needed the comfort

YA protag (retired): my POINT is that its normal for my house to have weapons. so seeing them gone is worrying!!!!!

YA menace: .

YA menace: ok fair enough. last point: is being replaced by a robot version of urself a concern in ur universe? bc it is here

YA protag (retired): no its not a legit concern here

YA protag (retired): probably. dont quote me on that. i had a cloning situation a few years ago

YA menace: a hwat

YA protag (retired): dont worry about it!!!

YA protag (retired): oh my parents are home. i need to talk to them. Bye!!

YA menace: gl!! let me know if u need rescuing from evil clone robots

RED: before I say anything else, Signal this is the price u pay for not letting me play with interdimensional tech after you let O have a turn at it.

YA protag (retired): um.

YA protag (retired): wrong chat???

RED: no this is the right chat. Hi Danny :)

YA protag (retired): hi???? who are u????

YA menace: oh my god

YA menace: this is NOT NECESSARY RED

RED: as I said. U did this to urself.

YA menace: 🙄🙄🙄

YA protag (retired): wait. did u… hack into this chat?? did u hack the phone????

RED: yeah lol.

RED: was a bit of a challenge but it was fun

RED: had to pull out the spare alien tech to make something that would connect

YA protag (retired): ok 1. tucker will want to marry u for ur brain

YA protag (retired): 2. ALIEN TECH?????

YA menace: i feel like we already talked abt aliens being real in my dimension

YA protag (retired): THATS DIFFERENT FROM HAVNG ALIEN TECH

YA protag (retired): hey red what do u accept as bribes

YA menace: u ask him while im right here????

YA protag (retired): u dont have the alien tech. red does. case closed.

RED: oh wow. Signal….. Wow.

YA menace: what? shut up. cant leave any of yall unsupervised i swear

RED: also, Danny I accept tech from different dimensions and also fun tasting sodas and energy drinks

YA protag (retired): done. i will have the goods ready next time i go to gotham, pls hook me up w alien teach

RED: do u just like new tech?

YA menace: hes a space nerd so he loves aliens

RED: do u just wanna meet an alien then?

YA protag (retired): CAN I??!!

RED: yeah I can pull something together for u

YA menace: omfg. Red can u go stop stealing danny from me

RED: up ur game Signal. We’re ALL going to try to steal Danny away

YA menace: how tf do i kick u out of the chat

RED: u cant 😇 im too good to be kicked

YA menace: put that halo away we all know what u really are

YA menace: 🤡

YA protag (retired): omg….. rip red ur cool reputation will be missed

RED: hey now. What happened to the bribes :(

YA protag (retired): ur still gonna get them but i am playing favorites

YA protag (retired): and signal is obviously my fave

YA menace: knew i could count on u to have my back danny 💛

YA menace: drop ur location red i just wanna talk

RED: lol no

RED: good luck catching me :)

YA menace: coward!!!!

YA protag (retired): there he goes…..

YA protag (retired): hey u know what i just realized?

YA menace: what?

YA protag (real) changed YA menace’s name to Light

YA protag (real) changed their name to Night

Night: rhyming buddies 😄

Light: i get the light bc of my powers but wheres the night coming from?

Night: bc i love space! the night sky!!

Light: ok thats pretty cute ngl

Light: give me some warning bc u do stuff like that its bad for my heart

Night: stop sweet talking me im busy feeling clever

Light: lmaooooo

Light: fair enough i’ll get back to it in 3-5 business days

Night: good 👍

Night: also is now a good time to ask abt red…. who was that….

Light: that was a nerd. dont worry abt him ok im cooler

Light: serious answer: hes red robin and hes another vigilante in gotham. we’re chill

Night: did u find his location for a throw down tho

Light: i can do u one better: i know where he lives

Night: oh???

Light: yeah his dad is my mentor of sorts so its not THAT impressive that i know

Light: i did steal all his zesti tho lol

Night: not sure what that is but im proud of u

Light: its just a drink that hes obsessed w. i love being a minor annoyance 😇

Night: shaking ur hand. its really the best thing to be

Light: hell yeah!!!

Light: hey got a kinda serious question for u

Night: whats up?

Light: have u thought abt ur future?

Light: like what u want to do in college, where u want to go after high school, what career u want

Night: i mean. some.

Night: not as much as my parents want me to.

Night: my sister goes to harvard and is super smart. im not that impressive so i keep disappointing them

Night: and with things recently… idk its hard. it kinda feels like they dont believe i have a future.

Night: not that they really see me in the present anyways

Night: sorry that was heavy. short answer is no! not really!

Light: that sounds rough. wanna talk abt it?

Night: not really but not talking hasnt done me much good

Night: my sister would want me to talk anyways. to someone trustworthy at least

Night: so if u dont mind listening…

Light: go for it!! im here for u danny

Light: emotionally at least. not physically but thats not by choice

Night: it can wait tho honestly. whyd u ask abt the future? something on ur mind?

Light: just feeling really lost rn is all.

Light: its like everyone around me has an idea of what to do with their lives while im still surprised that i made it as far as i have

Light: this is really the first time ive seriously thought abt my future and i have no idea what to do

Light: so i wanted to talk to u bc u help make things feel less terrifying

Night: signal…. ur going to make me cry

Night: u make me feel brave too

Night: ♥️

Night: i get what u mean 100% btw. u go so long sure that u dont have a future that u dont know what to do now that its here

Light: exactly.

Light: what am i supposed to do with my life? i dont want to be a hero full time, ive seen how that breaks people

Night: do u want to go to college? or do u just feel like u have to bc everyone else is?

Light: i do want to.

Light: my parents both went and theyve always wanted me to get a degree and be successful

Light: they may not be around anymore, not really, but i do still want to make them proud

Light: they cant see me graduate, but maybe when i tell them the next time i visit, itll reach the part of them thats still alive in their minds

Light: what about u? do u want to go to college?

Night: yeah. it was always my dream to become an astronaut. work at nasa and everything

Night: no chance its ever gonna happen now tho lol

Night: dying and the health problems that comes w that will do that to ya ✌️

Light: oh man that sucks

Night: yeah

Night: i might still study aerospace engineering tho. even if i cant be an astronaut, maybe i can help others get there

Light: thats a good alternative!! im glad u still have some idea of what u can do that can help u work at nasa and achieve part of ur dream

Night: we’ll see tho

Night: im not really feeling college atm. or life in general

Night: idk i feel…. stuck. like nothing will change even if i get out of illinois. it’ll just be the same stuff at a different place

Night: and i know itll take one visit from my parents to start ruining things for me

Night: i just… dont really wanna deal w that. ive kinda given up on life tbh i might as well just focus on the ghostly side of things. stay in the ghost zone more permanently

Light: i dont wanna judge or anything but that doesnt sound healthy??

Light: pls dont disappear into the ghost zone. i’d miss u.

Night: sweet talker

Night: i wont. dont worry. its just a feeling i get sometimes, that it’d be better if i wasnt in this world. if i could just go somewhere else

Light: hey. what if

Light: sorry if this idea is stupid or something

Light: but what if u lived here? in my dimension? u could establish a life and go to college here.

Light: a total fresh start

Night: thats. not a bad idea actually

Night: i would love that. wouldn’t it be hard to do tho? i dont exist there.

Light: we can make it work. its not like us gotham vigilantes are new to creating new identities/lives out of nothing

Light: i could ask for a few favors, do a few dubiously legal things. you could live here

Night: im planning to take a gap year to figure out if i wanna stay in the human world at all. i could spend that year in gotham before making my choice

Night: if u dont mind me asking this huge favor of u

Light: i dont mind at all!!

Light: danny i would love for u to be here are u kidding me. i’d do anything so we could be closer together

Night: thanks signal ♥️

Night: i made this all abt me im so sorry

Night: wanna talk more abt how ur feeling or ur plans for the future?

Light: maybe some other time. i wanna get to work on making sure u can live here for the year (and more! hopefully!)

Light: tell u what.

Light: we can talk more abt this the next time we see each other in person ok?

Night: deal

Night: im really glad i met u

Light: me too

Light: im here for u for as long as u want me around, honey

Light: u dont need to worry about a thing with me

Night: ure too sweet.

Night: im going to go now before u make me melt into a puddle of feelings

Night: ♥️

Light: ♥️

“Hey Babs, I have a favor to ask…”

#ghostlights #duke thomas/danny fenton #dcxdp #dpxdc #dc x dp #dp x dc #my writing #dc x dp fic #now to all my other wips! and then the next fic in the series!!#i did make the series on ao3 btw if u wanna subscribe to it #v excited to get into it. i have MUCH to say abt the fenton family and duke's indecision abt his future and duke and dannys relationship!!!

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phoenixcatch7 · 1 year

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Okay so there's this idea for a fic I've been thinking of.

The jl are combating something that can only be touched with magic, jl dark is unresponsive (they got stuck in another dimension again), and cap - their only other magic user - is too injured.

But when they start stressing cap just slams a sheaf of papers of the table like 'pick between yourselves what powers you want, it's one each. Ig I'll sponsor you for today'.

Everyone: what?

Cap, spreading the papers to show each has a letter... Spelling out a magic word?: I'm serious. Do you want a cool new power? Consequence free? For as long as you need?

Batman:... Are you saying... You can... Give out powers?

Cap: my powers, yes. Flash, put Mercury back. That's pointless.

It'd be a great chance to have him explain his powers as a sort of reveal, including why he doesn't do it (it divides his power equally and thus severely weakens him). Also it would be very funny, I think, to see the jl in colour coded marvel suits being basically patroned by Billy. Batman has a blindingly white cowl. Flash has a cape. There's so much 'wait this chill childlike guy from some random city is actually insanely powerful' potential.

But also:

Batman, slowly pinwheeling through the air: how do I steer.

#dc captain marvel #shazam #captain marvel #billy batson #justice league #jla #batman #superman #wonder woman #dc flash #green lantern #martian manhunter #green arrow #With a limit of six it'd be a good cast size too #I can definitely see cap having to prod them away from playing to their strengths because otherwise that would be self defeating #Superman I'd have to give wisdom because like. He's got everything else #I'd give batman... Power. that'd probably be the trickiest to master in a short time?#I'd give flash super strength I think to balance it out. Maybe invulnerability?#Wonder woman can work with anything. Queen. She'd probably take super speed #Just leaves stamina and the one flash doesn't have. Depends who the final members are I guess.#Who do you think they should be?#Green lantern (wearing yellow): this feels wrong.#Green arrow (wearing purple): I think I need a new name.#Cap: well technically you're all my lieutenants now so you can just go by colours if you want lol #Batman: you will not call me lieutenant blue I am not five. We are not power rangers.#Gl: WELL I'M NOT GOING BY YELLOW LANTERN #1k #2k #!

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im-totally-not-an-alien-2 · 2 years

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Au where Danny gets deaged by a magical artifact in the GZ and gets lost in a different dimension with Cujo. While exploring Gotham as Phantom he decides to play up the little kid routine and use his puppy friend to do it.

At this point Danny had finally trained the pup and he actually listened to him. Needless to say there's a certain flock of bats and birds who keep pestering him at night. All he's trying to do is explore the city and play with his dog. Is that so bad?

Danny doesnt usually bother hiding from them. Not much point considering he shines like a spotlight in Gothams gloom anytime he's in his phantom form. Plus Cujo is glowy and green, so that doesn't help matters.

Danny usually runs them on a wild goose chase in the name of "Tag" before disappearing. He stole Batmans cape by phasing it off of him and he now uses it as a blanket at night (its surprisingly warm), he stole another one at Red Hoods request and gave it to him, he's set up play dates between Cujo and Harleys hyenas, he's pied Joker in the face, he's pet Penguins pet penguins right in front of him, he's been trapped in an elevator with Brucie Wayne for two hours, he's had a tea party with Catwomans cats and may have broken into her apartment to do it, he's kidnapped Red Robin and made him go to the park and play on the swings with him, he's gotten into actual fights with Robin and last but not least, he came up with the Puppy Paw of Approval.

---

Nightwing stared at the kid they had been chasing every other night for the last three months now, confused. "Whats the Puppy Paw of Approval?"

The kid moved the puppy, Cujo (which Jason finds hilarious) up in front of his face, holding him there by his armpits.

The dog was making the "no thoughts head empty" face with his tongue sticking out just a smidge. Dick was tempted to coo. "The Puppy Paw of Approval is an award! Arf!" The kid said in a higher pitched pretend voice.

"Its awarded to people we really really like! Arf!"

Nightwing gasped dramatically, playing along with the boy, "You really like me that much?"

"Of course!" The boy floated over to Dick and places one of the dogs paws on the man's chest. "Da da da daaa!" The kid sang, "You now have the Puppy Paw of Approval!"

The vigilante sniffled, "I will always cherish this! Thank you!"

The kid giggled and Cujo barked at him. The little green rottweiler panted up at him with a giants smile and his little nub tail wagging a mile and minute.

God, Nightwing couldn't wait for his newest little brother to join the family.

Dick was dismayed to learn he was actually the second person to get the PPA. The first being Tim, the third being Harley and the forth being Catwoman. Ivy was apparently salty about not getting one but the kid was scared of her for some reason.

Danny makes friends with lots of people throughout the city. Scarecrow learns of the bats recruitment attempts on this boy and decides to use the fear toxin on him. This has the unexpected outcome of making the child cry.

And then the whole city was out for his head.

#prompts #fanfiction prompts #danny phantom #dp x dc #danny fenton #batman #robin #bruce wayne #brucie wayne #nightwing #dick grayson #red hood #jason is having a blast #dp cujo #cujo #cujo is best boy #danny has won the heart of gotham #sorry if this is kinda awkward

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artemismoorea03 · 8 months

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DPxDC or Marvel: Amity's Hero

Could be used with the Justice League, Batfam or Marvel! It's completely up to your imagine go ham! But I'm going to be writing this with the Justice League because I know them better <3

The Justice League was devastated when they learned about Amity Park and it's situation. It wasn't until a 12 year old girl grabbed Batman by the cape, shoved a USB into his hand and saved "they need your help" before they mysteriously vanished that they even knew of the problem. The city had been cut off from the rest of the United States due to a government agency which tracked every call, text, and message trying to leave the area all the while a 14 year old kid fought off the same Government Agency, other agencies, and creatures from another dimension called 'Ghosts'.

But the last thing they expected when they arrived to Amity Park was to see the same teenager - Phantom - wounded after a fight. The fight was over by the time they got there but the wounds and fear on the teens face were real. He had no idea that the League was there to offer help and it was clear the teen was of the assumption that they were there to help the Goverment.

He wasn't the only one.

Four teenagers slid in front of the teen, protecting him all ready to fight and they weren't the only ones. More and more teenagers joined the group some wearing football jackets, others in crop tops and jeans. Then the elderly started to join in and the middle age. People in normal clothes, jumpsuits, normal suits, hospital gowns, police uniforms - everybody in the area - made a protective barrier between the Justice League and the teen who seemed confused by the actions.

"If the Justice League is here to cause issues for my city you better turn around now. We have had quite enough for one day." A man with silver hair pulled in a ponytail said.

"No, we're not here to cause issues. We were here to talk to Phantom... to see if he needed help." Superman said as Batman stepped up.

"It's clear now though... he has help. The Justice League has disabled the devices the 'Ghost Investigation Ward' was using to keep you guys secluded... so if he - or any of you - need more help... give us a call." Batman said as the man hesitated, then nodded.

"That's it?" Green Arrow asked as they turned and walked away from the crowd. "We're just... leaving?"

"Yeah. We are. Phantom knows he has more he can depend on and it's not just the league. Amity is under his protection and Amity will protect their hero." Batman said, glancing back at the teen who was being hugged by a couple in teal and orange jumpsuits.

Amity Park and it's hero sure was a sight to see.

#good parents Jack and maddie #Vlad will throw down #this bitch wont even hesitate #Amity Park protects Danny #Danny Phantom is a hero #and everybody knows it #took 'em long enough #my prompts #dp x dc prompt #dc x dp prompt #dp x marvel prompt #if you want it to be anyways

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lazycats-stuff · 7 months

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Okay hear me out, reader x batfamily okay? The reader is 2nd youngest (like 14) and recently during a mission, they got sent to alternate reality where they’re a bad guy, and witnessed themself kill the batfamily? Obviously you don’t have to write out that part if it makes you uncomfortable, but any ways. Once they return they distant themselves from the family beacuse they’re scared they’re going to hurt the family and turn out like the other evil them? The batfamily has enough of this after a while and corners them and kinda pressures them into telling what’s going on with them, and the reader kinda breaks down and says what they saw and that they’re scared they’re going to hurt their family. The batfam comforts them and tells them that, their nothing like their evil self? Somethin like thattt

Oh yeah... My poor reader is going to be traumatized.

Summary: (Y/N) gets thrown into a an alternate dimension. He didn't expect to be evil.

Warnings: murders, major characters death, but not really, alternate universe, angst and fluff,

(Y/N) had a bad feeling about all of this. He was back in Gotham, his home city. But there was something that is off. His family encountered Klarion and that's when the fighting started.

The fight was a blur for (Y/N), but he remembered that Klarion threw him into a portal. After an uncomfortable travel, he landed on top of a building, near GCPD.

And something is so off. It's too quiet for (Y/N). Now he felt like Bruce, knowing how the city felt. Was he turning into Bruce? (Y/N) shuddered a little bit, not wanting to be Bruce.

It isn't a necessarily bad thing, but still... One thing is for certain.

This is not his Gotham. Nope.

" What is going on here? " (Y/N) asked himself, trying to calibrate his comms. When he couldn't find their channel for their own comms, now he knew.

This is an alternate universe. Of course Klarion would throw him into an alternate universe or reality. Now there is a new question that he needed to answer.

What has happened with his family?

Were they still the same? Did somebody go insane? Did somebody turn into a villain? (Y/N) shook his head.

Nope. He won't think like that. He is going to hope that his family is fine. But where should he go first? GCPD? Should he find Gordon? Or his father?

What about the rouges? You know, Two Face, Penguin... Is there still Joker here? He hoped that there isn't. He didn't have any will power to deal with him.

Well, James Gordon is going to be his best choice. And besides, there is a bat signal up in the dark sky. He started moving, eager to move and get back home quickly.

Should he go to the Justice League HQ? You know, to find doctor Fate?

If Bruce was here they would have a plan set in place already and 5 different strategies how to approach this entire thing.

He landed quietly on the roof of the building, dusting his cape off. Gordon saw him and pointed a gun at him.

" What are you doing here? " Gordon asked, voice full of anger. What the hell has happened? (Y/N) stayed calm as ever.

" Okay, I'm assuming I'm not liked here. " (Y/N) said, trying to figure out what is happening.

" What the hell are you on about?! We hate you. " Gordon said and (Y/N) didn't know how to feel.

" Can I ask what happened? " (Y/N) prompted.

" Why are you wearing a suit? Are you working with Batman? After everything you have done?! "

Okay... He is a villain then. Oh no. Oh God.

" What if I tell you I'm not from here? I'm from another universe. " (Y/N) said bluntly and Gordon looked at him in shock.

" What? "

" Yup. I know how it sounds, but back in my universe, I'm a good guy and Batman's kid. " (Y/N) tried to explain and Gordon lowered his gun.

" Oh God. " Gordon said, rubbing his face.

" Now that we have gone over this, can you explain to me what the hell happened? I want to know why you pointed a gun at me. " (Y/N) said, moving closer to Gordon.

" You are a villain. You would make Joker jealous. " Gordon said and (Y/N) couldn't keep his reaction in anymore.

" What? What do you mean would? " (Y/N) asked, tilting his head.

" Joker is dead here. I made sure he burned. Then you, well, the other version, if that's even correct term, stepped onto the Gotham scene. You made a lot of waves and Batman is probably working overtime in order to bring you to Blackgate. " Gordon said, rubbing his forehead.

" I want to ask what I've done, but honestly I don't want to know. " (Y/N) said, looking at the city skyline.

" How screwed is Gotham? " (Y/N) asked, looking down at the Wayne Enterprises, the highest point in Gotham.

" Very. With you in it, even more than usual. " Gordon explained and (Y/N) couldn't help but sigh.

" Oh God. "

Gordon was going to say something more, but a broadcast from the building nearby. It was him. With his family on their knees, masks off. What the fuck?

Oh God. This a public execution. (Y/N) paled. No, nononono- A shot after shot rang out and (Y/N) couldn't keep his tears in anymore. He covered his mouth with his hand, sniffling quietly.

What has he done? Oh God, what has he done? Gordon was silent, forcing himself to stay calm with a stoic look on his face.

(Y/N) fell down on his knees, forcing himself to breathe. Just breathe. He looked up and jumped back.

" Doctor Fate? " (Y/N) asked quietly, trying to get up.

" I'm here to help you get back home. Your father contacted me, telling what Klarion did to you. "

(Y/N) nodded, standing up. He felt so lightheaded.

" Gordon? " (Y/N) said, taking a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

" Yes? "

" Honor them. Please honor them. Don't let him win. " (Y/N) requested and Gordon nodded, eyes glassy.

" Thank you Gordon. " (Y/N) said, before allowing Doctor Fate to send him back to the same universe.

(Y/N) shuddered as he was back in his universe, falling down to his knees again. He noticed that he was in the Batcave and while he is relieved to be back home, he couldn't look Bruce in the eyes. Nor his brothers.

He brushed past everyone, making a run for the locker rooms. He basically ripped the suit of off him and made a run again for his room. His brothers shouted for him, but (Y/N) didn't hear it.

He locked his room and got under the covers. Nope. He is not leaving this room for the life of him. Not happening. Patrol and any other missions are going to be out of the question.

How can he work with them when he can't even look them in the eyes?

Bruce really wanted to know what happened, but Doctor Fate didn't have an answer. Bruce knew that he would need to talk to (Y/N), but that is not going to be easy when (Y/N) refuses to be anywhere near them.

Bruce could see that the others were worried. (Y/N) has never tried to distance himself from them.

" What do we do B? " Dick asked, crossing his arms.

" We have to talk to him. "

" You know, he was taking his suit off as if it burned him. " Damian chimed in, looking down at his crossed arms. Bruce sighed quietly, waving four of his sons forward. All of them shared a hug.

" We will find a way to talk to him. We will find out what has happened to him. " Bruce said, squeezing his sons a bit tighter. After he let them go, they were all a little bit emotional. Even Damian. Damian and (Y/N) are close and it hurt him when he ran passed everyone.

He knew that (Y/N) becomes withdrawn when he is upset or angry, but they confided in one another.

" We will find a way boys. We will find a way... " Bruce said, closing his eyes for a moment.

It has been a week since (Y/N) came back and the situation is alarming. (Y/N) closed himself in a room and didn't allow anyone to enter besides Alfred.

Alfred was trying to figure out what was happening with him, but (Y/N) closed himself off. He made so many walls, so many defenses on and Alfred wondered what could have traumatized his adopted grandson this much.

Bruce and everyone else knew that they had to take this head on and make an intervention. No one wanted to see (Y/N) spiral, but he is on a good way to spiral completely out of control.

They made sure that (Y/N) had left the room. They watched him to pinpoint the time when he would be in the kitchen. After they saw (Y/N) in the kitchen they all steeped in, blocking all the exit points.

" (Y/N), " Bruce started, trying not break as he took in the appearance of his son. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked so tired. So emotionally drained. " We are worried for you. We wanted to give you some time to come to us, but you are spiraling and I won't let you go down that path. " Bruce said, heart clenching at the panic in (Y/N)'s eyes.

" Talk to us please. " Bruce pleaded with (Y/N). He knew that (Y/N) was looking for a way out, but he couldn't let him out.

(Y/N) shook his head. Bruce isn't going to yell.

" (Y/N), please. You can tell us. We are here for you. You can confide in us. " Damian pleaded and (Y/N) started crying. Bruce was mortified as he watched his son break.

" I don't want to hurt you! I don't want to become like him! I don't want to! " (Y/N) cried out and Bruce quickly stepped closer to his son, allowing him to wrap himself around him and (Y/N) refused to let go.

" Tell us what happened. " Damian said, moving closer.

And (Y/N) did. Everyone was horrified at the story and they all hugged him.

" You are nothing like him. " Jason started.

" You won't turn into him. " Dick added.

" That version sounds like an asshole. " Tim said.

" I'm going to end him. " Damian chimed in, hugging his brother.

(Y/N) chuckled quietly as he was being squished. Even Alfred joined, giving him support too.

" Now, how about you eat something and then go to sleep? You look like you are going to pass out at any moment. " Dick said and Alfred led him to a table.

#dc comics #x male reader #dc x male reader #batfamily #bruce wayne x male reader #jason todd x male reader #batman x male reader #batkids #damian wayne x male reader #red robin x male reader #robin x male reader #tim drake x male reader #red hood x male reader #dick grayson x male reader #nightwing x male reader

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augustheart · 4 months

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what is the wrong earth?

the wrong earth is an AHOY! comic created by tom peyer and jamal igle starting in 2019 with semi-regular installments since then. the plot follows dragonflyman, a parody of the campy silver age and adam west batman, and dragonfly, a riff on gritty overly dark modern batman, after they're transported to each other's worlds. stranded in a city that's almost--but not quite--the one they've always known, they have to find allies in order to survive. but what or who is behind the interdimensional mirrors that took them away from home? and what happens if one of them finds that the sidekick he lost on his home world is alive and well in another dimension?

is it good?

yeah, it's an absolute blast. even among ones that are well done, it's rare for parodies of past and present mediums of comics to feel friendly and not mean-spirited. this comic genuinely loves the ones that have come before it while still critiquing aspects of them like their obsession with edge, i don't want to spoil too much about the plot, because it's more complex than it seems especially in the followup series. but this is a comic primarily about putting someone in a Situation and seeing how they react to it, and it's always interesting.

what's the reading order for it?

main series:

The Wrong Earth

The Wrong Earth: Night & Day

The Wrong Earth: We Could Be Heroes

The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers (publishing march of 2024)

specials you can read at any time after the first series:

Dragonfly & Dragonflyman (prequel!)

The Wrong Earth: Trapped on Teen Planet (written by gail simone)

The Wrong Earth: Fame and Fortune (written by mark russell)

The Wrong Earth: Purple (written by stuart moore)

The Wrong Earth: Confidence Men (written by mark waid (read dragonfly & dragonflyman before this one!))

The Wrong Earth: Meat (written by tom peyer (read dragonfly & dragonflyman before this one!))

cool! anything else i should know before i start?

there's some stuff in here that might be triggering to read including child abuse of every kind except sexual, antiblack racism, drug abuse, self harm, and suicide. it's not anything worse or more than what you might find in a lot of cape comics from any era, and by and large they're here in order to have effective commentary on things that often happen without incident or attention in those comics, but your mileage may vary. child abuse and suicide in particular are major themes in dragonfly & dragonflyman and the specials confidence men and meat.

in conclusion:

#the wrong earth #comic rec #reading list

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phantomskeep · 1 year

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WIP Wednesday!!

Omg I didn't forget!! Holy shit!!!

Anyways, this week's WIP Wednesday includes some bits from Putting the "Fun" Back in "Funeral"! Enjoy :)

...

Putting the "Fun" Back in "Funeral":

The piercing neon green of his eyes bled back into their usual icy blue, though the curious look did not leave. “Why’s that? And who names their kid Batman?”

Part of the City Spirit’s dark cloud tried to nudge him back towards his couch. “The Batman,” she began, “is a hero who operates to protect my city. He was born here and donned his cape in order to help those in need from the many criminals who call my territory home.”

Danny gave an involuntary awed noise. “So you guys have heroes here, too?” A dark tendril of smog wrapped around the back of the couch, resting gently against Danny’s neck.

The idea of having other heroes around was something that greatly appealed to Danny. Being the lone super-powered protector of Amity Park for so long took its toll on the young man, even with his human companions. It just wasn’t the same, being the only one with advanced abilities. He had to take the bigger hits, he had to be the one to save his friends if they got into too great of a bind, he had to be the one to try and take on the burden of Amity Park alone when they all went off to find their place in the world. With great power comes great responsibility, after all. And being the Ghost King? Well, Danny had more than enough "great power" to spare.

The thought was just as sobering as it was exciting. Other heroes, super or not, meant that there was something to have caused those heroes to come into play. Some great villain, or a world-ending disaster, or even large crime rates. Lady Gotham only said criminals, though, so maybe there were no supervillains Danny needed to worry about.

“Yes, in fact there is a large society of both heroes and villains.”

Well, it was a nice thought while it lasted.

“But many of the aliens you were so excited to hear about are among those heroes.” Gotham continued, not noticing Danny’s sudden mid-afterlife crisis. “There is the Batman, who is one of the founders of the Justice League. Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Arrow, and many others are all part of this superhero society - the Justice League.”

“Okay,” Danny was desperately trying to keep up with this sudden information. “So, Batman is a super-powered dude who helped to start an entire squad of superheroes?”

“He has no powers. The Dark Knight is just a man, same with Green Arrow and many others. They simply are able to keep up with the aliens, gods, and metas.”

Danny paused, taking in a breath. He touched his fingers together, pressing his palms flat. Another breath was taken, this one deeper than the last. With every ounce of teenage angst he still had within him, Danny lifted his hands up together to rest against his forehead before bringing them down in an arch that would have made Sam proud. “What the fuck.”

A laugh rolled from Gotham’s form, his guardian sneakily tightening her protective hold on him. “What the fuck indeed, Little One.”

“Okay, okay-” Danny’s voice cracked with indignation, “So regular every-day humans fight supervillains and are able to keep up with gods? And super-powered aliens?”

“Yes.”

“And one of those humans - who named himself after a bat - is the sole protector of your lair? Besides yourself? And he doesn’t let any of his superhero friends help him?”

“I never said he worked alone. Though, for a long time he did not have any help.”

“Lady G,” Danny said again with exasperation. “I repeat: what the fuck.”

Her only response was to laugh at his expense as he continued to moan about how he couldn’t seem to escape crazy people, no matter what dimension he runs to. The space shared by two multi-dimensional beings filled with an easy warmth.

“So,” Danny started after a couple minutes of his grumbling. “Superpowered people aren’t allowed in your city because one of your protectors is just a man in a… What, fursuit? A crime-fighting fursuit?” He paused, considering, before rapidly moving on. “But there are super-powered people in this dimension who are also heroes.”

“Yes, that is all true.”

The young man took a second, silently thinking, before speaking again. “Okay, okay,” He started. “And the chances that I’m going to have to just… steal all of these ghostly artifacts is pretty high, right?”

“Again, you are correct.”

“So,” Danny said, stretching out the word. “Chances are they’re going to think I’m some sort of villain.”

Gotham made a noise akin to two cars scraping against each other as she hesitated to answer. “There is a chance of that, yes.”

...

“Great,” he bemoaned, bonelessly flopping around his couch. “Guess it’s time to pull out the ol’ acting shoes. Welcome to Danny’s One-Stop Shop for Villainy.”

Mmmm Dead on Main my beloved :) Putting the "Fun" Back in "Funeral" chapter 4 should be posted sometime this week! I just need to actually finish writing a couple of POVs ^-^

#dead on main #DCxDP #DPxDC #danny phantom #my poor sweet baby #wip wednesday #wip #i told myself i wasnt going to write angst #and then i started my side project #and so far its only angst #putting the fun back in funeral #thats been my non-angsty story #which is weird #ngl #anyways back to the grind

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samgirl98 · 1 year

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Cain and Abel Wept 22/23

Prev | Next

WARNING: MENTIONS OF PAST TORTURE

I feel like I've deviated from Danny's and Damian's relationship these past few chapters... Anyway, here it is, Danny's meeting with the UN. Disclaimer: I've never seen a UN meeting and have no idea how it goes so this will be really inaccurate

Next chapter will be the last one, and I MIGHT write an epilogue, though no promises

Batman was the first one to enter the room. Everyone in the UN assembly went quiet; Batman’s swooshing cape sounded loud. Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Green Lantern followed him. Behind the Justice League came a tank of a man wearing an eyesore of an orange jumpsuit. By his side was a woman in a teal suit made of the same material as the orange one. Between them was a small seventeen-year-old boy.

The boy should’ve been the group's most unimpressive, but something in his aura made every eye in the assembly gravitate toward him. Though they had no idea why their brain was telling them so, they knew he was the most dangerous of the group.

Batman went up to the podium and, to the surprise of most of the assembly, started speaking. Superman crossed his arms and stood behind his friend.

“The United States government has created an egregious law that not only puts people, especially metas, in danger but the whole world.”

Every delegate in the room started murmuring.

“The United States government has not only almost started an interdimensional war but has advocated for the genocide of an entire species. They have attacked their own citizens and had plans to harm many more.”

Batman opened the presentation he had put together. The first one was of Jason’s opened chest with his face blurred out.

(Bruce and Danny hadn’t wanted to add it to the presentation, but Jason had insisted. He claimed he wanted his death to mean something.)

Batman watched with grim satisfaction as those in the assembly room either gasped in horror, vomited, or straight out fainted from the photos he was showing of his precious son.

(Photos that shouldn’t exist. Photos he couldn’t turn around to look at. Photos that should’ve been burned instead of being shown to anyone.

Pleading eyes, ‘Please, dad, let my death mean something.

Guilt, because he couldn’t say no, and now his son’s pain was being broadcasted.)

After showing the images, Batman played the audio the lead torturer had taken. When they heard him say that he wanted the government to go after people who had been resuscitated, every delegate turned to yell and boo at the representatives of the United States.

Eventually, Batman had to call for order.

He turned toward Danny and then let the boy take the stage.

“My name is Danny Fenton. I was born an ordinary human until I died and came back .”

A flash of light came from the boy, leaving behind Phantom with a glowing crown and a ring that exuded an aura of power.

“Through circumstances that had my town taken into another dimension, I had to fight a tyrannical king. After I defeated him, I was crowned as the next Ghost King. I have watched over the years as the US government, under the order of a known villain, has gone after my people or the citizens of Amity Park because they are dubbed non-sentient and non-sapient. No matter how short the death, anyone who has died or come back can be experimented on and killed.”

“Last I checked, that includes many of our heroes. You know, those who have put their lives on the line to protect the Earth. These laws are a danger to everyone. Anyone can die and be brought back. Who are they going to go after next? The little girl who was revived during surgery? The father who had to be resuscitated after he drowned? Not to mention the slippery slopes these laws create. If they can go after my people, interdimensional beings with powers, what’s stopping them from going after aliens? After meta-humans?”

“My parents, Jack and Maddie Fenton,” Danny pointed toward the two as they stared at the crowd with somber expressions, “are leading ectobiologists. They have scientific data that ghosts, ectoentities, whatever you want to call us, are not only feeling but rational thinking beings. We have feelings, we think; we aren’t mimicking anything like many of the GIW would like to have you believe!”

“One of the GIW's plans is to destroy the Infinite Realms. The Realms and the Earth are two sides of the same coin. If you destroy one, you destroy the other. Is that really what you want? To have the whole of existence vaporized because of bigotry and prejudice?”

“But we don’t know enough,” The US delegate started trying to defend himself. Danny glared at him, and the man shut his mouth.

“Please keep all questions until after my parents’ explanation.”

Danny walked off the podium and went to the side as he let his parents take over. A part of him wanted to dissociate, but as the King of the Infinite Realms, he had to think about the good of his people, his kingdom, and of the Earth.

So, Danny didn’t check out mentally and watched and listened as his parents showed image after image of his people’s plight at the hands of the US government. He forced himself to stay present as he heard recordings of the torture of ghosts and the voices of indifference from the torturers scientists.

He stood by his biological father to gain some type of moral support.

By the end of the day, Danny was exhausted. After some pressure from other nations (and the not-so-subtle threats from the Justice League, including the Green Lantern stating his higher-ups were looking into the matter.), the United States government had ordered a temporary hold on the laws until they could investigate further.

The Canadians' anti-ecto laws were banned that very same day after the Fentons had added in their presentation that Canada had similar laws that mirrored the United States.

“I think the US hasn’t banned them altogether yet because they don’t like to back down right away,” Bruce told Danny as they made their way out of the UN building. “The US government can be…stubborn. Don’t expect these things to disappear completely, either. They’ll just go underground and be done in the dark instead of them being ‘laws.’”

“It’ll be a start in the right direction,” Danny said, “I know what people are like; I’ve seen what they do to metas and aliens even with the laws, but this way we have a chance to fight back.”

Danny turned toward Batman and let the rest of the Justice League and his parents pass them.

“Thank you for your support,” he said in a low voice, “I’m sorry I ever thought you and the JL were like them. This whole mess could’ve been looked at sooner if I had gone to you in the first place.”

Batman put his hands on his son’s Danny’s shoulders, “You were doing what you thought was right. I would’ve done the same. Now, are you ready to deal with the worse part of being in the spotlight?”

Danny sighed.

“Yeah, time for my interviews with the media.”

@spectralstardustandphantomnights @avelnfear @idfk-man10 @blackroserelina @candeartist422 @luer-mirin @mur-ururu @insufferablecrab @skulld3mort-1fan @meira-3919 @aethernorwood @mimilikey @marshmelloe @latheevening226 @ahyesanerd @lexdamo @chrysanthemum9484 @spooky-fm @gmkelz11 @jotaroslooseeyebrowhair @supershot73199 @starscreamlover @booberrylizard @pastalavistamf @itsberrydreemurstuff

#Cain and Abel Wept #dc x dp #dp x dc

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notwonderlandsworld · 2 years

Note

I absolutely love your writing! I wanted to know if you have any ideas on what to write? I am currently reading all the Batkid and thought "what If the dimensions crossover of another batkid who is oldest is taking over as batman then meets the younger batkid who just became their own vigilante?" Or smth along the lines of that concept. I honestly just want batkid baby and then batkid adult being a badass

I've left Batkid open for anyone who wants to request. The intention I had was setting the story up (the prolouge) to help set MY version of how I believe the batkid would turn up. It's really an open book other than that, so anyone can request for batkid, whether that be older or younger!

Made this a one-shot since u didn't really specificy if u wanted a headcanon or something hope u dont mind! I added my own sort of twist to this

SPECIAL NOTE: all of my child fics/daughter/son/sibling fics will be with an adopted reader and not a biological one. Biological would mean that half of these parents/couples would be mixed, so no I won’t be doing biological. Especially when it comes to predominantly white characters.

(Naomi is a made up character btw)

pairing(s): Batfam x Child!Reader

warning(s): way too much use of the word 'you', cursing (I think), little angst, kinda confusing i'm sorry, NOT PROOFREAD

word count: 4.4k

You don’t even know what actually happened, but you were certain it was all Klarion’s fault. How’d it come to this?

Your father never really let you go out on missions as much as the boys, since they apparently all agreed you were too young to join them. That got a rise out of you, which led to a huge argument with all of them.

You were ten, but that was considered too young for this kind of stuff?

Wasn’t Dick like eight when he first became Robin?

Needless to say, it ended with some yelling, crying, and a threat to even run away. After that, you were allowed to join patrol with them, with the exception that you’d return home early on school nights.

Currently, you were told to stay in the car while Batman and Zatanna went ahead to investigate the abandoned circus. Taking your cape off, you groaned at the horrible substitute over a real blanket.

“Ya alright, lad?” the man sitting in the back asked. Looking back at him, you shrugged, “This cape doesn’t necessarily make a good blanket.”

Constantine chuckled, “I would give ya this coat, “ he gestured to the one he was wearing, “But I’m kind of using it.” You groaned, “Why’d I even get left with you?”

“I’m not really chuffed about having to babysit either.”

Sending him a glare, you sighed while leaning back against the seat. Looking ahead, there were flashes followed by some colors being flickered out into the night sky. Zatanna probably found something, or someone.

You were about to close your eyes before a loud bang erupted from far away. Flinching, you gasped as an explosion appeared not too far away, black clouds of smoke contrasting with red and orange flames.

Constantine spoke up, “They seem to be handling it well. Lovely.” Looking over at him, you hopped into the driver’s seat and turned on the Batmobile.

Gesturing to the passengers side, you told the man to jump ahead. “Looks like they need help.” Before he could make a quick-witted comment, you stepped on the gas and drove to the scene.

Constantine gripped onto the backseat from the sudden speed, “Bloody hell! A warning would’ve been nice!”

“I told you to get in the passenger seat!” you yelled, not bothering to look over your shoulder.

Arriving at the scene, the Batmobile skidded to a halt as a giant piece of cement was thrown in front of you. Constantine was already in the passenger seat, opening the door as another boulder was flying towards the car again.

Yanking you out with him, he ran away from the destruction. You yelped when you felt him teleporting across the circus. Luckily, he stopped in front of your father and Zatanna.

“What happened?” Batman began. Constantine let you go, adjusting his coat. Before he could respond, you beat him to it, “We were almost crushed by some debris! Luckily, Constantine saved us.” A laugh was heard from away, making the four of you look back at the perpetrator.

Klarion emerged from the mess he created, even with Teekl on his shoulder he looked menacing. Looking at you, he let out a pathetic scoff, “Now who’s this?”

You glared at him, “Does it matter?” You were about to walk up to him until Batman pulled you back. Zatanna prepared herself for any possible oncoming attacks. Constantine watched on, secretly on the edge as well.

Klarion huffed, looking down on you, “I was simply trying to be polite. After all, it'd be rude to kill a stranger.”

“Then I'd like to remain a stranger.” you scoffed, reaching behind to activate your electric gauntlets without him noticing. Klarion smirked, at least you had some nerve to talk back.

Eyes turning red along with his hands, he began to glow and threw an arm in your direction. The rest of the group were thrown across the ground as a large construct wrapped around your body.

Zatanna tried to attack Klarion, but ultimately was pinned down by Teekl.

The cat’s teeth were drawn, bare, and sharp, as they slowly were leaning down towards the woman’s neck.

Attempting to use her magic, she winced when one of the claws sunk into her forearm. She screamed as they successfully punctured through.

Constantine was ready to attack with Batman until they were both pinned down as well. Your father struggled hard, yelling out your hero name.

The man cursed at himself internally. He couldn’t fail you like he did with his sons. He won’t. He refuses. Yet there he was, still being held down. Hopeless.

Struggling against the grips the witch boy had on you, there was only one option left. You just hoped it worked as the gauntlets charged up, ready to be used.

Klarion had yet to notice as he laughed, “How sad. You’ll have to remain a stranger when I kill you. And to think, it could’ve been nice to know who was under that cowl…”

The boy snapped his fingers as a book appeared out of thin air. Opening it up, he flipped through each page, tutting, “I wonder…what spell I should rid of you with.” Further inspecting more spells, he let his magic grip loosen a little.

You smirked, perfect timing.

Squeezing a fist, you super charged one of the arms. Just as the boy turned back to look at you with an ‘aha!’ he received the endside of your knuckles.

Gritting your teeth, you pushed harder, charging up the bolts more. The tingly feeling was beginning to reach up your forearm, but you didn’t care.

Big mistake.

While giving Klarion a piece of your mind, you failed to notice his arm reaching towards your neck. It was until you felt a prick that a big flash banged, knocking the both of you away from each other.

Opening your eyes, you screamed as you were thrown around these odd strings of waves across…well who knows where.

Before you could even regain yourself, you felt something crash into you followed by another scream. It sounded older, yet very similar. ‘Probably dad’ you thought.

Opening an eye, you saw the familiar Batman insignia and wrapped your arms around the figure. Falling into a random portal-door-thingy, you yelped as the figure took most of the fall.

Rolling off them, you remained on the ground. “Ugh…thanks for catching me dad—”

“(Y/H/N)!” a voice called out. Turning your head towards the voice, you recognized the voice as the figure of your father ran towards you. Wait but then who was…

The person who caught you groaned, turning onto their side. Cape torn and helmet thrown across the debris of the ground, they grounded to their knees.

Constantine helped Zatanna up after she healed her arm, trying to figure out what happened. Klarion was gone and nowhere to be found.

The older figure groaned, rubbing at their head. Fuck, that was gonna leave a mark, you’ll have to hear about it from Naomi later.

Flinching, the figure heard a familiar voice call out to them. Seeing the man run towards the small child they saved from…who knows what, the figure’s eyes widened. Both them and the small child called out, “Dad?”

Wait. Both child (Y/N) and adult (Y/N) looked at eachother. “Did you just call him ‘Dad’?” you both said simultaneously. Bruce soon realized the situation, as soon as his eyes landed on the older figure, his eyes widened.

Was…that…is it…

You (adult version) looked on, terribly confused yet worried when you realized you weren’t back home. This wasn’t the Gotham you knew.

You couldn’t hear your butler, Naomi, over your ear piece anymore. And now you were somehow here, looking at…a younger version of yourself?

“Y-You're…” you stuttered out, struggling to finish a sentence. The child version of yourself also was finding it difficult to form words. “Y-You’re…”

“...You’re me?!”

Constantine gave a low whistle, at which Zatanna glared at him, silently telling him to shut up. “I’m too knackered for this…”

(IT MIGHT GET CONFUSING HERE SO READ CAREFULLY)

Arriving at the mansion, everyone was left in shock. If Bruce didn’t know how to feel, you can only imagine the rest of the family. Duke was the first to notice as Constantine teleported to the cave with a group in tow.

He was about to ask how the mission was. Fortunately he was drinking his coffee when he asked who the older figure was.

“This is (Y/N).” Bruce introduced the adult version of you. You nodded, still dazed. You couldn’t even look back at yourself.

Cue Duke spitting out his coffee followed by shattering cups as Alfred arrived with a—now broken—teapot and several cups. Both men looked unapologetically at the figure in shock.

(Adult) you on the other hand, was worse then (child) you at the moment. Feeling the need to throw their ripped cape around themselves as more people stared in shock.

You could feel tears threatening to fall when you noticed Alfred. In your universe, he was dead. Naomi took over the legacy.

Bruce ignored the shock on his son’s face, heading over to the computer. “Duke, I need you to bring the rest down here. I’ll try to find any possible trace of Klarion.”

“R-Right…” the boy couldn’t have run faster as he fled up the stairs. Alfred meanwhile snapped out of it and attempted to clean the mess he made. Trying his best not to look at the currently shaking figure, he called out to you.

“(Y/N), b-be a dear and assist me in this mess.”

The awkward silence happened when both (child) you and (adult) you began walking towards the butler.

The older version stopped once they realized, giving a small apology before gesturing (child) you towards the old man. The child version looked back, a slight pang in their chest after realization of the small droplets around your eyes.

Alfred was not in your older version’s world.

A pang hit your chest as you continued towards the butler. The older version slumped before recollecting themselves, heading towards Constantine and Zatanna. “There’s got to be a way to fix this.”

The two of them looked taken aback at how serious (adult) you could become all of a sudden. Zatanna smiled, “You definitely take after Bruce…” she muttered, but (adult) you heard. Choosing to ignore the statement, you asked, “Any way I can head back home, y'know to my universe?”

The woman seemed deep in thought as she began pacing, “Hmmm…”

Constantine looked at her, “What are ya doing?” The woman stopped, “Thinking of a way obviously.”

The man scoffed as he crossed his arms, “Of course there’s a way.” The two blinked at the man expectantly. He looked back before shrugging, “What?”

Zatanna rolled her eyes, “Tell us the way to get…older (Y/N) back home!” (adult) you held back a laugh, swallowing it down when both mages stared back. Ignoring them, you shot a look over the shoulder.

Your father—the one from a different universe—was focused on the big screen. At the feeling of being stared at, he turned his eyes away to look at you. He wanted to look away, that wasn’t his child…

Except it was.

He had so many questions as he maintained eye contact. You were a full grown adult, looking almost his current age. Your eyes were glassy, like the spark he sees in (child) you now was gone.

Completely void of any sort of joy. He noticed the few streaks of gray in your hair. Skin dull and almost unhealthy looking to the point of worry. An appearance anyone could comprehend.

In that universe, you looked tired.

You were tired.

Which is why Bruce couldn’t look at you. He didn’t want to see how he failed another child.

Breaking eye contact, the man continued to look for ways to deal with the situation. Luckily, Constantine said there was a way to fix this.

In the corner of his eyes he saw (adult) you look away, a frown on your face followed with a cast down. Tucking into your cape in an attempt to seem smaller, it gave him all the answers Bruce needed to know.

He did in fact fail you. Didn’t matter what universe it was from.

Zatanna and Constantine were going to be at the manor for a week it seems.

Apparently the spell they had both studied was time-based. They would have to wait an exact week before moonlight to conduct the spell.

Constantine claimed it was an easy ritual, but did nothing to calm nerves as he scattered through his book, obvious confusion written over his face.

Zatanna seemed more confident than the man, but at least she knew how to hide her perplexity.

In the meantime, (adult) you was going to be staying with you for a week. It’d give (child) you a chance to properly talk to them. Ask about their dimension, or was it the future?

Oh who knows anymore.

Currently (child) you sat back, eating some mango slices Alfred had prepared in a bowl, as you observed the older version of yourself in the backyard garden. A peaceful look on your face…or their face…or…

Whatever.

(adult) you seemed to be basking in the flower blushes. A day had barely passed and anyone had yet to talk to the other version of you.

It appeared a naturalistic setting was the perfect stress reliever.

Swinging back and forth, (child) you hummed before stabbing another mango slice with a fork.

“Mx. (Y/N) please don’t rock the chair back and forth. I wish to only wash the bowl once you're finished, not blood as well.” Giggling along with a clink of dropping the fork down, you faced the butler. “Sorry Alfred.”

Turning back to the window, the butler spoke again. “Would be a better option to join (Y/N) 2 outside; I'm certain they wouldn’t mind some extra company.”

Biting your lip, you poked at the leftover chunks of fruit. Although it did seem like a good idea, there was some hesitancy on your end. What would even be a good way to approach?

Shrugging, you looked back at the butler. “I don’t know…They’ve been pretty adamant about not talking to me…maybe I’d be bringing back some bad memories, Alfred.” The older man hummed, grabbing the bowl and adding some extra mangos.

“Well,” he began, “I, for one, believe that some communication could very much help; they do have to stay for a week. If (Y/N) 2 felt lonely before, I’d bet on how desolate they must be feeling at the moment.”

You nodded, grabbing the bowl he handed you. It was now refilled with more fruit. Observing the older you from another dimension, they were gazing at a Calluna. A forlorn look across their face.

Taking a deep breath, (child) you nodded. “Alright.”

Bowl in hand, you headed out and began walking towards (adult) you. Their back being the first thing you see, you noticed how they seemed to be still.

Hesitating, you swallowed down the anxiety and reached over to touch their shoulder. They had caught it before you could even touch. It caused you to let out a small scream and drop the fruit.

(Adult) you heard someone approaching and got on the defensive. Before they could even lay a hand, they turned over quickly and gripped the wrist.

Eyes widening they noticed it was (child) you with a bowl that was now on the floor…were those mangos? Noticing the tight grip, (adult) you quickly let go.

“S-Sorry…”

"Um…it's okay." (child) you let out a breath of relief when your wrist was released. Taking a step back, it was clear just how easily the future had changed…well, you.

Technically. Feature wise, you looked relatively the same, except there was a jagged scar running across your eyebrow. Pointing towards the mark, (child) you asked, "What happened?"

(adult) you gasped, attempting to cover the long-lasting reminder. It didn't seem to impress your younger counterpart as they raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Well? I'd at least like to know how I get my wicked scar from the future."

Hesitantly, (adult) you answered, "...I got it from someone."

"So…" (child) you dragged out, balancing on the balls of your feet innocently before asking excitedly, "Who gave it to me?!"

(adult) you raised a brow, confused. "You're not…disgusted by it? Horrified?"

(child) you let out a 'pfft'. Gesturing to your older counterpart you explained, "Hell no! You look so cool! Besides, that scar just gotta make a cool story! By the way, who'd you say gave it to you?"

(adult) you looked away from (child) you. Luckily, the bowl of ruined fruit laid on the floor. Thinking quickly, you grabbed at the bowl, "Uh hey! I think um…your butler might want this mess cleaned up."

Luckily, (child) you fell for the bait and gasped. Kneeling down, you helped your older counterpart pick up the ruined mango slices. Sighing, you explained how fruit was supposed to be a peace offering. Pausing, (child) you asked, "I like mango in your dimension, right?"

(adult) you chuckled, before standing up. "Thanks…how about we just sit down and talk instead?"

"Ok." (child) you nodded, leading them to the small picnic table setup. Once the two of you sat down, (adult) you smiled at their younger counterpart. "So what do you wanna know?"

(child) you smiled back, eyes twinkling, "Everything! Oh I got loads of questions I—"

The older version of you held back a laugh, it was beautiful how bright and energetic their younger self was back then. They'd do their best to explain as much as possible.

As long as the scar wasn't mentioned.

The boys were in the batcave, practicing like usual. Nothing major. Right?

Instead they were spilling the current gossip happening in the manor.

"I mean, did you see how badass (Y/N) 2 looks? I don't think Bruce has ever looked that awesome in a suit before."

"(Y/N) 2?" Jason asked Dick. The oldest brother shrugged, "Alfred came up with the name. It kinda stuck."

"Although we're supposed to be training like Father told us," Damian spoke up while stretching himself, "Grayson is right. Do you remember when Duke called us down to the cave and we first saw them?"

Tim nodded, "Yeah. It was like I was looking at a whole new Batman. Possibly more intimidating than Bruce to be honest. Although…" the boy sighed, "...kinda sucks how it's (Y/N). I mean, I could almost see how broken they were."

Jason crossed his arms, "I'm just glad there's finally someone other than me with a scar in this family."

"Jason!"

"Ow!" The second oldest brother felt a punch on his arm. It soon led to another following back. Next thing you know a giant rumble happened with all of them.

Reaching downstairs with your older counterpart, (child) you felt their hand grabbing onto yours.

'Hmm, weird' you thought.

Meanwhile (adult) you felt almost frozen at the sight of seeing all your brothers together again. As if the first time seeing them wasn't bad enough.

Hearing them laugh (Jason had Damian in a chokehold, much to Tim's joy and Dick's dismay) felt foreign to older you.

Despair filled in your gut. Your universe doesn't have this, not anymore. The stupid decisions led to loosing this. And the regret solidified every single day.

Seeing just how different your world was from your younger self, it felt like a bittersweet dream. Something you could've had but lost.

It made (adult) you freeze in your spot. You didn't want to take a step further, it was almost too painful. Feeling a tiny hand squeezing your large one, older you looked down to see your child counterpart smiling up at you. A look of comfort. Relief.

A look that says 'its okay'. Almost as if (adult) you could catch a break. For once in so many years. "Come on." (child) you said as you gently tugged them towards the boys.

It didn't take rocket science to tell (adult) you was ready to run back to the solitude of the garden.

But you weren't gonna let that happen.

"Hey guys!" The brothers all stopped at the notice of their youngest sibling along with…their other younger sibling behind them.

Raising a brow at Damian still pulling Dick's hair, (child) you hesitated, "Uh…shouldn't you all be training?"

(adult) you held back a laugh when Tim began flicking at Jason's ears, causing the man to growl at his younger brother before twisting his arm. The boy shrieked and threw a kick. It hit Damian and soon the rumble was about to begin once again.

"Hey! Guys! Stop!" Younger you yelled, but the sound was lost as the fighting seemed to get closer in both you and older yourself direction.

"We should move..." (adult) you gently shoved (child) you behind them. Your older counterpart walked up to the boys, cracking their knuckles before diving in.

With rapid speed, (adult) you first grabbed Jason, grabbing the base of skull and using your elbow to clock his face.

He couldn't even react before the man was thrown to the floor. Next was Dick, who was yanked from Tim and arm got twisted behind him. "What the—"

(adult) you kicked the back of his legs, successfully dropping him. Tim didn't get the chance to run away before he was spin-kicked down, landing on his back with a thud.

Last standing was Damian, who stared at your older self before scoffing. "Fine. We'll stop."

(adult) you nodded while giving the boy a smirk. "Very well."

(child) you gaped at your brothers on the ground, groaning from all three of them. Looking up at your older counterpart, you took an exhale. "That…was…awesome!!"

(adult) you looked at their younger self, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Um, are you kidding me? That was fucking radical!! The way you dropped Jason down like—" (child) you attempted to imitate the previous moves, "And then you were like! And he was like—"

you continued with your actions, making your older self let out a chuckle, "—And then that move you used on Tim was epic!"

"It was nothing. Honest." (adult) you mumbled, hand scratching the back of their head.

"Don't you dare say it was nothing. I just saw some extreme badass-ery before my very eyes"

"Language, (Y/N)..." Dick winced out to your younger self while still on the ground. (adult) you looked down at the boys, a sheepish yet awkward smile, "Sorry about that I uh…it's just that (Y/N) was trying to get you guys to stop and…"

"No we get it," Tim said, picking himself off the ground, "We were supposed to be training anyway."

"Ugh. I think they broke my brain." Jason moaned, holding onto the side of his head.

"Can't break what's already broken, Todd." Damian ducked as Jason threw a punch at him.

(adult) you watched on as your younger counterpart rushed to stop the rumble about to happen again. It felt nice to be here right now.

It may not have been what your world was like at all, but it was nice to see what it could have been.

Maybe later on when you get back, it could be.

Mistakes were fixable.

Sighing, (adult) you shook your head at the thought.

But not all of them.

A week had gone by so fast now that your older self was easing more into the lifestyle (child) you had. It grew nice to see them smile and laugh along with (child) you.

After learning more about one another, the two of you grew closer. It oddly felt like you had gained another sibling.

You liked it.

Hence why it almost broke your younger self’s heart when Constantine and Zatanna showed up on Sunday later that night. Currently resting on one of the walls of the ratty tents of the abandoned circus. Where this whole mess began.

Both in your suits (all-be-it your older self in their tattered one again), all you were waiting on was for Bruce to call you over while Zatanna performed the spell.

“Why are we here again?” (adult) you asked your younger self. Looking up at them, (child) you explained, “Constatine said for the spell to work, he and Zatanna need to conduct it in the same place you were pulled from.”

“Ah…”

There was a pregnant silence where neither of you spoke. Looking up at the broken ferris wheel, your older self began. “Y’know…It felt pretty nice this week. Thanks.”

“Hm? What do you mean?” Eyes meeting with your younger counterpart, you gave them a smile, “My world is completely different from yours. I don’t have this family like you do. Or at least I had something like it, but I can never get it back.”

“Oh…” (child) you looked down at your shoes. You felt almost guilty at the idea that you have the privilege of experiencing what your older self could not. Seeing them kneel down, they put a hand on your shoulder.

“You were able to show me the ins and out of your life, with your family and the love you share. Although I don’t get to have this anymore. Just knowing that in another dimension such as someone like you has it…well it’s all that matters to me at this point. Knowing that I, that you, are given this world is all worthwhile in the end.”

(child) you stared at your older self, before going to hug them. They stiffened under you as your tiny arms wrapped around them. “Thank you…”

You felt your older self’s arm hug you closer, “For what?”

“...I don’t know, for everything.” (child) you mumbled. (adult) you swallowed the lump in your throat as you closed your eyes.

You’ll be damned if you let any tears fall.

Pulling away from each other, your younger self took this time for one more question. “Yeah?”

“Can you please tell me…who gave you that scar?” they pointed to the one that ran across your brow. Your older self sighed, responding with only a dull stare. “I wish I could tell you.”

“Why can’t you?”

Because I don’t want you to despise Bruce. You don't deserve it. That’s my world not yours.

“...(Y/N)?” (child) you asked when your older self didn't respond. They were about to say something when Bruce called over the communicator he gave his child.

Voice crackling through the machine, he ordered you both that the spell was ready. Your older self gave you a smile, reaching to ruffle your hair.

“Let’s go.”

Welp. I've been busy with work, so I won't apologize for taking so long. BUT I WILL APOLOGIZE for not notifying any of you yet on updates. I will say that if you have sent in a request you will get a response, I promise that much :)

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