Danny had a problem. If it was a big one, he couldn't tell yet but he was partially sure Clockwork was at fault for this. Or at least he wanted to blame his ghostly godparent who most likely just wanted to cause some chaos for entertainment with the pretext of helping Danny. Which was a very likely reason for why Danny had a problem right now.
As it was the former Fenton now Fenton-Wayne boy was pacing his room in the Manor trying to think what is next step should be, because as it was his 'new' family –Did new still apply if he was living with them for a little more than a year now? – knew him under three different Identities now. And to top it all off they were not aware that the three identities were all pretty much connected as one.
For one. His family, knew him as Danny, the space obsessed kid, who became a meta because of his ectobiology science obsessed parents and his teenager recklessness. A kid that was actually a genius if you gave him enough time for school and could make you anything out of a ancients be damed toaster. That was the Danny they mainly knew. The Kid they took in, let in on the family business and then chose, to the happiness of Alfred and dismay of some of his 'new' siblings, normal life over vigilante life.
Then they knew Phantom. A dead ghost hero that was helping the Justice League and Young Justice to help them deal with the aftermath of the huge fallout caused by the GIW, Guys in White or rather Ghost Investigation Ward. And while Danny didn't know he had apparently worked with nearly his entire family and that time he knew it now. Which was awkward because he had pretty much pestered one of his elder brothers about his condition until Red Hood, aka Jason, let Phantom help him. Ancient, things might get awkward if that secret is lifted. He had done a lot of things Batman, Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin, Orphan and Robin had scowled him for. Thankfully they only thought of him as a dead teen hero and didn't know what a Halfa was. So they didn't make the connection, and he had yet to meet Signal, aka Duke as Phantom.
Now came the third identity, which totally did not happen by his choice. After all officially he hadn't accepted the throne yet and would only get it once he was dead dead not half dead. To bad ancient texts don't care about formalities. So when trouble hit the fan really hard the Justice League Dark had the bright Idea of getting some other worldly help. Which in other words was summoning the Ghost King. Oh boy, was it fun to learn that way that Danny could get summoned against his will. Clockwork did not give him that warning when he told him about the future of his afterlife. But best of all? Oh he doesn't get summoned as Phantom which would have made things maybe a bit easier, oh no. Life wasn't easy. He got someone's in some as a super weird black-green mass of a formless eltrich body with sharp teeth, claws and glowing green eyes with no pupils or irises. Hell Danny even scared himself when he saw his own reflection in a window and he didn't have a single idea how to change his form.
Let it be known that Danny acted then on purpose like he didn't know a single person in that room he had been summoned in right out of his bed and that he wasn't staring at his adoptive father like he needed help who interpreted his stare as the ghost king sizing him up. And Danny knows this because Dick had a good laugh about that at the dinner table with the rest of his siblings.
Now a smart person would probably come clean to his family and explain to them the three identities they knew him under and how they are connected.
To bad Danny wasn't 'smart' when it came to things like that. No in his panic and newfound awkwardness of the situation of what he had done on separate occasions with his identity as Phantom AND Ghost King, he decided to keep acting like he didn't knew them personally like the truely does. Really how hard could that be? Besides he liked the way his family threaten him now. He didn't want to get threaten differently because he was half dead, or a Ghost King. He liked that his family was treating him as plain old Danny who had an obsession with space and was their quirkily little brother with powers.
So that gave him even more incentive to keep the act up. Even if it was hard at times, especially if he got summoned out of nowhere. It would be easier if he could get a hang of the duplication power. He even had played with the thought of getting one of his ghost rogues to help but his family was perceptive. Maybe not perceptive enough to realise that all three identities were one and the same person but they would notice if Danny acted just slightly different or if Phantom was more of then usually. But somehow he still managed to keep it up.
But it was the hard way that he learned, Danny was bad at doing the 'talking' and realized that maybe Jazz was right and he was going to slip up one day causing huge misunderstandings like right now.
He stared down at Batman and Nightwing in his Ghost King form. Red Hood had his guns pulled on him, Wonder Woman and Superman looked like they where going to try to pull back Batman any second now while Nightwing, maybe at first was going to try to calm down the bat but Danny was pretty sure the eldest bat kid was now fiercely glaring at him too. He was also pretty sure the only reason he didn't see Red Robin or Robin threaten him too was because their super friends were somehow holding them back. For their own or his safety he doesn't know at the moment.
Because apparently the Bats did not fear fighting otherworldly beings to protect one of their own.
"What did you just say about Danny Fentons death?!" Batman grunted out and Danny just knew his adoptive father was glaring at him. Ancients Danny cursed his brain to mouth filter right now. As he had the collective hero scene before him staring at his Ghost King form. Would this be a good or bad moment to come completely clean or maybe he should find some kind of philosophical bullshit of 'All things death belong to him'....
The Townspeople: Tell us your backstory Victor.
Victor (closing his eyes for 12 minutes, opening them, exhaling long and loud): No. I gotta go.
Can’t write nalu angst where Lucy dies and Natsu’s left to grieve bc he’d simply kill himself. All of his “you don’t die for your friends, you live for them” moral would go out the window. He can’t see a life without Lucy — even if he wouldn’t actively kill himself he’d work himself to death. He wouldn’t have boundaries, he’d just keep going until there’s nothing left of him. In fact, he’s the type of guy who would become a total villain if Lucy died. Zeref style, trying to revive her, searching for any chance to get her back. When she’s still alive he thinks he’s above Zeref’s life choices — he thinks he would cope better than he did. But history repeats itself. Lucy dies and Natsu’s voice of reason dies with her.
This is based off @elvesandlanterns’s report of this post.
When Flash, told Bruce and literally everyone else about the photo, Bruce immediately wanted to see it. Why? Because if he could see it, he might be able to identify who this Freddy character is. If he identifies this Freddy, he could identify Marvel’s civilian counterpart. So, that was just what he did, or rather made Tim do.
Robin!Tim: “Hey, Junior?”
Junior: “Yeah?”
Robin!Tim: “Can I see that photo of Marvel and your dad?”
Junior: “Uh… Why? Also, again, Freddy’s not my dad.”
Robin!Tim: “It’s pretty obvious he is, man.”
Junior: “No, it’s not. You also still haven’t answered why.”
Robin!Tim: “I wanna see it because I’m curious about baby Marvel and baby Freddy.”
Junior: “Neither of them are babies though?”
Robin!Tim: “I’ll give you twenty bucks if I can see the photo.”
Junior: “Deal.” *fishes it out of his pocket dimension and hands it to him before taking the twenty bucks from Tim*
It was just a quick look for whatever reason, right? Thats why Freddy thought nothing of it, especially when offered the twenty. They could have groceries for months with this bill! They might even be able to get a treat for themselves with it. Billy’s birthday was coming up, maybe he could get him a cake? Or some fast food? Or a present? Maybe the Bulletman action figure he saw Billy eyeing in a store window? He wanted to get him something, he knew that.
Anyways, Tim guiltily snapped a couple pictures, feeling bad about going behind his friends back, and then sent them to Bruce a few minutes after handing the photo back to Junior.
Bruce immediately got to work, trying to match a names to the faces. He ended up having to switch to paper files and break into the city hall in Fawcett because neither boy would come up in an online database. That’s how he found Frederick Christopher Freeman and William Joseph Batson. Born in 1932 and 1933 respectively. Both Orphans. Both were likely on the streets after being orphaned. No known death date which suggests they could be alive, though it’s unlikely considering they’d be in their nineties and the asbestos in this town would’ve gotten to them already.
Though, considering that Marvel is still alive and young, this could paint a not so nice picture. Could Fredrick have grown old and died while Marvel had stayed young? Is that why he had the look of horror when he was mentioned? Is Fredrick actually Junior’s father? They certainly do look similar. It would also make sense as to why Cap was raising Junior. If this was his friend’s kid, he probably wouldn’t want him on the streets. But then how does Junior have Marvel’s powers? Can Marvel give powers willy-nilly? So many questions yet no answers.
Thankfully, he came across a news channel clip of Marvel saying that his powers were genetic. Billy made that up on the spot, not that Bruce would know.
Okay? So they are related, but how? Does that mean Junior is Marvel and Fredrick’s child? Lord, was Flash actually right about Fredrick and Marvel dating at some point? Wait, but if Junior is actually their kid, how was he born? Surrogacy? William- it’s strange to call the Captain that- has a sister, but she was pronounced dead. As for Fredrick, he had a brother but that’s it. They could’ve gotten someone random maybe? But then how would the kid look like Fredrick but have the Captain’s powers, was it magic? Can you do that? Can you have a magic pregnancy?? Bruce is falling down the rabbit hole and he can’t stop himself.
Eventually, he just went up to the pair and asked them directly.
Junior and Marvel: *talking*
Batman: “Captain? Could I ask you something?
Marvel: “Of course! What is it?”
Batman: “I…” *looks at Freddy for like three seconds before looking back to Marvel*
Marvel: *smiling*
Batman: “Is Junior yours and Fredrick Freeman’s biological son?”
Bruce has never heard a louder silence in his life. A clueless confusion could slowly be seen crossing Marvel’s face.
Marvel: “Wha-”
Junior: “Yup.” *nods his head*
Marvel: *looks over to him with the same horrified expression*
Batman: “Now, Marvel, there’s no need to look like that.” *reaches up to put and hand on Marvel’s shoulder* “Here at the Justice League we accept members of any race, religion, color, or sexual orientation.”
With that Batman left Billy and Freddy there. Billy’s jaw was already dropped, and as soon as Batman was out of sight, Freddy’s jaw dropped too.
Later…
Billy: “I can’t believe you said that!”
Freddy: “Dude, would you have rather wanted to explain that we’re two kids who got powers and decided to fight crime?”
Billy: “…No.”
Freddy: “That’s what I thought. Now here, take this.” *hands Billy a Bulletman action figure*
Billy: “What?!” *jaw drops* “Freddy where’d you get this?!”
Freddy: “I bought it, duh.”
Billy: “This is awesome!” *hugs the life out of Freddy*
Btw for this to work, somehow no one knows about the time bubble.
Imagine Shang Qinghua just absolutely activating the Caine instinct in Shen Yuan. One wrong move and he’s hair pulling, biting, licking, spitting, every underhanded move in the book. He’s gotta get his sibling aggression out. Meanwhile Airplane, an only child, is screaming, crying “NO BITING!! STOP LICKING ME!!!” It’s attracted the attention Yue Qingyuan, who wants to cry knowing his Xiao Jiu is still in there….
(Slow pan to Binghe rushing to the cold pools.)
The Justice League has been seeing Captain Marvel play with his kids. It's been so sweet seeing him get his nails painted by Mary, and playing hop scotch with Junior. It just warms their hard that he is willing to go out and bod with his "kids".
1.
Captain Marvel: I said I wanted the pink nail polish :(
Mary Marvel: But I want the pink one so your getting the purple one.
Captain Marvel: You chose last time, it's my turn now though!
Mary Marvel: Well, it's my nail polish so you have to do as I say.
Captain Marvel taking a long deep sigh: Fine....
Green Lantern and Flash watching from a distance.
Flash chewing on a energy bar: Nice to see Cap play with Mary like that.
Green Lantern: Yeah but doesn't it seem like he actually seems upset by not getting ponk or something??
Flash: Whatever dude, all I see is a great father.
2.
Captain Marvel absolutely chasing down Junior, like a wolf chasing up to a deer. Grabbing his shoulder with such force any normal humans shoulder would be broken.
Captain Marvel: Tag your it!
Junior: Aw man, this is no fair. You always catch up to me.
Captain Marvel: I don't see how that's my problem. Skill issue honestly lol.
Aquaman and Superman also watching them from a distance.
Aquaman: See I don't see how that's just a normal game. I got shivers watching Cal chase him down.
Superman: Well.. That's probably how they just play at home. Me and Jon used to play tag on the farm as well, not to that extent but still.
Something I haven't seen many people point out is how Jackie has said many times that she hates Hyde's family. And they show it like it's something funny but it's obviously because they literally abandoned him. She is so happy he has a new father because the other one was a drunk who left and she says "I hate your family" and then when she is talking about their wedding she says "your family can't come". And again, they frame it as a joke but even if the writers didn't have it in mind to me it's because she HATES HIS FAMILY because of what they did to him.
Jared: I want to wake up with you for the rest of my life
Kim: I wake up at five
Jared: I want to fall asleep with you..
I feel like the few times Billy needs to get something over with, he just doesn’t care. Like honestly, I’m going to connect this to my Marvel Compilations post. (In that post I just talked about how Marvel could be a clip farm and the potential vids he would have) Let’s say these are all from the 8 minutes and 47 seconds of the Big Red Cheese tweaking out vid. Cause why not?
One day, Marvel’s doing patrol. See, he wants to get it done with, hopefully with no major villain attacks happening, because Darla has a school play, and he wants to see her, even if she got cast as a tree. But of course, things didn’t go his way, especially just when he needs to start heading out for the play.
*vid opens up to Marvel floating in the sky looking down at a Female Villain*
Female Villain: *attacking people and causing general havoc*
Marvel: *looks around for any cameras and doesn’t see the one recording the vid*
Female Villain: *sees him and his about to do something*
Marvel: *winds hand back (as if he needed to) and backhands her like an abusive husband*
Any Nearby Civilians: *cover their mouths as they look away. A good chunk of them sped walked away*
Female Villain: *knocked the fuck out*
I’m telling you right now, a good chunk of the comments on that video were something along the lines of ““that’s not right,” I whisper to myself as I speed walk away” or ““You don’t hit a woman,” I think to myself as I step into the safety of my car and drive away.” All stuff like that.
The day after that…
Marvel: “I just ended the problem as soon as I could, guys! I don’t beat women!” Superman: “We know! We know, but did you have to it so… so ferociously?”
Marvel: “Ferociously?”
Flash: “Dude, you looked like you’ve been waiting to do that.”
Marvel: “I haven’t! It was just effective, and I was on a time crunch.”
Flash: “Time crunch?”
Marvel: “Yeah, I had to see this person I know go be in a play.”
Batman: “Hn. You could’ve just said you wanted to see your child’s play. I’ll admit I’ve done something similar when Robin was in a play of his own.”
Superman: “Yeah. If the play thing is true, that’s a valid reason for any father to do that.”
Marvel: *a little confused as to why they assumed Darla was his kid* “Uh, yeah. I didn’t want to miss it.”
Flash: “Who was it for by the way? Junior or Mary?”
Marvel: “Neither.”
*silence*
Marvel: “You guys don’t know her. She isn’t a hero.”
Flash: “Dude… you have another kid? Why do you never tell us these things about yourself??”
Then, there’s another clip of Junior and Marvel. Beast Boy recorded the audio for shiggles and hid behind a wall but was surprisingly met with:
Marvel: “Okay, you know what, Junior? I don’t care that you’re disabled. Put your hands up.”
Junior: “Dude, I am not fighting you. You’re stronger than me.”
Marvel: “So? You’re only a little bit weaker. If you paid Mary like five dollars, I’m sure she’d fight with you. Now anyways put your hands up.”
Junior: “She’s not even here! And, hey- hey- Stop that!”
A lot of crashes and bangs could be heard for about 30 seconds. The video then ended.
Then, there’s another clip of him and Mary sibling arguing, but of course, most people think that Cap’s her and Juniors dad. So, when they say certain things, people tend to view it more extremely.
Marvel and Mary: *arguing*
Marvel: *says something completely outlandish that you should absolutely not say to a child*
Mary: *barely blinks and says something right back*
Marvel: “Oh so help me Gods, if we weren’t related, I would scrape your face across the pavement.”
Mary: “Oh yeah? Well if we weren’t related, I would skin you with a butter knife!”
The two proceeded to continue arguing before they somehow make up mid insult and go get ice cream like nothing happened.
Bonus:
Black Adam and Marvel: *floating up in the sky*
Black Adam: “You know, you’ve never said anything remotely similar to that to me.”
Marvel: “What’re you talking about?”
Black Adam: “I would scrape your face across the pavement.”
Marvel: *nearly has a heart attack when he says that*
Black Adam: “You said that to the girl. You’ve shown more disdain for that girl than you have for I.”
Marvel: “Uhhhh…” *panicking cause he doesn’t know about the video*
Black Adam: “Do you… not take me seriously?”
Marvel: “No, no, no, of course I do!”
In this AU, Marvel doesn’t really throw much shade at his villains aside from the occasional comment and that’s it.