Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Unexpected things happen all the time. Some believe they are caused by random chance, others by some higher power or grand plan. Perhaps by a certain time deity.

No matter how they come to be, unexpected things happen.

Ra’s nor Talia expected the embryo to split in the incubation pod. They had their heir now…only with an undesired spare.

The time for them to be born came quickly. One came out screaming and flailing their tiny limbs.

Ra’s observed it, giving a satisfied hum as the newborn's eyes squinted in the low light. “Green eyes. An omen for great things. This child will be strong. A worthy heir.”

It took an additional eighteen minutes for the second to come out. Their body lying still and silent. Weak.

Ra’s turned away with the first child in hand, dismissing the second. “Ibn al Xu’ffasch. Son of the Bat. Damianos al Ghul. The al Ghul that will tame this world.“

“Father.” Talia started, choosing her word carefully. “I believe there is use for the other. A weapon that Damianos can wield. A forever loyal shadow. A right hand that can act in the dark. Or should he need it a patsy and decoy to die in his place.”

“And do you have a name for this tool?” Ra’s asked evenly. A test.

“Ḵayāla.”

“Shadow or Ghost.” Ra’s translated absently, turning back to little Damianos. “You may take him to the pit.”

Talia knew a dismissal from her father was the best she could hope for. She collected her youngest and took steady steps toward the exit. She must not rush and attract his attention.

“And Talia.” Talia froze at Ra’s voice. “Be cautious, my dear.”

It was a threat and reminder. “Yes, Father.”

…

Talia laid the still child into the glowing green pit. She only removed it when she saw it twitch.

The small body was slowly wiggling but still not reviving fully.

“Silence is a quality you must possess in the future but for now you must breathe Habibi.” Talia spoke quietly, pressing on the small, so small body’s chest.

Time seemed to slow around her, pressing in on them, until finally the child breathed in and wailed.

Talia breathed out slowly, before working on quieting her child.

The child opened his eyes slightly. Blue eyes so reminiscent of her Beloved stared up at her. This is their child. Their children. Little Damian and… ”Danyal. A fitting name, don’t you think?”

…

It was decided that the children would be trained separately. There must not be any attachment to form between them as it would hinder the mission.

The shadow would be gifted to Damian once he reached eighteen and would be more ready to act as the heir to the Demon Head.

Damian took well to combat training, and fittingly Danyal took to stealth easily.

He could move around silently and slink through shadows like a ghost.

Half of his time was spent on intensive training. Danyal resisted assassination at first but his empathy was promptly and viciously drilled out of him.

During the other half of his time, he was tasked with following Damian from the shadows. He was to observe and analyze him after which he was to make strategies on how to best serve him and how to best supplement his weaknesses.

Danyal’s admiration grew as each time he saw Damian those weaknesses became fewer and fewer, not knowing that his notes were being used to ruthlessly educate him.

Danyal was a good perfect tool. He completed the missions he was assigned flawlessly. There was no other option.

Danyal was observant as he was taught to be so he noticed when Talia was giving special attention to someone. A boy, roughly fifteen or sixteen, contaminated by pit madness. Danyal watched as he was trained brutally by Talia and the tutors Talia hand-picked. 

"Who's there?" The boy snarled out. Training just finished, leaving the boy (ostensively with Danyal hidden in the shadows) alone.

Danyal hesitated calculated his next action. He jumped down two meters from the boy, out of reach.

The teen observed him, relaxing minutely but remaining poised for defensive if needed. "Who are you?"

"...Damian." Danyal replied.

"I almost didn't notice you." 

"No one does." 

The teen stepped closer cautiously and Danyal watched him. 

The teen reached a hand out and Danyal contemplated ways to subdue the boy nonlethally. Talia would not want her attention to be for naught.

The hand landed on Danyal's hair and moved side to side awkwardly.

"Good job."

Danyal left quickly after that, absently touching his hair when once again hidden from sight.

...

Danyal witnessed Talia's promise to Damian to reveal the name of his father after he beats her in combat.

He witnessed Damian’s defeat countless times at Talia’s hand.

And on Damian’s(and his) tenth birthday, he witnessed Damian defeat Talia.

"What is his name? Who is Batman? What is the name of my father?"

“Your father is Bruce Wayne, the Batman.”

Soon, Damian was sent to train with the Batman, his father. And Danyal. Danyal stayed.

And trained. And assassinated. And eventually watched as clones were made of Damian.

The small feeling of vindication as he heard of their failure was hidden.

No one could replace Damian. Not even Danyal.

Chapter Text

They averted their eyes. Even knowing that this was a clone, seeing the blank expression of death on the replicated face of the youngest Robin was gruesome.

After Batman and Red Robin secured the scene, they followed traces to the cloning lab that made them so they can destroy the research in making more.

The place was heavily booby-trapped as they slowly cleared each room. As they approached the depths of the laboratory, they spotted rooms filled with tubes, where the clones were developed.

Most were empty, and the ones that weren’t…

“Red Robin, report.” Batman commanded the bird after a few minutes of him hacking the system.

“The clones were terminated manually. I can’t dig any deeper. Someone initiated a self destruct sequence on their computer system. Everything is being deleted.”

Nightwing leaned closer to look at the screen. “So someone found out we were coming and decided to get rid of the evidence.”

“Maybe, but it was only initiated minutes ago and yet the buildings to quiet. We haven’t seen anyone.” Red robin pondered.

Robin sneered.“Then we find where they’re hiding and hunt them down.” 

“Let’s move but stay close.” Batman ordered.

They continued to clear the floor but soon stopped. A crimson-red pool on the floor stretched around the corner of the hallway.

They approached cautiously turning the corner with weapons ready. 

Two lab coat-dressed bodies laid on the floor surrounded by their own blood, clean cuts to their necks.

"What happened here..." Nightwing said, his fingers examining one of the bodies on the floor.

"Who knows? Mutiny? Ra's or Talia making sure no one says a word? It could be anything, at this point." Red Robin answered, unsure.

They continued, finding more bodies and shredded paperwork but no answers.

Suddenly there was a distant crash in another room. Everyone quickly and silently ran to the source, weapons in their hands.

Batman took the lead, drawing close to the open door.

From what they could tell, it was another clone, smashing everything to bits and ripping apart anything it could get its hands on.

Making sure no one else was around, Robin yelled to get its attention, his sword ready to kill again.

The clone flinched before turning towards them.

Like all the others, they looked like a carbon copy of Damian. But his eyes...

Blue. The same blue as Bruce's eyes.

And rather than attacking Damian like all the others, it simply fidgeted on the spot before bowing down on one knee.

"Master Damian." The clone's voice a near exact replica of Damian's but softer as he called him.

Everyone looked at each other confused.

Robin stepped forward, sword still at hand in case it was a trap. "What were you doing?" He asked.

"Destroying everything about the cloning process, sir." The clone obediently answered, head still lowered. A display of vulnerability to any attacks.

"Were you also the one who killed those researchers?" Batman stepped up.

This time though it didn't answer. Either he was guilty or just didn't want to.

Robin realized something, before saying, "Answer him."

"Yes, I did."

Everyone seemed to realize that it only answers to Damian, so they let him interrogate the clone.

"Why did you kill them?"

"If I let them live, Ra's will definitely come back to use their knowledge again, sir."

"Why are you obedient to me?"

"It was what I was trained to do, sir."

"How long have they trained you?"

"Since the day I was born, sir."

Born? Not made?

Red Robin flinched as if realizing something. "Ask him how long he's been alive." He said to Damian.

Robin quickly looked at him also realizing what he was implying. No, no it couldn't be...

"How long have you been alive?" Robin asked, his voice a bit shaky.

"I have been alive for eleven years, sir."

"... Are you a clone?" Robin asked, his voice almost a whisper, shocked at the information.

The boy scrunched his eyebrows, a bit hesitant to answer but in the end said "... No sir, I am not."

"Then who are you?" Robin asked, almost urgently, his fist clenched around his sword.

"...I am your twin brother, 18 minutes younger than you."

Chapter Text

“How can she do this to me again?!” Bruce raged, pacing the soundproofed study. “Another child! My child!”

“Master Bruce. He’s here now. Things will turn out for the better in the future.” Alfred spoke calmly. He wasn’t nearly as unaffected as he was on the surface.

Bruce stopped and sank heavily into the desk chair, taking the offered tea. “She hid another of my children and turned him into a killer. Three of my sons brainwashed by her and Danyal…he doesn’t even seem to consider himself a person.”

“We’ll take it slow, Master Bruce. We will help him figure out his identity. You remember how it was with Miss Cassandra. He will learn and he will grow.”

“You’re right. Thank you, Alfred.”

…

Dick didn’t know what to do. He was trying to get to know his new littlest brother but he was failing. Badly.

Every attempt of communicating with little Danny was met with resounding silence. He didn’t even look at him.

Honestly, Danny would be hard to find if he didn’t follow after Damian like a little duckling. It would be cute if it didn’t infuriate Damian to the point of attacking Danny. Well… it was still a little cute.

Although concerningly, Danny never made any attempt at defending himself against Damian, taking hits and only dodging when Damian made a particularly damaging move.

And it was up to Dick to help because no one else could. 

Bruce was too emotionally constipated to do anything helpful regarding their newest member. Alfred decided to give Danny space to help acclimate to his new surroundings, only chatting occasionally with Danny and giving Danny food and new clothes. 

Jason was still unaware he had a new brother. Babs was busy and Cass was still in Hong Kong, although was planning on coming home soon to meet her little brother and seeming ecstatic about it. 

Tim was keeping his distance, spending most of his time at the nest rather than the manner, in an attempt to not go 3 for 4 in attempted fratricide. And Steph…Steph was watching everything go down from a distance while eating popcorn.

So Operation Get This Kid Some Hobbies is a go. Plan A, movies.

After some(a lot) of convincing Damian to go watch a movie, Danny followed along with them.

Dick put on the newest Disney movie about breaking generational trauma, hoping that both of them could relate.

As the movie progressed, the silence between his two youngest siblings was oppressive. It was a far cry from the noisy affairs that movie nights usually were in his family.

Watching Danny was…depressing. He was constantly observing Damian and replicating his behavior and expressions. He really didn’t know how to be his own person. How do you teach that?

Suppressing his rage towards Talia and Ra’s al Ghul(his family was too perceptive for their own good) as the movie ended, Dick sprung up. “So what did you guys think?”

“Tt. A waste of time. I need to study.” Damian stood and walked off toward the library.

Okay Plan B. Reading.

“So Danny can you read? What’s your reading level?” Dick asked in a purposely conversational tone, thinking over good books to introduce to him.

Danny predictably remained silent.

“For goodness sake, answer his questions. I cannot stand his idol prater any longer.” Damian snarled towards Danny.

“...I’m fluent in fifteen languages. Reading is not a problem.” Danny said blankly.

“Tt. I can speak nineteen plus Kryptonian.” Damian bragged. Danny gazed at him with a neutral expression except for his eyes which seem to be sparkling. 

In another kid, this would be a cute case of hero-worshiping their (slightly) older brother, but this was just sad.

But speaking of Kryptonian, maybe we should invite over Jon. Ever since Bruce scheduled playdates for Damian and Jon, Damian has really mellowed out. Pairing the stabby child with an indestructible kid was a good idea.

“Well have you read The Prestige by Christopher Priest?” Dick asked and grinned as Danny shook his head no. “Well, it’s about two magicians that did terrible things to each other and later their descendants are trying to figure out what happen via letters.”

Dick was hoping that Danny would learn about unreliable narrators and how obsession between two people is incredibly unhealthy. Plus, he might like the twist ending.

Twenty minutes in Dick could tell that this wasn’t going to work.

Danny wasn’t paying attention to the book, giving glances at Damian. And Damian was getting frustrated.

“How about a break?” Dick popped up and asked before tensions reached a boiling point. “Let’s see if Alfred finished lunch.”

Damian stomped off and they hurriedly followed him.

They ate quickly and quietly, Alfred talking calmingly with them. 

Plan C, Art.

“So how about we do so drawing or painting?” Dick suggested. Damian enjoys painting and Danny could use some art therapy…or any kind of therapy. So could the rest of the family.

“Art is meaningless and inconsequential.” Danny stated. Uh oh. 

“That is it!” Damian snapped and lunged at Danny.

Danny didn’t resist beyond dodging occasionally.

“Why won’t you fight me?!” Damian yelled. “The league wouldn’t have produced a useless asset.”

“Damian!” Dick scolded.

“I won’t fight you. I’m yours to command.” Danny said impassively. “If you want me to die, then I’ll die.”

Dick was shocked. Even Damian froze. We didn’t realize he would be so self-destructive. “Danny…That’s not okay.”

“Just stop following me.” Damian muttered and skulked out of the room. 

Dick sighed. He would need to talk to Damian later. This would probably be triggering a lot of memories from the league. 

Turning back to Danny, Dick observed him for a moment. He looked lost. Confused like he didn’t know what he did wrong.

Because he doesn’t. A voice whispered at the back of Dick’s head. He doesn’t know offering to die because someone demands it is wrong. Doesn’t know that the way he was raised is wrong. 

Dick didn’t really know where to go from here. How did he ever do this with Damian? Or with Jason? With Cass? The league fucked over so many people he cared about.

He took a breath in, then out. Patience. He did it with patience and support of the rest of the family. 

He needed to talk to Alfred.

…

Damian curled up on his bed with his newest pet, Alfred the Cat.

Is this how the others saw me when I first came here? Why? Why did Mother and Grandfather train him like this?

I am not the only blood son. He could be Robin. He could become Batman. He’s efficient and shows decent computer skills like Drake. And…and he doesn’t get angry. Father always showed he makes no distinction between his adopted and blood relation sons. If I’m too brutal, will I become the next Todd? Will I be discarded?

Why would Danyal… No, I know why. I’ve seen other recruits of the League sacrificing their live for the cause. But we are al Ghuls. We are Waynes. Why? Why Grandfather? Why Mother?

Why didn’t they tell me?

Why was I alone?

Chapter Text

“I just don’t get why, Alfred.” Dick sighed running his hands through his hair. “I mean I’ve never really did with the league. But this is also Ra’s grandson.”

“I do not know, Master Richard. I’ve found you cannot understand the mind of a madman unless you are one.”

Dick snorted, resting his head against the cool countertop. “Where do we go from here, Alfie? He doesn’t want to leave Dami’s side and we can’t just have Damian just command him to constantly do things. Why does he even follow only the orders of Damian in the first place?”

“I have my suspicions. However, perhaps it would be best to simply ask him. Later, we might need to involve the services of Miss Lance.” 

Dick considered this. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Hopefully, he didn’t inherit the rest of the family’s unwillingness to go to therapy.”

…

Getting up from his bed, Damian strides toward Danyal’s assigned room.

He knocked on the door and opened the door, not expecting a response.

Danyal was predictable out of immediate sight. “Come out.”

The darkly dressed boy dropped from the ceiling.

Damian watched Danyal. He was standing at attention looking straight ahead, like a soldier waiting for an order. “Why do follow my orders?”

“It is what I am supposed to do.” Danyal answered immediately.

“Why?”

“Demon Head trained me to do so.”

“Why do you not call him Grandfather?”

“It is improper.” 

“Why?”

“I do not know.”

“Why did Grandfather train you like this?”

“It is my purpose to be used by you. To act as Shadow to the next Demon Head.”

“Shadow?”

“It is my role.”

“Why? You are the blood son of Talia al Ghul and Batman. Why lower yourself to acting as a servant.”

“...It is my role.”

Damian growled. “Why?!”

Danyal remained expressionless with only the faintest microexpression of confusion. “I do not know.”

“Why didn’t you come out? I always felt like someone was watching me in the League but I always assumed it was one of Grandfather’s people or perhaps one of my teachers. But it was you, wasn’t it? You were always watching me.”

“...Yes.”

“Why did you never come out? Why not let me know you were there?”

“It wasn’t my place. I was to train to perfection and become your gift for your eighteenth birthday. It wasn’t my place to interfere before then.”

Damian’s stomach turned. This was his brother. More so than even Grayson and yet… “You don’t think that’s wrong?”

Damian didn’t wait for an answer, turning and leaving the room, bumping into Grayson who was standing outside the door. 

He was eavesdropping. His mind supplied absently.

“You okay, Dami?” Grayson asked with a concerned face.

“Fine.” Damian spat out, walking away towards his room.

Grayson hesitated before closing Danyal’s door and following Damian.

He stopped Damian from closing his door completely but otherwise stayed at the doorway, observing Damian.

Damian sat stiffly at his desk, feigning indifference as he attempted some schoolwork.

“Can I come in and sit down?” Grayson asked.

“It’s not my house. Do what you wish.” Damian answered tersely.

Grayson walked in and sat on Damian’s bed. “ I would ask how you are doing but I think the answer is pretty obvious.”

Damian remained silent as he worked.

Grayson was quiet for a moment as well.

Grayson was just about to speak when Damian spoke in a near whisper. “Is…is that how you all saw me when I first came here.”

“Yes and no. You…I saw you as a misguided child.”

Damian would normally take that as an offense but he was starting to realize that misguided was an understatement.

Dick continued. “You were so angry. Which is understandable. But you were fundamentally okay. You just needed to be taught that what the League taught wasn’t okay. But otherwise, you could grow to be a normal child. But with Danny…he was stripped of all individuality by the League. You heard him. He was raised to be a gift, a tool. He doesn’t see himself as a person, just an extension of you. He’s going to need a lot of deprogramming and resocializing.”

Deprogramming, like a cult. The league was…is…

Danyal could have been Robin. He has a claim to become the future Batman or future Demon Head. He’s a blood child of Mother and Father and yet…he was reduced to nothing. For what?

The one thing that separated Damian from the rest of his siblings Father’s children was that Damian was Father’s only blood child and yet…

Grayson stood. Damian thought he was going to leave the room but he moved closer to Damian.

He telegraphed his movements as he got closer, putting a hand on Damian’s shoulder and drawing him into a hug.

Damian would never admit it but he clung to Grayson for nearly thirty minutes.

Chapter Text

Approach manner(steady gait) Observe(no threats, no family)

Action(open door)

Alfred(Grandfather). Action(smiling, observing Cassandra)

“Miss Cassandra. A pleasure to see you home.” Greeting(gentle, welcoming) 

“Hello, Alred. New brother?” Response(ASL, greeting, question)

“Master Danyal is upstairs in his room. Master Dick is accompanying him.” Response(ASL and spoken, fact, concern)

“Is okay?” Question(request information, concern)

“Physically, he is fine. Mentally, we have work to do.” Response(worry)

Action(nod, go upstairs to new brother’s room)

Observe(new brother observing(threat assessing) Cass)

Approach(slow, calm, non-hostile)

“Hello.” Greeting(spoken, friendly)

Observe(new brother glances at Dick, new brother watches Cass)

Dick(smiles at Cass) “Hey, Cass! Danny, this is Cass, our sister.” Answer(affectionate) “Do you know sign language?”

New brother(nod, answer affirmative)

“What are you doing?” Question(ASL, request information)

“I’m teaching Danny to play some video games.” Answer(fact, excited)

Action(nods) “Need to unpack. See you at dinner?” Statement(share plans) Question(request confirmation)

“Okay. See you later.” Agreement(confirmation, fond)

Action(wave, departure signal) Action(enter Cass’s room, start unpacking)

Planning(calm new brother, bond with new brother)

…

Jason didn’t have much contact with his family, so he didn’t notice it at first.

But after a few (blissful) weeks of no pestering from Dickhead and no contact from the rest of the family, it was growing suspicious. 

He parked his bike in the cave and entered the manner, looking for anything suspicious.

“Master Jason.” 

Jason did not jump. He didn’t.

“Alfie, what the-” Jason cut off at Alfred warning, “Language.” 

“Sorry.” Jason muttered, no one fucks with Alfred. “So why has everyone been so quiet recently?”

If anyone knew what was going on within these walls, it was Alfred.

“We’ve been dealing with a new arrival.” Alfred started walking toward the kitchen.

“New arriv… Oh for fu- Er…frick sake. Don’t tell me Bruce struck again.”

“To be fair to Master Bruce, this one wasn’t entirely his fault.” Alfred gave him one of his little smiles.

“Bull. Please tell me this one at least isn’t going around in colorful tights yet.”

“No, not quite yet.” Alfred said, amused. “This one doesn’t seem to have the inclination for that. Although, he doesn’t seem to have any inclinations for anything besides orders.”

“...What?” Jason deadpanned. Why can’t Bruce ever get any normal kid? 

“Young Master Danyal, arrived from the League. He’s Master Damian’s twin.”

“Holy sh-shitake mushrooms.” Jason corrected himself under Alfred’s glare. “Demon brat 2.0. I don’t think the world could handle it.”

“He’s…different from Master Damian.” Alred hesitated. Alfred never hesitates. You’ll see when you meet him. Speaking of, are you staying for dinner, Master Jason.”

“Nope. Hell no. Wasn’t planning on it.”

“I’m making Coq Au Vin and parsley potatoes.” 

It was bribery and they both knew it. Alfred’s cooking is godly. “...Fine.”

“Good. Miss Cassandra arrived a week ago; it’s been too long since we’ve had dinner with everyone. Now help me with the potatoes.”

“...” Jason wisely chose not to say anything.

…

Dinner was awkward. And that’s putting it lightly.

Bruce sat at the head of the table, not saying a word. The emotionally repressed asshole.

Dick was trying to make conversation futilely with only Cass consistently responding to him. 

Tim was glancing between Jason, Damian, and Danyal warily.

Steph was watching everything eagerly with amusement.

Damian was oddly subdued.

Danyal was methodically eating.

And Jason…Jason was confused.

Danyal(Danny as Dickface insisted we call him) was very different than Damian when he first came to the Wayne manner.

And he gave off an oddly familiar vibe.

The feeling was extremely faint and Jason was struggling to place it.

It was almost like-like…

Like the Lazarus pits.

Jason could feel the pit madness flare up at the thought of those damned waters.

“Jason?” Jason could hear Dick ask gently.

Jason had to leave, he couldn’t be here.

Jason stood and started walking away. 

“Jay?” The tension in the room was visceral.

Jason took a breath in. “Danny’s been in the pits. I could feel it.”

The silence was deafening. 

“What?” Dick choked out before turning to Danny. “Danny?”

Danyal just nodded. “Yes, I was born stillborn. Demon Head despised that weakness.I was placed in the pits to revive me solely to serve Damian.”

“So if I didn’t exist…?” Damian spoke up.

“I would have been discarded.”

“That’s so fucked.” Stephanie breathed out quietly.

“Danny, what the fuck?” Jason choked. The pit madness receding a bit. He was, still is, just a child. He shouldn’t talk about dying so casually, so matter-a-factly like it didn’t matter.

“...Little brother confused by reactions.” Cass spoke quietly.

“I think it’s time to call Dinah.” Dick said glaring at Bruce.

“You haven’t called Dinah yet?” Tim asked confused

“Bruce reluctant to ask for help.” Cass said.

Jason snorted, Steph chuckled, and Tim muttered, “What else is new?”

Bruce sighed but nodded. “Okay, I’ll call her to schedule Danyal’s sessions.”

Chapter Text

These past few months have been going relatively well. Master Danyal has been attending sessions with Miss Lance and has been progressing splendidly, although he is still fairly withdrawn, rarely talking more than necessary.

Recently, I’ve taken to having Master Danyal accompany me in doing tasks around the house.

Interestingly enough, Danyal seems to not enjoy taking care of Master Damian’s animals and has stopped adopting a vegetarian diet to mimic Master Damian.

The family has taken this as a sign that Master Danny has started to branch off of solely being a reflection of Master Damian.

“Alfred, I have given Cass her ballet uniform and Tim his suits, as you requested.” Danyal said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. A gesture originating from Dick. “Is there anything else you need?”

Alfred was reminded of when Jason was young. He used to follow Alfred around, too afraid to bother Bruce. Jason used to be simultaneously incredibly brash, yet so shy and self-conscious.

Not much has changed really.

“No, that is all for today, Master Danyal.” Alfred replied gently.

If things keep progressing as they have been, Master Danyal might be able to be integrated into society and sent to school.

Miss Cassandra has a recital coming up in a few months, maybe we could use that to introduce Danyal to the world as a Wayne. I’ll speak to Master Bruce about this later.

…

“Come on, kid. I’m breaking you out.” Jason threw a jacket at Danny. “Put that one.”

“Why?” Danny asked yet still put on the jacket.

“You haven’t left the manor since arriving here.” Jason said walking off toward the cave.

“...And?” 

“Where’s your adventurous spirit?” Jason slung his arm over Danny's shoulders and pulled him closer. “Exploring is a good part of growth. Now get on.”

Danny sighed but pulled on the motorcycle helmet and climbed on the bike without protest. He was curious about Gotham. The places he went to before coming to the manor were severely limited.

Danny watched the greenery go by as we drove out of Wayne estate towards the highway.

Jason went well over the speed limit, going closer to 110, 120 miles per hour, and took a sharp left onto the bridge that would be impossible with a less modified bike and a less skilled driver.

Danny observed what he could of Arkham island as we passed quickly over Gotham River.

As we entered the city, we passed a lot of people going about their day, getting off work, or just heading in.

We turned right, passing through Cape Carmine before entering New Gotham.

We passed an elementary school where kids were just getting off of school before passing Gotham City university, the young adults going about their business or heading out to party as afternoon headed to evening.

We then passed over the Ward Channel, passed the Gotham Natural History Museum, going a little further before stopping in front of an Italian restaurant in Gotham’s Little Italy district in Old Gotham.

“There was a much shorter way if this is where we were going.” Danny stated, thinking of the quickest route Jason could have taken.

“Yup, but sometimes you just have to enjoy the ride.” Jason smiled and headed inside the restaurant.

Danny contemplated this, rubbing at the spot where his chest ached for some reason before replying absentmindedly, “Yeah.”

“Crystal! How’s my favorite waitress? And how’s little Andy doing?” Jason greeted one of the waitresses happily.

The pretty brunette roughly thirty-year-old waitress gave Jason a half smile. “I’m doing good. Andy just started school at Gotham City Elementary.”

“Oh, we just past that. I would have picked him up if I knew.” Jason leaned against the wall.

“It’s fine. One of the girls is picking him up to take him back to the apartment. I don’t get off until later.” Crystal shook her head before turning towards Danny. “Speaking of we, who’s this cutie?”

“I’ll tell you but I need absolute secrecy. Got it?” Jason narrowed his eyes at her but nothing in his body language was threatening at all.

“Of course. Who do you take me for?” She raised an eyebrow at Jason.

Jason chuckled. “This is my new little brother, Danny.”

Crystal examined Danny. “Hmm, he’s cute.”

“Crystal! I don’t pay you to stand around talking!” Someone, presumably a manager or owner, yelled from the back.

Crystal rolled her eyes. “You staying to eat or was this just a social call.”

“Staying. I was in the mood for gorging myself and not moving for a few hours.” Jason replied.

“So the usual.” She sassed and started leading them to a booth. “What can I get this cutie?”

“Fettuccine Alfredo.” Jason said with a shit-eating grin.

She gave him a deadpan stare. “We serve Italian food. Alfredo is as white as the sauce is.”

Jason chuckled. “Couldn’t help messing with you. The lasagna.”

“Mhmm, thought so. I’ll be back soon.”

Danny watched her leave towards the kitchen. “So who is she?”

“She used to be one of the working girls I knew but retired after getting pregnant.” Jason replied casually.

Danny nodded gazing around the restaurant idly.

Everyone knows so many people and they’ve formed so many connections over the years.

Danny’s thoughts returned to the elementary kids and the college students.

What…what would have my life been like if I was born one of them. Just a normal kid, going to a normal school, going to a normal college. Will I ever even go to college?

Danny’s chest ached.

“Sometimes you just have to enjoy the ride.” But can I? When I’m ignoring my responsibilities to Damian? What is my purpose if not that?

Danny ate absentmindedly and finished before he even realized it.

“You okay, kid?” Jason asked concerned. “You seemed kind of in your head?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Danny lied.

“Okay.” Jason said, even though it was obvious he didn’t believe him. “Well, I was thinking of going to Selina’s apartment. I don’t know if anyone told you about her. She’s the old man’s on-again-off-again girlfriend.”

Danny nodded. Dick told him about her being Catwoman and Damian complained about her stating, “Her only redeeming quality is her cats.”

They hopped on the bike again and headed into East End, passing by Robinson Park, only to stop at the screams.

Various plants were writhing over the ground in the park.

“Huh, Ivy’s been so good since she started dating Harley. I wonder what set her off?” Jason muttered before hitting the com set hidden in his helmet. “Poison Ivy activity in Robinson Park.”

He turned off his com before driving off, away from the park.

I tapped his back in question but didn’t get a response until we stopped in front of an observatory. “Go inside and stay here. I don’t need the old man getting on my case if you got hurt.”

I hesitated before getting off. Jason sped away back towards the park.

I turned toward the old building. The observatory presumably didn’t get much use in a city as polluted as Gotham. From light pollution as well as regular pollution.

Danny headed inside, taking off his helmet. 

A faded replica of the sky was painted on the walls and ceiling with constellations highlighted and named.

I’ve never really thought about looking up at the sky before. In the League, education was given solely to better people to serve the League. Anything not relevant to the mission was discarded.

Danny’s finger traced a constellation on the closest wall before pulling his hand back with a grimace, wiping the dust off his hand.

Danny’s mind wandered to the stories Dick told him about his travels to the depths of space.

Danny knew Bruce, Jason, and Tim had similar experiences. Could he also…

It was Alfred that picked him up, knocking him out of his thoughts only when he said Danny’s name.

Danny stared at the observatory out of the car window until it was out of sight.

…

It was Damian’s birthday. Somehow, Danny forgot that it was also his birthday as well.

When Danny saw the large, beautifully decorated cake with a 1 and a 2 candle lit with his and Damian’s names, he felt…he felt…

“Happy twelfth birthday, Damian and Danny!” Steph and Dick shouted as they walked into the room, startling him.

Right…It’s my birthday too. This is the first time I’m celebrating it.

“Happy birthday, sons.” Bruce smiled softly, handing them both their gift from him.

“Thank you, Father.” Damian replied as happy as he will allow himself to show, opening his gift of expensive art supplies.

“Thank you…” Danny trailed off. He hesitated before opening his…gift.

It was a blanket, covered in stars. He felt it. It was incredibly soft.

He felt…guilty. He didn’t deserve this. He couldn’t even call Bruce father.

He felt empty. 

He looked around at everyone gazing at them happily. Then he turned to Damian.

Damian looked…so happy.

And Danny didn’t because he felt as if he was stealing this from Damian.

Guilt knotted his stomach. And he knew that this feeling wasn’t right but he also knew that it wasn’t going to go away.

Danny looked at everyone and came to a decision. 

I can’t stay here.

Chapter Text

Dear Bat Br Father Dad,

Thank you for taking me away from the League, I finally realize that it was wrong. It took a while, but I know now.

Thank you for letting me stay at the manor. Me leaving probably confuses you, or not, but I hope you understand. As much as you probably want me to feel at home, but I just can't. I don't know why it feels wrong, I want it to feel right to stay here but the more I stay the worse it gets.

Please take care of Damian, I know that you both disagree with a lot of things, but I've watched Damian for a very long time. I think I know him better than anyone at this point.

Damian's changed you know? Compared to the him I've watched for 12 years, he's different now. He's actually compromising a lot more than you think, please just be more patient with him. Don't just think of him as the new Robin, think of him as the boy whose people's expectations of him were being the ruthless heir of a clan full of people who could kill him. Of the boy who was so readily cloned and replaced once he did something wrong.

He just wants to be a good Robin to you. 

Lastly, please don't come looking for me. I know that as your son too, you care for me as well. But I need this. I need to find myself, the me who I should have been from the start. So, please...

Let me go.

From, your son

…

Dear Dick, 

Thank you for making me feel welcomed all this time, it must have been hard at first. When I refused to even respond or look at you, but you still tried nonetheless. 

Thank you for taking care of Damian, I can tell he likes you. And one day, once he finally recognizes all of you as family, you would most likely be his favorite brother. 

I'll make sure to find something I'll like soon. One day, I'll tell you all about it.

From, your youngest brother

P. S I liked it when you called me Danny.

…

Dear Jason, 

Did you know that we met before? It was only one time, you probably think it was Damian you met before, but it was actually me acting as him. Or maybe you don’t remember it.

You were kind, you probably thought it was just another kid being trained in the League and not the supposed heir or his shadow. Did you know you were the first person to ever pet my hair? I was so shocked, you know? I have never been praised for doing well in training, it was just expected of me to do so.

Your hand was so warm, I slept well for the first time that night. You're a good person, at least I think you're good. Maybe someday you'll think you're a good person too.

From, Danny

…

Dear Tim, 

I don't really know what to write for you. We didn't interact as much as the rest. Dick said that it was probably because Damian attacked you once and that I looked like him and could act exactly like him as well when I want to.

Please be patient with Damian, you don't have to forgive him for trying to kill you. He just wanted to be Robin so badly. In all the years that I've watched him, it was the only thing he thought of doing besides being the heir everyone wanted him to be.

I hope that someday he'll understand what he did was wrong. Maybe he'd even apologize.

From, Danny

…

Dear Cass,

I really enjoyed our talks, even if or maybe because most of them were silent.

You understood me more than the rest of the family ever could. Thankfully. I wouldn’t want anyone to really understood what we went through.

I enjoyed watching you practice ballet. It was graceful and yet conveyed a sharpness that would be difficult for people to understand. It was beautiful. I’m glad that you found something you're passionate about.

Goodbye

From, Danny

…

Dear Alfred, 

Thank you. 

Out of all the people who have helped me, it was you who had actual good advice. The one where I imagined if it was Damian in my shoes, being forced to obey and used by someone made me realize a lot of things. 

Thank you for taking care of Damian, for taking care of everyone really. I can't seem to imagine how things would go without you around. 

It must be pure chaos. 

I hope you'll still be there if I ever come back. I think I'll miss our midnight tea time the most. 

From, your grandson

…

Dear Dami Brother,

I didn't expect things to go like this. I thought that the first time we would have met would have been your our 18th birthday, where I would have been presented to you as your shadow.

I sometimes wonder, what would happen if I just met you earlier. Would you have hated me? Liked me? Who knows really?

Sometimes I wish we could have just been normal brothers. Normal kids, who roughhouse and steal each other's stuff. 

When you got angry, when you asked why I let the league make me into your shadow, why I couldn't have just popped out from where I was hiding and told you who I was. I didn't know how to answer you back then. 

I think I know now, the answer.

I was willing to do it. I wanted to, no matter how many times the others say that I was being brainwashed into liking it. I think I knew from the start that I just wanted to be by your side.

I love you, brother. I loved being the person who knew you the most. Loved seeing you grow stronger every day. I loved you so much.

But I think loving you to the point that I would willingly pretend to be you is a bit too much if you think about it.

That's why I think it's for the best that I leave.

I hope that I find something else to love in my journey. Not just you, but more, something more to love in the world.

I hope one day I can tell you all about it, I hope one day I can introduce myself to you, as someone who could stand beside you rather than behind you.

From, your brother Danny

Chapter Text

The stars are so beautiful.

Danny stared up at the night sky, trying to find constellations in the book he bought.

He’s been traveling for a few months and was currently camping in a wooded area between Serbia and Bulgaria.

After he left Gotham, he immediately left the United States and started traveling Europe. He knew it would be too easy to find him if he stayed in North America.

But recently, he’s been thinking of going back to the States. Not Gotham or even New Jersey, he’s not ready for that but another state.

He drifted off to sleep thinking about where he should go.

…

In the morning, he traveled to the nearest airport and looked at all the flights headed to America.

The soonest flight with open seats was for Chicago, Illinois so Danny decided to buy a ticket.

A thousand miles and three states separating them were enough.

An eleven-hour flight was tiring but not the toughest thing I’ve faced.

He got a motel room and slept off the jet lag, waking up in the evening, before starting to head out of Chicago. He didn’t want to remain in a big city for long and risk getting caught on a camera that can have facial recognition run on it.

But he paused in the lobby and turned toward the T.V. that was playing celebrity news.

Bruce Wayne was fostering a new kid, Duke Thomas, with rumors of adoption going around.

A pang of hurt went through his chest. Is he replacing me? He squashed the feeling in its roots. He knew that wasn’t true.

He took a breath before heading outside and fetching a taxi.

He looked up a map on his burner phone and looked for smaller towns.

Hmm, Amity Park sounds interesting.

He got in the taxi and told him to head to Amity Park.

The drive took about an hour but he was satisfied by the look of the town.

It was a town with few visible security cameras and a fairly low population. Plus the town seemed weirdly behind technology-wise with older models of phones being used.

Danny walked around town, observing the people here and looking around at the buildings.

Just as he was passing a library, someone came flying out of the door, knocking him over.

“Oh, I am so sorry.” The red-headed teen girl said, scrambling to pick up her books.

“It’s okay. I wasn’t really looking where I was going either.” He helped to pick up her books. “You okay?”

She looked up at him and observed him, before narrowing her eyes at him. “You’re new in town.”

He blinked at her. “I didn’t think it was that small of a town for people to realize that immediately.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not. It’s just people usually recognize me due to my parents and treat me differently. Especially people around our age.”

She looked two or three years older than him. “Oh. What do your parents do?”

“It’s silly.” 

“I don’t judge.” Goodness knows he has no right to.

“...They study and hunt ghosts.” She stated.

“Oh. That’s not what I was expecting.” He really wasn’t. He was expecting either local fame or notoriety. Although, I guess it kind of is that. “That’s not that bad though.”

She studied him for a moment, before laughing softly. “They are also notoriously bad drivers so much so that people call others when my dad is spotted driving.”

Danny laughed. “I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

“Oh, it’s worse.” She said, shifting her books. “My name’s Jazz. What’s yours?”

“Danny.”

“Nice to meet you. Did you move here with your parents?” She asked.

“Oh, I’m by myself for the moment. And I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying in town.”

“Why? Where are your parents?” She asked again studying him. She reminded me of my siblings.

“...I’m kind of familyless.” He stated slowly thinking of a response. Surprisingly no one asked the twelve-year-old (him) about his parents when he was traveling. “I’m kind of just wandering for now.”

She looked horrified. “What?! You are coming home with me.”

She grabbed my hand and dragged me to her house, which for some reason had a…what even is that on top of it?

…

He’s been living with the Fentons for longer than he thought he would. Longer than he should honestly. They were talking about enrolling Danny in school. He even had glow-in-the-dark star stickers on the ceiling of his the room he was staying in.

Danny was laying on the couch reading a book about space, occasionally telling facts he learned to Jazz, who was sitting on the floor doing her homework on the coffee table. The T.V. was playing softly in the background.

“You know, you really like space. Do you want to be an astronaut when you grow up?” Jazz asked absentmindedly, writing an answer on the paper.

Danny paused and thought about it. Being an astronaut is how ordinary people would get to go to space. 

“Yeah. I would like to be…” Danny froze before grabbing the remote and turning it up louder. 

“Bruce Wayne has once again adopted. He has recently held a press conference stating, yes he did adopt two children by the names of Harper and Cullen Row. How many kids does that make it now, Bob? Maybe Brucie should go to rehab for his addiction to adopting kids.” The host of the show stated lightheartedly.

“Danny?” Jazz called out softly. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Maybe I should enroll in school.” It was a shitty change in topic but Jazz was too excited to notice.

…

Danny’s first day of school ever was not going well.

For some reason, this blonde meathead singled him out immediately and started harassing him.

You are a normal boy, Danny. Do not kill the idiot.

Danny didn’t make any remarks or move against him and eventually the boy, Dash I think the name was, seemed to get bored.

Unfortunately, he decided to move on to another kid to get a response.

“Hey, nerd.” Dash walked up to a black boy in a red beret, slapping the boy's PDA out of his hands.

“Hey!” The boy shouted, his voice cracking.

Dash grinned and shoved the boy against the locker.

Danny nearly growled. “That’s enough. Leave him alone.”

“What you going to do, freaky Fenton?” Dash taunted.

Danny nearly attacked him. Instead, he looked around and wrapped his arms around his stomach, screaming in faux pain.

“What is going on?” A teacher nearby marched up to the three of them and glared at all three.

Danny looked up with tears in his eyes. “He…He pushed this boy and then punched me in the stomach.”

“No, I didn’t.” Dash yelled out, eyes wide.

“Mr. Baxter, I know your parents are wealthy but this behavior is unacceptable. Office, now.” The teacher commanded and marched off with Dash in tow, who turned back at the with a glare and a whispered, “You’ll pay for that.”

“Dude, that was awesome. My name’s Tucker ‘Too Fine’ Foley. What’s yours?” The boy, Tucker, asked.

He smiled at him. “Danny.”

…

Danny came home with Tucker and was startled by a yelled, “Happy birthday!”

Danny looked around at Maddie, Jack, and Jazz, all wearing those cone party hats with Tucker rapidly pulling on his.

Maddie was holding a cake covered in a messily applied fudge icing, with a smudged ‘Happy Birthday Danny’ written on it and thirteen candles tilting over.

Danny smiled and nearly teared up. 

This felt like his. 

This felt like home.

…

Tucker and Danny were at the park when Dash once again started pestering them.

They were trying to ignore him and were considering leaving when all of a sudden, a shoe comes flying over and hits Dash in the face.

They look over and see a goth girl about their age stomping over in one shoe.

“Hey! Pick on someone your own size.” She came up and got in Dash’s face.

“What like you, shorty?” Dash sneered at the girl.

“What you going to hit me?” She narrowed her eyes at him and jutted her chin out challengingly. “Then do it. Hit me!”

Dash nearly looked scared of this girl that weighed 100 pounds less than him.

Although to be fair, he was also used to Paulina, who was terrifying. Danny may have a bit of a crush on Paulina.

“Whatever, freak.” Dash spat out and walked away.

The girl hmphed at him before turning to them.

“That was so cool.” Tucker breathed out.

“I’m Sam.” The girl smirked and nodded at them.

…

Time passed quickly with another year passing.

A week after Danny’s fourteenth birthday, Danny saw the news that Bruce Wayne married Selina Kyle.

He was…okay with that actually. But he felt a little lonely.

Jazz was out with friends and his parents were at the library, trying to figure out why the portal they just finished building after a decade didn’t work.

Danny contemplated before calling Sam and Tucker to come over.

“Come on, Danny! It doesn’t work anyways. I just want to check it out.” Sam begged a few minutes after getting there.

“I don’t know. My parents don’t like us going down there unsupervised.” Danny hesitated.

“What’s the harm?” Tucker shrugged.

“Yeah, Danny. There’s no harm. Please.” Sam agreed.

“...Alright.” Danny relented.

They headed down into the basement.

Chapter Text

Danny is frozen in place as electricity pulses through his body. Green, Lazarus green, floods his eyes. Distantly, he can hear his friends' shouts, yet he’s unable to move, unable to blink. He can feel his flesh burst open before being rebuilt, only to repeat again and again. 

Then he feels it. The portal opened. Through him.

Danny sat up quickly, his chest heaving, struggling to breathe.

He looked around and saw his bedroom, barely lit by the rising sun.

He plopped down on his bed and focused on the breathing exercises Jazz taught him.

He forced the dream from his mind and got out of bed. He had to get ready for his first day of high school.

…

Danny looked around at the mess of the food fight and thought about the Lunch Lady ghost that just left.

So he was a ghost. He died. Again. Yay.

…

Danny was getting used to his powers. Kinda.

Okay, not really. He was causing a lot of collateral damage in his fights with ghosts and almost the entire town hated him.

The question of whether or not to call the Justice League sat in the back of his mind for months as he fought with every ghost that exited the portal.

But that would be coming into contact with Batman again, his biological father. And Danny…He just wasn’t ready for that.

Plus, he was embarrassed. He left the Waynes and consistently nearly lost to his own rogue gallery, that could destroy the human world. Talk about letting down the Batman legacy.

…

“Danny!” Danny could hear the voice of Sam shoot through the red fog of Freakshow’s mind control.

He could feel the compulsion break as he dove to save Sam from falling.

After trapping Freakshow with the stolen goods to await arrest, Danny thought about how he felt over this period.

It was…familiar.

He thought back to when he was young in the League, to the pain that was inflicted whenever he tried to disobey.

Yeah, it definitely wasn’t dissimilar.

…

Danny once again got news about the Wayne family.

But unlike the other times of trepidation, Danny felt…excited.

Selina was pregnant.

Danny was going to be a big brother for the first time.

Maybe when she gives birth, I should fly back over there.

But that didn’t happen.

…

Danny wailed and wailed. He trapped Dan in his thermos and turned to save his family.

The building exploded, knocking Danny down.

He didn’t get up. He was too late.

Clockwork interfered and turned back time to save his family but Danny was left staving off a panic attack every time he thought about it.

Months of nightmares passed quickly, with him getting news of Selena’s birth. Helena is his little sister’s name.

Dan…

The future Amity Park was the last bastion of humanity. They were the only ones with the tools to fight back against Dan. 

There was no mentioning the Justice League and when Danny asked…

He didn’t want to think about what that meant, what happened to his siblings in that timeline.

He can’t go back.

…

Danny’s fifteenth birthday came and went with no real changes to his life.

One day, he entered his room and found a girl that looked like him sitting on his bed, reading one of his comic books.

“Hey, got any food.” The girl asked and he got off the phone with Sam.

He talked with this girl, who was apparently named Danielle, Dani with an I.

She was supposedly his distant cousin, who looked like him despite him not actually being related to either of the older Fentons. And she conveniently had the same interests as him.

A theory tickled the back of his mind but he dismissed it as impossible.

…

So…he was right. Dani was a clone.

Vlad wanted to clone him. The fruitloop.

Dani was guilty over the fact she tried to kill him but Danny dismissed it. 

After all, what’s a little attempted murder among family? 

She didn’t know any better. She was brought into this world and taught to be evil. It’s not her fault…and now Danny is feeling guilty as he thought about Damian and his clones.

Danny claimed Dani as his family before Dani left to travel the world with a few suggestions from Danny and a warning not to go to Gotham.

…

Selina once again gave birth, this time to a little boy. Bruce Wayne Jr. Koriand'r was also pregnant with Dick’s child. Bruce’s first grandchild. Danny’s first niece or nephew.

He was once again considering going back. He was off for summer break but he was still hesitant. 

Would they even want me back in their life?

Two months passed, with Danny’s sixteenth birthday arriving and news about Koriand'r being due soon.

He made a decision. (with only a little bit of Sam kicking his ass about being indecisive)

…

Mar’i was born on September 6, a day before Helena’s third birthday.

Dick was worried that his little sister would be jealous but Helena seemed almost more excited than he was.

Dick stared down at his child in wonder. 

She had a small tuft of black hair on her head and she had Star’s green eyes. They almost seemed like they were glowing.

Actually, they are glowing , Dick realized as Mar’i started floating. Raising a half-alien baby was going to be difficult.

Someone cleared their throat from the doorway causing Dick to tense.

Did they see his baby floating?

He turned toward the person, ready to subdue them if necessary before freezing.

Damian’s face stared at him with icy blue eyes, crinkling in amusement.

“Danny?” Dick choked out.

“Hi, Dick.” Danny spoke softly.

Dick raced over and pulled him in for a one-armed hug with Mar’i in the other.

“Dick?” Kori called from the hospital bed. “Who is this?”

Dick smiled, eyes watery. “This is Danny, my little brother.”

Chapter Text

Everyone was in the waiting room, waiting for permission to go into Koriand'r’s room to see their newest family member.

Damian scowled at the goth girl pacing in the room with them.

He wouldn’t have minded her presence if she didn’t keep sending glances their way.

She didn’t seem hostile so he dismissed her as a threat but… “Do you mind?”

She paused and openly stared at him, causing him to scowl harder. She rubbed the back of her neck, a nervous gesture he was very familiar with. “Sorry. Someone I know is visiting his family for the first time in years and I’m just hoping for it to go well.”

Damian softened and said with no heat, “Just stop looking at us.”

She smiled mischievously. “You just look exactly like someone I know.”

Damian tensed and glared at her. “Who-”

But he was cut off by someone yelling, “Sam! Stop messing with them!”

His head jerked toward the hallway, as did many of his family members’ who’d been paying attention to the exchange.

There stood…”Danny.” Damian breathed out.

Danny smiled shyly. “Hi, Dami. Been a while.”

All of his family stood up and gathered around as Damian hugged Danny.

“Where have you been?” Damian demanded.

“Illinois.” Danny replied with a shrug.

“Illinois?” Damian’s nose wrinkled in distaste.

“Hey! Don’t be rude.” Danny said playfully. “Or I’m not going to introduce you to my girlfriend.”

Damian examined the goth girl as Danny nervously introduced her. “This is Sam.”

“Nice to meet you.” She said politely, only slightly observably nervous.

“It’s a pleasure.” Bruce butted in, resting a hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Sit. You can tell us about how Danny’s been doing since I have a feeling he would be remiss with the details.”

Sam gave a shark-like grin. “Gladly.”

Danny gulped.

Okay, she’s passable as my brother’s girlfriend.

…

Danny’s been meaning to tell his family about being Phantom. Honest. It’s just…how do you tell your family you’re not entirely human anymore.

This. This is not how he was planning on them finding out.

He was playing with his niece. Mar’i turned two not long ago and was using her powers more and more, specifically flight.

Right now he was chasing Mar’i around near the ceiling, her giggling the entire time when he was interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

He turned towards the door where Alfred was standing. With nearly the entire family behind him.

“Um, surprise?” He made jazz hands with Mar’i clapping her hands next to him.

…

Ever since Clockwork told Danny that he was heir to the throne due to defeating Pariah, he’s been stressed. He was relieved that he wouldn’t be crowned until he turned eighteen but now that was only a couple of months away.

Bruce noticed because of course he did. “Can we talk?”

Danny nodded absently, as he continued to go over the books Clockwork, Frostbite, Dorathea, and Pandora gave him.

Bruce sat and watched him silently for a moment. “...You know, Aquaman is a king. And Wonder Woman is a princess and ambassador. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind helping.”

Danny sighed. “I don’t want to bother them. They are so busy.”

“They wouldn’t mind helping a fellow league member.” Bruce replied.

“What?” Danny said confused, still not looking up from his books.

“You have to wait until you're eighteen.” Bruce said then left the room.

Danny continued to read for a minute, before looking up at the door and yelling, “Hey, wait a minute!”

…

Batman and the rest of the Batclan have been acting odd lately. They’ve somehow been acting even MORE secretive than usual.

It started a few months ago with a motorcycle-riding meta-human showing up in Central City that went by the name Johnny 13.

Flash was able to catch up with him but was attacked whenever he got close to the guy’s shadow and when he got close enough to touch, his hands went through the guy.

Flash contacted the Justice League for information but no one knew the guy besides an acknowledgment from Batman, who showed up in half an hour with glowing green tech which captured the guy with ease.

When Flash asked, Bats remained silent, only saying it was from a potential league member.

Of course, since it was Flash, he immediately spread the word to every single league member that there was going to be a new league member.

Everyone questioned Batman, looking to find out who he was thinking of inviting to the league, but he remained infuriatingly silent only stating that they needed to wait until August 10th for some reason.

Time passed with everyone getting jittery the closer month came until finally, August 10th came.

Everyone was waiting anxiously at the entrance waiting for Batman and the new member to Zeta in.

“Batman-02. Phantom-46.” The Zeta announced.

“Phantom?” Flash muttered.

The two heroes entered in a flash of light, the younger semi-hidden behind Batman.

“I can’t hear his heartbeat.” Superman remarked shocked, straining his hearing.

The younger stepped out from behind Batman and cleared his throat. “Hello, I’m Phantom, the High King of the Infinity Realm, also known as the Ghost Zone. But you can call me Danny.”

“What!”

…

Danny was really enjoying being a big brother and an uncle.

But in a family like this one, things can get out of hand really fast.

He was babysitting and somehow ended up on the roof with two kids.

Granted one of them could fly and the other was the six-year-old daughter of Batman and Catwoman, but still.

He was trying to grab both of them but Mar’i kept on darting away from him while giggling and Helena was somehow able to escape his grip every time he grabbed her.

“Do you need help?” Ellie, who stopped going by Dani because she wanted to be more independent from Danny, asked far too amused for his tastes.

After wrangling the kids and returning to where he left Bruce Jr and Ryan(Selina’s youngest), Danny turned to Ellie. “Can you not-”

“Oh, I’m definitely telling Bruce and Dick.”

“Shit.”

…

Danny was 21 when they found out that Bruce(or more specifically Batman) has been cloned.

They tracked down the clone and instead of finding a full-grown clone that had their age accelerated, they found one-year-old Terry McGinnis.

Looking through the project plans, it seemed like they implanted the cloned embryo into the unsuspecting Mary McGinnis and were planning on killing her and her husband when Terry was slightly older to recreate the conditions Batman was created. They wanted their own next-gen Batman and were planning on orphaning Terry to do it.

They had everyone involved with the project arrested and destroyed all the evidence of the project’s existence, but now they were stuck on what to do about Terry.

Do they bring him back with them, leaving his parents childless with no reason as to why, or do they leave Bruce’s clone wandering out in the world?

“Why do we always have such trouble with clones?” Bruce rubbed his temples

“Should I take offense to that?” Ellie asked jokingly.

“No, sweetpea but if he says something like it again, I’ll scratch him for you.” Selina purred.

Ellie was adopted by her and Bruce shortly after they found out about her.

“Gross. We do not need to know about your sex life.” Steph teased making everyone groan.

“Steph, really?” Danny huffed at her. Steph just grinned and shrugged.

“Back to the matter at hand, I think we should leave him there.” Bruce decided quietly.

Dick placed his hand on Bruce’s shoulders. “You sure, Bruce?”

Bruce nodded solemnly. “He already has a family. We can’t take him from them. We’ll keep an eye on him but otherwise don’t act.”

No one was happy with the decision but everyone understood.

…

Our family will always be complicated.

As Bruce got older, they finally convinced him to retire being Batman with Damian taking over the cowl with Bruce Wayne Jr. as his Robin. Which is adorable.

But now, Ryan, the youngest of Selina’s kids, took on the identity of Aion and started fighting with Damian because he believed that he was the true heir to Batman.

“So Ryan believes that he is the true heir to the cowl.” Danny repeated with amusement. “Now why does that sound familiar?”

“Shut up.” Damian told his twin, ever so maturely.

Danny was full-out laughing now. “Wow, when they said history repeats itself, they weren’t kidding.”

“It’s not funny.” Damian sulked.