Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Danny had been stuck in Vlad’s mansion for a week when his two siblings rushed into the room he’d been sulking in.

Jazz entered the room the normal human way, while Ellie went straight through the wall and tackled Danny to the floor. Which of course started a wrestling match between the two halfas.

“Ellie we came to relay new information, not to give Danny a black eye.” Jazz said looking unimpressed.

“Aw Sis, you know that’s how we show our love.” She exclaimed as she casually floated over her head.

Ellie had joined their family a few months ago. She had needed an actual identity to go and travel the world freely with no trouble. So, Tucker and a reluctant Technus used his skills and a few connections to make Ellie an identity connected to the Fentons through one of Jack’s estranged cousins. Danny and Jazz then gaslit their father into believing that his estranged cousin had a daughter and that that daughter was traveling the world as a study trip. Which allowed Ellie to not only be a part of their family but also the offer of safety when she was in Amity. Though they still had to be careful around their parents, with the whole ghost thing. The only thing that brought them comfort was the fact that Ellie at least existed now.

Which is why when Vlad offered to take care of the Fenton siblings while their parents went on a trip to a Ghost Convention in California for two weeks, Ellie decided to come too. With Vlad no longer being able to just experiment on her anymore because she existed as a human person and not just a clone. She didn’t see anything wrong with asking her uncle Jack if she could join with her cousins ‘cuz she’s never seen a mansion before. Vlad was hesitant to agree at first but had to in the end because of Jack’s pestering. Danny and Jazz told her she didn’t have to come but she convinced them to let her stay with the promise that if Vlad tried anything they’d need backup.

“Vlad has just announced that we will be accompanying him to an upcoming gala in Gotham city.”

Jazz’s words broke Danny from his reminiscing and brought back the topic at hand to the front of his mind.

“A party for all those rich folks?” Danny said while sticking his tongue out. “Sam has told me horror stories about those things and they just sound really boring in general.”

Danny was starting to float with Ellie around the room, much to Jazz’s dismay.

“Danny, Ellie, get down from there. I’ve told you both several times how important eye contact is in enhancing people’s ability to fully connect and understand each other in a conversation.”

“And I’ve told you several times that I’m a growing teen with social anxiety so that’s not gonna happen, Dr. Jazz.” He stated mockingly.

He and Ellie both started cackling like the gremlins they were near the top on the ceiling, while Jazz was left seething on the ground.

“Daniel James Fenton, Danielle this is serious.” Jazz said exasperated.

“I know, I know.” His smile slipped from his face leaving a much more worried expression. “It’s just we have no idea what Vlad’s planning and it’s been a week, he hasn’t tried to kill us-yet!”

“He did say and I quote I’m going to try to take a softer approach, little badger and show you and your siblings exactly what you're missing.”Ellie said in an admirable Vlad impression. To which they all started laughing.

“We all know that the fruit loop is way too crazed to take a “gentle” approach right?” Danny wheezed out while wiping a tear from his eye.

“Yeah but it is weird that he hasn’t tried anything yet.” Ellie supplied.

They all did think it was very strange that Vlad hadn’t tried to kill any of them or implement some kind of evil plan. The whole thing was very weird. He hadn’t tried to slap a Fenton Spector Deflector or something of the sort on him and Ellie right when they arrived and he hadn’t immediately tried to kill his parents. He hasn’t had any ghost fight or hunt them. Actually there had been no ghosts coming to fight him in the week he had been staying at the Mansion. Tucker, Sam, and Valerie had been taking care of Amity and hadn’t called about any strange behavior.

“Do you think he’s planning something for the Gala?” Jazz inquired.

“Maybe” Danny Replied, “Though we’ll just need to make a better plan then whatever he comes up with.”

With that the three Fentons began scheming.

***

Vlad had dragged the three of them onto a two hour plane ride to Gotham and stuffed them into expensive clothes in order to “look the part” of being elites.

Jazz had somehow managed to get a simple black dress that went just up to her knees on Ellie, even after several biting threats which she did go through with. Jazz had said something about having to behave in order to get Vlad into a false sense of security for the evening to go smother.

Jazz was in a blue one shoulder dress that went to her ankles and really. While Danny had been forced to match Vlad in a black tuxedo with a red bow tie. Although he did get to choose a pocket square, which was black with an intricate blue pattern to match his sisters.

“Now, you three are going to be on your best behavior in there.” Vlad lectured when they arrived outside of the venue. “This party is being hosted by the most wealthy and influential family in all of Gotham, the Waynes.”

“Who?” Danny asked, sounding confused.

“You guys don’t know who the Waynes are?” Vlad asked in shock.

“No, never heard of them.” Jazz said at the same time that Ellie drawled,”We can’t keep track of every rich fruit loop that exists, we have enough going on dealing with you.”

“And we really don’t need another one of those.” Danny added, causing the three to shiver at the thought.

“I am not a Fruit loop!” Vlad yelled. “Would a fruit loop have ever thought of over…..”

“…Shadowing enough millionaires to become one of the richest men on the planet basically overnight.” Jazz, Danny, and Ellie all finished in sync looking unimpressed.

“Yes, Yes, very funny little Badger.” Vlad said with a sneer. “But trust me no one will be laughing if you three don’t cooperate tonight.”

“Was that a threat?” Danny growled out as his eyes narrowed.

“Interpret that as you will, though know that you all better not make a scene.”

Vlad’s eyes glowed green for just a second.

“Oh and for the record the Waynes are headed by Bruce Wayne, who is the CEO of Wayne industries and I heard he has some kids coming to this event so if you run into them, do be on your best behavior.” Vlad said as he walked into the party.

“Okay he is totally up to something!” Ellie piped up as she watched Vlad venture further into the venue.

“Yeah he didn’t even try to fight us when we called him a fruit loop.” Danny started looking puzzled.

“It’ll probably be fine guys, plus we have a plan in case he does try to pull anything.” Jazz reassured them.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Danny said, the worry on his face beginning to dissipate.

“Always am, little brother.” Jazz said with a smile as she started walking up the stairs, “Besides don’t we have a party to get to.”

*****

Bruce Wayne, the greatest detective to ever live, was looking very confused from what Jason could tell.

He may not have lived with the man as long as Dick had or was as smart as Tim was, not that he’d ever admit that, but one thing he was able to do was read body language. And man, was B looking confused. The subject of his confusion was in the form of three teens trailing behind Vlad Masters, all of which looked like they’d much rather be anywhere else but there. The kids consisted of a dark haired girl looking to be around 12 to 13, a dark haired boy looking to be around 15, and a ginger girl who seemed to be around 17 to 18. He, Bruce, and Tim were watching the group move to speak to other guests across from the other side of the venue, which made it hard to tell any distinctive features of the kids. Though they could tell that Vlad Masters, who Red Robin and Oracle were currently investigating due to a string of crimes he might be connected to before he founded Vladco, was the one they were following. Who according to the debriefing of the case didn’t have any kids.

“I thought Masters didn’t have any kids.” Tim asked, saying what they were all thinking.

“He doesn’t.” Bruce’s frown deepened.

Masters continued to talk to guests, too occupied to notice when the teens slipped off into the crowd of people. The tall redheaded girl was leading the other two kids, while holding the hand of the smaller girl and in the blink of an eye they were gone. Dam, they were fast, Jason though. Which was impressive, since they were all highly trained vigilants who were constantly being taught to stay vigilant of other people’s movements. Which just made them even more suspicious.

“Follow them.” Bruce ordered.

Tim nodded while Jason responded while rolling his eyes with a, “Start by saying please next time, old man.”

Jason and Tim then begun to weave their way through the crowd heading in the direction the three had gone.

“I bet I can find you before them.” Tim challenged.

“Oh! It is on Replacement.” Jason shot back. “How much?”

“20 dollars.” Tim replied.

“Deal.” Jason agreed.

The two boys split deeper into the crowd attempting to one up the other with their speed. The guests looked a little startled at the sudden movement but were otherwise unfazed. They had been to enough events hosted by the Waynes to not even be surprised anymore at the Wayne kids' behavior.

“Move out of the way!” Jason yelled as he shoved his way out of the crowd.

He moved into the very back of the venue, where a bunch of tall standing tables with white table cloths were located. There were a few people talking and laughing around them but the area was mostly empty. Jason moved closer, where he finally found the people he’d been looking for. The three teens were huddled close together into one of the far corners of the room. They seem to be deep in conversation, constantly making erratic hand motions.

Jason quietly scurried over to the closest table to the teens which was occupied by a group of ladies and quickly ducked under the table cloth. He moved a chunk of the fabric in order to make a slot in which he could see through and started listening in to the conversation.

“Danny you know we can’t just call Cujo here to cause chaos in order to leave.” The redhead scoffed. “Me and you both know why that’s a bad idea.”

“Yeah but it’d be so easy. It would only take a whistle.” The newly dubbed Danny said, bring two fingers up to his mouth.

The older girl slapped his fingers away from his mouth, hard. The sound maked Jason wonder if she broke any of his fingers.

“Ow, Jazz. That was totally unnecessary.”Danny whined as he rubbed his fingers.

Distracted by the conversation in front of him, Jason didn’t notice Tim coming up next to him until he plopped down beside him under the table cloth.

“I won.” Jason said not bothering to look over in Tim’s direction. He stuck his hand out.

“I know.” Tim stated dejectedly. He reached into his pocket for his wallet and promptly handed a twenty dollar bill into Jason’s waiting hand.

Jason took the bill and brought it into the light to check that it was real. Satisfied, he stuffed the bill into his pocket and said, “Pleasure doing business with you.”

They stayed hidden like that for a couple more minutes just watching the teens until Tim decided to ask a question.

“Do you know what language they’re speaking?”

Jason looked over at Tim skeptically. “They’re obviously speaking English, you idiot.”

“No, no, seriously because it doesn’t sound like any language I’ve ever heard.” Tim said, sounding confused.

“Are you fucking with me?” Jason asked in anger.

“Of course not.” Tim said quickly. “I haven’t been able to understand a thing they're saying.”

“But I can understand them.” Jason said, starting to spiral.

“What?” Tim asked, sounding a little uneasy.

Before either of them could start to freak any more than they already were, they were pulled away from their conversation by the absence of the previous chit chat that they’d been eavesdropping on. When they turned back around they were greeted by three pairs of eyes that shone a little too green to be normal, staring back at them. 

Chapter Text

Danny, Ellie, and Jazz all made their way to the back of the venue in order to discuss their plans if-no when Vlad tried to pull something.

Jazz herded her siblings into a corner where no one would pay attention to them.

“So, you both know what to say if Vlad starts monologuing, right? She asked, in a stern tone.

“Ghost speak, Jazz.”, Ellie informed her while holding her pointer finger up in the air Jazz rolled her eyes at Ellie’s antics and the three of them easily slipped into the normal ghost dialect. Danny and Ellie were naturally able to use ghost speak due to Danny being half dead and Ellie being a direct copy of him. Jazz on the other hand, was not imminently able to fluently speak Ghost speak and while she could understand what was said, she couldn’t naturally speak it. So, she improved and studied it with Ghost Writer until she could speak it better than both of her siblings. Though their usual conversations mostly used the normal and most common dialect; they were still required to learn the ancient dialect from Clockwork as part of their royal training. They were all a bit rusty on that front but it was good enough for the sparse royal meetings they were required to attend.

“And you're sure he won’t bail on us?” Jazz inquired.

“Nah, he owes me a favor and I bet he’s lurking around here somewhere.” Danny reassured. “You could say he owes me some cheddar.” Danny said, barely able to hold back his laughter and immanently doubling over, looking mildly hysterical, while holding his gut with his hands. Ellie and Jazz both cringed at the joke but still let out a few chuckles.

“You know we could just get Cujo to come and get us out of this rich people gala.” Ellie started to move her hands wildly as she talked. “We call him up, tell him to go play with some of these pompous rich folk, maybe get him to chew on a few of them-eat the rich and all that- and then we slip out and just wait for your parents to get back in Amity.”

Jazz brought a hand up to her face to rub her temple. “You know exactly why that wouldn’t work.”

“I don’t know Jazz”, Danny’s face broke out into a mischievous grin, “It sounds like a pretty solid plan to me.”

“Danny you know we can’t just call Cujo here to cause chaos in order to leave.” Jazz scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Me and you both know why that’s a bad idea.”

“Yeah but it’d be so easy. It would only take a whistle.” Danny said, bring two fingers up to his mouth.

Jazz’s liminal nature allowed her enough speed and strength to quickly slap his fingers away from his mouth in a motion that would most likely break a normal person’s fingers.

“Ow, Jazz. That was totally unnecessary.”Danny whined as he rubbed his fingers.

“Don’t be dramatic.” Jazz brought her fingers up to her face to inspect them for any chiping. “I didn’t even hit you that hard.”

“Sorry to cut into the sibling drama but are we going to address the two boys watching us right now.” Ellie asked with a wave of her arm in the boys’ direction.

The two boys in question were huddled under a table just watching them from afar. They were both dressed up in expensive looking suits and were distracted at the moment talking to each other. The shorter one had dark black hair, blue eyes, and had dark under eyes that were quite prominent. The taller one also had black hair and blue eyes, with the most noticeable differences being the streak of white going through his hair and the tie that was hanging loosely around his neck, unlike his companion’s. They were both still distracted talking to each other and hadn’t noticed that they’d been caught watching them.

“I was just going to let them watch us until they eventually get bored.” Danny shrugged off. “Anyway, they shouldn’t be able to understand anything we’re saying.”

“We’ve had stranger things happen to us then a few teenage stalkers.” Jazz agreed

“Plus no stalker can ever top Wes’ insanity.”

They all slightly cringed at the reminder of Wes’ obsessive stalking that plagued them for over a month. Though he had calmed down a bit after everyone continuously dismissed his theories about Danny being Phantom. He still had his conspiracy theories and ran a small blog about said theories but was more or less on their side now.

“Sooooo, maybe we just see what happens.” Ellie shrugged and smiled both unnaturally wide and with far too many teeth. “Who knows we might even get some chaos.” She brought her hands together in front of her face and started evil laughing to herself.

Jazz and Danny just rolled their eyes and ignored their little sister’s antics. Jazz looked over to the two boys and watched as they passed a bill between them. She took the moment to really study them. To really notice how the younger one looked like he hadn’t slept in days and had a defeated look on his face. The older one was a bit more rugged looking, though the thing that immediately caught Jazz’s eye was the strip of white in his hair. So white that no dye would have been able to easily create that color.

Her eyes widened with the realization that all of them had missed something very obvious in the room.

“Hey guys do you feel that?” She pointed out.

“Feel what?” Ellie asked.

“There’s another ecto-signature in this room with us.” She said looking in the direction of the two boys. “And it’s coming from over there.”

The three siblings finally turned their full attention to the two that had been watching them, each of them felt their own eyes shine green in greeting. Jazz saw the boy with the white streak in his hair’s shock ridden eyes shine a dim but not unnoticeable green back to them.

Jazz momentarily felt confused. No other beings like them should exist outside of Amity, especially with most places not having enough ectoplasm to create a being like them, additionally Danny’s ghost sense didn’t get triggered so there weren’t any full ghosts in the area.

If her siblings' wide eyes and quick intakes were anything to go by, they also saw the taller guy’s blue eyes shin a dim green right back at them. Though before any of them could react further, the two boys startled and jumped up into the air. In the process knocking over the table and the drinks that were on it right onto the group of women who were talking near it and were starting to look very angry. The group of women started yelling at the boys, while the two boys started yelling right back at them. A screaming match then insured, both sides getting angrier and angrier.

“Should we help them?” Danny asked, sounding a bit hesitant.

“Nah.” Ellie drawled. “They’ll probably be fine. Though more importantly, do you think the big one died and came back to life like Danny and Vlad or is he just ecto-contaminated like Jazz?”

“Don’t know, could be either.” Jazz responded, turning her head to get a better angle of the main instigator of the group trying to splash the teens with the only champagne glass they were able to save.

“What do you think we should do?” Danny inquired.

“About the glowing eyes or the screaming match going on right now?” Jazz questioned.

“The glowing eyes.” He responded.

“We could politely talk to him?” Jazz sounded uncertain.

“Oh, and say what?” Danny said, sounding sarcastic, “Hey, we’re all somewhat not human and felt some death energy on you. So, we wanted to know if you’ve ever died before and don’t worry we come in peace. If we said that he’d probably end up running away from us and calling the police.”

“I don’t know, what do you want to do then?” Jazz sighed.

“Maybe we could kidnap him.”, Ellie interjected startling everyone, while looking and sounding completely serious.

“What-no!” Jazz exclaimed, bringing a hand up to her face to show just how done with this shit she was. “Why would you even ask that?”

“I don’t know.” Ellie said sarcastically. “Maybe because his eyes just shone green like ours and there shouldn’t be any other liminals around besides us-oh- and Vlad. Also he might not even be safe in Gotham for long, with the GIW spreading and such. Oh and to add to that no one becomes like Danny and I or even as messed up as Jazz -Hey!- without something at least mildly traumatizing happening and he probably needs a doctor. I also don’t think most normal folk can just be talked into getting into a glowing green portal with three teens. So, I feel like my reasoning is entirely logical and totally not because I want to spice things up a bit.”

“She’s been hanging around Dan too much.”Danny butted in, not fully paying attention. His eyes were still watching the screaming match behind them. The tall dude had gotten closer to the woman who was yelling the loudest and was now up in her face yelling louder at her.

“Though you do make some good points Ellie, we’re not here to investigate every weird thing that’s happening around here. We need to stick to the plan of either surviving until our parents get back or using the code word if Vlad tries to pull something.” Jazz scolded. “And kidnapping some rich guy’s kid would definitely keep us here for more than a few days.”

“Jazz is right.” Danny said. “We’ll have to come back to this situation another day. You know we can’t just leave when someone might need our help. So, we’ll definitely be back.”

“I’m right for the second time today,” Jazz gloated, “Now let's use this opportunity to slip away before anyone starts asking any questions. And remember, don’t make a scene. We don’t want to bring any more unnecessary attention to ourselves.” She started to lead her younger siblings away when a noise of anger startled them.

The three looked back at the screaming fit that was still going on behind them, which was starting to escalate quickly. The younger teen was holding the white streaked boy by his arms, in an attempt to desperately keep him from physically fighting the older lady. As the teen was turning to pull on the older one harder, he caught them starting to leave in the corner of his eye. A flash of panic crossed his face before he whispered in his companion’s ear, “They’re leaving”, which Jazz wouldn’t have heard if not for her liminal nature. Her siblings must have heard it too, since they both tensed.

“Time to go !” Jazz yelled, pulling Danny and Ellie towards the crowd with her.

“Wait!” The younger teen started to move towards them, but it was too late.

They had already disappeared back into the crowd.          
            

*****

Vlad had looked away for just a couple of seconds and the kids had imminently disappeared. He only needed them to stay with him for one night. Just one night! One night to get them to understand why they should be his children, not Jack’s! To get them to understand why they should help him convince Maddie to leave Jack. But, no! Instead they go off wandering to who knows where, to do who knows what.

It was no matter though. By the end of tonight there would be nothing they could do about to stop his plan.

Vlad made his way through the crowd looking for the person who would bring his plan together. He was looking for none other than Bruce Wayne, multi-millionaire and serial adopter. With his known history of adopting, surely he’d know how to adopt three kids and get one of the parents out of the picture. He just needed to get some advice and maybe even get some support. If he was to bring up the unsafe living conditions of the house and how obsessive the Fentons were with their work, he could most likely build a case against them. Plus if that doesn’t work he could just overshadow the judge and or Bruce. In addition the Fenton parents were all the way in California, visiting the Ghost Town of Bodie, so they most likely wouldn’t be able to make it to testify. No phone calls or videos would work either because of the new phones he had gifted them, claiming that they were a new ghost proof phone from VladCO. He had all the paperwork ready; so if he pulls his strings just right he might be able to get this done before their parents come home. And if not, he’s sure one of the ghosts he sent with them would be more than happy to distract them for a few days. It’s a foolproof plan,

So, now it was just time to talk to Bruce Wayne.