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Chapter Text

Danny was wandering through the streets of Metropolis—a weird name but he couldn't really bother to care when he was the king of a whole realm of undead. His hands were shoved into the pockets of a pair of ratty jeans that he had had for over a millennia, kept together by sheer spite and ectoplasm alone; they were his favorite pair after all. The sights were so achingly familiar yet different to his home dimensions, it was bright and warm—not overbearingly so—just like how Amity Park used to be. His own original dimension having died out and joined the realms eons ago with him.

As it got later however he was stopped by every single person he walked past, asking if he was alright. It got annoying real fast! Can’t a bazillion year old king of the dead enjoy his vacation in the mortal realm in peace!? He understood he looked like a fourteen year old—he wasn't so out of touch to realize that could be seen as odd—but what the hell? Even when he actually was fourteen no one cared if he was out that late or not!

He came to the mortal realm for some peace and quiet! Was that so hard to ask for!? Sure he loved his home, he loved the realms and every being in it—more or less—but they were so chaotic. He just wanted to sit in a park and feel the breeze, something he couldn't get in the realms. He wanted to sit and touch grass that didn't want to strangle himself to a second death. He wanted to feel a breeze that wasn't from the breath of a bahimath. He wanted to be able to look up and see the stars that drove him past death and made him who he was!

Danny didn't mean it—really he didn't— but he couldn't help but snap at the last person who asked if he was alright. Some tall broad man that reminded him a bit of his dad, however he cowered into himself and wore clunky glasses that Danny was sure the man would be blind without them. The worry on this mans face made Danny feel bad immediately after he barked out the words, “For fucks sake! I'm fine!”

“No offense kid, you don't seem fine…” the man said calmly, his look of worry still there despite the conviction in his voice.

Danny sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, “Look man, I'm good, I just want to be left alone for now.”

“Is something wrong,” The man asked.

Danny groaned internally, why was this guy so persistent? It sucked that he could tell the guy was genuinely concerned, but it isn't like he could just say, “naw, dude, I'm cool. I may look fourteen but really I'm older than this dimension and its predecessors. I just needed a vacation from a bunch of chaos goblins that think it is socially acceptable to challenge me to a fight at ass-crack o’clock in the ancient’s damned morning, which doesn't even make sense cuz time doesn't even flow in the realms.” HA, that might actually be fun.

“Sorry for snapping at you dude, you're just like, the hundredth person to ask me if I'm ok and I'm kinda over it.”

the man smiled, “you're alright, son, I understand.”

Danny didn't like being called “son” by someone younger than he was, but what could he do? Danny made a face at the word and the man chuckled a bit.

”Where are you from?” The man asked.

The Ghost Zone. “Illinois,” Danny was glad there was an Illinois in this dimension.

the man lit up, “really? I'm from Kansas!” The man beamed with a bright smile that was almost blinding despite how late it was getting.

Danny couldn't help a smile, it was kinda sweet to see someone so happy to see another midwesterner.

The man's smile faltered a bit, “You're a long way from home, aren't you?”

Danny felt a knot form in his core, great, this guy probably thinks he's a runaway or something. “Yeah,” Danny tries to act casually, “I'm just visiting, you know, seeing the sights.”

The man studied Danny for a moment, his bright smile softening into something gentler. "Metropolis is a good place for that. A lot to see, and plenty of good people to meet."

Danny shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Yeah, it’s... so similar. But different though."

The man chuckled. "It can be. But it’s got its charm. I’m Clark, by the way." He held out a hand, his grip firm but not overwhelming when Danny shook it.

"Danny," he said, figuring the name was harmless enough.

"Well, Danny, if you’re just visiting, I’d recommend Centennial Park.

Danny smiled, "Yeah. I’ll check it out."

Clark’s smile widened. "Glad to hear it. Just... be careful out here, alright? Metropolis is safe, but no place is perfect."

Danny’s lips twitched into a smirk. "I think I can handle myself."

Clark chuckled again, his demeanor still relaxed. "I’m sure you can. Just remember, you can always ask for help if you need it. And if you're in danger, you can just shout for Superman and he will be there in an instant.”

Before Danny could even ask what the guy was talking about, he waved goodbye and began walking the way he was when they bumped into each other.

”Huh,” Danny said out loud, before shrugging and turning to walk down the next street, “now where is Centennial Park?”

-

Clark could hear the kid as he walked away, he couldn't help but smack himself for forgetting to point him in the direction. But it would be weird if he turned around, jogged after the kid and then said “oops, I forgot to tell you where that is,” no then the kid might assume Clark was going to kidnap him or something. Clark was at least semi-aware that he was large and could be seen as intimidating to some….

Maybe he should check on him—just in case, Clark thought as he quickly rounded the corner to change into his costume quickly. He was just a kid, in the middle of the city, alone, at night… Clark shook away the thoughts and lifted off. He flew off towards the direction Danny was in, hoping the teen wasn't too lost. Clark spotted him from a few miles up in the air, he slowed his flight speed and floated closer to the ground so the kid was able to see him. Slowly he flew overhead, slow enough for the kid to register him.

The kid didn't so much as look up as he flew past. Clark grumbled to himself, thinking he would do another fly over. The second time Danny definitely saw him. The kid froze for a few seconds, watching him fly. But then he shrugged and continued his walk. This isn't going like how Clark thought it would. But before he could stop himself he turned back around and started to fly back the way he came again.

But as he flew past Danny the kid groaned in annoyance, “Do you need something?”

Clark’s flight stuttered before he looked back at the annoyed kid, he looked a lot like how Connor did in the early days of the Teen Titans. All glares and venom….

Clark cleared his throat and puffed out his chest like he would do as Superman, “not at all, I just happened to see you walking and I wanted to see if you needed any help finding your way.”

Danny threw his head back and covered his face with both his hands as he let out a frustrated groan. He looked back up at Superman, “just out for a stroll, nothing too out of the ordinary.”

Clark hovered mid-air, blinking in surprise. “Uh…” he started, momentarily thrown off by the directness. “Of course, but—” he starts but is cut off.

Danny pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing dramatically. “Look, man, I don’t know what your deal is, but I’m fine. I promise. No mortal danger, no crises, no evil schemes. Just me, walking to a park.” He gestured vaguely down the street. “Can I do that, or do I need to fill out a permission slip first?”

Feeling properly chastised, Clark looked away nervously. “No, no, you are alright,” he says, turning back, “carry on,” he states before flying off. Clark hasn't felt this embarrassed since the time Bruce walked in on him licking his plate clean. To be fair what was on the plate was Ma’s apple pie, and there is no way he would let any part of that go to waste.

What did make him feel slightly better was hearing Danny groan to himself, “Gee Danny, way to be an asshole to the local flying hero. Sorry, my guy, but I'm done for the night.”

Chapter Text

Danny’s next destination was the natural history museum in Washington DC in Maryland. It may not be the most exciting thing in the world but Danny saw an advertisement about a traveling planetarium that he had just missed in Mitropolis. So he decided to follow it to DC. While he waited for the show to start he wandered around the museum and found himself in the Ancient Greece exhibit. Danny felt a childlike glee when he realized what era he was walking through. When he was younger, before he was crowned king. Clockwork had sent him back in time to Greece many times. He has some fond memories of the shenanigans he used to pull and Danny hoped that some of that chaos he caused made its way into this universe's stories.

Not all things he did in the past ended up being told in his universe, merely because he wasn't always sent to his universe’s past. It confused the hell out of him when he was still mostly mortal and had to take tests of ancient Greece and there was in fact no mention of the ten foot tall Amazonian priestess who he was sent back in time to help under the guise of a hunter sent by Athena…. To be fair, Athena of his time in the ghost zone a-okayed it. Turns out that ten foot tall Amazonian was Pandora and wasn't that a shock to mentor one of his mentors. Danny chuckled to himself as he walked deeper into the exhibit. Hoping to see some Amazonian artifacts.

As he entered the large room he spotted something that made him smile. He walked closer to the back of the room, wondering past all the bigger grander displays. The things he spotted however were much more significant than anything else in this museum. Because there on the back wall is Pandora’s spire. The way Danny was able to tell it was hers by how intricately crafted the weapon was, most definitely Amazonian by design, and for the fact that the spire had Pandora's crest etched into the side.

Danny had to suppress the urge to walk up and touch it, he knew better. Rather than touching it, he brought his hands up to where his core thrummed in his chest. To see such an old weapon that belongs to one of his dearest friends so well looked after makes him feel so warm and content.

“Beautiful, is it not?” A voice from behind him spoke.

Danny looked back to see a tall woman, made even taller by the heeled boots she wore. Her black hair was tied back into a bun and she wore a white button up tucked neatly into the high waisted pants she wore. She had a name tag with the name Diana Prince printed on it underneath the name of the Museum.

“Yeah,” Danny says with a smile. “Not many Amazonian weapons are in museums,” Danny says warmly. He is guessing, but from what he knows from what Pandora tol him, Amazons like to keep to themselves unless pushed to venture off of themyscira.

by the look on the woman’s face he can see he guessed right.

“How could you tell it was Amazonian?” Diana asked, a thicker accent bleeding out with her surprise.

Danny shrugged and looked back at the spear, he pointed at the socket that connects the blade to the shaft. "It's in the way the socket flares here. The taper isn’t something you see in most designs from the time that's uniquely Amazonian craftsmanship. Plus, the symbols etched into the side don’t match anything from the typical empires of the period.”

—

Diana had spotted the boy as soon as he entered the room. He was short and held his head high despite the slouch in his posture. He walked past most of the art in the center of the room straight to the weapons. But not just any weapon, an Amazonian weapon. Diana, not only a Historian, but also being an Amazonian, smiled. She walked forward hoping to educate this young man on some of the stories. Not many people of The World of Man know of the history of her sisters, something she hoped to change when she took on top position at the museum.

but as she neared him she could see the soft look in his eyes that confused her. She shook off her thoughts and put on a smile before saying, “beautiful, is it not?” She made sure to articulate her words in a more modern dialect.

The boy turned to face her and smiled, “Yeah, not many Amazonian weapons are in museums.”

The statement caught her off guard. Not many know an Amazonian weapon when they see it, their artifacts rarely made it into the hands of outsiders. "How could you tell it was Amazonian?" Diana asked, her accent slipping slightly in her surprise.

"It's in the way the socket flares here. The taper isn’t something you see in most designs from the time that's uniquely Amazonian craftsmanship. Plus, the symbols etched into the side don’t match anything from the typical empires of the period,” The boy explained.

Diana blinked, taken aback by his detailed observation. This boy, no older than fourteen by her guess, had just casually identified characteristics. She looked back at the boy, “where did you learn to identify such qualities,” she asked, genuinely curious.

The boy turned sheepish and began to rub the back of his neck nervously, “well, an old friend of mine taught me everything I know. Even told me stories,” the teenager beamed.

“A friend?” Diana couldn't help but ask, could this boy be friends with either Cassie or Donna—it would make sense due to the age range he appears. There was no other way, but she would have thought the two girls would have known better than to share such a secret. But one thing is for sure, he couldn't have come from themiskyra.

“Yeah, Pandora is pretty great,” Danny says, making Diana pause.

The name sounded both familiar and not to her. She knows of Pandora, the guardian of the box of chaos, yet he couldn't possibly mean her. She had passed on to Elysium centuries before Diana’s time. But before Diana had the chance to question the boy further, the watch on his wrist began to chime. The boy smiled and took a step back, “oh I gotta get going! Don't want to miss the planetary show!” And just like that the boy was gone, leaving Diana stunned.

She must seek out guidance with her mother and ask her about Pandora, she thought, looking back at the weapon on display.

Chapter Text

Danny had heard plenty of stories about Gotham. The ghosts who originated there spoke of it with a mix of reverence and dread. They whispered about shadows that seemed alive, streets that pulsed with an energy both chaotic and unyielding, and a sense of perpetual tension hanging in the air. He’d even heard murmurs of some figure cloaked in darkness, striking fear into both the living and the dead alike.

He figured it couldn’t hurt to check it out. Besides, he was in the area anyway, and it wasn’t like Danny actually knew how to take a vacation. Keeping an eye on things was second nature by now. The streets were quiet, the lights barely worked overhead as Danny walked around. It was cold and damp, however Danny didn't really seem to mind.

Unfortunately the quiet didnt last long when he heard a loud crash come from blocks away. Instincts kicking in, Danny rushed forward into the chaos.

The crashing sound reverberated through the cold Gotham streets, sharp and jarring. Danny’s pace quickened, his old tennis shoes barely making a sound on the damp pavement as he darted through the shadows.

He turned a corner and froze for a moment. A large delivery truck lay on its side, the contents spilling across the intersection. Bright green vines were snaking through the wreckage, wrapping around light poles, fire hydrants, and even a couple of parked cars.

Standing amidst the chaos was a woman, wrapped in vines that grew out from the ground and all around her. She had bright red hair, vivid green skin and a commanding presence.

Her eyes glowed an eerie sort of rage as she directed the plants with a graceful flick of her wrist. Gotham civilians struggled to run away from the living vegetation, which seemed to anticipate their every move.

Danny’s gaze flicked between the scene and the rooftops above, where he caught a flash of movement—a black cape disappearing into the shadows.

“Looks like the stories weren’t exaggerating,” Danny muttered, a mix of curiosity and wariness settling over him.

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. His fingers twitched slightly, the cool thrumming of his ghost core readying him to intervene if necessary.

Do you see now?” she called out, her voice both enchanting and commanding. “Nature will not be tamed! You destroy her, and she strikes back with fury!”

Danny’s curiosity turned into a mix of awe and concern. “Well… that’s definitely not something you see every day,” he muttered.

He stepped closer, not quite sure what his plan was, but wanting to get a better look. Maybe he could help calm things down—or at least keep the cops from getting swallowed by a giant carnivorous plant.

Before he could take another step, a shadow fell over him.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Danny didn’t flinch at the voice that came from just behind him. He turned his head slightly to see a large figure wearing a cowl with pointed horns on top standing there, his imposing figure almost blending into the surrounding darkness.

Danny raised an eyebrow. “I could say the same about you, but you seem to make it work.”

“This isn’t a joke,” Batman said, his voice low and firm. “Get somewhere safe. Now.”

Danny crossed his arms, standing his ground. Who said I was joking," Danny said with a smirk.

The faintest twitch of Batman’s jaw was the only indication he was annoyed. “This isn’t your fight.”

“Maybe not, but it’s someone’s fight,” Danny shot back, his tone calm but unwavering. “And I’ve handled worse.”

Before Batman could respond, a vine snapped toward them, forcing him to grab Danny and yank him out of the way.

“Seriously?” Danny said, pulling himself free and stepping back. “Dude, stranger danger.”

And with that, he vanished into thin air, leaving Batman standing alone, his sharp eyes scanning the space where Danny had been.

A moment later, Danny reappeared several feet away, closer to the unfolding chaos. His green eyes glowed faintly as he prepared to step in.

“Alright, lady,” he muttered under his breath. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

-

Bruce didn't like what he was seeing. The boy who he was just holding disappeared from his grasp in the blink of an eye. Did he teleport away? Was he a meta? A speedster? Or was he some weird hallucination brought on by the palen he had though he avoided earlier. That last theory was dashed as soon as he turned around and heard the kid say: “Alright, lady, let's see what you got.” Bruce's blood ran cold, despite trying to get this child to run away, he only managed to get him to run closer to Poison Ivy.

Batman ran forward towards the teen when he saw another vine— one not really directed by Ivy but still under her control—began to rush down to slam at the living creature that it sensed. Batman felt his fear and anger spike as he thought he wouldn't reach the teen on time.

The boy raised his palm to the sky and a green shield formed, similar to the constructs made by the green lanterns. Bruce’s brain stalled when he saw this. However he didn't waste any time and took advantage of the sudden confusion from Ivy to throw smoke pellets in the plant woman’s face.

Ivy coughed and gagged but eventually her eyes began to flutter until her they fell shut. He body and the vines falling to the ground motionless. Bruce quickly ran forward to place the meta handcuffs he carried with him onto the eco terrorist before turning to look at the boy.

The boy pouted and looked almost upset. Bruce began to walk over to him but the boy just looked away. “What were you thinking?” Bruce asked. He knew it sounded harsh but he really needed to make sure the kid knew that was dangerous, even if he was a meta—upon closer inspection, Bruce couldn't see a power ring on the boys hand so most likely not a lantern.

The boy crossed his arms, his—now glowing—eyes narrowing as he turned his head just enough to side-eye Bruce. "What was I thinking? What were you thinking?" he shot back. His voice carried a tone of irritation, though it didn’t quite mask the hint of embarrassment. "I wanted to see how good of a fight she would put up."

Bruce felt like he was going to pop a blood vessel. Bruce stopped a few feet away, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "I was trying to get you out of danger. You’re lucky those vines didn’t crush you."

The boy huffed, his posture shifting defensively. "Lucky? Please. I had it handled." He gestured vaguely toward the spot where Poison Ivy’s unconscious form now lay. "She wasn’t exactly top-tier material compared to what I’m used to."

Bruce stayed silent for a moment, examining the boy in front of him. He was about to ask if he had somewhere safe he could go, but the boy seemed to be fed up with Bruce’s silence. He threw his hands up into the air with a groan, “screw this! I didn't come here to be interrogated by a furry!” And with that he blinked out of existence.

Bruce jumped back, on high alert, looking for where he might have gone. Yet after a few moments he realized the child just disappeared. Bruce sighed in frustration before turning back to deal with the unconscious Poison Ivy while making a mental note to call Green Lantern to see if there was a new member that was able to hid his ring.

Bruce was not looking forward to the conversation with Hal.

Chapter Text

Hal Jordan sat in the watchtower, looking over the stars in amazement. He had been called to the watchtower for a meeting by the big bad bat. Something about having questions about a green lantern kid? He didn't know, kinda wasn't paying attention cuz he was too busy watching his niece Helen. Yet he still showed up for the bat, despite how frustrating he could be.

He had only recently become a Green Lantern again after finally redeeming himself as The Spectre.

Despite having been in the air most of his life and space for the other half and then dying and becoming a ghost of redemption, he still can't get over how beautiful the stars look. And how breathtaking everything is from out here. And how small the human race really was. It was mesmerizing. But a sudden pulse of energy caught his attention making his vision zero in on a spec out in the vast expanse of space.

Ever since dying and coming back he had been able to sense more magical things than he did back before. He talked to Deadman and Abin about it once and the ghost said that it was because he had become liminal after reincarnation or whatever.

He scrutinized the spec for a minute, he couldn't quite tell what it was and was about to go to the airlocks to go out there to take a look when a gruff voice made him jump, “Lantern,” Batman growled.

”Jesus, Spooky, can a guy look into space in peace?”

“We are having a meeting in a few minutes, I want you to be present.”

Hal sighed, “wasn't I here for that anyway,” the brunette asked as he walked past bruce.

“where are you going?” Bruce asked, watching Hal walk towards the door.

“To check on something.” He replies over his shoulder as he goes.

“Jordan,” Bruce said in warning.

“Yeah, yeah, sue me! I’ll be back spooks, just let me go check on something. I'll be back!” He calls as the sliding doors shut behind him.

As Hal walked towards the Watchtowers airlocks, he couldn't shake the feeling that the energy felt familiar. Not familiar like Aztar, the spirit of vengeance that he was bound to for so long, but more like seeing an old teacher you had in grade school now that you are an adult. Hal powered up the ring and stepped into the airlock to the cold expanse of space. He flew forward as the blast doors opened for him, towards the direction he felt the energy was originating from.

As Hal flew closer he was able to finally distinguish what the spec was, it was a boy—or something, it felt older than it looked. The boy was reclined back and watching the stars that Hal had been admiring just a few minutes ago. The boy also seemed to take notice of Hal and turned to look at him, almost looking exacerbated, “what now?” Hal managed to hear as he came to a stop a few feet away from him.

Hal couldn't help but laugh at the tone he used, but Hal couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. Hal didn't even have the right train of thought to even question why a human looking boy was out in the middle of space. Hal tilted his head to the left before mustering up the courage to ask, “do I know you?”

The boy—no creature? Seemed taken aback by the question before finally he scrutinized Hal himself. The person snapped his fingers and pointed his finger at Hal. “Hey, weren't you The Spectre for a while?” He asked.

Hal straightened up and smiled despite his confusion, “sure was, earned my life back, and you are?”

Danny let a grin take over, allowing his energy to flare and the crown of fire to blaze momentarily—not wanting to blind the newly resurrected man. Recognition dawned on the Green Lantern's face; he lowered himself awkwardly into a bow while they floated together in the endless black void.

“High King,” Hal says, “I didn't recognize you, what brings you here to this realm.”

Danny laughed and waved Hal off telling him not to bow, “I'm on vacation,” Danny says with a grin. Hal straightened up, sighing in relief, glad there were no world ending threats that the king of the dead came to fight off. “How is resurrection treating you?” Danny asked.

Hal shrugged, “pretty good,” he says, leaning back to recline next to the boy shaped god, “Though I kinda miss being able to reshape my body in different forms, it was kinda fun to have boobs when I want them.”

Danny laughed, “Well you could always die again,” he joked. Hal let out a single laugh shaking his head.

”no, I'm not ready yet. I just spent way too much time redeeming myself to just up and die again.” Hal looked back at the watchtower, “there are still people I want to live for.”

Danny smiled, tilting his head and resting it on his knees, “yeah, I get that, that was me for a while back when my living family was— well, living.”

The two sat in silence for a moment longer before an idea formed in Hal's mind that made the green lantern smirk. He turned to look Danny in the eye, his grin infecting the king as well.

”Well, your Majesty, how would you care for a tour of this earth’s best defence?” Hal asked, grin turning into a smirk, “scaring some folks along the way?”

Danny threw his head back in laughter, bringing his hand up to push his hair out of his face. “Man, you don't even have to ask!” Danny straightened up and looked at Hal again. “But, please, call me Danny. As I said, I'm on vacation.”

The Lantern smiled before gesturing for the boy king to follow him, leading him back towards the Watchtower.

Hal and Danny floated back toward the space station. As they approached the airlock, Hal turned his head to glance at Danny. "So, Danny, I have to ask—how often do you just... chill out in space like that?"

Danny grinned, casually floating alongside Hal. "More often than you'd think. “Not as often as I want, if I could I would do it forever! It beats dealing with petty squabbles.” Danny let out a sigh, “but hey, it's alright, I love my job, it can just get a little… hectic."

Hal snorted. "I feel you there, sometimes it feels amazing to just float in the endless nothing."

Danny laughed. "Yeah! It's a nice change of scenery." His eyes flicked toward the Watchtower as they approached the massive structure. "And this place? Pretty epic! What powers this thing?"

The two entered the airlock, the doors hissing shut behind them. As the atmosphere equalized, Hal made a face as he powered down his ring, “I don't actually know, that's a question for Spooks.”

“Spooks?” Danny asked, amused.

“Yeah, mister tall, dark, and edgy was the one who made this place posible. If anyone would know, it would be him.” Hal smiled, looking like whoever he was talking about was important to him. Danny smiled knowingly as he began to follow Hal down the halls.

As they walked Hal pointed out things to Danny and the king would give some sort of retort, asking about this or that—or occasionally bringing up ghosts he is close to. Be it his fraid or his knights, he would bring something up about them—talking so animatedly that he practically glowed. Hal had to remind himself that this was an interdimensional king and not a kid. But then again—the king talked like a kid from the 90’s, bringing him back to his 20s.

They were so absorbed in the conversation that the two didn't notice as they gained a third, then a fourth as they walked. The two baffled at how this kid could have gotten to the watchtower in the first place.

—

Superman was talking to The Flash in the cafeteria when he glanced up as someone passed the door. Clark looked back to Berry but quickly had to do a double take when he saw the kid from a few days back. After he flew off, feeling properly chastised by the teen, he tried to keep an ear out for the irregular heartbeat that the kid had—worried he would get in trouble or something. Midwesterners had to look out for each other, you know?

But after some time the heartbeat fluctuated and ultimately disappeared. Clark was in a fit trying to find the boy but couldn't find anything.

But there he was, with Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, chatting about something with a bright smile on his face. Berry looked over his shoulder and was about to ask Clark something when the kryptonian stood abruptly to follow the two.

Berry looked gobsmacked but looked to his tray of food, then at Clark’s abandoned food. The blonde looked from left to right before pulling Clark’s tray closer, a goofy smile stretching across his face. Berry lifted his plate and added the tray to his before digging in.

—

Diana was in the training rooms of the watchtower, using the training simulation to fight an AI version of Cheetah. Diana brought her shield up to block as the training dummy using Cheetah’s image to pounce onto the shield, clawing and snapping at Diana.

using her strength the threw the faux Cheetah off of her shield and charged forward, ready to use her shield to smack the cat woman across the head. But as she ran forward she caught a glimpse of green in her periferal, the ora she knew must be from one of the lanterns. She looks up but freezes as she sees Hal Jordan and that child she met at the museum.

In her moment of hesitation, the mock Cheetah ducked and lunged at Diana, tackling her to the ground. Quickly she shouts, “End simulation!” The form of Cheetah flickered and was replaced by a faceless training robot before it got up off of Diana and returned back to its charging bay.

Diana turned to face where that boy had just been only to see him and Hal Jordan both already gone. She jogged over to the door, grabbing a towel as she went to wipe off her sweat. She peaked out the door and saw them turning the corner, the boy talking animatedly.

After that day in the museum she had reached out to her sisters on themiskyra, describing their symbol on the weapon to them. Only to be told about Lady Pandora, a legendary Amazonian warrior said to have been above 3 meters tall. She had passed eons ago, her last known adventure being to the world of man. She had to know more about this boy, and if he told the truth, then who his friend really was. Was she in fact the legendary Amazonian? It should be impossible, yet she had encountered many impossibilities in her life, how could she deny this one?

she chased after them finding Clark tailing the two as well, rather than questioning her alley she focused on keeping up with the lantern and the boy.

—

Hal paused in the hall and slapped his forehead, remembering why he was even at the watchtower today. ”Aw crud, I forgot! I have a meeting!”

Danny merely snorted in laughter, “me all the time!”

”Spooky is gonna kill me,” Hal groans.

Danny only continued to laugh, “doubt it! From what you told me he doesnt sound like the type.”

Hal looked back at Danny, making a face. “How would you know, you don't know him.”

Danny rolled his eyes, “then explain to him why you're late, no big deal!” Danny says with a shrug, “trust your elders,” Danny adds with a wink.

Hal sighs, “I can't take you seriously when you say it like that with that face.” Hal straightens up, “whatever, just come on, you're coming with. I don't feel like explaining that I left the king of literally everything behind unattended.”

Danny snickered, following after Hal, “lead the way, oh great Lantern,” the child faced creature jokes.

—

Bruce had been waiting for over thirty minutes for Hal. He wished any other lantern was available at that moment, he hated being alone with Hal. It was even more frustrating after he came back from death…. It had been hard when they all thought Hal had turned evil, Bruce was so angry. Bruce was even more angry when he found out that it wasn’t Hal at all but a cosmic horror possessing him, making him do all those horrible things. Making him kill all the Green Lanterns he could find.

Anyway Bruce was getting off topic—since Hal came back to life he had become even more insufferable, yet every time Bruce gets angry to the point of decking the other man he is reminded that Hal had died a hero in a way, in a final moment of clarity he flung himself into the nearest star to bring Parallax down. Bruce had felt so helpless when he heard his teammate killed himself to save the universe. Despite this, people still saw him as a villain even when he wasn't in control of his own actions. Bruce has to walk away because every time it comes up he gets this uncomfortable feeling in his chest. Similar to the one he gets when thinking about the death of his second Robin.

Bruce forced the thoughts down, trying to drown out the emotions. He had a mission. He had to figure out if there was a new lantern in the sectur and if it was truly a child.

The sound of the sliding doors opened up behind him, causing the air in the room to shift. Bruce turned quickly, recognizing one set of steps entering the room as Hal. “Jordan, where have you—,” Bruce starts, but quickly cuts himself off when he sees the very same child he watched try and take on Poison Ivy the night before.

“Hey, Spooks, sorry I'm late. Kinda ran into someone important outside looking at the stars.”

Just as Bruce was about to chastise Hal for bringing an unknown into the watchtower he suddenly remembered that “outside” was space. And before he could fully anilize that split second thought, the boy spoke up.

”aww man! You're that buzz kill from the other night!” The strange boy exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration.

Hal made a face and looked back down at the boy, “he does that. Wait—you two have met?” The lantern asked.

”Yeah, got in the way when I was trying to fight this green lady.” Danny says with a scoff, waving his hand dismissively, not looking at Bruce in the slightest.

—

“Green lady?” Hal asked for clarification.

“Poison Ivy,” Bruce answered.

Hal couldn't help but laugh at the thought, “man, that kinda sounds unfair.”

“I was gonna hold back, I tend to a lot nowadays.” Danny grumbled, still not wanting to look over in Batman’s direction.

“Jordan! Explain!” Batman barked, hating that he didn't know the details.

but before Hal could say anything, they were interrupted by the door opening again, revealing Superman looking confused and Wonder Woman in her workout gear looking equally so.

“You truly are here,” Diana mutters

“Oh thank Rao, you're alive.” Clark exclaimed.

Danny smirked, pointing at Diana, “in the flesh,” then pointing at Clark, “and not quite.” Making everyone in the room even more confused for different reasons.

Hal just sighed, “you really got into a lot, before stargazing, didnt you, your majesty?”

danny just shrugged unbothered. “Not my fault, Clockwork spit me out in some random city. I didn't even know that superheroes were a thing until the blue one started stalking me.”

“I wasn't stalking you,” Clark says with a pout.

“fine, wrongfully went all “worried adult” mode, on an eons old king of the dead.” Danny corrected.

The room went quiet, Hal turned to look at Bruce who had that look that meant he was making assumptions. “B,” Hal says but Bruce cuts him off.

“What are you? What are you doing here?” Bruce asked, trying all his might to sound intimidating.

The tone made Danny laugh, “a god on Vacation,” Danny says. Lifting his feet up to sit criss-cross up in the air.

“Are you possessing a child?” Diana asked, looking almost furious at the idea.

Danny looked back over at her, “Naw, this is just how I looked before I died.” Danny's brows furrowed looking at Diana before recognition crossed his features, “Hey, you're that lady from the museum, we need to talk more about the mythos of this universe!” Danny beams, not bothered by Diana's accusation.

“How did you di—“ Clark was cut off before he could ask his question by Hal shouting.

”OK, guys!” Hal exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “Good meeting,” he looks at Clark, “and bad question, but anyway I was giving the High King of the Infinite Realms a tour of earth's greatest defence. So if you’ll excuse us,” Hal says trying to corral Danny out the door.

“Jordan!” Bruce snapped, voice icy and cold as he stalked up to the Green Lantern. “What were you thinking bringing an interdimensional entity—a god—into the Watchtower, unvetted and unscheduled?”

Hal groaned, rolling his eyes. “Oh, here we go. What’s the big deal, Spooks? It’s not like he’s here to start a war or anything. He’s literally on vacation!”

Bruce crossed his arms, his tone sharp. “A god who can bend space, time, and death is walking around here unsupervised, and you don’t see the problem?”

“Oh, please,” Hal shot back, leaning closer into Bruce, chest to chest. “You’ve let way sketchier people in here. Remember that time you gave Lex Luthor a guest pass?”

“That was for a mission,” Bruce growled, his voice low and dangerous. “This is entirely different.”

“Yeah, cuz Danny isn't going to start shit!”

“Jordan, why have you been so reckless since—,” Bruce cut himself off, frustration boiling over.

”Since what? Since I died? Since I came back? What are you trying to say, Bats?” Hal shouts, tone wavering.

Danny looks between Hal and the newly dubbed Batman as they argue. To normal people, I would sound like plain frustration, but to Danny, the king of a species of creatures made up of literal emotions; he could hear the hurt in those words. And then it truly clicked for danny. His stair lingered oh Hal who felt the king's eyes on him.

”Is he one of the people you are living for?” Danny asked, causing the argument between the two heros to pause.

Danny’s smirk grew and he laughed as he watched the former Specter go red in the face.

Danny looked back to Bruce who seemed wholly confused, “Look, Batman, was it? I don't want anything from you guys. Like what I and the spirit of redemption said, I'm on vacation. Besides, world domination is SO not my thing. But I get the worry, I was human once. Fear and humans go hand in hand.” Danny says floating closer to Batman.

Danny watched as the man tried not to flinch back as he got closer. “Anyway from what Hal told me, you were the one who designed this place right? That’s super cool! When I was alive my parents were scientists!” Danny cheered. Flying up to look closer at the hologram projector. “What’s this thing to do?” Danny pokes at it and a hologram of the earth flickers to life. “Woah!” He looks back over at Batman, “Does this place use nuclear power or solar power? How did you launch such a large space station? Did you build it in space first?” Danny rambled leaving the four mortals stund silent.

Danny looked back with a bright smile, unaware of their confusion.

“Answer my questions, and I will answer yours,” Bruce states, noting the childlike wonder in the child-faced god.

Danny’s grin brightened, “sure thing!”

“How long do you plan on staying here?”

Danny made a face and laughed. “Here in the watchtower? As long as you’ll have me.” Danny answered happily, and looked back out over the vast expanse of space outside the window. “In this realm? I got a cover for the next one hundred years, but I might be called back sooner if something extra wild happens.”

Bruce, Diana and Clark seemed taken aback by the statement, yet Hal couldn't just help but laugh.