Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Lightning struck the ground, thunder roared. The world seemed to twist and pull, energy dancing in the air as the men in white suits chanted. Sigils covered the ground with thirteen prone bodies laying across various sections. Blood red pulsing that gradually went into a startlingly bright neon green. Each word chanted made a different sigil change from blood to ectoplasm. Some of the bodies strewn across the ground stirred, murmuring in pain and letting out small hisses of agony. Others laid there, glass eyed and absolutely still. None of them were able to move, chained and latched to the ground to act as the sacrifices needed to summon The Ghost King.

“Just a little bit longer, Maddiekins,” one giant of a man in an orange hazmat suit said happily to the woman next to him. He held a harpoon in one hand and net in the other. The woman wore a teal hazmat suit, her face barely being shown between the hooded state and goggles she wore. “It’s a shame that the kids were so… different than expected. Ghost sympathizers and scum the lot of them. I just know it was Phantom,” he spat out the last word like an insult. “I can’t wait to tear him apart molecule by molecule.”

“It’s a shame that Vlad was one of them,” the woman said in a clipped tone. “But luckily we got stronger contaminated individuals in order to make this summoning even more successful. Vlad was put to eternal rest and will now be used for the summoning. His blood made the perfect conduit for the sigils. We can finally put an end to this and protect humanity from those monsters.”

The chanting increased in volume, the color of the ground changing and transforming. Gone was the plain dirt field they were in just outside of Amity Park and Elmerton. Now it was slate gray, churning with dark green energy that just spilled from the center of the diagram of sigils. The storm grew louder, the world itself fighting the summoning of The Ghost King. Lightning danced around, thunder bellowed with wind howling. The world itself stilled for just a moment. A brief baited breath before a giant portal appeared in the center of everything.

Howls of anguish came from the portal, screams of the damned and forgotten. Beyond the portal laid The Infinite Realms. Space seemed to shift and twist, morphing from one dimension to another. Everyone held a baited breath, waiting for what was to come next.

Snapping sounds happened, the chains twisting from physical to not. They danced and swirled, changing from connecting the teens laid across the ground to bounding them together. Every chain connected to one another, they seemed to twist and turn, leaping in and out of space itself in order to reach the next target. Ectoplasmic sigils sprawled across the chains then the teens that were connected.

A baited breath was held, witnessing something no one expected. Everyone waiting in preparation for the next step, just hoping for The Ghost King to appear so they can apprehend them and bring about peace. One second ticked on then another, more chains and sigils appearing and disappearing before their very eyes.

Each one of the sacrifices held different sigils. All of them showing signs of torture and experimentation. Some were obviously missing limbs while others showed signs of being badly beaten. The adults watched in stunned silence as the bodies of every person glowing slowly began to reform. Every defect slowly morphed back to what it once was, perfect normal other than lightest traces of scarring as the only sign that something had happened.

“That’s not supposed to happen,” Agent Alpha said. “There wasn’t anything in the notes about the sacrifices being put back together again. Something is wrong, sec-” he shouted before he was cut off by the sound of space itself shattering.

The world itself lurched. Reality bent, twisted and morphed. People standing around suddenly found limbs in various places, looking at themselves as if they were broken mirrors. The sky and land switched positions, mixing together into some version of an extreme tapestry. The summoning array was the only thing normal, as if a bubble was surrounding it.

The splintering of reality spread, twisting and churning the world as it spread. Everything moved, everything changed. Everyone died. No place was safe in Amity Park or Elmerton as reality rewrote itself. A cataclysm was happening and no one knew why.

The chains that bound the thirteen sacrifices twisted, lurching towards the open portal. Once the chains touched the portal, everything from the diagram to the people disappeared into The Infinite Realms. No signs of what had happened had been there. The only precursor being the spike in magical energy as the energy blasted out across the world.

Reality slowly rewrote itself properly, leaving any signs of the destruction and carnage no more. The land became land again while the sky let the storm rage on still. The two cities that were destroyed became plain empty land again, nothing sitting there other than the roads going thru it. Every house and inhabitant were gone. No signs of life other than the grass, trees and moving water.

The world itself shifted. For thirteen days, disasters struck. Hurricanes, Typhoons, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Blizzards, Tornados, Forest Fires. Every type of natural disaster spread across the world, a different one spreading for each day. The heroes of earth, The Justice League, barely had any notice. The only notice being that magical death energy that spread out from the ritual.

-@-

“-an’t believe they would do something so extreme,” a voice whispered. “It’s inhumane. Now look at these poor children. Shouldn’t they care?”

“All is as it should be,” a second voice whispered in anger. “I hoped this would not happen, I did everything in my power and a few beyond it to try and make it not happen.”

Danny listened to the brief conversation, the words going in one ear and out the other. The meaning lost for a moment as he drifted. He just wondered for a moment if he was hallucinating before memories rippled across his mind.

The GIW conducting tests and rounding up everyone contaminated. The Fenton parents trying to find ways to save everyone even though they were the cause of it. The tests. Oh so many tests. Every natural test imaginable and few that were not. Many of which ended in inhumane torture for the person being tested.

Danny got to watch as they slowly destroyed people. Felt his core cracking for each person lost until he was able to barely hold on. He heard the screams of his friends and people he knew. He heard every instance of begging for just the pain to go away. He saw the blank looks of horror crossing everyone face as they led them past all of the other cells after each test.

“At least these thirteen children are safe now,” the first voice whispered, anger crawling across his tone. “They’re healed and waking slowly. What happens now Clockwork?”

“Now they heal. Then they learn. Then they begin anew,” Clockwork answered. “It seems like Danny is the first to awaken, Frostbite.”

Danny stirred at the mention of his name. The recognition of where he was. Who he was with. He was safe. He was alive, well as alive as a Halfa can be. He heard the monitors around him, feeling the pull that connected to him to them. He slowly opened his eyes, seeing the walls of crystine ice that made a mirror ceiling in the Far Frozen’s medbays.

“Why didn’t you save any of us?” Danny whispered out hoarsely. “It hurt. It hurt so much,” he said as tears began to spill down his cheeks.

“Oh my dear boy,” Clockwork said. “I tried. I sent messages to people. No one answered. I know you tried too. Every call to the Justice League that was answered and laughed at. No one helped. But you’re free now. They can’t hurt you anymore,” he said weakly as his his fingertip wiped the tears away.

“I am so sorry, Great One,” Frostbite whispered as he slowly laid one hand down across Danny’s shoulder. “But all is not lost. The Princess’ and Prince are around. As are the young friends you have plus a few more I have heard about in more recent.”

Danny jolted, his body trying to move forward but unable to because of Frostbite’s hand ot his shoulder. “Who’s all here? Who survived?” Danny begged.

“Jasmine, Danielle, Dante, Samantha, Tucker, Valerie, Wes, Dash, Paulina, Star, Kwan and Kyle,” Clockwork answered. “Along with yourself. The spell they did, they didn’t expect one of the sacrifices to be The Ghost King himself. It caused some… complications.”

“What sort of complications?” Danny demanded.

“Jasmine is now a halfa much like yourself and your mirror born siblings,” Clockwork answered patiently. “Samantha, Tucker and Valerie are now what we have deemed High Liminals. Everyone else has become Liminals. Everyone received a boost to the ectoplasm and connection to the realms. Yourself included,” he said.

“What does that mean for me?” Danny asked, emotions churning in his heart as his head started to throb.

“Well,” Frostbite said slowly. “First off, your core. It changed. It morphed from the Ice Core to a conceptual core. It is now a Space Core. The sacrifice also bound you together with everyone in a way different than Fraid bonds. They’re more magical in nature. We think they made you create a coven, essentially.”

Danny nodded his head briefly. He closed his eyes, sensing himself as Frostbite once taught him. He felt the world around him shift briefly, he felt himself tense slowly. One deep breath later, he felt the change to his core. It felt tinier, but larger, than it was before. Ever shifting and moving like the Infinite Realms, the multiverse and the cosmos beyond. He felt his Friad bonds still in place along with ethereal chains that spun out and twisted.

“I only have one obsession now,” Danny choked out. “I don’t know how I know but I can feel it. I… I… I no longer have to protect everyone because of my obsession,” Danny said, his words slowly becoming softer the longer he spoke. “H-How?”

“Oh young Daniel,” Clockwork whispered. “They broke it. They broke your obsession in the name of science. They were shattering your core. When reality broke, so did your core. When reality rewrote itself, your core followed suit. No longer do you have a protection obsession but that doesn’t make you any less of a protector. Your obsession is only Space now. While you’ve stepped into becoming a baby Ancient now along with a baby ghost. Being the Ancient of Space now feeds your obsession automatically.”

Danny gave short nods. “What happens now?” the barely sixteen year old asked, his voice soft and weak.

“Now you rest. Then you learn and train. Then you can do what you want,” Clockwork answered back. “The world is changing. As you know, Time moves differently here. You and those connected to you will not lose everything beyond what has already been lost. No matter the time you all spend here or in other places, not as much time will have moved in your world as of current. Learn everything you want, or need, in order to survive. You have plenty of teachers in the realms and plenty more through space and time,” Clockwork stated. “It will all be alright. The future is bright now.”

Danny nodded. “Okay. I-I can do that. W-We can do that. No one will ever be able to ignore us again,” Danny vowed.

Chapter Text

Danny sighed, his fingers lacing across his salt and pepper hair. His icy blue eyes staring right back into the mirror. He was no longer the short and skinny teen who was tortured by the American Government. His face was sharp and chiseled, his features being a decent combination of both of his biological parents. He wasn’t as tall as Jack but he had grown taller without a doubt. His shoulders were broad and his waist thin, muscles sculpting his frame in a way similar to a professional athlete or fighter. He never quite bulked out like his father had, making himself more lithe and balanced than either of his parents.

“Why did I agree to this again?” he mused to himself. “Jazz,” he said with a content sigh. “Jazz asked me to. That’s why,” he groaned. “I’m the Ghost King. I’m a fabled mercenary across the world. I’m considered a legend and a horror story, yet I’m afraid to go and get my college degree.”

It had been four chronological years since his hometown was destroyed. It had been two hundred years inside of the realms and the multitude of dimensions that he and his friends all explored in order to learn. They learned everything. History. Music. Dance. Martial Arts. How to wield the powers they each had with such distinct impressions and finesse. They visited planets that are now destroyed to learn the cultures and everything they could. They learned from the living, the dead and the in between.

Danny himself had crossed the various afterlifes and learned about his people and the realms. He visited everywhere he could, learning all that he could before he came back to earth. He was the last one to arrive, everyone else coming back to some version of civilian life before him. Tucker and Technus created new identities for everyone, dropping them in various cities across the USA in order for everyone to get back to being normal.

“Technically I already have a few doctorates,” he mused. “Though none from my home dimension. That’s probably why Jazz wants me to at least get one here. Everyone agreed. Though they all are already fast tracked to get their own,” he chuckled to himself.

After waking up in the hospital of the Far Frozen all those years ago, everyone decided to get stronger. So they did as Clockwork asked. They traveled the realms and time and space in order to learn and master various things. They each found the things they excelled at and made themselves better at it. They all have a niche with various overlaps with others because… Come on. You can’t just let your friends have all the fun.

They mourned together. Laughed together. Lived together and nearly died together. Then they came back to the world that had abandoned them. Together they decided to create a Mercenary Union. They used that as a cover for how they have the funds from the castle Danny owned. They chose to join the world as a group named Phantom Park. The only reference and namesake of their hometown that’s now destroyed other than their own first names.

They tend to be a more neutral ground than purely good. Sometimes the money or training is just too much to be able to pass up. WIthout his protection obsession, Danny was able to kill. He was able to take a life without the feeling of his own core cracking. He still held his own morals but sometimes there were mortals that just had to die.

“At Least Jazz is in Gotham too,” he whispered to himself. “WIth Tucker at MIT and Sam and Kyle at Harvard, they’re just a train ride away. I’m pretty sure Wes is at Metropolis though…” he said with a groan. “Hopefully this doesn’t mean I now have to save him more often. Who knew investigative journalism was the most dangerous career any of us have taken?”

He tilted his head, listening to the world around him. He heard the groan of floor boards, whispered conversations and the bustle of the city. That was what normal people heard too. He also heard the cry of the city itself, the spirit bristling under all of her curses. He felt the space each being and building took up, understanding the concept of his domain subconsciously without the need to think of it.

“At least she knows if that damn clown shows up in front of me, he is dead. It’s grating enough as is knowing all of the people he’s tortured for his own self amusement,” he growled out, green flashing across his icy blue eyes ever so briefly before the emotions reigned inside once more.

“Damn Bat should also be charged the negligent homicide for how many he has let that man kill. He should be an accomplice by now,” Danny snapped out at the mirror, it’s surface cracking from the brief spatial turmoil around him. “Just what I need. Another seven years bad luck.”

-@-

Danny walked down the street of Gotham, moving between the bustling crowds of people trying to get to where they were going. This was one of his favorite feelings for when he was being normal. The bustle of the crowd, the energy of the city, hearing the notes of civilization in a time when everyone was just minding their own business. No sounds of fighting, no gunshots, nothing that was exactly terrible.

He lived in an average area, one where yes there were rogue attacks but it wasn’t as if he lived in the lower parts of town. He volunteered down there because he still felt the need to help. He has somehow kept up a sense of optimism about people, aiming to help in his own way. He tutored at the Martha Wayne Foundation, not really seeing what the hype about the Waynes was all about. They all kept different facades on, keeping different faces from what the public would expect.

Though in the high profile life of Gotham, there was now one more family. His family. The four of them collectively decided to use the same last name. The Nightingales. Daniel Nightingale. Jasmine Nightingale. Daniella Nightingale. Dante Nightingale.

Ellie decided to keep up as a travel blogger, going around the world and representing freedom. She aimed to find different areas and cultures, running various social media accounts in order to spread awareness. She is the globetrotter, always found in some of the most unique places around. Pictures of her in various countries spread across her virtual footprint, receipts being everywhere.

Dante decided he was going to school for Mechanical Engineering. He was studying in Star City. He decided he wanted to build things, both for himself and Phantom Park, along with the world. He focused on things like different types of generators and cleaning systems, items that would be hard for a rogue to tamper with. He wanted to help the general public as an inventor.

Jazz was currently in Gotham studying Psychology and various smaller certifications. Her goal to understand and help moved her even now. She decided to be both an advocate for those who need better help and someone who would point out flaws in a corrupt system. Her goal was to help make the world better one person at a time if she could.

Everyone of their little community decided to help people still, always hoping to make the world a better place than it was the day before. The only issue that they had was the extremes that they went in certain cases. Death and destruction were not anything new, they just decided to wield it themselves in order to help others rather than persecute people like they were.

While the Nightingales were joining Gotham High Society, Phantom Park was working behind the scenes on a global scale in order to make changes. Whether that meant that they had to use politics, superpowers, magic or even assassination. They made changes where they were needed. Their methods were clean and efficient, always hardly leaving a trace. They were known on the Black Market and Dark Web but no one knew who or what they were.

A buzz woke Danny from his thoughts, his mind thinking about the people who were important to him. He looked at his phone, seeing a brief message on the screen. His face kept blank, his mouth thinning into a small line. He nodded his head, turned a corner and disappeared down an alleyway that no one was paying attention to.

One moment he was stepping on Gotham concrete, the next he was stepping into an atrium filled with various monitors and screens.

“Who is trying to hack into Phantom Park?” Danny asked cooly to the man sitting at the computer.

“Probably the Bats again,” Tucker replied lazily. “I bet it was either Oracle or Red Robin. You know how paranoid they are. They’re probably afraid since you killed Ra’s Al Ghoul. The League is splintering and everyone is trying to grab power. At least you sent the Lazarus Pits back to the realms.”

Danny looked at his best friend. He grew taller, his hair growing out longer and now pulled into tight braids. His face sharpened and even though he was more of a man in the chair of their operation, he could easily spar with any of them. He kept up with his athleticism in order to not be made fun of by everyone else, always doing the basic training in order to help when needed.

“They can’t break our encryption anyways,” Danny said with a self satisfied smirk. “They’d have to be able to deal with alien tech, magictech, ectotech and other dimensional tech. It’s too unique otherwise. I don’t even think you could break in,” Danny teased.

“Oh, I could break in,” Tucker retorted. “It just would be a pain and I’d actually have to use my powers. It would damage me and I might come out black and blue, but I could break in.”

“And let me guess. The bruising on your arm is because you decided to use your power to try and access some part of the bats system,” Danny teased, looking at the faint bruising on Tucker’s arm.

“You bet. Didn’t feel like doing the obvious. Just went in and punched their security systems. Made it bright and loud and untraceable. Maybe they’ll think twice before trying to hack our stuff again.”

“Nope,” Danny replied as he let the ‘p’ pop louder than needed. “You just made it where they’re gonna try and do it more. Especially since you made it where there is no trace of you knocking on the system they claim is safest in the world.”

Tucker shrugged. Danny sighed.

“Where is everyone else?” Danny asked.

“Paulina and Star decided to go shopping in Dubai. They’re also investigating some of the more… colorful people in certain markets there,” Tucker said with a smirk. Those two girls loved busting trafficking rings ever since one tried to kidnap them. “Dash, Val and Kwon are working on different projects for the Council. They got roped in by Pandora to try to centralize some of the martial arts using vehicles and mounts or something. Dante is working on that new filtration system. Kyle is apprenticing under Frostbite again, trying to learn more ways to heal others with various genetic make ups. Jazz is working on NightCorp items in the study. Sam is working on better sustained food for different regions. Wes is trying to make Lex Luthor go crazy, like usual, and Ellie is somewhere.”

Danny nodded. “I better get back. I have to finish my registration at Gotham U for my dual major in BioChemistry and Biochemical Engineering,” Danny sighed.

“Kinda surprising you don’t have that second one yet. How many degrees you do have?” Tucker asked.

“Too many to keep track of,” Danny replied with a smirk. “I had enough time in various places. It’s only been four years here but over two hundred in other places. The hardest part is just getting the physics and laws of reality to work the same. Something here might work properly but not in another dimension. Most things overlap so it’s not like I’m not learning to make things better. Just have to get a different base to build on.”

“Yeah, yeah. We all have enough degrees and certifications to probably fill up a room. Kinda hard not to when you’ve had the time we’ve all had,” Tucker retorted with an eye roll as he kept typing on the computer. “Are the Nightingales appearing at the next Wayne Gala? It’s what, tomorrow?”

“I am,” Danny said. “Jazz will probably come along too since she’s currently acting as CEO. Can’t believe her first degree she got here was business. But it made taking over DalvCo easy and even easier to change it to different companies then emerging as NightCorp.”

Tucker nodded. “Yeah. That was a pain to do. So many different shell companies and fake investor contracts. But at least now we have a perfect front to release some of the things we build for fun while tinkering. I already sent the code for some of those games I made so they can be placed out in the apps store. My favorite is still that cruise ship game.”

“That one was fun. Some weird mix of farmville, those baking games and the match up or puzzle games. I still prefer that space shooter game,” Danny replied over his shoulder as he stepped out of the atrium.

He began walking, his steps moving at a distinct pace and speed. Each step was perfectly even, his stride purposeful and his balance perfect. He began stepping on nothing, the air itself holding him up. He walked across the air, taking in the large sprawling compound they built on a secluded island. An island that wouldn’t show up on any maps or satellites because it didn’t exist four years ago. He moved the landmass here from another version of earth and warded the space around it with magic and his abilities as the Ancient of Space. It was perfectly defensible and nearly impossible to penetrate without alerting them someone was trying.

It was built like one of those resorts with many different houses and recreational activities. Everything was powered by natural resources and they left hardly any carbon footprint because Sam would have killed him a second time if he made the planet even worse. It had everything they needed to survive, or access to some the spots. They had four different types of energy. Solar Energy. Wind Turbines. A reservoir with water turbines. Plus a portal to the Infinite Realms. All clean energy sources. It was Phantom Park’s own little slice of paradise.

With another step, he shifted across space again. He came out and continued walking down the alleyways of Gotham once more, making his way gradually to Gotham University in order to sign up for his coursework for his degrees.

Chapter Text

“Are you ready yet, Jazz?” Danny called down the hall. His fingers fussing with his tie, making sure it was done perfectly. He wore a perfectly tailored black three piece suit with slate gray accents and lapels. His button down shirt below was also black, the color setting off how pale his skin was. The only colorful accent he wore was his tie, a multi-colored strip featuring white, black, gray and the same startlingly blue matching his eyes. His cufflinks also were beautiful sapphires, glistening in the light with accented prisms.

“Yes, Little brother,” Jazz finally called back. She stepped out into the hallway, her maroon and black silk dress draped across her body perfectly. She still wore a pair of small high heels, even though she didn’t need heels with her natural height. Her body was perfectly proportioned and enchanting. A high slit went up on leg, stopping just above her knee so she could walk properly.

“Today feels like it’s going to be… Eventful,” Danny said with a smile at his older sister. “I wonder how many of the people there I should be prepared to battle away from you,” he teased with a harmless smirk.

“Just as many ladies I’ll have to keep away from you,” Jazz retorted back. “You cleaned up well. Your hair looks nice slicked back like that.”

“Don’t remind me. I feel like I’m going to have to take a long shower after tonight. How bad do you think this event will go? Gotham bad in scandal and a rogue attack? Or worse?” Danny asked, his eyes lighting up playfully. “If it’s the clown, he’s gonna be dead later,” Danny warned, feeling the city itself respond to him. A brief buzzing and sound of crumbling city infrastructure. Danny’s smile suddenly became predatory. “Oh. This will be fun. It sounds like the opening salvo,” he mused, hearing the brief sound of the ticking of a clock in the background.

“Oh,” Jazz said, her eyes lighting up with anticipation. “Oh, tonight is going to be so much fun,” she said, her hair seeming to shift ever so slightly in the braided updo she had it in. It seemed to shimmer as if flames were dancing inside of the strands of hair. “Will it be full on? Or just the first warning, Danny?”

“Hm,” Danny mused. His mind dancing across various plans. “Not full attack,” he decided. “But not the first warning.”

Danny took out a comm link system, briefly placing it inside of his ear that didn’t have various space themed piercings. He hit the button three times, sending an all call to everyone available. Within moments the sounds of other comm links activating went through, each voice responding in code.

“King of Aces,” Danny said. “I just received a nice little warning. Tonight is when we will start. I’m going to kill The Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime, in front of Batman himself. Queen of Hearts and the ladies who want to go get to go after Themyscira. King of Clubs and whichever boys want to get to go after the Atlanteans. No one to be killed. Just wounded pride. Those who were our allies and disregarded our call for assistance shall know what their crimes were after tonight. Understood?”

Various voices of agreement came through the comm link. “After everything else that happens tonight, regroup at the base for a full debrief. King of Aces signing off.”

“Now, let’s go off,” Danny said with a wide grin of anticipation. “We have a party to go to before official duties.”

Jazz giggled briefly, her arm placed politely on her brother’s arm. “Tonight will be something to rave about.”

-@-

Danny strolled about the ballroom, gliding between people easily with calm steps. His smile never faltered, his eyes scanning the area perfectly. He could see people’s souls, he could identify those who would be good business partners and those who would try to harm vested interests. He could understand people at a deeper intrinsic level with all of his studying and sensory abilities of those around him. He could hear the heart beats quicken with lies, the brief finger twitches or other telltale signs of people saying falsehoods. He could read the emotions dancing across the room, a fair mix of positive and negative.

He kept up simple conversations, guiding them in ways he wanted. A brief comment here, a small joke there. He felt like a social conductor, never letting himself be outmaneuvered by those surrounding him. He felt like this social elite group was similar to weaker court politics he had been maneuvering through for years. The multiple meanings of words and phrases meant to assist everyone with their agenda in terms of intrigue and social class. Hushed debates went around him, everyone taking notice of him and his sister.

He felt the eyes of those who wished to prey on both of them. He could feel the calculation in their auras along with the general thoughts of both of their appearances. He slipped past another set of couples as he felt everyone turn towards the door. The Waynes had arrived at their charity gala. He heard murmurs stop for just a moment before changing to how to get the best accommodation from the Waynes now.

Danny smiled into his glass of champagne. He may technically be underaged by just a few months but it never stopped him from drinking before. His eyes glanced up at the Wayne group, taking in the sight of the souls. Each held the marks of pain and near death experiences, he could practically taste the briefest lingering of ectoplasm across each and every one of them. His smile grew slightly sharper, his eyes darting between them. Every one of them was contaminated. Every one of them were also glistening in spacial fluctuations. The Wayne’s used the Zeta Tubes.

The Waynes were connected to the Justice League, he knew. He just never expected how closely related they were. With both types of energy on them, it was easy to guess who they were.

Danny was about to come face to face with Batman and his brood. The worlds greatest detective who he had called before on the Justice League hotline. The last man they all spoke to before the GIW rounded everyone up and began their torture.

His mind drifted, going into the past. He closed his eyes, letting the memories flit across his eyes.

Danny, 16 years old hiding in the broken down observatory. Wishing someone would just listen. He decided to make the call, knowing there wouldn’t be enough time come morning. The moon glistened above them, his eyes darting around to make sure nothing was around. Vlad disappeared days before, going silent so Danny could never be sure. He didn’t know then that he was already in the GIW being tortured since he was caught going ghost in public on accident from one of schemes or something.

“The Justice League. State your emergency,” a cold and gruff voiced called over the line.

“Which one am I speak to?” Danny timidly asked, his heart spiking as he thought of the complications of what was happening.

“Batman. What is your emergency?” the voice replied back.

“The Government. The American Government is about to start illegal experimentation on the people of Amity Park, Illinois. They-” Danny said before he was cut off.

“According to our logs, Amity Park is full of pranksters. We have four members whom have all received calls that have been designed as ghost attacks. Now you’re claiming that the government will experiment on people?” Batman asked, the tired scoff practically whispered in a tone that wouldn’t be properly caught on audio. “We have real emergencies happening world wide. Please have a good night,” Batman said.

“But the Anti Ecto-” Danny started saying into the phone before hearing a beep as if the call was disconnected. “Acts are…” Danny released a tired sigh. He clicked some buttons on his phone, sending the recorded call to the databank that Tucker had set up. It recorded other dismissed calls since a little before the town got pulled into the Infinite Realms. So far they’ve spoken to two of the people from the flash family, two of the lanterns, Cyborg and now Batman.

The worlds greatest detective had abandoned the town of Amity Park and all of its residents.

Danny felt a hand on his arm, his eyes briefly opening from his musings. He looked over and saw his sister looking at him, sensing his turbulence of emotions. He gave another smile to her, this one showing the hurt and brief discomfort. “Looks like the bats arrived before the rogue,” he whispered below his breath. His voice was soft enough that no normal human would hear him but his sister would. Her eyes widened briefly before looking over, her gaze flickering like a green smoldering fire for the briefest moment.

“How… Delightful,” she answered back calmly once more. Her eyes looking at each individual of the vigilante family. She catalogued each one, connecting them to whom she believed they were. She also felt the contamination they each held, her eyes sharpening as her lips pursed ever so briefly. She still looked calm and composed in a mask for the public but her emotions roiled ever so briefly before stilling.

One of the members tilted her head, looking over to the pair of siblings as they gauged the Wayne family. Cassandra. The Orphan. Her eyes flicked across both of him, showing her briefest point of recognition for who they were before tilting her head.

“Oh?” Danny briefly murmured with a spark of interest. “It looks like she’s the one who does the equivalent to my job at these for you,” he whispered into his sister’s ear. “This could make the night even more intriguing.”

“Danny, stop,” Jazz said with a tired sigh. “You just teased Tucker about taunting them.”

“This party’s rather dull right now,” Danny replied back. “I won’t go to them if they don’t come to me first.”

Jazz shook her head with resignation. She moved away from her brother, going to talk to more people around them. She didn’t join the Wayne’s orbit, acting neither purposefully in her actions nor rude.

Danny watched his sister stride off, her steps having its own musical rhythm that no one else could hear. Her movements are graceful and poised, not looking outclassed by those around her. She looked as if she belonged in this circle, or other circles of higher power, which she actually did. He stopped a waiter briefly, his hands expertly exchanging glasses on the tray for a fresh glass of champagne.

“May I have this dance?” a voice called out beside him. Danny glanced over and recognized one of the women from earlier in the night he was introduced to. Some niece of a company president that was trying to work with his sister’s company.

“After you,” Danny replied, offering his arm as he lightly set his drink down on one of the tables. He strode to the dance floor, his movements matching her steps. “Classic waltz like the others?” Danny asked briefly. He received a nod in return and began the dance, moving perfectly.

“Are you and your sister aiming for one of the Waynes?” the woman asked mischievously. Her voice a whisper in his ear as they danced. She was obviously here to dance to exchange information conspiratorially. Probably her uncle wanting the information.

“Oh, I’d rather not,” he answered calmly. “You never know what skeletons are inside someone's closet, especially a house as large as Wayne manor,” he answered back, knowing his voice carried to others around him as he sensed two dancers getting close. Glancing briefly he saw Cassandra and one of her brothers dancing next to them.

“Oh?” the woman asked.

“Similar to how some of the environmental reports of your uncle's company are forged,” he said in her ear. “Who knows which laws they’ve broken themselves.” The woman paled, her eyes glancing at him before fearfully glancing over and catching the eyes of two of the Waynes.

Danny smiled, releasing her as the dance ended. He bowed slightly, his lips pressed briefly against her knuckle in a proper goodbye. “It was a pleasure to dance you with,” he said as he straightened up. His smile never faltered and his gaze still light, if but slightly colder than he had before.

“That was an interesting conversation,” the male Wayne said. “I’m Tim Drake-Wayne,” he said with an offered hand. “I’m just curious on how you think Wayne Industries are breaking any laws,” he mused, his eyes sharp with calculation.

“Oh. I don’t know about Wayne Industries,” Danny replied back. “I just assume with a company that scale there has to be something. You can never be too careful,” he replied back politely.

There was a crash. The doors opened wide as multiple goons launched themselves into the room. Guns were shot and a distinct set of laughter punctuated the air.

“Having a little party without me?” the laughing voice demanded as The Joker stepped into the room. “Why does no one ever invite me to these parties? It would be so much more fun with many more laughs.”

Danny looked over and chuckled. Lady Gotham had wonderful timing. She may love her knights but she obeys her king more. He had made a promise that he will leave well enough alone until they stick their noses into his business first.

He was corralled to one side of them as the Joker decided which of his party games to play. Everyone else around him looked filled with terror, Danny feigning the feeling in order to not let it slip that he was afraid. It felt like only a few minutes before the Gotham vigilante’s appeared, starting a fight. He guided his group of the crowd out of a pair of side doors that were locked before one of the vigilantes broke the lock during the fight. He released a compressed energy, knocking the cameras in the building and the area out completely like a specialized EMP.

Danny slipped out the door with the rushing crowd, before turning down a hallway without anyone in it. One step, he looked like himself. The next, he was King of Aces of Phantom Park. He wore a special combat suit, all above military grade. He had high boots, slightly looser pants with a belt that held knives, a sword and a pistol. His upper body had a different type of compression suit shirt with a jacket above it. The jacket was dark, with neon green stylized letters of Phantom Park. A clean white helmet sat on his face, full of different breathing tubes and voice modulator. The symbols on it being the sign for King with a crown and an Ace symbol.

He stepped again, his body moving across the folded space from where he was to the street across from the gala. He knew the cameras were out so everything he did was perfectly safe. He released a second EMP like blast to spread it to make it seem like someone else did it. He walked slowly into the maelstrom of people fighting.

He lifted his pistol up and released three shots in quick succession. Their bullets barreling in the air before seeming to disappear.

Blood exploded, goons screamed and everyone looked towards the door where Danny stood nonchalantly. Danny looked across the chaos that was the ballroom, seeing blood pooling easily. Danny shot the Joker from across the room and didn’t hit anyone else. His bullets gone, the only clue that they were there was the three holes in the Joker. The first through his skull, the second through his heart and the third where he had the smallest of shards that marked him as liminal.

“Well that was easy,” Danny said, his voice coming out different from the voice modulator. “Ra’s was just as easy though so…” he shrugged. He felt the bat brigade ruffle at his comments before they all turned to face him. Everyone was rigid as the goons fled, hoping to get away safely before they became the next victim.

“Who are you?” one of them demanded. “How dare you do this?!” he demanded. He looked young. He wore the robin outfit and had a sword. Danny recognized him. Damian Al Ghoul Wayne. Heir of the Demonhead. Heir to the Bat.

“King of Aces. Phantom Park,” he replied coolly. “Just making the world a better place one assassination, scandal or forced relocation at a time,” he said with a mock solute. “Now, I have other places to be. I’m sure Gotham will be celebrating even more than a failed Gala tonight.”

Chapter Text

“But I don’t think you can leave,” the oldest of the bunch commented. Batman was sending a scowl over towards Danny, his eyes dark and brooding. “You can’t just think that murder is okay. It is illegal.”

“So is being a vigilante but you’re still around, aren’t you Mister Dark and Moody?” Danny asked. “Plus, I think murdering a murderer makes a positive ratio in my favor. Doesn’t this mean he can’t kill anymore so he will have no other victims? Isn’t that what the death penalty is for or do you not believe in that too?”

“I believe in the justice system,” Batman stated. “I believe there are rules for a reason.”

Danny scoffed. His body lurching forward as he looked directly at Batman. His eyes shone green, the light pulsing out of the mask obviously. The bright neon green of ectoplasm laced his eyes, fueled his anger as he looked directly at the man who wore a different mask. “Then I must call you a massive hypocrite,” Danny said slowly. “Especially since according to the rules, you and your bunch are illegal. Yet here you stand. Some people don’t have the money to make issues disappear. You just left them to suffer.”

Danny went to take a step back, planning on leaving. He sidestepped quickly, his foot raising easily. He launched a kick, his shoe landing on the tip of a bo staff. “Ah ah ah,” he said, wiggling a finger at Red Robin. Danny stepped onto the tip of the staff, his body twisting in the air as he then stood on top of it easily. “There really is no reason to hold me here,” he said as he flipped off the bo staff before it was moved again. “I do have other things to do, I wasn’t lying about that.”

“What did you mean that we’re illegal?” one of them asked. “You obviously meant something other than being vigilantes.”

Danny gave a shrug. “I meant what I said. You all are illegal,” he said, twisting his body once again as a sword came slashing at him. His hand snaked to his waist, pulling out his own sword hilt with ease. The blade slipped out of its holder, growing in length and width than what the sheath was able to hold. He flicked it, sending it to clash with the other blade that Robin held. Moving his steps swiftly, he began circling in short circles, his steps practiced and rehearsed. He practically danced across the small area, his body and steps moving with ease as he dodged the sword then the staff that decided to join in.

He heard the briefest step behind him, his body twisting around with a fist up. His fist directly connected to another, stopping both of them from moving for a moment. It was a moment that Danny needed, feeling the blade and staff going for his shoulder and center of the back. He tutted, his electronic voice coming out with disappointment somehow. Space rippled around him, gravity increasing where he stood. It came crashing down around him like a blanket, smothering everything in it’s embrace. None of the three had any resistance when it happened so suddenly, weapons and limbs being forced down.

Danny moved gracefully in the increased gravity. “It’s a shame. I would genuinely like to continue this spar again another time,” he said, his head looking up at the rest of the vigilantes who were slowly making the way over. “I just don’t have time. I give my regards to Your Lady and Patron,” he said with a theatrical bow. “But I give you my warning. Leave Phantom Park be. Someone’s gotta pick up the Justice League’s slack when they’re ignoring experimentation,” he said ominously as he took a half step back, sliding between folded space back to the compound. He would watch the rest of the night from here, letting everyone else have some fun while he just supervised.

He checked one of the screens, seeing the location of the two parties that had left. On the girls side, everyone was present. It would be a tough spar for Paulina and Star but they could handle it.

-@-

Jazz stood on the vehicle she was commanding, her back straight and her hair alight as if on fire. The ever present simmering beneath the surface, boiling over. The time had come. She would be able to figure out why the adults had ignored them. She would question directly whether the women of Themyscira had left them to suffer. Why they let the government torture her siblings and their friends. Her hair sparked, blazing in the night as stared at the horizon and waited.

Everyone’s suit was built the exact same way as Danny’s except for Valerie, Red Huntress. They all wore different sets of tactical gear with various weapons on the hips. Each one was armed with a gun and different short ranged weapons. Jazz herself held a collapsible Phantom Creep Stick, it’s length and strength seeming wrong for going to war with but it was and always will be her weapon of choice.

Her helmet had a stylized Queen on side with a heart across the other. She looked over, her eyes gazing at the people surrounding her. Each one waiting, letting the AI system of the hovership guide them to where Themyscira was. For all that it was hidden and warded, they couldn’t hide it from space itself like their own island. Her gaze looked at the fellow member of Phantom Park, each wearing their own helmets.

Ellie had a Queen and Club. Sam had a Jack and Heart. Val had a Jack and Club. Paulina had a styled number 10 with diamonds. Star had the same styled 10 with hearts.

Everyone was ready.

The island came into sight, with what looked like dawn approaching from the skyline. A different place for the morning than where they all had lived but they’d handle it. As various stages of Liminal and beyond, they didn’t need as much sleep as average humans.

“We, Phantom Park, come to seek answers from the Amazonian’s of Themyscira,” Jazz’s modulated voice boomed off of the vehicle, carrying across for all to hear. “We wish to know why you refused to answer the call of your allies for help. Why you failed to lend any assistance as once was written into oath and bonds,” her voice carried.

“We respect your rules to not bring any Man onto the island for all the failings that have happened,” she continued. “Yet we had been ignored in our time of need.”

She heard the horses before seeing those who were the adversaries for today. Her gaze looking forward, her mask seeming to glow with flames spreading from her hair and down her shoulders in ethereal and ephemeral flames.

Hippolyta strode forward on her horse, her fellow warriors behind her. “We thank you for respecting our rules but are clueless on how we’ve gained your ire,” she responded politely.

“Kronos’s message he sent four years ago,” Jazz responded in a clipped tone. “In regards to the treaty with the Infinite Realms where your liaison is Pandora, the first Amazon and the first Woman, Guardian and Ancient of Hope, Leader of Acropolis and Defender of the box that follows her namesake. Or are you claiming otherwise?”

“We had received a message but everyone had said it was false,” Hippolyta replied coolly. “Our sources said nothing of that matter was happening.”

“You claim that the American Government torturing all of us never happened?” Jazz demanded, her hair soaring into the sky as flames raged around her. “You claim that we are wrong when we were the ones that experienced it first hand? Felt them dig around in our bodies, taking anything in the name of science because they hold laws that claim they can?” Jazz leapt off of the hovership, her feet landing directly on the soil in front of her. “The American Government declared war on the Infinite Realms at the dimensional level,” her voice roared. “The Infinite Realms are deciding whether to answer the call in kind right now.”

She heard the sound of other people's feet hitting the ground behind her. Her hand went down and she pulled out her Anti Creep stick, pulling it out and letting it extend. The clinking of the specialized metal expanding. It began to hum with energy, her fingers gripping it tightly. One quick glance around showed everyone else armed for hand to hand combat or mid ranged combat also.

“Go!” Jazz commanded. Her voice clapping like an explosion, the ghost speak spreading over her human words. She charged forward, the flames accelerating her speed. She watched as vines and plants sprouted from everywhere, wrapping around the horses to keep them out of the way, dragging the riders off. She watched Ellie zip ahead, electricity sparkling around her as she popped from one space to another in what looked like randomized movements. In the younger woman’s hands were two small short swords she swung deftly, her figure appearing and disappearing at random, her steps bringing her about to random spots that she used to her advantage.

“I wish for Pandora,” a voice called from behind Jazz. She recognized it as Paulina. She gave a nod, feeling the energy in the air shift. The world seemed to respond, an ectoplasmic green portal appearing behind Phantom Park’s residents that decided to give Themyscira a warning for their failure to assist when the group needed them.

“This is just a simple reckoning, Sisters,” a woman spoke as she stepped out from the portal. Her skin a light teal color, purple hair billowing around her. She had four arms and armor similar to the Amazonian women before her. “None shall die, that I was assured,” Pandora continued as she stepped forward, her larger frame catching up to Jazz easily. “Just a simple beat down as the young ones would call it.”

The battle has already started. Jazz launched herself forward one more at Hippolyta, her arm swinging the creep stick with as much force as she could muster. It clattered against the shield on the older woman's arm, sounding like thunder. The recoil pushed Jazz back, her body following and twisting in a circle. She struck again, her weapon hitting the sword this time. She stepped forward, giving a shove at the shield using her shoulder. She destabilized Hippolyta, making her sway from the sudden onslaught.

“You left us to be experimented on,” she said with another swing. “You made it seem like no one would care that just a couple of teenagers were being tortured,” she said with a kick at a different woman who was coming at her from the side. “You let us become a sacrifice that led to the cataclysm four years ago,” she snarled out, flames dancing around her as it charged her.

Jazz felt herself going ablaze, releasing all of the anger that she felt before. Amity Park was abandoned, people were left to be dissected like frogs on tables. She had technically been killed, her body giving out to all the torture she went though before they did that spell. She died during the spell. It was the only reason she was still here.

“You let the American Government kill me before they did their damned ritual,” she exploded, flames wrapping around her to form a secondary set of armor. In her other hand she held flames clustered together, forming a second creep stick that she struck out with again. She raged across the field, her emotions dancing like flames as she let out her anguish they had experienced. She watched as Amazonian women were sent flying from vines, lashed by the very grass they stood on. She watched as others were beaten with quick unexpected hits from behind from a very angry Ellie. She heard the sound of a hoverboard as Val dove into different parts of the skirmish to keep Paulina and Star safe.

She smiled to herself as she heard Pandora giving lessons as she thrashed those who stood against her and those who were basically her children. Her presence a calming balm to the raging anger inside of Jazz.

Jazz continued on, aiming to thrash Hippolyta as she took out bystanders who got in her way. Dual Wielding Phantom Creep Sticks as she sent out a flurry of kicks and bludgeoned those who were in her reach. She danced across the battlefield like a valkyrie, her steps quick and composed. She always wished to be an Amazonian but that wish would never be granted, her vitriol at the mention of them being mentioned around her. She had fallen in love with the idea of being a Valkyrie after spending time in Valhalla, her flames wrapping around her once more to give her glittering wings of flames.

Her speed increased, her movements becoming more dynamic in a three dimensional type of way. From above, she watched everyone fight for a moment.

Sam was the Daughter of Undergrowth. She stood on a small tower of twisted vines that spun around her to keep others away. The leaves, vines, flowers and plants she sprouted and those found on Themyscira danced to her wishes. They fluttered about but also became the weapons of near destruction. She stood at the back, acting as a conductor. The smallest of looks caused the battlefield itself to change as the terrain moved at her command. She kept her allies safe, keeping everyone from being overwhelmed beyond their capacity to rumble.

Val kept darting around with her hoverboard and ectoplasmic greens weapons moving around her. She herself became a living weapon from the ectobots she had in her system before the sacrifice. Now, with everything that happened she became an arsenal. Weapons wove around her in formations, many different types. All of them being constructs of ectoplasm in nature. Blades, Swords, Staffs, Halberds, Glaives, every type someone could recommend. During her time away she learned to harness each and every one, building up her martial arsenal as best she could for whatever choice the group made. Every weapon found an opponent before moving to another, a flurry of movement that described her. If Jazz was a dancer with her Creep Sticks, Val was a moving mountain, as steadfast and strong as the metaphor.

Ellie flitted around. Her speed is unmatched by anyone but Danny. One step she was behind one woman and kicking them to make them be off balance, the next she was three people away and swinging a blade at someone's side. She made duplicates that followed the same style, multiple versions of her appearing and disappearing like mirages in the sky. She was as vicious as she was fast, always aiming at those who were unprepared. Electricity sparked off her and her duplicates, her body being the embodiment of movement itself. Sometimes she was subtle, other times she was a force of unassailable destruction.

“Seven against an army,” Jazz mused. “We’d still win only because they’re unprepared and cannot cope with how we are practically an army ourselves.”

Jazz glanced over to the circling vines, seeing how they moved around one small section. She knew that was where Paulina and Star were. She watched as the two worked together in tandem, making up for the weakness of combat they each held. Flames sparked and danced around them like an odd fire dance that chased after Paulina. In her hands were a pair of batons that were alight, dancing and swaying with the flames she spurted from her mouth every so often to keep the blaze alive. Star might look like nothing in comparison but Jazz saw the brief sparkle of the glistening sun. She had threads wove across the area, using telekinesis to wrap them around as she needed. She floated, moving in sync with Paulina. Star disarmed and made them pause before the flames reigned down on those who opposed them.

Jazz dove back down, currently being her Valkyrie of vengeance that she was allowed to be. Her body twisting and turning, her arms launching deadly attacks with precision and repercussive force from being blunt objects. She knew how to wield swords and blades but bludgeoning people just felt right. It felt like home on the battlefield, her steps graceful as she danced around in dynamic movements.

“Alright, that’s enough girls,” Pandora called. Her voice showed how proud of what the girls she taught could do. She knew she wasn’t their only teacher, only their first one. They worked hard for many years, each one finding how they could wield whatever ability and power they could. She let her hands stretch, reaching out and catching each of the female warriors she taught as they began to slow down after their onslaught. “I believe we have taught them the lesson they deserve,” she mused as she looked across the battlefield. No one was dead as promised, no one had severe injuries other than fractured limbs and burn marks. The biggest damage was to their pride, just like the young king had wanted.

“This was just the repercussions of your lack of due diligence, Sisters,” she warned them. “The lack of ability in terms of actions that resulted in thousands to be killed and many of them tortured by government agents. Twin cities stand no more, not since your failure. We gave you the info, you failed to use it. This is the result. Even now you have done nothing to commemorate for since the laws that allowed that slaughter are still in place today. Our kind are still being hunted, as are some of those from your world, yet no one has done anything. No one believes. Let these small skirmishes be the only thing before talks of proper peace. You have your work cut out for you,” Pandora warned before she leapt into the portal bringing her young warriors and their hovercraft with her. The portal closed behind her, the dawn rising fully as the partially ruined coast was bathed in morning light.

Her daughters by calling were exhausted and needed proper rest in the time flow before being allowed to go back to young Daniel once more. They pushed themselves past their limits to do this but they needed to release all of the foul emotions they carried. Rest they should for on the horizon there was more to come.

Chapter Text

“Is everyone ready?” Dante asked, looking at everyone who came to pick a fight with Atlantis. “This is going to be interesting because we are underwater. We’ll all be fine thanks to the suits but we won’t be able to move like on land. We’re at a disadvantage at the start just because of speed but I’m sure we will make up for it with enthusiasm.”

He looked at the other people sitting around the table, seeing everyone suited up. Everyone wore their tactical suits, each helmet matching up with the theme of the others. Dante’s own helmet had his own stylized version of a King and Club. Tucker’s was covered by a Jack and Diamond. Dash had the stylized 10 with a Club. Kwan had a styled 10 with a Spade. Kyle and Wes were the only outliers, falling outside of the normal deck of cards. Kyle had a styled version of Judgement from the Tarot deck while Wes had a styled card symbolizing The Prophet.

“Our battle is going to be a lot more three dimensional than what the ladies are going to experience,” Dante said. “Atlantis has failed the Infinite Realms more than Themyscira also. The ladies are probably just going to cause the landing zone to be messed up, our goal is property damage,” he said conspiratorially. “The Realms have held up our side of the deal before the incident but received no help when we needed it. Danny and Clockwork will make sure no one dies buuuuuuuuut…. We need to at least destroy some of their underwater architecture and infrastructure.”

Dante had a rather cruel smirk. There was no reason for them to be worried, facing an army would be rather hard but destroying things would be easy. He looked directly at Kwan. He was going to be the key player in how many buildings got destroyed. Dante began to laugh, thinking about some of the destruction that would be left in his wake. Just like good ol’ times, when he destroyed the planet basically.

Dante heard a mild beeping tone, his gaze shifting from the table to the screen beyond it. On the screen was Atlantis, the target they had for this little opening salvo. He smiled, standing up. “Oh, looks like we’ve arrived. It’s time to let the party begin,” he said as he stood up, his body stretching to his full height. He rolled his shoulders, his eyes beginning to glow red across his helmet. He took a few deep breaths, the glow fading.

“Who’s all staying in the sub?” Dante asked, looking everyone over.

“I can work just fine from here,” Tucker said. “I will send some of the Jackals out though.”

“I think it would work best if I am in here too,” Kyle said. “I can man one of the turrets.”

“I’ll take the other turret,” Wes offered. His eyes glowing the ectoplasmic green out of the eyes. “Frostbite, Yeti’s and a hunting pack are about to arrive,” he informed, his words sounding like an overlay of normal speech and ghost speak. His eyes stopped glowing as he sagged back briefly, taking a deep breath. “With that as our backup, we will be absolutely fine.”

Dante nodded and clapped Dash and Kwan on the shoulder. They moved forward, intangibility wrapping around the three of them as they left the sub that descended down to Atlantis on. As soon as they were outside, two different types of constructs surrounded the other two Amity Parker’s hiding their natural forms beneath.

Dash ended up surrounded in some type of frankenstein armor, his body having a fully natural rebreather set and thick heavy armor. It glowed the classic green color, spreading across every inch of his skin. Slowly his form began to twitch, moving around slightly. Each movement sent out another version of Dash in the armor, continuously spitting out duplicates until he had ten of them surrounding him. He grinned as he reached back a hand to the hull of the ship and took off eleven sets of spears and shields, passing them around him.

Kwan ended up inside of a small drone looking jet propulsion system, the vehicle wrapping around him easily. It was small and compact, easy to move around in with an ectoturret infront of it. Spawning around him were small hummingbird sized automatic drones, each having its own ectoturret and bomb placed on board.

Dante nodded and waved his hand, ice crawling across both ecto constructs in ways that wouldn’t impede them but give them extra protection. It was specially insulted so when the Yeti’s came, they wouldn’t have to worry about getting damaged from all of the ice that will be sent sprawling across Atlantis. With a second wave of his hand, he covered the submarine, keeping enough open space that the turrets were accessible and all the other weapons caches were able to be deployed as well.

He felt the world shift slightly, hearing the tears in reality. He gave a brief nod as he watched as Frostbite stepped through one portal with Wulf following close behind, both armed and ready. Other werewolf members of The Great Hunt also stepped across reality, each bringing a different Yeti, every member of the retinue being fully armed and ready to throw hands, or claws in this case.

“Frostbite comes seeking justice,” Frostbite called out, his voice angry and venomous. “You failed in keeping your end of the bargain up four years ago, deciding against the call for assistance because of internal strife. We know this, your own fallen told us so,” his voice boomed out. “You left children to be tortured because someone felt your own choices were more important. This injustice cannot stand. We, of the Infinite Realms, made a contract for alliances. We assisted with the poisoning of your people, aiming to heal all we could assist with. Our single request ended in denial for a petty political squabble. Now, we are here to demand the price to be paid.”

“Charge!” he commanded, leaving no room for discussion to the various merfolk who appeared. His eyes glowing in ectoplasmic green fury. His command made the groups charge ahead. The werewolf packs went as a team, moving across the water as if it was land, their lopsided charge gaining speed the further they ran. The Yeti’s broke into pairs, each charging together across the water as if it was land.

Dash launched himself forward, his frankenstein suits having built in propulsion systems to send him where he and his duplicates needed to go. His goal was the front gates, aiming to smash the ground around it. He only needed to weaken it, acting as a distraction before the mini drones did their jobs and became moving bombs that destructed on command.

Kwan sped forward as fast as the Atlantians came towards them, weaving between people as quickly as he could. His goal wasn’t to fight. His goal was to have the charges placed where they had discussed beforehand. He needed to destroy the front gate, release some charges on the temple, their hospital, and other large buildings. His smaller drone each went intangible as they closed in on where they were supposed to, waiting for the time to detonate them all at once. He continued to zip around, his sensors going off as various Atlantians kept charging after him, weaving anywhere and everywhere he could.

Dante smirked, charging right into the thick of battle. Fighting Atlantians under water was always fun. They launched themselves across the water in private jet streams, moving faster than most could understand. Dante didn’t care for it at all. The only people who deserved to move that easily around him should be his family. He clapped his hands together, releasing a shockwave with him at the center. Ice launched out with him at the center, thin wisps of frost went around him in a perfect circle. Each time a person crossed his line of frost, their body froze and sank down below. They’d survive. Barely.

He charged across the battlefield, leaving his enemies behind as popsicles for no other reason than he could. He laughed as he blatantly charged around, aiming for as many as he could. His eyes danced in amusement as he left pure destruction in his wake. When he found a building close to him, he smashed through it. He left ice trails across everything he could, aiming for maximum destruction.

Tucker watched from the sub as the chaos started, his fingers moving across his keyboard. With each command different weapons fired. The most common one being the aquatic drones connected to the specialized nets. He kept them moving, letting the nets catch anyone he saw charging towards the groups. He watched as the cannons sent sonic blasts to disrupt the call for sea life, his eyes scanning the battle. Dash was surrounded but that was fine. Any time a duplicate fell, another one was left in its place. He was a perfect turtle. Kwan went and set up the explosives, his drones flying far and wide. Frostbite, the werewolves and yeti were charging around, causing various buildings to collapse and letting out battlecries every so often.

“Do you think we are going to be done soon?” Tucker asked the two people sitting in turrets and firing continuously, their small pulses of ecto rays going out into the water in staccato bursts. “I really want to mess with the bats some more before the Justice League have whatever big meeting they’ll need to have because of our assaults,” he said chipperly as he kept his fingers moving and sending different coordinates for all of the drones he sent out.

“Probably. We’ll probably be done before the girls,” Wes said. “Our goal is destruction. Theirs is an actual beat down.”

“They’ll probably have to go to the realms before coming back too,” Kyle added, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he felt things hitting the ice shield they have surrounding them. “They’ll be exhausted when they get back.”

Tucker nodded, frowning as he saw the sub get surrounded. He put his hand against the front window, the window glowing green and golden. Gold and green Jackal’s of the Egyptian Underworld walked out from the symbol, each wielding spears that they used against the Atlanians that charged at the sub. He nodded a second time, his fingers going back to moving across the keyboard as he let the ghostly protectors do their job.

“Everyone, the charges are all set,” Kwan said over the comms system, his construct moving back to the submarine as quickly as it could. “I even placed some extras for when one got found.”

“Fall Back!” Frostbite called, each group making their way to the submarine as the Atlantians kept charging at them. They decided to regroup sooner, letting Dante’s dome of frost freeze as many people as possible before they retreated completely.

“3…2…1… Now,” Tucker counted down, his gaze never leaving the city before them. Everyone was already evacuated into time and space. No one would physically pass away from their attack, only buildings and infrastructure. They still hoped for some semblance of a peace accord, after all. They just wanted to prove a point of what could happen if they went to war with the Infinite Realms.

Neon explosions happened, buildings collapsing around the city in random increments. Some buildings looked fine until another collapsed on them, leaving both in disarray. Every building showed some semblance of destruction marking it.

Dante nodded, looking at the portal that opened up behind the sub. “Looks like our ride is here.”

-@-

Danny watched on special screens as his two teams went to work. He watched a quarter of Atlantis fall, seeing the destroyed buildings crumble even as various aftershocks hit them. He saw the completely destroyed medical area, the area that Frostbite and his people helped with the most. They made the best medicine and had the best recipes to help with whatever ailment went across the multiverse. They released ingenious recipes to help those who were their allies but don’t think they follow the same hypocritical oath. The Far Frozen were warriors, knowing to use anything in the arsenal when times called for it.

He watched as Pandora lectured various Amazons, using just enough force to knock each and every one of them out. It was painfully easy for the other woman. For all the strength that an Amazon had, powerful ghosts had more. He watched as his sister became a flaming valkyrie, her anger palpable as she went across the battlefield.

Danny smiled at the antics each and every member of Phantom Park had done, all of the emotions they released. He felt the turmoil across both the bonds he had with each person, their negative emotions feeding into his own. He felt space flex, pulling tight for just a moment before he released a breath, letting the space go.

“No. Not yet,” Danny warned himself. “Everyone may have failed us but they’re not redeemable yet. As much as I would love to glaze the planet, there are too many innocent people who would be caught in the crossfires. They all will know what they’ve done tomorrow. Word of the fights and the reasons why will hit the Justice League soon…”

Danny leaned back in his chair, his hands folded together. He took another steadying breath before his hands unclasped and went onto the keyboard in front of him. He opened various documents, his eyes reading the various failed calls to the Justice League. He smirked, as his fingers moved across the keyboard. He input a command, letting certain reports have names changed to others.

“We just need to keep our real names out of the reports across all platforms,” he said. “Between this code, Clockwork and some mix of magic they’ll never show signs of tampering. Our identities will be safe, having code names or subject names as replacement. All images have already been destroyed, unrecoverable beyond repair. The only thing still there are transcripts but they’ve been doctored. Still the same but no names. It makes it easier,” Danny mused. He let his grin stay on his face, imagining the superhero club overlaying their various children and sidekicks labeled like they were. “Without names and faces, anyone could match those descriptions of the torture we went though… Hm… Nocturn owes me some favors. Let’s let the heroes have some dreams about those reports.”

Danny released a brief breath, his breath being seen for a brief moment. He glanced over to the dark figure of Nocturn in the corner. He gave the Ancient of Sleep a nod, receiving one in return before the man disappeared. Danny chuckled, rolling his shoulders. He pulled out his phone and decided to play some of the mobile games Tucker made as he waited for everyone to arrive back.

Chapter Text

“The world better be ending,” a frustrated voice called from the door, slowly walking in. He had his eyes covered with one hand and the flask in another, his blonde hair looking unkempt as was his usual appearance. He ran his hand down his face, slowly waking himself up more. One moment he was asleep in the House of Mystery, the next he felt space itself quake briefly, causing the house to rattle. Then he heard the emergency alerts. So. Many. God. Damned. Beeping.

“Hn,” was the only response he received, his eyes opening to look at the assembly of heroes who called everyone to attend. John Constantine was tired. He looked at the group, everyone looking around both curiously and distressed. He gave a large sigh, his body collapsing into his seat with the other JLD members surrounding him.

“That’s not an answer, mate,” John snarked back. “Not everyone speaks Battish Grunt.”

“It has recently come to our attention that there might be war,” Wonder Woman answered, her voice both cautious and ashamed. Besides her sat her mother, looking rather unkempt with bruises. John didn’t know that you could actually bruise an Amazon, his eyes looking her over. He then felt the energy that was briefly radiating off her, sensing the strong death magic that seemed to linger ever so briefly.

“Who messed with death energy?” John asked, looking over at the JDL members who were conversing ever so softly as they all looked at the other heroes. “That shit ya got on ya is potent, I’m surprised ya made it here,” he said, taking out his flask to take a sip of his latest bottle he used to top it off.

“Apparently the American Government,” Wonder Woman answered again, her eyes staring directly at the screen that Batman and his brood were flipping across. Her eyes watched the various reports and info they were working on uncovering. She looked back over to the Hellblazer and gave a brief nod.

John took a brief pause. He tilted his head slightly to the side, gave a sigh, and took another large swig of his drink. He was too sober for this. He didn’t feel like he even wanted to continue this conversation, his eyes looking closer at the assembled heroes. He said a few words under his breath, casting a small spell. He took a closer look at each hero assembled, understanding more from just his magic.

“And the possibility of war and the Yanks are connected because…?” John asked cautiously. He felt something tingle across the back of his skull, having a few very bad ideas. He didn’t want to think of any way the American Government could have caused the possibility of war with a cross point being with death magic. Anyone connected to that type of magic was either crazy, dangerous and both.

“According to the women who assaulted Themyscira, we have failed to keep up our end of an ancient accord,” Hippolyta informed the group. “A group of women appeared on the edge of our land, demanding answers for failure to assist them when needed. They were dressed in rather durable modern clothes and masks. They were all… Metas you call them. They were all formidable. The small group of six plus an… extra,” she said, pausing briefly unsure how to describe the fact that Pandora, an old elder of the Amazonian women sided against the rest of them. “They bested the first and second squad who responded to their call.”

“Seven people? Atlantis is partially destroyed by twenty adversaries. No one was killed but there was significant damage, especially to where our hospital and research institutes were,” Aquaman said bitterly, his anger catching in his voice. “I have no idea how no one died. Everyone who was in the buildings said they were there one moment and the next they were floating outside of smoldering buildings.”

John blinked. He took a deep breath. He did not like the sound of that, whatever had done that was powerful. Too powerful to be easily found and angered. Something had happened. Something very bad, that they now had to clean up after. He lowered his head, hitting his forehead against the table briefly. He needed a smoke to deal with this bunch. He took a cigarette out of his pack to place between his lips, knowing not to light it. He just needed it to feel grounded.

“Phantom Park Members,” Batman added. “A world wide mercenary group. They’re affiliated with the dark web and venture into rather… dangerous areas of the world. They’ve been shown to step into armed conflicts and end them, they’ve also killed multiple corrupt politicians and CEOs. Two of their members have recently begun to take many actions against global trafficking rings. No one knows who they are or where they operate out of,” Batman informed the group. “One member, calling himself King of Ace's, has admitted to killing Ra’s Al Ghoul and recently killed The Joker.”

Batman put two videos on screen. “We have no image of King of Ace’s killing The Joker. He somehow released an EMP that only affected recording equipment making it impossible for us to record it. He used a gun then a sword, also showing he has meta abilities also. We suspect it has something to do with gravity. But we have extremely arial and distant recordings of the battles against Themyscira and Atlantis. They’re all really strong metas. Some showing multiple abilities.”

John looked at the screen, watching. He paused. He recognized the portal that they came from, his eyes looking at the group around him. He made eye contact with other members of Dark, some of them recognizing it also. He shook his head briefly, his head crashing into the table once more, this time stronger.

“Which git decided to piss of the realms?” John demanded, as he raised his head once more. He looked directly at the Amazonians and Atlanteans. “They’re some of the most dangerous blokes in existence. It would explain the death magic, those beings practically radiate it of ‘em. Again. Surprised ya survived.”

“Apparently we did and the American Government,” Batman said, his voice sounding rather pinched. John raised his head, his eyes staring directly at the Dark Knight. His eyes glowed golden for a brief moment.

“We’ll. We’re fucked. We’re bloody screwed. What happened?” John demanded, trying to feel out with magic. He felt certain things, his mind launching across various ideas. The more he sensed and the more he understood, the more grim he felt. Someone had truly messed up.

“Four years ago,” Hippolyta started before all of dark looked over at her. Each of them were shouting at the moment before a sharp whistle made everyone settle. “As I was saying, four years ago we received word from Kronos that he needed help. We were shocked, Kronos is dead. He was killed by his children, we thought it was some form of a horrible prank so we investigated. After investigating and realizing it wasn’t false, we contacted the diplomats of various countries asking about a place called Amity Park. No one could find information about it or any other issues so we kept searching ourselves, gaining no more information. Then the cataclysm of that year happened,” she informed the group.

“We received the same request but from a medical associate we had been in contact for some time,” Aquaman said. “At that time, because of political turmoil we were unable to try and send assistance. We heard no other word about it, thinking the issue had resolved itself. Between our personal turmoil then the cataclysm we were not able to aid our ally in their request.”

“We’ve received calls from Amity Park, Illinois multiple times,” Batman said, projecting the numerous calls they had received. Each one was denied, claiming they were pranks and that assistance would not be given. “The last call was four years ago, three months before the cataclysm,” he said, pulling up the last one. The transcript showed on the screen, Batman pausing again as he looked closer.

“Oh no,” Wonder Woman said, looking at the transcript. Her eyes gaining a rather dark look, looking at the heroes surrounding her. Emotions started to blaze off of her, her eyes easily looking at multiple people. “So from what we can clearly see, something was going on,” she hissed out, her eyes blazing with fury. “Flash, Impulse, Hal, John, Cyborg, and Batman. What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, standing up and slamming her hands on the table in front of her.

“JLD has a ghost!” John yelled, standing up also. “We already know supernatural entities exist. Yet ya blokes decided against tellin’ us a magic problem when ya don’t know shit about it,” he looked around the surrounding heroes, his head beginning to throb. “If beings of the Infinite Realms are involved, that’s magic. Ya bloody goodie two shoes couldn’t have told any member of dark what was happening? If the realms go to war, the planet will be destroyed. Completely. The Gods of Gods reside there. Beings so powerful they make her Da and his family look weak,” he exclaimed, pointing to Wonder Woman. “Darksied looks like a baby in comparison to some of them!”

Every hero in attendance looked stricken. They all knew of Wonder Woman’s father and his siblings. Many of them had been in the battle against Darksied, remembering how much damage he could cause. They looked at the screen, reading each dismissal to the people they swore to protect. They read each report, starting from the beginning. Each one seemed worse than the last, the threat gradually increasing from the reports. The greatest threat being the American Government it seems.

“Didn’t the Realms get a new ruler a few years ago?” Zatanna asked, her face pinched in concentration. “I remember feeling when magic changed briefly, Pariah Dark was sealed away before but suddenly there was a release of his magic and presence then someone else took over.”

“Yeah some bloke named…” John stopped, his eyes widening. He deflated, his body sinking back into the chair he stood up from. He slumped down, taking out his flask and downing it completely. “Phantom.”

The name caused everyone to look up, a look of dawning realization and horror spreading across everyone's faces. Phantom. As in Phantom from Phantom Park. If he was somehow connected to Amity Park, then that means the name was more than just a small connection.

Batman grunted again, files slowly beginning to appear on the screen. Between him and his children, they began searching for anything connecting to Amity Park. It took a few minutes, even with other heroes added in. Soon more images and documents began spreading across the screen. Each one redacted but they kept digging. Others were discussing briefly between themselves. Time seemed to pass slowly but it was actually racing. Each new document and image they found slowly formed a more damning picture.

FIrst was the Anti Ecto Acts that was the easiest thing to find. Then brief mentions of Amity Park. Gradually they found the GIW. It took hours, hours of everyone in discussions trying to find all they could but they finally found a cache. Documents spread across the screen, too many to have been found easily.

“Someone wanted us to find these,” Cyborg said. “They were barely hidden behind any of the other encryptions we’ve seen from this. If we go based off of that, then Phantom Park probably left these… Can we trust them?”

“We have to. For now. It will at least tell us what had happened,” Wonder Woman said, her eyes scanning the various documents. Anger began to roil in her, her eyes sharpening as she gradually scanned more and more documents. “They were experimenting on children,” she hissed out, her voice gathering everyone’s attention once more. “They experimented and killed children…” she said hoarsely, her voice absolutely chilling.

“We’ve found some satellite images,” Batman informed. He pulled them up, using a timed movement to show how it was sped up. It showed a field with many people in white suits standing around, no one could make out who was exactly where from the fuzzy images but a general idea could be seen. A large organization laid many bodies inside of a summoning circle. “It’s dated to the day the cataclysm started, when the magic users informed us of the extreme spike in magic,” he said.

“Bloody Hell,” John said. He began cursing under his breath, his eyes looking at the sigils that started lighting up at the sound of the chanting. “Those teens were sacrificed. Completely. The American Government committed ritual sacrifice.”

The group was silent as the pixelated video went on, watching in horror as it progressed. It ended when all of the figures began floating in the air, their deformed bodies being seen before they began remodeling.

“That’s not supposed to have happened, they messed something up,” Zatanna said, her face rather gray and green, small strings of tears going down her cheeks. She watched as the camera cut off after a portal opened, everything else seeming to disappear.

Batman showed a different screen, showing a pleasant little tree grove with small creeks and no sign of anyone living there. “This is Amity Park and it’s sister city Elmerton now,” he informed. “This is that exact same spot, fourteen days after that video was.”

It showed the world just as it was now. Something had happened and destroyed both towns, making it so it would never be seen again. Everyone looked absolutely sick at the thought. They never even realized two towns of people were gone. They had no idea how many people had died and there was no clue.

“The Government is hiding the fact that this happened,” Batman informed them. “We currently cannot get into the system to be able to tell why. All we know is there is an extreme information black out.”

“Thirteen figures sacrificed, thirteen members, connected to the Infinite Realms and Phantom before they were sacrificed. Phantom Park is the group of sacrificed children,” Wonder Woman said aloud. “Our failure resulted in this… And now they’re informing us that we have failed. WIth a possibility of war on a dimensional level…”

“Dimensional?” John demanded. “Normally it would only be planetary. If they’re threatening the entire dimension… Something extreme happened, worse than we thought before. If they’re threatening to destroy the dimension…” John shuddered.

“We need to mobilize everyone. We need to handle this first before dealing with our own issues, like punishing those who were part of this,” Wonder Woman said, pushing out of her seat to walk out of the room. “Everyone will be meeting here again tomorrow after going through the information. We need to make the best plan of action and gather as much data as we can.”