Chapter Text
It wasn’t a nice story.
Danny knew that, he’d (kinda) lived through it.
But he had thought that two superheroes, who undoubtedly had seen and heard much worse, wouldn’t have much of a reaction.
He’d been wrong.
There wasn’t much to be said about Batman’s reaction. Given that the cowl covered everything except his mouth, which was set in a deep frown. Superman’s was a different story, with a mix of growing concern and horror as Danny continued to speak.
And once he started, it was almost like he couldn’t stop.
Danny told them about how his parents had spent over two decades testing and developing the technology to create the FentonPortal. A doorway designed with the intention of ripping through the fabric of their seen reality, into that theoretical place where they believed ghosts existed. He told them how their portal had been an initial failure. Failing to start up when they had completed it.
It had been for a dumb reason; his parents had placed the ‘on’ switch within the portal itself, rather than on the outside. A perfect placement for Danny to accidentally slam his hand into when he’d gone into the portal on a dare from his friends.
Opening what his parents thought was their doorway into the Ghost Zone.
In actuality, it had been a gateway into the Infinite Realms. That place between dimensions, that connected every reality and every afterlife together.
So, technically, his parents had been right. It was a place where ghosts existed.
And it was from their portal that ghosts started to creep into their world and cause mayhem.
As ghost sighting and attacks became more common, it became increasingly apparent that his parents were less interested in studying ghosts, than hunting them. Crafting weapons and traps geared towards harming the entities that came through the FentonPortal.
Or maybe that was just how they had decided to go about conducting their investigations. Trying to capture a specimen to perform vivisections or dissections on.
Whatever the case, his parents held a huge prejudice against the inhabitants of the Infinite Realms.
“When the FentonPortal turned on, it. . .changed me.” Danny said.
He flipped his hands over, letting them vanish and reappear. One of the few simple party tricks he could do in his more human form.
“I didn’t tell my parents because I was. . . I was afraid that they’d treat me differently. Or do something to me.”
“So I hid it from them, what happened I mean. But then I started having really bad reactions to the stuff in the lab, all their weapons and technology. Some of them were made with the goal of destabilizing ghosts into pure ectoplasm, so I guess it makes sense that it would burn me every time I came in contact with it.”
“I think that’s what tipped them off that something wasn’t right.” Danny half heartedly shrugged a shoulder. “They don’t see ghosts as being intelligent, emotional beings. And they didn’t listen when I tried to tell them that I’m not really a ghost.”
“I think they thought. . . That I really had died. And that my body was just being possessed by a ghost. So they didn’t see it as burying me alive, I bet they saw it as putting me to rest.”
Danny tilted his head back, looking through the glass ceiling and up to the cave ceiling beyond. He couldn’t look at the heroes. He didn’t want to.
Batman and Superman were silent in the wake of his story.
To be fair, Danny wasn’t sure how he’d react if he was in their position. So, he wasn’t going to hold their silence against them. It was a lot of information; a lot of information that was borderline completely unbelievable.
If he wasn’t talking to an actual alien and a maybe-cryptid, he’s not sure they would believe him.
Batman broke the silence, his gruff voice strangely soft. “I am very sorry that happened to you. It must have been hard, and incredibly scary at times.”
Danny half-hysterical laugh escaped around the sudden tightness in his throat. There was something funny about Batman saying the word “scary”. Like it was too childish for the man to say.
But. . . It had been scary. Danny had been scared, for so long.
“And,” Batman continued, voice dropping to just above a whisper. “You must have felt very alone.”
The boy scrubbed at his eyes, trying desperately to rub away the burn of rising tears. He wasn’t going to cry in front of Batman and Superman, he wasn’t.
Superman cleared his throat, “That never should have happened, we’re going to make sure they face consequences for their actions. Legally, if nothing else. . .” He trailed off awkwardly.
Danny sniffed, peering curiously at the two. “Legally?”
“Yes.” Batman said. “We will be compiling an extensive file, utilizing your and your sister’s witness statements.”
He gave Danny a considering look. Or at least Danny thought he did, the whites of his eyes were very hard to read.
“Although, you will never have to see them again if you do not want to.”
“. . . Right.” Danny said.
He didn’t know if he wanted to see his parents again. Hadn’t really considered it. And now? He didn’t want to dwell too long on the thought when it made him feel so. . . Bad.
“What’s going to happen to me though? Where am I gonna go?” He asked, voice small and unsure.
Superman and Batman shared a look before Superman looked down at the boy, a gentle smile on his face.
“How about you focus on getting better first. We’ll be looking into finding a family to place you with. One that will be equipped to give you the support you need to heal.”
Batman cleared his throat.
“One that will also be equipped to help you handle and develop your meta abilities. As well as ensure you maintain the rights provided by the Meta Protection Acts.” He added.
Danny frowned at this.
He could appreciate that Batman was trying to soothe him that he wouldn’t be placed with someone that would abuse or experiment on him (unlike his parents). After all, it was the fact that he wasn’t human anymore that had landed Danny in this position. But, it wasn’t as if the Meta Protection Acts did anything for him. They didn’t apply to him.
He thought he’d been pretty clear when he describe his death to the heroes.
“I’m. . .not a meta. I died when the portal turned on, just. . . not all the way. I’m half-dead,” Danny shook his head, “not a meta.”
Superman’s hand was gentle against Danny’s shoulder. He looked up at the soft, considering expression on the man’s face. It was like the hero was desperately trying to convince Danny of something, but was resigned to the fact that it would take a while to do so.
“‘Meta’ is a broad term. Aliens, such as myself or Martian Manhunter, count as ‘metas’. So do the Amazons and Atlantians. Meta-human applies to any human with supernatural abilities. The Meta Protection Act encompasses all intelligent life forms that are beyond normal human beings.”
Danny frowned, “But the Ghost Investigation Ward said the government doesn’t consider ghosts to fall under the protection of the Meta Rights Act. Ghosts are not considered intelligent life forms. My parents could do anything to me and it be legal. The Government could do anything to me.”
“. . .What.”
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Hung Justice
Tim to Hung Justice:
Guys you’re not gonna believe this.
Conner to Hung Justice:
I believe most things atp
Tim to Hung Justice:
Remember that Reddit post that got everyone’s attention?
Bart to Hung Justice:
Ya ofc my grandpa just got back from investkmigatinh
Bart to Hung Justice:
*investigating
Conner to Hung Justice:
Do you call Barry “grandpa” to his face? Or just to us
Bart to Hung Justice:
He’s my grandpa??? Why wouldn’t I call him grandpa
Cassie to Hung Justice:
Well he’s like 35 so. . .
Bart to Hung Justice:
Time travel doesn’t care for ur familial normalletgs
Bart to Hung Justice:
*normalities
Tim to Hung Justice:
The kid who made the post is at the cave right now, and I overheard him telling his story to B and Clark.
Conner to Hung Justice:
*eavesdropping
Jaime to Hung Justice:
*spying
Tim to Hung Justice:
OVERHEARD.
Tim to Hung Justice:
Anyways apparently the kid is like a zombie or something? Oh and the government has it out for him.
Multiple people are typing. . . .
