Chapter Text
"Calypso, child of compassion, would you allow others to use your compassion to manipulate the mortal world". A nod was all the nymph could give in presence of the high king. "Welcome, my Knight of Compassion". In a flash the nymph was broken free of her prison with violet light.
The king moved to another subject, one that didn't show sign of fear or passiveness to their king appearing. The monkey king decided eating an apple was more important and deserved more attention than the king did, however that didn't mean the king wasn't noticed.
"Oh, Dan will love this. Welcome back Danny or is this Phantom, did the power mind wipe you ?"
"Sun Wukong, child of will, would you allow others to use your will to manipulate the mortal world".
"No than-" The king disappeared before Sun Wukong could finish. "Guess I should spread the word. "Child of will", he's still interesting even as a husk".
A grand golden hall held a pantheon of gods, they were all looking towards a single man on a throne with a spear. The high king appearing forced them to kneel and brought the man off his chair.
"Odin, child of avarice, would you allow others to use your avarice to manipulate the mortal world". A single laugh broke the silence given by the other gods, like all other things unimportant to his realm the high king ignored it.
"Of course he's greed". Loki's laughing seemed to enrage Odin but neither acted.
"If this is the role you will gift me then yes high king".
"Welcome, my knight of avarice". With a flash of orange, the two kings left.
The LAPD weren't immune to the weird since their newest consultant but their lieutenant has seen a fair amount, a man appearing from thin air was not something he's experienced but assuming who it was he fell to his knees without a second hesitation.
"Cain, child of life would you allow others to use your experience to manipulate the mortal world".
Cain the one human that has lived through everything, the one human that has had every emotion flow through him, lows and highs that meshed together until he didn't know which were what. He was the perfect example of life, always trying and failing through every moment of his never ending life.
"Will I be allowed rest". The one thing he'd want, an end.
"You will not die, you will exist as much as any mortal after death. You will not act in this realm until you find someone capable of experiencing life in all of its pain and glory, I understand you have a life and that no one has experienced life like you so you will be granted my blessing to accept my request whenever you wish. If the time comes where you are required then I will force you to answer my request".
"I accept your request My Lord, thank you".
"Welcome my knight of life". A white flash took Cain away from his office and into a dining hall.
A cave was the next place sought after by the high king. The man held within was split into two, both knelt when they noticed the presence.
"Etrigan and Jason, child of will and child of hope, would you allow others to use your emotions to manipulate the mortal world". Etrigan chose to keep his head lowered while Jason lifted his.
"If I am able to serve the high king then of course". If his words were not his acceptance then his bowed head was, Etrigan understood it was his turn to speak and raised his head.
"If the high king demands, I shall be his right hand". With the acceptance of both identities, a flash of teal light took them to the dining hall of the high king.
A silk covered room was visited next by the high king, two round blue windows held the interest of the room's occupants. Since their emotions were obvious the high king waited and watched the world outside with them, it was a time of peace for the room while the outside was a time of turmoil or more precisely a time of adolescence.
The magi tried to touch the glass but the being with her stopped her. "Don't do that dear". The slight turn from the being also gave her view of the high king. "High king, please excuse our rudeness. We have been a little distracted as of late". The magi's attention broke from the outside and she bowed.
"Your attention isn't why I'm here Desiree. Sindella, child of love, would you allow others to use your love to manipulate the mortal world". Seeing as she was the one being spoken to, the magi raised her head.
"Why me ?" Pointing to the window they were watching the high king explained.
"You gave your life for your family, few do it and even fewer do it when they have other means. You gave your life to heal them both and you did so without thinking, you didn't fear for your own life, you simply gave it for theirs. You are the mortal I wish to have as my knight of love, will you accept". Seeing her hesitation Desiree placed a hand on Sindella's shoulder.
"You won't be able to see them but I'll keep them safe for you, as was your wish". It was a small piece of reassurance but it seemed to be enough.
"I will join you as your knight but, I ask that I would be given permission to see my family". Desiree held shock and pride in Sindella.
"Your chamber will allow you to view them like you have been, is that all". A short laugh was given by Desiree.
"Yes high king". With a nod to Desiree, the high king left with Sindella in a pink light.
The first job was complete, now the knights had to rule their own section of the high kings realm but that was left for them to do alone as the high king needed to be somewhere else. A room full of objects, seven to be exact and each held their own colour.
"Destiny, you know why I am asking for you. Join me within my gallery". Stepping out from behind a purple pillar was a single man chained to a book.
"You have grown well high king, which choice will you make currently".
"I ask for knowledge, I ask for you to explain who I am and to tell me my story. I will not last if my mind is split like it currently is, please my cousin". It was like a test, every name given to those of his new family felt wrong and his realm didn't allow that opinion to stay hidden.
"You have had many options and yet you have chosen me again, I thank you for your continued trust High King". The realm changing colour taught Destiny what the high king thought. "Yes, I do suppose I am your closest option however, Thank you. Shall we move to a more comfortable room".
-----
"What's wrong with you". It's been almost an hour of Dan tearing apart the library, nothing had been found and neither Martian dared to enter because of his flames. John was in shorts but still had to use Egg as a shield from the heat.
"Phantom is back. Where's the damn book". The flames were cooled as Dan saw John but they heated again when he stopped focusing.
"I ain't got it, I didn't hide it either. I'll check the kid and Manhunter". John left Egg to deal with Dan as he asked his Martians.
>Stop. Scaring.<
"Can't, this might be the only way to find Phantom again and I'm not losing him again. I made a deal for it too, you were there, so I need it".
>Scaring family.<
"I can apologise to them and everything later but this might be the only way, I need to find it for everyone before Vlad tries dying".
>Dad please.< The words froze Dan from his search.
"What". "Did- you really know when to use that damn name. Fine, five minute break so I can explain". Chirps of joy followed Dan out the room. "I've gone soft". Changing into his human self he could see John with M'gann and a hesitant gaze made him buckle, he scared her.
>Love you.< The words were given by Egg as she supported Dan up, M'gann's worry brought her to Dan's side.
"I'm sorry". The first thing Dan thought of was to hug his kids even if one wasn't with them. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you".
-----
"Ellie it's a new power you need a check up". Jazz was trying to reason with her niece, she was failing.
"Jazz It's Phantom. Did you hear that Phantom, not Phantom but Phantom. Wait. You actually Can't hear that, we've been saying the wrong name and no one's noticed he could've been back for months. I need to find him". The Realms portal slamming shut was all that could be heard before Ellie tried escaping.
"I cannot allow that my dear, Phantom will be found once we are both checked on. Jasmine would you please run an examination on my mind as I prepare Ellie for her examination". Before either lady could argue Vlad already started to prepare the equipment. "You both believe that I am not in my right mind so if I am not then I will be in your care however, if I am classed as sane then I would ask that you both would allow me the freedom of choosing what I wish. I understand we are family and now I know what that means I am doing this due to knowing, I wish for both of your safeties and I will only be a jump away. So please, criticise me and my mind like you have been doing for the last two decades".
"Vlad I'm not doing that. You've grown and I can see it, You're fine Ellie isn't".
"He's trying to die. He's goin-"
"Ellie, I'm the lead psychologist in Amity. I'm also the only one that ghosts go to because of Danny and Vlad, I've dealt with them both and this is just how Vlad became after losing most of his family while being too obsessed to focus on them as a whole. It's why I trust him, this is the Vlad Jack thought of and this is my godfather". "He isn't Plas. He's Vlad and he'll stay as Vlad until he need an "evil ghost" to take a fall". Defending her godfather was easier than her convincing her niece but neither lasted long as Dan flew in, quite literally bringing the door with him.
"Hands". The only word, it was a demand so neither Halfa thought before giving Dan a hand. He pricked them with a needle and flew off again, with confused looks and a sigh from Jazz both Halfas flew after Dan.
"THIS BETTER BE ABOUT DANNY". While neither Halfa knew they just shouted an affirmation.
"IN HERE". It was immediate, Dan didn't allow either Halfa to attempt a question before calling to them from the library.
"What are you doing ?" Ellie's question, Vlad was busy inspecting the work. John was watching from a table while petting Egg and M'gann was watching J'onn fill out league paperwork while taking notes.
"Phantom got rid of my contract, I'm checking you two". Applying the finishing touches Dan stood back.
"SERIOUSLY". Ellie's shout came like thunder and rattled the room.
"You feel it ?" It was directed to both Halfas but Vlad didn't appear to look for his.
"No. How long has it been gone ?"
"No idea, I've got a guess but only because I felt it disappear since I got stronger after being weaker".
"Dani-".
"I let you have one. Don't push it". A burnt tie was small compared to what Dan would usually do but it was enough to teach Vlad.
"Dan, may I ask what this circle is used for ? I don't not understand the symbols". With a heavy breath and eyes darting around the room Dan thought to explain.
"Pariah. Odds are this is for Phantom now, downside it might bring back Pariah but we've got three Halfas and he has no kingly might or army. I'm also using a daffodil for it so it'll send him back after an hour or so". His niece didn't seem to enjoy Any of the words that fell in an avalanche.
"Dan. You're lucky I love you and that everyone here doesn't need to hear me shout and swear. You, Have, Lost, Your, Goddamned, Mind. We are not bringing Phantom or Pariah here and we're not bringing either to Amity with the GIW outside looking for any excuse".
"I sadly, agree with Dan". A crack was heard as Ellie looked to Vlad, the Martians looked ready to fly in and John looked ready to vomit.
"You aren't counted in this". A throat clearing brought her attention back to her uncle.
"Ellie. I'm doing this. For Phantom to return or to end Pariah for what he did. Either way it's happening. In or out".
"I've got a-"
"Three wails against one guy that couldn't handle one from a young Phantom. We could probably open the realms with three". "We should test that". Vlad seemed to take note of it.
"It would be interesting to test, three wails from three Halfas could possibly do something interesting. We would need a way to contain and direct our wails into a single point as well as a way to tim-"
"You both can't be serious, we're talking about killing the old high king and you're both thinking about a science experiment. HE WAS A GOD".
"Not very godly to die". From his table John made Ellie brake her neck to glare at him for the comment. He looked faint.
"John. As you would say. BUGGER OFF". A golf clap from the man was all the response she got, another joined and fixing her neck Ellie glared at her uncle.
"I dealt with Batman's, you aren't Batman. In or out E".
"Siren. In". The smiles from her elder companions made the choice regrettable but a single shock to them dealt with that feeling. "You owe me".
"Vla-"
"I said you Fenton". "I don't know what yet, but you owe me".