Chapter Text
"Well, I'd characterize this a supreme miscarriage of justice but they clearly meant to use Daniel Fenton as an example. I've reached out to other reporters in other cities to start looking into it; and I'd like to dispatch Constantine and the JLD to shut down the portal." Superman clicked the remote. Image shifting from the mugshot to an aerial view of a small town. "Amity Park is a hot bed for magical and inter-dimensional chaos. Captain Marvel has concurred with my assessment." Heads of the Justice League turned to the captain. Uncommon seriousness over his gentle face.
"I would like to dispatch an investigator." Batman added. "Not just the JLD. Someone who won't be noticed and will report back what might be missed."
"I won't disagree. We'll need a great deal more intel for this case." Superman took his seat. "Batman, who do you intend to send?"
"A trusted associate." When nothing further was incoming, Captain Marvel spoke.
"The door to the Infinite Realms has been open longer than any natural portal would be. While it might not stagnate as a whole, contamination is possible. Magic and metas may exist; but some things cannot be meddled with."
"Then what about Daniel?" The Flash asked. "He's still in Arkham. Which is blowing my mind. He's 15. Hell, I know some of my rogues would bust him out on principal."
"Leave Captain Cold out of this, Flash. We have not managed to make contact with Daniel Fenton at this time. Resources within Arkham are limited. However, We are working on a plan." The rest of the League stared at the screen at the end of the table. "Does anyone have anything further to add?"
"I can call in a favor with Captain Cold if necessary."
Batman scowled. "We will discuss your relationship with your rogues later, Flash."
"Yeah, like your relationship with Catwoman?" Flash tilted his head, grinning. Marvel grinned, turning his head.
Once the meeting was adjourned, Batman found himself waylaid by the Zeta tubes. Captain Marvel hovering at his side. "Batman...I know you're trying to help that kid...but whatever your plan and your contacts...he will never be like other children. You can't have unrealistic expectations."
Batman stiffened. "I have experience, Captain. The Robins."
"Are subordinates. Not children." Bruce felt something twist in his stomach. "If you're going to help him the don't expect him to be particularly grateful."
"Is this something you have experienced, Captain?"
"Yes," he admitted sadly. "Sometimes people only help because they think it will benefit them or they'll be showered with praise and good feelings. Helping hurts more than harming, Batman. I think we both know this. Danny will know this."
"....I will take your words into consideration, Captain Marvel. Thank you." The man grinned, taking off for his planned snack time with Flash. Batman returned to Gotham and made his way toward Crime Alley. it didn't take long for Red Hood to appear. Grappling onto the building with one hand on his holster.
"What the fuck do you want, Bats? This is my territory."
"An investigator needs to look into Amity Park. While we have a great deal to look at already, we need an on-hand approach."
"You want me to play fetch for evidence?"
"To investigate the teams responsible for Daniel Fenton's imprisonment."
Jason, masked and armored, would always be his son. He could spot the faint twitch of his fingers as he considered the proposition. "The kid Harley's asking about?"
"Yes. Stealth mission." He re-iterated. "The JLD will be on site to close the portal."
"Kay, send me the details. I'll let you know what I find out." Jason turned with an upright middle finger at Bruce and flung himself off the building.
Only a few more things to consider now.
#$$#
Danny did sign up to take classes. Classes got him away from some of the goons squad trying to prove themselves and got him a moment of respite. Even if his neighbor continued to bitch and moan about it. Lucrative connections were made when the teachers were shaking in their shoes or trying not to wet themselves.
"Don't you have a few degrees already?" He asked Pamela Isley. The orange clashed with green; but he wasn't about to say anything. Her attention shifted from the flowers she was doodling. There was no reason she should have been in a high-school level civics class.
"Sure. But it keeps me out of trouble." Her grin sharp and wide.
Pretending it made any sense would take more effort than he was willing to expend. He turned his attention back to the teacher. It reminded him of Mr. Lancer. Another paunchy middle-aged man. Bald and with a shiny, sweaty as he trembled under the collective stares of goons, rogues, and guards. He never thought he'd miss the older man. Never thought he'd miss the A-Listers and high school and the shitty cafeteria food. He wished he'd gotten letters from them...any of them. From Sam or Tucker or even Val. None had come, and he wasn't sure he could blame them for not wanting to be associated with a supervillain.
Still, it hurt and every time he tried to think about it.
"Now. I do have a bit of a treat." The teacher clapped his hands. Bored inmates glanced up. "We're going to be moving to history next. Now....erm. I will be including a class on histories greats heists." A few people straightened. Danny glanced up. "Now, it won't be anything from the last few decades for obvious reasons. I mean heists which are historically significant. The Great Train Robbery, smuggling silk worms out of China. I promise it will be interesting."
"Smuggling silk worms?" Danny wondered.
"Yes! Oh. So. We'll be passing out your history books. Please open to Chapter Five, Oceanic Trade." Danny winced. That sounded about as boring as anything...but at least he wasn't getting a bloody nose in the yard."
"Oh, god." Pamela flipped the book open, letting her head thump down with a whine.
"You don't need to be here." Danny pointed out.
"I promised my girl that I'd stay out of trouble this time around." She admitted.
"Your girl?" He glanced down, eyes catching on the various boats depicted sailing across the sea.
"Harley."
"Oh...that's. Nice."
"What about you? Have a girl waiting for you?"
He thought of Sam. The last expression he'd seen on her face. Dreams of dates they'd never have while in Nocturne's grasp. "No."
Pam sighed. "Sorry. I guess you're pretty young for that."
"Excuse me." The teacher coughed, shivering when Pam glared. "If you two wouldn't mind."
"Sorry," Danny told him reflexively.
"Well. Thank you. Now, please play attention."
#$#$#$
"Do you intend to bring another child into the manor?" Damian raised his voice to be heard across the dining room. He hadn't said much all evening. While not an unusual circumstance, it was clear he'd been thinking of something all day. Of course, dropping it into the middle of the first family dinner they'd managed in two months was the sugar on the cream.
Silence fell over the assemblage. Eyes turning toward Bruce as he set down his fork. "Damian?"
"The child, Daniel Fenton. Will you bring him to the manor?"
Heads swiveled to follow the conversation. "We're only investigating the case now, Damian."
"Yet the harlequin requested your direct assistance as both the Batman and Bruce Wayne."
"The arsonist?" Dick asked. "The kid supervillain? Bruce?"
"I thought Bruce was over baby fever stage." Stephanie grinned.
"You brought the Imposter into the house."
"Hey! Fuck you!" Tim shifted with a glower.
"Language, Tim. Please. Damian. While my help was requested, we have not decided how to go about this."
"He's in Arkham, Damian. We have to approach this carefully."
"Attend an event to commemorate the new expansion of Jason's charity," Tim suggested. "At Arkham."
"That's so stupid! Half of the people in there have tried to kidnap him!"
"And Brucie Wayne isn't the brightest ball of wax." Duke pointed out. "I mean, you could probably swing something. If he's signed up for the program then he'll be the first person they want you to meet."
"I agree with Thomas."
"It's not a bad idea." Tim mused. Dick shoved his face into his hands. "It's got to bet he easiest way to manufacture a meeting with him."
"Bruce Wayne in Arkham doesn't make a damn bit of sense! It would be a security breach. The warden would never agree to it."