Ghost Helpline - Blog Posts

Ghost Helpline chapter 40

Secrets before dinner 3

Jack peered closely at the green vials, “No way, you actually pulled off recreating a medical grade ecto degecto?!!”

“What like it’s hard?” This bitch.

Before the two could start another fight Ziyad placed their hand down on the little vamps shoulder. Ziyad took over the conversation quickly, “This is great Wilbur, I assume were being given the test batch?”

“Well I cant just go around poisoning my patients now can I？” the manic man laughed, “Though I suppose I can but that would be bad for business.”

Ziyad held back sighs, he admittedly hated working with Wilbur but this was for the greater good. Magical creatures (half breeds his mind unwontedly whispered to him) in the mortal world needed healthcare, and they surly weren’t getting it. Trust came hard to them. Understandably. And while king Phantom was doing his best he couldn’t be everywhere at once. And even if he could be there would always be a sour taste at accepting aide from royalty.

No instead people were more willing, happier even to seek out black market healing guilds like Wilburs. At least then you knew exactly what the catch is.

“Im sure your clientele appreciate it.” Ziyads smile stretched thin. He really hated working with Wilbur, “Speaking of your clientele, when can I schedule my sister to see you?”

Ecto degecto was still in its infancy of being considered a universal blood type for magic kind, but for the death touched it was a necessity. A necessity they weren’t even sure she needed or not. It would be best to check, and Wilburs guild was good at gathering info on his sisters illness. It probably helped that their family paid him so well. Ziyad thought as he bit the inside of his cheek raw.

—- —- ——

Tims heart raced, his sister? His sister?!!! Tim could sill remember the first time he saw the Masters family. The were all gathered about laughing and smiling. They looked so happy.

She looked happy, wheelchair bound and attempting to run her siblings down.

He’d been jealous. Jealous and sad. And suddenly any thoughts of Vlad Masters being some up and coming big bad had disappeared from his mind and he sold his old empty house on the spot. As if the money could somehow be as warm as that laughter.

No no after that first meeting he never suspected Vlad Masters.

He should have suspected his son. Tim grimaced at his own sense of vindication. Guess there not such a happy family after all.

— —- ——

Jason was actually properly shocked at what he heard. …Was …..was this guy EXPERIMENTING on his sister!!! Green threaded to swallow him whole, how dare he! How dare he hurt someone like that! Hurt his family! Hurt a kid.

Holy shit the kid!

Was the kid his sister?? They needed to intervene now!

This sick fuck is going down.

—- —- —-

Jack wasn’t named after anyone in particular. Violet had renamed him far before she had met the Masters family. Far before they knew. /that/ story. Before any of the kids knew about any of the stories that came before them and by then the name Jack had stuck. But being called Red, even as a code name, felt special in its own way.

Violet and Red like a ridiculous beautiful color combination a pair idiots would make up. And they did. Violet, Konstelacio and Red, Jack. The first time around he had been named Jack because it was common, grounding, easy to play off as foreigner trying to fit in. It was practical. But Red? Red was like roses and hearts and blood and Violet. Like being renamed to compliment her entirely. It made him feel secure.

Now if only it also wasn’t also so common.

“It’s Red —-Red——!”

What ?

All Jack heard was his own name as he tripped over the side of a table clutching his stomach as a bullet wizzed by. Crying out as the bond between him and Violet chooses right then and there to flare up terribly.

“Red!”

“Kid! Oh my gods they shot Red!”

—- —- —-

Ziyad feels something off. Gotham was full of shades and shadows and spirts. He had grown use to the felling of being watched but this felt different. Different he scoured the warehouse turning his eyes up the window just as glass shatters to the ground, damn it, “Its Red Hood and Red Robin!! Get down!” He cant reach Jack before he falls yelping in pain clutching his side, he can hear Wilburs yell clearly too clearly, “Kid! Oh my gods! They shot Red!”

He’ll think about how horrible he is later. Later in bed he’ll think about what Reds blood hands and never seeing that kid in the kitchen at fucking midnight ever again. How he’d never get to hear him and — argue over mechanics and science ever again. Later he’ll think about how lucky they all are to not be mortal. Later, later Ziyad will tear himself apart over his piss poor decision making.

But in the moment all he can think about as he sees the kid get shot is, ‘shit, Violets never going to forgive me.’

He doesn’t think at all as Red Hood rounds closer to them, doesn’t pull back his punch because whoever this guy is he is most defiantly not mortal. Not anymore. And while Ziyad might not be a halfa, he is also defiantly not mortal. He doesn’t think and punched Red Hoods helmet hard enough to crack it.

—- —- —-

Jason is momentarily thrown at the shout of “Oh my gods! They shot Red!” Whipping his head around to look at Tim. Tim whose throat he cut, Tim who he hurt and ignored and mistreated. He looks for only a second and a second is all the man needs to get one over on him.

Gripping his head Jason dodges a kick rights himself back up. The kid is on the floor behind them, shes on the floor. Just like Tim. Jason hadn’t been aiming at her. He didn’t mean to.

Swing. The bastard doesn’t let up for a minute and it takes too long for him to realize the space growing between them and the kid until its to late. Beanie guy throwing various liquids at Red Robin as he yanks the pink teen up harshly and makes a dash for it. Whatever he threw at Tim is turning to smoke, odviscating his view of the man he’s fighting.

All he can see is green eyes. All Jason can hear is Tim choking on smoke. On his own blood. On the blood Jason put there.

Oh it is on!

—- —- ——

The vigilantes take stalk of their surroundings. The men had run off with the case of lazerous water but several crates remained, Marked with letters SBS. Tim walked over to the closest one, he had work to do.

He does his best to block out the sound of Jason behind him, he cant do this right now. He cant. Focus on the case. Focus on the case. This was way bigger than the initial drug ring he assumed it would be and he needed as much info as he could get.

“I need an explanation Tim! And I need one now.” He heard his brother growled out, lovely.

Ignoring his questions he pried the top of the box open. What the hell. What the actual hell? This wasn’t drugs or lazerous water this was so much worse.

“Jason shut up.”

“Fuck no you -“

“Jason shut up and look.”

The crate was insulated, cold. And filled with blood bags.

Ghost helpline chapter 37

Jason couldnt help but give his entire family the side eye. Seriously Bruce? A family dinner? Family dinner with thier nieghbors?? That he has a crush on ???!!! Pppfff oh yeah this was going to work out swimmingly. Whatever.

Jason didn’t know why he felt so knotted up inside about the whole thing. It’s not like they were going to find anything and “Brucie” has had plenty of guests over before. And yet Jason felt snubbed, Bruce knew Jason wouldnt be able to join in. He was still legally dead and couldnt just pop into joint family dinner like “oh yeah I got better dont worry about it”. No Jason would need to steer clear of the mannor all together.

Meanwhile his siblings would get to tease dad about his crush, grill the Masters family and talk to Damiens new friend. Because seriously Damian making friends, with a normal girl? Just wow. Good for the kid, because he defiantly hadn’t learn that from Bruce he scoffed for fucking hells sake even Vad had a sketchy criminal history on his buisness Dalv co.

It stung, it was so fucking stupid but it stung. Why didn’t Jason get to be there. Why didn’t he get to shovel talk Bruce’s crush, eat Alfred’s food, sit around awkwardly, and tease Damian relentlessly?

Jason knew why. He did. Logically Jason knew it wasn’t an attack on him. That Bruce hadn’t purposefully done things this way to exclude him. That he was/n’t an embarrassment, dangerous and unwanted to meet Bruce’s new crush because he couldnt be trusted. It wasn’t personal, it’s not personal.

Beep beep

Jason glanced down to his burner phone and grinned manically at the photo of the skunk haired man he’d been tracking strolling into a warehouse… ..with someone young and pink on their arm. Jasons stomach rolled in disgust at the age difference, “Well hello misplaced aggression.”

——

Damian had been hanging around the Masters manor regardless of fathers …complications of the heart. He and Violet needed to plan a strategy of course. The plan had to be seem-less to even stand a chance of working. A part of that involved English lessons which thankfully doubled as a cover. Damian huffed to himself as Violet failed to write neatly again. It was odd to watch, she could speak with a fair sense of clarity and understood difficult concepts when spoken to but written language seemed to illude her. It was frustrating to watch, her hands moved wrong twisting against the pencils and often snapping them. Damian watched as her hand seemed to twitch uncomfortably as she finished.

“You’re bad at this.”

“Gee thanks I had no idea.”

“Tt. It’s ridiculous anyone as old as you should know how to read and write at a higher level than a sixth grader.” Damian felt his hand fall down his face, “You text just fine though, your horrid grammar aside.” Meaning a big part of the problem was physical….now that he thought about it … he hadn’t seen Violet without her human disguise despite already knowing her secret. Both forms had gloves. There’s something else going on here.

The assassin felt ice at his back.

“Let me see your hand.”

That coldness remained as a small warmth was thrown against his chest as she unthinkingly shoved her hand in his face and ate away at her sugary processed snack- dirtying her practice writing paper further.

Taking off her gloves gave sight to three short claws black from tip to knuckle, two fingers incased in a familiar metal. He hadn’t expected it at all, was Violet allowing him to see this purposefully? A limitation of her glamor? A benefit of their bond?

Beep beep

Damian dropped the others hand to glance at the text. Father did what!?

“What do you enjoy eating?” What do demons even eat? Can demons be vegans? She does look a tad like a ram.

“Red and dad make the best cakes!!!”

“Tt. I meant real food, and I’m sure you will change you mind at tomorrows dinner. Alfred’s desserts are superior to all else.” He planned to ignore her millionth mention of “Red”, she was beyond obsessed and he was not falling for the bait… again. Ugh.

Violet stilled, “Oh are you staying for dinner tomorrow.”

“No it would seems our fathers have gotten it into their minds to bring us all into their nonsense.” Damian huffed.

Violet groaned, “Uhhh nooo I don’t want to.”

“Yes well as detestable as it will be -“

“Not that I just, I don’t like eating in front of humans.”

A delicate eyebrow rose at the statement.

“This isn’t “real food”, human food isn’t my food.” Blood guts crunching on a heart like an apple, wide green eyes staring at her horrified. Scared.

Damian thought about it more. Pencils breaking, the way her hands shook and holding a fork was probably difficult for her?

“So what do you consider food to you?”

“Anything.”

“Violet.”

“Anything I’m a scavenger demon …” her eyes rolling at the look on his face, “Tendons, bone, eyes, decorative flowers and overgrown weeds. You could say we are real … vultures.” She chuckled at her inside joke.

The way she spit out the term “scavenger demon” had him reeling a-bit. There was an obvious issue there… somewhere. Fear slithered threw the bond unwillingly, self deprecating and shallow. He at least understood this feeling well.

The feeling that screamed :

Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me like /that/.

Well he supposed he at least knew a good dish to have made for her. Hopefully Alfred wouldn’t mind a change in the menu.

—- —— —-

Bruce was NOT freaking out he wasn’t! And he will deny it forever. He just really wanted this to go well. He needed this to go well.

And he loves his children deeply! But sometimes they could all be a bit much….

At… family dinners. They yelled and fought and they were all fairly high strung but the Masters weren’t like them half of them looked like a strong breeze could knock them over dear lord….

“Bruce!”

“Bruce.”

“B!”

“Ow!!”

….please just, just don’t fight in front of Vlad.

—- —- ——

The triplets, sans Ziyad, positively swarmed their fathers closet. This was going to be great!

Klarion and Billy looked over at Dandy’s murderous face, this was going to be awful.

Seems like you guys like this idea but aren’t commenting suggestions.

So here are some of my ideas! Side characters mostly

Tell me what you guys like!

- Lex or Jimmy (Superman)

- Gordon (Batman)

- Etta Candy (WW)

- Carol (GL)

Ghost helpline

So… I feel like causing some misery…

Who should I infect with Vampire Fog????

Leave me your suggestions !!!

Ghost helpline

So… I feel like causing some misery…

Who should I infect with Vampire Fog????

Leave me your suggestions !!!

Ghost helpline part 20

friend or foe

The man hadn’t been kidding about not wanting to play babysitter. At Damian’s assistance that he didn’t need anything Ziyad took his own piece of cake and waved him off. Not really caring where Damian went.

He debated going after the man and demand answers but didn’t. He needed to know how he had that strip of white in his hair. How? Why? Was this the demons fault? Zatanna had said she reeked of the pits, whatever that meant.

He needed to know. He need to know if there was anyway to help Todd. His brother didn’t deserve the side effects the pit had given him. He’d never known the Todd from before… but well if Todd’s anger could be fixed and Damian had a chance to do it and he didn’t take it.….

He continued walking. The assassin supposed being overlooked as just a child was at time’s advantageous. Even if it made him angry.

The location of her room was practically spoon fed to him, pink taped arrows leading the way to an entire wing of the mansion that was presumably hers.

It was overtly colorful.

Her room was cozy. Damian wasn’t sure what a teenage girls room is supposed to look like. After all Browns and Cassandra’s rooms were probably not the best examples.

Her closet was overflowing with clothes, shoes and accessories. He checked the pockets and found a few switch blades and - guns. Typical self defense items for a woman in Gotham really. Damian opened jewelry boxes and riffled threw accessories. Some he assumed to be enchanted.

He left the closet to check the desk and bookshelf’s for anything incriminating. Ugh. Even the paper was colorful. Thankfully the type writer was black. There were little notes about her brothers things they liked, days they were going to be busy and stuff like that. There was also reference to someone named Jack and someone named Pink. Most likely aliases- he would have to research them later.

Dishes crowded every serface. Honestly how did this huge family not have any servants. The boy grimaced. Pennyworth would never allow a patients room to get this bad.

Well this at least told him one thing. The masters family definitely had something to hide. If they didn’t someone would have been hired to up keep this place!

There were spell books, okay maybe it was just poetry. There was paper slips with symbols loose in her drawer.

Damian pocketed a couple.

There were notebooks filled with languages he didn’t recognize. A lot of it was repeating. It was as if she was practicing how to write. Damian stilled and looked back at the book shelf. The English books were the level of a first grader. And the tomes were filled with grammatical notes. It made him bite his lips together, did she not know how to read?

Whatever. A good portion of the world is illiterate. She could still be a mastermind, this proved nothing.

He moved on to the cream yellow mini fridge. It was covered in glitter stickers and magnets. Notes stuck to the top.

“Hey Vi! Ask Bella if he can contact me about the SBS. We’ve run into an issue with the current shipment - love Red”

Damian took a picture of the note. Good god how many people were involved in all this? Were the masters involved? Did they know their “precious” daughter was a monster?

The little assassin felt his insides squirm at the wording. Weird he hadn’t had a qualms about calling her that before. Why did it suddenly fill him with trepidation?

The fridge was surrounded by pill bottles and glass jars filled with dried herbs. The labels were written in a different persons handwriting . A sigh escaped him.

All right time to check the fridge.

Damian has no idea what demons eat but he doubted it was anything good. Human remains? Blood? Something horrible he supposed. Hopefully something he could use as evidence.

The door opened to reveal…. Liquid vitamins and supplements ??? Well she had been sick recently. Maybe it was a common occurrence? Or maybe she was able to eat what she’s supposed to? And if so why? Was she actually being ethical and kind?

There were glowing green juice pouches. Damian berated himself for not bringing a satchel. The size of the things he could swipe was limited to his pockets. No matter he could get it next time.

He paused. Next time? Since when did he start thinking about coming back here?

—- —- —-

The bathroom in Vlad’s room had steam spill out in waves. Violet had never gotten around to moving her things into her own bathroom. Dad didn’t seem to mind and… it was just easier. It was easier to exist in someone else’s space.

To use dads bathroom and sleep in Billy’s bed and eat Klarion’s food. To exist in a space so lovingly lived in she knew she wouldn’t disappear.

She looked at her natural state in the mirror. Her nose twitched. That boy knew she was a demon, he had yelled it at her when they’d “meet”. And now he was suddenly over to apologize? An Al Ghul apologizing ? And to someone “beneath” them ? How laughable.

She couldn’t find her brush. She ran her claws threw her hair with a frown. The cracks on her body … looked different? Smaller and faded around the edges of her arms. Her fingers were still drenched in black but had taken on a more purple sheen.

There was still a black cracked piece on her chest.

She would have thought the teleportation flu would have made her condition worse but… she looked better? Maybe her medicine really was helping?

She’d have to show her Aunties, maybe Frostbite? There weren’t exactly a lot of people comfortable working on her. Ethier she was a demon, or the wrong kind of demon, or an amputee or a woman of something!

Not that it mattered very few people knew how to treat her condition. And so far it was considered incurable.

The black cracks pulsed painfully. She shifted into her human disguise.

Well time to get this over with. Chances were instead of an apology she was going to receive an offer. And maybe… maybe if Damian wasn’t technically an Al Ghul….. maybe she could….

Violet, Konstelacio, hopeful and sad followed the pink arrows to her room to find a hair brush before having to see the boys face again.

Except she opened the door and his face was already there.

“What are you doing in my room?!”

Note:

Not burying the lead here Bella (Bellatric) is Brett

Can anyone guess what SBS is?

Ghost helpline part 19 Back to Work

Alright so throwing herself off a tall tree hadn’t been the best idea but it had worked! The kid was off her trail, now she’d be able to … spy on him? Stop his evil pan? Alright so she didn’t know exactly what she could do with this information but she would figure it out!

Al Ghuls are dangerous and Robin is an Al Ghul. Batman had to know that! But … did the Wayne’s? Violet had watched a lot of their TV appearances while she was out sick and …Brucie was just that Brucie. Adorable but dumb.

This was the guy who crashed into a tower champagne flutes at his own party! The guy who got drunk and fell off ships! … The guy who sent her flowers and texted dad cat pics. There’s no way he knew just how evil the Al Ghuls were, one of them must have used him for the money. Or maybe his kid was adopted like the rest of them… but then why hide it?

“Uuuughhhhh why does this all have to be so confusing!” Ahhhh! She just wanted to fight something! Having a clear target would be so much easier!

Were the Wayne’s in trouble? Chances were the kid was a master manipulator, a killer trained from birth!

Birth… the statement made Violet feel bad. But it was probably the truth, she remembered those swords, that smug look her gave her during the summons. The look humans get when they think they can kill something bigger than them. The kid was a killer… the same kid that tried to catch her when she “fell”. The same kid that apparently painted, and panicked. And allowed himself to be dragged away by his older brother.

Maybe … maybe …

Knock knock

“Come in!”

Step step cccrreeaakk step step ccccrrreeakk

“Oh, hey Chad.”

This was weird… Chad never sought Violet out.

“Sit down let me look at your legs.”

“Oh! Am I due for a tune up? We can go down to the workshop instead?”

“Stop talking and sit down.”

She sat, igniting a magic circle on her leg. Hearing air escape for a brief moment before her leg popped off and clanged to the floor. Repeating the process with her other leg she took a chance to look at Chad. Her brother seemed …sad?

“You should take better care of yourself.”

“What?”

“I said take better care of yourself, you’re making dad worry.” He tinkered with the metal legs.

“Oh sorry.” Violet had meant to make dad worry, he already had enough on his plate. And now she had even bothered Chad over something simple. If she were smarter she’d be able to keep up with her prosthetics by herself.

“Good. Don’t get sick again. It’s bothersome.”

Right. Bothersome.

She laid back as Chad kept at it. A nap wouldn’t hurt—

Knock knock knock

The person behind the door didn’t wait for a response and walked right in.

“Violet we need to talk.”

“Oh Dandy, me and Chad are already-“

“Done.” Chad left like a wolf was chasing him out.

“Violet,” Dandy aborted a motion to rake threw his hair and sat down instead, “Violet we will be getting a visitor soon, around three or so. That boy is coming over to apologize to you.”

“Oh that’s nice of him.” Oh shit.

“I need you to promise me you’ll be careful if father pushes you two to be friends.”

“Yes yes I know to be careful! No magic no slip ups I-“

A look filtered threw her brothers face, “That’s not what I mean.” Dandy reached over.

Dandy held her hand. They had held hands before, Violet loved holding hands with Dandy and dad. It made her feel safe and warm sure but more than anything it gave her something Violet craved the way other demons craved blood. Hold their hands made Konstelacio feel wanted.

But this… this was different, there was a look in Dandy’s eyes she’d never seen before.

“You know not to trust humans, Violet. You know how awful they all are.”

Violet swallowed, she knew.

“I need you to be careful don’t let your guard down for a moment.”

“But Dandy—“

His grip on her hand hardened, “Promise me Violet. Promise me you won’t trust any human with your heart. They don’t deserve you.”

Violet scooted closer to him, now that statement didn’t make any sense. Her heart?

“… is,” her voice was quite, “Is this about dad and Mr Wayne?”

“Promise me.”

“Dandy—“

“Please. I don’t want to see you get hurt again. Any of you. I don’t think I could take it.”

Oh Dandy was crying. She’d never seen her biggest big brother cry before…

“Okay I promise.”

They hugged like it was the first time all over again. Like someone was going to reach out and snatch her out of his arms.

—- —- —-

Violet stayed in bed with her one remaining knee up. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Humans are bad sure but not all of them.

The humans in Fawcett were kind. And she had meet Jack when he was still a human. A lot of magical creatures started off as humans and and … and Mr Wayne was nice.

He sent her flowers when she was sick. And talked to her sweetly whenever she picked up the phone. He made daddy happy. Why can’t Dandy see that?

She levitated her prosthetics, one at a time, on to the bed. Their flight was wobbly, they were the heaviest thing she could carry.

Putting her legs back on she felt a pull. A tug.

She spared a look at the clock, 1:33pm.

Tug tug tug - she had enough time.

She stood up, “Alright then back to work.”

A second layer and she was gone.

Bruce’s Interlude Warning! Unfulfilled smut

- this takes place between chapters so you don’t have to read it especially if you don’t like smut anyway enjoy!

Against popular belief Bruce was not entirely emotionally incompetent. He could realize somethings about himself quite well.

He could realize the the strain between him and Tim was his own fault.

He could realize that most of his relationships with his sons were his fault.

He could realize that ever even looking in Talias direction had been a mistake.

He could realize that Catwoman never loved Bruce only Batman.

He knew when he was physically attracted to someone, and often his playboy persona was perfect for it. So yes he was attracted to Vlad but he wasn’t going to make a move. He wasn’t.

Vlad didn’t show any inclination of liking Bruce more than a friend. He called Bruce that a lot, his friend. He didn’t deserve it.

Bruce knew he was selfish.

Utterly selfish. Bruce was use to harsh quips and leather. But Vlad was different, he was all snark with no bite and softness that lulled the caped crusader under.

Bruce was selfish and wanted anyway.

He wanted to sleep on top of his plush looking thighs. He wanted to take care of this vulnerable man who loved his children and baked and tried to make Bruce smile on bad days. He wanted to take care of Vlad who sometimes looked at his children with sad eyes. Who crumpled to the ground when Bruce had accidentally called him Vladdie once.

Bruce’s heart sputters when he’s called Vlads friend. And he pretends to be emotionally unaware as to why.

—- —- —-

They’re warm and snug into the couch of Vlad’s living room watching a K-drama when it starts.

Bruce doesn’t have the words to tell the silver haired father that he is falling for him. Somehow he ends up allowed to kiss him anyway.

Allowed to soak in the man’s sigh as their mouths part for air. To pepper his face with kisses and watch that gentle smile paint his face. The same one Vlad makes when he’s secretly, utter fond of something. Like deserts, and his children’s screams and cheesy cliches in movies. Bruce wants to earn one of those smiles.

Bruce kisses his neighbors mouth again. Hands roving over his sides, perching themselves on that wonderful tummy and squeezing. Vlad gasps prettily as he licks down the man’s throat.

Bruce is hard in his trousers and has to stop himself from jumping his companion. If he could he’d smack himself for the audacity, Vlad wasn’t Selina or Talia or any of his countless flings. Vlad was fragile and soft and perfect.

“Mmuh,” the man in question groans, fuck. Fuck when had Bruce started touching Vlad like that. He looked down at his hand that were playing with Vlads tummy, skirting around his bulge.

Bruce moves his hands up to cares his face before his kisses him again. He wants to take this slow. Wants this to work.

“Ahh ah Bruce,” legs spread.

Bruce slots himself into the space instead of taking his own advice. And is rewarded with Vlad lifting his hips up to rub their erections together. His resolve snaps and he is rutting down on his partner like a horny inexperienced teenager. It feels so good, so warm. Vlad runs his hands gently threw the vigilantes hair, there’s no pulling it doesn’t hurt. It makes Bruce slow down and kiss him again.

Bruce props pillows behind Vlad and picks him up by the legs until he’s sitting down at the edge of the couch. “Hhhmmm Bruce what are you doing?” Amusement filling his features.

Bruce slides off the couch, Vlad’s legs twitched around him. He leaned into the aborted touch and laid his cheek on a thigh. Bruce was again at a loss for words he didn’t know what he was doing. This is all he wanted.

All he wanted was to be allowed to rest in Vlad’s thighs and breathe. He gripped the meat of his partners thighs closer to his head, turning his head to kiss the thigh he was laying on.

“Oh, oh Bruce.”

His entire being stiffened. No, no no! Why did Vlad sound sad? He wasn’t supposed to be sad anymore, Bruce’s stomach twisted. What had he done wrong?

He looked up at the man that had filled his life with so much light. Vlad was crying, why why was he crying? Bruce could apologize, he could fix this he could-

“I have to go now.”

Go where? No no no. Don’t go! Don’t leave him alone please, please. Bruce shut his eyes, remembering being abandoned at the alter. He didn’t want to be alone anymore.

“You lied to me.”

Bruce shook, and swallowed as his throat dried. Batman. Always Batman he-

Hands caressed his head, Bruce had lied about being Batman and Vlad still-

“Oh darling. You can’t save me.”

Bruce’s head spun, his heart lurched.

“You can’t save me.”

What ? No he-

“You can’t save me. “

No no no wait ! Bruce reached out and his fingers connected to noting.

-

Bruce wakes up in a quiet house, cold and alone. He sits up in his own bed uncomfortably hard in his pants and feels nothing but shame.

He sees his phone charging on the bedside and ignores Vlad’s texts. He doesn’t deserve to inflict his brokenness on to the kind man.

Bruce regrets his self punishment four days later.

It causes him to hate himself more. It starts the vicious cycle all of Bruce’s relationship go threw. It’s a routine a more emotionally aware person would be able to notice and maybe even stop.

Ghost helpline part 18 Gaslight

Now to say Violet and Danielle weren’t close would the understatement of the century.

Violet could smell the blood on this kid, she had smelled the same thing on his handkerchief. This was an Al Ghul alright. But… but this kid didn’t feel like the kid from before. There was no defensive pose, and swords at his back. This boy was covered in paint and wood and pancake batter.

Konstelacio turned her body around to face him. Yeah this was definitely Robin … she couldn’t attack him here … what was he even doing here? She thought back to the tiny sewn “W” on the hanky… no no way… Robin Al Ghul was a Wayne!?!?

“Get down here demon! Face me!”

Shit, what’s happening what’s his plan? There aren’t, there aren’t any assassins out here just … just him. Maybe… maybe… he ran away from the league…?

“Hey ! I am speaking to you! You insolent !”

Well while Dani didn’t never liked Konstelacio much her cousin had made sure to teach her one thing.

When in trouble … Deny and Cry

—- —- —-

“Damian! Stop! You can’t -“

“But I’m right! She’s that demon!”

“Damian”

“Grayson! How can you not see it! They have the same face!”

“That doesn’t constitute proof! And now we have a whole situation on our hand because you-“

“I didn’t do anything!”

“You bullied her and made her fall off a tree Damian!”

“I didn’t bully her!”

“You called her stupid multiple times!”

He had technically called her an imbecile but Damian didn’t feel the need to correct his brother at the moment.

“Calm down Dick it can’t be that bad.” Tim pulled his research up, he had never seen Dick yell at Damian like this before. Bruce sure every week but Damian?

“He threw his sketchbook hard enough to knock her out of the tree and bruise her face Tim.”

“Oh.” Yeah that was bad.

“She’s a demon! What does it matter!”

Tim clicked on a picture, “Looks pretty human to me.” Tim … saw the resemblance. He saw how happy the Masters family looked in every picture, in every video. How fond and loving the family was with each other. Damian and Bruce were just going to have to learn to let some things go.

Speaking of Bruce, the man was taking a long time to patch things up with Mr. Masters. Tim had been gone that week tracking down some missing relic and Klarion. But assuming Dick hadn’t been exaggerating about Bs new friendship with the guy… well hopefully Bruce could smooth this incident over ethier way.

- Dick didn’t need to look at the photos. He had seen her with his own eyes.

He had been the first one on the scene, already seeking Damian out to invite him to a movie, when he heard a scream. A scream and the sound of a body hitting the ground.

He paged Bruce as he ran.

When he got there he had been sickly relieved to see that it hadn’t been Damian. He went to check the girl over for injuries when he stopped short - that face. God Dick knew that face. And as soon as the thought had entered his head her entire family had shown up.

Her entire family and Bruce.

For gods sake Vlad was in tears and Bruce looked lost. Dick had grabbed Damian and ran for the manor.

He had assumed Damian had reacted after seeing her face and Dick … Dick didn’t want Bruce to fuck this up. Bruce was smiling these past few days! And what had the girl ever done but help them anyway.

Dick knew. He knew the moment Bruce caught on he’d obsess over it. Obsessive and paranoid and go too far. Damian was just like him in that regard.

Dick wasn’t proud of his line of thinking but there was only one option left.

When in trouble ... Deny and Cry.

“Damian, I just I can’t even… I understand you might hate the idea of Bruce dating again but going after his crushes kid is going too far!” He purposely teared up.

- Damian was stunned, “His What?”

“His crush Damian! The guy he’s been texting non stop for the last week? He feel asleep at the man’s house! He sent the man flowers!”

Damian… had noticed but… oh. He flushed. Did they really just think he was throwing a fit? He wasn’t a child! What did he care if father decided to date again! He … hadn’t ruined his chances had he? That wasn’t … he didn’t …

“She’s still a demon! How are neither of you seeing this!”

“Damian she looks completely different! Also it doesn’t even make any sense why would a demon be with human family?”

“She could be taking the real daughters place! She could be using them for-“

Tim rolled his eyes, “Look all records accounted for, all the pictures of her are her. Also wasn’t the whole problem that Konstelacio couldn’t be photographed in the first place? You sure your not remembering it wrong?”

“See Damian they’re not the same person, you need to calm down.”

But what if they were wrong? What if this demonic entity was evil? What if she was using fathers paramour for some nefarious purpose?!?!

Damian opened his mouth but didn’t get to say a word as the door swung opened.

“What were you thinking?!?!”

“Fath-“

“You will be apologizing to her Damian. I -“

“What!? Why should-“

“If they were any other family they would be suing us right now! We’re lucky she didn’t break anything in the fall!”

Damian twinged at the tone, he hadn’t meant to hurt her. He didn’t think a sketchbook could hurt her. He just wanted answers! He just-

“Damian … I… I understand change is hard for you. And I understand that, really I do but you need to be more gentle with people.”

Damian scoffed father couldn’t be serious!

“And I don’t just mean physically Damian, you need to be gentle with people’s feelings too. The Masters family seems to have gone threw a lot… I think you really did hurt Violets feelings.”

So her names Violet, just as he was about to explain the situation to his Father he caught sight of his brothers behind Bruce. Tim shook his head and Dick cried in a pleading gesture.

Fine then, Damian would just have to get proof first.

—- —- —-

[Alfred to the rescue]

Damian was not sulking in the the kitchen- he wasn’t! He was plotting!

A cup of cocoa was placed in front of him. Pennyworth. He so didn’t need another lecture right now.

“I heard about what happened Master Damian and I must say..”

Oh great here we go.

“I must say I have no idea what you were meaning to accomplish with all that.”

What.

“She’s a-“

“Yes yes I’ve heard from Master Tim that you believe her to be the demon you’ve all been talking with-I do keep up with the reports you know.”

“I’m not crazy ! I’m right!” Damian slammed a fist onto the table.

“I never said you were Master Damian but tell me this even if you are right… what then? What does this change if anything?”

Damian cared about Alfred’s opinion enough to think threw his answer instead of immediately responding…, “Because she’s a threat.”

“Isn’t everyone?”

“Tt- you don’t understand demons are monsters incapable of love, born to destroy things.” That’s what the grandfather had taught him, that what he read in books. Even Zatanna and Dr Fate agreed with him on this!

“Hhhmmm I would seem I have heard something similar before. About aliens, and clones … About assassins most of all. But what do I know.” Alfred turned back to the dishes.

Damian bit his cheek in frustration, “What are you trying to tell me Pennyworth?”

“Now then have you stopped to consider that she perhaps as frightened and upset as you had been when you first came to us?”

“What are you-“

“I for one think you two have far more in common then you realize. You both have left your homeland to reinvent yourselves in a new place with new rules. Tell me, should she not be given the same curtesy we have all afforded you? Is she not, after all the help she’s given, allowed a second chance?”

Damian chewed on the man’s words, “I still don’t think I should have to apologize.”

“Come now Master Damian you should never miss the chance to scope out a potential ally.”

The boy stopped was the butler implying he…

“On the assumption that I am right this is your chance to make amends and gain a powerful ally. And on the case that I am wrong and she needs to be taken down. How better to take her down than from the inside.”

Damian was stunned he knew about the butlers past but hadn’t ever expected. Well this sure did explain how Bruce managed to survive this long.

“I’ll prepare an apology cake for tomorrow. You will deliver it to her personally and scope out the situation. Collect as much information on her and her home as you can in order to draw a correct conclusion. Understood.”

Pennyworth wasn’t asking, this was an order. Damian smirked, looks like he has a new mission.

Note: Much like Alfred said they are both very similar. Bound by blood, can people really change?

Ghost Helpline part 17 - Aftermath

Violet spends the next week stuck inside. It wasn’t bad. Dad washed, clothed and feed her teleportation sickness away. She sleeps in his bed and he sends her to sleep with fairytales. Violet doesn’t know what she’s supposed to learn from these stories, it’s nice tho.

Violet doesn’t remember being a baby, maybe she never was one? This softness with her new dad leaves her wanting. Violet would like to beige that if she ever was a baby that she had been held like this - as if she was something precious.

Funny enough her bed rest has her brothers divided. Violet lies about and blames it all on a summoning gone wrong. Brad doesn’t correct her.

It leaves half of her brothers to tiptoe around her as if she’s going to go feral at any moment. The other half yell, they’re angry. Konstelacio isn’t sure which she hates more.

Brad shuts himself away from everyone except Chad and Ziyad.

Billy hugs her and tells her everything about his mission. Almost everything he dances around something. Something important, he calls Batman a dick twice. It makes her feel better about lying.

Klarion gives her an amulet and drags Charles over to tell her about their night out.

Dandy … Dandy doesn’t take it well.

“SOMEONE should have been with her!”

“Brad SHOULD have called me!”

“We should be HOME! Not here with all these these … !”

“You know how I feel about humans.”

Every days another fight.

Konstelacio sneaks out the window.

—- —- —-

It’s been a week since the commotion on the Watch Tower. Six days since they started developing an injectable cure for Vampires Fog. Five days since his talk with Tim. Four days since his kids have begun to mercilessly tease him over more frequent phone use. Three days since he read Nightwings report on the pink vampire. Two days since Constantine had contacted him with an update. They had some more info. One day since he called Clark asking him to schedule a JL meeting.

Six hours thirty two minutes and 54 seconds since Vlad last texted him.

Bruce debated sending him another cat meme to hurry up the process.

He knew he shouldn’t be worried, apparently his only daughter had gotten the flu. And much like Tim, when they got sick they got really sick.

Bruce sent him- her- them! Bruce sent them flowers. Hopefully she would get better soon. It was painfully obvious that Vlad loved his children and her getting sick had him stressing out.

Bruce debated inviting the Masters family over for dinner.

The kids would bully him relentlessly.

Alfred would love it.

—- —— ——

The entire week has been strange to Damian. For some reason his father has been texting the head of their new neighbors relentlessly, much to his sibling’s amusement. Damian doesn’t understand why father and him suddenly “need” friends. The whole act was a waste of time, Jon was enough friendship he needed anyway.

Damian stalked into the backyards tree line. Today was good day to paint damian thought as he set up his easel. Just a sunny quiet day with no distractions.

Wwhhhooossshhhh!

That, that was probably just some animal on the property. It wasn’t uncommon to see bunnies or cats skittering around the areas of estate that still resembled a forest.

Wwwwhhhhoooshhhh!

Damian followed the sound deeper into the tree line.

Wwwhhhossh!

That didn’t sound like an animal anymore. If anything it sounded like it was coming from above…?

Damian turned his head towards the sky.

It was just a girl. How disappointing, Damian had hoped to find a big cat.

She was sitting on a tree branch, swinging her legs like she had no trouble in the world. Tch- she probably doesn’t. No doubt she’s one of his new neighbors.

Wait … hadn’t she been sick recently? What was she doing out here? What was she thinking climbing that high?!

“Oi! Imbecile what are you thinking? Get down from there! “

Her head whipped around to face him.

He knew that face, he’d drawn it several times for the league files. It was missing the scar and golden eyes. But he knew that face.

He knew that face… Konstelacio ?

Ghost helpline part 16- Everyone goes home

Billy walked out of the, surprisingly opened at 3 am, art store with bags of painting supply. Ducking into an alley, he transformed. He felt a lot better.

Alright he was ready to head for Gotham, after all his family was waiting for him there.

Now how to get around the Bats, he could probably avoid them if he walked in Bludhaven right?

- “Ow! What the hell! Billy???” The kid had decided to detransform mid air and ended up on top of the small vampire.

“Jack?”

The two looked at each other, “Holly shit are you bleeding! Did I do that?”

“What no of course not! I just got caught up with some bigoted werewolf.” Reds blood was already dry, skin scared as if the encounter had taken place days ago. “Billy what are you even doing here?!”

“Finished that pie at the diner and took a walk around the place. Was just starting to head home”

Translation: I’m done with my mission and patrol of Fawcett and am trying to go home.

“And you didn’t take the short cut home because?”

Billy quizzically raised an eyebrow, seriously what does my sister see in this guy? “ Taking the long way seemed like a safer bet, especially in a town like this.”

Translation: Do you want me to get caught by the Batman ?? Huh? Do you?

“Right, we should get going there’s no telling if that wolf will come back. Need a lift?”

“Can’t we just call Dandy to pick us up?”

Red shook his head, “No can do, he left to go pick up Violet chances are he’s barely coming back into town.”

“What do you mean pick Violet up? Where is she?!?”

“It’s a whole thing, just look I am not comfortable being here right now. Don’t you know wolves travel in packs? Do you want a lift or not!?!?”

“Fine.” Jack hoisted Billy over his shoulder, “This is humiliating.”

“Hardy har har, I may be a weak vampire but even I can care you in this form. Now hold tight.”

They disappeared in a blur of pink.

And Nightwing set down the binoculars, this was going to be a long report.

—-

Dandy was ready to strangle them.

“Hold on hold on we can just check the mirror again!”

“Flipping flapjacks, where the heck is Small-ville?”

Klarion could feel Dandy’s eyes burning into him. Whoops, “Well I at least need to know what state we’re in for me to teleport more accurately… so.”

Danka smiled, “So we ask for directions! We are literally on top of a farm right now - someone has got to be here!”

“Well not like we got any other plans here.”

A short walk, a pie and a conversation later Klarion managed to teleport them to the mansion.

Dandy couldn’t enjoy it for a minute. He stopped dead in his tracks, “Klarion, we forgot the car.”

—- —- —-

Bruce’s neck hurt, did he sleep on the

bat-puter again? No it was too soft. He shifted and opened his eyes… he was on a couch? Oh, OH. That wasn’t suppose to happen, he couldn’t have been that tired. The tv was off, and there was a blanket on top of him.

Vlad was gone and the lights were dimmed.

Great he had made a fool out of himself.

Right, it was time to leave. Right now. He could apologize later but he had to leave.

CRASH!

Bruce jolted into action. The sound came from upstairs.

// He’s so going to get robbed.//

Dick was right, for god sakes the house didn’t even have cameras!

Bruce ran up the stairs.

CRash! ThUd! “Ow damn nmit”

Oh that didn’t sound like a criminal… that sounded like a kid.

Two doors opened, Vlad and a little boy came out of them.

The kid had black hair and blue eyes, “Who the fuck are you?”

“Billy!”

“Whatever old man, next time just let us know before you bring some side piece over.”

Oh good god he was another Jason.

——

Bruce got into his car and went home.

He left felling giddy and guilty, holding Vlad’s number.

Dick knew better to keep secrets from The Batman, so he wasn’t going to lie. He just also wasn’t going to tell him what happened to his face. If Bruce really needed to know what happened tonight he could read the report on it.

—- —- —-

Violet stares at the phone longer than necessary, she’s got one shot at this. Don’t fuck up.

She plucks a number out of her inventory and dials.

Violet has never been close to Bradley, he was quiet and reserved. He insisted that she couldn’t do anything without help, well on the upside if someone thinks you’re useless it’s not like you can disappoint them more than you already do.

“Hey Brad, can you come pick me up… I’m at a pub… yeah again…”

- Brad hung up the phone and abandoned his brothers at the movie theater. His sister had called him, him! Not Dandy or Danka or Klarion! She had called him! And now he he had a little sister to save!

He checked the time on his Lock Screen, a picture of Violet having a stuffed animal tea party, it was his prized possession. His little baby sister was just so adorable and kind. And if anyone in Gotham hurt her there was going to be hell to pay! - literally!

—- —- —-

Ghost helpline part 15 sibling adventures

Klarion just wanted to cause some mischief, just because he left the Lords of Chaos doesn’t mean he’s no longer a trickster after all. Having Violet and Billy gone for so long had made him restless. So when he heard that there was an Atlantean artifact being shown off in Happy Harbor Museum the same color as his only sisters dual eyes he HAD to have it.

It was supposed to be an easy trip. Teleport in cause some chaos, steal the trinket and teleport out. May be he’d get to throw some sidekicks around, he hadn’t been expecting

Dr. Fate.

God he missed Nelson.

—- —- —-

Violet followed the celery dog and it’s master into the empty building- oh not empty. There were people talking at the bar and ten hidden guards. She sniffed the air, the one in green was bleeding.

“Goddamn it Harleen what did you do? Who is this you can’t just bring in strangers to drug deals!”

“Oh hold your horses Penguin. I’m just looking after the kid until someone comes to get her. What was I supposed to do just leave a meta kid alone in Gotham.” Harley spouted while r the walked to the bar, immediately grabbing a drink and downing it.

“A meta huhhh?”

“Oh no Penguin don’t be getting no ideas there, this kid is in no condition to join a gang.”

“Tch- so girly what’s your power?”

The girl was starting to anger Cobblepot, there was something about her that didn’t seem right. She wasn’t even answering she was just staring at all of them! At him, like he was some sort of freak show!

“Well I’m talking to you!”

The girl clocked her head, opening and closing her mouth a few times. She was getting on Oswald’s nerves, that vacant expression was creepy on a kid.

Oswald hated when people stared.

“Your green friend is bleeding.”

What?

The Penguin followed her gaze, around him and to Riddler. She hadn’t been staring at him at all?

“What? How did you figure that out?” Riddler smiled as Harley read him the riot act.

Cobblepot rolled his eyes at the twos antics, “Maurice! Bring the new fish some food!”

Noise could be heard from the kitchen, huh Violet thought - nine guards then.

“Oh come on Oswald don’t be cruel! Look at her!” Nygma chastised as the chef brought out a platter of dead, fully intact fish.

Instead of the usual shrieking the girl stared at it… “This is for me?”

“It’s in front of you isn’t it. Dig in.”

Violet was hungry, and Harleys phone was still charging. She knew she should eat food from people who weren’t her family but it didn’t seem that this came with any strings attached.

- Harley was horrified, the girl was reaching over to grab a fish. She was holding it in her gloved hands, “Hey kid you don’t gotta -“

She bit straight into it. Since when we’re her teeth sharp like that? She was chewing quickly, slurping on guts and swallowing with out hesitation. Like a train wreck Harley couldn’t look away, even as she took her other hand and pulled another fish apart by the ribs.

Oswald laughed and laughed, this was great. He reached over to take a morsel for himself and the girl flinched. Letting the fish drop onto the counter she covered her mouth with her soaking gloves, “Oh, sorry.”

It was the villains turn to stare.

Surprisingly it was Riddler who got over .. all of that .. first, “Why are you apologizing? We told you to eat and you ate. Good job.” He stared over her head to Oswald and mouthed, “Fix this.”

She was still covering her mouth.

The thing about the Ice Berge Lounge was that it was a place that ran on Villains and freakish clientele, this sense of shame simply would do Oswald thought - not here.

“You can keep eating I -“

“It’s okay I’m not hungry.” She said while eyeing the plate.

“Hey bud we already saw your teeth, and we know you’re a meta so you can keep eating okay? Look even Ossy has sharp teeth!”

“Don’t call me that Harls! - But she’s right do eat comfortably.”

The moved her hands down onto her dirty dress, her teeth looked normal now. “I’m not suppose to … I know it’s … ugly.”

Oswald felt enraged, “Look here no one in this lounge is ever going to give you crap about something like that okay kid? So just eat, we’re going to be deal with work so we won’t even look at you Capeesh?”

The kid looked entirely bewildered, Oswald slowly grabbed a fish for himself and swallowed it whole. The girl started eating again and he called it a win.

- Violet continued to eat as the adults talked. She felt mouths water under her skin, she could still smell blood. If it hadn’t been for the one dressed in green she might have not figured it out. But to be fair none of these villains were acting very villainous at the moment, drug deal aside.

It wouldn’t take that long for Harley’s phone to charge… who was she going to call? She definitely couldn’t call dad or Dandy she thought. She knew how mad and disappointed they’d be. And she wasn’t even sure where Billy was…

Alright that leaves seven brothers left.

—- —- —-

All Dandy had wanted to do was go on a nice drive with his brother to pick up their sister. But nooooo his little brother had to pick a fight with a lord of order and a gaggle of side kicks.

The worst part was that Charles and Klarion were utterly enjoying themselves.

“Awww is the Baby League gonna cry?”

Both of them had located Klarion quickly after entering the town, turning into their ghost selves before entering the museum.

Half of the place was destroyed, the entire town was semi floating and Charles was throwing fireballs like it was the only move he knew. At least it slowed the martian down. It was pure havoc.

Dandy saw a blond pocket the necklace. Uhhh, this is why you don’t send Klarion to do a stealth mission. He squared up against the girl, this necklace better be worth it.

- Charles was having the time of his afterlife! He was fighting real superhero’s! … and Dr.Fate.

Unlike his brothers Charles ghost form, lovingly called Danka, wasn’t … fleshy. Instead of a pallet switch, his black hair became black fire and his body discorporated into sizzling unbreakable bone.

Charles laughed as he spotted his brother buzzing around the young Amazonian. Dandy’s specialty was shrinking, collapsing in on himself until he was nothing more than a ball of light. Often confused for the ghost of a fairy instead of a human.

“I got it! Klarion portal us out now!”

Charles whooped out loud, best day ever.

Dandy looked around their new location and held the urge to scream, “Klarion. Where are we? And where is our car?” Worst day ever.

—- —- —-

Billy knew that beating in Dr. Silvana wasn’t a constructive out lit for his anger. But he couldn’t throw a punch at his “co- workers” so this would have to do.

Billy walked down the streets after leaving the reject pediatrician for the police. He knew Fawcett like the back of his hand, even after getting adopted Vlad could never take him away from here. Not that the old man had tried, Billy was almost convinced his family thought the town was his haunt. He slowed down near a drop for homeless kids and stuck a roll of cash inside, all crumpled ones and fives. Maybe they were right.

He kept on walking, staring up at graphite and half finish murals. He couldn’t shake Batman’s words out of his head.

// The three of them had been taken in by Duke Vlad Plasmius at the end of the war. Violet had been promised asylum and adoption for her contributions in battle.

Klarion demanded asylum from the Court of Chaos that had abandoned him and had thrown him into war like a lamb to slaughter. He refused to leave Violets side.

The gods whispered their apologies to Billy. He shrugged this worked for him, they were a packaged deal now.

The trio explored Phantoms Keep like children and played politics like adults. Billy didn’t trust Vlad yet , he knew what adults were like. There had to be an ulterior motive here.

“Vlad! What’s happening what’s going on?”

Violet looked excited. They had all been worked up and dressed up in their finest, which wasn’t saying much. Vlad smiled back at her, “The royal painter is here dear, we are to be cataloged as part of the Royal Family.”

“Us? But-“

“All three of you are to be my children, so all three of you will be afforded the rights of one.” The man kneeled down, actually knelled! It left Billy bewildered. “I can’t promise things will be perfect, and I can’t promise a fairness in the line of succession or anything like that. But I will fight tooth and nail that you are all given the respect and dignity you deserve. So please please let me try.”

Billy could see Klarion waver, and Violet was already sold on the idea. “Okay dad! Let’s go!”

They meet up with their new siblings and all was well. It was a slow and tedious process but both him and Klarion ended up looking good. The human magician was old and stand off-ish but it didn’t matter. He bowed at the appropriate places and was deceptively polite.

… until Violet stood up for her portrait last.

It was all a blur and the painter almost got shanked.

“I’m sorry my Duke, I just don’t see why I have to paint her. It’s not like she’s in any line of power-“

“She is my daughter.”

“Right. Well I just don’t feel comfortable painting someone … like her.”

“Get. Out.” It was a lot easier to believe Vlad after that.//

Billy looked at the city mural and fiddled with his dads credit card inside his pocket. He thought about taking up painting.

—- —- —-

Jazz and Danny don’t get much time together these days, which was fine really. What was a little time apart when they had eternity.

Jazz smiles as Aragon walks into her territory, time to get to work.

—- —- —-

The werewolf stopped in front of the group heaving in anger, “What to scared to fight your own battles blood sucker?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong! I don’t even know you!”

“Liar! My friend dies and you just happen to be in the same area!!”

“Hold on,” Kaldurs voice harden, “Let’s talk this threw calmly. We are actually here investigating a death, if you could give us any information we can take care of this for you. There is no need for undue violence. If -“

The beast man growled, “His name was John Mark he worked in the building you just came out of. Do whatever you want. We know who’s really to blame.”

“I didn’t-“

“Better watch your back bloodsucker! Gggrrr You can’t hide behind the Atlantian forever.” The werewolf bared his teeth one last time before turning away from them.

- Kaldur was left sharing a confused look with Dick. That man had seem ready to hack them to pieces, they had been expecting a fight at least but instead he had spoken as if Kaldur was nothing but a shield. Maybe -

The girl bowed to Kaldur, “Thank you! Thank you so much! I-“

Nightwing stepped in with his easy going persona, “It’s alright you’re safe now. Do you mind if we ask you some questions? We-“

“I didn’t do it! I swear I just got here! I hardly even spend time in the mortal realm!”

“Wait if you hardly spend time here, then how did you know we were heroes?”

Jacks eyes blinked at them, oh shit. “Your heroes?!?!” Fuck fuck fuck

Dick could see the internal panic, “Hey hey it’s okay, just talk to us you’re not in trouble. Here you’re bleeding.” Dick took out his med kit, it would be an ideal time to get a blood sample.

“Don’t! Don’t touch me! You should never touch a bleeding vampire!”

Jack stepped back, god how dumb was this human?

Kaldur was getting worried, “If you didn’t know we are heroes why did you hide behind me?”

The pink dressed mess stared at him, “Do do you seriously not know????”

More bowing, “The stories of Atlantis king are terrifying, no one would be stupid enough to fight one of his subjects … so I kind of used it to my advantage. Sorry.”

Kaldur felt pride swell in chest, “Right.” Kaldur looked at the vampire, they were cute and clever. If only they were a boy Kaldur might, well it doesn’t matter.

“So what were you doing here?”

“I was collecting some flowers for my fright-mate!” A pink bag opened to show off a collection of flower heads, stems, leaves and ziplocks of soil. “She’s sick so I came, into your haunt without thinking.” The stranger flushed.

“Right well you should be wary, especially in places like Bludhaven and Gotham. Also walking around at night is dangerous for girls in these parts, lot of trafficking rings and stuff.” Nightwing debated tacking on a piece about not wanting to see any murders out of her but that felt unnecessary and perhaps a tad to mean.

A confused look took over their face, “But plenty of Vampires live here? And I’m not a girl?”

Well Dick was embarrassed now, Kaldur was just straight up shocked- the surface world really was different.

“Uhhh I should uhhh go… now… sunrise and all that.” She- uh they stepped away from them slowly.

Kaldur reached out, “Wait! What if we need to contact you again? … for the case!”

“Oh here, call for me if you need me. I owe you one for this whole mess I guess- But just one.”

Kaldur held on to the pink headband as the boy speed off.

“Uhhh great now I owe Tim money.”

—— —- —-

Note

For anyone wondering Teekle, Klarions cat, is at home with Vlad.

I can see Billy not trusting Vlad at first only to completely take advantage later.

Yes Tim is definitely a conspiracy theorist that fully believes Vampires live in Gotham.

Dandy hates humans and the painter being a human magician, only add fuel to the fire.

Ghost Helpline

In future chapters Green Arrow is going to go on a mini magic adventure.

Who should get to go with him? I want to hear your opinion! Anyone is fair game, just no Batman.

Ghost helpline part 14 New Meetings and New Beginings

Vlad knew three things about Bruce Wayne; he was a playboy, a philanthropist and loved kids. Oh and he was utterly ditzy, kind but dumb. As his kids would say a “himbo”. Vlad relaxed as he scuttled about the kitchen and platted them both up some lasagna.

He briefly wondered where Red, Jack he should get use to calling him Jack, had gone as he walked into the living room and saw the Wayne stare at the television. He had been in the middle of his latest k-drama when the door rang. The drunk looked inthralled with the show, turning to Vlad with a dopey smile. Vlad past him the plate of food before explaining where they were in the plot.

A part of him felt his scars itch as if to remind him of his mistakes. Don’t trust humans, don’t get too close. But as hard as it was to admit, he was lonely and even if they had hurt him he missed them.

Vlad wrapped his robe around him tight.

This was fine, Bruce Wayne was harmless anyways.

—- —- —-

Jack will admit to this not being his best idea, but the blob ghost had informed him that Violet was sick. Nothing major but … still. Jack wanted no needed to help.

He helped the family move in, using his speed as discreetly as possible. He hid in the kitchen and tested the Masters neighbors cookies for poison. There wasn’t any. He went to help but Violet wasn’t there.

But now he could help, there were vampires in Gotham. If he followed the direction to Bludhaven right he should come across a patch of flowers. A fever reducing potion should be easy to make from there.

There were vampires in Gotham so Jack really couldn’t be blamed for assuming he’d never run into a were wolf here.

- Aqualad patrolled Bludhaven as he waited for Nightwing, they had a case to work on. Nightwing is late but that isn’t anything new. He’s texting the acrobat about it when he spots her. It’s hard not to look, especially in a place a dreary as Bludhaven.

She has fine red hair cascading down her back. Her outfit is entirely pink. Like really pink, right down to the platform shoes. The mysterious girl is deathly pale clutching a bedazzled phone for dear life. It’s almost as if she is looking for something. Kaldur feels bad chances are she’s lost. The Atlantian turns around and heads off to meet the Nightwing anyway.

—- —- —-

Boston left Zatanna and John to their bickering, he already knew where they would go to get information. A seedy pub, or illegal trading ring maybe they’d even go some fancy library but Boston knew where the real action was at.

He flew off to Fawcett City.

The door chimed as he walked into the store, the door reading “Mystic Hannas Hair Salon: We’ll change your look like Magic!” Ah it was good to be home.

—- —- —-

Harley is delivering Ivys latest stash of drugs to Penguin when she feels a shadow come from an alley. Which can’t be right. The bats know better than to get that close to a target. She bends down to scratch her new pets ear. (Pan had been getting creative lately.) Taking advantage of her spot on the ground she looked at the alley until something came out. Oh a girl. A girl with violet eyes… fuck what was a meta kid doing out here by herself? Looking closer she was covered in something too. Gross.

Violet stared at the blond woman from across the street. She had a cute little celery dog, it reminded the demon of Auntie Sam. It oozed the magic of the green, so that was probably a good sign right?

“Hey what are you waiting for an invitation get over here!”

Violet smiled, it would seem that she had passed whatever this lady’s test was. She had been stared at and not found lacking, that was a first. It felt nice.

Harley could not believe someone would just let their meta kid run around Gotham. Especially near the Ice Berge Lounge. Her little celery dog seemed to like her tho tugging on their leash to get closer, wagging its tail in glee as the girl trotted across the street like a new born foal. And that was concerning, a good sign that celery dog liked her, she was actually coming over here? Just because she’d asked? What the fuck? Did the kid want to get murdered? Because that’s how you get murdered in Gotham!

Harley squared her shoulders and opened the door to the empty pub, “Come on in, let me charge my phone so you can call someone to pick you up okay?” God Harley hoped she wasn’t a runaway. Well then looks like it was up to Auntie Harley to teach the new kid the rules of Gotham, it could be her good deed of the year she thought.

Celery Dog rubbed itself against the girls legs, “Well hello little one, aren’t you just marvelous.” Her voice was small and quiet. Celery Dog sprouted little flowers at the compliment, which wtf? Did celery even come from flowers? She was so going to have to tell Pammy about this. This kid was interesting.

—- —- —-

Dandelion “Dandy” Masters was pissed. What was meant to be a short trip to pick up his sister was slowly but surely becoming a disaster. They missed several turns, blew two tires, somehow ran out of gas and now, now they were lost!

Charles got out of the car and held his cellphone out looking for bars, “Oh snickerdoodles I got like no reception.”

Dandy sighed, “Hand me your mirror.” None of the clones, aside from Alcor, had shown any affinity for magic. Dandy hated using mirror phones the most, he considered it a waste of magic crystals.

Charles leaned over his brothers shoulder, “Dandy… why the fuck are we in Rhode Island?”

Dandelion zoomed out into the distance of the mirror, “Welcome to Happy Harbor”, he wasn’t entirely sure how but he knew this was all Klarions fault.

—- —- —-

Bruce sat him self on the man’s couch being served his own butlers pasta on a paper plate.

Paper plates, plastic forks, no cameras.

He scans the room as the TV plays a sappy romance show.

Pictures, pillows, art projects litter the area.

Vlad rewinds the show to read the subtitles, again. “The subtitles are wrong, what he actually said was ‘I won’t leave you’.”

The man’s eyes positively lit up at him, “You know Korean!”

“Yes I know multiple languages actually.”

Something about the way he said it must have come out wrong because shorter man shuffles back from him.

“Sorry I didn’t mean it like that, I’m just really tired of that being so surprising to people.” And it wasn’t a lie exactly he knew how important his Brucie person was but sometimes…

“Oh. Does that happen a lot?”

“Does it matter?”

Vlad shuffled away from him again. Bruce feels like an idiot.

“It does, did did that happen today? Butter biscuits is that why you came over drunk?”

Drunk ? He wasn’t, oh right. Bruce Wayne is a notorious party animal. A notorious party animal that just invited himself in to the man’s home. A man that is three inches shorter than him and probably weighs a hundred pounds less. Bruce feels like an absolute asshole.

Think! Bruce think! Say something!

“So tell me about your kids?”

Vlad’s responding smile takes the weight off the bats shoulders.

—- —- —-

Aqualad and Kightwing are investigating a potential Vampire Fog death when they hear a howl. The heroes looked at each other, wolves aren’t native to the area?

They are outside of the building as quick as possible immediately spotting a blur of pink. Dick almost assumed it had to be a speedster before it stopped suddenly. Her eyes connected to Aqualads, arm scratched bleeding red pupils blown wide. Kaldur saw their fangs last, bracing himself as the creature rushed forward!!

… and hid behind him, “Sanctuary! Please sanctuary!” A not so girlish voice rang out at the same time a mammoth creature of hair and claws rounded the corner braking the edge of the building.

Jack closed his eyes, he knew the stories of the King of Atlantis. That he deeply cared for all his subjects, if any of them got hurt on land there would be hell to pay. On top of that all Atlantians were warriors, Jack was a home maker.

Jack wanted to see Violet again more than he cared to keep his pride. He kneeled behind the dark skinned, handsome ocean native and plead.

“Please Atlantian help me.”

Notes

In this Vlad is 6’ and 170lbs

Batman is 6’ 4 and 250 (internet said 210 I looked my self in the mirror and laughed so 🤷‍♀️ 259 it is)

Violet = Konstelacio

Red = Jack, yes he is a vampire.

Jack is a tall boy, he dresses very Kawaii and loves to cook and clean and take care of people. He can make potions and tinkers in mechanics.

Aqualad doesn’t mean to misgender Jack- to be fair he is wearing a dress. 🤷

Ghost helpline part 13 Neutral Ground

Diana and Clark had fought for more information. Boston needed more time to convince Jason Blood to help and Dick was still talking Raven out of retirement.

They needed more information, it was late, everyone was tired, and frankly this had grown into a bigger problem than Batman’s paranoia over a child demon. If shit hit the fan, a war between the magic community and humans could start. They need to know if a human group had made disease and they needed proof. The league needed to know the political landscape before doing anything more than cure administration. Which would take days.

Diana and Clark are reasonable good friends. They would later force Bruce to leave with his children and lock the zeta tube to the tower behind them.

—- —- —-

Jack had been born on the fourth day of the fourth month at the tail end of the Qin Dynasty in a bustling prefecture of China.

Jack had been born already dead. Skin white as snow, ruby eyes wide open, sunlight causing him pain. His mother attempted to love him, she did. She would braid his faded ginger hair away from his face and buy him small sweets when he behaved correctly. She tried.

At the age of six he had been given to his grandmother. He was moved away from the city to a backwater town in the midst of nowhere.

At seven his grandmother spent money they didn’t have for a doctor. He called them an albino. The town called him demon.

At age eight war came and he never saw his mother again. He didn’t have the courage to ask grandmother if it was done on purpose or not.

At nine grandmother introduces him to a man that will change his fate.

The first time Jack meets Violet, he’s ten hiding from bullies in the forest. She stands heads taller than him, drenched in blood, dark claws growing from her finger tips holding someone’s entrails.

She’s the most beautiful thing the little Chinese boy has ever seen.

The second time they meet, Jack is eleven eating alone. She sits at his table without horns and nobody notices.

The third time they meet, Jack is twelve and lost. She explains to him that his self pity is unattractive and that he is wasting his life.

The fourth time they meet, Jack is fourteen and his grandmother has died. She tells him that his existence is natural. He notices that he is finally taller than her, she hasn’t aged a day.

At fifteen he can no longer bare the cruel words and actions of the village. He runs away and decides to give Violet his name the next time he sees her.

At sixteen he is freezing to death too tired to move, then the man corners him.

He never makes it to seventeen.

—- —- —-

Boston had a knack for information gathering but this job was going to be difficult. Rumors so many rumors. But Boston at least knew these main things about magic society that everyone knew:

1 - Vampires and Werewolves hate each other to the point of fighting on site

2- You never ask a ghost why they died

3- Any Atlantean on land is considered neutral ground NO fighting

4- Every species has their own royals

Boston finished writing it all down and left the watchtower last with John and Zatanna. He hoped it would help.

—- —- —-

Violet lands on her ass in alley way in Gotham. It’s cold, dark and she has no energy left to teleport again. Her skin stings as she shifts slow and stuttered. Her hair grows and flattens straight down like a pin. Her eyes water as they go from gold to purple. Her scars tuck themselves away from prying eyes. Her horns imply vanish she’s not sure at all about where they go when she does this.

She’s still in her dress from days ago. Her front is dripping in a wet viscous fluid. It’s a disgusting orange color chin is of something falling to the floor. She smells rancid.

This is fine. She’s fine. Now that she’s properly awake all she needs to do is find a phone. Hers having gotten smashed before the move, multiple times. She had already destroyed three this month.

Alright, she picked her self up. She has a plan. Find a phone.

Across the street lights blare.

The Ice Berg Lounge.

—- —- —-

Bruce stubbles out of the zeta tube dead on his feet. Maybe just maybe he had been too harsh on Konstelacio. She had helped them a lot, and while her ‘price’ was worrisome Bruce knew it could have been a lot worse. It left a bitter feeling in his mouth. An unknown having any control over a leaguer, even a non powered individual, didn’t sit right with him.

He needed contingencies against her.

He needed contingencies for her too. She had looked sick, he had noticed Barry running to get a trash can.

Bruce and his kids began to strip off their clothing changing into civilian clothes. Bruce got as far as his pants when his kids conversation caught up with him.

“I know Dami I’m just worried! How could our new neighbor just let his kids wander Gotham! And apparently now the man is alone at his house! He’s so going to get robbed.”

“Tt- the two that we meet shall still be there.”

“I dunno Dami if I was that age and all my siblings were out I’d leave too.”

Neighbors? No they couldn’t possibly have new neighbors the closet house to them was the Drake Manor…. Oh. He probably owed Tim an apology but how could his son decide something like that with out him!

And he apparently had sold it to someone who let their kids run around Gotham to boot! Was the Drake house cursed to have neglected kids within its walls. Neglected kids like Tim. Not again! Not On His Watch!

The car ride only served to make him more upset. Masters? Seriously? That pompous asshole. The man was aggravating, Bruce considered it a blessing they hadn’t crossed each other often in galas. It was a bit of a mystery where he had fucked off to all these years, tho Bruce took the new kids as a simple explanation. His new found lack of villainess behavior could also be attributed to his new found fatherhood. Which made him better than most sadly. Still tho! Batman didn’t trust him not at all.

The millionaire made his way to the front door, a pan lasagna in his hand, and survived the area…. Not a single camera. He knocked. Twice.

After a few minutes the door opened and the vigilante dredged up the most innocent Brucie smile he had. The door opened and he almost dropped the pasta.

The man who opened the door was bleary-eyed, yawning softly. He was wearing a “today is paw-fect” shirt. Baby pink, two sizes too short exposing his muffin top. His pants were fuzzy and matched his open robe.

Bruce gulped at the sight of him. His long platinum hair tangled and frizzed. Cornflower blue eyes looked up at him filled with mirth.

“Well then I’m going to assume your partying had you losing track of time neighbor mine. It’s a bit late but if you’d like to come inside, that pan looks heavy…. Hello?”

The way the man had said ‘mine’ had Bruce feeling warm and … oh oh no. He was in trouble.

Ghost Helpline Part 12

Zatanna had told Batman her misgivings about the demon girl. Her aura made Zatanna feel small, and dirty. As if she was covered in a layer of dust she could never scrub off.

Her eyes, Zatanna had never seen a demon with golden eyes before. Red and blue, even green but gold? Gold felt like an omen.

The girl reeked of death magic. It was brutally strong. It reminded her when Batman had contacted her about the Lazarus Pit. His expression when she told Batman spoke volumes.

And what the girl got in payment spoke even louder.

Zatanna’s father always had warned her demons were evil.

—- —- —-

Black Canary was busy strangling her husband as Batman went over the minutes.

“Our cameras were unable to pick up much of anything Batman, sorry.”

“It’s fine I remember the demons explanation well enough. First-“

“I CANNOT Believe you could be so stupid! Oliver ! What were you thinking!”

“Sorry sorry!”

Superman pulled a grim smile, “Canary please tell some sense into the man later. If this has taught us anything is that we need to be more prepared.”

“Right we will talk about this later Oliver,” Canary released her husband onto their seat, fuming and lovingly worried.

The green archer picked him self up and turned to the blond magician currently drinking himself to death, “Hey what do you think was up with Konstelacio? Poor girl wasn’t looking too hot.”

Dinha will always admire her husbands caring nature but god sometimes she just wanted to shake him.

Barry released a sigh, “So it want just me then! She really didn’t look to good! She was even acting differently! Want if she hurt? Or in trouble?”

“Bear calm.”

John shuffled threw a stack of paper on Vampire Fog. Bloody hell, for the price of this information the kid really hadn’t asked for much. But the rest of them weren’t going to see it that way.

“She’s -“

“Are you serious? Are you lot seriously worrying about a demon? After what just happened!” Zatanna really couldn’t understand these guys sometimes it was sweet but also incredibly naïve.

“Hey now it was my choice okay I signed the contract with her. We need this cure, ten hours of my life isn’t much in comparison! And I know that so can all of you just stop!” Oliver could understand why they were upset he could. But why couldn’t the see that the girl had cut them some slack… again! In a room of self sacrificing idiot it wouldn’t have been hard to sell her an entire life. Or if her interest in Connor was any indication an entire soul.

“Everyone just hold your bloody horses okay! She’s probably fine looks like she’s got a bit of teleportation sickness that’s all, a magical equivalent of dehydration really. Some rest and food and she’ll be right as rain in no time.”

John said as he fumbled around for their copy of the contract, which was another thing demons typically didn’t let you keep a copy.

Barry vibrated in his seat. Robin, Nightwing, Kid Flash and Superboy (Jon) walked into the meeting. Barry couldn’t concentrate ‘teleportation sickness’, was she teleporting too much? Were … were they hurting her by summoning her? ‘Rest and food’? Was she not resting ? Not eating? What do demons eat? Barry felt his best friend put a hand on his shoulder, and welcome the boys. Right they could talk about this later…. may be Diana would understand.

“Fucking hell,” John was internally screaming as he looked over the contract, “Well then Arrow looks like your contract is air tight- however there is one vague loophole. And a kind one at that.”

Canary shot up in her seat, “What is it?”

John continued, “In the case that contractee cannot fulfill this request another may do so but only at the acceptance of both parties.”

The contract went on for several more pages, goddamn what nutter even wrote this shit?

(Ghost Writer did and made Konstelacio carry around several with her at all times.)

“Wait wait wait,” Wally zipped out, “What happened ? What contract?”

Dinha was too upset for this, nodding to Diana before Oliver opened his mouth to down play the whole thing.

“Well what happened is-“

—- —- —-

// Diana wanted to give the girl the benefit of the doubt, she wanted to get to know her. To hear stories of Pandora and make a new sister. So when Diana saw Konstelacio’s entrance she was worried, “What do you want as payment? I’m sure we can work something out.” Smile Diana don’t scare her, she looks hurt.

Konstelacio looked about the room, Diana hid a smile she really hadn’t thought this threw. Well it was alright, Diana tapped absent mindedly on her sword maybe she could convince a trade for sword lesson? A trip to paradise island? May be Hal was right and they should offer a pet ?

The demons eyes flicked between Flash and Green Arrow. Left, right, left, right, left, left, left. “Him,” she pointed at the archer, “I want him.”

The Amazonian got into a defensive stance. No one was taking her friend.

“No!” “No way!” “Arrow no!” “Stop!”

“Hold on hold on now,” John approached the circle, “You can’t expect us to hand over one of our own. You can find someone else to eat.”

“I don’t want to eat him!”

“You want his soul then?”

“Not really I just want him, I try not to dabble in souls too much. It’s too much work.”

“Too much work? Then what would you need a person for ? Humans are really boring you know, lots of work and needy!”

The demon pouted, “I don’t care I want him!”

John pat Oliver on the back as he nodded to Diana mouthing “play along”.

“Oh well I guess I tried, oh well GA say your goodbyes! I’m sure your wife will miss you very much old friend.” He shook his head sadly, “We will have to call your son. Well then girl how would you like to-“

“WAIT!” Konstelacio wobbled, “You’re married.”

Dinha rushed to Oliver’s side as if to shield him, “Yes he is.”

Oliver picked up on the act, “Yes here she is my better half.”

A look ran across the child’s face, “Well then I can’t have you then.” She stared to breathe a little harder.

“What about me?”

“Superboy!”

“If you don’t care about souls then it shouldn’t matter that I am a clone and I’m not married.”

Hera Conner no! What is he-

“Who said that!!!” The demons face began to shift in color, anger steaming out of every pore.

“What?”

“Who said that you don’t have a soul because you’re a clone? You have one! You have one I see it!” She begun to clench her hands into the skirt of her dress, “Where you like it or not, clone or no clone, Superboy you were meant to be here.”

“Oh I -“

“Forget it. I don’t want you anyway. I need the archer,” she begun to pace the inside of the circle, “But I can’t break up a set!”

She turned to face them, “Ten I want ten hours of your life.”

“Deal.” //

—- —- —-

While the boys sat and digest what they just heard, Constantine finished reading over the cures recipe.

“Bloody hell are you kidding me it’s an energy potion!”

“What’s an energy potion?”

“The cure Z the cure to fucking Vampires Fog is fucking magic caffeine!! Maybe even real caffeine I dunno I’m not a chemist!”

Zatanna took the offending papers glancing over them. She stopped at some papers that were bound together the first page titled like a story book, “Hunting the Sun”.

“What’s this?”

“That is our historical insight to the disease, or at least some of it. No doubt Konstelacio has a better understanding on everything.” And more than likely has already chosen what side she’s on.

Nightwing stepped up to look at the little booklet with Zatanna, “So what is it what’s the story on Vampires Fog? I assume this might lead us to what caused the out break?”

Clark coughed as he stole a look at Bruce. The Bat was updating the files on the disease, he had an idea and as Clark recounted the explanation Konstelacio had given them he hoped that they were both wrong.

—- —- —-

// Clark watched as Oliver signed an agreement that would lead to an early grave, for being Superman he felt both powerless and grateful.

“Alright so first off Vampire Fog was not a disease released from Pandora’s box. The sickness was man made to eradicate their enemies.

The illness is meant to cause the infected to move and think erratically. Leading them to ether kill them selves or kill each other. If anyone survived this stage the next stage would put them to sleep rendering them defenseless.

One side says Vampires made it to level a kingdom in the aftermath of a botched marriage. Some sort of petty revenge.

Another side says the humans made it. The king was a zealot that refused to marry off his daughter to a kingdom of monsters. So when the wedding day came, the humans infected the whole city.”

After that the conversation had devolved and slowed. Batman didn’t ask any questions it was worrying, when was the last time he slept?

—- —- —-

“What the Boy Scout said, it’s a bloody sodding mess.”

Damian stopped to think about this politically, he stopped to think over all of this not like a Wayne but like an Al Ghul. It didn’t sit right with him, the occurrence of this disease and new information way too much of a coincidence. Someone must have planned it on purpose.

“So we have two completely different stories of origin so what ? We got the cure what does it matter whether the humans or the vampires made the disease?”

Diana fixed the young super with a motherly look, “Knowing about the past can help us protect the future. For example know we know that ether way the illness is something consciously made. Which means someone must have made it and released it on purpose.”

“Right now we just need to figure out why.”

“Tt- isn’t it obvious the vampire scum are behind this if humans are the only ones getting sick?”

Boston, visible thanks to John, stepped in,

”Actually a lot of magical creatures have been infected too! They are just a lot better at hiding it. Especially in the larger cities, word is a whole gaggle of vampires died not to long ago from it.”

Zatanna nodded her head, “It would explain why some creatures have been causing havoc in broad daylight- uh - In front of everyone. Magical creatures usually prefer to keep hidden. But if they were sick and could help it. They would rampage regardless of wether regular humans could see them or not.”

Hal thought about the hundreds of times he had to play mediator over the years. He thought of all the aliens and everything they would do to win. God he hated politics, “so ether a group of humans or vampires did this in order to play the blame game. The human group could easy point at magical creatures and blame them for being out of control monsters. Or vampires could be making everyone sick in order to blame the sickness on humans while also looking like the victim.”

The league talked over political moves as they passed the little booklet around. Batman had sent the magians out to gather information and Boston had come back with a lot of it.

The book finally made its way to Green Arrow, he flipped the pages and stopped at the drawing of a castle. It was an old European style with only two distinctive traits. A tower with circle windows and a circle on the entrance grounds covered in swirls.

// “My home! My castle! My kingdom ! Everything’s changed.”//

After the “fight” with the dragon, Oliver had done some detective work of his own. He needed to know more about this ghost and had found almost nothing. But looking at this drawing, he recognized that castle.

The archer looked up at Batman, his shoulders were hunched taking in and writing down every piece of information he heard. His face was passive and he didn’t even bother to look at his sons. Oliver thought about Batman’s distrust of Konstelacio and in turn Captain Marvel. He thought about what he had heard about the two leaguers fight, swallowed and decided to keep his mouth shut.

Batman didn’t need to know.

Kon’s Interlude - Ghost Helpline

Warning: depictions of war, meat eating and throwing up

Konstelacio tries to leave the Watchtower as soon as she entered it. She tried. Two hours later she leaves and erases the summoning circle behind her. She hopes they never call her again as she teleports home.

She has enough energy to teleport it’s fine.

She lands on her ass and stares at the pink carpet. Ugh. Everything in her corner of the house was too fucking bright right now.

“Hello!!! I’m back!!!! … Guys? … Dad?”

Throb. throb. throb.

Bile burned its way up her throat.

Was this it ? Did they leave me? Did Uncle Dan tell them how she’d managed to fuck up without even trying?

“Bbblluubbb???”

Oh a blob ghost.

Right a blob ghost, “Hahaah I’m an idiot of course daddy wouldn’t leave me.” They wouldn’t leave me. At least not Dad and that was enough. It had to be enough.

“Bbbllubbb. Bbb. B. Blurrrb.”

“Haha right! Thanks for sending me the message! Tell dad I love him and can’t wait to see him! And Billy if Billy’s back by now make sure to give him a big soggy hug for me okay!”

“Bbblubb!!” The little slimy looking ball swished its head to hers in what was most likely meant to be a love tap but ended up little more that the creature splaying itself entirely onto her forehead. It left, Violet felt lonely.

Lonely and dumb. How could she forget her family was moving into their new house today?

It explained where everyone was, the empty fridge and missing items. Right, Dad needed this move. He needed, well Violet wasn’t sure what he needed exactly but Dandy said he did. And Violet trusted Dandy. She trusted him with this at least. It was enough.

She smelled something rotting in her nose.

It was enough.

It was enough.

It was enough.

She walked back to her room and looked around. Nobody had packed her things. Her throat burned. She’d fill a bag tomorrow and figure it out.

She laid down in her bed in her room of her dads house.

// “This is mine? Really mine? It’s too pretty. What if I break it?”

“It’s yours, it’s okay. If it breaks I’ll buy you a new one baby I am rich remember?”

“This room is mine too?”

“Yes of course.”

“What it I break it to? What if I break it on purpose.”

“I’m giving it to you, no strings attached. If breaking everything in your room makes you happy then do it. I won’t be mad, because it’s yours okay?”

“Are you mine too then, Dad? You’re mine?”

“Yes”

“What if I break you to?”

“I’ll heal.” //

Konstelacio’s breathing slowed, eyes drooping. It was more than she had ever had before. I was more than she deserved. She smiled cuddled up to her mountain of stuffed animals. It was enough.

—- —- —-

Konner, Conner, Kon-El, Superboy, clone, Kon, clone, Konny, clone, clone boy, it.

So yeah Konner got it. Kon (ha!) stelacio had a write to be upset at Constantine for calling her something she didn’t like. She had apparently asked him not to and he had. Apart of Conner hoped Constantine got cursed. That guy was an asshole.

He gets the snapping defeat of her name, the anger. Conner knew anger well. Something about her made his insides twist. Something in her voice screaming, help me help me something is wrong. He shakes his head and decides to tell Black Canary about it at therapy.

It took a lot of time, and a lot of therapy for Conner to feel okay with himself. With his looks, his voice. Being a clone left him with a lot of self doubt about everything. Where did Superman end and Conner start?

Superboy thought back on the bargaining the league had done over the cure for Vampires Fog and couldn’t help but laugh. Well it was nice to know he at least had a soul in which to barter with now.

Conner gave himself a once over in the mirror before floating out the door. Time for a date with Tim.

—- —- —-

// War was surprisingly boring. When not fighting for their lives all war mounted up to was waiting. Waiting for the next battle, waiting for a chance to wash your bloody clothes, waiting for new orders, waiting for food, waiting for resources, waiting, waiting, waiting. War was boring.

General Dan was angry today. They didn’t have food … again. Violet wasn’t allowed to go hunting and Klarion had decided to stay with her. The mix species battalion had decimated the surrounding area for food a week ago.

Klarion was use to emotional hunger, the physical ache in his stomach rendering the talkative sprite speechless.

Billy was use to physical hunger just fine, telling them stories of Faucet cities kind people with a smile but something about the lack of food had begun to make him twitchy.

Violet was use to both kinds of hunger, so it didn’t matter.

“Billy’s back!!! Violet get up! Look he brought food!”

“There you guys are! Here eat up!”

The trio sat down near their tent. It’s natural for demons to eat meet uncooked, Violet had told Billy multiple times. She didn’t want to be a bother. Half the meat was burnt, no bones and definitely no blood.

Violet ate three bowls anyway. The meat was vividly red enough to play off as blood. It was chewy and sweet and charred in a way the stuck to the back of her throat. It smelled weird and familiar. Then again all burning flesh smelled familiar.Pieces of it kept getting stuck in the back of her throat. Meat wasn’t usually sweet like this. It was juicy, the demons mouth watered as she wondered.

How did they get this? She almost couldn’t believe they had found more game in the woods. It was sweet, Violet knew a type of sweet meat. Sweet blood. Were…. Were they eating a vampire?

Klarion finish off one before looking out into the forest and grimacing.

“Billy Billy you need to eat to!!! You’re a human you need to eat.”

“Of course Vi I am don’t worry. It’s delicious! Some of my best cooking yet. Mmm yum it’s great.”

Right they couldn’t be eating a vampire, humans can’t do that. Whatever Klarion was probably couldn’t eat vampires ether.

Klarion followed Billy’s lead “Yumming and oooing” until the little demonling finished off two more bowls.

Billy stood up to wash the bowls. The air shifted allowing the girl to get a good wiff of the blood on humans pants.

“Horse blood? Are the horses okay? What happened?”

The trio had grown close to their steeds, gifts of their political party, riding them gave the kids an illusion of freedom. Combing, feeding and playing with them had helped the days go faster.

Violet got up and began to look - really look around the campsite. “Billy? Billy? Where’s Fireball? You took him with you hunting right were is he?”

A look crossed both of the boys faces, Klarion downed his tea like it was alcohol. Maybe it was.

“General Dan is bringing the horses back in few hours Vi Vi don’t worry about it.”

True to his word, General brought the horses back and Violet understood were all of the bones must have went.

Everything tasted like ash until the war was over.//

Violet woke up puking.

She wanted her dad, her dad was in Gotham.

She teleported.

Thinking of cute meet-cue ideas for Vlad and Bruce!

Any ideas ? I’m all ears!!!

Ghost Helpline part 11

Dick drove home in good weather(for Gotham). He had his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke with Clark, damn was B over thinking things again. “No Raven doesn’t work with the Titans anymore. After defeating Trigon we all agreed she deserved time to figure herself out I could call her but…”

He slowed the car when he came upon Drake manor a lump forming in his throat. He was sad to admit that he and Tim weren’t as close as before but surely he would have known if Tim was moving back into his old home? But there he was with Jason and Bart carrying boxes inside. He was an awful brother wasn’t he? How could he not know? Tim hated that place! He would never move back in unless-

He slammed the brakes as he got closer to the gate because that wasn’t Tim or Jason and that definitely wasn’t Bart.

“Clark I’ll have to call you back.”

— —- —-

Dick ran up the steps of the manor to the living room and was greeted with the sight of Jason pressing binoculars to the window. As Jon and Damian chatted animatedly about the new neighbors.

“Don’t be an imbecile Jon! The rich and elite do not move to Gotham unless they have something to hide!”

“All rich people have something to hide! You have something to hide! They sound like nice people!”

“Ha! So you are spying on them! What are they saying?”

Dick texted Wally as he spoke, “Everyone hold on a minute where is Tim?”

“Tt- who cares. That idiot has given away our location and put all of our identities at risk.”

“Or perhaps Master Tim have given us a grand opportunity to as you would say ‘pull a fast one’ on the media. After all excusing yourself to play with a wealthy neighbor is a good excuse to leave a boring gala. And a second pair of eyes to support your ‘accidents’ would be beneficial.”

“Tt- perhaps Pennyworth but see that I have no desire to befriend these intruders at all.”

“Mmm perhaps but either way the only way any of you will be getting information today will be to good neighbors and introduce yourselves. Thankfully for all of you I have prepared cookies as an opener.”

“Did somebody say cookies?”

Dick smiled, “Wally just in time !”

—- —- —-

Constantine was looking over the list of names Superman had handed him when the circle left on the floor began to glow. He took a long drag of his cig and felt like making a run for it.

It looks like their little helper had finished their end of the deal and found an antidote after all. John sighed he contemplated doing this exchange on his own but knew he’d be in for a lecture if he did so. From Zatanna and bats ugh.

Welp time to call the cavalry.

—- —- —-

Dick held the platter of cookies and took the lead, Jason deciding to stay home and watch in case they needed an extraction. Or more than likely to call Roy. Dick knew Jason had been dying to meet up with Roy since the dragon incident but hadn’t been able to yet. None of them had been able to relax now that Dick thought about it. Well it was fine, Dick smiled down at Wally, all this craziness would blow over soon.

The group of boys started their walk over to ex-Drake Manor. “Hhhuummhum ha ha,” Jon smiled.

“What?”

“Oh nothing Damian your new neighbors just seem really nice.”

Dick smiled, “Hey no spying alright we are just going to be two normal families making friends okay,” Dick gave a short pause, “So what they say?”

“Dick!”

“What now I want to know !”

Jon laughed, “They’re fighting over their sister.”

“Fighting?”

“Yeah apparently they all forgot to set stuff up for her and are running around blaming each other.”

Dick nodded, sibling were like that sometimes. Tho usually everyone at his house just ended up blaming Bruce.

They kept walking when they came upon the short fence dividing the land of the two well off houses. Two teens sat on the dead grass, surrounded by pieces of wood and metal. Dicks eyes surveyed the area, it didn’t look dangerous.

“God damn it Alcor! That’s not how you put a swing set together!”

“Well how would you know? And it’s not a swing set! It’s a whole cozy area for her you absolute shit head!”

Dick smiled right a swing set made way more sense. Well these boys seemed rather normal older than Damian by a few years but hey his little bro was very mature so-

“I’m going to turn you into fucking soup!”

Dick froze, okay so maybe not that normal.

“Fuck off I am trying to work!”

“Well I want to help why are you the only one that gets to build Princess something?”

“Maybe because I’m the only one that knows how to build stuff! Now get lost!”

Damian tsked under his breath, “Idiots.”

“Damian that isn’t nice, know let’s head over and introduce ourselves right okay.” Dick continued walking, he found it a bit concerning. Both of the teens had black hair and blue eyes. Hopefully his family wouldn’t scare them off.

The group approached the gate.

“Hello there, we’re Dick and Damian Wayne and these are our friends. It’s nice to meet you!”

The one dubbed as Alcor in Dicks head stood up and waved at them, “Oh hello, I’m Alcor and this is my brother Brett. We weren’t expecting company sorry for the mess.”

Damian held back a sneer, “Why ? Not expecting the party going Wayne family to be polite?” God did Damian hate fathers civilian mask.

Alcor frowned looking between all of them, “Ugh more like the fact that you guys live like five miles away from us? Did did you guys walk here?”

Dick smiled, “Oh you know daily exercise is good for you. We ugh brought cookies!”

Brett reached over the gate to grab them, “Nioce.”

“We hope you like them! They’re our favorite our butler Alfred makes them.”

The teens nodded together, alright then the type of rich where having a butler was normal then. Dick cataloged the info for later.

“Thanks,” Algor smiled, “I’ll go put these inside. Id invite you all inside but our dad’s asleep and our other brothers snuck out.”

“To Gotham?”

Alcor shrugged, “I’m sure they’ll be fine they wanted to grab food and stuff before the babies of the family get here.”

“Oh are they coming with your mom?”

“We don’t have a mom.”

“Oh Jezz I’m sorry.”

“No worries man.” Alcor turned and walked inside.

Dick coughed, “So I don’t suppose you need any help putting that swing together would you?”

“It’s not a swing,” Brett flushed, “I suppose if you’re volunteering.”

Dick hopped the fence with a grin, “Come on Wally let help the kid out.”

—- —- —-

The kid was right it wasn’t swing as much as it was a floating seat, a little nook facing the sun.

During the building Alcor came back out and pouted. On the upside he was the only brother willing to keep the small talk going.

“So does your butler make all of your guys food? The cookies are great by the way.”

“Yeah Alfred does a lot of stuff for us, why?”

Alcor shrugged, “I dunno just wondering like isn’t there supposed to be a lot of Wayne kids running around. There’s a lot of us and Dad practically makes all our food.”

Dick chuckled, “Yeah there’s a lot of us but we aren’t always home. It’s even rarer for us to all be home at the same time.” He felt himself shake off a bitter feeling, “Its nice that your dad makes time for you like that ours can’t even boil water haha.”

Alcors smile looked sad, “Yeah he’s great, we all love him a lot.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth!”

“Shut up Brett!”

Wally laughed, god Dick loved that laugh, “How many of you guys is there anyway? Cuz I gotta say my boyfriend sure does have a lot of siblings.” Wally elbowed Dick good naturedly.

“Oh I have nine siblings!”

—- —- —-

Konstelacio felt wobbly, eyes forced open. Her talk with Pandora and Ghost Writer had taken hours! Days? Time in the zone was weird. She was tired but trudged forward she needed to get this shit over with.

Konstelacio frowned to herself as she knocked on the Justice’s Leagues proverbial door, the circle. Pandora and Ghost Writer were always kind to her, they were phenomenal teachers but the constant pushing to make ally’s within her own species was beginning to annoy her. Living up to her position in ghost high society was already hard enough. Demons of her stature didn’t care about low born demons… well one did. One did but they didn’t talk much anymore, Konstelacio but at her lip. May be she should get back in touch with him?

The demon-lings head throbbed, the scar on her face felt numb. What is taking these heroes so long!!! Frustration made her head fell worse. She wanted to get this test over with. Because that what this had to be right both Pandora and Ghost Writer had left payment for the antidote up to her.

She was so screwed. Ask for something to small and look like a fool. Ask for something too big and risk the King taking interest, maybe even losing the Kings trust. She couldn’t think of anything to trade for, she needed something perfect. Something that wouldn’t seem like a disrespect to ALL parties involved.

Throb. Throb. Throb. Ugh! How many times did she use teleport? The circle began to open, she’d figure it out. She’d pass this test! She wouldn’t disappoint these people who gave her so much.

- Flash ran to grab as many prominent leaguers as he could as soon as he saw Constantine run out the door. He was not giving that British asshat a chance to do things alone with Zatanna and Batman. He trusted the trio…duo, he did! But he worried, half of the team was divided on whether the girl could be trusted or not. It made Barry feel awful, all he wanted to do was tell that girl to go home. To run away from this hero villain game for as long as she could. Honestly fuck child heroes.

Flash managed to be the last one in the room as the magician start at the circle up. This time there was little to no fanfare; no smoke, the fire around the floor comparable to a candle, and no ominous sounds. Konstelacio showed up with a ‘pop’ and nothing else. It was kinda disappointing.

Oh, oh. She does not look okay. Konstelacio leaned on her right side, covered in sweat, breathing through puffs, vibrating slowly. Except people who aren’t speedsters don’t vibrate… oh she’s shaking. Barry disappeared to grab a trash can. Please don’t be sick, please don’t be sick Barry repeated to himself.

“I got the antidote.”

“What no small talk this time Sheila ?”

“I told you not to call me that!” The demon snapped, her teeth became longer sharper. Digging in to her own lip, hands fisting at the hem of her dress. Names must be a sore subject with her Connor thought. It was understandable Connor had to work so hard to find his sense of self even without people screwing up his name, he got it he did but, “Please excuse Constantine he speaks to everyone that way … he’s British. It’s just slang. He isn’t using Sheila as a placeholder for your name.”

“Whatever,” it didn’t take a detective to see that the girl was on edge. She was on a short wick, Konstelacio was not as happy as she was the last time they had summoned her. They could only conclude that she wouldn’t be willing to be as kind as last time ether. Clark internally wondered if Captain Marvel had told her to be wary of them, if the captain no longer trusted the league as much as he always had. The notion made the invincible man sorrowful, and annoyed. Bruce needed to learn when to let things go.

Because Clark knew Bruce, knew that this was all stemming from his compulsive need to keep them safe. All of them safe including Marvel. No matter what the Bat said he knew the man cares about each and every one of them, even Hal. It was in the little things he did; Flash appreciation day, pulling extra monitor duty, asking Hal about space, answering Manhunters questions about earth sincerely. It was everything. At the end of the day Bruce was a man who cared but looking at the kid again really made it click. Bruce was probably worried about her too in his own messed up way. But if Batman didn’t let it go, if he didn’t stop- Captain Marvel would never forgive him for it.

“I found out what your mystery sickness is, congratulations you have a case of Vampire Fog.”

The league could see Zatanna and Constantine give each other a look. “And what exactly is Vampire Fog.”

“Uh uh uh no more freebies. Payment for both the information and the cure. Upfront.”

Oliver didn’t like this, but hey at least the kid had balls.

—- —- —-

Jon’s jaw dropped as he sputtered, “Ten! Ten kids!!” There were stars in his eyes, Damian’s hand keeping him from floating away. “Ten kids!”

“Yes that’s what he said Jon.”

“That’s so many! What are they like? Why did you all move to Gotham?”

Alcor laughed, “We all have our own thing I guess, they’re a pain but I love them. Two of our brothers are taking classes at the college in town and dad couldn’t bear to split us up for the whole summer.”

Dick frowned as he filed that info away, “Wait so are you guys only staying for the summer?”

“Yes.”

“Shut up Brett! It hasn’t been decided, but more than likely we’ll just be staying off and on for their classes or something,” Alcor shrugged.

Dick felt his communicator ping and if Wally’s body language was anything to go by so did his, “Well we should be getting out of your way. I can’t wait to meet the rest of you family sometime.”

“Likewise,” Alcor waved goodbye, “Good luck, hopefully we stick around long enough to see the wedding.”

Wally bursted out laughing at Dicks embarrassment, “I’ll be sure to invite you Alcor!”

“Brett to please- ouch what? You love weddings.”

The boys left as the brothers yelled at each other.

—- —- —-

Constantine sighed as he put his hand up to his head, the meeting about the little Sheila was going to be absolute Hell.

“Yo! John!”

His cigarette fell to the linoleum floor, “God damn it Boston!”

so jean-paul and azrael are not a two-face situation. jean-paul got put through the System, a brainwashing program/implanted memory/weird AI thing, by the Order. it lives in his brain now. how much the system is a different consciousness and how much it's conventional brainwashing depends on what comics you look at, sometimes it convinces jean-paul he's azrael and sometimes azrael is a different guy in there.

jean-paul, when he isn't overwhelmed by the system, is a very nice guy with a lot of guilt about the things he's done and a drive to help people. not just in superhero ways, he was a pallative care nurse for a while. when he does do superhero shit, it's usually by wrangling azrael into being helpful, which has mixed results.

the Order would not be a fan of demons but jean-paul fucking hates the Order. however azrael would also not be a fan of demons so the Order doesn't need to get involved for him to escalate the situation with a flaming sword.

Nioce got it :) thank you very much

Not sure exactly how I’m going to use this in my story exactly but I probably will !!!

Ghost a helpline part 10

Uncle Tucker part 2: conversations are had and the Masters family finally move to Gotham.

Diana could practically see her comrades sputtering at the Captains words. She felt conflicted, “I understand Marvel you are also my brother in arms. The trust I have in all of you because of that is very important to me. We are not writing her off as a threat nor are we going to go after her.” At this she threw a pointed look at Bruce, “We just want some information on her that’s all. We don’t know anything about her and are justified in being cautious. “

“From my understanding you all decided it was a good idea to contact her not the other way around. And now the Batman is going to do what he does best and come up with contingencies because he feels insecure.”

Diana put her hand on Clark’s tense shoulder.

“Captain that is not-“

“The same way you’ve been trying to find my weaknesses for years. So if you’re that desperate to find one then here. She is my weakness and if anything happens to her I don’t know what will happen. Do you understand me?”

“Marvel! We are not-“

“Understood.” Batman grunted, “I still have questions.”

“So do I.”

Diana looked between them and shared a look with Clark, hopeful Batman would know what not to ask…. Clark opened his mouth first, “You two were in a war?”

A grin, “What did you think I just made up the Captain part of my name for kicks?” a humorless laugh left him.

“Right that makes sense, you’ve been around along time but isn’t she too young.”

“In a way, Konstelacio is considered a ‘forever child’ uhh she’s pretty much stuck that age.”

“So she just has the body of a teen but is actually an adult.”

“No she is a kid, and always will be. She’s just sorta stuck. She may have lived a long life but she’s still a child.”

Diana pondered over it. It’s wasn’t anything she didn’t expect. She was even use to it, on Paradise Island children were taught to fight, to kill when necessary. War was something Diana knew. But it felt wrong.

“A demon child with resources, connections and reality altering powers.”

“She’s a child who loves her family, collects trinkets and helps people.”

“But who exactly is she helping. What is stopping her from being summoned by Lex Luthor or Felix Faust or any number of villains.”

“She can decide who to help and who not to help you know. They can’t force her. Trust me they’d be sorry if they tried.”

“You just said she’s a child, anything could happen. They wouldn’t have to force her when they could manipulate her.”

Diana smiled leave it to Bruce to care about a child he barely meet, even when he was scared of them.

“Also we can’t just allow a potential danger to run around buying souls.”

Diana took it back, Bruce was making a mess.

—- —- —-

Konstelacio followed the guard to the sitting room, Uncle Tuckers kingdom always felt comfortable to her. It was warm, sun filled and quite frankly Konstelacio had a lot of leeway here. A type of get out of jail free card that made her feel safe, but also nervous. She would not embarrass her family again, not here.

She bowed to her uncle as he entered the room, “I greet Pharaoh Tuck, Prince Consort to High King Phant-“

“That is enough my constellation, Princess Violet how many times must I ask that you call me Uncle?”

“I only mean to show my respect.”

“None needed come here. Tell me what I can do.”

“What I didn’t !” Had he heard from Dan already?

“Come on Violet I know you and I know that if you came here for help it must be something big.” Her Uncles smiles always looked genuine, she loved them.

“It’s a long story.”

“Eat some snacks and tell me everything.”

—- —- —-

Well that had been a mess Clark thought after both the dark knight and Captain had stormed out. Clark still wasn’t sure were he stood on the matter, he didn’t want to make the same mistakes he made with Connor. But just like with Connor none of them had enough information. It was time to call another meeting, ugh and invite Constantine to it.

Clark stopped walking, wait wasn’t there a demon on the Titans?

—- —- —-

Vlad’s eldest, Dandy Masters, parked the car outside the Gotham estate. Their new home was located far enough away that their neighbors wouldn’t be able to hear them scream, the manor was gothically decrepit, and the outside plants looked dead. It’s perfect thought Vlad, just perfect.

—- —- —-

Tucker nearly spat his coffee, “YOU MEET BATMAN.”

- The guards outside the door twitched, their pharaoh never yelled. He sounded shocked and was quickly shhhuhed by the princess. Hopefully this Batman would not be causing ether of them stress in future. The bird like guard pursed his beak, whoever this bat was did bode well. He would have to tell the others to keep their swords sharp.

“You SWINDLED Batman out of his gadgets!!”

- Yes the guards were probably due for some more training, just in case.

“Guards please get ready to escort the Princess to Pandoras realm.”

- All the guards, the bird adjacent ghost thought to himself. He had a felling something was coming.

“A WHAT?!”

- Something bad.

—- —- —-

Tucker moved his newly allotted gadgets into piles looks like he had a belt to work on. He picked up the handkerchief. “Violet what did you want this for?”

“I… had a suspicion I needed to prove.”

“And did you?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m guessing the tracking device wasn’t a part of your plan?”

“A WHAT!”

The man held his nieces hands, “Konstelacio please tell me what else is going on. I’ve already promised not to tell anybody.”

Violet wanted to believe him but she knew he’d tell on her to keep her safe. He wouldn’t understand, the Al Ghuls were dangerous she need to keep THEM safe! No matter what.

“Not yet, not until I figure everything else out for sure.”

“Alright but when you do please please come and talk to me okay.”

“Okay.”

“Alrighty then off to Pandoras then okay, be nice to the guards and tell her and Ghost Writer I said hi okay. And be careful delivering that antidote to the league. Minimal contact is the - oh you’re hugging me.”

Konstelacio smiled into her uncles shoulder, she would tell him everything someday.

Working on the next few chapters of Ghost Helpline-

Anyone here an Azrael fan ? Cuz I need some demon slayers for drama

Like what even is Jean Paul’s personality - is it straight up DID or????

Like no knight fall cuz we love Tim in this house and I dunno how to even deal with it but I also haven’t really read Azrael outside of Kightfall so yeah.

Like I assume the Azraels weird ass cult to be pretty anti -demon so yeah….

Your opinions mean Aalto to me thanks!!!!

Merry Christmas byeeee!!!!!!

Ghost Helpline part 8

All in all Uncle Dans lecture had been rather short and to the point. There had been no yelling, no anger, no demeaning or things thrown. While there had been a scowl at hearing the term Uncle he took Konstelacios explanation in stride. Dan sighed a lot but he wasn’t angry.

So why did she feel so awful? Uncle Dan always had anger problems, but she trusted him ether way. How couldn’t she after surviving an entire war with him. She was use to anger, she could take anger. Not, not whatever this was.

Konstelacio felt pressure push down on her chest. She didn’t like this at all! Her head hurt, yelling would have been easier.

//“ Let me get this straight. You did a favor for the Justice League and for payment you asked for loose change?!!!!”//

She rubbed at her horns in a attempt to soothe herself. They didn’t know who she was, it’s not as if she had defamed the family in any way. It’s not as if she asked for money directly… then again maybe that would have been better. She may be a Masters but it’s not as if any of the money was hers. She frowned, was it because she didn’t assert herself for their house? Had she made them look poor?

The little demon hunched in on herself she hadn’t meant to do any of that at all. Thank god she didn’t mention the handkerchief.

At the thought of the article she pulled it out and looked at it along with the rest of her prizes. She smiled a tad lopsided, “Looks like I need a belt.” And she knew someone just tech savvy enough to make her one.

— — —-

Dan was tired, but sated. Better than being soup in a thermos shaped cell. He missed war.

The fight for the throne hadn’t been as easily won as Danny’s family had assumed. Pariah, Dark had been gone for too long, the infinite realms cutting themselves into pieces. Distancing themselves, becoming stagnant, refusing to allow a ‘ghost’ of all beings rule them again. But Danny had grown to be more than that; a child of death herself, true balance, the great one. Dan snickered to himself, what a lame title.

Dan had demanded his place among the throngs of soldiers. He had earned his place as general. He killed and fought… and protected. Jazz was his sister again, his confidant (therapist). So when she pulled him a side one day to ask him a favor, Dan said yes.

Dan should have asked more questions.

Dan ended up keeping an eye on three forever children on a battle field. Which was easier said than done. They were reckless, suicidal shit heads with everything to prove. And they did; the witch boy, the host, the demon-ling. He hated to say it but the war might have not been won with out them. It hurt to think about.

It hurt to think about Vlad swooping in and giving them what Dan couldn’t. It hurt to see the host be a hero instead of a child. It hurt to see the demon sell her abilities for change. He huffed, flaming hair waving. At least the witch had the sense to run away from those that used him.

Dan sighed and signed and signed and signed papers. Fucking Aragon.

—- —- —-

No one paid attention as Booster Gold hobbled threw the doors. Blue Beetle should be in soon. Some of the leaguers even rolled their eyes honestly Booster was such a douche.

They ignored him as he practically threw himself on the couch, holding his ice pack to his head. So the idiot had also managed to get himself injured. Huh figures.

“Hey! Nightwing!”

“Haha hey Booster! How was space?”

“Crazy! Hey what’s up with everyone?”

“It’s along story.”

“I got time.”

“Honestly Booster it’d probably be faster for me to give you a copy of the reports.”

“Ugh reading! Come onnnn.”

Nightwing figured he could humor the man for a few minutes, “Well long story short we meet a demon.”

“Mmmhhhmm”

“They seem to be helping us but we just want to get more info on her to be careful.”

“Wow a real demon. Was she hot?”

“She was like 13.”

Booster got quite in a way Nightwing wouldn’t recognize until later, “Oh word? What did she look like?”

“All the footage was corrupted but Robin managed to make us a decent sketch.”

Booster Gold got everyone’s attention when he almost face planted onto Dicks tablet, “Oh my god! Oh my god! Did she have metal legs?”

“You mean boots yeah she had metallic …”

“Oh my god! And stripes right!!!” Booster was practice on-top of Nightwing dopey smile on display.

Dick thought back to the mass of black cracks on the girls body, “Stripes?”

“Oh MY Ancients! It Konny!!! I’ve missed her so much!” Booster started to laugh before devolving into tears, “I hope she’s not working for CW anymore. Last time I heard she was on trial for some bogus shit. I hope she’s okay.”

Booster continued to cry as Kord came in glared daggers an Nightwing and took off with his husband.

Dick stared at the open door, “What just happened???” His eyes widened as he stood up ‘Konny’ he never told Booster her name.

— —- —- —-

Ghost Helpline part 9

Konstelacio walked to the Egyptian palace. Much like how Johnnys bike rode on nonexistent roads Konstelacio walked on invisible ground, she believed the Zone would not let her fall and so it didn’t.

—- —- —-

Tim drove past his old home what use to be Drake Manor. He somehow doubted his family had noticed he sold it. He doubted they had noticed the moving trucks and contractors. He told himself it would be because they were busy. It felt like a hallow excuse.

Once Bruce figured it out he would want answers. Tim had them planned, Masters dubious escapades in criminal activity had been on the decline. As well as Masters sudden disappearance a few years ago, required their attention just in case.

Inwardly Tim had had a single conversation with the man, spotted a gaggle of teens who looked happy and sold it to the man on the spot.

When Tim thought over the conversation later, he would call the emotion that came over him jealousy and decide to ignore it.

—- —- —-

“Your highness, it appears Princess Violet will be sealing an audience.”

“Send her in immediately! “ Tucker shouted excitingly, Violet was such a sweet girl, he adored her visits. She usual came with the pretense of picking up her more technically inclined brother but Chad wasn’t here as of late. Which only meant one of three things.

She was coming here to hide.

She was coming in for a check up. (Doubtful.)

Or she was coming here to ask for help.

“Prepare some light snacks, our comfiest seat and coloring pages.” Tucker hoped she was okay, he would never admit it but if he didn’t know any better he would have assumed Violet was Danny’s clone too. In personality at least. Where Dani had gotten Danny’s loud passion, Violet had gotten Danny’s self loathing. Where Dani had his fearless determination Violet had his self sacrificing down to an alarming degree. Dani had her fathers laugh, Violet had his best friends fear of abandonment.

Yeah, Tucker would never admit it but Danny and his ex-arch enemies kid had a lot in common. He sighed oh well. It was fine, if anything it made him and Sam love her all the more. Their niece, their little constellation.

—- —- —-

Billy breathed a sigh of relief. It was good to be back home.

“Captain Marvel, Dr Fate we need to talk. We have a situation.”

Billy sighed he thought to soon.

Zeus: lolz!

Hercules: L L L

Mercury: Run fuck this noise

Billy shushed them, he just wanted to go home. The faster they got threw this the better.

Batman explained.

Solomon: He’s on to us! Kill him!!!

Billy: No we are not killing Batman

Atlas: he’s a threat to our your family Billy, I hate to agree with the old man

Solomon: Hey!

Atlas: but perhaps it’s time to move on

“Captain Marvel are you paying attention. This is serious.”

“Of course of course. But uh what exactly do you want me to do here?”

“I need information.”

“I don’t -“

“Marvel you are a terrible liar, also.” The man dressed as bat shrugged in the direction of superman. Right Superman, a living lie detector.

Billy: well fuck

Mercury: RUN

Solomon: oh is that it? Well then Billy just don’t ‘lie’

Billy could hear the smirk in man’s voice. Well two could play at this game. But first to get Dr.Fate off the field.

“I’m leaving.”

Well never mind then Fate was doing it for him.

Maybe he isn’t so bad after all.

“Dr Fate we need-“

“All is as it should be. Before I am a leaguer I am a Lord of Order. You would all do better to not interfere with which you do not understand.”

Yeah you tell them!

“Especially not with those as vile as demons.”

Billy took it back the bastard could suffer.

In that moment Fate left and two pairs of eyes landed on Billy himself. Goddamn it.

“So … what exactly do you want to know. I’ll do my best but I make no promises to answer everything.”

“THATS -“

“That is enough boys.” Wonder Woman walked in, “We are her to ask for help not interrogate our fellow leaguers. Now then Batman what evidence do you have to think both the girl and Captain Marvel know one another in the first place.”

“ Coordinates“

“What?”

“Coordinates from the demons location line up with the new coordinates you’ve sporadically been taking for the past year or so.”

“Batman that hardly proves-“

“Yes I know her.” Billy wasn’t getting around this, and maybe he could use it to paint Konstelacio in a better light. After all they had to understand, they were his heroes they had to understand that his sister wouldn’t hurt them. Not unless provoked.

—- —- —-

Clark could see Bruce sag in relief, the quest for answers over. But Clark didn’t think it be that easy, Captain Marvel may be immature but his loyalty was relentless. Something in the way he held himself could only leave Clark to believe that Konstelacio had earned that loyalty. Clark looked at Bruce again and sighed instead of voicing his opinion after all it’s not as if he was the detective, no he was just a journalist. Clark eye rolled internally.

“How?”

“She is… my sister in arms.”

Both him and Diana froze.

// … even by demon standards I assume you’re rather young …..//

Clarks hands clenched and unclenched, “What?” He must have heard wrong? Right, right even demons must care about their young.

“She is my sister in arms. She is a good person.”

“A good person, she’s a demon.”

Captain glowered actually glowered at Batman, Clark thought as he twitched to put himself between the two.

“And so is Superman and he’s an alien, so so what? Or is it different because he happens to look like you?”

“Why the hell is a child here?” Hall yelled! Constantine rolled his eyes, “Age is relative … tho even by demon standards I assume you’re rather young eh Sheila ?”

The demon pouted, “My name isn’t Sheila, I told you call me Konstelacio!”

“Right my apologies.”

Damian sneered,”Idiot.” Only to have Dick elbow him,”Don’t.”

“Now then! What do you need?” The girl crossed her arms and slowly paced by the edge of the circle.

“Wait wait hold up! What is the Infinite Realms?”

Demon girl kept on examining the circle, “Exactly what it sounds like.”

“What are you?”

“Rude”

“How old are you?”

“Depends”

“I thought this spell was supposed to be random?”

Dick groaned, “Wally-“ Zatanna put her hand up, “Hold on that actually is an important question. Why did you show up?”

The demons face contorted. “Uh because it’s my job?” Her hands coming up to her chest.

“How do you get a job like this Konstelacio ? This doesn’t exactly seem like a safe job for a kid?” Superman pondered.

She shrugged, “Eh, community service.”

The heroes gapped. Hal’s ring shone, “And what exactly does a demon have to do to be sentenced with community service?”

“None of your business!!!” The girl grew flustered shoulders tensing.

“Was it a violent crime?” Batman questioned

“That’s it I’m leaving!” She stepped closer to the middle of the circle “You humans are so rude!!!”

“Wait wait,” Constantine pleaded “I apologize on behalf of my colleagues. They have simply never met anyone as…” weird, different, odd “magnificent as you o great one!”

She hummed, “Oh no! The Great One is my uncle!!!”

Uncle? What did that even mean?!?! John was gonna have a heart attack at this rate.

“Yes well please don’t leave we truly do need your assistance!”

Batman cleared his throat, “We were trying to reach someone to help us with several world ending threats that have appeared.”

“Yes, you said that you were uh a helpline? Could you connect us with someone else?” Superman spoke in a kind tone.

“Well duh” the girl relaxed, “You need to actually talk about the issue tho and what exactly it is you’re looking for these things can be tricky.”

“Tell me about it. ….ow”

Batman continued, “ There seems to be some sort of disease spreading everywhere as well as a monster running rampant.”

“If it’s a magical monster why not have your magic users take care of it?”

“Captain Marvel and Dr Fate are both currently of world. We also think the disease may also be magic in nature.” Superman butted in.

The demons eyes lit up at the mention of the Captain only to turn to stone right after. Interesting thought Damian this might be useful information.

“ Alright then I’ll need as much info on these issues as I can! Tho I already do have a few ideas on who to contact about it!”

“This is the monster,” Aquaman pulled up photos of a blue glowing dragon in a gold amulet on screen. “It first appeared in Atlantis wreaking havoc in it wake as it took over the mainland along the coast of California. Our magicians were in able to harm it at all! One second it was there the next gone.”

“Uuughgghhhh Aragon!”

Necks almost broke looking back at her.

“Oh great you two know each other,” Constantine’s voice began to rise in pitch, “lovely.”

“What is he? My magic barely did anything to him too!” Zatanna asked

“Yeah,” Wally backed her up, “We couldn’t do anything against that thing!”

“He’s not a thing! He is a ghost his name is Arragon!”

Flash paled, “A ghost?? That thing couldn’t be a ghost !”

“That’s it I’m leaving! You are being rude again!”

John ran towards the circle, “Wait wait hold on now..”

“You are all being so rude! We are people! We have sentience Aragon is a person!” Red hot anger flushed her cheeks as her eyes wavered.

Flash went up to the circle, “You’re right you’re right it’s my fault entirely I’m sorry! Konstelacio!” Barry felt awful the young girl reminded him of Wally before the adoption. Sad and joking. Sad and demanding to be seen for what they are.

“Yeah whatever,” she looked away, “what about the illness ?”

“It started around the same time as the mons- as Aragon arrived. The illness seems to be random causing deterioration of the skin and violent outbursts,” Batman threw the file over the ring of the circle, “Here’s more info.”

“Hhhmm I’m going to be honest I don’t understand half of this stuff. You said it might be magic based?”

WonderWoman nodded, “ Yes I use to hear tales of something similar back on Themyscira. Supposedly it is one of the illnesses Pandora released from her box.”

“Well why didn’t you start with that ? I’m sure NanaDora will be happy to help!”

Diana was shocked, hurt and elated all at once! “Your grandmother is Pandora?! I did not know that she even had a child! I am ecstatic to meet you Konstelacio. Oh my I call you cousin?” This was it! as far apart as the separation between Pandora and Themyscia may be Diana would take any family she could. The loneliness of childhood gnawed at her.

“Oh no! I’m not Pandoras Grandchild!” The girl crossed and uncrossed her arms into an X to show her dismissal, “She is a good mentor! And a wonderful family confidant! If anything she’s like my Nanny.”

Constantine began to sweat buckets.

Diana shouted, “Wait…is Pandora…” lips thinned.

“A ghost ? Yes”

- Tim stared at Konstelacio, she had begun to breathe deeply, averting her eyes from Wonder Woman, feet shuffling together. She was exhibiting shame. And Tim understood the feeling well, that you were too unworthy to even be held in comparison to someone else. Someone whose shoes you could never even dream of filling. “Do Demons have grandmas?” Uhhh speedsters.

“Yes”

“That’s so cool! Who’s yours?”

“I don’t know.”

Oh oh those golden eyes looked tired. As tired as Jason’s eyes had been after his first gala, Dick thought. They may have both been adopted but Jason was treated to so much contempt being from the streets, so much fake pity. /Oh poor kid doesn’t even know who his mom is./Dick knew Jason hated it all.

“I’m sorry!”

“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter.”

/It doesn’t matter Dick! Just drop it!/ the eldest robin frowned.

Damian tsked, “What about your parents? I would suppose even monsters need those? Also landing community service instead of some harsher punishment must mean you have some connection to authority in your ‘realm’ no?”

The little girl grinned, “Yes something like that.”

She has nearly everyone in the room duped, Constantine side eyed the Bats nearly. He knew that smile; a tad too wide eyes, a fraction to tight smile, the inexplicable about of understanding and kindness up until this point… this was the grin of a con artist.

- “I know quite a lot of important people! Why Pandora herself is my nanny! And my supervisor is my uncle.”

“Tsh- is that not a conflict of interest?”

“Doesn’t matter,” John wished he was allowed to smoke in space, “No more wasting time, now that we know you can help us what’s your price?”

“Hhhuuu what? Oh the price for the antidote will have to come later, after all you technically aren’t getting it from me. I’ll have to ask nanna and whoever else decides to help what the want. It’s only fair.”

“We see,” Batman’s low tone sounded. “And the dragon-“

Her hand stuck out shyly, “Tips are always welcomed tho…after all I am still providing a service.”

“We don’t …”

“It takes me a lot of energy and time to help you mortals so much. I’m so tired already.”

Batman’s mouth stilled, “We-“

A blur of red, “Oh are you hungry? Do you need anything? Let me get you a chair, snacks..”

“No no chair! Nothing is going threw that circle !” Constantine yelled, “Do you have any idea what could happen!”

“She’s a child!”

“She’s a demon!”

“Constantine is right.”

“Bats you can’t be serious, just look at her?”

“Flash we know your intentions are in the right place but we just can’t risk it! We also can’t risk not clearly defining what she considers a tip.” Zatanna signed how long have they been here, the girl looked harmless enough but something about her made her skin crawl.

“A favor would be nice! Especially from the red one!”

“See who knows what she could end up asking for.”

“Oh I see I’m sorry,” she looked down dejected, “ I do suppose no one carries favors for ladies around anymore hhhmmm and none of you have handkerchiefs? Awww”

“Why would you want something like that ?!?” Diana was horrified, her to be cousin was a child! No men, man, demon should be giving her favors to begin a courtship! “Flash!”

“Oh no no I wasn’t defending you to-“

“I know I know I just wanted one from you cuz you were nice to me.”

“That’s still doesn’t explain why you would ask for a favor as a tip?” Diana looked as the girl flushed in embarrassment. “I -I -I just want one to show my friends that’s all just to prove that I could get one that’s all! Uummmm cousin???” She hesitated regretful as soon as the word had come out.

“Oh I see are your friends giving you a hard time? Well I say the only one that would be appropriate to give you such a thing would be Robin… the youngest that is.”

The bats looked back at Damian oh dear lord sweat god don’t -

“Tch- here.”

Oh

Damian tossed a handkerchief towards the circle. “You just carry a handkerchief with you?” “Of course I do I’m not a heathen unlike you Drake.”

The toss was barely thrown in her direction when it disappeared entirely. “Where…”

“No worries I just put it in my inventory. Now then I’ll be on my way.”

“Wait!”

“Huh?” Big doe eyes blinked up at them all in confusion.

“The dragon! What about that thi- guy.” Hal scruffed out.

The girl brightened up, “Oh you don’t have to pay me anything for that! After all Aragon the one that broke his patrol. So I’m sure as soon as I send my report someone will come deal with it eventually.”

“Eventually?!” Hal’s hand hit the table, who was this kid?

“Well yes, tons of reports go in everyday! It is the INFINITE realms after all! Who knows when they’ll get to yours.” She shrugged as if it was all just a matter of convenience as if that very dragon haven’t terrorized and destroyed lives throwing its tantrum.

Superman chewed his lip, as this meeting contributed to drag on he had no doubt Aragon would continue to destroy everything in its path. “Wait what about your connection, surely you know someone that can help ? What about your supervisor uncle ?” Clark needed this to stop, he couldn’t even land a punch on this guy. Nothing worked and he was already weak to magic. This has to stop.

“Well I suppose I can but it’ll cost you.”

“Wait just a minute!”

“Do we even have anything you want?” Clark raked his mind over ideas in his head, for a tip all she had wanted was a handkerchief an old school way of showing off to her friends like any normal girl. “We don’t have much but I’m sure we could think of something???”

“It’s okay Mr. Superman.” Konstelacio lite up “I’ll just take something you mortals don’t really think about hhhmmm something small.”

Hal sighed as he leaned back, “You sure we can’t just give her a dog?”

“Ugh fuck this mate I need a light,” forget not being allowed to smoke up here all these idiot we’re getting on John’s last nerve, “Ugh drat! I could have sworn I had my lighter in my pocket.”

“Oh you mortals losing things in your own pocket. Oh that’s what I want in return!”

“A lighter? Smoking is -“

“I want your pockets.”

“What do you mean?”

The devil grinned, “Your pockets, empty them.”

#@starkcravingmad

“Well then,” John huffed out a cloud of smoke “that could have gone worse.”

“Debrief in 10.” Batman stalked towards a nearby meeting room. This hadn’t gone at all as he thought it would. Bruce hated unknown variables and right now his ignorance could have cost them dearly. He needed to know as much about magic society as he could before Konstelacio came back with the cure. Something about all of this just didn’t sit right.

Sure the child had seemed happy and calm. All to willing to help for a low price. But she was defensive even before the perceived insults landed. Like his sons, like Tim, waiting for the rug to be pulled under them. Scared but joking, happy. Until a dark look passed over her face, happiness flying away the moment Dr.Fate was mentioned. That look reminded Bruce of just how dangerous this demon was and just how much he need to prepare for everything. He refused to lose anyone else, not now not ever.

—- —- —-

The demon unfolded her legs from underneath her, legs scraping against each other with a metallic rasp. She held the handkerchief up to the sun, spots of blood disappearing into the air. She exhaled overwhelmed, stomach sinking as she inhaled rage filled.

She didn’t have to answer every summons, doing so would be a waste of time. She had even been told to avoid the Justice League all together. But when she had sensed Batman of all people on the other side she had to. She had to know, her family her sweet precious family would be moving to Gotham soon. Her brothers had reassured her that everything would be fine but this this wasn’t fine at all.

She hated them she hated them with every fiber of her being why ! Why! Why! Did she have to bump into this again! This time will be different tho she promised, this time no one was going to get hurt. She refuses to lose anyone else, not now not ever again!

She crumpled her new handkerchief into her fist. She, she had work to do. Gotham was no longer as safe as she had assumed it to be.

Not when Batman was working with an Al Ghul.

#@busterkeel

Ghost Helpline Part 5

“Tt-” Damian opened his phone as soon as he received the second notification, his ‘colleges’ were making too much insipid noise.

“What just happened,” Hal held his head in his hands. He really thought nothing else’s could surprise him anymore. Monsters, magic, hell Hal dealt with aliens everyday… yeah right he dealt with aliens every day. Different cultures, values and morals. And after all what’s an interdenominational demon but another type of alien? Hal settled down next to Barry, this wasn’t bad. Right this wasn’t bad at all kids an are still just kids no matter the species.

Clark took control of the meeting outlining everything that had happened and going over the next steps with the magicians. Constantine insured everyone that there was such a thing as ‘good’ demon, but that they were not the type to want to involve themselves with humans … like at all. Which left the group at an impasse.

“I’m not saying she’s evil or anything! She might just be a sweet girl but she is still dangerous. Demons are known for their greed and deception. Even if she isn’t strong enough to fight any of us she can just as easily trick one of you idiots out of your lives.” John hated all of this. He hated working with the justice losers, he hated himself for dragging a kid into this mess and he was just so tired.

Red Robin fingers were clicking quick and sharp, making a file on Konstelacio. Writing down looks, personality and of course theories. “Tim! You can’t just put in “ex-criminal” or “disease” maybe her skin is just like that!”

“Then why wasn’t any of it on her face?”

“Tt- unlike the rest of you, some of us are actually doing something important here.”

“Robin we are trying to strategize-“

“Yes well I am am trying to zero in on her location.”

The room quieted.

“Robin report.”

“She was in Wisconsin a few minutes ago, some forest in the middle of nowhere. I’ll share the coordinates.” Dick was absolutely appalled, “When did you put a tracker on her?!?! Oh my god what if she figures it out and comes back to hurt you! What were you thinking?” Wait… no, oh damn it Damian, “It was on the handkerchief wasn’t it?” That’s why Damian had been so ready to part with it. He would admit that it was clever, but this was his little brother! Dick had every right to worry.

“Well where is she now?”

“Pismo, California where else.”

Barry felt Hal tense next to him, “Bear, Bear please tell me that isn’t where the dragon is.”

——- —- —- —- —- —- —- —— —— —— —— ——

Billy Batson boarded the javelin, missions with Dr. Fate were the worst! He missed Nelson. The man had a way of making conversation, of keeping Nabu silent. This new Dr Fate just didn’t know went to stop, and was just so uptight! No wonder Klarion hates the guy.

Billy sighed at least he’d be home soon. Well one of them at least… he wondered if his family would be done moving into the new house yet. Ugh Gotham

Ghost Helpline part 6

Green Arrow, Black Canary, martian Marnhunter and a gaggle of side kicks were probably not the best group to be handling a dragon. A dragon none of them could touch, it would just go threw everything. Especially arrows.

“I’m just a guy with some arrows I didn’t ask for all this magic and monsters nonsense.”

Arsenal snickered, “Its actually called Dungeons and Dragons Ollie.”

“I hate all of you.”

For now the dragon was sleeping, laid out the sand puffing smoke out of his nose. Having decided not to go threw with his threat of burning everything to ashes. If Ollie was being generous the monster almost seemed… depressed. Giving up his fight half heartedly, the beast had knocked Superman out of the air! He could definitely beat them but the dragon only stared at Arrow before grumbling deciding to nap, “What’s the point ? You humans are going to light yourselves on fire anyway.”

That was over an hour now and everyone sans the Marians were starting to grow jumpy. Inviting Constantine was always a headache, and the plan to collect help seemed down right batshit insane. But it wasn’t on Oliver so what could he do? He was just a guy with arrows.

——- ——- ——-

An hour, then another, then one more before a girl showed up. She looked unusual but he’s seen weirder. “Hey! Whose sidekick is this ? Who let her out onto the field? Get outta there kids.” Ollie pulled back an arrow, knowing full well it wouldn’t do anything against the giant lizard, but it was better than doing nothing.

She wasn’t even flying, she was just walking up to it. Like it was nothing she didn’t even seem scared just annoyed. “Hey! Somebody stop her be-“ the Martian hushed him,”Wait, look.”

Back straight, head held high, arms behind her, like a soldier. And Oliver would know he was well acquainted with a few, Stewart not withstanding. What was she- “Aaragon. You should not be here.” Her voice was loud, not commanding but stilled. She was, oh god this kid was nagging a dragon!

“I’m not angry…”

Oh my god no!

“I’m just disappointed.”

Green Arrow relaxed his arms, chuckling. The dragon, Aaragon actually looked shame faced.

—- ——

~Back at the watchtower~

Hal’s head was spinning, “We have to go after her!”

“Red Robin pull up a video feed now. Someone call in. We are not running into this situation without- “

“Bats shes just some kid!”

“She is an interdenominational being of unknown power who insisted she could take care of it. Call. Manhunter. first.”

—- —- —-

“What’s wrong this time Aragon I swear to CW if this is about a girl again.” Konstelacio dragged a hand down her face, ugh at least it was Aragon.

The two argued as the heroes regrouped to watch the show, uhh to gather intel.

“Come on now Aragon! What happened ! What are you really upset about? You haven’t gone off on a rage like this in months! Don’t make me call for help.”

“I don’t need help! And that’s Prince Aragon to you!”

Arsenal cringed, that couldn’t have been the right thing to say.

“No it isn’t, your sister has graciously allowed for you to have your title reinstated ONLY if you get help!” The girl huffed proud and tired. “And you were doing so good at foundling Aragon! What happened? You know I cant judge you. “ she snorted “I’m not Walker.”

“I don’t need counseling! I hate it! I hate everything! I hate humans!”

Konstelacio felt shaky in a sad way, she knew this speech. “That’s not how therapy works Aragon, you know that.”

“She’s right,” Black Canary stepped up. It was obvious the two beings knew each other and one of them was hurting. She approached softly, she was also the only one that could land a hit on this thing- even if she had to resort to ruining her voice. In case she was wrong she needed to be close enough to push the girl away.

The behemoth roared, “What would you know human!” Aragon snarled claws snapping around the girl!

Covering her, protecting her. Oh.

“Oh what did they do this time? Did they hurt you?”

Aragons neck rose, “As if these puny mortals could land a blow on the might Prince Aragon!”

“Ex Prince.”

“Gggrrrr!”

“Ether talk to me or let’s go home. You know we’re not supposed to be here.”

Aragon hummed looking down on the heroes, Arsenal hated it.

“It’s all gone.”

“What? What’s all gone?”

A low rumble emoted from the dragons despair, “Everything! My home! My castle! My kingdom ! Everything’s changed.”

“I’m sorry Aragon,” Konstelacio has been alive centuries and tried to acted it but in moments like this she felt small, so small.

“I am to, I didn’t mean to come to the living realm at all. I knew I was getting angry so I went out where I couldn’t damage sisters reputation anymore. I stubbles into a natural portal and just.”

“I understand suddenly being underwater must have been really scary for a fire user.” She missed the ocean… she the ancient ships not so much. “But why didn’t you come back afterwards! Honestly! I was starting to get worried -“

“No you weren’t.”

“What?” - Dinah pursed her lips closed, she had treated people like this before, she wanted to help, this girl was out of her depth.

“You didn’t even notice I was gone! No body noticed I was gone! Sister didn’t notice I was gone.” Aragon was frustrated, angry seething red. Things were perfect the way it was before! So what if he made some mistakes ruling after their parents died? And so what is Dora hated him? She doesn’t know anything! She doesn’t know how hard he had to work to keep everything together! .. so what if she was scared of him? He had been doing everything for her right? He had been… he was…

“I -I -iii”

“And it just made you madder right?” Black canary tiptoed, “Just made you feel like no one cares about you. Like you need to lash out to even be seen. I understand where you’re coming from. Your friend is right therapy is a long process and is bound to come with set backs and that’s okay. But you can’t just give up. Someone as strong as you is bound to push threw!”

Konstelacios throat filled with acid,“I’m sorry Aragon I didn’t know I’m a bad friend, please come home ? I promise to check in on you more. I’ll even blackmail FrightNight to hangout with us!”

“You would blackmail the FrightNight! For me?”

“I’d blackmail General Dan for you man!” The girl chuckled, “Tho speaking of the general we are going to have to check in with him.”

The beast moved back, and just what in the world was their general to make a literal dragon scared?????

“It’s okay Aragon I’ll do all the talking.” She winked up at the creature.

“Alright I’ll go back.” The mammoth of a livers pulled himself up towering over everyone, the girl didn’t flinch.

The blue ghost looked over at the heroes, “Thank you Healer for your words, I had not know I need to hear them. Kkhhmm and thank you green one the sight of a human closer to my time is … comforting I suppose. Archers are a rarity these days.”

The demon smiled finally time to go home!

“Wait, please excuse my interruption I have a few questions to ask miss Konstelacio.”

Aragon had begun to shrink into that of a young man, eighteen in medieval attire, instantly he was leaning over the girls shoulder. Protective. “And who are you?”

“Hello, My name is Martian manhunter.”

Ghost Helpline part 7

“What exactly did she say?”

“I’m telling you bats she just went ‘Questions cost extra’ and then the two of them just disappeared into thin air!!” Arsenal couldn’t fucking believe this, they had been talking in circles for five minutes. The girl left Roy feeling off balance, she creeped him out. There he said it she creeped him the fuck out! A part of him was so unsettled by her all he wanted to do was shoot both those fuckers and be done with it. Then he pushed that unpleasantness down and looked again. All he saw was a tired tired kid. Had he ever been that tired as Speedy? Now he was pushing all those feelings down again because now he didn’t want to kill her or sympathize with her, he guessed some part of being a father had made him weak, now all he wanted were answers!!

Tim was begging to grow worried for Bruce Batman. It was clear to Tim that he was spiraling, understandably, all security forage in the watchtower had come up as static. Glitching widely, the best picture they could capture was of the floor covered in fire Konstelacios metallic boots in the corner. There were no leads; no ancient murals, crumbling statues or off handed anecdotes in a dead man’s journal. Nothing. And according to the team on dragon watch duty there were possibly even more threatening players involved. A group of people strong enough to take down a villain that thwaped Superman like a fly. It was unnerving for Tim, which only meant it must be driving Bruce Batman up a wall. Tim worried.

—- — —-

Konstelacio arrived at Masters Manor with her friend approximately 10 minutes later. A headache forming in between her ears and a sigh escaping her.

All of her brothers ran about packing their things, “See I told you she’d be back! She’s fine.” Konstelacio didn’t bother to check which one of them had spoken, it hardly mattered.

“I’m heading down to the lab, I need to use the portal.” No one answered as she took Aragons hand and descended the steps.

“Whelp, time to face the music buddy.” She pouted, listening to Uncle Dans lecture was going to be a pain.

—— — — —-

Booster came back three days after the meeting, a whole day and a half before Captain Marvel, with a massive concussion .It was a mistake.

Constantine wasn’t upset no no of course not … he was fucking pissed!!!

How on earth was this his life now??? He grabbed as many totems and charms as he could. They were going to need as much luck as they could get their hands on.

-

“Bloody fucking Hell this is by far the worst idea I have ever heard and I want absolutely no part of it!!!”

“John”

“Don’t you John me Z! This is obviously a bad idea!!!”

WonderWoman sighed, “We understand the risks but we are out of options.”

“Pppfff as if we wanted you here in the first place pal”

“Hal!”

“What it’s true if this spell? Summoning? Offering? What ever the hell it’s called didn’t require two magicians we would have just let Zatanna do it!”

“Stop it everyone we cannot be fighting amongst ourselves right now! We have to be ready for anything that happens and whoever decides to help us.” Superman crossed his arms. “Uh question, I get the whole dabbling in magical creatures equal bad but uhhh who or what are we doing exactly?” Wally said offhandedly to Robin(Dick)

“That’s just the thing … we don’t know this Circle is essentially an open invitation to anyone who can help us,” Zatanna sighed “Which means we have to be ready for the worst including whatever it is this creature may want in exchange.” “Oh yeah,” John huffed “Our first born, blood of a virgin, Superman’s soul totally nothing we need to worry about or take to mean We. should. Not. Do. this! !”

Batman ‘cleverly’ choose that moment to walk in, “Alright then start it up.”

Magic is always hard to describe; the colors, and motion like something out a fantasy but this ? This was inexplicable as the candles rose to the ceiling, smoke filled their eyes and the sound of, well -some kind- of animal shook their ears. Then as fast as it came it was gone, as they adjusted to the scene they saw who now occupied the middle of the circle.

Horns

“Bollocks it just had to be a devil.”

Black hair sloppily put into twin buns, held together by … twine???

Superman’s eyebrows creased in slight confusion.

Tan skin painted black in the pattern of an old broken glass on their arms.

Flash stilled next to his nephew.

A scar from a blade ran across one half of their face.

WonderWoman lowered her lasso.

Gold eyes.

Zatanna felt uncomfortable.

There in the circle stood what they would all guess to be a 12 maybe 14 year old???

Batman’s stomach suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“What the ….-“

“Hello Mortals! You have reached the Infinite Realms HelpLine! You may call me Konstelacio! How may I be of assistance?”