Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Something was wrong. Danny knew something was wrong. Danny couldn't pinpoint what though. Grief overtook him and Danny didn't even know why. He was sad, grieving. What was he grieving? Danny didn't know. 

Danny then remembered. Today was the anniversary of his death. He was only fourteen when he died. Now he was twenty one and the official King of Ghosts. His body hasn't aged a day though. 

Danny didn't want to move. He was sad. He wanted to cry. Danny let himself cry. He should be dead. He's half dead. Even if he does fully die he'll get no rest in the afterlife. He's the Ghost King. 

He doesn't want to be the Ghost King. He just wants to sleep. Just leave everything behind. Sleep forever. He's so tired. He just wants to sleep even for a little bit. 

Danny curled up in bed crying into his pillow then his breaths started to slow and Danny did something he hasn't done since he died. He fell asleep. His breathing stopped and his heart beat only once every month. His body went deathly still and became cold as a corpse. 

Jazz found his body first. She tried waking him but Danny didn't wake up. Tucker and Sam tired next. Danny didn't wake. The next day Jack and Maddie tried to wake him up. Danny didn't wake. 

They did their tests. They tried everything they could think of but Danny didn't wake. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months and months turned into years. 

Danny didn't wake. 

Jack and Maddie were there for him always trying but never succeeding. Tucker and Sam visited every month but as the years went by they were losing hope. Jazz refused to give up on her brother but even she was starting to lose hope. Years went by. Danny didn't wake. 

Jack and Maddie were getting old. They knew they didn't have much time left. They decided to give Danny a proper funeral since they knew he wouldn't wake up. 

They put Danny in a crypt, refusing to bury him in case he woke up some day. They even added a secret trap door and path for Danny for when he did wake up. Jazz was against the idea of a funeral but knew she had to let go. Tucker and Sam attended the funeral and many of their classmates. Even Dash showed up to pay his respects. 

Danny wasn't dead though. He was only half dead. He was asleep though and he wouldn't wake up. At least not in any of their lifetimes. 

Years passed by and grave robbers broke into the crypt. They froze when they saw Danny's body. Danny's body still looked fourteen. Danny's body didn't decompose. 

"It's just a kid and his body looks fresh." One grave robber said in shock. 

"But hasn't this crypt been here forever? What do we do?" The other grave robber asked also off put. 

"Leave an anonymous tip. It's not cool to kill kids. We need to leave." The first grave robber said and they left. 

The police of the time investigated. They found Danny's body. They did their tests but found nothing. They all noticed Danny wasn't decaying though. They say the crypt was unsettling. Some say they had visions of skeletons with sharp swords guarding the casket. They put the body back and sealed the crypt as they were all superstitious and didn't want to get cursed. 

His crypt was guarded from then on. Police guards at first. Then as time went on only the superstitious guarded the crypt. What was inside was forgotten. Stories and rumors spread though. 

No one no longer knew what was in the crypt but no one was willing to break in again. Some say ultimate evil would be released if the crypt was ever opened again. Some say the crypt held in a powerful angel of death. Others said the crypt was empty. That whatever they were guarding didn't even exist. No one dared check though. 

Then time went on and the guards died out. No one guarded the crypt but the stories lived on. Teenagers would draw satanic symbols, sigils, and graffiti. Anything to try to summon this so-called demon. Nothing worked though. 

Then the historians found the ancient crypt. They declared it a historical landmark and fixed up the outside, covering the graffiti. No one was allowed inside the crypt though. Whatever may lay inside remained a mystery for many years on end. The graveyard was preserved, respected, and abandoned. Only guarded by a stray police officer and his dog. 

Many expected the crypt to crumble, decay, fall in on itself. It stood through the ages though. The gravestones closest to it also didn't seem to be weathered. The gravestones further away didn't last as long though. 

It was intriguing and only magic users understood the significance of such an event. Something powerful was in that crypt. Rumors spread again. Trying to guess what powerful being could possibly be in a crypt so old. Trying to figure out why it still stood through time. Why it never decayed. 

None of them guessed right. Except one. A crazy warlock guessed it was the lost King of Ghosts. No one believed him. Everyone knew the King was just busy. There's no way the Ghost King was hidden away in some random crypt. 

More years passed by with no answers. Then a young Bruce Wayne visited the graveyard intrigued by it's existence. Bruce was only twenty one but he heard about the rumors and theories about this graveyard. It should have crumbled and decayed long ago but it stood tall even now. 

Bruce wanted answers. He snuck into the graveyard at night and slowly approached the crypt. This crypt wasn't opened in seven hundred years. Bruce did his research already and knew all the theories and history of it, or at least the reported history. No one really knew when it was made. 

Bruce hesitantly touched the crypt door and was surprised to find it still strong. Bruce tried opening it but couldn't. The door was sealed shut and Bruce couldn't get in. 

Bruce put his ear up to the door to see if he could hear anything inside and wasn't a bit surprised when he heard nothing. Bruce was about to take his ear away when he heard it. 

It sounded like a heart beat. It only beat once but something was in there! Was it still alive? How did it survive all these years? 

Bruce tried the door again but it didn't budge. Bruce quickly looked for another way in. Bruce looked all around it but found nothing. Bruce huffed then went to the back and stared at it like it would give him answers on how to get in. Bruce took a step back and tapped his foot in frustration. Bruce then noticed his foot tapping making an unusual sound. 

The ground sounded hollow? 

Bruce experimented and tried other places but it was just that one spot. Bruce felt around the grass but found nothing. 

Why did it sound hollow? Bruce knew he shouldn't be digging in a graveyard but his curiosity got the best of him. 

Bruce got out his trowel and carefully dug out the hollow ground. Bruce found a trapdoor and looked at it in surprise. 

Where does this lead? 

Bruce tried opening it but it wouldn't budge either and Bruce soon figured out why. There was a lock on the trap door. A key hole. Bruce looked around to make sure no one was around then started to pick the lock. 

"Yes!" Bruce celebrated quietly as he got the trap door unlocked. Bruce slowly opened it and looked into the darkness. Bruce smiled in anticipation and excitement as he got out his flashlight and shone it into the hole. 

There was a stone flooring about twelve feet down but Bruce didn't see any way to get down safely or how he would get back up. Bruce would have to come back with supplies. Bruce reluctantly closed the trap door again then decided to lock it again before covering it back up. 

He found something that hasn't ever been discovered before! 

Bruce was so excited to see where the trap door led and if it would lead into the crypt. Bruce made his way to the store and got some climbing gear. Bruce then made his way back to the trap door and opened it carefully. 

Bruce excitedly made his way down into the hole then froze as he got to the bottom. The stone path was old and extremely dark. Bruce shone his light around and saw the place covered in many layers of dust. 

No one has been down here in a long long time. 

Bruce slowly ventured forth and found a metal ladder at the end of the tunnel. Bruce had no idea if the ladder would hold his weight. Bruce gently grabbed a rung and put a little bit of weight on it. The rung moved and Bruce immediately let go of it. 

Bruce looked up the ladder and saw another trap door. This one didn't have a lock. Bruce knew he couldn't use the ladder. It would break. 

How was he going to get up? 

Bruce huffed as he tried to think of a solution but was struggling to find one. Bruce tried a different rung on the ladder and this one was stable. It didn't move at all. 

Bruce nodded determinedly figuring he could use some of the ladder. Bruce ended up having to use every other rung and when he got to the top he slowly opened the trap door. 

The door was heavy though and Bruce struggled to even get it open enough that he could climb up. Bruce got through though then panted in exhaustion as he crawled into the crypt. 

Bruce then looked around and froze again as he saw the casket. The casket was small. It looked to be made of stone but the lid was glass. Bruce slowly stood up and approached the coffin. 

The glass was murky and Bruce couldn't see through it. Bruce gently ran his hand over it then noticed that it wasn't murky. It was covered in dust. Bruce wiped some of the dust off then tensed up as he saw what was inside the coffin. 

It was a child! His body was perfectly persevered and did not look to be decayed at all. 

Bruce wiped off more dust and saw that the kid was dressed in a tunic, he had a deep blue robe on, lined with white fur. Bruce then saw what looked like a flaming crown of glass on his head and a ring with a bright red gem on his hand. 

This kid was a royal? A prince? He didn't read about any royalty in this area though. All that here was a forgotten town. This was a find of the century! He wasn't supposed to be trespassing though. Why was no one talking about this? Why was the crypt always closed? No one even knew what was inside. Why keep this hidden? 

Bruce looked around then saw symbols on the walls. It looked like text but Bruce didn't know what language it was. It was a message. 

What did it say? 

Bruce took a picture of the text and then the coffin. He would have to develop the photos later but he was excited to finally know what was in the crypt. Bruce took a few more photos then went back to the trap door. Bruce tried lifting it but it was heavy and it wouldn't budge. 

No! He can't have trapped himself in here! 

Bruce tried again but the door was stuck and he lost his hold on the handle. Bruce tumbled to the ground then noticed a skull in the corner of the room. Bruce then noticed it wasn't just one skull there was a whole wall of skulls, human skulls. 

Those definitely weren't there before. 

Bruce turned his head then scrambled back as he saw a reanimated skeleton with a sword stepping towards him. 

Bruce scrambled to his feet and tried the trap door again and this time it popped open. Bruce quickly went down the ladder then stumbled as one of the rungs broke off making Bruce fall. Bruce landed on his back then scrambled back as the trap door shut making a loud bang. 

Bruce listened carefully to see if the skeleton pursued him but Bruce heard nothing. Bruce shakily made his way to the exit and climbed up his rope, trying to calm down. 

As Bruce was climbing he noticed the wall had something on it. Like it used to hold a ladder but the rungs were removed. 

Why was the ladder removed? 

Bruce got to the top and laid down on the grass looking up at the stars. Bruce tried to get his breathing back under control as he noticed how panicked he got. 

Fuck, what the hell was that? Was he hallucinating? He probably shouldn't have gone in without a gas mask. 

Bruce looked down at his camera then smiled as he noticed it still intact. Bruce chuckled feeling thrilled and looked up at the stars again in pure joy. 

He can't believe he just did that! If Alfred were here he would be so mad! He just broke into a crypt! He's really not supposed to be here. 

Bruce sat up then covered up the trap door again then packed up his gear and went back to his car. Bruce saw a security guard and quickly left before he could get caught. Bruce went back to his condo he bought and chucked nervously as he saw Alfred waiting on him. 

"Master Bruce, where have you been?" Alfred asked, no doubt noticing how dirty he was. 

"I was just exploring the town." Bruce lied. Alfred looked at him in disapproval. 

"Get cleaned up then head to bed. You have a big day tomorrow." Alfred said and Bruce nodded. 

"Yeah, will do!" Bruce left the room then headed towards his dark room. 

Bruce stayed up developing the photos he took and tried to figure out what language he saw carved into the walls of the crypt. Bruce was having a hard time looking it up though. 

Bruce looked at the developed photos in confusion. The text on the walls seemed to glow in the photos. The kid's crown and ring also seemed to glow. Bruce checked the photos for the skulls or skeleton but he found nothing. Bruce tried once again to find the language but he still couldn't figure it out. 

Bruce knew the graveyard was magical. Bruce didn't quite believe in magic though. This language was unidentifiable though so Bruce did his research on magical languages to see if he could find it. 

Bruce then found something similar. Enochian, said to be the language of angels. It wasn't exactly Enochian though. There were many symbols he couldn't identify. It's like the language was rooted in Enochian but had its own form and new letters. From what he could translate he only got one word. 

"Fan-i-ta-mon." Bruce said it but it felt unfamiliar on his tongue. 

"Fani-ta-moon? Fant-mon? Fan-tin?" Bruce didn't know what he was saying. 

Whatever it said it had to have a clearer translation. Bruce knew he needed help from an expert. 

Bruce yawned though and knew he needed to get some sleep. He had a meeting with some very important people about his company in the morning. Plus he needed to attend a party hosted by one Vlad Masters. Bruce reluctantly went to bed and got some sleep. 

Chapter Text

Vlad Masters was the local billionaire of this small town called Amity Park. Vlad was a recluse though and never went out in public. Even when he did go out he always wore a mask. 

Bruce had no idea why Vlad chose to hide his face but he was determined to find out. They say that Vlad's mansion has been around for centuries. The Masters family were always very secretive and talked to no one. It made Bruce wonder how the family was still alive. That is assuming Masters is a family name. How else would the property still be owned by the Masters? 

Bruce only really came to Illinois because of the mystery that surrounded Amity Park. The crypt was the most mysterious but Vlad Masters' party was the most talked about. Vlad finally decided to open his doors for one night. From what he's heard this only happened once every a hundred years. A family tradition of sorts. Those were just rumors though. 

Bruce was excited to meet the Masters family and see if they knew anything about the crypt. Bruce was also curious as to why Vlad was so secretive in the first place. 

There were many theories as to why he never lived lavishly and partied often like most billionaires. Some say he was an old man who just wanted his privacy. Others say he was a young man disciplined by his parents too harshly never being allowed to go out. Some say he's really a vampire that refuses to leave his family home. The rumor in the magical circles was that he was a ghost haunting the house that made a pact with a demon to make sure the house was never destroyed. Bruce had no idea what was true but he was excited to find out. 

Bruce arrived and looked at the place in awe. There were guards in knight armor at the door with swords. The mansion looked more like a castle than a house. The press were kept out and Bruce approached the guards nervously. 

"Bruce Wayne." Bruce said, showing off his I.D. 

"Welcome in Mr. Wayne. Mr. Masters is expecting you." One guard said letting him in. Bruce nodded and walked in. The foyer was filled with people. Bruce was surprised to see that many elites from all around the world came. Bruce then froze when he saw their host. Vlad had a mask on that covered the upper half of his face. He looked to be in his forties, maybe fifties. He had a sharp jaw and already had stripes of grey hair on his head. He was wearing a nice three piece suit and tie. He greeted everyone warmly and genuinely seemed to enjoy the people around him. 

He's either really good at acting or is actually glad for the company. Where are his parents? Does he have any siblings? 

Bruce looked around but only found a portrait of Vlad himself. He didn't have any photos or paintings of his family around. Bruce hummed in thought then decided to get a drink and greet some of the people there. Bruce was a bit nervous because despite this being an elite event he didn't really know anyone. Most of the people here were from out of the country. Bruce looked around for Ollie hoping his best friend was invited to the party but he couldn't find him. 

"And who might you be?" Vlad's voice surprised him and he turned around to look at him. 

"Bruce Wayne, sir." Bruce introduced himself, trying to sound confident. 

"Bruce Wayne, the golden child." Vlad said and Bruce tilted his head at him. 

"You know me?" Bruce asked, then realized how stupid of a question that was. 

Of course Vlad knew him. Vlad invited him to this party. 

"I've heard a lot about you. You're all grown up now." Vlad said, smiling at him like a proud grandparent. 

"Did you know my dad?" Bruce asked curiously. 

"Yes, we used to write letters to each other. He was the only one I trusted to see my face." Vlad said, smiling fondly. 

"You don't look that old." Bruce said, wondering how Vlad could have known his father. 

"Thank you but I am much older than I look." Vlad chuckled sadly. "Tell me Wayne, whatever happened to your father?" 

He didn't know? How could he have not known? 

"He died." Bruce said uncomfortably. 

"Oh, was it sickness or..." Vlad trailed off sadly. 

"A mugger." Bruce shared, figuring Vlad at least deserved to know what happened to his friend. 

"Thomas you idiot. I told you to be careful." Vlad whispered underneath his breath in grief. Vlad suddenly looked at Bruce in surprise and pity. "I'm sorry. You must have still been a child. Did you at least have your mother?" Vlad asked and Bruce shook his head sadly. "Oh, Wayne. I would have taken you in if I knew." Vlad said, caressing his face. 

"I'm not a kid anymore and I don't need you. I have Alfred." Bruce said angrily, pushing him away. 

"Of course, I apologize. That was out of turn. Did you ever have any siblings?" Vlad asked. 

"No, it's just me." Bruce said, shifting uncomfortably. 

"Do you think you'll ever have kids?" Vlad asked and Bruce looked at him in surprise. 

"I-uh- I haven't really thought about it." Brue said, blushing in embarrassment. 

"There's still time. I just don't want to see the Wayne line end. You Wayne's will always be my favorite." Vlad said, smiling. 

"Why is that?" Bruce asked curiously. 

"Your compassion. Your stubbornness and your courage. I bet you're just as stubborn as your old man." Vlad chuckled. 

"I certainly try to be." Bruce said proudly. 

"Heh, so tell me Bruce. I assume you have questions. What do you want to know?" Vlad asked him and Bruce smiled. 

"What was my dad like?" Bruce asked. 

"He was kind, charming, and stubborn as ever. He even managed to get me to leave this old castle every now and then." Vlad chuckled fondly. 

"Do you have any family?" Bruce asked. 

"I used to. They are long gone though, except my- well he never really was my son. He's asleep though and I don't know if he'll wake up." Vlad said, looking fearful. 

"I'm sorry. Is he in a coma?" Bruce asked. 

"Yes, you could call it that." Vlad chuckled sadly. "I do have a daughter though. She hates me. She's helping- uh- she's away." Vlad said, looking uncomfortable. 

Okay? What's Vlad's daughter doing? Why is it a secret? 

"Why do you always wear a mask?" Bruce asked, deciding to move on. 

Vlad probably wouldn't answer him anyway. 

"Because I'm immortal." Vlad said and Bruce chuckled. 

"Really?" Bruce asked in disbelief. Vlad just shrugged and Bruce laughed. 

"Your father didn't believe me either." Vlad said, smirking. 

"If you're immortal how old are you really?" Bruce asked curiously. 

"Seven hundred forty seven." Vlad said and Bruce gawked. 

"That's... that's a long time." Bruce said realizing if Vlad really was that old he probably knew what was in the crypt. 

He probably was there when it was made. 

"Do you know anything about that old crypt in the graveyard?" Bruce asked in interest. 

"Oh, that's just where Fe- uh- no. It's a mystery. I don't know anything about that place." Vlad said and Bruce looked at him in suspicion. 

Vlad definitely knew what was inside. How did he know though? When Bruce went in nothing was disturbed. Vlad looked no older than forty-five. How could he possibly know what's in the crypt? Unless he was really immortal. 

"You look puzzled. What did you find out?" Vlad asked him. 

"N-Nothing. Not yet at least. I'm just confused. Do you actually know what's in the crypt?" Bruce asked cautiously. 

"Why? What have you done?" Vlad asked, sounding defensive, angry. 

"I-I-I didn't- I was just curious-"

"Come with me, little one. We need to talk, privately." Vlad said and Bruce looked at him in offence then quickly followed him as he led the way away from the party. Vlad led him to a quiet hallway then into a bedroom. 

"What did you do?" Vlad asked, taking off his mask after he locked the door. Bruce took a step back as he saw Vlad's sharp features and angry face. 

"I-I didn't do anything!" Bruce tried to claim. 

"Why were you asking about the crypt?" Vlad asked angrily. 

"Because you claimed to be immortal and I was just- if you really are that old you would know what's inside." Bruce explained himself sheepishly. 

"Hm, you are as intelligent as your father was. I am surprised you even believed me in the first place." Vlad said and Bruce looked at him in confusion and didn't know if he should be offended or not. 

"Who's in that crypt and what's Fan-tin?" Bruce asked in confusion. 

"It's Fenton." Vlad corrected him and Bruce looked at him in surprise. 

"You can read the text on the walls?" Bruce asked and Vlad looked at him in suspicion. 

"How did you know about the text on the walls? Did you break into his crypt?" Vlad asked angrily. 

"I didn't break anything I just snuck in through a secret trap door I found." Bruce admitted shamefully. 

"You saw him then?" Vlad asked and Bruce nodded. "Is he awake yet?" Vlad asked and Bruce furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Awake? He's dead. He wasn't breathing." Bruce said in confusion. 

"No then. Okay." Vlad said sadly. 

"Was he your son?" Bruce asked carefully. 

"He wasn't really. We got along during his last years but I just want him to wake up. It's been long enough." Vlad said, looking angry but scared for some reason. 

Vlad was in denial. His son was dead and he couldn't accept it. Is that why there was a trapdoor? In case he woke up? 

"If you're really immortal and that body in the crypt is your son. Why hasn't it decayed at all?" Bruce asked in confusion. 

"It's magic. Time stands still around him. It's something Clockwork cooked up to keep him comfortable." Vlad explained. 

"Who's Clockwork, a magician?" Bruce guessed and Vlad laughed. 

"Yeah, you could say that. Let's get back to the party. That's enough questions for now." Vlad said, putting on his mask then opened the door. Bruce sighed in complaint but reluctantly went through the door. 

"Will I ever hear from you again?" Bruce asked curiously. 

"No, not you, Golden Boy." Vlad said, running a hand through Bruce's hair. 

"Why not?" Bruce asked curiously. 

"You ask too many questions." Vlad chuckled and Bruce frowned. "Go on, enjoy the party. Find someone to woo and have a good time with." Vlad dismissed him and Bruce reluctantly did so. 

Bruce tried to catch Vlad's attention once more but Vlad always shooed him away. Bruce put back on his persona of a dumb billionaire and flirted and got drunk. Bruce did eventually find someone to please and have a one night stand with. 

The party was fun and even though he didn't find out much he learned a lot. He still had plenty of questions but he did have some answers. Magic was the key. If he could understand more about magic then he could properly translate the text and maybe figure out what any of it meant. 

Bruce understood that he probably shouldn't be looking into the crypt anymore. Vlad is still grieving his son. Then again Vlad acted like he would still wake up. Then there was that word "Fenton". What did it mean? Was that a name? Was there a chance the kid would actually wake up again? 

If Vlad is really immortal who's to say the kid was actually really dead. Bruce did hear a heartbeat. It only sounded once though. There's more to this story and Bruce is going to figure it out. 

He just needs to find a magician that can translate the text he found. Where the hell is he going to find someone like that? He did hear stories about this powerful warlock once. Maybe if he found the warlock he could ask for his help. Luckily for him this warlock was famous because everyone thought he was mad. Bruce only got a last name but next he's going to work on finding Constantine. 

Chapter Text

Bruce knocked at the apartment door not sure he was in the right place. 

"Who is it?" A rugged voice called out through the door. 

"Bruce Wayne." Bruce said and Bruce heard many locks unlocking. The door opened and Bruce was surprised to see that the crazy warlock wasn't an old man but young. 

He had messy brown hair, blazing hazel eyes, and sharp features. He was wearing a trench coat and his tie hung loose around his neck. He only looked a couple years older than Bruce himself. 

"Bruce Wayne, it's really you. What are you doing at my door?" Constantine asked in surprise. 

"I have this ancient text I found and I was told you could help me." Bruce said, holding his folder of photos and research close to his chest. 

"I'm not some translator, find someone else." Constantine said in annoyance, moving to close his door. 

"Wait! I didn't even tell you where I found it." Bruce said, stopping the door with his foot. Constantine glared at him then rolled his eyes. 

"Where did you find it?" Constantine asked boredly. 

"I found it in a crypt in Amity Park." Bruce said and Constantine stared at him. 

"Fine, come in." Constantine let him in and Bruce walked in happily. 

Constantine's apartment was a bit messy with artifacts and things lining his shelves. Many books were lying about in stacks on the floor and tables. Constantine cleared off a table and Bruce watched him patiently. 

"Bring it here." Constantine said, knocking his knuckles against the table. Bruce approached the table and put the folder down. Bruce opened the folder and first showed off the pictures he took. 

"Hm, so I was right. I didn't expect the King to take such a young form." Constantine said, picking up the photo of the body in the casket. 

"The King?" Bruce said in confusion. 

"The Ghost King. Some just say he's been busy and people still die and reality isn't broken. So either someone's been ruling while the King sleeps or the Champion of Magic has been working double time to keep reality intact." Constantine explained. Bruce had no idea what he was talking about but just nodded along. 

"Can you translate the text?" Bruce asked, motioning to the picture of the carved out message. 

"Yeah, just give me a minute. Ghost speak is a hard thing to translate, especially when it's written." Constantine said, getting out a pen and paper from somewhere and started to translate the message. Bruce watched him in intrigue. First Constantine translated the text to Latin then translated the Latin to English. 

"So what does it say?" Bruce asked once Constantine stopped writing. 

"It's a note for Danny "Phantom" Fenton. It's telling him goodbye. They aren't sure they will ever see him again. Then there's a joke about turning into ghosts. Signed Amity Park." Constantine translated. 

"The boy, his name was Danny." Bruce said and Constatine shook his head. 

"His majesty's name is still Danny Fenton. He's not dead." Constantine spat at him. 

"Uh- when I went there he looked pretty dead." Bruce pointed out. 

"Just because he looks dead doesn't mean he's actually dead. Phantom is the Ghost King, he's simply asleep. For how long is anyone's guess." Constantine said, looking at the photo of Danny again. 

"I feel like I should tell someone-"

"Don't! The last thing we need is to get the word out and get the attention of a bunch of cultists trying to wake the king up or steal his artifacts." Constantine snapped at him. 

"I suppose you're right." Bruce said, remembering he hallucinated that skeleton with a sword. 

The place was dangerous and having people sneak in and possibly die from the poison in the air wouldn't be good. 

"Now that your curiosities are satisfied will you please leave?" Constantine asked in annoyance. 

"Why are you busy or something?" Bruce asked, looking at him in curiosity. 

"No, I just find your continued presence here a nuisance." Constanine said and Bruce chuckled. 

"Okay, I'll leave you alone." Bruce said, gathering his folder. 

"Ah- I need that. I can't have you spreading this stuff." Constantine snatched the folder from his hands and Bruce huffed. 

"I wasn't going to tell anyone." Bruce said defensively. 

"Sure you weren't. Now get out of here." Constantine said, not giving the folder back. Bruce stared at him in disbelief then sighed. 

"Fine, I'll get out of your hair Constantine." Bruce said reluctantly, turning to leave. Bruce then stopped in his step then he saw a poster on the wall. It was of a band called Mucous Membrane. Bruce was a big fan of their music before they fell off the map. 

"You're a famous rockstar." Bruce said, recognizing Constantine in the poster. 

"Was and not that famous." Constantine said bitterly. 

"What happened to you guys? Why did you stop making music?" Bruce asked curiously. 

"Demon attack. Now are you done digging into my past?" Constantine asked angrily. 

"Yes, sorry." Bruce said, going to the door. 

"Bye." Constantine said, watching him go. 

"Bye." Bruce left then realized he just let Constantine take his only evidence of what was inside the crypt of Amity Park. Bruce sighed, moving on. 

Constantine was a mad warlock but he seemed like a sensible man. The evidence would be safe with Constantine and it's not like he has anything else to learn from the crypt. 

So Bruce moved on. Bruce became Batman to try and keep Gotham safe. Leaving Amity Park and it's inhabitants alone and undiscovered by the public. 

Constantine though, Constantine privately translated the rest of the text. There were little messages from different people and most were goodbyes and information on what the King missed while he slept. Then there was a warning. 

"If you're reading this and you aren't our King..." Constantine trailed off as he recognized the rest of the letters spelling out a curse. A curse on the family line to whoever read the spell out loud. 

Constantin was quick to bury the photos and translations in the back of his storage, putting it into the "never touch again" file. Constantine feared he would accidentally curse himself if he burned it so the only safe thing to do was store it where it would never be found again. 

Constantine then went to Amity Park to make sure the tomb was sealed. Constantine put a spell around the crypt preventing anything living from ever entering it again. Constantine knew his spell wouldn't last forever though. He would have to reinforce it every five years. Then Constantine left the crypt and Amity Park altogether. 

~~~~~~

Once again the King was left to sleep. 

That was until ten years later. Constantine's spell was weakening and a young Barbara Gordan at the age of 21, current Batgirl and reorganizating Batman's files found a file called Amity Park and it was empty. 

"Hey Batman, what's Amity Park?" Barbara asked, turning toward her mentor and holding up the file. 

"Nothing to concern yourself with. Just put it away." Batman said seriously. 

"But the folder is empty." Barbara said and Batman huffed. 

"Leave it alone." Batman said sternly. Barbara did so or at least tried to. All of Batman's files at least had some information but Amity Park was the only one that was empty. Curiosity got the better of her and she researched Amity Park on her own time. 

Barbara found that Amity Park was a forgotten little town in the middle of nowhere Illinoise. Any history on the town was obscure and not well documented. Barbara decided she would go there herself to check it out under the guise of taking a vacation. 

Once Barbara got to Amity Park she figured out why the town was so obscure and not well documented. Amity Park was a ghost town. All of the buildings were old or collapsing. There were very few people around and the people she did see were staring at her from behind windows or far distances. Whenever she approached someone they would either shut the curtains or run away. 

Barbara then came across a figure in a white mask and black cloak. The person walked confidently through town then disappeared inside a shop. 

Barbara hesitantly went up to the shop and stopped in front of it. It was just a generic grocery store but it was decayed and looked to be empty. It felt unsettling, off putting. 

Barbara entered and was surprised to find fresh food and vegetables. Barbara saw the black cloak figure browsing the aisles and hesitantly approached. 

"Hello? Can you help me?" Barbara asked hesitantly. The hooded figure turned to her then stared. "Can you tell me what happened here? Where is everyone?" Barbara asked. 

"Amity Park does not welcome outsiders anymore." The voice of the figure was deep, angry, most likely a man's voice. 

"Why not?" Barbara asked in confusion. 

"I suggest you leave while you still can." The man said then left the shop, just handing a few bills to the shop keeper as he went. Barbara stared after him even more put off. Barbara bought a bag of chips to snack on then followed the figure once more. The man was nowhere to be seen though. 

Barbara ate her chips while she wandered through the empty streets. Barbara paused when she came upon a graveyard. The graveyard was strange to say the least. There was only one crypt and it was built in the middle of the graveyard. For being built first it should have been decayed but it looked newer than the graves at the edges of the graveyard. 

Barbara finished her chips then hesitantly stepped into the graveyard. Barbara approached the crypt then got startled by a dog barking at her. Barbara looked towards the dog and saw an old man holding the German Shepherd on a leash. The old man was wearing a police uniform. 

"You best not be going near that crypt." The old man said in warning. 

"Why not?" Barbara asked. 

"Because I'm protecting it. The crypt is off limits." The old man said seriously. 

"May I ask the story behind the crypt?" Barbara asked, backing away from it. 

"No, now get out of here while you still can." The old man said and Barbara looked at him in perplexion but left the graveyard. 

That was strange. So far Barbara has only met two people but they both gave the same warning. Leave while she still could. 

Barbara felt the warning weigh on her and felt chills down her spine as she looked back at the graveyard. 

Something about this town was definitely off. 

Barbara then felt curious once more. 

That crypt. What was inside? Why was it protected by the police? More importantly, why did Batman have an empty folder on this place. 

Barbara waited until the sun went down then checked the graveyard again. This time three police officers were patrolling the graveyard and they all had dogs. Barbara then saw a portal open and one John Constantine step through. 

The guards nodded at Constantine in acknowledgment but otherwise left him alone. Babara watched as Constantine was allowed to approach the crypt then do a spell on it. 

Barbara knew where she should go next. Constantine knew about the crypt, maybe he would tell her what happened. Now it was just a matter of locating Constantine who just exited through a portal going who knows where. 

Barbara made her way back to Gotham, the town spooked her and she needed to get out before she couldn't leave. Barbara left in her car still shivering from the off feeling of the town.

Barbara managed to leave Amity Park peacefully but the chill of the town still lingered in her bones. Barbara made her way back to Gotham and once she entered Gotham she felt much safer. 

Gotham may be crime ridden but somehow it felt much safer than the ghost town of Amity Park. Barbara then went back to the Batcave to go through the files once more. 

"You're back." Batman said and Barbara nodded. 

"Yup." Barbara said nervously somehow certain Batman already knew where she went. 

"Do you have anything to tell me about your trip?" Batman asked. 

"I went to Amity Park. I saw Constantine there." Barbara said tensely. 

"Constantine. What was he doing there?" Batman asked. 

"He put a spell on the crypt. I don't know what kind of a spell but the guards acknowledged him like they were expecting him." Barbara reported. 

"Guards?" Batman questioned. 

"There were three guards at night. There was a guard during the day. They all had dogs and the guard during the day spoke to me." Barbara said and Batman waited for her to continue. 

"He told me to leave. Leave before I could- before I couldn't leave. Like I would be trapped in that ghost town if I didn't leave in time. There was also this man in a mask that told me the same thing." Barbara reported, shivering. 

"That's new." Batman said and Barbara looked at him in surprise. 

"You've been there before?" Barbara questioned him. 

"I have." Batman said plainly. 

"Why is the folder still empty?" Barbara asked, still not sure why a town so mysterious had nothing documented. 

"All files of Amity Park go straight to Constantine." Batman said and Barbara gawked. 

"Why?" Barbara asked curiously. 

"Amity Park is Constantine's problem." Batman said, not giving a proper answer. 

"You trust Constantine?" Barbara said in surprise. 

"Yes." Batman said it so casually like Batman actually trusting another human being wasn't big news. 

Especially someone like Constantine. Constantine was a notorious drunk and a mad warlock. How could Batman, the most paranoid person in the world, trust Constantine? 

"Can I ask him about Amity Park?" Barbara asked. 

"If you can find him." Batman said and Barbara was determined to do so. 

Finding John Constantine was not as much of a challenge as Barbara thought it would be. Getting answers from Constantine on the other hand was impossible. 

"I told you, I am not talking about Amity Park! You should have never gone there!" Constantine shouted at her. 

"What's in that crypt?" Barbara asked angrily. 

"Nothing! Now stay away from Amity Park before you get hurt." Constantine said, throwing her out and slamming the door on her face. Barbara glared at Constantine's door but backed off. 

Getting any information from that warlock was impossible. How does Batman put up with him? 

Barbara huffed and despite being told not to, went back to Amity Park. 

If she can't get answers from Batman or Constantine, she'll just have to get them herself. 

Barbara drove back to Amity Park but tensed as she arrived just outside the town. 

Was the secrets of Amity Park really worth all this trouble? Gotham needs her. This is just some random old town. 

Barbara remembered all the warnings she was given and turned around. 

Amity Park may be mysterious but this wasn't a secret she thought was worth dying over. 

Chapter Text

Once again years passed by five to be exact. Dick Grayson, now known as Nightwing, was going through old Justice League files. More specifically Constantine's files. Dick just turned twenty one a few days ago and B gave him access to the Justice League files. 

Dick immediately dug into the files and found a bunch of interesting stuff. Constantine's files seemed to be the most interesting though. Many folders of cursed items or demon attacks. Then there was one file called "Never touch again". Dick of course opened the file and saw that there were only a handful of things inside. 

Dick then found photos of a crypt of some kind. Dick then found a paper and recognized B's handwriting. 

B went in the crypt. B took these photos. B found a trap door into the crypt. B went inside. 

Dick looked at the translations and saw messages. Many messages for one Danny Fenton. They all read like someday Danny would wake up to read them. Dick then found a translation that wasn't finished. 

"If you're reading this and you aren't our King..." Dick trailed off, not sure what the next words were. 

They were probably a threat of some kind. 

Dick picked up the picture of the casket again and saw the crown and royal robes on the body. 

Their King? The body sure looked like the body of a king. How old was this place? 

Dick tried researching the past of Amity Park but found nothing but old rumors. Talk of the crypt being cursed. Talk of a family who only opened their doors every hundred years. Talk of a figure in a mask who rarely ventured out of his castle. 

A castle? This town had a castle? Why wasn't it a tourist spot? Why wasn't it more talked about? Why were there only rumors? 

Dick saw no other way to get more information than to go there himself. He is sure he could ask B but he didn't really want to. Barbara may know something but it was unlikely and he didn't want to talk to her in case she snitched on him. 

Dick made his way to Amity Park determined to find out why this town was so off the map. 

When he arrived he was surprised to find it blocked off. The road just stopped. Dick parked his car and stepped onto the dirt road into town. An immediate chill went down his spine like he just stepped into something forbidden. 

The road ending would explain why tourists don't visit here. 

As Dick walked down the dirt path he came upon many signs telling him to "Turn back now!" "Leave!" "Get out!" "Stay away!". 

Dick came this far though and he wasn't going to turn back. He was determined to find this crypt and see the inside for himself. 

Dick then came upon a stone road and found lines of houses and shops. Dick ventured the small town that seemed abandoned. The town was bigger than Dick expected. There was a big neighborhood and buildings were far apart. Dick saw a hole in the ground where a house used to stand and looked in. Dick was surprised to see an observatory in the hole. The observatory was decayed and Dick saw broken wires and glass on the ground. 

Dick saw people in their houses watching him and decided to knock on a door to see if he could get any answers. When he knocked though he got no answer. Dick tried a few more houses but it was the same. No answer. 

A shiver went down Dick's back and he moved on. Dick got to the main part of town with all the shops and restaurants. Most of them looked run down and Dick only saw a few people. They stayed away from him though and glared angrily, quickly retreating when he got close. 

Dick was hungry though and hesitantly went to one of the restaurants. The staff were silent and glared at him angrily as he came in. Dick looked at their menu and realized it was in a language he hasn't ever seen before. 

How the hell is he going to order? Would any of them even understand him? 

"Hello, can I order something?" Dick asked nervously. 

"Get out of here, living. This diner is ghosts only." The employee said something in another language that sounded like static mixed with a high pitched ringing. Dick quickly left, properly spooked. 

Dick still needed dinner though so he went to a grocery store to look for a meal instead. There was no talking needed and Dick could actually tell what he was buying. Dick bought a quick meal for himself and ate as he ventured the town once more. Dick barely saw a soul but stopped when he came upon the castle. 

The castle was clearly old but well maintained. The castle had five spires, four on the corners then one big one in the middle. The castle was well guarded too. The gates were still strong and Dick could see actual guards in old shining armor guarding the front door. 

This must be where their king lived. 

Dick saw the front door open and quickly hid behind a bush. A hooded figure came out of the castle and Dick tensed as he saw the figure look straight at him. The figure then said something to his guards and walked back inside. 

The guards started to approach him and Dick was quick to back away trying to escape before he could get caught. 

"Halt!" The guards yelled and Dick ran. The guards were after him and Dick quickly realized that he wouldn't be able to outrun them. 

There were no alleyways to get lost in. The buildings weren't built close enough to jump from roof to roof. His feet wouldn't carry him faster and somehow the guards were catching up. Dick knew he could fight them but he probably shouldn't fight the guards lest he get himself in more trouble and surrounded. 

Dick reluctantly slowed down and let the guards catch him. The guards tackled him to the ground then tied his hands together with rope behind his back. 

"Move." The guard pushed him forward and Dick let himself be led back to the castle. As they approached the castle Dick was a little intimidated by the high walls and olden look. 

It was no doubt the coolest thing he's ever seen but it was intimidating. He was actually going to go inside a real castle! Hopefully not to be thrown in a dungeon. Which at this point would also be extremely cool. 

As they stepped into the castle Dick couldn't help but marvel at the architecture. The castle was big. There was a red carpet, stone walls, a real chandelier with candles hanging from the ceiling. There were fancy old paintings and long hallways with big windows. 

There were torches lighting up the place along with natural sunlight coming through the windows. Dick saw corridors and spiral staircases. They arrived at the throne room and Dick got a little nervous as he saw the hooded figure in the middle of the room looking at the empty throne. 

"You don't look like a reverent. What are you doing trespassing in this town?" The figure spoke and it was the voice of a man. His voice was sharp, filled with authority. 

"I was just curious, sir." Dick said then flinched as the figure turned to him. The man was wearing a white mask. The mask was blank, featureless. 

"Curiosity killed the cat, or haven't you heard about the rumors about this town? Didn't you see the signs?" The man asked angrily. 

"Satisfaction brought it back and I did see the signs. I've come too far to turn back though. I wish to see your king." Dick said tensely. 

"Why? Has that foolish Wayne told you to come here?" The man snapped at him. 

This man knew Bruce. This man was angry at Bruce. Bruce disturbed the resting place of a king. The king that this man clearly respects. 

"He didn't. I came here of my own volition." Dick said, trying to distance himself from a foolish Wayne. 

"Then you are a fool. Why do you wish to gaze upon our King?" The man asked angrily. 

"I... I want to pay my respects." Dick said, knowing he should be respectful. 

"Why? You have no association with our king. Do you even know his name?" The man asked, still angry. 

Oh, he's in a trap now. If he gives up the name he has this man will want to know how he knows. Then he has to either admit to knowing Wayne or throw Constantine under the bus. If he says no though he will just be kicked out anyway. He has no right to be here. No right to visit. 

"Well?" The man asked and Dick bowed his head. 

"I'm sorry. I now see I shouldn't have come here. I let my curiosity get the best of me." Dick apologized, knowing he should leave before getting anyone in any more trouble. The man approached him then put a hand under his chin, forcing him to look up at him. 

"You know for not being a Wayne you look exactly like him." The man said and Dick huffed. 

"We're not even related." Dick said, slightly offended. 

"Search him." The man turned from him, taking a step back. Dick struggled a bit as he was searched and the guards took his wallet and phone. The guards gave over his phone and wallet to the man in the cloak. Dick watched as the man went through his wallet. 

"Richard Grayson. You are even as old as he was.” The hooded figure said and Dick gulped in nervousness. 

“Incinerate this." The man handed Dick's phone to a guard and Dick gawked. 

"You see I make it my job to keep people like Wayne from ever stepping foot in our king's resting place again. If you do not leave by sunset I will make sure you are never found again, understand?" The man said, offering his wallet back. 

"Understood." Dick said, the threat sinking in. 

"You better hurry, the sun is already making it's decent towards the horizon." The man said, looking out the window. Dick looked out the window in alarm then snatched his wallet and started to run. The door was being held open and Dick saw the gate already open for him. Dick could see how close it was to sunset though and didn't stop running. 

He had twenty minutes at most and he's already exhausted from wandering the town all day. Dick ran but quickly got lost, not knowing how to leave this town. He passed building after building trying to find his way out but he couldn't find his way out. 

Dick stumbled upon the graveyard and looked around frantically for an escape then got more panicked as he saw the sun disappearing below the horizon. Dick spotted the crypt then remembered the trap door. Dick heard angry dogs in the distance and quickly located the trap door and tried to heave it open. It was covered in dirt and grass though and was extremely heavy. The dogs sounded closer and Dick put all his strength to opening the trap door. 

The door lifted and Dick quickly headed feet first into the dark. Dick yelled out as he fell twelve feet and twisted his ankle as he hit the bottom. The trap door slammed shut behind him and Dick caught his breath as he heard silence surrounding him. 

Dick couldn't see in the pitch black darkness of the tunnel. He was blinded and he was in pain. Dick winced as he got his bearings together and lifted his ankle off the ground. Dick felt around and felt stone walls surrounding him. 

This was the secret passageway to the crypt. Dick knew this is the last place he should be but he didn't know where else to hide. 

Dick felt the wall behind him and shivered as he realized there was no ladder. 

There was no way to get back up. 

Dick felt around and slowly made his way to the other end of the tunnel. Dick felt the holds of a ladder and began to climb up in hope. Dick felt the rungs creak and felt one missing. Dick was quick to climb the rest of the way, scared the ladder would collapse on him. Dick got to the top and struggled to lift up the trapdoor at the top. He didn't have a good foothold and his ankle still hurt. 

Dick pushed as hard as he could using all the strength he could. He heard the rung he was using as support creak and gave a huge shove on the door opening it up. Dick quickly climbed through then winced as he heard the door slam shut again. 

He was in the crypt. The actual crypt. He really shouldn't be here. The man in the cloak was going to be so mad. 

Dick looked around and was surprised that he could actually see. There was a small skylight at the top of the crypt letting in moonlight that lit up the casket and in turn the whole crypt. 

Dick recognized the messages on the walls and the glass top of the casket. Dick then was surprised to still see the evidence of B's visit. There were footprints on the floor and B's handprint on the casket. Dick then tilted his head as he saw a place that looked scuffed like B fell for some reason. Dick then remembered B's note of a hallucinogenic gas in the air and quickly covered his mouth and nose with his shirt. 

How is he going to get out of here? He certainly can't go back the way he came. 

Dick looked up at the skylight and studied it. 

It was made of glass, glass he could probably break. The casket also had a glass top that could easily break and he doesn't want to defile the King's grave. He already pissed off the guards and he doesn't want to leave here with a death sentence. Then again the sun has long since set and they would be after him anyway. Is it really worth messing with the coffin of a king though? A really preserved body that looks like it could wake up at any moment. 

Dick then felt a shiver down his back and caught movement at the edge of his vision. Dick turned to see a glowing green reanimated skeleton with a sword and backed up a step in surprise. 

"You're not real, you're just a hallucination. You're not real."  Dick tried to reassure himself as the skeleton approached, raising his sword. 

"You're not real!" Dick yelled, shielding himself with his arms then flinched as the skeleton brought his sword down. 

"Ahhh! You're real! You're real! Oh my gosh you're real!" Dick yelled out in terror as pain bloomed in his arms as they were sliced open. Dick didn't give a second thought to his actions as he climbed up onto the casket and broke the glass of the skylight and quickly climbed out. 

Dick quickly ran off the roof of the crypt and rolled to soften his fall. Dick grunted in pain but kept running now on pure adrenaline. His feet took him towards a forest and Dick did his best to navigate his way through just hoping to get out of this haunted town. Dick slowly stopped as he came to a road and collapsed on the concrete as he saw his car. 

He was out. He made it. 

Dick panted in exhaustion then got up and went into his car to take care of his wounds before he bled to death. Dick took a second to catch his breath as he worried about the most obvious wounds first. Dick then felt that he was scratched from all the bushes and branches in the forest. Dick then winced as he saw he also had glass shards in his fist from when he broke the glass of the skylight. Dick made sure he wasn't going to die then finally took a moment to take in all that he's been through. 

He can't believe any of that just happened! He just got hunted by guards in a castle then attacked by a living skeleton! It could have been a hallucination but the pain in his arms say differently. He was lucky he was able to get out of there. 

Guess now he knows why there's only rumors about that town. It may be part of Illinois but it was like it's own isolated island of crazy. B's notes didn't say anything about the town being so creepy though. 

Why did he only find out about this town in Constantine's forbidden files? Why didn't B have any notes on Amity Park? It could be the living skeleton and the whole ghost town feel of the town. 

Dick then remembered the scuff marks like B fell and laughed as he realized B got spooked by the same living skeleton. 

This was definitely a Constantine problem. 

Dick drove back to Gotham in case the guards decided he wasn't quite out of their territory. Dick definitely felt satisfied that his curiosity was quelled. Dick then left Amity Park alone. 

As much as he loved venturing into the unknown he knew stepping into that town again would be a death sentence. He just hopes that guy in the mask doesn't own a car or the internet. Hopefully the man won't come after him. 

After a few days Dick stopped worrying and relaxed, going on with his life and leaving the mystery of Amity Park behind him. 

Chapter Text

It was another five years before the King's crypt was disturbed again. This time the soul wasn't driven by curiosity or rumors. This time Jason Todd has been Red Hood for two years, freshly turning twenty one, and felt a calling in his soul to someplace west of Gotham. Jason had no idea where he was going. He just knew he felt compelled to go so he left a text to his family chat that he was leaving for a while then he left. 

Jason drove for miles not sure where he was headed but only knowing he was heading in the right direction. It felt right to be doing this. Jason felt the feeling stronger as he got closer and closer. Jason had no idea what but he felt excited. 

Then his road stopped and he was forced to go on foot. Jason got out of his car feeling like he was nearly there. Jason entered the town in the dead of night and followed his soul as it led him deeper into the woods. 

Jason then paused as he came upon the buildings and homes. People of all walks of life were milling about. Jason could hear joyful conversations and excitement in the air. Jason then was spotted by a group and they waved at him. Jason waved back and started walking again. Jason then was approached by a man that looked to be in his forties with grey in his hair. 

"Welcome, my name is Vlad. I'm the guardian of this town." Vlad introduced himself with his hand out. Jason shook his hand.

"Jason, I... I don't know why I'm here." Jason said now not really sure why he came all this way. 

"Don't worry. I'll help you navigate around this town. Welcome to Amity Park." Vlad said and Jason smiled. 

"Thank you." Jason said but still felt like he was being called somewhere. 

"Come, let me show you around." Vlad said, starting to walk in the direction Jason was being called to. Jason nodded following Vlad blindly. 

"We have a few good restaurants around here if you're hungry. You look like you traveled a long way to get here." Vlad said and Jason just now realized how hungry he was. 

"Actually yeah, that would be nice." Jason said knowing he had to eat. 

His soul was still being called but it was less urgent than before. Like this was the place he was supposed to be. 

"As we are eating I should probably tell you why you're here. Explain why you felt the need to come here." Vlad said and Jason nodded. 

"I would love to know that. How do you know?" Jason asked in confusion. 

"Because I am a halfa. I am half dead, half alive. So is our King. I will explain all that later though. What do you feel like eating?" Vlad asked. 

"A burger and fries would be nice." Jason said nervously. 

"I suppose I haven't been to Nasty Burger in a while now. Let's go." Vlad led the way and Jason followed him, excited to eat. Vlad led him into a restaurant and Jason smiled as he saw lots of people there. It was lively and a little strange for it being in the middle of the night. Vlad got them a table and ordered for them both. Jason sat down across from Vlad ready for some answers. 

"So, why is everyone so excited?" Jason asked, still somehow feeling the excitement in the air. 

"Well it's not every day we get visited by a revenant like yourself." Vlad said and Jason tensed. 

"How did you know-"

"Jason, I'm half dead. Any ghost would recognize a revenant." Vlad explained. 

"Oh, right, ghosts." Jason said, now a little nervous. 

"I suppose I should explain things now. Where to start though? How about this, you start asking me questions and I will answer them to the best of my ability." Vlad offered and Jason nodded. 

"Okay, gosh I have so many questions. Uh- let's start with, why am I here?" Jason asked first. 

"Well, I assume your soul brought you here to visit our King." Vlad answered him. 

"And when you say our King uh- who's that?" Jason asked. 

"Our King is Danny Phantom. He is the King of Ghosts and he fell asleep about seven hundred years ago. He now lies in a crypt and none of us know if he will ever wake." Vlad explained, sighing. 

"Okay, ghosts are real and they have a king?" Jason said in confusion. 

"Yes, most everyone here is a ghost of some kind. I'm a halfa. Half ghost, half living. You yourself are a revenant. You died and were revived." Vlad explained easily. 

"I know I died, what's with the king part? Thank you." Jason asked, thanking the waitress as their food arrived. 

"What do you mean? Do you want to know how he became King?" Vlad asked in confusion, starting to eat with a knife and fork. 

"No, why do you have a king in the first place?" Jason asked, deciding to eat with his hands. 

"The Ghost King is more than just a title Jason and he is your king too. He rules over all ghost kind. He protects the Infinite Realms and keeps peace between the dead and the living. Or he did, before he fell asleep and that burden was passed onto the Champion of Magic until our King wakes." Vlad explained with difficulty. 

"What's the Infinite Realms?" Jason asked in confusion. 

"The Infinite Realms is a space between realms. It's where ghosts reside after their haunt has been destroyed by the living or sent there by magical means. It's a place only ghosts can roam safely. The living have no place in the Infinite Realms." Vlad explained and Jason nodded. 

"Who's the Champion of Magic?" Jason asked. 

"He's the Protector of Realms. His original job was only restricted to a section of the Infinite Realms before the King fell asleep. He is a mighty warrior with the power of gods in his hands. He has been doing well these last seven hundred years but he grows weary. Our only hope is that King Phantom wakes soon." Vlad explained seriously. 

"Why has he been asleep so long?" Jason asked. 

"No one knows." Vlad said, sounding fearful and sad. 

"Can I see him?" Jason asked hesitantly. 

"Of course. After we finish our food we'll go right to the crypt." Vlad said and Jason nodded feeling comforted. They ate in a comfortable silence then Vlad paid for the meal and they were on their way. 

"So you mentioned you're the guardian of this town. What does that mean?" Jason asked as they walked. 

"I make sure no living come here and if they do come here they are quickly run out. Amity Park doesn't take kindly to visitors anymore because of Wayne. He was twenty one when he first came here and he actually attended my party. I was enchanted with him so I let him stay. That was my mistake though because he disturbed the King's resting place." Vlad explained, sounding angry. 

"Wayne?" Jason questioned. 

"Yes, Bruce Wayne. I knew his father Thomas quite well. He accidentally cursed his bloodline reading the text on the walls. I tried to warn him but he was just as stubborn and curious as his son." Vlad chuckled fondly. 

"Wow, I never knew that." Jason said a bit surprised B never mentioned this before. 

"Hm, you sound familiar with the Wayne family. Did you know them?" Vlad asked. 

"I- yes. Bruce Wayne is a famous billionaire in Gotham." Jason said, deciding he should probably not associate himself with the Wayne family. 

"I forgot, old money. Thomas was quite famous himself. I hope he's doing okay in the afterlife." Vlad sighed in grief. Jason didn't know how to continue the conversation and luckily he didn't have to because Vlad stopped in front of a crypt. Jason then realized this was the crypt of the King. 

"Can we go inside?" Jason asked curiously. 

"Yes but be careful not to read the writing on the walls out loud." Vlad warned him and opened the door to the crypt. Jason walked in and stopped in front of the casket as he got a good look of his King. 

"He's just a kid." Jason said in surprise. 

"He is much older than he looks." Vlad said and Jason felt like bowing so he did. When he looked up again he saw the writing on the walls. 

Jason was at first confused. The writing wasn't in English or any language Jason knew but somehow he could read it. 

Jason then started reading the text and saw that the King not only wasn't a kid but had a whole life and people who missed him. People that died long ago. There were goodbye messages that broke his heart and he realized how much his King had lost. 

"I'll leave you be." Vlad walked out of the crypt leaving the door open. Jason then stopped reading the text and observed the crypt. There were two sets of footprints on the ground like someone was here before. 

They must be Bruce's and Thomas'. 

Jason then tilted his head at the scuffs marks on the ground and dried drops of blood. 

What happened? 

Jason then looked at the casket again and frowned as he saw a footprint on top. 

What the hell? Did someone step onto the casket? Why? Who would do something like that? 

Jason looked up and saw a skylight. It was small but could probably fit a thin person through it. 

Did someone use the skylight as an exit? There was a door. 

Jason moved on then noticed a trap door in the corner of the crypt. It was dusty but less dusty than most of the floor. 

Why was there a trap door? 

Jason looked back at the entrance to see if Vlad was watching him but didn't see him anywhere. Jason then approached the trap door and tried lifting it up. It was definitely a difficult endeavor but not impossible. 

Jason then looked down the trap door and saw a ladder with a few rungs broken off of it. Jason curiously climbed down then looked at the short hallway in curiosity. 

What was this? 

Jason looked at the opposite wall and saw no ladder but looked up and saw another trap door. 

Huh? The ladder is gone but the trap door is still there. He didn't go very far. This must lead out of the crypt. 

Jason climbed back up into the crypt then closed the trap door. Jason took one last look at the King then exited the crypt. 

"Are you satisfied?" Vlad asked as he closed the crypt door again. 

"Yes." Jason said, feeling like he did what he was supposed to.

"Good, feel free to stay around as long as you wish but I understand if you would rather go back to your haunt right away." Vlad said and Jason tilted his head. 

"What's a haunt?" Jason asked. 

"It's a ghost's territory. It's the place they protect and reside." Vlad explained. 

"Right, and you're right. I should get going but I do need to sleep first. I've been driving all day." Jason chuckled. 

"Of course, you can stay at the Inn if you want but we have plenty of spare rooms back at the castle if you would prefer to sleep there." Vlad offered. 

"There's a castle?" Jason asked in excitement. 

"Yes, there is also one in the Infinite Realms but the King does like to spend his time in the living realm." Vlad explained. 

"Can I sleep at the castle?" Jason asked. 

"Of course, follow me." Vlad led the way and Jason followed excitedly. 

He can't believe he's going to sleep in an actual castle! 

Jason saw the castle and was amazed. The castle was big and beautiful. It was even better than Jason imagined. Vlad led him to a guest bedroom and Jason chuckled in delight as he saw that it wasn't modernized at all. There was a lavish four post bed with a bedside table. There was a work desk and even a shelf with old books on it. 

"Goodnight Jason. Hope your dream well." Vlad bid him goodnight. 

"Goodnight Vlad." Jason said then Vlad closed the door. Jason immediately went to the ancient books and realized he couldn't read any of the titles. Jason gently picked one up and flipped through it delicately. 

Jason smiled then put the book back and decided to actually get some sleep. Jason took off his shoes then laid and he was asleep within minutes. 

Jason dreamt he was back at the crypt. He was looking down at his King's body. It was still, lifeless, dead. He had no heart beat. He wasn't breathing. His King was dead. Just then the King opened his eyes and Jason screamed. 

"Ahhh!" Jason woke up screaming in terror. Jason got a hold of his breath as he realized it was just a dream. Jason tried to go back to sleep but he couldn't get the image of the King waking up out of his mind. Jason couldn't take it anymore so he snuck out of the castle and made his way to the graveyard. 

Jason saw three guards with their dogs guarding the graveyard and quietly snuck by them. Jason tried the door of the crypt first but it was sealed shut and wouldn't budge. Jason then knew he had to find that trapdoor. Jason carefully looked for it and only found it because he noticed the ground was uneven in one place. Jason quietly dug out the trap door with his trowel. 

Jason only has one because Bruce said he should keep one on him at all times. Jason didn't know why but eventually got one because Dick, Barbara, Cass, Steph and even Tim had one. 

Jason then opened the trap door and remembered that there was no ladder. Jason quickly got out his climbing picks and started his descent. The climbing picks were also one of Bruce's advice. Jason closed the trap door behind him then got to the bottom without trouble. Jason was blinded by the darkness but knew where he was going and walked forward. Jason found the ladder and semi-confidentally climbed up it. The trap door at the top was harder to open from below but he got it open even with the limited foothold he had from the missing rungs of the ladder. 

Jason got in then closed the trap door and examined the casket. The King was still there. He wasn't breathing, there was no heartbeat, he still looked dead. 

Jason then saw something at the edge of his vision and took a step back as he saw a glowing green reanimated skeleton. The skeleton didn't move but just watched him. The skeleton then looked down at the King and Jason followed his gaze. Jason then yelped as he saw the King blink open his eyes. Jason quickly backed away to the corner of the room shivering in fear. 

What the fuck! He didn't actually expect the King to open his eyes! 

The skeleton started to open the casket and Jason felt the air change around him like he was surrounded by death. 

Chapter Text

Danny blinked open his eyes then stared at the ceiling in confusion. He could see the stars but they were glassy. 

Why are they glassy? 

Danny then realized because there was glass in front of his face. The glass started to move and Danny looked over to see his most trusted guard moving the glass away from him. 

"Michael." Danny greeted him in Ghost Speak happily. 

"King Phantom." Michael greeted him. Danny then noticed he wasn't in his room. Danny then yawned and sat up. 

"Where am I?" Danny asked not sure how he got here. 

"Your crypt your majesty." Michael answered him. 

"My crypt? Since when did I have one of those?" Danny asked in confusion. 

"Seven hundred and ten years." Michael informed him. 

"That seems like a long time. Why wasn't I informed that this was built?" Danny asked, getting nervous. 

"You were asleep, your majesty." Michael informed him. 

"Asleep? I was asleep when this was built." Danny said slowly, trying to understand what Michael was saying. 

"Yes, your majesty." Michael answered him. 

"How long have I been asleep?" Danny asked, getting even more nervous. 

"Seven hundred and seventy-two years." Michael said, sounding sad. 

"What?!" Danny asked in shock, his heart breaking. Michael only nodded motioning to a wall behind him and Danny saw the messages. 

"To Danny "Phantom" Fenton if you ever wake. We are not long for this world anymore Danny. We hope to become ghosts like you so we can see you again. If we're not though, know that we love you and we missed you. Signed Amity Park." Danny read out the biggest one first and started to cry. 

"No, seven hundred years. I've been asleep that long?" Danny asked in disbelief, approaching the wall of messages in grief. 

"Yes your majesty." Michael said, bowing to him. 

"Did any of them become ghosts?" Danny asked sadly as he started reading the messages from his family and friends. 

"No, your majesty. They were all taken to their respective afterlives." Michael said Danny didn't believe it at first. Danny then started to weep as he read message after message. 

"None of them?" Danny asked, crying openly. 

"None. We checked." Michael said and Danny fell to his knees weeping in grief. 

"Is Vlad still around?" Danny asked after he was done crying. 

"Yes sire. He waits in your castle." Michael informed him. 

"My castle is still around but no one I have ever known is?" Danny asked tearfully. 

"Your castle still stands and all the ghosts still exist. We've missed you, sire." Michael said and Danny leaned his head against the wall and grieved once more. 

Danny then heard someone else breathing in the room. Danny looked over and tilted his head as he saw a revenant curled up in the corner looking at him in fear. 

"Who's that?" Danny asked, standing up. 

"Jason Todd, your majesty. He arrived in town yesterday." Michael answered standing. 

"Why is he in here?" Danny asked in confusion and anger. 

"We are unsure. He snuck in here in the middle of the night." Michael reported. 

"Get him up." Danny demanded and Michael was quick to do so. Michael hauled Jason onto his feet grabbing him by the back of his shirt to do so. 

"What are you doing here revenant?" Danny asked angrily. 

"I was just checking on you because I had this dream that you opened your eyes and it scared me so I came here to check if you were still asleep and you were then you really woke up and-" Jason started to ramble in broken Ghost Speak. 

"Silence!" Danny snapped and the revenant stopped talking. 

"Get him out of here. Take him back to the castle to be judged. I will join you when I'm ready." Danny said to Michael. 

"Yes, your majesty." Michael said then phased through the wall, bringing the revenant with him. Danny looked back at all the messages then started to cry again. Danny touched the one from Sam and cried harder as he read it. 

"I never wanted to give up on you. I hoped one day you would wake up. I can't do that anymore. I moved on. I'm getting married to Wes. Despite his conspiracy theories he's actually a really nice guy. In case you don't remember who Wes was, he was number two on the basketball team. He was the only one who guessed your identity before everyone else." 

Danny chuckled sadly hating he never got to propose to Sam and she moved on without him. 

Danny understood though. Sam deserved to be happy. She couldn't wait forever and Danny didn't wake up in time. 

Danny then read Sam's last goodbye message and cried harder as he realized that she died. 

She died and Danny will never see her again. Danny will never see any of them ever again. 

Danny's tears eventually slowed but came back again as he read each and every goodbye message. 

He lost everyone. 

Danny grieved all night and day and four days passed until he finally stepped out of his crypt. Danny felt his crown on his head as he breathed in the fresh air of the night. Danny then realized that these weren't the clothes he fell asleep in. 

They dressed him up for his funeral. 

Danny saw three living souls waiting for him. They were dressed in some type of uniform and they had dogs with them. They each bowed as he stepped forward. 

"Who are you?" Danny asked in confusion. 

"We are the descendants of William Baxter. Our father said we were here to protect you until you woke. I'm Noah and these are my siblings, Luke and Mary." Noah introduced them in nearly perfect Amitese, the original language from Danny's time. 

"Baxter? Like Dash Baxter. You're his descendants?" Danny said in surprise. They all exchanged looks of surprise then looked up at him in awe. 

"Yes your majesty." Mary answered. 

"Hm, you are relieved of your duty. Go, live your lives." Danny commanded them. 

"Yes your majesty." They all said at the same time but didn't leave their bowing positions. 

"You're dismissed." Danny said and they all got up and left. Danny watched them talk in excitement as they left and smiled. 

Danny can't believe Dash did that. How the hell did he get his descendants to guard Danny's resting place? 

Danny took a deep breath then headed to his castle to pass judgment onto the curious revenant. But also to see Vlad. 

It would be nice to see a familiar face. 

"Vlad." Danny greeted him, smiling in joy. 

"Danny, you're awake." Vlad said, smiling back. 

"Everyone is gone." Danny said tearfully. 

"I know." Vlad hugged him and Danny hugged back, weeping into his chest. 

"How long have you been here?" Danny asked once he got himself together. 

"I never left." Vlad said softly. 

"You never left?" Danny asked in shock. 

"Once you fell asleep I stayed. I watched everyone grow up, die. I watched generation after generation. I always stayed. I could never leave you to rot. I've missed you." Vlad said and Danny could see Vlad tearing up. 

"It doesn't feel like seven hundred years have passed by." Danny said sadly. 

It only felt like yesterday that he was mourning his death. 

"It has. I've been protecting Amity Park for seven hundred years waiting for you." Vlad said and Danny was surprised by his loyalty. 

"I guess that makes you seven hundred years older than me now." Danny tried to joke. 

"Technically you're seven hundred years old too. You just slept through it all." Vlad pointed out. 

"How did you upkeep this place with no one noticing you never aged?" Danny asked curiously. 

"I wore a mask. Kept my doors closed. I only ever really opened them every century." Vlad explained. 

"A hundred years. A lifetime." Danny chuckled sadly. 

"I made the mistake of making friends at first. After the first two hundred years I learned my lesson." Vlad said sadly. 

"It must have been lonely." Danny said in sympathy. 

"It was. Always. I wasn't entirely alone though. The ghosts are still around. Even Dani likes to visit every now and then." Vlad sighed fondly. 

"How is Dani?" Danny asked curiously. 

"She's fine mostly. She stays in the Ghost Zone where it's safe for her. She has taken to mapping out the place. Her map is pretty big now." Vlad chuckled. 

"I can imagine. The Infinite Realms aren't called infinite for nothing." Danny said, imagining the map she must have built. 

"I was going to celebrate your waking but Clockwork advised against it." Vlad explained and Danny sighed. 

"He was right in doing so. It's still a lot to take in and I'm still grieving." Danny said, his heart still heavy in his chest. 

"Take as much time as you need. I can speak for everyone in saying we'll be there for you when you're ready." Vlad said sincerely. 

"Thank you Vlad. You've changed a lot." Danny said, still surprised at Vlad's loyalty. 

"Seven hundred years will do that to you." Vlad sighed sadly and Danny put a hand on his arm comforting him. There was a silence between them as they both took a moment to grieve. 

"Where's that revenant I sent here?" Danny asked, changing the subject. 

"The dungeon, sire. He tried escaping multiple times and is now guarded twenty four seven." Vlad informed him. 

"Okay, and why was he here?" Danny asked, still not sure why the revenant came into his crypt. 

"He was called to your crypt. Most new revenants are." Vlad explained. 

"Hmm that's interesting. Get him up here. I want to talk to him." Danny said, a bit surprised. 

"Yes sire." Vlad said then left to do so. Danny approached his throne then sat down. 

The feel was familiar but different. Danny could feel the age of the castle and saw the little details that were changed or reinforced to upkeep the place. The place felt old, even the air tasted different. 

When Jason was brought in he wasn't wearing the same outfit Danny saw him in before. Instead he was wearing a loose fitting white long sleeve shirt and brown pants, peasant clothes. His hands were tied behind his back and he had a gag in his mouth. Danny then saw Michael holding Jason's original clothes and weapons folded up and cleaned. Vlad was holding Jason by the back of his shirt and had to kick the back of Jason's knee to make him kneel as they arrived in front of Danny. 

"Revenant, you were in my crypt without permission and without reason. You've been reported to have attempted to escape many times over. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut your life short now? Ungag him." Danny commanded in Ghost Speak. 

"I'm sorry I didn't know what was happening. I-I was just curious. I'm sorry." Jason spoke in a language Danny had never heard before and looked at him in confusion. 

"Vlad what is this? What language is he speaking?" Danny asked in confusion. 

"The language he is speaking is called English. Many people of the outside world use English now or different languages. The only people who still speak Amitese are the locals and some ghosts." Vlad informed him. 

"Do you know English?" Danny asked, hoping Vlad could understand him. 

"Yes, I've taken to learning many languages over the years." Vlad said and Danny was relieved. 

"Good, translate for him then." Danny commanded. 

"Very well, he said curiosity driven him and he apologizes deeply." Vlad translated. 

"I guess curiosity can't go punished. Where is this revenant from?"

"Gotham, New Jersey. It is a ways East from here." Vlad informed him. 

"How far is that?" Danny asked not sure where the heck New Jersey was. 

"About nine hundred miles away." Vlad said and Danny's jaw dropped. 

"Wow, this revenant has come far. Did he come here on horseback?" Danny asked curiously. 

"Uh-sort of. Technology has advanced since your time and his steed brought him here within 14 hours." Vlad informed him and Danny couldn't believe his ears. 

What sort of steed can do that? Technology must be really advanced now. 

"Technology, right. Put him back in the dungeon and keep watch over him. You Vlad need to catch me up on all I missed." Danny said determined to catch up on all that he missed. 

"Rightly so. I will start from when you first fell asleep and explain from there." Vlad said as Michael took the revenant back to his cell. 

Danny then listened and cried a few times as Vlad explained everything that happened after he fell asleep. Once he got past the first hundred years it was easier to listen to. Vlad told him everything that happened and it took several days to go through it all. 

Danny then took a few days to visit the Ghost Zone and reconnect with his ghost friends. They all missed him dearly and were glad he was awake. Dani and Clockwork missing him the most. Danny was devastated to hear though that his Fright Knight was faded. His soul went too long without a purpose and went into the afterlife. 

Danny stayed in the Ghost Zone just catching up with everyone and even set up a whole bunch of brawls, Dani getting first dibs of course. Danny then checked out Dani's map and saw that she built a huge wall for it. 

Clockwork then informed him of the Champion of Magic and how he was dealing with the strain of protecting all the realms. Danny immediately went to him and let him have a few days of rest while Danny announced his presence to all of the realms and beat back anyone who challenged his authority. 

Two months passed by before he returned to his castle in the Living Realm and was reminded of the revenant he imprisoned. Danny had Vlad bring the revenant out of his prison cell and watched as Jason fell to his knees without any prompting. 

"Sorry for keeping you waiting so long but I've been asleep for seven hundred years and I needed to catch up on what I missed." Danny growled at Jason angrily and he flinched. "Now where were we? Oh right, you trying to convince me not to end your life for breaking into my crypt." Danny said angrily. 

"I'm sorry. I was just curious because I had this dream and I know that's not a good excuse but it's the truth." Jason spoke in shaky Ghost Speak. 

"Okay revenant, let's say I believe this little tale of your's. Why is your core cracked?" Danny asked, looking at the broken core of the revenant. 

"M-my core? What's that?" Jason asked in English. 

"Speak Ghost Speak or don't speak at all!!!" Danny shouted at him angrily. 

"What's a core?" The revenant managed to get out in Ghost Speak. 

Danny sighed as he realized this revenant knew nothing about ghosts. He was lost and confused and Danny imprisoned him for two months. 

"Release him. Jason Todd, let's take a walk." Danny said and Vlad undid the ropes, releasing Jason from his bonds. Jason stood shakily and Danny led him away, linking his arms with Jason. Jason stumbled but followed him silently. 

Chapter Text

When Jason was first imprisoned he was rightfully terrified and had no defense for himself. Michael took him to the dungeon and Jason tried to struggle and fight but was overpowered by the skeleton. Jason then felt embarrassed as Michael pushed him into the cell and all his clothes came off. 

His clothes seemed to phase through him and dropped onto the floor. Jason stumbled into the cell in surprise and panic. Then the door locked and Michael took away his clothes. 

Jason looked around the small cell he had and noticed no bed or cot but a bucket in the corner and old hay on the floor. The bars were metal and surprisingly sturdy. 

Jason started to panic more as he checked the walls for a loose stone or something to escape but he found nothing. Not even the wall was cracked. 

Why in all hell is this prison cell upkept in this old castle?!  

Jason heard footsteps approaching and covered himself with his hands in embarrassment. Jason saw Michael come into view and he was holding a white cotton shirt and old cheap leather pants. Michael put the clothes down just outside the bars then walked away again. Jason shakily took the offered clothes and got dressed. 

When he went out to check on the King he never imagined that this would happen. Jason knew he could understand the King and Michael but had no idea how or why. They certainly weren't speaking in any real language. It just sounded like static and a high pitched ringing. Jason could somehow understand it though. 

First he traveled here just because he was compelled to by some mysterious force and now he was stuck in a jail cell. He didn't even have his phone on him or any of his belongings. How the hell is he going to get out of this? He could wait for judgement but the King sounded ready to kill him. 

Jason checked his surroundings again looking for any way out. The walls were sturdy though and there were no pipes, not even a window. Jason tried to open the door by force but it wouldn't budge. He tried kicking the lock loose but that didn't work either and it hurt his foot. 

Shoes, why did they have to take his shoes?! 

Jason then tried to create a lock pick by twisting together some hay. The hay was too brittle though and broke apart too easily. 

"Jason." Jason tensed up as he heard Vlad call out his name. Jason immediately dropped the hay and stood up. "I apologize for inconveniencing you but the King has ordered for you to stay here until he returns." Vlad apologized. 

"Inconveniencing me? You had me locked up!" Jason yelled at him angrily. 

"Michael was just following orders. What were you thinking, going into the crypt in the middle of the night?" Vlad asked him angrily. 

"I had a nightmare that he woke up and I thought... I was just- I needed to check." Jason defended himself weakly. 

"You shouldn't have done that. I know not what Danny may think of your incursion but until then you stay here." Vlad said seriously. 

"Do I at least get food?" Jason asked, feeling hungry. 

"I will have Michael bring you meals periodically. I'm truly disappointed in you revenant." Vlad walked away and Jason didn't know why but that hit hard. 

So what if some stranger is disappointed in him? That doesn't matter. He needs to find a way out of here. 

Jason tried everything he could but he was no closer to getting out and he resorted back to playing with the straw to try and make a lockpick. Jason was stalled in his progress by Michael startling him by hitting the bars with a spoon, and making him drop the hay. 

Damn it. He was so close that time now he probably won't find those pieces again or they probably broke. 

"Breakfast is ready." Michael said in that non-speak language, opening his cell with a set of keys and holding out a plate of food. 

Okay new plan, steal the keys from Michael. 

Jason didn't immediately act on his plan knowing he should probably prepare himself before just taking the keys and have a plan what to do after that. 

"If you don't want it I can take it back and tell Vlad you refused to eat." Michael said and Jason quickly took the plate and spoon.

"No, I'm hungry." Jason said and Michael stood there watching him eat. Jason felt a little uncomfortable but ate the eggs and toast. Jason then reluctantly handed back the plate and spoon. Michael backed out of the cell then locked it again and Jason watched him leave. 

Jason still had no idea how Michael was speaking that non-language or how he understood it. If he can't escape here soon, maybe he could learn how to speak the non-language. He understood it perfectly so it stands to reason he should be able to speak it. He had no idea how to start though. 

Jason shook his head, trying to focus. 

He needs to escape and this time he has the beginnings of a plan. Steal the keys from Michael without him noticing somehow. Unlock his cell when no one was watching and sneak out of the castle. From there he should just run. There's no use in stopping at some place to eat so he should properly enact his plan during dinner time. 

Now how to get the keys from Michael without him noticing. Michael used the keys to lock and unlock his cell and would probably watch him carefully every meal. Michael didn't even stay near enough to keep watch of him. 

Jason then remembered that Michael was an undead skeleton. Michael wasn't alive. Michael never slept. Michael probably never let his guard down. He was incapable of getting exhausted. Michael was stronger than him. He had supernatural strength and a sword. 

He couldn't fight Michael head on. He needs another plan. He could attempt to avoid being caught by Michael and use his strength against him but any attack would get him watched more closely than before if he failed to escape. 

He could try keeping the utensil he was given but who knows if Michael would allow that. Maybe if he "accidentally" breaks the plate he could gather the broken shards to use later. Maybe he could break the utensil he was given, then again that is a difficult task especially when Michael would be watching him closely. 

He couldn't just sit here and continue to play with hay, he needed something more solid. More materials. He could try breaking off a part of the wall or maybe he could break part of the bucket. His bucket, he completely forgot about the bucket. 

Jason made sure he wasn't being watched then examined the bucket more closely. It was a metal bucket, there was no handle and no part of it was easy to bend or break off. 

He could probably get the rim of the bucket off but he would need time and patience. He wasn't even sure he had the strength to do so. It was better than nothing though. 

Jason took a careful look around his cell once more but found nothing. Just hay and more hay. He did manage to find the hay he was working on previously and decided to work on it more until he got frustrated. Then he switched to working on breaking apart the bucket. The metal didn't bend or even warp when he tried taking it apart. 

Jason soon gave up on the bucket as he realized he wasn't ever going to take it apart. It was just as stupidly strong as the bars of his cell. Jason pulled at the bars in frustration but they didn't budge or move at all. 

"Ahhh! Let me out!!!" Jason yelled in frustration but got no answer. Jason watched as the sunlight from outside his cell slowly moved across the floor. The window was at the end of the hall and brought in the only natural light. 

Jason reached for the sunlight and felt a bit more relaxed as he felt the warmth of the sun. Jason rested his head against the bars of his cell as the sunlight quelled his anger and made him want to sleep. The sunlight didn't stay as long as Jason wanted. It soon moved out of reach and Jason wanted nothing more than to feel it once more. 

"Please let me out." Jason pleaded trying to open the door again but it didn't budge. He got no answer and Jason sighed then went back to playing with straw to try and create a lock pick. 

Jason accidentally snapped his makeshift lock pick as Michael banged on the cell bars with a spoon. Jason growled in frustration. 

"Lunch is ready." Michael unlocked his cell and walked in with a plate. On the plate was a bowl of soup and a piece of bread. Jason reluctantly accepted the plate and started eating. As Jason ate he thought about attacking the guard. 

He could do it. He would have to be fast though. This won't be his last chance though. How would he go about attacking the skeleton though? He could throw his plate at the skeleton but he has no idea Michael's reaction time. Plus he has no idea how many guards the King actually has. 

Jason growled in anger, throwing his plate against the wall. The plate shattered and his soup got everywhere. 

"Calm down revenant. You still need to eat." Michael said and Jason gawked as Michael used magic to levitate the broken pieces and spilled soup then snapped his fingers and they disappeared in a burst of flames. 

Michael can do that! 

"Don't throw this one." Michael summoned a new bowl of soup and a spoon. There was no bread and the bowl was only half full. Jason reluctantly took the bowl and finished his soup. 

That definitely puts a damper on his plans. Hopefully Michael missed some broken pieces though. It would be nice to have some type of weapon. 

Jason finished his soup and Michael took away the bowl and spoon and locked the door again. Jason then took note that Michael did turn away from him. 

It was only for a few seconds but it was an opening. 

After Michael was out of view Jason checked for any shards that Michael missed but cursed quietly as he couldn't find any. Jason then noticed the spoon on the ground. It was the one he threw. 

Michael must have forgotten about it. 

Jason picked it up and smiled. 

A weapon. He could try using it to dig his way out of here but he doubts it would last that long and that would take time. Time he doesn't have. He has no idea when the King will be back to judge him but he knows the King probably won't be gone long. 

Jason waited until dinner that night to enact his plan. As Michael turned to leave Jason attacked him from behind trying to drive the spoon into his skull. The spoon bent though and Michael turned on him and trapped him in ghostly chains that wrapped around his neck, wrists, and ankles. The chains tugged him to the far wall and Jason struggled but couldn't escape. 

"Don't try that again." Michael said then locked the door again taking Jason's extra spoon with him. Once Michael was out of sight the chains disappeared and Jason fell to the floor. 

"Fuck." Jason cursed as his plan failed. Jason frustratingly went back to trying to make a lock pick out of straw. 

This time Jason was actually able to make something viable and tried using it on the lock in the middle of the night. Jason almost got it open when the green chains appeared and pulled him back into his cell. 

"Michael has told me you attacked him earlier." Vlad's voice came from down the hall and Jason growled as he saw Vlad step into view. 

"You can't escape Jason. Stop trying." Vlad said then walked away and the chains disappeared. 

Jason refused to stop trying though. He tried attacking Michael the next day at breakfast. Michael chained him up again. 

From then on whenever he got meals he was chained up before the cell door even opened and Michael had to feed him as Jason was no longer allowed to use his hands. 

Then on the fourth day not only was he not given a meal but he was greeted by Vlad. 

"The King wishes to see you now." Vlad said unlocking his cell. This time no chains appeared. Vlad stepped towards him then Jason went on his attack trying to push Vlad out of the way and get through the cell door. Jason got two steps before he was being blocked by a skeleton wielding a sword. 

Jason did his best to avoid him but then he was tackled to the ground before he even took a step forward. Jason struggled and fought but Vlad and the skeleton overpowered him. Jason was tied up and brought in front of the King then forced to kneel. Jason looked up at the young King in terror as he looked down angrily at him. 

The King wanted an answer as to why he was trespassing. Jason tried explaining himself but then the King looked at him like he was speaking gibberish. Jason then realized the King had no idea how to speak English and Jason had no idea how to speak the non-speak thing they were doing. 

The King then sent him back into his prison cell. Jason once again was trapped with no way out and the chains came back every mealtime. Jason was furious and he tried escaping again but it was no use. 

Jason then started to lose hope as none of his escape plans or attempts worked. Jason then gave up officially once he realized it's been weeks and he still was no closer to escaping. He couldn't escape using brute force. He needed to change tactics. 

Jason then tried talking to his guards. There were two of them now and watched him every hour of the day. 

Jason then thought back to the king. The king didn't understand him when he spoke English but Jason understood him using that non-speak language. 

Jason then tried speaking to his guards in the non-speak language. It was difficult and he really didn't know what he was doing at first. He figured it out though. 

He spoke to the guards and tried to get them to answer him but they were silent as the dead. Jason's not really sure how much time passed next. 

He had nothing to count his days. 

Then Vlad came to his cell. 

"The King is back to pass judgment on your soul." Vlad said in the non-language and Jason didn't resist this time as Vlad tied him up and brought him to the throne room. Jason saw the King and fell to his knees in defeat. 

"Sorry for keeping you waiting so long but I've been asleep for seven hundred years and I needed to catch up on what I missed." Danny growled at Jason angrily and he flinched. 

"Now where were we? Oh right, you were trying to convince me not to end your life for breaking into my crypt." Danny said angrily. 

"I'm sorry. I was just curious because I had this dream and I know that's not a good excuse but it's the truth." Jason spoke in the non language shakily, still not used to it all the way. 

"Okay revenant, let's say I believe this little tale of your's. Why is your core cracked?" Danny asked, looking at him and Jason furrowed his eyebrows. 

"M-my core? What's that?" Jason asked in English looking up at him in confusion. 

"Speak Ghost Speak or don't speak at all!!!" Danny shouted at him angrily. 

Ghost Speak, that must be the non-language. 

Jason gulped in nervousness then tried his best to repeat his question in Ghost Speak. It felt like speaking but silently. 

"Release him. Jason Todd, let's take a walk." Danny said and Vlad undid the ropes, releasing Jason from his bonds. Jason stood shakily and Danny led him away, linking his arms with Jason. Jason stumbled but followed him silently. 

What the fuck is happening? Jason thought the King was surely going to kill him. Was Danny just taking him somewhere to kill him? 

Jason followed in fear. 

"So- uh-"

"A ghost core is the heart of any and all ghost kind." Danny started to explain. 

"Okay." Jason said hesitantly. 

"You died and got revived and thus developed a ghost core. Your revival must have been messy though considering the corrupted ectoplasm and cracks in your core." Danny continued to explain. 

Jason had a very vague idea of what Danny was talking about so he just nodded along. 

"Since you are a revenant and therefore a part of my kingdom, you are now under my rule. I have decided to forgive you for your foolish actions of breaking into my crypt." Danny said and Jason smiled. 

Good not getting killed after all. 

"It has come to my attention that you know nothing of the Ghostly Realms or our society. So I have decided to show you mercy. You may go back to your haunt but first we have to do something about that corrupted core." Danny said and Jason looked at him nervously. 

"I can feel your nervousness but worry not. Frostbite will help you heal and from now on you will be staying as a guest in my castle. You still aren't allowed to leave the grounds but you have some of your freedoms back." Danny said and Jason scowled. 

"Why are you keeping me hostage?" Jason asked angrily. 

"Because your core is cracked and I can not in good conscience let you leave with it like that. It would be irresponsible and I would rather not have one of my subjects die just because he's stubborn." Danny said seriously. 

"D-Die?" Jason stuttered out in fear and confusion. 

"If I continued to let your core be corrupted it would eventually take you over and not only would your body die but I would have to send your soul to hell." Danny said seriously. 

"What?" Jason asked in shock and fear. 

"Yes, I won't allow souls that corrupted to stay in my realm so consider yourself lucky I've decided you're worth saving." Danny snapped at him. 

Was the king always this ruthless? Was he really stuck under this King's rule for the rest of his life? The rest of his afterlife? 

"When will I be able to leave?" Jason asked sadly. 

"When you are healed." Danny said calmly. 

"And how long will that take?" Jason asked in annoyance. 

"Not sure yet." Danny shrugged and Jason just wanted to go home. 

"Can I at least call my family and tell them where I am?" Jason asked sadly. 

"You may not, I will have a messenger inform them of your whereabouts and they will not be able to visit you until you are fully healed." Danny said and Jason scoffed. 

"But that's not fair!" Jason yelled in indignation. 

"Jason, your core is corrupted. I can not allow your family to see you in such a violent state." Danny said sternly. 

"Violent? I'm not violent." Jason tried to defend himself. 

"You are, that corrupted ectoplasm is messing with your emotions and making you angry and that anger will kill you unless you are healed." Danny said and Jason was a bit surprised. 

Danny was talking about the Pit Madness. He wasn't talking about it like a mental break though. He was talking about it like it was just some virus to get rid of, like it was a sickness he could be cured from. A disease that could kill him if left untreated. 

"You're going to cure the Pit Madness." Jason said in shock. 

"The Pit Madness?" Danny questioned. 

"The anger thing you were talking about." Jason clarified. 

"Yes, do you have a problem with that?" Danny asked aggressively. 

"No, I just... I didn't know it could be cured." Jason said, still shocked. 

"Well it can, now I need to go talk with Frostbite. Wait here." Danny commanded him and Jason noticed he was in a large infirmary inside the castle. Jason sat down on a cot not sure what to do anymore. 

Of course his original plan was to escape and he did want to go home but Danny said he would get rid of the Pit Madness. Danny also said he would die if he didn't get cured of the Pit Madness. 

Now that he was no longer in the danger of being killed should he really try escaping? Yes he is still being kept here against his will but there was a chance he could get his Pit Madness to go away. 

Jason sat in contemplation not knowing what to do or if he should do anything. Suddenly the window opened and Cass and Steph rolled through. 

"Steph, Cass, what are you doing here? How'd you get here?!" 

~~~earlier that day~~~

"Father, I demand we do something about Todd's absence. Tt." Damian said with his arms crossed. 

"I second that, Jason hasn't answered any of my texts or calls and his tracker isn't working." Dick said mirroring Damian's pose. 

"Yes, I also agree. I haven't been able to track him down. I only know that he headed East and went six hundred miles before his tracker went out." Tim reported. 

"It's been two months, he needs to come home." Barbara said seriously. 

"I know. I can't just send anyone to where Jason went." Bruce said in stress. 

'You know where he went.' Cass signed in surprise. 

"Yes I do." Bruce confirmed. 

"Why hasn't he come back? Why isn't he responding?" Tim asked sadly. 

"I don't know why he stayed there but Cass and Steph; you are technically too young to go but Dick already went and we need Jason back so you two are up." Bruce said they both looked at him in confusion. 

"What do you mean too young?" Steph asked in confusion. 

"Dick would you like to tell them?" Bruce asked and Dick blushed and stammered. 

"I-I- are you sure?" Dick asked and they all looked at him in confusion except Barbara and Bruce. Bruce nodded and Dick was starting to shake. 

"Okay, are you sure Tim and Damian should be here?" Dick asked and Bruce looked at them both. 

"Tim, Damian, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Bruce said seriously. 

"What!? Why can't we stay?" Tim asked in indignation. 

"You are far too young for this information." Bruce said sternly. 

"Father, unlike Drake I am mature enough for whatever such topics may arise." Damian said confidently. 

"No you're not. Steph and Cass are barely old enough. Now go." Bruce said sternly. Tim and Damian grumbled but reluctantly left the cave. 

"So if we're not old enough why do we get to know this forbidden information?" Stephanie asked in confusion. 

"Because Jason has been gone for two months and someone needs to go check on him." Bruce said seriously. 

"Why aren't any of you going?" Stephanie asked in confusion. 

"Vlad is mad at me." Bruce admitted. 

"The place just creeps me out." Barbara shivered. 

"I got chased out by guards." Dick chuckled. 

'Who is Vlad?' Cass asked in sign language. 

"You'll see. Your mission is to find Jason and bring him home. However you do that, is up to you. Our one and only advice is don't mention the Wayne family, at all." Bruce said seriously. 

"So do we just head East or are you going to tell us what we're looking for?" Steph asked in confusion. 

"We'll give you a name. Amity Park." Bruce said smiling. 

"I suggest you check Constantine's files first." Dick said, winking at them.

"Constantine?" Steph said in surprise. Dick just nodded. Bruce just smiled, it almost looked like he was smiling fondly instead of smugly. 

Why would Bruce smile fondly when thinking of Constantine? Bruce and Constantine never got along. They hated each other. Every bat kid knew Bruce and Constantine despised each other. 

It was strange to see Bruce even show a hint of fondness when Constantine's name was thrown around. For some reason right now though, Bruce was smiling fondly like he was thinking back on a fond memory. 

"Okay, come on Cass let's go bother the Warlock." Steph said and Cass nodded and they headed out together on a journey to find Jason and bring him back home.