Dick finds out he's a dad
Dick Grayson stood in the shadows of the Batcave, staring at the hologram projected before him. Bruce had insisted on the DNA test. The results glowed in neon green: 99.99% paternity match.
âYouâre telling me this kid is mine?â Dick asked, his voice low, almost incredulous.
âNot just any kid,â Bruce replied, his gravelly tone giving little away. âHeâs Danny Fentonâbetter known as Danny Phantom. The half-ghost.â
Dick blinked. âWait, ghost?â
Bruce turned, a flicker of somethingâconcern?âcrossing his usually stoic face. âHeâs... unique. His DNA shows ectoplasmic anomalies. He was raised by ghost hunters in Amity Park, but his motherâMaddie Fentonâwas someone you met when you court if owls took you. â
The memories flooded back. Maddie had been a fiery, brilliant scientist volunteering for a physics exhibit. Theyâd shared a whirlwind romance that ended as quickly as it began. Dick never imagined their brief connection had left something behind.
Before Dick could process the revelation, a low hum echoed through the cave. The Zeta Tube activated, and a figure stepped through.
Danny Phantom floated inches above the ground, his snow-white hair and glowing green eyes standing out starkly against the Batcave's darkness. He looked like heâd been fighting ghostsâor worse. His suit was torn, and green ectoplasm dripped from his knuckles.
âOkay,â Danny started, his voice tinged with frustration. âWho the heck are you, and why did you call me here?â His gaze shifted to Dick, narrowing slightly. âAnd why do you look like a younger version of Batman?â
Dick stepped forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace. âIâm... Dick Grayson. Nightwing. And, uh, apparently, your father.â
Danny froze mid-air, his glowing eyes flickering. âWhat? No. Thatâs notâmy dadâs Jack Fenton. Big, loud guy, bad with tools. Mom never mentioned you.â
Bruce interjected, his deep voice cutting through the tension. âMaddie likely kept it a secret. But the DNA doesnât lie.â
Dannyâs laughter was bitter, almost hollow. âSo, what, youâre telling me my whole lifeâs been a lie? Oh, and by the way, Iâm half-dead and apparently the son of a superhero? Great. Just great.â
âI know itâs a lot,â Dick said gently. âBut youâre not alone in this. I want to help.â
Dannyâs gaze softened, but only slightly. âHelp? You think you can just waltz in and play dad? Iâve been fighting ghosts and saving the world since I was fourteen. I donât need another parent.â
âIâm not trying to replace anyone,â Dick replied, stepping closer. âBut if youâre in troubleâif you need someone to back you upâIâm here.â
Danny hovered for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a weary sigh, he landed, his boots touching the cave floor. âFine. But if you try to lecture me about curfews or ghost powers, Iâm out.â
Dick chuckled, relieved. âDeal.â
From the shadows, Bruce watched the exchange, his lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. Danny Phantom, the half-ghost hero, had found something he didnât know he needed: