Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was free; by the hand of his kind's bane, his master, his owner, his friend... his savior.

Bathed in the blood of his kin, a young Damian al Ghul had screamed at him to fight, to honor his ancestors. But beneath the fury, Goliath had smelled grief; deep and raw, mirroring his own. He licked Damian’s face, and the rage melted. Tears of sorrow fell from the small human.

There, surrounded by the corpses of his massacre and the last hatchling of the Dragon Bats, Damian cried for his older brother. The one his mother had ordered him to forget. The one his grandfather had erased so meticulously, he’d even melted his sword.

There was no memorial for Danyal. And Damian knew he’d be punished if there was even a whisper of his name. So, he let the Dragon Bat live, in honor of his brother.

At first, Goliath had been a secret memorial. But over time, he became a true companion, the only one with whom Damian felt comfortable remembering Danyal during quiet, sleepless nights.

Years later, when Damian finally freed Goliath, he thought about how his brother would’ve loved flying under the stars.

It wasn’t the last time the Dragon Bat saw Damian. From time to time, he returned to visit, sometimes even tagging along on heroic missions. But once, on one of Goliath’s long journeys, he caught Damian’s scent... but aged, decayed. Twisted by something not quite right.

He followed the scent trail of death, and there, standing with glinting spikes atop his head, was NotDamian. His coloring was off, but his physique was similar, but taller, broader. NotDamian seemed confused, but kind. He gently patted Goliath’s head.

“Did you follow Cujo?” he asked, floating above to scratch behind Goliath’s ears. His white hair, tied with a black ribbon, fell over one shoulder.

Where Damian was human, NotDamian was ethereal. But a deep sniff told Goliath they shared blood, and the same aching grief, the kind even Lady Talia kept hide.

He doesn't get NotDamian name for a while, and is not NotDamian who give it to him...

“I had an older brother,” Damian once told Goliath. “All I have now are broken memories. I try to paint him, but I can’t get his smile right... or remember the shape of his eyebrows.”

Goliath nudged him, and Damian opened his sketchbook. Goliath thought the drawing looked quite similar to NotDamian; if younger, with different hair and eye color."

“Danyal,” Damian whispered. “His name was Danyal.”

In that moment, his grief felt as raw as the day they first met.

“I don’t know how to tell Father,” he confessed.

But he tells him, with Goliath by his side.

“Father...” The weak murmur was enough to alert Bruce.

But it was Damian’s eyes that made him tremble; because no matter what, Damian never showed weakness.

“Damian, are you feeling unwell?” Bruce asked, concerned.

He shook his head. “I told you why I killed Goliath’s kind... but I never told you why I let him live.”

Confusion flickered in Bruce’s expression, but he nodded for him to continue.

“He was a memorial. In honor of my older brother.”

A gasp escaped Bruce, but no coherent words followed.

“Danyal was kind. Too kind.” A dam broke inside him, and the words poured out in a rush. “His mistake was believing he could lie to Grandfather. He claimed to have completed every mission, and while he eliminated most of his targets... he spared their families. Grandfather made an example of him. ‘An excruciating death to atone for your shame,’ he said. So he burned him alive and threw his ashes into the Lazarus Pits, to prove he was nothing but dirt, and that no magic would ever bring him back.”

Damian’s hand trembled with fury, but he kept speaking. “I was mad. Enraged that Danyal could be so stupid, thinking he could deceive the Demon’s Head. And I hated him for choosing strangers over me. He swore he’d always be there for me... and then he got himself killed.”

A bitter laugh cracked through the sorrow. “I blamed him. Not Grandfather. Him. But now... I see Danyal was suffering. Every kill was eating away at him. He was just trying to find a way to live with himself.”

Sensing the distress, Goliath nudged Damian, purring in quiet comfort.

Bruce watched, a chill settling deep in his spine. How many of Damian’s pets, he wondered, were memorials in disguise? Living echoes of a brother Bruce never knew he’d lost.

The image haunted him. A boy burning, alone, while his screams tore through the silence. Bruce had once thought he couldn’t hate Talia more.

“Why didn’t your mother tell me?”

Though part of him burned with frustration at Damian’s silence, Bruce knew the truth, it wasn’t his son’s fault. The responsibility had always been Talia’s. Bruce could hardly blame a traumatized child for staying quiet. That flicker of anger vanished the moment he saw Damian’s tears.

“She ordered me to forget Danyal,” Damian whispered. “His name became taboo. Grandfather erased his existence, burned the photos, destroyed the records... even melted his sword.”

His hand found Goliath’s fur in a trembling effort to calm himself. “There’s nothing left to prove he was real... except my memories.”

And Bruce saw it clearly. Damian’s silence hadn’t been born of cruelty, it was habit. And somehow, that hurt even more. His son hadn’t known how to mourn... only how to bury pain.

“I’m sorry, son.”

Damian didn’t pull away. He didn’t return the hug either, but the wetness soaking Bruce’s sweater spoke volumes.

“I’m tired of pretending he didn’t exist,” Damian confessed, voice splintering. “I miss Danyal. I... I miss my b-brother.”

The sobs didn’t surprise Bruce, but the rest of the family came crashing through the mansion doors, only to freeze at the edge of the yard, stunned by the sight of Damian bawling in his father’s arms, while Bruce struggled to hold back his own tears.

No one asked questions.

They simply gathered around.

Dick pulled Damian into a hug. Cass rested a quiet hand on his arm. Jason sat cross-legged at his feet, and Tim mirrored him. Duke settled beside Bruce with a wordless embrace.

It was Alfred who gently broke the tension. Before anyone realized, they were seated with warm tea in their hands, surrounded by silence and grief.

Bruce leaned in and whispered something to Damian, who nodded. Then he placed a wrinkled piece of paper in Bruce’s hand and walked away, Goliath steady at his side.

Dick watched them go, then turned to Bruce, his voice low and laced with worry.

“What’s going on, Bruce?”

“He’s mourning,” Bruce said quietly, unfolding the wrinkled paper in his hands. “He’s been mourning for a long time.”

His eyes didn’t leave the page. “I... I had another son.”

Dick blinked. “What?!”

Tim frowned. “I never heard a word about this while I was in the League.”

Duke’s expression darkened. If Damian was mourning that deeply, the story behind it had to be heavy.

“I sensed it,” Cassandra signed, her movements slow and deliberate. “The grief clung to him, thought he was homesick. It deepened after Father’s death... eased when he returned. But it never left. Now I understand.”

Jason leaned forward. “What happened to him?”

Bruce laid the paper down for everyone to see.

Drawn in was Danyal with a mischievous smile, blue eyes sparkling with joy, and long black hair tied half-up in a bun.

With a heavy heart, Bruce repeated Damian’s words. There was horror in how Danyal died, but what struck the family even deeper was how Ra’s al Ghul had destroyed every physical trace of him. He hadn’t just killed the boy, he’d desecrated his memory.

The next morning, they all followed Damian into the yard to say goodbye to Goliath.

The family felt a new fondness for Goliath. They had always liked him, if only because he belonged to Damian. But now, like Damian, they found comfort in watching him fly. There was something soothing in the beat of his wings, something steady in his presence.

He padded over to Bruce and licked his face, cleaning away the salty residue of tears.

The whole family laughed, and Goliath felt pride. He had given them a flicker of joy before taking his leave. That was enough.

The Death’s Path was easier now. NotDami...Danyal had introduced him to Cujo, the green canine had taught Goliath everything about the Death’s Paths. It wasn’t long before his wings carried him to the castle once more, and a little supernova  collided with his chest.

The child was small but fierce, strong enough to knock him over with sheer excitement. Giggling wildly, she curled up on top of him in a victorious sprawl.

“You came back!” she exclaimed, just as she always did.

The King and the Consort Pharaon followed behind, regal and calm. And from the shadows, the Green Queen’s voice echoed like a lullaby.

“We told you, Starlight. He is a free beast… but he has found a home here.”

Most called the girl Princess. The King and his consorts called her Starlight. But the child insisted on Ellie.

Goliath rumbled contentedly beneath her. The first time he’d found Danyal in these realms, he’d worried he was lonely. But, like Damian, Danyal had found a good family.

If words were his to give, Goliath might have told each brother about the other, of the grief they shared, and the love that remained.

But perhaps it was never meant to be. Goliath could walk the Death’s Path... but he knew Damian didn’t belong here.

Not yet.

Chapter Text

In another life, King Phantom would have meet his soulbonds in mortal flesh. But in this one, The Fenton's portal worked with no problem, yet no hero stood to stop ghosts from entering Amity Park, no one to stop Vlad from waking Pariah Dark. 

With a flawless portal into the mortal world, Pariah Dark not only destroyed Amity Park but the entire dimension. The Infinite Realms fell into chaos.

Those from Amity who had become ghosts joined the rebellion, but there was not force enough to stop the tyrant King.

Until Clockwork saw the demise of Danyal Al Ghul. His core was new, but only with him did Clockwork foresee a chance not just to freedom, but greatness. So he hints Sam and Tucker; The Green Lady and The Pharaoh, to find the Phantom of the league of shadows. 

Even though Danyal was raised an assassin, his bleeding heart had become a primal force of protection in death. He entered the war, and with him, the balance finally tipped in their favor. But the war was long; ghosts were erased forevermore. With the final sacrifice of Jazmine Fenton, they bought enough time to flee and prepare for the final battle.

Danyal al Ghul raised his ice sword and challenged Pariah Dark to single combat. The echoes of their fight resounded across multiple universes. The Infinite Realms cracked for a moment—but before total destruction, King Phantom emerged victorious. The Tyrant King was sent to his final death. His realm not only ushered in a new dawn across multiple universes, but became an eternal declaration of love to his Green Lady and Pharaoh. They had gained not only a great King, but a Green Queen and a Consort Pharaoh... and soon, a princess.

 Their starlight, or Ellie, if you asked the wild child who had graced them all.

But even an immortal King can miss mortal life. From time to time, grief leaks through Danyal. He yearns for his little brother and mother—those he failed, even shamed. Yet he finds no regret in his actions, even though his Grandfather burned him alive for them.

One day, out of nowhere, a red-winged beast appears. The King finds it amusing how the creature sniffs him.

"Did you follow Cujo?"

But it's clear the beast came by its own volition. So he introduces it to Cujo. Though the creature doesn't stay permanently, it visits again and again. The happiest of all is his starlight; each time she sees it, she knocks it down in a hug. Her tiny arms can't wrap around it, but the winged creature cuddles her with just one arm.

"You came back!"she says like every time he visits.

"We told you, Starlight" the echoes of the Green Queen call "He is a free beast, but he had find a home here"

It’s only natural to place a mark of protection on the red Dragon Bat. While it won’t stop the most chaotic demons, it will prevent a long list of creatures from harming him; too afraid to cross King Phantom.

Still, a call for help comes sooner than expected. Before he departs, Clockwork appears before him.

“I will take care of the princess, my King,” says the ancient of time, undisturbed. “It is not yet her time for battle.”

Phantom wants to snarl the word never, but he knows better. He doesn’t want to imagine his daughter in danger, so he ensures she’ll be ready when her time comes.

“It’s been a while since we fought together,” says the Consort Pharaoh excitedly.

“Are you sure all those hours behind a screen haven’t made you rusty?” asks the Green Queen. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll save you if you can’t keep up.”

"Wanna bet who gets the higher head count?"

"Stop fussing" says King Phantom. 

" You are just mad we don't let you play"

"Yeah, you're too overpowered, babe"

He roll his eyes affectionately. 

With a slice of his sword, he opens a portal to where the call for help originated. Their robes shimmer, transforming into battle armor. The fight doesn’t stop with their arrival; but it turns the tide. Roots sprout from the soil, and a sandstorm lashes a large spacecraft. The red beast, now considered part of the royal family, is injured. Yet he keeps his wings spread wide, shielding a child behind him while trying to appear intimidating.

“It’s an invasion to raze the planet,” informs Tucker, his eyes glitching. “They want to harvest death magic to open multiple paths for dark creatures they plan to control to rule the universe.” A small smirk forms on his face. “My sand already hacked their systems.”

“If you crash the ship, it doesn’t count,” warns Sam.

“This is my dimension,” Danyal speaks suddenly. “I can feel my mortal connections.”

Both of his spouses look at him, determination set in their eyes.

His Green Queen and Consort Pharaoh split across the battlefield. Sam summons carnivorous plants that devour the largest enemies effortlessly. Tucker wields his staff to summon his sand army; a pack of jackals appear, protecting the heroes from final strikes. Danyal cloaks himself in darkness. In an instant, the shadows of each enemy solidify into forms mimicking King Phantom. With a single movement of his sword, he disintegrates all enemies like dust flicked from existence.

The battle ends. Confusion turns to apprehension as the trio are seen.

"Who are you?" ask a Green lantern. 

But his answer dies in his throat upon hearing a voice so familiar it makes his core shiver.

“¡Ahki!” Damian looks older, yet still a child in Danyal’s eyes. “¡Ahki!”

His brother runs toward him, and Danyal smiles, remembering how a young Damian once greeted him after missions. Damian’s costume reveals he came as Robin, so Danyal doesn’t call out his name. Instead, he kneels and opens his arms. They embrace, and Danyal feels tears on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, so sorry for leaving you and Mother,” Danyal whispers into his ear. “I’ve missed you.”

“I hated you,” Damian whispers back “I hated you so much.”

“I know,” Danyal replies, tightening his hold.

A new—yet familiar—voice arrives.

“Danyal.” The soft call of his mother is enough to undo King Phantom

"Mother"

And something in his voice, maybe the warmth but still melancholyc replied, makes his mother's eyes shine with tears that do not fall.

“This life was not kind to you, but it appears death suits you, my dear.

King Phantom laughs, fond tears shining like diamonds.

"It does, Mother"

“Are you gonna introduce us, babe?” interrupts Tucker with all the crassness possible.

Danyal smiles fondly at his partners.

“Mother, brother; may I present to you my wife and husband, the Green Queen and the Consort Pharaoh of the Infinite Realms.”

“Just Sam and Tucker is fine,” says Sam. “You’re our in-law, after all.”

But their words shock all the magic users present, for this universe was one of many that felt the shift of power in the realm between dimensions.

“High King Phantom,” one of them says while bowing. “We thank you for your help in our time of need…”

“You should thank the Dragon Bat,” interrupts Danyal. “He was the one who called for our help.”

“Goliath?” asks a confused Damian. “But how?”

“Ah, so he has a name,” Danyal smiles at his brother. “It appears your companion has two homes, so he must be with you when he’s not with us.”

“Like a damn cat,” someone mutters under their breath.

The Dragon Bat limps toward them, purring with pleasure at seeing them together.

“Don’t think I won’t hear the story of how you became King, my son.”

“Of course, Mother,” says Danyal fondly.

“Robin!”

Damian doesn’t part from Danyal, but he looks over his shoulder.

“Nightwing,” he calls. “Father.”

King Phantom tilts his head at his brother’s words. He finds amusement in seeing the flock of birds that came with Batman.

“Beloved,” says Talia, “May I present our firstborn, Danyal al Ghul.” Her face betrays nothing, but her voice speaks with pride. “And of course; our daughter and son in law, Sam and Tucker al Ghul.”

Both Tucker and Sam take glee in being accepted by their mother in law so easily. Damian refuses to let go of Danyal, so he carries him.

“Hello, Batman.”

He is not sure if he should call “father” a man he has never seen. But from the deep grief on his body, it is clear he has been mourning a son he never met, but still loved. 

“Damn, how incompetent are we if the only brother who’s married is the one who’s still dead?” exclaims Red Hood.

The majority look offended, except for Signal, who laughs at them.

“Shut your mouth, you fool!” yells an enraged Damian. “Leave my brother alone!”

“Our brother too,” says Orphan, while Red Robin nods, pleased to annoy Damian.

“Of course the spooky king has to be Batman’s kid,” murmurs Green Lantern.

The Green Queen turns her face in his direction.

“Not fond of our father-in-law?” she teases.

Hal shivers. The queen is gorgeous, but something about the way her eyes widen and her smile curls—though kind—makes him feel like prey.

“So this means Danyal got dibs on the first grandchild too?” Tucker’s question sounds innocent, but he smiles at the chaos it causes.

“Grandchild?” a multitude of voices explode.

Batman is stunned. Superman, who has just arrived, looks between his friend and son in shock.

“Congratulations, Batman,” says a delighted Wonder Woman.

“Danyal, explain.”

“Ahki?”

King Phantom exhales.

“Thanks, Tucker,” he says, annoyed.

He and Sam enjoy the reveal while he suffers under his mother’s demanding eyes.

A white light flashes, and Clockwork and Ellie appear at his side.

“Papa!” his Starlight squeals, happy. “Mommy! Daddy!”

The three parents surround their child. Even with the power to erase a universe, their Starlight has a way of melting them with her mere presence. They discard their armor in favor of royal attire, far more comfortable for hugging their little girl.

“Papa?” Ellie looks bewildered upon seeing the boy in his arms.

Damian, who hasn’t said a word, stares at her with an open mouth.

“My Starlight, meet your uncle!”

Ellie tilts her head adorably before giving a small huff.

“Okay,” she accepts. “Hi, Uncle.”

Damian simply nods at her, speechless.

“Danyal.” His mother approaches him with the smallest warning in her voice.

“Baby, say hi to your grandma,” says Sam, taking Ellie from Clockwork’s arms.

“But you told me your parents disappeared with your home dimension?” she asks, confused.

“But this is Papa’s home,” explains Sam gently. “And his mommy and daddy are very much alive, sweetheart.”

Ellie blinks like a confused owl.

“Oh… but I thought you said not to interact with living worlds?”

“It’s true, we belong in the Realms.”

“You’re leaving,” says a hurt Batman, who looks at his grandchild with longing.

“That’s your grandpa, baby,” Tucker fake whispers in her ear, “and your horde of uncles and aunts. Imagine how many games you could play with them.”

Her eyes spark at the mention of games, but her focus shifts when she sees the red Dragon Bat nearby.

“You’re here!” Ellie screams, delighted to see her red friend.

She jumps from her mother’s arms, and while Batman and Talia reach to catch her in mild panic, there’s no need. She flies to the red beast and knocks him down with contagious laughter.

“Do you like Goliath?” These are the first coherent words Damian manages to say to his niece.

“Goliath? He’s your friend?”

“You could say so,” he responds, a little embarrassed.

“Goliath is a cool name. Hi, Goliath!”

The Dragon Bat doesn’t hesitate to lick her face, purring with happiness.

“Starlight, you scared Grandpa and Grandma by jumping like that,” Danyal gently scolds.

“I’m sorry,” says Ellie, embarrassed.

“Owww, you’re such a sweetheart,” says Nightwing.

“Hi, other uncle.”

“You can call me Nightwing.”

“Okay, then call me Ellie.”

The rest of the family takes that as a green light to greet their tiny, floating niece.

“They really don’t give a fuck about us, huh?” A hit lands on Hal’s shoulder.

“Tiny ears,” scolds Superman.

“We should give them space,” intervenes Zatanna. “King Phantom showed favor to our world, but it’s better if we don’t annoy the royal family.”

“She’s beautiful, Danyal,” says Talia.

“Thanks, Mother.”

“May I hold her?”

Talia sends Batman a glare so deep it makes Danyal shiver.

“She’s my first grandchild, beloved,” she remarks icily. “I should get the honor of holding her first.”

Batman rebukes with a grim tone.

“I didn’t get to hold Damian or Danyal as babies,” he says. “And she’s my first grandchild too, Talia.”

Tucker laughs, but Sam sighs heavily, sensing Danyal’s stress.

“Starlight, come here,” calls Sam. “Sweetheart, could you do the trick Papa taught you?”

“Double special?” she asks happily. “Okay!”

Before their eyes, the little princess duplicates herself in her mother’s arms. Without waiting for questions, in a moment, each Starlight is comfortably resting in her grandparents’ arms.

“Hi, Grandpa!”

“Hi, Grandma!”

Both melt in their granddaughter’s presence. But Talia still shoots another glare at Batman when she sees him retrieve a lollipop from his belt. She keeps speaking gently to her grandchild but swears to gift her something a million times better than an idiotic cherry candy.

“I think officially Ellie is Bruce’s favorite child,” declares Red Robin.

“So who’s second?” asks Red Hood, while Nightwing throws him a reproachful look for starting another argument.

“I mean, my daughter is just too precious,” says Danyal, approaching them. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Danyal.”

All the Birds flock to him with interest.

“We know you’re dead, but how did you end up as king?” questions Red Robin.

“Tim, just introduce yourself first,” reprimands Nightwing. “Hi, I’m Dick.”

“By conquest,” answers Danyal while shaking Dick’s extended hand.

“Jason,” says Red Hood. “So you just woke up one day and decided to take the throne?”

“Cass,” says Orphan before Danyal can speak.

“I’m Duke,” says Signal. “Hey, do you think I could replicate your shadow trick with light powers?”

Danyal blinks at the question.

“My primal powers are ice based, but my daughter’s are light. We’ve acquired tomes accordingly, I can send you copies if you’d like.”

“Ahki,” intervenes Damian, “You haven’t answered why you took the throne.”

“That’s our doing,” says Sam, approaching with Tucker. “The realms were at war because of one man who woke Pariah Dark...the Tyrant King, commander of the undead army, destroyer of our home world.” Sam’s voice is grim. “We lost everything, even our lives. So we fought for our right to be dead, because Pariah wasn’t satisfied. He was a brutal ruler with no compassion or respect for his people.”

“The Ancient of Time saw a future where another king could rise, so we both searched for this elusive phantom,” Tucker smiles at Danyal. “It was like finding a wet kitty in a heavy rainstorm.”

Danyal makes a sound of displeasure.

“Let’s not forget how proper he was,” adds Sam.

“He was freaking weird, man,” laughs Tucker. “But he was kind. He heard our plea and made our war his own.”

“I like to think I found purpose by your side, beloveds,” says Danyal smoothly.

And it’s clear to anyone just how deeply the three of them love each other.

Damian admires his brother in silence and rejoices in the evident happiness his new sister and brother have brought to Danyal. But more than anything, he is grateful for Goliath, who found and brought Danyal back to them.

He is so overwhelmed by emotion that he decides to hug his brother once again. He is different, his skin is cool, his black hair and blue eyes are gone. But Damian doesn't care that his hair is now white and his eyes an exotic green. He keeps his hair in the same style he wore in the League of Shadows. He still has a kind smile and a soft voice to greet him and Mother.

Damian had seen his brother burn, so no, he doesn't care how inhuman he looks now.

He is still Danyal.