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meowmeowmeowmeow4x · 9 months ago

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Dark Blue Moon and the Suffering Sun Part 3

Danny would guess they'd gone about 20 miles by the time he'd stopped. They were well within Siren Territory by then, not that that was any comfort, considering the source of most of the trouble in the last six months, but distance was distance. Thankfully, none of his usual enemies bothered to rear their heads, likely licking their wounds from their last encounters.

In a tiny cave blocked off by kelp and coral, Danny leaned back against a wall and caught his breath. Damian had been silent for most of the swim, which was a small blessing. It let Danny think; think about what happens next. The tiny siren loosened himself from Danny's arms, and did a few cursory flaps of his fins.

"Where have you been taking me?" Damian mumbled.

"Around. Can't exactly double back to Amity right now." He hoped Bruce Wayne was an accepting man. He'd adopted kids from all manner of backrounds, but that didn''t help the same nagging uncertainty that plagued him whenever he thought about his own parents. If he'd just doomed Damian to a life without his father, he didn't know if he could live with himself.

Damian floated to the other side of the cave, his eyes on Danny the whole time, arms crossed in a scowling expression.

"And then?"

"I don't know. I give you back to your dad? I wasn't exactly planning out every step earlier."

"Then what were you thinking?" Damian's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Do you suggest I return to the public, to school looking like this? I can hardly breathe over water, let alone walk."

"I don't know! I just..." Danny poked his finger webbing. "I've been doing this for six months. And the whole time, even if it was hard and painful, I never lost someone. No one ever, well." Danny swallowed thickly.

Damian huffed. "You are a poor excuse of a hero."

"I failed you, there's no denying it. I was too late, and I let you drown. I'm sorry. There was no other way, I swear."

Danny looked up to Damian again, but the smaller boy looked away, his expression unreadable. "Take me back."

Yeah, that wasp probably the best he could do for Damian now. Bruce Wayne was probably having the mother of all freakouts, and if Damian never wanted to see Danny again, then that was fine. He was sure the world's richest man would be able to accommodate Damian's needs just fine. Rich people were weird like that.

It took some begrudging glares, but Damian at least allowed Danny to take his hand and use his much better swimming skills, but Damian didn't look very happy about it. Then again, today was probably the worst day in the kid's life.

They were approaching the island at rapid pace, its lustrous palm trees swaying in the distance, a promise of stability, and safety at last.

Motors hummed in the water. Danny's blood froze. Immediately he submerged and ducked near the sea floor.

"What is this delay for? Let me see." Damian pushed against Danny's hand, but the older boy kept firm.

"Patrol boats. Dozens of them. And they're all on high alert. And they've got Fenton tech. Shit."

"Can't you swim past them?"

Danny sputtered. What was this kid thinking? He wasn't some god of the sea! "I can't fight thirty boats by myself! They're gonna skewer us both!"

"What about your camouflage?"

"That would've worked a couple months ago, but these guys have got Fenton Sonars."

Damian did a double take. "The Fentons? You mean the town crackpots?"

Ouch, his parents were a little obsessed, but they definitely weren't crazy. Not anymore. "The town siren hunters. And yeah maybe Jack's not great at hunting, but their inventions work. I've got a scar or two to prove it."

"My father is on that island." Damian growled. "You have to do something."

"But it's not your dad on those boats, is it?" Danny furrowed his brow. "Those guys don't see you as human, or even sentient. They think you're another monster to be studied."

"No thanks to you." Damian challenged.

Danny growled back. "I was saving you! And now you wanna be un-saved?"

They glared into each other's eyes. Danny should really feel bad about squaring up to this literal child, but man was he difficult not to get annoyed at. Deep breaths, Danny, deep breaths. This was going to be more difficult than he imagined.

Damian glared at Phantom, the supposed siren superhero of Amity Park. He wanted to scream, to yell and to cut something open, preferably Phantom, if he weren't his only ticket home, and if only he had his weapons on him.

Such a loss of composure would be beneath him, so he remained stubbornly defiant.

As much as he wished for it not to be the case, Phantom was in all likelihood correct. This horrid, horrid body was new to him. Dozens, no, hundreds of foreign sensations flared from every part of his person, each impulse sending his body wobbling in new, unexpected directions. He would never get through the blockade on his own, which killed half of his initial plans. These blasted sonars killed the other half.

Damian grit his teeth. "Fine." He said, despite the embarrassment welling up at having to admit defeat. "But this conversation is not over."

"I bet." Phantom said, the infuriating cur.

By Damian's estimates, it should have been around midnight when Phantom stopped. They took refuge underneath a larger cave, filled with sparse furniture, a rug and some tables, with dark green curtains over the entrance. Small glowing jellyfish provided faint light. It seemed like the hopelessly domestic scene Jonathan would enjoy.

Damian slithered (He didn't crawl or shuffle. He was too dignified) into the corner of the cave, where he assumed a defensive position and poured all his seething hatred into glaring at Phantom.

"Welcome to Casa de Phantom! Or at least one of them. I've got a couple hideouts here and there. I'd say 'make yourself at home,' but I guess you beat me to the punch." Phantom said with a laugh. How dare he!

Damian hissed. "Tt. I am taking advantage of the opportunity for respite while taking necessary precaution against a rogue element."

"A rogue element? I don't know if you're serious or just pulling my tailfin."

"Do not test me, Phantom."

"Right. Look, I'm gonna go get us some food, so just stay put or something or other. I won't be long and then we can talk about where we go next. Oh, and don't touch anything!"

Damian growled at him again for good measure. Phantom exited the cave in short order, leaving Damian with ample opportunity for investigation. He wouldn't be a Robin if he didn't seize this opportunity.

Damian uncoiled himself and pulled his body along the soft sand. The grains tickled and pricked at his scales. The tables held a number of different gadgets and tools. Human clothes like t-shirts, a few vests and belts were scattered around. The bench held various strange devices, like a glowing blue lipstick, and a thermos of all things. Damian knocked on the thermos, the clanging sound confirming it was hollow. The most incriminating detail of all, however, was the distinctive F logo branded onto the side of each and every device.

How does a siren with no legs acquire so many inventions from siren hunters? He supposes they really are better siren hunting inventors than proper fighters. It was a miracle Jack Fenton hadn't drowned by now, considering how he conducted himself in a fight.

The thermos was lightweight, its metal settling gently against his webbed hands. Videos of Phantom's exploits have been scarce, and grainy, showing very few useable details. Various buttons and lights adorned the thermos, showing it was no ordinary soup holder.

Damian popped the cap off. The thermos' interior contained a circular mechanism of some kind. "What in the world?" Surely this could not be a weapon. The cylindrical design and lack of handholds would have made it too unwieldy. The kickback from any shot would throw off the wielder's aim every time. As Damian peered and tried to get a closer look, his finger slipped on one of the buttons. Blast.

The thermos whined. Its interior glowed blindingly bright. Before Damian could react, a blue beam engulfed his body. Damian felt his body warp and compress into a tiny space, before his vision went dark.

Damian awoke, vision blurry and head pounding. Phantom's smug face floated above him.

"And that's why I told you not to touch anything."

Damian shook off the grogginess and sat up, almost colliding with Phantom's face. "What manner of trap was that? Were you attempting to disfigure me once again for your sick pleasure?! En garde!"

Damian was no good swimmer in this form, but it was easy to launch himself off the floor and into Phantom. Phantom, for his part, didn't sit idly like the last time. He raised his arm and blocked off Damian's access to his neck, a shame, but that did not stop Damian sinking his teeth into Phantom's flesh.

That is, if he could actually penetrate his skin.

Damian blinked in shock. Sirens were supposed to have razor sharp teeth. He'd seen those fangs in Phantom's own mouth. He should be drawing blood right now, but as he was he was barely denting Phantom's scales.

Phantom laughed, as if it just tickled. "Dude, I literally let you out of the thermos. It's not a 'trAP to diSFiguRe yOu fOR mY sIcK PleaSuRe,' it's just a containment device for sirens. Also can you stop that please, it tickles."

Damian flung himself off of Phantom's arm, retreating back into his corner. "How have I not drawn blood?! This is madness!" Damian sucked in breaths through his gills, an endlessly foreign and vulnerating sensation. "The only useful thing about this body was supposed to be its natural offensive capabilities, yet it is unable to achieve even that!"

"Siren kids just have blunter claws and teeth. Youngblood's the same."

"Do not call me a child!"

"Your claws will grow in over time, it's just the nature of things."

"You say that as if you will not return me to my true human form."

Phantom shifted uncomfortably.

Damian pressed. "Well?"

"Yeah about that..."

"Do not tell me you have no way to reverse it!"

Phantom's look of guilt sealed it. Damian's heart sank. Goodbye Robin, goodbye previous life. All his hard work and sacrifice for naught. Phantom had saved him from death by drowning, but suddenly Damian felt as if he were better off dead anyway.

Tears built up. What was happening to him? He hadn't cried since he was five years old, a show of weakness that grandfather had beaten out of him. Then again, he was really one year old back then, artificially grown to a competent age.

"H-hey, d-don't cry or anything, I was just-"

"I am not crying!" Damian shouted. He turned away from Phantom and stuffed his face into his tail, praying somehow the tears would go away on their own. He was Damian Wayne, son of Batman and daughter of Talia Al Ghul, there was no such thing as crying for him, none at all. There had been nothing, absolutely nothing he had been unable to overcome. He was going to overcome this, no matter what. These things he knew.

Why had this feeling not abated?

There had to be a solution, there just had to be. There had to be some kind of surgery that could split his tail into legs again. No that was absurd, what kind of quack surgeon can completely alter someone's species? Perhaps magic instead? Normally he hated the involvement of magic, but if it was the only way. Perhaps Zatara could assist, or he could pawn something off to that Constantine. But nothing ever good happened from associating with that man. Or maybe Aquaman would have a solution, someone well versed in oceanic magic, except Aquaman's claim of being king of the ocean was doubtful considering the siren attacks that lead him and Father to this forsaken resort town in the first place. What if... What if....

Damian felt lightheaded.

A weight pressed on Damian's body. Warm scales against his own, their individual texture segmented, but smooth, like a kind of weighted blanket. A hand laid on his shoulder. Damian remembered where he was, remembered to perform the mental exercises Father had taught him.

Slowly, his breathing evened out. His fins steadied into a gentle lull. Damian's eyelids felt heavy. His chest vibrated in a strange rhythm he couldn't place...

Suddenly the weight disappeared, and Damian blinked himself awake. Phantom retreated a sociable distance away, looking sheepish.

"Sorry, about touching you without your consent, I just saw you were hyperventilating, and I remembered a few classes about this stuff, and I watched that film too, Puss in Boots 2, it was great and-"

"Do sirens watch human media often?" Damian said. He gripped his tail, something solid to keep him anchored.

Phantom seemed to freeze for a moment. "Uhm well, maybe they do! just because we're sirens doesn't mean we're uncultured!"

Damian would have loved to pick this information apart, scan it for weaknesses until he knew this person in and out, but at this moment, he simply sat and let it settle underneath the shame of expressing similar, or even more weakness.

"Speak of this to anyone, and I will have your head."

"Yeah that would be a dick move, so if I ever did that, feel free to take it."

#dpxdc #danny phantom #danny fenton #damian wayne #merman #merboy #angst #dcxdp #mermaid au #mermaid transformation #transformation #transformation angst #damian does a little biting #he smol tho #teef too blunt #panick attack???#i hope i dont fuck this up xD

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meowmeowmeowmeow4x · 1 month ago

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Sleeping With the Fishies Chapter 1

This fic is brought to you by my extremely narrow skillset of only kinda being good at writing xDDDD Which is to say if I had the art or programming know-how to illustrate Tim's social media posts, I would have loved to U_U oh well

I posted this fic to ao3 back in may, but i've decided to start porting my fics to tumblr too, for anyone who wants to read my most fucked up fanfic :D

If you want to leave a comment or read the ao3 version, here it is :D

Instagram post: May 9th, 2024.

The image is of the Gotham skyline. Several tall buildings take over the background, lights on against the night sky. The caption reads ‘There’s something neat about taking a picture at just the right angle.’

Instagram post: May 14th 2024

The image is of a naked man with a tail for legs, and red scales over his entire body, and fins at the end of his tail, on his hips, back, arms and ears. The man is lying flat on his stomach on a rock, arms tense as if he is about to pounce. The shadow of a boat is cast over him.

The caption reads: omg I just caught this AMAZING pic of the Red Hood about to take on a smuggling organization. I’m so lucky?!?!

Instagram post: May 15th 2024

The image is of a disassembled camera, leaking water on a wooden table. The caption reads: the smugglers didn’t survive, and neither did my camera qwq its ok I can use my allowance to get another one

Instagram post: May 17th 2024

The image is of another naked man in the water. His skin is completely pitch black except for blue rings scattered across his body. It is day time, and the water is clear enough to see his bottom half, which is made up of eight thick tentacles. He is pulling himself onto the pier, offering sweets to a group of disheveled children. The oldest of them wears a tired, but kind smile.

The caption reads: Even tho the bats r a crime family and they’re terrorist and yada yada, i think its important to remember they can also be very kind too

Instagram post: May 20th 2024

A brand new camera sits on a wooden table. The caption reads: im so glad I was able to get a new camera yayyy! I’m gonna go hunting for some more pics! Watch this space <3

FROM CNN: BAT FAMILY DECLARES NORTH ATLANTIC OFFLIMITS, UNLESS TARRIF PAID BY GOVERNMENTS WISHING TO CROSS.

For the past few months, the mysterious Bat Family, a family of sirens named after their brutal patriarch, has been waging a war of expansion against Atlantis, ruled by Arthur Curry, king of Atlantis and member of the Justice League. This comes as the Bat Family consolidates its power over the Ring of Fire in the Pacific. With this new water, the nation of New Gotham is now the single largest nation in terms of territory in the history of the world.

Shipping vessels escorted by NATO Naval powers are now being attacked without mercy. Although there is no death toll, the damage to these ships is beginning to count to the billions, with no sign of stopping. The Bat Family have delivered their ultimatum to 100 different countries, including China, Russia, the USA and most of Europe. They remand the cessation of trash dumping into the ocean, as well as the immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% within this year, and further reductions in further years. If these demands are not met, then the Bat Family promise to sink every ship that crosses the North Atlantic or the Pacific originating from the offending countries.

Instagram post: May 21st 2024

The photo shows a burning, sinking ship at night. Empty cages float in the water, as well as other debris. The caption reads: was too slow to catch them in action, but man. Sometimes I wonder why people do stupid things like traffic other human beings and hold them agains ttheir will. That’s so evil TwT

Instagram post: May 22nd 2024

An aerial shot of the octopus man, known as Nightwing, sitting on a rock. In his lap sits a young boy, about 12-13 years old, with a fishtail and scales across his whole body. Robin’s scales are green and gold around his fins. His expression appears annoyed. His left arm is bleeding. Nightwing is in the middle of wrapping a bandage around the boy.

The caption reads: Nightwing’s teamwork is always incredible,,, i wish I had a big bro like nightwing. I wish my family was like the Bat family (not in the murdery way!! Just the way they treat each other and look at each ohter, you know?)

Instagram post: May 24th 2024

A collage of different pictures in the rain. The caption reads: parents said theyll be away for another couple months. took some rainy pics because its raining in my heart

Gotham Gazette: SIREN CRIME LORDS SPOILER AND BLACKTIP LEAVES BLOODY WRECK AT GOTHAM HARBOUR. 15 DEAD, 8 INJURED, 50 CHILDREN RESCUED.

Instagram post: May 25th 2024

The photo shows two female sirens, a fit purple woman with blond hair and many pointy spines and a shark woman, chatting while bodies float around them. The purple scaled-woman, Spoiler, holds the severed arm of a human in her hands. Her teeth are bloody.

The caption reads: I found Spoiler and Blacktip with my drone today! I never know if they’re big sisters to the Bat Family or just associates. What do you guys think?

Gotham Gazette: WAYNE FOUNDATION HOSTS CHARITY BALL RAISING AWARENESS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY

Instagram post: May 28th, 2024

The video opens with a young, skinny child in the foreground. “So, uhm, hello. My name’s T-tim. Tim Drake, and I’m the one who’s been taking all these pictures. Er, I hope you’ve all enjoyed them! So, uhm, the Bats, right! You know I take lots of pictures of them, and they’re known for dealing with human traffickers. So I just wanted to go over some tips I’ve found for recognizing human trafficking victims.”

The video continues…

Google search history:

How to fight sirens

How to fight the mafia

How to fight billionaires

how to defend house from invaders

How to build a bomb

How to make home alone traps

How to make acid

Is acid fatal?

how to run away and not get caught

how to fight super smell

how to escape from being kidnapped

Mom

Mom? I’m in a lot of trouble. Can you pick up the phone? I really need your help.

I know you and Dad are super busy, but this is really important. I promise I’ll make it up to you.

Mom somebody’s coming after me. I can’t say who, but they’re coming for me now.

Mom

please

i dont have much time

(unread)

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“Mom! I’m so glad you picked up, I-”

Ambient chatter filters through the connection. “Timothy, your father and I have already told you. We’re at an extremely, extremely important conference and we present do not have the time to hold your hand across a continent.”

“But mom-,”

“Don’t talk back to me young man! I don’t want to hear another word from you until this conference is finished. If you need any help, just ring the housekeeper, and call 911 for emergencies, got it?”

Google search history

What happens if 911 ignores you?

What to do when 911 doesn’t help you

How to identify non-corrupt cops

How to make cops listen to you

Justice league help line

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“Hello, Green Lantern here. What’s your emergency?”

“Hello? M-my n-neighbours are in my yard and-,”

“Are you in immediate danger?”

“N-no, I d-don’t think at the moment, but-,”

“Sorry kid, but I think you’re better off calling your parents first, then the police, ok? This line is for emergencies only.”

“Wait! I,-“ The call gets cut off as another call is accepted.

Instagram post May 30th 2024

The video shows a young boy over a large white board with a presentation projected on to it. He begins, “Strategies for detecting signs of abuse or distress in child victims.”

Instagram post May 30th 2024

The picture shows a list of common Morse Code phrases.

The caption reads: And most important of all is knowing the Morse Code for SOS! If you’re ever in trouble SPAM IT. AND IF ANYONE IS TAPPING OR BLINKING IN A WEIRD WAY, THEY MIGHT BE CALLING FOR HELP

Gotham Gazette: DRAKE INDUSTRIES HEIR TIMOTHY DRAKE SPOTTED AT MARTHA WAYNE FOUNDATION SKATE PARK. GOES VIRAL WITH DAREDEVIL MOVES.

“I go here every Wednesday and Saturday, and Sunday if I’m free. If I’m not here on Wednesday after school then somebody call the police, hahah. If anyone wants to show me some new moves or learn from mine, I’ll be happy to talk! I’m here every Wednesday and Saturday!”

Google Search History:

Self defense laws

Self defense new jersey

How not to get sued when using self defense

How to make your parents seem like good people

How to hide your parents parenting mistakes

How to not get adopted

How to look unappealing to kidnappers

Dad

Dad I’m in serious trouble. Please come home

i need u

i love u dad

im in danger

please, im begging

please

(unread)

You have (1) voicemail. Beeeeep.

Hyper ventilating. Childlike sobs. “Mom. Dad. Please. They’re closing in on me. I don’t know how long I can h-hold them off. Please I need you. I promise I’ll never, ever ask for anything every again.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Dear Your Majesty the King of Atlantis, Arthur Curry

You might not know me, but my name is Tim Drake, and I’m 10 years old and I live in Gotham. Recently I’ve discovered one of the Bat Family’s greatest secrets, but they also know that I know and now they want to get me. I have exhausted every other avenue of escape or rescue. You are my only hope. If I could, I would tell you the secret now, but currently my blackmailing the Bat Family with its exposure is the only thing keeping me alive.

Please. Nobody else is helping me. They’ll destroy me and everything I love. I have no other options.

Attached are some photos and proof that they’re stalking me.

Yours sincerely, Tim Drake

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Dear Timothy,

You are very brave for reaching out. I am deeply sorry that you have been failed by so many of your institutions, including the Justice League. Please be assured I am sending my best men to rescue you as we speak. However, they will be forced to swim through siren territory. Please hold out for as long as you can. Help is on the way.

Yours sincerely, Arthur Curry, King of Atlantis

Instagram post: June 2nd 2024

The video shows a disheveled, dirty boy. His eyes are red and raw. His cheeks look sunken, as if he hasn’t eaten in a while. “Hello! My name is Tim Drake, and my parents are great! They gave me this huge mansion to live in, and they spend all this money buying nice things for me like this $10,000 camera and drone set, and they pay for the best private education in Gotham. Like, isn’t that so amazing of them? And I definitely do not want to get adopted by ANY other family. Nope. My parents are perfect and if you see me adopted by anyone else, THEN CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.”

Gotham Gazette: TRAGEDY STRIKES AS DRAKE INDUSTRIES HEIR TIMOTHY DRAKE TURNS UP DEAD. POLICE RULE PARENTAL NEGLECT

It’s a dark day in Gotham’s history as social media darling Tim Drake, who has taken the city by storm with his charming photography and public PSAs, has been found dead. Late last night, Dick Grayson-Wayne, son of eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne, dove into Gotham Harbour, claiming to have seen Tim Drake falling in. 40 minutes later, at 11.39pm, search parties discovered a gruesome sight. Tim Drake’s iconic red hoodie and ripped jeans were found in the water, shredded to pieces and covered in blood. Further search parties found pieces of bone, and strips of flesh later identified as intestines, lungs and teeth. Analysts have already confirmed a match to the young boy.

Security feeds show Tim Drake wandering around Gotham Harbour, a place he is known to frequent based on his many social media posts of siren photography. At about 10.57pm, the feeds show him slipping on an oily patch. Tim Drake falls into the water, before struggling for several minutes, eventually going under and not coming up. Minutes later, Dick Grayson-Wayne sprints and dives off the edge, only to emerge empty-handed. It is presumed Tim Drake’s body was claimed by sirens soon after.

Thousands are in morning for the young child, so full of potential, and beloved by so many. Bruce Wayne, long-time neighbor to the Drakes, had this to say.

[Embedded video shows Bruce Wayne, eyes red and choking back further tears. He blows his nose loudly. “W-well, i-i-it’s just so awful! Timothy was- was- was, he was such a bright young lad. And now his l-life is just-, he was right there! And tell you what, I know I have a reputation.”

He gestures to his gaggle of children, lined up stoically behind him. Bruce Wayne continues, “But I deeply care for the suffering of children. Honestly, I thought like everyone else that the Drakes took their kid abroad on their trips. Then I saw Timothy all alone and I asked him if his parents were home, and he got all evasive on me. Then I saw more signs, but I didn’t wanna overstep, you know? S-so I just kept trying to call his parents. And kept trying. And I just couldn’t reach them. I know I should’ve checked in on him, but no child wants a massive strange man showing up at their house when they’re a-alone, you know? But n-n-now I wish I did b-because-,”

The man breaks down into tears. A stately-looking butler escorts him and his children inside. “My deepest apologies, but Master Bruce has a soft heart, and will be unavailable for further questions.”

Police Commissioner Gordon has already opened an enquiry into Tim Drake’s parents. Why was Tim Drake alone in Gotham Harbour, a hub for organized crime and siren attacks? Where were they the night their son died? Where are they now?

Will Tim Drake, a child taken from us too soon, receive justice?

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