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When Danny was a kid he hoped he would one day go to space. He hoped that his parents would find time for him and his sister. He hoped he would get to spend time with his friends. He hoped he would do well in school and make his family proud.
When Danny died he hoped it would be over quickly. He hoped that Sam and Tucker would be okay. He hoped that Jazz would forgive him. He hoped his parents would care more about his death than their portal finally working. He hoped the pain would end.
When Danny was 15 he hoped that he was enough. He hoped that he would be able to save everyone. He hoped that Jazz, Sam, and Tucker, all of his classmates and the people of Amity, even Vlad and the other ghosts, would be okay. He hoped that he would survive.
When Danny was 17 he hoped he would escape. He hoped that someone would save him. He hoped that Ellie would be okay. He hoped that Jazz would forgive him (a reoccurring hope over the years but it felt stronger this time than ever before). He hoped Sam and Tucker wouldn't ever see what happened to him (he knew they wouldn't be able to forgive themselves even if it was never their fault). He hoped that it would be over quickly. He hoped the pain would end.
He could hear others crying out in hope too. Hoping to be saved. Hoping to end. Hoping someone would come. Hoping to let go. He held onto their hopes and repeated them all. A mantra of life from the cores of the dead.
Maybe it was their collective hope that did it. A prayer that reached across the stars, across space and time and dimensions, into a galaxy like Danny had once hoped to explore one day. Echoing back to a small blue ring.
It heard their call, their hopes and dreams, their faith and love, and it answered.
It felt their pain, could feel how weak some of their hopes were, how close they were to giving in. How much they hoped for it to end. It rushed towards them faster.
When it burst through the roof and down into the lower floors of the compound it went for the source of the hope. The ring forced its way to the being that had the most hope, that the others centred their hopes around, that was fading even as it held onto hope. It could feel the swirling thoughts, from one's in and out of the compound, hoping for the one strapped on the table to return.
It forced itself onto his hand, blue hope blasting to life in the room, mixing with toxic green in a display of death and life, courage and hope. It healed his wounds, pulling him back together and growing back missing pieces faster than he could on his own.
Black clothing turned blue, bright and glittering like the deep reaches of space it had heard them from. It resonated with the core deep in his soul, brushing against him like an old friend coming home. He opened his eyes, green pools shining bright for the first time in far too long. The ring didn't give him strength, but it healed him and that was all he needed.
Suddenly, Danny no longer hoped to die, he hoped to live. He felt strong and safe and happy covered in blue with this little ring that had forced its way to him. He could feel the hopes of every ghost there with him. Their hope to get home fuelling him even more. He ripped off his restraints.
When Danny, freshly 18 and physically healed from the scars inflicted on him by people who should have protected him, looked out at the people who would call him king he felt hope like a never ending chorus. It spread from everyone watching, hope that he would help them, hope that he would protect them, hope that they were safe now, hope that the realms would flourish under his leadership. On one gloved hand glowed a green ring, red eyes flashing and filling him with the righteous rage he was owed, allowing him to fight for those he protected. On the other hand, a soft blue light shone, powered with the hopes he embodied and cherished in his heart and core.
The crown floated over his head, flames frozen into icy peaks where it drifted in lazy circles. His suit was more solid, no longer the flimsy material he had died in. White gloves and boots still covered his hands and feet, though they were more solid looking than before. His outfit featured more blue now, and the letters that once stretched across his chest were now encompassed by the same symbol that the blue ring which had saved him just a year ago showed. His cape, soft white fur and the cosmos shining out from the underside, rested comfortingly around his shoulders.
Clockwork’s elderly face smiled at him, floating just to his right. “I’m sure you know but we are all very proud of you, Danny. I have no doubt-” his form flickered, now a young man “-that you will lead the realms the best way possible. I will be behind you the whole way, and I know I am not the only one.” The ancient, now a small child, nodded at the beings still cheering for him.
“Thanks Clockwork,” Danny looked out at the sea of faces, eyes drawn to those he knew but making sure to look at everyone he could. “I hope I’ll live up to expectations.”
Clockwork was too… professional to groan at Danny, especially on such an official day, but the others' eyes did crinkle in a way that Danny knew was fond resignation.
“Perhaps you should say a few words, young king.”
Danny was mature enough that he didn’t groan at the suggestion… out loud at least. But he knew Clockwork was right. His people had waited for years for him to take the crown. Least he could do was give a speech.
He didn’t project his voice at all but he knew everyone would hear him anyway. The crown would make sure the whole realm heard what he had to say to them.
“For millennia the realms have been without a ruler, taken care of by the ancients and observants, but not truly united. 3 years ago I fought the tyrant king, besting him in single combat and forcing him back to sleep. I didn’t know at the time what that meant. Didn’t know that because of that one fight I would come to stand before you all today. When I died so much changed for me, for the realms, and for everyone who resides within them. None of us knew what would happen, what access to the mortal world would entail or cause. No one, except maybe Kronos, could predict what would happen, but even he is subject to fate and her whims. One switch led to me dying, to coming to stand before you all, be heard by so many thousands of beings, after being crowned your king. I do not know what the future holds for us. I do not know what will happen as the infinite realms continue ever expanding and growing. But I do know that you chose me. That it was your hope and faith that led to me being here before you today, rings on my hands and crown on my head. I hope that together we can build a home we are all proud of, that together we can bring peace to the realms once again. I hope that I can be what you need and that I will be a just and kind ruler. I hope that you trust me to do what I can to protect us all. I hope I am a good king.” Danny took a deep breath, cape swirling behind him as he lifted his hand.
The little blue ring on his finger was a symbol, even more than the ring of rage he had been bestowed today. The ring of rage was a relic from times past, when the previous kings had to fight for their throne, had to fight for the realms. The ring of hope was the embodiment of his denizens' care and love for him. It proved that they wanted him, that they trusted him to lead them right, that they had hope in him just as he had hope in them.
His voice was strong as he recited the oath. Clockwork and he had discussed it in depth, if he should say it today, if it would mean what he hoped it would. In the end he knew it was the right thing to do, so he steadied himself as he stood before his people and held the ring up high.
“In fearful day, in raging night, with strong hearts full, our souls ignite. When all seems lost in the War of Light, look to the stars-- for hope burns bright.”
The blue light that shone from the ring was calming and peaceful, healing. Those it shined on felt just that little more hopeful for their new king than they had already, and the realms themself felt cracks closing over deep down where light never reached.
Danny smiled softly as his people cheered. They would be okay.
—------------
Space was cold. Space was cold, and empty, and unforgiving in nature. It held everything and nothing all at once. Galaxies and nebula, planets and the cosmos, folding together to create an infinite expanse.
Danny wanted to explore it all.
The cold didn't bother him, between his own core, the crown of frozen fire (not that it was visible as he was at the moment), and the suit that covered his skin, he felt more at home in the cold than anywhere else.
He drifted aimlessly, tail twisting and keeping him moving through the stars while he relaxed. He didn't often get time to do this.
Being king was busy work, but after a few years (weeks? Decades? Millennia? Minutes? Time had stopped mattering when he stopped visiting the mortal plane) of work the Realms had finally calmed down enough for him to take a break every now and then.
Ellie was currently acting princess for him. She had come home a while ago, saying she wanted to settle down for a bit and work on her core, having explored all of the earth they came from and a few other dimensions too. She, with Jazz as her advisor, made a good princess.
Jazz would have made a better princess all things considered but she wasn't a ghost, just very liminal. Oh well. Either way it meant he finally got a break. Of course they could summon him if they needed. But they likely wouldn't.
He wasn't that far from Earth currently. It was the same dimension he had been born to, as he had wanted the comfort of familiar stars. He had no intention of going to Earth itself, he hadn't been back since the night he received his ring and had no reason to go planet side when there was so much to do in the galaxy before him.
He floated through the stars just on the edge of the Milky Way. He'd been there for a week (or three, or twenty, or a hundred) looking at all the stars he used to dream of. His core felt calm. He could feel himself relaxing for the first time in eons, form stretching and loosening into something less human the longer he spent out with the cosmos. A constant rumbling came from deep within him, his core pleased on a deep and spiritual level. Occasionally his ring would pulsate lightly, blue echoing around him, as it picked up on his denizens hope for his happiness and health.
It was peaceful out there, quiet and calm and welcoming. Though he had a feeling that was about to change.
A presence was heading in his direction. Bright and strong and fast.
He stretched, arms cracking like a pond frozen over and tail lashing out against nothing. His mouth stretched wide as he yawned, sharp teeth glinting, reflecting the light of a far away star. His form pulled in slightly, body condensing into a more humanoid shape, less fluid and more solid, but still larger than anything from earth could be, probably the length of an Olympic swimming pool even with his tail looped in on itself.
He twisted, bending backwards to face upside down as a man stopped before him.
“Greetings, I am Hal Jordan of Earth. I am a Green Lantern of sector 2814,” a strong voice called from were the man hovered a respectful distance from Danny. His suit, similar to Danny's own, was green. The emblem on his chest was different and he had a mask over his eyes but he smiled politely and nodded his head to Danny when he realised he was being watched.
“I am Phantom of the Infinite Realms. A pleasure to meet you Hal Jordan,” Danny twisted in the air to face the other man fully. “How may I help you?”
The man's eyes scanned over his large form, pausing in surprise at his chest.
“You're a Blue Lantern?” the man looked startled, and then blushed red as if he hadn't meant to blurt his question out so suddenly.
“Hmm I suppose I might be. Though I've never met another with a ring such as mine to find out,” Danny held up this hand, showing the blue ring which rested on one clawed finger.
“How? Usually the rings will take you to the main Lantern as soon as they find you!” Hal looked shocked and amazed as he drifted closer to Danny, studying the ring intently.
“I was quite injured when it arrived, and have since been isolated from mortal dimensions. Perhaps it had given up after so long,” Danny mussed, looking at his ring as if waiting for an answer (which did sometimes happen so it wasn't an unreasonable assumption. It was how he knew the oath after all.)
“Isolated from… the guardians are going to love that,” the man shook his head, looking up like he was asking someone for guidance. “Well, would you be willing to come back to my base with me? Just so I can introduce you to some friends and maybe get in contact with the Blue Lantern corps for you?”
“I don't mind that but,” Danny floated closer to Hal. “Was there not a reason you came here in the first place?”
“Oh!” Hal blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. “It was just to say hello and see that you were alright. You got picked up on one of our scans a few weeks ago and hadn't moved much since so we just wanted to check you were okay.”
“How kind!” Danny smiled, noting how Hal didn't flinch as his form slipped just a bit, clearly used to inhuman creatures. “Well I am fine as you can see. But I would still be happy to come and meet those you wish to introduce me to.”
“Awesome! We have a station just inside of Earth's orbit if you know where that is? But either way you can follow me.” Hal turned the direction he'd come from, looking back at Danny to make sure he was following.
“I'm familiar but it's been a while so I'll trust your directions,” Danny said, following the man easily.
They flew in compatible silence for a while before Hal spoke up again.
“Can I ask where you're from Phantom? I know you said the Infinite Realms but I'm not sure where that is and I've not seen anyone like you before.”
“The Infinite Realms are another dimension. We exist parallel to all other dimensions,” Hal looked startled at that, but not disbelieving. “The Realms are… like the afterlife. Everyone who dies, if they continue on, do so in the Realms. Some are born of the Realms themselves. Others are created by feelings or thoughts shared by many given form. No two denizens look the same, so you could have met one before and simply not known.” He smiled at Hal again, spinning while they flew to see the man's reaction.
Hal looked contemplative at the information. “If you're from outside of the dimensions, why are you here?”
“I was born to this dimension and wanted to see more of it.”
“Huh… I guess that makes sense, I've definitely explored a lot since getting my ring. Have you always looked like this?” His tone wasn't rude, just curious, so Danny didn't take offence.
“I was human once. Do not ask how I became what I am. To be a citizen of the Realms means to have died. And asking how someone died is a grave offence.”
The lenses of Hal's eyes widened briefly in shock before he smoothed his face again. “Of course, I apologise if I caused offence. I'll be sure to remember that.”
“No offence, you couldn't have known nor did you ask,” Danny looked ahead of them. “Is that your station?”
“Yes!” Hal seemed relieved to see it, a large metal space station, long and sleek, with a circular outer layer. He reached to his ear, tapping at the small device nestled there which turned on with a soft glow, “Green Lantern to watchtower, incoming with a friendly. Entering from the south side, will head to the third conference room.”
There was a staticky sound as someone responded. Danny could have listened in but chose not to. He would meet them soon enough.
Hal headed to a door on the station, letting himself drop to the floor as he gestured Danny inside. Danny chose to keep his tail, but shrank himself slightly to match the size of the station better. He'd noticed, of course, that while in the vastness of space he'd grown, lengthened and stretched like a jar of silly putty, but it seemed rude to keep that size now. He had been almost thrice the size Hal, but it wasn't noticeable until they'd reached the station, the openness of space making it harder to tell exactly what the difference was.
“Huh that's useful. I was just planning on taking us to the largest room we have but this works too,” Hal smiled as he led them further inside.
“Ah,” now it was Danny's turn to blush, cheeks going a dark, mottled green. “My form is mostly based on feelings, so it stretched while I drifted, probably trying to match the vastness of space. I try to stay a more reasonable size when around others.”
“Haha no stress, we have a few shape-shifters on the team.”
“Team?”
“Green Lantern,” a deep voice cut through the conversation before Hal could respond, sounding gruffly amused. “Did you not explain who we are?”
Danny looked up. Evidently they had made it to the conference room rather quickly as there seemed to be a welcoming party there. A man in a dark suit with a cape, cowl covering his face, was looking at Hal beside him. A tall woman stood next to him, her outfit reminded him of some of the Greek/Amazonian ghosts he knew, and she had a rope at her waist, a sword on her back. Another man was with them, just slightly behind the other two, taller than the first man, with dark hair and a red cape and large ‘S’ on his chest.
Danny could feel the presence of more people on the station (Hal had called it a watchtower, was that more accurate?) but none nearby. There was the faint hint of the realms in at least 3, maybe more, people. Not enough to be full denizens, but enough to be liminal at least.
“Ah sorry bats, I got distracted cause Phantom here is a Blue Lantern but hasn't met any other Lanterns. Thought I might need to contact Oa about it and forgot to explain this lot on the way,” Hal laughed happily.
The man hummed but didn't press further as the woman stepped forward and held her hand out to Danny.
“It's nice to meet you, I'm Wonder Woman. Behind me is Batman,” the man who had spoken to Hal shifted and nodded at Danny, “-and Superman,” the other man smiled and waved happily. “We are the Justice League, protectors of Earth, the planet below us.”
Danny took her hand, careful not to scratch her accidentally. She shivered at the cold but didn't flinch. “I am Phantom, of the Infinite Realms. It is nice to meet you all. May I ask, how long have you been protecting Earth?”
She tilted her head at the question, clearly not expecting it.
“The league has been active for 10 years,” Batman answered for her. “Though some of us, like myself, have been active on Earth for longer than that.”
“Hmmm,” Danny tried to search his memories, only flickers of knowledge being found. “I think I remember a bat cryptic based in Gotham when I was a kid, but we didn't get much outside news where I was from. I think my parents thought you were probably a ghost but were too busy to go check.” Danny laughed a little at the memory, looking at Batman amused. He twisted a little in the air, “Ten years though… so probably around 15 or more since I was last on Earth.” He said that more to himself but Superman perked up, apparently having heard him anyway. Must have super hearing, should take care to remember that.
“Have you visited Earth before Phantom?” he asked.
“Oh I was born here, but the Realms I live in now are disconnected from time, which means things move slower for us… or faster maybe? It's hard to tell.”
Batman looked like he was about to ask another question but Hal spoke up before he could, “Let's go call the Guardians Phantom!”
He grabbed Danny's clawed hand and pulled him from the room, looking back at the others over his shoulder and shooting them a look. Danny didn't know him well enough to decipher what it might mean but it didn't look great. He heard Wonder Woman talking softly as they walked away but didn't listen in.
Superman followed them down the hallway and to a new room with computers and communications devices. There was another man already there, sitting at a desk and watching over the computers.
“Marvel!” Danny floated over to the man and settled over his shoulders, wrapping his tail down one of his arms.
“Your majesty! What are you doing here? I've never seen you outside of the realms before, is everything okay?” Captain Marvel didn't startle about having a serpentine ghost suddenly using him as a resting place, used to the action from his time visiting the realms already.
“Wait, you know Phantom!?” “Your majesty?!”
Danny wasn't sure who said what but when Marvel turned them to face Hal and Superman, still standing in the doorway, both looked shocked.
“Well, yes? I've told you guys about the rock of eternity before. It technically resides in a pocket realm connected to the Infinite Realms, where Phantom is king. I attended his coronation as Champion of Magic.” Technically, Danny's coronation was before Billy became the champion but time in the Realms wasn't linear so it hadn't mattered. The wizard and Clockwork had agreed that Captain Marvel should attend and made it happen anyway. He'd been over a few times since then, making friends with Danny and Ellie, learning about ghosts and getting assistance on a few magical issues he had to deal with as champion of magic.
“The realms are fine, Ellie and Jazz are taking care of them. I just finally got a holiday!” Danny waved his hand happily, sharp teeth flashing as he smiled widely.
Superman flinched a little, clearly less used to non-human beings or simply less tolerable to them. But Marvel smiled at Danny, used to his antics.
“Was that you hanging out at the edge of the Milky Way then?”
“Yup! Figured I'd finally explore space now that I can. I didn't know you had a team on this Earth or I would have made sure to come say hi,” Danny chirped a little as he talked, curling more into Marvels side.
It was rare to find someone who was so solid in the realms, so Danny and Ellie both had the habit of tethering themselves to those that were at any given opportunity. Usually that just meant Jazz, but Billy, Sam and Tucker when they could visit, the magician (even if he protested loudly the whole time), and a few others, were welcome exceptions.
“Phantom,” Hal called Danny's attention from his friend, wincing slightly. “Marvel addressed you as ‘Your Majesty’ and explained that you are king of the Infinite Realms, but how should I introduce you to the Guardians?” He seemed to have already pulled up the contact for ‘Oa’ and was just waiting for Danny before he actually called them.
Batman and Wonder Woman entered the room, staying near the entrance with Superman. He turned towards them, clearly giving them a quiet update of what they had missed. Batman hummed lowly before turning his attention to Hal, nodding at him and settling against the wall.
Danny squeezed Marvel once more before letting go to float nearer Hal. “I don't mind really. I often forget to introduce myself as King but perhaps it would be best to do so. I can get my crown if that helps?”
“He forgets?” Wonder Woman whispered to Marvel as he joined the group near the door.
“His denizens can all sense that he's king, he doesn't usually need to introduce himself,” was his response.
Batman hummed again before stepping forward, “Perhaps it would be best to introduce you as King, your Majesty. Oa deal with many species and communities, I’m sure they would prefer not to address their new member with anything but respect.”
Hal snorted under his breath, clearly thinking something Batman said was funny. But he also smiled at Danny and nodded encouragingly to back up his teammates' words. So Danny just nodded back to the two and willed his more kingly aspects into existence.
The ring and crown both flashed brightly as they became visible again, while his cape fluttered gently onto his shoulders. The heroes in the room flinched slightly at the sudden lights, only Marvel and Hal, used to the light of their own transformations, were unaffected.
Danny smiled with too many teeth in apology but didn’t speak as Hal took control once more.
“I know I said these are the Guardians, and they are, but technically they are only in charge of the Green Lantern corps. I don’t know how to connect the Blue Lanterns,” he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “I’m hoping they’ll be able to contact Saint Walker at least, he’s the most well known Blue Lantern and there aren’t a heap of you so he’ll definitely want to come meet you I recon. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Well then. Let's get this show on the road!”
Despite the fanfare Hal put on, they all stood (or floated) in mostly silence as they waited for the call to connect. The Green Lantern symbol took up a majority of the monitor as the call processed, before suddenly feminine being replaced by a being with blue skin and white hair. It was not too dissimilar from a lot of the ghosts, especially those with ice cores like Danny himself.
“Hal Jordan of sector 2814 to what do I owe this… pleasure,” Danny stifled a snort at her obvious displeasure, feeling just a touch of comradery for another suffering from their own position of power.
“Guardian,” the beings eye twitched as Hal spoke. “I have found a new Blue Lantern and hoped we would be able to connect them with the others! This is his majesty King Phantom of the Infinite Realms. He has been outside of the dimensions for some time and we believe that is why his ring has been unable to connect with the others on its own. I was hoping Saint Walker might be in reach, or one of the others?”
Hal was polite as he spoke, but he was also obviously enjoying himself at the guardians expense. Every word he spoke seemed to make her shoulders stiffen more and more, a crease between her brows and strain upon her body. She looked miserable. Danny decided to step in.
“Hello,” he nodded his head at her politely, making sure not to show too many teeth as he smiled. “I’m Phantom. It is good to meet you. Hal has been kind enough to inform me that there are others who use this ring and I was curious to meet them. I would enjoy talking to others like myself, if you have a way to contact them.”
Danny had learnt a lot as king, chief among them was that if someone thought you owed them, they would push until they got what they wanted (or until you shut them up) especially with other powerful beings like himself. So he took care to operate on fey rules - exact wording, no thanks or gratitude, don’t lie (just twist the truth to suit you), and don’t give your full name (not that it would do them much use against a ghost but like. It was the principle. No use letting someone get too comfortable with the High King of the Infinite Realms).
“Of course King Phantom, I’m sure Saint Walker and the others would like to know they have a new member. In fact,” she turned away from the screen, likely looking at someone else near her. She raised an eyebrow before lowering it and turning back to the screen. “He is still on Oa after finishing a joint mission with some other Green Lanterns. He should arrive momentarily.”
“How wonderful.”
“I’ll send through my most recent reports while I’ve got the line open, hey Guardian?” Hal smiled. She nodded her head in consent, though again didn’t look happy to be talking to him.
Danny laughed in his head, wondering just what Hal had done to annoy this being so much.
They waited in silence for a moment. Superman and Wonder Woman were having a quiet conversation with Captain Marvel while Batman made his way over to stand at Hal’s side, though he kept off screen. The two nodded at each other before Hal went back to uploading documents.
Danny decided to drift around the room a bit more, doing a slow loop not too far from the roof. He did one or two laps before he suddenly heard a new voice from the call.
“Guardian, you requested my presence?” a soft voice spoke out.
“Yes, come step into the view please,” Danny drifted closer but stayed out of the line of sight for a moment, letting Hal and Batman take up the screen. A tall grey skinned being stepped into view, wearing a blue suit similar to Danny’s own. “You remember Hal Gordon, of sector 2814, yes? He works with a group from Earth and they have discovered a new Blue Lantern. He thought it would be easiest to contact you through us, and luckily you were still on planet.”
The being hummed and nodded to Hal and Batman, “Thank you for reaching out. It is good to hear there is a new Blue Lantern, we are so few. May I meet them?”
Danny took that as his queue to float back into view.
"Hello," Danny twisted to face the screen directly. "I am King Phantom, of the Infinite Realms. I have had this ring for… around 15 of this dimensions years. It is nice to meet someone who also wields one."
"Well met King Phantom. I am Bro'Dee, or Saint Walker, of the Blue Lantern Corps. I am glad to meet another Bearer of Hope like myself," Walker smiled and nodded their head to Danny kindly. "May I inquire as to how you received a ring so long ago? I have not heard about any missing rings from our home-world, nor do I know of any being near that sector around the time you describe."
Danny shrugged, causing his cape to flare out behind him. "I cannot say for sure where the ring came from, all I know is that without it I would be dead. I was being held on Earth by an enemy organisation, along with many of my people. The ring heard our calls and chose me to embody the hope we all had. It healed me enough to escape and break a hole to our own realm, which is mostly cut off from the living dimensions," Danny held his hand up, showing the ring as it pulsed gently. "I have been cut off since then, barely leaving my realm until now. I say it has been 15 years, but for me it has been both minutes and millennia since I was last here. Time works different where my people reside, and I cannot say for sure where or when this ring is from."
There was silence, both over the call and in the room behind him, as Danny finished talking.
"Typically," Walker seemed a little shocked from Danny's story, hesitating as he spoke. "When a Blue Lantern is chosen it is not by the ring, but by the most recently appointed Blue Lantern. They travel to a new system, identify the most promising candidate, then invite them back to our home-world Odym. There the prospective Lantern talks to our Guardians, Ganthet and Sayd, who explain what it means to be a Lantern of Hope. Because of the commitment that our ring comes with, there are very few of us. For your ring to have chosen you itself, with no one explaining to you the meaning… I will confess, I am unsure what it means."
"Does he need to return the ring to your Guardians?" Batman's gravelly voice asked from his spot off screen.
"Of course not," Walker didn't hesitate with his answer, making Danny happy. "It is his by right, I'd say almost more than my own."
"I very much doubt that Bro'Dee," Danny said seriously. "While I do not know the guardians whom you serve, I do know this ring and what it represents. I have three items of power on my being at all time, the Ring of Rage, the Crown of Fire, and the Ring of Hope. All of them represent what my people need and trust from me. Protection, warmth, and love. The ring of Hope came to me when my people needed me most. It saved us all from a fading away, from being torn apart by those who would harm us, and in doing so it also saved this, and every other, living universe. The Infinite Realms are just that, Infinite. For them to be destroyed, as many have tried to do, the living realms would collapse and burn, no one would survive. The ring of Hope found me at a crucial moment. It saved me, my people, and everyone in existence, whether that was it's intention or not. The ring does not make mistakes. It goes to who needs it, when and where it is needed most. For you to wield it, either you have or will be needed at a key point in time. The Souls of the dead are mine to command, and I am a being of Light. Like our creed says: Look to the stars - for Hope burns Bright."
Danny's words resonated across the galaxy, reaching Saint Walker and all of the other Blue Lanterns, no matter were they where. Some, on Odym, paused in their lives, looking towards their planetary Lantern as they felt the resonance deep in their hearts, and the planet release a blue pulse of light and calm. Others, out in the galaxy, where bathed in a pulse of blue hope and belonging unlike any they had felt before, washing over them like the crest of a wave. Saint Walker, having heard the speech, was moved to tears as he felt the Kings words through the bond of their rings.
There was silence on both ends of the call as everyone resettled. Saint Walker needed time for the beating in his chest to calm, and those in the room with Danny had also felt the effects of his conviction, despite not being bearers of Hope themselves. Marvel, much like Walker, had tears streaming down his face, though his were more due to the fact that he knew Danny and the Infinite Realms in a way the others did not, and had a deeper understanding to what the King had said. Wonder Woman and Superman leaned against each other, taking comfort in their friends closeness. Hal had reached to his right, allowing Batman to slip his heavily gloved hand into his own green covered one without stepping into view.
Others on the station could also feel the echos of the kings words, though most only caught feelings of hope, determination, love, and peace. Some, more liminal or star touched individuals, were more effected than others, but everyone was able to return to normal within a few moments.
When both Saint Walker and Captain Marvel had recovered from their tears the Blue Lantern turned back to the call.
"Thank you, King Phantom," the man bowed his head towards Danny through the screen. "Your words will not be forgotten, and I shall ensure the other Blue Lanterns hear them too, as I am sure they will want to know what it is they felt just now."
"Of course," Danny replied easily. "Perhaps I should make the trip to Odym, meet the Guardians and other Lanterns whom I now share a creed with."
Danny said the words easily, but Walker looked shocked.
"I had not wanted to assume that you would make the trip, being a King of your own people. But I have no doubt everyone would love to meet you, if you did indeed make the trip to us," his shock gave way to hopefulness quickly enough, causing Danny to smile. "I shall send Hal Jordan the co-ordinates to Odym so that he may pass them onto you."
"Thank you, Saint Walker. And really it's no trouble. I am on a… Vacation of sorts right now, so it will be easy enough to make time and come to the planet."
They spoke a while longer, smoothing out some details for Danny's trip, before they signed off with a promise to meet in person soon enough.
When Hal ended the call for Danny he allowed his more Kingly regalia to fade from view, stretching his arms impossibly over his head.
"Well that was… interesting!" Marvel said cheerily.
Danny laughed at his friends humour, Hal joining them much to Batman's obvious disapproval. Though given the affection he could feel coming from Batman even as he scowled at the Green Lantern, Danny had a feeling it was mostly for show.
"Will you be leaving for Odym right away, King Phantom?" Superman asked loudly.
"Of course he won't be Sups!" Hal chastised. "He's gotta meet everyone else first! And I'm going with him, and John will probably want to come too when he finds out about this. So we gotta get that sorted first! Plus I'm sure Phantom needs to tell his people about his extended stay too."
Danny snorted but nodded agreeably. "You're not wrong Hal, if I don't tell my sisters about this they will yell at me for a millennia."
"Oof yeah, Ellie and Jazz would not be happy with you if you didn't tell them about this. Especially when Ellie is throne sitting for you," Billy shook his head forlornly.
"Oh shush, she volunteered when she came home and wanted to be Princess to the Infinite Realms," Danny scolded playfully. Wonder Woman looked interested in the idea of a princess.
"Is this Ellie your daughter, King Phantom?" She asked politely.
"Oh no," he shared a look with Marvel, who nodded kindly. "She's actually a clone of myself. She was made by a fruit-loop obsessed with my family before I became King. Ellie was the only one to survive, originally made to be the 'better me' until she rebelled and joined me instead. She's princess for ceremony more than anything. The realms are ruled by right of conquest, not inheritance, so she wouldn't get them if I died anyway. My older sister, Jazz, is still living but she's liminal enough to exist in the realms and is helping Ellie run them for me."
Superman looked deeply uncomfortable, but Batman was the next to speak. "If she's your clone, why is she a girl?"
"Oh my god Bats, I know your kids say you need to work on your people skills but this is impossible! You can't just ask someone why their clone is a girl!" Hal looked so exasperated with the other man Danny couldn't help but laugh as he floated over to Marvel, opting to rest on his shoulders.
"Don't worry about it Hal," Danny waved cheerily. "Did you know that ghosts can look however they want? Dying at fourteen has some advantages when you're a transgender teen who hasn't medically transitioned yet."
"But-"
"EHHHHHHH!" Hal slammed his hand over Batman's mouth. "That's enough outta you mister! I'm telling Red about this!"
Batman was raised a brow at Hal until the other took his hand away. "…which Red?"
"Both of them."
"Hmm."
Wonder Woman turned away from the two bickering adults and gestured for Danny (and by proxy of being Danny's ride, Billy) to follow her out of the room. "Let me show you around King Phantom. We can introduce you to other members of the league while Hal calls the other Green Lantern."
"Thanks WW!!" Hal called as they left the room.
Danny smiled and wrapped his tail more securely around Billy as the large magician followed the woman from the room.
This was going to be fun!