Me: Heyo! Wazzup?! We're back with another chapter of Danny and His fucked up life in the X-Men!
Danny: *facepalms* Sorry guys, he was watching gaming videos and looking up memes beforehand.
Tucker: That and she has BPD.
Me: *glares at Tucker* I'm not a girl! I'm a trans boy!
Tucker: Whoops, sorry about that. I'm still adjusting to that.
Me and Danny: …
Sam: *sighs* Let the story begin…
*in Danny's home world*
Clockwork was patiently waiting for his uninvited guest to arrive at his lair. Not that it mattered, as his lair was opened up to those in need of something that didn't involve power. And his current guest that he was waiting for was someone he planned on meeting for a while. Mainly after the Dan incident. Of course he wasn't going to mention Dan. That would be a risky topic to bring up, so he hid the thermos that contained the demon of a ghost inside of a safe that was hidden in one of his clocks. He tapped his fingers on his staff waiting until…
"Excuse me, but are you the one they call Clockwork?"
Clockwork turned. "Yes I am, Vladimir."
Vlad crossed his arms. "Then you know why I'm here, correct?"
"Of course. You want to know about Danny."
"Well?"
"He's currently in another dimension that I sent him to."
"WHAT?!"
"And he's fitting right in with the people he's living with. He's been in that dimension for a few months now. Of course he's not over the loss of his family and his two best friends, but he seems to be fairly happy considering."
"When are you bringing him back?"
"I'm bringing him back when the time's right. And that's not now. However, if you wish to see him, I will let you visit him for the day."
"You mean today?" Vlad asked hopefully.
"Yes, Vladimir, today."
"I would much appreciate it."
*in the X-Men dimension*
Danny woke up to find a letter on his dresser. He sat up and began reading it. His eyes widened.
Good morning Danny,
I am leaving this letter to inform you that Vlad is going to be visiting you today. Do not be alarmed by this. I promise he is only visiting because he is worried about you. He had nearly destroyed Fright Knight after hearing what had happened. Now I know that you dislike him, however, I need you to understand that him finding a way to find and visit you is inevitable, so I'm having you deal with it now, while it is the safest time to do so. Remember, he can change, just like the alternate timeline version of himself did.
Sincerely,
Clockwork
Danny frowned. He woke up Dani and Valerie and showed them the letter. They growled. Dani looked at her cousin. "That fruitloop needs a fucking life! Why can't he just leave us alone?"
Danny sighed. "Because we're the only ones like him. The only other half ghosts that exist."
"It's still not fair"
"I know it's not. Nothing ever is. But don't forget, if it weren't for him, you wouldn't have ever existed."
"I know…"
"Not that means he can justify his actions after creating you. I will be on guard when he is around you. And Valerie, pretend that you don't know who he really is. The last thing I need is for you to be part of his schemes."
Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Why would I help him? He hurt Dani."
"Your help would be involuntary. He'd use you as hostage like he did with, well, you know…" Danny hung his head and placed his hands in his pockets. Understanding, Valerie gave him a sympathetic look.
"I know." After a few silent moments, she asked, "You miss them, don't you?"
Danny's gaze met hers before slowly nodding. "I just… I still can't believe that they are gone."
"Neither can I. Everyone back home is gone." Valerie turned to Dani. "You're the lucky one out of the three of us. You haven't lost anyone you were close to because Danny and I were the only ones that you were close to."
"How about we stop talking about this stuff for now." Danny suggested. "Besides, we're going to miss breakfast if we don't head down."
The other two nodded and followed him downstairs to the dining room.
*linebreak*
Vlad was dizzy going through the portal, which was something that he didn't expect. He looked at his new surroundings and taken them all in. I'm in New York. It was then that he felt something in his pocket. He took it out to find it was a note.
He will be at Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters.
-Clockwork
The halfa shoved the note back in his pocket before turning invisible and taking off into the air for a better view. He flown around until he saw a sign that said "Road to Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters" on it. He landed and became visible. He walked the path until he arrived at the gate. He pressed the buzzer on the side. "Hello. I'm here to see Daniel Fenton."
*linebreak*
"Danny, someone's here to see you." Charles said as he came into the library. Danny looked up at him.
"Thanks for telling me."
"Were you expecting anyone?"
"Not until this morning. Clockwork told me that a certain fruitloop would be visiting. And let's say that I have history with this old enemy of mine." Danny explained, taking off Dani's headphones. "He's here, Dani."
Dani crossed her arms. "I wish it could've been later… But now that I think about it, his interaction with Logan would be interesting."
Danny raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh don't play dumb, Danny! Everyone sees the relationship between you and Logan! You obviously think of him as a father figure!"
The young halfa turned away to hide his terrible poker face. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't. But if those two get into a custody battle, you know what I'm going to say."
"Whatever, just try and make yourself and Valerie blend in with the others, okay? The less time he's around you two, the better." Danny said before walking out. He went to the gate, his face grim and annoyed. He looked at his arch nemesis. "Clockwork told me that you were coming. What do you want Plasmius?" He questioned.
"I only wanted to check up on you after what Fright Knight pulled."
"Really? So no hidden scheme hiding in the back of your head? No plots to make me your little minion? I find that a little hard to believe." Even if Clockwork said that you were only here for exactly that reason.
"I wouldn't do that, Daniel. Not after what you went through."
"I still have my doubts, but I'll play dumb for now." The young halfa opened the gate. "But don't test me Vlad. I will not hesitate to send you back."
"Of course."
Danny led the older halfa into the institute. Charles was there to greet the guest. "Hello, I'm Charles Xavier. I run the institute." When Vlad saw the mutant, he was flabbergasted. He did not expect that someone in a wheelchair would be the owner of an institute, much less one for kids with powers. Even so, he kept his thoughts to himself, unaware of Charles being a telepath.
"Nice to meet you, Charles. I am Vlad Masters." The forty year old halfa reached out and shook Charles's hand. "I know Daniel here."
Danny grunted. "I doubt that's a good thing." He said, crossing his arms. Just then, Kitty and Kurt walked into the room, Kurt not in his disguise. Danny internally facepalmed. I should've warned them about Vlad coming. He was about to turn invisible when the duo noticed him and waved. He sighed and waved back. I'm screwed.
Kitty and Kurt walked up to him, not noticing the embarrassment on the halfa's face. Vlad raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"Hey Danny! What's up?" Kitty asked before she seen Vlad. "And who's he?"
"This is Vlad. He's visiting from Wisconsin." Danny answered in an irritated voice.
"Oh. Should I tell Logan so he doesn't get, well, you know…"
"Sure, if you want."
"Alrighty then! See you later Danny!" Kitty said as she left, grabbing Kurt's arm in the process. When they were gone, Danny turned to face his arch nemesis as well as Charles.
"I'm going to say it bluntly. This is awkward as fuck."
"Danny/Daniel!" Vlad and Charles shouted at the same time (Charles saying Danny, Vlad saying Daniel; just in case I wasn't stating the obvious enough). "Watch your language!" They added in unison. The young halfa rolled his eyes.
"I can swear if I want to. First amendment, remember? Besides, other kids here say worse things, not to mention their thoughts. Talk about disgusting."
Charles sighed. "You used Cerebro, didn't you?"
"Maybe…"
Vlad became confused. "What is this Cerebro of which you speak of?"
Danny glared. "A machine that has no use for you."
"I wish you would stop automatically criminalizing me, Daniel. I wasn't planning on using the machine."
"Good."
There was a moment of silence before the trio heard sounds in a hallway.
"Let go!"
"No way! They haven't left yet!"
"What do you mean 'they haven't left yet?!' Of course they have!"
"No they haven't!"
At the sound of the voices, Danny's blood ran cold. Oh netherworld! This isn't good! I gotta do something before-
Dani and Valerie entered the room and saw the trio. "Shit."
Vlad was surprised. "I was unaware that these three were here as well. Does that mean Valerie knows your little secret, Daniel?"
"No." Danny lied.
Valerie looked at the older of the halfas. "What secret? About Danny having telekinesis? That I knew for a while."
Charles caught on to what the trio were doing. They're lying to him to protect Valerie, but why? He decided to ask Danny later. "Well, I should check up on the rest of the students." He said before leaving the group. Valerie decided to follow so she could fill in with him about the situation. Danny and Dani, on the other hand, stayed where they were. Their fists were clenched, but they said nothing. To break the silence, Vlad asked, "How about the three of us go out to eat something, hmm? It would be nice to catch up with the both of you."
Danny looked at his cousin, who simply shrugged at him. He turned back to the older halfa. "Fine, but don't try anything." The three halfas walked out of the institute, all of them silent. And it stayed that way until they arrived at a nice restaurant. Danny raised an eyebrow. "Why here?"
"Because it seems to be a decent restaurant. I'm not taking you two anywhere shabby." Vlad said. Danny wanted to say 'Since when did you care' but chose not to. He deemed it inappropriate to say in public and knew that it would draw attention to them in some form of way. Nonetheless, he wanted to make his opinion heard, so he grunted and flashed his eyes green. His archenemy noticed and understood. "You know how I am. I wouldn't want to go anywhere indecent."
"Whatever."
The three walked in and a waiter led them to a table. The halfas sat down as the waiter placed menus on the table. "Hello, my name is Cory and I'll be serving you today. Is there any drink that you would like to start with?"
"I'll have some wine." Vlad said. He looked at Danny and Dani. "What do you two want?"
"Cola." Dani replied.
"Water." Danny muttered. The waiter wrote down their orders.
"Alright, I'll have them out in a bit." He smiled before leaving to attend to other things. When he was out of sight, Dani turned to her cousin.
"Water? Really? Of all things to choose; you chose water."
Danny rolled his eyes. "And?"
"You should have ordered something better considering."
"Whatever."
Vlad laughed a bit watching them converse. "It's nice to see you two being carefree around each other."
Danny glared at him. "I'm not being carefree."
"Oh your stubbornness never seems to fail to show its presence. Would you care to enlighten me some more?"
"At least I don't need a lonely guy cat."
"Danny, he already has a cat." Dani reminded her cousin.
"I know. But considering how long the others he raised didn't last long, or left him, I wouldn't be surprised if his cat did the same."
"Hmm… that'd be funny. Did your cat leave you Vlad?" The female halfa snickered.
"No, Danielle, she has not. But neither has your misdemeanor filled attitude."
"Coming from the guy who nearly melted a teenage girl." Danny threw back. "She is rebellious, not evil. Wish I could say the same for you."
"You still don't trust me, do you?"
"Why would I? You always caused trouble for me and anyone I cared about."
"As true as that may be, I never lie to you about my plans, now do I?"
Danny looked away. "No…" he admitted.
"So would this be any different?"
"Because you're a fruitloop? Or maybe because it's been a few months. People change, and you're no exception."
"As true as that might be, it has only been a week in our home world."
The young halfa's eyes widened. "You kidding, right? How are the time differences are so big?"
"I believe your friend Clockwork stopped time in our world in order to give you some time before I could visit you."
"If he did, the Observants are probably pissed-"
"Language Daniel."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, he's either going to get a lecture or a ton of paperwork for this. He did last time."
"Last time?"
"That story isn't meant for you to know Vlad. And it won't matter either. As soon as your visit today is over, I doubt that you will be able to come back. So I suggest that when you leave you should simply forget about me, Dani, Valerie, and my dead family and start over. It's better than hoping for me to join you as your son, which you know won't happen."
"Is that how you deal with it?"
Danny raised an eyebrow. "Deal with what?"
"The loss of your family and friends."
"..."
"Well, is it?"
"Y-yes."
"Can we talk about something else?" Dani begged. "It's starting to get depressing."
Vlad nodded. "Of course. I have a question irrelevant to the previous topic anyway. Daniel, who is this Logan person that those two meta humans were talking about?"
Danny stiffened. "Well, you see, um, he's sorta a teacher?"
Dani giggled. "He's also the one that found Danny when he first arrived here. And he also has a fatherly attitude towards Danny." Oh I can't wait for Vlad to meet him now! It's gonna be sweet.
"Dani!"
"What? You know it's true."
"No it's not!"
"It so is. You're just in denial."
"No I'm not."
"So you're admitting that he's like a father to you then."
"What? No! You used manipulation! Right Vlad… Uh Vlad?" Danny looked at the older one to see a black aura around him. Uh oh…
"Daniel, do you mind if I meet this teacher of yours?" Vlad asked darkly. Danny glared at his cousin. He knew what was up. We're going to have a talk later he mentally told her before averting his attention from her to the older halfa.
"Sure, so long as you don't try to kill him."
The waiter came back with their drinks and took their orders for meals. When he left, the trio were silent. Danny looked out the window, Dani was messing with her nails, and Vlad simply sat there, irritated. How come Daniel chose that man as a fatherly figure?! Why not me?! They're not even of the same species! Not only that, but he only met the guy a few months ago! And now they're virtually father and son?! This isn't fair! It isn't right! He's my godson! He belongs with me! Not with a mere mortal who simply has a few powers! I'm only allowing Daniel to stay here because of what happened to him! If it were any other case, like his parents abandoning or disowning him, I would bring him to Wisconsin within a second! He would be heavily guarded and I would never let him out of my sight! He's my son for crying out loud!
Danny, who heard the entire mental rant, simply sighed. Oh hell. There he goes again…
And not only that, but I haven't even seen this man's habits! What if he's a molester? A murderer? A rapist?! Or what if he has bad habits that Daniel will catch on to? The last thing I need is for him to be doing drugs at three in the morning! And what does the man being a teacher have to do with anything?! There are plenty of teachers who are more than they appear, and not in a good way! What if-
Shut up Vlad! Danny mentally shouted. His arch enemy looked at him in surprise, but he didn't care. First off, Logan is a good person, so ease your back off him. Second, yes I look up to him. Yes I think of him as a father figure, and you can't change that. Third, I have enough common sense to defend myself from any and all the situations you mentally ranted about! Fourth, yes I am using telepathy. And fifth, you're not my dad! So stop acting like you are in control of my life, cause you're not!
Vlad sat there stunned. The last thing he expected was to see Danny yell at him in his mind. He didn't even expect Danny to have telepathy at all. It was rare for ghosts to have that ability, and if they did, they would always be detected by the ghost they're using it on. But Vlad didn't detect Danny entering his mind until the younger halfa purposely made his presence noticeable. And he wasn't even finished with his first year of being a halfa. That shouldn't even be possible. But Danny once again proved the impossible. He easily mastered everything that he seen other ghosts do all in under a year. At his rate of development as a halfa, he could possibly be stronger than Pariah, if he didn't age. But Vlad knew that being a halfa didn't change the rate of aging. It only set a specific age that they'd return to when they fully died.
Of course he didn't know that Danny couldn't age anymore. Heck, even Danny himself didn't know! But Vlad still questioned one thing. How come Danny hasn't grown taller? He was fourteen, almost fifteen! Boys his age always grown at least a quarter of an inch, but he hasn't even grown a centimeter. And what was weirder was that the boy already hit puberty a couple years ago. Vlad knew because Jack told him about how short and small Danny was as a child and that when puberty hit, he shot up two feet. Vlad also knew that this was the reason Danny became angry when people said that he was prepubescent. It wasn't true.
And then came Danny's healing factor. It was by far one of the most advanced Vlad has ever seen. It sometimes made him question whether Danny was human or not. Vlad didn't have a healing factor whatsoever, even though he was half ghost. He would often use ancient ghostly relics to heal himself after battles because of this. And it was also the reason he was sly when fighting. But Danny could charge directly into a fight, get hurt, and arrive at home and school as if nothing happened. And as time flew by, the healing factor improved and developed. And this confused Vlad on one single topic; why hasn't the boy's healing factor fixed the deformities in both the boy's arms and lower legs. It always seemed like there were extra bones, or the bones themselves seriously deformed and grew extra branches on them. The same results came when he created Dani. However, he couldn't say the same for the other clones, even the near to perfect one. None of them had it. But did those two have them?
Vlad shook his head, suppressing his thoughts just as the waiter arrived with their food. He watched as Danny thanked the waiter. The trio ate in silence. That is, until Danny's head popped up. "Wait a minute. The waiter's name is Cory."
Vlad looked at him. "Yes, that is his name."
Danny made a funny face and said in a goofy voice, "Coryxkenshin!"
Dani choked on her food as she began to laugh. Vlad, on the other hand, didn't find it humorous. "What's the meaning behind this pun, Daniel?"
"Uh, that wasn't a pun. That's a YouTuber's name. I was being funny about it because I don't normally meet anyone with the name Cory, and when I do, I affiliate their name with Coryxkenshin."
"Oh."
When the trio finished their meal and paying the waiter, they went back to the institute to see Logan talking with Charles. Danny tried to get by without them noticing, but his smell immediately attracted Logan's attention. The clawed mutant looked at the young halfa and smiled, completely ignoring the other two. He walked over to them. "Heya Danny. Where ya been today?"
"Out with Dani and Vlad here." Danny replied nervously as he pointed at the older halfa. His nervousness didn't go unnoticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, you see, Vlad is kinda obsessive and-"
Dani pushed her cousin. "I mentioned how you and Danny kinda have a father son relationship, and Vlad's jealous because he wants Danny to be his son."
Danny glared at her. "Way to throw it out there."
"Well, considering that you're in denial about everything, someone ought to tell him bluntly."
Danny pouted. That is, until he saw the tension between the two adults. Oh netherworld. This can't be good…
"So, ya think you can simply be Danny's parent, huh? Well you'll have to go through me before I could even think of letting you." Logan growled. Vlad responded with turning his eyes blood red.
"Coming from someone who's not even the same species. Neither of us may be related to him, but I can assure you that if he were that is would be me."
"Oh really? Well take this information on. Blood kin doesn't matter as much as trust and loyalty. Charles told me about Danny's lack of trust towards you. But I don't have that problem with him. Wanna know why? It's because I earned it."
"As true as that may be, I've known Daniel for longer. Of course I didn't know pack animals were taking in that of which isn't their species, thinking they can properly raise it. Then again, the world is full of surprises, isn't it?"
"At least I try, unlike you."
The argument attracted many of the lingering students around the outskirts of the institute. They gathered around to watch Logan and Vlad fight over Danny, whose face was completely red right at the moment. Some of the students laughed while others were making or completing bets. Dani was one of the people laughing, but only because she had caused it. She wanted to see the two adults fight because of both of them somewhat being territorial when it came to her cousin. And the results were not disappointing.
Danny just wanted to run and hide right then and there. He was okay with the father son relationship that he had with Logan be subtle or at least sort of hinted, but now there was no denying it anymore. And now to add on top of it, Vlad is now arguing with Logan for custody over the young halfa! He never felt more embarrassed in his life, not even when his dad made him wear an oversized hazmat suit to school. But it didn't end there. In the midst of the two arguing, both had their fists clenched and their powers were showing, Logan with his claws out, Vlad with his red ecto energy surrounding his fists.
"Leave my son alone." Logan growled.
"Your son?! I think somebody should put you in your place!" Vlad yelled. The two were about to attack one another, but Danny intervened.
"Will you guys please stop fighting?"
"Fine, but which one of us do you choose Daniel?"
"Um…" Logan...
"Which one Daniel?"
"Well, I, uh…" Logan.
"Choose!"
"Logan." Danny mumbled.
"Speak louder."
"I SAID LOGAN!"
Everyone gasped. Danny never admitted it before. Not once. He always denied it, saying that they simply got along with one another like a good teacher and student do. And he never cracked from all the teasing that the other students did. So why now? It was simple really. He had enough trying to deny it, trying to keep it a secret.
He looked up at the two with tears in his eyes. "I-I admitted it now. Y-"
Logan, who usually never hugged anyone, decided to go against his code and hug Danny. "Don't cry, kiddo. I'm sorry if I upset you." he said as he tried to comfort the young ghost hybrid. Everyone was astonished by this, never seeing Logan's soft side before. They watched as Danny cried and hugged Logan back.
Danny had never felt so safe in his life. He just wanted to let all of his emotions out, the way a little kid did. He clung onto Logan's shirt the moment the mutant hugged him. The stress was really coming to the young halfa, and Vlad visiting didn't help. It just reminded him about his family and friends, and how he could never see them again. He didn't really mourn their deaths. He didn't even get to go to their funeral. And it hurt him knowing that. But it didn't stop him from thinking. From thinking that hugging Logan seemed so natural. As if the mutant was his father from the very beginning.
Vlad just stood there, looking at the duo. His hopes and dreams were virtually shattered by this. His heart began to break as he watched Danny embrace Logan's hug and call the mutant his dad. Once again he was in the cold. It was then when Danny's words came back to him. People change… I suggest that when you leave you should simply forget about me, Dani, Valerie, and my dead family and start over… He hung his head. I guess he's right, but I'm not happy about it. "I, uh, I should probably be going. Goodbye Daniel." he said. He pressed the button on the watch Clockwork lended him, took one last look at the Danny, and then went back to his home world.
Well this chapter is finally finished! I hope you enjoyed! Please review and subscribe!
