After the explosion, Danny flew home and for a few days just stayed in his bedroom. The traumatic event had mentally shut him down and he needed to recollect himself.
The first thing he decides was that staying with Vlad was out of the question. That singular choice had been a direct cause of his alternate self and he wanted to avoid that future in whatever way possible.
Another thing was his parent's inventions. They were the last thing he had left of his family. If anyone should receive them it should be him. He would not allow their legacy to be filed away and left to collect dust. His parents had taught him the process of assembling and handling inventions ever since he could hold a Fenton branded rattle.
Then there was the issue of money.
Danny sat up and rubbed his face.
He looked around his bedroom. Nothing was touched aside from his bedsheets. It was now approaching a whole week since the event and in that time, he hadn't budged. His appetite was nonexistent and moving felt like he was weighed down with bricks. It got to the point that even just to stand was exhausting. But in Danny's mind, none of it mattered.
"I have to ask…"
Asking Vlad for money seemed to be the only option. Aside from being a billionaire, he was Danny's legal guardian now. To get anything legally it would have to be from Vlad. Perhaps he could bargain with Vlad. It would be hard, but necessary. Vlad was after all a stubborn man.
"Ok, if that's what you want"
Danny was dumbstruck, it was that easy?
They were sat across from each other in what could only be described as a rich man's living room. Two couches sat opposite of each other along with a wooden coffee table in the center. All of this was sat on top a rather expensive looking Rug. A fireplace was burning lightly next to them. Above it was a very large portrait of Vlad posing in a very imposing manner.
At the moment 'imposing' would not be the word to describe Vlad Masters. He seemed like he hadn't slept in days. His usual held back hair seemed ragged and out of place. His neat goatee had grown out into an untamed beard with stray hairs poking out seeming to break free from the rest.
He was, to be blunt, a mess.
"You're just going to let me leave? Just like that"
"No Daniel, Not 'Just like that.' I would like to know some information first."
Ah, so here was the catch. Danny leaned back in his seat realizing he was going to have to make himself comfortable.
"What kind of information?"
"Well, where are you going? For one. I'd also like to know when the last time you ate was"
Danny blinked. He was expecting some information regarding the fight with his future self. Not his personal health.
"Well… Um…"
And when was the last time he ate?
"I guess we both could go for a good meal right now. Come along, I'll have the kitchen cook something up."
Danny was hesitant. While he was hungry, Vlad was still a possible threat. He didn't want to drop his guard for anything.
Vlad had already gotten up and was halfway to the doorway when he spoke over his shoulder.
"I hope you don't mind, but I had some fudge prepared earlier"
And with that, Danny decided to join Vlad for dinner. Both just happy to share a memory, even if it was just a piece of fudge.
Danny had decided to stay in Jump City.
It was simply chosen based on a suggestion made by Vlad. An obscure city on the coast where he wouldn't be bothered by his past. That didn't mean he retired from being a hero. No, He still would fight crime but in a much smaller manner. That meant typical thugs and thieves mostly. He also tried to avoid any possibility of being caught in the public's eye.
That was until the alien invasion.
One day while on his way to pick up a pizza from the local spot he watched as a girl fell from the sky and proceeded to smash anything nearby. He would have intervened had not Robin the Boy Wonder suddenly appeared and took charge of the situation.
So instead he watched from the top of a nearby building.
The battle went on for what felt like half an hour. As the fight would continue Danny observed new superpowered individuals appearing and entering the fight. Each unique, Aside from Robin there was a green kid who appeared to shapeshift, a large hooded man who seemed to have super strength, and then there was a cloaked girl who had some form of telekinesis.
Overall it made for an interesting show and Danny did not want to add to the chaos.
Eventually, the fight was resolved when Robin removed what looked like a form of handcuffs from the alien. She flew off, but not before giving the boy wonder a long kiss that surprised any onlooker who happened to be standing by.
The group started to head their separate ways and Danny was about to follow their lead when a giant hologram appeared over the city ordering the return of the girl. Immediately after this, the alien ship unleashed a torrent of aliens that quickly made their way into the city.
Danny decided to stick around and observe the individuals in front of him as they grouped up. They appeared to have an idea of what to do. And he wanted to be around in case he was needed.
So, he followed them.
"Fools! The Earth scum were warned. Your insolence will be punished. Your city shall be destroyed."
The hologram of the alien leader quickly disappeared as the invading ship made its way over the city. The 5 teens Danny had been watching quickly started blaming one another and arguing.
It was disappointing in his eyes. They'd been doing so well working together. But rather than focus on the group's teamwork Danny flew off towards the ship. Along with still having that itch to save the day as he used to. He also didn't feel like finding a new city so soon after moving.
Going intangible he made his way aboard the ship and was instantly meant with a small dilemma.
He didn't know where he was. How was he supposed to stop the ship from blowing up the city if he didn't know where the control room was?
His answer came in the form of an explosion and shouting which he quickly followed staying invisible the whole time.
Upon arriving at the source of the commotion he was met with the group of teens fighting the alien invaders… and losing.
They were stood before the invaders in what looked like the bridge. Each of them was holding a limb or each other, exhausted before their enemy. The situation was not looking good so Danny decided this was the best time to finally intervene.
Putting himself in front of the others he dropped his invisibility and quickly put a shield up behind him.
"Leave them alone!"
Bracing himself and taking in a large breath of air he released his ghostly wail.
The results were immediate as each of the aliens were flung back towards the ship's controls. The windows shattered, and the ship started to lose altitude falling quickly into the bay below.
The use of all his energy now depleted a ring of energy appeared around his waist and split transforming him back into his human half.
And then he blacked out.