Danny yawned, stretching his arms as he stared up at the night sky from his place in Dan's arms-red eyes drooping as they flew over the city. The stars were much less clear than they were at home-covered by a haze that dwindled their number while also dimming the moon. Beneath them however were countless street and building lights that seemed to make up for the lack of stars. At least it held Danny's attention while Dan searched for a place to stay the night.
Most of the buildings they passed were either occupied or had windows that made it way too easy to see inside. Well, for Dan's taste anyway. He was already trapped in an unknown timeline, and he didn't need the people finding out that he was a ghost as well. He really wasn't in the mood for playing the great destroyer again right now. Then again Danny would probably jump at the chance, so he supposed the halfa could always do that for him.
Chuckling lightly at the idea, Dan continued to soar through the sky while scanning the city below for any suitable locations. He then spotted a small apartment building that was separated from the main street by a much newer one. A smaller, more unused street cut across it's front and reached a dead-end not much farther away. Said dead-end was cluttered with garbage-and was essentially a larger than normal alleyway.
Undeterred by the less than ideal conditions, Dan floated around the building until he found an unused apartment and regained visibility. There was no furniture to speak of, save for the counter tops and everything nailed down in the bathroom. The entire apartment didn't even have any lights. All that illuminated it was the soft glow of the flame on Dan's head-which really didn't do the bleak walls any favors.
Still, it was a roof over Danny's head and they couldn't afford to be picky. Besides, their home had a giant hole in the ceiling. Technically speaking this was a step-up, and with a chair or a fridge the place probably wouldn't be that bad. He supposed he could bare the mall long enough to get what they needed tomorrow. Until then, it would be best to get Danny to sleep and to think through what they'd be doing about getting home.
"Alright Danny," The halfa yawned in response to his name, as Dan sat on the ground with his back against the wall. "I need you to get some rest."
Danny tried to reply, but all that came out were more tired yawns-and he soon found himself unconscious in his father's arms. His stuffed ghost was clutched tightly to his chest, while the white rings appeared to return him to his human form.
Safe and asleep… Now Dan could afford to just sit and think. He shut his eyes, and tried to figure out their next course of action.
He figured that his first priority was properly securing this place so he and Danny would have somewhere to go whenever they were unable to look for a way back. Without any money, Dan figured he could always overshadow the landlord and get them the place rent free. Robbing the mall blind wouldn't be hard either-if it was anything like the mall he used to go to, then the security would be lacking enough that he and Danny could grab some pretty nice things.
After that, he would need to find someone who could help him get home-few questions asked. And while the fastest choice would have been Clockwork, something told Dan that the time master wouldn't be all that eager to help him. Hell, Dan was pretty sure if he thought about that anymore he would be erased.
No, it would have to be someone else. Someone that Dan could convince to help him without much push… There was Vlad, but no matter the timeline they never got along. He supposed the man was a good second option, but he really didn't want to have to meet him. Besides, the man would probably see through whatever lie the full ghost threw at him-Dan knew he would.
That narrowed it down to someone intelligent enough to help him, but dumb enough not to ask the right questions. And that's when Dan exhaled tiredly. Dim as they could be sometimes, the two people who best fit his requisites were the very people he never wanted to see again-Jack and Maddie Fenton.
Unfortunately they were his best candidates, and he couldn't figure a better option than them. He just had to hope that this timeline didn't do anything to them that would keep his old tricks from working, and started thinking of how he was going to approach them...
Sunlight blared through a window and shined into Danny's face the next morning. The halfa made a small noise of discomfort, before opening his big blue eyes. They then locked onto the still face of his father-who had the ghost boy in his arms with his own eyes closed and his head leaning up against the wall. The sight was especially interesting, because the man seldom slept.
Giggling lightly, Danny slipped out of Dan's grasp and transformed. The full ghost stirred at this, the red mist of his ghost sense a sign that he was much more alert, but otherwise didn't move. Danny knew he was trying to look as calm as possible, a skill the halfa had yet to get right, but he knew the man's weakness.
Moving quickly, Danny grabbed Dan's ponytail and shouted gleefully. "Wake up!"
The sudden action made Dan launch a blast in its general direction before opening his eyes, only to dully look at the boy floating above him. The halfa wore a giant smile on his face all the while, looking at the man as though he'd done nothing to warrant any trouble. "I'm hungry."
"You almost died." Dan said, standing up and plucking the halfa out of the air. "That's a really dumb way to test your reflexes you know."
Danny continued to smile brightly at the man, drawing a weary sigh from him. It was clear Danny wasn't going to allow any scolding to reach his ears until he'd had a good breakfast. So, setting his son on the floor, Dan allowed his disguise to enclose his body and transform him into your average 20 something. Well, above average given his physique.
The ghost then looked down at the halfa, who's hair was still white and eyes still ruby-red. "You're going to have to be in your human form."
And like that, Danny's body slouched and his lips formed a pout. "But I don't want to transform!"
All it took was a raise of an eyebrow for Danny to sigh and plant his feet on the ground. White rings transformed him into his human self, complete with a blue eyed glare and a strong huff that ruffled the black hair hanging in his face. Dan couldn't help but chuckle as he stepped towards the front door with the ghost-boy in toe, knowing he'd lighten up as soon as he tried some waffles for the first time.
Entering the main hallway, Dan let his son run out and by his side while he formed a blob of ectoplasm in his hands. He then placed it in the keyhole as he closed the door-waiting for it to fill in the appropriate gaps before it solidified and turned into a shining green apartment key. And with a turn, the door was locked and he deemed the place officially theirs.
The full ghost then turned to Danny while pocketing the ectoplasmic object, only for a look of surprise to overtake his expression. A familiar face proceeded to climb up the stairs with a basket overflowing with shirts and jeans. And once more, what gave it away was that hat.
"Tucker?" Dan voiced as the teen looked away from his balancing act to greet his apparent neighbor.
"Oh, hey dude! You were the guy at the Nasty Burger yesterday, right?" Tucker was met with a nod. "I didn't know you lived here-I feel like I would've seen you."
"We just moved in. I didn't think you'd be our neighbor though." Dan commented, feeling as though this might cause some problems. "Small world, hm?"
"Guess so. Me and my parents actually moved in not long ago either since it's so close to Casper High." Tucker noted. Dan assumed he missed it on his fly-by since he'd been so meticulous about the apartment he chose. Either that or he'd successfully repressed the mere concept of the place so much that he forgot what street it was on. Both were suitable explanations.
"Well then I guess we're neighbors now. The names Dan by the way." Came the casual response, as he lifted Danny up and into his arms. "And this is my son, Danny."
The child's eyes turned curious, as he examined the face of the older boy. He scanned him for a moment longer before his blue orbs narrowed sharply, and he said. "You shot my dad."
Tucker stared at the child wide-eyed and confused. Dan gave an awkward laugh in reply. "Well we should get going. We'll see you around. Let's go Danny."
Dan made his way downstairs, holding the boy to his chest as he scolded him. "You shouldn't say things like that, Danny. We don't need these people knowing about that."
The small child merely pouted, glaring at Tucker as they continued down the steps before a wicked smile stretched across his face. The blue of his eyes shined a bit brighter as rays of cold shot out of them and encased Tucker's feet-the only barrier between them and the nigh deadly chill being his sneakers. And while Dan had felt the wisp of power, and should probably scold the boy once more, he couldn't help the light laugh that shook his chest when he heard the teen and his clothes fall to the ground.
Dan then pushed open the doors to the building, still somewhat miffed by the lack of destroyed buildings. Unfortunately however he couldn't spend the next few hours taking everything in. Instead, he proceeded to continue down the road and towards breakfast. And after that he would arrive at the first piece to his and Danny's road home.
Though as he walked silently with his son still in his arms, he found himself hesitating more and more in his steps. His body felt cold, and a sickening feeling crept through his body like blood once did. The feeling was so familiar, and as he thought on the way he found it stemmed from their secondary destination.
He didn't want to go there.
And it wasn't out of fear. His boots weren't shaking with the thought of seeing the hazmat-wearing couple-he doubt they ever would-but the idea of Danny seeing them... It made his guard skyrocket. The thought of what they could do to the boy and of what they could take from him made him cautious and dreadful. And though he kept walking, he knew that Danny was beginning to notice his change in behavior.
"Dad, are you okay?" Came the curious voice that held the question he'd been mulling over.
Dan finally sighed, stopping beneath a shaded store front to hold Danny beneath his arms. "Danny... Will I always be your father?"
The young half ghost found himself blinking in confusion as he tilted his head to the side. "Of course! You're the most amazing person ever, and no one can replace you." And just like that a proud smile shined from Dan's son, swaying the majority of the older ghost's worries.
"Well then... I think we should make a little stop before we go get breakfast." Dan said as he continued down the road-confidence slowly returning to normal when the boy's grip tightened on his shirt and he proceeded to look for their destination.
What they found was jarring.
Standing before them was their home, with the second floor and Ops center perfectly intact-mind a few chips and dust coated upper-floor windows. And though familiar it was to both ghosts, neither could feel a sense of home. The building was alien to them-too unclean, off, and quiet. Dan never remembered a single day of quiet in this building, and Danny had never seen it with a roof.
Dan didn't falter however as he calmly stepped up to the door. He had Danny's words in his head and body in his arms-keeping him calm as he allowed himself to disconnect. He numbly knocked on the door and was met with the familiar sound of shattering glass, as rapid and light footsteps trotted up to the door. Then, with a moment of hesitation, a disheveled and tired looking teen red-head pulled the handle and locked eyes with the man towering over her.
She looked as though she were prepared to feel frightened, but a yawn broke any semblance of rationale as she asked while scratching her head. "Hello? Can I help you?"
"Yes, actually. I'm looking for Jack and Maddie Fenton-me and my son Danny wanted to ask them some questions about ghosts while we're in town." Dan said, while gesturing to the child-that had been staring intently at the girl for a while. His eyes seemed to intensify when her body shivered at the mention of ghosts.
And then they dimmed and shrunk, as two voices sounded from behind the girl. One was boisterous, loud, and a tad bit angry as it ranted about ghosts. The other was tired, much like the girl's, but there was an edge to it that almost made Danny want to run away.
His heart started to ram against his chest when he saw them up close, and he found himself hiding in his father's shoulder as they stepped into the building-a place that was nothing like the place he loved. There were no holes in the ground or ceiling. There were no blood or ectoplasmic spatters . There were no little scavenged collectibles. There were only these people... These people who, for no reason he could fathom, terrified him.
A/N: Hello again! First, I wanted to thank hrisi292 and Acidwing for being the first couple of people to review this story. I would have put this author's note in the last chapter, but for some mysterious reason the reviews wouldn't show up... So here we are now! It means a lot you guys. (And don't worry Acidwing-this is Dan and Danny we're talking about. Murder is inevitable)
Second order of business, for anyone reading this author's note, I currently have a Tumblr that is just sitting there, doing nothing but gathering liked content. And so, I wanted to know if an Ask Blog is something you guys would like after this whole this is over. (Why over? Because editing this thing has been a beast and I don't have time right now) Be sure to let me know so I know if I need to bother to learn how to use tumblr properly.