Chapter Text
Danny stared in horror at the only two people he never wanted to see him transform. His parents stare back at him. He had just taken care of another ghostly problem plaguing their town and flew into his room. He transformed back into plain old Danny Fenton as soon as he was through the wall. What he wasn't expecting was for his parents to be in his room. They tend not to pay much attention to what he does. So much so that for the past year and a half they never once noticed him going off to do his extracurricular activities.
"M-mom! Dad! I uh..." Danny stammers as his parents still just stare at him.
"You're the ghost boy?" His mom questions, her voice slightly shaky, "How?"
"The- the portal you built. I stepped into it the day you tested it and it failed. I hit a button and fainted. When I woke up... I was a ghost. Or at least half of one." He decided to spare his parents the truly gruesome details. Like the pain he felt as the portal electrecuted him when he pressed that button. Or how it felt as if his body was being ripped apart and melted as it changed. No, those were details he kept to himself. Nobody knows what he truly went through that day. Sam, Tucker, and Jazz have all asked, but he always just tells them while it hurt, it wasn't that bad. Then he makes a joke and changes the subject
Danny is shocked when tears well up in his moms eyes. His parents have found out before, but he's always reversed that knowledge. Why? Because he didn't want them or any extended family to know. He didn't want them to bare the burden of his secrets. Sam and Tucker know because they were with him when it happened and they ended up being extremely helpful. There was no way, especially in the beginning, that things would have gone as well as they have without them.
Jazz knows because, unlike their parents, she pays him a lot of attention. She figured it out on her own and Danny knew that if he erased her memory, she would just figure it out again. This is the first time his mom has cried at the revelation though.
"Sweetheart! Oh you have gone through so much! And with your father and I talking about destoying ghosts all the time!" his mom cries out before attacking him with a hug.
Danny is slightly taken aback, but he hugs her back, resting his chin on top of her head. Ever since turning fifteen, he finally grew taller than his mom. He looks at his dad who's got a proud look on his face.
"Now thats my boy! I always knew you'd be a great ghost hunter like your old man! I jusy didn't think you'd do it with the powers of a ghost!" His dad laughs. His big, booming laughter attacts the final member of their family.
"What is going on! Are you traumatizing my poor little brother again?!" Jazz asks as she walks in and sees the scene in his room.
Danny smiles at her as he pulls himself out of their moms arms and takes a step back. He's about to say something to Jazz when a cold blue breath of air escapes his mouth.
The explosion happens barely a second later. Danny transformed quickly and reached for his mom, but he couldn't find her anymore. The house was collapsing.
Danny wakes up covered in sweat. Thats the same nightmare he's been having for the past two months. Sadly, it's not just a nightmare. It's a replay of the last moments he had with his family. The worst moment of his life where he couldn't save the people who mattered the most to him.
He doesn't really remember much of what happened after that. He knows he sat in the rubble of his destroyed home after a desperate search to find his family miraculously alive. Thats not what he found. Then he sat there and wailed. Not cried. No, he let out his most powerful ghostly wail yet. The ghost, a new one that had sought him out and took things too far, collapsed to his knees and was unable to do anything. Yet Danny hadn't stopped. Windows broke and buildings started to crumble for a whole block in the direction he faced. Normal humans started fainting all around him from the sound. Those in his direct path started to bleed from their ears.
Luckily, Sam was prepared with the earbuds they used against Ember. She was able to make it to him from behind and hugged him. The moment he was in her arms he stopped. Thankfully before any real damage could happen to the buildings or people. He changed back as he cried in her arms. The people around woke up and more arrived to see poor Danny Fenton crying in her arms with the ruins of his home around them.From there, everything that happened is less clear. He really only knows what he was told. Sam made up some story about him not being home at the time of the attack. That he arrived to find his home in ruins, his family gone. Tuckers family took him in for a bit after that. He didn't say a word after he stopped crying. Sam and Tucker said he just seemed empty. The Foleys left him alone for the most part, aside from getting him to eat and drink.
There was a funeral. Danny knows a lot of people tried to talk to him, and a lot of people said empty words, but it was mostly a blur. He knows he cried, unable to see those three coffins and keep himself together.
The only time the Foleys made him see someone was when someone showed up to tell him about his parents will. He barely remembers that conversation. Only a few things stuck out. He got everything his parents owned and his parents had dictated his new gaurdian as Vlad Masters. Billionaire. Mayor of Amity Park. His biggest enemy.
That information brought him back to reality. At least a little bit. He still felt so drained, but he at least talked a bit. He agreed to go live with Vlad, but asked for a bit more time with his friends first. Vlad was contacted and he readily agreed to give him time. Sam and Tucker were upset when he had agreed to go without a fight. They were ready to fight on his behalf until he told them the plan that had begun to form.
It was a simple plan, but it was good enough. He would run away to the ghost zone. Skulker and Walker had told Sam and Tucker that the ghosts were calling a permanent truce. Many of the ghosts had already begun to tire of fighting him and losing. He had also already begun to get closer to quite a few of them too before everything happened. For the past few months, most attacks came from new ghosts. Everything else was minor disturbances from ghosts he already knew that were just bored. Plus there were the ghosts he was always friendly with like Frostbite and Wulf.
Then there was the little fact that every ghost in the ghost zone hated Vlad. Unlike Danny, he wouldn't be safe there. It was the perfect place to run off to. Also, him, Sam, and Tucker all had interdimensional communication devices, so they wouldn't lose contact. And it's not like he would never visit.Sam and Tucker weren't very happy about the plan, but they knew it was better than him living with Vlad.
So a few days later Vlad sent someone to get him and met him outside his mansion. The frootloop was obvious estatic that Danny would now be forced to live with him. He kept calling him "son". Yet the moment he was alone, Danny transformed and flew off to when he knew Vlads lab was, taking the few bags he had with him.
The bags didn't contain much, as not much could be salvaged. There were a couple of very important items though. His parents had left him all their research that was luckily backed up. Tucker had compiled it all onto a flashdrive for him. Then there was a CD that Tucker also made with a few home videos that had been saved. The last most important thing he had, was photos that survived. Childhood photos of him and Jazz. Pictures from vacations of them all together. Even pictures of him with Sam and Tucker. Those were the only ones he really looked at. He's only glaced at the others. He hasn't looked at his parents research or the home video.
He made sure he had his bags and said a silent goodbye. Then he just turned on the portal and he was in the ghost zone.
That was two months ago. He had immediately flown to Frostbites icy domain. The frost ghost had no problem taking him in. Luckily for Danny, he wasn't affected by the cold. He's been there ever since in his own little place.Frostbite stops by often to make sure he's alright. Honestly, if he ever stayed in his human form, he wouldn't be. Danny hasn't eaten or drank anything since arriving in the ghost zone. He barely even slept because of the nightmare. He only sleeps because if he doesn't, sooner or later, he will be forced out of his ghost form, and he can't deal with being human right now.
Other ghosts have also stopped by to see him. Frostbite always comes to him first to see if he can let them through. Ember, Kitty, Wulf, Skulker, Ghost Writer, Pandora, Princess Dorthea, Dani. They've all stopped by to see him. Danny hasn't seen any of them. He always told Frostbite he wasn't in the mood to see visitors.
But today, there's a visitor he can't send away. A visitor he's actually hoping will help him. Clockwork. When Frostbite told him that he was here, Danny had felt his chest tighten. Now, Clockwork was standing right in front of him, his form changing as they stare at each other in heavy silence.
Finally, Clockwork breaks the silence, "I can't save your family, Daniel Fenton."
Danny feels as if he's about to collapse to the ground. The tiny bit of hope he was holding onto crushed to little pieces. "Then why are you here?!" Danny cries out, agony thick in his voice.
Clockwork looks at him calmly, "Because I might not be able to save your family, but I can help you get a new start."
Danny just stares at him for a moment, tamping down the new flickers of hope in his chest. Then he shakes his head, choking out, "There's no place for me back home. I'd just be some fifteen year old runaway. Not to mention, Vlad would never leave me alone." Yet, even though he knew that, the thought of staying in the ghost zone forever was also a terrible thought.
Clockwork shakes his head, "While you are correct, you also can not stay here. While you are half ghost, you are also half human. Staying here long term will kill your human half." Clockwork looks at the boy, who was starting to look a lot less boyish in the time he's known him.
Danny doesn't say anything, so Clockwork continues, "The ghost zone is a mysterious place, even to those of us who inhabit it. While this is the flip side of Earth, it is not the flip side of only one Earth. There are multiple dimensions, each with their own diverging path. Such as the Earth where you become evil and set out to destroy humanity. That was one dimension that had its own path. But there are also dimensions with very different paths. Earths where you don't exist. Dimensions where powers don't exist at all. Or where the world is overrun by people with powers. The ghost zone is the connection to all of them."
The flicker of hope that Danny had been trying to snuff out grows a bit more. He has a feeling as to what the ancient ghost was getting at, but asks anyways, "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm offering to send you to a different dimension, Daniel. I'll give you a choice. I can send you to a world where powers don't exist and ghosts don't go to. That would mean you could low. Have a peaceful life. No more worrying about being a hero. You could just live a long and normal life until you return to the ghost zone."
"Or...?" Danny asks, wondering what the other option is.
“Or I can send you to a world where most of the population has powers. There are no secret identities there. You can be free to show off your powers. Become a hero without being ostracized. Make what you want with your life without having to lay low. Ghosts can go there, but they tend to leave it alone because they can't get away with anything. I'm sorry to tell you though, I can't give you much time to decide.” Clockwork states.
Danny thinks about everything Clockwork has told him. Two options. Either lay low and have a normal life, or go to a world where he won't have to hide. He can show off his powers. Be whoever he wants to be. Honestly, it seemed like a very easy choice for the young fifteen year old. He didn't think he would not be able to be a hero. Even after everything, he didn't think he would be able to just stand by when people were in trouble. “I want to go to the dimension with powers. I want to continue being a hero.” Danny states with a firm tone.
Clockwork nods, “I thought so young Daniel. Now there's a couple of important facts to give you about this world you've chosen. They call powers quirks and eighty percent of the population has one. Not all of them are useful though. You will be seen as very powerful in this world. That means you will get attention, good and bad. You'll have challenges to face, but I know you will succeed on whatever path you decide to go down. Now, being a vigilante is illegal. To become a hero, people in this world go to school as teenagers. You are just old enough to start as a first year. I will drop you off where I believe you are most needed.”
The first thought that passes through Dannys mind is ugh, school. School means bullies and high school politics.He voices the next thoight though, “Where I'm most needed?” Danny asks, a little confused.
“Yes. I've seen a bit of their future, and I believe they're in need of more help.”
“Then what would you have done if I hadn't chosen to go to that world?”
“I know you too well, Daniel. I gave you a choice just in case, but I didn't believe you would turn your back on being a hero. But if you hadn't, I might have asked Dani. Not only does she have the same powers, but she has the same ideals as you.”
Danny just nods. His female clone, Dani, would have been a good choice.
“Now, meet me in my realm whenever you're ready. Don't take too long though. I'll have everything ready for you by the time you arrive.”
Danny doesn't have time to say anything else before Clockworks departure. There's a lot of questions running through his head. How is he going to survive in this new world? He's got no family or friends there. Well, he guesses he just has to trust Clockwork to help him out.
Deciding not to dwell on it for the moment, Danny heads off to find Frostbite to tell him of this new development.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Danny doesn't know how long he took tracking down all the ghosts he was a little friendly with to tell them that he was leaving. Many promised to try to visit once Clockwork gave permission. Then he did something he hadn't done in the past two months. He calls both Sam and Tucker. Sure, he had sent brief messages so that they wouldn't worry, but he hadn't heard their voices in two months.
It was nice. Well, after they stopped berating him. Then he went on to tell them what he had decided to do. Tucker thought it was cool. Sam was worried. Danny promised the both of them that he would continue to stay in contact if the interdimensional communicators continued to work. If they didn't, he would pass on notes through ghosts until he got them working in the new dimension. He even said that he would talk to Clockwork about them visiting him. Luckily, both of them understood why Danny felt he needed to do this. He didn't have much left for him in their world, and as a teenager, he couldn't do much without having the law on top of him constantly.
When he got off the phone with them, he gathered the stuff he had brought along with him to the ghost zone and went off to Clockworks realm. Of course he was already expecting him.
Clockwork was facing away from him, watching his screen, “Welcome Daniel.” He turns around and looks at Danny for a moment. “You've got everything?” Danny nods and Clockwork turns back to his screen. "Good. As for everything else, I used a favor with Technus. He's made it look like you've been in that world all your life. Documents, background, family, everything has been set up. Even a bank account with an amount of money that should last you a decent amount of time."
Clockwork turns back to Danny, “Now onto your story. You're still from Amity Park, Illinois. Your parents and sister died from a villain attack. You've been sent to live with a family friend who now lives in Japan. You're meant to be staying with them, but they travel a lot, so you're mostly on your own.”
Danny cuts in, “Wait Japan? But I don't speak Japanese?”
Clockwork waved him off, “A ghostly power you probably haven't noticed yet is that we can speak any language after hearing it and reading it a couple times. Didn't you find it weird that you started to understand Wulf shortly after meeting him? You don't have to worry about a language barrier. Now, it's set in records that you have a single quirk with which you are capable of doing many things. We've just decided to call it ‘ghost’. Basically, anything you're capable of doing should be explained away with that since most of what you can do is just a manipulation of ectoplasmic energy. Everything else is just things ghosts are known to do. People will question it, but as long as you tell them most of the truth, you'll be fine.”
Danny nods, “Okay, so I can pretty much just tell the truth about everything, just not that I come from a different dimension.”
“Correct. Continuing on, in that world children gain their powers young. We put in your records that you didn't have a quirk until over a year ago when you nearly died from an accident and it caused your quirk to activate. Once again, we derived this from the truth. That's all that we have set up for you. It should be plenty that if people look into your past, nothing should be suspicious. As for your so-called ‘guardian’, I've talked to Frostbite. He will be posing as your guardian whenever you need one since you're still a minor. Technus has copied your interdimensional communication device and given it to him so that you or any adults can speak to him. I'll also allow him to visit if he's needed in person. Luckily, people in this world can look like anything, so he won't stand out. Now, in two weeks there's a test to enter the nearby hero school, which I believe you will pass pretty easily. History will probably be the hardest for you as theirs diverges pretty significantly, but I trust you'll take your time to study.”
Ugh, studying. Listen, Danny's not stupid. Actually, most people would describe him to be pretty smart, and before the whole ghost thing he had pretty decent grades. Especially in science. Studying has never been a strong point for him though. He didn't have the concentration for it. But, he told Clockwork he would try. He would have to if he wanted to get into this hero school, because without it he wouldn't legally be able to do anything.
“Alright then Daniel, we should get going. I'll be opening a portal nearby.” Clockwork doesn't even wait for Danny as he leaves and Danny quickly gathers his stuff and follows. Clockwork talks as they head to the portal, “Remember Danny, you can not use your powers unless given permission. Stay out of trouble. Also, I understand that you have friends who want to visit. I will allow it, but only once you've settled in.”
They stop, and Clockwork opens a portal, then hands Danny an envelope and a small bag, “All needed documents and such are in there. And that bag contains something I believe you will need as soon as you transform back. I had Wulf go see your friends to get it. Now get going, I can't keep portals open too long.”
“Thanks for everything, Clockwork.” Danny states, giving him a small smile before floating through the portal.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
As soon as Danny is through the portal, he transforms back into his human form only to fall onto the ground. Of course, being in ghost form for so long had caused Danny to forget what it felt like to have a human body. Like the fact that his human body is much heavier than his ghost form. He's also thirsty and starving.
Groaning, Danny slowly moves himself into a sitting position and looks around. It looks like Clockwork dropped him off in an alley. Opening the bag from Clockwork, he finds some of his favorite snacks and drinks. Thanks Clockwork for his ability to see ahead. And Wulf, Sam and Tucker. He digs in before picking up the envelope he dropped. He opens it and pulls out a few items. There's a cellphone, a piece of paper, and another, slightly smaller envelope. Looking at the paper, he finds more info from Clockwork.
Daniel,
The portal should have dropped you off somewhere near the apartment you will be staying in. You are in Musutafu, Japan in the Shizuoka Prefecture. The cellphone is set up and will also make interdimensional calls. I know you probably worried about your device not working as well, so I had Technus set this up for you. Frostbites and your friends' numbers are already programmed.
Danny feels some heaviness leave his chest as he feels some relief and continues reading.
The envelope holds all important documents along with a bank card and apartment key. It's enough money for you to survive on for a good couple of years, but don't spend too much. All fake documents needed for school have been sent to the nearby U.A where you will be taking your enrollment test in two weeks. They’ll see you as a transfer student from America. Good luck Daniel.
-C.W
After that was an address. Danny sighs and slowly stands up and stretches his body. Picking up the cellphone he sends a message to Sam and Tucker in a group chat, telling them that he arrived and not to worry. They both send a couple messages back, but Danny ignores them for now as he opens maps and types in the address on the paper.
Clockwork was a bit off. He had a bit of a walk ahead of him according to maps. Gathering his stuff, he leaves the alley and looks down at his phone to see exactly where he’s going. Only a moment later somebody crashes into him. Luckily, his human body is pretty strong and can take a hit, but his phone, suitcase and the envelope are knocked out of his hand.
“その事については本当にすまないと思っている。I - I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm just late getting home and my mom worries when I'm late. I hate worrying her.”
Danny watches the green haired boy as he frantically picks up the stuff he knocked out of Danny's hand. The boy is still talking a mile a minute, but Danny isn't listening anymore. He's shocked that what was first Japanese has suddenly turned to English in his mind. If he really concentrates, it sounds like Japanese again, but it still translates perfectly in Danny's head. Clockwork had told him that he'd be able to understand Japanese, but it's different actually experiencing it.
Deciding to think about this at a different time, Danny focuses on speaking in Japanese, “Hey, uh, don't worry about it. I was just standing on the sidewalk. I’m at least partially to blame too.” Danny remembers the guy saying he was heading home. If he lives in the area he could be useful, “I was actually looking at directions on my phone. I just moved here and I'm trying to find my uncle's apartment.” If Frostbites going to be his guardian, might as well make him his uncle. If people see him and ask how they're related, Danny can always just say that they're not actually related, but that he's such a close family friend that he just calls him his uncle. “Could you help me?"
The boy perks up as he hands Danny his stuff, “Yeah! Of course! Where are you going?” Danny shows him his phone and the boy frowns. “Um, this is in English. I can speak a little, but I'm really not good at reading it.” He looks up at Danny, “Your Japanese is so good I thought you were native. Where are you moving from?”
Looking down at his phone, he changes the settings over to Japanese as he answers, “America. I'm from a state called Illinois. It's not a well known state. Especially to those not from America.” Once they're changed he shows his phone to the boy again, “Sorry about that. I'm so used to having my phone on the English settings I didn't think about it.”
The boy looks at it and he smiles widely. “Yeah, I know this place. My apartment is in the same building. I'm surprised I didn't recognize it when you showed it to me before. I think the English just threw me off. And no worries, you're the one who looks at your phone the most. You should have it set any way you like. But we should get going, my moms probably getting more worried.”
Oh cool, luckily he ran into someone that lives in the same building. Following the boy, Danny thinks about something, “Thanks. Also, sorry. I forgot to tell you my name. I'm Daniel Fenton, but most people call me Danny. I understand you call people by their last names here though.”
The boy stops and looks at him, eyes wide, “I'm sorry. I didn't tell you my name either. I'm Izuku Midoriya. And yeah, we typically call each other by our last names, unless we’re close. I can call you Danny though if that's what you prefer.”
Danny smiles at him, “Yeah, I prefer Danny. And since we’re gonna be friends and neighbors, can I call you Izuku?”
He looks shocked now, “You want to be friends?”
Danny shrugs, “Of course. Why not?”
Izuku Midoriya smiles back at him, yet theres also an odd look in his eyes, “Then yeah, you can call me Izuku. Oh, how old are you?”
“I’m fifteen. How about you?” Danny replies as they continue walking again.
“You’re fifteen?! I thought you were a little older than me. Not that you look old or anything! I mean, you're just…tall.” Izuku stutters.
Danny laughs, “Yeah, I guess I am. I had a pretty big growth spurt over the last year. I'm 6’1 in this form. Oh you guys go by centimeters, so that makes me 185.42 cm. And no worries, I got what you meant. But you should have seen my dad, he was 205.74 cm.”
“Wow, your dad is tall! Wait, you said in this form? What do you mean by that?” Izuku asks.
“Oh! Uh, my quirk lets me change forms and I grow a bit.” Danny says nonchalantly. It's going to take time getting used to referring to his powers as quirks and talking about them with anybody.
“You have a quirk! What is it? What can you do? If you can change forms is it like a shape-shifting quirk? Those are rare! Can you do anything in that form that you can't do now? Wh-” Izuku starts rambling and Danny stares at him as they stop walking again.
He cuts him off, “Woah, hold up Izuku! If you keep asking questions like this I'm not going to be able to answer anything. How about we get to the apartment first and I can answer any questions you have about my quirk later.”
Izuku blushes and nods, “You're right. Sorry. I get like that sometimes. Especially when it comes to quirks or when I'm nervous. But we're in front of the apartments now. What's your apartment number?”
“Oh, cool. Uh, number thirty-nine.” Danny says after checking the paper real quick.
“Hey, that's a few doors down from me! Your uncle moved in recently right?” Izuku says as he leads Danny to the five story building marked with a big two on the side.
“Uh, yeah. He travels a lot, but once he heard I was coming to stay with him, he got an apartment here since he's in Japan the most. Especially when he knows I want to be a hero. Apparently there's a hero school nearby. He's already set it up for me to take the entrance exam there.” Danny makes up. Good thing he's pretty used to lying. Of course if Izuku lives close by he would know when people move in. Clockwork must have set up some people to get the apartment ready for him.
“You're taking the entrance exam at U.A?!” Izuku exclaims loudly.
“Yeah? Is that a big deal or something?” Danny asks. He knows pretty much nothing about this world, let alone this country. If Izuku is this shocked, U.A must be a pretty popular school.
Izuku looks at him wide eyed before shaking his head, “Right. You're not from Japan. U.A is the number one hero school in Japan. It's one of the best in the world. Some of the best heroes in Japn come from there. Like All Might! You should know who he is. He spent a couple years as a hero in America.”
“Uh, yeah kinda.” Danny lies. If this All Might guy was in America it would be weird to not know anything about him. “I'm from a really small town. There weren't very many heroes around. They focused on the more populated areas.”
“Oh, so then you must not have had very many villains in your town.” Izuku states as they start climbing stairs.
“No, we had villains, but they were just small fries mostly. More annoyances really than anything.” Danny responds as he thinks about all the ghosts that used to plague Amity Park.
“Oh, so then the police just took care of them?”
“Uh, no. They might have been small fries, but still not something our small police force could take care of. We had a few vigilantes. I know it's illegal, but nobody, not even the police, cared in that town. When you have villains destroying the town, but no heroes to take care of them, somebody needed to step up.” As he talks, Izuku leads them from the staircase and stops.
Izuku nods slowly, “I guess that makes sense. Some of the places around here have the same issue. Not enough heroes, but plenty of criminal activity. Vigilantes step in to take care of it, but they get hunted down by heroes and the police here. Oh, this is your apartment by the way. I'm down that way in number thirty-six.”
“Thanks. Why don't you give me your number and we can hang out?” Danny asks, as he opens up a new contact then holds out his phone. He surprisingly liked Izuku. He was easy to talk to.
“Yeah! Sure! I mean, I have so much to ask you!” Izuku says excitedly as he takes Danny's phone and puts in his number as Danny puts his number in Izukus phone. Luckily the Japanese text translated quickly.
“I promise I'll answer them later. Right now, you should probably get home. You said your mom worries.”
Izuku's eyes widen, “Right! It's dinner! Bye Danny!”
Danny watches for a moment as Izuku heads down the hall and stops at the last door. Then he turns to his own door. Opening the envelope, he reaches in and feels the key. Pulling it out, he unlocks the door and steps in.