Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was the afternoon on a Sunday at the end of august when the Deetz parents found Lydia dancing in the air in her room with Beetlejuice. Then everything got pretty intense, the screaming, BJ retaliation, the pranks. Her whole world was upside down and this time it wasn’t intentional.

Mom and dad are not having it and they have removed everything she had in her room that could be claimed as hers. Then a church person came to “exorcise”, but it harmed her and only her, it burned so bad, why did it burn? She was human and alive. Yet part of her belly and hips were bleeding from the holy water, or that’s what she could assume it was used on her, causing a mild burn and some bleeding.

In a moment of lucidity she started chanting, in hopes to teleport herself into Beetlejuice’s lair. “Though I know I should be wary, Still I venture someplace scary; Ghostly haunting I turn loose ... Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” And with a flash of red and green she disappeared from her room into Beetlejuice’s house.

“Lyds!! Are you ok kid? You look like a gore sprinkler.” Exclaimed Beetlejuice turning into a sprinkler for a moment, he then worriedly asked “Was it your parents?”.

At that Lydia just started sobbing very quiet but heavily because, she wouldn’t be able to go back now, right? Would his friends from the Neitherworld allow her to live with them now? She just lost so much. Yet she didn’t want to see her parents in pain. Maybe they were gonna be happy now that she is no longer there.

Beetlejuice didn’t like the silence and was watching real close the living realm at what her parents were doing, making sure to mark them as his prey. He will punish them and take all of their money too, after all, he is a conman and Lydia’s best friend. He rapidly left Lydia on her own while he was thinking on ways to get at the Deetz.

After an hour, Lydia decided to get some first aid tools to help with the pain, she was starting to accept what just happened, even if she wanted to return to how everything was and knowing it won’t happen anymore. She went to knock on Jacques’ door but she was met with silence. Wondering if they weren’t home, she patched up her wound and got to explore outside until she finally found most of the citizens around Prince Vince.

Out of curiosity of what was going on she got closer, until she spotted Jacques and went to stand by his side. She was about to greet him when the prince’s voice resonated everywhere. “Silence, I have news to share to everyone” he said calmly and continued “The ancients have spoken, rumor has it there is a new High King of the Infinite Realms, yet they talk about a High Prince Phantom, the true balance…”

Lydia whispered quick to Jacques “What are the Infinite Realms?” While Prince Vince kept talking about changes and whatnot (she admits to have lost her attention at what he was saying next). Jacques only realising now that Lydia was next to him was startled and quite surprised, he urged her “Let’s go back to our home first, and I will try explain everything”.

With that she started walking back towards the house, still worried about what Beetlejuice would do to her parents or worse, getting hit by whatever she was hit when exorcised. After what felt like an eternity but it was just 10 minutes at most, Jacques came back in “would you like some tea Lydia?” He looked at her but he didn’t see her wounds or if she was hurt.

“That would be lovely” said Lydia.

“Well, where should I start…” Jacques took into a pondering position, after a few seconds he tensed a bit. “The Infinite Realms is the glue that holds the multiverse together, all afterlives are part of the realms, the Neitherworld is a part of the realms…”

“So, does that mean the Neitherworld is infinite?” She asked him with curiosity, after all, Lydia was trying to understand it.

Jacques was startled, “uh, yes and no, is like a universe inside of a universe kind of thing? I’m sorry dear Lydia I might sometimes not be good at explaining”.

“Oh, I think I understand now, but what’s the deal with the high king?” What was the deal with that? Why was so important that Prince Vince would make an announcement across the Neitherworld? She looked at Jacques expectantly.

“Uh ok, so every domain has its ruler, we have Prince Vince, Hell has Satan, and so on, but everyone answers to the High King, he rules over them too… look the thing is, the last High King was a power hungry Tyrant that took some ancients to seal. We are a bit worried because we don’t know how this new king is”.

She absorbed all the information and if that was the ultimate boss of the ones in charge, maybe she could plead her case and get citizenship but now the question was… “How do I contact this entity? Is there a way to visit their castle and request an audience?”

And that startled Jacques, because, it would be too dangerous for Lydia to face the High King on her own. Why would she want to meet them? Doesn’t she know of the danger she could be facing? Meanwhile, an old ghost with a purple cloak and a beard was watching the events unfold. He smiled and switched into a younger form, it seems that he will need to nudge this child in the right direction.

Chapter Text

Danny’s life or afterlife was going great, his parents accepted him when he revealed himself, and when he proceded to tell them about Ellie, they were so pissed at Vlad that they decided to capture and tear him molecule by molecule themselves. But first things first, they adopted Ellie into the family. Jazz was ecstatic that she was getting a little sister.

The fentons then deleted most of their research and started a new to actually understand ghost and their culture. It came to a big shock when they found out that Danny had a set of ghost parents but considering he was half ghost, it was expected. They weren’t happy at first but Clockwork and Pandora were civilised and polite enough to charm them, they finally decided in co-parenting together.

Days were passing by with Danny playing with his rogues, Ellie studying to catch up in school, and Jazz preparing for college after the sabbatical year she took just to make sure Danny was okay, their parents were actively hunting Plasmius and trying to repel the Anti-Ecto Acts. It kind of fell into a new routine, until Plasmius decided to kidnap Danny once again.

“Little Badger, you fed them lies about me? Not only you revealed ourselves, but this will cost you greatly” he drawled. Danny was trapped, he was hit with the Plasmius maximus, which that mean no ghost powers for the next 3 hours. He looked around Vlad’s laboratory trying to see if he could somehow get a weapon to fight but Vlad pinned him fast into the table.

“Keep dreaming on Fruitloop” said Danny with courage, and then he saw Vlad smirk in a cruel manner.

Now, he was scared, since he felt vulnerable. Mostly when Vlad went on to brake his ankles, he hoped that Sam and Tucker would come to the rescue. What he did not expect was for his whole family and friends to barge into Vlad’s laboratory, he loves his family but he didn’t want Ellie anywhere near Vlad again.

Then everything happened too fast, he was being held by Vlad, with his claw on his throat. His parents were now screaming at him, and Ellie, Jazz, Sam and Tucker were circling Vlad with spectre deflectors on so he wouldn’t be able to escape.

“You were meant to marry me Maddie! If only Jack didn’t mess with the proto-portal” he spat with venom laced in his words.

“That won’t happen” said Maddie furiously “What I don’t understand is, if I am your obsession, why has that been transferred into my son?”

Vlad then stared back at her like he wasn’t believing, how dare she talk about his obsession. And at that moment of distraction, Jack shot his bazooka, and for once, even if he aimed wrongly the missile ended hitting Vlad in the face. As fast as he could he released Danny and tried to flee. It was not his lucky day.

Danny ducked and Jazz threw a thermos at him, which he used to capture Vlad.

“Good job Dann-o! I knew you could do it!” Jack said energetically. But was interrupted by Jazz screaming “Danny are you ok?!” She noticed that he wasn’t healing and his ankles were in weird position. Everyone grimaced, until Sam suggested “Maybe we should visit Frostbite?”

They entered through Vlad’s portal, guided by Ellie, they made it to the Far Frozen after an hour long travel discussing non stop and punching some ghosts out of the way, they landed near the medical facility. As soon as they landed they heard “Great One! It’s good seeing you after so long!” He then appraised the whole family “Ah, the Great One’s fraid, please do come inside, I don’t want you to freeze”

As they were entering the facility it was Danny who said “Em, Frostbite, I can’t change into ghost right now and my feet are broken…” which gained some curses from his parents while holding the thermos where Vlad was trapped and swearing a world of pain for him.

“It was Plasmius I assume for everyone’s reactions” and at that everyone nodded. “Might as well make a check up on the Young One and Jasmine” said Frostbite.

“Wait, why Jazz too?” Asked Maddie while Jack was trying to figure out all the technology around him.

“I feel ok? I’m not sick” said Jazz a bit panicked.

Danny was now worried “Well, let’s have our medical examination, maybe it’s you having a proto-core like Sam and Tuck”.

“Oh she definitely has one, but hers is more developed than the Great One’s friends” added Frostbite helpfully.

“What do you mean?” Asked Maddie worryingly now.

“Well, how about we check it up and see how it is?” Said Ellie nervously.

“Ok then, let’s see, Danny why is your healing not working?” Asked Frostbite

“Vlad hit me with a power inhibitor, er it would take 1 more hour before it wears off, give or take” he looked unsure, what if he made it so he won’t be able to go ghost in 5 hours or 24? He hopes it is the regular 3 hour Timelapse.

After scanning him and running some test, Frostbite did the same with Ellie and Jazz. Then he proceeded to diagnose and tell everyone what his findings were.

“Great One, your healing is as matter of fact, working, a bit slower than usual but is doing it so, I’d recommend to drink 3 vials of Ecto to filter the energy that Vlad used and kickstart your powers again”. At this Danny relaxed, guess he doesn’t need to worry about not being able to walk anytime soon.

“For the Young One, she is still very unstable, but it’s more about the way she supposedly died than being born” he looked worriedly to Ellie, “I could give her some boost medicine to help her keep her form but it will rely mostly on her core, it’s not a long term solution”.

The mood changed drastically, everyone could feel Danny worrying since temperature was fluctuating in the room. Frostbite sighed.

“Now, Jasmine, your core has finished its grow, it’s waiting for your death. Fear not child, for you will definitely turn into a halfa” Frostbite said sadly.

Jazz was shocked, Maddie started crying, and Jack was too invested in the technology that he didn’t notice the whole life changing event unfolding.

Sam and Tucker were surprised, they knew they will eventually turn into a halfa themselves but they were still developing their cores and truthfully even though they have been exposed by visiting the realms, Jazz had more exposure like Danny when growing up for being Ecto-contaminated.

They went back home sad and tired. Sam and Tuck called in for a night and returned to their homes, even though they were worried about Jazz and Ellie, they felt impotent.

Chapter Text

After Jacques told Lydia about the realms, she decided to do her own research in the Neitherworld's library.

It was very convenient that a green post-it was marking a book near the wall clock, upon closer inspection it read "I'm trapped in a place, but I can't see the way out. What should I do to find freedom and shout? - CW" uh, a riddle, and quite an easy one at that. She wondered who CW is, since she knows a good portion of the Neitherworld.

She looked at the book which title was "The Chaos Sandbox" and as she opened to read the first page she was surprised that the first line read "The Chaos Sandbox also known as the Neitherworld by their denizens, is a free sandbox for the ancient of Chaos to play with..." which now she understood that if there was an exit to the realms, the book must know where it is.

After reading the whole book, she figured out where the door was, and whoever this CW is, they are helping Lydia find the way too easily. So she headed to the doorknob and opened it, being able to see now a lot of doors and several floating islands.

Now, where should she go? apparently she can now float and fly on her own. Maybe she should ask for the closest ghost directions towards the king's keep. After looking around and not knowing which direction should she go, she decided to aim for the closest floating island. A medieval like kingdom appeared on sight.

Upon landing, she was surrounded by ghosts.

"Who art thou traveler, hast thee come to harm my people or perhaps do thee seek assistance?" Said a blonde woman, with pale green skin and red eyes. She was wearing a dress with a golden pendant, and a crown that was a mixture of dragon scales and crystal.

"I am Lydia, I seek assistance to find the high king of the realms" said Lydia as courtly as possible.

"I'm queen Dorathea, this kingdom is my realm" said Dorathea, after considering Lydia once again she asked "what is the reason for the request to the young King?"

"I am a refugee, I'm not safe in my own home...therefore I seek the King's approval for me to stay within the realms" said Lydia.

After some silence, Dorathea finally made a decision. "One of my subjects shall accompany you to Phantom's Keep" offered Dorathea. A ghost that looked like a medieval squire, with long black hair and green eyes came forward and offered his arm to guide Lydia.

"Thank you your majesty" she bowed to Dorathea and as soon as she took the ghost's arm they flew faster through the ghost zone.

Meanwhile in Danny's bedroom, the alarm clock started beeping nonstop, once he opened his eyes, he found his whole room filled with green sticky notes.
"Damn it Clockwork!" he cussed while rubbing his hands on his face. This was going to be a long day.

Chapter Text

"Danny!" Both Sam and Tucker screamed when Danny entered the kitchen. "Guys what's the emergency?" He asked quite alarmed because it's not everyday that Sam and Tuck make their way to his house first thing in the morning and much less, scream at him.

"I woke up to a lot of green sticky notes, so I gave Tuck a call and came as soon as he got clothes on..." Sam said quite anxiously "While most of them are cryptic, I am worried about this Lydia person who needs... my help?" Sam was reluctant, and wasn't sure why Clockwork had let so many messages that she barely could make sense, that's as much info she could get from all of them.

"Well, In my case there wasn't any sticky notes so..." Tucker shrugged.

"Wait! Hold on, my room is still covered in sticky notes" Danny said, and as soon as he said so, Sam rushed into his room. "Wow, Sam, respect my privacy...maybe?" He said as soon as he caught up with Tucker behind. Sam lifted an eyebrow but got to work fast by taking as many notes as she could trying to figure out the puzzle for the right answer.

"You know, maybe we could just go to Clockwork and ask him? Is not like we have to put up with his cryptid ass every time..." Danny began suggesting but fell in deaf ears when Sam suddenly changed her panic into rage "New sister? That's not for you to decide!" she screamed to the ceiling. Danny and Tucker were quite lost at this and looked at each other.

"Alright! visiting Clockwork it is!" Danny said and started to pull a fighting Sam towards the basement. "Please Sam, whatever this is, maybe we should check first facts and see what is this about?" Danny pleaded as he transformed into phantom.

"Fine" said Sam while joining Tucker in the speedster. "Don't worry, maybe you are making something a bigger issue than what it is?" tried Tucker, that got a glare from Sam but it's fine, he could work with that like always.

After at least 20 minutes, they couldn't find the clocktower, even if they are in the supposed area it should be. Danny thought 'Well, maybe CW doesn't want to answer and wants us to find firsthand whatever this is, hope he is not referring to Lydia of Circus Gothica'. Then suddenly Fright Knight appeared with his booming voice "My liege, you have a guest in your keep waiting for you" he said. Danny scowled and quickly put on a defensive stance, "And who is this guest you are speaking of?" he looked at the knight.

"It seems they come from Dorathea's Kingdom, as for the young lady, she claims the name of Lydia". said Fright Knight.

Danny pondered for a moment, until it was Tucker that said "Alright, It's time for us to know who this Lydia girl is and hopefully not the nightmare from Circus Gothica". Sam and Danny nodded and headed for the Castle.

Once there they were met with a young lady with a midnight mullet stylized to a ponytail, with a red poncho covering a full body black unitard. Her eyes are red, but like all realms beings they can go both ways.

"You! Better start talking!" Sam demanded "NOW!"

Lydia was a bit taken a back, maybe she wasn't that welcomed in the realms. But she made up her mind and she needs to stay safe, they won't make her go back would they?

"I'm sorry, uhm... your...highness?" She was bowing and looked at Sam, then at Tuck and then to Phantom. They look at each other and Tucker said pointing to Danny, "He is the high king Phantom, that girl is Dryad, and I'm Pharaoh". Introductions be damned, there was so much tension in the room that it could be cut like butter.

"Okay, sorry, I do need you to listen to my request?" Lydia tried again, "I am a human seeking citizenship, to stay in the Neitherworld, which is...am... a realm inside the realms?" She was extremely nervous, because she didn't have a back up plan if they tried to take her back 'home'.

Sam, Tucker and Danny seemed to have a silent conversation, since they could feel 'anxious, scared' feeling coming from this girl in waves. "And why would you a living human want to stay in the realms?" asked Danny, as this was unprecedented.

"I... was attacked by my parents" Lydia started, and now Danny started to see how he used to feel for his own parents, worry in his face made a motion for her to continue. Sam wasn't doing any better either, she could feel this liminal girl scared out of her mind and now she was worried for her too.

"They found out I was playing with my ghost friend, and thought I was possessed... they called an exorcist and I'm pretty sure they used some acid?" She was frantic retelling what had happened and her theory that the church was trying to make the masses believe in real possession by throwing some acid mixture to a human that was in fact not possessed.

"You don't have to return to them" blurted out Danny, he was extremely peeved that somewhere, some not nice parents would enact his personal nightmares in liminal people. Sam asked "Where do you live? Do you have a place to stay within the realms?"

"I'm pretty sure BJ would let me crash at his place, ah, I am from Peaceful Pines..." She was relieved that at the very least she wouldn't have to return.

"It doesn't exist in our world?" said Tucker.

"Of course! Another dimension, another earth!" said Danny facepalming.

Sam assessed the girl once more, glaring at her. "What is your stance in veganism?" she asked.

"Oh! I am a vegan, I don't like animals getting hurt, not even insects" Lydia said still somewhat nervous.

"Ok you pass the vibe check" Sam said. "We are going back to our earth, you can crash at my home...TUCKER you better start making some legal papers and I will talk with Grandma about this".

"Someone has already adopted her it seems" Danny whispered to Tucker who muffled a giggle. Lydia still needed to ask to get BJ back to the Neitherworld before he harms someone or himself. She changed her pose and that's when Tucker blurted "Wait, is that blood?" suddendly everyone become very alarmed.

"You are bleeding?" screamed Danny
"I thought it was a red poncho?" Sam also started rising her voice.

"I might have patched up too quickly...oh" Lydia said before the world starting fading from her eyes. Sam caught her before she touched the ground. "Uhm guys we should get her to the Far Frozen like... asap?" Tucker said while getting on the speedster.

Chapter Text

"I did the best I could, human anatomy is very different than ghost biology" said Frostbite."Her wounds seems to be from an acid mix in liquid state that has caused several burns on her skin as well as some open wounds from muscles tearing apart". Sam grimaced "Is she going to recover without aftereffects?"

"Yes! But she needs bedrest and not push herself to physical activities yet" said Frostbite.

"It's ok, that's more than enough Frostbite!" answered Danny. Frostbite left to do other activities to let the kids have a break. Tucker was very focused typing on his PDA when he looked at Sam and said "If she is to live in our world, she's gonna need legal papers like Danielle...".

"We need to ask her if she wants to be adopted guys, or we will be pulling a Vlad on her" said Danny. Sam was gaping like a fish out of water and Tucker eyes widened.
"You are right but like, she is alive, she shouldn't be in the realms until...you know?" said Tucker panicked. Danny looked thoughtful and looked at Sam.

"She is going to need a legal guardian too" said Danny

Sam was still a bit angry at CW but she knew that this girl, could haven been her in a different timeline. She could feel it deep in her soul, now, she needed to brainstorm how to get her parents to adopt her, maybe present her like a distant cousin, no, that wouldn't work, her parents for all they were rainbows and sunshine, they were not that stupid.

"Any ideas to get my parents to adopt her?" Sam asked.

"I think I could make some papers and get ready an adoption form, fully filled, only thing needed would be their signature" said Tucker.

"I mean, worst come worst I overshadow them and sign the papers" shrugged Danny.

They all looked at each other in silence when a grumble took their attention.

"Ugh, this... was.. the worse I have felt since forever" said Lydia trying to hold into consciousness once again.

"Tell me about it" said Danny without thinking.

"DANNY! you are not the one who is that badly hurt!" said Sam exasperated.

"But I had worse?" quipped while shrugging, everyone groaned, making Lydia look at Danny and ask "Are you sure you are uhm, ok?" trying to be as polite as she could.

"Heh, I mean can't kill what is already dead..." Danny didn't get to finish when he had Tucker's hand covering his mouth.

Sam rolled her eyes and got closer to Lydia.

"So about my citizenship?" Lydia tried a bit nervous.

"Rejected" said the three of them at the same time.

"Oh" Lydia looked like she was going to cry.

"But that doesn't mean you can't live with me in our earth" said Sam. Lydia was shocked and said "I thought you were joking before I passed out, I don't want to be a nuisance...".

"Please, if anyone is a nuisance that would be Tucker" said Sam smiling, which got an instant "Hey!!" from Tucker.

"Besides, you are alive, don't be in a rush to get here" Sam continued, Lydia had tears rolling her eyes. "Thank you, I...I'd like that" she said timidly.

They were in silence looking at each other when suddenly Lydia gasped "WAIT! BJ! You have to stop him! He is going to hurt my parents!", panic clear on his voice and face made Danny sigh.

"Who is BJ? Is he a ghost?" Asked Danny.

"Yes!! He is Beetlejuice! My best friend, he is a ghost!" said Lydia. Sam smiled at her. Tucker murmured almost inaudible for everyone except for Danny "Ok, this is starting to scaring me out, Sam smiling this much must be the end of the world or another Undergrowth situation...". Danny snickered.

"So Betelgeuse like Orion's star" Danny grinned, "I would want to meet him, I'll ask Frostbite for the Infi-map to get to the Neitherworld... Can you guys get her settled in our world? Maybe tell my parents the truth and figure out what to do from there?" He asked.

"Yeah big guy, go, we have it handled it" Said Sam.

As Danny left looking for Frostbite, Sam looked at Tucker "So... Who is going to carry her?"
Tucker as fast as he could called on Danielle.

"Hey! We need you at the far frozen!" said Tucker

"What?? Is Danny ok?" said Ellie startled "I'm on my way!" as the communication cut.

"Well, we have some time before she arrives, why don't we try get to know each other?" Tucker offered.

"Oh sure!" said Lydia.

They started to have a casual conversation, followed up with 20 questions, and some small quarrel about meat and animals.

Chapter Text

Danny was about to ask Frostbite for the Infi-map, and even though he looked like he seem to know what Danny was going to say, as soon as he opened his mouth, Clockwork made himself known.

"Not so fast Daniel" said Clockwork. Danny scowled and with controlled volume said "I thought you were finally calling me Danny...or do you want me to call you Daddy Time?"

Frostbite almost chokes, yet Clockwork was not amused. He gave Danny the tired dad™ glare and tried again "Danny..."

"You are about to get involved with the Ancient of Chaos' playground" he chimed. Then as always, he followed with a riddle.

"I have a lot of hands,
Achieved through unity of minds and hearts..."

"Yeah yeah, you are a clock" interrupted Danny. At this, Clockwork smashed his staff on Danny's head and said "Let's try this once again..."

"I'm often formed by many, yet managed by few" he then looked satisfied and left. Leaving Danny confused because if the answer is not a clock what is this about? a warning of some kind? It's not the first ancient he has faced, also what the hell, that hurt. Whatever, he will roll with it, first to locate the Neitherworld and talk with this star named ghost.

"Hey, Frostbite, I was wondering if..." he didn't even get to finish that Frostbite with a deadpan expression shoved the Infi-map into him and said "You know the rules Great one".

After sighing he said "Thank you" and pronounced "the Neitherworld" and in a flash he appeared in the outside boundary of the realm. 'So this is the realm that the Ancient of Chaos rules, it doesn't look so chaotic from here' Danny thought.

He got closer to the door and opened, he started flying around to check if there were other ghosts residing there. He stopped when a seemingly teenager with black hair, green skin and a golden crown was for some reason generating small gloomy dark clouds around him. 'That must be him' he thought, then landed in front of him which made his face morph into fear which rude, but then again not taking it personally.

"You!! your majesty! What are you doing in my realm?" said Prince Vince aghast, definitely not panicking.

"Oh...uh, Are you Beetlegeuse?" Danny asked trying to sound as calming as possible. Sending a wave of safety through his core to this ghost.

"Oh no, what has he done now..." still horrified Prince Vince tried to sooth his nervousness "I am Prince Vince, in charge of the Neitherworld"

"So you are not the guy? I was told this was his playground." said Danny and wow, now Prince Vince looked affronted.

"I beg your pardon your majesty, but the sacred secret We hold in my realm is that WE are to keep the Ancient of Chaos in line" Prince Vince tried to explain "as He is still considered a ghost child..." He paled a bit more and backpedaled a bit "I'm not trying to offend you but... HE is still learning and is around 600 years old"

Oh and didn't that hit close to home, since Danny was constantly reminded that he is a BABY Ancient himself. He rubbed the back of his neck and thought 'Well, might as well try to do some reconnaissance work I guess'.

"Sorry man, I am just trying to help a friend of yours? Lydia?" He tried to see the reaction and fish more information out. "It just so happen that she requested to stop BJ from harming the living realm you are connected to..." waiting for Prince Vince to elaborate.

Prince Vince seemed worried and more depressed than before if that was possible. "That's not good, the mortal realm we currently have an open connection is Earth B198X" he looked worried and added "It's the one where Lydia lives, you should be able to access it through the currently living quarters of Beetlejuice".

"May I get some directions if you don't mind?" Danny requested. Prince Vince nodded and guided him to a building and to a door when he said "I can't continue, for I have to keep this realm running, my apologies your majesty".

"That's ok" assured Danny, wow this guy needs to hang out more or make more friends, maybe should invite him to movie night with Sam and Tucker. He entered the room lair where spiraling stone stairs appeared in the dim light guiding towards the ground. It was deserted but he could hear voices and murmuring

He flew towards the voices and saw... the furniture having sentience? are those chairs chasing the humans? wait those are Lydia's parents right? and that ghost looks like a middle aged man... and while his protection instinct was screaming inside him, he could feel the other ghost's rage through their core.

This was going to be a long day... first thing first, get the kid-man ghost to relent and go back to the realms, then make Lydia's parents pay for what they have done to her, may ask Frighty for this one. And maybe try to befriend this guy since there is an obvious connection between Lydia and him. That was going to be hard since Danny didn't like or have a good impression for now.

'Alright, already have a plan!' Danny thought and nodded to himself.

"IT'S SHOWTIME!" gushed Beetlejuice.

Chapter Text

There were chairs munching on the curtains, the tv was rotating and behaving mostly like a microwave, some crazy sound effects were being played every time a window or door opened for no apparent reason, and two humans kept screaming while trying to get out of the house.

"Hey! Betelgeusse!" said Danny flying up towards him. "Can you like tone it down a notch?"

"Tone it down???!" said Beetlejuice as all color faded to several shades of grey and light pastels. "I'M TONING THEM DOWN!!" he screamed and several weights with the word Tones was dropped from somewhere in the house. Danny moved fast and shoved his fist on Beetlejuice's face.

"HEY! what's with the punch???" said Beetlejuice bewildered "I am gonna exact vengeance!" pointing at Lydia's parents.

"NO you are not!" said Danny as he launched again towards Beetlejuice which became intangible letting Danny go through him.

"LISTEN KID, this is not your business!" snarled Beetlejuice while summoning a business' case and throwing it towards Danny. Then the rug started to grow teeth until it formed a mouth trying to swallow the Deetz. Danny saved them by getting them on solid ground, yet the Deetz were trying to scratch him and kick him, good grief he remembered he can go intangible.

"IT IS MY BUSINESS since Lydia sent me here to stop you!" said Danny with force between each word. Beetlejuice looked at him pretty upset and said "And WHAT a baby ghost can DO?? I am defending her honor!!" he started cackling and once again set his eyes on the Deetz.

"Dude, I'm like your King! Stop that!" growled Danny, he was starting to get frustrated between all the reigning chaos and trying to save those ungrateful people. He was unwillingly releasing a hard wave of coldness by icing most of the floor as it was responding to his subconscious frustration.

-Time out-

A time medallion appeared around Danny, allowing him to move outside of time.

"Oh!! Good I needed that" he exclaims surprised, then turns around looking for Clockwork. But there was no one there.

"Danny" said Clockwork calmly as he reappeared right behind him, "Use that head of yours child"

"What? But I was using my head! If this is about the riddle..." Danny started only to be interrupted by Clockwork "Danny, at the rate you are going about it, YOU will destroy everything including the humans residing in that side... use your brain".

"Harsh Clocky! But yea - I guess I lost control, the answer to approach this is in your riddle, isn't it?" Danny asked as Clockwork smirked "Everything is the way it's supposed to be" as he turned around his staff making an ecto clock and disappeared.

-Time in-

'I'm often formed by many, yet managed by few... is that... no way... is that supposed to mean teamwork? I have to bring this guy to my team? Ok Danny, one step at a time...' Danny thought while trying to reabsorb the damage he did. 'I have to do this the smart way, but how do I stop this ghost first?' he thought.

"HEY! Betelgeusse!" screamed Danny, taking the older man's attention, "I will help you get retribution for Lydia, but WE need them alive"

It seemed to work for Beetlejuice considered, "And how do I know you are keeping your word?" asked reluctantly.

"FRIGHT KNIGHT!" Danny commanded, as the figure of a ghost in full black armor with long purple hair and cape appeared out from being summoned.

"My liegue... would you consider a new reign of terror?" asked Fright Knight expectant at Danny's answer and call.

"Whaa-NO!! I need you to bring those mortals to the realms for retribution" scowled back at Fright Knight.

"In dreams,
a bird sings,
Silent night conceals the light,
On moon's silver wings,
Dreams take flight through endless night." Said Fright Knight somewhat melancholic, then he summoned chains and took the Deetz with him through a portal.

Beetlejuice was still pretty upset and glaring at Danny.
"Yeaa I keep forgetting this guy is poetic in his own way...anyway, May you come with me? Lydia wants to talk to you" offered Danny.

"Right, and I'm the Queen of Fleabangs" retorted Beetlejuice turning into Queen attire with bugs flying around his head.

"Please? for Lydia?" saying that, He was starting to lose patience which is making a new record for how fast he is losing it.

"FINE kid" Beetlejuice stomped with his foot on the floor.

"Thank you" whispered Danny barely audible for the other ghost, as he took him by the arm and used the Infi-Map "Far Frozen" and with a pop they teleported straight there.