Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This chapter is just to let everyone know I finally drew a ref for the Phantom Fury, I added the link to the very start of the series so this is for the OG followers to be notified and have a chance to see it too.

https://www.deviantart.com/deerlyqueery/art/Danny-Phantom-Fury-Ref-1176872764

Chapter Text

        Danny’s eyes caught on a familiar island. He blinked and stared in confusion, his wingbeats light and easy, as if held up by clouds. The island below shone lit with fire, the electrical burns of a Skrill’s wrath scarring the hunter base beside the looming mountain. 

        This is where Krogan and Johann tried to kill Viggo. Why’m I here?

        Danny glanced around but found nothing in sight on the horizon save the island. After a moment he drew in closer, expecting to be bombarded with the oppressive presence of blood blossoms, but not a flower came into sight. No arrows bearing them, no stray petals fallen to the ground, not a sign that the vile things existed.

        This is weird…

        Danny shook his head and landed at the entrance to the mountain. As happened before, firelight flickered among the shadows and his claws made no sound as they scraped against the rock beneath them. An explosion of Zippleback gas made him jump and the familiarity of the situation had him on edge as he ran down the tunnels.

        “He went that way!” The yell of a Hunter echoed from a corridor.

        The furious roar of a Skrill followed it and Danny scrambled to a halt when he turned a corner and almost crashed into a horde of Hunters. They didn’t move a muscle, their eyes trained on the man and dragon before them, and Danny stared with a jolt of shock to find Viggo and Herrlof. He glanced around, almost expecting to see himself too, but it was only them against an army.

        “Surrender now!” One of the men shouted and a growl rose in Danny’s throat but once again not a soul reacted.

        Am I not here? What’s going on? Agitation rose in him like fire and he tried to summon a bolt of plasma as Viggo and Herrlof attacked but he sensed none of its power. He swiped with a paw toward one of the Hunters as they charged but froze when his paw passed harmlessly through.

        When did I go ghost?

        A pained shout made Danny freeze and a wash of cold horror shot through him at the sight of Viggo with four arrows pierced into his back. He stumbled against Herrlof who let loose a volley of electricity to send the Hunters scattering, giving the two of them a chance to escape down the tunnel.

        Danny rushed after them, his heart thundering in his ears as he stared at the arrows and the blood welling below Viggo’s armor. No, no, no! I was the one who got shot! What kind of nightmare is this?!

        The familiar path led to a sprawling cave where, just as before, he found Hiccup and Toothless before an empty chest. This time Hiccup turned with the flash of rage in his eyes as he faced Viggo.

        “You tipped Johann off! You double-crossing-” Hiccup cut himself off as Toothless growled, though Viggo leaned heavily against the wall without any fire in return. “The antidote. Viggo, where’s the antidote?”

        Viggo laughed, rough, and the weakness it held made Danny step closer but his wing passed right through the man. 

        “Oh, there isn’t one. You don’t know your oleanders, do you, Hiccup? Red oleander is harmless to dragons, but I knew there was no other way to get your help. I would never harm such a magnificent creature.”

        Viggo trailed off with a pained groan and Danny changed to his human half, trying to catch him as he stumbled even though it was futile. The helplessness rising inside of Danny had him trembling as he was forced to witness rather than intervene with whatever this was.

        “When Johann and Krogan left me for dead, a Monstrous Nightmare saved me,” Viggo went on as Hiccup stared in shock. “I spent my whole life hunting dragons, killing them, and I’ve come to respect them as equals. You taught me that, Hiccup. That’s the final irony, I suppose.”

        Viggo almost collapsed against a table and panic shot through Danny at the sight, mirrored by Hiccup’s shout as he rushed closer.

        “Viggo!”

        “Oh, this is it for me, the end of the game.”

        “Viggo…” Hiccup trailed off as he helped Viggo to stand and ushered him further into the cave despite the shouts of their pursuers growing closer.

        Danny tried to speak, tried to yell, to shout, to scream, but his sounds caught in his throat as if claws held them back, drowned them to silence. Viggo pushed Hiccup away to stand on his own and fixed him with a sharp look despite his clear exhaustion and pain.

        “Go. I’ll hold them off until you’re out.”

        “No, I’m not going to leave you,” Hiccup insisted, his eyes burning with stubborn determination, but it withered away as Viggo grasped his hand in a tight hold and set a piece to Maces and Talons in his palm.

        “Hiccup, you’re more ruthless than you realize. I know you will defeat Krogan and Johann. Now go!”

        Hiccup hesitated for a moment more before his grip tightened around the game piece and he fled with Toothless. Viggo and Herrlof, or who were supposed to be them, faced their enemies down for one last time, and Danny could do nothing but stare as lightning and blade flashed.

        Danny’s eyes snapped open and he drew in a sharp gasp. His heart thundered in his chest, threatening to burst right out as he stared at the ceiling of his hut. His and Viggo’s hut. He rolled, his breath catching with fear, only to let it out a moment later when he found his betrothed beside him. No arrows, no blood.

        Danny didn’t realize he’d started crying until the hot sting of tears blurred his eyes and their salty tang touched his lips. 

        “My dear?” Viggo mumbled, blinking open his eyes partially in confusion, before they widened and he sat up in a moment. “What’s wrong? Why’re you crying?”

        Danny didn’t hesitate to wrap him in a tight hug, his face buried in his tunic, and the relief that swept through him when Viggo hugged back just as tight was unmatched. He sniffled and tried to steady his jerking breaths as Viggo rubbed soothing circled into his back and murmured words his panicked mind couldn’t process but still registered as calming.

        “Don’t call me stupid or anything,” Danny started in a stammering voice as he pulled back enough to rub the tears from his face.

        Viggo cupped Danny’s cheeks and tilted his head up to fix him with clear concern as he brushed away the tears himself. ‘I would never,” he assured.

        Danny let out a shaky breath and tried to collect his thoughts. The events of his nightmare played over and over behind his eyelids, seeing Viggo’s end again and again, and he couldn’t bear to keep them closed.

        “It was a nightmare,” he admitted, a hot flash of embarrassment making him glance away. “I know it wasn’t real but… I saw you die. You and Herrlof.”

        Viggo blinked a few times, looking surprised, and shifted on the bed to pull Danny into a more comfortable embrace for the two of them, holding him in his arms. Danny heard the reassuring and steady thrum of Viggo’s heartbeat and pressed a hand to his chest, taking a moment to absorb the fact that he was still alive.

        “If I may ask, what happened, my dear?” Viggo’s hands carded through Danny’s hair in languid strokes and Danny let out a slow breath as his breath almost hitched again.

        “It was back on that island I got captured on, when you finally joined us, except I wasn’t there. Only you and Hiccup.” Danny winced and forced out the next words. "I wasn't able to take the arrows when we were saving Herrlof. You were the only one, and you don’t have my healing abilities.”

        Danny glanced up and found Viggo grimacing at the realization of what he meant, and after a moment he leaned down to place a soft kiss on Danny’s forehead.

        “It was only a nightmare,” he assured in a soft tone.

        “It just seemed so real…” Danny trailed off and nuzzled against his chest, glad to feel Viggo’s arms tighten around him. 

        “I won’t be joining Valhalla anytime soon, my dear, I promise.”

        The words sent a warm wash of relief through Danny and he relaxed, his heartbeat slowing again as the nightmare’s haunting vision was swept away.

        “I guess it wasn’t all that realistic,” Danny’s words made Viggo raise an eyebrow and Danny managed a grin. “I’ll always be there to sacrifice myself for you first!”

        The loud exasperated sigh Viggo let out made Danny laugh and they settled down together, arms around one another, with Danny reassured that he hadn’t failed to save someone again.

Chapter Text

        “Hey, careful!” Danny shouted to the pair of Shivertooths as they tussled past him through the middle of the village.

        Their sharp scales carved furrows in the pathway and scored marks into the new huts that hadn’t been given even a month to stay pristine. They spared him a glance before the two young dragons took to the sky and continued their fight in the air. Danny puffed out a breath and shook his head in exasperation.

        “Oh, joy. Spring.”

        With the warming weather, the dragons were more lively than ever, and the approach of their mating season no doubt only exacerbated their arguments and fighting. Most of the flock would be heading to the Rookery any day now and Danny couldn’t wait for the peace. He’d had to break up a dozen squabbles the past week alone between competing dragons.

        A roar called through the air with the faint crackle of electricity and Danny stared in surprise at the Skrill flying overhead. He recognized it as the Skrill he'd taken a dragonroot arrow for, and an answering roar came from nearby. Danny watched as Herrlof lifted into the air to join the other Skrill in flight. 

        “Viggo, I think you’ve been abandoned!” Danny called out and after a few moments, Viggo stepped out from their hut, a book in hand, and fixed him with a confused gaze. Danny pointed up to the two Skrills and his confusion changed to amusement.

        “Wonderful, more hatchlings to care for. I only hope they’re less chaotic than Stormbringer was.”

        “I think Dani’s the only one who could rival Stormbringer,” Danny chuckled. Some of the other dragons lifted into flight from around the village to begin their trip to the Rookery early, with Herrlof among them as they flew out across the horizon.

        “Well, I suppose I’ll be off duty for a time,” Viggo hummed.

        “How terrible, more time to spend reading,” Danny teased with a grin that had Viggo rolling his eyes.

        “What can I say? This ‘Lord of the Rings’ is quite an intriguing story.”

        When Viggo vanished back inside Danny knew he wouldn’t see him again for a long time. He’d already had to remind his fiance to eat and sleep and he partially regretted bringing him the book in the first place. 

        I won’t see him for a week when he gets to The Silmarillion, Danny snickered at the thought

        Familiar scales flashed above and Danny caught sight of Toothless and the Light Fury among the flock, flying in twirls and dives through the air. Watching them go, standing at the edge of the island, was Hiccup. Astrid stood at his side, her arm around him, as though in reassurance, and Danny left them to their time together.

        Guess I’d better check up on the Hidden World with Spring in the air.

        Danny picked his way through the village, treading new pathways and around the huts and buildings. Toward the mountainous half of the island came the boisterous cheers of Vikings as they ate and drank in the newly-forming Great Hall being carved into a cave they’d uncovered from a tangle of vines and foliage. 

        Danny almost tripped as a young Gronkle ran under his feet and realized with a start that it was Fishmeat bounding around with his tail wagging.

        “Fishmeat! Be careful!” Fishlegs called as he rushed after the excited little dragon with Meatlug at his side. “Sorry, Danny!”

        “No worries at all,” Danny laughed as Fishlegs scooped up the little dragon who wasn’t so little by now. “He’s growing fast! Won’t be long until he’s flying.”

        “Don’t say that,” Fishlegs complained as he held the wriggling hatchling close.

        “Hey, I've got the same feeling about Stormbringer,” he assured with a fond smile as he looked out to the side of the island bristling with ice where Stormbringer made her nest. “Just yesterday she was a hatchling, running around being a menace. Now she’s bigger than the buildings being a menace!”

        Meatlug whined and Fishlegs pat her on the head. “Oh, you’re making her feel old!”

        “Sorry, girl,” Danny rubbed her snout and she let out a happy rumble. “Hey, while you’re here, wanna come check up on the Hidden World with me?”

        Fishlegs lit up at the offer before he frowned and held up Fishmeat to meet eyes with the excited little Gronkle. “He won’t fit in his harness anymore…”

        “I’m sure Hiccup would love to babysit?” Danny suggested with a grin. “It might cheer him up since Toothless flew off to spend some time with the Light Fury.”

        “Great idea!” Fishlegs cheered up again and nuzzled Fishmeat who trilled and squeaked. “Huh? Wanna spend the day with Uncle Hiccup?”

        Before long, the two of them took off for the Hidden World. Danny’s wings skimmed the churning waves below and the sight of dark clouds on the horizon sent a tremor of worry through him. Better keep an eye on that, see if it’ll hit New Berk.

        “I hope the Night Furies are going good,” Fishlegs made conversation as he flew and the rustle of his notebook filled the air as he paged through it. “I spotted one flying by New Berk just the other night! It was amazing!”

        Danny let out a breath of relief at the news, glad to find the thought-extinct dragons were starting to venture back out into the world they’d once been scorned in. He could only wish them luck.

        As they drew closer to the Hidden World, Danny caught sight of something strange on the horizon that gave him pause. A ship floated, listless in the water, and Meatlug let out a nervous rumble at the sight.

        “What’s that doing so close to the Hidden World?” Fishlegs muttered, his brows furrowed with concern. “We’d better be careful.”

        They drew closer to the ship and Danny scanned it with a narrowed gaze. Not a person in sight caught his eye, but the flash of green scales vanishing below deck said otherwise.

        Did dragons learn to sail? Danny snorted at the thought and landed, eyeing the shadowed doorway where the dragon vanished.

        “Danny, look out!”

        Danny whirled at Fishleg’s shout but he couldn’t avoid the blob of sticky amber that enveloped his wings and body. He struggled against it, snarling, but within moments it hardened and locked him in place.

        What the-?

        “Struggle all you want, whelp!”

        The snarling Esperanto made Danny freeze and he stared at the shadows before him. Gleaming red eyes shone with a spiteful and proud glare.

        Don’t tell me…

        “You have fled far but I never lose at a hunt!” the voice went on and from the darkness stepped out…

        A little green Terrible Terror.

        Danny stared, unblinking, before he burst into rumbling laughter that had the Terrible Terror arching his back with teeth bared.

        “Do not laugh at me, whelp!”

        “Yeah, he’s only tiny and adorable,” another rumble of Esperanto snickered behind him and Danny turned with a start of surprise to find a vibrant blue Death Song slithering from a hatch in the deck, its green eyes filled with amusement. “Hey there, Babypop. Long time no see.”

        “Ember?” Danny’s gaze darted between the two dragons, shock and wariness coursing through him. “Skulker?”

        “Yes, it is I, here to claim your pelt at last!”

        “Danny, why are those dragons speaking Esperanto?” Fishlegs called from above, his confusion clear, and both dragons whirled to stare up at him. “Why does the Terrible Terror want your pelt-?”

        “How’s he able to understand Esperanto?” Ember looked at Danny with narrowed eyes and he offered a sheepish grin as he turned himself intangable and stepped free from the amber as a human.

        “So, introductions,” he ignored Skulker’s snarling and stepped aside to avoid the little dragon’s lunge for his leg. “The Death Song is Ember, worldwide famous singer, her songs’ll be stuck in your head forever!”

        Ember seemed to preen at the praise and when Skulker tried to jump for Danny again she put a paw on his tail to hold him back.

        “Let the guy finish at least,” she snickered at Skulker’s frustrated glare up at her.

        “Thank you, Ember,” Danny nodded to her with a grin and gestured to the struggling Terrible Terror. “And that’s Skulker, an enemy of mine who always tried to hunt me down and hang my pelt on a wall for being half ghost half human.”

        “I will achieve my goals in this world where I’ve failed in the last! No technology can stop me here,” Skulker spat and let out a puff of fire that had Danny holding in his laughter.

        “The Viking who can understand Esperanto is Fishlegs, the best student I’ve taught.”

        Fishlegs waved, his eyes shining with excitement as he glanced between Ember, who greeted him with a nod, and Skulker, who ignored him to continue trying to wriggle free from Ember’s paw.

        “This is so exciting! Does this mean you were ghosts that passed through a portal to get here?”

        “Yep,” Ember confirmed with a flick of her tail toward Skulker. “He heard from ol’ Vladdy where you were all this time and decided to come hunt you down. I joined in for the fun.”

        “Release me at once so I may claim my prize!” Skulker spat and Ember rolled her eyes and raised her paw.

        “Go gettem, tiger.”

        Danny jerked aside to avoid Skulker’s snapping teeth and took to the air as a dragon as the Terrible Terror let out a burst of flame that charred the deck of the ship. He whirled around a glob of amber Ember fired up at him only to freeze as Meatlug roared with surprise when it hit her and Fishlegs instead. They fell to the deck with a thud and Skulker landed on Fishleg’s head with a dark laugh.

        “Surrender, whelp, or your allies will taste my flames!”

        Danny didn’t hesitate to land and held up his hands in surrender as a man once more. “Woah, hey, no need to drag Fishlegs or Meatlug into this. He’s got a son to take care of and so does she!”

        “If you give yourself up they will face no harm,” Skulker growled.

        Danny glanced between a panicked Fishlegs and Meatlug as she struggled in the amber’s unyielding hold. He sensed the boat shifting in the water and grinned.

        “Alright, I surrender, but can I at least say bye to my daughter?”

        “Woah, you’ve got a kid?” Ember stared at him in clear shock. “When’d that happen?”

        “Around two years ago,” Danny hummed. “They grow up so fast, y’know?”

        In a crash of rising water, Stormbringer rose with a bellowing roar to loom over the boat and its occupants. Skulker and Ember stared, mouths agape, at the towering dragon before them.

        “You weren’t kidding,” Ember stepped back a pace and Skulker darted to hide behind her lithe form.

        “I’d recommend you start flying before you freeze,” Danny suggested with a grin.

        The two dragons-ghosts didn’t hesitate. They took off with a rush of wingbeats as Stormbringer fired off a jet of ice in their wake, almost catching Ember’s tail as they fled. Danny let out a breath of relief and turned to Stombringer with a warm smile. She rumbled and leaned down to let him press a hand to her nose.

        “Nice timing. You have the sense I was in trouble or something?”

        “Aren’t you always?” Astrid’s voice startled Danny and he looked up to find Stormfly coming in for a landing. Hiccup sat behind Astrid, struggling to hold onto Fishmeat as the Gronkle writhed and squawked, and he fell to the deck with a thump as the young dragon broke free to bound over to the encased Fishlegs and Meatlug. They both fawned over him as he began trying to melt away the amber.

        Hiccup staggered back to his feet and brushed himself off. “He started going crazy not long after you left so we came to bring him back to Fishlegs. Stormbringer saw the storm on the horizon and tagged along, I’m guessing to make sure you were alright.”

        “Well, it’s appreciated,” Danny sighed. “Looks like old ghosts are making their way over here now that they know where I went.”

        “You really know how to draw in trouble,” Astrid shook her head, though her eyes shone with a teasing light, as she directed Stormfly to help break Meatlug and Fishlegs free.

        “Is it something to be concerned about?” Hiccup asked, his brows furrowed in a grimace, and Danny couldn’t help but do the same.

        “For some of them? Definitely. For others? They’re a nuisance at most.” If the Box Ghost shows up I swear to Odin…

        “Are there ways we should know to fight them?” Fishlegs asked as he stumbled to his feet, free from the amber save bits stuck to his clothes.

        Danny hesitated for a long moment before he spoke, trying to keep the uncertainty from his voice. “For the most part, they’ll have the same abilities as me, and if they figure out how to use them along with whatever their dragon shape comes with… I hate to say it but blood blossoms might be our only hope unless I bring some ghost fighting tech which may or may not work.”

        The other Riders winced at the thought.

        “Why don’t we cross that bridge when we get there?” Astrid suggested with an assuring smile and pat Danny on the shoulder. “For now let’s head back to New Berk before that storm hits. I don’t want to fly through a hurricane again.”

        Danny fixed the distant dark clouds with an annoyed glare but gave no protest. They took off toward New Berk, though not before Stormbringer smashed the stolen vessel with a massive paw. Danny cast one last glance toward where Ember and Skulker had fled, worry digging its claws deep into him.

        Technus, Spectra, Desiree… Whoever comes next I just hope their dragon form is as easy as Skulker to deal with. I have my doubts, though…

Chapter Text

        “Alright, listen up,” Danny stood before the other Riders with his arms crossed, fixing them with a stern stare.

        Ruff and Tuff straightened from their snickering. Snotlout huffed out a breath but kept his mouth shut. Fishlegs almost vibrated by how excited he was. The only ones who looked to him with a serious and attentive gaze were Astrid, Hiccup, and Viggo.

         “Dani should be opening up a portal any minute now. If we calculated it right we should come out right into my parent’s old lab so we won’t have to deal with navigating the Ghost Zone.”

        One thing Vlad had surprised Danny with was the fact that he’d kept his parent’s house instead of selling it off. The news had been a relief, and now especially he was glad to have an easy place to open a ghost portal. They stood waiting on a small island not far from New Berk, away from prying eyes or interruptions, be it dragon or Viking. 

        “So let me get this straight,” Tuffnut spoke up. “Weird swirly portal opens, we walk through, and poof! We’re in this other place?”

        “You’re more God-like than you pretend,” Ruffnut added with a grin that made Danny rub his temple.

        “Moving on, I’m not 100% sure what will happen once everyone gets through the portal. You’re human, you shouldn’t change, but the dragons I have no idea.” Danny turned to the Riders’ dragons as they shuffled around and shifted on their paws, their own excitement clear. “They’re not dead so I doubt they’ll turn into ghosts but nothing’s for sure with dimension-hopping.”

        “And if something goes wrong?” Hiccup asked, a nervous light in his eyes.

        Danny grinned. “It won’t go wrong! Don’t worry so much.”

        “You’ve learned nothing about planning, have you, my dear?” Viggo sighed with exasperation.

        A spark of green light caught Danny’s eye and he gestured toward it. “Oh look! Changing the subject.”

        The spark grew to a swirling vortex of green ectoplasm within moments. Danny’s core reached out for it with eager delight, like a thirsty man in a desert begging for water.

        “Woah!” Ruff and Tuff said at the same time.

        “Unnerving,” Viggo muttered under his breath, though his gaze held intrigue.

        Toothless and Stormfly let out nervous growls while Meatlug pressed closer to Fishlegs who gave her a comforting pet. Herrlof eyed the portal with her head tilted, and Barf and Belch leaned closer to sniff at it.

        “So, who’s ready for a new adventure?” Danny stepped toward the portal and caught the nervousness in the other Riders’ eyes. “We’ll try and take things slow, it’s gonna be a big change compared to this place.”

        Without another word, Danny fell back into the portal and let the ectoplasm wrap him in its embrace. Within moments he sensed the world around him shifting and he landed on his feet in an achingly familiar place with less-than-sterile gray metal walls, white tile floors, and lab equipment and experiments strewn across the counters like time hadn’t touched the place. 

        “It worked!” Dani’s squeal of excitement made him jump and she stood before him with eyes shining. “This is gonna be awesome!”

        “I just hope their brains don’t explode,” Danny chuckled and stepped back as the portal’s glow brightened.

        One by one the other Riders stumbled out into the lab and stared around with eyes wide and jaws dropped. With them came their dragons and Danny had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. 

        Cats. The dragons had been turned into cats.

        To Danny’s relief, he was able to tell them apart at least. Toothless was the obvious one, being all black. Meatlug’s fur was all brown, and Hookfang was a fiery ginger tabby. Stormfly’s fur was a lilac shade with white markings as was Herrlof's, though her fur was darker without the white. The one Barf and Belch were now two separate silver cats, though their tails stayed twined together as they peered around.

         “Well, that’s not what I expected,” Danny hummed.

        “Woah! Why is there a bunch of tiny suns up there?” Tuffnut exclaimed, pointing to the roof, and Danny followed it to the lightbulbs.

        “Oh wow, we’re gonna be starting real small,” Danny and Dani exchanged an amused glance.

        “Guess we’d better get explaining,” Dani laughed.

        By the time evening fell, the Riders were aware of the basic concepts of things powered by electricity, the strange beasts called ‘cars’ and ‘trucks’, and an assortment of technology and modern comforts. The dragon-cats had all appreciated the couch in particular.

        Now Dani led the way down the street, insisting they all have something to eat before they head back to New Berk for the night, and Danny couldn’t complain about that idea. The Viking world had zero junk food and he’d been craving greasy garbage for years now. He walked with Viggo, hand in hand, and whenever his fiance had a question about something he saw or any thoughts he had Danny was more than happy to answer. 

        “Oh, up there!” Danny pointed above as a plane flew by and Snotlout shot him a confused glance.

         “I thought you said there aren’t dragons here?”

        “That’s not a dragon, it’s a plane,” Danny explained. “It’s like a car but it flies instead. The wings are shaped in a way that, as long as it keeps moving forward fast enough, the air keeps lifting it up!”

        “I think a trip to the library would be a great idea one of these days,” Dani suggested with a grin that Danny returned with a laugh.

         “If we bring Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Viggo to a library we’re  never  seeing them again.”

        A flash of glowing light shot by above the group and Danny froze, staring in shock at the specter flying by before he realized which ghost it was. He let out a loud sigh and rubbed his head.

        “I am the Box Ghost!” said spirit shouted. “All will bow down to my-”

        His monologuing was cut off as a blast of energy sent him flying back and Danny’s jaw dropped when he recognized the sleek black and red uniform on her matching flying hoverboard.

         “Valerie-?”

        She must have heard his shocked exclamation because Valerie stumbled as her board flew off-balance. She shot the group a glance before she raised an arm to fire off another shot from her wrist blaster. The Box Ghost fell to the ground in a daze and Valerie pulled out a familiar thermos, though this one had red accents rather than green. She uncapped it to suck the Box Ghost in, kicking and screaming.

        “You cannot stop the Box Ghost!” He wailed one last time before she capped the thermos and hooked it onto her belt.

        “What was that all about?” Ruffnut asked, shooting Dani and Danny a confused glance.

        “A pest being locked up,” Dani grumbled.

        “Is that… Danny Fenton?” Valerie exclaimed as she drew in for a landing. Her hoverboard folded itself away and her suit did the same. She hadn’t changed much, though her curly black hair was cut short and she had a few new scars - from ghost hunting, assumedly - but her blue eyes still shone with the same energy as before.

        “Val! It’s been a long time!” Danny went for a handshake but to his surprise, she pulled him into a bone-crushing hug that reminded him of Dagur. “Woah, you got stronger! Still hunting ghosts I see?”

        “Someone’s gotta protect this place,” Valerie chuckled and let him stumble back to his feet before her gaze set on Dani and she gasped.

         “Dani? Girl, you  grew up !”

        “I am an adult now,” Dani laughed and they shared a hug.

        When they separated, Valerie examined their little group with clear curiosity. Danny couldn’t blame her, their outfits were the same ancient Viking wear that would fit right in at a convention, and the hoard of cats didn’t help.

        “So, what’s all this? I haven’t seen you in years! Since-” She cut herself off with a look of guilt but Danny brushed it off with a smile and shrug.

        “A lot’s happened since then. Moved to a new place, started living again, met friends that became family, all that. How about introductions?” Danny suggested.

        "Right, I'm Valerie, old classmate and friend of Danny!" Valerie greeted with a smile and Fishlegs didn’t hesitate to step forward.

         “Hello! I’m Fishlegs, and  how  did your armor do that?! It just folded away like magic!”

        “Oh, that’s a bit complicated,” Valerie started before the Twins each took one of her hands to shake.

         “Tuffnut, explorer extrordinare.”

         “Ruffnut, expert on Lokiing to the highest degree.”

        “Hey, woah, I’m way better at Lokiing than you!” Tuffnut protested and Valerie stared as they stepped away and started to argue.

        “Sorry about those two,” Hiccup sighed with a shake of his head before he smiled. “I’m Hiccup, Chief of Berk and wrangler of the most reckless brother in the world.”

        Danny rolled his eyes and Valerie shot him a surprised glance. “Brother through battle, not by blood,” he explained before Snotlout shoved Hiccup aside and flashed her a grin.

         “Snotlout, strongest most awesome Viking in the Archipelago.”

        Danny snickered. “You forgot to mention scared of spiders.”

         “Hey-!”

        Snotlout’s protest was cut off as Astrid shoved him away like he’d done to Hiccup. She greeted Valerie with a warm smile. “Astrid, nice to meet you. You’ve got some good moves on that flying thing.”

        Valerie brightened and shook her offered hand. “Thanks! Been using it for years!”

        Last up was Viggo, who stepped forward and offered a polite nod and smile. “Viggo, also constantly trying to keep this one out of trouble.”

        Danny huffed at the pointed glance toward him and stepped closer to nudge him in the side. “You’re the one who signed up for all this trouble.”

        “Did I imply I regret it, my dear?” Viggo shot back with a wink.

        When Danny spotted Valerie’s glances between the two of them he took Viggo’s hand and held it up, their fingers entwined. “Surprise! I’m engaged.”

        Valerie gasped and her eyes shone at the news. “Okay, you have got to spill everything! There’s almost 10 years of catching up to do! You’re getting married?”

        “Well, we’re heading to Baco Tell if you wanna join us?” Dani suggested.

        “Don’t have to ask me twice!” Valerie said with a laugh.

        So, an old friend in tow, they continued on their way with a lot of stories to share and a Baco Tell to destroy.

Chapter Text

        Chaos rang from inside the Baco Tell as shouts and the yowls of cats filled the establishment. The source of the noise rushed out from behind the counter. Barf and Belch with a crunchwrap supreme held in their jaws ran from Toothless in hot pursuit. The cashier only stared, his eyes as dull as this corporate job, and Danny reminded himself to give the workers a few $100 bills he’d ‘borrowed’ from Vlad as compensation.

        He sat with Viggo and Valerie at a booth, eating tacos and sharing a pile of nacho fries which Herrlof gave one sniff and turned up her nose at. Astrid and Hiccup sat together at their own booth with Stormfly gnawing on a piece of chicken, eyeing their quesadillas with suspicion. Sharing a table, the Twins, Dani, Snotlout, and Fishlegs were tearing into a pile of chalupas, doritos locos tacos, and nachos. Meatlug gave a baja blast a curious sniff before Hookfang knocked the cup over, spilling it all over their food.

        "Y'know, I tend to prefer Kurger Bing," Valerie mused as she poked at her black beans and rice. "As long as there's no foot lettuce."

         "Listen, the  last  thing anyone would want in their Kurger Bing burger is someone else's foot fungus," Danny agreed with a nod as he sipped his Bepis. “So, where’d everyone else from school end up?”

        Viggo cast him a strange glance before he reached over and took the drink to try a taste himself, only to grimace and hand it back a moment later.

         “Why does your drink  sting ?”

        “It’s called soda, that’s the carbonation,” Danny explained with a chuckle.

        Valerie spared a glance at the chaos around them before she shook her head. “Well, Dash went to join some hot-shot college football team but he’s in town for a game so we might run into him. Paulina moved to Wollywood and became an A-lister - based on her beauty I assume because she can’t act worth anything. By now almost everyone’s moved on from this place.”

        “All but you, eh?” A pang of nostalgia ran through Danny as he looked out the window to the little town he’d grown up. It hadn’t changed much at all despite the passing years. “How’s ghost hunting been treating you?”

        “Great, actually!” Valerie flashed an energized smile. “Especially with that punk Phantom gone awol.”

        Danny hummed and caught Viggo’s raised brow aimed toward him, concerned and questioning. “Really? When did he vanish?”

        “Oh, almost 9 years back,” Valerie shrugged. “Makes my job easier, not having to clean up his mess.”

        After a moment Danny leaned back in the booth and grinned. “Okay, you’re smart, Val. I believe in you.”

        Valerie fixed him with a confused stare and he watched as the gears turned in her head. He knew it clicked when her eyes widened in disbelief and her jaw dropped.

         “No way, that’s impossible!”

        “You learn not much is impossible with this one,” Viggo said, as casual as if talking about the weather.

         “But- But how? You’re here, you’re  alive ! You can’t be-”

        “Alright, so when I was 14 you remember my parents going on about building that ghost portal?” Danny asked, and Valerie nodded. “Well, it didn’t quite work and my folks just quit, until Sam suggested I take a look inside of it. I guess I hit a button because there was this great big flash and everything just changed. I think that ectoplasm got my molecules all rearanged.”

        “That means-” Valerie paled with horror. “Danny I almost killed you. Multiple times.”

        “You weren’t kidding when you said you had a type,” Viggo’s laugh sent heat rising to Danny’s cheeks and he rolled his eyes but didn’t bother to argue.

        “So, you-” Valerie shook her head in amazement. “I guess it should’ve been more obvious, you and Phantom do look a lot alike. Well, what happened to you then? Where’d you go?”

        “Well, after the… Explosion…” All three winced at the reminder. “Vlad adopted me and I moved in with him. About 4 years ago I took a flight in the Ghost Zone to clear my head and found a new portal. I figured a trip away from things wouldn’t hurt, ended up stuck in a whole alternate dimension, and made friends that turned into family, enemies that turned into friends, and also one that turned into a life partner.”

        “So your buddies are all from some alternate dimension?” Valerie raised a brow, and when Danny nodded she shook her head in wonder. “And I thought ghosts were a lot, let alone whole other dimensions full of people.”

        The bell of the door opening stopped their conversation and Danny stiffened when he spotted the familiar figure walking in. The only change to Dash Baxter’s appearance was looking a bit older, and he came in with boisterous laughter, joined by a group of other burly football-types. They stopped short at the sight before them and Toothless, a burrito in his jaws, arched his back before he ran off to rejoin Hiccup.

        “Woah, this place is busy today,” Dash scanned the mess in surprise and Danny grimaced, trying not to instinctively shrink back when his former bully’s eyes landed on him and lit with surprise and intrigue.

        “Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite punching bag!” Dash laughed and sauntered over, his posse close behind and laughing along. “Where’d you run off to all those years ago, huh? Did I scare ya off?”

        “Dash, my entire family died,” Danny deadpanned but Dash only waved a hand, brushing off the words.

         “Excuses, excuses.”

        “Dash,” Valerie grit out, her eyes blazing, and Viggo matched her fury with a glare of his own.

        “Danny? Scared of you?” Ruffnut scoffed from behind them and Dash spun, surprised. “I’ve seen toe fungus scarier than you.”

        “Yeah, Danny’s a king now! He’s not scared of anything!” Tuffnut added and Danny almost facepalmed.

        “A King, eh?” Dash raised a brow, clearly trying to hold back his laughter. “Riiiight.”

        “Can you just leave us alone, Dash? I don’t feel like fighting you right now,” Danny sighed.

        “I’d be happy to take over that fight,” Viggo offered, his glare not wavering, and Dash scoffed.

         “What are you? His little  boyfriend ?”

        “Fiance,” Danny corrected and Dash stared in surprise, caught off guard by the admission.

        “Alright, alright, no need for a fight,” Hiccup tried to soothe, stepping between the two groups.

        “Not without me at least,” Astrid almost growled as she glared daggers at Dash, and Danny was glad he’d made them all leave their weapons back at the lab.

        “Or me!” Dani added, looking like she’d tackle Dash to the ground at any moment.

        “Hey, where’s Kwan?” Danny cut in as he realized the familiar face wasn’t among the crowd. 

        Dash’s expression soured to annoyance and he crossed his arms. “Abandoned the team for some art school.”

        “At least someone grew a backbone,” Valerie scoffed and Dash fixed her with a glare though he came up with no retort.

        “It’s kinda sad when some things never change,” Danny shook his head, a surprising spark of pity lighting in his chest for the childish man before him. “If you want a fight so bad I’ll do it, long as it gets you off our backs.”

        “Danny-” Hiccup tried to plead but Snotlout pushed him aside with an excited grin.

         “Yeah, show this loser how a Viking handles business!”

        “You’re on, Fenturd!” Dash smirked and Danny almost rolled his eyes.

        Same old name-calling?

        They stepped out of the Baco Tell and the crowd formed around Danny and Dash in the parking lot, the Riders to his back and the football team to Dash’s.

        “He’s no bigger than a baby Gronkle!” Ruffnut called out.

        “Hey, Gronkles are much nicer than this guy,” Fishlegs protested, holding Meatlug in his arms.

        “Show these freaks who’s boss!” A footballer sneered.

        “One hit is all you need, my dear,” Viggo’s grin sent sharp adrenaline rushing through Danny and he returned it as he cracked his knuckles.

         “I could beat this guy in my sleep.”

        Dash scoffed, raising his fists for a fight. “You couldn’t hurt a fly, twig.”

        Danny laughed and shook his head at the weak insult. He still wasn’t a jacked beast like Dash but he had more than enough lean muscle by now. 

         “Alright, if you can hit me a single time you win, Dash.”

        Fire lit in Dash’s blue eyes and he didn’t hesitate to swing. It went wide and Danny didn’t have to try to dodge as he took a step to the side.

         “Ohh, bit slow there.”

        Dash went for an uppercut and Danny once again avoided the blow with a few steps. The Riders laughed at the display while the footballers jeered.

         “I think you might need some glasses, Dash! You couldn’t hit a target the size of a building with that aim!”

        “Stay still, pipsqueak!” Dash shouted and aimed a punch for Danny’s chest. He caught his fist with one hand and flashed a sharp grin at Dash’s shock.

         “If you say so.”

        Dash staggered back and went in for another swing so untrained Danny thought a child could have avoided it but he didn’t bother. He caught Dash’s arm, twisted it aside, and sent him sprawling to the ground with one kick to the gut.

        “Unfortunately for you, Dash, I’ve changed. You’re the weakest thing I’ve fought in a long time.” Danny snickered and brushed his hands together as Dash’s posse hauled him back to his feet. 

        Dash staggered for a moment, holding his gut, and fixed Danny with a scorching glare. “You- Watch your back, Fenturd, next time I won’t go so easy!”

        Danny rolled his eyes and the Riders cheered as Dash was dragged away, with the dragon-cats spitting and hissing in his wake.

        “Nice one, Fenton!” Valerie laughed and slapped a hand on his shoulder.

        “An impressive display,” Viggo added with a smile.

        “Like kicking over a baby,” Dani snickered.

        “Well, now that that’s over, we should head back home before people start to worry,” Hiccup suggested with a shake of his head, though he still smiled. “I’ll admit, this was a fun trip.”

        “So, any chance I’ll be able to see this alternate dimension some time?” Valerie asked with an eager gleam in her eyes and Danny flashed her a smile.

         “Oh hell yeah, you’ve got my wedding to attend after all.”

        Valerie lit up at the invite and, after saying their goodbyes and giving the Baco Tell employees a well-deserved tip, the Riders headed for home, sharing laughter in the wake of chaos.

Chapter Text

         “Danny, look out!”

        Snotlout's shout caught Danny’s attention just fast enough for him to look down from his cloud-watching and catch the football barreling toward his face. He sat in the shade of a tree with Viggo dozing beside him only for the shout to jerk him awake and send him bolt upright in moments.

         “What happened? Enemies?”

        “No, just bad aim,” Danny huffed and tossed the football back to where it came.

        Dani pushed Ruffnut aside to snatch it out of the air and took off with her in hot pursuit. Fishlegs and Tuffnut gave chase moments after. Well, not exactly football, but I’m no expert.

        “C’mon, you lazy lumps!” Snotlout called to Danny and Viggo with a grin. “You gonna lay around all day? Astrid and Hiccup are being so boring too, with all their goo-goo eyes and kissy faces.”

        Danny spared the two mentioned Riders a glance where they sat beside the pond, their respective dragon-cats asleep in their laps, not hearing Snotlout’s mockery as a family of ducks stole their attention. A few people walking by cast the Riders’ unusual outfits a glance but nobody seemed to give them much thought. Stranger things had happened in Amity Park.

        “You can join their game, my dear,” Viggo stifled a yawn and stretched. “No need to sit around for my sake.”

        “Oh, please, I’d have run off already if I wanted to,” Danny shot back and leaned in to place a kiss on Viggo’s scarred cheek, amused to see the faint blush redden it. “I like spending time with you, even if you’re sleeping for half of it.”

        Snotlout’s fake gags made Danny snicker and he turned to find the Rider rolling his eyes at their affection.

         “Gross, all of you couples and your  love .”

        Tuffnut raised a brow. “Weren’t you the one trying to court my sister?”

        “And mine?” Danny added with a glance toward a confused Dani.

         “He did what?”

        “I’ve decided I don’t need love!” Snotlout scoffed in reply. “I’m way too busy being the coolest strongest Viking on New Berk, no room for distractions.”

        “Snotlout, I distinctly remember you wailing about nobody loving you when you were sleep-deprived during one Midnight Sun,” Danny pointed out with a snicker when Snotlout fixed him with a glare.

        “I didn’t- I’d never-” Snotlout grasped for a reply before he crossed his arms with a huff. “Okay, fine, maybe I’m not all muscle and awesomeness and maybe I just wish someone would love me back.”

        A chill ran through Danny’s core and he puffed out a frosty breath. Oh no-

         “Your heart’s desire is my command!”

        A familiar ghostly form rose from the ground. Long black hair framed a tall hourglass figure with dark green skin. A pale blue top matched Desiree’s long whispy ghost tail and her red eye shone with amusement as Danny jumped to his feet with a surge of adrenaline. Before he could go ghost, a green mist swirled around the five Riders playing their game.

        Danny rushed toward them with a jolt of panic but within moments the mist fell away and with it so too did Desiree. He staggered to a halt, Viggo close beside him, and to his relief all five Riders were still there, looking only confused rather than harmed.

        “What happened?” Snotlout glanced around.

        “Do you guys have Loki in this universe?” Tuffnut asked, his eyes shining with excitement.

        “What's Desiree doing out of the Ghost Zone?” Dani complained with a groan of annoyance.

         “Good question, we need to find-”

        Danny cut himself off as Fishlegs sauntered forward in an… Un-Fishlegs way, with the confidence of a man without a fear in the world. When Fishleg’s gaze set on a confused Snotlout his eyes lit up and he dropped to one knee and took one of Snotlout’s hands.

         “Well, hello.”

        “Uhh-” Snotlout stared, looking baffled.

        “Oh lord Loki, it’s Thor Bonecrusher!” Tuffnut cheered and Ruffnut pumped her fist in the air with a laugh.

        “Thor Bonecrusher-?” Hiccup rushed over, Astrid at his side. “What happened? We heard a commotion! Why’s Thor back?”

        “A wish-granting ghost decided to show up when Snotlout wished for love,” Danny sighed with a twinge of annoyance.

         “Does that mean-?”

        Astrid’s question was cut off as ‘Thor Bonecrusher’ stood and swept Snotlout into his arms. Danny had to hold back his laughter from how red Snotlout’s face shone with his blush.

         “Come, my love, let us frolic!”

        “Wait, what?” Snotlout exclaimed as he was carried off in Thor’s arms, skipping off into the fields of the park. After a confused moment, Meatlug hurried after them while Hookfang cast them a glance before returning to his napping.

        “Well, this is…” Danny trailed off.

        “An issue,” Hiccup finished with a sigh.

        “No way, this is awesome!” Ruffnut laughed. “Lonely little Snotlout finally got love!”

        Dani rolled her eyes. “Ruff, we can’t leave Fishlegs like this.”

        Off in the distance, Danny spotted Thor drop Snotlout to his feet and pull him into a dance among the flowers. Snotlout’s blushing had only gotten worse and Danny felt a bit of pity for the man dragged into Desiree’s twisted wishes. Then Snotlout started to laugh and go along with the dance and the pity turned to amusement.

        “So, how do we make this ‘Desiree’ reverse her spell?” Viggo asked, glancing around for said ghost, and Danny huffed out a breath.

         “It’ll be ither very easy or very annoying. She’s impulsive, grants every wish she hears, so if we can track her down we can wish Fishlegs back to himself again.”

        “I’ve got an idea!” Dani exclaimed with a bright grin. “Danny, you’ve dealt with her before, go to wherever you think she’d be hanging out. I’ll track down Val and we can set up an ambush with all her anti-ghost weapons!”

        Danny nodded, a surge of energized excitement rushing through him. Back in the swing of ghost hunting! “Alright! Hiccup, Ruff, Tuff, you three should keep an eye on the lovebirds, make sure they don’t get into trouble. There’s a fountain not far where people like to make wishes, try and bring them there.”

        “Right, on it,” Hiccup assured and the three Riders hurried off to intercept the two frolicking Vikings.

        “Good luck!” Dani saluted before twin rings changed her to her ghost half and she flew off toward the city.

        “Alright, let’s wrangle a ghost,” Danny grinned and led Astrid and Viggo to the fountain. Coins gleamed within its water and a pang of nostalgia hit Danny at the sight. “Y’know, this is how we beat her last time, too. Sam, Tucker, and I.”

        “You think it’ll work again?” Astrid asked, gazing around with narrowed eyes for their target.

        “Well, if it doesn’t then I guess we’re in for a fight,” Danny shrugged with a laugh that made both Viggo and Astrid roll their eyes.

        “If these ghosts are going to continue being a problem we should arm ourselves to defeat them,” Viggo suggested. “Would your friend Valerie let us borrow some weaponry, my dear?”

        “Probably, but I’m sure there’s some buried back in the lab we could repair too,” Danny assured with a wave of his hand.

        Laughter approached and Danny caught sight of the other Riders heading toward them. Thor Bonecrusher had an arm slung around Snotlout’s shoulders and the shorter Viking had his arms crossed as the Twins continued their relentless teasing. Thor was going on about something and as they got closer Danny caught the tail end of the conversation.

         “So, my heart, my soul, my Snotlout, when will we have our marriage? It will be the greatest wedding the world has seen! I will bring down the most powerful beast I can find and present you with its head!”

        “Ehh- Marriage, huh?” Snotlout gave a nervous laugh. “That’s moving a bit fast, don’t you think-?”

        “Not fast enough, I’d say!” Thor insisted and pulled Snotlout even closer.

        “How’s the happy couple?” Danny snickered and Snotlout shot him a glare.

        “Worse than you and Viggo,” Tuffnut snickered and it was Danny’s turn to glare.

        “Oh, we’re not that bad,” Danny huffed but when even Viggo raised a brow at his words he resigned himself to defeat. “Okay, whatever, let’s focus on undoing this wish.”

        “Right, how do we lure Desiree into showing up?” Hiccup asked, his face set in a determined grimace.

        Danny flashed a grin and stepped back from the fountain. In a flash of light he stood as his ghost half and savored the strange sensation he hadn’t felt for so long. “One of you make a wish, I’ll handle the rest.”

        Viggo sighed and shook his head. “I wish you’d learn what a plan entails, my dear.”

        “Okay, not even Desiree could make that wish come true,” Danny laughed before he vanished with invisibility. 

        “A wish, the strange one says?” Thor Bonecrusher held a blushing Snotlout’s cheek and leaned in close. “I wish our love could be seen by all!”

        A green mist swirled around the fountain, creeping toward the two Riders as Snotlout tried to pull himself away.

         “Your heart’s desire-”

        As Desiree rose from the mist, Danny didn’t hesitate to shoot toward her with a hard kick, cutting off her words and sending her sprawling. She was quick to right herself and as Danny dropped his invisibility she fixed him with a glare.

         “You little nuisance, how dare you lay a hands on me?”

        “Uhh, it was my foot,” Danny shot back with a grin, “but I can use an ecto blast if you’d rather?”

        Desiree looked undeterred, her eyes narrowed as her gaze set on something behind Danny, and she smirked. He shot a glance back and found the other Riders looking braced for a fight despite the unease in their eyes at this ghostly enemy. Viggo glanced between Desiree and Danny and he could have sworn there was frustration and worry in his half-blind gaze, though he wasn’t sure why.

        “Your allies have nothing but their fists. Do you expect to protect them all against my powers?” She smirked and a jolt of fear shot through Danny as her arm lengthened to a whip and she shot it toward the Riders. 

        Danny darted in to intercept and grabbed the end before it could wrap around Hiccup, only to get whipped into the air himself and slammed into the ground.

         “Woah-! Hey!”

        Danny shouted as her whip-arm wrapped around his leg and sent him hurtling toward a tree. Gritting his teeth, Danny braced himself and as he hit the trunk he tried to ignore the sharp pain that ran through him at the impact as he held on tight. He pulled his leg up, grabbed the end of Desiree’s arm, and zipped around the tree until it was tangled and she struggled to pull her arm back.

         “I’d suggest undoing that wish and putting my friend back to himself.”

        Desiree returned Danny’s grin with a fiery glare. “You get nothing unless I wish it! You pitiful-”

        Desiree was cut off again by a blast of anti-ecto energy that sent her sprawling, courtesy of Valerie flying in on her hoverboard. Dani floated beside her, green energy swirling in her hands and ready to fire.

        “You were saying?” Valerie kept her ecto-gun trained on Desiree who shot a glance between her now-three enemies.

        “Desiree, we can do this the easy way or the easy way,” Danny gestured to the Fenton Thermos Dani held up. “Remember how I beat you last time? I could either wish you into that little thermos or you can undo your wish and I’ll give you a head-start.”

        Desiree grimaced at the reminder of their fist fight but she puffed out a breath and turned her arm intangible to free it from around the tree trunk. She smoothed her ruffled black hair and straightened herself. 

        “Fine, little nuisance. Your wish will be granted,” Desiree let out a swirl of mist that wrapped around Fishlegs and Snotlout. When it faded, Fishlegs stood, looking around in confusion.

         “What happened? Weren’t we playing that ball game?”

        “Oh, thank Odin you’re back,” Snotlout let out a loud sigh of relief. “Y’know, I think I’ve decided Thor Bonecrusher is way too much to handle and you’re better being yourself.”

        Fishlegs blinked a few times, clearly not understanding, and Dani snickered.

         “Snotlout, do you have a new crush now?”

        Snotlout’s face immediately went red and he glared. “No! I’m just glad to have Fishlegs as a friend instead of Thor Bonecrusher.”

        “Alright, Desiree,” Danny shot her a sharp smirk and she froze. “I’d start flying. Val isn’t a patient person.”

        “Not at all,” Valerie cocked her ecto-gun and Desiree shot away with the hunter hot on her tail.

        “Well, that was a fun detour,” Danny landed and was surprised when Viggo hurried over and started checking him for wounds.

         “You hit that tree hard, my dear, are you alright?”

        “I’ve been hit by way worse,” Danny reassured but Viggo’s concern didn’t waver as his gaze sharpened.

        “We’re finding those anti-ghost guns you were speaking of and I’m carrying one at all times from now on,” when Danny stared, surprised, Viggo let out a long breath and shook his head. “I don’t like not being able to help. Back in our world we don’t fight enemies I can’t cut with a blade or arrow.”

        “Fair point,” Danny nodded and let out a nervous chuckle. “Alright, everyone’s getting a gun, and if it were anything but an anti-ghost gun that would be a terrifying thought.”

        “So, you and Fishlegs, eh?” Dani flashed Snotlout a teasing grin and Fishlegs glanced between Snotlout and Dani with clear confusion.

        “It’s not like that!” Snotlout’s voice rose with embarrassment and Danny couldn’t help but laugh.

Chapter Text

         “Alright, listen up.”

        Danny stood before the other Riders in a familiar scene, but this time instead of bringing them to another dimension there was something even more intimidating to be taught. They stood gathered in the lab, and Danny was glad Dani was off visiting Berserker Island to see Heather rather than here. He couldn’t handle her chaos with the weaponry before them.

        “Ooo, shiny,” Tuffnut reached for the Specter Deflector and Astrid slapped his hand away.

         “Focus, Tuff.”

        “Right, these are some basic anti-ghost weapons,” Danny began and picked up the Fenton Grappler. “They only harm ghosts, or half-ghosts in my case, but something like this - the Grappler - can fire out a net to restrain rather than hurt and it’ll work on anything.”

        Danny passed the Fenton Grappler to Hiccup, trusting him to not immediately shoot anyone with it, and the Rider examined the weapon with his head tilted and eyes shining with intrigue. Toothless climbed up onto his shoulder for a better look and pawed at the weapon.

         “It’s like a compact dragon net launcher!”

        “Yeah, basically,” Danny said with a nod and held up a bo-staff. “The Fenton Rod: It’ll hurt if you hit someone with it! Also includes lasers that’ll make a ghost regret their decisions!”

        Ruffnut tried to snatch the staff away and Danny stepped aside to avoid her grabbing before he handed off the bo-staff to Astrid.

        “Let’s see…” Danny mused with a hum before he shooed Barf and Belch aside as they jumped onto the counter and picked up a metallic belt. “This’ll be helpful for you guys specifically. It’s the Specter Deflector; put it on and activate it and it’ll repel any ghost that gets near!”

        “Even you?” Fishlegs asked, taking the belt and examining it.

        “If I’m in my ghost form, and if I try to go ghost while I’m wearing it,” Danny explained and Viggo shook his head with a grin.

         “It’s better off on someone else, in that case, my dear.”

        Danny rolled his eyes and chuckled before he picked up the Fenton Thermos in one hand and a few small wrist rays in the other.

        “You’ll put it on if there’s a ghost barreling toward you! Now, the wrist rays and the thermos are going to be the two most important tools in your arsenal. One shoots ecto beams which I’ve modified to only affect ghosts,” he shot a pointed glance toward Ruff and Tuff who whistled innocently, “and the other captures the weakened ghost so we can send it back to the Ghost Zone.”

        Danny spared a glance at the other weaponry he’d hold off on giving to the Riders. The Jack o’ Nine Tails, Fenton Ghost Fisher, and Fenton Bazooka are better off in the lab. A thought came to him and he hummed. I wonder if I could modify their Viking weapons to harm ghosts…

        “These’ll come in handy,” Astrid spun the Fenton Rod, testing its weight, and Stormfly mrowed her agreement.

        “Laser fight!” Tuffnut shouted and fired off a beam from the wrist ray at Ruffnut but the green energy passed right through her.

        “Hey, I’m not a ghost!” She shot back with a blast of her own but, again, no destruction came of it and she groaned. “Lame.”

        As Snotlout snatched away the Fenton rod from Astrid and began to chase down Tuffnut, a spark of green caught Danny’s eye. At the edge of his vision sat a power outlet, empty save a few cobwebs, but as he stared another green spark of electricity flashed from it and he stiffened as a cold mist left his mouth.

         “Guys, you’re gonna have a chance to test those out sooner rather than later!”

        At his warning, a familiar nasally laughter filled the lab, and from the power outlet rose a green-skinned figure. A white lab coat draped over his black outfit and his wild white hair stuck up like the electricity flowing from his core. Danny caught his reflection in the black glasses and a mix of annoyance and worry shot through him at the sight of an old enemy.

        “It is I, Technus! Master of all things mechanical!” the ghost let out another cackle. “I heard my most annoying pest of a foe had returned and you will now succumb to my awesome- Why are there so many of you? What is with the cats? You have made friends?”

        “Don’t sound so surprised!” Danny complained with a huff.

        “Do your ghost enemies tend to introduce themselves with monologues?” Viggo raised a brow at Danny and he rolled his eyes.

        “Hey, I overheard your whole villain monologue to Heather, you don’t get to judge.” He paused for a moment, glancing toward Technus who looked annoyed that the attention wasn’t on him. “But yes, they do tend to do that.”

        “I’ve got this!” Snotlout shouted, grabbing Tuffnut’s wrist ray before the twin could shoot it himself and aiming for Technus. 

        The familiar whirring of a charging ecto blaster was the only warning Danny got before the wrist ray was shot out of Snotlout’s hands, making the Rider yelp in surprise and shake the sting it brought.

         “We meet again, whelp.”

        Danny fixed Skulker with an annoyed glare as the ghost hunter phased into the lab to float beside Technus who let out wild laughter.

         “Yes, it is  both  of us who have come to fight!”

        “Wait, that’s the Terrible Terror?” Fishlegs exclaimed, shocked and fearful gaze fixed on Skulker who flashed a grin and flexed his ‘muscles’.

         “Yes, far more impressive than that little lizard your strange universe stuck me as, am I not?”

        “Hopefully you’ll meet Ember here too one of these days,” Danny added with a snicker. “No clue what she sees in this meathead, she’s way too cool to be dating him.”

        “Enough banter!” Technus cut in before Skulker could snap back with a retort. “As the kids say: Show me what you’ve got!”

        “If you say so,” Danny grinned, and in a flash of light he changed to his ghost half and shot into the air to avoid a blast from Skulker.

        “Time to test this thing out!” Astrid charged for Technus and swung the bo-staff at him but the ghost blocked her blow with a glowing green monitor on the table.

         “Why don’t we make this more fair?”

        Technus waved a hand toward the electronics strewn about the lab and Danny jerked back to avoid the tv remote that flew toward him and embedded itself in the wall. He caught sight of the other Riders on the ground dodging and blasting more possessed electronics. The cat-dragons did their best, biting and clawing at any wires they could, but without their wings and fire, they weren’t able to do much damage.

        Danny fired off a ghost ray that sent Technus reeling only for a kick from Skulker to send him crashing to the ground. He rolled back to his feet to avoid the follow-up blast from Skulker and he jumped, startled, when a green ray shot past him to hit Skulker in the chest.

        “Need some help, my dear?” Viggo ran to his side, wrist ray at the ready, and Danny grinned.

         “Great timing. If we can send these two into a certain universe without technology we’d stand a better chance.”

        “So, you can plan,” Viggo teased and Danny rolled his eyes only to raise a hand to generate a shield and block a powerful blast courtesy of the possessed Fenton Bazooka.

        “Hiccup, press the big red button next to the portal!” Danny shouted to the Rider as he and Toothless brought a floating computer screen to the ground.

        Hiccup shot Danny a nod and ran to the portal to hit the button. The metal doors opened, lighting the room with the swirling green ectoplasm within, and Danny shot into the air toward Technus who was caught off guard by the sudden attack. Danny grabbed one of his arms and sent him flying into the portal, and moments later Skulker followed courtesy of a hefty kick from both Astrid and Viggo.

        “Time to finish this!” Danny shot through the portal and felt the change in his body as he crossed over to the other dimension. He hovered as a dragon, glaring down at the two disoriented lumps sprawled on the ground.

        Danny stared at the lanky dragon as it staggered to its four paws and shook its head. White fin-like spines ran down to its tail and the top of its body was covered in black scales that faded to green as they approached the underside. A horn sat at the tip of a long snout and the changed Technus looked around in clear befuddlement.

        “A Windwalker?” Hiccup’s voice held surprise and Danny turned to see the Riders hurrying through the portal to join them, weapons trained on their enemies, their dragons at their sides and growling.

        “A Windwalker!” Fishlegs repeated, his eyes shining. “Tidal Class, can shoot water and fire projectiles, and like a Skrill, it can absorb and wield lightning!”

        “Curse you, you little vermin!” a snarl of Esperanto made Danny snicker as Skulker, a familiar Terrible Terror, wriggled out from under one of Technus’s wings limp on the ground.

        “What has happened to my beautiful technology?!” Technus wailed, his head whipping from side to side as he stared out at the vast ocean around their little island. He raised a paw and wiggled his claws before he lifted a wing and examined it. “What is with these… Appendages?”

        “You’re a dragon,” Danny snickered, “better get used to it!”

         “ Focus! ”

        Skulker snapped at Technus and launched into the air, his claws outstretched, but Danny smacked him away with ease using his tail. He didn’t expect Technus to follow right behind and a jolt of pain raced through Danny as the dragon’s claws dug into his scales. He readied a blast of plasma only for Skulker to land on his head and force his muzzle closed.

        “Herrlof, wait!” Viggo’s shout rang out along with the crackle of electricity. 

        A bolt of lightning hit Technus and the dragon reeled back, releasing Danny and giving him a chance to shake off Skulker as Herrlof flew up to join him. A row of Stormfly’s spines shot toward Technus who went intangable and they passed harmlessly through. 

        The ghost-turned-dragon let out a mad rumbling cackle and Danny stiffened at the sight of electricity sparking from his scales.

         “ Foolish reptile! You have only made me more powerful! ”

        Danny dove as Technus darted toward him and whirled to avoid Skulker, splashing into the ocean beside the island to make distance from the two enemies hot on his tail. He caught the flash of ecto beams above fired by the Riders once the dragons were in range and swam to the surface. 

        As Danny’s head broke from the water, a painful shock of electricity tore through his scales and Technus’s mocking laughter rang out.

         “ I am enjoying this strange new body! What a  shock  for you! ”

        “How about you chill out!” Danny snapped back and fired off a jet of ice that caught the edge of Technus’s wing, making him falter in flight. 

        On the island, Danny spotted the other Riders taking to the air on their dragons, readied for a fight, but a flash of metal shot by and Technus fell to the ground with a roar of surprise and pain. Blood leaked from a slash across his chest, and Danny paddled for the shore only to yelp when claws fastened around him and pulled him from the water.

        “What party did we miss out on?” 

        Danny stared, surprised and relieved, to see Dagur atop Sleuther flashing a bright grin. Heather landed beside the fallen Technus and Dani flew in with a writhing snapping Skulker in her forepaws.

         “ Unhand me! ”

        Danny stood as a man once Sleuther set him down and crossed his arms, fixing the two ghost-dragons with a glare. Viggo handed over the Fenton Thermos and Danny uncapped it with a sharp grin that sent fear flashing in their eyes.

         “Tell the rest of the Ghost Zone I said hi.”

        With roars and snarls, the two were sucked into the Thermos and Danny capped it off with a breath of relief. 

         “Well, first ghost fight! Have fun?”

        “Helheim’s name, yes!” Tuffnut shouted and he and Ruffnut butted heads.

        “Seeing the change from ghost to dragon firsthand is fascinating!” Fishlegs exclaimed, his eyes shining, and Snotlout rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath.

         “Sure, fascinating, not weird or terrifying or anything.”

        “Wait, what did we miss?” Dagur stared between the Riders, his eyes wide. “Why is there a portal over there? What's with the dragons getting sucked into that tube?”

        “I have the same questions,” Heather echoed, and Dani changed to her human half and nudged her side with a grin.

         “Oh, you two are gonna  love  this!”

        “Dani, we aren’t bringing them to Baco Tell,” Danny stated and she whined before he went on, turning to the two confused Berserkers with a very long explanation. “So y’know how I’m half-ghost from another dimension?”

Chapter Text

        A raucous celebration rose from New Berk in the day’s light. Cheers and laughter filled the air, along with the rumbles and roars of dragons. A trio of hatchlings, Night Fury and Light Fury with their black and white scales, bounded around and almost sent a group of Vikings falling to the ground in their play. Pouncer, Dart, and Ruffrunner stopped short at the scolding growl from Toothless and they exchanged glances before the trio charged over and tackled their father to the ground, making him yelp in surprise. The Light Fury trilled a laugh from where she watched nearby at the edge of the trees, the boisterous crowd of Vikings and dragons too much for her to walk among them. More dragons flashed through the sky and trees, Night Furies, Light Furies, Deathgrippers, and more, as if half of the Hidden World came for their King's union.

        Danny could see none of it at the moment, though he heard the excitement through the walls of his hut. He fidgeted and fiddled with the betrothal pendant around his neck, nervousness and elation warring within him and he winced when Astrid pinched his arm.

        “Stop moving already,” she huffed as she tried to fix the veil covering his face.

        Danny rolled his eyes but forced himself to stay still, letting her finish her work while Heather looked on with eyes shining.

        “It seems like yesterday Dagur and Mala got married, then Hiccup and Astrid, and now it’s your turn!” 

        “You’d better invite me to your wedding too if that ever happens,” Danny teased and a blush rose to Heather’s cheeks as she laughed.

         “Oh, please, Dani and I  just  started dating, a wedding’s a long way off.”

        Astrid stepped back to scrutinize Danny’s appearance one last time and he puffed out a relieved breath when she nodded her approval with a bright smile.

        “What a Frigg’s Day this’ll be,” she gestured to the mirror she’d set up and Danny braced himself before he turned to face it.

        He almost didn’t recognize himself in the white flowing gown. A black sash wrapped around his waist and soft black fur draped across his shoulders which flowed out to a black cape. He checked himself up and down, side to side, did a spin, and finally grinned.

         “Just missing one thing for a king…”

        Danny focused inward, to his ghostly core, and drew forth enough energy to summon a small black crown wreathed in green flames which floated above his head. He laughed at the staring from Heather and Astrid.

         “I  did  say I was the Ghost King. It came with a cool crown!”

        Heather rolled her eyes and Astrid chuckled and stepped toward the door.

         “Well, Ghost and Dragon King, ready to go out there and face your  Queen ?”

        “Can I say yes and no?” Danny’s nerves shot through the roof now that it was happening, the only thing standing between him and his wedding being a door.

        Heather rested a reassuring hand on Danny’s shoulder and offered a smile. “It’ll be fine, trust me.”

        “Yeah, I was nervous for my wedding too,” Astrid admitted, “and you know I don’t get nervous often.”

        Danny relaxed a bit and took a deep breath to steady himself. Right, only a wedding, me getting married, no big deal! He shook away the thought and stepped toward the door.

        For a moment, sunlight blinded Danny, and he blinked a few times to clear his vision. They widened at the sight of the party around him, with New Berk looking as lively as Berk had on its 400th-year celebration. While Astrid and Hiccup’s wedding had been an event it wasn’t nearly as chaotic as this, and Danny had to assume that was because of his guests.

        A familiar blue Deathsong rang out her music for the crowd in a tune Danny had never been able to get out of his head, joined by Vikings with their own instruments. Valerie and Dani danced along, laughing with the Berkians. A dragon covered in white fur-like scales, a Woolly Howl, bundled its way through the crowd to gorge itself on the pile of fish left out for the dragons and Danny snickered at Frostbite’s enthusiasm.

        A green and pale blue Sweet Death sat nearby, handing out fish to the smaller dragons so they could have their fair share. When Pouncer ran over and looked up with begging green eyes, Lunch Lady crooned and gave the little Night Light an extra fish, only for a Speed Stinger to snatch it away and run off to join a lounging Threadtail to share the meal, and Danny wasn’t surprised to find Johnny and Kitty hadn’t changed much. 

        As Danny stepped out with Astrid and Heather at his side, cheers rose from the gathered Vikings and they raised their horns full of mead and ale to him. 

        “Mirinda! Amikino!” The Esperanto rang out and a Deathgripper with black and green scales almost crashed into Danny in his eagerness for a hug.

        “Wulf! Amikino!” Danny laughed and didn’t hesitate to hug back before the ghost-dragon let him go and stepped back.

        “Is it time?” Fishlegs practically squealed with delight. “Oh, this is so exciting! You look amazing!”

        Danny blushed and chuckled at the compliment while Snotlout grumbled beside Fishlegs.

        “Yeah, alright, I was wrong when I said he couldn’t pull off the dress,” he downed a swig of ale before he grinned and gestured toward the center of the village. “Your man’s already waiting.”

        “Well, wouldn’t wanna leave him at the altar,” Danny laughed and made his way deeper into the crowd which parted at his approach.

        Danny’s heart leaped into his throat and he couldn’t help but stare at the man who stood beneath an archway of blue-green ice courtesy of Stormbringer and decorated with an array of flowers. Viggo’s outfit wasn’t as flashy as Danny’s dress, with a matching furred black cape draped over a simple white tunic and dark brown pants. He stood talking with Hiccup and Ryker before he noticed the quieting crowd and his eyes caught in Danny.

        They stared for a long moment before Danny flashed a grin and approached. “Well, don’t you look nice? Important event today?”

        “Oh, the most important of my life, I do believe,” Viggo returned his grin with one of his own and Danny had to stop himself from reaching forward and taking his hands to hold.

        “You ready?” Hiccup’s eyes shone with warmth and Danny didn’t hesitate to nod.

        “Good luck, brother,” Ryker laughed and clasped his hand on Viggo’s shoulder before he stepped back with Hiccup to join the crowd.

         “Welcome, family and friends, warriors and shieldmaidens!”

        Stoick’s voice boomed out across New Berk as he approached the archway. Valka stood nearby and her eyes shone with repressed tears. In the crowd, Danny spotted Dagur and Mala, but unlike Valka the Berserker had tears streaming down his face. Mala patted his back in comfort as he cried. Even Vlad was there in the crowd, keeping to himself, and though the clear light of worry still shone in his eyes there was the warmth of pride too and Danny cast him a smile.

        Stoick cleared his throat before he spoke. “Thank you for gathering here today to celebrate the marriage of Danny Fenton and Viggo Grimborn. On Frigga’s day and under Odin’s will, the Gods and Goddesses bless this union. Today we shall weave their hands as they have weaved their fates.

        Danny felt his heart thundering in his chest as Stoick held up a blue ribbon with the edges a pale gold and a pattern of feathers stitched in ivory down the center. “Danny, Viggo, the promises you make today are sacred as Var’s oaths. Always keep one another close to your hearts, for together I know you can weather any storm. May the Gods and Goddesses watch over you both.”

        Viggo held out his hand and Danny grasped it in his own and twined their fingers. Stoick wrapped the ribbon around their joined hands and for a moment he braced his hand over them, casting them both a warm smile that had Danny standing taller before the former Chief stepped back.

        Viggo seemed to collect his words for a moment before he lifted the veil shrouding Danny's face and smiled. “Once we fought as enemies, now we’re bound as one. With Odin’s strength, I vow to protect you always, my dear.”

        Danny had to stifle a laugh at the reminder of their former status as enemies. When Viggo unsheathed his sword with one hand and held out the hilt, Danny grasped it with a nod.

         “You’re the best surprise I could have hoped for, my knight in Skrill armor. When the time comes, may the Valkyries carry out spirits together to Valhalla, or else I’ll do it for them.”

        A few snickers came from the ghost-dragons at Danny’s words and Viggo rolled his eyes but said nothing. A flurry of small wingbeats sounded and a pair of little Skrills bundled in, squawking their excitement, and Danny had to stop himself from scooping one of them up into his arms. Herrlof rumbled her disapproval from the crowd and her two hatchlings, Shock and Bolt, straightened and offered up the rings set on each of their snout horns.

        The cutest ring bearers, Danny snickered at the thought and took the ring from Bolt to exchange with the ring Viggo took from Shock. On the silver ring he now wore was engraved the runes for Viggo’s name, and Viggo’s own matched him with Danny’s. They slipped their hands free of the ribbon and pulled the ends to tie a knot in the middle, sending the crowd into cheers.

        Stormbringer’s roar echoed through the air with a cheer of her own from where she rested her forepaws on the island and another followed as a vibrant green Red Death stood beside her, a dragon Danny hadn’t expected Dora to turn into but a fitting enough one for a princess. Stoick handed them each a horn of mead and Danny grinned, toasting with Viggo before they downed their drinks. 

        Danny gazed out across friends and family and a dull ache ran through him knowing there were some he knew should have been here too. Wherever their spirits are I just hope they’re proud.

        “Well, my dear, how does marriage feel?” Viggo asked with a bright smile.

        Danny hummed, as if thinking it over, before he grinned. “Like I could take on the world as long as you’re with me.”

        Danny leaned in and their lips met in a kiss as the celebrations began anew.

Chapter Text

        Danny trembled at every featherlight touch against his bare skin, first tracing the plasma scar burned into his chest before trailing down his body. His vision shrouded by a blindfold, all other senses were in overdrive as he waited in anticipation for Viggo’s next move. He gasped and his arms jerked in the rope binding him to the headboard as Viggo’s lips wrapped around the head of his cock. His chuckle sent a jolt up Danny’s spine and he grit his teeth to bite back the moan threatening to spill out. They weren’t alone on an empty island this time, after all.

        Danny gave a sharp inhale as fingers, slick with oil, traced the rim of his entrance before - with a slowness that set his nerves alight - Viggo pushed two in.

        “You’re such a tease y’know that?” Danny huffed before any more complaints were swept away in a rush of pleasure as Viggo crooked the two fingers to rub against his prostate and swallowed him down to the hilt. 

        Danny tasted blood by how hard he had to bite his lip and a ragged muffled moan escaped him. Every touch and movement set his nerves aflame; Viggo’s other hand rubbing his thigh, his throat swallowing around his length, the fingers stretching him, it all sent his senses into a dizzying mess of bliss and he struggled to keep quiet through it all. Danny’s toes curled and he gasped as Viggo pushed in a third finger only to pull back and tease the tip of his cock with his tongue before the heat faded as he pulled off.

        “I wouldn’t mind everyone hearing you, my dear,” Viggo’s amused tone held a roughness to it from his work.

        Danny struggled to wrangle his thoughts together for a reply. “Okay, you may not mind but I do.”

        “We’re married now, is it not normal for wedded couples to… Enjoy time together?” Viggo chuckled and Danny choked on a moan when his fingers pressed hard against his prostate, sending a bolt of pleasure racing through him. “But, if you insist, my dear. Next time I’ll bring you back to Dragon’s Edge so I can hear you as much as I want again.”

        A hot blush rose across Danny’s cheeks and he wished he wasn’t blindfolded so Viggo could see his exasperated eye-roll. At least I’m not going to look like I got attacked by leeches this time.

        Wet heat engulfed him again and Danny threw back his head with a shaky moan that he struggled to quiet. His bound hands jerked again, desperate to tangle in Viggo’s short hair, but he lay helpless as his now-husband overwhelmed his senses with bliss.

        Tightness coiled in his abdomen and Danny writhed, grasping for words. “V-Viggo! Gonna-”

        Danny felt Viggo grin around his length, his tongue swirling against the underside, his fingers stretching and pressing inside, and a shock of white-hot pleasure washed over him as he came, moans spilling from his lips he had no hope of containing. Viggo swallowed through it all, leaving Danny a whining overwhelmed mess.

        When Danny thought he would combust, Viggo pulled out his fingers and off his length with a wet sound. Danny drew in a desperate gasp of air, falling limp against the bed, shaking.

        The bed shifted and when rough lips pressed against Danny’s he didn’t hesitate to lean into it. Viggo’s tongue pushed past his lips and he tasted himself on it. He tugged at the rope, wanting to wrap his arms around Viggo to pull him closer, and when Viggo deepened the kiss to press him into the bed he was glad he’d gotten the message.

        They broke apart, panting for breaths, and Danny managed a grin. “I kinda like not being the one in charge for once.”

        “The crown weighing heavy?” Viggo chuckled and the bed shifted again as he leaned back.

        Without his sight, Danny couldn’t tell what Viggo was doing until one of his legs was raised by a calloused hand and he shivered in anticipation as the head of Viggo’s oil-slicked cock pressed against his entrance.

         “Allow me to distract you, my dear.”

        Danny drew in a sharp breath and tried to stay relaxed as Viggo pushed in. Without sight, he could only focus on the sensation of being filled and it left him panting and shivering when Viggo finally stopped, seated to the hilt. Already his cock twitched back to life, hard and ready for more, and he stifled a groan as Viggo’s fingertips teased the length.

        “Always so eager,” his deep voice was almost a purr and Danny swallowed hard, “yet you want to keep quiet. Are you sure you can handle that, my dear?”

        “No,” Danny admitted in a shaky voice after a moment before he flashed a grin. “You might need to help me.”

        Viggo stayed quiet and Danny imagined his brow raised in intrigue or confusion. He drew in a breath when fingers brushed his cheek, a thumb trailing his parted lips.

         “And what do you suggest I do?”

        A hot blush painted Danny’s cheeks and he hesitated to answer for an uncertain moment. “How do you feel about… Choking? Me? Maybe?”

        Though Viggo didn’t speak an answer, Danny gasped as his length throb inside of him, and he would have laughed if the hand brushing his cheek hadn't moved to settle on his neck. Hot anticipation rushed through Danny as Viggo’s thumb rubbed against his throat and he swallowed against the slight pressure from it.

        “You really do enjoy almost dying, don’t you?” Viggo let out an exasperated sigh before his grip tightened enough to make Danny shudder. His voice had dropped to a tone rough with desire. “Does it remind you that you’re still alive? Still breathing despite everything?”

        A shaky whine tore free from Danny’s throat before it cut off into a choke as Viggo squeezed the sides of his neck. At the same moment, his hips pulled back only to snap forward in a hard thrust. Danny gasped in a breath as Viggo’s grip loosened for a moment only to tighten again with another rough thrust. The lack of air and the jolt of bliss with each hit to his prostate sent a dizzying mix of sensations straight to his cock, and the moments of reprise where Danny could breathe became less and less as Viggo’s pace quickened.

        When the dredges of a pleasure-filled fog edged Danny's brain, Viggo slammed in deep with a groan as he came and released Danny’s throat to cover his mouth. The shockwave of Danny’s orgasm that rocked through him left him a boneless puddle beneath Viggo, his moans muffled by his hand as he drew in desperate gasps of air through his nose. After a long moment, Viggo’s hand moved and Danny blinked as the blindfold was tugged away. Viggo loomed over him, panting almost as hard as he was with a red blush across his face.

         “Are you alright, my dear?”

        It took Danny a few seconds to form words. “That was awesome.”

        Viggo laughed, caught off guard by his casual praise, and shifted to let Danny's leg back down and untie his hands from the headboard. He rubbed the reddened skin with a wince.

         “Okay, we’re going to a sex shop for something better than rope for next time.”

        “They have entire shops dedicated to sex?” Viggo raised a brow, sharp intrigue clear in his eyes.

        “Oh, you’re gonna love everything they’ve got!” Danny grinned and pulled him down into a kiss that Viggo was more than happy to return. “Now, c’mon, your king thinks he’s got one more round left in him.”

        “As you wish, my king,” Viggo grinned and a sharp bite to Danny’s neck made him yelp.

        Oh no, I spoke too soon about the leech thing…

Chapter Text

        A blast of toxic green plasma sent a Hunter ship rocking in the waves as Danny shot past. The men aboard barked orders, brandishing weapons that glinted in the light, and the two other ships nearby sailed in closer as support. The sharp click of a net being fired rang out, and Barf and Belch squawked as they dove beneath it with ease before diving in with a billow of smoke that sent the men scattering before Belch lit the gas, and an explosion scorched the ship.

        “Is it me, or are these guys getting worse?” Snotlout laughed as Hookfang landed on the deck and breathed out a wave of fire at his enemies.

        “They must be finding it hard to establish a new leader that knows what they’re doing,” Viggo hopped down from Herrlof’s saddle to land on the deck as she flew by, and drew his sword as an axeman charged. He disarmed the Hunter with ease and sent him over the side of the ship with a swift kick before he rushed below deck with a bottle of Changewing acid in hand, where the rumbles and roars of caged dragons sounded.

        Lucky for us, Danny snickered and snatched up a Hunter in his forepaws, only to drop him down to Dani as she flashed by near the water. She caught him with ease, spun higher into the air and made him scream in terror, before she tossed him into the waves with a laugh.

        A flood of dragons rose from the three ships as Hiccup, Viggo, and Fishlegs set them free, and Danny called out a sharp roar to catch the wild dragons’ attention. Some broke away, back to homes they were taken from, but those with nowhere they cared to go joined Danny in flight.

        Danny scanned the Riders as they lifted into the air, making sure all were safe and accounted for. It was strange not to spot Astrid and Stormfly among the group for once, but now that she knew she was expecting a baby, she thought it best to stay out of the fighting for now.

        Danny led the way back toward New Berk with a new flock to settle in or lead to the Hidden World. He huffed out a breath, not excited for wrangling testy and scared dragons, and he hoped Toothless wasn’t too busy with Pouncer, Dart, and Ruffrunner to help.

        As Danny drew closer to New Berk a strange sight nearby gave him pause. A ghost portal swirled on their little island where they crossed dimensions.

        “Uhh, did we leave that open?” Hiccup asked as Toothless hovered, eyeing the portal with a narrowed gaze.

        “I don’t think so,” Fishlegs shook his head with a suspicious grimace.

        Danny and Dani shared a glance before Danny huffed and gestured to Toothless to lead the flock on toward the island. The Night Fury nodded, but Hiccup frowned.

         “You’re going alone to check out the suspicious open portal?”

        “He truly never learns,” Viggo sighed with a shake of his head that made Danny roll his eyes.

        Dani puffed out a breath and rumbled her annoyance, as if saying ‘I’ll be there too’. Danny snickered when the Riders exchanged exasperated glances as the two took off toward the portal. When the pair landed, Danny braced himself for whatever they might find on the other side and passed through. 

        The lab lay empty and still as Danny stepped out into his old world, his ghostly green eyes narrowed and scanning the shadows. Nothing seemed amiss, and as Dani walked out beside him, she blinked in confusion.

        “Nothing? Well, why’d the portal open?” Annoyance edged her tone, and she crossed her arms.

        “Maybe an electrical surge? I’ll turn it off and on again.” Danny suggested with a shrug and reached for the button to shut the portal down, only to freeze as a cold mist billowed from his lips.

        Danny spun to find the tile floor cracked and splintered as vines rose from the earth below, twisting together with mushrooms and long black thorns until the recognizable shape of Undergrowth stood before them. His sharp beak sneered at the two Halfas, his brows furrowed in a glare, though there was a worry held in his expression that set Danny on edge.

         “It has been a while, half-meat creatures. I do not come for a fight this time, but to ask your… Assistance.”

        Danny raised a brow, surprised, and exchanged an intrigued glance with a just as confused Dani before he nodded and relaxed his defensive stance.

         “Uhh, okay, what’s up?”

        “Well, Ghost King,” there was a scoff in Undergroth’s tone as he said the title, and Danny bit back a wince. Yeah, alright, haven’t been doing much of that. “In my domain, a parasite of sorts has invaded, and as you and Plasmius insist I not take over these wretched humans, I suggest you aid me in their destruction before I am forced to seek out a new home for my children.”

        “Oh, that’s all?” Danny flashed a grin. “Alright, that’ll be easy enough!”

        “I guess if you’ve got that handled, I’ll let the others know so they don’t worry why we’re gone,” Dani suggested, and he gave her a grateful nod.

         “Might be for the best. I’ll be in and out, ten minutes tops!”

        Dani saluted and headed back through the portal. Danny opened a computer beside the machine and typed in a command to have the portal bring them to the Ghost Zone again before he stepped back and gestured to the swirling green vortex.

         “Alright, lead the way!”

        Undergrowth hesitated for a moment to spare Danny an annoyed glance before he nodded and passed through the portal. Danny followed suit, emerging into a once-familiar endless green world of billowing mists and scattered islands. He took a moment to gaze around at the place he hadn’t seen for years, a place he supposedly ruled - in title alone, it felt like - before he followed Undergrowth as he made his way deeper into the Ghost Zone.

        “Soooo, what all have I missed being gone? Anything crazy happening?” Danny tried to make small talk with the disinterested specter who didn’t even spare him a glance.

        “Nothing often changes here,” he spoke in a gruff tone. “Not the spirits inhabiting this place, nor the ways they behave.” 

         “And neither do the crimes committed.”

        The all-too-familiar southern accent made Danny freeze, and before he could so much as blink, burly armored hands grabbed his arms and twisted them behind his back, making him wince.

        “Oh, great,” Danny muttered as the guards turned him to face the all-white form of Walker, who floated before him with the biggest gloating smirk he’d ever seen.

        “Heard you’d gone back to the land of the living,” the ghostly warden drawled as he circled his restrained prisoner. Danny shot a glance toward Undergrowth and grit his teeth when he saw the other ghost free and watching with his arms crossed, his gaze disinterested yet edged with annoyance. “I thought it right to lure you back here to serve the time you owe.”

        “Really? Still harping on the ‘rule breaking’?” Danny scoffed. “Can’t work out a plea deal? Pay off a fine? In case you forgot, I’m the Ghost King now.”

        Walker fixed him with a sharp glare before he smirked. “No King is above the law, son, and certainly not an absent one such as yourself."

        Danny puffed out an annoyed breath at the reminder. “Okay, I get it, everyone’s complaining about that, but vanishing wasn’t my fault for once!”

        “Save the talking,” Walker snapped, and Danny winced when the guards tightened their grip on his arms. “You’ll have plenty of time to beg for mercy in your jail cell.”

        As the guards began to drag Danny away, he shot a glare toward Undergrowth, who trailed the group.

        “I’m guessing these are the ‘parasites’ you mentioned?” By Undergrowth’s grimace, Danny knew he hit the nail on the head. “Y’know, if you’re still looking for a new place for your plant kids, I’ve got an offer? Seaside view, almost zero pollution, and not very destructive neighbors! Usually…”

        Undergrowth raised an intrigued brow, but a hard punch to Danny’s gut had him keeled over in pain at the unexpected hit from Walker.

         “Bribery? That’s another hundred years on your sentence.”

        “Aww, can’t reduce it if I promise not to cause a riot this time?” Danny tried to push away the pain and straightened with a grin that set Waker’s gaze into a blazing glare.

         “You’d best hope I don’t decide the worthy sentence for a punk like you is your execution.”

        Danny couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Okay, listen, I’ve had a lot of threats against my life the past few years. You villains need to spice things up! Where’s the fun? The crazy schemes? The Loki energy?”

        Walker opened his mouth to reply, probably something about the rules not allowing fun, but a blast of green ecto energy hit his chest and sent him sprawling. The guards’ grip slackened at their shock, and Danny took the chance to wrench his arms free, grab both of them, and send them flying into Walker just as he recovered, making them all go flailing through the air.

        "Did someone say Loki?" Ruffnut's voice crackled over an intercom, and a mix of surprise and relief flooded Danny at the sight of the Riders in the Specter Speeder.

        “You took more than ten minutes,” Dani floated over with a grin, ghost ray still primed and sparking in her hands. “I figured something went wrong.”

        “Do things ever go right?” Viggo's exasperated voice sounded over the speaker, and Danny laughed.

        “Hey, sometimes they do! Just not often,” he shot back.

        “The living? In the Ghost Zone?” Walker sneered as he righted himself at last. “Son, you’re breaking all the-”

        “Hit it!” Tuffnut shouted over the speaker and slammed a button that sent the Specter Speeder rocketing forward to ram into the shocked Walker, and the cackles of Ruffnut rang throughout the Ghost Zone, along with the terrified shouting of Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Snotlout.

        “Get your hands off the wheel!” Viggo’s voice snapped, and the Speeder came to an abrupt stop while Walker’s momentum carried him on, slamming into the earth of a stray island.

        Danny spun as one of the guards shouted, charging toward him with a glowing green baton, only for sharp vines to wrap around the ghost and fling him away from them. Undergrowth faced him with his arms crossed and head tilted.

         “I was not lying when I said these parasites were a threat to me and my children. He promised to leave us if I drew you here, but if there is a better world you speak of, one without the destruction and poison the humans of your own vomit upon the Earth, then I will be willing to abandon this place.”

        “Great to hear! Now let’s focus on evading the ghost cops!” Danny flashed him a grin and darted over to the Specter Speeder to intercept a charging guard with a kick against his shield. Stumbling, he was an easy target for a laser blast courtesy of the Speeder.

        “I love this thing!” Ruffnut laughed within. 

        “We gotta come here and fight ghosts more often!” Tuffnut agreed, and Danny spotted his scheming grin through the window.

        “No way!” Snotlout shouted, his voice shrill with fear, and Danny snickered when he saw the shorter man clinging to a just-as-worried Fishlegs. “This place is worse than the Silkspanners!”

        “It’s almost like Nifelheim,” Fishlegs agreed with a shudder.

        “You’re not getting away this time!” Walker charged, a baton in hand, and Danny phased through the Speeder’s window to hit a button that fired out a glowing green net to tangle around Walker.

        “You weren’t kidding when you said authority figures weren’t a fan of you,” Hiccup shook his head from where he sat in the passenger seat. “Now, how do we get out of this place?”

         “Follow me, and we’d better make it fast!”

        Danny caught sight of Walker’s men untangling him from the netting and took off with the Specter Speeder, Dani, and Undergrowth on his tail. The warden's cursing faded as they escaped, and Danny let out a breath of relief as they approached the portal back to the lab.

        “So, where’d you find the Specter Speeder?” Danny asked Dani as she floated closer.

        She glanced away and whistled innocently. “Oh, I didn’t go fly over and steal it back from Vlad or anything! That would be crazy, and he would be worried if that ever happened!”

        “Good thing he doesn’t have anything to worry about then!” Danny snickered, and to his relief, they passed back through the portal and into the lab.

        The Specter Speeder came in for a rather jarring landing, and the Riders stumbled out into a much more normal place. Snotlout fell to his knees and kissed the tiled floor, and Danny overheard whispers from the Twins about stealing the Speeder to go back to the Ghost Zone that night. He reminded himself to return it to the safety of Vlad’s home before that could happen.

        “So, like the Ghost Zone?” Danny asked, holding back his laughter at the exasperated looks from the Riders.

        “If that’s where spirits end up in this universe, I can see why most choose to leave and haunt the living,” Viggo shook his head.

        “Who’s the plant guy?” Tuffnut spoke up, and the Riders turned to Undergrowth, who stood there watching them with narrowed red eyes.

        “Former enemy, his name’s Undergrowth, and he’s moving to a new world for a better life!” Danny explained with a bright smile that had Viggo rolling his eyes.

         “You and befriending villains, my dear.”

        “What can I say? I’m just so charming,” Danny laughed. “Now let’s go home before anything else goes wrong!”

        When Danny stepped back into his new homeworld, standing as a man, he moved back and turned to face the portal as the other Riders joined him. Excitement and intrigue ran through him in anticipation of what Undergrowth could come out as.

        A huge paw of deep green root-like skin breached the portal, and Danny jumped in surprise when a - smaller, but still towering over them - Foreverwing pulled itself through the vortex to stand on the island. Its back was covered in vines, mushrooms, and thorny bushes rather than trees and soft grass, and its red eyes peered around with intrigue.

        “A Foreverwing?” Fishlegs gasped, his eyes shining. “I suppose that would make sense, since the spirit looked like a plant!”

        “This world smells… Clean,” Undergrowth rumbled in Esperanto, and his eyes closed as he drew in a deep breath. Vines sprouted from the ground around his paws and curled higher into the air, though instead of thorns, these ones bore soft white flowers.

        “So, you like the place?” Danny asked, and after a long moment, Undergrowth nodded.

         “ This world, my children will thrive, and if what you say about the meat creatures here is true, it may be in harmony for once. ”

        Danny grinned and brushed off his hands. “Another job well done and another bad guy turned to the light! Good luck in finding an island to call home, and don’t be a stranger!”

        With a rumble, Undergrowth spread his wings and took to the air. His flight was shaky as he got his bearings and learned to fly, but before long, he’d begun to head off toward the horizon. 

        “Don’t go into that Ghost Zone without backup next time,” Danny was surprised when Viggo pulled him closer and fixed him with a pointed look. “There’s not much we can do in there to help, other than what that strange ‘Specter Speeder’ has available.”

        “Yeah, alright,” Danny conceded. “I guess I might need to go back more often now, make myself a good King, unlike Pariah Dark. Dani, you wanna be my royal bodyguard?”

        “Hell yeah!” Dani shouted, “Political immunity!”

         “Wait-”

Chapter Text

        The room hung in heavy silence. Danny’s breath almost caught in his throat. The air, stuffy and thick with the presence of others, sent a bead of sweat dripping down his neck as the tension in the still room drew to a boiling point.

        Viggo moved the knight to E6, taking his opponent’s pawn, and the crowd drew in gasps of surprise.

        “The Stafford Gambit?” one person whispered to another.

         “Will his opponent fall for it?”

        Danny stifled a sigh and shot a longing glance toward the window that overlooked the world outside, full of fresh air and sunshine and more things to do than sit in silence watching a chess championship match. A dog’s distant barks sounded nearby, excited and playful, enjoying a world Danny was missing out on.

        Well, at least Viggo’s happy, Danny thought with a smile and turned his attention back to the match where Viggo’s opponent had taken his exposed queen and, it appeared, fallen right into whatever a ‘Stafford Gambit’ was because Viggo’s bishop had the king in check. When his opponent tried to flee, Viggo brought forward his second bishop, and the crowd erupted into polite clapping and affirmations of a game well played. Herrlof, asleep in Danny’s lap, jerked awake at the noise and huffed out a breath of annoyance at being so rudely awoken.

        Over the applause, Danny noticed the dog’s barks growing louder. It seemed to be getting closer and closer, and when a cold wisp left Danny’s mouth, he froze in realization the moment before a wall crashed and crumbled to the ground.

        Screams rose from the crowd, and Danny was on his feet in a heartbeat as the familiar green form of Cujo blasted into the building with a howl. Herrlof hissed, her fur fluffing out, and she darted away into the crowd to find her Rider. People scattered in a panicked frenzy, and Danny pushed his way through the fray, stumbling when Cujo’s bounding paw steps shook the ground as the ghost dog bounded around sniffing the area.

        “What in Odin’s Realm is that-?” Viggo exclaimed as he rushed over, wrist ray at the ready and aimed for Cujo, but Danny was quick to slap a hand over the ghost gun to stop him from firing.

        “No, wait! That’s Cujo, he’s just- Excited!” Danny shouted over the roar of running people.

        Cujo’s ears pricked, and Danny stiffened when the dog’s eyes locked on him. With a joyous bark that shook the air, Cujo bounded toward them. Viggo grabbed Danny’s arm, trying to pull him out of the way, but it was too late. Danny’s breath was driven from his lungs as Cujo pinned him to the ground under a massive paw, only to cover him in slobbery licks that had him cringing.

        “Okay, I missed you too, now get off before you squish me!” Danny laughed, pushing Cujo’s head away from him.

        The ghost dog obliged with a happy bark by shrinking to his miniature puppy form. Danny sat up and ruffled Cujo’s ears while Herrlof gave the ghost a curious sniff before she spat a hiss and hid behind a confused Viggo.

         “Did the dog just… Shrink?”

        “Okay, you call me a troublemaker, but just wait until you hear about this little nuisance,” Danny snickered as he got to his feet, holding a happy Cujo in his arms. “Now let’s get out of here before the cops show up!”

        Viggo blinked a few times, still baffled, but shook his head and hurried after Danny as he ran out of the building away from the still-panicked crowd. Danny headed away from town, where emergency response sirens began to ring out, with a glance back to make sure Viggo and Herrlof were keeping up. 

        When Danny looked ahead of him again, he came to an abrupt stop and froze when he realized where he’d inadvertently brought them.

        “What-?” Viggo cut himself off as he came to a stop at Danny’s side. “Oh…”

        Before them lay a small cemetery. Trees shaded the lush green grasses and lonely headstones that dotted the landscape. An iron wrought fence of rusted black metal surrounded the graveyard, which lay in quiet stillness.

        “I, uhh, guess death always draws me in,” Danny tried to laugh, but it ended up more forced than he’d hoped.

        Danny froze when Viggo’s arms wrapped around him to pull him close, before he let out a breath and relaxed, leaning into his comforting embrace. Cujo whined in his arms, and Danny set down the ghost pup, letting him run off ahead into the cemetery. After a moment, Herrlof followed, her narrowed eyes trained on the green dog.

        “Well, I guess you get to meet the family,” Danny managed a smile despite the twisting ache in his chest.

         “I would be honored, my dear, but only if  you  are ready.”

        Danny had to look away from the concern clear in Viggo’s eyes. He braced himself before he nodded. “I promised myself I wouldn’t run anymore.”

        After one more hesitating moment, Danny led the way into the graveyard with Viggo’s hand grasped tight in his own. They followed the leaf-shaded, weathered stone pathway. Occasionally, Cujo and Herrlof intercepted them, running around among the headstones and lush plantlife. Danny wasn’t sure if they were playing or if Herrlof intended to beat up Cujo for interrupting the chess tournament, but he left them to it.

        Danny came to a stop when they’d reached the far corner of the cemetery, where flowery vines and foliage were creeping through the fence from the trees beyond. Three headstones, with another three standing nearby, separated only by thin bands of soft grass. Each marked with a name that sent pain twisting in Danny's chest. His mom, dad, sister, best friends, and the only teacher who saw potential where everyone else saw a delinquent headed for the gutter.

        “I never did tell you what really happened, did I?” Danny asked, and Viggo shook his head, his expression somber.

         “Was there more than the explosion?”

        Danny winced, and he could have sworn he still heard the laughter of his corrupted future self echoing in his head. 

        “Well, you know how there are more worlds? This and yours?” When Viggo nodded, Danny went on. “Think of me in a third world. The explosion happened, I lost everything, but I didn’t find my way to your world. I had Vlad tear out my humanity to escape the pain, but all that did was, well, take away my humanity. That version of me came to this world, he’s the one who set things up to make sure I lost everything again.”

        “Yet you retained your humanity?” Viggo asked, his curiosity clear, and Danny nodded.

        “I managed to defeat that evil me, but I couldn’t stop the explosion. I swore I wouldn’t turn out like him, I wouldn’t tear out my humanity, and, well, I didn’t.” Danny smiled, a mix of sharp aching grief and soft hope twisting in his chest as he leaned down to place a kiss on Viggo’s scarred cheek, amused to see a light blush rise. “It was rough, some days giving up was so tempting, but day by day I found a future worth living.”

        “They’d be proud of you, my dear,” Viggo’s assurance sent warmth blooming in Danny’s chest. “You’re the strongest man I’ve come to meet, always putting others before yourself - even when I disapprove - fighting to protect those you love with abilities I could only dream of.”

        Danny chuckled. ‘What? Jealous that I’m so cool and awesome and strong?”

        Viggo rolled his eyes at the teasing. “What if I am?” That gave Danny pause, and he stared at Viggo in surprise as his husband let out a sigh. “There’s only so much I can do to keep you safe, my dear, and it worries me to no end. You’ve fought foes while I could only stand by, feeling useless, and hope you could win without being able to aid you myself. I’m only a man, and you…”

        Viggo trailed off, and Danny found himself lost for words. The hot sting of tears welled in his eyes, and he pulled Viggo into a tight hug that had him spluttering in surprise.

        “Shut your mouth!” Danny snapped to Viggo’s bafflement. “If it weren’t for you and that brain of yours, I’d be dead a hundred times over, alright? You’re not useless, and you’re not ‘only a man’. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve met, and we’ve already established how that’s something I’m clearly lacking more often than not.”

         “But-”

        “No ‘but’s,” Danny cut him off with a sharp look before he grinned and held up his hand to show off his wedding band. “Like it or not, you’re stuck with me. Your brain and my brawn make us unstoppable!”

        After a long moment, Viggo burst into laughter and cupped Danny’s cheeks in his hands to brush away the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. The relief was clear in his half-blind gaze as he smiled up at him. “Yes, I suppose I can’t argue with you, my dear. If your family’s spirits are listening, I promise to use this brain of mine to protect you as much as I can.”

        “And I promise to make your job harder by protecting you too,” Danny snickered as Viggo rolled his eyes with an exasperated sigh. 

         “What ever will I do with you, my dear?”

        “Sit down with me and tell my parents about all the stupid things I’ve done the past few years?” Danny suggested, and Viggo smiled.

         “Yes, I suppose I can do that, though it may take a while to list everything.”

         “Well, we’ve got nothing but time.”

        Seated on the satellite on top of his old house, Danny gazed up at a starry sky he’d almost forgotten. A sky he’d once wanted to fly into, and even now he felt drawn to the vast curiosity of space. Everything felt foggy around him, strange and off, and when he looked down at the houses below, they seemed to melt away into a blur.

        Am I dreaming? He groaned at the thought. It better not be another nightmare.

        “Not a nightmare,” the grizzled voice behind him made Danny freeze. “At least, I hope not.”

        Danny spun, and a bolt of shock raced through him at the sight of Clockwork floating before him, his appearance wrinkled with age but a smile on his face.

        “Clockwork?” He exclaimed. “What-? Why’re you in my dream?”

        “This is no ordinary dream,” Clockwork said with a shake of his head. “Do you not remember the nightmare of another time?”

        Danny stared, mouth agape. “That was you?”

        Clockwork nodded, and his gaze turned to the stars as his form changed to that of a child, tone bright with mischief. “I’ve been keeping an eye on you since the explosion, you know? The Observants wanted me to destroy you, still do, but I knew how things would go.”

        “You… Knew I’d end up in some alternate dimension?” Now, confusion hit Danny. “How could you see that? Seems out of the range of even the master of time.”

        “You’d be surprised by what I know,” Clockwork’s red eyes flashed as his form changed again, this time to a man. “The nightmare was a taste of what could have happened in a time you had missed. A time I had intervened in the day everything changed for you.”

        Danny’s eyes narrowed, and suspicion clawed at him at the ominous words. “If you had intervened?”

        “Yes, in one timeline, I reversed the explosion, gave you a chance to change what you’d done.” Danny froze, breathless at the confession, while Clockwork looked on in indifference. “Things would be far different between both worlds, you know? Would you like to see?”

        Danny couldn’t bring himself to say a word, only nodding, and Clockwork waved his staff in front of them. A mirror formed, reflecting another time. A time where Danny saw his family live, the Guys in White funded by Vlad as mayor almost taking over, giving up and regaining his ghost half, saving the world against a ghost-proof meteor with the help of everyone except Vlad who was lost to space, his family and even the world at large accepting and celebrating him, ghost half and all, marrying Sam, living a life with everyone.

        The mirror changed, wavered, and he saw Dragon’s Edge. Ryker drowned by the Submaripper, Viggo’s death he’d already seen first-hand, but not only them. Stoick killed by Toothless under the Bewilderbeast’s control, like he’d almost been. Stormbringer’s egg lost in the destroyed Sanctuary. Toothless becoming King of Dragons, leading every dragon away to the Hidden World. New Berk and the world laying empty and Grimmel - though dead - the victor in their conflict.

        Danny blinked, and the mirror faded. Clockwork floated before him, ancient as the times he guarded, staring at him with an unreadable expression.

         “So, tell me, if I offered the same thing as that timeline - a chance for you to right your wrong and stop the explosion - would you take it after everything you’ve experienced?”

        Danny froze, baffled at the suggestion, his mind a whirl of thoughts as he tried to process everything he’d seen. The two worlds that could have been if he’d stopped the explosion. A time with his family, with Sam and Tucker, a world that accepted him despite being half dead. A time without dragons or the Riders and the family he’d made on his own. A time without Hiccup or Stoick and Valka or any of the life he’d already lived.

        A time without Viggo.

        “No,” Danny breathed without a shred of uncertainty despite the ache it left in his chest. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”