Chapter Text
Danny woke with a gasp, his side and core both ached. A slow steady beat of pain. Where was he? He looked around not recognizing anything around him. He looked down at himself. Small. He was tiny. Danny took a deep breath, if he had to guess he was now around 2-3 years old. Why? Danny tried to think back to what could have happened. Pain stabbed through his skull. He took another deep breath. Ok, this was bad, really bad, but he could fix this.
He looked around again. He was in a dingy alley, he could smell the piss, and sadness. He walked out of the alley and saw a sign that said, “Fawcett City Zoo”. Ok, so he’s in Fawcett city and he is about 3 years old, with no memory of what got him here. This is really, really, really bad. He walked back into the alley, better not to be seen. Ok, first things first, food. He’s in pain, and to heal he needs to eat, so food first.
Danny started to pat himself down, nope no money. So dumpster diving, or stealing. He felt his eyes well up with tears, he doesn't want to cry, he doesn't want to be here, and doesn't want to dumpster dive OR steal. Danny sniffed and wiped his eyes. This is ok, it’s not that bad, it's fine. He is not a child he can and will do what he needs to survive.
He’ll dumpster dive, it's better than stealing. He sets off down the alley to the first dumpster he sees. God dammit I'm too small, he thinks to himself looking up at the dumpster. It's at least a whole foot taller than him. He looks behind him, there's no one there. He takes a deep breath. Two rings of light start at his mid drift which splits in half, one traveling up his body, one traveling down. His clothes change to a black and white hazmat suit, with a DP on his chest. His hair becomes bone white and his eyes to a neon bright green. Danny flies up to the lid of the dumpster, and opens it. He gags the smell is..less than pleasant.
He holds his breath and steps in moving the trash to see if he can find anything. After a few minutes of searching he finds something. A half eaten burger, and there are still some fries! Plus no mold, it's a perfectly good burger. He hopes out the dumpster and de-transforms. He takes a fry and pops it in his mouth. Stale but beggars can't be choosers. “ Hey lil guy, that can't be that good.” Danny jumped and looked at the opening of the alley. There stood a man in his mid 20’s- early 30’s, wearing a bright red suit with a gold lightning bolt on his chest, and a white cape. Danny hissed at the man baring his fangs at him. The man put his hands in the air.
“Whoa lil guy, don’t worry, I won't hurt you. Do you need help?” The man gave him a big smile. Danny crouched down and gave a louder hiss, this man needed to back off this was his burger and fries. He found it first. The man slowly followed and crouched down with him.
“My name is Captain Marvel, I'm a hero. I can see that you're hungry, if you want I can take you to a diner and get you a full meal. Or I can go buy it and bring it to you, ok?” The man, Captain Marvel said, still making sure his hands were in full view of Danny.
Danny pulled the bag of food closer to chest, and hissed even louder this time. Captain marvel gave a bigger smile, “Alright not a big fan of those plans I see. But I can stay here and make sure you get somewhere safe after you eat, ok?” Danny thought for a moment, that was ok. He slowly relaxed and opened the bag pulling out the burger that was left and took a bite.
They sat in silence, the only sound being the city noise. As he ate, Danny felt a drop of water hit his face. Slowly he felt more and more raindrops hit him. He pulled the bag that still contained the fries closer to him as he did not want them to get soggy. Suddenly the rain stopped, he looked up to see captain marvel standing over him blocking the rain.
Danny gave a small smile which was returned by the man. As he finished up his food he tossed the bag to the side and stood up. He turned and looked at the Captain. Danny thought for a moment, he didn't want to walk and he didn't think it was safe to fly in his other form. So that left only one other option, he raised his arms up towards Marvel. “ Oh! Do you want me to carry you?” Marvel asked in shock. Danny nodded.
Captain Marvel bent down and lifted him up, putting Danny on his hip. “ Ok buddy, you need to hold on!” Danny nodded at this, wrapping his arm around Marvel's neck. Then Marvel froze, “ Hey lil guy two questions. 1 What's your name? Cuz i cant keep calling you lil guy and buddy. And 2 where do you live?” Marvel gave a slight nervous chuckle, he definitely didn't want to kidnap someone's kid.
Danny cocked his head to the side. “ Danny, my name is Danny.” he mumbled “ And no i don't have a place.” he continued on. The Captain let out a deep sigh, before he gave a bright smile
“Holy moly! I have the perfect idea! You can stay with me, I have plenty of space!” Danny gave the man a look, that clearly said wtf. “Ok, it sounds creepy, but ok, hold on.” He gently set Danny on the ground and backing up.
“SHAZAM” Danny jumped, whatever he was expecting it was not that. A bolt of lightning came down and struck Marvel much to Danny horror. As the smoke cleared and right in the middle was a 12 year old boy.
“ My name is Billy Batson, but you know me as Captain Marvel!” The boy said, a huge smile wide on his face. Danny looked at him with shock, blinking rapidly as if that would reverse what he just saw.
“ You ok?” Danny questioned. He didn't want his new friend to be hurt because of some stupid lightning.
Billy picked Danny up. “Oh yea, it happens all the time.” Billy stated. “Sooo now do ya want to come with me. You of course don't have to!!” The boy reassured him.
Danny thought for a moment. What's the worst that could happen, Billy seems super nice and to be completely honest Danny needs shelter. Danny smiled nodding his head yes.
“Great!” Billy cheered as he started to walk towards his home.