I’ve seen de-aged Danny AUs in crossovers before but have I ever gotten to see one where there isn’t a crossover attached??? because consider:
Clockwork decides the most efficient way for Danny to defeat Pariah Dark… is to have Pariah raise him.
no warning. no context. no explanation.
just toddler Danny, bundled up, dropped at the gates of Pariah’s fortress centuries before canon with a single note:
'' He’s o̶u̶r̶ your baby. – CW.''
and Pariah is standing there like.
'' When did I fuck with the embodiment of time itself?''
'' WHEN did this happen! ''
meanwhile Danny is just blinking up at him with big glowing eyes and reaching up like “uppies.”
and now Pariah —ancient tyrant, nightmare of the Infinite Realms — is stuck pacing his throne room at 3am with a ghost toddler who refuses to sleep unless he’s holding onto his cape.
but here’s the thing.
Pariah is prideful. He is royal. He is not raising a weak heir.
so Danny is trained.
battle strategy taught at bedtime.
sword forms before he can properly read.
history of the Realms instead of fairy tales.
because if this is his child (apparently???) then he will be a prince. and he will be formidable.
and somewhere in the background
Clockwork is watching like :)
because what better way to ensure Pariah’s defeat… than making him love the thing that will one day overthrow him.