Chapter Text
Vlad stared at the monitor for a moment in slight panic. No airplane was fast enough and from the looks of it a phone call would be useless as only the teens were there. Not even Jazz was there, why was no one there?! He needed to get there, his eyes went to his portal. It was functional and apparently so was the Fentons, nothing would be faster.
A black ring formed around Vlad’s waist before splitting up and down. His silhouette had a noticeable glow from his blue skin to his clothing. Over the years Vlad had learned to alter his clothing into a one piece suit and cloak over a significantly more muscular and taller form. Black boots went to his mid-calf and grey pants under a black V on his lower stomach. His clawed hands were concealed under black gloves that went to just under his elbows. The rest of the suit was white with a black V across his collarbones flanked by gold clasps to a hooded cloak, black with a red interior. His silver ponytail was now black which complimented his blue skin. Sharp fangs were bared in a grimace as a pointed ear twitched in annoyance as his burning blood red eyes focused on the cage.
“Drink now and be altered but faster or wait until later while exhausted?...I’ll grab one after from the Fenton Portal.” Decided Vlad before drawing his gaze away.
Floating quickly to the portal doors Vlad put his hand to the screen, a beep signaling his ecto signature was accepted before revealing a red button. Vlad’s fist slammed it and the titanium doors opened as Vlad closed his eyes before rushing in. After years of navigating the ghost zone via natural portals Vlad had a few tricks. Such that if he used a leyline, Fenton Works was at an intersection and one passed by his lair, he could travel at the speed of electricity. It was disorientating and left him weakened but Vlad had no choice. Flying into what looked like a highway of light Vlad hissed as his form became energy and his vision blinded as he was sped off.
Sensing his destination the leyline threw Vlad outside the new portal. Blinking his eyes clear Vlad saw the portal and through it three teenage silhouettes, one still on the ground. Vlad looked around with focused eyes, it wouldn’t be long before other ghosts arrived but for now it was clear. Flying forward he felt the warmth of the real world and his lungs took a deep breath. Vlad ignored the startled cries as he slammed the close button on the portal. With the whoosh and clank of the doors closing behind him, Vlad looked around.
Against the wall by the stairs was a familiar face with his red hat and glasses, constants from kindergarten on just like his friendship with Danny. Tucker had never been particularly brave but Vlad knew he was a sight to behold and that the boy hadn’t fled up the stairs was a point in his favour. Though that his frantic heartbeat distracted him was annoying. Vlad turned his attention down at another two heartbeats, one pounding strongly and the other concerningly rapid.
A girl with hair as black as her outfit accented with purple like her eyes was crouched over Danny. Vlad didn’t know her well though Danny mentioned a “Sam Manson” for years and she resembled the pictures. Now she was clutching Danny upper body to hers, her chin resting on his snow white hair. Vlad’s eyes darted wildly as he took in Danny, not bothering to hide his fear. Danny’s hazmat suit was black with white points, the inverse of what Vlad knew like the boy’s hair. Kneeling down Vlad went to grab Danny only for the Sam to clasp him tighter.
“Miss I don’t know who you are but join the boy against the wall.” Directed Vlad with a pointing hand, his eyes not leaving Danny as he took in the glow.
“I’m not letting you take him you blueberry dracula!” Growled Sam and Vlad looked up to find very determined eyes with just the barest hint of fear.
“I shut the door behind me, I have no intention of taking him. Now I need to check if he’s breathing, so if you want him to live you will back away.” Hissed Vlad, baring his fangs and making his eyes flash.
“Sam I think you should do as the scary vampire ghost says. I mean the door is shut and it’s not like we can stop him.” Called Tucker, his voice quivering with fear.
With a glare Sam gently set Danny down before backing away, not to the wall but far enough that Vlad could get around. Her eyes never left Vlad who couldn’t care less as his hands finally found Danny. With a hand on Danny’s chest he felt the rise and fall of lungs, the beat of a heart and...the pulsing of a core.
“How long was he in the portal?” Inquired Vlad, his voice deadly calm.
“What? How did you-”
“I ASKED HOW LONG!?!” Roared Vlad, refusing to look at Sam, he’d let loose eye beams at this point.
“Three minutes sir! Though I think only one while it was on? Is he going to be okay?” Blurted Tucker.
Vlad shuddered, his own accident hadn’t even been a minute. Underneath the glow Danny looked paler and Vlad realized Danny’s vitals were rapid and weak, dangerously so. His breathing more gasps then actual breaths. Vlad blinked and a duplicate came from his form. The duplicate unzipped Danny’s hazmat suit to allow easier breathing before draping the boy with his cloak. As the double elevated Danny’s legs Vlad went to Danny’s head. He shook the boy’s slim shoulders.
“Daniel wake up! Wake up before I have to give you CPR!” Shouted Vlad before giving another shake.
There was no response and Vlad swallowed before tilting Danny’s head back, still letting loose strangled gasps. Vlad began chest compressions, mentally counting before he returned his attention to Danny’s head. Tilting it back further with chin up he pinched the boy’s nose shut, with another swallow he put his mouth to Danny’s creating a seal which earned disgusted noises from the two teens.
“How long has he been struggling to breath?!” Snapped Vlad via his duplicate only for the teens to shake their heads.
“Can you tell me when he entered the portal at least?” Tried Vlad, they were locking up with fear.
“The picture should have a timestamp.” Offered Tucker flinching as the double locked on him.
“ What picture?” Demanded Vlad, barely keeping himself from yelling.
“The one in Sam’s pocket.” Squeaked Tucker.
Vlad blinked again, a duplicate taking his place in CPR. Then he got to his feet and stormed up to Sam and held out his hand, moving his fingers when Sam hesitated, fear in her eyes. She pulled out the picture from her instant camera , showing it to Vlad.
It was Danny slipping into his hazmat suit, looking unsure as his eyes seemed to be directed over his shoulder at the camera, his foot over the portal’s threshold. The time stamp was 12:05, it was now 12:15…
“Why do you have this picture?” Whispered Vlad, not looking up at the teens as suspicions darkened his mind.
“Well you see Sam kinda of-”
“I dared him, he said it didn’t work, his parents had-” Began Sam only to jump back as a beam of pink energy blasted at her feet so that she was now against the wall with Tucker.
“Are you telling me that Daniel is over there on the floor in shock because of a dare!?!” Snarled Vlad, pink energy arced from his blinding red eyes as his fangs were fully exposed and becoming more vicious looking..
“Umm-Yes?” Muttered Tuck, already raising his hands to shield himself.
“If I hadn’t arrived how long where you going to leave him on the floor?! He could be brain damaged, he still might die and you would have just stood there!?” Screamed Vlad as he opened his clenched fists, the gloves shaping to his claws and retracting.
The two teens flinched and Tucker grappled Sam like a lifeline as they stared at Vlad in horrified silence. Vlad could smell salt but he didn’t care if they were crying, they had changed Danny’s life forever. The boy may die and Vlad wasn’t losing another child.
“Do you have no idea what you’ve done!? Even if he survives...No, I’m not losing another one…” Started Vlad as tears came to his eyes as his mind went back to a hospital states away and years ago.
“Uh sir are you-”
“IF I LOSE HIM YOU’RE JOINING HIM!” Roared Vlad snapped from his trance as he made another copy to block the staircase before he turned to go back to Danny only to stop mid stride.
Danny was standing near a workbench, resting his weight on it. Vlad dismissed his duplicates next to the boy as he approached Danny, his mouth working into a smile as he was flooded with relief.
“Dan-” Began Vlad only for his heart to drop into his stomach at the hatred in those illuminated green eyes.
“Get away from my friends.” Ordered Danny and Vlad stopped, looking at his god son with rare confusion.
“They hurt you, I can’t just let them leave.” Stated Vlad, he couldn’t, Maddie and Jack had to talk to them and then their parents.
It must have come off more threatening than Vlad had intended because Danny lashed like a viper, a green blast striking Vlad in the chest. Vlad moved backwards a step as his breathing began irregular, some ribs were clearly cracked and...That continuing burning, eating into his chest like acid was new for a ghost attack but hauntingly familiar. Looking down Vlad noted his chest was covered in a large burn as if squirted with acid, the middle still deepening as green with red swirls began dripping. Vlad looked up in alarm, Danny’s right hand was glowing green but it was holding a silver gun, sleek and dangerous but harmless to humans but ghosts…Vlad let loose a breathless chuckle.
“Figures they upgraded their ecto guns with the portal incase…” Mused Vlad to end with a wet cough, a coy smile on his face as he looked at Danny who was clearly caught off guard by the amount of gore.
Danny backed up, gun still up as he slapped the portal door button so it opened behind him.
“Now leave before-before I shoot you again!” Tried Danny his voice breaking and Vlad could see the tears.
Vlad hovered with his hands up, making his way to the portal, his eyes locking with Danny’s now neon green before he crossed.
“You have much to learn, hopefully I’ll be there to teach you.” Wished Vlad, a soft and mournful look on his face.
“I hope you’re not you snaggletooth smurf.” Threatened Danny as he motioned at the portal with the gun, his frame trembling now.
Vlad gave one last mournful look before he entered the portal, the doors slamming shut behind him. The one small blessing Vlad had was the acid eating away at his chest finally stopped in the ectoplasm rich atmosphere. Unhooking his cloak Vlad wrapped it around his grievous wound to hide it. Slowly Vlad began to make his way back home knowing a leyline travel would kill him as his heart stopped and his lungs stilled with it the end of a hissing noise.