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That man was completely blind.
His father always spoke of this man he knew, despite never visiting. Danny has always imagined the man was just too busy to.
Until an accident was mentioned, and it made sense for him. That man, he was completely blind in both of his eyes thanks to an accident that happened over twenty years ago.
They have been invited to a reunion sort of party. Of course, Jack has been eager for his kids to meet his old friend, Vlad Masters, so naturally, and against Maddie’s own protests, he was bringing them along.
“Alright kids, got everything packed?”
“Yes, dad.”
Danny sung along to his sister’s words, checking his stuff one last time.
“Wait, no. Not me, I am missing something—”
“Danno, no video games. This is a weekend to relax!”
“It's not video games!”
Danny rolled his eyes as he ran upstairs quickly, heading up to his room and looking through his closet.
“It's definitely video games.”
Jazz leaned up to whisper at her father’s ear, grabbing her own bag and heading up to the car. Maddie was already desperate. What was taking so long?
Once Danny returned, now with his bag fully packed, they set off to their destination.
---
Vlad Masters lived in a castle in Wisconsin. It gave away just how wealthy this man actually was… that, and the fact he is the leader of two companies… one outside of the United States, even.
The door opened after Jack knocked on the door, excitement making his fist hit a melody on the wood.
“V-man!!”
The door was opened by this man… who was maybe in his forties, or a bit less, his hair completely silver, a blindfold covering both of his eyes…
There was one thing Danny was good at, and that was knowing when something was up.
It was weird.
This man was completely blind, and yet… Danny could feel like he could see him.
By the frown on his face when he tilted his head towards Danny, the sadness his expression held. It made both of them frown as they looked at each other, only a few words distracting them from the truth.
“Something wrong, Danny?”
“Ah—?”
Danny looked up at his sister when she spoke, and then he looked back at Vlad.
“Uh…”
Jack laughed softly, and then he patted Danny’s back.
“Vladdie, these are my kids speaking, Jasmine and Daniel. You’ve heard of them!”
“Yes.. You’ve spoken of them.”
However, they didn't tell Vlad that they did it again. That they put another life in danger, and this time, it had been their own son.
But he can't say that, right? No… He would be seen as crazy, despite being completely fine.
Truth be told… after the accident that cost him his vision, his sanity, and part of his life… he found new ways to see the world. From being able to see nothing, to seeing a side of the world made of shapes and feelings.
With waves coming out of his core at random intervals, the so-called ‘ecto-vibrations’ bouncing back to the source from the obstacles in the way.
Like a radar. Like echolocation.
“Careful with anything you touch.”
Danny gave the man a look. How would he be able to tell if he did anything at all?
The expression on Danny’s face made the man smile. It was amusing to see someone, who still didn't know, try and figure out what was going on…
“You know what they say, blind people develop a sixth sense…”
The man chuckled softly as he kept touring the family around.
---
What Danny didn't know was that Vlad was more aware of his presence than he thought. Having been caught scheming in the middle of the night, Phantom faced Vlad at the office of the castle.
Danny, confused as to why Vlad knew it was him who had silently walked into the room, and not someone else, spoke up concerned.
“How did you—”
Vlad then felt forced to reveal the truth there… the truth that he wished to never reveal.
The truth that could possibly ruin whatever little was there to still cling to.
“We are more alike than you may think, Daniel.”
Those words made Danny’s eyes open wide as he watched the man before him stand up from the chair where he was sitting.
“I knew you hid something…”
“In effect.”
Vlad’s expression lacked a smile.
“Or did you really think a human could regain the sense of sight by natural means… just like that.”