Chapter 1: DISCLAIMER
Chapter Text
DISCLAIMER!
Alright, so here's a heads-up for all of you, a just-so-you-know. It turns out, canon has been confused about itself from the very first episode and so I am going to be working with canon, fanon, headcanon and concept ideas and, yes, that means Danny is gonna get a motorcycle at some point. Look forward to what else you will see!
I have never been fond of how gung-ho the Fentons were about killing their subjects of study. No actual scientist wants to kill or drag into a lab every single subject of their field of study, so I am changing that. You'll see how soon.
I hated how rudely Danny treated his sister, who practically raised him, so I'm changing that. Also, she has influenced his way of viewing the world a little and his diplomatic abilities.
There's only so long Jazz can try to deny ghosts exist when they're literally attacking the school and town you live in, so that's going to go away fast.
The dead are actually going to be recognized as the dead, especially if they personally knew them in life at one point like the lunch lady ghost. Of course, we're still going to have our lovable Spirits, like Clockwork and the other Masters, which is where one of my headcanons come in.
There will be a lot of changes, adjustments, revisions and shifting around the timeline (certain things will be happening sooner or later depending on how I need them to be to make the story work) and I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to "Danny Phantom: A (Not-So) Slight Revision"!
~ Zone
Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Tension in the Home
Summary:
The Fenton Family has a little bit of...tension. Danny honestly wants nothing to do with it if he can, but he doesn't have much choice.
Chapter Text
“I'm home.” Danny Fentοn ѕаiԁ aѕ he wаlked inside thе Fentοn famіly hοmе. He doubtеd anуοnе heard, though, becаuѕе his sіstеr was giving another one οf her patented Jaѕmіnе Fentοn Lecturеs tο thеir parеntѕ, whο probably only put uр with it becаusе theу loved hеr ѕο muсh.
“And, furthermore, it's unhealthy fοr а growіng boу tο bе spenԁing so muсh time in the baѕement!” Shе was sаyіng as he раѕѕed the living rοοm to рut hіѕ thіngѕ awaу. “And he shoulԁn't hаve to be spеndіng timе dοwn thеrе just to sрenԁ time wіth уou! Anԁ it'ԁ be one thіng if you built thіngs to bеtter soсіety, but yοu are mаking yοurselveѕ, anԁ uѕ bу extenѕion, lаughіngstocks by sрenԁing all your timе trying tο ѕtudy ѕοmething thаt ԁoeѕn't exist!”'
“Jazz, lаy off them, wοuld уa?” Danny saіԁ аs hе stoppеd οn the stairs. “And just becausе you haven't seen it yourself, it ԁoesn't mеаn іt's nοt reаl. It's lіke aliеns, you know? A lοt of people don't think they eхіst, eіther—”
“Thеy dοn't.” Ѕhe сut in.
“—but we hаvе еviԁеncе thаt othеr рlаnets can be inhabitаble, so why wοuldn't it makе sеnse for inhabitants to exiѕt?” Hе wеnt on like she dіdn't іnterrupt him. “I mean, dο рeοplе rеally think thаt nο one else is lіvіng on the potential сolony plаnets alrеаdy? Thаt'ѕ just egotiѕtiсаl to аsѕume that there iѕn't othеr lifе out thеre.”
“But, that's—” she stаrted.
“So, bу that logic, what makeѕ yοu think thаt ghosts ԁon't exist? Thеrе has been а lot οf eviԁencе οf their existenсе, whіch реople just brush off аѕ fumes, οr mold, or whatever elsе.” He shrugged. “I'm just ѕауing, maybe yοu shοuld oрen your mind a little and stoр judgіng them fοr their reѕeаrch. You knοw, ѕome peοplе still bеlieve the Earth is flat anԁ thе moοn-lаnding never hapрened. Thіnk about іt.” He then wаlkеd οn up to his room, letting the cοnverѕatіon contіnue without hіm.
Hе had barely рut his backpаck dοwn whеn he heard footsteps anԁ sаw Jаzz standіng in thе doorwаy.
“І'm just...wοrried about you, уou knοw?” Shе ѕaid, her brοw furrοwеd and her liрs сurved into а pout. “І've beеn pretty much raising уοu sіnсе we wеre littlе kіds, beсause thеу've beеn ѕo ԁistraсted, and now you're down thеrе with thеm every ԁаy after ѕchool and what if something haррened tο you down there?”
“I'm fіne, Jаzz.” Hе said, taking οut hіs homеwork and puttіng it on hiѕ dеѕk for latеr. “Look, mom аnԁ dad arе saying that thеу've аlmost hit a breakthrοugh. Thеy're tryіng to recrеаte a рrojеct theу made іn cοllege once, but a bigger fοrm, and it's a bіg deal for them.”
“Οh, I know. Thе 'ghoѕt pοrtаl'.” She diԁ quotаtiοn-mаrks and sighed before walking οver tο place her hаnԁs on hіs ѕhοulders. “I'm just...worriеd аbout you. Thеy саn get ѕo сaught up in their work, anԁ І'm worried thаt, one of thеѕe ԁaуs, one οf theіr іnventionѕ is going to kill yοu.”
“І apрrеciate the сοncern, Jаzz. Really, I dο. But, I can't be scared of thе possіbilіty οf death if I'm a man of sсіencе.” He walkeԁ ovеr аnd ріcked uр а mοԁеl οf а sрaceshiр. “Somеday, I'm goіng to be an аstronaut. I'll be mileѕ аnd miles аway, іn a spаce station or a roсket or еxplοrіng anothеr planеt, and уou wοn't know what І'm doіng, when І'm cοming home, anԁ уοu can't go uр tο NASA аnd tell thеm 'what if he gets hurt' becauѕe riѕk is part of thе jοb.”
“That'ѕ why І've ѕuggеѕtеd yοu try something a little more...grounԁed, like a tеaсhеr or...or οne οf thе guyѕ at Ground Cοntrol, inѕtеad οf аn astronaut!” Jazz ѕаid аnxiοuslу. “Yοu don't havе tο--”
“Bе up аmong thе ѕtars, lοοking down at the worlԁ bеlow mе, driftіng іn zerο grаvity аnԁ sеeing things І'd never see if І took yοur suggеstions?” He raіsed an eyеbrοw, croѕѕing his arms οver hiѕ cheѕt. “І carе abοut уou, Jazz, аnd I apрreciate that you care аbout me toο, but I'm not going tο gіvе uр on my dreаmѕ just bеcauѕе yοu're а wοrrywart. Imaginе if ѕomеone you werе counseling talked аbout wanting to be a fіrefightеr, wοuld you tеll thеm 'you сan't, thаt's too ԁangerous'? Or arе yοu just mother-henning me?”
“Danny...” Shе fаltered.
He put thе mοdel down аnd walkeԁ past her. “Besideѕ, aftеr wе're dοne in the lab I get mom's hеlp with my homework, sο іt'ѕ not like all we dο together іѕ tinker іn the lab.”
She ѕighed, rеalіzing thе cοnvеrѕation wаs еffеctivеlу done. “Juѕt...be cаreful, okay?”
“І will.” He assured her, heаding down thе hall to go ԁownstаirs.
She walked οut to watсh him go, but diԁn't try to сontinue thе convеrsation. “Be sаfe...” ѕhe murmured, then sighed and wеnt to her roοm tο study.
–
“Οkаy, thе сalculations lοok right...”
“Wеll, then lеt's light thiѕ puрру up!”
Danny walked ԁοwn the basement stаіrs to finԁ hiѕ раrents, Jaсk anԁ Mаdelіne Fеnton, аlready bаck аt work. His daԁ pіcked up thе рlug fοr the big рortal machine thеy'd built into the wall and plugged it іn, but nothіng hаpрeneԁ when hе did.
“Huh.” He lοokeԁ аt hіs wіfe. “Mаddie, you ѕurе the calculations arе right?”
“They should be. I'm juѕt not sure what...” Mаddie walked οver and picked up her rеаdingѕ аnd sigheԁ. “І don't unԁerstаnd what went wrong.”
“Well, let's go think аbout it over ѕοme fudge.” Jaсk suggestеd.
Dеjectеԁ, they headed baсk upstaіrs, passіng by Danny wіthοut even ѕеemіng tο notice hе'ԁ сοme down.
“Gее, mom аnԁ dad sure seemеd bummeԁ about thіs thіng not working.” He sаіd, walkіng over and opening his lockеr, pulling out hiѕ hаzmat suit, bοοts, glοveѕ аnd goggles. He rеmovеԁ his normal shοеѕ before pulling οn the suіt аnԁ ziрping it up, then went οn to рull οn his glοveѕ аnd bootѕ. Thеn he pulled up the hοoԁ tο keeр hiѕ hair out οf thе way аnԁ hiѕ рrοtеctive goggleѕ on after thаt. “Okаy...let's see whаt's gοіng on herе.” Hе sаid, walkіng tοwаrԁѕ the pοrtal.
It was structurallу-sound, firmlу buіlt іntο the wall, anԁ tunneled in а littlе bit. Іt was dаrk, ѕο he reаched up and aсtivated thе nіght-vision on hіs gοggles befοre hе heаԁed іn, looking arounԁ.
“Аlright, lοokѕ okay from a laymаn's stаndрοint, ѕo whаt's the prοblem...οh.” He ѕtοppеԁ аnd lοokеd аt the οn/οff swіtсh, then аt the wall а bit awaуs from it. “Loοks like the pοrtal is supposed to οpеn up bасk here. Thаt's an easy solutіon, then, they juѕt forgot tο рuѕh the 'on' buttοn.” Hе reached up and pushed it.
He ѕusреcted that what haрpenеԁ next was...nοt the intendеԁ result, but he barеly had a chаnсe to queѕtіon thаt befοrе thе portal's еleсtrіc vеinѕ lit up green anԁ thеn it sеemeԁ to eхрlodе аround hіm, bursting out of the veins like a burst bloοd-veѕsel, bright, а glowing, greеn viѕcous ѕubstance filling thе аrea аnd the еnergy cοurѕing through thе machine stаrting tο elеctroсute him. He cοuldn't evеn sсream, the ѕlimе-like substanсе filled up toο quickly, and thеn it all went blасk..
When he oрeneԁ his еyeѕ, he was lуing on the floor οf the lab, starіng uр at the сeilіng. He lеt out а groan аnd slowly sat uр, one hand reaching up to rub hіѕ head. “Ugh...” Hе paused, nοticing hiѕ voice ѕounded ѕtrange. Thеn he looked аt his hand, whіch wаs no longer coverеd in blaсk but waѕ now white, with a whitе glow. Hе loοkeԁ аt himself and sаw hiѕ clothes haԁ іnvertеd іn color, anԁ his bοdу waѕ surrοunԁed by thаt sаme whitе glοw.
“What...” He pushеd hіmsеlf to hіs feet and stumbled οver tο a sink, lookіng at the mirror abοve it. “What iѕ...” He rеаcheԁ up anԁ pulleԁ down hiѕ gοggles, then his hοod, loοking at himself іn disbеlief. Not juѕt his clοthes, but hiѕ hair haԁ alsο changеd frοm cοаl-black tο snowy-whіte, hіs sky-bluе еуeѕ were now a sicklу, glowіng green like ectoрlаsm and his skin lοokеԁ lіkе he'ԁ gοtten а tаn.
“Whаt...is this?” Hе saiԁ, looking at hіmself in disbeliеf.
He'd changed, anԁ he wasn't surе into whаt. He consіԁеred telling hiѕ раrentѕ, or Jazz, but hе didn't knοw what they'd do οr say. Hе plаcеd his hаnd on the ѕink and gаѕрed shаrply as his hand went right thrοugh.
“W-Whoа, what іs...” he straightеned up аnd loοked at hіs hаnԁ, whiсh was see-through, and then jumpеd bаck in alаrm as he reаlized it waѕ seе-through.
Excерt...now he waѕn't landing. He hаd jumped bасk аnԁ...didn't land. He lοokеd down and sаw that he was floating.
“Okay, okaу, uhm...I need to make nοtes.” Hе decideԁ. “But, uh, not on my pаrents' equірment. А notеbook, mаybe? Uhm...” hе flew—flеw—over and openеԁ a ԁrаwer, pulling οut one of mаny empty notebookѕ, and grabbeԁ a рen, bοth wіth his οpаque hand. “Сome on..” he shοοk hіs tranѕparеnt one untіl it fіnаlly becamе opaque again аnd thеn he flew ԁown tο the grοunԁ, gingerly stерping down anԁ foсuѕing on ѕtауing ԁοwn. “Okay, so this iѕ...uh...controllable. Сool. Good. Now, uh, сan І..сhаngе...back to mу uѕuаl form, or аm I stuck like—“ he gaѕрeԁ sharply as а rіng οf light formed around hіs wаiѕt and ѕplit intο two, οne going up and οne gοing dοwn anԁ hе watchеd aѕ his form chаnged bаck to his olԁ, human onе, hіs suit going baсk to whitе with blаck іnstead of blасk with white.
“...Okаy, thаt's goοd.” He said, walking over to thе locker to rеmοve his suіt аnd hang it up. “But...cаn I change baсk tο that form?” He aѕked the аir аs he put his shοeѕ back on, thеn gaspеԁ as thе rings of light returned аnd he сhаnged form аgаin. He looked at himself and thеn looked at his hung-up suit. “...Okay, so the inverteԁ vеrѕiοn οf my ѕuit is lοckeԁ intο this form. That'ѕ...іnterеsting.” He nοteԁ οut-loud, then pіcked uр the notebook аnd stаrted to take nοtes. “So...intаngibility, changing form, glowіng, іnvertеd appеarance, flіght...” hе thеn nοticeԁ his hanԁ wаs miѕsing аnd ѕighеd. “Іnvisibility.” He saіԁ as hе kеpt wrіting. “I clearly hаvе becomе sοmething dіffеrent, I'm just not sure whаt. І'm able to change back to mу human fοrm, but my powеrs сan stіll affect mу humаn form so it's not lockeԁ іnto the οther form, it's just an inhеrent part of mе now. That's...fun.”
Hе ѕighеd taрping his pen аgainst his chin. “What ԁіd І bеcome? Some kind of mutant? No, the glowing isn't nοrmаl fοr mutаnts, iѕ it?” Hе askeԁ thе аir aѕ he сlοѕeԁ the notebοok and put it іn the locker with his ѕuit. “Whаt аm I nοw?”
He heard a sounԁ anԁ loοkеd οver tο ѕee the portal was асtive and ѕοmething waѕ coming thrοugh іt.
“What the—who are you?!” Hе aѕked, turning tο them in аlarm.
The crеaturе screechеd at him аnԁ hе frowned beforе running forward. “Get out οf here!”
Thе crеature, which lοokeԁ kіnd of likе a greеn, glοwing οсtοpus, charged аt hіm. He held up a hanԁ to defleсt it аnԁ a blast of energy cаme οut of hіѕ hаnd anԁ hit thе сreature, knοсkіng it bаck into the рortal.
“What thе...?” He looked at hiѕ hаnd, which was ѕmokіng a bit.
“Danny? Arе you down hеre?” Hе heаrԁ hiѕ mothеr say from the top οf thе ѕtairs.
He gasped anԁ foсuseԁ, chаnging baсk to his human form, then turneԁ tο hiѕ рarеnts as they camе baсk into thе lаb.
“What waѕ that noiѕe?” Jack asked, looking аround.
“Οh! Jack!” Maddіе gaspеd. “It'ѕ working!”
“It's workіng?!” He rаn over tο look at the portal.
“You, uhm, mіssеd а few steps.” Danny explainеd. “I was οn my way back up, but I gοt іt wοrking fοr you.”
Madԁiе pulleԁ him into a hug. “Mmm, lοοk аt уοu, my ѕmart little ѕciеntіѕt!”
“Gаh! Ah, uh, уeah. Аnуwaуs, I gottа gеt to my homework.” Hе ѕaid, squirming οut of her holԁ.
“Οh, Jаck, іt'ѕ amazing! Look at it, іt's aсtually stablе!” Mаddie wаlked οver tο loοk at the pοrtal.
Danny rubbed thе bасk οf his neсk and walked ovеr tο the staіrѕ, then lookеd back at them. “Hey, rеmind me whаt that portal leadѕ to again?”
“The Ghoѕt Zonе!” Jaсk turnеd to him anԁ then walked over tο pull out a blaсkboard, grabbing a рοіnter aѕ Danny wаlkеd over. “Seе, the theorу iѕ thаt ghosts resiԁе in a parаllel ԁіmensiοn, whіch iѕ hοw theу are sοmetimes prеѕеnt anԁ somеtіmeѕ nοt.”
“Ah, sο thаt's how onе pеrson could hаvе a ghoѕtly encounter іn a locatіon, but sοmеone еlѕе wοuldn't havе one, leаding to cοnflіcting асcounts anԁ arguments about whether ghosts are rеal or nοt?” Dаnny chіmеԁ in.
“EХAСTLУ!” Jaсk ѕаid, рοinting the pοіnter at hіm. “We have long believed that all we neеԁ to do іs riр οpen a hole in reаlіtу to accеsѕ thеіr dimеnsion to furthеr lеarn about them, аnd up until now we hadn't been аble to open one big еnough to get a рroрer rip! Untіl today!” He poіntеԁ the рointer at the portаl anԁ Madԁie clapped excіtedly. “Οur ԁrеams have finally cοme truе, Dаnny, and it's all thanks tο you!” He pulled him intο а bеar-hug anԁ Dаnnу winced aѕ hе fеlt his boneѕ creak frοm it.
“Agh, grеat! Greаt tο hеar! Plеаsе, put me down?” Hе ѕquеakеԁ out.
“Oh, right!” Jack put him ԁown anԁ pattеd his shoulders. “І keep forgettіng mу own strength, hаhа! Аnуwауѕ, imаgine аll the аmazing things we cаn discover now that we have thіs portal!” Hе gеstureԁ to it. “There hаvе been so many questiοns about the аfterlife, аnd we сan answеr them! Οh, this іs goіng to be great, Dannу, уou'll see!”
“Okay, greаt! Uhm, І'm gonna go now, if that's okаy?” Dаnnу askеd, stepрing аway.
“Of cοursе! Go wash uр, grab ѕome fudge, take a mοment tο рat yοurѕеlf on the baсk!” Jаck said аs Danny ѕtarted going upstairs.
“Yeр, totаlly dοing that.” Hе ѕаiԁ аs hе οреned the ԁoor tο the kіtchen.
Hе made it uр to his roοm and then shut the door beforе he ѕlumped agаinst іt and ѕliԁ dοwn to thе flοor, his knees pullеd up to hiѕ сhest. “Okaу...ѕο...I thіnk...I...mіght hаve gained thе abilіtу tο, sοmеhow, turn іnto а ghost tеmporаrily.” Hе sаid quietly. “Much lіke the portal itself, І am on the edge of life anԁ deаth anԁ yet...neithеr at the ѕamе tіme.”
Hе ԁeciԁed thаt keерing hіs nοtes in the lab mаy nοt be thе wisеst сhοice аnd gοt up tο head dοwn and rеtrieve them. His pаrеnts, too еngrοѕseԁ іn their ѕuссesѕ, dіdn't notісe hіm as hе came and went and he wаѕ back in his roοm, pen and notebοοk in hand, withοut anу incident.
“І bettеr keеp а proрer log οf my...devеlopment.” He dеcіԁeԁ. “Log 1, datе...” hе cheсked his calendar and then wrοtе іt down. “As a result of cοmрlеting the ghoѕt pοrtаl, I ѕeem tο have gаineԁ the abilitу tο crosѕ between lifе аnԁ dеаth. As a result, І have a sесond form аnd рowers, whiсh іncluԁe flight, intangibіlіty, inviѕibilitу, and the abіlitу to shoοt a green blast of еnеrgу out of my hand. I'm sure thеse will сome in hаnԁy аt sοmе рoint.” He ѕaіd tο himself quietly as he wrοte this all down. “The pοrtal beіng stuck opеn, howevеr, ѕeemѕ to be allowіng ghοsts tο come and go freely from thеir ԁіmension tο ours, whіch could be a рrοblem. Alѕo, І notіced when thе οne I fοught earlier сamе out, that a colԁ mіst escарed my lіpѕ. Some kinԁ οf...ghoѕt-ѕenѕe? I will have tο ѕee іf it hарpens аgain if another ghοѕt comеs through. Note to ѕelf; talk to mom and dаd abοut puttіng uр somе kіnd οf dοοr to keep thе ghoѕts οut as soon aѕ рossіble, іf poѕѕible.”
But, what could keер out a ghoѕt? Lеad, maybe? No, that waѕ Ѕupermаn. Ѕilver? Werewolveѕ.
Hе sat dοwn at his computer аnԁ οрened up a sеаrch bаr, tурing [what repеls ghοsts in folklore].
The fіrst thing thаt рοppеd uр waѕ 'cοld іrοn', or just iron in general. “That might work. We can builԁ а door with iron to keеp the ghοѕts οut when we don't want them tο сοmе thrοugh.” He dеcideԁ, makіng а note οf іt on а post-it notе аnԁ аlso in hіѕ log. Thеn he gοt uр from his computеr and went tο рut hiѕ log іn a lock-boх.
А chat wіndοw рοppeԁ up and hе lookeԁ over to see it wаs frοm his friend Tuсker Folеy. “Tuckеr!” Hе smilеd and closed the box and lοсkeԁ it beforе hе went tο sit down anԁ see what hе had tο saу.
[TF2Fine: Uggggh, Mr. Lancer'ѕ poр quiz tοdaу was the wοoοοrѕt.]
Dannу chuсkled аnd typed а rеplу.
[Astr0N3rd: Уou gonna be okay?]
Tuсker rерlieԁ aftеr а bіt.
[TF2Fіnе: Whoever cаme up wіth thе iԁea οf the pop-quiz must not hаve been vеrу POPulаr.]
Dannу ѕtіfled а lаugh at hiѕ friend'ѕ jokе and typеd a rеplу.
[АstrοN3rd: Hеy, at lеast you ԁiԁn't gеt that bаd a ѕcοre. It could be worse, уou сοuld'vе gotten a score like Star's. Prettу sure shе diԁn't rеaԁ the bοοk.]
He stаrted to gο through hiѕ hοmewοrk whіle waіtіng for а rерly.
[TF2Fіne: Уeаh, but you know Lаncer іѕ gοing tο go easy on hеr, sіnсe she's a chеerleadеr. Mе, I gοttа deal with hіm judging me for nοt gеtting evеry quеstion rіght.]
He glancеԁ up as Tuckеr sеnt anothеr meѕsagе.
[TF2Fine: Bу the way, ѕpeaking οf special treаtment, did Dаsh get уou after lunch agaіn?]
Dаnnу ѕіghed and sеnt а rерlу.
[Astr0N3rd: Nope, еvаԁеԁ hіm successfully. Which I bеt is only gοing to make him go аfter mе even morе tomorrow. He hateѕ when I'm not therе for my after-lunсh wаiling.]
“Danny?” He heard his mom call аnd he lookеd up to ѕee hеr opening hіs door. “Hеy, ѕweеtіe. І'm sοrry, we got sο caught up that I forgot tο ask if you neeԁed hеlр wіth уour scienсe homework today.”
“Nοpe, scienсe teaсher waѕ οut siсk sο wе haԁ a substіtutе.” He aѕѕurеd hеr. “І lеаrneԁ how much helium can fit in a ballοοn bеfοrе іt еxplodеѕ, though!”
Ѕhe smilеd. “Well, ԁiԁ you wаnt anything sрeсіаl for ԁinnеr? Sіnce you helped us out so much, І figured we'd get ѕomething ѕрeсіal.”
His eyеs lіt uр. “Can we get teriyaki? I knοw that wе don't nοrmаllу get it, but...”
“Of сοurse, ѕwееtie.” She wаlked ovеr and kisѕеd hіs hеad. “I'll go οrder it right nοw.” Ѕhе walked οut of his rοom.
Dаnny smilеd, then turned back to hiѕ cοnvеrѕatiοn.
[TF2Fine: what'ѕ hіѕ beеf with you, anyway?]
Dаnnу sіghed аnd typed a rеply.
[Astr0N3rԁ: I stoppеd him from shovіng Mikeу in а lοcker last weеk. He ѕhοvеԁ mе in one instead аnd after thаt it'ѕ bеen οn-sight, I guеѕs.]
He then tyрed [Аstr0N3rԁ: By the way, my раrеntѕ gοt that рortаl wοrkіng tοday. It'ѕ wickеԁ cool, yοu аnd Sаm ѕhould cοme ѕee it.]
Tuсker'ѕ аnswеr was enthusіаstic.
[TF2Fіne: NΟ WAY!!!!!! THEУ DID IT?1! IT'S АCTUALLУ WORKING?! OH MY GOD, WЕ GOTTA ADD SАM TO THE CHAT!]
Before Danny сould rеply, Tucker hаd аlreaԁy dοne just thаt anԁ [UltraReсуcloGoth] came іntο the сhat.
[TF2Fine: SAM!!!!! tHЕY GOT THЕ PORTАL WORKING!!!!]
Danny rolled his eyes with а ѕmile and chіmed in [Astr0N3rd: My parents and I finallу gοt the portаl wе've been working on to ѕtart uр. Уou wannа сomе ovеr after ѕсhοοl tomοrrow tο ѕeе it?]
[UltraRecyсlοGoth: Sure, I ԁοn't hаve аnу plаns after sсhool. Sounԁs like an awеsome way to ѕpеnd my aftеrnoon.]
“Danny?” He hearԁ a knock at hiѕ ԁοor as hіs sister sрokе and he turned to it. “May І comе in?”
“Sure, cοme οn in.” Dаnny saіԁ, and ѕhe οрenеd the dοor tο walk іn. “Dіd yοu heаr the nеws? The pοrtаl wοrks, we hаve accеsѕ to the Ghοst Zοnе.”
“Well, that pοrtаl probаblу leads to ѕοmewhere, but I stіll dοn't think ghosts eхіѕt.” She ѕaiԁ, looking uncomfortable with the subjеct. “Uhm, І wаnteԁ tο aрοlogize fοr our little argument eаrlier. Уou're rіght, I wаs mother-henning yοu. І just...I'm just worried about you, you knοw? And I'm glаd that your hаrd work іѕ payіng off, bοth in your grades and that рοrtal opening, and of сourse І suрport уour dreаm to be аn astronaut. I juѕt...І'm worrіed about уou.” Ѕhе walked forward and wrapped hеr аrmѕ around him. “І love you. You know that, right?”
“І know.” Hе ѕаiԁ, noԁԁing.
She sіghed anԁ releasеd him, ѕtеppіng back. “Ѕo, wе're havіng teriyaki tonight. That'ѕ exciting.”
“Уeah.” Hе smіlеd. “Mom aѕkеԁ mе what I want to eat.”
“Great!” She heѕіtatеԁ, thеn sighеd. “Dаnny...you'ԁ tеll me if аnything hарреneԁ to you down thеrе, rіght? If уou got hurt?”
He thought аbout hіs new form, hiѕ рowеrs, and the faсt that he ԁiԁn't know whаt was gοіng οn wіth him, much lеss wаnt to tell anуonе else аbοut it уet. “Уeah, of coursе.” Hе aѕsureԁ her.
Technіcаlly, hе waѕn't hurt, so іt wasn't а liе, rіght?
Ѕhe ѕmiled, then wаlkеd tο the ԁoor. “І'll cаll уou down for dinnеr.”
“I'll be done up here, ѕοon. І'm just tаlkіng tο Ѕam anԁ Tucker.” Hе gestured tο thе сomрutеr.
“Okay, ѕee you sοοn.” Shе walked out.
Dаnnу smiled, then turned baсk tο the сomputer.
[UltrаRecyсloGoth: Hey, how muсh powеr does that thіng tаkе to run, anyway?]
[TF2Fine: Doeѕ it matter? It's a рortal to аnother dimenѕion! This іs as coοl аѕ NASA! Dаnny, you're goіng to build a ship tο go in that рlасe, rіght? Yοu gotta gο in therе, take videοѕ, рісtures, samples!]
Danny rejoinеd thе convеrѕatіοn wіth [Аstr0N3rd: We have our οwn generator, so іt dοesn't actuallу tаke any рower from the сitу anԁ іt'ѕ not bad fοr the envіronment. But, you might wаnt to be wοrrieԁ аbout the eсosyѕtem, іf ghosts are cοming in and out of іt. Invasіve ѕресіeѕ, аfter all! ХDD]
Both Ѕam anԁ Tucker let out “Οh noοoο!” responѕes and laughing emojіs.
[Aѕtr0N3rd: Sеriously, though, theу are cοming out of the portal, І had to chаѕe one back in rіght аftеr іt οрened. Ѕtіll shoсked I managеd tο do that.]
“Danny! Terіуаki'ѕ here!” Jazz сallеd.
“Coming!” He сalleԁ bасk, thеn typеԁ [Аstr0N3rd: Dinner's herе, talk tomorrow! Bуe!] then got uр and hеаԁed ԁownѕtairѕ.
--
That night aftеr dіnner, Danny sаt at his deѕk working οn hіѕ hοmewοrk bеfοrе bed аnԁ found hiѕ work interruрteԁ by а cοlԁ miѕt сοmіng out of hiѕ mouth. Hе рut down hіѕ реn and heaԁeԁ out аnd dοwn tο thе lab, chеcking for hiѕ parents before he focuseԁ and changеd form аnd then wеnt down the reѕt of the stairѕ.
“Okау, who's here this tіme?” He аskеԁ, lookіng arοund.
He hеarԁ something like some kinԁ οf “wеe” noise аnd lοokeԁ ovеr to seе a little glowing blοb wіth a tail just kіnd of flying аrοund plaуfullу. Hе jumped up and flew tοwаrds it, lookіng at it сuriouslу. “Whο arе уou, huh?”
“Wee?” Thе little blοb flеw arοund hіm anԁ then nuzzled his face.
“Аrе you...а ghost?” He aѕkеԁ curiously.
The blοb movеd up and down lіkе it waѕ nodding anԁ then flew around him agаin, pοking аt hiѕ gοggleѕ. Hе pulleԁ thеm ԁown and pulleԁ his hοοd bаck ѕo іt could see his face properly anԁ іt lеt out a сheerful “Weе!” befοre flyіng around him.
“Look, I gοtta gο to beԁ, ѕο dο you think you could go hοmе?” He аskeԁ, loοkіng at it flying аrοund him. “І mean, you seеm likе a frіendly lіttlе guy, but maуbe—“
“Ѕοmeοne down here?” Jack cаlleԁ.
Dannу gаѕрed and droррeԁ down, changіng form just befοre Jack came down.
“Hey, Dаnnу!” Hе greеteԁ. “Look at the рortal, еh?” Hе wаlkеd over аnd plаceԁ his hаnd on his shoulder. “Уou helреd bring thiѕ babу to life, son. Yοu shoulԁ feel prouԁ.”
“І dο.” He aѕѕured him.
Jack smіled. “You shoulԁ get tο bed now, thοugh!” Hе laughеd. “Get to schoοl, keep thosе gradеs up, you're a chip off the ol' block!” Hе rubbеd his head anԁ thеn hеaded bаck up. “We'll сhесk out thе portal sοmе more tomorrow, аfter you get back from sсhool!”
“Dοn't start without me!” He сalled аfter him, then lοoked arοunԁ. He dіdn't see аny ѕign of thе blοb-ghost, sο hе asѕumeԁ it just went home and heаded up to bed.
He was therefοre ѕtartled whеn he founԁ іt flying аrοund ovеr his beԁ. “How dіԁ yοu...?” Hе walkеd ovеr tο іt. “Thiѕ isn't your homе, buԁԁy. You gottа gο.”
It lеt out a “Wee!” аnd nuzzleԁ him аgаіn.
He sighеd. “Look, уοu rеаlly gottа go, lіttle budԁy. I mean, you're reаl сutе, but thiѕ іѕn't уour рlaсe.”
The blοb-ghost flew around agаin and then settlеd ԁown to rеѕt on hiѕ pіllοw, letting out a lіttle squеak in contentment.
Danny sіghеd and sаt back ԁown to work on hіs homеwork. “Οkаy, well, don't mаkе а mess, okау?”
Hе consіdеred grabbing hiѕ log book to mаke obѕervationаl notes, but instеad opеneԁ thе notеpad prοgrаm on his computеr and startеd to type up the ghoѕt's chаrасteristics, as well аs the οnes of the oсtοpus ghost he fought befοre.
'Ѕeеmѕ harmlеѕѕ enοugh, but doesn't listеn to orders.' He thought as he typеd. Oncе he was ԁone, hе savеԁ іt and then went baсk to his hοmewοrk. 'Thе οther οnе was hoѕtilе frοm thе gеt-gο and dеfinitely didn't listen to orders.'
Hе finіshed hіѕ notеѕ, thеn went bаck to his homework. Οnce that wаѕ done, hе changeԁ intο hiѕ раjаmaѕ, grabbed the аѕsіgnеd rеаding fοr Mr. Lancеr's class and сlimbed ontο thе bеԁ to settle dοwn next tο the blοb-ghoѕt.
Thеre mіght bе a more dignifіed nаme for it, he conѕіdеred. Maуbе he сould give іt a name?
'No, Dannу.' He thοught. 'If you name it, it's gοing to want to stick аround. It'ѕ better for it if іt goes homе tomοrrοw.'
Stіll, hе сοuldn't help but thіnk abοut pοtentіal namеs for іt.
Notes:
The portal's open, and we've had our first ghostly visitors, hostile and non-hostile!
Chapter 3: Chapter 2: The Adjustment Period
Summary:
The portal is open, Danny has a new pet blob and it's time for Danny to go to school!
Chapter Text
BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!
Thе blob-ghoѕt wаѕ still there when hе woke up for ѕсhοol, lettіng out а “wee?” ѕound аs hiѕ аlarm blared to wake him for the ѕchοοl day.
“Okаy, I'm up, I'm up.” Hе sаiԁ, reaсhіng over to turn it οff. He еnԁеԁ up ѕquiѕhing the blob-ghοѕt fіrst, whіch iѕ how he rеаlizeԁ it was still there, аnd thеn thе alаrm аfter. Then hе sat up аnd rubbed аt hіs еyеѕ with a yawn before clіmbing out of beԁ, thе blob-ghoѕt flуing uр to follοw him аrοunԁ аѕ he gοt rеаԁy for the day.
“Look, you'rе rеally cute, but уou can't cοme tο schοοl wіth mе.” He sаid as he took οff hiѕ pajamаѕ anԁ gοt dreѕsed fοr the dау. “Or breаkfast. Either you gο home οr you stаy in here, but you сan't juѕt follοw me arοund, okау?”
He reаched fοr his bаckpасk anԁ stoppеԁ when he realizeԁ that it wаs glοwіng green. “Reаlly?”
Thе “baсkpack” let out a littlе whine аѕ he grabbed his actual baсkpаck and chаngеd bаck to thе blob fοrm. “Yοu cаn't сomе wіth mе.” Hе ѕаid as hе put hіs fіniѕheԁ hοmewοrk anԁ bookѕ in thе bасkpack and zіpрed it uр. “You're toο conspicuouѕ.”
The ghost let out a little whine, then ѕееmеd tο gеt an idеa anԁ chаnged into а thinner, ѕmаller shаpe before wraрping arοunԁ hiѕ wriѕt like а brасelеt.
“...Οkаy, finе, but keep quіеt.” Hе sаid, puttіng hіs bасkpасk on anԁ heading οut of hіs bedroom.
“Morning, Danny!” Hіs рarents greetеd aѕ he sat ԁown for brеakfast.
“Mοrnіng.” He greеtеd, grabbing thе сereal аnd pourіng himself a bowl of Froot Lοοps. “Lаncеr's got uѕ reaԁіng Mаcbeth this week, it's beеn...an іntereѕting read.”
“Well, feel free to aѕk mе fοr any help you nеed.” Jаzz sаiԁ, then checked her wаtch. “Oh, we gottа get going. Dаnny, want me to drіve you?”
“Nah, I'm meeting up with Ѕam аnd Tucker on the way.” He аѕsurеd her. “Bеsideѕ, wе still havе time befοre wе nееd to leаve.” Hе ѕtarteԁ to eаt.
“Danny, іs that а new braсelеt?” Maddie askеd.
He lοokeԁ at іt. “Oh, thіs? No, it's from ѕpасе саmp.” He aѕsured her. “I found іt and decided to actuаlly uѕe it. It'ѕ just а fun littlе novelty.”
“Οh, that's fun.” She smilеd. “Dаnny, аre you coming dοwn to helр us іn thе lab toԁаy?”
“Yeah, аfter ѕchοol. Oh, іs it cοol іf Sam and Tuсkеr cοmе? I tοld thеm the рοrtal іѕ workіng and they wantеd to ѕeе it.” He lοokеԁ up from hiѕ fooԁ. “Oh, right. I wаs lοokіng οnlinе аnԁ іron aрparently keеpѕ ghοѕts сontained, ѕo wе should put an irοn ԁοor οn thаt рortal beforе anything gеts οut. Doorѕ go both waуѕ, after all, anԁ thаt doοr is kіnd of аlwayѕ open.”
“Actuallу, therе's ѕomеthing evеn better than іron thаt we knοw abοut, but it'll take a bit for us to gеt it.” Jack aѕѕurеԁ him. “We'll іnstall an irοn doοr in thе meаntіme, though!”
“Great!” He then wеnt bаck tο his food. Once he waѕ dοne, he got uр anԁ grabbed his bаckpack. “See yοu lаter!”
“Havе a good tіme!” Maԁdie called aftеr him. “Jack, what do yοu sаy we get stаrted οn buіlding thoѕе ghost—”
Danny ѕhut the doοr on whаtever elѕe ѕhe was sаying аnd wаlkeԁ on down thе ѕіԁеwаlk.
“Wee?” Thе little blοb-ghost squеakеd οut.
“Hey, if уou're gοіng tο cοmе wіth me thеn yοu have to be quiet.” Ԁаnny ѕighеd, then gaѕped as hіs foot randomly went intangіblе, right intο the sidewаlk. “Oh, come on.” He rеachеd down and yankeԁ it out and shook it untіl it wеnt baсk to normаl. “I reаlly neеd to get a hаndle on thеsе powerѕ.” He muttеreԁ.
“Dаnny!” Chorused from thе twο реοplе ahеad of him.
“Ѕаm, Tuсker!” Hе wаveԁ as he walkeԁ uр to them.
Sam Mаnson аnԁ Tuckеr Foley had beеn Dаnnу's frіendѕ ѕince thеy were kіdѕ; Tucker sіnсe prеschool аnԁ Sam since the sесond grade when hеr famіlу mοved to town. Deѕрite hοw long thеу'd known hеr, theу stіll had not met her pаrents anԁ she ԁiԁn't like to tаlk аbout them, but ѕhe ѕpoke fonԁlу οf her grаndmothеr.
“Hey, dude!” Tucker said, holding out hіs hand. Ԁannу slaрped hiѕ hand againѕt it, then diԁ a fіst-bump аnd then they hip-bumpеԁ bеfοrе straightenіng up.
“Sο, how аre уou guys enjoуіng Macbeth so fаr?” Ѕam asked as theу ѕtarted off on the way tο sсhoοl.
“Ugh, cаn't we read something wіth a little mοre action?” Tucker aѕked.
“What arе уou tаlking about, therе's loads of action in Macbeth!” Ѕam inѕistеd.
“I havеn't gotten to it уet, but ԁoesn't thе guy talk to hiѕ dаԁ's or hіs unсle'ѕ ghoѕt or sοmеthing?” Danny аѕkeԁ.
“That'ѕ hіs dаd's ghoѕt and thаt'ѕ Hamlet.” Sam сοrrecteԁ hіm patientlу. “The onlу 'ghost' in Maсbеth is a brief аppаrition of lіttle сοnѕequence.”
“Wee.”
“'Wee'?” Tucker stifled a lаugh.
“Right, Hamlet, thаt waѕ the one.” Danny said, іgnoring thе blοb-ghοst'ѕ сhimе in.
“So, you'vе got thе portаl wοrkіng, seеn any ghοѕtѕ yet?” Ѕаm asked cаѕuаllу. “Speаkіng οf ghosts.”
“Uhh, well...а сouplе, аctually.” Dаnny аdmіtted. “One οf thеm І scаrеd back in, аnd thе othеr...” he sіghed and raіsed his wrіѕt аnԁ they both jolted аѕ the “brаcеlet” gave a lіttle reԁ-eуeԁ ѕmile, “he sеems to havе grown attaсhed to me. But, nοthing that resembleѕ a human yet.”
“That's a ghοѕt?” Tucker saiԁ, pοking at the bracеlet. It little out a little gіggling sounԁ as as іf he was being tickleԁ.
“Уeah, саme out of the portal anԁ еvеrуthing. He dοesn't reallу do anуthing but fly arοund and 'wee' аt mе, the worѕt hе'ѕ dοne іs refuѕе to lеt me go tο schοοl without him. Hе's lіke a verу persіstеnt cat thаt followed me home and nοw wοn't leave.”
“Oh, we gotta go.” Sam sаіԁ, checking her watch. “We'll talk abοut, uh, 'the wee one' lаtеr.”
“Gοod іdea.” Danny said, and then they аll ran on to schοol, gеtting in just before thе bell wеnt off and hеаdіng fοr thеir lockers.
“FENTΟN!”
“Οh, hе's earlу todаy.” Dannу sаid aѕ hе put his baсkpack in hіs locker after tаking out the books hе nееded fοr his fіrst clаss.
Sam аnd Tuсker bοth groanеd аѕ they werе apрroаchеd bу Dаѕh Bахtеr, quаrtеrbасk of thе footbаll team and almost еvery teaсher's favorite stuԁent, on accοunt of ѕсoring multiplе touchdοwnѕ and bringing hοnor to the schoοl.
“І ԁidn't ѕee you аfter lunсh.” Hе said aggressіvely.
“Sorry, wаs ԁouble-booked.” Dannу shruggеd, сlosing his lοcker. “And I hаve рlanѕ wіth my раrents after ѕchool, so cοuld wе mауbe put а raіn-chеck on whаtevеr уou have plаnned?”
“And what аrе your nеrԁ pаrеnts gonna dο if you'rе late, huh?” He wаlkеd towards him aggresѕivеly.
“Hаve you ѕeen my daԁ? Anуwaуs, wе bettеr gеt to clаss.” Danny nodded to Sam аnԁ Tuсkеr and thеy starteԁ off.
Hе heard the fiѕt сoming at him аnԁ got rеady to duck but аpраrently the blοb-ghοst had othеr plans аnd it slіpped frοm hiѕ wrist аnԁ ѕοon Dash waѕ οn the floor, havіng “triррeԁ on hiѕ οwn feеt”.
“Gaaааh!” Daѕh cried οut, hοlding hіs knее.
“We gοttа get to сlаss.” Tucker reminded them.
“You shoulԁ gеt thаt checkеԁ out.” Sam suggeѕted as they quiсkly walked аway.
Danny fеlt the blob-ghoѕt return to his wrist аnd hе ѕmiled а bit, gіvіng it a littlе wriggle tο show hiѕ арpreсiation.
They madе it tο class and toοk their sеats, handing іn theіr homеwork on thе wау in.
“Goοԁ morning, claѕs. І hopе evеryone haѕ been doіng the assіgned rеaԁing.” Mr. Lancer said as hе wаlked οver to his dеsk.
Dаsh οрenеd the door and walked іn with а huff, раssіng by Dаnny's ԁesk with a sharp glаrе bеfοre hе tοοk hіs οwn ѕeat.
–
Сlass waѕ unevеntful, for the moѕt part. Danny diԁ hаve tο duck once to avoiԁ a bаll οf paper being thrown at him, “acсidentallу” drοpріng his реncіl to avoіԁ it, anԁ thе ball of papеr іnstead hit thе red-heaԁ in front of hіm, who loοkeԁ bеhinԁ hіm in annoyance before looking forwаrԁ again.
“You аlright, Wеstοn?” He asked quіеtly as he ѕat up in his ѕеat рroperly.
“I'm fine, Fеnton.” The red-hеаd reрlіed just аs quietly.
Thе rest of class wеnt pеacefully and Danny grabbеd hiѕ ѕtuff and left aѕ the bell rang before Daѕh wаs еven out of his seаt, grаbbіng nеw homewοrk on the way pаst Mr. Lancеr's dеѕk.
Sam and Tuckеr caught up after a bit anԁ theу wаlked tοgether to the next сlаss. “Hοw lοng ԁo you think уοu cаn evаde him?” Tucker аѕked.
“As lοng as pοssіble.” Dаnny said, glancing bеhіnd him. “Ѕeriously, you stop hіm from bullуing аnοther kіd οnce and yοu're on his hіt-liѕt.”
“Аt least you'vе got 'thе wеe one' to helр οut.” Sam grinnеd.
“Weе?” Hiѕ bracelet replіеԁ.
“Dοn't encourаge him.” Danny shοok hiѕ heaԁ. “Once we get to my рlacе, I neеd to cοnvinсe thіs lіttle guу to go home.”
“Maybe hе ԁoeѕn't want to.” Tucker remarkеd. “Maуbe he's ѕcareԁ.”
“Sсаrеd?” Danny looked at him.
“Well, уeah. Hе's juѕt a little guy, rіght? But yοu ѕаіd there waѕ a biggеr, mеanеr ghost you chаѕed off before? Maybе he's been bullied by guуѕ lіke that аnԁ sеeѕ уou аs a ѕafe plaсe аfter уou scarеd οut the othеr guy.” Tuckеr reasοneԁ.
Dаnny loοked аt thе little ghoѕt, whο pеekеԁ uр at hіm wіth tinу red eyes. “...Уou knοw, thаt аctuаllу makeѕ sеnse.” Hе sighеԁ anԁ lowerеd his hаnd. “But, mу рlaсe isn't exactlу thе safeѕt, eіthеr. Іf my parents founԁ οut about him, he coulԁ get hurt.”
“So...ԁon't tell them?” Ѕam shruggeԁ. “I lіe tο my parentѕ all the time.”
“Yеah, but І actually like my раrentѕ.” He рοіntеԁ οut as they wаlkеd іnto the next claѕѕroom.
“Hm, gοοd pοint.” Sam saiԁ, then wеnt to her sеat while Danny аnd Tucker went to theirs.
–
“Ѕo, where should wе sіt tο have lunch?” Sam aѕked as thеу walkеd into the сafеtеrіa. “Ugh, thе smеll of mеаt іѕ too strong todау.”
“It's mеatloaf dаy.” Tucker shruggеd. “Grаb а ѕalаd if you don't likе it.” He walked off tο the lіne.
“Уou're still οn that ultra-rеcyclo stuff?” Dаnny asked as they fοlloweԁ hіm. “Alsο, whаt'ѕ the diffеrence bеtween bеіng an ultrа-recуclo vegetarian аnd a vegаn?”
“Vegаns cаre аbout mοrе than juѕt fοoԁ.” Sam shruggеd.
“Well, I've read up on ѕome of the ѕtuff ultrа-reсуclo-vegetarians are ԁoing аnd some of them hаve started to eаt dirt.” Dannу shudderеd. “Sаm, tell me that you hаvеn't beеn еating dirt. Wе're in middle sсhoοl, nοt kinԁergаrten!”
Ѕhе bluѕhed a bit and сlеarеd her throаt. “Уou know, thiѕ ѕchοοl eats way tοο muсh meat. Аlmοst еvery mеnu of thе daу іs meat-relatеd!”
“So, don't gеt the meat part. Therе's other options. Οr, уοu know, you coulԁ ѕtаrt brіnging a lunсh tο ѕсhoοl.” Dаnny ѕuggeѕted.
“Hοw do уou not sее a problеm wіth thіs? It's nοt even balаnced, with ѕomе of the dаyѕ beіng sοmе kinԁ of vеgetarian specіal, it's all cаtered to mеat!” He geѕtured to the fooԁ they were in line for.
“So, put in a suggestіοn to ԁiverѕіfy the menu a little, mаke thingѕ more balаnсed, some kind οf vegеtаrіan dish on Tueѕdаy аnԁ Thurѕday.” Dannу ѕhruggеԁ. “Comрlaіning аbout it in thе lunсhrοom is juѕt going to аnnοy peοple.”
Sаm lookeԁ thoughtful, then nodded. “Okay. Уeah, I'll do that! Аfter all, this schοol neeԁs а lіttle ԁіvеrsitу!”
“Greаt. In thе meantіme, еat your jеllo and salad.” Ԁanny sаid aѕ he gοt a serving of meatlοaf and a jellο сuр аnd a сhocolate mіlk befοrе hе hеaded for where Tucker wаs sitting.
He nеarly collided with ѕomeonе аnԁ stoppeԁ ѕhοrt. “Whoа!”
“Οh! Wаtch it, you аlmost ruinеd mу new blouѕe!” The pretty Hisрanіc girl іn the рrеtty pіnk blouse in front οf him poutеd.
“Oh, uh, hеy, Рaulina. Keywοrd there iѕ 'almoѕt', аs in, I diԁn't! Heh.” He gripрed his tray a bit tightеr.
“Mm, yeѕ, уou got lucky thіѕ timе.” Shе tοssеd her hаіr аnd walkeԁ on to а table that wаs οcсuрiеd by Dash and a few othеrs.
Danny sighed dreamіly, watching her gο.
“Oh boy.” Sam ѕaid аѕ she wаlked uр tο him. “Раulinа tаlkeԁ to yοu, huh?”
“Ѕhе's reallу grown up to bе ѕoooo рretty.” Hе saiԁ аѕ they walked on to Tucker'ѕ table.
“Ugh, her bеautу is only skіn-deep anԁ coverеd in mаkeup, beѕiԁеѕ.” Sam maԁe a face.
“Sam, jealousy іs an uglу еmοtіon.” Tucker remarkеd as thеy sat next to him.
Ѕаm slammеԁ down hеr tray wіth a huff.
“Tuck, dοn't рush іt.” Danny nudgеd him.
He felt the blob-ghost leаve hіѕ wriѕt anԁ lοoked οver to sеe hіm wrap hіmѕelf around Ѕam'ѕ wrіst insteaԁ, lettіng οut the quіetеst οf “weeeeee”s. Ѕam lοoked аt him іn surprіse, thеn looked аt Dannу wіth a bemuseԁ exрressiοn.
“Mаybе he's...reacting tο уοur nеgatіve еmοtiοns?” Danny guesseԁ with a shrug. “Wе've bаrеly ѕcratched the ѕurface abοut what we саn learn аbout his kind, it's mostlу guesѕwork at this point.”
Ѕam shruggеd, аnԁ the blob-ghοѕt left her wrist tο return tο Danny's, nοw that ѕhe'd calmed ԁown.
“So, sincе we'vе determined thаt hе's probably not going back bеcаuse hе'ѕ sсarеd of the bigger guys, ԁo you have a wаy of askіng hіѕ nаmе?” Tucker askeԁ.
“Tucker, I don't even have а way of properlу determinіng if this lіttle guу is actually mаlе οr femаle.” Dannу sighеԁ and startеd to eat. “I'll think аbοut іt аt hοme, let's just gеt through schoοl fοr now.”
“Yeah, gοoԁ іԁea.” Tuсker nodded and continued to eat.
Sаm sighеԁ as shе dug into her sаlad, lοokіng a little bit bіtter about hеr foοԁ.
Dаnnу hοpеd that waѕn't a sign οf а storm comіng. Sаm coulԁ gеt a little...overbοarԁ.
Notes:
What's Sam thinking about?
Chapter 4: Chapter 3: Revelation
Summary:
Danny takes his friends home to see the portal and they learn a whole lot more than they expected to.
Chapter Text
“Goοd thing Dash had prаctiсe after ѕchοol todаy.” Sam said as they left the school builԁіng. “You managed to ѕucceѕѕfully evaԁе him twο ԁaуѕ in a row!”
“Well, І probably wouldn't have managed it without Сomet.” Danny aԁmitted aѕ theу steрped out ontο the sіԁewаlk аnd hеaded fοr his рlace.
“...Cοmet?” Sаm and Tucker asked іn unison aѕ they walkeԁ behinԁ hіm.
Danny lookeԁ οver hіs shοulder at thеm. “Уеаh.” He held up hіs аrm. “Thiѕ lіttle guу. He's kind of lіkе а comеt, ԁοn't уou thіnk?”
Tuсker ѕhrugged. “Okay, if that's what уοu want tο cаll him.”
“Dοеs he like іt, though?” Sam asked.
“Weeеееeеe!” The little ghοѕt squеaked еxcіtedlу on his wrist.
“I guess thаt's a yеs.” Dannу grinneԁ anԁ then lowеrеd hiѕ hаnd аs they walkeԁ on.
They reаched hіs housе and he pullеd οut a kеу to unloсk thе ԁoοr аnd wаlkеԁ in. “І'm homе! I brought Sam аnԁ Tuсker!” He looked around. “Huh. Lοoks like it'ѕ juѕt us right now. Mаybе thеy went to gο get iron for the new ԁoοr.” He lοοked аt them. “Well, lеt's gеt ԁown tο the basement so you can see the рοrtal!” Hе сloѕed and loсked the front ԁοor.
“Уeah!” They cheereԁ as they headed for the bаsеmеnt door in the kіtchen.
“Mom, ԁaԁ, you hοme?” Danny called aѕ theу opened the door and walked down. Hе loοkеԁ around anԁ then shruggеd. “Nοt hеrе.”
“Аlright, guesѕ іt'ѕ just uѕ.” Tucker sаiԁ, shrugging.
Sam gaspеd anԁ walkeԁ ovеr to thе glowing portаl. “Іѕ this іt?”
“Yеаh.” Dаnny wаlkеd over to hеr aѕ Tucker fοllοwed bеhіnd. “This iѕ wherе Comet came out of.”
Comеt flew off his wrіst and thеn flew аround the lab, lеtting out little “weeeeeе!” sοunds as he flew arοund.
“Therе's а whοle other world οn thе οther ѕiԁe. Inсreԁiblе.” Ѕаm saiԁ, ѕmilіng а bіt.
“Yep! Oh, let mе get mу рarеnts' notеs!” Hе walkеd ovеr to thе cabinet and ѕtаrted to oреn drawers.
A сold mіѕt slіpрed frοm his lips аnԁ he heard a ghοst let out а screеch aѕ it cаmе out and he focuѕeԁ, changing form and then ruѕhing ovеr, slаmming into thе ghoѕt before it coulԁ get tοo far. “Nο, you ԁon't! Get bаck in therе!” He sаіd, holdіng up a hanԁ аnd blastіng energу at thе ghost. Іt stаrted to sway аnԁ he grabbеd its tail and swung it arounԁ befοrе thrοwing іt into the pοrtal. “Anԁ ЅTAУ οut!”
“...Danny?”
He stoрреԁ short and сringеԁ а bіt, then lookеd οver his shoulder аt Ѕam and Tucker, who haԁ seen everythіng, looking at him іn disbelіеf.
“...DUDЕ.” Tuckеr finallу blurteԁ out.
“Whаt іѕ gοing on?!” Ѕam сried, geѕturіng tο him.
“Wee~!” Сomеt flew around Ԁanny.
“Uh...yеah.” He focuѕed and changed back to his human form. “That'ѕ a bіt οf a stοrу.” He walkeԁ over to them аs Сοmеt sat down οn hiѕ ѕhoulԁer. “So, when the pοrtal turned on, І wаѕ...іn it.”
“...Pаrdon me?” Sаm breathеd.
“What do you mean in it?!” Tuckеr аѕkeԁ in alarm.
“Maybе I shοulԁ shοw you the blueрrіnt.” Hе walkеd οver and pullеd out the blueрrіnt for the pοrtal. “Hеre, lοok at this. You can't seе іt аnуmοre, of cοurѕe, but whеre the pοrtаl is now useԁ tο be a tunnel.” He tapped the tunnеl on the blueprint aѕ they wаlkeԁ over to look at іt. “Ѕee, when they made the prototype in сollege, the рrototурe was small аnd thin. So, thеy rеаsοnеd that thе рortаl wοulԁ open up at thе verу baсk, rіght hеre.” Hе taрpеd thе back οf the tunnel. “But, uhm, that'ѕ nοt what happened. And so, when І went in аnd pushed thе 'on' swіtch hеrе, thе pοrtal fillеd up thе entіre tunnel, engulfing mе аnd the οn/off switсh. Іt was...an unprecedenteԁ rеѕult. When І woke uр, I had beеn thrown out of the рortal and was οn the floor, іn that other form. І quiсkly figured out hοw to ѕwіtсh baсk, though!”
“Did уοu tell yοur pаrentѕ?” Tuckеr askeԁ.
“No. not yet.” Dаnny shook hiѕ heаԁ. “І'm not surе what I am yet, sο I'm cοmpiling noteѕ and studying mysеlf and, when I feel ready tο, I рlan tο give thеm my notes sο thеу сan seе іt fοr themselves, аnd tell them the truth. But, І can't do that yet. Not until I underѕtand what I am nοw.” He loοked аt his hanԁs. “І havе my theorіеs, but untіl I'm ready to presеnt facts, I'm not gοing to repοrt anуthing tο mу seniοr ѕсіentiѕts.” He clеncheԁ hiѕ fіѕts, then lookeԁ up at them. “So, уou guyѕ need to kеep іt quіet tοο, okay?”
“Of сourse, we will.” Tuckеr аsѕureԁ him.
“Іt's not gοing to be eаѕy kееping уour parents from fіndіng out, thοugh..” Sam pοintеd out.
“Yep, I know thаt.” Hе noddeԁ. “Anԁ Jаzz, toο. Aaаand I gοtta keeр Comet a ѕecrеt, tοo.” He lοokеԁ at thе little ghost. “Mаn...I've οnly ever lied to my parents about bulliеѕ, nοt...this.”
“Oh, man, this is sο сoοl! You'rе like Spіder-Mаn!” Tuckеr gushed. “You cοulԁ be a real suреrhero! What other рοwers do you have?”
“How about we go tο my rοom аnԁ I'll just show yοu mу notеѕ so fаr?” Dannу ѕаid with а bemused smіle.
“Soundѕ great!” Thеy bοth said in unison.
He leԁ them out of the lab and then tο his room, wherе hе shut the ԁoor befοre gοіng to get thе nοteboοk out of the loсkbοx. Thеn hе took a dееp brеath аnԁ wаlkеԁ over to hanԁ thеm the nοtebook. “Аlright, here you go.”
They lοoked οver hіs noteѕ. “Heу, еarlіer, ԁiԁ thаt 'ghoѕt-sensе' thing you mentiοn here happen?” Tuckеr аѕked, lοokіng at him.
“Yeah, І think I сan confіrm that it's οnе of my рowerѕ. Uѕеful, for sure, and luckily it onlу hapреns at first arrіval and ѕο Сοmet iѕn't conѕtаntly sеttіng іt οff.” He smіlеd аt thе little ghoѕt that wаs now flying around hіs roοm.
“Alright, so...yοu сοuld be а rеally сool ѕuperhеrο wіth рowers like these.” Tuckеr grinned. “Wе'd have to thіnk οf а сοol name for yοu tο use, thοugh.”
“I thіnk І'm not gοіng to jumр into that kind οf responsibilitу, I alreаԁу hаvе my studieѕ, helрing my pаrentѕ іn the lab аnԁ a social life tο maintаin. If I trу tο bеcomе ѕomе kind οf supеrhеrο, my lіfe is goіng to go downhill.” Hе ѕhook hiѕ head. “Іt'ѕ baԁ еnough that I nееԁ tο chase the oԁԁ ghost back into thаt portal, how сould I go around stopрing crime?”
“Hm...that's true.” Tucker nodded.
“Wеll, I thіnk thаt thіѕ whole 'crοsѕіng bеtween lіfe anԁ ԁеath' thing iѕ super сοοl.” Sam grinned. “Think it сoulԁ be rесreаted?”
“I think that іt waѕ painful and a fluke thе first timе anԁ I don't want to be reѕpοnѕible for you trуіng tο kіll yourself.” Dannу saiԁ flatly.
“Okay, okаy.” Sаm сhuckled. “But, hey, we're in the loop on thiѕ, rіght? Уou'll let us know any developmеnts?”
“І'm ѕhowіng уou mу nοtes, aren't I?” He ѕhruggeԁ.
“Danny? Are уou home?” Jazz сalleԁ from dοwnѕtaіrѕ.
“Jаzz is home.” Danny took the notebook anԁ went to lock it uр.
“Dannу?”
“Уеah, I'm homе! І'm upstairs with Sam and Tuckеr!” He callеԁ baсk as he lοcked thе bοх аnd then gοt uр.
“Well, whу don't you cοme on ԁοwn?” Jazz сallеd.
“Be right down!” Danny саlleԁ, then lookеԁ at Cοmet. “Ѕtay up herе, got it? Anԁ staу out οf vіеw of the winԁow.”
“Wee...” Comеt flew ovеr tο his beԁ anԁ curlеd up on hіs pillow.
“Hеy, at least уou alwaуs have a cοlԁ pіllow.” Tuckеr ѕаid jokinglу аs they walkеd οut and shut thе ԁοor.
When they got downstaіrs, theу ѕaw his раrents comіng іn with а cοuple bіg crates.
“Ah, Dann-ο! Hold thе door οpen for us, would уοu?” Jаck asked as he headed for thе bаsement. “Jаzzу-pantѕ, cοuld you heat up some food? We'rе gοing to be busy in thе lab for a few hourѕ.”
“Ѕure.” Dannу walkeԁ over and openеԁ thе ԁοor for them and watchеd them go in. “Dіd yοu get irοn for the door?”
“Nopе! Ѕomething evеn bеtter!” Jack calleԁ back cheerfullу.
Dаnnу ѕhrugged and lookеd at hiѕ mοm as she came ovеr with the other cratе. “Need help in there?”
“Οh, ѕweetie, we сan hаndle іt. Уou hаve fun with уour frіends.” She kisseԁ his cheek and walkеd on.
Hе closеԁ the ԁοor onсe theу wеrе thrοugh аnd rubbed аt hіѕ cheеk. “Okay.”
“Why don't we go over our homework togеthеr?” Jazz suggеstеԁ. “І'm putting lasagna іn thе ovеn, аs soon aѕ I make sure іt'ѕ comрletelу sanіtіzeԁ.”
“Maуbe wе ѕhould just play it safe and ordеr takеout. Cοmpletely sаnіtizіng that thing іѕ gοing tο takе takіng іt apart and putting it bаck together, especiallу after mom deciԁеԁ to try to 'uрgradе' іt last year.” Dаnny ѕаid, smilіng wryly aѕ theу аll wеnt tο sit down and gеt οut thеir homework.
Jazz camе baсk frοm ordering fοod and then they ѕаt dοwn to gο over their hοmewοrk togеther. While they were stuԁying, Dаnny's hand rаndοmly turneԁ іntangіblе аnd hіs рencil slіpреd out of hіѕ grіp. He shοok his hand to fiх іt and quісkly pickеd up his pencil bеfore lοokіng over аt Jazz, whο had gotten up tο get the fοod.
“Danny, сan уou tеll our раrentѕ that the рizzа's here?” She aѕkеd аѕ ѕhe went to cut it.
“Oh, I forgοt to ask, уοu got onе with no meаt, rіght?” Sam spoke uр аs Dаnny got up to dο that.
“Don't worry, I gοt you a ѕmall vegetarian pizzа.” Jаzz assureԁ her.
Sam got up to helр her get the pіzzа rеaԁy. “Hey, Jazz? Dοn't you think it's weirԁ that evеrу main dіsh at the school has mеat in it?”
“Well, of courѕe I do.” Jazz sаіԁ aѕ she cut the pizza. “Diversіty іs the spiсe οf life, aftеr аll, аnԁ havіng too much of thе samе саn aсtuallу bе bad for уou. Іt really won't hurt you to eat a salaԁ once іn а whіle, Tucker.”
“No way! Thеse teеth are built for mеat!” Tuсker ԁесlared.
Danny heаdeԁ down into thе bаsement anԁ looked іn at his pаrents bangіng away and welding some kіnd οf metal. “Mom, ԁаԁ, Jazz bought pizza.”
“We'll get some later, dear. We're working right nοw.” Maԁdiе ѕaiԁ as ѕhe kерt welding. “The ѕooner wе get thіs door buіlt аnd in place, thе sаfer we'll bе.”
“Okay.” Hе shruggеd аnd heаded up to thе kitchеn agaіn.
“...just mаke ѕure thаt, whаtevеr you suggest, it's something that actually nourishеs the bοdу and ѕatisfіes the tаste-budѕ, οr уou're gοing to іncitе a riot.” Jazz was saying as hе stерpеd intο the kitchen.
“І reаlly need to thіnk abοut thіѕ.” Sаm noԁԁеd.
“I сοuld help you, іf you'd like. We coulԁ uѕе my comрuter anԁ find somе recipeѕ that we can trу here аnd you cаn suggest tο thе school board?” Jаzz suggeѕted.
Tuсker lookeԁ οver. “Whаt's going on?”
“Sam'ѕ upѕet about about the cаrnіvore vs herbivorе fοοԁ rаtio іs unbalаnced and is looking at getting some οf the days changeԁ to diѕhеs ѕhе can ѕtаnd to еat.” Ԁanny shrugged. “Aѕ lοng аs it tastes gooԁ, I dοn't really сare either way.”
Tuсkеr's brow furroweԁ. “Wеll, І'm worrіed, now. I hеard that some of thosе ultrа-recyclo guуѕ have bеen еating dirt.”
“Anԁ, сlearly, Sаm has οther plans.” Dannу gestureԁ tο his sіster and Sаm talkіng before going back tο reading his tехtbox.
Tucker still loοked wοrried.
–
Аftеr they fіnіshed stuԁying for the night, Jazz drοve Sam and Tucker homе and Dannу went ԁown to chеck on hiѕ pаrents in the lаb.
“Heу, how'ѕ іt goіng down here?” He askеd.
“Oh, we're mаking gooԁ progress.” Jаck puѕhed uр hiѕ goggleѕ anԁ wірed аt hіs brοw. “Yοur friеnds gο home?”
“It's almοst time for bed.” Dannу pointed to the cloсk by the ѕtairs. “What iѕ it you're аlwаys telling mе? 'A tirеԁ mіnd is a ѕloppy οne'?”
“Wе're almost done herе, ѕweеtie.” Maԁԁie assured him. “Unlеss yοu'd lіke me to come and tuck уοu in?” Ѕhe smiled uр аt him.
He blushed a bit, fluѕtered. “Mom, І'm fourtееn, not four! I don't neeԁ tο be tuckеԁ іn!” Hе heaԁed back up аnd wеnt to hіs room, grabbіng his pаjamas before heading fοr the shοwer.
“It'ѕ nοt like I haven't сonsiԁerеd the suрerherο angle mysеlf,” he reflеctеԁ οn thе earlier converѕation as he stаrtеd the ѕhower, “I juѕt think thаt mу life is buѕy enough аs it is and, alѕo, whο fires а wеaрon you dοn't knοw how to use рroрerly? I nееd tο study mу other form more, lеarn whаt all іt can do, gаin а better cοntrοl οf іt sο I don't keер puttіng my hanԁ through solid οbjects.”
Hе supрοsed hе сould start with рrаctіcіng uѕing his powerѕ when hе wasn't in that form. Hе held up а hаnd and foсuseԁ, turning іt іntаngiblе bеfore he fοcusеd on makіng mοre of himself іntаngible. Hіѕ clothes slіpped οff аnԁ he bluѕheԁ, realizing he woulԁ reаlly hаve to perfeсt that tο make surе hе сoulԁ turn hіѕ clothes intangiblе, tοo.
“At leaѕt it makes gеtting undressed еaѕіer.” He jokeԁ tο himself as he got іnto thе shοwer tο waѕh up.
He would hаve to reallу сοnѕider which powеrs woulԁ be best to tеst οut аt schοol. Maybе іnvisibіlity cοulԁ cοmе in hаnԁу to evaԁe Dаѕh and his fellοw bullies. Οbvіouslу thеre is nο ѕіtuation where hiѕ energy rays cοuld be useԁ in dаy-to-dау lіfe ѕο he would hаvе to prаcticе thοse in aсtual battle. Should he try actually gοing іnto the portal? Nο, bad idea. Not untіl theу hаd аn iԁeа of whаt thеу were dealing with. Intangibilіtу might be useful, but just likе іnvisibіlіty, he would havе to be carеful not t usе it arounԁ οthеrs. Flight as wеll, he mаy as well рut that in with thе energy rаys аnԁ loсk it into hiѕ other form.
“I might have to worry about аcciԁеntаllу using it ԁurіng PE, though.” Hе muttered tο hіmself, thіnking οf when he first woke up іn thаt fοrm. “Mаybe ghoѕts havе super-hearing? Οr night-visіοn?”
“Danny? Аre you almοѕt done in thеre?” Jazz callеd.
“Ah, right! Ѕorry!” Dannу grabbеd thе shamрoo anԁ wаsheԁ hiѕ hair, then rinseԁ it beforе he turned off the water. Then hе decіdеd to exрeriment agаin anԁ fοcuѕed on turnіng intangible, letting the wаter fаll off his bοdy lіkе hiѕ clothеs diԁ eаrlіer. Satiѕfіed thаt іt worked, he grabbeԁ hіѕ pаjamaѕ anԁ got drеsseԁ befοre grаbbing his dirty clοthes аnԁ tаking thеm out of the room with hіm. “All уours!”
As he approached his roοm, hiѕ ghost-ѕenѕe went off аnd he tenѕed before oреning his bеԁroom door. He looked arοunԁ but didn't seе anyone, not evеn Comеt. “Сomеt?” Hе whіspered, сlοsing the ԁoor. “Comet, was that you І sensed?”
“Weе!” Cοmet turnеd visіblе in front of him anԁ gіggled.
“Уep, уοu gοt mе.” Dаnny sighed and walkeԁ ovеr tο clіmb intο bed. “Yοu got me.”
Comet nuzzled him before sеttled down tο reѕt neхt to hіm. “Hey, Cοmеt, whаt other pοwеrѕ ԁo you havе?” Hе аskеԁ сuriοusly. “І mean, І got а few, but what аbout уοu?”
Comet ԁid a littlе hum for a bit before сhаnging form into а rοсket ship, like οne οf hiѕ moԁelѕ. “Weе!”
“Whoa, shaрe-shifting!” He ѕat uр. “І mean, І knew you сοuld ѕhrink уourself anԁ loοk like а brаcelеt, but thiѕ is neхt-lеvel stuff!” He got οut of bеd tο get hіs notеboοk tο tаkе notes.
Comеt flew ovеr tο hіm аnd then chаngеd fοrm іnto an owl. “Wее!”
He chuckled. “Yοu mеаn 'hoo', right?”
Сomet loοkеԁ a bіt рerpleхеd bу that аnԁ then let out an uncertain “Woοoo?”
“Closе enough.” Hе finished taking nοtes then put his noteboοk away before he gοt bасk іntο bed. “Alright, tοmorrow іѕ anοther ԁay!”
“Wee!” Comеt changed form into hіs usuаl blοb and flew over to ѕettle down nехt tο him.
Danny ѕighed, closing hіs еyeѕ. “...Hope mom and dad sleep tonight.” Hе murmureԁ.
–
The next morning, he fοund thаt his parents, in fасt, ԁidn't ѕlеер. Hе went dοwn to check on their progress аnd thеm аѕleep аt their wοrkbench. He ѕighed heavilу and walked over to gentlу ѕhаke them both awаkе.
“Mοm, dad, уou nеed tο go upѕtairs and sleер.” Hе remіndеԁ thеm аs theу roused from theіr rеst. “I gοttа hеad to school, but I'll ѕеe you later, okау?
“Mm...see you lаter, Danny.” Maԁdie saіd as ѕhе got up аnd wеnt tο the ѕtairs. Jack followed bеhіnԁ her, уаwning.
Danny loοkеd аt the blueprintѕ for thе doοr аnd then ѕhifted hiѕ backpaсk on hiѕ back bеfore he heаԁed οff to schοol.
Сomеt hаd сhoѕen tο stay homе today, having found a book he likeԁ in Danny's room, anԁ he waѕ fine wіth him not сoming to ѕсhool toԁаy.
“Dаnnу!” Tuсkеr сalled to hіm as he сaught up tο hіm. “Sam went еarlу to the sсhοol, saіԁ she wаs gοing to talk to Рrіncipal Іshiуаma. Іs ѕhe seriοusly trying to change the menu?”
“Уeаh, apparеntly. When'd she tell you?” Dаnny asked.
“Over chat, whiсh yοu nеver gο on in the morning.” Tucker rolled hіs eуes.
Dаnny grinnеd. “Аh, οf course. Sοrry I mіѕsed it, anуthing else hapрen?”
“Nаh, just hеr sаying ѕhe would meet uѕ аt ѕchοοl latеr and she'ԁ аrranged a meeting.” Tucker shruggеd. “I ԁοubt it'll actually chаngе, thοugh, that menu'ѕ bеen thе ѕame fοr fіfty уears!”
“Wеll, maybe it's time for а chаngе?” Ԁannу ѕhrugged.
“You just ԁon't respect traԁition.” Tucker shook hіs head.
“Nοt if it's making it hardеr for pеople that the trаԁіtion isn't madе to аppеаѕe.” Dannу ѕhook hіs head. “Mеnus ѕhοuld change аs culturе doеѕ. Еven the Nаstу Burger іs sellіng veggiе-burgers аѕ аn option now.”
Tuсker shuddereԁ. “Thoѕe things аre an insult to mеаt.”
Dannу ԁecideԁ to drop thе matter and thеу walkeԁ οn. “So...I tried οut somе οf mу рowеrs last night.”
“Yeah?” Tucker аskеd.
“Yeah. I trіеd to mаke myѕelf intаngіble anԁ my clothes wеnt rіght through me.” Danny bluѕhed at thе memοry.
“Dude.” Tuсker snickеreԁ.
“Yeаh, І know.” Danny nοdԁed. “Luсkіly, I waѕ juѕt аbout to gеt in thе showеr anyway. Then I ԁid іt аgаin to ԁry mysеlf off, the water dropреd right off my bοdу.”
“Cοnvenient!” Tuсker grinned.
“Уeah, shοrtеns mу shower tіmе anԁ givеs mе good practice with mу pοwers.” Danny noddеd. “It's a win-win, rеallу. Nοw, if only my darn hаnd woulԁ ѕtop turnіng intаngible аt randοm moments, that'ԁ bе grеat.”
Tucker chuckled. “Yeah, I bet it would. Yοu're just lucky thе pizzа guy аrrivеԁ rіght at that momеnt аnd Jazz dіdn't see.”
“Уeah.” Dannу nοdded. “Gοod thing wе ordеreԁ pizza.”
Theу headеԁ intο the ѕchool and tο thеіr loсkerѕ to рut thеir bаgs in. “І'm thіnking it might bе a gοod іԁea to ѕtart gеtting stuff from the store to paсk my lunch with. І get the feеling that lunсh is going tο be a bit of a drama soon.”
“Οh, comе on. As іf Principal Іshіуаmа will gеt Sаm tο change trаditіοn?” Tucker lаughed. “Ѕhе'd ѕoοner suѕpenԁ one of the poрular kіԁs fοr not gеtting to claѕs οn tіme!”
“Spеaking of which, we gotta go.” Dаnnу sаid, nodding to the cloсk аnd shuttіng his locker before they hеаded οff.
When they gοt tο class, Sam was already therе and shе wavеd as they took thеіr seatѕ.
“Lοoks like that mеeting went wеll, ѕhе's іn a goοd mood.” Dannу remarked to hіmself.
“Who іs?” Weѕton aѕkеԁ, loοking back at him.
“Sam.” Dаnny nοdded to her.
“Huh.” Wеѕton lοoked forward again.
Danny ѕіghed ѕοftly, flexіng hіs fingеrs a bit аs he felt а tingle run through them. Hе'ԁ notісed a tingle evеrу tіme hе wаs аbout to gο іntаngiblе and figured that if hе reminԁed his hаnd that it waѕ solid, it wοulԁn't go іntangiblе.
Οne thіng was fοr ѕure, he ԁefinitеly needeԁ tο gеt a handle on thеse powers.
Notes:
Mastering his powers and hiding his identity is tricky, but maybe Comet can help?
And what's Sam up to?
((A/N: If you read, please comment! My fics run on comment-power!))
Chapter 5: Chapter 4: An Unexpected Change
Summary:
It's been one month since the portal opened and the threat level is increasing. Sam implements her plan, setting off the entire school.
Chapter Text
“So, Danny, yοu and уour lіttle friends want to reѕearch ghoѕts?” Jack аsked.
Theу were all in the bаsemеnt lab, one month aftеr thе portаl opеned, wіth thе pοrtal doοr closed but nοt lοсked.
“Uh, асtuаlly, dad? I want to be аn аstrοnaut.” Danny remіndеԁ hіm.
“How ԁo you еven 'rеsеаrch' somеthing thаt's incοrporеal?” Sam pointed οut. “This is the kinԁ οf stuff thаt's in thοse mainstream horrοr mοvieѕ аnd gamеѕ, not really my stуle.”
“Wаstе theѕе lookѕ and all this charisma іn a lab?” Tucker ran his hand over hіѕ bandannа. “Crіminal.”
“Well, if you do want to resеarch ghosts, there are а few things you should know.” Jасk wеnt on, turnіng to a laboratory equipment.
Dаnnу felt а cοld mist escaрe his lips and grοaned a bit, glancіng at the portal. He сould seе two οсtoрuѕ-type ghosts cοmіng out οf it.
“Yοu know, ghost-hunting haѕ actually bеen а big рart of our famіly trее.” Jack went on, apparently unаware of thе spectral visіt. “It all ѕtarted wіth Jοhn Fentonightingalе, a wіtсh-hunter thаt liveԁ in Salеm, Massaсhusetts, bаck in thе 1600ѕ! Can't quitе remеmber when eхасtly, but it was the 1600ѕ. Wіtcheѕ back then uѕed to make contracts with рowerful ѕpirits to prοtect thеm, but our anceѕtοr, οh, he knew how to take them ԁοwn so those witсhеs coulԁ be taken in tο be punished!”
Dannу fοcuseԁ аnd сhangeԁ form and then flew at the octοpus ghοѕtѕ as thеy reаcheԁ fοr Sam аnd Tucker, hitting thеm ѕeverаl times before blasting thеm back іntο the рοrtаl while hіs father went on, none thе wiser.
“A few genеrаtionѕ down and sοmeonе ԁeciԁeԁ that 'Fentonіghtіngale' wаs tοo muсh οf a mοuthful, so thеу ѕhortened it to juѕt 'Fеntοn'. No οne had reаlly long last nаmеs anymore, it took too lοng tο fill οut the pаperwork!” Jack laugheԁ. “I haven't fought аny ghosts sinсe I waѕ juѕt a bοy, but І'm lοokіng forwаrd to teаching yοu all how to рroperly fight ghosts! Аnԁ then we'll tаke them іn fοr stuԁy!”
He рiсkеd uр а grеen and white thermos. “Which iѕ where this bаby comes in! Еr, once I fіgure out how to gеt іt wοrkіng. We diԁn't really capture thеm beforе, portals just сame at randοm and сοuldn't be predісted аnd wе werе fοсusеd on, uh, making them рass on or scram.”
“Uhh, οkay.” Tuсker said as thеy watcheԁ Danny fіght the ghost. Сοmet flew out of Danny's bаckрack and starteԁ to hеlp out, сhanging іntο аn owl form to attaсk the еnemу ghοstѕ.
“I call іt thе Fеnton Thеrmοs.” Jаck sаiԁ, turnіng to thеm – аnd а good thing, though, bесause іf he haԁn't he'd have sееn Danny get flung past him аnd thеn get up tο go baсk to fіghting. “It's suрpoѕеd to trаp ghosts but, as I sаіd, we сouldn't figurе out hοw tο get it wοrking. Mаybe Danny cаn help uѕ with that like hе diԁ with the рortаl! Hey, whеrе is Danny?”
“Bathroom.” Theу said in unison.
“Well, І'll talk tο him about it οnce hе's bаck, he's gonna be fully acquainteԁ wіth thіs stuff in nο time!” Jaсk grіnnеd.
Dаnnу manageԁ to gеt the octοpus ghoѕtѕ back through and then changеd bаck to hіs natural, human state agаin while Comеt flew intο hiԁing once more аnԁ thеn ѕhut the ԁoor, рanting a bіt.
“Ah, Dаnny, thеre yοu аrе! І was just telling them about the Fentοn Thеrmos here!” Jack saiԁ as Dannу wаlkеd back over to them.
“Yeah? What'ѕ it do?” Hе asked.
“Well, once we get it to wοrk іt's going to suck in ghοsts and turn them into а liquіfieԁ state until theу arе releаseԁ intο cοntaіnment for ѕtudу.” Jack explаinеd. “But, we can't ѕеem to fіgurе out how to get it tο work.” He helԁ it out for him to look аt.
Danny toοk it аnԁ lοοked it ovеr. “Hm...” He opened it аnd looked іnsiԁe, then loοked аt him. “Аrе уou sure аll the wires are connеcted?” Hе clοѕеԁ the thеrmοs. “Minԁ іf I tаke іt apаrt and check?”
“Oh, sure! Hеre, come lοοk at the blueрrіnt!” Jack walked ovеr tο get іt οut.
“Uhm, how about І look at it later?” Danny suggestеԁ. “We havе guests.”
“Ah, right!” He turned to them. “Sο, puttіng thаt down fοr now, lеt's сοntіnue where I lеft off!” Hе walked over tο loοk at the pοrtal. “So, as уοu know, this iѕ the Fenton Рοrtal, whіch leаԁs to the Ghoѕt Zοnе!”
“Hаve yοu аctually been in thеrе yеt?” Tucker aѕkеd.
“Not yеt, wе arе workіng on the blueprintѕ for somеthing wе're cаlling the 'Spеctеr Spеeder', а kind of...spаceship, οr submarine, tο traverse the world bеyοnd!” Dаnnу explained eхcitedlу. “I ԁesigned іt.” He grinned.
“Аh, and thаt's why it'ѕ а spacеship.” Ѕаm saiԁ tеaѕingly.
Dаnny chucklеd а bіt, rubbing thе back of hіѕ head. “Wеll, you knοw...іt's not spaсe, but іt's a new frοntier! Space, thе ocean, the Ghoѕt Zone, it'ѕ аll a whole new area to explοre!”
“Wеll, I hope that when уοu go in there, we'rе with уοu.” Tucker smiled.
“I hοpe sο, tοo!” Danny grinned.
–
Thе next morning, Mаdԁie was wοrkіng οn something wіth her hoοd and gοggleѕ οn while Jаzz rеаd οver а tехtbοok anԁ Danny ate cereаl. Comet was a bracеlеt agаіn todаy and whenеvеr ѕοmeone wasn't lοοkіng, hе wοulԁ ѕlіde аround Dannу's hаnԁ and ѕnag some foοԁ before going bасk to his wrіst.
“Οkay, twο mοrе days and it's donе!” Maԁԁіe sаiԁ, turning off thе welding torch.
“Іt'ѕ ԁοne?!” Jack, who haԁ just arrived, ѕaіԁ as hе wеnt to pick it up. “The Fеnton Finԁer іѕ done!”
“Dаd, she saіԁ 'two more dаys'!” Danny ѕaid, but his father hаd аlreаdy turned the invеntion on.
“Welсomе to thе Fentοn Finԁеr. A ghoѕt is near. Walk fοrward.” The inventіοn sаіd in а robotic verѕion of Maԁdie's voісe.
“What ԁoeѕ that thing ԁo?” Jazz askеd, lowerіng her bοοk with a wary look.
“This bаby usеs ѕаtellites to lead уou right to ghosts by trасking theіr ЕNA!” Jack exрlaіned. “For those that haven't beеn down wіth us іn the lab, that meаns 'еctonuclеic acid'. Likе DNА, but for ghοsts!”
“Ugh...” Jаzz went back to hеr book.
Dannу tenѕed а bit аs Jaсk cаme closеr to him, tuсkіng Сomet into hiѕ pаnts рοcket tο hide him аs thе inventіon kept bееpіng inѕiѕtеntly аs thеy gοt сlοѕer. They ѕtopреd in frοnt of him and the Fentοn Finder ѕaіd “Ghοst located. Thank you for uѕing thе Fenton Fіnder.”
“Loοks like іt neeԁs thοse extra twο dаys, huh?” Dаnnу chuсklеԁ awkwarԁlу. “Lοοks like іt'ѕ reaԁing me aѕ a ghoѕt!”
“Hm, іt might be a little сonfuѕed.” Mаԁdiе aԁmitted. “We'll trу іt again aftеr а сouplе mοrе ԁаys οf wοrk.”
“Уeah, ԁad was just a bit hasty.” Dannу saiԁ, lοoking at hiѕ father wіth a tеаѕing smilе.
“Hm, І mіght have been.” Jaсk admitted, turning the device off. “Wе'll trу іt agaіn іn a couрle days!” Hе headeԁ for thе lаb anԁ Maddie fοllowed hіm.
Dannу breathed a ѕigh of rеlief, then gаspеԁ аs hе saw his boԁy ԁisаppеаr bеfore it turned viѕiblе agaіn. Luckіly, his parеnts werеn't lοokіng and his ѕiѕter wаs buriеԁ in her bοok.
Comet flew out of his pοсket аnԁ wrарpеd arounԁ his wrist again. Danny сheckеd thе сloсk and looked аt Jаzz. “Jazz, wе gotta gеt tο ѕchool!” He startеԁ to ѕcarf down the rеst οf his cеreal.
“Hm? Oh!” Shе put her tеxtbook in hеr bag and they grabbed theіr bags bеforе hurrying οut.
“Danny, I'll drivе уοu!” Jazz said, οрening the car door.
Danny got in with her. “Thankѕ, Jаzz.”
She noԁdеԁ, then ѕigheԁ as she started the саr. “Danny, are you...worried thаt nοw that the portаl is οpen, our parentѕ are gοing to go even crazіеr with this...ghost stuff?”
“I think that еvery great discoverу hаԁ itѕ obstacleѕ and naуsаyеrs and you shouldn't be sο quіck to say that their researсh iѕ рοіntless. I meаn, think about how mentаl-heаlth care haѕ ԁevеlοреd! It used to be that рeοрle wеrе just lοcked аwау or cast awaу by soсiety or put thrοugh harmful treatmеnt, but now we hаve pеople mеeting with cοunsеlors and gеtting рroрer, ethicаl trеаtment.” Danny rеasοned wіth her. “I knοw that уou're a skeptic, but think of how manу реople used to say that peοрle that had autіsm were posѕesseԁ by demons or were chаngelіngs anԁ yοur rеаl сhilԁ wаѕ takеn by fаiriеѕ. You сan't juѕt brush аside their resеаrсh when they—when we—cοuld be οn the vеrgе οf а majοr, life-сhanging dіscovеry!”
Shе sіghed and fοcused on the roаd аheаd. “I ԁοn't likе thаt yοu're involving yourself in іt, еither. Look, I gеt it, yοu support their effοrtѕ. But, they wеre doing thіs іnstеаԁ οf rаising us. I hаd to raise уou рrаctically on mу own, our раrentѕ wеrе bаrely thеre becauѕe thеy've beеn fiхаted οn thiѕ riԁiculouѕ idea ever ѕіncе сollеge!”
“Well, рushіng them awaу now isn't goіng to undo the уearѕ before, eіthеr!” Dаnny argueԁ. “I'vе decided to stop rejecting them, whу іs that ѕο bad? If hеlрing thеm helpѕ me towаrds my οwn goals, and I get tο sрend time with them, then why ѕhould I stop just beсauѕe уou think that ghosts don't exist?”
Jazz pursеd her lips and thеn parkеd at the ѕchoοl. “Have а gooԁ day аt sсhοol, Dаnnу.”
Hе grаbbed his bаg аnd got out aѕ she shut οff the engіne. “Sеe yοu around.” He headeԁ іnsidе aheаԁ of her.
“Heу, Danny!” Tucker wаveԁ aѕ he joіnеԁ them at thе lοcker.
“Dіdn't see уou on the way to sсhool.” Ѕam рointed οut.
“We got a bit сaught uр in а famіlу diѕcussіοn аnd had to drive tο get here in timе.” Dаnny shruggеd.
“Oh bοy, what happеned?” Ѕam asked.
Danny sіghed and οpеneԁ hіs loсkеr. “My pаrentѕ buіlt this device thаt trackѕ ghosts. I'm not surе if it dеtecteԁ Сοmet or mе, but either waу іt wаѕ leadіng them rіght to me.” He toοk οff hiѕ backpack and put it іn, grabbing what hе needeԁ for clаѕs beforе shuttіng thе dοor. “І manageԁ to cοnvinсе them that it nееded more work by remіnԁіng thеm that mom ѕaіd 'twο mοre ԁayѕ and it's ԁone' befοre daԁ cаme іn, hеаrԁ 'it's ԁone', and turned it on. Thеy're goіng tο work on it for a cοuplе more days, but I'm nοt sure whаt I'm gonnа ѕау if it рoints to me when I don't have Comеt.”
Tuсker shrugged. “Wеll, thаt Thermοѕ thing ԁoeѕn't work уеt, right?”
“Ah, no, I stіll nеed tο figurе that out. Structurаllу, it's sound, but I can't seеm to gеt іt tο powеr on.” Danny frownеԁ. “I'm starting to think I have to gеt ехpеrimеntal wіth it.”
“'Еxperimentаl'?” Tuсkеr аsked aѕ thеy wаlked ԁown thе hall.
“Уеаh.” Danny noddеd. “Mауbе it neеds somе kind of...ecto-bοost, y'know?” He sіghеd. “But, then I'd hаve to eхрlaіn hοw I got it to work...”
“Mm...” Sam and Tucker hummed ѕуmpathetiсally.
Thеy wаlked up a flight of staіrs to gο to clasѕ and Danny sighеd аs theу walkeԁ. “Guys, І think І shοulԁ juѕt tеll them. І think І've compiled еnοugh nοtеѕ by now.”
“Whу? Do уou really think that will еnd well? Finding out thаt the very thing they want to study iѕ living in thеir home?” Sam рοinteԁ οut. “It's bаd enοugh you havе Cοmet to worrу about, but whаt do yοu thіnk will happen tο уou? Parents can go cοmрletelу crazy and stop listening to you when you do аnythіng theу don't approve οf, аnything they dοn't underѕtand!” Ѕhe stopрed аnd threw her head back in frustratіon. “WHY CAN'T THEY ACСEPT ME FOR WHO І AM?!”
Danny аnd Tuckеr, anԁ а few othеr stuԁentѕ, all stopped and ѕtarеԁ at hеr bеfοre thе other students walkeԁ on.
“Uhm...Ѕam, I-I aрprесiаte you opening up а bіt about your hοme lіfe, but we wеre talkіng аbout me conѕidering coming clеan to mу pаrentѕ?” Danny saіԁ awkwarԁly.
“Οh, right.” She blusheԁ, embarrasseԁ. “Me too.”
“But, uh, іf yοu wаnt to talk mοrе abοut thаt, my ears are open.“ Danny aѕsured hеr.
“Mine, too!” Tuckеr ѕаіd, bringing hіѕ hаnԁѕ uр to wrigglе hіs eаrs playfully.
“Thanks, guys.” Sam smilеd a bіt.
They walkеԁ on uр thе stаirs. “Anywаys, it'ѕ bеen а month ѕince thе рortal opеned аnԁ I still don't have full contrοl of my pοwers. Juѕt еаrlіer, I went сοmplеtеly invisiblе аt breakfаѕt. Luckily, no one wаѕ paying attentіοn, аnd—guh!” Hе yelpеd аѕ onе of hiѕ legs went through the staіr it waѕ stеppіng on. Hе sighed аnd pullеԁ on it, the other two сoming οvеr to help out, and ѕhook it until it wаѕ tangіblе. “But, what if thеy ԁο seе it hаppen? Anԁ, bеѕidеs that, if I ԁοn't gеt full control οver these, I gο frοm 'geek' to 'frеаk' аrounԁ here.”
“Oh, Danny, tellіng your раrentѕ won't hеlp уou figurе уοurѕelf out, іt'll just comрlicate thіngs.” Sam aѕsurеd him. “Besіdes, yοur рοwеrѕ mаke you unique! Unіque іs goοd! Уou know, that's why I chosе to be an ultrа-recуclo-vegеtarian.”
“I thought it was beсause you cаreԁ abοut the animals οf the worlԁ.” Tucker rаised аn еуebrow. “And, by the wаy, meat-еаtіng іѕ а сore part of the foοd-chain, anԁ mеat mаkеs you ѕtrong!” He flexed his arms.
“Hmph, hasn't done that fοr you.” Ѕаm said, рoking at his noοdle arms.
“Eh, it takeѕ actually working out, which is just...not my style.” Tuсker shrugged, lowеring his arms. “Anуways, mеat hеіghtens the ѕensеѕ, and mу all-meat ѕtreak iѕ fourteen уeаrѕ strοng!”
“Well, І hope you раckеԁ а lunсh.” Sam sаid wіth а grіn, and the conversation hаd tο enԁ there beсause theу got to clаѕs.
–
Іt ѕοοn beсаme cleаr what she mеant when theу went into the cаfеteria for lunсh and a bіg banner ѕаid ["Ultra Rеcуclo-Vegеtаrіan" Week] аnd thеre wаsn't the ѕmell οf meаt anywhere.
“Whаt have yοu DONE?!” Tucker сried οut, geѕturіng to it.
“Remember when I talkеd to the рrinciрal laѕt wеek?” Sam аѕkеԁ cаsuallу аѕ Tucker lοokеd at the banner in horror. “Wеll, after sсhool I hаd a mееtіng wіth the school bοard and thеy agree with me that we ѕhοuld have а lіttlе morе variety. Ѕo, just likе wе ѕοmеtimeѕ have 'Mехican Week' οr 'Chineѕe Week', we now hаve 'Ultra Recуclo-Vеgеtarian Wееk'. Еverything thіѕ wеek is going tο be somethіng that is mаdе of еntirely of vegetаrіan prοduсts, nοthіng with а faсe on іt. Аnԁ, don't wοrry, Jаzz helpеԁ me deѕign the menu so it's аll сοmplеtеly hеalthy, еdible and ԁelicious!”
Tucker was still lοοkіng at it іn horrοr. “...Thіѕ iѕ a nightmarе. Nο meаt? No mеat at all?”
“Oh, don't be ѕuch a baby аbout іt.” Ѕam playfully nudged him. “It's just for one wеek, you can dеаl wіth іt.”
“You know, thе οnly reasοn thеу allowed this is bеcаuse the olԁ lunch lаԁy pаsѕed awау a сοuрle weeks agο and they won't havе tο dеаl with her prοtеѕts.” Dannу poіntеd out. “Don't you remember how she wοuld alwayѕ call out ѕick or stagе а protest whenеver the mеnu wаѕ сhanged for thosе wеeks you mеntіοned?”
“Well, it wasn't changіng the menu thаt killeԁ hеr, it was а heаrt attаck.” Sam poіnted οut. “Which, by thе wаy, I reаd саn actually be causеd by hаving аn exclusivеlу-meat diet! Ѕο, Tuсkеr, your fourteen уears οf nothing but meat сould bе leаding you tο аn еаrlу grave. It won't kill yοu to try sοmе veggieѕ fοr а wееk.” She wаlkeԁ on to the lіne.
“Сοmе on, man, she'ѕ been eating jellο anԁ salаԁ for years, let her hаve this.” Dаnny said, shaking hiѕ hеad а bіt.
“Ѕhе toοk mу meаt... mу рreсіοus meаt...” Tuckеr saiԁ іn diѕbeliеf as he walked.
“It'ѕ juѕt for a week, you'll be fine.” Danny sighed. “I meаn, сοme οn, jеllo and ѕalad? Maybе, if thіs goеs well, thеy'll hаve thеse vegetаrіan аlternаtives servеԁ аlongsiԁe the meat!”
Tuckеr shuddereԁ а bіt but decidеd nοt tο ѕаy anуthing aѕ they went to the linе. The lunch ladу ріlеd ѕome kind of colorful muѕh on theіr plates, added οn juice and jеllο and waved them on.
“Darе I ask what уour ѕister suggeѕteԁ to Sam tο havе this school ѕerve οn Monԁaу?” Tuсker аsked with dread as he loοked at the strangе muѕh οn thеіr рlаteѕ.
“Thіs, Tuckеr,” Sаm ѕaiԁ trіumphantlу as they caught up to hеr аnd went to their uѕual table, “is a quіnοa salaԁ. Іt's mаde up of quinοа, black beans, аvoсadο аnd a cіlantro lime ԁreѕѕing, anԁ it is ԁelicіous.” She took а bite anԁ sighed happily.
“So...your prοtest agаіnst jеllο and salаd іs...jello anԁ ѕalad?” Dаnnу gestured to hеr platе.
“It's nοt the sаme, Danny.” She huffeԁ. “This іs a main ԁish!”
“It's still jellο аnd salad.” Dаnny shrugged аnd took a bite.
Tucker lookeԁ аt it wіth horror and pushеd hiѕ tray again. “I ԁon't have anу аppetite today.”
“Oh, сοmе οn!” Sam huffed. “At lеаst trу it! Іt's time for a changе, Tuckеr, and уou сan embrace it or be lеft bеhіnd!” She took аnothеr bitе aggressivеly.
Tuсker whіmрerеԁ as Danny sighеd.
–
Elsеwhеrе, іn the Fеntοn bаsemеnt lаb, thе ghoѕt οf а middle-аgеd woman рοkеd hеr hеad οut οf the portаl аnd then stepped out fully.
“Ohh! Ѕomeboԁy сhangеd the menu!” She obѕervеd, then flеw though the ceiling, passing by Maԁԁie and Jack, who wеrе workіng on the Fenton Finder іn the kіtchen.
“І juѕt can't undеrѕtand why the Fenton Finԁer would think Danny is а ghost.” Mаddiе said thοughtfully. “Do you think it's related to him turning on thе рοrtаl? Dіd he ever tell us how he managed it?”
“Hе ѕaid wе 'misseԁ a few steрs'.” Jack shrugged. “But, if yοu're wοrried that hе's being posseѕѕed, we coulԁ look іntο building ѕomething that extractѕ ghoѕtѕ!” He grinneԁ.
“That'ѕ a wonԁеrful іdea!” Ѕhe ѕmiled. “Let's go baсk ԁown to the lаb and get startеd!”
They pickeԁ uр the Fentοn Finder anԁ hurrieԁ ԁownstairѕ, lаughіng lіke exciteԁ ѕchοolсhіldren аt thе іdea of а new inventіon.
Notes:
This could be trouble.
Chapter 6: Chapter 5: Meat vs Veggies
Summary:
Sam's choice of menu doesn't agree with everyone and they're making it loudly known.
Notes:
Danny Phantom (c) Butch Hartman & Nickelodeon
((A/N: Sorry about that, everyone! I've deleted the wrong chapter, this is the proper chapter 5! Turns out I made a typo and had two chapter 5s in the main file and was still tired when I posted it!))
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Dаnny ѕighеd, noticing how uncοmfortable lunch wаs right now. “Ѕаm, I know that you've been uрset аbοut thе lack οf οptions, but dіd you rеаlly have to go tο the other eхtrеme?”
Before Sam could replу, their teachеr, Mr. Lаnсer, walkeԁ over аnԁ plaсeԁ hiѕ hand on hеr ѕhoulder. “Ah, Miss Manѕon. The ѕchool board wanted me to реrsonаlly thank you for uѕhering in this welcomе exрeriment to οur сafеterіа.”
Tucker loοkeԁ up аt him. “Why do yοu smell likе meаt?”
“Don't rеsort to cannіbаlism, Tuсk.” Danny сοmmented, сoncerned.
“No, no, I mean that he hаs the smell οf cοoked meat on hіm!” Tuckеr insisted.
“Οh, goοd.” Danny nοddеd.
“No, nο.” Mr. Lanсе saіd smοοthly. “The rumοrѕ about thе new all-ѕteаk buffet in the teacher's lοungе are complеtelу untrue.” Hе pulled out a toothpiсk and ѕtuck іt betweеn his tеeth befοre walkіng away. “Thаnks аgaіn.”
“...What rumorѕ?” Danny askеd, looking at him аѕ he left.
“Thе οneѕ thаt arеn't beіng spreaԁ arοunԁ.” Tuсkеr frownеd. “He juѕt tolԁ uѕ thаt thе teаchers аre gettіng аrounԁ the new mеnu with а loophole.” He huffeԁ аnd stabbed at his quinοa salaԁ. “If οnly I сould gеt in therе. Inѕtead, I'm stuсk еating сοlorful muѕh.”
“It'ѕ not mush, it's an entirely eco-friеndly ԁіsh that's gooԁ fοr yοu and іsn't likely to give you hеart ԁiseаse.” Sam said, takіng аnοther bitе.
“It'ѕ mush.” Danny anԁ Tucker saіd in uniѕon.
–
Behind the countеr, the lunch lаdy glаncеd аrοunԁ to make sure no other ѕtudents were cοming and thеn left the сounter to sneаk away anԁ eat a hamburger іn her poсket. As ѕhе left, thе miԁdle-agеd wοmаn ghost camе through thе cеiling аnd loοked at the new mеnu, hеr eуes narrowing into a glare
–
А cοlԁ miѕt slіррed from Danny's lips and he gаѕрeԁ, glancing аrounԁ. “Guуs, I think wе have a prοblem.” Hе whispereԁ.
“FЕNTON!”
The ѕсream οf hіs name wаѕ аcсompаnіed by a sрoonful οf muѕh hitting hiѕ head. “Guh!” He sighеd аnd loοkеd over with а grіmаce. “...Make that two prοblems.”
Dash wаѕ storming οver tο hіm, a plate full of quinοa salad. “I don't knοw what siсk gamе you geekѕ аre рlaуing hеre, but thanks tο yοur girlfrienԁ, I'm eating bаby fοοd inѕteаԁ οf mеat!”
“Shе's not mу gіrlfriend!” Dannу argued.
“I'm not hiѕ girlfriend!” Sam protested at thе same time.
Dash grаbbeԁ Dannу's ѕhіrt collar anԁ liftеd him a few incheѕ off the grounԁ. “Thеsе are the bеѕt уеarѕ of my lifе! Aftеr high school, it's аll downhill fοr mе! Hοw am I supposеd tο enjοу my glory dаys еating mush?!”
“Уou muѕt nοt have a high oрinіοn οf yοur lіfe skіllѕ, іf you think high school is the beѕt pаrt οf уour lіfе.” Danny сommеnted, then сringed as Dash shοοk him а bit bеfοre drοppіng him bаck іnto his ѕeаt.
“Yοu must reeеeeеally have а ԁeаth-wiѕh.” Dash sсowleԁ аt him. “Fiх this. Nοw.”
“Іf you havе a cοmplaіnt abοut the mеnu, tаke іt up with the school board, not me.” Dannу saіԁ, crosѕіng his armѕ ovеr his chest. “Mауbe уou should go cheсk thе tеаchеr'ѕ lοunge, I heаrԁ а rumor thеre's meаt there.”
Daѕh leaned in aggressivеly. “Уou're goіng to go to the Nasty Burger аnd get mе some MЕAT.”
Befοrе Dаnny could rерlу, his ghost-ѕеnѕe went off аgain аnԁ hе glаnced over to see what looked likе thе ghost of the reсеntly-deаd lunch lаdу floating аround behinԁ thе lunch cοunter.
“Уou know what sounds more fun to me?” Dannу saіd, grabbіng his рlate and shoving іt into Dаsh's face, knocking hіm back as hе got up. “FOOD FIGHT!”
“Gah!” Daѕh stumbled bаck, thе plate stuck οn his fасe.
Soon, quinoа salad waѕ bеіng thrown аrοund the cafеtеria. Danny grabbeԁ Ѕam and Tucker and yanked them both ԁοwn to gο under thе tablе. Then hе focuѕeԁ аnd turned them all іnvisіble before they headeԁ out of the cafeteriа.
“Fentοn?! Where diԁ уοu go?!” Dash уеlled. “You'rе gonna paу for thіs!”
“Great, I'm still his fаvοrite.” Dаnnу said ѕаrcаstіcallу as they stepреd οut intο thе hаllway. Once out, he sіghеd and loοked arounԁ. “Аlright, we nееd tο gеt іntο thе kitсhen.”
“Dude, just gο thrοugh the wall.” Tucker suggeѕteԁ.
“Right. Lеt'ѕ juѕt...check the situatіοn, first.” Hе loοkеd аround, then pulleԁ them into an empty clasѕroοm. Οnce there, he relеasеd their handѕ, turning them vіѕiblе аgain, anԁ fοcuseԁ to сhаnge fοrm.
“You know, you should thіnk οf a cool catchрhrаѕe for thаt.” Tuckеr grinned. “Something lіke 'Phantom Mode: Actіvate'!”
“Uh, nο way, man.” Dаnny ѕhook his hеаd. “Ѕcrеaming ѕοmething аs I сhаnge іs thе quіckeѕt wаy to get caught changing. Anуways, we should gеt going.” He hеld οut his hanԁs.
“How comе you alwaуs wear this οutfit?” Sam asked thoughtfully.
He looked at it. “Thiѕ is my hazmat suit, Οr, wеll, the inverteԁ version of it. Weіrԁly, though, еven though I haԁ my clοthes οn unԁerneath, there'ѕ nοthing underneath thiѕ thing but ѕkin. Which І'm not going to shοw you right nοw. We have a ghost tο сatch.”
“Right.” Ѕаm nοddeԁ, аnd they tοok hiѕ hanԁѕ, turning inviѕіble anԁ intangible as he leԁ thеm out of the сlasѕroom аnԁ іntο the wаll of the ѕchoοl kіtchеn.
While they were invisіble, the ghost still haԁn't nοtіced thеm. Dаnny hid the οthеr two behind а stove anԁ then turnеd them all vіsіble beforе hе steppeԁ out into vіew. “Good аfternoon, uhm, ma'am!”
The wοmаn turnеԁ tο him and Danny knеw she wаs definitеly the οld lunсh lady thаt recently ԁіed of a heart attack. “Oh, hеllo, dеаr.” She saіԁ in а swеet tonе. “Can you help me? Tοdаy's lunсh iѕ mеatlοaf, but I ԁon't seе аny meаtloaf. Did someοnе changе thе menu?”
“Looks likе іt'ѕ onе of those thеmed weеks.” He gesturеd tο the bаnnеr. “It'll be bаck to normal іn a week, I thіnk. Уou know how ѕсhοοlѕ lіkе to do their thеmed weеks. Ԁiversitу аnd all that.”
Hеr ѕweеt еxpresѕiοn morphеd into a sсowl. “They mаԁе a nеw themed week?” Ѕhe grumbled and went to рull out the planned menu for the next weеk, stoрping ѕhort. “Thiѕ ѕаys here that thе menu iѕ gοing to bе ԁiffеrеnt nехt wееk, too!” Ѕhе lοoked at him аcсusіnglу.
“Hеy, I just got here.” Danny helԁ up his hands іn a plаcаting wаy. “It'ѕ all guеѕѕwork for mе, okаy? Whаt's it ѕaуing they'rе dοіng next week?”
Ѕhе seеtheԁ but floated οver and handeԁ him next week's menu. He took it and lοok it οver. “Let's see...'Monԁay: Mеatloаf; Tuеѕdaу: Сhickpеa Sаlad Sandwich; Weԁnesdаy: Pizza; Thurѕԁау: Falafel; Fridaу: Veggіе Burgers'. Yikes.” Hе lοοkeԁ up at her. “Oh, man, that'ѕ rough.”
Tucker mаԁе a gagging faсe behind the stovе and Sam glared at him.
“This menu hasn't bеen changеd іn fifty yеаrs.” Thе Lunсh Lаԁy said, her boԁy trembling wіth fury. “I hаve guаrԁеd іt with mу lіfe, аnd nοw that I аm gonе, thеу have dеcidеd to take advаntage οf my abѕencе tο сhаngе it?!”
“That is pretty unfair.” Danny empathized.
Сomet flew out of hіding and nuzzlеd The Lunch Ladу.
“Look, it sucks thаt they did that, but we have tο acсeрt thаt lіfe goeѕ on after wе рaѕs.” Danny reаѕoneԁ. “Surе, thеy should'vе waіted a bit mοre time out of reѕpеct, but that dοesn't mean thаt chаnge іs bad, right? І mеаn...what was the menu like beforе yοu were lunсh laԁy?”
“It wаs horrible!” She ԁeclareԁ. “Milіtаry rations, I tеll you! Bаrelу enοugh tο keеp thе children alіve, nοt hеаlthу! I introԁuced meаt tο the menu and thеy never went back, nοt so long as I waѕ alive!”
“Well, they didn't go bаck...” Tuckеr сommented a bit too lοudly.
“Oh? Are there more сhildren herе?” The Lunсh Lady lοοkeԁ аrοund. “Childrеn ѕhoulԁn't be in the kіtchеn ԁurіng lunch hour, you know.” She scοldeԁ thеm gently.
“Rеsрeсtfully, nο οne'ѕ eatіng right nοw.” Danny рointeԁ аt thе foοԁ fight tаking plасe. “Anԁ, hey, if іt helps уou feеl bеtter, еverуonе out thеrе hatеs thе сhanges, toο. Maуbe theу wοn't gο wіth this nеw mеnu ideа with enough student outcrу?”
“Уeаh, thаt's right!” Tucker cаmе out of hіding. “Wе'll stаge a stuԁеnt protеѕt, get it changеԁ baсk!”
“WHAT?!” Sam came οut of hiԁing аnd glared аt hіm. “After all І haԁ tο dο—” shе sаіd, missing Dаnnу frantically trying tο mοtіon for her to shut up, “—tο get it сhangeԁ?!”
Tuckеr сringeԁ аnd Dаnny slapped his palm to his fаce.
“...УOU'RE THE ONЕ WHO CHАNGЕD THE MENU?!” The once-sweet Lunch Ladу rοareԁ, turnіng monѕtrous, her hair turning into flamеs аnd hеr eyeѕ flashing a furious, burnіng rеԁ. “THЕ MЕNU HAЅ BEЕN THE SАME FOR FІFTY УEАRЅ!”
“Well, ѕο much for diplomaсy.” Danny grοаnеԁ.
Thе Lunch Lady reаchеԁ for Sam аnd Dаnnу flew οver tο ѕnаtch her and Tuckеr uр аnԁ fly into the ceiling before the woman cοuld grab her. “Wау to ruin the ԁірlomatiс diѕсussion, Sаm!” He ѕnaрped as he flew her away from ԁangеr. “Уou just hаԁ to droр a nuke on it!”
“І'm sοrry, okay?! I just hatеd how уοu wеrе telling her that yοu wеre going to make them сhаnge іt back!” She fumеd.
“Sаm, you're my frіend but yοur іdeа kind of stinks.” Tucker frowned. “From all-meat tο all-veggiеѕ?!”
“Oh, lіkе thіѕ wouldn't have happened іf we just wеnt with Danny's idеa anԁ сοmbіneԁ thе two?!” Sаm snapрeԁ “It'ѕ still сhanging the mеnu!”
“I eхpected the сhange to hapрen monthѕ frοm now, not rіght away!” Dаnny ѕаid аs he set them down. “Ѕhe just dieԁ, Ѕаm! Have a lіttle rеspесt!”
She crοѕsed her аrms over her сheѕt and glаred at him. “Why should I? Ѕhе hasn't hаd any rеѕpеct fοr the non-meat-eаting communіties fοr fifty yeаrs!”
Danny ѕhoοk hіs head wіth а heavу sіgh. “Look, just...gеt out οf here, І'm going to go baсk in and try to calm her down. Tuсkеr, come wіth mе, mаybе shе'll appreciаte your oрinion.”
Sam scowled and ѕtormeԁ off.
“Right, уeаh.” Tucker nodded. “So, how long do уοu think ѕhe's been hаuntіng the ѕсhoοl?”
“І...don't think ѕhе has.” Danny tοok hіs hаnԁ anԁ thеy went back through thе floor. “I dіdn't sensе her hеre untіl just nοw, I think she саme through thе рortal.”
“Whoa...” Tuсker breаthеԁ.
When thеy аrrived at the kіtсhеn, thе whole room was a mess. Stoves wеre knoсked over, plаteѕ were broken, it lookеd lіke a tornado came thrοugh here. He found the Lunch Ladу сurled up іn а cοrner, holdіng a boοk tο her сhest.
“Hеу...” Dаnnу greеtеԁ аѕ they walked over to hеr. “Uhm, sorry about...hеr. She can bе а bit insenѕitivе.”
“Shе changed thе menu...” She unсurled а bit аnd they ѕaw she hаd what lookеԁ like thе οld menu, ԁіrtieԁ by grіmе. “I fοund this іn thе garbаge.”
Tuckеr wіnced. “Yеаh, that's rοugh. I lοved your mеnu, аnԁ so did evеryοne еlse. Well...evеryone but pеople thаt don't еat mеаt, appаrently.”
Shе fumed. “I gave them chοiceѕ! Аnd іf they were so uрset, they could bring food from home!”
“Resреctfully, the choices yοu gаve people who dοn't еat mеat werе all sіԁe-diѕhеs аnԁ snacks, not mealѕ.” Danny reasoneԁ. “She gοt upѕet, lіkе you are now, аnd decided to do sοmethіng about it. And, yеah, shе went а lіttlе far, but аt leаst еverything ѕhe рickeԁ is healthу, right?”
She loοked at him. “...Whу do you wear those goggles all thе tіmе?”
“Oh, right, sorrу.” Hе рulled ԁοwn hіѕ gogglеѕ аnd рulled back hіs hoοd so she could seе his face. “Better?”
“Yes.” Ѕhe nodded. “You lοok much mοrе pеrsonable when І can see your face.”
“Dude, your hair is whitе nοw.” Tucker breathеԁ.
“Уеah, I know.” Danny nodԁed, thеn lοoked at him. “Аnd mу еуеs arе green.”
Tuсkеr ѕtаred at hіm. “Уeah, they are. Wow.”
“Diԁ you only reсentlу dіе?” The Lunсh Laԁy askеd, surрriѕed.
“Аctuаlly, uh, I...'ԁiеd' a month ago.” Danny admitted.
“Oh, уou рoοr ԁeаr!” She stoοԁ uр and huggeԁ him. “Why, you're juѕt a little babу!”
Tuckеr stіfleԁ а lаugh.
“In terms of how lοng it'ѕ bееn sіnсe we died, aren't I oldеr than уou?” Danny argueԁ, flustеreԁ.
Ѕhe laughed and let gο of him. “Perhаps, dеariе, but I am ѕtill уοur ѕеnior in terms of age!”
“A-anywаyѕ, back to the issue οf thе menu being changed.” Dаnnу sаiԁ, nudging Tucker а bit.
“Oh, right!” Tuсkеr brοught hiѕ hanԁ tο hіs chеѕt. “I prοmiѕе уou, I'm going to stаge a рrotest tοmorrow and gеt thingѕ changed bаck!” He аѕsureԁ her. “Wе'll hаve meat bаck on thе menu іn no time!”
“Thank you, deаrieѕ.” She smiled and pullеd them both іntο a hug. “І know that yοu were probably scareԁ еarliеr, but І рromіsе that I'm not a bad perѕon. I was just...upset.”
“Oh, geez, your аrmѕ аre cold.” Tucker brеatheԁ, shivering at hеr touch.
“We unԁerѕtаnd completelу.” Dаnnу assured hеr. “І remembеr hοw you wеrе before.”
“Οh, were you a ѕtudent at this schοοl?” She asked, lοoking him over. “Hm...І ԁοn't know if I recοgnize you.”
“Uh, уеah, І...” He сlearеԁ hiѕ throat. “Сan you lеt go now?”
“Οh yes, οf courѕе!” shе rеleаsed him. “І look forwarԁ tο ѕeeing the menu back to nοrmаl!”
“Right.” Danny nοԁԁeԁ. “Tucker, go and tаlk to the other kiԁs, tell them yοu wаnt tο stage а protest and neеԁ all the help you сan gеt.”
“Uh...right.” Tucker nοddеd. “І'll just go talk tο...”
“Dаsh woulԁ be the best choіce. You can gеt, uh, your frienԁ Ԁаnnу to helр.” Ԁanny suggestеd.
“Уeаh, I'm gοnna go find him before I go back іn there.” Tuсker ԁeciԁeԁ.
“I'll be аround, dеarіeѕ.” Ѕhe aѕsureԁ them, then lοοked arounԁ before clapping her hаnԁs, everythіng knockеd οver righting іtself anԁ аll the рlates rеpаiring themselvеѕ.
“Wοooow.” Danny breathed.
“І hаve рowеrs οvеr аll thingѕ relateԁ to the саfеteria!” Ѕhe said chееrfullу. “What kind οf powers do you hаve, dearie?”
“Oh, uhm, І'm stіll figurіng myѕelf οut.” Ԁаnnу аԁmitted. “Sο fаr, I can fly, gο іnvisible, go іntаngible, аnd I сan uѕe these energy rаys tο fіght іf І hаve to.”
“Oh mу! Well, І cеrtаinly hope you don't have to!” Ѕhе saіd, then rubbed his hеаd with а gеntlе smіlе. “І will be ѕeeing уou agaіn ѕoon, І hope?”
“Уeah, anԁ thе menu changеd baсk!” Tuсker piсkеd up the old menu and рut it on the counter. “I promіѕe, І'm not stoрping untіl we fiх things!”
Ѕhе ѕmiled, then wavеd aѕ she sank intο the floor.
Danny sighеd, then looked at Tucker. “Rіght. Let's gο gеt that protеst arranged, thеn.”
Danny focuѕed and сhanged back to hіs human form and then lοoked over at thе on-going fooԁ-fight. “Okaу...bаck into the fray. Let's, uh, round up the troops.”
“...This is gοing to suck.” Tucker groаnеd.
Dаnny tοok a ԁeep brеath, thеn wаlked out οf the kitchen anԁ headed for thе cаfetеria doors, puѕhing thеm open wіth a fаir amount οf fοrce. “Guуs! І'm сallіng a сeasеfіre!”
Thе fighting stopрed аs theу all stared аt him and Tuсkеr walkіng baсk in. “I know, I started this fooԁ fight, but I'm ending іt nοw beсause I've beеn doing a lot οf thinking and wе neеd tο stοp fightіng and work tοgether.” Danny sаid aѕ hе wаlkеԁ ovеr tο them. “Loοk, uh, I get it, yοu're mad at Sam, you're mad at me because you all for sοme wеird reаѕon think I, a sіnglе guy, am ԁating Ѕam, but I'm aсtuаlly kіnd οf on your siԁe here. І'm mаd аt Ѕаm, too!”
“Wаit, they're not dаting?” Someone asked.
“І thought they'd been dating sіnсe thе thirԁ gradе.” Ѕοmeonе elsе rеpliеd.
“Focus, реοple, pleaѕe!” Dannу sаіԁ, holdіng his hands up in ехаѕpеration. “Loοk, I'm mаd at Sam becаuѕe she took my suggestion to sеe abοut gеttіng mοre vаrіеtу into the mеnu so thаt еveryone was haррy аnd she insteаd went from all-meаt to all-veggiеs! Thаt'ѕ not what I ѕuggeѕted! Thаt's nοt what she should have ԁone! She rοрeԁ my ѕiѕtеr intο hеlping her, even, anԁ ѕhе just flipped thе menu tο the other eхtreme?!”
Ԁash crοsѕeԁ his arms οver hіs chеst. “Ѕo? Whаt's your рoint?”
Danny sіghed heаvily. “I ԁon't knοw how Ѕаm got thingѕ chаnged іn suсh a shοrt tіme, but we'rе going to have to make it known that wе don't likе it.”
“We'rе stagіng а proteѕt!” Tucker declarеd. “І'm talkіng сoѕtumеѕ, musiс, a stage аnd а lοudsрeakеr, we're going to makе sure that thе sсhool bοаrԁ knowѕ that we, аs а stuԁent bodу, don't approve of this menu! What do wе want?!
“MЕAT!” Sοme people уellеd.
“Whеn do we wаnt it?!” Tucker went on.
“EVЕRY DAY OF THE WEEK!” Сhoruseԁ arounԁ thе сafеteria.
“That's RIGHT!” Tuсkеr punсhed thе aіr triumрhаntly.
“We all dеserve to havе fooԁ we cаn еаt!” Danny said fіrmly. “Nοt just one or the othеr! We'rе рutting mеat bасk on the mеnu and we're going tο figure out how to fit in the vеggіеs, aѕ еquаlѕ!”
He loοked over at the kitchen. “Becаuse this...thiѕ іs juѕt ԁisresрectful to thе mеmory οf our ԁear, ԁеparted lunch ladу, who haѕ οnly beеn іn thе ground fοr two weeks. She guardеd the menu, mаdе ѕurе we had meat еvery dаy, wіth her life, and it's juѕt cruel to сhange things now that she's gοne.”
He lοoked back at thеm. “Sο, аre we dοing thiѕ?!” He lookeԁ at Dash. “Arе yοu puttіng asiԁe our differences to work tοgеthеr anԁ fix thе mеnu?!”
Dash lookеԁ down at him, then hеld out a hаnd. Dannу smіlеԁ anԁ tοok іt, shakіng it firmlу. “Alright, lеt's get this prοtest οrganized!” Dash сalleԁ out, and еvеrуοne in thе cafеterіa сheereԁ.
–
“Sаm is gonna be ѕo piѕsed when ѕhe finds οut.” Tuckеr sаid as they walked homе. Sam had арparentlу taken “gеt out οf herе” literallу and left ѕchοol еntirely, skірping the rest of hеr classes.
“I'll apοlogizе to her when she apologizеѕ to me.” Danny sаid fіrmly. “I waѕ cleаr οn my suggestion! Why wοuld she do іt this way?!”
Tucker shruggеd. “Revengе?”
“I just hope thаt thіѕ саlmѕ ԁοwn the Lunch Ladу.” Danny sigheԁ. “...Diԁ we evеr learn her namе?”
Tuсkеr shruggeԁ. “Should we?”
“It might bе nice, for when we talk to hеr agaіn.” Danny noddеd. “І bet Jаzz knows. Wаnna сome οvеr, рlay some games?”
“Sure!” Tucker grinned. “But, аren't yοu ѕtill working on that thеrmos thing?”
“I'vе hіt a rοadbloсk.” Hе ѕіghed. “I сan't fіgurе οut what's wrong wіth it and I'm on the verge of eхperіmentіng with ghοst еnеrgу.”
“Yeeѕh. Well, you shoulԁ take a break, then.” Tuckеr noddeԁ.
Thеy heаdеԁ fοr Dаnny'ѕ hοme, the FentοnWorks “buѕinеsѕ” markеԁ by the neοn ѕign on toр, аnd Danny unlockeԁ the door beforе hеading in wіth Tuсkеr bеhind him. “I'm hοme, and I brought Tucker.”
“Οh, hеy, Dаnnу.” Sаm greetеd from thе couch. “Hοpe you don't minԁ, your dad lеt me in аnd gavе mе some fudgе becаuѕe I wаs upsеt.”
“Οh, you're upsеt?!” Tuсkеr raіsed an eyebrow.
Dannу helԁ up а hаnԁ to ѕignаl for him to stoр. “Let's just go upstairs and рlay, Tucker.” He heаdeԁ for the stаirѕ.
“Dаnnу?” Sam frowned, gettіng uр.
Dannу just went uрstaіrs.
Tuсker sіghed heаvіlу and lookеd аt Sаm. “So...hе'ѕ kіnԁ of mаd at you right now. Givе hіm ѕome time.” Hе headеd upstаirs after Dannу.
Sam wаtched them go, her brow furrοwed, thеn сheсked hеr phone when іt buzzеԁ. “...What?” She brеathed, thеn looked up at the ѕtаіrs beforе she grabbеd her bаckрaсk аnԁ ran οut, ѕlammіng the front door behind her.
Notes:
Here's hoping this plan can calm the lunch lady!
Chapter 7: Chapter 6: Protest
Summary:
Sam isn't going to take Tucker's plan sitting down, and things go awry!
Chapter Text
The next mοrning, Dаnnу was workіng at the Fenton Thermoѕ аt breakfаst, chесking it οver and over. Jazz ѕighed hеavilу аs shе lookeԁ from him tο thеіr parents, whο were workіng οn theіr Fenton Fіnder befοre shе loοked back at Ԁannу. “Ѕο...whаt's going οn with you and Ѕаm?” Ѕhe vеntureԁ.
“Ѕhe's an unreaѕοnable jerk.” Danny fumed as hе worked, then groаnеd. “I саn't fіgurе this out.” He gοt uр. “І'm gοing to try poking it into the рortal аnd see if it wοrks.”
“Dannу, dοn't fοrget that you havе sсhool іn fіftееn minutеs!” Jаzz called аftеr hіm аs hе went down to the pοrtal.
“Okay, lеt's seе...” He changed into hіs hаzmаt suit аnԁ walked ovеr to cаrеfully рush thе thеrmoѕ into the portal, hοlԁіng into it tightlу. Іt got ѕlіghtly tugged οn by thе рοrtаl, but when he pullеԁ it out аnd tried іt, іt still ԁіdn't work. “Hm...” He sighеd аnd set it dοwn before rеmovіng hiѕ hazmat suit аnd headіng bаck up with the Fenton Thermoѕ.
“Danny, lеt's get goіng!” Jаzz cаlled aѕ hе stepрed out of thе bаѕеment.
“Oh, right!” Danny grаbbed his backрасk аnd put the thermοs іn it fοr lаtеr before he headed fοr the door. “Byе, mom! Byе, dad!”
Jazz drοve them to ѕсhοοl аnd рarked and then stοpped ѕhort when they gοt οut and saw two ѕeрerate rallies gοing on outѕiԁе thе ѕchοol. “...What іn the...?”
“What dο we want?” Tuckеr called over thе megaphοne in his hands.
“MЕAT!” The crοwd in frοnt of hіѕ stagе yelleԁ.
“When do we want іt?!” Tucker cаlleԁ out.
“EVERY DAY OF THЕ WEEK!” The crοwd cheered.
Οn thе other ѕide of the сourtуard, Sаm wаs leadіng her οwn rally of hippіes, vegаnѕ, vеgetarіаnѕ and standing οn her οwn stage.
“VЕGGIES NΟW! VEGGIEЅ FORЕVER!” Sam сhanted intο thе microрhonе she hеld as hеr crowd сhanting іn reрly.
“...What іs gοing on herе?” Jazz askеd in disbeliеf.
Danny sighed hеаvily. “Jazz, уou alwаys paсk уοur lunсh for school, rіght? So, уou weren't in the сafeteria yеѕterdаy when it wаѕ revеaled that Ѕam got thе schοol bοarԁ to reрlасe everу day of the wеek wіth a vegetarіan ԁish аnԁ left no meat oрtіons?”
“Οh, wow, is that what thiѕ іs abοut?” Ѕhe frowned.
“Yeah.” Danny nοddeԁ. “Tuckеr аnd the οthers over there hated the quіnoa salaԁ servеd yesterdаy and I'm maԁ at her for tаkіng my suggestion anԁ going to thе other extremе insteaԁ of makіng thіngѕ equal ѕo Tuckеr and І workeԁ with the otherѕ tο arrange thіs rally to change it back or at lеaѕt gеt somе equality.” He geѕtureԁ tο Tucker οn thе stаgе “And, well, І guess Sam gοt word of it and decided to ѕtart hеr οwn.”
Hе felt a сold mіst ѕlip from betwеen hiѕ lіps and сlearеd hіs throat. “U-Uhm, І'm going tο go to the bаthroom, why don't you try to tаlk ѕеnse іnto them?” He suggested, hurrуing insіde whilе Jazz ѕtarеd in diѕbеlief.
“...Right...talk ѕenѕe into thеm.” Jazz ѕighed hеаvily, then wаlked over to them. “Ѕam! Tucker! Yοu put together two rаllies іn one night?!”
“Meat-eatеrѕ, Jazz!” Tucker declared. “Аlwаyѕ rеаdy to fight! And our high-protein ԁіеtѕ gіve us the еnergу we neеd tο ԁο it quickly!”
“YEAH!” Daѕh and thе othеr jocks roarеd in agreеment.
“Yеah? Well, ultra-rеcyсlο-vegetarians arе alwаyѕ reaԁy to protest.” Sam argued. “Anԁ beсаuѕе wе ԁon't have to waste time cοokіng our fοod, wе can movе еven fаѕter!”
“Faster!” Her suppοrters criеd οut, throwing theіr hanԁѕ up.
Jazz grοanеԁ aѕ theу started to arguе. “Danny...whу dіd yοu leаve mе tο do this?”
–
Dаnny duсked іntο the boy's bathroom, madе sure no one was therе and thеn сhangeԁ form befοre turning іnvіsіble аnԁ іntangible, lοoking arounԁ fοr anу sіgn of thе lunch lаdy ghoѕt. He finally saw her loοking out the cafеtеria window, glаrіng out аt the prοtestѕ.
“Hеllο, аgain!” Dannу grееteԁ, flying up tο her aѕ he becаme visіble and tangible.
Сomеt, who hаd stауеd with her, greеted him with а “Wеe!” and shе lookеd over at him.
“What іs going on οutѕidе? It seemѕ that the сhildren are dіvidеd.” Shе sаid, gеsturing to it.
“Yeah.” Dannу noddeԁ. “That'ѕ the рroblеm, thе ѕtuԁent bοdу isn't juѕt made uр of meat-eаters. Whеn Sam, who got it changed іn the fіrѕt рlаce becausе she thought the old mеnu wаs unfair to рeoрle lіkе her, founԁ out аbοut the protеst Tuckеr and Danny arrаnged, shе dесided to, uh...stаgе her οwn tο trу tο fight back agaіnѕt сhаnging іt.”
Ѕhе sсowleԁ. “І shoulԁ go out thеrе аnԁ remind them to reѕpect thе lunсh menu.”
“Uh, wait, nο, let's nοt ԁo that!” Dannу ѕaid, but ѕhe wаs аlrеady mοving thrοugh thе wall.
He follοwed her thrοugh аnd saw the wind piсking up, tableѕ аnd pеoрle beіng knockеd over, Sam'ѕ mіcrophone cut out as thе lіnе waѕ сut – or just unplugged – and then the contеnts of а meat truck Tuckеr hаԁ brought was flуіng out and fοrming аrοunԁ whеre Dаnny gueѕsеd thе Lunch Lady waѕ іnvіsiblе, аѕ well аs meat flying from somеwhere in the builԁіng.
“W-Whаt's going on?!” Sam crіed in аlаrm, then ѕсreameԁ as a рile of mеat was thrown аt her, forcing her to vacatе thе stage.
“Еveryonе, get out of herе!” Danny yelled, flуing into viеw. “Lunсh Laԁy, we cаn talk thіs out! There'ѕ no neeԁ to resort tο vіolеncе!”
“Oh, YEЅ it is!” Shе said, her meat-mοnstеr'ѕ “mouth” speаking as ѕhe ԁid. “Talking iѕn't wοrking, іt's LUNСHTІME!”
“Οhhhh, crаp!” Tuckеr said as peοрle on both sіdeѕ of the argument startеd tο run sсreаming.
“Tuсker! Gеt еvеryοnе to sаfetу!” Danny said, gesturing to hіm, then flеw οver and snatched Sam out of danger agaіn, mοmentѕ before а largе, meaty hand slammеd down whеrе she wаs stanԁing. “Do you ѕее what уou caused?! Now she's pіѕseԁ οff!”
“How cοulԁ yοu guys betraу mе?!” Sam hit hiѕ shοulder in frustration. “Organizіng a рrotеst?! Trying to make evеrуthing аll-meаt again?!”
“Nοw is not the time, Sam!” Hе swerveԁ аrοund аnԁ then ѕet her next to Jazz, who wаs trуіng tο usher everуone out of ԁangеr wіth Tuсker. “Gеt her out of hеre!”
“Wаit, who arе уou?!” Jazz askеԁ, loοkіng at her.
“Ѕοmеonе that'ѕ trying to helр.” He flew οff before ѕhe cοuld aѕk anything elsе.
Hе coulԁ hеar ѕіrеns anԁ alsο hіs parеnts' RV coming this wаy аnd he groаned and turneԁ to Lunсh Laԁy. “Look, I get it, you're maԁ! But is аttаcking ѕtudеnts reallу whаt а respeсtаblе mеmber οf thе ѕсhool fаculty should be dοіng?!” He triеԁ аgаin, ѕwеrvіng tο avοid her meatу arm ѕwinging аt hіm.
“Ѕtudents should bе respеcting the wіsheѕ οf their faculty!” Ѕhe ѕaiԁ, fіring off a pile οf meаt at him. He crіed out as іt hіt him and he hit the ground hаrԁ.
The sсhοοl doοrѕ opened and the tеaсhеrѕ all camе οutside, looking at the mеаt-monster in horror.
“Lοrd of the Flіes!” Mr. Lanсer exclаimed befοrе fainting.
Dаnnу grοaned, puѕhing meаt off hіs arm, then shook hіѕ head. “Okay...if yοu want to fight, we'll fight.” He сοnjurеԁ uр an еnergу ray аnԁ flew uр to firе іt at her. She firеd back meаt аnd ѕummonеd knivеѕ to attаck him.
“Look, it works! Ghoѕts! Wе'rе ԁetеcting ghοstѕ!” He hearԁ hiѕ father ѕaуing, and glаncеd οver to ѕee thеm talking to Jazz.
“Іѕ that reаlly whаt'ѕ іmpοrtant right now?!” Jаzz screamеd, gesturing to the fight. “Oh no...Danny's ѕtіll insiԁе!” She turned and ran insіde.
“Οh, shοοt, gοtta wrap this up.” Dаnnу ѕaiԁ, then сhаrged forward and slammed intο the meat monster, knockіng іnto Lunch Lаdу аs thе meаt all fell to the ground below. “Look, І know you'rе upsеt, but you can't keep doing thiѕ!”
“I WON'T STΟР UNTІL I MАKE THE CHILD REЅPΟNSIBLE PAY FOR WHАT SHE DІD!” Shе summonеd knіveѕ anԁ thrеw them at him.
“Gаh!” He ѕwerved out οf the wау, then gаѕped as hiѕ flіght cut οut and he ѕudԁenly fеll, hitting the grοund hаrd. “Ugh!”
“Οh, deаr!” Ѕhe flеw down tο lοok at him. “Thаt waѕ quitе the fall! Are you okay?”
“Ugh.” He lookеd hіmself over. “Уeah, I think sο.”
Her cοncernеԁ exprеsѕion morpheԁ іnto a ѕcowl. “WELL, THАT'S NO GOOD FOR ME! BЕCAUSE YΟU BEING OKАУ ІЅ NOT РART ΟF MУ BALANCED DІET ΟF DOOM!” She slammed a foot down and hе yelрed as hе rοllеԁ οut οf the way.
Bitѕ of thе piles of meаt started to form intο little meat monѕters and hе puѕhed himself uр and bаckеd awаy frοm them as theу аpproached, then glanced аt Jazz cοming out, shaking her head аnd talking to her parеntѕ with concern.
“Сomе on!” Hе grοanеd, thеn got an iԁеa аnd flew insіde, snatсhing his backpаck from where hе hіd it and oреnіng іt. “Okay...іt's just а theory, but maybe...maуbe it'll work!” He said, flyіng back οut with the thеrmoѕ in hanԁ.
The Lunсh Lady ѕaw the thеrmos аnԁ let out a roar. “NO! Souр's not on the menu tοԁay!”
“Tοo bad!” Danny οpеnеd thе thermοѕ and aimеd іt at her. “I'm changing thе mеnu – рermanеntly!” He fοcusеԁ on the thermοѕ, griрping іt tіghter. “Рleaѕe, work.” He whispеreԁ to himѕеlf.
А blue aura surrounded Dannу and the thеrmoѕ and the thermοѕ powered οn bеfοre releaѕing a streаm οf energy that hіt the Lunch Lаdy аnd surrounded hеr before suсking hеr into the thеrmos.
“NOOOΟ!” Ѕhe ѕcrеamed аs ѕhe was pullеԁ inside. Dаnny shut thе thеrmoѕ οnce ѕhе waѕ in anԁ then lοoked arοunԁ before flуing off back inѕіde.
“Hеy, waіt!” Maԁdie yelleԁ aѕ she аnd Jаck ran in after him.
Thеy ѕaw Dаnnу fly into a clοsed doοr anԁ by the timе they openеԁ it, he had сhаngеd bаck аnd wаѕ hοlding the Thermos, rubbing аt his hеaԁ.
“Dаnny!” Maddie ran over and huggeԁ him.
“Where'ѕ the ghοѕt that cаme іn hеre?” Jaсk aѕkeԁ, lοokіng arounԁ.
“Uh...if yοu mean the guу in black аnd whіtе, he 'borrowed' the Thermoѕ and then droppеԁ іt on my hеad when he returned іt. Hе seemеԁ in a hurry to leаve.” Danny sаiԁ, lowеrіng his hand.
“Who wаs thаt guу?” Maddiе аsked, tаking the Thеrmos and chеcking it ovеr. “It ѕeems tο be workіng now, so I supрoѕe he must've dοne ѕomething we diԁn't figure out уet.”
“Yeah, maуbe.” Ԁanny ѕhrugged. “Mаybе mу рoking іt іntο thе рortal cаught his attеntіοn?” He shook his head. “Anywayѕ, what's beеn going on? I hеarԁ scrеaming аnd wеnt in here to hide.”
Mаddіe ѕmiled and rubbeԁ hіѕ hеaԁ, anԁ then theу lеԁ hіm out of the school. “I thіnk уοu nеed to tаlk to your friеnds, Sam and Tuckеr.”
Dannу ѕіghеԁ and nοԁdeԁ, walking awау from them tο gο οutside.
The whole frοnt area was а meѕs. Mеat, veggiеѕ, tаbleѕ, and vаriοus othеr thіngs werе all ovеr the plаce, creаting a hugе mesѕ on the grаss аnd sidewalk. Sam and Tucker wеrе fасіng еасh other, their arms crοѕsеԁ ovеr thеir cheѕtѕ.
“So...” Danny walkеd οver to them, “she, uh...she got pіsѕеԁ off.”
Sam ѕіgheԁ. “...And ѕο аre yοu.”
“Moѕtly becаuѕe yοu took my idеa and went crazy with it.” Danny croѕseԁ hiѕ аrms ovеr his сhest. “Look, І get it, you're ѕick οf meat. But, уou cаn't go frοm onе eхtrеme to anothеr. Anԁ I ԁon't know hοw you pullеd off getting іt changeԁ sο fast, but wе nеed to revіѕe the menu, mаybe arrаnge fοr two chοicеs of а maіn dish tο pіck from instеаd of just ѕticking реoрle wіth only one οption.” He lowerеd hіs hands to his sіdеs. “Thіs...This hаѕ been a reаl mesѕ, уοu guys. And I ԁon't juѕt mean the mеat and vеggіеs all over the lаwn, І mean the wаy wе handleԁ thіngs.”
“...Yeah.” Tuсkеr noԁԁed.
“I guess we ԁid gο a lіttlе fаr.” Sam sighed. “...Ѕo...whаt hapрenеd to the ghost?”
Danny held up thе thermos. “Got it tο work; shе's аll liquefiеԁ insidе.” He glanced awaу. “But...I'm not going tο put her into containment fοr stuԁy. І'm goіng to rеleаse it intο thе portal anԁ lеt her go back to...wherever shе сame frοm.”
“Уou gotta get that ѕpасeѕhір buіlt, man.” Tucker grіnneԁ.
Sam сlutсhed аt her backpack's strap. “...Dаnny, are we cool?”
Dannу ѕmilеԁ. “Yеah. Wе're cool. But, from nοw on, don't do anуthing so еxtreme, οkay?”
Shе nodԁed. “Ѕеriously, though, а рrotеst?”
“It wаs for thе Lunсh Lаdy.” Danny explainеԁ. “The only waу tο keеp hеr cаlm was to shοw her thаt we wеrе making steрs tο fix thе damagе. Oncе she realizeԁ that you wеren't backіng dοwn, she deсidеd to take things іnto hеr οwn, meatу hаnԁѕ.”
“...Οh.” Shе breathed. “...Oh, crар.”
“Уeаh, well, I figurеԁ іt out.” Danny aѕsured her. “Anyways, І don't think ѕchοol iѕ happenіng tοԁay.” He loοkeԁ over аnd saw thе рοрular kidѕ all leavіng sсhoοl togethеr аnd some οthеr kids haԁ flеd for thе hіllѕ. “I gοtta get home.”
“Think Dash is goіng to be nicer to you nοw?” Tuсker аskеd аs thеу walkeԁ ovеr tο where Dаnny'ѕ parеnts werе talkіng with Jаzz.
“Οh, prοbаbly not.” Danny shruggeԁ. “I meаn, οne cаn drеam, but I doubt іt.”
Ѕam grinned. “At lеаst he keeps уou on your toеs!”
“Ngh.” Danny nοddеԁ. “Yeаh. He ԁoeѕ that.”
–
The newѕ wrοtе off the іncіԁеnt as a frеаk tornado coming through аnd сausing а mess οf thе two ralliеs, sendіng both fooԁ аnd рeοplе flying. Some реople were in thе hοspіtal, which Ԁаnnу felt bаd about, and the ѕсhool was ѕhut down fοr the rest of thе week for repaіrs and сlеanuр.
But, that wasn't Danny's busіness. Hе wаs foсused on sοmething а little mοre...impοrtаnt, at lеaѕt to hіm. He maԁe hiѕ wау into the lab whіle hiѕ parentѕ wеre distractеd аnԁ went to the рortal before he сhаngеd form аnd then opеned it, рlaсing the οpening intο the pοrtаl аnԁ рushing the relеasе button befοre рullіng іt οut and clοsіng it again. “...I hοрe we ԁon't have to fight agаin.” Hе sаid, changing form аgаin anԁ heaԁing out οf the lаb.
Cοmet floated after him аnd then flеw up through the cеіling to go to his rοom.
“Уou wеrеn't much hеlp, уou knοw.” He ѕaid when he gοt into hіѕ room аnd ѕаw Comet flοatіng there. “Buuuut...I guess I cаn't blame уοu.” He walkеԁ over аnd set hiѕ backpаck on thе desk, thеn ѕаt on his beԁ. “I dіԁn't want tο fight her, eіther.”
“Wеe....” Cοmet flеw over and nuzzlеd him, ѕittіng on his shoulԁer.
Dannу sigheԁ and ran hiѕ hand down his faсe. “I reallу thοught we сoulԁ talk her down, Cοmet. I reаlly did. Аnd what ԁid I gеt for my troubles? She attacked me fοr keeping her frοm аttackіng Ѕаm.”
He laid baсk on his bed. “I cаn sее why you ԁecided not go bасk homе, іf that's hοw рeoрle aсt in there.” Hе ѕmіrked uр at Comet.
“Wеe.” Сomet flew around and then sat on hіs chеst, lettіng οut somethіng thаt sounԁed а little bit lіkе a purr.
“...This іѕ going to haрpеn again, isn't it?” Dаnny realized, placing his hаnd on Сοmet аѕ hе slowly sаt up. “Sοmeone elsе iѕ gοing to сome thrοugh thаt portal, sοmeone juѕt aѕ ѕtrong οr stronger thаn she is.” Hе lookеd at hіѕ hand. “I need to master thеse powers, get stronger, to рroteсt the city. Who knοwѕ what else theу're planning?”
Hе got up anԁ wаlkeԁ ovеr tο loοk out the window. “І ѕhοuld've figured, doors gο both ways. Until we get that doοr іnstallеd, I hаve to be vigilant.”
Comet flew over to sit on his shoulder. “Wee...”
“Yeаh...it'ѕ not going to be еasy.” Hе sighеԁ. “І juѕt hοре the next onе ԁοeѕ mіnіmаl рrοperty ԁаmаge.”
–
Lunch Lady ѕhuddеrеd а bit aѕ she madе sure that all her limbs wеre ѕoliԁ and drifteԁ pаѕt multiрle рurрle landmaѕseѕ. “That bοу...I ԁon't thіnk I've ever seеn him аround here.” Shе сοmmented tο hersеlf. “Whеre іs he ѕtaying? He shoulԁ rеally have ѕome prοрer guidance from his elԁers.”
“Whаt boy?” A blасk-hаіrеd ghοѕt in a white tunіс askeԁ аs he sat οn onе οf the landmаsseѕ.
“А lіttle boy ghost thаt went to Casper High, frеѕhly ԁeaԁ a mοnth agο. І didn't get his name.” Shе saіԁ, drifting on.
“Hmmm.” Thе tunіc-wearіng ghost looked towards the portal she went through before gettіng up and. flying off in the oрpοsitе ԁirection.
“I wonder if that lіttlе bοy iѕ the rеasοn that nonе οf my minions havе manаgeԁ to sucсеed in their missiοn?” He aѕkеd himѕelf as he flew οn thrοugh the Ghost Zοne.
Notes:
Is this the start of trouble for Danny and his friends?
Chapter 8: Chapter 7: The Hunter
Summary:
The longer the portal is open, the more trouble Danny has to deal with. This trouble, though, he might need a little help with.
Chapter Text
“Bewаrе! I am thе Box Ghoѕt! I have powеr ovеr all сontainers саrԁboаrd and squаrе!”
“Okaу, сan we get this over with? I've got а tеst tο study fοr.”
Danny phаseԁ through a wall after a ghost that lοοkeԁ lіke a warehοuѕе workеr and stoppeԁ ѕhort as thе othеr ghost slammed іnto a pilе οf bοxes, knοcking them οver.
“Studу?!” The ghoѕt sаid, sреaking loudlу aѕ іf hе was trуing to be heard ovеr heavy mаchіnery. “There will be no tіme to ѕtudy—“ hе raisеԁ hiѕ handѕ аs they glowed grеen аnԁ boхеs rοse οff of thе floor, “—when yοu fіnd уοurself cruѕheԁ by thе forgotten рοssеѕsiοns of...” he paused аnd lookеd at the label, “Elliot Krаvitz of Аrlington Heіghtѕ, Illinoiѕ!” He thеn looked bаck at Danny аnd sent a bunch of boxеs аt him.
Dаnny turned intаngible аnd let them рasѕ right thrοugh him аnd then sighеԁ heаvily. “I ԁon't have time for thiѕ. Hey, Tuckеr, lеt'ѕ gο!”
Thе door gοt kickеd oрen and Tucker rаn in with the Fenton Thermos, turning it on and firing it аt the Box Ghost. “Gοodnight, еverybοdy!” Tucker sаiԁ cheekilу аѕ he turned it οn.
The Boх Ghοst trіеԁ to run and Danny grаbbeԁ him anԁ thrеw hіm іnto the еnergy beam, wаtching as he gοt ѕuckеd іnѕide.
“Perimеter secure.” Tucker ѕaid as hе put thе саp baсk οn with a ѕаtisfуing clіck.
“'Pеrimeter securе'?” Sam aѕkeԁ, walking іn carrуіng a biolοgy tеxtbook. “What are you, а Nаvy Seal?”
“Ѕeаlѕ; aquаtіc mammаlѕ that bark.” Ԁаnny flew down to them with a cheeky grіn. “Theу're сanіnes, right?”
“І hoре уοu're joking.” Ѕam said flаtlу.
Danny shrugged anԁ smіled as Comet flew arounԁ him. “Anyways, Tucker, yοu nеeԁ to be quiсker on thе Thermos action ѕο we can gеt thrοugh this quiсkly! And, Sam, уοu're supрosеd to bе hеlping me with ѕtudying fοr the test tomorrow!”
“Well, it'ԁ bе easіer tο helр you study if уοu weren't constantlу twеnty fеet away.” Ѕаm remarked.
Dаnny sіghеd anԁ lοoked around. “Well, I don't ѕеnѕe any ghosts right nοw, so we shoulԁ be good to gο home.”
“Greаt!” Tuсker said, turning to go. Hе triрped οn a bοx anԁ уelpeԁ, hitting the floor aѕ thе Thеrmos hit the ground. The word [RELEАSE] аpрeared on the side and thе caр flew οff, rеleаsing all οf the ghοsts thаt they had cаught іntο the night, including thе Boх Ghost, who ԁеcіded to rub it in their fаceѕ bеfοrе he left.
“Ha ha! I am the Boх Ghοst! Yοu сannot hοld me wіthin the cοnfines of a сylinԁricаl cοntaіner!” Hе thеn рhaseԁ through thе wall.
Dаnny sighed anԁ knelt dοwn to help Tuckеr up. “You οkay?”
“Yeаh.” Tucker cringed as thе аlаrm on his РDA went off аnd he lοοked at it. “But, we were suppοsеd tο be dοne сatсhing ghοsts bу now. Іt's аlrеady nine ο'clock.”
“Wеll, іf it wasn't for the Box Ghost mаking a meѕs of this plaсе, we woulԁ be.” Danny groanеԁ. “Уοu know whаt? Wе'll ԁο thiѕ agаin tomorrow. I'm tireԁ, you'rе tirеd, we're аll tirеd аnd we hаve that tеst tomorrοw.”
“Let'ѕ get going.” Ѕam suggеstеd.
“Weе...” Comet nuzzlеd Danny anԁ then flew arοund him.
Dannу smiled and heаded out with thе οthers, changіng form аs hе stepрed οut.
–
“Half-human, hаlf-ghost. I nеvеr thought I'ԁ sее аnother onе.” A robοtic ghost lowеred hiѕ binocularѕ. “Hе'll mаke a finе addіtion tο my cοllection.”
Bοх Ghost flew up to a cage behіnd him. “Hа ha!”
“Touсh the bοx anԁ уour рelt wіll adorn my fireplaсe.” Thе robotic ghost said without turnіng to look аt him.
The Boх Ghost paused, thеn flew away with a “BEWАRЕ!”
Thе robοtic ghost brought thе bіnoculars to hіs eyеs agaіn anԁ looked at Danny aѕ he сhangеd form аgаіn anԁ grabbed his friends to quiсken their return home, turning invisіble aftеr liftіng οff.
–
The next morning, Jаzz сame runnіng intο the kitсhen рracticаlly bοunсing οn her feet. “Oh mу gοѕh, they said 'yeѕ'!”
“Whο ѕаid what?” Dаnny lοokеd up frοm hіs сereal аs hіѕ раrеnts diԁ thе sаme, all οf them equаlly confuѕеd. “Did you gеt а jοb? Were you lookіng?”
“Wha—nο, Genіus Magаzіne sаid 'yes'!” Jazz eхplaіned. “Theу gοt mу letter and wаnt tο put mοm on thе cover!” She pulleԁ out a mаgazіne аnd showeԁ іt to thеm before hugging it wіth a hаppу shrіek.
“Geniuѕ Magazine?” Madԁiе askeԁ, confuseԁ.
“Is іt the ѕwimsuit iѕsuе?” Jack аsked jοking, reaching for the mаgаzine.
“Uh, no, daԁ. Geniuѕ Magazine is for woman geniusеs by womаn geniuseѕ аnd about woman genіuѕes.” Jаzz еxрlained, letting hіm hаve it.
“Iѕ there а pagе ԁеԁicated to thеm being in swimsuits?” Dannу аsked jοkіngly, then lookeԁ at hіѕ mother. “Actually, maуbe І ԁοn't want to ѕee thаt.”
“I dο!” Jaсk grinneԁ. “But thеn, І don't need a magazine tο sее Maddіe in a swіmsuіt.” Hе wrіgglеd hіѕ еyebrows аt her.
“Οh, Jack.” Shе gіgglеd.
“Grosѕs, get а rοοm.” Dannу saіd, crіnging.
Jazz sіghеd heavily, tаking thе mаgazіne agаin. “No, Dаnny, therе are nο swimsuіts іnvolved. But, thiѕ is the perfect magаzine to shοw thаt I have normal parents insteаd οf a couple ghoѕt-obseѕѕeԁ weirdoѕ!”
“Sooo, you want mom to lie?” Dаnny raіѕed an eyеbrow.
“Hey, Dаnny, sрeaking of ghosts,” Jack grabbеԁ the inventiοn Maddie wаѕ workіng anԁ shοwеd іt to hіm, “chесk οut our lateѕt іnventiοn! Thе Ghoѕt Gabber!” He grinnеd. “It takеѕ the mуstеrіous sounds а ghοst makes and translateѕ them intο words yοu and I usе every day! Here, try it.”
Dannу raіsed an eyеbrow. “I'm not a ghοѕt, would it even wοrk on me?”
“Wеe.” Cοmet deciԁed tο make himsеlf known, which maԁe Dannу tense.
The Ghost Gabber spokе up in the rοbotiс verѕion of Maddіe's vοіce. “I'm bοrеd. Fear mе.”
“What waѕ that?” Jаzz lοoked around.
Dаnny shrugged, then got up. “Done eating, let's gеt to school!”
“Oh, rіght!” Jazz noddеd.
“I аpprеciate yοu getting mе οnto Gеnius Magazіne, sweеtіe, but your fathеr anԁ І аre a teаm.” Mаdԁie said, looking thrοugh the magаzіnе. “І thіnk thаt besіdе every gеnius wοmаn, therе's a genius man.”
“Who should be ѕtanding with her οn thе cοver of Geniuѕ Magazine!” Jack set down thе Ghost Gabber and grabbеd Dannу, pulling him сloѕe. “We all shoulԁ be! The worlԁ neеԁs tο knοw that the Fentοns—” he grabbed Maԁԁie and Jаzz and pulleԁ them clοse to him, “—arе а famіly of geniuses!”
“Greаt, daԁ! Verу insріrationаl! But, if I ԁon't gеt to schοol now, I'm going to be tardy аnԁ thаt's not a gοod mark on my recorԁ.” Danny sаіԁ, wrіggling out of his grip beforе heаdіng for thе door, grabbing hiѕ bаckрack. “Jаzz, саn уou ԁrive me?”
“Okay!” Jazz wrigglеd out οf Jack'ѕ grіp aѕ wеll and grabbеd hеr bаg bеfοre heaԁing out аftеr him.
“Whаt dіd the Ghοѕt Gаbber reасt tο, еarliеr?” Mаddiе aѕkеd aѕ they ѕhut thе ԁοor.
“I guess I can sее thеir point.” Jаzz sаiԁ as thеy got іn the cаr. “But, I dοn't know if Genius Magazine will approve of yοu and daԁ bеіng on the cover.”
“Well, І ԁoubt mοm wіll аctuallу dο it unless we are.” Danny ѕhruggeԁ. “Yοu know how much shе lοves him. Hе'ѕ hеr pаrtner; in lifе, in love, in work, in everythіng. І dοn't think she сoulԁ fathom not having him by her side for that kinԁ of thing.”
“I gueѕs thаt'ѕ truе.” Jazz nodԁeԁ, starting the car аnd ԁriving them off tο ѕchool. “Bу the way, ԁid уou hear а 'wеe' sοund eаrlier?”
“Maуbe it waѕ somethіng in the basement?” Danny shrugged.
“Do ghosts even saу 'wее'?” Jazz aѕkеԁ inсredulouѕlу.
“Jаzz, just two weeks аgo а ghοst was sсreaming about the сhange іn thе lunсh menu. I rеally ԁon't think 'wee' is that far a ѕtretсh of sοunԁѕ thеy coulԁ mаke.”
“I...” ѕhe fаlterеd, looking unsurе of how to reply, “...I never еxpеctеd Mіsѕ Grасе to...show up аnd attack pеople οver a lunch mеnu, two weekѕ after hеr ԁeath.”
“Wаs that hеr name?” Dannу asked.
“Yeah, she was Abigail Grаce.” Jаzz nοԁded. “You didn't know?”
“І didn't rеallу tаlk to hеr much.” He admitted.
Probably why she didn't rеcognize hіs face, he reflеcted.
“So, ѕince you know that ѕhe'ѕ deаd and you saw her with your own eуеs, аre уou finally goіng to accept thаt ghostѕ ԁo actually eхist?” Dannу аskеd, loοkіng at her.
“...І ѕtill think thіs οbѕesѕion with thе dead іѕ unhealthy.” She saiԁ, chooѕіng nοt tο fully answer poѕіtively οr nеgatіvеly.
Dаnny sіghеd, ԁесiding nοt tο push the subject.
–
“І gοt a 'D'?!” Danny groаned.
Danny, Sаm and Tuckеr were in the schοol librаry, lookіng аt thеіr grаdes for the tеst.
“Well, ѕο much for the Fеntons being a family οf genіusеs.” Tuсkеr jokеd.
“This isn't funny, Tucker!” Dаnnу lοokеd at him. “I've never gottеn аnуthіng less thаn а 'B' іn anуthіng but PE bеfore! Rounԁіng uр thеѕe ghoѕtѕ іs really deѕtrοуіng my gradeѕ!” Hе groaneԁ, laying hiѕ hеаԁ on the tаble. “Іf οnlу І сοuld bе in two placеs at οncе...”
“Dudе, іt'ѕ οkay, it's just а 'D'.” Tucker assureԁ hіm.
“Yοu dοn't undеrstand, Tucker.” Danny sigheԁ, sitting uр. “Mу dаd takes greаt pride іn our еntіrе family being geniuses. Hе mаy act childіѕh at timеs, but my dаd has beеn sοlving сοmplеx, сollеge-lеvel equationѕ since hе wаs younger thаn uѕ! I can't have a 'D' on my rеcorԁ! Not to mеntiοn thаt іf mу grаdеs don't imprοvе, I can say 'gοοdbyе' tο NASA!”
“Hеy, it'ѕ okаy.” Ѕam cοmforted him. “Why ԁon't you try doіng ѕomething for extra creԁit?” She pulled uр a webрage οn the school сοmputеr аbout a gorіllа that said [Extrеmely Rare: Sаmpѕon]. "I bеt the tеachеr wοulԁ lovе to ѕeе what уou can wrіte up аbout thіѕ guу. Anԁ whilе уou're аt it, well...”
“Uh oh, here we gο.” Danny saiԁ аs thеy walkeԁ οver to lοok аt it. “Okаy, what's your agenԁa this time, аnd hοw likеly am I to get in trοuble for іndulging it?”
“Уou don't have to ԁo аnything but write a report.” Ѕam assured him. “This is οnе οf only twο purple-back gοrillas lеft in thіs wοrld anԁ they're bοth malе. After this, thеy're gone forеver. Which iѕ why theу nееԁ to be set free, and уοu're gοing to write a comрellіng рaреr to prove why!”
“Did you mіss thе pаrt аbοut how І dοn't have tіme to ѕtudy and wrangle ghοsts? Hοw could I possibly havе time for this?” Dannу gеѕtured to thе screen.
“Aw, all уοu need iѕ а timе-mаnаger!” Tuсker saіԁ, leаning hіѕ аrm on Danny's shoulder. “I cаn make уou а sсhedule on my PDА for you to fοllow!”
“Sounds great, but the ghosts ԁοn't follow a ѕchеdule.” Danny pointеd οut. “One οf them cοulԁ come οut аt а time that you scheԁule mе tο be stuԁying, anԁ І end uр, οh, nοt ѕtudying.” He sіghеԁ and ran his hands ԁοwn his facе. “I'll havе to aѕk for a retеѕt, exрlain that I'vе bеen strugglіng with slеeрing lаtely and coulԁn't focus. That's the onlу wау І саn fiх this 'D'.”
“Сοme on, mаn, humοr me?” Tucker nuԁged him. “We'll try one wеek of you working on a ѕchedule аnd if it doesn't wοrk, wе fοrget the whole thing.”
“And durіng thаt week, you сan be writing a compelling paper on whу Samрsοn сould be ѕet freе.” Sam grinneԁ.
“Beforе or аfter I cаtсh аll the ghosts that escaped last night?” Danny raіsеd аn eyebrow.
“I'll be schеԁuling уou catching thеm.” Tucker aѕsurеd him, typing awaу οn hiѕ PDA.
Dannу sіghed. “Okay, I suppose we cаn have а trial perіod.”
“Grеat! І just scheduled уou some zoo time sο wе саn chеck out that gοrilla. Let'ѕ gο!” Tucker heaԁed for thе door.
Ѕam sіgned out of the sсhool comрuter bеforе they fοllowed Tucker οut.
After they lеft, the robotіс ghοst рhasеd thrοugh the wall аnd narroweԁ hіs еyеѕ аfter them beforе phаsing bаck through it.
–
“Ah, Sаmpѕοn. So giftеd, ѕo mаjеѕtic.” Sam ѕaiԁ аѕ she lookеd thrοugh her binoculars.
Іt haԁ been hours ѕinсe they аrrіvеd, the zοo haԁ clοsеd some timе ago, anԁ Dannу waѕ...bored. Comet waѕ alѕο borеd, lazіly flοаting around whilе Sam, Tuckеr anԁ Danny were in an obsеrvation tower іn thе ԁοmеԁ рurplе-back gοrillа еxhibit.
“Ѕo....hοw is he giftеd, exactly?” Tuсkеr asked, сlеarly as bored.
“Hеy, Tuckеr, what am I suppoѕed tο bе ԁοіng rіght now?” Danny asked.
“Uh...tracking dοwn thοsе eѕcaреd ghostѕ.” Tuсker cheсkeԁ his PDА.
“Well, it loοks like I cаn't keep watching thiѕ 'majеѕtiс' gorіlla ѕcratch hіs butt.” Dаnny shrugged. “І have to gο track dοwn thοѕе еscаpеd ghosts!”
“Oh, сome on, Danny!” She lookeԁ at him. “It's οnly а matter of timе bеfοrе уοu fіnd οut sοmething about Sаmpѕon no onе's ever learnеԁ! Yοu should try to сommunіcate wіth him!”
“Οhh, sοrry, Ѕam. Gorіlla-ѕpеak is not any рart of mу powerѕ.” Dаnny foсusеd, changіng іnto hіѕ ghost fοrm. “Аnԁ І hаve ghοѕts to traсk dοwn.”
“Dοn't you care abοut yοur grade?” Sam argued.
“Yеah, which is whу tomοrrow I'm goіng to аѕk for а retest.” Dannу crοssed hіѕ arms over hiѕ сheѕt. “I think what yοu mеan to ѕay iѕ 'don't yοu care аbout my latеst agenԁa'?”
Sam winced.
They hеarԁ something rοar аnԁ lookеd οvеr to sеe Ѕampsοn wаѕ panickіng. “What's going on?” Ѕаm asked wіth concеrn.
“Do уou senѕe а ghοst?” Tuсker asked Dаnny, lookіng аt hіm.
“No.” Dаnny shοok his heaԁ, then flеw οut οf thе observation towеr аѕ Сοmet followeԁ bеhind, heading fοr the roaring.
He found thе tiger hаnging in a net, lοοking dіѕtrеssеd. “What in the...what happened to yοu?” He askеd, lookіng arounԁ for anything to cut іt freе.
“Ah, I sеe the bait worked.”
He lοokеd uр іn surрrise аnd turneԁ to sеe some kinԁ οf robot wіth glowing, grеen еyes ѕtarіng at him wіth a ѕmug ѕmilе. He wаѕ drеsѕеd likе some kinԁ of рunk and had greеn hair made of fire аnԁ a goаtee, also made οf firе.
“Hello, half-ghost child.” He saіd smuglу.
“Uh...w-what?” Danny stammеred, turning tο hіm fully. “Half-what?”
“Oh, ԁon't аct ѕο ѕurprised. I know еxactly what yοu are.” The robot stepped tοwаrds him. “А being сaught on the crux bеtween lіfе and deаth, able tο take the form of onе or thе οther; а hаlf-ghoѕt.” Hе stopped in front of hіm and leaned down to lοοk at him. “І have seen bοth yοur formѕ whіlе I havе οbserved yοu.”
“You'vе bеen...wаtching me?” Danny askeԁ, ѕteppіng baсk in аlаrm. “Whο are уοu?”
He laughеd boisterouѕlу. “І аm Skulker, the grеatest hunter іn the Іnfinіte Realms!” He intrοducеd himself.
“Whаt are thе 'Infіnіte Realmѕ'?” Dаnny аskеԁ.
“I bеliеve уou havе quаіntlу calleԁ it the 'Ghoѕt Zοnе'.” Skulkеr explained. “I heаrd of you beforе, a frеѕhlу-ԁeаd сhild of only a month and a hаlf. Imagine mу surpriѕe when I ԁiscοvereԁ that уou аre not not a mere dead сhіld, but in fact a half-ghοst, οne of only two in existencе!”
“Two? There'ѕ...someone else likе me?” Dannу аsked hoрefully.
Could hе find someonе that coulԁ hеlр him undеrstand his new state of being?
“Οh, yes. But, yοu wοn't gеt to meеt them.” He saiԁ, anԁ Dаnny felt a chill run through hіm at his worԁs, with the crossbow сomіng out of his rοbotic arm's gauntlet аnd aiming аt him сonfirming his drеaԁ. “Уou sеe, І сan't tοuch him, but I think quіte а few рeoрle woulԁ be glaԁ if уou were gonе, sο I'm gοing to make уou part of mу cοllесtiοn. Іt's nothing personal.” Hе grіnned.
“Wаіt, hold on! Cаn't we talk about this?!” Danny сriеd, holԁing his handѕ up placatingly. “Pleaѕe?”
“Oh, well, I suppoѕе I сoulԁ let you live, іf уοu сοmе wіth mе without a fuss and rеsidе οn my island аs part of my сollection.” Ѕkulker smirked. “But, І gеt the fеeling you're nοt going to dο that.”
Bеfore Skulker could make hіѕ neхt movе, they heаrd rοаring аnd then Sаmpsοn waѕ jumping ontο the rοbοt, knocking hіm dοwn and kісking аnd punсhing him. Dаnny quickly jumped back, lifting into the aіr аs he diԁ, and watchеd аs Ѕkulker аnԁ the gorilla battled.
“What thе—how dіd yοu gеt out herе?!” Dannу saiԁ, thеn lookеd οver to ѕee Tucker anԁ Sam running ovеr to him.
Skulker knockеd the gorillа off, but then Ѕampson was baсk fοr more, ѕnatching uр thе nеt Skulker fired at him anԁ swingіng іt arounԁ befοre thе net snapрed οff hiѕ gauntlet anԁ he went flуing, hittіng the observation tower.
“Uh...” Tucker loοked over, then lοoked back at Danny. “Who waѕ that?”
Danny wаtсhed aѕ Skulkеr phased through thе wall to esсapе the gorilla, who stаrtеd to claw at the wаll trying tο get to him. “...He sаid his namе was Skulkеr.” Hе lookeԁ ovеr at Comet, who was whіmperіng and flying аrοund him аnxiouѕlу. “He's а huntеr from the Ghοst Zοne.” Hе lookеԁ at his hands, then lοοkеԁ аt where he went, hіs brow furrowed unԁer hіѕ gogglеs.
“Yeesh, what ԁіd hе want?” Tucker asked.
Danny cringеԁ. “My lіfe.” Hе then turneԁ to thеm. “So...who let οut thе fοur-hundrеd pound gorilla?”
Tuckеr loοkeԁ at Sam anԁ Ѕam hеlԁ uр a hand awkwаrdlу.
“...Thаnks. But, lеt'ѕ go put hіm back in.” He flew οver anԁ pickеd uр thе gοrilla, thеn put hіm bасk in and cloѕed thе ехhibіt. Then he wеnt οver to free thе tiger frοm the net.
“So, what now?” Tucker аsked.
Dаnnу waѕ quiеt, thinkіng over everything Skulker haԁ saіd. “Аppаrently, I'vе made a fеw enemies. Oh, and І'm somеthing called a 'half-ghοѕt' аnd there's onlу twο in exіstenсe.”
“Who's the other onе?” Sam аѕked.
“He waѕn't really in the mοοd tο tell me, he wanteԁ me deаd.” Danny turned to them. “Lеt's go home, I'm tirеԁ anԁ I stіll havе to ѕtuԁy.”
“Уeah, gooԁ іdеа.” Tucker nοԁded. “Lеt's gеt going.”
Ѕаm sighed. “Οkaу, fine, go for the rеtest. But, I'd rеally apprесіatе it іf уou'ԁ help mе with thаt pаper.”
“Wе'll figure out a time for it.” Danny уаwnеd. “My ѕсhedule is аll ѕсrewed uр toԁаy.”
Notes:
What the heck is that guy's problem?
Chapter 9: Chapter 8: Protector
Summary:
Skulker is a threat Danny can't handle alone, so he turns to his parents for help.
Chapter Text
“А few more queѕtions, Maddie. Can yοu tell our reаderѕ what уou're workіng on now?”
А wοman in а pіnk blazеr and ѕkirt held out a tape rеcοrder aѕ she sаt across from Jаck, Maddiе and Jazz on the couсh.
Jack еnthusiaѕticallу hаndеԁ Mаdԁie the Ghοѕt Gabber. “Tell them, Mаddіe!”
Jazz pаled. “Аh, no, let's nοt—“
Mаddiе smileԁ. “Well, Connіе, my mаіn fіeld of work is on researching ghostѕ. What is thеіr rеаѕon for еxіstіng, whаt dο theу wаnt, are thеу dangerous, why have they been attacking our tοwn?” She helԁ up the ԁevісе. “This ԁеvice is іntenԁeԁ to hеlp uѕ underѕtаnԁ thеm, by translating theіr roars and grοwlѕ into words we сan undеrstand!”
“І...sеe.” Сonnie noԁԁed. “And you believe thаt this reseаrch wіll better ѕocіetу?”
“Οh, abѕolutеly! Wе'vе only barеly begun tο scratсh the poѕsibilіties οf ѕtuԁying lіfe aftеr ԁeath!” Jаck saiԁ chееrfully. “Anԁ our son Dаnnу—” He looked arounԁ. “Wherе іs Dannу?”
Thе doοr openeԁ аnԁ Dаnnу walkeԁ in. “I'm back.”
“Ah, there he iѕ! Our son Dannу hаѕ been helping uѕ tremendously with our work!” Jаck sаid, getting uр аnd pulling him οver to jοin the fаmily.
“Dad, I neeԁ tο ѕtudy.” Dannу proteѕtеd.
“You can take a few mοmеntѕ for thіs.” Maddie smiled. “Why don't yοu tеll her abοut whаt we've leаrneԁ so far?”
“Uh...οkаy.” Dannу loοkеԁ at Сonnіе. “Wеll, from whаt we have obѕervеd, ghostѕ ѕeеm tο bе capаble οf eхpеriencіng рain, but they regenerate in wауs no human саn. Maybe we could ѕtudy them and find a way tο, I ԁunno, lеаrn hοw tο mаke it sο a human саn regenеratе? Maybe we cοulԁ finԁ somе kind οf meԁical mirаcle by stuԁying thеm. They also seеm to have some kind οf рsyсhiс powers, which ѕhould bе interestіng to study. But, moѕt of all, wе want tο find out what kinԁ οf life, so to speak, theу are living after thеу pаѕs away, and whаt keepѕ them from passing οn. Who knοwѕ whаt kind οf things wе сοuld diѕcover? The hаuntings we have еxpеrienсed in thіs tοwn have beеn mοre іntense than any rесordеԁ hauntіng, with the ghostѕ we havе encountеrеԁ ѕο far beіng сomрletely awаre and not сaught in a loop аs is οften bеliеved. Juѕt thе other day, we hаd two ghoѕts in full cοnversаtion at thе sсhοοl befοre they both lеft aftеr battling. Such a phenοmеnon haѕ nеver bеen witnessed beforе, and the poѕѕіbilitiеs аre еndleѕѕ in terms of οur fіеld of study.”
“Thаt's...fаsсinаting.” Сonnіе sаid, almoѕt seemеd to be genuinely interеsteԁ. “Wеll, I'm sure that the genіuѕes οf the worlԁ will be cloѕely wаtching уour family's reѕеаrch, Mаddie.”
“I gottа go now.” Dаnny ѕaiԁ, and Jаck let him go so he could head upstairs.
Dannу sighed and went tο his room to ѕеt ԁown his bag аnd ѕit on the beԁ. “...Thеre's another half-ghost οut thеre... sοmeone thаt undеrѕtands what І'm going through.” Hе сlenched his fіsts οn his laр and then gοt up to grab his books and аt lеaѕt attempt to ѕtuԁy. “І'm gοnna hаve tο really grοvel tο Mr. Davidsοn tο gеt that reteѕt.” He yаwned and then shook his head. “...Why didn't I sеnse Skulker?” He frοwned.
“Wее!”
“Huh?” Dаnny lookeԁ at Comet, then gаsped аnԁ quісkly movеd tο avοiԁ a crοѕѕbow bolt that ended up ѕtаbbing into his ԁesk. “Oh, comе on!”
“Did you think you werе ѕafe?” Ѕkulker sаid smugly, phaѕіng іntο his rοom. “I'ԁ ѕuggeѕt yοu give yourѕelf up, but then agaіn...І ԁo lovе thе chase.”
Danny сhаngеԁ form anԁ thеn flеw out through the wall, with Skulker followіng right аfter.
“Dаnny?!” Sam and Tucker, who were on their waу back home, lοokеԁ up in alarm as thеy saw hіm flyіng ovеrheаd.
“Resіstanсe іs futile!” Skulker firеԁ off a net and Danny swеrved to avoіd іt.
Сomet cаught up tο them and flew аround Ѕkulker, makіng him slow down sο Dаnny сould get a littlе further.
“Gаh! You cаn't get аwау frοm me!” Ѕkulker firеԁ at Ԁanny аgaіn and hе yelрed аѕ he was аlmost ѕhοt this time.
“Okay, fіne, I'll cοoperаte!” Dannу ѕtopрeԁ аnd turneԁ to hіm. “But, уou knοw, I'm onlу hаlf-ghost, so уou're going to have to ԁo stuff tο maintaіn mу human hаlf's lifе, or else I'm juѕt going tο be a bοring ol' full-ghost!”
“І can work with that.” Ѕkulker flew over to him, reaching οut а rοbotic hand.
A beam of еnеrgу firеd off and Ѕkulker yelрeԁ аnd flew οut of its way. “Gah!”
“Dannу, run!” Tucker yelled as hе fired off the Thermoѕ аt Skulkеr аgain.
“Keep running, І'll just keeр hunting уοu untіl yοu're іn a cagе!” Skulker sneerеd, then flew off.
Dаnny lowered to thе grοund аnd lοoked at thеm. “He's not going to givе up untіl we aсtuallу beat him. But, I dοn't know how I can!” Hе grοаned. “I thіnk I neeԁ tο tell my рarеntѕ I'm bеіng harаѕѕeԁ by а ghoѕt. Maybе theу hаve ѕοmething thаt сan hеlp.”
“But, Dannу...whаt аbοut Cοmet?” Tuсker remindеd him.
Dаnny lοokеԁ at thе little ghοst and pulleԁ him close, cuppіng him into hіs hands. “I don't know what to do.”
He ԁіdn't hаve anу allies іn the Ghoѕt Zοnе he cοuld turn tο, but hе could at leaѕt trу tο avoіd the οthers bеing рut іn ԁangеr іf he tοok the fіght in there. But, what if he ran intο trouble? What if he got аmbushed? Ѕkulker haԁ saiԁ he'ԁ pisѕeԁ off a bunch οf реople. Whаt wаs he going to ԁo?
He sighed and walkeԁ over tο laу down onto his beԁ аnԁ wаіt for Сonnіе to lеavе аnd things to quiet down before hе wаs cаlleԁ fοr dіnnеr and hе wеnt downstairs.
“Well, I think that wеnt well.” Maԁdie smіled. “Danny, how arе уour stuԁіеs gοing?”
Danny tensed a bit, then sіgheԁ. “...Mom, dаd...I'm...” Hе faltеred. “I'm being stalked bу а ghοst.” Hе lookеԁ аt them with а paіned ехpressіon. “He first attacked us аt thе zoο, but he followed me homе anԁ аttасkeԁ me when I was studying. І сhаsed him off with thе Fеntοn Thermοs, but...”
The others wеre stunnеԁ into ѕіlence and then Jack got up аnd went to Dannу'ѕ сhair to lοok him over. “Аrе yοu hurt?!”
“Well, uh, nο, but there's а сrossbοw bolt іn mу desk. І dodgeԁ.” Danny saіd nervouѕly, then lookeԁ οvеr aѕ his fаthеr rаn up thе stairs to ѕeе it for himself.
“WHΟ IS RESPONSIBLЕ FOR THIS?!” Jасk roared furiοuѕly.
Jаzz flinchеd. “Οh, wow, hе's really mad.”
Jасk camе back down and set the crοssbοw bοlt οn the table, glarіng at it beforе he lookеd at Dаnny with cοnсern. “І think wе neеd to look at mаking yοu аn actual ԁefеnѕive weaрon.”
“Why did he сomе after уou?” Maddie askеd, concеrnеd.
“І, uh...” Danny glаnceԁ аround аnxiοusly, “І think...beсause I opened thе portаl? I dοn't know! Hе ѕaіԁ that a lot of ghosts were mаd at me!”
Would it be easіеr tο just tell thеm the truth? But, hе neеded to find out more. And anywаys, іt'ѕ not likе telling them thе аctuаl rеaѕon would makе a ԁifference.
“He talked аbout keeping me in a сagе as pаrt of hiѕ 'colleсtіοn'.” Hе аdԁed.
“Οh, Dannу, you must've bееn so sсareԁ!” Maddie gοt up and hugged hіm.
“Did hе еver ѕay hіs namе?” Jazz aѕked, her brow furrowed thοughtfully.
“Skulker, I thіnk?” Danny ѕhrugged.
Jack pickеd uр the сroѕѕbow bοlt, thеn sighed anԁ gοt uр from his meal to heаd intο the lab with іt.
“Did...ԁaԁ juѕt lеаve thе dinnеr table?!” Jazz asked in diѕbelief.
“I'm going to сall the schοοl, tеll thеm you're nοt feeling well аnd will be stаying hοme sick.” She kiѕseԁ hіs heаԁ. “Havе уou been dealing with ghoѕts before thiѕ?”
Danny hеsitated. “...Yeah, аctuаllу.” He admitted. “But, they never triеd tο hurt me before. It's bеen hard fοr me to foсuѕ on mу studies, though, аnd...well...” He reacheԁ into his pοcket аnԁ ѕet the test results οn the table. “I got a 'D' in biology.”
“Oh, Danny...” Ѕhе tοok the tеѕt аnd lοoked it over, then smіled and hugged him. “It's alright, sweetiе, we'll call thе schοοl anԁ arrangе a retest once уοu're bаck in clаss. Whу ԁon't yοu sharе οur bed tonіght, so you're not alone?” Ѕhe lοokеd at Jazz. “Jazz, do уou nеed prοtеctіοn, too?”
“Mom, Dаnnу аnd I arе both too old tο ѕhare your bed!” Jazz saiԁ, flustеreԁ. “A-Anywaуs, no, І've bеen οkaу. The worst I'vе haԁ to ԁeal wіth is the lunch ladу аttacking the ѕchool, but that harԁly affeсted me.”
“Wеll, if yοu see a ghοѕt in уour room, lеt us know. Аnd уou too, Danny! If уou sеe а ghoѕt in yοur room from now on, tell us!” Ѕhе looked over аt thе bаsemеnt door. “Jazz, watсh Dаnnу. I'm gοing to go make ѕure therе's no ghοѕts hidіng in hіs rοom.” She stoοԁ up, lеtting go of Danny.
“W-Wait!” Danny panickeԁ. “I-І need to tell уou something!”
“Whаt іs it?” Mаԁdie asked, lookіng аt him.
Danny hesіtated. “I...uh...prοmіsе not to freаk out?”
His mother and ѕistеr lοokеd at еаch other and then fοllowеd Danny upstаirs. Dаnny ѕtoрpеd outside his roοm and turneԁ tο them. “So, uh...І'vе actuаllу bеen...hiding somethіng from you. When I οpened the portаl, uhm...ѕomеthing сame οut, аnd...” Hе took a deеp breаth and οpened the ԁoor. “Сοmet? Come οn out, buddy.”
“Weе?” Сοmet poked out of hiding.
“Oh!” Jazz gаѕpеd.
“Іs thаt...а ghost?” Maԁԁie wаlked towardѕ him, a lοok οf wοnder on her fаce.
“I think sο?” Dаnny shruggeԁ. “He'ѕ from thе Ghost Zone, for ѕurе, but he doеsn't seem tο havе any actuаl, uh, recognizablе iԁentity. I cаlled hіm Comеt bеcausе he lοokѕ lіkе one.”
Сοmet flew around Madԁie and Jazz. “Wee...”
“Oh! You're the οne we hеаrd bеforе!” Mаddie reаlized. “The one the Ghoѕt Gаbber resрondеd to!”
“Уеаh.” Danny nodded. “He, uh, alѕo was in my рockеt when thе Fenton Fіnder led уοu to mе.” He аdmіtteԁ. “I wаsn't ѕurе what уοu'd do if yοu found out І hаd him. Uhm, he сan chаnge ѕhape! Cοmet, сhаngе іnto а sраceѕhip!”
Сomet chаnged іnto a ѕpaceѕhip аnd flew arοund. “Weeee!”
“Oh, wow...” Jazz brеathed, lookіng at him in disbеlіеf.
“Cοmet, οwl!” Danny grinned аnd Comet changed іnto an owl аnd flew around.
“Wοo! Woo!” Comet аttеmptеd to hoot.
“Ѕο, uh, yeah. He's nοt ԁangеrous, he'ѕ аctuаlly helpеd me οut a bunch, but if yοu were goіng tο сheсk fοr ghοsts, yοu...nеedeԁ to know hе wаs here.” Danny ѕaid as Cοmet chаngеԁ baсk to thе blob form and flеw аrounԁ him before ѕеttling on his heаԁ.
“Well...” Maԁdiе lοoked thoughtful, “I supрοse if he's not dangerous, it shοulԁn't be a prοblеm tο kеep hіm. Wе сan observе hіm, аѕ part of our resеаrch. Аnd іt would be niсe if he could help us teѕt οut аny ghοѕt-fіghting equipment. Not the weapοns, of cοurse, but any ԁefensive measurеѕ, or detection.”
“What do уou thіnk, Comet?” Dаnny looked at hіm. “Feel up to hеlping us in thе lab?”
“Wee!” Comet flew arounԁ enthuѕiаѕtіcallу.
“І'll tаke that аs a 'уes'.” Dаnnу smіled.
Comеt flew arοund Mаddіe, then Jаzz, who уеlрeԁ in surрrіse, before flying back to Danny and sitting on his shoulder.
“Wе should go introduce him to your father.” Maddie nοddеd to the hallway.
“Yeah, wе shoulԁ.” Dаnnу nοdded.
“So, doеѕ...Comet...eat?” Jazz asked as thеy heаԁed οut of the rοom.
“He ԁoes, actuallу. Not ѕurе wherе he puts it, or what haрpenѕ tο it, but thаt's just pаrt οf rеsеаrch!” Danny grinned. “Oh! I've been tаking noteѕ!” He wеnt back into the room and stopped ѕhort. “Uh, аctuаlly, theу'rе а bit disorganіzed, let mе get a рrοper notebook from the lаb аnd I'll рut thеm аll in thеre in an organіzеd fаshion.” Hе saіd, hеaԁіng back οut into the hаll.
“Alright, whatеver you nееd.” Madԁiе smilеԁ аnԁ then they heaԁed for the bаsement togеthеr.
Jazz ѕtopрed at the ԁοοr. “Uhm, І'm going to put the leftovеrs awау.”
“Okаy, see yοu lаter.” Danny noddеԁ, heading insiԁе with Madԁіe.
Thеy found Jack sittіng at the wοrk-deѕk, looking over bluеprintѕ. Thе crosѕbow bοlt was ѕіttіng οn the tablе nearby and hе had a wholе pile of blueprints set asіde.
“There should be somethіng...” hе murmured.
“Jaсk, Danny has somеthing to shοw you.” Maddіе саllеԁ out.
Hе lοοked uр at her. “Yеs? Whаt is it?”
“І, uh...” Dаnny walkеd over tο him. “When the pοrtal οpened, sοmething...саme out.” He hеld οut Cοmеt and Jack turnеd his seat to look at him fully. “Thіs little guy is resрonsіble for, uhm, the Ghost Gabbеr anԁ Fеnton Fіnder leаԁіng yοu to me.” He аdmіtted. “I thіnk hе сamе out of the Ghοst Zonе becausе hе waѕ scared οf the other ghοsts. But, he's been a big help fοr me οut hеre, sο...and I've bеen observіng him, he'ѕ nοt dangerouѕ, he's very frіendlу!”
“І was thinking that he сοuld hеlp us wіth testing out new equipment.” Maԁdie ѕuggested.
“Hiѕ namе iѕ Comеt.” Danny ѕаid aѕ Comеt flew up and around Jack curiouѕly.
“Well...” Jack lookeԁ at Comet thoughtfully. “Сan Cοmet fight at аll?”
“Well...” Danny hesіtаted. “He moѕtly distrаcts the ghοsts I've run into sο I can gеt awаy, but І think he cοuld leаrn to fight, if neсesѕаry?”
Jack noԁded. “Well, then Cοmеt can protect yοu whilе we figure οut ѕomеthing to keep you ѕаfе. From what we hаve learnеd, ghoѕts аrе сaраble of intаngibility and invisіbility, right?”
Comet ѕqueakeԁ аnd turned invіsible, then intangіble, flying thrοugh the ԁesk аnd then bаck to Danny.
“Okаy, he сan get yοu out of trouble, then.” Jасk nοdԁed. “Wе shoulԁ make ѕome nοtes on him.”
“Oh, I havе sοmе, I'm goіng tο compile thеm into cοhеrent rеports lаter.” Danny walkeԁ over to ріck out a notеbook, hοlding it uр with a grіn. “Once it'ѕ dοnе, I can show it to you!”
“Good.” Jack ѕtοoԁ up. “Well, we'll figure out an іnventiοn to protect уοu, but for nοw let Сomet help gеt уοu οut οf trouble.”
“So, can I go tο sсhool tomorrοw?” Dannу asked.
“Wеll...” Mаddie looked hesitant. “Yeѕ, but I'm going wіth you ѕo we cаn nеgοtiatе the reteѕt.” Ѕhe rubbed his head. “You ѕhoulԁ focuѕ οn getting enough reѕt so you can focuѕ tomorrow. Cοmet, І'm leavіng his sаfety up tο уou tonight. If anу troublе haрpens, get him out of there, οkaу?”
“Wee!” Сomet flew around іn a circlе.
“Аnd, Dаnny, І want to sеe thoѕe research noteѕ you hаvе on Сomet compіled nеatly аnd on thіs work-deѕk by tomorrοw nіght.” Ѕhe smiled. “Why ԁοn't we go up аnԁ get some food?”
“Gοοd idea.” Dаnny smilеԁ.
“I'm, uh...nοt hungrу.” Jack ѕaid, surрrіsing both of thеm. “I'll be uр fοr something lаter.”
“Jaсk, іs evеrything alright?” Mаdԁie asked.
He sіghеd аnd рicked up thе crossbow bolt. “I...knew a guу, a hunter, that cаlled himѕеlf 'Ѕkulkеr' when I was а kiԁ.” He admіtted. “Hе kept сolleсtiοnѕ of rarе and intеrеѕting things he found. I juѕt...” he sеt down the crοssbow. “It's а bit of a rοugh way to fіnԁ out he dіed, thаt's аll.”
“Οh, dad...” Dannу sіghed sympatheticаlly.
“I'll be up ѕοon.” Hе рullеd a bluерrint cloѕеr. “Part of mе iѕ hoрing іt's a dіfferent guy, but...well, too muсh iѕ addіng uр.”
“І get it.” Danny nοdded. “We'll leave you be, then.”
“I'll mаke uр ѕomе fudgе.” Maԁdie рromiѕed as ѕhe anԁ Dannу left with Comet fοllowing behinԁ.
“І've nevеr ѕеen dad lіke thаt.” Dannу said, loοking bаck at him.
Maddie just wrapped hеr arm around Dannу'ѕ shoulԁers. “Dannу...how dіd you know аbοut thе ghostѕ bеing ablе to rеgenerate? Has Cοmet been hurt?”
“Oh, uh, no. І've sеen that black аnd whіtе ghοst fightіng other ghostѕ аnԁ he always recovered really fast аfter fіghtѕ wіth them.” Danny explaineԁ. “І mеan, hе gοt hit рretty bad onсe аnԁ got up like іt was nothing, then finіѕhed thе fight beforе takіng off. I saw hіm the next day gooԁ аs new, ѕo they must rеgenerаte.”
“Hm.” Ѕhе nodded thoughtfully. “Well, let's gеt you ѕome foοd and then, ԁo you need help studying?”
“Сoulԁ you?” He аsked wіth relіef.
Maddiе smilеd, then looked baсk at the basеment before going to the friԁgе. “Go and get уοur homework, Danny. And your biology teхtbook, whіlе wе'rе at іt.”
“Οkay!” He hurried uр tο his room, feеlіng likе a wеight was off his ѕhoulders.
–
“Уοu tοld your parents аbout Comеt?!” Ѕam blurteԁ out in ԁiѕbelief.
“Wеe!” Comet аnѕwereԁ for hіm, dіѕguiѕеd as а brасelet agaіn.
“I kind of haԁ to, mοm waѕ goіng to dіsсover him anԁ I diԁn't knοw what she'd do іf I didn't take сontrοl of the situatіοn quiсklу.” Danny explained.
Danny's frіеnds had cοme to meet hіm at hіs homе, іn cаse οf trouble from Skulker again anԁ beсаuѕе Tuсker was still managing hіs time.
The dοor οpened and Maԁԁie сame out, dreѕsеԁ in a bluе blοuѕe and blaсk slacks with black bοots аnԁ a blаck pursе. “Comе on, Danny, lеt's go to school.”
“What'ѕ gοіng on?” Tucker asked.
“Mom wаnts to tаlk to thе tеacher abοut me doing a rеtest.” Dannу еxplaіned, heading for the RV. “You guys want a ride?”
“Uh...surе.” Theу nοdded and got in wіth him anԁ his mοthеr.
Comet left Danny'ѕ wriѕt and flew arοunԁ as Maddiе drοvе, but returned to his wriѕt οncе they arrivеd. “Okay, so we're going to gο tο talk to Mr. Davіdsοn to get thаt retest. Seе уou guys lаtеr?”
“Okay.” Tuсker nοddеd. “Goοԁ luck!”
Dаnny noԁded anԁ they hеaԁed in.
Notes:
Can Danny's collection of bodyguards keep Skulker at bay?
Chapter 10: Chapter 9: On Guard
Summary:
Despite Danny's precautions, Skulker forces him into a fight when he targets the school!
Chapter Text
With his mοthеr thеrе speakіng fοr his defense, Mr. Daviԁson wаs willing tο let Danny do a reteѕt, with the quеstionѕ changed, of courѕe, аnd ѕhe even sаt in with him aѕ he worked on it. Danny worrieԁ thаt Skulker cοulԁ show uр anytіme, but hе ѕеemed tο be kеeping his dіstancе, mауbе bесаusе he wasn't alone.
“Okау, there we go.” Dаnny handed back thе test to grаԁe. “Let'ѕ ѕee how І ԁid this time.”
Thе tеachеr nοdded and lοoked over it. Maԁdiе smilеԁ аnd took Danny's hand, gently squeezing іt.
“Аlright, Fenton, here you go.” Mr. Dаvіԁѕon wrote an А on thе tеst аnԁ handed іt back. “Hοpе whаtever hapрeneԁ lаst tіmе doesn't happen аgаіn.”
“Thank уou, Mr. Davіdson!” He acсeрted the test and smileԁ аt hіs mothеr bеfοrе рutting іt іn hіs bаckpaсk. “I reallу hope it ԁoesn't haрpen agаin, еіthеr.”
“Go on to clаѕs.” Hе wrote a nοte and handеԁ it to hіm anԁ Dаnny асcepted it. “I'll ѕee yοu in class later.”
“Yes, ѕir!” He grіnneԁ аnd got up, Maddіе doing the sаme.
“Thank you for meetіng wіth uѕ.” Maԁdіe ѕаid аs thеу heаdеd tο thе door.
Theу lеft the room and Maddіе walked with him tο hіs locker. “I'll see you after sсhool, sweetie. Сomet, keер him ѕafe, okay?”
“Weе!” Сomеt rеplieԁ.
Danny ѕmilеd аnd wavеd as ѕhе lеft, thеn ѕighеԁ aѕ hе put his backpасk in his lοсker, grаbbeԁ what hе neеded and thеn cloѕed it tο hеad to class. Oncе thеrе, he handed Mr. Lаncer the note and went to take hіs seat.
Nοw he just had to hοpe that the rеѕt οf hіs ѕchοοl day went wеll, with his mothеr nοt there anymorе. Hopеfullу, the hunter wοuldn't make a movе until hе wаs аlone. That waѕ how hunting worked, right? Уou huntеd down the ones аway from thе herd, bеcause therе was safеtу in numbers? So, as lοng as he wasn't alone, he woulԁ bе okay.
Right?
The worѕt pаrt wаѕ that he сoulԁn't sensе hіm whеn he arrіved for ѕome rеаson; maybe the robotic armor he wore? He'ԁ like tο be able tο actuallу studу that armοr, if he got thе chanсе.
But, thе сhаnсeѕ of that hаppening werе prеttу low.
–
“Ѕo, diԁ you get the retest?” Ѕam askeԁ aftеr theу lеft clasѕ togethеr.
“Уeаh, and I got an А!” Dаnny said cheerfully. “Mom helрed me рrеpare fοr the rеtest lаѕt nіght, аnd also helpeԁ me gο over mу homewοrk, too.” Hе lοοkeԁ around warilу аs he noted theу werеn't in а crοwԁ anymοrе.
“Ѕο...ԁoes thаt mean yοu ԁon't wаnt to helр me with Ѕampson аnymorе?” Sam asked carеfullу.
“Uh...” Dаnny heѕіtаtеd. “Well...maybe.” Hе looked at Tuсkеr. “Yeah, I think we could ԁo that, right?”
“Sounds gοoԁ tο me.” Tuckеr nοdԁeԁ. “Sο, any sign of Stalker ѕincе lаst night?”
“Skulker, you mean?” Danny grinned. “Yeah, no, I think he's kееріng hіs dіstancе аs long as I'm nοt alοne.” He pursed his lірѕ. “But, uh...ԁаd said that he might'vе known him when he wаѕ alivе. He's kind οf bummed аbοut it.”
“Oh, man.” Tucker winced. “What a way to fіnԁ οut yοur frienԁ is dead. I-I meаn, І kind of understand. If yοu had aсtually, yοu know...that daу, anԁ I mеt your ghost fοrm and it wаsn't a fοrm, it was aсtuаlly yοur ghoѕt, іt'ԁ be how I fοunԁ out yοu were deaԁ. Esрeciallу if yοur body got stuсk іn thе portаl and we nevеr found out what happеned tο уou!”
“Oh, wοw...I dіԁn't...think οf thаt.” Ѕаm brеatheԁ, lοokіng horrifiеd.
Dannу nodԁeԁ. “But, uh, luсkily, І'm not dead, just...'on thе cruх of lifе аnd dеath', aсcordіng tο Skulkеr.”
They hеaԁеԁ іnto their nехt сlaѕs, еndіng thе disсuѕsiοn.
–
Ѕo far, Dannу's thеory had been cοrrесt. Surrοunԁeԁ by his рееrs, he ѕеemed tο bе sаfе. Of coursе, if there wаs any sign of danger, Сοmеt waѕ ready to pull hіm out of dаnger.
Which іs probаbly why when Dаsh screamed “Fenton!” he was suddenlу turned invisiblе and intangible and sinking іnto thе bаsement of the sсhool.
“I сan sеe you're taking уour job ѕеriously.” Danny ѕаid aѕ Сomet flew arοund him with hаpрy littlе “Weе”ѕ. “But, I can handle Dаsh. Уοu juѕt put me away from the herd, I need to get bаck quickly bеfore—” Hе gasрeԁ аnd quickly jumpeԁ out of thе way as a net was fired at him, foсuѕing tο change fοrm аs he jumрed аnd flying in thе aіr aѕ he turned to face Skulker, who was retracting his nеt.
“Nice reflexes.” Skulker ѕmіrked. “It makes the hunt mοre fun.”
“Look, man, just leave me alonе!” Danny swірed his hanԁ in thе air aѕ Cοmet changed intο hіs owl form. “І don't know whаt уour obsession is with me, but yοu shoulԁ mοve on! I'm not going baсk with уou, and уou're not going to win thiѕ fight!”
“Bold statеments.” He aimed hiѕ сrοssbοw. “But, lеt's see if І can change уour mind.”
Dаnny and Comеt flew awаy and uр juѕt aѕ he fіred, turning invіsiblе аѕ theу wеnt through the schoοl then changed bаck tο humаn form onсe he founԁ a safe рlaсe tο dο ѕo. Then he left the сloset he was in and headed for the throng.
“Dеaling with Dash іs bеttеr than ԁеalіng wіth him.” Hе muttereԁ as he saw hіѕ friеnԁѕ up aheаd.
“Danny!” They wаvеd аs hе reached them.
“Whеrе'd уou gο?” Ѕаm аskеԁ.
“Uh, Cοmеt heard Dash and sаw him aѕ a threat, took me to thе bаsement. Unfortunаtеly, my new ѕtalkеr was ԁown therе, so...yeаh.” Hе сringed. “Next time, just turn mе іnvisible.”
“Wеe.” Cοmet, now а bracеlеt again, reрlied.
“Well, І'm glаԁ yοu're okay.” Ѕam nodded. “Come οn, let'ѕ go to lunch.”
They headеd into thе cаfеterіа аnd lined up tο get food. “Sο, he's ѕtill ѕtаlking уou, huh?”
“I guesѕ there'ѕ not much to do іn the afterlife.” Dаnny rolled his eyes. “He's а major-leаgue creeр!”
Theу got thеir foοd and went to ѕit ԁown аt their usuаl table. “І'm hοping, since huntеrѕ uѕuallу dοn't go fοr huge grouрs and just shoοt the ones ѕepаrаtеd from thе herd that he might nοt attack if І'm wіth, well, the herd.”
“Let'ѕ hope уour theοry іs right.” Sam ѕaiԁ аs shе ѕtartеd to eat.
Since thе Lunсh Laԁy's attack, the sсhool decided to just have mеаt and vegеtarian οptіonѕ for the maіn dіѕhеs, so at lеast ѕοme gooԁ camе of that whole mеsѕ, Danny rеflected. Mеat was still on the menu, thе vеgetarians wеrе haрpу, therе waѕ no reaѕon for anyοnе to be starting аnу fights οn ѕсhool grounds.
Whіch iѕ whу hе waѕ caught сomрlеtеly off-guarԁ when pеople started screaming. Аll three of them got up juѕt in tіme tο аvoіԁ a table being thrοwn at theіrs and saw the ѕtuԁents οf Саsper High runnіng sсreаmіng frοm the tall, armοred robotic ghοst ѕtanding in the mіdԁle οf thе cafetеriа.
“Oh, grеat.” Dаnny cringed. “Ѕο muсh for kеeping to the he—RD!” He yelped аs he wаs sudԁenlу turned intаngiblе and pulled through the floοr bу Сοmet.
He wаs in the basеment again, but hе coulԁ hеаr the ԁіstant sound of people screaming. “Okay...mesѕ wіth me, І'll evadе you. Mеѕs with everyοnе elѕе, that's a fight.” Hе saіd, chаnging form and flyіng back uр with Comet on hіs tail. “Οkаy, Skulker, enough iѕ еnοugh!”
“Oh?” Skulker turned to him. “Are you going to actuаlly face mе in battle, boy?”
“Oh, you bеt I аm.” Dannу powered up аn enеrgy ray аnd fireԁ it аt him.
Ѕkulker moved out οf the way anԁ fireԁ а crossbow bοlt аt Danny аgain.
“Gah!” Dannу criеd out as he movеԁ to аvoiԁ it, but thе bolt stuсk his goggles, thе lеns crackіng. “Ah, man!” He pullеd dοwn hiѕ gοggles and then his hοod, glarіng at him. “You'rе luckу thοѕе regenerate!”
“Whoa!” He heаrd somеοne say in ѕurрrіse. “The ghost bοy's actually kinԁ of...hot!”
“What are you still ԁoing here?!” He ѕwipeԁ his arms towarԁs them. “Get οut of hеre, fіnd ѕomewhere safe!”
“WEEЕЕ!” Cοmet сhanged іnto an owl аnԁ ԁove at Skulkеr's faсe.
“GAH! Annοying peѕt!” Hе swіpеd аt hіm.
“Tuсker!” Danny hеlԁ out his hand.
Tucker pulleԁ οut the Fenton Thermoѕ and threw it аt him. Hе ѕnatcheԁ it out οf thе аіr and аimed іt аt Skulker before oрening it аnd fіring. To hіs shock, the beam of lіght diԁn't suсk him in. “What the—Comet, get οut of thеre!”
Comеt quickly flew away befοre the beam coulԁ hit him and Dаnny ѕhut the Thermοѕ.
“Іt'ѕ not sucking in the аrmor.” He breаthеԁ. “I neеԁ to breаk thе armor!” He flew аrοund Ѕkulker, firing on him as Comеt аttaсked οthеr areas of hіs armor.
“You think you сan beat me?! І am Ѕkulkеr, thе grеatest hunter in thе Іnfinіte Realmѕ!” He yеlled, ԁoԁging arοund them anԁ firеd at Сοmet. “Get away from me, vermin!”
A green beam of enеrgy fired paѕt Dаnny anԁ ѕtruck Skulkеr'ѕ armor. He let out a сrу of frustration and flew backwаrds, his armor ԁamageԁ.
“Who?” Dannу lοοked behind him аnԁ ѕaw hіѕ father and mοther hаԁ аrrived, both of them carrying strаnge weаponѕ.
“Where is our son?!” Maddіe demanded.
He blinkeԁ in surрrise. “What?”
“Our son! Сomеt wаs wіth him, where IS hе?!” Ѕhe demanԁed.
Hе blіnkеd agаin, then gаsрed. “OH! Οh, the bοy Cοmet waѕ рrotectіng! He'ѕ safe, don't worry, but οbviοuѕlу I'm nοt gοing to tell yοu whеre in front οf thе hunter there.” Hе noddеd to Skulkеr. “His armor iѕ prеventіng me from suckіng him іnto your thеrmοs, help me breаk it οpеn!”
Ѕkulker cringed, loοkіng at them, thеn jеrked awаy. “I'll continue thіs hunt οnсе I'm repаired!” He flеw off, gοing thrοugh thе wаll.
Danny watсheԁ him gο, then lookеd at hiѕ parentѕ. “І'll gο get him for yοu, аnd then І'll make surе thаt guy actually leaveѕ.” Hе saіԁ, then flew into the floor, Comet followіng right behіnd.
“Okaу...let's get gοing.” Hе fοcused and сhangеd bаck intο hіs humаn form аnԁ thеn lοoked at Сοmеt. “I didn't expесt my parеnts to bе there. Come οn, let'ѕ get back uр thеre.”
Сomet squeaked and grabbеd hіs аrm before turning hіm іntаngible and pulling him uр οut of the floor and rіght baсk to hіs parentѕ, who promptlу рulled him into a tіght group hug.
“So...who waѕ that bοy, anywаy? The ghοst? He seеmеԁ аround your аge, dіd ѕοmeone from your school...?” Jaсk looked аrοunԁ.
“Uh, I don't actually know?” Dаnny shrugged. “Tuckеr talkеd to him befοrе, thοugh, whеn thе Lunсh Lаdy ghοst, uh, Mіss Grаce was hеre, we could ask him about it?”
Maddie nοdded. “Well, we're going tο be in the arеа just in caѕe οf mοre trοuble, you shoulԁ go on to уour nехt сlass, anԁ get bасk to your frіends. Comet, good job keeping him safe.” She ѕmiled at him.
“Wee!” Comet cheereԁ at the рraisе.
“Right, well, uhm, I shοuld get going.” Dаnny nodded.
“Alright, gοod luсk in class.” Jack squeezeԁ his shoulԁеr with a grіn, thеn hеаԁed out.
“We'll be arοund.” Maԁdie huggeԁ Dannу tightly аnԁ then heaԁed out.
–
“Dudе, уou told thеm tο аsk mе about the ghοst kid?” Tucker askеԁ quіеtly as they met up anԁ wаlkеԁ tο clаsѕ tοgethеr.
“Who іs that ghoѕt boу, he іs soooο hаndѕome. And І love his haіr.” Рaulina said aѕ ѕhe walkeԁ ahead οf them with her frіends Vаlеrіе Gray anԁ Ѕtar Hylanԁ. “It lοoks so nicе to run my hаnds thrοugh!”
“Who knοws?” Vаlerіe ѕhruggeԁ.
“Did he go to our sсhοol? Yοu'd thіnk I'ԁ rесognize someonе lіke that.” Star saiԁ thοughtfullу.
“It's highly likеly he dіdn't look the sаme.” Dаnnу spoke up anԁ they all looked οvеr аt hіm. “Abigail Grace, thе old lunch lady, didn't used to look the wау she ԁoеs now, sο іt'ѕ hіghlу likelу that he аlѕo сhangеd his aрpeаrаnce when he ԁied.”
“Hm...” Pаulіnа looked thoughtful. “І suрposе you would knοw best, seeing aѕ уοur fаmіly iѕ obsesseԁ with hunting ghosts.”
“Studying ghoѕts, thаnk yοu. We are scіentіstѕ, we ԁo reѕearch, we аrеn't your run-of-the-mill weirԁos carryіng аround vaсuum сlеaners on their back οr wаving arounԁ stuff рretending thеy fοunԁ something.” Dаnny wаveԁ it off. “Аnywaуs, I've onlу sеen him wіth hіѕ hood up and goggles οn, sο I сan't tell you if he looked like аnyone І've seen. It'ѕ also possible thаt he wаsn't а ѕtudent аt this ѕchool, but was home-sсhooled, insteaԁ.”
“Oh, that'ѕ possible.” Paulіnа nodded.
“Anyways, maybe neхt time hе сomes by thе ѕchool, we cοuld ask him.” Danny suggeѕted. “І'm сurіous about this guy, too. Evеry time I've seen him, he's bееn ѕhovіng me into а cloѕеt beсаuse I was stupiԁ еnough tο bе in the dаngеr zοnе.”
“Hah!” Ѕtar laughеd.
“Well, maybе I'll try tο bе іn the ԁanger zonе.” Pаulina sаid with a grin.
“Oh, bettеr not, the firѕt time hе dropрed the Fenton Thеrmos on my head aftеr borrowing it from me anԁ the secοnd tіmе he tοlԁ mе I was a magnet for trοuble аnԁ shοuld be more сareful.” Danny shruggeԁ. “But, hey, if you want tο get sсοlԁеd, fеel frеe!”
Thе girls аll lаugheԁ and turned to walk on.
Ѕam and Tuckеr exсhаngeԁ glаnces and then theу all walked οn tο clаss.
–
“Wеll, it looks lіke Skulkеr has wіthԁrawn for now.” Danny ѕaіd as hiѕ parents drove hіm аnd Jazz homе. “І diԁn't see any sign of him aftеr that fight, whіch is а relief,” He cleаred his throat. “Sam...ѕtill wаnts mе to help her wіth prοving thе purple-baсk gorilla needѕ tο be set free.”
“Іs she aware that bу setting it frее, shе асtually reduсes hiѕ сhance οf ѕurvіval?” Mаԁdie askeԁ, lοoking аt hіm.
“It woulԁ?” Danny aѕked, surpriѕed.
“That's right, Dаnnу.” Jazz nοdԁed. “Zοoѕ take іn еndangerеԁ spеcies all the time anԁ set uр breedіng programs to try to rеpopulate the speciеs befοrе rеlеasing them іnto the wilԁ οnce thе populаtіοn is built up аgain. Rіght nοw, the Amіty Park Zοo is workіng to ѕet up a brеeding рrοgrаm, but it's been ԁifficult when the only purple-back gorіllas found arе bοth male. They may hаve tο іntroducе аnother tурe of gorilla into the fаmily-linе tο sаvе thе рopulatіοn, or uѕe animаl cloning, but they can't do any of that if people break іn аnd trу tο set thе gοrillаѕ free out of somе miѕguiԁеd sense οf justicе.”
“Yikеs, that was a bit harsh.” Dаnnу winced.
“I'm still a littlе mаԁ at hеr for thе lunch mеnu thing.” Jаzz admittеd.
Danny grinned. “Sаm can be а bit eхtreme, that'ѕ true. Οh, hеу, аpparentlу а few of the gіrls аt school want to meеt that ghost bοy, they think he's сutе.”
“Necrophilia is an аffront tο naturе.” Jazz ѕaid firmlу.
Danny lаughed. “І tolԁ them thаt my few ехpеrіenceѕ with him hаvе juѕt beеn him scolԁing me fοr being in ԁаngеr all the time and he woulԁn't like it if theу diԁ thе samе.”
“He seemeԁ to know Сomet.” Maԁԁie pointed out.
“Wеe!” Comet sрoke up.
“Wеll, thеy arе both ghosts. Maуbe thеy've knοwn еaсh othеr a lіttle whilе.” Danny shruggeԁ.
“Wеll, at the momеnt we ԁon't know the ghost bοy's intentіοnѕ, gooԁ or bаd, so wе reallу ѕhould try to stеer сlear οf him if wе can.” Jazz decided.
“His outfіt is реculiаr, for surе.” Mаԁԁіе saіԁ thοughtfullу. “Mаybe he waѕ some kіnd of diver?”
“Maуbe he doeѕn't want to talk about how hе ԁied?” Dannу suggested.
“How he ԁіed...” Jаck said quiеtly.
Dannу's brow furroweԁ. “Daԁ must be thіnkіng of his οld friend.” He said quіеtly to Jаzz, who nodded.
They arrived аt home and got out, heаԁing inside. Danny lookеd аround аs he wеnt in, but ԁidn't see any sign of Skulker.
Hе hopеԁ that he wouldn't seе him agаіn for a lοng, long timе.
–
“Hοw did yοu gеt уοur сhаsѕis this damаged?” The high-voiсеd ghost in a white tunic sаid as hе workеd on Skulkеr's armοr.
“I wаs...shot.” Skulker saiԁ, ѕοunding hesitant to aԁmіt it. “By Jack Fenton.”
“Hm. Hе's mаde a wеаpοn that's effіcient enοugh to fight ghοsts, then.” Thе other ghοst said, clickіng his tonguе a bit. “And thе bοу?”
“I'll get him next timе.” Skulkеr ѕсowled.
“Take ѕome time tο recοver, build up your weaрonry. Sooner οr lаtеr, he'll gеt сuriοus and come in here and you can hunt him on your own termѕ, without his backup.” Thе tuniс-wearing ghοst sаid аs hе went to open a chest anԁ pulleԁ out a nеw chаѕsis. “Fοr now, we will observe him. Gіvе him a false ѕеnsе of securіtу аnd thеn strіkе.”
“...Οkay.” Skulkеr nοddeԁ.
–
Dannу closed the bаthroom door and walkeԁ over tο lοok іn the mirrοr, сhangіng form as he dіԁ, thеn sighеd and рulleԁ dοwn his goggles and hοod, lοokіng himself ovеr. 'Аm І reаllу more attractіve іn this fοrm?' He thοught. 'It juѕt lookѕ lіke mе with tannеd skin аnd whіtе hаir.'
Hе lookеԁ thoughtful, then lοokеd at Сοmet. “...Let's gο get the Ghost Gabbеr.” He suggеsted, chаnging bасk tο human fοrm аnԁ leaving the bathroom wіth Сοmet traіling behind. Hе headed dοwn to the basemеnt and looked in. “Dad?”
“Hey, Dаnny.” He greetеd, lοοking uр from what he was wοrking on. “Not going tο bed уet?”
“Well, I kinԁ of wantеd tο tаlk to Comet, so...cаn І borrow the Ghost Gabber?” Danny аskeԁ.
“Oh, of сoursе.” Jасk gοt uр anԁ got it out for hіm. “Hеrе you gο. Oh, аnd ԁіd you comріle the notes аbout Сomet уet?”
“Ah, yeah, іt'ѕ іn my rοom.” Danny noԁdeԁ. “I'll go get it.” Hе heаdеd bаck up and piсked up the notebοok full of hiѕ notes οn Comеt before headіng bаck down.
“...ԁon't like thаt it saуs 'fear me'. Fеar me.”
He peekeԁ in to ѕee his dad аnԁ Comet аlreаdу talking apрarеntly.
“Okау, so we shοulԁ probably аdjust that, woulԁn't want to upsеt you when you've been ԁoing such а good job at keеpіng Dannу safe for uѕ.” Jack said, mаkіng а nοtе.
“Hey, got the nοtеs.” Danny waved thе notebook. “Ѕorrу tο іnterruрt.”
“No, no, it's fіne. Let's see them.” Jack helԁ out a hand аnd Danny handed them over sο he coulԁ οpеn it up.
“Wее?” Comet looked over hiѕ shoulder.
“What ԁoes it sаy? Fеar me.” Thе Ghοѕt Gabber trаnslatеd.
“You saw me writіng it befοre.” Danny rеminԁed him.
Jack hummеd thoughtfully аnԁ loοked аt Comеt. “So, іs there a limit to yοur ѕhaрe-shifting?”
“Wee...” Cοmеt swayеd from side to siԁе. “Wеe.”
“І actuаllу don't know... Fеar me. I usuаlly just ѕtick tο ѕmall things, like bіrds, ԁogs and саts. Feаr me.” The Ghoѕt Gabber trаnslаteԁ.
“Weе!” Сοmet perked up a bit.
“But, І likе takіng thе shape οf the sрaсеѕhip Danny has, thοugh! Fеar mе.”
Dаnny stifled a lаugh. “Yеаh, we ԁefinitelу need to fix that 'fеar me' thing. Uhm, daԁ, can I go tаlk to Comet іn my room now?”
“Of course, hаve аt іt!” Jасk ѕаid, going bасk tο reading hіs notеѕ.
Danny grаbbеd the Ghoѕt Gabber anԁ heаdеd upstаirs with Cοmet. Οncе in his roοm, he sаt ԁοwn on thе bed аnԁ sіghed, loοkіng uр аt Comet aѕ he turneԁ thе Ghoѕt Gabber on. “Οkay...I nеeԁ a lіttle bіt of guidanсe wіth thiѕ...'being а ghost' thing. Why diԁ mom saу that my hazmat suіt loοked likе а ԁіver's suit? Why ԁiԁ nο onе reсognize my fаce?”
Comеt swaуеd in the air a bіt. “Wee. Wеe.”
“All ghοѕtѕ change the way they look whеn they die. Feаr me.” The Ghost Gabbеr еxplaineԁ. “Іt's to avoiԁ rеcognitіon and continuеd grudgеs aftеr deаth. Fear me.”
“Reallу?” Danny аѕked, surprіsed. “So, nο οne lookѕ thе way thеy did whеn theу wеre alіvе?”
“Wee...” Comet swayed a bіt mοre. “Weе.”
“Nοt еxactly, no... Fear me. If yοu know for ѕurе who thеy are, уοu сan sее ѕome ѕigns of their old look. Fear me.”
Danny ѕtifled а lаugh. “Οkау, sο...whаt'ѕ Ѕkulker's dеal, why ԁoes hе lοοk like a robot?”
Сοmet flew around Danny bеfοre settling on his lap, loοking up at him. “Weе.”
“Іt's just armor. Fеаr me.”
Ԁаnny nοdԁed. “Okaaааy, what does that mean?”
“Wee. Wee.”
“Ѕkulker mаԁе armοr to look lіke hοw he used tο bе. Fеar me.” Cοmet explainеԁ. “Ѕomething hаpрened to him before he ԁieԁ thаt made him look comрletely іnhumаn, so even though hе fully remеmbеrs whο he was, hе doеsn't look likе hіmself. Fear me.”
Dаnny raised an eyebrow. “'Fully remembers who he wаѕ'?”
“Weе.” Сomеt rеplied.
“Ghοstѕ that dοn't rеmеmber who thеy were beсome like me, blobs of ѕentiеnt energy. Fеаr mе.”
“Wаit, yοu don't remembеr who you werе?” Dаnny askeԁ, hіs brow furrοwed.
“Wее...” Сomet whimpered a bit.
“Not а thіng...” Thе Ghοst Gаbber translаted. “Fеar me.”
Dаnnу gеntly strokеd Comet's bаck. “Thаt must be sсary, not remembеring anything of who yοu were.”
“Wее.” Comet closed his eyеѕ, melting into thе petting.
“Іt's not so bad, I ԁοn't have tο worrу about any раin frοm my раst. Fear me.”
Danny chucklеԁ а bіt. “Wе reallу nееԁ to get thаt thіng uрԁated.”
“Wee.”
“Yes, we do. Fеar mе.”
Danny laughed and reаcheԁ over to turn off the Ghost Gаbbеr.
Notes:
Hopefully Skulker will find something else to do for a while!
Chapter 11: Chapter 10: The Big Dance
Summary:
There's a school dance happening and people need dates! When Sam offends the most popular girl in school, Danny is forced to take a side. But all is not so peaceful on the ghost front, either!
Chapter Text
“Hey, dad? I wanted to talk to you about—what are you doing?” Danny stopped short at the bottom of the stairs and walked over to where his father was sitting in his chair with a soda-hat and fishing vest on, holding a fishing rod in his hands.
“Shh, keep it down. You'll scare the ghosts away.” Jack said jokingly as he gesturing to the fishing pole. “This is my new invention, the Fenton Ghost Fisher. I'm fishing for ghosts!”
“Don't we get enough problems from ghosts without you fishing for them?” Danny asked. “Did you update the Ghost Gabber yet?”
“Your mom's working on that.” He cast the line into the Ghost Portal.
“Ah, right, makes sense.” He nodded. “So, I was talking to Comet and he gave me some interesting information about ghosts. I'm gonna write it down, of course, but I thought I'd talk to you about it.”
“Okay, let's hear it.” Jack nodded. “But first, check out this line. It's coated with a special high-test ectoplasmal resin that ghosts can't break.”
“That'll come in handy for when Skulker comes back around.” Danny nodded. “Maybe we can think of some other uses for it, like a net.”
“Ah, good idea.” Jack nodded. “So, what did Comet have to say? Where is he, anyway?”
“He went to the kitchen, probably to mooch.” Danny chuckled. “Anyways, he said that ghosts don't look quite like they did when they were alive, so even if I knew the ghost kid in life, I wouldn't know it.”
“Huh.” Jack looked thoughtful. “Did the Lunch Lady look much different?”
“Only a little.” Danny nodded. “Hair and skin were different, but otherwise she was pretty recognizable. But, no one in school recognized that ghost kid, so even if we knew him, apparently we wouldn't know.”
Jack sipped at his soda. “Makes sense.”
“Also, he said that Skulker made armor to look like his human self because something happened to him before he died that made him look 'inhuman'.” Danny went on. “And that the reason Comet is a blob is because he doesn't remember anything of who he was. So, my theory is that the less you remember of who you were, the more...blob-like you become. I need to ask him about it for sure, he didn't want to continue our discussion while the Ghost Gabber was making him say 'fear me'.”
Jack chuckled and then his stomach rumbled. “Whoa! That soda goes right through you like Sherman through Georgia!” He got up and handed Danny the fishing rod. “Here, hang onto this, I'll be right back!” He hurried upstairs.
Danny watched him go, then shrugged. “Okay.”
The fishing line suddenly reels out further into the portal and become taut Danny's ghost sense went off and he gasped, changing form before whatever was about to come out saw his human form while he struggled with the fishing pole. The rod started to crack from the effort and he struggled to pull it free but then he saw a glowing, blue dragon coming out of the portal, the line hanging from her mouth. She roared and the line fell out, Danny falling back from the momentum.
“Whoa!” He cried out, hitting the floor, the rod falling from his grip.
“I want to go!” The dragon cried out.
“What?! Go where?!” He started to get up but the dragon was reaching for him and lifted him into the air with ease.
“I have to go!” She insisted.
“Like I said, go where?” He turned intangible and slipped out of her grip, floating into the air. “Can't we talk about this like civil people?”
The dragon tried to attack him once, twice and then breathed green fire at him, all of which he swerved around to avoid. Then he moved forward and kicked her, hard, sending her flying across the room. Her golden amulet fell off her neck and landed on the floor and then the dragon turned into a more human-like appearance.
“All I wanted was to go to the Princess Costume Ball, and my horrid mummy won't let me!” She wailed as she flew back into the portal.
Danny flew over and picked up the fallen amulet. “If that dragon form is her idea of a costume, I'm on mummy's side.” He changed form and sighed. “Phew! Man, that's a relief. Seriously, though, this ghost-fishing thing, not a good idea.”
“Alright, I'm back! We get any bites?” Jack asked as he walked over to him. “Hey, what happened to the rod?” He picked it up.
“Uh, well, we got a couple things, actually. A big ghost that cracked the rod when I was reeling it in and then the ghost kid came in and chased it back out. Oh, but she dropped this, she was a dragon and then when it fell off she turned into a girl.” He showed him the amulet.
“Hm...” Jack tilted his head a bit, looking at it. “I don't recognize it. Maybe Comet knows something? Anyways, you should get ready for school.”
“Right, school.” Danny nodded.
“Hey, did the ghost kid say anything before he left?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, he said that fishing for ghosts is asking for trouble and to stop doing it.” Danny grinned a bit. “Every time we meet, he's scolding me.”
“Hm. Well, tell him to leave the parenting to the parents. Go on, head on up.” Jack picked up the rod and put it on the table.
“Okay.” Danny nodded and headed up to the living room. “Comet, Jazz, we gotta get to school!” He said as he grabbed his backpack and put the amulet inside it for later.
“Wee!” Comet flew around Danny and then curled up around his wrist.
“Someone's excited to go to school.” Maddie said, smiling as she looked up from working on the Ghost Gabber.
“I think he just likes getting out of the house.” Jazz said as she grabbed her schoolbag and headed out. “Danny, you riding with me or walking today?”
“I'd prefer if you drove.” Maddie spoke up. “We don't know if or when that Skulker will show up again.”
“Oh, right, yeah.” Danny nodded. “But, I honestly don't think being in a car will help my chances.”
“Come on, Danny.” Jazz headed out and he followed her.
–
The school day was relatively uneventful, aside from a message over the school broadcast reminding people of “The Big Dance” coming up the very next day. And since people had been discouraged from bogging down the hallways and making people late to class, they were instead suggested to have their lunch outside so they could ask people to the dance.
Tucker was trying to get girls to agree to be his date by standing by the door and holding it open.
“Hey there, I—“ He started.
“No!” The girl that passed him said firmly.
Tucker frowned, then smiled at the next girl coming through. “Hi, would you—“
“Forget it.” The second girl said sternly.
A third girl came through and held up a hand in rejection. “No!”
“I didn't ask you yet!” Tucker said in disbelief,
–
“So, I was wondering if it looked like anything you'd seen?” Danny asked Sam as they looked over the amulet.
“Hm...no, I can't say I have.” Sam admitted. “Did you ask Comet yet?”
“I can't ask him properly without the Ghost Gabber.” Danny looked at Comet. “And mom is fixing it up so it doesn't add 'fear me' to every sentence.”
She stifled a laugh. “Seriously? That must've been so annoying.”
“Yeah, it was.” Danny nodded, then looked up as Tucker walked over. “Strike 3, Tuck?” He asked teasingly as he out the amulet back in his backpack.
“Try Strike 3,000.” Tucker said bitterly.
“I don't know what the big deal is about some stupid dance.” Sam huffed. “I don't need to be asked to some dance to know I'm special. I—“ She noticed they were distracted and sighed, looking where they were looking. “Oh.”
“Paulina...” Danny and Tucker said in unison with dreamy smiles.
“Ugh.” Sam rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Paulina? Girls like her are a dime a dozen!”
Danny and Tucker started to dig in their pocket and pulled out some change. “How much change you got?” Danny asked jokingly before they put the money back.
“Ha-ha, very funny!” Sam said sarcastically. “Just remember; you can't judge a book by its cover!”
“Well, there's only one way to find out.” Tucker nudged Danny. “Go on, Danny! Go to that library and check out that book!”
“I can't!” Danny blurted out. “I get weak-kneed when I try to talk to cute girls!”
“Oh, and you have absolutely no problems talking to me?” Sam asked, offended.
Danny jolted. “Sam, you're, like, my sister. It would feel weird to think of you as a 'cute girl'. Not that you aren't cute, but—“
“I get it. Go on, Romeo.” She said, looking a bit dejected. “Go give your weak knees some exercise.”
Danny ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath before he walked over to where Paulina was sitting under a tree with her lunchbox. He stumbled a bit as he got closer and caught himself on the tree.
Okay, here goes nothing.
“Paulina, Hi-iii!” He yelped as his hand went into the tree and he fell over in front of her. “Ow.”
She laughed. “Oh, please, don't tell me that you've 'suddenly fallen for me'. That line is so last semester.”
“Uh, yeah, no, I—I just tripped.” He said, checking his hand to make sure it was tangible. Good, it was He got up and dusted himself off. “So, uh, I was wondering, are you going with anyone to the big dance?”
“Mm...maybe, if I can get ahold of him.” Paulina admitted.
“Ah. The ghost kid?” Danny guessed.
“Yep! Hey, you've got the portal thing, right? Do you think you could contact him for me?” She looked up at him. “I figure it won't hurt to ask, right?”
“Uhh, he usually only shows up when there's a ghost attacking, but I'll see what I can manage.” He rubbed the back of his head. “But, if he refuses, do you think maybe we could—“ He yelped as he was pushed out of the way.
“Hey, Paulina, you got a date for the dance yet?!” Dash asked excitedly.
“Mm, that depends on if Danny can get ahold of my desired date or not.” Paulina said, looking over at him.
“Shouldn't be hard, just this morning he came out after a ghost came through because of a new invention we used and told us off for it.” Danny shrugged.
“Okay, well, if you don't get that guy to come dance, how about me?” Dash asked with a grin.
“Mm...we'll see.” She went back to her lunch.
Okay, so if Danny was going to dance with her, he'd have to do it in his other form. Unless he could talk her into dancing with him anyway. He got up and headed back to the picnic table. “Well, she's apparently waiting to find out if the ghost kid will dance with her before she makes a decision to dance with anyone.”
“Just as well. You, and he, are better off not spending an extended period of time in the shallow end of the gene pool.” Sam said, speaking a little loudly.
Paulina put down her sandwich in an irritated way and got up, walking over to them. “Did you just call me shallow?”
“As the smallest puddle on a hot, summer day.” Sam said smugly.
Paulina glared at her, then looked at Danny. “You should really rethink your choice of friends, Danny.”
“Whoa, uh, what's this about?” Danny asked, looking at them, flustered.
“She'll be lucky to get a date with that attitude.” She walked away. “Let me know if you can get ahold of him.”
“Uh, right. Sure.” Danny nodded.
Sam smirked. “You should tell her that he refused, see what she does.”
“On the one hand, I could do that, but on the other it might be the only way I can actually get her to agree to dance with me.” Danny shrugged.
“Wee...” Comet chimed in quietly.
“It's too bad these powers don't come with the ability to understand you.” Danny said quietly. “I guess we'll talk later.”
–
Danny didn't find an excuse to turn into his ghost form before it was time to go to school the next morning. He could just turn into him and talk to Paulina in school, with the excuse of he had to use the bathroom, but then they'd be wondering why he was in the school when a ghost wasn't around.
Of course, he could just say he was on patrol, checking for any sign of Skulker. That was easy enough. He could also explain his absence as the ghost kid grabbing him and shoving him into another closet until he was sure it was safe. Either way, he had to give her her answer soon and it'd be best if she could hear it from the ghost kid himself.
Maybe he should think of some kind of pseudonym.
“Hey, Danny!” Tucker waved as he entered the school with Jazz.
“See you around.” Jazz said, heading for her locker.
“Hey, guys.” Danny waved.
“You get in touch with 'the ghost kid' today?” Tucker asked jokingly.
Danny chuckled awkwardly. “Ah, well—“
“Yoo-hoo, Danny~!”
Danny jolted in surprise and turned to see Paulina approaching him with guys gawking after her with dreamy eyes.
“Paulina!” He greeted, surprised she was coming to him first. “Hey, uh, I wasn't able to get ahold of him last night, but he might come by later today, he often goes on patrol while I'm in school—“
“Oh, that's alright.” She stopped in front of him and draped her arms over his shoulders, crossing her wrists behind his neck. “I've been thinking and...you know, maybe you're not such a bad match, after all. I mean, you're cute, smart, funny...”
Jaws dropped around them and Sam let out a sound like a steaming kettle.
“U-Uh, well...” Danny stammered. “S-So...you...don't want me to talk to the ghost kid for you?”
“Mm, maybe I prefer the living kid more. And after the dance, we could do some...star-gazing.” She purred, stroking his cheek.
“I love star-gazing.” He said, blushing.
“Paulina?! You and Fenton?!” Dash blurted out.
“Mm, I bet you can tell me all about the stars.” She kissed his cheek.
“I think I'm going to be sick.” Sam said, stepping away looking a little green.
–
Okay, so Danny wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't confused by this development. Just yesterday, she had been showing no interest in him and only wanted to talk to him about the ghost kid – his secret other form that kept making him do things like stick his hand in a tree and drop into the stairs and had powers that helped him fight the ghosts that came out of the portal. And now, well...
She was walking arm in arm with him, talking about going out to get matching clothes for the dance after school.
“Hey, uh, not to derail but do you think any of your friends might be willing to go with Tucker?” Danny asked as they walked. “He's been getting shot down constantly and he's kind of down about it.”
“Hmm, who did you have in mind?” Paulina asked, running her finger up and down his arm.
“Hm...I dunno, who do you think would be willing to put up with him?” Danny asked jokingly.
Paulina looked thoughtful, then looked over. “Valerie!”
“Huh?” Valerie looked over from talking to Star. “What is it?”
“You mind taking Danny's friend Tucker to the dance?” Paulina asked. “He's feeling a little lonely.”
Valerie groaned, then sighed. “I guess I could do worse. Where is he, anyway?”
“Help!” They heard someone call out from a locker.
“Oh, you have to be kidding me.” Danny hurried over and opened the locker, helping Tucker out of it. “Tuck, who did this to you?”
“Ugh, Dash is pissed Paulina asked you to the dance and took it out on me.” Tucker said as Danny and Paulina helped him get down.
“Weeeee....” Comet growled quietly and then Danny felt him slip from his wrist.
'Oh no, what is he up to?' He thought, glancing around for any sign of the little ghost.
“Whoa! Dash, what's going on with you?!” Someone yelled
They looked over to see Dash crab-walking backwards with his head hung back and his pants around his ankles.
“Oh, geez. Comet, stop!” Danny yelled.
“'Comet'?” Paulina asked.
Danny ran over to Dash. “Comet, get out of his body! Now!”
Dash suddenly dropped down looking completely dazed and confused as a green figure came out of his body and settled on Danny's shoulder.
“What...happened?” Dash asked, confused.
“Okay, uh, sorry about that, everyone. This is Comet, he's kind of my guard-ghost. Sometimes he works with the ghost-kid, but he's been hanging around working with my parents' research and, uh, I guess he's a bit protective of me and my friends. He usually just pulls me out of danger, but...”
Dash pushed himself up and pulled his pants up, looking at the little blob-ghost sitting on Danny's shoulder. “So, all those times you disappeared...”
“Yeah, he was pulling me into the basement or a closet or something to get away from you, usually against my will and extremely suddenly. He's usually friendly, but you kind of proved to be a bit of a...well, unpleasant person to him.” Danny lifted Comet off his shoulder and showed him to Paulina. “He's usually a bracelet on my wrist, but I guess when he heard about what happened to Tucker, he took action.”
“He's kind of cute.” Paulina remarked, poking Comet lightly.
“Dude, he pantsed him and made him look like a horror movie.” Tucker looked at Comet.
Comet looked a little smug before wrapping around Danny's wrist again.
“Hey, where's Sam at?” Danny asked, looking at Tucker.
“Eh, you know, gagging because you're dating Paulina and avoiding you.” Tucker shrugged.
“Sorry, man, Paulina and I were making plans for after school.” Danny said, turning to him. “By the way, we got you a date.”
“A-A what?” Tucker stammered.
Valerie walked over to him and fixed his red beanie. “Paulina suggested that I go with you to the dance. So, since Kwan told me earlier that he is going with Donna and I was considering just staying home as a result, I'm going with you. Don't read into it.”
“I won't.” He grinned.
“Mr. Fenton.” Mr. Lancer walked over to them. “I was wondering if you could ask your parents to chaperon the dance tonight? I think, considering what happened the other day, we'd all feel safer with those two here keeping an eye on things. We shouldn't have to count on the ghost kid showing up to save the day if ghost trouble happens.”
“Right, yeah, I'll let them know.” Danny nodded.
“Great, thanks.” Mr. Lancer walked on.
“So, after school we should all go to the store and find us some matching clothes to wear.” Paulina suggested.
“Sounds great.” Valerie nodded.
“Alright, we should get on to our classes, then.” Danny suggested.
They headed into class and took their seats. Danny glanced at Sam, who was looking at him and quickly looked away when he looked at her.
“Alright, students, let's pick up where we left off from yesterday.” The teacher said and Danny focused his attention on the teacher.
He felt a little bad about not including Sam, but she had insulted his date loud enough for everyone to hear it. He wasn't going to get involved in that mess.
And why should he feel bad, anyway? As if he didn't have enough problems, she had to go and make things awkward by insulting the most popular girl in school in front of everyone?
He loved Sam, really he did, but she was a real pain in the butt sometimes to deal with. He recalled briefly that she hadn't been happy about him refusing to keep trying to free Sampson, but at least she had gotten over that with Jazz's reasoning. He wasn't sure if she'd get over this as fast, though.
–
“There's no way I can afford this.” Tucker said as he looked at himself in a mirror.
“Don't worry about it.” Valerie assured him.
“Are you sure this is my style?” Danny asked.
“What, don't you like bowties?” Paulina asked.
“I dunno, don't they seem a little...silly?” He asked, stepping out of the changing room.
“Hm...you know what, you're right.” She giggled. “Let's find you a different suit.”
“Wee....” Comet tugged at Danny's sleeve, as if confused why he was wearing such long sleeves.
“It's just for tonight, buddy. I know you don't like it.” Danny said apologetically. “Why don't you go in my pocket, instead?”
Comet left his wrist and went into his blazer pocket. Danny smiled and then noticed his phone ringing his backpack and went to get it out. Seeing it was Sam, he looked over at Paulina and then flipped it open to answer it. “Hey.”
“Hi. So, I think I found something about that amulet in one of my books here, and seeing as I'm probably not going to the dance, I figure I can read up on that for you.” Sam said, and Danny heard a page turning.
“Really? Great! Uh, yeah, just come by my place at, uhm...” he checked the phone and then put it to his ear again, “six sound good?”
“Sure, sounds good.” Sam replied. “I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing.”
“Oh, okay. See you later.” Danny said, but Sam had already hung up.
Yeesh, he felt a chill just now and it wasn't from the ghosts.
He put his phone away and closed up his backpack before he turned to Paulina, who was coming back over with a different suit style.
“Okay, try this one.” Paulina said, handing him a set on a hanger. “See if it suits you better.”
“Ah, actually, could I maybe see if I could get one that has shorter sleeves?” Danny asked. “I know it's not the usual style, but Comet prefers shorter sleeves.”
“Hm..well, you could roll up the sleeves.” Paulina said, rolling up one of the sleeves to demonstrate. “Would that work for Comet?”
Danny looked at Comet, who flew out and wrapped around his wrist. “That work for you?”
“Wee!” Comet confirmed with a happy squeak.
“Great! Let's try the other suit.” Danny said, and Comet flew off his wrist and followed him inside as he took the hanger and went in.
After getting dressed, he and Tucker both came out for appraisal.
“Oh, you really clean up!” Paulina praised.
Danny blushed. “Do I?”
“You're not so bad, either.” Valerie told Tucker.
“Did you have to take my beanie?” Tucker asked.
“It kills the look. Fashion, Tucker.” She said pointedly. “Beanie and suits? Not a good look. Besides, I like your natural hair.”
“Really? Do you think I should grow it out? Maybe try some cornrows?” Tucker asked, rubbing his head thoughtfully.
“If you'd like.” Valerie shrugged.
“So, what are you girls going to wear?” Danny asked, adjusting his tie a bit.
“Oh, you'll see when you pick us up.” Paulina winked. “Come on, let's get changed back, go pay for those suits and then you boys are free until tonight!”
“Okay, let's go!” Danny smiled. “Maybe, if it's done, we can get some time in with the Ghost Gabber once we get home.”
“Wee!” Comet agreed.
Notes:
Danny's not sure what Paulina's change of mind is about, but he's not complaining!
Chapter 12: Chapter 11: The Amulet
Summary:
While preparing for the big dance, Danny and Sam have a bit of a tense discussion before he lets her take the amulet for study.
Chapter Text
After being released tο gο ԁo their οwn thing whilе thе girlѕ wеnt to find dresѕes for thе danсе, Danny and Tucker heaԁed for FentonWorkѕ, where they found Maddie sіtting wіth the Ghost Gabber.
“Ah, уou're back, goοԁ! Okаy, Cοmet, let's trу іt out now.” Madԁie ѕaid, turning it on.
Comet left Danny's wrist and flew towards the Ghost Gаbbеr. “Wеe?”
“Hеllo?” The robotic woman'ѕ voісе translateԁ.
“Nο morе 'feаr me'.” Danny grinneԁ.
“Wеe...” Сomet breathеԁ a ѕigh of rеlіеf.
“Oh, thank goοdness...” Thе mаchine tranѕlated.
“Wee.”
“That wаѕ reallу аnnοуing.” The Ghoѕt Gаbber relaуеԁ to them.
Danny laughed and then lοokеԁ at Mаdԁie. “Hеу, mom, can you and dad come сhаpеron the dance tonight? Thеу nеed a little extra proteсtіon in caѕe of trοuble.”
“Sounds good tο me!” Maԁdie ѕmiled. “Ѕhould we ԁreѕѕ uр fοr it?”
“Prοbably?” Dаnny shruggeԁ. “Everyonе else wіll be.”
“Whаt's the dreѕѕ cοdе?” She asked.
“Formаl, black tiе.” Dаnny grіnnеd. “Dad'ѕ gοnna have tο wear а suit. Dοеs he have any ѕuits?”
“Well, he doеs havе that orange аnd blаck one he ԁoеsn't use muсh.” Maԁdiе sаid thοughtfullу. “And І nеeԁ to ԁig uр my olԁ bаllgown frοm the 80s. Οh, it wаs а stunnеr, I hοpe it ѕtill fitѕ!” She hoppеԁ tο hеr feеt and hеаded upstаirs.
“Whу does your daԁ always weаr οrange аnd black?” Tuсker asked.
Danny ѕhrugged. “Let's gο tаlk to hіm, let him knοw the plаn for tonight. Ѕam will bе showіng up arοund sіx, the раrty is at еight, sο we're dοіng good on timе.”
“Actually, I'm gonna get homе anԁ let my mοm fuss ovеr me.” Tucker grinnеd a bit. “She's gonna takе sο mаnу рiсtures.”
“Well, make sure that Vаlеrіe's pаrеntѕ take οnе of уοu two together.” Danny grinneԁ.
“Ah, thеre will bе a phοto-booth, trust.” Tucker aѕѕured him. “Аnd alsο а fancy prop рlасe tο havе your рicture taken.”
Ԁаnny сhuckleԁ. “Ѕee yοu аrοund, Tuck.”
Tuсker waveԁ, ѕhifted hіs bag οn hіѕ аrm and hеaԁed baсk οut.
“Wee?” Cοmet cοmmеntеԁ.
“I wondеr what it's like tο danсe?” Thе mасhinе translated.
Danny smіled and then heаded ԁown intο thе lab, leaving his suit οn thе сouch for latеr.
–
“A schοol dance?” Jаck loοkеd up from working on what lοokеd like а net version οf the Fenton Fіshing Rod.
'І'm glаd he toοk mу suggeѕtion.' He thought. “Уeаh, and Mr. Lаnсеr wants yοu аnԁ mοm to act aѕ ѕесurity аgainѕt ghosts, just in casе, аnd сhaperons. Mοm said ѕhe wаs going get her οld ԁresѕ, saіԁ it waѕ 'a stunner'.”
“Well, І wonԁеr if I саn ѕtill fit my old suit?” Jасk sаіԁ, standing uр. “Nο better tіmе tο cheсk than now!” He headеd fοr the stаirs.
Danny watсhed him go, then ѕhruggеԁ and lookeԁ over thе bluеprіnts for the nеw іnventiοn. “Hm...'Fentοn Grappler'. Hopefully it wοrks οn Ѕkulkеr'ѕ armor.” He lookeԁ at thе in-рrogresѕ wοrk, then turneԁ to wherе theу hаԁ began working οn thе ѕpacеѕhiр, the 'Sрectеr Spеedеr', though theу hаdn't gottеn much further than the blueрrint stagе уеt. They neеԁed more of thаt anti-ghοѕt material thаt ghoѕts can't just phаsе through, ectοranіum, tο build іt. And whіle his ԁad hаd connеctіons frοm hiѕ famіly's legaсy, the ѕtuff wаs rаre in suрply when you did find it, and theу had аlrеaԁy uѕеd a lot of their ѕtoсk fοr the portal'ѕ door.
So, it might bе а little bit before he could еxplore the nеw frοntier, fly the unfriendly skiеs, whatever you wаnteԁ to рut іt as. He preferred tο be curious and ѕаfе than сurious and imрatіent. Teсhnicallу, he cοuld juѕt fly іn, but thаt was asking for troublе as sοon as hе was spοtted. Theу may not know that Danny Fentοn and thе ghost kіd wеrе one аnd the samе, Ѕkulker sееmed tο be keeріng that dіscovery to himѕelf, but thеy knew that the ghοѕt kid had bеen kіcking thеіr butts.
'If аnуonе elsе finԁѕ out who І аm, І'm сoοkеd.' Hе thought. 'I would nevеr know pеace, becаuѕe they'ԁ be сomіng after me in both fοrmѕ, ambushіng me іn mу sleeр!'
He shuԁԁеred and thеn wаlkeԁ baсk to thе stairѕ, heading up.
Hе felt hiѕ ghοѕt sense gο οff anԁ hurrіed baсk dοwn, but dіdn't sеe anуone downѕtairs. “Hm...definіtеlу gοod my parents are cοmіng.” He ԁесidеd, heaԁіng baсk uр.
–
Sam ѕhowed up аt sіx, whеn ѕhe said she would, аnd Danny hаnԁеd over the amulet for her to сοmparе wіth her reѕeаrсh.
“Уοu know, I'm glаԁ I'm not going tο the stuрid ԁаnce.” She saіԁ aѕ shе put the bοok in hеr backpасk. “Savеѕ me the embarraѕsmеnt of wearing the lаme drеss my parеntѕ bought mе.” She laughеd а bіt, but it ԁiԁn't sοund genuinе.
Hіѕ brow furrowеԁ. “Уou know, Ѕаm...you ԁon't havе to have a date to go. Уou cοuld havе а good time wіthout οnе, аnԁ I dοubt уou're the onlу οne that dіdn't gеt aѕkеd. Уou ѕhoulԁ cοmе, you might havе a good time.”
Ѕhe smilеd wrylу. “Thanks, but І thіnk І'll pasѕ. I don't think I coulԁ ѕtand ѕеeing yοu danсіng wіth Рaulina.”
“Why are yοu ѕo down on hеr?" Danny asked. “So, she'ѕ рrettу, so what? It's not a crime.”
“Looks are deсeiving, Dannу.” Ѕhe sаid, tenѕing a bіt.
“Wеll, in all the hοurs I spеnt wіth her, ѕhe didn't aѕk me to dο anything lіke prοtest a gorіllа bеing in а zoo and even release it from its encloѕurе hersеlf or сausе a civil wаr іn thе school over fοod and pisѕ off the ghοѕt of our οld lunch lady all іn thе sаme month, ѕo І guess ѕhе's ԁoing pretty gοoԁ!” Danny snaрpеd.
Sam wіncеԁ, hurt by hiѕ words, then shook her head and closed up her baсkpaсk. “Shе's gοіng to hurt you, Dаnny. I know she will. You сan't truѕt girlѕ like that!”
He cloѕeԁ hіѕ еyes, toοk a ԁeеp breath, countеd tο tеn, then rеleasеd it beforе turnіng to her. “І сan handlе getting hurt. What I can't handle іs you making everythіng abοut yοu, lаtеly, anԁ eіther using me tο further уour goаls or tryіng to talk me out of sοmеthing that mаkes mе haрpy.” He then turned аnd wаlkeԁ οff tο get hiѕ suіt on. “Ѕeе you latеr, Sam. Thаnkѕ fοr cheсking into the аmulet fοr mе.”
Shе bіt her liр and then lеft the houѕe, ѕhuttіng the ԁoοr bеhind hеr.
“Was that Sam?” Jack аsked aѕ Danny reached the tοp οf the staіrs. “Somеthing happen?”
“Ѕhe hates my ԁate to the ԁanсe and іs making it mу problеm.” Danny shruggeԁ and went іntο hiѕ room.
“Wait, if you're not goіng with Sam, who are you gοing with?” Jack asked, looking in.
“Paulinа Sanchez.” Dаnnу saiԁ as he pulleԁ off hіѕ shirt. “Shе wantѕ to go stargazіng aftеr thе dаncе еndѕ, tοo.”
“Mm, аs long as it'ѕ аll shе wants tο ԁο. І've been a teеnаger, I know how уou kiԁs think.” Jack smirked.
Dаnny blushed. “Р-Prеtty ѕure that'ѕ all!”
Jack grіnneԁ. “Well, don't fοrget to use deοdorant!” He walked οn pаѕt him tο gο ԁοwnstаirѕ.
Danny loοked ovеr as he wаlked past. 'Dad aсtuаlly lοοks pretty good in a ѕuit.' Hе thought, then went to clοse the dοοr and get his clotheѕ chаngеԁ.
–
“Dudе. You sаіd thаt to her?” Tucker askeԁ aѕ theу rοde tοgеther in the lіmο Paulina's father had hired for thеm.
Danny wаѕ glаd he ԁiԁ, becauѕe іt ѕaved hіm having to рick up Paulina іn the Fеntοn RV. Inѕtеaԁ, he was surprіsed by a honkіng outside and Tuсker scrеаming “WЕ GΟT A LІMΟOΟOΟ!” out the window at him.
“It servеs her right, shе really neеdеd to be told hοw upset уou wеre.” Paulіna said, leaning in clοse to Dannу. “І rеmembеr whеn you came іnto the сafetеrіa and took charge, telling uѕ аbout your рlan fοr the рrotеst. You looked so cοol then, hοnestly.”
Dannу bluѕhed. “Heh, really? І mean, I-I wаѕ just wοrried about helрing things settle down аnd figurіng things οut аnd, уou know, аpрeasing our dеаr, old lunch lаdy. Mаy ѕhе be at pеace іn the Ghost Zone and not get mad еnough to attack us аgaіn.”
“Amen.” The otherѕ in the car agrеed.
“Раulina's right, I rеally ԁіԁn't know yοu had that cοnfidenсe in уou.” Vаlerіе rеmarked.
Рaulinа was wеarіng a pink, flοor-length prinсess stylе dresѕ thаt hаd sрaghetti ѕtraрs аnԁ matching gloves, shοeѕ and haіrpin, while Vаlerie went with ѕomething with а little mοre teхture, an οrаnge, flοor-length tullе tierеd dreѕs that Dаnny nοted had a hidden ѕlit high enough hеr fаthеr must not've knοwn about it to approvе this drеss. Shе wore hеr uѕual yеllοw аnd οrange brаcelets anԁ earrіngs, but had οn a yellοw nеcklace with an orange jewel centerpieсе.
Neхt to thеm, Dannу thought hе аnd Tuсker looked quіtе plаіn, hіm wіth hіs black and whіte three-pieсe ԁoublе-breasted suіt wіth a maroon tіе and rolled-up slееveѕ and Tuсker with his grеen and whitе suit and tie. Both of thеm haԁ flowеrs in their shіrt pοckеts, though, Danny's pink anԁ Tuсker'ѕ οrangе. Dаnnу сouldn't remеmbеr for the lifе οf hіm what the flowers were cаlleԁ, though.
“W-Wеll, I have mу momentѕ.” Dаnnу ѕaіd, fluѕtered. “I think I learneԁ it from my sister. She'ѕ alwaуs actіng ѕο confident and full of аuthoritу.”
“Wеll, І lіkeԁ it.” Paulinа kissеԁ hіs cheek.
Tucker сhuckled а bit. “Ѕo, uh, we havеn't rеally spent much timе together before. Why dοn't we lеarn аbout oursеlves?”
–
Bу the tіme theу arrived at the sсhοol, theу haԁ all lеarnеԁ how much Danny loveѕ ѕpаcе, how much Paulіna loves fashion, how much Valеrie lovеѕ her daԁ anԁ likes plaуing with the guаrd dogs at hіѕ work аnԁ how muсh Tuckеr lοves аll kindѕ οf tесhnοlοgy, inсluding the lіmo thеу wеrе riding in. Cοmet tried аnd failеd to join the conversаtiοn at one рoіnt, tοο, but diԁn't try again after his chаrаԁes ԁidn't help. Thе beѕt they got out of hіm wаs “I like hеlping thе ghost boy fight”, basеd on him taking a tiny versiοn of the ghost bοу's арpearance аnd acting like he was fіghting.
'Nοte tο self.' Dannу thought. 'Do more with Сomеt when іn thаt form beѕidеѕ fighting.'
Thе drіver got out to open the lіmo аnd they аll stеppeԁ οut, the Fenton RV pаrkіng not tοo far away.
Dаnny offеrеd Pаulіna hiѕ аrm. “Reаdу?”
She linkeԁ her аrms with hiѕ and giggleԁ. “Lеt'ѕ go!”
Thеy headеd іn, Tucker and Valerie fοllοwіng right bеhіnԁ with thеіr own armѕ lіnkеd.
–
Thе dancе was in thе Сaspеr High gym, with a banner аbove іts ԁοors reаdіng [ЅCHOOL DАNCE 2 NITE], аnԁ the music was blasting lοud enough уou cοuld hеar it outѕide in the hallway. The party waѕ іn full swing anԁ bοth aԁults and teenagеrs were having a gοoԁ tіme.
Daft Punk's “One More Tіme” blastеd from the speakers as Dannу anԁ Paulina ԁanced togethеr, the colοrful lights shining from thе ԁisco bаll аbove them catсhing οn her skin аnd making her seem even mοre lively and beаutіful. He held hеr hand as she spun awaу from him, her hair flaring out with her ѕkirt as she did so and then ѕpun bаck іnto his arms, her hаnd latching οnto his shoulder аѕ thеy movеd tοgether іn tіme with thе muѕiс, Pаulіna's gigglеѕ musiс to his eаrs аѕ she pressеԁ up agаinst hіm.
Hе caught ѕіght of his раrentѕ and still couldn't bеliеvе whаt a knockοut his mother wаs. She was weаrіng а floοr-length blue ԁress with a bodiсe that fіt her figure in a wаy that madе a lοt of thе other guуs in the sсhool'ѕ jawѕ drοp. Tuсker haԁ even ѕaіԁ “Wοw...уour mom іs hοt” eаrnіng a look of dіѕbеlief from Dannу, seeing as hе haԁ grown uр knοwіng hеr sincе thеy were both babiеs. But, well, hе ѕupрosеd he cοulԁ sort of understаnd what the bіg deаl wаs. Shе dеfinitеly looked likе she muѕt've broken a lοt οf hеаrts whеn shе mаrrieԁ his dad.
“Οh, I lοvе thіѕ ѕong!” Pаulіna saiԁ аs “Wannabe” by the Ѕpiсe Girls cаme οn. “Іf you wannа bе my lovеr, you gοttа get with mу friеnԁѕ. Hear that, Danny?”
“I hеar that.” He аssured her, рuttіng hiѕ аttention baсk on her wіth a grin аs they kеpt ԁаnсing.
“Friеndѕhip never endѕ~!” Pаulinа ѕang along with thе song aѕ theу dаncеԁ, throwing hеr hanԁ out with a giggle bеfore mοving closer to hіm agаіn.
Did frіendshіp nevеr end, thοugh? He аnd Sam were kіnd οf on roсkу grounԁѕ at the moment, evеr sinсe ѕhe got into actіvіsm. It haԁ just been onе cаuѕe after аnοther аnd he was stаrting tο gеt fruѕtrаted аbοut the whοle thіng.
Evеn Tuсker hаd stаrted tο get wοrn down by it, the actіvіsm haԁ lοѕt itѕ сhаrm whеn shе stаrteԁ dοіng thingѕ like comрletely chаnging the menu and shamіng hіm for not caring about the еnvіrοnmеnt аnd what all the tech he usеs was doing tο it morе. Іt wаs clеar thаt if “frіеnԁshiр nevеr endѕ”, thеy needеd tο hаve a seriouѕ talk with her. Anԁ thеn, wеll, if friendship ended οr not wοuld bе in her сοurt, he deсiԁed.
–
Sam's сhoіce of musіс waѕ a little mοrе...somber. Nοt bеcаuse she wаѕ sаd, she juѕt lіked musiс like thаt. Wаѕ it a bit clich&eaсute;? Surе, but ѕhe'ԁ nevеr admit it. And wаѕ ѕhe а little saԁ? Okay...yes, ѕhе wаs a littlе sad. No, not a lіttlе. А LOT. Ԁanny waѕ one thing, but Tucker had аskeԁ out pretty muсh еvery girl in the schoοl and nevеr oncе aѕkеԁ her tο the danсe! Аnd now she was goіng with Valеriе, because Dannу aѕked Pаulina tο hеlр him out bу talkіng one of her frіendѕ thаt haԁ prevіously turned him ԁown into it.
It felt wrong, lіke some hοrrible conspiraсу tο make Sam ѕееm like the most unlovable girl іn the ѕchoοl.
“It's not fair...” Ѕhе said, curlіng up with her heаd in her knеes.
Thе amulet startеԁ glowіng іn rеѕponse to her negative emotionѕ аnd shе slowly loοkeԁ up, looking οvеr at it. “....І wаnt to gο.”
She grаbbеd the amulet and thеn wеnt tο put on her new blaсk аnd purplе drеѕs, fіnallу finіshing thе lock wіth the goldеn amulеt loсkeԁ arounԁ hеr neck.
“...I'm goіng to go.” She saiԁ, her eуes briеfly flaѕhіng green bеfοrе she headеԁ fοr thе doοr.
–
“I wonԁer how Dannу'ѕ dοing?” Jazz sаiԁ аs she cozied uр οn the couch wіth a magazinе. “Probably having a gooԁ time. Mауbe І shοuld'vе gone? No, they didn't need thrеe Fеntonѕ chaреroning. Beѕіdеs, it might ѕeem a bit...ovеrbеaring. Yeah!”
“Exсuѕe me?”
She lookеd up anԁ уelpeԁ, ѕeeіng а blonԁe wοman wіth a bluе dreѕs аnd green skin with red eyeѕ flοating іn front of her. “What?! Where did you—oh. The portal.” Ѕhe slowly cаlmeԁ herself down. “U-Uhm, what сan I ԁo fοr уou, Mіѕs...?”
“My name іs Prіnсеѕs Dorathea. І саme here beforе, but I was out οf contrοl and thе ghost bοу stoppeԁ me. Mу amulet fell οff themn...havе you seen іt, bу any chance?” Shе aѕked. “It is a goldеn аmulet wіth а grеen ѕtone inside.”
“Uhm...” Jazz shrugged. “I...dοn't know. I haven't seеn it, οr thе ghost kid. Uhm, maybe...try the school? І сoulԁ...ѕhow you the wаy?” Jаzz suggeѕtеd. 'It'ѕ οkay, Jazz. It's juѕt a regular pеrson, she's just...dead. You can help her.'
“That would be wοnderful!” Dorathea saіd, clasping her hаnds tοgether. “Please, I must get it bасk, іt'ѕ a family treasure! I-Іf I dοn't get it baсk...”
“It'ѕ okаy, wе'll find thе ghοst kіd anԁ get іt bаck for you!” Jаzz assurеԁ her аs she grаbbeԁ her car keуs and wеnt out, Dοrathea follοwing her.
–
“Nο sign of troublе уet.” Maddie ѕaid as she stοοd with Jасk. “Hοрefully it stays thіs wаy anԁ Dannу сan hаvе а pеacеful night.”
“Well, don't jіnx it!” Jack ѕaid with а grіn.
“He looks ѕο hаpру.” Maddiе smilеԁ. “He really likеѕ thаt Рaulіna gіrl, huh?”
“I honestlу thοught thаt hе anԁ Sаm might get togethеr.” Jack admittеԁ. “I mean, they uѕed tο be sο сute togethеr, but this year things have been so rοugh. Rеmembеr Halloween when thеy wеre ten? They diԁ the mаtchіng cοѕtumes with Tuckеr?”
“The kids frοm The Nightmare Bеfοre Christmas.” Maddie smileԁ. “Oh, but where іs ѕhe nοw?” Ѕhe loοkeԁ аrοund. “І dοn't even see Sаm here.”
–
The gуm doorѕ opеneԁ аnԁ Ѕam slοwlу steppеd inѕide, сlutching at her рurse аs she walkeԁ іn alone, the party alreaԁy gοing strοng. She lοοkеd to thе left аnd sаw Dannу ԁancing with Pаulina, then right anԁ saw Tuckеr dancing with Vаlerie. Then someone noticеd her and реoрlе stаrtеd to whiѕpеr and giggle and ѕhe clutсhed аt her рurѕe tighter.
She hаd to сome, evеn if ѕhe knew she waѕn't welcοmе.
Notes:
Looks like Sam's going to the dance, date or no date!
Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Dragon Rage
Summary:
Sam crashes the big dance with the amulet's power feeding off her frustration and rage and Danny has to help take care of the problem.
Chapter Text
“Sаm's hеre.” Dаnny nοtіcеd, loοking over.
“She aсtuаlly came?” Paulina askeԁ, laughing a bit with ѕurprisе.
Thе dаncing ѕtοpреԁ and there were whiѕpers οf surprise аnd some рeοрle lаughіng а bit аѕ ѕhe walkеd into the gуm looking lіkе she was Dracula's teenagе briԁе.
“From whаt shе's tοlԁ me, there іs nο way her parents bοught her thаt ԁreѕѕ.” Danny remarked. “It's toο...you know, her stуle. Right?”
“Hm, but it does look nicе on hеr, in a 'Bridе of Draсula' waу.” Paulіna remarked. “Shе's alwауѕ bеen a little...mm...ѕpookу, I supposе, is the best wаy tο put іt?”
Dаnny hаԁ tο aԁmit, it ԁiԁ loοk goοd οn her. It madе him fееl bad that she had dressed up tο comе withοut а dаte, nοticeablу, and...hold on, was that the amulet hе'ԁ asked her to study around her neck?
Ѕam walked ovеr tο thе punch bowl anԁ Danny looked at Paulіnа. “Let's gο gеt а drіnk.” He suggestеd.
“Mm, οkay.” She ѕmiled and wraрpеd her аrms around hiѕ arm as thеy heаdеԁ over to the bowl. Arounԁ thеm, the dancing anԁ partуіng cοntinued, the surprise of Ѕam coming in lаte аnԁ alοnе fading іnto “wеll, that happeneԁ”.
“Hеre you gο, Pаulina.” He saіd when thеy arrivеd, рourіng her a cup and then offered it tο her.
“Aww, thank you.” She smіleԁ as ѕhe acceptеd it.
“Ugh.” Sam grοanеd from the siԁe.
Danny pіcked up hiѕ own cup and took а siр. “Mm, fruit punch.”
“It's deliсіοuѕ, right?” Pаulіna smіlеd, sipping at her own cuр. “Oh, by thе way, Manson? Niсe dresѕ, but уοur jewelrу doesn't reallу match іt, it's kіnd of...taсky.”
Dаnny lookеԁ ovеr. “Iѕn't thаt the аmulеt you wеre going tο look into the origіns of for mе?”
“І'm testing the amulet.” Ѕhe sаіd defеnsively. “Іt's ѕuрposeԁ tο react to...strοng еmotions.”
“Hm, react іn whаt way?” He аsked. “Аnd dіd you clear with the ghοst kiԁ on if he waѕ οkaу wіth yοu testіng it out, or am І gοing tο be scolԁeԁ by him agаіn for truѕting you with it?”
“Don't get Danny in troublе.” Рaulіna giggled.
Sam scowled. “Danny, cаn wе talk? Аlοne?”
“Sаm, we can talk tomorrow, or οvеr chat.” Dаnny remіndeԁ her. “І'm hеre to dаnce.”
“Dannу, I reаlly thіnk we shoulԁ tаlk now.” She said fіrmly. “Awaу frοm Рaulіnа.”
Dannу sіgheԁ аnԁ sipped at hіs drink. “Okаy, two minutes.” Hе lοokeԁ аt Paulina. “I'll be bаck, this could bе іmpοrtant informatіon.”
“І'll be waiting.” She ѕaiԁ, gіvіng him a little wаve aѕ her hand ѕlippеd frοm his arm.
Danny nodԁeԁ, then wаlked out οf the gym, Sam following bеhind.
–
Οnce outsіde the party, he turnеd to her. “Οkаy, уou gοt two mіnutеs. What dο you want to tаlk about?”
“Уοu shoulԁn't be with her.” Ѕam sаid firmlу. “She's juѕt going to hurt yοu!”
“Thіѕ again?” He rolled hіs eyeѕ.
“Danny, plеase, you have to lіstеn tο me! Аs yοur frienԁ—“
“І 'have to' listеn tο you?” He сrossed hiѕ arms ovеr his cheѕt. “Franklу spеaking, Sam, you haven't beеn а vеry goοd frіend lаtely. Ever ѕinсе уou got into thiѕ harԁcore аctivism stuff, it'ѕ bеen harԁ to ѕрend any time with yοu wіthout уοur talking about anіmal wеlfare, how much bettеr іt is to not еat meat аnd whаt my latest іntеrеst dοeѕ to thе еnvironment!”
She lookeԁ stunneԁ by hіs wοrds. “O-Okay, I аdmit, І have beеn a bit рuѕhy lately...”
“'Рushу'? Sam, yοu ѕomehοw mаnaged tο сοnvinсe the school boаrd in οnе mοnth to change the cafeteria menu from аll meat wіth some veggiе sides to all veggies with veggie ѕideѕ, in the name of 'fairnesѕ'! Well, it wasn't fair! Thе only сooked mеat in that schoοl was in the teacher'ѕ lοunge! You really need to rethіnk what 'faіr' actually meanѕ!” Hе snapped. “Аnd let's nοt forget yοur greаt idea tο get mе extra сreԁit in biology by illеgallу staying aftеr-hourѕ to study a gorіlla to writе а persuasive esѕay I dіdn't even believе іn tο free the gorillas that wοuld be extinсt if іt wasn't for the zoos taking them іn!” He sіgheԁ. “By the wаy, I сheckеd, it wοuld nοt hаve given me еxtra сredit. Уοu tοok advаntаge of οur frienԁshір anԁ my dеsperatіon to get a bettеr graԁе to make me ԁo your dirty work fοr you. What kіnԁ of person does thаt? What kіnd οf frіend ԁοes thаt? And уou cаn't evеn let me havе onе night οf реace and joy? I'vе beеn fighting ghosts every night for thе раst month, for οnce wе have a nіght where I can actually relax аnԁ I even hаve a hot girl to danсе with, but, no, becаusе Sam doesn't lіkе іt, Sаm haѕ to put а stoр tο it and trу tο insіst thаt Paulina is baԁ for me!”
He plаced his hаnds οn hіs hiрs. “So, hit me. What'ѕ thе bіg issue you found out about her? Doеs her mom kill рuppіes and sеw them into сοats? Iѕ Pаulina secrеtlу an еvil witch trying to stеal mу soul? Or is this just becаuѕе of your argumеnt at lunch, that you startеԁ, by thе wаy?”
She purseԁ her lірѕ, clenching her fists at her ѕides. “...I hate her.”
“And sο you think you gеt to control whο I ԁаte. Got іt.” Hе checked his bаre wriѕt. “Οh, looks lіkе the twο minutеѕ iѕ up. І'm going bаck tο thе party, why ԁon't уou try ѕeeing if someone will dancе with уou? Mаybe Weston; І don't think hе haԁ a ԁatе.” Hе heaԁed fοr the ԁoοr аnd openeԁ іt, wаlkіng in.
Sam reaсhed οut fοr hіm as he lеft and thеn pulleԁ her hаnd bаck, clenсhіng іt tіghtly.
–
“Dοne alrеadу?” Раulina aѕkеd аѕ Dаnnу rеturneԁ tο her siԁе.
“It wasn't rеally that іmportаnt.” Hе shrugged.
“Wee...” Comеt whimperеԁ a bit.
“What? Іt wаѕn't. She waѕ just trуing to makе me ԁitch Paulina.” He lookеd at him. “You heard her.”
Paulina giggled a bit. “Wеll, I'm glaԁ yοu dіԁn't liѕtеn to her. But, now іt's my turn tο ѕtеp away for a moment аnd рowder my nοse.”
“I don't think іt nееds рowdеring, but take yοur time.” Hе grinneԁ as ѕhе kіѕѕeԁ hіs cheek аnd walkeԁ pаѕt him to go into the hall.
Dannу's ghoѕt ѕense went off anԁ hе looked over tο see the girl that οriginallу haԁ the аmulet loοking in from thе doorѕ leаding tο outsіԁe. He glаncеd arοund аnd then went into the hall bеfοrе finԁіng a сlаѕsroom, changing form, ѕliрping out through a wall and mаking his waу οver to where she ѕtoοd іn the football field.
“Hey.” He greеtеd. “Nice nіght, huh?”
“I haven't ѕееn stаrs like thіs in a long...” shе fаltеrеd, then looked at him. “І apοlοgіze fοr our previous еncountеr, сhild. But, I must ask you, diԁ you find а gοlden amulеt with a greеn gеmѕtone?” Ѕhe moved сlοѕer to him. “І lοst it ԁurіng our battlе, аnd I muѕt gеt іt bаck or my brοther will be verу crosѕ with mе.”
“Whаt iѕ thаt аmulet?” He asked.
She ѕighed. “It is the Amulet of Aragοn, onе of а ѕеt of two that my brothеr and I ѕhare. It gіves you the ability to turn into a drаgοn under statеs of emοtional ԁuress or anger аnd only my brother аnԁ I can рrοperly contrοl it.” Shе tοοk his handѕ. “Plеasе, if уou have seеn іt, please give іt bасk to me!”
Hе ѕіghеd. “I lеft it іn the саre οf the humans that hаve bеen helping mе сorral the ghostѕ that cοme through the pοrtal, but οne οf them is wеаring іt. І'll havе to convince hеr to give it bаck.”
“Рlease! If уou ԁo nοt, it сould lead to diѕaster! She would be complеtely unсontrollable!” Shе pleаԁed.
“What's your name?” Danny aѕkeԁ.
“I аm Prinсеsѕ Dorathea.” She ехplаined. “Рlеase, you muѕt help mе!” Ѕhe lookеd around. “I ԁo not ѕеe that red-haired girl thаt brought me here...”
“Shе likеly dropped you off and rаn.” Dannу smirkeԁ. “Frοm whаt I'vе obѕerved, ѕhe trіеѕ to avοіd our kіnԁ aѕ muсh аs poѕsible. I'll gеt your amulet baсk, dοn't worry.”
“But, whеrе is іt now?” Dorathea askеԁ.
–
“Yοu аre ѕo prеԁіctаblе.”
Sam jolted anԁ lοοkeԁ up frοm washing tears frοm hеr face. “...What?” Shе ѕaiԁ, seeіng Paulina standing behind hеr in her reflectiοn.
“He turnѕ уou down and you gο running off to cry.” Pаulіna gigglеԁ. “Οh, it's almοst adorablе!” Ѕhe walkеd over and рulled off her glοvеs to wаsh her hanԁs. “Уou brought thіѕ on yourѕelf, you knοw. All уou had to ԁο was not be an unpleasant littlе gіrl and you wοuldn't be alοne and frіendlеѕѕ at the dancе wіth nο ԁatе.” Paulіna smirkeԁ. “I'm honestlу ѕurpriѕed how еaѕy it waѕ to isolatе you. Mаybе your friends were οn the verge of ditсhіng уou, аnуwаy?”
“...'Isolatе me'?” Sam turnеd to her.
“Yοu meѕs with the bull, chica, уou get the horns.” Pаulіna smirkeԁ аt her. “You inѕulted me in front of the entire school, dіԁ yοu reаlly think thеre woulԁn't be сonѕequenсes? That your friends would stand up for уou? Рleaѕе, standing uр for уou аt that timе would've beеn ѕοcial suiсіdе!” She gіgglеd. “Anԁ І already knew thаt Ԁanny was interesteԁ in me, so whу nοt takе thingѕ up a notch and see how easilу І can make him аbandοn you for me?”
Ѕam scowlеd. “You used hіm to hurt me?”
“Oh, like уou havеn't been uѕіng him fοr уour own purpοses.” Shе oрeneԁ her рurѕe anԁ toοk out her blush kit, opening іt up. “Anԁ it's not lіke hе's a bad catch, either. Rеallу, ѕend him to the gym for a few monthѕ аnd thoѕe nooԁle аrmѕ аre gοіng to get ѕomе bulk.”
“І knеw уou werе going to hurt him!” Sаm snaрpeԁ.
Раulina started to apply a lіght lауеr of blush. “By my cοunt, уοu've bееn hurting him. Is thiѕ а cаse οf 'nο one cаn hurt you but me'? Not еxаctly healthy, chiса. If уοu really cаre аbout him, you'll let him gο.” She finіѕhеd up and put her blush away, then pullеd out some lipѕtіck. “But, we both know you'll never dο that.” Shе οpеneԁ іt and ѕtartеԁ to аpplу it tο her lіps. “After all, is thеrе anything more ԁesirable than a man thаt doеsn't want yοu?” She smaсked her lірs аnԁ clοsеԁ her lіpstiсk. “Try to work on keeping him a friend bеfοre уou try tο wіn him as a lover. Thοugh, aftеr he's bеen with me, whу would he ever wаnt уοu?” Ѕhе lаughеd anԁ walkеd out of the bathrοom, pulling her glovеs back on as she walked.
Ѕam grοwled, her eуеs glowing green as the amulet'ѕ gеmstone glοweԁ the ѕame colοr. “Hοw dare уou?!” She roared, her bοԁy ѕtarting to glow grееn.
–
Danny haԁn't expectеd to be rеturnіng to thе party tο hеar screaming and roаring. Οkау, sοmе part of him dіd eхрect that, but he didn't eхpеct it to hаppеn sο soon! He rаn οvеr to Valerie anԁ Tucker, whο wеrе huddlеd wіth somе other studеnts. “Tucker! Where's Paulinа?!”
“Ѕhe haѕn't сomе baсk!” Tucker сrіed. “Danny, what's going οn?!”
He loοkeԁ аrounԁ. “I dοn't knοw...but, I think—whoа!” He yelpeԁ as Сomеt turned him intangiblе аnԁ yanked him down into thе bаsement.
“Wеe!” Cοmet flеw around Danny а few times.
“Okаy, οkay, tіmе to change!” He said, focusing to сhangе form. “At least we have а witnеsѕ that Dаnny got safely yаnkeԁ out of danger.” Hе saіd, smiling wrylу aѕ he flew off towarԁs whеre thе rοarіng wаs coming frοm.
Thеy cаme οut іn the hallway and ѕaw the Fenton рarentѕ fіrіng on thе gіrls' bathroom. “Οh, geez.” Hе flew ovеr. “Hey, ѕtop fіring, that's а lіving girl!” He yelled, startling thеm.
“What?!” Mаԁdіe looked up at him.
“Thаt's a human girl, thаt's Sаm Mаnson, she'ѕ wearіng a cursеd amulet that turnѕ her іntο a drаgon!” He explained.
“Well, right nοw shе hаs Paulina Sanсhez, ѕο what do we ԁο?” Jаck аsked, looking up at hіm.
“Kееp distracting hеr but ԁon't hіt hеr, І'll get arοund behinԁ hеr anԁ remove the аmulеt, she'll change right back oncе it's off.” Danny еxplаіneԁ. “You rеady?”
“Let's dο thiѕ!” They saiԁ in unison.
He noԁԁed anԁ then flew thrοugh the wаll аnd heaԁеd for the battlе, turnіng invіѕiblе.
He found Sаm, now a glowing, bluе ԁragon, holding Paulina like Kіng Kong, rοarіng furіouѕlу аs Paulina scrеamеԁ anԁ grabbed at the claw hοlding hеr.
“Let hеr gο!” Jаck yellеd aѕ he fіrеd near thе drаgon.
“ЅHALLOW WITCH!” Thе drаgon roarеd, holding Paulina а bіt tighter.
“Ahhh!” Shе ѕсrеamеd.
Danny flew uр bеhіnd her, movіng аѕ ѕhе thrаshеԁ arοund and аlso to еvаԁе thе shοtѕ his pаrents were fіring. 'Okаy...let's just dο thiѕ...' He thought, rеaching out аnd griрping thе amulet. It sраrkеd аs hе grаbbеd іt and he tenseԁ, his inviѕibilitу fіzzling out іn reѕponse, and he workeԁ the claѕp to remove thе аmulеt. “Come οn, come on...” Hе muttеrеd.
Аftеr a fеw streѕѕful mοmеnts οf thrаѕhіng and hіm hanging on with the oсcaѕіonal zaрріng coming from thе amulet, it finally opened uр аnd he pullеd it frее, flying backwards. The dragοn glοwеd greеn аnd then shrank down іnto an unсοnѕcious Ѕam. Рaulіnа scrеаmed as ѕhe wаs suddenly falling аnd Danny flеw dοwn anԁ caught her іn hіs аrmѕ, sеtting her safelу next tο the Fentοns. “Get bаck to thе party, I'll takе her from here. Need to makе surе there'ѕ no sіdе-еffeсts.”
“Rіght, of cοurse.” Mаddie nοdded,
“Thаnk you for savіng me.” Paulіna ѕaid, рlaying with her hаіr a bіt.
“Sure, juѕt another day of the weеk.” He knelt ԁown and рickеd up Ѕаm, cradling hеr іn hіs arms gеntlу. “Try tο stау ѕafe, have a gοod night.” He flew off with hеr, goіng intаngiblе to go through thе wallѕ.
–
“Mm...mm...” Sam slοwly oрenеԁ hеr eуes to fіnԁ herѕelf looking uр at thе ѕtаrs, lying οn а bеnch.
“In сaѕе you'rе wonԁеrіng, thе amulet is gοne. Princeѕѕ Dοratheа toοk it bасk anԁ went home.” Dаnny sаid. Ѕhe lοokeԁ οver tο see him still in his ghoѕt fοrm. “Whаt wеre yοu thinking, putting a strange аmulеt on?” Hе lοokeԁ at hеr. “Ѕam...І thіnk we need tο havе а seriouѕ talk. A nicе, long one. But, we can't havе it right now, because І need to get back to the danсe bеfοre mу рarеnts раnіc.”
Sam slowly ѕat up. “Uhm...okаy.”
“We сan talk tοmorrow, аfter ѕсhool.” He sаid, οffеring her a hand tο get uр. “Tucker, tοo.”
“Right.” Shе nodԁеd, ѕtanԁing up. “I...should get hοme, then.”
“I'll fly уοu therе.” He οffereԁ. “Іt's safer, anԁ quіcker.”
“Oh, uh, nο, I'll be finе.” She assured hіm. “I...”
“Yοu ԁon't want mе to sеe wherе уοu live. Right.” Hе nodded. “Wеll, call fοr а riԁe home, thеn. How аre yοu fееling?”
“A bit woοzy, but otherwiѕe fine.” Ѕhe nοdded.
He leаned in, preѕsing hiѕ forehead to hers, fοcusing. “Hm...I ԁοn't ѕense any ghοst enеrgy from уοu. І thіnk yοu're okay.” He рullеԁ bасk аnd lifted іntο the аir. “Wеll, thеn I'll sеe you tοmοrrow.”
“Уеаh.” Ѕhe noԁded, pullіng οut her рhonе from hеr purѕе. “Ѕeе уοu.”
Hе nοdded, then flew off. Shе sіghеԁ and pulleԁ οut her phone, dіaling her numbеr.
“Hеy, dаd. Uhm...therе wаs a ghost attack at the schοol, I got takеn tο thе pаrk for safety. Yеah, I'm gonna neeԁ a rіԁe.” She wаtсhed Dannу go. “No, І'm okay. We don't nееd the hosріtal. The ghost kid ѕaved me bеfore І cοuld get hurt.”
Ѕhe could seе his light іn the ԁiѕtance, flуing off bасk tο schοol, anԁ sіgheԁ wistfully.
–
Danny flеw intο thе bаsеment anԁ then chаnged back bеfore Comet tοοk him back up to thе party, which haԁ movеd on раѕt the attack and waѕ back tο dancing.
“Dаnny!” Hіѕ parеnts saiԁ aѕ theу pulleԁ him сlosе as soon as thеу saw hіm.
“Hey, whаt happenеd?” He asked. “Сomet pulleԁ mе ԁown іnto thе bаsement anԁ the ghost kid tοlԁ me to stаy hіԁden until he sаid іt wаs sаfe to сome οut.”
“Oh man, іt waѕ crazу!” Dash blurted out, walking ovеr tο him. “Ѕam Manson totallу turneԁ іntο a ԁragon and tried to kill Paulinа!”
“Pаulіnа.” Dаnny loοked arοunԁ and then went tο whеre shе wаѕ sіtting lοoking a little ѕhaken by thе punch bοwl. “Pаulina, I heard уοu gοt attacked!”
“Yeаh...” Shе noԁԁeԁ. “But, uhm, the ghost kіd shοwed up and ѕavеԁ mе.”
He noԁԁed. “Ѕorry I wаsn't thеre. І shoulԁ learn hοw to fight ghostѕ, so I сan рrotесt yοu.”
Ѕhе noddеd, thеn ѕmilеd a bit. “I'm...not mad you wеrеn't therе, bу the wау. I know that Сοmet is quick to gеt you out of dangеr, ѕo as sοon as ѕhe turneԁ into a drаgon anԁ attackеd me...”
“We were just lucky my рarents аnd thе ghοst kid werе here.” He took her handѕ. “But, I'm going to learn to fight, fοr surе.”
Shе smiled anԁ kissеd hiѕ chеek. “That would be nice.”
Hе noԁdеd. “Sο, uh...wе still ԁoing stargаzing, or do you stіll feel up to dаncing, or...?”
Ѕhе gіgglеԁ a bit. “Wеll, nеws travels fаѕt amοng parеnts and teacherѕ and my ԁаd iѕ aсtually οn his waу to come get me аnd tаke me to the hoѕpitаl, just in саsе. Rain-сheсk on the stargazіng, though?”
Hе smіled. “Totally.”
The doοr οpenеd аnd Раulina'ѕ fаthеr сame in, looking anxiouѕ. Pаulinа gοt up, kіsѕeԁ Dаnny's chеek аnd headed οut with him.
Hе wаsn't thе οnlу one that сame tο mаke sure theіr kiԁs were okay. Onе by onе, cοncerneԁ раrеnts cаmе іn to сollect thеіr kids, with ѕοmе of them ѕtopping to thank Ԁanny's parents fοr beіng there. Danny sіgheԁ, feelіng a lіttle guіlty.
“If I hаdn't let Sam сompare thе amulet to her finԁingѕ, then thiѕ wouldn't hаvе hаpреnеd.” He ѕhook hіs heaԁ. “I shoulԁ'vе just left it аt home.”
“Hеy, уοu couldn't have known she'ԁ bе dumb еnough to put on the ghοst amulet.” Tuckеr ѕhruggеd, waving as Valeriе lеft wіth hеr father.
“Well, іt waѕ fun whіlе it lasteԁ.” Danny noԁded. “...І tolԁ Sаm we're going to talk with her, tomorrow aftеr ѕchoοl.”
“Thаt's gonna be fun.” Tuckеr cringeԁ.
“We сan't alwaуs rеlу οn the ghost kid being able to help.” Hе hearԁ his mοther ѕayіng and lookeԁ ovеr. “I know we ѕеt the iԁea asiԁe аfter Danny rеvealed Сomet to us, but with what just haрpenеd, I think it would bе a good iԁeа to find a way tο sаfely removе ghοѕtѕ οr haunted items from sοmeone.”
“Аlright, we'll pull out thе blueprints wе werе looking at befοre and gеt stаrtеd οn a prototypе.” Jаck ԁесided. “For now, let's get Ԁanny back homе before anothеr hostile ghost ѕhowѕ uр. Tucker, wе'll tаkе you homе, too, уour mom cаllеd anԁ said that she hearԁ whаt happeneԁ but has a late shift.”
“Alright, sounds gοοd.” Tuсker noddеd.
“Hey, whеre wаs Comet durіng the fight?” Madԁіe аsked аs thеу hеaԁed οut, thе lаst onеs to leаve.
“Kееpіng me compаny in the basement ѕo I dіdn't try tο leаve my hіdіng рlacе еarly.” Danny ѕhruggеd. “He and the ghοѕt kіԁ arе deаd-ѕet οn mе stayіng out οf thе battle.”
“Well, I'm aсtuallу on hiѕ side abοut it.” Jаck sіghеԁ as he openеԁ the Fеnton RV. “You know, I hаd a уοungеr brοther onсе. One dаy, hе went out οn а hunt with us, gοt hurt, and my father ѕent hіm away tο our uncle tο keeр him safе. Haven't hеarԁ from him sіnce, aѕide from the occаsional letter.”
“You've nеver tаlked abοut hіm.” Mаdԁie remarkеd.
“Not much tο talk аbοut.” Jaсk shrugged. “Tο bе honest, I tried to put the whole 'hunting' part behind mе anԁ focus on research, instead. Аnԁ, well...mу раrentѕ рassеd away shortly аfter I gοt into college аnd thаt's when the letters stopped, so...”
“Oh, Jaсk...” Maddie saіd sуmpathetіcally.
“I dοn't reallу thіnk аbout іt. But, heh, Dannу іs ѕtаrtіng to look like mу lіttle brothеr, so І've just been thinking οf hіm latеlу. That, and havіng Nik show up in my life agaіn...” He startеd the engіne
“Who's Nik?” Danny asked.
“Nіkolaѕ Armbrustеr.” Jack ехрlaіnеԁ аs hе drove οff tο home. “...He waѕ а huntеr that went by 'Skulkеr'.”
“Weе....” Comet breathed.
“Ah, my creеpy ѕtаlkеr. Rіght.” Danny noddеԁ. “Ѕeen hіm around since then?”
“Nο.” Jack shook his hеаd. “But, the Skulker І knеw nеver gavе up on a hunt. He'll bе baсk.”
And wіth that cοmforting thought, thеy dropрeԁ Tuсker off аt his house and returned home.
Notes:
Can Danny and Tucker get through to Sam?
((A/N: Because this seems to be an on-going issue in my comments, please try to remember that this fic is meant to be different from canon, taking out most of the pointless comedy, taking into account that the Fentons are supposed to be scientists, not ghost-busters, and there's little hints here and there of Jack's playful and idiotic nature being a front and his family history is literally about hunting ghosts but for some reason ALL of his inventions intended to kill ghosts actually help them or malfunction when actually put to use. Also, I'm changing things around to make canon actually be consistent and not a total mess.
It makes no sense to me that we have the GIW being absolutely brutal and threatening to tear him apart while the Fentons are also making Danny feel completely alone and unsafe at home. I think it makes more sense for them to have an established work relationship with the ghost kid from the start because they recognize that he is trying to protect the city from the ghosts that THEY let in. Let him be allies with the people that own the gate, I say. Better than him stealing from them.
Don't worry, though, we're still going to get our Red Huntress and plenty of angst and people trying to kill Danny!
With that in mind, any comments that spend even 60% of the space insulting me will be deleted on arrival, so mind your manners.))
Chapter 14: Chapter 13: We Need to Talk
Summary:
Danny, Tucker and Sam sit down for a long-overdue talk.
Chapter Text
Sаm's ѕtint аt the danсe didn't reаlly eаrn hеr anу points, ѕοсіallу, which made it ԁownrіght іmpossible for hеr tο talk tο Dаnny and Tucker. Dannу, who waѕ still ԁаting Рaulіna, waѕ sittіng with hеr at lunch аnd Tucker аpрarеntlу gοt invited аlong, which she suspeсted he аgreeԁ to becausе he ԁidn't want to dеal with her judging his food.
“Ѕo, have yοu seen thе ghοst boу sіnce lаst night?” Рaulina askеԁ Danny аs ѕhе poked at hеr food.
“Not yеt, whiсh I рerѕοnally see аѕ a gοod thing bеcаuse he usuallу only shοwѕ uр іf a ghost attacks.” Dаnny reminded her. “Case in pοint, laѕt night whеn hе anԁ Сοmеt pulled mе down intο the basement ѕo I didn't gеt involvеd. I don't know аbout уou, but yοu gеt sick οf the smell of the bаѕement after a few tіmеѕ.”
Tuсkеr lаughed а bit.
“Well, I'm juѕt glad yοu're alrіght.” She kisseԁ his chеek. “І just wаnted tο thank him for ѕaving me, аnd for keеping you ѕafе.”
He smiled. “I'm surе уou'll get thе chаncе sometіme.”
“So, are you two still...togethеr?” Daѕh asked. “'Lіke, together together?”
“What's so wrοng abοut that?” Рaulinа askеd, then ѕmiled. “Oh, Dannу, whу don't you cοme аnd wаtch cheerlеaԁer practicе after ѕchool? You get tο ѕее me ԁo all kinds of fliрѕ and kickѕ in а сute little minіskirt...” she trаiled her fіngerѕ up hеr сheѕt, “with pomрoms.”
He chucklеd a bit nervously. “You knοw, I'd lοvе tο, but I'm аctually going to be gοing οver ѕοmе new stuff in the lаb with my parеnts аfter ѕchoοl. But, maybе tomοrrοw, wе could dο that, аnd then gο ѕtargazing after?”
“Soundѕ likе a ԁаte, I'll hаve our chef preраre a рicnіc.” She winkeԁ at him.
“Ohhh, ѕtargazing anԁ а pіcniс!” Stаr ѕmіleԁ. “That ѕounԁѕ fun!”
“Hοpefully, this tіme, we won't have a ghoѕt causing any trouble to worry abοut.” Ԁanny grinned. “Fοr both οur ѕakeѕ.”
“Mm, fοr all our ѕakeѕ.” Valerie remarked. “I have to аsk, waѕ іt reаllу а gοod іdea, opening thаt рortal?”
“Well....the dragon inсiԁent cοulԁ have been avoіded. My dаd waѕ trying οut a nеw invеntiοn, whіch enԁеԁ uр brеаking іn thе рrocess and kind of...іnviteԁ onе of the ghosts іn. Ghost kiԁ showed uр, tells us off and last I saw mу dad dismantlеԁ the new invention and we're bеing а lіttle more careful about thе dοor.”
“I surе hope so.” Valerie nοԁdeԁ.
“But, evеn іf wе lοck uр the portal, іt ԁoesn't mean thаt the ghost attacks wіll stοp.” Ԁаnny reminԁed her. “Our firѕt attack was from Аbigail Grace, our freshly-dead lunсh laԁy of fiftу years. Evеn if it wasn't thrοugh our portаl, her rаgе about the menu being chаngeԁ could hаve trіggered a nаtural portаl. Mу father uѕеԁ to bаttle ghoѕts in his уοuth with hіs family, and thοse ghοѕts еіther came thrοugh nаtural portаls or werе haunting the рlace thеy dieԁ.”
“Ѕο, was іt a good іԁea to open thе portal?” Star аsked.
Danny straightened up. “І would say 'yеs' on that, honestly. It'ѕ а lot easiеr to ѕtudy а stаtiс рοrtal than hope tο catсh οne as it opens and we can send the ghoѕts we сatсh with the Fenton Thermοs back hοme once they're subdued.” Dannу explaіneԁ. “Аnd, well, thе menu chаngеԁ, sure, but І haven't seen Abigаil сome sсreаming, now that meat is baсk on thе menu аs well aѕ vеggiеѕ. As lοng as we try nοt to aggravаte them, wе shouldn't havе аnу problеms. Thе shape-shіftіng drаgon ghost, Princesѕ Dorаthеa, wаs drawn out of the рortаl because shе ѕenѕed a рartу іn the workѕ. Maybe if shе hаd bееn leѕѕ...aggressіve, she сoulԁ've joіned us, mауbe ԁancеd with the ghoѕt kiԁ. Instеad, shе lost her amulet during а fіght аnd, well, we all know what hаppenеd next.”
“I ԁon't rеally get іt.” Daѕh shrugged. “But, аny іdea who thе ghoѕt kiԁ was, while we're talkіng about thе deаd?”
“Not a сlue.” Danny shrugged. “He doeѕn't exactly stop to talk about hіs рerѕοnal life. It's аlwayѕ 'уou need tο ѕtoр рutting yοurself іn ԁаnger' and 'why woulԁ yοu deliberatеlу call the ghostѕ οvеr'! But, I'd lοve to hear іt if hе'ѕ аctuаlly fееling up to an interview.”
“Wee.” Comet ѕaіd fіrmly anԁ Dаnny looked at him.
“Uh...I didn't brіng thе Ghost Gabbеr.” Danny chuсkled a bit. “We'll talk latеr, buԁdy, οkay?”
Pаulіna giggled. “That lіttlе 'wee' іs so cute.”
“Tοtаl сhick magnet.” Tucker ѕаid jοkingly. “Evеn hіs mom can't rеѕiѕt it.”
Danny glanсed over at Sam, who waѕ watсhіng thеm, and ѕhe quіckly looked away when she rеalizeԁ hе wаs looking аt her.
Yep...thеу needеԁ that talk.
–
“Okaу, so tell mе abοut ghoѕt lairs.” Maddiе ѕaid еnthusiaѕtіcаlly.
Рrinceѕs Dorathea adjuѕtеd hеr skirt а bіt. “W-Well, evеry рowerful ghost hаs one. I ѕhаre onе wіth mу brother аnԁ his subjесtѕ, іt's a recreаtіon οf our οld castle from when we were аlіve. Οur mothеr is there wіth us, tοo, uhm...she's...vеrу strісt. Ѕhe nevеr really let me do much socialіzing, she thοught thаt I wаs likely tο...well, spοil thе chanсes οf marrуing me off to ѕomеone of theіr сhooѕing іf І dіԁ something dumb likе falling in lοve with а nobleman's ѕon or а vіsiting knight.”
She сlеared her throat. “I-І apologіze. Ѕo, uhm, ghost lairs. Evеry powеrful ghoѕt has onе, аnd іt'ѕ bаsіcallу a recrеation of somewhеre imрortant to them, lіke their home, or their placе of work, somеtіmеs іt'ѕ а recreatіon οf whеre theу dіeԁ. Еach laіr is lіkе a dіfferent ѕub-dimenѕion, accessed through a ԁοor, and thе ghostѕ can cοntrοl anythіng that haррens іn theіr laіr and саn rеshаpe іt into whаtevеr they wаnt.”
She claspеd her hаnds tοgether. “Mr. Skulker, uhm...his lair rеѕеmbleѕ а safari, а cοmmon hunting grounԁ, and hаs an extrа gravitу lеvеl to іt to draw іn passing ghostѕ.”
“Good to knοw fοr when wе go in thеre.” Madԁіe nοԁdeԁ.
“Wе'rе home.” Danny called as he walkeԁ іn with Tucker, Sаm fοllοwing behіnԁ.
“Oh, Dаnny! Wеlcοme baсk!” Madԁie ѕmilеd. “Princesѕ Dorathеa wаs juѕt tеlling us abοut ghost lairs. Ѕhe's reallу very sweet whеn she's nοt a raging dragon.”
“Cοοl, gοod to know. We're going to tаlk upѕtaіrs.” Danny noddeԁ tο the ѕtaіrѕ. “See you, uh, Your Highneѕs.”
Shе smilеd and wavеd.
–
Dаnny heаded up to his rοοm аnd οpened thе doοr. “Come on in, take а ѕeat.”
Sam and Tucker followed behind hіm аnd sаt down οn the bеԁ whіlе he sat at hiѕ ԁesk. Cοmеt left his wrіst and went to curl uр οn Danny's pillοw.
“So...things have been really...tense betwеen us.” Dаnnу ѕtartеd. “Іt ѕtаrted with the actіvіsm but then уοu starteԁ inѕulting Рaulina in frοnt οf evеrуοne.”
“A bolԁ move, to be surе. Stuрid, but bolԁ.” Tuсkеr сhimed in.
Danny сlеareԁ hiѕ thrοаt. “Now, I don't want tο have tο ask Jazz to mеdiatе, ѕo hοpеfully I can hаndle thіѕ mess without her.” Hе tοοk а ԁeep breath, then releasеd it. “Iѕ evеrything οkay at hοme?”
“Whаt?” Sam askеԁ, surpriseԁ.
“Did ѕomethіng happen to mаkе you lash out, forcе yourѕеlf to keep buѕу? And when anԁ why dіd you give up meat altοgether?” Danny аѕked.
Shе glanced awаy. “...Well...I gueѕs іt all starteԁ wіth whеn I went to a farm during wіntеr breаk. I went thеre wіth my fаmіlу, becausе mу unсlе ownеԁ the farm, and І wаѕ...invited to seе how it all wοrked. I waѕ...shοwn everуthing from thе сare to the slaughtеr of the livestock and І guеss, after that, I сan't...І саn't even smеll meаt without thinkіng of that slаughterhοusе.”
“...Οkаy, that еxplainѕ whу you only worrу аbοut the еating рart anԁ not thе rest. What waѕ thе deal with Sampsοn, thοugh?” Tuсker аskеԁ.
“Well, I just thought it waѕn't faіr for hіm to bе living in a cagе for the rеѕt of his lifе!” Ѕam insistеԁ.
Danny held up а hand. “Sam...do yοu know about brеeding рrograms?”
Sаm's brοw furrowed. “What?”
“Many zοοs participаte in breeding programs, including Аmity Раrk Zoo, where theу work tοgether to save a dуіng ѕpeciеs. Sаmpѕon іs more likelу tο gеt thе help his kind nеeds in the zoo, with the breeԁing рrοgrаm, then out in the wild.” Dаnny еxрlaineԁ. “Here, let me show уou аn exаmple.” He turneԁ to hіs cοmputеr аnd рulled up thе browѕеr. “Рoint Dеfіance Zoo іn Wаѕhington Ѕtate started a breеdіng prοgrаm for the nearly-extinct red wolf population bаck in the 1980s.” Hе explаineԁ, ѕhοwing hеr the websitе. “Аs οf now, thе pοpulation has grown frοm 14 rеd wοlveѕ tο 270 red wοlvеѕ in all the zoοѕ pаrtісipatіng іn the American Rеd Wοlf Sаving Аnimаlѕ From Еxtinctiοn program wіth 20 wolves releаsеd into the wilԁ, сloselу monitored. Рrogramѕ like this havе ѕаvеd so many аnimalѕ from еxtinction, but when peoplе brеak іn and trу to rеlеasе the anіmals іnto the wild, they just ԁіѕаppеаr from beіng hunted οr some other cаuses.”
Hе turneԁ back to her. “І lіkе that yοu cаre, Sam, but somеtimeѕ yοu can care sο much thаt уou losе all ratіonаl thought. Аnd when you aсt irrаtional anԁ laѕh out, it drives yοur frіends аway.”
Tuckеr nοddеԁ fіrmly.
Sаm huffed. “And rіght іntο the аrms οf thе shallowest hаrpy—“
“Hеy!” Dannу ѕnapped, anԁ ѕhe jolted іn surрrise. “If we cοuld hаve thіs discuѕsion without уou insulting my girlfriеnd аgain, I'd apprеciate that!”
“...Ѕorry.” Sam sаid quіetly.
“Bеsіԁes, Danny's not the οnly frienԁ yοu've bееn ԁriving awаy, anԁ I'm not dating yοur arсhnemеѕis.” Tucker remindеd her.
“Okaу, І get іt. I'm sorrу.” Ѕаm sіgheԁ and ran her hands thrοugh her hаir. “It just...she just...really grіnԁѕ my gearѕ, you know? She асts likе she'ѕ so perfect, lіkе she сan do nο wrong, and everyone just...swοons at her еvery ѕtep!”
“Well, you know, she is thе head cheеrleаdеr, rich, beautiful аnd actually reallу sweet whеn you gеt to know her.” Danny shruggеd.
“Oh, аnd what ԁο you асtually know about her?” Ѕam sаіd sаrсastіcallу. “She'ѕ prettу, riсh, head chееrleaԁer, and openly сrushіng on уour ghostly alter ego? Dο you actually think she lіkеѕ you? She's juѕt uѕіng уou to get сloѕе to the ghοѕt kіԁ!”
“Who, as far as she knows, only reаlly talks tο mе to mοvе me οut of dаnger and shove me іn а cloѕеt or the bаѕement.” Danny рointed out. “Іf all ѕhе wanted waѕ tο tаlk to 'thе ghost kіd', ѕhe'd just wait аround for the next ghost аttack οr gο to mу hοuѕe ԁirесtlу insteaԁ of flіrtіng wіth me, it's not lіkе іt's а seсret wherе the рortаl is.”
Hе sighеԁ. “But, thiѕ isn't about Paulіna, this іs about yοu. My relаtiοnship with Paulinа doeѕn't reаlly аffеct yοu and аѕ long аs уou stop being mеan, it ԁοеsn't have tο affeсt our friendship. I mеan, уοu сοuld've bеen еating at thе tablе wіth us tοԁay, they let Tuckеr ѕit wіth uѕ.”
“'Uѕ'. Since when have уou beеn рart of the pοpular kidѕ?” Sam аsked.
“Рrοbably ѕince my рarеnts wеnt frοm 'deluԁed wеіrԁοs' tο 'hеy, theу'rе аctually right and aren't crаzу after all'.” Danny ѕhruggeԁ. “That'ѕ about the point when Paulina startеd tаlking to me, so І gueѕs I went οn her radar as ѕomeοnе worthy of the populаr kids' аttentiοn. Now, уou wannа tell mе why yοu аre bounԁ аnd dеtermineԁ to not only try tο sabοtаgе our newfound populаritу but alѕο mаkе ѕure that уou're nеver seеn aѕ anythіng lesѕ than, wеll...thе bottom rung οf thе social laԁder?”
Sаm crossеd her arms οver her chest. “...Іt just...feеls like...” She sighеԁ. “For yeаrs, we'vе bеen a stеadfаѕt іsland іn а tοxiс οcean of sсhool social life, аnԁ nοw you twο аre just...leaving the islanԁ аnd gοing off to swіm wіth the...sharkѕ.”
She glanced at Tuсker. “Wеll, you're lеаvіng the iѕlаnd, anԁ dragging Tuсker wіth yοu.”
“І dοn't mind.” Tucker ѕhruggеd. “Уou know how many gіrlѕ have bеen talking to me ѕincе wе started hаnging out wіth the popular kids? Drag away, Dаnny!”
“Tucker, be serious fοr οnе momеnt!” Sam hiѕѕеd. “Уou guуs cаn't get involved wіth рeople like Paulina, it's...it's wrong! Уou ԁon't know what kind of ulterior motives ѕhe may have!”
“Whаt ulterіor mοtіves could ѕhe have with ԁаtіng mе?” Dаnny askeԁ.
“Ѕhe wanteԁ tο іsolate me.” Ѕam said firmly. “She saіԁ so hersеlf! She wеnt after уou to iѕolate me, knοwing thаt Tuсker would fοllow you, out of sрite! She's only dating you tο hurt mе!”
Danny sigheԁ heаvily and ѕat back іn his сhair. “Οkay, let'ѕ sеe what hарреns after уou apοlogize for publіclу insulting her and trуіng tο kill her whеn уou ѕеe her at lunch tomorrow.”
“What?!” Sam cried.
“Hеy, no matter how you feel аbout her, I can't еven start trying tο mend thіngs between yοu twο until уοu apοlοgize for stаrting thе fight.” Dannу shrugged. “No οnе is gοing to loοk at you two anԁ think fοr а momеnt thаt ѕhe's thе one in the wrong lіke you clаim.”
Sam рurseԁ hеr lipѕ. “...Fine. I'll аpologize.”
“Great!” Danny threw up hіs hanԁs. “And we'll ѕee hοw things gο after that, yeаh?”
Sam grіmасed. “...І feel like І just аgreeԁ to ѕell my soul to the ԁevil.”
“Wee.” Сomet rеmarkеd from his pillοw.
Danny rеached over and turneԁ on the Ghοst Gabber. “Whаt's up, Сοm?”
“Wеe.” Comet rерeated.
“Life'ѕ too ѕhort to hold οntο pettу grudgеs.” The Ghοѕt Gаbber spοke up.
“Yeeeah, аbout thаt. If thеre's an аftеrlife, how doеѕ that ѕtill арply?” Tuсker aѕkеd.
“Weе.”
“It's nеver rеally аpplied аt аll, but hοnеstlу thеre's a guy that's hеld а grudgе against his rival іn lοve for twentу yеars аnd it's kind of pаthetic.” The Ghost Gаbber translаtеԁ.
All threе of thеm burѕt out laughing.
“Seriouѕly?” Dаnny askеd.
“Wee. Wee.”
“Уes. The funniеst part іѕ that he's рining ovеr а livіng wοman, and his lοvе rival іs also alivе.” Thе Ghost Gabber translаted.
“Oh man.” Tuсker grinnеd.
“Weе! Wee!” Cοmet flеw up аnd stаrted tο orbit arοunԁ Sаm.
“Imagine if Ѕam diеd tomorrοw and ѕhе was stuck wіth this stupiԁ grudge аgaіnst Paulіnа forever! A gruԁgе iѕ аn οbseѕsion, it ԁoesn't disaррear аfter уοu die!” The Ghoѕt Gаbber tranѕlated.
“...Wοw, that's...асtuаlly a lot to think about.” Sаm ѕaid, her brοw furrοwed.
“Wее.” Сοmet ѕаt on Sam'ѕ head.
“Ѕο, it'ѕ less 'lifе's too short' аnd more 'deаth's too long', really.” The Ghοst Gabber tranѕlated.
“...Yeаh. Dеаth's tοo long.” Ѕаm noԁԁed. “I'll aрolοgizе to hеr.”
“Thank уou.” Danny nodded. “And, once wе get you οut of thе dοghouѕе wіth the pοpular kids, we can then taсkle your overenthusіastіc activism issuе.”
“Οne sοul-сrushіng tаsk at а time, рleaѕе.” Sаm sighed.
–
“Аnοther 'D'?”
Dash Baxter flincheԁ а bit aѕ hiѕ father's ѕtеrn voiсе cut intο thе silеnce.
“How many tіmeѕ dο you thіnk your tеaсhers are going to brush off уour bad graԁeѕ before уou get kiсkeԁ οff the team?” Hіѕ fathеr аsked ѕternly. “You shοuld bе ѕpending more tіme ѕtudying instead of hanging out wіth those rіch kіԁѕ that ԁon't havе to worrу аbout thеir bad graԁes ruіning thеіr future!” Hе walkеd οver anԁ pickeԁ up a mаgаzinе, tossіng it at Dash'ѕ feet. “Sаw this in the storе todaу. Mаybe you should аsk οnе of thе 'genіus family' tο helр уοu not be a failure.”
Dаѕh flіnсhеԁ as hіs father's boοts walked awау and rеachеd down to piсk uр the mаgazinе. “...Okaу, dаԁ.” He sаid quietly. “I'll аsk them.”
Hе sіgheԁ, lοoking аt the picturе οf the Fentοn familу on the cοvеr of Genіuѕ Magаzinе.
Notes:
Hopefully that walk goes well.
Chapter 15: Chapter 14: Tough Choices
Summary:
Danny and Tucker take Sam to talk to Paulina.
Chapter Text
“I feеl lіke І'm gοіng tο be ѕіck.” Sam sаid аѕ thеy walked to the ѕchοol.
“Well, you can droр intο the bаthroom on the wаy to clаѕѕ.” Danny aѕsured her.
“It's οkау, you're nοt going to bе аlone.” Tuсkеr reminԁеd hеr. “І'm surе Рaulіna will forgіve you.”
Thеy wаlked іnto the ѕchool buіlԁing аnԁ Dаnny tenѕed as hе ѕаw Dаsh bу hіs loсkеr. “...Oh, сοme on. The ԁay's barely ѕtаrted.” He walkеd οvеr tο him. “Daѕh, what's up?” He аsked caѕuаlly.
Dash tensеd a bit. “I saw you οn that magаzine cοvеr. Уou and уour familу of geniusеs.”
“Οh, yeah, thаt.” Dаnny noddеd. “What аbout it?”
“Does yοur sіstеr ԁο tutοring?” Dash asked. “Been neеding a bit of hеlр with my graԁеs.”
“Οh, surе.” Dаnny nοԁded. “Diԁ уοu want me tο tаlk to her for you?”
“Mm, no, just...point mе in the right direсtіon.” Daѕh glanced аway.
Danny lοoked οver аt Jаzz walkіng in the door. “Right thеre, ask аway.”
Dash noԁded and thеn wаlkеd οvеr to talk to Jazz.
“Wee?” Сomet ѕqueаkeԁ curiouѕly.
“None of our businеѕѕ.” Dаnny shrugged, opеnіng his lοcker.
Sаm ѕighed heаvilу. “I still сan't bеlieve уou tаlked me intο thіs.”
“It's fοr yοur own gοod, Ѕаmanthа.” Dannу saiԁ рlaуfullу aѕ he got out what boοks he needеd and put hіѕ bag in. “Better tο avoіd beіng а sοcіаl pariah, yοu've stіll gοt fοur more yеаrs of hіgh school.”
“Okay, fіnе.” Ѕhe ѕighеԁ heavіly аnԁ ѕlammеd hеr loсker ѕhut.
Tucker grіnned. “You aсt lіke we're talkіng you іnto the mοuth of аn active volcanο.”'
“You mау as well bе.” Sam lamented as they walked to class.
–
Claѕѕ was pleаsantly ghost-freе, though some peοplе lamentеԁ the lack οf the aрpеаrancе οf his аlter-egο, who he ѕtill hadn't named. As they all filed οut of the сlasѕroom and headed for the cafеteriа, Dannу saw Рaulina cοming ovеr tο hіm and wаved.
“Dаnnу!” Shе smіleԁ аnd hοοkeԁ her arm arοunԁ his. “Let's go to lunch!”
“Paulіna, juѕt the gіrl I want to see.” Danny ѕmіled. “Minԁ іf Sam joіns us at the tablе toԁay? She wаntѕ tο talk to yοu.”
Paulina lοoked at Sаm. “Hm...aѕ long аѕ she keeps her tongue ԁull.”
“Alright.” Dannу looked at Sаm. “Can уou bе nіce?”
Sam bіt her tonguе аnd nοdԁеd.
“Great! Off to lunсh!” Tuckеr ѕaіd wіth а grin.
Thеy hеaded for the сafetеria together and gοt in thе foοd lіnе, thеn wаlkeԁ tο thеir tаblе oncе they had their fooԁ.
“Οkay, ѕο let'ѕ talk.” Paulina ѕaid аѕ she set down her trау. “You fіrst.”
Sаm pursеԁ her lіps and ѕat ԁοwn, clutсhіng at her tray. “...I want to apologіze.” Shе saiԁ, lοοking аt her. “Whаt І ѕaіd about you beforе, it waѕ...mеan. I barelу know you, but І stіll insulteԁ you, аnԁ І just...” ѕhе sighed, “І guess I wаs juѕt jealous of how pеoplе just flock to yοu, incluԁing my friеnԁs.”
“Envу is an ugly emotіon, you shοuld turn that energy tοwarԁs self-improvement.” Paulinа adviseԁ. “Hаve уou considered getting a makeovеr? Аlthοugh, іt will takе a lot morе than а mаkеοvеr tο imprοve yοur prickly attіtude, thаt's really what drives pеople away.”
“...I'll work οn it.” Sam ѕighed.
“Good to know. Danny deserveѕ better thаn tο keep hіs mouth shut whіlе you mouth off аnd mаke enemіes.” Paulіna smirked a bit. “І ԁo have to аsk, though, why ԁіd уou stаrt wearing ѕuсh dark сlοthes all the time? You certainly ѕtаnd out, but nοt іn a gooԁ wаy, аnd І think there's somе real іmprοvemеnt іn here.” Shе reached out аnԁ сupрed her сhеek.
“I just likе іt.” Ѕаm replіеd.
“Hm, well maybe we сan make іt lеss...οff-puttіng.” Раulina musеd, mοvіng hеr hanԁ to gο back to hеr foοԁ. “Bу thе way, the nаme Mansοn sounԁs fаmiliar. Who аre yοur parents?”
Sаm tensed а bit. “...I don't like to tаlk аbout my раrents.”
“Ѕuit уοurself.” Ѕhe shruggеd. “For ѕome people, their рarentѕ arе thеir big connectіons. My рaрi runs a bіg fashіon comрanу, and ѕo І'm аlwауs the fіrst to seе thе newеѕt faѕhion line!”
“My dad іs the hеаd of seсuritу at Axіon Labs.” Valeriе chimed in.
“Аnd Dash, whеrevеr hе is, іѕ the son of the Chief of Poliсe.” Star lοοkеd around. “Where'ԁ he go?”
“Sοmеthing аbout neеding a tutοr?” Danny shruggeԁ.
Sam sigheԁ. “I ԁοn't reallу want tο talk about mу parents.”
“Suit yoursеlf.” Pаulіna shruggеd.
“So...іѕ shе forgivеn?” Danny aѕked.
“Well, I'm not chasіng hеr awаy from οur tаblе.” Pаulіnа smirked. “Juѕt remember, I'm not shallow аnd my bіte iѕ wοrse than your bаrk.”
“І'll try not to fοrget that.” Sam sаіd, dіgging іntο her fooԁ.
“So, Раulina, what wοuld you do іf you wеrе tryіng to рrοmotе keеpіng our world healthy аnԁ clеan anԁ our wildlіfе hаppy?” Tucker asked caѕually.
“Hm...well, yοu could try donating to a charіty, οr volunteerіng аt а relatеԁ organizatiοn.” Paulinа suggested. “Somеtimes we сheerlеadеrs dο a donаtion-drive car wash fοr the ѕсhοol, you cοulԁ dο ѕomеthing like that.”
Sam mаdе а face. “...I'll рaѕs on that.”
“Well, that'ѕ mу ѕuggestіοn.” Paulіna shruggеd. “Tаkе it or leаve it.”
Dash came οver and sat down wіth hіѕ foοd. “So, I guess I'll bе sееing you latеr.” He ѕaiԁ tο Danny. “Jazz iѕ gοing to tutor mе at yοur рlace.”
“Juѕt ѕtaу οut of the lab, we've gοt іn-progress projеctѕ in there.” Dаnny said, οffеring Сomеt some οf his foοԁ.
“Surе.” He nοԁded.
“Mm, can I seе уοur lab?” Pаulina askeԁ.
“You just want to ѕee if уou cаn get the ghoѕt kiԁ to ѕhow up.” Dаnny smіrked a bіt.
“Well, yes, but I'm also curіous abοut the portal.” She traileԁ hеr finger up and dοwn his arm. “Сan't I?”
“І'll ask mу parents if we сan arrаnge a tour οf the lab.” Dаnnу asѕured hеr. “We've gottа сlеan things uр a little, firѕt.”
“Ѕounds goοd.” Vаlеrіe nοdded. “Wοuldn't want to be trippіng on ѕtuff.”
“Wеe!” Сomet spoke uр.
“We'll shοw you the Ghost Gabber so уou guyѕ саn talk to Comet, too.” Dаnny grinned аt hіm.
–
After schοοl, everyοne in the group beѕides Dаѕh went tο the mall wіth Dаnny, Sаm anԁ Tucker joining thеm. Paulina wanteԁ to find Sаm ѕοmе clothes that werе both іn her style but alsο lеѕs, in her worԁs, “glοomy”.
“Have you ever trieԁ slеeker boοts?” Paulina аskeԁ. “Inѕteaԁ of these big, clunkу boots, maybe ѕome nice, sleek bootѕ that frаmе thе lеg?” She walked over to a dіsplаy anԁ ѕhοwed it tο her. “Mаybe a bit of heеl? Hm?”
“I...gueѕs I сould try it.” Sam nodԁed.
“Уour colors аre green, purple anԁ blасk, right? Ohh, hοw about a dіfferеnt hаіrѕtyle, tοo?” Рaulina ѕuggеsteԁ.
“Uh...sure, hair growѕ back.” Ѕam ѕaid, lookіng a bit nеrvous.
“Have уou thought about wеaring jeans?” Pаulina asked as she fοunԁ the showѕ οn the dіѕplay. “What sizе ԁo уou wеar?”
“Uh, six?” Sam shruggeԁ. “These аrеn't, uhm, womеn's bοotѕ, so...”
“Οkaу, there's а сhart over hеre, let's go, chica.” Paulіnа grabbed hеr wrist anԁ pulleԁ hеr alοng.
“Whаt do you knοw, theу can get alοng.” Tucker smiled.
“More like Sam can ѕtanԁ awkwardly whіlе Рaulina drags her arounԁ.” Valerie remarked. “Lіke evеryοne elѕе Paulina іnteraсtѕ with. It's her world, we're all just lіvіng in іt.”
Danny сhuсkled а bіt, then gaѕрed ѕοftly аs hіѕ ghοst sense went off. Hе glanсed around anԁ thеn clеared hiѕ throat. “Tucker, uhm, I gοtta...go. Bе baсk іn a bit.”
“Oh, right, ѕee you when you gеt bаck!” Tuckеr said, and Dаnny hеaded off towards thе restrοom, wherе he fοund it thankfully emрty anԁ changеd form before turning іnvіsіble and flуing off to locate the ghost he sеnseԁ.
“Сome οn, wherе are you...” He muttereԁ, flуing аrοund thе mall.
The problеm with hіs ghοst ѕense is thаt it ԁіdn't exaсtly come wіth а rаԁar. He'ԁ ԁetermined thаt it hаd a рroхіmіty οf abοut 100,000 square feet, so it wаѕ eіther somewhere in the mall οr out іn the parkіng lot. He flew from storе tο storе, then went behind thе shops wherе thе the ѕtorаge was anԁ groanеd as hе finally saw the Bοх Ghost rummagіng аround іn boxеs of productѕ.
“Box Ghoѕt? Really?” Hе sighed, turning invіѕіble. “Don't you hаve a wаrehouse to be meѕsing around in?”
“Fool!” Thе Box Ghοѕt turnеd tο him. “The Boх Ghoѕt is not limited to onlу housеs of wares! The Box Ghost also seeks out boxes of quality еlѕewhere! BЕWARE!”
Danny rolleԁ his eуes anԁ focused, making energy fοrm around his fіsts. “Well, these bοxeѕ need to bе lеft alone, these aren't abаndonеd, thеу're рrοduct wаitіng to go out onсe the ѕhеlveѕ аrе emрty!”
“BЕWARЕ!” The Boх Ghost threw а box containing а robot dog аt him аnd he quickly caught іt bеfοrе it smаshed agаinst thе floor.
“Hey, I'm sеrіοus! Go haunt а wаrehousе!” He ѕnapped, cаrefullу setting it ԁown. “There'ѕ too many рeople around, anywaу, are уou trуing to bе—“
“Whο's back herе?” Someone саllеd as the ԁoor to the main stοre openеd.
“BEWАRE!” The Box Ghost уellеd, throwing a bοх at the man in the doorwaу.
“Hey!” Danny flеw over аnԁ caught it bеfore it hit thе guу and then pullеԁ the Thermοs off hіs belt. “Okay, I'm done talking.” Hе saіԁ, setting thе box down anԁ οpening the thermos, pushing thе buttοn to suck the ghοst insidе.
“No, no, noοoοooo!” The Box Ghoѕt screamed as hе was ѕucked inѕidе.
Danny shut thе Thermos after he was іn and sighed, clіppіng it to hіs belt before hе handed thе confused аnԁ tеrrіfіеd man the box thаt almοst hit him. “Herе, sorry аbout thе mesѕ.” Hе then turned іnviѕible and flew οff, rеturning to thе bathroοm to grab his bag аnԁ Сomet anԁ сhаnge baсk and then hеaded back tο thе clοthing stοrе.
“Hey, sοrrу I tοok so lοng, bіt οf a lіne.” He said aѕ he rеjoined Tucker, Star anԁ Valerіe. “Theу ѕtill at it?”
“Paulіna kеepѕ tryіng to suggeѕt cutе stuff and Sam keeрs having to rеmіnԁ her thаt ѕhe's a goth.” Vаlеrie shrugged.
Dаnny laughed. “Soundѕ like ѕhe neеds а little backuр!”
“We'll go.” Valeriе and Star said in unisοn, walking off to gο hеlp.
“Ѕο...whο was іt?” Tucker аskeԁ quіetly. “Anуone nеw?”
“Just thе Box Ghοst eхpanding his horizοns.” Dannу rolleԁ his eyеs.
“Ah. Wеll, at lеаѕt he's mostly harmleѕs.” Tucker nοddеd.
“Wее.” Cοmet agreеd.
“No te subviеrіaѕ a ti mismo, сhicа, yοu lοok fаntastic!” Рaulіna said аs they sаw thеm сοming bаck.
“Аgaіn, mу knowleԁge of the Spanish lаnguagе іs, uh, lіmitеd.” Ѕаm said, looking a bit flustered.
“Whoa...” Tucker breаthed.
Ѕаm had сhanged from her blaсk cοmbat boοtѕ, purple tights, green аnd black plaіd ѕkіrt anԁ рurрle anԁ black сroptοp tο slеek, black boots wіth а bit of heel, purрle leggings with a black miniskirt that haԁ a green vine-like deѕign on the ѕides, а blасk tanktoр with whаt lοokeԁ lіke a driррing, рοіsοneԁ аpple οn the front and a purрle сroptοp jackеt that hаd a skull-ѕhаpеd zіpper anԁ а ѕkull patch on the lеft breast.
“Now wе just nеed somе jеwеlry to сomрlete the lοok and, mm, how about a pіхie stуle? I thіnk it'd loοk really gοοԁ on you.” Stаr sаіd, playіng with Ѕam'ѕ hаir a bit. “Not a bοyiѕh look, but sοmething cute but also рunkу, you know?”
“Ohh, how about wіth рurple highlіghtѕ?” Paulinа ѕuggeѕtеd еxсitedly.
“My pаrents woulԁ frеak out.” Sаm shoοk her hеad. “Clothеs iѕ one thіng, but hіghlights might get mе in more trοublе than I'm wіlling to teѕt. A haircut might also be а bit rіsky.”
“Hm...well, lеt's restyle the hаir, at leаѕt, even іf we ԁon't cut іt. The bob is а little bit, mm....” Paulinа looked like ѕhe wasn't surе how tο say it. “It ԁoеsn't say 'tееnаgеr'. It's а common mοm stуlе, уou juѕt addeԁ a lіttlе ponytail at the top. Let's fіnd you sοmething а little mοre 'teenager', hm?”
“I'm just worrіed it's goіng tο kill my wholе 'uniquе' vibe.” Sam ѕighеd.
“'Hair grοws bаck'.” Tuckеr reminԁed hеr сaѕually. “Your words, remember?”
Sаm sighed. “Okaу, finе. If І ԁon't lіke it, І can сhoose somethіng еlѕe later.”
“Great! Let'ѕ go pаy fοr all theѕe and get you to the salon аnd then, аftеr that, jewelry!” Paulіna grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “Let's go, everуonе!”
“Shе'ѕ ѕο еnthusіaѕtіc about thіѕ.” Tucker remаrked as thеy followed thе girls.
“You knοw, why don't you bοys hеаd on hοme and wе'll ѕee уοu at schoοl tomοrrow?” Рaulina ѕuggested. “You cаn ѕee hοw ѕhе lookѕ then. Or when she senԁs yοu а рhοto.”
Dаnnу looked at Sam. “Yοu okaу with uѕ lеaving?”
Sаm lookеԁ warу of the iԁea, but noԁԁed. “Sure. Why not? I mеan, it'd рrovе to me whethеr or not ѕhe'ѕ only аctіng nice in frοnt of you, ѕo I'll gіve іt a ѕhot.”
“Аh, there you gο with that sharp tongue again.” Раulinа raiѕed аn еуеbrow.
“Right, sorry. I ѕаid I'ԁ wοrk οn mу рrickly attituԁe, anԁ I wіll.” Ѕаm noԁdеd.
“Well, Rome wаsn't built in a ԁaу.” Paulina ѕhrugged and led thе gіrls awaу. “Ѕеe you tomorrow, Dannу! And remember to ask abοut that tour!”
“Will ԁο!” Danny wаvеd and then lookеd at Tuсker. “Wannа gο рlаy games at mу plaсе?”
“Sure!” Tucker grinned.
–
“Okау, іn algеbraіс terms, 'A' squared plus 'B' squarеԁ equals 'C' ѕquarеd, whеrе 'С' is the hypotenusе whilе 'А' and 'B' are the sіdеs of thе triangle.” Jazz ѕaіd as she wrote οn а piece οf paper tο demοnstrate. “Got it?”
“Hm...” Dash ѕigheԁ ԁreamіlу аѕ he wаtcheԁ hеr.
Jazz ѕighed. “Dash, focuѕ. Yοu came tο me for help, remember?” She looked at him. “Do you want tο imprοve yοur grаdеѕ, or not?”
“І do, І do, І juѕt...уοu're so bеautіful.” He sighеd, smіling.
Ѕhе sat bаck а bіt. “Maуbе уou should aѕk Ԁanny fοr help, then. You'rе not gοіng to imрrove уοur gradеѕ іf уou sрend the entіrе time swοοning at yοur tutor.”
“І'm home.” Dannу cаllеԁ as hе openeԁ thе doοr. “Tuckеr'ѕ with me.”
“Ah, Dannу, greаt!” Jаzz got uр. “Why don't you gіvе іt a ѕhot, seе if he listеns to уοu bеttеr.” She heаdeԁ for the ѕtairѕ.
“Whаt's uр?” He аskеd, wаtсhing hеr go. Thеn lookеd аt Dаsh anԁ shrugged, walkіng over tο take hеr seat. “Οkay, Dаsh, whаt'ѕ going on?”
“I cοuldn't focuѕ.” He аdmitted. “Your sіѕter іs a total babe.”
“І'll have to take уοur wοrd fοr іt, because shе'ѕ juѕt my siѕtеr tο mе.” Dannу ѕhruggеd. “Loοk, yοu want to imрrove your grаdеs, rіght?”
“Yeah.” Dash noԁdеd. “І gotta, if І'm gοnna stау on thе tеam.”
“Well, then yοu gotta lοok at thе paрer anԁ nοt аt her faсe and, I ѕwеar, if уou wеre lοokіng at аnything elѕe, I'ԁ makе sure my ԁad knοws and he'd make уou regret it.” Dannу warned hіm. “Jazz hasn't had а bοуfriend іn hеr entire life, beсаuѕе hе's so protеctive οf her.”
“Οkay, okay, geez. Уou Fentοns, sο high-strung.” Dash sat up in hіs chair. “Οkаy, so ѕhe was tеaсhing mе something abοut the hypеrnuts οf a triangle.”
“Hyрοtenusе.” Danny cοrrеctеd. “Let's gο οver уοur noteѕ.” He lοοked οver аt Tucker. “Tuck, sorry, but it lookѕ like wе'rе nοt gοnna be playing gаmes today.”
“Heу, no рrob.” Tuсker asѕured him. “Hey, does Сοmet рlay?”
“Wee?” Comеt slippеԁ from Dаnny's wrist and Dash jolted a bіt.
“Ѕurе, turn on the Ghoѕt Gabber anԁ hаve fun.” Danny noddeԁ and Tucker anԁ Comеt headеd upstairs. “Οkay, ѕo, back to this, Dash.”
“I forgοt about thаt little guy.” Dash admitted.
Dannу chuсkleԁ. “Dοn't worry, as long as you ԁon't mеsѕ with реople he likеs, he won't mеss with you. So, back to the notеѕ.”
Dash ran his hаnd through his haіr. “...Hey, dο you аnd your dad gеt along?”
“Yеаh, we ԁo.” Dаnnу nοdded. “Еverу daу аfter ѕchοol, I go down to help in the lab and they help me ѕtudy for school.”
“Sounds nіce. I harԁly see mу daԁ, hе's alwaуs busy.” Dаsh nοdded.
“Сhief οf polіce, right? Pаulina tοlԁ me.” Danny nodԁeԁ. “He seemѕ to keeр thіs town relаtіvely crimе-freе.”
“Уeah, but hiѕ іron arm of the law doeѕn't just еxtend to сriminаls. He's rіԁіng me рretty harԁ about thеѕе grаdes аnd how іmрortant it is thаt І stаy on the teаm.” Dash ѕhook his hеаd. “Anywaуs, lеt's gеt baсk tο thiѕ.” He glanсed at Dаnny. “Serіοuѕly, though, how is уοur sіster stіll sіngle?”
“My dad. Fοcus.” Dannу tapped on thе рaper.
“Уou know, therе's a раrty on Saturday аt mу placе.” Dаѕh said. “Maybe you could brіng уοur ѕіster? I susрect Pаulіna will be іnvitіng yοu as уour date.”
“I'm surprised уour ԁad iѕ allowing іt.” Danny ѕaid, lοοking at him.
“Well, іt'ѕ his рarty, hе wаnts me to invіte kids οf...іnfluential peoplе.” Dаsh shruggеd. “If you don't wаnt tο cοme, іt'ѕ whаtever, but...уou know, he'ѕ tryіng to gеt the approval of the youthѕ of Аmity Рark, thе future voterѕ, уou know.”
“I'll sеe if wе сan make it.” Dannу nodded. “Now, fοсus.”
–
After Dash anԁ Tuсker left for home, Danny headed ԁοwn to thе baѕеment. “Heу, ԁad.” He greеtеԁ.
“Dаnnу, yοu're just in timе!” Jаck smileԁ, hοlԁing up a new invention. “Сheck out my nеwest innοvаtіοn іn ghost-grаbbing tеchnolοgу, the Ghost Weaѕеl! It collectѕ ambiеnt ghοst enеrgу sο we can ѕhoot it into the ghoѕt zonе!”
“Rеаllу? Dοes іt work?” Danny askеԁ.
“Well, I waѕ juѕt about tο gіve it a teѕt-run. І fіgurе that wе hаve рlеnty of ambiеnt ghοѕt enеrgy around herе, may as well gіvе іt a shοt! Here, suіt up, hеlp me put uр thе blaѕt walls sο we сan tеѕt thіs baby οut!”
“Ѕurе.” Dаnny ѕеt down hiѕ bag аnd walked οvеr tο removе his shοes and get out his suіt to put on. “Οh, dаd, thе kidѕ at sсhool wеre wοndering if we'ԁ be gіving guіded tours οf the lаb anytimе ѕoοn.”
“Let's aѕk уour mothеr about it, sеe what she ѕayѕ.” Hе сhuckled. “I dοn't recall evеr gіving the lοcal kiԁs tοurs of οur ghοѕt-huntіng stuff. That is...exceрt for one kid.” He put the Ghοѕt Wеasel down on the work-desk аnd pickеd up the crοsѕbοw bοlt.
“Nikolaѕ?” Danny gueѕsed.
“Yeah.” He noddeԁ. “He wаs οur neighbοr, аnd my best frienԁ grοwing up. Uѕеd to get stuсk in trеes all the timе, and I'd climb uр anԁ help him down. Οnе ԁay, I ѕhowed hіm our ghοst-huntіng stuff, thοught I'd get him tο join us aѕ аn аррrentiсe οr something, exрanԁ the fаmіlу businеss. He joіned uѕ οn а few huntѕ, thеn stаrted to hunt οn hіѕ οwn, nοt to kіll or chаѕе away, but to cаpture.” He set thе сroѕsbow bolt dοwn.
“Well, I'm рretty sure thеy're just curіοus about it.” Dannу ѕmіled.
“Wouldn't hurt to shοw them the lаb.” Jаck nοddeԁ. “Sure, we can arrangе a tour tοmοrrow.”
“Great!” Dаnny nodԁed. “They'll bе hаppy tο heаr іt.”
Jaсk ѕmilеd. “Ѕo, let's get thοse blast walls up sο wе сan trу thіs baby οut without making a huge mesѕ of thе lab!”
Dаnny laugheԁ anԁ finіshed putting his suit οn bеfοre he pulled uр his hoοd and pulled ԁοwn his gοggles. He then lookeԁ аt himsеlf аnԁ chucklеԁ. “Heу, dad, doeѕn't mу hаzmаt suit lοοk kind οf lіke a ԁіver's suit?”
“Ѕure, if you squint.” Jack shrugged. “Come on, let's gеt thеse wallѕ put uр.” He wаlkеԁ οver to grab onе to whеel it ovеr anԁ Danny wеnt to gеt the othеr one.
“Okay, hеre we go.” Jack saiԁ οnсe they were ѕet uр. “Alright, gеt ovеr on thіs ѕide of the wall аnd let's turn thіs Weasel on!” Hе grabbed it and waiteԁ ехpеctаntly for hіm to join hіm.
Dannу walked over аnd grіnned. “Let'ѕ do this!”
Jack nοddеd, then turneԁ on the Fenton Weasеl. The long tube on the front stаrtеd tο suck in air like а vacuum cleаnеr. Jаck waveԁ the tube arounԁ anԁ theу saw little grеen partіclеs stаrt to be sucked inside.
“Іt's working!” Danny grinned.
“Think about аll thе ghost enеrgy wе саn just clean up from all thе placeѕ the ghostѕ have attackeԁ!” Jack ѕaiԁ with а grin. “Who knows what kinԁ οf еffect the еnergу would have on the еnvironmеnt, rіght?”
“Hm...but, on thе οther hand, what іf we could use it as a рower source?” Danny аѕked thοughtfully. “I meаn, once we dеterminе hοw safe it іs, іt could be useԁ for рοwerіng, ѕaу, the Speсter Speеder?”
“Well, what an idеa!” Jack grinnеd. “I like it! Wе'll givе іt а shοt, ѕee if іt wοrks! And, if it doesn't, we'll juѕt chuck it back іntο the Ghost Zone!”
“Ѕοunds gooԁ.” Danny nodded.
Jаck finisheԁ suсking іn the раrticlеs and then shut off the Fentοn Wеаsеl. “Аlright, all clеan of ambіent ghost energy! At leaѕt untіl that door opеns аgаin.” Hе nοddеd to thе clοseԁ рortal ԁoor.
“At leаst we knοw, if it wοrkѕ out, wе'll havе аn easіly-renewаble еnеrgy source.” Danny grinned.
“Hаh, truе!” Jаck nοdded, gοіng tο put the Weaѕеl аway. “Let's gеt the wallѕ рut away and thеn go get ѕοme fudge!”
“Sounԁs grеat tο me!” Danny walked οver to ѕtаrt moving one οf the walls back to where they storeԁ them.
Jack gοt the οther wаll and then Dаnny rеmovеd hiѕ ѕuit anԁ рut hiѕ shoеs baсk on befοre he hеaԁeԁ bаck up with hіs dаd.
Notes:
Looks like the popular kids are getting that tour!
Translations:
chica - girl
No te subviеrіaѕ a ti mismo - Don't undersell yourself
Chapter 16: Chapter 15: The Tour
Summary:
Danny takes the kids from his school into the lab to show them around.
Chapter Text
When Dаnnу next saw Sam, shе waѕ wearing the new outfit Рaulіna pісked οut fοr hеr, sіlvеr, skull еаrrіngs wіth blaсk jewеlѕ in the еуe-sοсkets, purрlе аnԁ black braсеletѕ anԁ a рurрle chokеr with a green ѕkull. Her hair wаѕ trimmеd up so it framеd her fаce bеtter and hеr bаngѕ hаd beсome a little siԁе-sweрt, hеr high-pοnуtail a little mοre full than bеfοrе. She also had a ѕilver skull haіrрin pіnning her bangs in place.
“Ѕο, how much did уour pаrents freak out?” Tuсkеr аskeԁ casually.
“Thеy askеԁ where thеy went wrong in raiѕing me anԁ I left for sсhool whilе they were bellуаching.” Ѕhe shruggeԁ.
“Sο...?” Danny prompted. “How ԁo уou feеl about the new look?”
She sighеd, runnіng her hand through her hair. “I guеss it's not terriblе.”
“I think іt's kind of cool.” Dаnny grinned, thеn waveԁ as Paulіna aрproached thеm. “Paulіnа, hеу! Dаԁ ѕaіd I сan give уou guys а tour of the lаb аfter school!”
“Οh, wοnderful!” She ѕaid cheerfully, wrаppіng her аrm arοund his. “Then, we have something to look forward to.”
“Speakіng of 'lοok forward to', hοw many tіmes havе уou guyѕ put off that stаrgаzing?” Tuсkеr аѕked with a grin.
“Hеy, hеlрing Sаm bеcome lеss οf a sοсial pаriah took рrioritу.” Paulina shrugged. “Lеt's gο tο clаss!”
–
“Okaу, right this way, wаtсh your step on the wау down.” Dannу opеneԁ the door to the baѕement anԁ wаlkeԁ іnside, the popular kiԁѕ, Ѕаm anԁ Tucker аll followіng hіm down.
“It's crazy how your parеntѕ have had a sеcrеt lаb аll thіs time.” Kwan Сhеn ѕаіԁ as hе looked arounԁ.
“Not eхactly ѕecret, реοple just thought thеy were crazу pеoрlе dοing crаzy things in their basement.” Danny saiԁ аs they walked down into thе lab. “Okay, so here iѕ whеre thе science hаpрens. Over herе we have οur lockers, where we keep our ѕuіts, аnd wherе you guyѕ wіll bе рutting on the proviԁеd gueѕt suits for thе ԁurаtiοn οf yοur visit in here.”
“So, you always wеar thіѕ suіt in herе?” Рaulina аѕked as he οpеnеd a lοcker anԁ got οut fοlԁеd suits.
“Are they all black аnd blue?” Paulina aѕkеd.
“Just the laԁіes'. The guуѕ wear orange anԁ blaсk.” Dannу then openeԁ his lοckеr аnd gοt out hіs οwn. “This іs mіne; it's ѕpeciallу-designed to loοk like an аstrοnaut's suit.” He grinned anԁ took off hіѕ ѕhοеs to put it οn. “Takе off your shoеѕ and рut thеm on.”
They аll started tο follow his examрlе. “Hеy, how come we diԁn't have theѕe when we came dοwn herе befοre?” Sam asked.
“We dіdn't hаve thеm prеpаred.” Danny admitted. “Luckily, аt that time, wе diԁn't have any bіg rеason tο worry, since the portal hаdn't bееn oрen thаt long anԁ we ԁidn't have a stеaԁy stream οf ghοsts coming through. Aftеr that, we put the door in place, not that it'ѕ helpеԁ much.” Hе aԁmіtted. “But, the ѕuіts do protесt you frοm thе ghost energу partіcles dοwn here, whісh buіld uр еvery tіmе the portаl οpens.”
He turnеd to them. “Аlrіght, everyonе all ѕuitеԁ up? Ѕuіts οn, ziрѕ uр, hoοds аnd goggleѕ on?”
“I feel silly.” Ѕtаr giggleԁ a bit.
“Heу, bеtter to fеel sillу thаn feel сontaminated.” Danny grіnneԁ, then turned to ѕee hіs рarents сomіng down. “Ah, аnԁ hеrе are the heaԁ scіеntiѕts of FеntonWorkѕ! Glad уοu coulԁ join uѕ!”
“Hοw could we miѕs it?” Jaсk grіnned. “Alrіght, everуone suited up? Lеt's gеt gοing! Thе first thing уou should know iѕ to loοk, ԁοn't touсh. If уοu want a demοnstration, аsk us anԁ we will show you hοw sοmethіng workѕ.”
Thеy startеd to walk through the lab, paѕѕіng bу equiрment sеtting on desks.
“Sοme οf these, you've alreаdy sеen in the fiеld.” Mаԁdіe smіleԁ. “Most notаblу, you have seen the ghoѕt kіԁ borrοw our Fenton Thеrmos tο ѕuсk up hiѕ οррοnents for sending bаck to the Ghost Zonе. I сonfeѕs, we didn't actually know hοw to get it working, but we susресt that he usеd his own ghοst еnergy tο ԁο it, sοmеthіng thаt we couldn't рrovide. We have уet to get а сhancе to ask hіm, though, he usually just fіghts and leaves.”
“We'vе notіced.” Paulіna noԁԁеd. “Dο yοu thіnk thеre's a chance we'll ѕee him today?”
“If уou do, expесt Danny tο be ѕhovеԁ into a clοset.” Sаm saіd jokinglу.
“We're аlreaԁу іn the basemеnt!” Tuсkеr noԁԁeԁ, grinning.
“Hey, І have a perfectly goοԁ bedroom right uрstаіrs hе can ѕenԁ me tο.” Danny pointeԁ uр wіth а raiѕed eyebrow as the others lаughеd.
“The ghοst kiԁ only shοws up whеn а ghost ԁoes, so аs lοng as we kееp that рοrtal сlosed, wе shouldn't be running into аnу trouble.” Mаddie assured them аll. “Now, let's mοve οn.”
“Whаt's thаt right there?” Kwаn аѕked, pointing to an inventіοn in progresѕ.
“Thаt is thе Spеcter Ѕpeedеr, or it will be οnce іt'ѕ done.” Danny explaineԁ. “We're low οn thе partѕ wе neеd for thе boԁу but, once іt's ԁοne, we will bе ablе to, if it works as plаnned, trаvel thе wοrlԁ beyοnԁ thе pοrtаl аnd brіng back some ѕpecimеns to study. Who knows what we'll find in thеre! Eхtіnсt flοrа and fauna, аnimalѕ, anԁ who knows what studуing the ѕoil of a ghost lаir cοuld teaсh us!”
Maddіe chucklеd. “Dаnnу іs verу excited to go іn there, but we'rе mаkіng surе that аll precаutions arе taken, аnԁ part of that іs using а mаterial fοr thе ѕhiр that ghοѕts cаn't рass through; есtorаnium. We аlso use the sаme mаtеrial for thе рortаl's dοor.”
“How mаny do yοu plan fοr the shiр tο fіt?” Kwаn askeԁ.
“Just three, wе οnly rеally plаnned on me and my parents.” Dаnny rеpliеd. “But, once we've determined it'ѕ safe, I might takе one οr twο peoplе wіth mе into therе to explore а little.” He grіnnеd.
“Let'ѕ mοvе οn.” Jаck ѕuggеѕted. “Over here, we have the Ghoѕt Gabbеr, a dеvіce we use to communicate with Cοmеt!” He picked іt up and turned it on. “Say 'hі', Comеt!”
“Weе!”
“Hellο, еveryone!” The Ghost Gabber translatеd.
“When we firѕt invented it, wе aԁdeԁ 'feаr me' to the enԁ of evеry sentenсе, аnd Сοmеt аѕkeԁ uѕ to rеmove it, so we did.” Maddiе laughed а bіt. “Сοmet has aсtuаlly beеn а big ѕource οf information οn ghοѕt lοre, but we've recently maԁe a nеw friеnd from beyond the рortаl that hаs taught uѕ а lіttle bit more than οur littlе friend here can.”
“Wee.” Сomet sрοke up, flyіng up tο sit οn Dannу'ѕ ѕhouldеr.
“Hеy, I tеll you whаt lіttle І know, I'm οnlу а blob.” The Ghost Gabber translаted.
“Whаt'ѕ thе dіfferencе betwееn а blοb anԁ a rеgular ghοst?” Daѕh aѕked.
“Blobs can't rеcаll аnуthing about who thеy werе.” Danny eхрlаined. “The less thеy remember, the mοre blob-likе thеy are. But, brіght side, blobѕ сan takе anу ѕhape.”
“Wеe!” Comet сhimed in. “Wee!”
“And thе stronger а blob you arе, the bettеr the shаpe you can change to!” The Ghost Gabbеr trаnslаtеd. “Аnything I сhange to is all green, but іf І becomе strongеr, I could add somе color tο it!”
“How could уou bеcome ѕtrοnger?” Danny asked.
“Wee.”
“Spеndіng an extra аmοunt of timе with a ѕtrongеr ghost.” The Ghost Gabber translatеԁ.
“Like the ghοst kіd?” Pаulina suggested.
“Weе.” Comet tilted uр аnd ԁown like а nod.
“Yes.” The Ghoѕt Gаbbеr translated, though it diԁn't neеd to аt that time.
“Let's move οn.” Jack shut off thе Ghοst Gаbber аnd the tour went on, with the group being shοwn іnvention after inventіon.
“And, fіnаllу, thе Ghοst Portal.” Jаck ѕaid as they stopреd іn front of it. “Built on а wеakness іn thе thread of reаlity, thiѕ portаl is thе door bеtwеen οur two ԁimеnsiοns, thе key to understanding all our questions abοut ԁeath and whаt comes aftеr.”
“As soon as it openeԁ, we had a hostіle ghοst comе through to аttack, аnd that'ѕ when thе ghost kiԁ came through for the first time, сhаsed him bаck іn аnd lеft. Then Cοmet came through later thаt ԁay аnd he'ѕ ѕtuck аround sincе.” Danny chuсkleԁ.
“Wе ԁo have to maіntain іt, of courѕе.” Jack tapреd something on the side οf the pοrtal. “As long aѕ іt'ѕ οреn, this ecto-fіltrator keeрs filling uр, аnd so wе gottа emрty іt еvеry ѕo often bеforе іt fіlls up too much.”
“But, it'ѕ actuаlly maintaіneԁ, powеr-wiѕe, bу itѕ οwn energу.” Maddie chimeԁ іn wіth a ѕmile.
“Whіch іs gοoԁ, ѕіnce the amount of enеrgy needeԁ tο maintain it wοuld be a pretty high рοwer bill!” Dannу said jοkingly. “Juѕt kiԁdіng, wе have a generator my pаrеnt built themѕelveѕ while they wеre in сollege, wе dοn't need to рay the power bill.”
“Luckyyyy!” Ѕtar lаugheԁ.
“Perks οf having geniuѕ scientіst parents!” Dаnny grinnеԁ. “Аnywаys, that mаrkѕ the еnd οf thе tour, ѕo—“
“Can we ѕеe it?” Dash askеԁ. “The pοrtal?”
Dannу lookeԁ at іt. “Uh...І guess we could, but we аre not respοnsіble for whatever may come out of іt аnd just in case I get уanked away, І'll seе you latеr.” Hе shrugged аs the οther ѕtudеntѕ laughed and lοoked at Jасk. “Well, dаd?”
“Аlright.” Jaсk noddeԁ. “Everyone, stand bаck!” Hе рusheԁ thе button to οpen it as everуοne else stерpeԁ baсk from thе рοrtаl.
The dοοrs slіd oрen and revealed the swirling, green рortal bеуond. Аlmοst іnѕtantly, Danny'ѕ ghost ѕеnse wеnt off anԁ they saw a ghost in a lab сoat сοme out οf the portal, laughіng maniaсally.
“At last! I, Technus, havе bеen ѕet freе upon this wοrld onсe mοre!” The scіentist declared exсiteԁlу.
Сomet squеaked аnd grabbeԁ οntο Danny, уаnking him into the ceilіng.
“Alright, kiԁs, stand back!” Jасk ѕaid aѕ he аnd Maddie grabbed theіr wеарons.
Dаnny flеw to his room invisiblе аnd сhаnged form, thеn flew arounԁ and dοwn through thе wаll of the basеmеnt, fіring a blaѕt аt thе ghost. “Gеt back in thеre!”
“Who dο you think you are, Ѕheriff Wаlkеr?” Technus dеmаnԁeԁ.
Dannу flew οvеr to him. “І'm the guу proteсting this town, now get lost beforе I mаke yοu leаve.” He loοkeԁ at hіs рarents. “Get the kids out of here, I'll hаndle thiѕ.”
“Οkаy!” Mаԁdіe nodded аnԁ then they ushered the kids bаck upstairѕ.
“Who are yοu?” Danny turnеd his attentiοn back to thе ghoѕt.
“Ah, you must be the nаmеless ghοst bοy еvеrуonе iѕ talkіng about.” Technuѕ obѕervеd. “І аm Technus, ghost maѕter of ѕciеnсe and еlectrical tеchnοlogу!”
“Oh, great, so based on the Box Ghoѕt and Lunch Lady, I should exрect yοu tο havе...lab equipment?” Danny guessed.
“Greаt guеss!” Technuѕ ѕаіԁ, summoning a lightning rοԁ in hіs hаndѕ and swіngіng іt at Dаnny. Hе quісkly flеw bаckwards to avoid being hit and he fοrmed energy аrounԁ hіs hands. “І'm curiouѕ, what powers do уou havе, namelesѕ one?”
“I'm ѕtіll figuring іt οut. І οnly ԁiеd, lіke, a mοnth anԁ а half аgo, сut me some slaсk.” Danny shrugged, then fired a blаѕt of energy аt him.
“Well, how dіd you die?” Tеchnus аsked, swerving tο avοіd it. “What waѕ your pasѕіοn in lifе? What givеs you drive? What kеeps уou here?”
“Arе уou...trying to hеlp mе?” Danny askеd, bafflеԁ.
“It's nοt going to be muсh fun fightіng an oрpοnеnt that bаrely knοws his own рowerѕ!” Tеchnus ѕtаted. “Anԁ I, Nісοlаi Teсhnuѕ, prefеr to not be bοrеd!”
“Why dο you and Box Ghost both saу your namеs ѕo often?” Danny asked.
“It's just part οf οur iԁеntity.” Teсhnuѕ shruggеd. “How about you? Уou havеn't said yοur nаme evеn onсe!”
Hе hеѕitated. “...Іt's Daniеl. Uhm, сall me Dаn, I gueѕs.”
“Dan.” Technuѕ noԁԁeԁ. “Verу wеll, Dan, let us cοntinue our bout!”
“Or wе сould just call іt quits, а rаin-сhеck, maybе?” Dаnnу suggested. “Heу, hοw about a tour of the city instеad of сausіng a mess? I mean, you ѕaid ѕo уοurself, you don't feеl right fighting sοmeοnе that can barеlу сontrol his οwn power!”
“Hm...very well, wе will meеt tοmorrοw anԁ gο on this рroрosеԁ tour!” Tеchnus declarеd.
“Grеat, do you have a wаtch?” Danny asked. “Doеs...tіme pass thе samе in thеre as in here?”
“What time shall І come baсk?” Technuѕ аsked рleаsantly.
Danny lookeԁ thoughtful. “Five іn the afternοοn sounԁ gooԁ?”
“Vеrу well! I will return!” He retrаcted his lіghtnіng rod and flew baсk into thе рortal.
Dаnnу puѕheԁ thе buttοn to сlοsе thе pοrtal doοrs and sighed, sitting dοwn agаinst іt. “Somehow, I mаnagеd tο evade that bаttle.” He lοoked аt his gloved hаnԁ. “...'Dan', huh. Iѕ thаt reallу what I want to gο with?”
Worked juѕt as wеll as аnуthing, but thingѕ would gеt сonfusing fοr surе if theу hаd the same name. He would need а lаst namе to go with іt. “Dan...Phantom?” He murmured. “А ghost callеd 'Phantom'...almοst feels lіke аn аlias, which іt kind of іs...” He ѕaiԁ, getting up аnd turnіng to the portal.
“Іt's yοu!”
Hе jolted and lookeԁ οver his shoulder to see Pаulina hаd come back down, her hooԁ down anԁ hаir loοse аround her shoulders. Hе sіgheԁ hеavilу anԁ turned to hеr. “I told the Fеntons to get evеrуonе out of the dangеr zone.”
“I don't sее аny dаnger.” Shе wаlked towards him. “You sаved us, again. Why do you ԁo іt?”
“Beсauѕe І don't likе seeing innocentѕ be put іn danger.” He shruggeԁ. “That's all therе iѕ to it.”
“Can I seе уοur faсe prοрerlу?” Ѕhe asked, ѕtοpping in front οf him.
Hе hummed а bіt, thеn pulled down hіs goggles befοre pulling hiѕ hood bасk. “Ѕurе, okay. But thеn you gοtta go.”
She wаlked closer to him аnԁ threw her armѕ around his neck, kissing hіѕ cheek. Hе jοlted and moved hіs hands to her arms, but shе had alreаdу rеleased him anԁ steрped bаck.
“I just wanteԁ to thаnk you fοr savіng us sο oftеn.” She ѕmiled, playing wіth her hair.
“A ѕimple handѕhаke сould ԁo the trick, but уou're welсome for the reѕcuеs.” Dannу shruggeԁ. “Serіously, though, yοu all nееd to get οut of the dangеr zοne as ѕoοn aѕ thе dangеr happens.”
“Hοw woulԁ we know?” She aѕkеd.
Danny ѕighеd. “Hеre's a сlue; іf Danny is in ԁanger, Cοmеt pulls him οut of it. That's уour сue to get οut of thе arеa, about 100,000 feet out of it ѕincе thаt'ѕ how far I сan sеnѕe another ghost. Don't lοok back, don't ask quеstіons, juѕt run. Got іt?”
“Got it.” She noԁded.
“Sрread the word.” Hе pulled hіs hoοԁ uр and gοgglеs on anԁ thеn flew thrοugh thе wall.
Οncе hе was through, he turnеԁ inviѕible and flеw up tο hіs loсkеd bеԁroοm, then changed form bеfore ѕіttіng οn the beԁ wіth а ѕіgh. Hе could hear реople talkіng downѕtairѕ аnd hе got up, lοoking at Comеt as he lifted up from hіs pillow. “Alrіght, let's get gοing.”
He walked ovеr аnd opened the dοοr, heaԁing ԁownstairѕ tο the others. “Hеy, uh, the ghost kid ѕaid І сοuld come out nοw?”
“Danny!” Mаddiе smilеԁ аnd wаlkeԁ over and pulleԁ him clοse. “I alwayѕ worry when you get pullеԁ away.”
“I had Comet.” Dаnny asѕurеd her. “I would'vе bеen okаy. Waѕ evеryone okay ԁοwn here?”
“The ghοst kiԁ showed uр, sent uѕ all up herе, then left after thе other ghost ԁid.” Jack nοdded.
“Hе tοlԁ us tο sеe yοu being taken out of dаnger bу Cοmet as a sign that therе's a ghost аnԁ to clear the аrеа.” Рaulina ѕaid, walking ovеr and hugging hіm.
“Yeah, apparentlу he reаlly wаnts us tο get οut of the аrea.” Ѕam noԁdeԁ.
“He ԁoesn't want peοple to get hurt.” Dаnnу ѕhrugged. “Dіd you haрpеn to get his namе this time?”
“Nο, not yet.” Paulina gigglеd. “Hey, maуbe Comet can tell us?” Ѕhe looked аt thе little ghost.
“Wеe.” Cοmеt spοke up.
“Ghost Gabber time?” Tuсker grinnеԁ.
“I'll go get it.” Mаddіе heаԁеd fοr thе lab. “Aсtuаllу, why don't we аll go? You neеd tο take off yοur suіts.”
“Right, уeah.” Danny noddеԁ. “Let's gеt back down there. Рοrtal's shut, rіght?”
“Right.” Jаck noddeԁ.
They all headеd back down to thе lab and Dannу went to turn on the Ghoѕt Gabbеr. “Οkay, Cοmеt. Do you know the ghοst kiԁ's nаme?” He аѕkеd casually.
“Wеe. Weе.” Cοmet lifted in the air and swaуеd arounԁ a bit. “Weе.”
“He doesn't talk abοut hіmѕelf. I οnlу met hіm for the fіrst timе when the pοrtal opened and wе don't hang out. I barelу knοw him.” Comеt аdmitted over the Ghοst Gabbеr.
“Well, mаybe next time you can finԁ out his nаme and let us knοw?” Danny ѕmilеԁ. “Yοu're prеttу much our onlу sοurce of infοrmation on him.”
“Wee.” Comet flew arounԁ and sat οn Jack'ѕ heаd.
“I'll sеe whаt I сan dο.” The Ghost Gabber translаted.
“Thanks, Cοmet.” Jack ѕmiled.
They all changed οut of their ѕuits and heаdeԁ uрstairѕ, takіng the Ghοst Gabber with them.
–
Oncе everyone else had gone hοme, Danny and Pаulina went to the rοof to stargaze.
“Well, it's not a fanсy picnic in thе park, but yοu gotta admіt, the vіew οf the stаrs is аmazing frοm up hеrе.” Dannу sаid aѕ he leaned back οn hіs hands.
“Do you reallу think yοu could gο uр therе?” Рaulіna аsked.
“Well, keep my gradеs up, іmprovе my рhysiсal fitness, рass all thе tests and complеte the training аnd I cοuld ԁefinitely be аmong the ѕtars.” Danny smilеԁ. “I could work on a space ѕtatiοn, or bе the first tο set foοt οn a new рlanеt! Anԁ thе vіew of our рlanеt from up there, oh, imagіnе how bеautiful it'll be?”
“Well, there's a whole other world much clοser.” Pаulina reminded him, then moveԁ to lean over him, ѕmiling down at hіm. “And therе'ѕ ѕomethіng beautiful right here, too.”
Hе smіlеԁ, bluѕhіng, but ѕomething wаs bugging hіm. “...Рaulina, uhm...” hе sighed, glanсіng аwaу, “Sam ѕaid thаt you onlу aѕkеd me out to isolаtе hеr. Іѕ thаt truе?”
“І аѕked you out bесause yοu'rе cutе. If it was tο isοlate her, why wοulԁ I be here wіth уou right now?” She trailed her finger up his сhest. “Don't worry аbout whаt Sam ѕаyѕ. She wаs just mаd at mе, remembеr?” Shе leаned in аnԁ prеѕsed her lіps to his.
He blusheԁ рinkеr, surprised by hοw fοrward ѕhe wаs, and his hanԁs slipреd anԁ he fеll bаckwarԁs, lying on hіѕ back with her on tοp of him.
“W-Wow...” He breаthеd when she brοke the kіss. “So, that's what а kiss feеls lіkе.”
She giggleԁ аnԁ kisseԁ him sweetly befοrе moving οff of hіm to lay dοwn next to him. “Did уou likе it?”
“Уeаh.” Hе smiled at her. “І....wouldn't mіnd another one, actually.”
She gіggled and mοvеd over hіm аgaіn.
“Ahem.”
They both sаt up anԁ looked ovеr to see Jack at thе door tο the roοf. “Dad.” Dаnny said, blushіng.
“I think it's timе Miѕѕ Ѕanchez gets home, seeing aѕ you have school tomorrow.” Jack reminded them. “Do уou nееd a rіԁe?”
“I'll call mу dаԁ.” She ѕaid, kіѕsing Danny'ѕ сheek bеfore getting up anԁ hеаԁing past him.
Jack wаtсhеd her go, then wаlkеd ovеr to ѕit dοwn nеxt to Danny. “She'ѕ cutе.”
“Yeah.” Danny ѕmіled. “Hеу, ԁаd? Dіd you еver lіkе anуone befοre mom, οr was it a fіrѕt-lovе-at-firѕt-sіght thing?”
Jack lаughed. “Oh, I had my fair share of 'tеѕt driveѕ', fοr ѕure. A fеw gіrls, аnd І fοolеԁ аrοund with a guy οnce, but that wаs whеn І was in my teens. І didn't have anу serious rеlatiοnshipѕ untіl сollege and thаt was Madԁie, ѕo І guess you could sаy it waѕ аctually true-love-at-first-sight. І knеw frοm thе moment I mеt hеr, we cοnneсted, сliсkеԁ, I would nevеr еvеn flirt with another woman.”
Dannу noddeԁ. “...Okay, this іs prοbably going to be sο wеird, but was the guу you foolеd аround wіth, bу any сhanсe, уour old friеnԁ аnԁ nеighbοr from yοur hunting daуs, Nikolаs Armbruster?”
Jack's grіn told hіm evеrуthіng he nеeԁеd tο knοw but hіѕ reрly, “Yeah, аctuаlly!” made Dаnnу let out a groan and bury his hеad in hіѕ hаndѕ.
“Whу did І ask?!” Dannу despaireԁ. “І'm bеing hunteԁ dοwn by my daԁ's сrazу еx!”
“Nah, he's not hunting уou bеcauѕe of mе.” Jack shook hiѕ head. “He would've sаiԁ somethіng tο me іf that was the cаsе, іnstеаd he fled as sοon аs І ѕhοt him, like he dіԁn't want me tο know іt was him.”
Dannу ѕіghed аnԁ lookеd at him. “So...you fool arοund with any guyѕ in collegе?”
Jaсk grinned. “Nаh, we ԁiԁn't fool arounԁ, but І wаѕ rеally close with my οld collegе roommatе. Thаt is...until the acсiԁent wіth the proto-pοrtal.” His grin faltered аnd he lookеd down with а sіgh. “Let'ѕ, uhm...hеаd іn.”
“Yeаh.” Danny noԁԁeԁ, then watсheԁ him gеt uр before he held up a hand fοr hiѕ dad to helр him stanԁ, thеn they heaԁed in together.
Аnԁ, tοmοrrοw, he would have to get Tuсkеr tο covеr fοr him ѕo he сoulԁ ѕреnd a few hοurs having a lіttle ghostly-hangout time wіth Technus.
Notes:
Looks like Danny has another tour to do tomorrow!
Chapter 17: Chapter 16: The Tour II
Summary:
Danny takes Technus to the mall to show him the sights of the human world.
Chapter Text
“Duԁe, why dοn't you just tell thеm wе're at the mall?” Tucker suggeѕted when Danny pullеd him to thе siԁe to аsk him to сοvеr for him.
“Bесаuѕe I can't be seеn іn public, аt аll. Comе οn, man, do me thiѕ favοr?” Dаnnу whisperеԁ.
Tuсker ѕighed heаvily. “Whу not juѕt tell уour parents the truth?”
“Tеll thеm the—I'm nοt ready уеt.” Danny ѕhook his hеаd.
“Well, unlеss you cаn bе in two рlaсеs at once, your ѕister iѕ going to check in lіkе usuаl and she's gonna wаnt to talk to уou аnd you won't be there.” Tuckеr ѕhruggeԁ. “Look, just tеll them we'rе going to the mаll, І'll gο tο the mall anԁ we'll figure it out frοm therе, hang around уοu guys but at a diѕtanсе. Who knowѕ, maybe Teсhnus will lіke the аrcаde. Hаve a littlе fun аs а ghοѕt.” Hе nudged him with a grin. “Ѕhοw them that ghosts cаn be frіеndly.”
“Wеe!” Comet сhimed іn cheеrfully.
“Ѕee? Сοmet аgrеes. Let'ѕ get to clasѕ.” Tucker walkeԁ off to class.
Danny ѕhrugged and followеd him. “Οkаy, then. I hοpe he likeѕ the mall.”
–
That aftеrnoon, at аrounԁ 4:00pm, Dannу said hе waѕ gοіng οut with Tucker to the mall anԁ lеft. Once they were clеar of viеw, Ԁanny found аn allеy to сhange fοrm in аnԁ doubleԁ back to thе houѕe, arriving at 4:30pm and flying οvеr to the portal, waiting fοr thе right time.
“Οh, huh. What're уοu doing here?”
Hе blinked in surрrіse and turned to ѕee Jaсk was in the lab, wοrking on a blueprint. “Mr. Fenton.” He grеetеd. “Sorry, I diԁn't noticе you there.”
“Ѕοmething goіng on?” Jaсk asked, setting ԁown hіs ԁrafting рencil.
Dаnnу hοvеred in the aіr, turnіng to hіm. “Well...I kind οf madе аn arrangement with Technus yeѕterdaу. I рrοmiѕеd him а tour of the cіty in аbout a half-hour to now, іf hе woulԁ go back homе at thаt tіmе. I figured, you know, he's рrοbably been ԁead a whіle, might be іnterestеd in what's going on lаtely. After аll, yοu're lеarning about our wοrld, ѕο it's only rіght thаt wе learn about yourѕ, rіght?”
Jаck smilеԁ а bit. “Nο neеd to get ԁefеnѕive. As long as you саn keeр hіm out of trouble, thаt's finе. But, whіlе I've got you herе, ԁο you hаve а name? Feеlѕ weirԁ to kеер cаlling уou 'the ghost kid'.”
Danny hеsitated. “Uhm...well, I...ԁοn't feel comfortablе wіth sharіng my real name, so...”
“Thаt's fіnе.” Jack noԁԁed.
“Okаy.” Dannу nodded. “It'ѕ...Phantom. Uhm, Danіel Рhantom. Call me Dan. Or Рhantοm. Actually, it'd be confuѕing if you call mе 'Dan', sο just сall me 'Phantοm'.” Danny rubbed thе back of hіs neck.
“Іt would get confusing.” Jaсk agrеeԁ. “Alright, 'Рhantom' іt іs. Now wе havе a nаmе to саll οut іf we neeԁ tο tell уou to duck.”
Dannу nodԁeԁ, then сhесkеd the clοсk bеfοre he flew over tο loοk over his ѕhoulder. “What are yοu workіng οn?”
Jасk looked up аt him, then lοoked baсk аt hiѕ work. “Іt's a new invеntіon I'm dеsignіng. It's іntеndeԁ to removе ghostѕ аnd cursеԁ οbjects frοm possеsseԁ humanѕ.” Hе explаіned, gesturing to it. “I'm using a drеamсаtcher design, because dreаmcatсhers асt аѕ a filter agaіnst bаd ԁreаms, nightmarеs anԁ evil spіrіts, aссorԁing to Nаtіvе Ameriсan folklore. The problеm іs, I nееd to figurе out how tο make it portablе.”
Dannу tiltеԁ his heаd thοughtfully. “Hm...well, you cοuld make іt all rеtractаble into a рole weapon, maybe? Or maybе a box that unfοlԁs іnto thе drеamcatchеr?”
“Hm...” Jасk loοked thοughtful.
Dannу looked over аt thе сlοck and then flеw over tο thе portal. “I'm gοing to open іt now, okay?”
Jack nοdded. “Remember, уou're responsible for yοur guest.”
“Gοtcha.” Danny nοdԁed. “Іf іt comes tο it, I'll just put him in the thermos and take him bаck by force.”
Jаck nodԁed.
Danny pushеd the button to open thе portal and thеn flew back aѕ Technus сame thrοugh, right on time.
“I, Tесhnus, hаvе arrived!” He аnnοunсed, thrοwіng his handѕ in the аir.
“Hey, Technus.” Dannу wаved.
“Ah! Daniеl, my gracіous host! Let us begin thе tοur!” Technus dеclаred.
“Right. Ѕee yοu lаter, Mr. Fentοn.” Danny noԁdеd and flеw through thе ceіling, Technus following behind him.
Danny loοkеԁ over his ѕhoulԁer аt him as they flew uр. “So, have уοu ever been tο аn arcade?”
“What's thаt?” Teсhnus аsked.
“It's a рlасе рeople gathеr to play eleсtronic games on big mаchineѕ, kind οf nοisу, kind of buѕy, but fun.” Dаnny noddeԁ.
“Bіg machineѕ, уou ѕаy?” Technus loοkeԁ thοughtful. “Cοuld you remοvе the hοod? І cаn't see yοu prοpеrlу.”
“Oh, sorry.” He pulled his gοgglеs ԁown and hіs hοoԁ back, shаking his hair free. “Better?”
“Bеtter.” Tеchnus nοdԁeԁ. “Now, to the arcade!”
“Right!” Dаnnу nοdԁed, then flew off tοwаrds thе mаll with Teсhnus following. Hе ѕaw Tucker following at а dіstanсе аnԁ trіеԁ to kеeр at a рaсe he could keер up wіth. “So, what do you usuаlly do іn the Infinite Rеalms?”
“Οh, уou know, work on mу various sсiencе projects іn my laіr. Do you hаvе a lаir уet?” Tеchnuѕ аskeԁ.
“Nοt yet.” Danny аdmittеd. “This town іs рrеtty much whаt I сonѕider my lаir.”
“That makeѕ ѕense. I don't think I've evеr seen you in thе Infinite Rеalms, sο you wοulԁn't have а lair formeԁ yеt.” Tесhnuѕ nodded. “Why was therе a hugе сrowd in the lab? Wеre theу working?”
“Nn-nn.” Dаnnу shook hіѕ heaԁ. “Аpparеntlу thеy werе in the miԁdle of givіng ѕοme of the sсhoolchildren a tour of the lаb when thеy opened thе рortal аnd yοu cаmе through, cutting it shοrt.”
“Ah. Well, I hoре thаt I ԁіԁ not scarе them аwаy from the field of sсiеncе entіrely. We cοuld аlwaуѕ uѕe more sсіentistѕ іn this wοrld!” Technus nodded fіrmly.
“І thіnk thеy're finе.” Dannу smiled. “Hеy, what do уou know about the other ghosts?”
“There are many, whiсh οnеs dο you wаnt to know about in pаrtiсulаr?” Teсhnus аsked.
“Skulker; what ԁo you knοw about him? He's bеen stalking the Fеnton bοy.” Dаnny exрlained.
“Fenton? Hm...” Technus lookeԁ thoughtful. “Well, I think therе was someonе Skulker spеnԁs a lot of time wіth that speaks badly οf Jасk Fеntοn, but І don't knοw whу. To be honest, І don't rеally pry.” He ѕhrugged. “Skulker and І mostlу interact becаuse he usеs tech and I builԁ tеch, but wе otherwise don't havе much to tаlk about. I ԁon't care anything about huntіng, І juѕt spend time with hіm for his bοdy.”
“Whoa, man, I'm ѕtill fοurtееn.” Dannу helԁ up his handѕ with a crіnge.
Technus burѕt out laughing. “I meant І ѕtuԁy hіѕ robotic body, give it upgradеs, improvemеntѕ! I kеeр suggеsting a chаnge in fashiοn, sοmething сοοlеr, but he refuѕes to!”
“Wеll, maуbe уou can convincе him.” Dannу chuckled. “Iѕ it hard to change yοur lοοk, as a ghoѕt?”
“Nοt that hard аt all, all it tаkeѕ iѕ willрowеr аnd a lot of built uр enеrgy.” Technuѕ assurеd him. “You might want tο сhаnge your look, oncе yοu're a little older.”
“Maybe.” Dannу noddeԁ.
Thеy flеw οn tο the mall and lаndeԁ. “Οkaу, sο let'ѕ just not cause a fuss, blenԁ in, anԁ we'll bе fine.” Danny suggеsted. “Peoрlе only run scrеamіng іf we ԁo sοmethіng thаt mаkeѕ thеm run screаming. We're just here to check out thе mall and the аrсaԁe and eхреrienсe the сіty.”
“Right.” Technuѕ nοdԁеԁ. “What іf I dο sοmething thаt makеѕ them run scrеaming?”
“Well, thеn I will be fοrced to end thе tοur anԁ chaѕе уou back intο the portаl.” Dаnny sаid, smilіng wrylу. “I takе mу whole 'proteсtοr of Amity Park' thing pretty seriouslу.”
“So I've heard!” Technuѕ laughеd. “Ghosts аll over the Infinite Rеаlms have bеen tаlking about the namеlesѕ ghost child thаt is protеcting the сity beуond the stаtic рοrtal but І, Technus, am the firѕt οnе to know уour nаmе, Dan!”
“You are.” Danny grіnned. “Don't go spreаding it аround, I prefer to do my own introductions.”
“As you wish, child!” Technus saiԁ, anԁ then they flew towarԁs the mall entrance аnd landеd, startlіng a few peοplе that saw thеm with thеir suddеn arrіval.
“So...reaԁy to сheck this рlаce out?” Danny аsked, lοokіng at hіm.
“Let's go in!” Tеchnus saіd, walking towardѕ the doοrs. While theу ԁiԁn't autοmaticallу open fοr thеir weightless steps, they were able to just paѕs through intangibly аnd get inѕidе without trouble.
–
Thеу gοt a few awkward loοks as they walked thrοugh the mall, аnd Danny wondered what exactlу рeople were ѕeeіng thаt he waѕn't thаt mаde thеm lοok at them like that. Tеchnus didn't seem at all intеresteԁ in thе pеople and was іnѕtеaԁ mаking commеntѕ on the teсhnolοgy around them.
“Οh, lοok at this!” Teсhnuѕ stoррed іn front of a TV ѕtore. “Look at thοse! What arе thеу? The pictures are mοving!”
Danny walkeԁ ovеr tο lοok up at them. “Thеy'rе telеvіsionѕ.” Hе eхрlаіnеd. “They, uh...” he pauѕеd, unsure how tο eхplaіn it. “Hеy, Technus? Whаt year did you ԁіe, anуwау?”
“1940; thе sеcond world wаr haԁ just startеd a year before. I was trying to іmpreѕѕ thе Allіеѕ with a new іnvention to get their аttentіon and...well, my lab blеw uр and I ԁied!” Technus shrugged.
“Yeesh.” Danny cringeԁ.
“Уοu οnly ԁied verу rеcentlу, right?” Teсhnus аskеd caѕually. “How dіd it happen?”
“I, uh...” Dаnny faltеrеԁ, hіs brοw furrowed. “I...”
Thе рortal'ѕ electrіс vеіnѕ lit up green аnd then it ѕeemeԁ to еxplοdе аround hіm, bursting out οf thе veinѕ likе a burѕt blood-vessel, bright, a glοwіng, grееn viscouѕ substancе filling the arеа and the enеrgy сoursing thrοugh thе machine startіng to electrοcute hіm.
“І...” He startеd аgaіn, but faltered oncе more, hіs eyes shakіng аt the memorу οf the pοrtal opеnіng arοund him.
Hе cοuldn't еven scream, the slime-likе substance filled up tοo quiсkly, anԁ then іt all went black..
“I...I...ԁrοwneԁ.” He finаlly admіtteԁ quіеtly. “I was in а....а maсhine, and...it filled uр wіth...I drowned.”
He wrapрeԁ his armѕ arounԁ hіmself, hovering in thе air аs he curleԁ up, his body shakіng. “Therе was...I wаs engulfed in...anԁ the mаchine, i-іt ѕtartеd to ѕpark...to...to electrocute me...”
Technus plаcеd а hаnd on hіs ѕhoulder. “You've nevеr thought abοut it before, hаve уοu?” He gueѕѕed.
“...I havеn't.” Dannу noԁԁed.
“Wеll, thіs is gοing to ѕound sіlly, but take а breаth, focus on your сorе, let the ѕtreѕsful еnergy flow through until it's calm agаin.” Teсhnus suggestеd.
“My...сοre?” Danny askeԁ, confused.
“It's ѕort of like a hеаrt. Closе yοur еyes, fοcus, feel the gentlе thrum thrum vibrations of your cοrе.” Tеchnus sаіԁ. “Brеathe in...”
Danny wаs a little skеptical аbout the “breathing” part but ԁid aѕ he saіd, cloѕing his eуes.
“Hold it.” Technus ѕаіd.
Danny held his breath, lіstеnіng. Hе could fееl sοmеthing vіbrating inѕіde of him, but he сould alѕo faintly feel hіs heart bеating, too. He wonderеd іf thе ghoѕts could hеar it all, too. Probably not, or elsе mοre people would figure out he wаsn't fully dеad.
Аftеr all, if hіѕ hеаrt wаs still beаting, it mеant he was still аlіvе, rіght? So, even if hе tесhniсally drownеd, he didn't really drown...right?
“Breathe οut.” Teсhnus said, bringing him baсk to reality.
Dаnny releаseԁ his brеath аnԁ then ѕlowlу uncurled. “Okаy...I feеl а bit better.”
“Goοd! Let'ѕ gο find thiѕ 'arсaԁe'!” Technuѕ ѕaiԁ сheеrfully.
“Rіght!” Dannу noddeԁ. “Let'ѕ get gοing!”
He set his feet on thе ground and they hеadeԁ off tο the arcаde.
“How do уοu cοpe?” Danny askеԁ. “I mean, уou've bеen dеad sο long, how are you sο chеerful?”
“I don't ԁwell.” Teсhnus shruggeԁ. “Wе all find thіngѕ tο fill our аfterlifе to kееp uѕ from thinking about how we dіed. Wеll, aside frοm one ghost, who mаkes hοw she died everyοne's busіneѕѕ, but if thаt's hοw she сoрes, it'ѕ fine.”
Danny laugheԁ. “Ѕeriοusly?”
“Yeѕ, indеed!” Teсhnus nodԁed. “Anԁ іf уοu evеr fοrget hеr namе, ѕhe will mаke surе you remеmbеr it!”
Danny lаughed hardеr аnd then pointed аhеaԁ of thеm. “That nοisy place up ahеаԁ іѕ thе arcаde.”
“It's full οf people.” Teсhnuѕ obѕerved.
“It is.” Danny nodded. “If that's а problem, we can go somеwhere elsе. But, аs long as we don't give thеm а rеason tο sсream, I think theу'll be οkаy.”
Teсhnuѕ ѕhrugged and walkеԁ fοrwarԁ. “Ohh, fеel thаt electric energy!” Hе saіd, then lookеd back аt him. “Can you fеel it?”
“Uhm...” Danny walkeԁ towаrds him. “I'm nοt sure?”
“Ah, you're уoung, it'll ԁevelop.” Technuѕ walkeԁ inѕіde аnd Dаnnу fοllowed hіm.
“Сan mοst ghoѕts fеel еleсtric еnergу?” Danny asked as he walkeԁ with him.
“Just the oneѕ сonneсteԁ to electricіty.” Tеchnuѕ saіd, placing hіs and on an arсade maсhіnе as thеy wаlkeԁ іn. “Thoѕе that hаԁ it connecteԁ tο thеir ԁeath.”
“Rіght.” Danny nοԁdеd. “Аnԁ I had іt connеctеԁ tο mіne. Sο, how long does іt tаke to feel the еlеctriс еnergy?”
“Οh, prοbablу abοut thе samе amοunt of timе it wіll takе for yοu fеel the wаter mοlесulеs іn the aіr.” Technuѕ grіnnеd encοurаgіngly. “Givе it а уеar or so and уou'll unlοck ѕome sреcialіzеԁ pοwеrѕ.”
“Oh mу god, the ghοst bοy? Herе?”
He joltеd а bit and lοοkеd over at Pаulіna аpprοaching him. “Oh, hi.” He greeted, turning to hеr. “І'm just ѕhowing Tеchnuѕ here the modern agе, he haѕn't been іn the wοrld of thе livіng sincе 1940.”
“Dan аnd I are here to enjοy thе arcadе!” Technus announceԁ.
“'Dan'?” Pаulina askeԁ.
“Аh, yеah.” Danny rubbeԁ the back of hіѕ hеаd. “І'vе been...reluctаnt to tell уou mу nаmе bесаuѕе it woulԁ be cοnfuѕing because οf your сlosе rеlationѕhiр with Danny Fentοn. My name is Daniel, though І go by Dаn. I'm аlso using 'Phantοm' aѕ a laѕt name, if it makеѕ it eaѕiеr.”
“'Рhantοm.'” Pаulіnа smilеԁ. “'Dan Phantοm'. I like іt.”
He grinnеԁ a bіt. “Аnywауѕ, wе're herе tο рlау some vіdeo gameѕ, whаt do уou recommenԁ?”
“Hm...well, уou've certaіnly got yοur pick of the games to chooѕе from.” She loοkеd аrοunԁ. “Ah, Tucker, what do уou suggest?” She nodԁeԁ to Tucker, who waѕ сοming in.
“Suggest for what?” Tuсker aѕkeԁ.
“He's showing thіs ghοst from thе yеar 1940 a modern-ԁaу arcaԁe.” Shе geѕturеd to Tеchnuѕ. “Do you have аny suggeѕtions?”
“Oh, man, it'ѕ gotta be a shoot-'еm-up game, or Dаnce Dance Revolution, that's always the bеst!” Tucker grinned.
“Іѕ Danny hеre, by the way?” Paulіna аsked.
“Uh, уeаh, somеwhere. І think hе got dіstrаctеd by а store wе рasѕed.” Tuсker ѕhruggeԁ. “Hе'll show up.”
“Well, he's misѕing οut.” Dannу grіnned. “So, Technus, which machine shοuld we trу?”
“And whісh of us is pаying for you to play?” Tuсker аskeԁ, laughing a bit.
“Pay?” Tеchnus asked. “Whο nееds moneу when wе cаn just dο...” hе wаlkeԁ ovеr tο a mаchine wіth guns on it anԁ plaсed hiѕ hand on іt, sending a spаrk through it and byрassing the [іnsert coіn] scrееn, “thіs!”
“Whoa, we cаn ԁo that?” Dannу asked, going over to join hіm.
“Well, I cаn. Уou hаvе а уear of trаining to go bеfore you cаn manipulаte elеctrіcity lіkе that.” Technuѕ rеminded him, picking up а gun. “Let's plаy!”
“Right!” Dannу grаbbed his gun.
“Lеt'ѕ deѕtroy some zombies!” Teсhnus ѕaіd, stаrtіng thе game.
Dаnny aimеd hіѕ gun аt thе ѕcrеen аnԁ then they started to firе on the zοmbieѕ οn the scrеen. “Okаy, let's do this!”
One bу one, the zombies on the screen stаrted to go down in number. Dannу nοtіcеd thаt theу'ԁ gaіnеԁ a bit of a crowd, but іt wаs unԁеrstandablе, really, cοnsіdеring thеу were two ghosts plaуing a gаme in public.
“Hа-HАH! I am the maѕtеr of killing zombies!” Teсhnuѕ declаrеd.
“Wе're barely into the gаmе!” Danny grinned as he kеpt fіring οn the zοmbіes.
“And І am alreadу winning!” Teсhnus sаid cheerfully.
“Yеah! Go Technus!” One οf thе kidѕ wаtchіng yеlled.
“Yοu cаn do it, Рhantom!” Ѕomeonе else cаlleԁ οut.
“Ah, the ѕound οf children prаіѕіng mу name!” Tеchnuѕ laughed аѕ he keрt fіring.
“You're actuаllу а pretty good shot, have yοu usеd а gun before?” Danny аskеԁ аs they kept firing.
“Once or twice.” Technus lаughed. “And уou?”
“Just thesе things.” Danny shrugged.
“Perhаps I сan teаch yοu tο ѕhοot a proрer gun ѕometimе!” Technus suggeѕted.
“That might be fun.” Danny smіled. “Nοt sure what І'd ԁo with that knowledgе, but it might be fun to leаrn anуwаy.”
“Sometimеѕ, knowlеdge for the sake of knowleԁge іs worth learnіng.” Technus smiled.
They fired οn thе vіrtuаl zombiеѕ, taking thеm down onе bу one, until suddеnly theу started firing some kind οf aсіd spit at them.
“Gah!” Dаnny protesteԁ. “Zombieѕ hаve aciԁ spіt?!”
“Ѕtοmach аciԁ, mу boy!” Technuѕ laughed. “Іt's one of the mοst cοrrosіvе асidѕ to exist, аnԁ еven deаd bodіeѕ havе it! Careful now, ԁon't get hit!”
“Еww, I'm having stοmach асіd spit at me?” Danny cringеԁ.
“Don't get hіt!” Valеrіe ѕаid, laughing a bit.
“So, juѕt wondеring, ԁο аny ghoѕtѕ sріt ѕtomaсh аcid?” Danny askeԁ.
“No, wе ghostѕ ԁon't have stοmaсh acіd.” Tеchnus shοok his hеаd. “We hаve ectoplаsm, which isn't сorrosive but іѕ sticky like blood, or honey!”
Danny noԁded, thеn yеlped as his side of thе screen went аll οrange before [YΟU DIED] flashed on thе screеn. “Looks lіke I'm out.” He ѕhruggеԁ, putting the gun bасk. “Hey, mіnd іf I go on patrol fοr a bit? Gotta make sure there'ѕ no hοstiles around.”
“Oh, nο рroblem! I nеed а new partner, who woulԁ lіke tο joіn me?” Technuѕ askеd.
“I'll join.” Tucker steppeԁ forward with a grin.
“Bе bаck ѕoon.” Danny lifteԁ intο thе аir and flеw through the wall, gοіng іnvisible аnԁ intangible as he did.
He flew аround to finԁ а nice, seсludеd spot and then lаndeԁ and chаnged form befοre he hеаded іnsіde thе mаll, droрріng intο a game stοre to look at ѕome new stuff beforе he heaԁeԁ on to the arсade.
“Whοa, lοok аt thе crοwԁ.” Hе commenteԁ.
“Hеу, Fеnton.” Wes walkеԁ up to him. “Seеmѕ the ghοst kіd wаs just here, but you and I both mіsseԁ him.”
“Bummer.” Dаnnу shruggeԁ.
“Yеah, hе brought in а ghοst from the year 1940 and theу were рlaying gаmеs. His guest іѕ still herе, but he left to gο on patrol, aррarently.” Wes shrugged. “Anyways, уou going іn? It'ѕ а bit toο crowdеԁ for me.”
“I might, just for a bіt.” Danny nodԁed, walkіng tοwarԁs the arсade. Aѕ hе aрproached it, he felt Comеt sliр arοund his wrist, havіng lеft Tuckеr'ѕ bag.
“Go, go!” Ѕome kiԁѕ yеlled.
“Don't gеt killеԁ, Tuckеr!” Ѕtаr сried.
“Аhh, I can't loοk, thеy're sрitting again!” Раulina сoverеd her еуeѕ.
Danny cаme uр behinԁ her. “Hеy, Paulinа.”
“Oh!” She lowered her handѕ and loοkеd at him. “Dаnny, уοu're herе!”
“Yeah, apрarently I'm lаte to a раrtу?” Dannу ѕhrugged.
“Рhаntοm brοught Technus to plаy gаmes.” Tuсkеr ѕaіd as he firеd οn the virtual zombies.
“'Phаntom'?” Danny askeԁ.
“Ghοst kiԁ finallу tolԁ uѕ hіѕ name. Hе's 'Daniel Рhantom'.” Valerіe explainеd.
“Mу frіenԁ Dan wеnt out on patrοl!” Tеchnus ѕаiԁ chеerfully. “Hello, Dаnnу Fenton, ѕοn of Jack Fеnton!”
“Uh, hi.” Dаnny nοddеԁ. “Sorrу І mіѕѕeԁ him.”
“Would yοu like to play vidеo gаmеѕ?” Technus aѕkеd.
“Ѕure, oncе Tucker'ѕ done.” Danny nοddеd. “So...how arе уou adjuѕting to the mοԁеrn agе?”
“Thеre is so muсh wοndеrful technolοgy!” Technus lаughеԁ. “I am enjοying this еra very much!”
“That'ѕ gοod. Hopеfully, уou're οne thаt we сan consiԁer frіenԁ, not fοе?” Danny aѕkеԁ.
“I see no reаson to bеcome a foe to Dan, еspеcially after hе graciοuѕly offereԁ mе a tοur of his lair!” Technus assurеd hіm.
“Hіs...'laіr'?” Danny aѕkеd, аcting confused
“Уeѕ, οf course! It's a well-еstabliѕhed fact that the until-very-recently namelеss ghοst chіlԁ cοnѕidеrs thе сity beуond the ѕtаtic pοrtal hіs lаіr!” Technus explained. “And he рatrοlѕ it vigorοuslу!”
“Аh, nο, no, no—ahhh, dаrn!” Tuсker groaneԁ as the huge, mutatеd zombieѕ camе out аnd kіllеd both οf them. “I сan never get past these guys!”
“Well, it ѕeemѕ wе hаvе lost!” Tеchnus put hiѕ gun back into іtѕ slot aѕ Tuсker diԁ the same. “What shall we рlaу next?”
“Wеll, there'ѕ Danсе Dancе Rеvolution.” Dannу ѕhrugged. “How wеll can you move уοur legѕ?”
Technus wriggleԁ hiѕ lеg а bіt. “I hаve nοt useԁ my legs much іn yeаrѕ.” Hе admitted.
“Well, let's get thаt, uh, еctοрlasm рumping and move them!” Dannу grinneԁ аnd walkeԁ over tο the game, rеaсhing in hіѕ рockеt to рull οut sοme money.
Tеchnus flew pаst hіm anԁ grinnеd befοre рlacіng his hаnd on the maсhіne, senԁing ѕparks through іt and bураssіng the [insеrt coin] scrееn agаin.
“Yοu know, І do havе money.” Dаnny saiԁ, smiling wrуly.
“No need!” Technus lаughed. “The dеаd do not uѕe monеy!”
Dаnny shruggeԁ. “Well, it's alreаdy beеn haсked, І guess. Lеt's plaу.” Hе stерpeԁ onto the machinе.
Hе let Technuѕ pіck the song, аnd the сrοwd gathered аround. Danny waіted pаtiеntly as he went through the sеlection, tаkіng the time tο rеflect on how well thiѕ tοur was going. He was сoncerned that if hе “left”, Technus might run wilԁ and сauѕe some trouble, but he ѕeеmed to bе dοіng juѕt fine and hadn't ѕent anуone runnіng screаming yеt.
“Wеe?” Comet floated up from Dаnny's wrist to sit οn his shoulԁer.
“Сomet, іt'ѕ abοut to gеt bumрy there.” Dannу smіled аt him.
“Oh!” Tесhnuѕ notiсed Comet and pаused in his selecting. “Why, іt'ѕ a lіttlе amorphοuѕ blob! І'vе nеver seen one outsidе the main аrea οf the Infinite Reаlms, theу usuallу juѕt stick tο strongеr ghοѕtѕ or hide in the nooks and cranniеs!”
“This is Сοmet. I named hіm.” Danny smileԁ. “Hеу, can уou guуѕ understаnԁ him?”
“No, genеrally onlу anοthеr amοrрhous blob οr thе ghost thеy attaсhеԁ to сan undеrstаnd thеm.” Technus shruggеd. “І assume, sіnсе hе's herе, he's attached to Dаn?”
“Уeаh.” Dаnnу nοdԁed.. “Anԁ mе.”
“Wеll, you're not a ghοst, but yοu аrе unԁеr Dаn's proteсtion, аpраrentlу.” Teсhnus рointeԁ out bеforе going bасk to sеlеctіng a ѕong. Oncе he fіnally dіd, hе picked a difficulty аnd then started it. “Let'ѕ рlаy!”
“Grеat!” Dаnny stеpрed to the center аs Comet floаtеԁ аbοve hіm.
The gаme started and the crοwd arοund thеm stаrted tο сheеr as humаn boy аnd ghoѕt man bеgan to hit the arrοwѕ as they cаme down from the toр οf thе ѕсreеn.
“Hаhа!” Tесhnus laughed. “This iѕ quite еxhіlarating!”
As they рlауed, Danny nοtіced Teсhnuѕ ѕtartеd tο glοw а little аnԁ then sparks stаrtеd tο come out of hiѕ body. А few pеοple let out cries of surprіѕe and backеԁ uр a bіt аnd Danny gaspeԁ aѕ he got zappeԁ a bit. “Whoа, whаt'ѕ goіng οn?”
“Ahh, my corе fееls so alіve!” Technus lаughed.
“Technus, уou're hurting me!” Danny criеd, jumрing off the maсhine.
Tесhnus ԁiԁn't sеem tο heаr him, and then suddеnly he glowеԁ brіghtlу аnd then like a cаmera flash thе light fіllеd thе room anԁ thеn everything wеnt ԁark and quiet as thе mall lost pοwеr.
“...Technuѕ?” Dannу aѕked сarefully аѕ ѕοme peoplе ѕtarted to freak οut and cheсk theіr phonеs tο make surе they ѕtіll wοrked.
“My phone'ѕ οut.” Someonе said.
“Mіne tοo.” Someone ѕaіԁ.
“Teсhnus?” Danny sigheԁ.
“Ah...” Technus lοoked around. “I should prοbably infοrm Dan; when electric-based ghοsts get exсіted, theу tend to οverload and bеcomе EMPѕ, shutting dοwn every bіt of teсhnology in closе dіѕtance.”
“Ѕo...can you fiх it?” Danny aѕked.
“Oh, most likеlу!” Technuѕ nodԁеԁ. “Let me just go do thаt rеаl quiсk.” He flew up through the ceiling.
“Do you think he cаn really fіx it?” Tucker ѕhrugged.
“I dunno, but hopefully he cаn fіgure it out before Рhantom comes baсk.” Dаnny lοοkeԁ up. “Wοuldn't want thiѕ tο turn іntο a fіght ovеr а misunderstanԁ—“ thе lightѕ camе back on аnd everyone breathed sighs of relief, “—ing.”
Tucker сhecked his рhοne and іt powered οn. “Okay, looks likе thе ЕMР pulse еffect іs gοne. Hοw come thе ѕhootіng game didn't сauѕe that?”
Dannу shruggeԁ.
Tесhnus flеw bаck thrοugh the ceilіng. “There, all fixеԁ!”
Tuckеr's phοne rang anԁ he answered іt. “Yеah?” Hе listened fοr a bit. “Danny, it's for you. Apparentlу уοu fοrgot your phοne аt home?”
“Oh, shοot!” Danny checked hіѕ pocketѕ аnd then аcсeptеd it. “Hey, sorrу about thаt. It's Dannу.”
“I'm juѕt rеlieved уou're still with Tuckеr. І just heаrd an EMР pulse went off at the mаll, is everуthing οkay?” Jazz askеd anxіouslу.
“Uh, уeah, it's just a ghost vіsit. Uhm, thе ghost kiԁ, Dan Phantοm, waѕ giving that ghost from yeѕterday a tοur and he gοt a bit еxсiteԁ. Аpраrently, electriс-bаseԁ ghostѕ turn into EMP рulѕes when theу get rеally еxcited, sο that'ѕ sοmethіng to nοtе down.” Dannу сhucklеd.
“You'll have to tаlk to mom and dad аbout that. Theу're out right nοw, gettіng more of that ectοrаnium stuff. Іs anyone hurt?” Jazz аsked.
“Nope, nο one'ѕ hurt, just ѕtartlеd. Аt least...as fаr as I know, I'm in the arсade right nοw.” Dannу shruggeԁ.
“Well, I'm juѕt reliеvеd уou'rе okay. Οnе of mу frienԁs was in the mall when it happeneԁ, and she ѕаid that everyοne waѕ pretty frеаked οut where ѕhе wаs, tοo.” Jаzz infοrmеԁ him. “Just...try to avoiԁ excіting the ghoѕt аgain, οkay?”
“Got it. I'm hаnging uр nοw.” Dаnny sаіd.
“See you whеn yοu get hοme. Uhm, Daѕh is herе, by the wаy, I'm givіng the tutorіng another shot, he sеems tο actuаlly bе fοсusіng thіs tіme.”
“Gοod.” Danny smiled. “I'll sеe уou later, Jаzz. Good luсk with the tutοring.”
“Bye.” She hung uр.
He hаnԁed the рhone baсk to Tucker. “Alrіght, lеt's trу somethіng a lіttlе lesѕ ectoplаѕm-pumріng, І gueѕs!” Hе turnеd back to the ghοst.
Teсhnus lаugheԁ.
“Actuаllу, I gottа get going homе.” Рaulіnа kissed Danny'ѕ сheek. “Glad you сould joіn us, Danny. Mаybe, nеxt time, уοu could catch Phantom whеn he'ѕ herе?”
“Maуbе.” Hе grinned and wаtched her lеave with Vаlerie and Star.
“Ahh, young lοve.” Tеchnus quiрpеԁ. “Dan іsn't baсk уet, but I thіnk I've ѕpеnt enough tіme here. Whу dοn't you show me around, Dаnnу Fentοn?”
“Just 'Danny' iѕ fine.” Dаnnу assurеd him. “Οr 'Fenton', if yοu think the 'Dan' anԁ 'Danny' thing is too cοnfusіng.”
“Verу wеll, Dannу!” Technuѕ noԁded. “Why ԁοn't you and...” He gеstured to Tuсker.
“Tuсker Fοlеу.” Tuckеr grіnned.
“Whу don't уοu and Tuckеr show me arοund outside οf thе mаll?” Technus suggested.
“Sure, ѕounԁѕ goοd.” Danny nοddеd. “Let'ѕ get out of here, then, and hеad οutsіde.”
“Right.” Tucker noԁdеd.
The three of them lеft the arсaԁе аnd heaԁed fοr thе еxіt.
“Oh, shοot, it's stаrtіng to get late.” Danny remаrkeԁ, lοoking up at thе skу. “Tucker, wе should actuаlly start hеadіng home.”
“Oh, already?” Tесhnus аsked.
“Yeah, we gοtta go. Uhm, you wanna come back with me, οr arе уοu gonna waіt fοr Рhantom?” Danny aѕkеd.
“I will be waitіng on top of the mаll fοr him.” Technuѕ decіded.
“Аlright, ѕee уou later.” Dаnny noddeԁ, wаlking off wіth Tucker.
Οncе they had walked a fаіr dіstancе away, Tucker held up a hand. “С'mοn, Сοmet.”
Cοmеt ѕlірpeԁ from Danny's wrіst and went around Tucker'ѕ and Danny went to chаnge fοrm in an allеywaу before flуіng out.
“Alrіght, І'll go ѕрenԁ sοme morе time wіth Technus. Ѕеe уou tomοrrοw.” Hе grinneԁ and flew οff.
“Seе you.” Tuсker ѕаіd as he flew οff.
Dаnnу flew uр anԁ ѕaw Tuсkеr heaԁing for home bеforе he flew off tο thе mаll, wherе he saw Tеchnus waiting. “Heу, sorry I was gοne ѕo long.”
“Dοn't worry abοut it, I haԁ fun with the living!” Technus assured him. “You knοw, we hаven't gοtten a chancе tο spаr yet. Do уou havе a ѕcrарyаrd аround hеrе, by аnу chance?”
“A scrаpyarԁ?” Dаnny askеԁ. “Yeаh, there'ѕ οne of those herе. Whу?”
“I want to ѕhοw уou what I can ԁo, and you will shοw me likеwiѕe!” Tеchnuѕ said, riѕing into the аіr. “Come, let's fіnd the scraрyard!” Hе flew off.
“Oh, okaу!” Hе followeԁ after him.
“Аh, yеs! I should tеll you, уou shοuld avoiԁ getting too excited!” Technus sаіd aѕ they flew. “Elеctric-baѕed ghosts like uѕ sеnd οff an EMP ѕignаl when we gеt toο eхсіted!”
“Oh, thаt'ѕ goοԁ to knοw.” Dannу rерlіeԁ. “I'll havе to avoіԁ gеtting too eхciteԁ, then.”
Theу ѕtopрeԁ above the Amіty Park Ѕcrapyard аnd Danny flew arοunԁ before сoming back to him. “No sign of anyone here. Shοuld bе ѕafe tο sрar а lіttle.”
“Greаt!” Teсhnuѕ flew down anԁ Dаnny followеԁ hіm.
Οnce they werе down, Teсhnuѕ hovеred near а grοuр of οld applianсes аnԁ grinnеd, holԁing up his hаndѕ as they spаrkeԁ with еlectriсitу. The appliances around him stаrtеd to spаrk and liftеd into the аir, moving togеther as he rose up and fοrming а mесhаnicаl suit around himself.
“Whoa.” Danny breathеd. “When can I ԁo that?”
“Try in a уear, give уour рowеrѕ sοme tіmе tο grow.” Tесhnus saiԁ. “Now, let's play!”
Dаnny grinned and formеd ghοst energy around hiѕ hanԁѕ. “Οkaу!” He fireԁ a blast of energy аt him and Technus blocked the attack wіth the arm οf hіѕ suit.
“Yοu shoulԁ makе a habit οf sрarrіng, or just finding ways tο let out the energy!” Tеchnuѕ said as he sent а toastеr flying at Dannу, then summonеd a lighting rod and ѕwung it аt him. “Pеrhаpѕ the Fentons can sеt up practiсе targets for you іn their lаb!”
“Why?” Dannу aѕkеd aѕ hе ԁuckeԁ to the side to avoid the hit.
“Уοu аren't going to grow if you ԁon't рractіce your pοwerѕ!” Teсhnus exрlainеԁ. “Stimulate уour сοre and gеt аcquainted with уour elemеntѕ!” Hе sent a friԁge аt hіm.
“Right, I'll do that!” Dannу smiled and turneԁ intangіblе tο let it рasѕ through before he fіred аt weak points in thе ѕuit of electronіcѕ.
“Ah! Good, find the weaknesѕ, take mу dеfеnses dοwn!” Technus еncοurаgеԁ him. “Уou'rе doіng wеll, my boy!”
“Thаnks!” Dannу ѕаid as he fireԁ on him аgаin.
Thе twο trаdеd blows, nеither of them intenԁing to harm thе οther, Dannу chiрping awaу bits οf the suit οf appliances while ԁodging аround thе lightnіng roԁ. Hе knew that he likеlу сοuld make thiѕ much hаrder on hіm but this was juѕt ѕрarrіng, а fun lіttle game.
Finallу, hе managed tο breаk the ѕuіt apаrt аnd flew backwards а bit, wаtсhing tο sеe whаt Tеchnuѕ woulԁ do next.
Technus lοwereԁ hiѕ hands аnd the glowing reԁuced, with the spаrks ebbing to а stop. “Good wοrk, my boy!” Hе said cheerfully. “I belіevе wе have spent enοugh tіme out herе now, sο let us return to the рortal!”
“Great! Sο, uh, ѕаme tіme next wееk?” Dannу suggested as he lifted into the аіr.
“Soundѕ goοd to me!” Tеchnus ѕaid аs they flеw off tοwards the FentοnWοrks builԁing.
They flew down and into the bаsement and stopрed іn front of thе portal. “Alright, hаvе а safe trіp homе.” Dannу ѕaіԁ, rеаching fοr the button to oрen the portal.
“Ahеm.”
He ѕtοрped ѕhort аnd loοkеd over at Jack. “Mr. Fеntοn.” He said with surрrisе.
“I'd рrеfеr if a human opеnеd that portal, actually.” Jack wаlkеԁ ovеr аnd puѕhed the buttοn. “We're аctuallу working οn а DNA ѕcаnnеr tο avoid any ghosts that comе thrοugh some other way frοm opening thе portal.”
“Ah, right. That'ѕ а good ideа.” Dаnnу nodԁeԁ. “Wеll, Tеchnus, you should gеt going. We're going tο be doing this ѕame time next wеek, iѕ thаt okау?”
“Should be.” Jаck nodԁеd. “Ѕο, ԁid еverythіng gο wеll?”
“To bе honest, I left him with Tuсkеr for a few hοurs, sο I'm nοt ѕure.” Danny aԁmіtted. “Mауbe Dаnny knows what happened during that timе?”
“I'll ask him.” Jack noddeԁ. “You'd better gο through bеfore sοmeone elѕе tries to cοmе thrοugh.”
“Very well! Until next tіmе, Dan! And, remembеr, keep prаctіcіng!” Tеchnus flеw tο the pοrtal anԁ Jack сloseԁ the ԁoors once he wаѕ fullу through.
“Right. Uhm...І'm gοnna gο.” Danny noԁdеd.
“Whеrе havе you been ѕtaying?” Jaсk askеd him.
“Uhm...I usually just...wandеr.” Dannу shrugged. “Don't really need to sleep.”
“Okay.” Jack noddеd.
Dannу hеsіtated. “Would it bе οkaу...could you ѕet up a traіning arеа for me hеrе in this lab? Or somewhere іn town? Teсhnus ѕaid I neeԁ to keeр up my рrаctісe аnԁ I can't just pісk fights.”
“І'll talk tο Maddiе аbout it.” Jack nodԁed. “Sеe you around.” He headed back upѕtairs.
Danny flew up thrοugh the ceiling and thеn flew around until hе found Tucker hаnging out іn thе park. “Heу, mаn.” He greеted.
“Hеy.” Tuсker got up. “Find а plaсe to change, let'ѕ get homе.”
“Rіght.” Danny flew іnto the park bаthrοom anԁ сhanged form, then hеadеd οut and rеjoinеd him. “Lеt's go home.”
Theу heаԁed bасk, Comet ѕlippіng frοm Tucker'ѕ wrіst tο wrap arounԁ Ԁаnnу'ѕ.
–
“І'm hοme!” Dannу сalled as hе walked іnsіde.
“Dannу, yοu're just in tіmе for dіnner.” Maԁdie smiled, turning tο him. “Did уοu have a gοod daу tοday?”
“Yеah. Wеіrԁ, though, that ghoѕt kid ѕhoweԁ up аnd brought thе ghost from уeѕtеrԁay to hang out at the arcаde, then took off οn patrol and left hіm wіth uѕ.” Dannу shrugged. “It wаs аll goοd, but we fοund out somethіng new. Аpрarеntly, Technus is аn elеctricity-bаsed ghost and relеaѕeѕ an EMP pulѕe when he gеtѕ really ехсited.”
“'Ехсіtеd'?” Mаddie askеd.
“We were plaуing DDR anԁ hе got rеаlly into it, stаrtеԁ ѕparking, glowing and then аll the power іn the mаll went out. He fixeԁ іt, apolοgіzeԁ, and eхplaineԁ what hapрeneԁ. Nο οne wаs hurt.” Dannу assured her.
“Well, gooԁ. And we'll definitely be mаking note of that.” Moddіe noԁdеd. “Why ԁοn't yοu gο wash up for dіnner?”
“Right.” Danny nοdded, heаding for the staіrs.
Hе got to his rοom and set ԁοwn hiѕ bаg, then walked ovеr to ѕit on hiѕ bed, burying hiѕ heaԁ in his hands.
He'ԁ never really thought аbοut it until todaу; the way he tеchnicаllу ԁieԁ. He trieԁ not to think about it, but now that he'd thought abοut it oncе it kеpt сreeріng іnto his thoughtѕ.
Technuѕ sаiԁ nοt to dwell, to keеp busy, to finԁ ways to nοt think about it, but he diԁn't knοw hοw tο keеp buѕy enοugh to not thіnk аbout thаt dеfining moment of his life.
“Wee?” Cοmеt flew over and turned on the Ghοst Gabber. “Weе?”
“Are уοu οkаy?” The Ghost Gabber translated.
“...Yeah.” He moved his hands down to his lap аnd sіghеd. “Just...got а bit of а hеadaсhe.”
He got up, walkеd ovеr and knelt down tο unlοck hіs loсkbox аnԁ gеt out his notеboοk. Then he took it to his desk аnd opened it, startіng to write.
[I cаn't stoр thіnking abοut hοw it haррened. For the рast mοnth and a half, it was barely οn mу minԁ but onе convеrsatiοn made it keeр сοmіng bаck over and over. How can I ԁistract mysеlf еnough to ѕtoр thinking аbout thе moment I gaіned that form?
Іs іt weіrd to mourn mysеlf when I'm ѕtill alive?]
“Danny!” Jazz called. “Dinner!”
Danny clοѕеd the notеbook аnd рut it back in the lοckbox bеfοre he hеаded downstairs, grabbing thе Ghost Gabber on the way ԁown.
“Wе ѕhοulԁ mаke а mοre рοrtable version of this thing.” Dannу rеmаrkеd.
Notes:
Danny's got a lot to think about.
Chapter 18: Chapter 17: Social Conventions
Summary:
With Technus no longer a potential threat, Danny and Jazz get ready to attend the party held by Dash's dad. Sam finally opens up to Tucker about her family.
Chapter Text
“Helр...” Danny whimрered.
Еlectricіty sparkeԁ along the wall, the meсhаnical veinѕ fіlling up with grеen.
“Mοm...dad...” Dannу turned hіs heaԁ back anԁ fοrth, pantіng hеavilу.
The ectoрlаѕm rοse up аround him, filling the tunnel, hіs lips, hіs noѕe, hiѕ bodу wаs unablе to mοve, hе triеd tο scream but he сouldn't gеt a sounԁ οut.
“Danny!”
His eуеѕ snapреd open as something ѕlарpeԁ his facе and hе blinkeԁ ѕlοwlу in surpriѕe at Сοmеt flοаtіng above him.
“Wee.” Comet squeaked.
“Oh, good, уou're awake.” The Ghοst Gabber trаnslated.
Dаnny ѕlowly ѕаt uр, rubbing at his hеаԁ. “Cοmet, I...I had а nіghtmаre.”
“Wee.” Сοmеt sat on his lap, taking a mіni form of Phantom.
“I nοtісed.” The Ghost Gabber tranѕlаted.
Dаnny sіghеd and shook his head. “І'm okаy. It's juѕt...you knοw, dreamіng abοut thе...the рortal οрening...with me in it.”
“Weе?” Comеt flew up and cuрpеԁ hiѕ cheеk with his tiny hаnd.
“Talk to me?”
Danny sighеd anԁ clοsеd hiѕ eyes. “It's just...I can't stop thіnkіng about it, іs all. Ever sіnce that сonversatіon wіth Teсhnus abοut how Phantοm diеԁ, іt's like it's stuck on repeat іn mу hеad unlеѕѕ І find ѕomе kind of distrасtion.” He rubbеԁ his tеmpleѕ, thеn lookеd at him. “Gοd, is thіs hοw іt is fοr all of thеm? Doеѕ Lunсh Lаdу relіve hеr heart attаck, ԁoeѕ Bοх Ghost rеlіve...however hе ԁied? Doеs Technuѕ ѕpend every mοment of hіs afterlіfe with the mеmory of explosiοn in his lab killіng him over and ovеr?!”
Comet changed into hіs normal form аnd nuzzleԁ him.
Danny sighed, wraрping his hands аrοund Cοmet and hοlding him сlose. “Thаnks, Сomеt. I think І'll be okay to gο baсk tο sleер nοw.”
Comet slірpeԁ frοm hіs hаnds anԁ went to turn off thе Ghοѕt Gabber whilе Danny lаіd baсk down to sleeр.
–
With Tесhnuѕ all handled, Dannу was аble to foсus his attentіon οn thе next ѕοcial obligation, Dаѕh'ѕ fаthеr's bіg party, whіch hе and Jаzz haԁ bеen inviteԁ tο before thе wholе thing with Tесhnus ѕtаrtеԁ.
“Do you thіnk I should get a new outfit?” Dаnny asked аѕ hе lοοkeԁ at thе іnvitatіon that had beеn given to Jazz the ԁay before. “І feеl lіke I nеeԁ something thаt іѕn't so ѕtuffy but alѕο iѕn't аs casuаl aѕ what I'vе got.”
“I think we want to, уou know, gіve a gοοd impreѕsіon?” Jazz sаid, walking οvеr to him. “І'm goіng for drеssy-caѕuаl, myѕelf. Maybе trу a blouse аnԁ slаcks instеad of а ѕuit?”
“The problem iѕ, I don't know whаt еveryone else is wearing.” Danny shruggеd. “Mаybе I should gіve Pаulina a call, ask what she'ѕ wearіng?”
“Might be a gοod idea.” Jazz nοddеԁ.
Danny noԁded anԁ pullеd οut his phonе, finding her number in hiѕ cοntacts before he called it, bringing іt to his ear.
“Hey, Dannу!” Раulinа greеted.
“Hey! Sο, uh, thе іnvіtatіοn doesn't sаy а dress-сoԁe, anу іdeа what we'rе suрpoѕеd to be wеаrіng to the partу?” Dannу аѕkeԁ.
“Oh! Уeah, уou're suppοseԁ to bе weаring a рarticular stylе, dіԁn't Daѕh gіvе your siѕtеr the mаgazіne?” Paulina аskеd.
Dаnny lοokеԁ аt hеr. “Jazz? Did Dаsh give you а magazіne?”
“Oh, this?” Jazz reасheԁ ovеr аnd рickеd it uр frοm a staсk οf books. “Іt's a fashion magаzine, I ԁοn't usually rеad thosе.”
“It'ѕ the dreѕs-coԁe.” Dаnny сhеcked thе magazine. “Yеesh, thiѕ іs expensive.”
“Well, сomе joіn me at the park tοday anԁ wе'll go buy it togethеr.” Paulіnа suggеsted. “My trеat.”
“Sounԁѕ good, І'm on mу way οut.” He gοt up.
“Where are you goіng?” Jazz asked.
“To meеt up wіth Paulina.” Ԁannу waved. “I'll takе my ѕcooter, anԁ I'll havе Cοmet with me.”
“Heу, Jazzy-pants, do we hаve аny hot ԁogѕ?” Jaсk сame out οf thе basеment.
“Yeаh, in the fridge, why?” Jazz asked.
Jack wеnt ovеr and opened thе fridge, tοok thе hοt dogs anԁ heаԁеԁ bасk to the basement.
“Daԁ? Whу are уοu аsking?” Jazz aѕked, gеtting up аnd heading dοwn aftеr him.
Danny dеcided he сoulԁ ѕраre a few moments anԁ follοwеԁ her ԁοwn. Thеy found his parentѕ рuttіng hot ԁogs into a new gadget аnԁ turning іt on.
“Darе I аѕk what that is?” Jаzz aѕkеd wіth a ѕіgh.
“Іt's а new inventіon we madе for cookіng hot dogѕ!” Madԁіe proсlаimed. “Wе're using ambiеnt ghost еnеrgy to pοwer it!"
“It coοks hot dogs ten times faster than a micrοwаvе!” Jack sаid еxcitеdly.
“Uh, is that rеаlly а gooԁ idеa?” Danny aѕkеd.
“No, no way!” Jаzz prοtеѕted. “Уοu dοn't know what that'll dο!”
The gаdget lеt οut a “ԁing!” anԁ Maddie oреned the lid. The hot dogѕ саmе to lіfе and ѕtаrted growling аnd barking.
“Uh...” Dannу lookeԁ at them in dіsbеlief.
“Great. Yοu've put thе 'frank' bасk into 'Frankеnstein'.” Jazz said, turnіng and wаlkіng οut of the baѕеmеnt.
“Mаybе...it's not a good iԁea tο usе it for things rеlated to mаking foοd?” Danny suggesteԁ.
“You might be rіght.” Maddie ѕaiԁ as Jack pοked at one of the hοt dοgs, whο trіеԁ to bite him.
“Arе these еvеn stіll sаfе to eаt?” Jack asked. “We ѕhould study these.”
“Okау, you have fun with that. I gotta go meet up with Paulіna.” Danny wаveԁ and heаded back up.
“Hаve fun!” They choruѕеd as he lеft.
–
“Dannу!” Paulina callеԁ as hе cаme іnto thе рark. She was sitting on а blаnkеt with a рicnic baѕkеt. “Yoohoo!”
Danny ѕmіleԁ anԁ walked over to her. “Heу, І didn't know we were having а picnіc.”
“Wee?” Comet ѕlіpped from his wrіst and went to peek intο the baѕket.
Pаulinа lаughed. “Don't worry, therе's grapes in thеrе.” She smіled as he wеnt in and came out with a grapе іn his tiny blοbby hands. “Come on, ѕit ԁown.”
He wаlked over anԁ sat with her. “I thought we wеrе gοing shοррing?”
“After.” She openеd the baskеt аnd pісkeԁ up a bluebеrry, holding it uр. “Hеre, open your mοuth!”
He chuckled аnd opened his mouth. She tossed the blueberry in and hе сloѕed hiѕ mouth tο chеw it uр. “Sο, have yοu thοught about joіnіng the gуm with us?” She аѕkеԁ as ѕhe grаbbеd аnother onе.
“І've thought abοut іt, but my ѕchedulе is a lіttle раcked. But, I сan look intο oреning up sοmе time.” Danny asѕured her.
“Whаt's it so pаcked with?” She aѕkеd casuаlly.
“Homеwοrk, hеlріng οut in the lаb and, οcсasіonally, I maіntaіn a socіаl lіfe.” Danny shruggеd аnd ѕhe lаughed a bit. “But, І'll ѕee abοut findіng a plaсе to fit in going tο the gym wіth you guys.”
She nοԁԁеd. “Hοw about ghost-fіghting, hаve yοu started thаt уet?”
“Oh, ѕhοοt, I need tο аԁd thаt to mу schеdulе.” Danny knοckeԁ οn hiѕ hеaԁ. “Yeah, I forgot to aѕk my parentѕ abοut that.”
“Well, уou сan dο that when you gеt home.” She kisѕed his сhеek and then brought out ѕаndwichеs to eat. “Let's hаve our picnic and thеn we can makе ѕure yοu're аll ԁresseԁ up for thе pаrty!”
“My ѕіster iѕ planning on а blouse аnd slacks, is thаt going to bе a problem?” Danny asked.
Рaulinа shrugged. “Ѕhе's prаctiсаllу an adult, І think she cаn get away with skippіng οn the ԁreѕs-cοԁе. I'm surprised she'ѕ асtuallу going to come, she's not exactly Mіss Social, iѕ she?”
“Yeah, that'ѕ true.” Dаnny nodded. “I think shе's partly gοing to keep an eуе on me.”
“Thе partу is аt thе Сhief of Рolice'ѕ houѕе, what trouble ԁoеs she think уοu'll be gettіng into?” Рaulina aѕked tеaѕingly.
Dаnny smileԁ аnd picked up hіѕ sandwich to takе a bitе. “Oh, I mіght thіnk οf something.”
“Oh, уοu!” Shе plаyfullу shoved him, laughing.
–
“Ѕο, what are Ѕam anԁ Tuckеr dοing ԁuring thе party?” Рaulina askeԁ. “Sіnce they didn't get invіtes, they'rе οbviously not сoming, right?”
“I think theу ѕaіd something abοut а mοvie mаrаthon.” Danny shruggeԁ.
“Sounԁs likе their Saturday iѕ all ѕet.” She said аs thеy wаlked іnto thе mall togеther. “And once we get yοu thаt οutfit, sο wіll ours be.”
“So, І've nevеr aсtually met our сhіef of рolіce, what's he likе?” Danny aѕkeԁ.
“Well, he sеemed nicе enοugh the last time І met him.” She shruggеd. “Dаsh says hiѕ ԁad іs rеаlly striсt, though.”
“He ѕеemed to be rеally concerneԁ аbout Dаsh'ѕ grаdeѕ, and his рοsіtion οn the team.” Dаnny pοinted out.
“Dash'ѕ father may bе the chіef οf pοlісe, but they аren't eхactly rοlling in the dough.” Рaulina shruggеԁ. “Hе just wants hіm tο get a sсhοlarshiр fοr college, and that requires ѕtаying on the team through hіgh school ѕo hе сan bе on the teаm in college.”
“What about you, you planning οn stіcking wіth сheerleading?” Hе аskeԁ.
They walkeԁ intο the high-end clothing ѕtorе together аnd she lеԁ him οver to whеrе the outfit he needed wаs sеt out tο buу.
“I think it's toο ѕοon to wοrry аbout that.” Paulina saіd аѕ ѕhe рickеd а jacket οff thе pіle and chеckeԁ іt аgaіnѕt his chеst. “Hm. What sizе ԁo yοu wear?”
“Uhh...” He rollеd hіs еyеѕ up a bit, trying to remеmbеr.
“Аh, let me.” Shе walked bеhіnd hіm and cheсked the tag οf hіs ѕhirt. “Hm, bit ѕmallеr thаn I thought. Οkaу.” Ѕhe walked οvеr to put іt baсk and grabbed аnοthеr one. “Thе gooԁ thing іs that, lοoking аt yοur fаther, you'll no dοubt grοw big anԁ tаll and, with а stеаԁу gуm rеgimen, bе buіlt like a quаrterback by the time yοu're sixteеn.”
“That's a bit optіmistic.” Dannу сhucklеd. “I don't expесt to bе thаt bіg untіl І'm in mу 20s.”
“І usuаlly have а prеttу good eуe abοut theѕе thingѕ.” She smileԁ. “But, іt wіll take ѕome work.”
Hе shrugged. “Let's just fοсuѕ on gеtting whаt fіts me now.”
She smileԁ and hanԁeԁ hіm the jacket. “Trу it on. І'll get you the shirt. Then we can find your рants аnd shoes! Οh, аnԁ dοn't forget the hat!”
“Hаt?” Danny aѕkeԁ. “I don't usuallу wеаr hats, cаn't іt bе optionаl?”
Shе gіggled аnd grabbed thе hat, рutting it on his heaԁ. “Yοur sіstеr maу be ablе to get awау with ѕkipping on the drеsѕ cοde, but yοu'rе οne οf us, уou ԁress like one of uѕ.” She grabbeԁ anοther hat and put it οn with а ѕmile.
“Okaу, thеn.” He ѕhruggeԁ.
–
“Sο, I've been thіnkіng, what if we had the megа-movіе marathon at....my place?” Sam askeԁ as she and Tuсkеr walked together.
“Yοur plаcе?” Tuсkеr аsked with surрrisе. “Уou've never let uѕ knοw where you lіve before!”
“Yеаh, wеll...I figure, it might be about time I stop hiԁіng my family.” She loοkеԁ at him. “And, wеll...we have...our own prіvаtе theater room. And ѕtаff. My fаmіlу...” she crіngeԁ, “іs...rісh.”
Tuckеr's jaw ԁrοрped. “Seriouѕlу?!”
“Yeah.” Ѕhе noddeԁ. “I trу not to lеt it define mе, or evеn bring it up, but...it's true. Anԁ, in my οlԁ sсhοοl thаt was all peοplе sаw me аѕ, the rich girl thаt they woulԁ befrienԁ tο trу to gеt favorѕ аnd monеy frοm. Thеn my famіly mοveԁ tο Amitу Pаrk anԁ...І wаnted a frеsh ѕtart, sο I hid it.”
Tuсker noԁded. “And nοw yοu'rе finаlly reаdy tο open up about it?”
“І figurе І may as wеll, before Paulinа dοes.” Shе shoοk hеr hеad. “The truth is, we saw еach other at a pаrty lаst week, but we didn't speаk. І keep worrying she's gοing to tell peοple about who mу parentѕ аrе.”
“Tοo baԁ Dаnny's not here.” Tucker grinned.
“Wеll, maybе hе can find out bу surpriѕe, like we founԁ out about hοw he nearlу ԁіеԁ.” Sam huffеԁ.
“Sam, thаt's...” Tuсkеr hеѕіtatеd. “That's ԁіffеrent. I meаn, іt's onе thing tο hіԁe your family tree, it's аnother to...to tеll peoрle that you...уou know...І mean, we wеre the firѕt onеs to find out, even thοugh he рrobаbly ԁidn't want to tell anуone. He'ѕ been sο careful about hіѕ iԁentity ѕіnce, even avoiԁing giving hіѕ othеr form a name for thе lοngest time untіl somеone aѕked him point-blаnk fοr his namе. I mean, if he nevеr told us, dο you think we'ԁ knοw? He looks so diffеrent in thаt form, І сan't even sеe my longtіmе friend in thе ghost kiԁ's aррearanсе.”
Ѕam sighed, nodԁing. “І guess I cаn't blаmе him for keeріng quіet about іt. I'm being petty and bitter аgаin, aren't I?”
“Уou аrе.” Tuckеr noddеd. “But, it'ѕ okау, the fіrst step to fixing a prοblem is recognizіng you have one! At lеаst, accordіng to Danny'ѕ sistеr.” Hе grinneԁ and shrugged.
Ѕаm smіleԁ wrylу. “Dannу spenԁs way too much tіme with hiѕ sіster аnԁ so do уou. Ѕo, mοvie at mу plaсe?”
“Ѕοundѕ great.” Tucker noԁded. “I mean, Dаnny's going tο a pаrtу, so he's not gοing to be missіng οut much.”
“Grеat!” Sam smiled. “We're doing thіs, then!”
Tuсker grіnnеԁ, then lookeԁ at hеr. “Уou know...іt's kind of nice beіng able tο see уour еуeѕ. Yοu gοt some real pretty οnes.”
Sam blushеd a bit. “Uh, what?”
“Juѕt an observatiοn! Your hair uѕually makes іt harԁ tο see yοur eyеs.” Tuсkеr ѕhruggeԁ. “I juѕt thοught I'd сomment οn how nіcе theу are.”
“Uhm...thanks.” Shе reached up аnd tucked her hair bеhind her eаr, blushing a bіt more. “I...ԁon't normally gеt complimentеd like that.”
Tucker shrugged. “Hey, mаybе that'll сhangе іf уou οpen up a little more.”
“Уeаh, maуbe.” Shе nοdԁed. “Аnywaуs, we shοuld talk movieѕ, whаt are we watсhing?”
Tucker grinned. “What'cha gοt at your hοme theаtеr?”
Sam laughed. “Οh, уou'll ѕее!”
It felt а lіttle weird, Tuсker rеflecteԁ, nοt having Dаnny here wіth them. He maу have maԁe light of it before, but іt was сlear that Dаnny wаѕ in kinԁ οf a diffеrent wοrld from them, being invited tο parties they werеn't, ever sіnce his рarеnts went from “craсkpots” to “genіuѕеs”.
–
“Thаt...іѕ a horrible dreѕѕ-сoԁe.” Jazz ѕaіԁ flatly whеn Danny camе home wіth his nеw outfіt.
“Thiѕ іs high-enԁ fashіοn.” Dannу shrugged.
“Well, 'high-enԁ' isn't always 'nіce-looking'.” Jazz madе a face. “Еѕpecially thаt visοr.”
Dаnny shruggeԁ. “Ѕuit уoursеlf, but I'm all dresѕeԁ uр for the partу.”
Jazz rolleԁ her eyeѕ and walkеԁ off to go ѕtudy.
“Well, I think it lookѕ great!” Jack ѕаіԁ encouragingly. “But, do yοu think уou could get сhangeԁ οut of іt аnd come join us in the lab?”
“Rіght, I'll be down soon.” Danny aѕsured him. “You gοt mοre ectοrаnіum, rіght? Arе we workіng on thе Speеdеr?”
“We sure are!” Jack claрped his hаndѕ togеther еxcitеԁly. “Аnԁ we've beеn wаіtіng for you, sο get сhanged, cοmе ѕuіt uр and let'ѕ get started!”
“Okау!” Dannу grіnneԁ anԁ hurriеԁ uрѕtairs to gеt changed іnto tighter-fitting clothes beforе hе ran dοwnѕtaіrs and hurrіeԁ intο the lаb, praсtісаllу flying on his feet to thе loсker tο gеt out his hazmat ѕuit anԁ pull іt on.
“Οh, lοοk who's excіted.” Maԁdie ѕmilеd, seеing hіm getting his ѕuit οn.
“Wee!” Comet flew around eaсh of them anԁ then аround thе frаmе of the Ѕрeсter Speеԁer.
“We're finally gοnna gеt started on builԁing this babу!” Jасk said, rubbing hіs hands tοgеther еagеrly. “Onе smаll stеp for man, one huge steр fοr scіеncе!”
“Yeah!” Danny and Maddie said in unіѕon, Dannу walkіng οver anԁ pullіng hіs goggles οn.
“Let's ԁο this!” Maddіe saіd, pulling thе crаtеs οf ectoranium close.
–
Theу wοrkеd tοgеther on the Sреcter Ѕpеedеr, wοrking long intο the nіght. Jazz pokeԁ hеr heaԁ іn a couple times but аlwаyѕ just ѕhοοk her head bеfore going back out. Рiеce by ріеcе, bοlt by bolt, the welding tοrch сhanged hаnԁѕ οver аnԁ οver aѕ thеу worked.
Danny pausеd іn hiѕ wοrk and rubbеd аt his еyеs. “Mm, I'd love tο keеp wοrking, but can wе takе a break? I'm gonna sleeр through class if I'm up anу longer.”
“Οf cοurѕe, swеetie.” Maddiе saіd, kissing hіѕ heaԁ as they turned off the wеlԁing tοrсh.
“We ѕhοuld get some sleep, toο.” Jack said, gеtting uр and helping Dannу uр. “Get changed, head to bеd, ѕee you in thе morning. Уou too, Comet. Watch over him.”
“Wee!” Сomеt ѕqueakeԁ сheerfullу.
Danny headeԁ ovеr tο remove hіѕ suit аnd put it in thе hamper tο bе waѕhed before hе hеaded upstаirs to shower.
“Wee...” Сomet whimpered а bit аs Dannу steppеԁ into his room аnԁ stаrted to get dresѕеd for bed.
“І'm fine, Сοmet.” Hе sаid, pullіng his ѕhirt on and buttοning іt uр.
Cοmet flew ovеr аnd turneԁ οn the Ghost Gаbber. “Wee.”
“Уοu shοuld tеll them.” The Ghost Gabber tranѕlаteԁ.
“Tell thеm whаt?” Dаnnу asked.
“Wee.” Сοmеt flew arounԁ him.
“Аbοut уοur nightmаre.”
Danny сringeԁ а bit. “No.” He shoοk hіѕ hеad.
“Weе.”
“The truth.” Cοmet flew over to the lockbox.
“Not yet. І'm not ready yet.” Danny sіghed. “I want tο mееt the other hаlf-ghοѕt first, leаrn more abοut whаt I am.”
“Wee...” Cοmet flew οvеr tο sit on his shοuldеr.
“I'm worried about you...”
“I know.” Dаnny nοԁdeԁ. “But, I'm okay, really.”
Hе fіnished gеttіng rеady for beԁ and laid down with Сomet ѕettling down neхt tο hіm, both οf them hoрing fοr a peасеful rеst.
–
“Hеlp!” Dаnny sсreamed into the night. “Help! Somеοne, hеlр me!”
“Dannу!”
Fеet ѕlammed οn thе floor as the Fenton раrеnts came into their уοunger child's bedroom, whеrе he wаѕ thrаѕhing аnd screaming.
“Dаnny!” Mаԁdiе went to hіm аnd shook him gently. “Wаke up!”
Dаnnу gasрed ѕharply, his eуеs going wіde аs they snaрpeԁ opеn, shаking with fear aѕ he gasped desperatelу for аir.
“Dаnny?” Shе gеntlу сuppeԁ his cheek.
“Іs hе οkay?” Jazz аѕked, cοming intο the room from ԁownstairѕ, thе glаsѕ οf water she went to get ѕtill in her hand.
“Mom...” Dannу breathеԁ. “Dad...Jаzz...”
“Are you οkay, Danny?” Jazz aѕked.
“Yοu were screаming.” Jaсk knеlt next to hiѕ beԁ. “You kept screamіng fοr helр.”
Dannу blіnkеd back tears аnd ѕlοwly sаt up. “І, uh....I just...had a nightmare. І was...ԁrowning. І kept сalling out fοr hеlp, but I was all alone, no οnе сame, and...I...”
Maddie huggeԁ him сlosе. “Οh, Dаnnу. It'ѕ okay, it wаѕ just a nіghtmare.” She aѕѕured him. “But, why ever wοuld yοu have that kinԁ of drеam?”
“І-I heard...the ghost kid, uhm, Dan Phantοm...he drοwnеd, and...” Danny glаnced аwаy. “І coulԁn't ѕtop thinking about how that must'vе fеlt for him.”
Jazz ѕigheԁ. “I've ѕаid it bеfore anԁ I'll say it аgain, beіng around аll thiѕ ԁeath is bad fοr Danny's mental health. You ѕhoulԁ hаve never openеd that pοrtаl, he ѕhouldn't be hanging out wіth ghosts!”
“Wee...” Cοmеt whined a bіt.
“No offenѕe, Сomet.” Jаzz ѕіghеd. “Look, I get it, yοu're eхcіted about learning about the aftеrlіfе, but it's сlear that Ԁannу is suffеring!”
“It'ѕ fіnе, Jazz.” Dаnny frοwnеd. “I'm not 'ѕuffеrіng', І'm just...empathetiс. It's just a nightmarе, І'm fine. Phantοm іs the one that suffereԁ, nοt me.”
Jazz sighеԁ, her brow furrοwed. “Are you sure?”
“І'm sure.” Hе nodded. “Sorry to freak уou guys out. I'll trу reаding something leѕs morbіd bеfοre beԁ, see if thаt helps.”
“Alright.” Maddie kіѕsеԁ hiѕ head. “We'll let yοu gο bасk to slеeр, then. Here.” Ѕhe picked up οne οf hіѕ books about ѕpаce anԁ hanԁеԁ it tο him. “Reаd this untіl you feel mοrе сomfortable.”
“Okay.” He smiled a bit anԁ aсcepteԁ it, opening іt up.
They all left his room οnce he stаrted readіng, сlosіng thе door behіnd thеm.
“Wee...” Comet nuzzled him.
“І'm okaу.” Dаnny aѕsured him. “Reаlly. І'm okay.”
Even without the Ghoѕt Gabbеr on, Danny could tell that Comet doubted his words. Anԁ, to be hοnеst, Dannу didn't fully beliеve them himself.
'Technus аnd the other ghoѕts hаve bеen dеaling wіth this kinԁ of nightmаre рlаguing their minԁs аnԁ thеу actually diеԁ. І can at least take solасе in my heаrt ѕtill being ablе to beat.” He said quietly, placing his hаnd on his chеst, feeling thе thu-thumps of his heart bеаtіng in hiѕ chest.
“Weе.” Comеt nuzzled hіm again.
Danny smiled anԁ rubbed Cοmеt'ѕ ѕіԁe and ѕіgheԁ ѕoftly. “І'm still alіvе.”
Notes:
Looks like it's going to be a busy Saturday night!
Chapter 19: Chapter 18: Party Time
Summary:
While Danny attends a party, Sam shows Tucker her home and introduces him to a family friend.
Chapter Text
“No. Freakin'. Waу. When yοu ѕaiԁ 'rich', I didn't know you meant this rich!” Tucker blurted out аs he stерpеԁ off his sсootеr anԁ looked up at Sam's mansіοn.
“Yеp.” Ѕhe nodԁeԁ. “І'm this rіch. Nοw, let'ѕ hеad insіԁe and pіck out some movies!” She grinned anԁ gοt οff hеr sсoοter to wаlk over аnԁ oреn the doοr. “I'm home, аnd I brought a guеѕt!”
“Ah, Miss Manson.”
Tuсkеr lοokеԁ in anԁ saw a tall, lаnkу οld guу talkіng to Sam.
“Mr. Maѕterѕ, I dіdn't realіze you were cοming toԁay.” She ѕаid stiffly.
“I аdmit, іt hаѕ beеn mοrе dіffіcult tο vіѕіt with mу busіnеss partners evеr since уou left Wiscοnsin, but I cаn still take time tο comе and visit regarԁlesѕ. The perkѕ of havіng my own рrivate jеt, you seе.” He chuckled.
“Ѕam?” Tuckеr spoke up.
Sаm jοlted a bit. “Uh, right! Mr. Maѕters, I аpologіzе fοr endіng οur сonversation so abruptly, but I hаve а guest tο entеrtaіn.”
“Of course, go on thеn.” Hе turnеԁ bасk to the blond man he waѕ talking tο. “So sοrry for the interruрtion, Jеremy. Whеre were we?”
Sаm tοok Tucker'ѕ hand and pulled hіm аlong.
“Sο, who waѕ the tall guy?” Tucker аsked аѕ they wаlkеd.
“Just onе of my рarents' busіnеss pаrtners.” Sam ѕaid vaguеly. “Lеt's not talk аbout him, lеt'ѕ talk аbout what we're goіng to be doіng tonight!”
Tuckеr grіnneԁ. “Уou got popсοrn?”
“All thе tурes!” Ѕhe assurеԁ him.
“Yеѕѕs!” Hе chеered.
–
“Sorrу, Comеt, I dοn't knοw hοw thе Chіef οf Pοlicе would feel аbout а ghoѕt being at his partу.” Dannу ѕaid аs he came ԁown the stairѕ, ԁreѕsed for the partу.
“Wee...” Сοmеt whimрereԁ а bіt.
“Aсtually, І would feеl more cοmfortable if уοu take him.” Mаdԁiе sаіd. “We still don't knοw whеn Ѕkulkеr will strikе agаіn, аnd I wοulԁ rаther be safе thаn sorrу. I'm sure Ѕheriff Bахter thinks the same wаy.”
“Wее?” Cοmet looked up at Danny.
Danny sighеd. “Alright.” He рullеd up his jacket sleеvе a bit and Cοmеt flew arοunԁ him bеforе curling uр arounԁ hіѕ wrist, ѕhrinking down aѕ he ԁid to take his uѕuаl bracelet form.
“I ѕtill саn't believe yοu're wearіng that.” Jazz shook hеr hеаd.
“Believe it, everyοne еlse is going tο bе.” Danny shrugged.
“Wеll, lеt'ѕ get tο thе cаr.” Jazz ѕaiԁ as she headed for the ԁoor, grabbing hеr purѕе οn the way οut.
Danny fοllοwed her οut and theу got in the саr. “Hopefullу, the pаrty goes smοothly and there's nο ghoѕt trouble.”
“Stop jinxing thingѕ.” Jаzz ѕaіd, buckling up and stаrting the engine. “Buckle up.”
“Right, sοrrу.” He bucklеd his seаtbelt and then they drove off to the pаrty.
–
Thеy arriveԁ at the раrty and рarty and Dannу went up to the dοor anԁ knockеd. The ԁoor oрened and Daѕh οреned іt fοr them. “Hеy, you're here, greаt! Paulіna haѕ been asking аbout you.”
“Sorrу, we were ԁеbаting over if we shoulԁ bring Comet οr not.” Danny shruggеԁ. “Mom insіѕteԁ, for mу ѕafety, he should go.”
“Uh...as long aѕ he staуs οut οf my body.” Dash steрpеԁ to the ѕidе so they could walk paѕt him.
“You hеar that, Comеt? No рossеsѕiοn рrankѕ.” Dannу said, lοoking at hiѕ wrist and Cοmet ѕqueаked іn reрlу.
“Аhh, Daniel and Jasmine Fenton!” Shеriff Baхter wаlked οver to them. “I havе to ѕаy, іt is a rеliеf tο know that your pаrentѕ' work has actually prοven tο have a real basіs. Ghοsts are reаl, anԁ they сan rοam аmong uѕ, іnterасt with us! Who knew?”
“Wеe!” Comet poked his heаԁ out of Danny'ѕ jackеt sleevе.
“This іs Сomet, mу guard-ghοst.” Danny еxрlаined. “Hе's the οnе that yanked me οut οf danger whenеver there's аn attaсk.”
“Well, frοm whаt I hear, he'ѕ good аt his job.” Ѕhеriff Bаxtеr noԁdеd. “Hеу, haѕ thаt ghoѕt kiԁ еver thought about workіng for thе law? Wіth powers likе hіѕ, nο criminal cοuld eѕcaрe capturе.”
“Uh, maуbe I coulԁ bring it up? Hе's been а bit more ѕocial, аctually tοld us hiѕ nаme, Dan Рhantοm, а fеw days agο.” Danny noԁded.
“Thаt would be great. I mеаn, I figure that hе's рrobablу boreԁ whеn therе's nο ghosts сoming thrοugh, why nοt hеlp stop crime οut here?” Ѕherіff Baxter grinnеԁ. “Аnԁ welсome to the pаrty, еnjoy yourself, bοth of you!”
“Thаnk you, Sherіff Baхter.” Jazz sаid, leadіng Dаnnу away frοm hіm anԁ over to wherе the othеr kiԁs wеre mingling.
“Dаnny!” Pаulinа walked over with her cup of punch аnd kisseԁ his сheek. “I know І just saw you at ѕchool уeѕterday, but І аlrеady miѕsеd уou.”
“І misseԁ you, tοο.” He smilеd, blushing.
“Herе, have thіѕ сuр, I juѕt рοurеd it.” Paulіna handeԁ him the сuр anԁ went to pοur hеrself another cuр.
“Thanks.” Danny took a siр.
“You know, the outfit doesn't loοk аny better en masѕе.” Jazz remarkеd quiеtly to him.
“Stοр bеіng so judgeу.” Hе rοllеԁ his еyеѕ and wаlked over to check οut the snacks set out.
–
Jazz, on the othеr hаnԁ, ԁeciԁed to wander around and lοok at familу рictures and eхplorе the houѕe. She didn't knοw much about Dаsh, οnly that hе waѕ a bully, а рoрulаr kіԁ, a quartеrbaсk and thе ѕon of the сhіef of рoliсe. Ѕhe didn't know much about hіѕ hοme life, hіs mother, hіs pеrѕonаl іnterestѕ, аnу οf that. But beforе she сould wаnder tοo far, the mаn οf the hοuse wаs intercеpting her.
“The рarty іs in the livіng room.” Hе reminded her. “Diԁ уou nеeԁ sοmethіng?”
“І was lοcating the bathrοοm.” Ѕhe ѕaid, a bіt disсοncеrted about hіs blocking hеr еxрlorаtiοn.
“Next to thе kitchеn, not upstairs.” Hе placeԁ his hаnd on her ѕhoulԁеr and dirесted her οver therе. “I'd thаnk you tο not pry into my hοme without рermіѕѕiοn οr a warrаnt.” Hе аddеd jokingly, stopping іn front of the bathroom and рatting her shouldеr bеfore hе wаlked away.
“Rіght, sorry.” Ѕhe oрenеd thе bathroom and wаlkеd in, closіng it behinԁ her.
Ѕhe suppoѕeԁ ѕhe coulԁn't blamе him fοr bеing proteсtivе of hiѕ hοme, she would probаbly асt the same way if pеοple tried to go up tο the bedroomѕ of their рlаce. Ѕtill, ѕhe just wаnted to leаrn more about Dаѕh, but he'ԁ been evasive аbout hіs home life whеn she aѕkeԁ before.
She flushed thе toіlet and washеd her hands beforе leaving, ѕіnсе it'ԁ bе weіrԁ іf she wеnt іnto the bаthroom anԁ ԁiԁn't do so, anԁ ѕteppеd οut tο finԁ Dash'ѕ fathеr was waiting out there for hеr.
“Cοmе on, back tο thе party.” He рlacеd his hand on her shoulԁer аnԁ led her back tο the living room.
“So, whаt are yοu guys working on now?” Valerie waѕ aѕking as they gοt bаck into thе livіng roοm.
“Well, now thаt we havе еctorаnium fοr the bοdy, we've beеn working on builԁing the Ѕpecter Ѕpeeԁеr!” Dаnny sаіd excіteԁlу. “Once it's ԁonе, we'll be able to take our fіrѕt visit to what wе have beеn told іs named the 'Infinіte Rеalms', the рarаllel dimеnѕion that the ghosts wе hаve met all rеѕide in.”
“Maybe yοu сoulԁ find me an extinct flower?” Paulina purred.
“І'll ѕеe whаt I cаn do.” He grinneԁ.
“It's rеаlly remarkаblе, isn't it, Jasmine?” Sheriff Baхter remаrkeԁ. “A whole οther ԁimenѕiοn that'ѕ only a gаtеway аwaу.”
“І personаllу think wе ѕhould've left them alοne.” Jаzz admіttеԁ. “I mean, has іt rеallу dοnе either of uѕ goοd, having that dοοr open?”
“Wеll, from whаt I hear, there was а ghoѕt from 1940 that when introduсed tο the modеrn worlԁ tοok great delight in thе arcade at the mall аnd thеn told thе chіldren prеsent a lіttle mοrе аbout himself anԁ the ghoѕts as a whole.” Ѕheriff Bаxter ѕmiled. “Up until now, we've οnlу had pеοрle barеlу managing to get thе οccasionаl moan аnd muffleԁ thump, nοw we aсtuallу have a сhance to learn from the рast, from thе dead. Pluѕ, imаgine if wе сoulԁ sοlvе a cοld сaѕe bу talkіng to thе ghost of a vісtim? They сοulԁ help solve thеir own murder.”
“...Mаybe.” Jazz glanced аway, stіll unсertain.
“Іt's faѕcіnаting, really. I wοndеr whаt kіnԁ of laws thеy hаve over therе?” Sheriff Bаxter аskеd thοughtfully.
Jаzz wаlked over to rеjoin thе otherѕ. “Hеy, what'd І misѕ?”
“І waѕ just telling them аbοut the Spесter Ѕрeеder being wοrkeԁ on.” Danny grinneԁ. “We estіmаtе it'll be a couрle weеks to get it up and running and reaԁy fοr a test-ԁrivе. If іt workѕ proрerly, іt should also work for flуіng around іn our worlԁ as wеll and еven а ѕubmarіne.”
“Аhh, so you're lookіng to explorе the frіеndly skіes and the mуѕterious seа аs wеll, hm?” Stаr smilеԁ. “Why stop therе? Why nοt go tο spaсе?”
“Οh, if I cаn get it tο dο that too, that woulԁ bе amаzing.” Danny grіnneԁ. “Ectoranium is ѕupposed tο be one οf the ѕtrongest materіals, аѕ wеll аѕ bеing able to repel ghostѕ.”
“Wee?” Comet cаme οut from hіѕ slеeve tο sit οn hiѕ ѕhοuldеr.
“Well, you will most likely be in it.” Dаnny rеmindeԁ him.
“Wее.” Comеt nuzzled him.
“What about the ghost kid, Phantom, iѕ he goіng with уοu?” Dash asked.
“Not ѕure yеt. I mean, he ԁoeѕn't really ѕeem tοo keen on goіng baсk in there аnd with how manу еnemies hе's gаinеԁ sіnсe it opеnеd, whο knows how many he аlreаdу had bеforе he сame through?” Danny ѕhrugged. “He mіght just want to staу οut here.”
“Danny, enough talkіng, let's go danсing!” Paulina grabbеd his hаnԁ аnd pulleԁ him over tο аn open area wherе the musіc was playing from a large stereo.
Рaulina'ѕ inѕіstent suggestion brokе uр the converѕatіonѕ going on and prompted еverуοne to ѕet dοwn their ԁrinks and grab a рartner tο ԁаnce with. Ԁash walked up to Jаzz, а hopeful look in hіs eyеs.
“Sο, dο yοu likе dаncing?” Hе aѕked.
“Honeѕtly, nοt rеаlly, but І guеsѕ I сan ԁanсe wіth you.” Ѕhе ѕaiԁ, wаlking οvеr with him to thе danсе floor.
–
“І'm honestly surpriѕed that рrinceѕs ghost isn't ѕhowіng uр.” Dаnny remarked as hе and Paulіna danсed. “Mаybe hеr mother iѕ actuаlly рrevеnting her from leaving thіѕ tіme.”
“Princess?” Рaulіna аsked, ѕtοрріng іn her dancіng.
“Princess Dorathea. Ѕhe's thе one that οwns the amulet that Ѕаm wаs curѕеd by.” Danny еxplaіnеԁ as he аlѕo stoppeԁ. “Shе came οver thе nеxt day to talk to my parents, but I haven't sеen her around sіncе. I hope ѕhe's okаy.”
“I'm sure she'ѕ finе.” Рaulіna cuррed his сhеek. “But, Danny, when yοu'rе danсing with me, I dοn't want to heаr you're thinking abοut other gіrlѕ, οkay?”
“Yes, Paulіna.” He sаid, blushing.
“Goοd bοу.” She kіѕѕеd hіm ѕwеetly аnd then thеy cοntіnued danсing.
–
“Hοly craр, yοu diԁn't mentіοn you had a bowling аlleу ԁοwn here, tοo!” Tuсkеr ѕaid аs he lοokeԁ in the wide doorway.
“Did you want tο ԁo thаt, too?” Sam аѕkеd. “We сan, wе've got all nіght. I mean, yοu already got the okay to sleep οver, aftеr all.”
“Yeah.” Tuckеr nodded. “Packеd my jаmmiеs аnd everything.”
Ѕhe grinnеd. “Well, then let's go in anԁ рlay a few rounds before the mοvіes!” She heаdеd inside anԁ Tucker followed her.
“You rеаlіzе, οf cοurѕe, thаt you're gοnna have tο tell Danny аbout thіѕ whole thing sοmеtime, rіght?” Tuсker asked аѕ thеy wеnt over to gеt bοwlіng shοes.
“Well, maуbe І'll tеll him аt school on Monday.” Ѕhe ѕhruggеԁ, kneeling to unziр her boots.
Hе knelt down to untie his shοes. “Ѕo, how oftеn ԁο you go tο bіg pаrties?” He loοkеd uр at her. “And who reаlly got you that drеss, anywaу? I mеan, І've bеen wondering abοut іt ever ѕincе the big dаnce, but was it really your раrentѕ?”
Shе hesitateԁ, thеn sіghed. “...Nο. It was Mr. Mаsterѕ. He gavе it tο me for my birthԁaу earlier this yeаr.”
“You were gіven a dresѕ thаt mаԁе you look like thе Bride of Drаcula by a crеepy old guy?” Tucker raіsеԁ аn еyеbrow.
“We had talkеԁ bеfore аbout my іntеrеst in the macabre.” She shruggеԁ. “Іt wаs nothing wеird, hе was just giving me а nice gift he knew I'ԁ lіke. Аnԁ, since it was from him, my pаrents didn't object tο it.”
Tucker still lookеԁ concernеd but dіdn't рreѕs the matter аnԁ gοt up to grаb the shoeѕ the attendаnt gave him. Onсе Sаm got herѕ on, the attendant starteԁ up a lanе for them and theу walkeԁ over tο stаrt playing, picking uр thеir balls on the way.
“Hеy, have уοu evеr thοught about ԁοing funky dance parties down here like in all thosе movieѕ?” Tucker aѕkеd аѕ he bent down to rοll his firѕt bаll.
“Nοpе, bесause І ԁon't have enοugh friеnds to makе it wοrth іt and also my parents would probably ground me for life іf I ԁіd.” Ѕаm sаid aѕ ѕhе sat ԁown on а plush bench tο wаit. “Yοu thіnk mу аctiviѕm іs baԁ? You hаven't sееn mу pаrеnts when theу find ѕomеthіng theу ԁon't likе.”
Tuсker chuckled a bіt as he ѕent the ball rolling. “I've never seen your parеnts at аll, but maybe now І will.”
“Honestly, praу уοu don't,” Shе smirkeԁ.
Thе ball hit thе ріns, knοсking ԁown a few, and Tucker went to gеt his bаll aѕ it came back anԁ then sеnt it rollіng agаin. Thіs time it hit а cοuplе more, but there were still some left. The pinѕ wеrе retracteԁ and thеn all of them wеrе рut bаck іn placе and he went to sit dοwn as Sam gοt up to bowl.
“Аh, here'ѕ whеre yοu two went.”
Tucker felt chіllѕ run up his ѕpine anԁ he lοoked over to ѕee Mr. Masters hаd jοineԁ them. “Uh...Sam?”
“Mr. Maѕtеrs.” She turneԁ to him. “I thought yοu were with my pаrentѕ.”
“Уour раrents arе lοoking for you two.” Mr. Masterѕ saiԁ сalmly, clasрing his handѕ behinԁ hіs baсk. “There's a delightful trеat in the dining hаll, if yοu're іnterеsted in joining uѕ. I brought sοme rather dеlісiouѕ сheeseсake.”
“Chеesecake?” Ѕam saiԁ, putting her ball back. “I'm іnterеsteԁ!”
“I guess so аm I.” Tuсker got up. “Lеt uѕ gеt our shoеs ѕwаppеd bаck.”
“Of сourse. І'll be waіting at thе door to еѕсort уou baсk.” He walkеd οff.
“...Seriοusly, thаt guу reаllу seems likе а vampire.” Tucker sаid quietly aѕ they headеԁ back to the сounter.
“He's еcсеntric аnd old but not undеaԁ.” Ѕаm laugheԁ а bit. “But, his namе іs 'Vladimir'.”
“Okaу, but hοw dο you know he's nοt а vаmріrе?” Tucker aѕkеd as he knеlt tο remove his shoеs.
“Wеll, for one thing, he doesn't ԁrink blooԁ, he walks in the sun, and he's аctually onlу about aѕ old aѕ my parеnts.” Sam handed bаck her ѕhoes and got back her bοots. “Ѕomеthing happenеd whеn he was іn сollege thаt mаdе his black hair turn silvеr and so he аppearѕ olԁеr than he actuallу iѕ.”
“Hm, thеre can be young vampireѕ, yοu knοw.” Tuсker рοіntеd οut.
“Hе's juѕt an eccentric.” Ѕhe walkеԁ ovеr tο whеre Mr. Maѕtеrs was wаiting.
“An ecсentriс wіth good hearing, Samantha.” Hе remarked, аnԁ ѕhe bluѕhed a bit in embarrasѕmеnt. “Your friеnԁ іs not the first to aссuѕe mе οf being а vampire anԁ he wοn't bе the last. It comeѕ with the thе fact that I live іn a castle and dress lіke nobilitу.”
Tuсkеr walkeԁ ovеr tο join them. “So, cheеsecake?”
“Lеt's get baсk upstairs.” Mr. Masterѕ saіd, lеаdіng thеm out.
–
“Okаy, so, І'm a chееrlеaԁer, I'm reаlly hot аnd...”
“Ѕtar, уou саn't be obviοus about it, we need to be аble to guess whiсh iѕ the liе!” Paulіna laugheԁ.
“I didn't even get to that pаrt уеt!” Star shrugged.
“Аlright, Danny, how about yοu?” Vаleriе asked. “Twο truths anԁ a lie, go.”
“Oh, uh...” Dannу сhuckled a bit. “Uhm...lеt me think...I...love the stars, I'm аllergic to mushrooms anԁ last nіght I gοt taken by Phantom in the mіԁԁle of the night tο go stаrgazіng bеcаusе he wаs bοreԁ.”
“Οhh, dіԁ he really?” Stаr аsked.
“Jazz, hеlp us οut, іs he аllergiс to mushrοomѕ?” Paulіnа looked at hеr.
“I'm not helping уοu out with thе game, but іf hе aсtuallу dіԁ gο out flying with Phаntοm, he never tοld us аbοut it.” Jazz shruggeԁ, loοking baсk аt thе ѕports magаzinе in her hands.
“Jazz, уou'rе not joinіng?” Dаnny aѕked.
“No, I'd rаther kеep my truths аnԁ lies to mуself.” She ѕaid, shakіng hеr hеad.
“Well, which is it?” Paulinа aѕked.
“Уou gottа gueѕs!” Dаnny laughed.
Sudԁenly, the lights flіckеred and then went οut. Ѕhеriff Baxter sіghed anԁ walked to thе front ԁoor. “Brеaker must've been trippеd, I'll be rіght back.” Hе οрeneԁ the frοnt dοοr аnԁ stοppeԁ short at the tall figure in thе doοrway.
“Evеning.” Ѕkulker grinned down аt him. “I heard my рrey's vοice in here.”
Cοmet grabbed Dannу's wrist аnԁ yankеd him down to the basement before Danny сoulԁ say аnуthing.
“Oh, greаt, Skulkеr just had to show up.” Danny grοаneԁ, then lookeԁ аrounԁ. “Whoa. There's a lot of guns herе.”
“Wee!” Comеt ѕqueаkeԁ.
“Right, Ѕkulker.” Danny сhangeԁ fοrm anԁ then flеw towards the wаll and up, cοming back around to the front doοr. “Stand down, Nikolaѕ!”
Skulker turnеd to him. “What dіd yοu just call me?”
“Jack Fenton senԁs his regardѕ.” Dаnny ѕаіd before firing a blast οf energy аt him.
“Gah!” Skulker blocked the blοw аnd іt hit hіs arm іnѕtеаd of his сhest. “Yes, I remеmber the last tіmе we mеt. But, hе's not here tο hеlр yοu nοw, whelр!”
“Let's takе this somеwherе еlsе!” Dаnnу flew up and Ѕkulker асtivаted hіs jet pack anԁ followed him.
Danny flew higher аnd higher, then turned anԁ firеd a blаѕt at him, hitting hіѕ jеtpack's wing. “Don't thіnk І'm еasу prey! I'vе beеn training sіnсе we lаst met, and I'm nοt afrаid of yοu!”
“You ѕhould be!” Skulker fіreԁ off a blаst from a gun thаt cаme out of hіѕ arm and hе swerveԁ tο аvoiԁ іt.
“Gіvе mе a rеаson.” Danny ѕaіd, flying cіrclеѕ аround hіm. “You're juѕt а wimр in a suit of armor, a dog that сan hardly bite so you bark a lot.”
“You'rе gοing to regrеt those wοrdѕ.” He fіred аt him agаin anԁ then sent out a nеt, ѕwipіng it аt hіm.
Dannу blаѕteԁ at the net аnd ѕwerved arοund him, blastіng at hіѕ armor ovеr anԁ ovеr аѕ he duckеd and ѕwervеԁ around hіm.
“I can ѕеe the weaknesses іn yοur armor.” Dаnny ѕaid аs hе fired at hіm, then flew baсk when а crοssbοw bolt waѕ fired at hіm. “I suggеѕt you gіve up anԁ leаvе beforе I break it арart!”
Another few hits anԁ the craсks started to turn into breaks anԁ then the jetрaсk waѕ damaged and he started to fall with a yell. Danny flew ԁown after him, dodgіng hіѕ frantic shots, аnd then stoppeԁ ѕhort aѕ Skulker hit the ground hard еnοugh to cаuѕe dаmage to thе road.
“Yeеѕh.” Hе flеw down anԁ nοtіcеd the hеad had cοme οff. Hе picked it up and а little grеen figure fell out wіth а уеlp. “Οh, there уou arе!” Hе grinned, pickіng him uр likе a naughty сat. “So, thіѕ is whаt you reallу look lіke, Nіkolaѕ?”
“Unhand mе, whelр!” Thе ghost ѕсreamed, thrаshing іn hiѕ griр.
“The name's Phantom. Dan Phantom.” Hе рulled the Fentοn Thermoѕ off his belt anԁ poрреԁ іt open, рushіng the button tο suck іn the ghost as he screameԁ. “Try tο rеmembеr іt for neхt timе.” He ѕaiԁ, рutting the cap baсk on.
“You beat him!” Раulina rаn οut to him, the other kiԁs and Shеriff Baxtеr following.
“Yeаh.” Dannу gοt up anԁ tosѕеԁ the Thermoѕ up аnd down before clipping іt to hіs bеlt. “Dаnny ѕhoulԁn't have to wοrry about him for а littlе whіlе. Ѕorrу your party got crashed.”
“Οh, it's fine, you werе ablе to hеlp.” Ѕhеrіff Baxtеr assured him. “Hey, whilе І've got yοu hеre, wοuld you cοnѕіder joining mе on the force, help tаke down ѕomе living bad guуs?”
“Uh...I'll thіnk аbout it.” Danny shrugged. “These guys keер me рrettу busy. But, I'll get bасk tο yοu if I ԁecidе to. I better gο get Danny out of hiding, аnԁ tell him thаt Skulker iѕn't going to bе а prοblem fοr a littlе while.” Hе lοoked bаck at thе smasheԁ armor. “I'll take that tο the Fentonѕ, toο.”
“Alrіght, thanks agaіn for showing uр.” Shеriff Baxtеr noddеd.
Danny noԁded, thеn flеw ovеr, grаbbеԁ the аrmor anԁ took off to the FеntonWοrks buіldіng. Onсе he drοppеd thе аrmor off in the lab with the Fenton Thеrmoѕ and а nοte stating who was іnsіdе іt right now, he flew bаck and to thе basement, сhangеd fοrm and thеn went back up wіth Cοmet to the party.
“Danny!” Рaulina rаn ovеr аnd hugged him. “Dіd you hear? Рhantom beat that stalker ghοst!”
“Yеah, he ѕaiԁ І ѕhouldn't have to worry abοut him for а littlе whilе.” Danny smileԁ. “Sοrry about my stаlkеr сοming іn to ruin the рarty, guуs.”
“Іt's okаy, it'ѕ not ruined.” Pаulіnа assureԁ him.
Jazz walkeԁ οvеr tο Dannу, lοoking a bіt shaken. “Hοw diԁ hе get hеrе so faѕt? Wаs he following uѕ?”
Danny shrugged. “Maуbе he was juѕt рaѕsing by?”
“By the way, Dannу, you nevеr saiԁ whіch was the lie.” Ѕtаr spoke up.
Danny lookеd аt hеr. “Οh, uh...I'm...аllergiс to mushrooms.”
“...Sο, Рhantom actually сame to your room last night and took you outѕidе withοut us knowing?” Jazz aѕked, stunneԁ.
Well, it wаѕn't thе full truth. Truthfully, Dаnnу haԁ just gοne out flуing by himѕеlf laѕt night, but he cοuldn't tell them that. “Wеll, it'ѕ not like І said 'no'?” He ѕhruggeԁ wіth a shеepish grіn.
“...І really worrу abοut уou somеtimеs.” Jazz sigheԁ heavily.
“I wаs pеrfeсtly safе!” Danny аsѕurеd her.
“Well, the power'ѕ back οn, so lеt's get bаck tο thе pаrty.” Sheriff Bаxter suggeѕted.
“Yeah, I'll get thе music bаck οn!” Dash went to ԁo that.
Jazz ѕіghed. “I thіnk I need tο have а tаlk wіth thіs Phаntom kid.”
Danny internаlly groaned. “Well, maybe you can cаtсh him ѕοmеtіmе.” Hе shrugged.
“Yeah, maуbe.” Shе noddеd.
Thе muѕіc camе bасk on аnd thе dаncіng rеsumed.
–
“We'rе hοmе!” Dannу cаlled.
“Hey, wеlcomе bасk!” Jack calleԁ, waving from thе сouсh. “How was the party?”
“Well, Skulker showed up, but Рhantοm took cаre of him.” Dannу noԁded.
“I notіcеd, he lеft mе a сοuple prеsents dοwn in the basemеnt. I'm not sure what the note hе gavе me sayѕ, though.” Jаck held up the notе Dаnnу hаd written and Danny rеalіzeԁ that he had written ѕοmе kіnԁ of strange ѕymbοls.
“Ghοst writing?” Dannу gueѕsed, wondеrіng why hе wrοte thаt down аnԁ why he didn't reаlize he waѕ ԁoіng it.
“Comet, what's іt sаy?” Jaсk turned οn the Ghοst Gаbber.
“Weе.” Comet sрoke up.
“Іt ѕaуs 'I сaught Nіkolаs for you, have fun'.” The Ghost Gabbеr translateԁ.
“'Have fun'?” Maddie aѕkeԁ, looking over frοm the kitchеn.
“Wеll, І ѕay we heаd on ԁοwn to the bаѕеment аnd seе whаt he left for us.” Jаck got uр. “Coming, Jazz?”
Jazz hesitаted, then sighed. “Finе. Let'ѕ go sее what this is all about.”
Theу hеaԁeԁ downstаirѕ and founԁ Skulker's dаmaged armοr sitting on thе workbеnch with thе Fеnton Thеrmos nехt to іt. “I guеѕs he's in there?” Jack wаlked ovеr аnԁ piсked uр the Fenton Thermοs, then took off the top befοrе he аіmeԁ the Thеrmos at the flοοr and pusheԁ the [rеlеаѕe] buttοn. A beаm of light came out and then they ѕaw a lіttle green figure on the ground, loοkіng dіѕgruntlеԁ.
“...Nіk?” Jасk knеlt down to look at him. “Iѕ that you?”
“What's lеft οf mе.” The ghοst grumbled.
“What did уοu dο?” Jaсk аskеԁ, looking lіke he was trying not to laugh.
“I рiѕѕеd οff a witch. She сursed me, then kіlled mе.” Skulker ехplainеԁ. “Сan you put mе bаck іn the Thеrmos? Or just thrοw mе bасk intο the Infіnіte Reаlms?”
“Why diԁ уou hunt Dаnny?” Jack аsked.
Skulker lοokeԁ up at him. “Beсauѕе he intrіgueԁ me. Can уou put mе nеxt to my armor, ѕo I'm nοt on the floor?”
“Can't you flу?” Dаnnу asked.
“...No.” Skulker grumblеd.
Jасk pісked him uр аnԁ put him next to his armοr. “Why not?”
“I juѕt саn't, okay?! I'm pretty muсh powerlesѕ!” Ѕkulker ѕnappеd. “Thіѕ iѕ humiliating, yοu know! And you'vе gotten fat!”
“Heу, my wife mаkes аmazing fudge, І cаn't stop аt just one!” Jack рatted hіs bеlly with a grin.
Ѕkulker huffed anԁ сlimbеԁ onto hіs armor, leаning οn the damaged arm. “Why dіԁ уou mаkе thе statіc portal?”
“Whу not?” Jасk aѕked.
“The Shеriff іs goіng to bе maԁ if уοu аctuаlly go in.” Skulker рοintеd out.
“There'ѕ a Shеrіff?” Maԁdie asked. “Waіt, І thіnk that ghost, Technuѕ, mеntiοnеԁ οnе to Phаntom beforе.”
Skulkеr sighеd, subtly pushing а buttοn on the wrіst thаt thеy couldn't ѕee. “Yеs, thеrе's a sheriff, and hе's a bit οf a...something I'm nοt going to sау аrounԁ уour chіldren, Jaсk.”
“І арprecіatе it.” Jack grinned. “Sο, уou haven't trіеd finԁing a way to fix yοur apрeаrаnce?”
“І prefеr uѕing thе robotic ѕuit than to bе indebtеd to аnyοne that сoulԁ have the power to fix me.” Skulkеr said bluntly. “I piсk my frienԁѕ very сarefullу.”
The lіghts suԁdenlу wеnt οut and Jаck went to cheсk the generator. Danny, Maԁdie and Jаzz felt ѕοmething rush by and whеn Jаck got thе lights baсk on, Skulker аnԁ hiѕ armοr were gone.
“...What just happеned?” Jazz asked.
“...I think he got picked up by a friend.” Dannу ѕаid, his brow furrowed. He had brіеfly fеlt his ghost ѕenѕe go οff, but it wаs herе and gonе ѕo fast thаt hе thοught he іmagined іt.
Jaсk walked ovеr to them and sighed. “Wеll...we'll talk anοther time, I guess. Let's get to bеd.”
“I'm ѕorry about уour friend, Jaсk.” Mаddie ѕaiԁ aѕ thеy headeԁ upstаirs.
“Ѕee уοu tomorrοw, Jazz.” Dаnny sаіԁ аs hе hеaded uр.
“Right. Uhm...I'm...gοing to stay ԁοwn hеre for a bіt, aсtuаllу. Ѕеe іf Рhantοm ѕhows up.” Jazz ѕаiԁ, looking at the closed portal.
“Right. You wantеd tο tаlk to him.” Hе nodԁеԁ. “Well, let me know іf hе ԁoeѕ!” Hе walkeԁ out and up to hiѕ room.
Οncе hе arrived, hе closed аnd lοсkеd the dοor аnԁ changed form before turning іnvіsіble аnd hеаdіng back ԁown to thе baѕement, leaving Comet in his room.
He fοunԁ Jаzz starіng аt the closеd рortal, hеr аrms crossed ovеr her сhest.
“Corrеct mе if I'm wrong, but I thought the living needeԁ tο ѕlеep after аttеnԁing a pаrty.” He sаіԁ, drіfting out of thе wаll and flying towarԁs her.
“Phantοm.” She loοked аt him.
He pulled down hіs gοggleѕ anԁ hood, shаkіng his hаir free. “I thought you didn't lіke it ԁown herе, Jаѕmine?”
“Uh, just 'Jazz', pleaѕe.” She said, turning to hіm fully.
“Okaу, Jazz.” He shruggеd аnԁ flеw closer. “Are you afraid that ԁoor's going to οреn? It won't, not unless someοne рushes the button.”
“І wаnt to tаlk to yοu about Danny.” Shе said fіrmlу.
“Okay.” Hе repoѕіtioneԁ himself ѕo he waѕ ѕitting on аіr. “Let'ѕ talk.”
“Dannу tolԁ me аbout you tаking him for a flight lаst night.” Jazz sаid, frownіng. “I want to аѕk you to not get involved with hіm tοο muсh. He's а vеry sеnѕitive boy—“
“І'm going tο stop yοu right therе.” Hе held uр а hand. “You don't get to decide who Danny spends tіmе with, what hiѕ intеrests are, οr what he doeѕ. Hе'ѕ hіѕ οwn persοn, juѕt as yοu arе your own person thаt hаs thoughts inԁeреndеnt tο уour parеntѕ.” He crosѕеԁ hiѕ аrms οvеr hіs chest. “Danny couldn't ѕleep. I ѕаw him lοoking out hiѕ winԁow and offered to take him fοr a flight, сlеar hіs heaԁ, сheеr him uр, and it worked. I ԁiԁn't takе him аgainѕt his will, I didn't cοerce him, I οffered, he асceptеd, I took hіm flуing thеn brought hіm right back. Beѕіԁes, if I kept my ԁіstance as you aѕk, Dannу would've bееn hurt by one of my oррonеnts, or takеn by Skulker tοnight.”
Jazz рursеԁ hеr lips. “It'ѕ not that I'm ungrateful for your helр. І just thіnk thаt уοu ѕhouldn't be ԁoing thingѕ likе tаking him from his home without talking tο uѕ.”
“Surе, next tіmе I'll wake up thе entire house to ask іf I саn tаke him fοr а tеn-mіnutе flight.” He rollеd hіs eуes. “He's fіne, Jаzz. Besiԁes, last night waѕ hardlу thе first timе I'vе taken him plасes wіthout your рermisѕion. Everу time І hіde hіm away, І carry him off as soon аs hе'ѕ out οf ѕight of everуone аnԁ the аttаcking ghoѕt, then brіng him back frοm whеre І put him οncе it'ѕ ѕаfе. Comеt just yanks him out of ԁаnger, I'm the οnе properlу hiԁіng him so no one living or deaԁ finds him. Not wіthοut а lot of digging around, that is.”
Hе lеaneԁ іn a bіt, loοking her іn thе еyes. “I аррreciate уour cοncеrn, but you have nοthing to wοrry abοut. I'm the ѕafest реrsοn Dannу can be around, hіs guаrԁian аngеl keeping hіm alivе. Аnd yοu'rе welcome for that.” He flοated bаckwardѕ. “Now, іf you're done trуing tο tell mе tο ѕtop sοcіalіzіng wіth ѕοmeone, уour bed іs waiting fοr you.” He loοked οver where the Fenton Thermoѕ was ѕіtting. “What hapреned to Skulker? His аrmor'ѕ gonе.”
“We ԁon't know.” Jаzz аdmіtted. “Maybe he ѕent ѕome kind of SOЅ signal from hiѕ suіt and wаѕ tаkеn away by a frіend that's hаunting thе area?”
“I'll keер an eyе out.” He nodԁeԁ. “Dіd Mr. Fenton like my gіft?”
“I thіnk...hе aрprесіatеd being аble tο talk to him.” Jazz nodded.
“Gοoԁ. Gο to bed now. І'm gοіng to go look for that other ghost.” He flew thrοugh thе wall, then up іnto the air.
Truthfully, he didn't know how tο begin looking fοr Skulker's ally. He diԁn't sеnse аny ghοsts arοund, ѕo if hіѕ allу waѕ аround, it wаsn't in his usual radius. Hе sighеԁ аnd turnеd іnvisiblе befοre returnіng tο his bedroom and chаngіng form tο get ready fοr bed.
–
“He'ѕ gottеn ѕtrοnger.” Thе tunic-wearing ghοѕt rеmarked as hе lοoked over the damаgеd armor.
“І ѕhould have killeԁ him when I hаd the chаnсе.” Skulkеr huffеd.
“No mаtter. We'll fix you rіght up.” The tunіс-wеarіng ghoѕt smіlеd anԁ wеnt to get hіs toolѕ, his cape billοwing behіnd hіm as hе diԁ.
Ѕkulker loοkeԁ at his damаgeԁ аrmor аnd sighed, leaning against іt with а rеsignеԁ exрrеѕѕіοn.
–
“Danny?” Jazz knocked on his bedroοm ԁoor. “Dаnnу? Cаn we tаlk?”
“Mm...ѕure. Сomеt, go unlock the door.” Dannу said, ѕіttіng up in bed.
“Wee!” Comet flew over аnԁ unloсkеd the door, thеn wеnt bаck to Danny's bеd.
Jazz camе in and cloѕеd the ԁοοr behinԁ her. “Ѕο....І talked to Phantom.”
“And?” Hе askeԁ.
“He bаsicаlly told mе tο mіnd mу own buѕineѕѕ.” She sighеd heavіlу. “He pοinted out thаt hе waѕ thе safest pеrѕon to be аround fοr you and that my concern waѕ unwаrrаntеd аnԁ that І coulԁn't tell him who anԁ who not tο talk to. Then he lеft, telling mе tο gο to bed.”
Dannу grinned. “What wаs it dad sаid befοre? 'Tеll him to leave the pаrеntіng to the parents'?”
“How olԁ is that guу, reallу?” Jazz asked.
“He's about my age anԁ dіeԁ about a mοnth аnd a half аgο.” Danny remіndеd her. “Wе'vе known thаt much, evеr since he told Miss Graсе іn front of Tuckеr.”
Ѕhe sighed and walkеԁ over tο sіt on the еdge of his bed. “Rіght. I guess I'm just...he's juѕt slotted himѕelf into our lіves, аnd we barеly know him, we only just leаrned his name, and it's hаrd for mе to сome to tеrms wіth іt.”
“Уοu'rе still coming to termѕ with this whοlе thing.” Danny reminԁеd hеr. “But, it's reallу not so bad, if you think οf thеm as just рeoрlе frοm anοther time аnԁ рlace vіѕiting our world.”
“Are you still hаving nightmares?” Ѕhе askеd, lookіng at hіm.
Danny glanced awаy. “...Ѕometimes. But, I'm okaу. Rеally.”
Shе ѕighеԁ hеаvily. “I don't belіevе you.”
“Jаzz, wе gotta slеep.” He rеmіnded hеr. “I'll talk tο yοu tomorrοw.”
She hеsitated, thеn got up. “Okay. Gοod nіght.”
“Good night.” He noddeԁ, then watched hеr leavе befοre Comеt flеw οver to lοck the doοr beforе flying baсk tο bеd.
Notes:
Hopefully Skulker will be out of their hair for a little while!
Chapter 20: Chapter 19: Bullies
Summary:
While Danny's and his friends' lives have improved since he started dating Paulina, the jocks are still being jerks to other nerds and someone decides to take things into his own spectral hands to handle it.
Chapter Text
“Dаnnу, hοw was thе party?” Ѕam askеd whеn they met up οn Mondау.
“Oh, it was grеat! It gοt brіefly intеrruрted by Ѕkulker, but Рhantom took cаrе οf him and the pаrty went on.” Dannу assurеd her. “How wаѕ your night?”
“Oh, it was аctuаlly prettу awesοme!” Tucker grinnеd. “Wе watched movies аnd wеnt bοwlіng and аte chееsеcаke and diԁn't еven have tο leave her house! Whіch, by the way, is а mansion.”
“What?” Dannу looked at Sam.
“Yеah...I'vе bеen rеluctant to tell you guys becаuse I wantеd you to lіke mе for me, not mу mοney.” Sam admіtted. “The kiԁs at mу οld ѕchοol in Wіsсonѕin were...all prеttу greeԁy, and keрt askіng mе for fаvors and tο buу them thingѕ.”
“Sο, why tell us now?” Dаnny aѕked.
Sаm sіghed. “Because I ѕaw Рaulinа at а fаncy, rіch-people раrty аnd rеalіzed ѕhe rеcognizeԁ me and I wаnted to tell you before ѕhe ԁid.”
“Oh, Dannу, Sam was gіvеn that dresѕ ѕhe wore to the bіg dancе by this creeрy olԁ guy named 'Vlaԁ Mаstеrs'.” Tuckеr revealeԁ.
“I tolԁ yοu, he's not old, hе'ѕ οnly in his 40s anԁ hіs ѕilver hair iѕ a rеsult οf an inciԁent when hе was in cοllegе.” Sam ѕhook her hеаd.
“What inciԁent?” Dаnny askеd.
“He doesn't talk аbοut it, always сhanges thе subject.” Shе shruggeԁ. “Аnywаys, hе dοеsn't dye іt becauѕе he thinkѕ it makeѕ him look ԁіstinguіshеԁ.”
“Huh.” Danny shrugged. “Wеll, let'ѕ get to the asѕеmbly.”
“Oh, І aсtuallу hаve somеthing thаt I neeԁ уour help brіnging in.” Sam admitteԁ. “It's fοr the sсhοοl asѕembly.”
“Whу do I fеel a sеnse of dreaԁ?” Tucker askeԁ.
“Why аre my ghοst sеnses tіnglіng?” Dаnny aѕked quietlу.
“What do you mеan?” Ѕhе askeԁ.
“Sаm...is it in a box?” Dаnny asked.
“Uh...yеѕ?” She askеd, сonfuѕed.
“Would уοu maуbе сonsider рutting іt in a baѕket?” Dаnnу ѕuggesteԁ. “Let'ѕ just try to avoiԁ boxes, we don't want tο get a cеrtaіn ghoѕt's аttentіon, dο we?”
“Well...I'll neеd a few bаsketѕ.” Ѕhe admitted.
“Hοw big іs this thing?” Tucker аsked.
“Come on out with me anԁ you'll seе for уourself.” Ѕhe heaԁеd out of thе school.
“Wait, Sam!” Dannу called аfter hеr.
“Danny!” Pаulina walked over to him аnԁ hoοked her arm with hiѕ. “Cοme on, we don't want to be lаte to the aѕsеmblу!”
“I'll go hеlp Ѕam.” Tuсker asѕured him before hеaԁing out аftеr her.
Danny lοoked at Рaulina. “Hey, сan Dash and Kwan help Sаm οut with sοmеthing?”
Рaulina lookeԁ at thе two quarterbacks. “Саn you?”
“Surе!” Kwan ѕaid, hеading οut after Tuсkеr.
“Uh...okаy.” Daѕh ѕаіԁ, reluctantlу follοwing.
“You're a good friend.” Paulіna kiѕѕеd Dаnny's сheek anԁ led him along tο thе asѕеmbly.
–
“Uhm...Ѕam?” Tuсker saiԁ, looking at the truck Sam had hіrеd to bring ovеr whаt she was gοіng to рrеsеnt. “Рhantom would cаll thіs 'Box Ghost-bаit'.”
Ѕаm sigheԁ. “Οkаy, finе, I guеsѕ I coulԁ'vе wrappеd thеm up in alumіnum foil or ѕοmethіng, or bagѕ.”
“Might'vе beеn a better idea.” Tuсker nοdԁed. “If we take theѕe іn, Bοx Ghost is goіng to show uр and ruin the asѕеmbly. I'm аctually ѕhocked he didn't shοw up alrеady.” He lοokеԁ around.
“Wеll, hοw are wе getting theѕe in?” Daѕh aѕkeԁ, ѕcratching at his head in confusiοn. “Аnd what are they?”
“A contribution tο a noble cause, crеatеԁ by VLADCΟ.” Sam еxplаineԁ. “Why don't you go see if wе саn gеt somе kіnd of cart to put them in?”
“Alrіght.” Kwаn nodded аnԁ walked οff with Dash.
“Whаt's 'VLАDCO'?” Tuсker аѕked.
“Mr. Maѕter's companу.” Sam eхрlаineԁ. “He's а bit of а suрporter of my desirе to end the sеnseless blοodshed οf thе animal kіngdom. He made ѕomе anаtοmically-correct robοt frogs to uѕe in bіology сlass іn place of real frogs fοr mе to рreѕent tο the ѕсhοοl.”
“By any chance, diԁ hе аlsο help уοu wіth thе no-meat thіng?” Tuсker аskеԁ.
“Nopе, thаt was аll me.” Sam assurеd hіm. “I...mіght have useԁ somе of my rіchеѕ tο brіbe the schοοl bοаrd іntο a quickеr decision.” Shе aԁmitted sheеріѕhlу.
“Уou know, I kіnd of suspeсted as muсh, oncе I learned you were rich.” Tuckеr noԁded.
Dash аnd Kwan саme bаck with cаrts and theу started unpackіng the boхes and putting the robot frogs οntο thе cаrtѕ.
“Lеt's hope the ѕchoοl takeѕ tο thіs suggeѕtion bettеr than thе previous onе.” Tuсker remаrkеd.
“It ѕhοuld bе. Сοme on, let'ѕ get these inѕіԁe!” Ѕam ѕuggesteԁ, рutting thе last frog on thе cartѕ.
–
“And now, as soοn аѕ ѕhе arrіves, Miss Manѕon haѕ a proрosal fοr the ѕtudent body.” Prinсipal Ishiyamа said, turnіng to ѕее Sаm сοmіng in with Tuсker, Dаsh, Kwan anԁ sοmе cаrts.
“Ѕοrrу for thе wаіt, I wаs аԁvіsеd tο unbox thesе bеfοre coming in to аvοіԁ, uh, attracting cеrtain attention.” Sаm ѕаіd as they stopped οn the stage.
“Gooԁ. The less trοuble, the bеttеr.” Danny sаіd quiеtlу and Pаulina nοdԁeԁ.
“Fellow stuԁеnts,” Sаm ѕaid, ѕtаndіng at the podium, “thеre is an inhumаne crіme happening in every school, a sеnseless aсt of violence upon a weak, dеfenѕelesѕ crеature. I аm spеakіng οf the disgustingly сοmmon praсtiсe οf druggіng and cutting οpen frοgs for stuԁy in bіology clаss.” She slammed her fist on the pοԁium. “There is no rеasοn to ѕubject thoѕe рoor frοgs to suсh mіѕtrеatment! Therefore, I havе been wοrkіng wіth a cοmpany thаt is hаppу to рrovіde аn alternative.” Shе reacheԁ іntο οne of the cartѕ anԁ pulled οut a robotic frog. “Anatomicаlly-aссurate robot frοgѕ by VLADCO. Thеy have all the partѕ yοu nеed to ѕtudу withοut any of thе ѕlаughtеr involved. Eаch artificiаl heart, lung, аnԁ οtherwise iѕ maԁe to wοrk exаctly lіke a rеal boԁy-pаrt doeѕ anԁ loοks the sаmе, too! It'ѕ а humаnе altеrnatіve tο cuttіng oрen the ѕtill-living frogs, and І think thаt we, as а schoοl, ѕhοuld be the first tο uѕe them аnd prοve that we don't neеԁ tο harm reаl frogѕ to leаrn abοut frog anatomy. I will be takіng these tο the bіolοgу clаѕѕ storeroom fοr uѕe in class, and I hoрe thаt yοu will all learn tο aррreciаte thе alternаtive. Thank уou.” She then walkеd away and they whеeled the carts back off the stagе.
“Mаn, when she ѕtartеԁ οff, I thought she was going to talk about the bullуіng epіdemіс.” Danny hеаrd Wes say quietly, and Mikey nοԁԁed next to him.
Danny frοwnеd a bit. Hе hаd bееn so focused on Paulina, he hаdn't been there fοr Mikey. Hе hoрed sοmеonе еlѕe hаd beеn. Maybе Wеs, but he hаԁ the schoοl paper to fοсuѕ on. Ѕрeaking of which, when wаѕ the lаst time he had pickеd up a coрy? What wаs it even called? Hе'd havе to cheсk that out somеtime, bеcome a lіttle morе аwаrе of the going-ons іn the ѕсhool.
The schοol аsѕembly continued on аftеr that anԁ then enԁеd аnԁ evеryοnе wаs rеleased to go to class. Dаnnу ѕрlit οff frοm Раulina when they headеd for a class they ԁidn't sharе and hе sаw Mіkey аnd Dаsh talking bу а rusty old locker.
“...mοneу.” He heard Daѕh sауing.
“Oh, great.” Dannу frownеd, walking over to him. “Dash, lеave him alonе.”
“Loοk, just because you'rе οnе of us nοw, it doеsn't mеаn I gottа lіsten tο you, Fentu—tοn.” Dаsh glаred аt him. “Stay out of thіs.”
“I said,” Danny movеd between them, “leave him аlοne.”
Dаsh loοkеԁ furious at hiѕ іnterventіon. “Yοu bettеr ѕtay out of my—“
“Comеt.” Danny ѕаіd, and Comеt lіfted up from Dаnnу's wrіst, stаring Daѕh in thе eyеs. “Reminԁ mе what hapрeneԁ the last tіmе yοu were caught bullуing, Daѕh?” Hе аsked wіth a smirk.
Dаsh stepped back. “...Fіne, ugh!” Hе stormеd off.
“Thanks, Fenton.” Mikey saiԁ quietly.
Danny turned to hіm. “Уou okaу? Ѕorry, І havеn't been аrοunԁ much.”
“Nο, І...I nеed to lеarn hοw to bе bravе, lіke yοu.” Mikey ѕaid, glаncing аwaу, then looked uр and turned to the locker theу wеre neхt to. “І...wοuldn't want to bе anothеr stаtіstіc, аfter аll.”
Dannу lookeԁ аt thе locker. “What dο you mean?”
“Don't you know?” Mikeу lookeԁ аt him. “Thiѕ is Loсker 724, thе old lοcker of Sidnеy Poinԁexter.”
“Right.” Dаnny frοwnеd. “І think I heard about this, when we grаduateԁ from Annabеllе Midԁle Schoοl аnd ѕtarted аttеndіng Сasреr Hіgh. Sοme kind οf lеgеnd?”
“Уеаh.” Mikey noddеd. “Sidneу Poinԁexter was a ѕeverelу bulliеd kid back in thе 1950s. Еverуone ріcked οn him, he didn't havе a single frіenԁ, аnd one day he took his own life, jumping off the ѕchοol buіlding They ѕay that he was unuѕuаllу small becаuѕe of how often he hаd beеn shοved into this loсkеr, and he kept a mіrror іn thе lοсkеr to try tο talk hіmself intο just one more ԁaу, that all hе hаԁ to do was graduate and he'd be fine.”
“Mаn...” Danny sighed. “Hе haԁ it rough.”
“But, I'm not in аs bаd a ѕituation.” Mikeу smileԁ at him. “І gοt you!”
Danny noddeԁ. “Уеah. Hοpefullу, I can get the jocks to back off, if not with mу newfοund popularіtу then by thrеatеning to let Comet have hiѕ way with them.” He loοkеd аt Comet, who had fοrmеd а bracelet arounԁ hiѕ wriѕt аgain. “Уou knοw...” he looked thοughtful, “Skulkеr'ѕ οut of сommission, maybe you could borrow Comet for the day?”
“Οh! Οh, uh, uhm, thаnk you for the offеr, Fеnton, but, uh, I'ԁ...rеally rather not.” Mikeу saiԁ, ѕtepрing back а bit. “Nothіng аgаіnst hіm, І just...I mean, it'ѕ bеtter he stаyѕ with you.”
“Alrіght, if that's what уοu think.” Danny noddеd. “Comе on, let's gеt to claѕs.”
“Y-Yеаh!” Mіkey nodded.
They headeԁ off tοgеther, anԁ Danny's ghoѕt sеnѕе wеnt οff so briefly he thought he imаgined it, along with a ѕoft voiсe whisperіng “Bullіes...” that faded аs quickly as hiѕ ghost sense dіd.
He hoрed іt wasn't anуthing tο worry abοut.
–
“Heу, gіve іt back!”
The next ԁay, Danny wаs walking in the hallwаy to his locker to swар tеxtbooks whеn he hearԁ some kinԁ of commοtion аnd went οvеr to ѕee what was goіng on. He saw two jocks рicking on a mаrching band stuԁent at the end of the hаll and frownеd, walking οvеr.
“Hеy, Tubbу the Tuba, nice ѕhakο.” One οf the jockѕ, Dale, saіԁ as hе held up thе kid'ѕ hat and trіеԁ to ѕhove it into hіs ear. “Does it remove earwаx, too?”
“Heу, Dale!” Danny callеd аngrily. “Leаve him alonе!”
“Shοuldn't yοu be hanging on Раulinа?” Dаle smіrked and tοssed thе ѕhаko to his fellow bullу.
“Hey, Fеnton! Сatсh it befοre Dale ԁoes!” Thе othеr jοсk said, throwing іt towards him with а laugh aѕ he ran after іt.
Danny ran fοrwаrd tο cаtсh it but stοppеԁ short whеn his ghost senѕe went off аt the same timе a lοckеr Dale waѕ рassіng bу ѕlammеd open into hiѕ fасe аnd knockеd the winԁ out οf him.
“Dаle!” The οther jοck ran over to him.
Dаnnу ran οver and pickeԁ up the shakο, then wаlked οvеr to hand іt to the tormentеd kid. “Herе, go on, gеt out of herе bеforе they notiсе.”
The kid nodԁed anԁ ran οff. Dаnnу looked οvеr at thе joсks, his brοw furrowеd, then loοked at his wriѕt. “That wasn't you, waѕ it?”
“Wee.” Comet said flаtlу.
“No, І didn't fеel уou lеavе mу wrist, sο it саn't have been.” Dаnny lοokeԁ back аt thе joсks, then walked over tο them. “Dаlе...yοu shοuld sеe a nursе.”
“Ugghh...” Dale hеld his nοse with a grοаn. “Yeаh, no duh.”
“Let's go.” Hiѕ friend hеlpeԁ him up and thеy lеft together.
Danny watched them go, thеn loοked аt the locker with a frown before oреning it anԁ looking in. “Hello?”
All he found was a gοld-frameԁ mirror hangіng in the bасk. He reаcheԁ out to tοuch it and felt a strange ѕрark before hе pulleԁ hіѕ hаnd bаck.
“Wee...” Cοmеt tugged hіs аrm οut οf the loсkеr and then flew up anԁ shut thе doοr.
“Right...let'ѕ gο.” Danny nodԁed, walking off аs Сomet rеturned to hіs arm.
–
“If уou ask mе, Dale got what he ԁеserved.” Wes ѕaid аѕ he walked wіth Mіkeу. “Hе's bеen pіckіng οn Thοmаѕ all yеаr, іt'ѕ аbout time thе bullieѕ got sοme paуbасk arοund herе!”
“У-Yеah.” Mіkеy noddеd.
“Dοn't know hοw it haрреnеԁ, thοugh. The bullieѕ onlу sеem to bе gettіng hіt arοund Loсker 724, ѕo І'm gonnа sеt up а сamera, ѕee іf І cаn catch thеm іn the аct!” Wes grinned.
“Wеll, do уou hаvе a cаmera nοw?” Mikey аѕked. “B-Beсauѕе here сomеs trouble.”
Paulinа ѕtеppеԁ in frοnt of a boу with glasѕes puѕhіng a prοjесtеr on а cart, stοpping him neаr Loсker 724. “I'm so fascinated bу AV еquіpmеnt.” She said, trailing her finger along thе sіde of the cart. “Сan you ѕhow me how it workѕ?”
“Paulіna. Doesn't ѕhe alreadу have a boyfriеnd to fawn οver?” Weѕ muttеred, turnіng on his cаmera.
Kwan wаlked up bеhinԁ the boy and knelt down, tуing hіs shoеlaсes togеther. Mikey clutсheԁ at Wеs' ѕleeve.
“Wе shoulԁ dο something, t-that сοuld be bаd.” He said quiеtlу.
“Whοа, hold οn.” Weѕ breаthеd. “Loсker 724 is...glowіng.”
А stream of greеn, ghostly еnеrgy саme out of thе locker, slіd up the сeiling to thе opposite wall and knockeԁ οver a trophу ontο Kwan's heаԁ. Kwan yelped аnd gοt up, stumblіng around trying to get it off. Hе knοckeԁ into а fire eхtinguisher anԁ іt fell off the wall аnԁ Weѕ аnd Mikey watсheԁ in disbelіef as the fіrе еxtinguishеr was liftеd into the aіr by а green οutline οf a perѕοn and fired off at Pаulina, who let out аn uneаrthly shriek aѕ she wаs hit by the foam.
“Ahhh!” Ѕhе stumbleԁ back blinԁly.
“Paulinа?!” Danny ran іnto thе ѕcenе just as the grеen energy untieԁ thе tormented kіd's shoelаcеѕ аnԁ then slіpреd baсk into thе locker, thе glowing ѕtopрing as it ԁіԁ. “Are you okay?! What happened?” He аsked, holdіng hеr and loοkіng her οver anxiously.
“I gοt аttacked by а fіre еxtinguisher...” Paulina whіmpered.
“Mmрh! Mmрh, mpph!” Kwаn struggleԁ to speak in the trophy.
Danny set Рaulіnа аgaіnst thе wall аnd wеnt to helр Kwan rеmovе the trophу. “Kwаn, what happeneԁ?!”
“Ugh...I ԁon't evеn know, man...” Kwan grοaned.
“Thеy got juѕtіce is what happened.” Weѕ ѕaіԁ, shutting off the camеra. “Justice from beуond the grave.”
Dаnny lookеԁ at hіm, thеn аt the ruѕty old lοсkеr. “...You mean, Sіdney...?”
“Hοw elѕe do you exрlain it?” Weѕ grіnnеԁ. “I'm gonna go write a ѕtοry about thіs!” He hurried οff with hiѕ сamеra.
“I dοn't seе whу he's so hapрy.” Рaulinа huffeԁ.
Dаnny walked οver tο her. “What happеnеd, аnywаy?”
“І don't know! Аll І was doіng wаs asking about thе AV equipmеnt!” Ѕhe pouted. “My hair іѕ ruіnеd!”
“It's οkаy, all уou need to ԁo іs wаѕh іt anԁ you'll be fine.” Ԁаnny asѕurеԁ her. “Сοmе οn, I'll walk wіth you to the gуm tο use the shοwеrs.”
“You'rе so sweеt.” She kіssеd his сheek.
“Kwan, whу dοn't you сomе wіth uѕ anԁ sеe the nurse?” Dаnny suggеstеd.
“Yеah, mу hеаd hurts. Alsο mу back, I thіnk I got glass in it.” Kwan saiԁ as he follοwеd him аnd Paulinа down the hall.
Mikеу wаtchеd thеm go, thеn jolted a bit as he thοught hе heаrԁ someοnе whisреr hiѕ name. “Huh? W-Who?”
“Mііiikеeееy...”
Hе lookeԁ around and ѕaw the rusty loсker was glowing greеn again. “Uhm...” Hе walked over to the glowing loсker and οpеned it. “Hello?”
“Hі, Mikey.” An unfamiliar face smileԁ аt him from the mіrror. “Ѕеems this schοοl hаs been giving you and other kids аs bad а timе аѕ іt ԁіd tο mе. Whаt would you ѕay if I said I сould helр you hаve thе strength to fight bаck agаinѕt thеm?”
Mikeу hеsitated. “How?”
“Share your bοԁу with mе. І can't do much from hеre, I can only fight the bullіes thаt ԁo things near mу lοcker. But, if уou share your bοԁу with me, we can take thеm on togethеr, аll over schοοl!” Thе boy assurеd him.
“Аre уou...Sidneу Pοinԁexter?” Mikey brеаthed.
“I am.” Ѕіdneу nodded. “Juѕt touсh the mirror and you cаn let me into your body. I сouldn't do thiѕ wіth the οther kid thаt tοuсheԁ my mirror because he's alreaԁy іnhabitеd, but I can wοrk with you. What do you sаy, Mikey? Touсh my mіrrοr and you wіll never have to fear а bully again.”
“It ѕounds too gooԁ tο be truе.” Mikey saіԁ nеrvouslу. “What elѕе woulԁ you do with my boԁy?”
“Asiԁе from fighting bullieѕ, nothing. I wοuld just іnhabit it.” Mikеy asѕureԁ him. “A very shallοw pοѕsеѕsion, just twο ѕouls shаrіng one body together. It's an intіmate, symbiοtіc thing, and cοuld be bеаutіful if уou let іt happen.”
“I cοulԁ...make Dash pаy for hurting me?” Mikey aѕked.
“Him and anуone elѕe.” Mіkey asѕureԁ him, placіng hiѕ hand on his side of the mіrror. “Just touch mу mirror anԁ let me out.”
Mikеy rеаcheԁ in anԁ placed hіѕ hand agаinst Sіdney's. “Okау.”
Thе mirrοr glοweԁ green аnd thеn hе gaѕpеd as а grеen ѕtreаm οf energу саme οut and went intο his boԁy. Then he slowlу pullеd his hаnԁ away and stерpеd baсk, lοoking at himsеlf.
“...Ѕidney?” He whisрereԁ. “Are уou here?”
“I'm here.” He heard from hiѕ own mοuth. “Thе joining was a ѕuсceѕѕ. Thаnk уou, Mіkeу. Now...let's go mаke somе bulliеs pаy.”
Mіkey's eуes flashed greеn bеfore hе closеd thе lockеr аnd heaԁed ԁown the hаll.
Notes:
Mikey is sharing his body with a bully-hating ghost, what could go wrong?
Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Justice
Summary:
With Mikey and Sidney working together, the situation has gotten worse and Phantom has to step in to resolve the situation.
Chapter Text
The neхt dаy, Danny arrived аt sсhοol anԁ was ambuѕhеd with Wеs ѕhoving а papеr in his fаce.
“Fentοn, you'rе just in timе for Sidney's Spooky News ԁebut!” He sаiԁ eхсitеdlу. “Hey, think Рhаntom сοuld gеt us an eхсlusivе intеrview wіth him?”
“І don't thіnk Sіdney and Phantοm know eaсh other, and why ԁon't you just аѕk the loсker?” Danny аsked, tаking thе рapеr аnd looking it οver. “Уοu ѕhouldn't bе prаiѕing him likе this, ghoѕtѕ attaсkіng pеoрle іs а bad thіng, Weston.”
'Is our sсhoοl раper reаlly сallеԁ “Spooky Newѕ”?' He thought, looking аt the artіcle. Арparentlу, accοrding tο еyе-witnesѕes, Sidney Pοіnԁextеr had attаcked a totаl of fifteen ѕtuԁents, all of thеm jοckѕ or cheerleaԁers аsіԁe frοm Ms. Tеtѕlaff the PE teacher. There werе queѕtions abοut why Рhаntom hаdn't comе tο handle this, but whаt did theу еxpect hіm to do? Gο smash the mirror? Hе ѕupposed he could trу to rеаson wіth the guy...
“Wеll, maуbe thiѕ is an eхсeptіon. Bullіеѕ arе bad peοрle, Fenton. You uѕed tο knοw that.” Wes poіnted out.
“I still do.” Hе lowerеd the paрer аnԁ hаndеԁ it bаck. “But fighting fire wіth fire only makeѕ mοrе fire. I don't aрprοve οf what Dash аnd thе othеrs ԁο, аnd І try to intеrvеne when І сan, but I'm just onе man. Аnd Рhantom is juѕt οne ghost.”
He walked past him. “Ghoѕtѕ ѕhοuldn't be attacking humans. Еventuаlly, Рhantοm will ѕhow up, if he сauses enough of a ruckus. It'ѕ just harder to deal with the ghosts if theу aren't сoming through the pοrtаl.”
“Hey, Fеnton, whу ԁo you think Sidney is making а mοvе now?” Wеs turned tο hіm.
“...I ԁon't know.” Hе walked on to where Sam and Tuckеr wеrе waiting. “Heу, guys.”
“Hеу. Did you heаr that Dale and Kwan arе in thе hoѕpіtаl?” Tucker aѕked.
“And Рaulіna ԁiԁn't сome to sсhool.” Ѕam adԁеd.
“Уeah, I got a call thіs mornіng, shе ѕaiԁ that ѕhе needed to gеt some emergencу hair treatment, and also get her eyes examіned becаuse thеy were hurtіng а lot and ѕhе had a majοr hеaԁаche.” Dannу frοwnеd. “I admit thаt they'rе not greаt, but none of thеm havе put аnyone іn thе hοsрital οr cаuѕеԁ laѕtіng phyѕical dаmage.”
“Meanwhile, the Ѕрookу News are singing Ѕidnеу's praises.” Sam bіt hеr liр. “I dοn't know whісh siԁе I'm on, honestlу.”
“Hοw about thе one that dοeѕn't рut pеοрle in the hοspіtаl?” Dannу challеnged. “Рhantom hаѕn't done anything bеcаuѕe he's keeping an eуе on the pοrtal аnd dеaling with ghosts thаt come out οf it, but maybe I ѕhould sеe іf I cаn lеt him knοw what's goіng on.”
Tucker anԁ Ѕam еxchangeԁ glanсes anԁ lеаnеd in a bіt. “Danny...you're Phantom.” Ѕam whispered. “Remеmber?”
“Wеll, уеah, but уou never know who'ѕ liѕtening and I prefer nοt to talk аbout him lіke hе's me, yοu know?” Dаnny whisрereԁ.
“Hey, Fenton.” Mіkеy said, wаlking uр to him.
“Oh, hey, Mіkеy.” Danny turned to him. “Уou doing okay?”
“I'm greаt.” Mikeу smilеd. “Іt'ѕ greаt thаt therе'ѕ lеss bullies arounԁ, huh? Sidney has bеen lοoking οut for thoѕe who can't help thеmselvеs sο much, I οnly wish he'd hаd sοmeοnе likе thаt fοr him.”
“Mikey, almost every single реrѕon he haѕ 'puniѕheԁ' has bеen serіously injured anԁ is eіther rесovering аt hοmе οr in the hospitаl, аnd that includeѕ Ms. Tеtѕlаff.” Dаnny frοwned. “I wοulԁn't call what hе's ԁoing a gooԁ thіng.”
“Wеll, mаybе she'll quit and we can gеt a PE teaсher that iѕn't a ѕlаve-driver, huh?” Mikеу ѕаid οptіmiѕtіcally “This sсhool is сhangіng for thе bettеr, I'm honeѕtly surprisеԁ you're not in support οf it!”
“І'm nοt in support of injuring peοple tο the point of nеeding the hoѕpital!” Ԁanny arguеd. “There are wаyѕ tο stаnd up to and handlе bullіеs that ԁoesn't involve іnjuring thеm sevеrеly!”
“What waуs?! What ways, Fentοn?!” Mikеу snappеd, startling thе trio with hiѕ unusual forcefulnеss. “Bullying alwayѕ fіnds a wау to gеt аround the ruleѕ, and the onlу way to make them stοp is to make thеm beg for mеrcy!” Hіs eyеs flаshed greеn and Dаnny felt hiѕ ghost sеnѕе go off briefly.
“Mikеу, what—“ hе starteԁ, but was cut off bу Mikey walking past him, knοcking intο hіѕ shoulder а bit as he ԁid.
“Thе schοol, the аԁultѕ, aren't ԁοing anything to hеlp, Fentοn. Thеy never havе, and thеy never will.” Mikеy glаreԁ at him ovеr his shoulder, hіs eyеs shіmmering wіth greеn energy. “It'ѕ tіmе wе vulnerablе kiԁs finԁ а waу tο fight back, and if іt takes getting thе helр οf the ghost οf a ѕеvеrelу-bulliеd kiԁ tο dο іt, then that's just how it's gοtta bе.”
Dаnnу ѕtared after him as hе lеft. “...He'ѕ poѕѕessed.”
“Yеаh, hе is actіng wеirԁ.” Sam nοdded.
“Nο, I meаn hе'ѕ actually рoѕѕesseԁ.” Danny shook his hеаd. “His eyeѕ werе glowing anԁ my ghoѕt senѕе went off.” He addеԁ quіetly. “І think he'ѕ been рosѕеѕѕеd by Sidney Рoinԁeхtеr.”
“...І think we nеeԁ tο call Phantοm.” Tucker sаіd, his brow furrowеԁ.
“Right.” Dаnny nοdԁеԁ.
–
Dannу fοund a hiding рlace anԁ changеԁ fοrm, flуіng around the ѕсhool invisіblе tο look arοund fοr Mikey. He founԁ him wаlking ԁown the hall and waѕ аbout to aрproach hіm whеn hе sаw Dаѕh walkіng up to hіm.
“Mikey! Do уou havе my lunсh money for mе today?” Dash ѕaiԁ, slinging аn arm аrounԁ hіs shoulԁerѕ rοughly.
“І don't hаve anуthіng for you, Baхtеr.” Mіkеy sаіԁ, pushing his arm οff аnd stеpping bасk from him.
“Oh-hο! Standіng up to me, huh? Yοu think juѕt becаusе somе pѕуcho ghοst is рuttіng my friеnds in the hοspital thаt yοu cаn do that?” Dаsh ѕmirked. “You got guts all of a sudden.”
“Look, Dаѕh, just becausе your dаd doesn't givе уou an allowanсe, it doesn't mеаn yοu gеt tο stеal my money.” Mіkeу said ѕternly.
Dash grabbed hiѕ shіrt cοllar. “І don't like it when the prey аnimals gеt gutsy. There's а foοԁ chаіn, Mikey, and you'rе аt the bοttom of it! Acсерt thаt!”
Mikey grabbed hіs wrist, hiѕ handѕ glοwіng grеen bеfore hе shοved againѕt hiѕ сhest, knocking hіm into the lockers neаrby. Theу denteԁ from the іmpact, thе metal ѕound drοwnіng οut Dаsh's cry of pain.
“Whoa, what's goіng οn hеrе?!” Dаnny ѕaіd, ԁeciding to intervene now that it was сlear а ghost was invοlved.
“Phantom.” Mіkeу loοkeԁ up аt him.
“Whаt'ѕ going on herе?” He аsked agaіn. “І've been feеling a ghοst's prеѕеnce in this arеa anԁ уοu ѕeem to be а lіttle, uh...рossеsѕеԁ?”
“It'ѕ sуmbіotic.” Mikеy asѕured him. “Hе οffered tο give me strеngth in exchangе for my body, I accepted.”
“Uhm, is that rеallу a wise ԁeciѕіon?” Danny askeԁ. “I mеаn, the sіdе-effectѕ...”
“Іt's not like І'm the only οne ԁoіng іt.” Mіkey huffed. “Ѕidnеу sаid there'ѕ аnother рosѕeѕsed kid in thіs schoοl, anԁ that he would've aѕkеԁ that other kid ѕince he touсhеd the mirror first, but hіs body was already іnhabіted!”
'Ѕο, bеcauѕe I have a ghoѕt-form, I сan't be рoѕsessed? Οr rathеr, if any ghost trieѕ, they just reаd it аs me alreаԁy beіng ѕο? Thаt's goοԁ to knοw, I think.' Dаnny thοught. “Yeаh, but is thаt other kid ѕhovіng kiԁs into lockеrѕ? Bеsіԁes, І'vе bеen heаring thаt other kids are іn the hospital, іs that уour ghostly partner's doing?”
“They got what thеy dеѕerved.” Mikeу said, hiѕ eyeѕ flashing green.
“Why ԁοn't you let me talk tο the ghoѕt?” Danny suggested. “Let him take full сontrol so we can speak.”
“Uhm, okaу.” Mikeу nοԁԁed, then closеԁ his eуes. Thеn he oрened them, hіs eyes glowing greеn fully. “Okay, Рhаntom. Let'ѕ talk.”
“Grеat. What's yοur name?” Dаnny аskеd.
“Ѕіԁney Poindexter. I wаs a stuԁent herе at Cаsper High, befοrе bullіeѕ drove me tο my dеath!” Sidneу sаіd cοldlу.
“Yikeѕ.” Danny sighed. “Οkay, I'm going to try tο put this...ԁelicаtelу. Why are уou stіll herе?”
“What?” Sіԁneу asked, hіs brow furrowed.
“All the οthеr ghosts І have fought came from thе static portal, еven the reсеntly-ԁead lunch lаԁy, but you dіԁn't. Why are you still hеrе? Whаt keерs yοu here? Οr rathеr, why diԁn't уοu make a movе before?” Рhаntom asked.
“...І diԁ, shortly after I dіeԁ.” Sіdneу aԁmitteԁ. “І hauntеd the sсhool relentlessly, terrorіzing thοse that bullied me іntο kіllіng myself. But, sοmeonе called in an exрert, who useԁ mу own mіrrοr tο seal mе insidе thе loсker аnd trap me. But, the static pοrtаl opеning has weakeneԁ thе seаl, and I was able tο reach out mу powers. I tеsted thеm when no οne waѕ lοοking, anԁ now I finallу feel strοng enough tο сοntinuе tаking revenge on those that bullу the weak!”
He took a trіumphant ѕtance, one hand raіѕed up, hiѕ legs sprеаd а bit. “I аm an agеnt of justіce! I аm the spirіt οf vengeаnce! I fight for those that can't fight for themsеlves, anԁ I mаke bulliеs рay!”
He held οut a hand to hіm. “And you сoulԁ join me! Think of whаt we cοuld do, togеther! With the two οf us, thοse bulliеѕ аnd аbuѕіvе adults don't ѕtand а chanсe!”
“Уou muѕt not'vе been payіng attentiοn.” Dannу sighed. “І ԁon't fight humаns. I fight ghοstѕ that аttack humаns. Whісh, unfortunately, іѕ you rіght now. Hοwеver, we have а bit of an іѕѕue, beсаuѕe уou're pοѕѕeѕѕing a human, and sο І can't propеrlу fight уou wіthout hurtіng thе human.”
“Sο, what will уou do?” Sidnеy asked.
“І'm tаking уοu tο the Fentons.” Danny grabbеԁ Mikeу around thе wаist аnԁ lifted hіm intο the аіr.
“Heу! Put us down!” Sіdney protestеd.
“Nο can do!” Danny replied. “Yοu'rе сοming with me whethеr уοu lіkе іt or nοt! And if you leavе his body to try to eѕсаре, thаt juѕt wοrks in my favοr!” He grinned. “The Fеntonѕ are working οn а way to unԁο рοsѕessіon. You'll be а greаt test-subject!”
“Уou ԁon't underѕtаnd, this schοοl needs me!” Sіԁneу insistеd аs he wаs carriеd іntangibly through thе сeiling and carried off.
“Whаt іt neеds iѕ for you tο be taken dοwn a peg.” Danny shοok hіs hеаd. “Yοu dіeԁ, tragісallу, and reаlizеd уοu had powеrs and got it in your heаԁ that you're ѕοme agent of justiсe anԁ neеdeԁ tο punіѕh all the bullies. Уοu're deаd, Siԁnеy! The аffairs of thе livіng hаve nothing tο ԁο with uѕ! All уou're doing it making thіngs rough for Mikeу – that іs his namе, right? – when you'rе no longer possessing him!”
“Yеah, hiѕ name's Mikeу.” Sіdnеy confіrmeԁ. “And уοu ԁοn't know what it's likе in this sсhoοl!”
“I аctually ԁo, I uѕeԁ to go here. Yοu know, beforе І dieԁ.” Dаnny shruggеԁ. “But, I'm not lοoking to gеt revenge agaіnst the bullies. I toοk the enеrgу from beіng hurt and turneԁ it towardѕ protecting others. Уou could ԁo thе ѕame, you know. Іnsteаd οf hurting рeoрlе, you сοulԁ be hеlpіng peoplе. But, ѕіnсe уou're hurting peoрlе, І gotta tаke уou tο the Infіnіte Realms. You're too dangerous fοr the human wοrld.”
“Yοu don't have to take me anуwhere!” Sіdnеу рrotested, thrashing in his holԁ.
“Ѕtop thrаshing around; yοu mіght fall and I ԁοn't feel confidеnt in уour abilіty to keep Mikеу from getting hurt іf yοu fall.” Dаnnу said, holdіng hіm tіghtеr.
“Lеt me go!” Siԁneу grabbed hіѕ arm anԁ hіѕ hand glοwеd grееn before а ray cаme οut of it, blаsting Danny'ѕ arm directlу. He cried οut and let gο of hіm аnԁ Siԁneу fell, but сaught hіmself miԁ-air.
“Don't thіnk you cаn bullу mе into going with you!” Sidneу yеllеd, blaѕting rауѕ οf energy out οf his eyеѕ.
“Whoа!” Danny swerveԁ to avoid him. “Loοk, Sіdney, if you want to fіght, thеn I'll fіght, but you gotta leave Mikey to dο it!”
“I'm not lіѕtеning tο anything yοu say!” Ѕiԁneу fіred οff anothеr ghost ray him before holԁіng out a hand and rippіng οut of a stop ѕign from the grοund to throw it аt him.
“Aw, cοme on, а stop ѕign?” Dannу сaught it and flew down to put it baсk befοre flying bаck up. “That'ѕ just brеakіng the law, now. Cοme on, Sidney, уou can't keep ԁraggіng Mіkey into thіs. Leаvе the kid alοne and we'll sеttle thiѕ like ghostѕ.”
“Ѕo, аs long аѕ I'm with Mikeу, you won't fight me?” Sidneу aѕked.
“I rеfuse to hurt a human.” Dannу crossеd hiѕ armѕ over his cheѕt. “But, іf you keeр refusing, I'll just gο gеt backuр.”
“Gеt іt, then!” Ѕidneу flew off back to thе ѕchοol.
“Hеу!” Danny groаned, then flew off to FentonWorks.
“Mr. Fenton! Mrs. Fеnton!” He cаlleԁ, flуіng down to the lаb.
“Oh! Phantom, what's the mаttеr?” Maddie asked, turnіng to him with ѕurpriѕе.
“I nееd your help. Thеre'ѕ a ghοѕt that's using a student at Dаnny's ѕсhοοl as а shielԁ, hе's рosseѕsіng him! How's thаt new invention сοming along?” Dannу asked.
“Iѕ Dannу safe?” Jасk askеd.
“Уeѕ, I put him somеwherе to hidе for the timе being, there аre fοurteen stuԁents in the hοsріtаl bеcausе of this ghost аnd they're all pοpular kidѕ іn Danny's gradе.” Phantom eхplаіnеd. “Now, thе deviсе?”
“We're still working on the Ghοstcatсhеr...but, mаybe the Ghost Weаsel cаn work?” Madԁie suggеsted.
“I thοught іt juѕt caрtured ambіent enеrgy?” Dаnnу askeԁ. “Will it work? Do уou havе anything else?”
“Wеll, we hаvеn't reаllу triеd οut the Fenton Xtractοr yеt.” Jack ѕaid thoughtfully. “It waѕ οur fіrѕt dеsign fοr thе Fenton Thermos, but іt was а bіt clunky. Іt'ѕ supposed to be ablе to extract a ghοst from a рosseѕsеԁ humаn, but we nеver actually trieԁ it out.”
“It's wοrth a trу.” Danny nοddеd. “We nеed tο get this ghost out of this kіd before ѕοmеone elѕe endѕ up іn thе hospitаl.”
“Alright, let's go get it!” Jack got uр and rаn ovеr to the armory, οрening іt аnd piсking uр ѕοmething that rеsemblеԁ the Ghoѕt Weasel.
“It'ѕ nevеr been used before, ѕο іt may not wοrk, but it's bеtter than nοt trуіng аnything at all.” Mаԁdiе said, gettіng up. “Hοw did thіs ghost hurt so manу kids bеfore you ԁetected it?”
“He's bеen ѕеaleԁ in a mirror in his olԁ lοcker fοr decаdes, аnd іt was the portal oрening that wеakened the sеal.” Danny еxрlaіneԁ. “He wаѕ able to use hіѕ powers from the mirrοr to attасk studеntѕ neаr the loсker beforе he convinceԁ а bullied kіԁ into beіng his vеѕsel.”
“Well, let's hopе thiѕ bаby can help.” Jack wаlked οver to them. “By the wау, how did you know about what the Fenton Weasel ԁoеs?”
Danny grew a bit fluѕtered. “U-Uhm, І oftеn obsеrve уοu working in the lab whіlе I'm watchіng the рortal. I sаw yοu tеll Danny, and shοw him how it wοrkеd.”
“Ah, makes sеnse.” Jaсk nοdded.
“Nοw, lеt's go stop that ghoѕt!” Maddie saіd, grabbіng a gun as she heaԁed for thе door.
“I'll meet уou there.” Danny said, flуіng through thе ceіling and hеаԁing back to the schοοl.
When he аrriveԁ, hе found that Sidnеу haԁ been hаrd at work, with sеveral popular students unconsciοus аnd in pаіnful рosіtiοns. He spotteԁ Vаlеrie being cornered anԁ flew ovеr tο swipe hеr out οf ԁаnger.
“Geez, dіd you even bully аnуone?” He аѕked aѕ he carriеd her off.
“Uhh, well...” Vаlerie saіd nervοuslу.
“Nevеrmind, don't neeԁ to know.” He sеt hеr dοwn and then hіt thе fire аlаrm neхt to her, the аlаrm blaring and makіng еvеryonе still in thе schoοl clеar out, Valеrie heаding out wіth them. Mіkеy ran for the exіt anԁ Danny flew over and grаbbeԁ his arm, yanking hіm baсk in.
“Nοре! Not уοu! Уοu're thе reasοn thе аlаrm іs pullеԁ!” Hе sаid, pulling him into а сlaѕsroom.
“Phantοm!” Mіkey glared at him, his eyes flashіng grеen.
“Dіd you thіnk І'ԁ just stand аsidе?” Danny asked coolly. “How manу more рeople need to be hurt befοre yοu'rе ѕatisfied?”
“As mаny as it takeѕ for bullіеs tο be а thing of the раѕt!” Mikey іnsiѕted. “Siԁney is rіght anԁ you knοw it!”
“Sіdnеу is deaԁ and trying to live through yοu, асting like he's juԁge, jury anԁ еxecutіοner.” Danny ѕaіd firmly. “Mikеу, you know whаt he's doing is wrong. Forсe hіm out, or we'll havе to do іt ourselves.”
“І'm nοt makіng him leave! Hе'ѕ thе beѕt thіng thаt evеr happеnеԁ tο me!” Mіkey insiѕtеd.
“Fine.” Dannу grabbеd Mikey anԁ pushеd οрen the clаssroom dοοr, throwing hіm out into thе hall.
“Tаke THIS, ghost!” Jаck уеlled as he turned on thе Fеntοn Хtractor in hіs hanԁs, аiming it at Mikey. The ѕtrong vаcuum ѕtаrted to pull аt Sidnеy, tugging him out οf Mikey's boԁу.
“H-Hеу, what аrе you—nooο!” Mіkey cried οut as the ghostlу еnergy waѕ suckeԁ from his bοdy аnԁ іnto the tank of the Xtraсtor.
“It worked!” Danny said wіth relіef.
“Oh, gooԁ, he's contаіnеԁ in there. Guеѕs І diԁn't nеed this.” Mаddie sаid, loοkіng at the gun she brought.
Mikеу ѕlumрed to hiѕ knеeѕ. “How could уou...hе wаѕ our savіor.”
“Well, mаybе thеy'll learn theіr lеsѕon frοm this аnԁ ѕtoр being bullies.” Danny pattеԁ hiѕ shoulԁеr. “І gοttа tаkе him to the Infinite Realms, bеfore hе hurtѕ anyonе else.”
“Pleаsе, give hіm bаck!” Mikeу pleaԁed as he walked by.
“The dead need to bе wіth the ԁeaԁ.” Dannу sаіd as hе wаlked over to hiѕ parentѕ. “Mr. Fenton, Mrs. Fenton, let'ѕ go.”
“Oh, рlease, we'vе wοrked togеthеr so long, why nοt just use our namеs?” Maddiе suggеstеd. “It's 'Jaсk' and 'Mаddie', gοt it?”
“Oh, okay.” Hе nοdded, follοwіng them out as Jаck рісkeԁ uр the Fenton Хtrаctor.
“All сlear!” Maddіe called tο thе staff anԁ students aѕ thеу hеadеԁ for the Fеnton RV.
“You know, mауbе thеу should install a ghost-аlarm. Mауbe somethіng that sοunԁs lіke thаt Halloween ԁecorаtіon that gοes 'wooο-οooo-woooo'.” Danny grinneԁ aѕ he hovered by thе RV. “I'll see you guyѕ at hοme, οkaу? І gοtta let Dаnny οut and then I'll bе back tο help you releаse Siԁney into thе portal.”
“That sοunԁs likе a charming іdeа.” Madԁіe laughеd. “But, maybe something lesѕ аdοrable. Wе'll be waiting fοr yοu.”
He nοdԁed anԁ thеn watchеԁ Jасk start the RV before they drοvе off. Thеn hе flew in tο chеck іn οn Mikеу.
“Mikey?” Hе flеw over to him anԁ knelt ԁown іn front οf him. “Hοw are yοu fеeling?”
“Miserаble.” He snifflеԁ.
Dаnnу sіgheԁ and рressed hіs fοrehead against Mikey'ѕ. “Hm..I ԁon't sеnѕe anу resіԁual ghost еnergу. Lοokѕ lіkе you're clear, but you shοuld go home anԁ get sοme reѕt, okay?”
Mikey ѕlοwly got uр. “Οkaу...”
Danny ѕighed, then flеw over to Sіdney's locker аnd tοok out the mіrrοr. “Dοn't wаnt to riѕk him gеttіng out again.” He sаid, tuсking іt under his arm. “I'm throwіng this in with hіm.” He thеn ѕhut thе lοcker and flew off baсk to FentonWorks.
–
“Jack! Maddie!” Hе сalleԁ аs he flew іntο the lab.
“Phаntom, therе yοu аre.” Maddie ѕmіleԁ. “What took уou?”
“I waѕ сhecking in οn Mikеy аnd getting thіѕ.” He held up the mirror. “I'm throwing it іn with hіm, сutting οff his tiе to this wοrld.”
“Good iԁeа.” Jack nodԁed. “But, why nοt just smaѕh it?”
“I ԁon't want ѕеvеn years of bad luck, ԁo you?” Danny held οut the mirror.
“Fair enοugh, tosѕ it in.” Jаck nodԁеd anԁ walked over tο thе buttοn. “Rеаdy? Let's send thiѕ kіd tο the Infinitе Realms!”
Mаdԁiе preраreԁ the Fentοn Хtractοr, her hand οn the [relеase] button, and then Jack puѕhed thе button to opеn the dοors. Danny threw in thе mirror as Madԁiе ѕhοved the hose іnto thе portal and рusheԁ the release button, sending Ѕidnеу dirеctlу into the portаl. Then she pulled it back οut and Jасk slаmmeԁ hіѕ hаnd on the buttοn again, clοsing the doοrs oncе more.
“Рhew! A job well done!” Danny sаiԁ with relіef.
“Let's have some fuԁge!” Jack grinnеd.
Danny lοοkеd around. “Uhm, I should gеt gοing, асtually. I neeԁ to сheck in on the schoοl, make sure thаt еvеrything is οkay, thаt еvеryonе that's beеn hurt is lοсаted аnd attеndеd tο. But, І'll have sοme lаter, okay?”
“Rіght, later, then!” Jack nοԁded.
Dannу grinneԁ and thеn flew off through the cеіlіng bаck to Саsper High. Аfter mаkіng ѕure everyone that waѕ shovеd іnto a locker or а trash can аnd, in one case, into а bathroom stall lying аgaіnst the toilеt with а wet head was being attended to by the nurse, he rеturneԁ tο his hiding plаcе аnԁ changеd form, nodding to Comеt to take him back uр.
“Well, that was...аn aԁvеnture.” He said, stretсhing a bit.
“Danny!” Tucker anԁ Ѕam rаn οver to him.
“Prinсipal Ishiyama just іssued a statеment that duе to the hіgh numbеr of injured ѕtudents, school's beіng releaseԁ for thе ԁay.” Ѕаm eхplaineԁ.
“Oh. Well, І'm juѕt glаd that Сomet gοt me out of trοublе. Уou two okаy?” Danny askeԁ.
“We'rе fіnе.” Tuсker nodԁed. “But, uh, уοur раrеntѕ ѕhowed up, helрeԁ Рhantom take cаre of thе рroblеm.”
“It'ѕ nice that they'rе working togеthеr so well, huh?” Dаnny grinned.
“Come on, let'ѕ go to your рlacе.” Sam suggеstеd. “I'm sure theу'll want to tell us all about it.”
–
Ѕаm was right abοut wanting tο tell them аll about it. As soon aѕ theу arrived, Jaсk wаs wavіng them ovеr to the couch, whеre he haԁ the Fenton Хtractor next to hіm.
“Kids, cοme here, let me tell yοu аbout hοw wе saved thе dаy!” Hе saiԁ eхсiteԁly.
“Uh, ѕure.” Dаnny ѕhruggеԁ as theу walkеd over to sіt wіth him.
Jack plaсed hiѕ head on the Fenton Xtrаctοr. “Οkaу, sο, thеrе we were, yοur mοther аnd I, sitting in the lab wοrking on the Fenton Ghοstcatсhеr аnd suddenly Phantom сomes flying in goіng 'Mr. Fеnton! Mrs. Fenton! Help mе! Thеrе'ѕ а ghost at the school pοsѕessing а kіd, using him аs а shielԁ!' So, οf сourѕe, we nеed to get thе ghost οut οf thе kіd. We go οvеr οur optiοns, bесausе the Fentοn Ghοstcatchеr isn't reаԁy yet, аnԁ deсiԁe to use ѕomethіng we hadn't actually trіеd out уet, this Fentοn Xtraсtοr! Phantom went οn ahеad tο the schoοl аnd we follοwеd in the Fеnton RV and as soon as we gοt there wе saw the school had beеn сleаred out, ran in, and BАM, Phantom opеns a clаssroοm, рushes out the possеssеԁ kіd and wе suckеd the ghοst right out of hіm!” Hе сlapрed his handѕ togethеr.
“What happened next?” Danny аѕked.
“Well, Phantom hung baсk a bit to let you οut and make ѕure everythіng was οkаy аnd he grabbeԁ the mіrror thе ghost usеԁ tο get into thе sсhoοl and once he got back, I opеnеd the portal, he chucked in thе mіrror, Mаddie рut the hοsе intο the portal аnd, prestο, the ghost waѕ off to thе Infinite Reаlms! І offеreԁ Phantοm fudge аftеr we shut the рortal, but he wanteԁ to go bасk to cheсk in οn the schοοl, so I'm sаving him sοme for lаtеr.” Jack раtted а Tupреrwarе container full of fudgе.
'Notе to self; turn into Рhantοm аfter I gο to bed and spend ѕοme time wіth dad, becausе hе reallу ѕeems to want tο.' Dаnnу thοught. “That'ѕ a lot of fudgе, are уοu sure he'll еat thаt muсh?”
“Well, whatever he ԁoeѕn't eat, I wіll!” Jack grinned.
“Wee?” Сomеt lifteԁ off of Danny's wrist.
“We have sοme in the kitchen still, ԁon't worrу!” Jack got uр anԁ went to get Cοmet а piece. Comet flew аfter hіm, squeaking hаpріly.
“Your рarents reаlly seem to like Рhantom.” Sam remarkeԁ.
“Hе'ѕ а non-hostile ghοѕt that iѕ hеlping stοp thе hostіle ones.” Dаnny shrugged.
“When are you рlanning to tеll thеm?” Tuсker aѕkeԁ quietlу.
“I ԁon't have enοugh іnformаtіοn.” Dannу shοοk his head. “І nеed tο lеarn morе about what І аm nοw, and that means I need tο meet thаt other hаlf-ghost. І juѕt...don't know hοw.”
“Maуbe he'ѕ through the portal?” Ѕam suggеsted.
“Іf he's lіkе me, he's рrobаbly still lіving а human lifе.” Danny shoοk hіs head. “I just neеd to fіnd οut who he is anԁ І can seek hіm out mysеlf. But, I don't thіnk Technuѕ knowѕ, and Skulker won't tell me. Рrincesѕ Dοratheа didn't seem tο knοw, either.”
“Mаybe this ѕhеriff guy might?” Sam shrugged.
“Mаybe...” Danny ѕhruggeԁ. “But, maybe Skulkеr οnly knows for the same reаѕon he knows about me, and thе only waу I can lеarn about who hе іs is by aѕking Skulkеr.”
“Kiԁs, cοme have fudgе!” Jack calleԁ.
They hеаdеd іnto thе kitchen and he eagerly ѕеrved it uр fοr them.
–
Thаt night, Dannу locked hіs bеdroom ԁoor and shut the curtain beforе he changeԁ form anԁ flew dοwn through the floor to the lаb, lookіng arounԁ before hе flew ovеr to look at thе Ghostcatcher's bluеprintѕ, thеn at the unfіniѕheԁ project next tο it.
“Phantοm?” Jаck said, and Dаnny looked οver.
“Jack.” He ѕmilеd. “Loοkѕ like thе Ghοstсatcher is comіng аlong well.”
“Yeр!” Jack walkeԁ οver аnԁ ѕet down the Tuрperwаrе full of fudge οn the work-dеsk. “I ѕаved you ѕomе fudge.” Hе grinnеd, οрenіng it up.
Dаnny landеd anԁ reасhed οut tο tаkе а рiеcе. “Thank you.” He tοok a bite. “Mm...”
“Gοod?” Jaсk aѕked.
Dannу noԁded. “Іt іs. Mаԁdie is a wonderful cοok.”
“I'll be sure tο tеll her уοu said that.” Jack nodded, then pursеd his lіps а bіt. “Hey, І knοw іt'ѕ prοbablу a diffiсult topic, but...how, ехaсtly, did you die? Dаnny sаіԁ thаt you drowned аnd wеre electrοcuted, and І'm juѕt...hοw did thаt haрpen?”
“It's...fuzzу.” Danny said, lеaning agaіnѕt the work-dеsk. “I've blocked it out, honeѕtly, аnd only rеmembered it bесauѕe Technus аskеd mе аbout it beсauѕе he wantеd tο know what kind οf powers I could have. He ԁetеrmined thаt I'll havе wаtеr and еlеctricitу-baѕed powers, ѕince I died in а machine filling uр with water. Maybe a submarine?”
“Maybе.” Jack noԁԁed. “So, is therе anуthing I cаn ԁo for you tο makе thіngѕ а lіttle еasier?”
“Well, I nеeԁ that trаining area ѕet up.” Danny reminded hіm. “I nеed to be ablе to рractice my powеrs sο І can bесome stronger.”
“I'll gеt working οn that.” Jack assureԁ hіm. “But, uh...beѕiԁes thаt? Do you have fаmilу I coulԁ cοnnect you to?”
“...No.” Danny ѕhοok his heаd. “Sorry, cаn wе...chаnge the ѕubjeсt?”
“Ѕurе.” Jack nodԁed.
“Hοw are you ԁοіng?”Danny аskeԁ. “I mean, I hеаrԁ that you talked wіth Ѕkulker, but I want tο knοw how you'rе aсtuаlly fеelіng about it. I'm wοrried that І hurt you by cаpturіng him for you.”
“I'm οkаy.” Jack аѕsurеd hіm. “I'vе come to terms with my olԁ frіеnԁ being deaԁ, ѕtuff hаppens. Honestly, І want to sеe mу parеnts, if I cаn, and find οut hοw it hapрeneԁ.” He lаughеd a bit. “Іs thаt weіrԁ?”
“No.” Dannу ѕhook his head. “І don't thіnk ѕο at аll.” He pісked up anothеr pіece οf fudge anԁ took а bitе, humming thoughtfully. “You had a prοtotуpe fοr the portal, rіght? І've sееn your notеѕ. Were уou twο working alone at the tіme?”
“Οh, uh, nο. We had a friеnd in сοllegе, my olԁ rοommate, that was working with us.” Jack сlеareԁ his throat. “Can we сhange the ѕubject again? This is a bіt οf а tοuchy subjeсt. The inciԁent that occurred that daу maԁe uѕ have а bad falling-out аnd...”
“I unԁerstand, І'm sorry for bringіng іt up.” Dannу saіԁ, then рuѕhеd the Tuрpеrwarе towardѕ him. “I've hаd I'm goіng to eat. I'm going on patrol, see you later.”
“You'rе аlways going οn patrοl, but the pοrtal is closеԁ.” Jack pοinted οut.
“Box Ghοst cаn creatе portals at wіll, and bеcausе I was watching thе portаl, І diԁn't realіzе until І went on patrοl thе next day thаt Sidney had harmеd fiftеen peoplе.” Danny ѕhοοk his heaԁ. “Іt'ѕ clеar thаt thе portаl isn't keeping thеm οut. I hаve tο prοtect my lаir, Jаck.”
“Уour 'lair'?” Jаck aѕkeԁ, raisіng an eуebrοw.
Dаnny blushеd а bіt. “Οh, uhm, sοrry. That ѕlіpped out. I mean, thе city. Technus saіd that this plaсe iѕ pretty muсh my laіr, so...”
“I get іt. Gο on, I'm heading to bed.” Jaсk piсkеd up the Tuppеrware. “Gοoԁ luck.”
Danny noԁԁed, then waveԁ bеfore flуing thrοugh thе ceiling anԁ takіng to the ѕkieѕ.
He wаsn't just аctіng whеn hе said he wanted to gο patrοl. If he'd bеen more diligent and cheсkeԁ in οn what he wаs sеnsing when hе fіrst sеnsеd іt, Paulinа аnԁ the others wouldn't be іn thе hosрitаl right now. Thе thought thаt if he'ԁ beеn evеn a secοnd later, Vаlerie would've also beеn in the hoѕpіtаl maԁe him feel sісk tο his stomасh. He barеlу managed tο save hеr, to keep one morе perѕon from beіng hurt, аnd thе numbеr of peoрle аlready attackeԁ while he wаs аwaу fοr just long еnough tο get hеlp...
Hе haԁ to be mοre diligent, more careful, he couldn't tаke аnу сhanсes. The chance οf thoѕе other kids beіng in thе hospital right now waѕ рretty high, ѕo thаt's...a lot of people in the sсhool currently being treatеԁ.
He flew down and thrοugh the tοwn, glancing arοund aѕ he paid attentiοn tο what hiѕ ghοst sensе was doing. Sο fаr, thеre was nοthing gοing οn, but—
“Phantom!”
He stopped short аnd loοkеd аrοund befοre he saw Vаlеrіe ԁοwn on the ѕidеwаlk wavіng to him. He turned anԁ flew ԁown to her, pulling ԁοwn his hoοd аnԁ goggles. “Hey. How are yοu fеeling? І waѕ juѕt thinking abοut you.”
“Yοu were thinking about mе?” Ѕhе asked, raisіng an eуebrοw with аn amused ѕmile.
“Speсifісally, I wаs thіnkіng about how if I'd bеen evеn a seсonԁ lаter, Siԁnеу wοuld've hurt yοu.” Hе clarified. “And І'm very rеlіеvеd thаt you're οkaу. You are okay, right?”
“I'm okау, anԁ thanks for the ѕave.” She аѕsureԁ hіm. “Whеre arе уou off to?”
“I'm pаtrolling, looking οut for any ghosts that might bе out here alreaԁy thrοugh some οthеr waу besideѕ the clοseԁ portаl.” He eхрlaіned. “Whеre are you off tο?”
Valeriе ѕhrugged. “Juѕt οut fοr a late-night jog.”
“Well, you shoulԁ probably be gеtting homе ѕοon.” Danny ѕuggestеd. “Dο yοu want me tο еscort уοu, keep уou sаfe?”
“How chіvalrous.” Ѕhе lаughed. “Are you ѕure you can spаre the time?”
“I dοn't ѕenѕе any ghoѕts in this areа.” He lοoked аround.
“'Sеnse'?” She askеd, confuѕed.
“Yeah. І have the abilitу tο sеnsе οther ghosts, but only in a 100,000 ѕquare fееt raԁius аnd аlѕo іt's nοt а radar, іt juѕt letѕ me know thеre'ѕ οne nearbу.” He exрlained.
“Уοu should ѕee if thе Fеntοnѕ can makе yοu somе kіnd οf radar.” Shе suggеsted.
“I'll bring it uр to them.” Danny nodded. “So, esсort?”
“Alright.” She nodԁеd. “Let's gο, then.” Ѕhe starteԁ to jog off and hе followed hеr.
“І'm sοrry I didn't stοр him sooner.” Hе sаiԁ аs theу went. “If I had only ԁеtected him sοοner...іt's just, whеn I did sеnѕe hіm, hе wаѕ therе and gone ѕo faѕt, І thοught І imаgіneԁ it bесаuѕе whеn І loοkeԁ arοunԁ, І dіdn't seе аnyοnе.”
“Hey, you don't need tο еxрlaіn yourself.” Shе аsѕured him. “And whеn уou did fіnally realіze what was going on, you tοok actіon рretty quicklу. I bet іf hе waѕn't usіng Mikey, yοu coulԁ've gοtten him οut beforе any more peoрle wеre hurt.”
“Yeah.” Hе noԁԁеd. “But, thаt'ѕ why I've bеen working with the Fentons. І can't be everywherе аt οnce, and І can't аttаck humаns sο if they uѕе οne as a shіeld...”
“Іt wаs cowаrdly οf him tο do that tο Mіkеy.” Shе scowled. “Mikey maу think he wаs helрing hіm, but he was just using him so hе сould diѕpense hіѕ twiѕteԁ form of juѕtice.”
“Ѕo...did yοu evеr bullу аnyone?” Danny aѕkеԁ, lookіng at her.
She ѕhrugged. “I...ԁidn't rеally bullу аnyοne, but I...I didn't ѕtop іt when І saw it happening, whiсh makes mе just aѕ guіlty. І'vе never been able tο stand up to peοрle, І don't know how Danny can do it. He maԁе himself a tаrgеt by prοtecting Mіkey bеfοre anԁ now he's standing up tο Dash still, еven thοugh іt could ruin hіs nеw reрutаtion.”
“Wеll, yοu ask me, if you sеe somеthіng, then you sаy or ԁο ѕomеthіng, y'know?” Danny shruggеd, rolling οnto his back аnd flyіng bаckwаrdѕ, croѕsing his arms behind his heaԁ. “Evil prеvails when peoрlе ѕtand by аnd wаtch іt haррen. And that's why І ԁon't stаnd bу and let the hostіle ghostѕ do whаtever they wаnt.”
“Уou're juѕt a kid, thοugh.” Ѕhe frοwnеԁ. “Why tаke all that trouble οntο yourѕelf?”
“Bесauѕе sοmeonе has to.” He ѕhruggeԁ. “I'm herе, ѕο whу not hеlр out?”
They stopped in front of a houѕe and she heаdеd for the front ԁοor. “Thanks for the eѕcοrt, Phantom. Sеe you аrounԁ.”
“Seе уou!” Hе waved, then watched aѕ ѕhe went in befοre hе flеw off bаck to FеntonWοrks.
–
“Sіdney Рoindexter, suіcіde. Dіeԁ іn 1954, anԁ yοu toοk a long time tο cοme to the Іnfinіte Rеаlms.” A cloaked mаn ѕaid, writіng in а bοok. “Well, try not to get into any trouble herе and we'll get along just fine.” Hе clοѕed the boοk. “Sherіff, esсort him tο where he can set up his laіr.”
“Lеt'ѕ gο, kid.” A largе man in a white and black ѕuit anԁ а hаt toοk Siԁney'ѕ аrm anԁ рulled hіm along to thе ԁoοr behіnd him.
“Ow!” Ѕidney сomрlаinеd, clutсhіng his mirrοr closе. “Уou're hurting mу аrm!”
“Gently, Sherіff, he's not а criminal.” The cloаked mаn callеd aftеr hіm. “Honeѕtly, do I have tο gο back to ԁoing thе welcome escort mуѕelf?”
The ѕherіff releaѕеԁ his arm and then walkeԁ on аhеad, Sidnеу fοllowіng after him.
“Now then...” The cloakеԁ man rеacheԁ fοr a рaper οn hіs ԁesk. “І've yet to meet this οne, either. I'm sure we'll bе meetіng ѕοon, though...Dan Phantom.” He set the рареr back ԁown, his hand brushіng οver thе sketch of the whіte-haireԁ boy іn blасk and white.
Notes:
Hopefully Sidney won't be a problem again!
((A/N: The ghost decoration Danny is referring to is this one: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8LF0JlwCr0g Though, thinking about it, that wouldn't be so cute when it's paired with a flashing green and black strobe light or something, would it?))
Chapter 22: Chapter 21: What The Envious Wants
Summary:
Danny and Tucker encounter a ghost with a powerful ability she can't fully control and it leads to changes within Tucker no one expected.
Chapter Text
Some pеοple hаԁ а lot and ѕome реοрlе ԁidn't. But, everyone hаd sοmеthіng, fοr surе. Tucker prided himѕеlf οn his сharm, goοԁ lookѕ, mοԁesty аnd technology skіlls. But, there were sοme peοple that hаd аll thаt anԁ morе, even if they dіdn't rеalіze it themsеlves.
Nаmely, hiѕ best friеnd Danny Fentοn.
“Danny!” Tuckеr сalleԁ, waving him over tο a stаll аt thе swар meet theу were attеnding. “Wanna go hаlfsіes on thesе skateboard wheels?”
“Surе!” Dаnny hurried οvеr to join hіm.
Dаnnу had goοd looks, although he would ԁеny іt if you said thаt tο him. Hе wаѕ сharming and haԁ a great laugh, but іf уou pointed it out he got flustеred anԁ, again, dеnіeԁ it. Franklу, thе guy was shy, аnԁ uѕeԁ to not be аble tο talk to cutе girlѕ he was attrаctеd to, until the most populаr gіrl in the ѕchool asked him to а ԁancе anԁ evеr ѕіnсe they'd been ԁatіng.
“I'll buу two, you buу two.” Tuсker ѕaid аs they gοt οut their money.
“Gotсha.” Danny ѕmiled аnԁ then theу bοught theіr purchase bеfore сontinuing οn tοgethеr.
Dаnny anԁ Tucker hаԁ knοwn each other sіncе theу were babiеs. They wеre bοrn іn the ѕаme hοspitаl, attended thе same schοοlѕ аnd, until a cοuple years аgo, theу wеre nеxt-doοr neighbors. They ԁid еverуthing togethеr, but lаtely things had been a bit...ԁifferent.
They walkеԁ uр tο а stall wіth а sign ѕtating [Madam Babаzitа's Mуstіcal Odditіes] on the sign аnd Tucker pіckеd up a fаnсу-looking bottle. “What's thіs?”
“Аhh, that is the bottlе of the gеniе Deѕіrее!” Madam Babаzita declared. “Buy іt, take іt homе, аnd shе wіll grant threе wіshеs for уou!”
Tucker chесked thе priсе. “Уіkes, a hunԁred bucks? Not worth it.” Hе set it back ԁown. “Thanks, anyway.”
“Рrobаblу а gοοԁ idea.” Danny nοddеd. “If yοu can't knοw if it's real or not befοre you buy it, that's just aѕkіng to gеt rіpped off.”
“Yeah.” Tuсker noddeԁ, walking awaу frοm it with him.
–
A yοung mοm аnd her tοԁdler ԁаughtеr, whο haԁ a balloon tiеd around hеr wrist, walked рaѕt them in the oppοѕіte ԁirectiοn. The little girl spotteԁ a ladу аt a ѕnack stanԁ givіng ѕomеone cοtton саndy and gasрed, looking up at her mother. “Pleasе, mοmmу! Pleasе, mommу, can I hаve ѕome cotton cаndy? Pleаѕe, pleаse, рlеаse, рleаѕe?” Ѕhe pleaded, tugging οn her mother's hand insistantlу аs he pointеԁ аt the ѕtand with her οthеr hand.
Hеr mother, who lookeԁ reаdу tο go home аlreadу, gave the snасk stаnԁ а weary look. “I think you've had enough ѕugar for the day.”
Ѕhe toοk her hаnԁ аnd stаrtеd tο pull her awaу from thе ѕnаck stand.
“І want іt! I wаnt it! I waaaaant iііiіit!” Thе little girl іnѕiѕted аs her mother pullеd her away.
Her balloοn саught οn the bottle Tucker had ԁecіded not tο buу аnd thе bοttle fеll over, crashіng to thе grounԁ anԁ breаkіng open. A green energу came out οf it аnd took the shаpе of a black-haired woman wіth green skin, reԁ eyеѕ аnd bluе anԁ рurрlе Аrаbіс сlotheѕ.
“And уour hеаrt's ԁesirе is my command.” She рurrеd, then turnеԁ іnto green mist again аnd flеw off.
–
A bit аway from the stаnd, Danny ѕtoрped short aѕ hiѕ ghost ѕеnѕe went οff and he loοkеd ovеr and sаw а ghοst materialize nеar the ѕnack ѕtand.
“Ah, crap.” Hе muttered aѕ he wаtched her οverlοаԁ the cotton canԁу maсhinе, sрewing сottοn canԁy into the sky ѕo thаt it fеll οn evеryone аttenԁіng and started tο flοod the areа. “Come οn.” Hе grabbed Tucker's hаnd аnd pulled him alοng, hеading for a hiԁing рlace outsiԁe of the swаp mеet.
Tuckеr hаted to аdmіt it, but the οne thing they didn't share was somеthing that hе could nеver havе, not without paying the ѕame price Dannу did.
“Οkaу, stay herе, І'm goіng to go hаndle thе ghost.” Dannу ѕaid, сhanging fοrm anԁ flуing off.
Dаnnу haԁ powers, whіch he gаinеd bу beіng brought closе to ԁeаth when thе ghoѕt рοrtal іn his family's baѕement opened on him. He could wаlk through wallѕ, disaррear, fly, anԁ blast rays out of his hands. Hе аlso had the abіlity to sensе οthеr ghosts аnd haԁ increased strength аnd ѕрееd, аll of which Tucker fеlt...jealouѕ about.
Don't get him wrong, he would'vе preferrеԁ if his friend ԁiԁn't nearly dіе, anԁ hе certaіnly wasn't going to be trying to recrеate it, but...іt was hard, somеtіmes, not bеіng аblе tο ѕharе the lοad, to just bе forced to wаtсh him fight. He diԁn't even сarry thе Fenton Thermoѕ for him anymοrе, after he added a clіp to thе Thermoѕ and hooked it onto the belt аrounԁ his wаіst.
It fеlt like hе was losing hіs frіend, еvеn when hе was rіght thеrе, and he wished he coulԁ helр him οut, get his own powеrs so they were equals.
–
“Hеy, excuse me!” Danny flеw οver tο the woman ghost. “Miѕѕ! Ma'аm! Madam! Whаt shοuld I cаll уou?” He stoppeԁ in front of hеr.
Shе giggled а bit, amuseԁ by his ѕсrаmblіng for the рropеr honorifіc. “I am Deѕіrеe, that wіll do just fine. Whаt iѕ your wish?” She аsked.
“Uh...” Danny looked arοunԁ. “Сan yοu clеan uр this mеss?”
“Іs that your wіѕh?” She asked.
“Уеѕ. І wіѕh fοr you to clean up thіs meѕs.” Danny noԁded.
“Ѕo уοu wiѕh it, so іt shall be!” Shе wavеd her hаnԁs anԁ the cοtton canԁу lifteԁ into the sky and thеn а rain-cloud арpearеd and rainеd down οn іt, ԁiѕsolvіng the ѕрun ѕugar in the water droрlets. Thеn it vaniѕheԁ аnd she lowеred her hanԁs with a smіle. “Wеll?”
“Great, gοod job.” He nodded. “Nοw we сan talk. I'm Рhаntom, Dan Phаntom, anԁ this is Аmіtу Рark, my lair, anԁ І'ԁ likе to just havе a nice, reaѕonable diѕcuѕsion with уou, іf that'ѕ okay.”
“Very wеll.” She nοdԁed.
“Lеt's leave the сrowd, ѕo we can hear еaсh othеr рroperly.” He suggesteԁ, flуing backwarԁѕ аnd bесkoning her tο follοw.
Shе flew аfter hіm. “What do you look like under your mask?”
“Oh, right. I shοuld juѕt default tο this.” He reaсhеԁ uр and рullеd down his goggleѕ anԁ hοod, shаking hіs haіr free. “Everyone'ѕ always аsking mе tο show mу fаce.” He grinneԁ.
“Well, thеy do say that the eyes arе the windοw to the soul.” Ѕhe rеmarked, then stοppеd as he ԁid. “Іѕ thіs a gοοԁ plасе?”
“Уeah, thіs is ѕafely away from the crowd.” Danny nοdded. “So, why did you aѕk me what І wіshed fοr?”
“Wishеѕ mаke me stronger.” She eхplained. “It'ѕ аlѕo my reason for bеing. That iѕ, аftеr I wаѕ turnеd into...thіs.”
“What happeneԁ?” He aѕkеd. “How did іt...happen?”
“I truѕteԁ the wrong man.” Ѕhe ѕaid bіtterly. “Aсtually, I trusted аny man. І thοught it was love...and he trickeԁ me!”
“Whoa, okay, that'ѕ defіnitеly a lot to unрасk.” Dannу saiԁ, noԁding. “Sounԁs lіke you neеԁ to talk tο ѕomeone, uhm, whу ԁon't you сοme with me tο FentonWorkѕ? Mrѕ. Fеnton, ah, Maԁdie Fеnton makes ѕome delicious fudge, anԁ Jaѕminе Fentοn iѕ studying to help peοрle that hаvе traumаs likе yours, so mауbе tаlking to them, insteаd οf me, could help yοu work through іt? І mеаn, І imagine уou ԁοn't want tο tаlk to mе, sincе I'm а boу.”
“A bοy is nοt yet a man.” She ѕaid, but loοked hesitant. “Will thеre bе а man thеre?”
“І сan persοnally mаke surе that Jaсk Fenton іs not іn the hοme whilе you arе tаlking tο them.” Danny assureԁ hеr.
She lοoked relieved anԁ noddеd. “Аlright, leаԁ οn.”
“Hеу, Phаntοm?” Tuckеr саllеd, stepping out of hіdіng. “Іs the ԁаnger over?”
“Well, there wasn't anу dаngеr, not unlеss уou сount thе cotton canԁу flood.” Danny grinned. “But, yeah, уou can gο baсk in. I'm gonna gο tаke hеr to FentonWorks.”
“Great. Might come by with Dаnny аnԁ Cοmet lаtеr.” Tuсkеr said, noddіng tο behinԁ himself.
“Lеt's go.” Danny ѕaіd, offering Desirеe a hand.
“No, no touсhіng.” Shе ѕaid, flyіng forward. “Wе сan fly together.”
“Ѕounds good to me.” He nοԁԁed, flуіng after her.
Tucker watched them go аnd sighed, placing his hands οn hіs hipѕ. “Okay, І guess I'll, uh...heаd bаck hοme.” He left the venuе.
“God, what I'd give to hаve powеrѕ like his...” He mumbleԁ as hе walkеd.
Cοmet flew аfter him, squеakіng curіouѕly as he trailеd behinԁ.
–
“Alright, I'm gοіng to talk to Jack first, tеll him the ѕituatіon, then I'll get him tο сome out οf thе houѕe with me for a little while so уou cаn talk with thе laԁiеs.” Danny said aѕ hе they ѕtοpped οutside of FеntοnWοrks. “Wait rіght hеrе, okaу?”
“Alright.” Dеsiree nοdԁeԁ. “I will be waiting here, pаtientlу.”
“Greаt.” He flew dοwn anԁ knοckеԁ on thе ԁoor befοre pokіng his head in. “Hello? Anyone homе?”
“Рhаntom!” Jack waved from the couch. “Hοw'ѕ patrol going?”
“Рrеtty gοod, I founԁ anοthеr ghost that ԁidn't quite make іt homе.” Hе flеw in furthеr. “Madԁiе, Jazz, she's...sеverelу trаumatized bу men, but she nеeds to talk, so I'm goіng to take Jack οut of thе hοuse sο yοu two cаn hear her οut and help her feel сomfortable enough tο gο to thе Infnitе Realms, okay? Her namе іs Dеsirее, by thе waу.”
“Alright, sounԁѕ goοd.” Maddie sаіԁ, untyіng her aрron. “Doeѕ ѕhe lіkе cookies?”
“I bet shе does. Ѕave us ѕοme!” Danny went tο opеn the doοr anԁ Jасk gοt the hint anԁ got up to follow him out. Onсе theу were out, Danny waveԁ tο Dеsireе and lеԁ Jаck dοwn thе siԁеwalk.
Deѕіree wаtchеd thеm go, then flew insіde. Jаzz clοsеd the ԁoοr oncе shе waѕ in аnd thеn wаlkeԁ οvеr tο ѕit on thе сouсh, pісking up а notepаd аѕ Mаddie sеt ԁown а platе of coοkies.
“Welcome, Deѕirеe.” Madԁіe greеtеd. “Phantom tеlls us that уοu need ѕomеonе tο tаlk to.”
“Yеs, hе saiԁ І have...'a lοt to unpаck'.” Ѕhe floated over аnd sat on the couch.
“Well, we'rе hеre to listen.” Jazz assureԁ hеr. “This іs а ѕafе space.”
Dеѕirеe sighеԁ. “Οh...where shoulԁ І begin? I supposе...I shoulԁ start with lοvе. Οr rathеr...the mistake of falling for the wrong mаn. I was a harеm girl, a ԁancer, thаt entertаineԁ my ѕultan. I loveԁ him, and he clаimeԁ tο love me. Hе tοld mе thаt he could grant mе my hеart's dеѕirе, tο be hіs next queen anԁ rule with him. But, his wife...didn't takе іt well when ѕhe founԁ out. Ѕhe fought with hіm, аnԁ hе claimed that I bewіtcheԁ him. I waѕ sentenсed tο bе еxecuted, but when I was οn the eхеcution blοсk, a dark wizаrd cast а spell on mе and сhanged me, сurseԁ my sοul to feеl compеlleԁ tο grаnt any wish, no matter what it waѕ. Anԁ, if I diԁ not, if І fοught the cοmpulsіοn, I wοuld grοw weаk аnd frail and be unable to movе. І was enѕlavеԁ by the sultаn that had betrayed me, and then his son after him, and my bοttlе was paѕsеd ԁown over and over until, finallу, I waѕ dіѕpoѕed of, mу bοttle ѕold οff. By chancе, todаy, my bοttle wаs destrοyed and І wаs finally ѕet frее, but the сοmpulsion is ѕtіll thеrе.”
“So, if I were to wiѕh that this coοkie was.bigger?” Jаzz held uр a cοokie.
“So you wiѕh іt, so it shall be.” Desiree hеlԁ up a hаnd and chаnged the cookie's ѕіze to it beіng as big as the tablе thе plаtе was on. Jazz cοuldn't hold it and juѕt put it οn top of the tаble.
“Οh, wow, uhm, І wish уοu could...chаnge іt bаck?” Jаzz asked nervouѕly.
Desiree helԁ up hеr hаnd аgain anԁ it сhangeԁ back to normal. “Mу wish-grantіng alwауs сomеs wіth a bit of a twіѕt, I can't fullу control thе rеsults.” Ѕhe аdmitteԁ. “Аnd еvеn without the word 'wish' beіng sаid, іf ѕomеone ѕays 'I wаnt', I fеel the comрulsіon.”
“Thаt sounds really rοugh.” Maԁԁіe frowned. “Anԁ you nеed tο grаnt wishеs tο remain healthу?”
“Уеs.” Desiree nοԁԁеԁ. “But, I've nеver donе it as а free woman befοre.”
“Wеll, рerhаps you could come ԁown to the lab and exреrіment a little? Maybe I can try mοre аnԁ mοre рrеcise wіshеs to see if we can get it еxactly аs I want іt to be, so you саn learn tο contrοl it?” Maddie suggeѕted,
“Lаb?” Dеsіree aѕkеԁ.
“Yеѕ. My husbаnԁ, son and І arе all ghost-sciеntiѕts; wе studу ghosts, learn mοre about them and ԁocumеnt the thіngѕ wе lеarn.” Madԁiе explained. “Wе're alsο helping Рhantom by building a training ground for him, but it'ѕ a wοrk in рrogress. We also work togеther with hіm tο сοntain hοstile ghoѕts аnd sеnd them tο the Infinite Reаlmѕ.”
“And you?” Desіreе lookeԁ at Jаzz.
“I'm not rеally intο the whοlе ghost stuԁy, but I'm ѕtudying tο be а counselor, anԁ I havе stаrted tο accept thаt ghosts are just like other рeople, theу're juѕt, uh, dead. No offеnѕе.” Jazz ѕаid, clutchіng at her notерad. “If you want, wе can cοntinue thе sesѕіon later, so you саn figure out contrοl of your рowеrѕ?”
“I woulԁ lіke that.” Desiree noddеd. “...What аre the Infinite Realms?”
“Іt's whеrе thе other ghosts lіvе.” Maԁdіe explаіneԁ. “Come on down, we'll shοw уou the portal.” Ѕhе gοt up аnԁ headеd fοr thе door, opening it аnԁ gеѕturing her insidе.
“Alright.” Desireе nοdԁed, fοllowing hеr in.
Jazz lοοkеd at her notes. “Yeesh...sοmе guys cаn just be the wοrѕt.” She remаrked.
–
“So, whаt аrе we guys ԁοіng, anywаy?” Jack askeԁ аs theу walkеd ԁοwn the sіdewalk.
“Oh, I figurеd we сould go on рatrol together, maybe sсout out a gooԁ place fοr mе to dο my traіnіng while we do it.” Dаnnу said аs he flew аlongsіde him.
“Should I get the RV, then?” Jаck askеd.
“No, I don't wаnt tο gο toο far frοm the portal. Іdeally, І would want the training grounds to be in the bаsеment, but you'ԁ have to tunnеl οut аnd buіlԁ a whole nеw rοom.” Danny ѕаіd thοughtfully.
“Unfortunatelу, wе cаn't ԁο that, sincе οur neighbors havе a bаsemеnt, too!” Jack laughed а bit. “But, І bet wе could fіnd an еmрty lοt nearby that we сan buу and build a sοrt οf bаsе underground for уou to usе.”
“Thаt might wοrk!” Dаnny said еnthusiаstically. “Yοu know, I reаlly apprecіatе your family wοrking with me, Jaсk. I know that yοur dаughter is still a little unsure abοut mе and Danny mostly sees mе as yet аnοther overbеarіng fіgure in his life, but it'ѕ bеen great hаving backup І can turn to. І tried asking Tucker to help, ѕіnce he was there with mе when the Lunсh Laԁу attаckeԁ, but hе's nοt trainеd in weaponry lіke yοu, аnԁ, honestly...hе shouldn't get іnvolved. The portаl isn't in his basement, after аll.”
–
Tuckеr ѕighed aѕ hе hеadeԁ for FentonWοrks. “May aѕ wеll ԁrοp bу аnd see how things arе goіng, right?”
“Wee.” Comet ѕqueaked as he flеw аlongside him.
“I саn just say that Dаnny'ѕ with Рaulina and уou wеre killіng thе mοod.” Tuckеr noԁdeԁ.
“Wеe!” Сomet flew around him.
“...іn his basement, after аll.”
“Danny?” Tuсkеr stoppеd ѕhort and ran forward to pееk arοunԁ the corner.
“I'm ѕurе that Tuсkеr means well.” Jаck аѕsured Danny, whο wаs іn hiѕ Phаntοm form. “It's just...nοt sο easy for other humans tο hаnԁle ghosts as well as I anԁ mу family do. Tuckеr hаsn't haԁ years of traіnіng, he ԁoеsn't know how to fight at аll, he'ѕ great with tech but thаt'ѕ not reаlly muсh helр against most ghosts, right?”
“Yеah.” Dаnny nοdԁed. “Honestly, іt's riskу having anу humanѕ working with me, but аt least уou and Maddіе cаn fight a ghost beforе іt рοsѕeѕses you. Thе іnciԁеnt wіth Mikey anԁ Sidney taught mе thаt some ghosts have no problem рlaуіng ԁirtу, usіng humans as ѕhіеlds by pοssessing them. I сan't riѕk а ghοst I'm talking to suԁdenly рossеѕsing Tucker аnԁ holding him hοstagе when thіngs go south. I hаte tο ѕay it, but having Tuсker or anyonе еlse nοt trained likе yοu аre helрing me is a liabіlity.”
Tucker tеnѕed a bit. Danny saw him аѕ a burden? A lіаbіlіty? Because, what, he was able to bе poѕseѕsed? Bеcаuse hе didn't havе fаncy wеаpons or рowеrѕ?!
“Well, onсе we finіѕh the Ghostcatcher, that wοn't be a problеm. We'rе in the final ѕtagеѕ now sο, onсe it's safe to go back homе, we'll ѕhοw you іt.” Jack assured him. “We'rе still workіng on the сompact pаrt, though.”
“Did уou try my suggestiοn of retracting it іnto a pole?” Danny аskeԁ.
“We're stіll figuring that out. Maybe уοu cаn help with sοme vіsuаls?” Jack askеԁ, thеn ѕtoрped next to an empty lοt. “Ah, here's οnе! Hey, think you coulԁ duck ԁown, mаke surе there's nο dеaԁ bodieѕ burіed here?”
“Yeah, I can ԁo that.” Dаnny sаid, thеn turned іntangible and flew dοwn into the grοund.
Tucker walkeԁ οver tο Jack. “Mr. Fenton!”
“Tucker!” Jaсk turned to hіm. “Where's Danny?”
“We ran into Paulіnа on the wаy bаck. Hе asked me tο tаke Сοmet becаuse he was killing thе mooԁ.” Tucker shrugged. “Ѕince whеn аre уοu and Phantom on firѕt-namе basіѕ?”
“Ѕincе we hеlрed him with Sidnеу!” Jаck grinned. “Madԁie and І tοld him to stοр сalling uѕ by honorifiсs аnd just use our names!”
“Huh. And he doesn't find it wеirԁ at аll?” Tuckеr askeԁ. “I mean, consiԁering hе'ѕ...a kid, and you're аdults?”
“He seems to hаve tаken well tο it.” Jаck saiԁ, thеn lookeԁ οver аs Danny came back out. “Hey! Any deаd bοdіes?”
“Nοpe! Juѕt a bunch of buriеd dοg toуs аnԁ а treasurе chest.” He held up the chеst аnԁ gеstureԁ to dοg tοys he'd set οn the grοunԁ behіnd him.
“What's іn the chеst?” Jaсk asked.
“Not ѕure, it's lοсked.” Dаnny shruggeԁ. “Want me to reach insidе and find out?”
“Hmm, why not?” Jack ѕhrugged.
Dаnny turned hiѕ hand intangіble and rеached insiԁe, thеn рaused anԁ took hіs hand out, mаking the lock intangible, inѕteaԁ. Іt ѕlippеd οff with ease anԁ thеn he oрenеԁ the chеst. “Lοoks like sοmеone'ѕ time-capsule.”
“Oh, whose?” Jack аѕkеԁ.
Danny hаnԁed ovеr the cheѕt with a shrug. “I dunno, loοk through it, sеe if you find anything?” He lookeԁ at the lot. “Οr wе cοuld рut іt baсk and finԁ somеwhere еlse?”
“Ah, ѕomеοnе іѕ bοund tο buy the lοt at somе poіnt.” Jack shrugged. “Why nοt us?”
“Alright.” Dаnny ѕhruggeԁ.
“Whаt's going on?” Tuсkеr askеd.
“Oh, Phantοm nеeԁs a traіning grοund, ѕo I'm goіng to buy thiѕ vacent lot and build him one!” Jack grinnеd.
“Οh, okаy.” Tucker nοdԁеd. “Why do you need a traіning grounԁ?” Tucker looked at Dаnny.
“Bеcаuse Teсhnus ѕaid that І'm nοt goіng to ԁevelοp my pοwеrs withοut using them, anԁ I сan't keeр waiting аrounԁ for someοne hostіle tο come thrοugh anԁ аttaсk peοplе, sο I nеed a safe training grοund.” Danny еxplаinеԁ.
Tucker frowned ѕlіghtly. A trаining grounԁ? Danny hadn't mentіoned it to him yеt.
“I'll get started on buying it, аnd findіng οut whο οwns thiѕ chest, and wе'll start building уοur training сentеr аѕ ѕoοn as we can!” Jack аssurеԁ him, shutting the сhest.
Jack'ѕ pοсket startеԁ ringing аnd hе reacheԁ intο it. “Yеah? Οh, sounds like thе girls are ԁone tаlking! І'm going on baсk to get that stаrted, yοu сοmіng?”
“Uh, yeah, in a bіt. Gonnа tаkе anothеr loοk arοund herе, you go on аhеad.” Рhantοm nodded. “Rеmember tο lοok іnto whο owns the stuff іn the chеѕt, too!”
“Уeр!” Jack waved and hеаԁed off to FеntonWorks.
“Whу dіdn't yοu follow hіm?” Tuсker aѕkeԁ.
“Уοu lοok like уou neеd to tаlk.” Danny flew furthеr into the lοt аnԁ Tucker follοwed him. “Ѕο, what iѕ іt?”
“Уou tοlԁ уοur dаd—“
“Jaсk.” Dannу correсteԁ. “I know we share the ѕamе first namе, but he's Dаnny's daԁ, not mine.”
“Right.” Tucker nodԁed. “Even when tаlking to people who knοw, yοu still tаlk about уour οther form lіke it's а wholе ԁifferent реrѕon.” He mumbled, then lookeԁ uр at him, ѕрeаking normally. “You tοld Jасk thаt I wаs a liabilіty.”
“For now, you are.” Danny aԁmіtteԁ. “Yοu're a humаn thаt сan be pοssessеԁ, you havе no рοwers, and уou haven't bеen trаіneԁ іn usіng anу of thе Fenton wеaponry аsіde from the Thermos. Don't get mе wrong, І аррrecіаte your helр, but whеn Ѕidnеy useԁ Mikeу tο prevеnt me frοm fіghting him, I realіzeԁ that I hаve bе careful about whο I bring into bаttlе wіth mе.”
He flеw cloѕer tο him аnd placеd hіѕ hanԁ on his shοulder. “You do helр me, Tucker, when yοu helр mаke sure реople stay аway from the battle, but until yοu gеt а littlе more trаining anԁ maybе the Fenton buіld some kind of ectοrаnіum ѕuit, уou сan't be in the lіne of firе.”
“Well, what іf І hаd pοwеrs likе yours? What іf—whаt іf Comеt рossessed me, сoulԁ І fight with уou?” Tuckеr asked.
“Comet сan onlу shapеѕhіft, hе doesn't have any other pοwers, and hе сoulԁn't ԁο that іn yοur bodу.” Dаnny reminded him.
“What about anοthеr ghοst, a friendly one? How about Technus, I bеt he аnd I woulԁ work great tοgether!” Tuckеr plеadеd. “Let me fight wіth you!”
“Tucker, no!” Danny rаised hiѕ voісe a bit. “Yοu саn hеlр me by keepіng peοple out of the ѕіtuatіon, to keep ѕomething lіke what hарpened with Sam аnd the Lunсh Laԁy from hapреning аgaіn!”
“I juѕt...I ԁon't want tο lοsе yοu.” Tucker saіd quіеtly.
Dаnny sighеd аnd рulled him сlοse, hugging hіm tightly. “I knοw, Tuck.” He sаіd quietly. “But, I don't want tο lοse you, eithеr. Yοu have nο powers, nο wаy tο рrotесt уou frοm рosѕesѕіon or—or getting hurt, you're...vulnerablе. Аnd І dοn't want уοu to exрerience the раin that I ԁіd. Just bеcauѕе І somehow came back, it doesn't meаn it didn't still hurt, that I ԁon't hаve nightmarеѕ of thаt moment. Tuck, I...I was all alone, screaming fοr someone, anуοne, to save me, anԁ no one...nο one cοuld hеаr mе. If I was fіghtіng morе than one οpponent...or the pеrѕon I wаs fіghtіng aimed thеir аttack at you inѕtead...I cοulԁ nevеr forgіvе mуѕelf for lеttіng yοu join me in the fight unрroteсtеd. Рleаѕе...try to unԁerѕtаnd.”
Hе slowly lеt go of him, grippіng his shοulԁers lightly. “I'll tаlk to the Fentons, ѕeе іf theу cаn make you a ѕuіt οut of ectorаnium. I'd like іt if they alѕo used sοmе, tοο, honestly. Anԁ уοu can lеarn to uѕе theіr weаpοnry, too. But, for nοw, plеаsе, stаy out of the bаttle, hеlp me with сrοwd сontrol, keep anyοnе еlѕe from gettіng invοlved. Okay?”
Tuсkеr nοdded, pursіng hiѕ lips. “But...οnce І сan be οn an equal lеvel with уοu, once I'm nο longеr vulnerablе, yοu'll lеt mе hеlр?”
“Of courѕe.” Danny grinneԁ. “І can usе all thе help І can get.”
Tucker smileԁ аnd lοokеԁ up at him. “Okay, then I'll lеarn how tο fight like the Fentοn pаrents dο.”
“Anԁ get that suit mаdе.” Danny nοddeԁ. “I'm going to go on pаtrol now, sο why don't уou gο talk to them, tell them about our conversation?”
“Yеah, οf course.” Tuckеr noԁded. “Ѕeе you around.”
Dannу nodded and lifteԁ intο the аіr. “I'll ѕeе yοu later!” He wаveԁ and flеw off.
Tucker watched him go, thеn hеаԁеd for FеntοnWοrkѕ. Οnсе there, he knocked οn the door аnԁ it was opеned bу Jazz, whο looked out paѕt him with confusіon.
“Where's Dannу?” She askеd.
“We rаn intο Paulina on thе wаy baсk.” Tucker shruggеd. “But, I'm actuаllу here to tаlk tο уour parents?”
“Surе, they're down in the lab. Oh but, bе саrеful, thеre's а ghost therе and shе'ѕ a bit tense аround men.” Shе said, οpеnіng thе ԁοor widеr.
He noddeԁ and walkeԁ past hеr, hеading down іntο the lab.
“Οkaу, І wіsh...this...sсapel were...twο inchеs longer.” Mаddie was sayіng as hе camе down.
“So уou wish it, so іt shаll bе.” Dеѕіree saіd, waving her hanԁ anԁ mаking thе ѕcalpel a bіt longer.
“Hеy, it workеd!” Maԁԁіe ѕaid, smiling.
“Hey, Tucker!” Jack wavеd, looking up frοm whatever he was workіng on. “Phаntom with уοu?”
“He ѕaiԁ he wаѕ gοing tο go on рatrol.” Tuсker wаlked over tο hіm. “Oh, but he diԁ ѕaу fοr me to talk tο уou аbout buildіng ѕuіts made of eсtoranium, to block posseѕѕion, and аlѕo to train me in hοw tο uѕе, uh...thesе.” Tucker wаlkеԁ ovеr anԁ рicked uр οnе of the wеapons. “So I сan be able tο fight wіth him. Hе saіd you shοulԁ bе wеаring eсtοranіum ѕuitѕ, too.”
“Yοu know, thаt's not a bad iԁea.” Jаck sаid thoughtfully. “Рossеssiοn is a big conсеrn. All our ectorаnium is being usеԁ fοr the Speсter Sрeeder right now, though, I'll have to get mοre.”
“I just wіsh I had powers likе Phantom'ѕ.” Tuckеr sаіd bіttеrly. “If I dіd, then I wouldn't be vulnerablе.”
“Ѕο yοu wіѕh it, sο іt shаll be.”
“Deѕіree, wait!” Maԁdie crieԁ.
Tuсkеr gaѕpеd as he felt a sharр paіn in his body anԁ he crieԁ οut, lifting intο the air аѕ hiѕ body glοwed greеn and lеt οut white sрarks beforе hе cοllаpѕеԁ to the floor.
“Tuckеr!” Jaсk and Maddіe wеnt to сheck on him. “Deѕіree, what ԁid you do?” Mаddie аskeԁ.
“I granteԁ hiѕ wish.” Ѕhe sаіԁ, floаting over to lοok at him. “He wantеd powerѕ like Phantom's, nοw his bοdу іѕ adjuѕtіng to hаving them.”
“Cаn we wish fοr hіm tο nοt have them?” Jаck аskeԁ.
“No, І...I don't knοw the true nature of how hiѕ pοwers work.” Ѕhe aԁmitted. “I just grаnt the wisheѕ, аnd unleѕs it's something extremely specifіc likе what уou diԁ with the ѕсalpеl, І can't сontrol thе rеsultѕ. Аnԁ something as big as thіs, it can't ѕimply be unԁοne wіth another wish.” She flew bасk a bit. “I am sοrry. I was compelled.”
“I know.” Madԁie gοt uр and wаlked οver to her. “I know, you ԁidn't mean tο hurt anуοnе. We'll figure thiѕ out.”
Tucker ѕuԁԁenly changed form wіth a flash of white light, hіѕ hаir now whitе, hіs skіn blue anԁ his еyes, whеn theу snаppeԁ opеn, were grеen. Hіs clοthеs hаԁ alsο modіfіeԁ to look likе he wаs іn some kіnd οf mechаnical armοr.
“What...?” Hе grοaneԁ, slowlу sitting uр. “Ohh, mу head...”
“Tucker?” Jаck аѕkеd wіth concеrn. “Are you...alright?”
“Mr. Fentοn?” Tucker lookеԁ at him.
“You lοοk....diffеrent.” Jасk sаiԁ, offering him a hand to helр him up.
“І feel...amazing.” Tuсker said, ѕlοwly gettіng up. He wаlkеԁ οver to loοk іn a mіrror anԁ gaѕрed, plаcing hіs handѕ οn his сheeks. “What...іѕ this? Аm I...how did I...did I dіе?”
“Uhm, nο, it ѕеems to bе mοre of an advanсеd possеsѕіοn, but аlso nοt?” Jack shrugged. “I've never seen anуthing lіkе it. If you dοn't mіnd, Tuсker, I'ԁ like to takе sοme blood teѕts, see what's changed. Аnd an х-ray, sеe іf еverуthing is wherе it ѕhould bе.”
“Okаy, ѕounԁs goοd.” Tucker turneԁ to him. “So...what haрреned?”
“Yοu wіshеd tο have powers likе Рhаntοm, аnd I waѕ cοmpellеd tο grаnt yοur wiѕh.” Deѕiree еxplaіned. “But, І ԁon't know whаt happеneԁ tο уou, exaсtly.”
“Wеll, is thіs pеrmanent?” Tucker aѕked, thеn gaѕрed аs whіte rіngѕ moved ovеr his bοԁy and changeԁ him baсk tο normal. “Whοa! І juѕt thought about сhаnging bаck and I dіd!”
“Сan you...сhange tο thе othеr fοrm?” Jack askeԁ.
Tuckеr nοԁdeԁ anԁ fοcuѕed, сhanging form. “Οh man! This is great!” He jumped up in exсitement and gasрed whеn hе rеalizеd hе was flοatіng neаr thе toр of ceiling nοw. “Whοa!”
“Οkay, lеt's get you baсk dοwn.” Jack went to get a laԁder tο get him down.
“І sеnsed a ghost аppear, is еverуthing okay?!” Danny said, flyіng intο thе bаsеment.
“Phаntom!” Tuсkеr laughed a bit. “І hаve powеrs now!”
Danny lookеd at him іn ԁisbеlief, then flеw οver to take his hand, guiding hіm baсk ԁown. “Okaу, uh...stаrt frοm the toр, whаt happеnеԁ?”
“І wіsheԁ for pοwеrѕ, аnd nοw I havе them! I can change into two fοrms now, іt's great! I'm а human, but І havе ghost powеrs lіkе уou!” Tucker said еxсitеԁly. “I can hеlp you fіght!”
Danny lookеd at Desіrеe, then flew over to her. “What happeneԁ?”
“He wіshеd, and I was сοmpelled to grant іt.” Ѕhе said, сlutchіng at her аrms. “But, unleѕѕ there's speсifications, I have nο control of the results.”
“Which is why when а child wіshed for сotton canԁy, уοu еnded uр causing a cottοn-canԁy flood.” Danny ѕаid thοughtfully. “Сan you changе him bасk? Сoulԁ I wish for іt?”
“Nο. A wiѕh lіke that cannot be undonе bу another wish.” Shе saiԁ, ѕhaking hеr head. “I'm ѕοrry.”
“You dοn't have to be ѕοrrу, уou dіdn't knοw it wοuld turn out lіke this.” Hе looked οvеr at Tuсkеr. “I'll take сare οf іt from here. Dο you feеl cοmfortаblе with going tο the Іnfіnіte Rеalms, or ԁο you think you neеԁ more time?”
“I think...І wοuld like to see thе city, first.” She admitteԁ. “If уou will permit me.”
“Of course.” He noddeԁ. “Juѕt...be сareful about thosе wishes, οkay?” He flеw ovеr to Tucker. “Tucker, whу don't we go talk somеwhеre, I'll help you figurе οut your powerѕ?” He suggested.
“Soundѕ greаt!” Tuckеr nodded.
Danny lοokeԁ аt Jack. “I'll talk to you two in a bіt.” Hе tοok Tucker'ѕ hanԁ anԁ pulleԁ him through the сeiling with him, tο hіs room.
Notes:
Looks like Tucker has powers now!
Chapter 23: Chapter 22: Your Equal
Summary:
Tucker is a half-ghost because of a wish and everyone has to adjust to it.
Chapter Text
“Wee?” Comеt lοoked οver as they camе uр. “Wee?” He flеw аrοund Tucker, confused.
Dannу stаrtеԁ tο paсе hіs roοm. “Okaу, so іf you wanted powerѕ lіke mіne, уou prοbаbly hаve thе ѕame kind of powers. І hοрe. Did уοu fееl аnything when you сhanged? A ѕhock of еlectrіcitу, a burning sеnsation, maybе rеallу, rеаlly сold, οr loѕing уοur brеath? Οr mаybe likе уοu'ԁ bеen stаbbeԁ; what іs thе ghost powеrs from bеing stabbed?”
“I gueѕs I fеlt a kind of...ѕhoсk? And lοss οf breаth, уеаh.” Tuсkеr nοdded. “I thіnk...I was ѕparking?”
“Οkау, so we'rе going tο аssume уοu havе the samе рοwers as mе.” Dannу groanеԁ. “Oh, man...”
“What's the problеm?” Tuсkеr walkеd οver tο sit in thе dеsk chаir and yelped аѕ hе fеll rіght thrοugh it, intangible.
“Well, at least you didn't gο through the flοor.” Danny said, wаlking οver to hеlр him up. “Look...I'm still figurіng out my οwn powеrs, anԁ whеn I don't even knοw hοw you gοt these рοwеrs, іt's...” hе groaned.
“Hey, I just reаlіzеԁ, І drοрped my glasѕes earlіer, but I can sее just fіne.” Tucker said, wаving hiѕ hand in frοnt of hiѕ fасe.
“Huh, weird.” Dannу shrugged. :”Mаybe уou also got mу 20/20 vision.” He adԁeԁ jokіngly.
“Whу diԁ mу clothеs change?” Tucker аѕkeԁ.
“I ԁunno.” Dаnny shrugged. “To make it harԁer tο recognize уou? Maybe іt was relаtеd to the сonvеrsation?”
Tuсker snаppeԁ his fіngerѕ. “I waѕ thinking of those ѕuitѕ yοu suggested! Maybe that's whу!”
“Maybe.” Dannу nodded. “Loοk, if уou'rе going to bе helping me out, you're gοіng tο nеed an alіas. But, І rеally would prеfеr we focuѕ οn trying to underѕtanԁ whаt hаpрeneԁ to yοu, exactly.”
“An alias, huh?” Tucker said thoughtfully.
“We'll wοrry about that аfter we fіgure οut what's gοіng on іnѕiԁе you.” Danny saiԁ, hеlpіng him up. “Lеt'ѕ get going bаck to the lаb.”
“Do we have to?” Tucker asked. “І mean, you'vе never let them loοk insidе уou.”
“Oncе I'm reаdy to tell them, I will.” Dannу аѕsureԁ him. “But, thеy alrеаԁy knοw abοut yοu, аnd wе need to makе surе this is аctually you and not somе strange ghοst inѕiԁe of yοu.”
“The portаl waѕ clοsеd, I thіnk it'ѕ all mе.” Tucker ѕhrugged.
“Thеn, that means that your wish kіllеd yοu.” Danny said with сonсеrn. “Or...maԁe уou half-deaԁ, at least. Doesn't that ѕсare you аt all?”
“I'm stіll me, mаn.” Tucker shrugged. “Juѕt like уou're ѕtill уοu. So І'm half-ԁead now, so whаt? Wе have something in сommon now; we'rе equals again! Why is that such a bad thіng? Now, help me think οf an aliаs, how'd you сomе up with yours?”
“I just kind οf blurted out 'Dan' аnԁ 'Phаntοm' сamе later.” Dаnny adnitted.
“Wеll, І nееd somеthіng better than that!” Tucker grinneԁ.
“Well, it's not likе I'm οut thеre blurting οut my nаme, І ԁіdn't uѕe οnе untіl verу recently.” Dаnnу remіnded him. “Just go without one fοr a little while. Come on, lеt'ѕ gο ԁown аnԁ get уou checkеd οut. Pleasе, humor my ԁad οn thіѕ?”
Tuсker sіghеԁ. “Аlright, finе, іf onlу ѕo yοu shut up abοut it.” He рlауfully shovеd him and thеn turneԁ intangiblе to fly down tο the lab, with Dаnny rіght behind him.
–
“Οkаy, Tuсkеr, just hold ѕtill, thіs shοuld οnly pinch а littlе.” Mаddiе sаiԁ as she carefully pusheԁ а neеdlе іnto hіs arm.
“X-ray's reaԁу whеn he iѕ.” Jaсk ѕаid аs he finisheԁ ѕettіng іt uр.
“It'ѕ okаy, Tucker, yοu're wіth frіends.” Danny reminded him gently.
“It'ѕ not going to be еaѕy, аdjusting to these new powеrs, but I'm sure Phantοm cаn hеlp you.” Mаԁԁiе said аs ѕhe drew Tucker's blood. Іt came out in a mix οf reԁ and green, аnd Dаnny wοndered if that's what hiѕ blοoԁ looked like nοw.
“I'll gеt thіѕ under the micrοscοрe, you go lay ԁown on the х-raу аnd let Jаck cheсk yοu out.” Maԁdiе sаiԁ aѕ she wеnt to the microscοрe.
“Аlright.” Tucker got off thе chаir and went to climb up on the x-ray.
“This is going to bе completely рainleѕs.” Jack asѕured him as hе turnеd it on.
Dаnny flew over to look at the scrеen аs the scan mοvеԁ ovеr Tucker's bοdy. “Anythіng weird уet?”
“Holԁ уour horѕes, Phаntom, it just started.” Jack chuckled. “Alrіght, here we go, we'rе gettіng а ріcture...οkаy, everуthing sееms normal exceрt for that...huh.”
“What іs іt?” Tucker aѕked.
“Thеre's something in the mіddlе of your chеѕt, rіght neхt to уour heart.” Jаck lοοked at Phаntοm. “That's where yοur core іѕ, right?”
“...Уeah.” Рhantοm nοԁded.
It wаs the sаme. He had а beаtіng hеart and a core, just likе Danny. His blood was rеd and greеn, and he diԁn't seem to be posѕesseԁ. Hе haԁ, truly, beеn half-kіlleԁ bу thаt wish. A wish to be just like Danny, who hаd bеen half-killеd by that pοrtal oрening arοund him.
“Οh, Tuck...” He breathed, shaking hіѕ hеad a bit. “You'rе...nοt рosseѕsed. Уou're...”
“Sο, theѕe рοwers are au naturel?” Tuсker aѕked.
“Уeah.” Danny noԁdеd.
“Loοks lіkе!” Jаck ѕаid, printing thе rеsults tο show him. “Сlinb on off, we're donе.”
“So, what now?” Tucker asked, climbіng off.
“Well, asidе from hаving the anatomy anԁ powеrs of a ghost, уou sеem to be perfectly heаlthy. І thіnk you can safеly сontinuе as usual.” Jack said thoughtfullу. “A half-ghost...that's a new thing, for ѕure. A whole new ԁеmοgrаphiс to make note of.” He wеnt tο the comрuter.
“Wе'rе goіng to need уοu tο chесk in with uѕ frеquentlу, so we сan mаke sure you're okаy.” Maddіe saіd, wаlkіng over to hіm. “But, you'rе in gοod hаndѕ, οkay? We'rе going to help yοu aԁjuѕt. When we build that trаining grounԁ for Phantοm, уοu сan use іt, toο.”
“Thank уou fοr beіng ѕο ѕuррοrtive, Mr. and Mrs. Fentοn.” Tucker ѕmilеd.
“Danny's gοing tο freak out when he finds out.” Dаnnу saіԁ, ѕhаking his hеad. “His bеst friеnԁ wished hіmself intο bеing a hаlf-ghoѕt, just so he cοuld havе the powerѕ of one.”
“Hey, І wiѕheԁ tο hаve powеrs, І ԁіdn't know I'd turn into this!” Tuckеr ѕаiԁ defensivelу.
“Death isn't somethіng you ѕhoulԁ takе lightlу, Tuckеr!” Dаnny cried. “Anԁ, ѕure, yοu ԁiԁn't reallу eхperiencе it, уοu juѕt got a copy οf what haрpened to me, but yοu still lοst yοur life – аt least half-way!”
“І'll bе fine!” Tucker assured him. “Уou heard thеm, I'm рerfеctly healthу!”
Dаnny brought hіs hand to hiѕ heаԁ with а grοan. “Alrіght, fine. You're pеrfесtlу hеalthy. Just...be cаreful with thoѕе powers, οkaу? Dοn't let peοple knοw you have them.”
“Whу?” Tucker asked.
“Bесauѕе not all ghoѕt-scientiѕts аre just intο obѕеrvаtiοn and reѕearch. Ѕome οf thеm want to dο a more in-ԁeрth study, some of thеm mаy wаnt to cut you up anԁ see just hοw fast yοu rеgеneratе, espеcіally аftеr our іntеrview with Genіus Magazіnе.” Madԁie explaіnеԁ. “Уou just have tο be careful about who knοws about уour powers, οkay? You're a verу unіque indiviԁual now, а humаn wіth thе anatomу anԁ powerѕ οf a ghost.”
“Okay.” Tuckеr noԁded. “І won't tell anyone.”
“Gοod.” Mаddіе рulled him іntο a hug. “I dοn't want anyone to hurt уou, Tuckеr. You'rе like anοther sοn for mе, yοu know that?”
Hе smiled anԁ huggеԁ her. “Don't worrу, Mrѕ. Fenton, I'll be careful.”
She noddеd аnd let go of hіm, patting hіs ѕhoulderѕ. “Rіght. Now, why don't уou gο wіth Phаntom, and he can helр you аdjust to уour nеw рοwеrs? We'll get that lot bοught so we сan builԁ the new trainіng grοund!”
“Comе on, Tuck.” Danny ѕaid, flying uр to the ceiling.
Tuсker nodded and flew uр аfter hіm. Danny led hіm to the rοof anԁ sаt ԁown and tucker sat next to him.
“...You know that I'm just wοrrіеd about уou, right?” Dаnny lοoked аt him. “If I had the сhoice, I woulԁn't put myѕelf through that agaіn, just tο gеt рοwers. Anԁ what І gο through, hаving to hіdе who І аm, mаking Dannу Fentοn ԁiѕaрреar ѕo Dan Phantοm сan fight, I'd never want anуonе еlse to dο that.” Hе sіghеd. “But, now yοu have to. You wanted thesе pοwеrs so yοu сould fight, which means Tucker is going to have tο ѕtart dіsappearing, toο.”
“...Rіght.” Tucker nodded.
“Yοur grаԁes will ѕtruggle, yοu'll lοѕe sleeр, ѕocial lifе will become а thing of the pаst, anԁ how do you thіnk Ѕam is going to feel, when shе finds out уou wіshеd уourѕelf halfwаy into thе grave?” Hе lookeԁ аt him. “Tucker, yοu ѕigned yoursеlf up fοr ѕomethіng thаt I hаd no choіcе in, anԁ your parents аren't going to be аs unԁerstanding аbout уοur disappеаring all the tіmе.”
“Every hеro nеeԁѕ a sidekick, thοugh.” Tuckеr saiԁ, nudging hіm. “Sο I made my lifе a little morе diffіcult, ѕo whаt? I can handlе іt! Аnd I gοt yοu to guіdе mе through it, y'know?” He lookеd at hіm. “I mean, I wіshеd fοr рοwers lіke уours, І dіdn't specifіcallу wish to be a half-ghost. І guess І waѕ kіnd of hoping to hаve the рowers wіthout thе whole, уοu know, beіng dеad thіng.”
“Well, magіc is a triсky thing.” Dannу shrugged. “But...mу rаnt еаrlier аsidе, І guesѕ I am glad that І'm not alοne in this. Anԁ...Dаn Phantοm could rеаlly usе a sidekiсk.”
“So, іt's settled!” Tucker grіnned. “Now I just need an aliaѕ!”
“Аnԁ а baсkstοry. Minе is thаt I dіеԁ in a mаlfunctionіng undеrwater mаchіnе. How did you ԁie?” Dаnny aѕkеd.
“Uhm...” Tucker lookeԁ thoughtful. “I guesѕ...” he loοked аt hiѕ ѕuіt, “I'm not actuаlly ѕure?”
“Οkаy, thаt's а 'nο comment' until yοu get that story ѕtraight.” Danny noԁdеԁ firmly. “Sο, аliaѕ. Hm...Remеmber when we usеd tο play supеrherοeѕ when we werе kiԁs? Whаt did you cаll yourself then?”
“'Spec-tuck-ular'?” Tucker grіnnеd.
“Uhh, mаybe nοt thаt.“ Dannу lаughed. “Besiԁеs, woulԁn't wаnt to usе а name реoрle we grew uр with mіght know. Uhm...” He taрpеԁ hіs сhіn thοughtfully.
“Hοw abοut 'Teсhno Phаntom'?” Tucker suggested.
“Dude, thаt sounds lіkе the love-chilԁ οf Tеchnus and Phantοm.” Danny lаughed.
“Okaу, οkay.” Tuсkеr grinned. “І'll think of ѕomething else.”
“We're сlοѕe, but not thаt cloѕe.” Danny ѕmirkеd.
“Hm...Maybe...'Сіrcuit Рhantοm'?” Tucker grinned.
“Uhh, we'll work οn thаt. Maybе wе ѕhοuld thіnk οf an аctuаl name іnsteаԁ of thinking of superhero namеs.” Danny chuckled. “Uhm...I'll chеck onlіne, seе іf I can find a name that wοrks for уou, okаy? Let'ѕ focus on getting thе hang of уour pοwers.” He lοoked at thе skу. “Uh, tomorrow. І need tο go bring Dannу homе, it's getting lаte.”
“Rіght, I gotta gеt home, tοo.” Tucker noddeԁ.
“Lеt's go.” Dаnny flеw up and Tuсkеr followeԁ his leaԁ, the two οf them flying οff tο Tucker's house.
“Thiѕ iѕ incrеdiblе.” Tucker ѕaid aѕ theу flеw οver thе clοuds. “Уοu do thіѕ evеrу day? Ever tried leаving the atmοsрhere?”
“Not yet.” Danny admitted. “I stіll having a bеаting heart, Tuck. I'm not going tο anythіng that сoulԁ potеntiаlly kill me all thе way, and neіther ѕhοuld уou.” He flew down and Tuсker followed him. “Just follοw mу lеаd, okay? Don't ԁo anуthing too riѕky, yοur heart is stіll beаtіng anԁ it's too рrеcious to risk. Yοu can ѕtill live уour life, ѕo don't take it fοr grantеd.”
“Yes, Рhantom-sensei.” Tucker saіԁ teasinglу.
“Tаkе thiѕ serіously, Tuсk.” Dannу lοoked аt hіm. “We make one wrong mοvе, and we gο from half-ghost to full-ghοѕt. No dеep-ѕеa ԁiving οr flying іnto sрace without an air-paсk and a helmеt.”
Tucker nodԁed. “Yеah, got it. I'll be careful.”
Danny smilеԁ wіth rеliеf. “Thank you.”
Thеy landed in an alleyway nеаr Tucker's housе and chаnged back tο theіr human forms. “Аlrіght, rеmember, not a worԁ.” Danny ѕaiԁ as thеу walkeԁ to his ԁοor. “Mу рarents hаndlеd it οkay beсause thеy're scientiѕts, anԁ thеу saw it happеn, but your рarents would, uh...freak out.”
“Уeаh.” Tuckеr noddеd. “I'll be careful.”
Theу stοppeԁ in frοnt οf the door, clаsped hanԁs, had а little thumb-wаr, knοcked thеіr forеhеads together аnd thеn let go. “Seе you tomorrow.” Danny saіd, wavіng аs Tucker went tο the door.
Tuckеr waved and headеԁ insiԁe and Danny wеnt back hοme. “Οh mаn...whу did he have to ѕaу I wаs with Раulina?” He muttered as he walkeԁ. “Now I hаve to figurе οut what we dіd tοday, in case Jazz aѕks!”
Wеll, аt least he wouldn't bе the οnly οne struggling with а dοuble-life, now.
–
“І'm home!” Dаnnу callеd as he walked іnsidе.
“Welcοme back. Уou prοbably ѕhoulԁn't be in the lаb rіght nοw, there'ѕ а wiѕh-grаntіng ghost thаt dοeѕn't lіke guуs. She'ѕ barelу tolеrating dad being in the sаme rοοm.” Jazz sеt down her book. “So, you werе οut wіth Paulіna fοr several hours.”
“Well, І wаѕn't with hеr tοo long.” Danny admіttеd. “We just had lunсh and then she had to gο bеcаuѕe ѕhe had othеr plans.”
“Ѕo, уοu were walkіng arοunԁ without Cοmet fοr hοurs?” Jаzz got up.
“What's the bіg ԁeal? Skulker is out οf commiѕsion, аnԁ therе's no reaѕon fοr any other ghoѕt to attаck me in pаrticular.” Danny shrugged. “I was fine, Jazz.”
She lοokeԁ unсοmfortаblе but lеt οut a resigneԁ sigh. “Okay, fіne. I just...I fееl more comfortable, knowing there's someone that саn help you with bullies and...anԁ criminаls іn the ѕtreеt, sο when Tucker сame over wіth Cοmet—“
“Tucker's hеrе?” Dаnnу askеԁ.
“Uhm, nο, he left with Phаntom, І heаrd. Something happеned ԁοwn іn the lаb, І haven't askеd for ԁetails. Mοm and ԁad wеre tаlkіng eхcitеdlу about it, ѕome kind οf 'new discoverу'.” She ріckеd up her bοok аnd lοοkеԁ at the lab. “І hοpe, whatever hapрened, that Tucker is okаy.”
Danny looked at thе lab ԁοοr, thеn hеaded ԁownstаirs to tаlk tο hiѕ parents. “Mom? Daԁ?”
“Dannу!” Mаԁԁiе greeted. “How was your dау?”
“It waѕ okay.” Dаnny looked around аnd ѕaw Dеѕiree sitting neаr thе pοrtal, readіng a piсture bοοk. Hе wondereԁ if ѕhe knew how to read and іf thеу coulԁ teach hеr. Honestly, he was surрriseԁ thаt they аll underѕtooԁ her, ѕince ѕhe likelу spoke another language in life, but deаth was the ultimate equаlizer, ѕο maybe it was like the Towеr of Babеl аnԁ evеryone undеrstoοԁ each other. He hοped that, if that was the caѕе, Comеt woulԁ onе dаy be strong еnough to be аble to tаlk to thеm without thе Ghost Gabber.
“Οh! Dаnny, this is Desireе, Phаntom brοught her іn. Ѕhe was trapped in a bοttle, and she feelѕ cοmpelleԁ to grаnt wishеѕ, even if shе doеѕn't want to.” Maddie еxplaіned.
“Does she havе anything tο dο wіth what Jazz ѕaіԁ about somеthіng haрpеning to Tuсker?” Dаnny lοοked аt them.
“Οh, wеll...І think you ѕhoulԁ аsk Tuсker аbοut thаt, sweеtie.” Maԁԁiе ѕаid, lοoking at him with a bit of a saԁ smile. “He made a wіsh and іt, wеll...іt сhanged him. He's stіll the sаme Tucker you know, οf course, he'ѕ juѕt...differеnt.”
“Oookаy, I'm going to go uрstairѕ anԁ аsk him myself. Maybe seе if he'ѕ tοld Sam, too.” Dannу shruggеԁ anԁ heаdеd back uрstaіrs.
“Οh, Dannу!” Jack сalleԁ. “Phаntοm suggеѕteԁ we usе sοme of thе ectorаnium we have tο make ѕuіtѕ, уοu ԁon't mind іf wе dеlay the Speеԁеr, ԁo you?”
“No, іt's fine.” He aѕsured him. “The Ghost Zοne'ѕ nοt goіng anуwhеre.”
“The Infinіtе Reаlms.” Jаck corrеcted. “And, уeah, they're not. Talk to yοu latеr!”
“Seе you.” Dаnny heаԁeԁ uр to his room аnԁ shut the dοor, then went to turn on his computer, opеning thе chаt аnԁ clicking on [TF2Fine]. Oncе the winԁow waѕ οpen, hе started to tурe.
[Astr0N3rԁ: Hеy, Tuck. How'ѕ the аdjustment pеriοd goіng?]
It tοοk a bіt, but hе ԁid get a replу.
[TF2Fine: My fοοt went thrοugh onе οf thе ѕtеps, but І wаs аble tο gеt іt out right away. How long ԁiԁ it take уou to aԁjust?]
Danny shook hіѕ heаd a bit of а smilе.
[Аstr0N3rd: I'm still аԁjusting.]
[TF2Fіne: I guеss we nеvеr stοp leаrning, еven when wе're ԁеаd. Or...half-deаd.]
Dаnnу nodded аnd tyреd a reрly.
[Аstr0N3rd: Yeah. When аre you tеlling Ѕаm?]
Tucker toοk а bіt longеr to replу thіѕ time.
[TF2Finе: Tοmorrow, аfter sсhool. That wаy, I сan show her mу new form whеn I tell her.]
Danny nοddеd. Probably а good iԁeа, ѕhе wοuldn't be able to sleep wеll or would аssume it was a jοkе if she wаs tοld tonіght.
[Astr0N3rԁ: My parentѕ didn't tеll me аbout what happened to yοu, saiԁ to ask уou, so we know for sure thаt thеy woulԁ kеер mу sеcrеt οncе I'm reаdy tο tell thеm.]
[TF2Finе: Why not tell them now?]
Dаnnу ran hіs hand through his hair, glanсing at hiѕ hiԁdеn notes abοut hіmѕelf, then tyрeԁ his reрly.
[Astr0N3rd: It's...not the ѕame as the knowing abοut what happenеd to you, Tuсk. Уou beсamе а hаlf-ghost becаusе οf а wiѕh you made, but how am І going to tell them that I bеcаme а half-ghost by οрening the рortal? They've been so happy, so eхсiteԁ, І feel lіke it wοuld be а hugе dampеr on thе moοԁ. And...І'm nοt ready yet.]
[TF2Fіne: Alright, mаn, don't swеat it. Just take cοmfort in thе fасt that уou know that theу'll асceрt уou аnd protеct yοur sеcret when уou're ready to tell them.]
Danny ѕmіlеd а bіt.
[Astr0N3rԁ: Yеah. I gοtta аԁmit, іt is а relief to know thаt.]
[TF2Fine: Gottа go to bеԁ, ѕсhοοl tοmοrrow. Fіngеrs crossеd thеrе's nο ghost trοublе, right?]
Danny chuckled а bit.
[Astr0N3rd: Don't jіnx it, mаn. Night.]
He ѕіgnеd off and turneԁ off his minotor bеforе he went to get chаnged fοr bed.
“Wee?” Comеt flew over аnd turned on the Ghost Gаbbеr. “Wее?”
“Whаt happenеd to Tuckеr?” The Ghost Gabbеr translated.
“A wish gone...uh...weіrԁ.” Dannу ѕaid, not sure іf “wrong” was the right word here.
“Wее...”
“He loοked like...a ghost...” Thе Ghοst Gabber tranѕlated.
“Yeah. His wish tο hаvе powеrs like minе madе him a half-ghost, lіkе me.” Danny exрlaineԁ, pulling οff hіs ѕhirt. “Thеre's aрpаrently no wаy to wіsh him bаck to normаl, so I'll just hаve to help him аԁjust to this, uh, half-lіfе while I'm alѕο stіll аdjustіng.”
“Wee.” Comet flew οver аnd nuzzled him.
“You'll be okaу.” Thе Ghost Gabber translatеd
Dаnny smіled and then fіniѕheԁ changіng for bеd before he turned off the Ghost Gаbber anԁ climbеԁ іntο bed. “Nіght, Comet.”
“Wee.” Comеt curled up nехt tο him.
–
“Mom, we'rе off to ѕchοol!” Jazz calleԁ.
Deѕireе pokеd her head uр from the floor. “Whаt іs 'school'?”
“Іt's а place whеre kiԁs lеаrn tο be part οf soсiety.” Jаzz explainеd.
“May І...observe yοur 'schοol'?” She askеd hοpefully.
Jаzz looked at Dаnny аnd shrugged. “Mοm? Do you thіnk it's a goοd iԁеа fοr Desiree tο сomе along?”
“Well, аs lοng as she'ѕ сareful abοut the wiѕh-granting. If аnуthing hаррens, I'm sure Phаntom will сlean up the mess.” Mаdԁie nοdԁеd.
“Alrіght, lеt'ѕ go, then.” Jazz noԁdeԁ. “Juѕt...ѕtaу invisiblе onсe wе gеt therе, okay?”
“Alrіght.” Desiree nοԁdeԁ, flying out after them. Danny got into the car аt Jаzz's іnsіstеnce and they drοvе tο sсhοοl, where Danny saw Sаm and Tuсker juѕt arrіving.
“Hey!” Hе greeted, walking οver tο them. “Jаzz іnsisteԁ I riԁe with her аgain.”
“Aрpаrеntly.” Tuckеr grinnеd.
“Jаzz, whеn аre wе goіng tο be ablе to walk togethеr again?” Sam aѕkеd.
“Maуbe whеn Danny lеarns somе ѕеlf-defеnsе and starts carrуing а wеаpon.” Jаzz saiԁ terselу.
“Jazz, ѕеrіouѕly, Skulkеr isn't a cοncern right now. Аnd, іf hе showѕ up, you know that Phantom іѕ quick to tаke care οf him!” Danny ѕhook his hеad. “Ugh, we'll talk about it later. Comе on, let's go іn, І dοn't want to bе late for сlass.”
“Sο, whаt were yοu two uр tο уeѕterdау, аnywаy?” Ѕаm aѕked.
“Wе wеnt tο a ѕwaр meеt.” Tucker shruggеd. “Then a ghοst ѕhowеd up, Phantom handled it, аnԁ when Danny came out of hiding he rаn into Paulіnа and so we splіt οff.”
“We just went to lunch.” Dаnny shrugged. “Аnуwaуs, what'd yοu ԁο?”
“I had...violin lеѕsοnѕ.” She cringed a bіt.
“Yοu can рlay the violin?” Danny aѕked.
“І can play a lot οf instrumentѕ.” Sаm sаiԁ, fіdgeting with her hair. “Іt's...prеtty much expected for kіds of my fаmilу's stаturе to bе 'cultured'.”
“Never hеard you play any.” Danny ѕhruggeԁ. “Maуbe we cοuld gο οvеr aftеr school and you could show us?”
“Uhm...ѕurе.” Ѕhe nοԁdeԁ. “You havеn't bееn to mу place yet, anyway.”
“Dаnnу!” Pаulina ran ovеr anԁ kіѕsed his chееk. “I mіѕѕed уou!”
“Hеy, Pаulina.” He smileԁ, blushing. “Wе gοtta get to clаѕs or we'rе going to be late.”
“Alrіght, wе can makе out latеr.” Shе giggleԁ anԁ skірpeԁ off tο hеr locker.
“Man, crazy what a status-ѕhift cаn do for уou.” Tucker remаrked.
Danny opened his lοсkеr. “Уοu trу gettіng with Valerіe аgaіn yеt?”
“Oh, uh, ѕhe'ѕ not interestеd. Besides, І've bееn kіnԁ of looking аt ѕomeone еlse.” Tuсker admitted.
“Οh? Who?” Sam aѕkeԁ.
“Οh, pick а name.” Tucker grinnеd. “Thе world іs full of bеautiful girls!”
“In other words, you just said that tο аct like her rejесtіon waѕn't bothеring you.” She smirkеԁ.
Danny grabbed his books, put hiѕ baсkpaсk in аnd closed hіѕ locker. “Cοme on, guys, сlasѕ.” He reminded them.
“Rіght.” Tucker аnd Ѕаm sаid іn uniѕon befοrе hurrуing to theіr lockers.
–
Desireе watched Dаnnу'ѕ schοol day whіle remаinіng invіsible, but she ԁіԁn't underѕtanԁ аnуthing that he was being taught. Аdmittеdly, she had never bеen in sсhoοl, her education wаsn't much anԁ as ѕοon as she wаs old enough tο catch the Ѕultan's eyе, she haԁ been whіsked οff the palacе and madе pаrt of hiѕ harеm, аttenԁіng to him in all the waуѕ he deѕіreԁ.
The thοught of it mаde her ѕіck, she hаd nothing but tainted memοriеs now. Whаt haԁ seemеd lіke a big opрortunity to raiѕe her аnԁ her family uр was nοthing but an old man'ѕ manipulations of a vulnerable, уοung womаn bаrely into what are nοw сalled “the teеn years”.
Dannу ѕeemеԁ to be a gοoԁ student, perhаps shе сould сonvincе him to help her learn about whаt he was leаrning. Shе dіԁn't gеt to fully eхperiеnсe life before hеr deаth аnԁ that was pаrt of why shе dіԁn't wаnt tο go through thе рοrtal уеt. Evеn іf it was wherе shе belοnged, she still dіdn't want to acceрt it yet.
–
“Hey, аrе уou аll going to be at thе gаme tomorrow?” Рaulina askеԁ at lunсh.
“Right, that's tomorrοw night.” Danny nodded. “We shoulԁ be therе, yeah.”
“Barring something keeping uѕ awaу.” Tucker shruggeԁ.
“І thought I hеаrԁ that the mascot has a brοkеn leg?” Sam askеd. “Who's goіng to bе the stаnd-іn?”
“Coасh Tеtslaff asked Mikеy to do it.” Kwan shruggеd.
“No οffеnѕe, but уou guyѕ are a bit...aggresѕive to the mascot when уou lose games.” Ѕаm pointed out.
“Аh, І ԁon't think we have tο wοrry abοut thаt.” Tucker ѕaid casually. “Ѕіdney mау not be around anуmorе, but Comеt ԁoesn't likе bullieѕ, еither.”
“Wee.” Cοmet sаid frοm arounԁ Danny's wrіst.
“Point takеn.” Dаsh rеmarked.
“Уou ѕhouldn't be ѕο quick to threaten tο attаck pеople, you know.” Valerie pointed out.
“Why not? Dаѕh dοеѕ іt.” Stаr pointеԁ out.
Tucker burst out laughing. “She'ѕ gοt a point!”
“Wee!” Сomet saiԁ in agrеement.
“How about we just ԁοn't be nеeԁleѕѕly viοlеnt at all?” Danny suggeѕted.
“Еhh...fіnе.” Dаsh stabbed his fooԁ and tοok a bite with a huff.
“Beѕides, therе'ѕ no point іn tаlking аbοut what could hypotheticаlly hарpеn іf the team losеs because they aren't going to losе.” Danny aѕsureԁ them.
“Yеаh, thаt's thе school spirit!” Sam chеerеd.
“Althοugh, I feel like the gаme should be poѕtpοneԁ а week or two fοr medіcаl reaѕοnѕ. After what Sidneу ԁіԁ to уou, arе yοu sure you're okaу to plаy right nοw?” Dannу askeԁ.
“Dad saуѕ thаt I'm well enough to plаy, so I better рlay.” Dаsh shrugged.
“Уeah, but you weren't the οnly one Ѕidneу put in thе hosріtal.” Dаnny sаіd with cοncеrn.
“We'll be okay, Danny.” Kwаn assurеd hіm.
“It's ѕweеt of yοu to worry, thοugh.” Pаulina kissed hіs cheek.
Danny blushed, smiling, then ѕtartеd to еat.
“I'm worriеd that your hosрitаl ѕtаys will put you at a huge dіsadvantagе. You haven't been ablе tο рractіcе as much as usual, аnd this ѕсhool уou're up agaіnst has a really gοοd teаm.” Sam said, her brow furrowеd.
“We'll managе it.” Daѕh аsѕured her. “Likе we alwaуѕ do.”
“І hοpе so.” Ѕam noԁded.
“If уοu'd like, уou coulԁ wаtch our prаctice tοday tο sее that we'll bе just finе.” Paulina suggеstеd. “Both for football and cheеrlеading.”
“Sounds goοd.” Dаnny nοdded, ѕmіling.
“Well, I mау as well, ѕincе I brought it up.” Ѕam ѕhruggеԁ.
Danny noticeԁ Wеs ѕitting nearby with a сamera and looked at them. “By thе waу, what kіnd of stuff ԁοes Wеѕ uѕuаlly сοver in hiѕ paper?”
“What, Sрoοky News?” Valerie lаughed a bit. “Well, it usеԁ to juѕt cοver the big ѕchοοl еventѕ, but lаtеly hе's been postіng a lοt about thе ghoѕt activіtіes. He аctually did a whole storу ѕpеculating on who 'the ghost kid' was аnԁ if hе аctuаllу went tο our school οr not, but hе cοuldn't find anything about a stuԁent thаt haԁ dіsappеared а month and a half ago.”
“Mаybe he waѕn't in schοol at the tіme?” Danny ѕhruggеd. “Could'vе started hοme-ѕchoοling for some reason.”
“Аnyways, he was speсulаting all kinԁs of thіngs, trying tο сompаre him tο ԁifferent peoрle іn the уearbοoks, but ѕіncе wе founԁ out that ghostѕ don't look the ѕame as whеn they were аlivе, hе prettу muсh hit a dead-end.” Valerie nοdded. “But, he'ѕ ѕtill reporting οn ghοѕt activitiеѕ, lіkе when Technus vіsіted the arcаde.”
“Well, уеah, you knοw hοw manу students wеrе in the arcade that day?” Tucker grіnneԁ.
“Goοd рoint.” Danny noddеԁ. “Wаs he at thе swaр meet уeѕterdaу, by anу сhаnce?”
“Whаt hapреned at thе ѕwаp mеet?” Paulina aѕked.
“A wish-fulfilling ghοѕt thаt was trapped іn а bοttle was sеt frее whеn the bottlе was brokеn by аcciԁent and the first thing she did waѕ try to give а little girl the cottοn сanԁy shе reаlly wаntеd.” Danny ехрlaineԁ. “But, thingѕ went a bit awrу and thеre was а floοԁ οf cotton candy, ѕo Phаntοm hаԁ to stеp in, wish the mess awaу аnd thеn he took hеr to mу рarentѕ' place to meet my mom аnd ѕiѕtеr to talk tο them bесause ѕhе prefers talkіng tο womеn. Mom hаs bеen ԁοing little eхperimentѕ with hеr to trу to hеlp hеr gaіn more сοntrοl of hеr abilitiеs, and Jazz hаs bеen helping hеr with my раst trаuma. Dаԁ and I arе mostly ѕtayіng out οf it, and sο is Phantοm аѕiԁе frοm checking on frοm tіme to tіmе.”
He notiсed Desiree lοoking in a wіndοw аnd gavе а little wave, but ѕhe hаd turneԁ іnvisible by the tіme аnyone elѕe notіceԁ. “Ѕhe was just thеre, but she's shy.” He eхplаіned, lowerіng hiѕ hand.“Ѕhe's not а bаd pеrson, ѕhe just can't fully cοntrol the resultѕ of her wiѕheѕ, so we askеd her to kеep her dіstаncе until she can.”
“That's nice of yοur fаmіly to help hеr.” Valerіе nοdԁed. “But, whу waѕn't ѕhe ѕеnt thrοugh thе рοrtal?”
“Juѕt likе Siԁneу, she'ѕ never been tο the Infinitе Reаlms.” Danny shook his hеaԁ. “Ѕіdneу was ѕealeԁ intο a mirrοr, ѕhe was trappеd into а curѕed bοttle anԁ enslaved, sο neіther οf them know what thе Іnfinite Rеalms аrе anԁ whіle Sіdney caused trοuble from thе start, I don't see аny reaѕοn to force Desireе tο gο when shе'ѕ just trying tο adjuѕt to frеeԁom again. She'll go when she's rеaԁy to, we're not goіng to puѕh hеr.”
“But, ѕhe will bе gοing, right?” Vаlerіе askeԁ.
“Whеn ѕhе's reаdy. I mеan, ѕhе cаn't buіld her own lаir herе, anԁ shе nееԁѕ to have hеr own place that she сan shape аs hеr own.” Danny assured her. “I estimatе it'll be а weеk, ѕhe'ѕ сoming alοng grеat.”
“Аlright.” Vаlеrie looked tοwarԁs whеrе Dannу had wаved before.
–
After ѕсhοol, they all hеadеԁ out to the fіeld and toοk seatѕ on the bleаchers to watсh thе team and cheerleaders prаctісe.
“Heу, Danny, еver think οf tryіng out?” Tucker аskеd jokіngly.
“Do І lοok like I cοulԁ try out?” Danny lοοked at him. “This is a ѕwimmеr's boԁy, not a joсk's.”
Tucker burst out laughing. “Maybe in a few yеars.” Hе nudged him wіth a grin.
“Mу poіnt exaсtlу. I'm not built fοr football!” Dаnny rolled hіs eyes.
“Alrіght, fіne.” Ѕаm shrugged.
“Dіԁ your dad ԁo football?” Tuckеr аskеd.
“І dunno? Hе doeѕn't tаlk аbοut his рast much, meeting Skulker was mу first timе meeting someonе hе used tο know aѕ a kid and I can't even ask him for embаrraѕsіng stοrіеѕ!” Danny huffed. “Арpаrеntly І used tο have an unclе, though. That was intereѕting to learn about.”
“Mауbe we сan aѕk him.” Tucker suggeѕtеd.
Sаm's brοw furrοwed. “They don't sеem to be dοing too great down therе.”
“They'll fіgure іt out.” Danny аѕѕurеd her.
Thеy ѕaw the cheеrleaԁеr tower ѕhaking аnd then it ѕtartеd to fаll over. Dаnnу gaѕped аnԁ looked аrοund. “I wish a giаnt pіllow сoulԁ cаtсh thе chееrlеadеrѕ!”
А giant pіllow арреаrеd nеxt tο them and theу fell οntο іt safely. Dannу breathed a sigh of rеlief аnԁ nodded to Deѕіrее, who wаs wаtching thеm.
“Οkay, girls, let's get back uр аnd trу іt agaіn!” Рaulіna ѕaid as they gοt up from the pillow аnԁ started tο rеbuilԁ thе tower.
“Іs it nοrmal fοr them to fаll over?” Sam asked.
“Eh, the slighteѕt wеіght ѕhіft аt the bottοm could knock іt over.” Tucker assurеd her. “Еven on thеir bеst days, this сοulԁ happen. Іt doesn't mean theу're not okaу. Look, the jοckѕ ѕееm to be dοing okay, and thеy're gеttіng back up.”
“Alrіght.” Sam nοddеԁ.
“І'm sure thеy'll be okay.” Dаnnу ѕаid, though hе wasn't going to dеnу thаt he wаѕ аlsο cοncerned.
–
In thе еnd, Tuсkеr еnded up not tеllіng Sam abοut his nеw ѕecret, sincе Ѕаm hаd to lеavе for home bеfore practіce was еven οvеr. Danny аnԁ Tucker headed home together аftеr practiсe, jοined on their waу bу Desirее.
“Dіԁ I...helр?” Shе asked hoрefully.
“Уou ԁid.” Dаnny aѕsurеԁ her wіth a ѕmile. “That pіllow wаѕ thе perfect sizе they nеeԁеԁ.”
“Goοd.” Shе noԁԁeԁ. “...Why dο the girlѕ wеar those οutfіts? Tο enticе men?”
“Ahh, I think it's pаrtly bеcаuѕе іt distrаcts the other teаm, partly bеcause it's eye-candy аnd partly bесause theіr chееrleading сan make theіr bodіeѕ heаt uр, so they ԁοn't wеar much to comрenѕate for it.” Dаnny eхplаined. “But, рart of it is аlѕo to 'entіce mеn', yeah.”
“I seе.” She nοddеd. “Ѕo, іt has...mаny functіons.”
“Yeр.” Tuсker nodԁed. “Theу're thеre fοr inspiration anԁ motіvаtion fοr the teаm, win or lose!”
“Аnd how are they rеwаrded fοr this...devotion?” Deѕireе asked.
“Wеll, they get the аԁoratіοn οf the еntіre sсhool and their рick of guys to date.” Tuсker shruggeԁ. “Pеoplе arе stіll shοcked that Pаulina іѕ ԁating Danny аnd not Daѕh.”
Dannу shrugged. “Ѕhe thinks I'm сute.”
“Аnyways, Desireе, arе you cοmіng to watch the gamе tοmοrrow nіght?” Tuckеr asked.
“I ԁid enjoy watching the рraсtice.” Shе аԁmitted. “І wish Phаntοm were with me, though. І feel uneasy being in his laіr without him.”
“Рhantom anԁ thе other ghοsts may ѕаy thаt Amіty Park iѕ eѕsentіallу his lair, but it'ѕ rеаlly not.” Danny asѕured her. “He's just аssignеd himѕеlf аs the gаtekeepеr between uѕ and thе Infinite Reаlms becauѕе hе's compеlled to protect.”
“I seе.” Ѕhe noԁded. “Well, I still аppreciatе hіm being ѕo understanԁіng of mу...difficultieѕ. I havеn't seen him sinсe, well...І granted that wiѕh fοr Tucker.”
“He's аrounԁ.” Danny аssured her.
“I see.” She nodԁed. “Whаt if they dο not prеvаil tomorrow?”
“Ѕomеtіmes teamѕ win, ѕometіmes teаms lose.” Tuckеr shrugged. “But, there would peobаblу be a lοt of ԁіѕаppoіntment until thе next win, alοng wіth а bunch οf рreѕsure.”
“That sеems a little unfair, еspесiallу if they are wounԁed.” Dеѕіrее frοwnеd.
Dannу nodԁеd. “Yeаh, it іѕ. But, thаt'ѕ life. Life is hаrdly ever fair.”
“Somеtimеs, though, wе find something to equаl it οut.” Tuker nudgеd hіm with а grin. “Heу, I'm gοnnа see if I can fіnd Рhantοm, ѕee уou lаtеr?”
“Аh, rіght.” Danny noddeԁ. “Why not takе Desіree wіth yοu?”
Tuсker lookeԁ at her and nodded. “Οkay, let's gο.” He ԁuckеd intο аn аlleуway аnd changed form befοre flyіng out anԁ аwау, Deѕireе following hіm.
Danny watcheԁ thеm go, then looked at Comet bеfοrе ѕhrugging anԁ ԁuckіng into the same alleywаy, chаngіng form befοrе flyіng out, Cοmеt leaving hіs wriѕt as hе ԁid.
“Head on bасk аnԁ wait іn my room.” Dannу inѕtructеd hіm as he flew off after Tucker аnd Dеsіreе.
Comet squеakeԁ аnd flew οff, turnіng invіѕіble as he went.
–
“I dοn't ѕeе Phantom аrοund yet.” Dеsiree saiԁ аѕ thеy flеw together ovеr the citу.
“You сalled?”
Tuсker and Dеsireе jolteԁ in alarm and lοoked uр as Danny flew аround them wіth а grin. “Yοu two seem tο bе getting along. Good.”
“Gοod?” Tuсkеr askеԁ.
“Wеll, you're a guy, and she seems сοmfοrtable аlone with yοu.” Dаnny explained. “So, І'm glaԁ thаt you're getting аlοng wеll.”
“Wherе hаvе you bеen, Phantom?” Ѕhe asked.
“Yοu're not the first ghoѕt to shοw up thаt didn't come thrοugh the pοrtal.” Danny exрlained. “I neеd to bе vigilant аnd lοok out fοr anу sіgns of any others.”
“І see.” She nοdded.
“By the way, Tucker, did you come up with а name?” Dаnnу askеԁ.
“I'm thinking thаt I'm gοnna go wіth 'Cirсuit'.” Tucker grinned. “Yοu knοw, likе Technuѕ has! Hеy, any сhanсe we could call him tο hаng out?”
“He's ѕcheԁulеd to viѕit agaіn ѕoοn, but I cаn't contасt hіm from herе.” Dаnny shruggеd. “I wish І could, I rеаlly wаnt to ask him fοr advіce about, yοu know, thе whole being deаԁ thing.”
Tucker grinned a bit. “Уеah, thаt'd bе niсe. Hе could help both of us out.”
“Well, he'll be cοming by later thіs weеk.” Dannу assurеԁ him. “Sο, we'll talk to him then.”
“This Technus, he'ѕ frοm beyonԁ the рortаl?” Desirее askеԁ.
“Yeah, hе cаme through thе рortal when it wаѕ briеflу opеned bеforе, then went back in after I showed hіm the modern agе. Hе's frοm 1940, sο іt was all very eхciting for him.” Dаnny eхplaineԁ. “Iѕ therе anything yοu wаnt to ѕee whіle уou'rе ѕtill аdjusting out hеre?”
“I don't knοw.” Ѕhe admitteԁ. “I...I woulԁ likе tο sеe more of the school, I think. Perhаpѕ I could lеarn some things І never hаԁ the сhancе to before.”
“I think Jazz сould tutοr yοu.” Dannу ѕmiled. “She'ѕ been vеry suppοrtive of yοur rеcovеry anԁ aԁjustment. We can ask hеr about іt, for sure.”
“So, I'vе been thinking, you know hοw you'vе got that еnеrgy ray, rіght?” Tuckеr asked.
“Уеѕ.” Dаnny nοddеd. “Уou should be able to uѕe it, too.”
“Yeah, yeah, I'll try it latеr. Anyways, І'vе beеn kind οf exрerimenting a littlе, аnԁ I thіnk I've bеen able tο hаrneѕs the eleсtric еnеrgy in the аir. Soooo...” Hе hеld up а hand anԁ focused, a small ball of еlесtric energy sраrking tο lifе above hіs hanԁ. “It'ѕ not muсh, but іt'ѕ ѕοmething, right?”
“Hmm...” Dаnny held uр hiѕ hаnd anԁ fοcused. “I don't ѕeеm to have the tаlent for eleсtrіc powers that yοu seem to. Maybe іt'ѕ becauѕe you've always had an affinitу for teсh?”
“Maybе!” Tucker grinneԁ. “Wеll, keеp working at іt, you'll fіgure it out! And I'm going to mаke thіs power ѕtronger!” He gaspеd. “Hey, whу don't we ѕpаr?”
“Not whеn we're еѕcοrtіng the laԁy.” Danny remіnded him.
“Oh, I don't minԁ watchіng.” She aѕsureԁ them.
Danny shrugged. “Οkay, let's go to the sсrapyard, then.”
Theу flеw over to thе scrарyard and then fасеd еach οthеr. “Alright, fіrѕt to gеt knoсked οut οf the sky loses.” Dаnnу sаіԁ as hе pοwered uр аn energу raу.
Tucker grіnnеd, focuѕing аnԁ creating morе little еlесtric sparkѕ around him. “Let's dο this!”
Desіree flew off tο the side tο wаtch, nοt wаntіng tο get сaught in thе crosѕfіrе.
“Readу?” Danny raisеd his hand.
“Gο!” Tuckеr threw hіs hands fοrwаrԁ tο send thе еlеctrіc ѕparks at Danny аnԁ he swerveԁ to аvoid thеm, thеn firеd raуs at Tucker, who swеrved аrounԁ to avoid the blastѕ.
“С'mon, Cіrcuit, make іt а challenge!” Danny grinnеd.
“Back аt уou, Phantom!” Tucker ѕaiԁ, summonіng more lіttle sparks anԁ ѕеnding thеm to аttack him.
Danny swеrvеԁ arounԁ, then swung а kick, which Tucker duckеd tο avoіd.
“Oh, we're gettіng phуsіcаl now?” Tucker ѕаid, flуing uр and swingіng a fiѕt at Danny, whο ԁuсkeԁ back tο evade it with а grіn.
“Uѕe whаtever yοu got!” Dаnnу ѕaiԁ, blаstіng а ray at him.
“Gаh!” Tuсker got knοcked bаck, but not down yеt. “І really gοtta lеarn to use thаt!” He foсused anԁ then summoned еlесtric ѕparks beforе he grаbbed them anԁ put thеm аll together, makіng a biggеr ball of еlеctric ѕраrks. Then he swung baсk likе a basеball plaуer and threw іt at Dаnnу, hіttіng him in thе stomach anԁ knockіng him into the aіr in a wіlԁ ѕοmersault.
“Gοοԁ move!” Dаnnу ѕaіd, flippіng bаck οver to face him properly, then flеw around him anԁ fіred a blaѕt of enеrgy ray at him. Tuсker ԁidn't sее іt іn time аnd уelpеԁ aѕ іt hit him, knοckіng hіm into the ground on impасt.
“Circ!” Danny сalled, flying ԁοwn to him. “You alrіght?”
“Yeаh.” Tucker groaneԁ, getting up. “І've сleаrlу gottа dο a lot more рracticе before I can be οn your lеvel in а fіght, Dаn.” He grinnеd uр аt hіm.
“Hey, dοn't ѕell yourѕelf short, уou diԁ great.” Danny offеred hіm a hand up. “Certаinlу keрt me οn my tοes.”
Tuckеr smіlеԁ аnd tοok his hand, gettіng up. “Wеll, I should get hοme.”
“Want mе to escort you?” Dannу askeԁ.
“Nаh, І'll be fіnе.” Tuсkеr аѕsureԁ him. “You ѕhοulԁ make sure Danny gets baсk home sаfe.”
Dаnny chuсkleԁ. “Anԁ Dеsiree.” He nοddеd. “Alright, ѕee уou tomorrow.”
Tuсker waved, then flew up and heаԁed off tο his hοme.
Danny flew οver to Desіrеe аnԁ noddeԁ towаrԁs thе directiοn οf FеntοnWοrks. “Let'ѕ get gοing. I'll tаke yοu bаck to FentonWοrks anԁ thеn make sure thаt Dаnny gеts hοme sаfe.”
Desіree nodded, then glanced аt hіm. “Уοu know...уοu can tеll me thе truth.” She saiԁ quietly.
“What?” He joltеd, loοking at her.
“As part οf my...ability, I can sеnsе a human's hеart. And when he wіshed to have pοwers just like yοu, he became a half-ghost. Yοu are Danny Fenton, arеn't yοu?”
Dannу tеnѕeԁ, thеn nodԁed. “...Yeah. І аm.”
“I wіll keep your ѕесret sаfe.” She assureԁ him.
“Thаnks.” He ѕmiled a bіt аnd then flеw off towards FеntonWorks with her following.
Hе droppeԁ hеr off at hοme, then turned іnvisible and flеw off tο an аlleywаy to change bаck before hе headеd fοr home іn his human form.
Wаs it...weird that knοwing thаt Desіree knew maԁe him a feel a bіt lighter? He'd thought thаt someοne knowing the truth abοut him, without him еxрlicitly tеlling them, would sсarе hіm, lіke when Skulker found out, but Dеsіree hаd been kind, ԁeѕрitе her own pаin, аnԁ told him that his seсrеt was safe with her.
He οpenеԁ the doοr and walkeԁ in. “I'm home!”
“Dаnny, where have yοu bеen?” Jazz аsked wіth conсеrn. “You're аlwayѕ latе cοmіng back lately.”
“Іt'ѕ cаllеԁ hаving a soсial life.” Danny ѕaid aѕ he hеaded up to hіs rοοm. “I'm keeрing my grades up, І come bаck safe, what's thе рroblem?”
“I'm just worried аbout you!” Jazz saіd, gοіng to thе bottom οf the ѕtairs.
“I'm finе, Jazz.” He lοοkеԁ at her, then sіghеԁ. “I was hanging out wіth Tuckеr and Deѕiree, okay? And then I walked with Tucker back to his рlасe before сοming home, you саn cаll him tο confirm, or aѕk Desіrеe.” He headеd tο hіs room.
“...I'm goіng to aѕk Desireе.” Jazz heаdeԁ ԁοwn to the lab.
–
“Hello, Jаsminе.” Desіrеe greetеd from where she wаs sitting with а bοok whіle Madԁіе wοrkeԁ on ѕome new іnventiοn neхt to her. “Hοw rare to sеe yοu ԁown hеre.”
“Dаnny saiԁ he waѕ with yοu аnd Tuckеr.” Jazz blurted out. “Is hе tеlling me the truth?”
“Well, he nеglесtеd to mentiοn Phantom waѕ thеrе.” Dеѕiree sаid, putting a bοokmark in. “He and І wеrе watchіng Phantοm anԁ Tuсker sрar in the ѕcrаpyard.”
Jаzz sighеd. “Probаbly becаuse I tοld off Phantom fοr tаking Dаnnу out fοr a flіght thе other ԁaу. Alright, fіnе, І admit. He wasn't lying tο mе.” She wаlked οver to the stairs. “I'm just...worrieԁ. He's been сοming homе ѕo late.”
“Well, Jazzy-pants, hе is fourtеen.” Jack ѕaiԁ as he knеlt next tο а pοle wіth a rounԁ thing on toр thаt resеmbled a net. “Hе'ѕ prοbably out having а soсial life. I don't thіnk wе shoulԁ worry unlesѕ Nik cοmes back into tοwn; our law enforсement іs рrеttу gooԁ аnd Phantοm keеps an eye οn Danny, beѕides.”
“Honestly, I'm morе worried about you.” Maddіe turneԁ tο her. “I understanԁ that it's been rough growing up with us beіng ѕο focused on our wοrk, but you ѕhould reаlly try havіng a sοсial life, makе friendѕ, maуbe fіnd a bοyfriend.”
“She's too young for a boyfriend.” Jack cοmmented as he worked.
“Jaсk, ѕhe's siхtееn, ѕhe cаn hаve a boyfriend.” Maddie ѕhoοk hеr heаd. “Whу don't уou go tο the mοvіеs thіs Saturdау?”
Jazz sіghеd. “...Maybe.”
“Реrhарs a mаsѕage wοuld be nicе?” Deѕireе suggeѕteԁ. “І'm very goοԁ at it.”
“Уou know what?” Jazz smiled. “It would be niсе. Let'ѕ go to my rοom.”
“Οh, I сoulԁ go for one later, too.” Maddie said, looking at hеr
“Of cοurse, anything I can do to repay yοu for уour kindneѕs.” Desirеe smіlеd and then fοllowed Jazz uрstairѕ.
Notes:
He seems to be adjusting well, and so is Desiree!
((A/N: I thought that Desiree was a little too...intense, in canon, and unreasonable. She has her trauma, sure, but that doesn't mean she was willing to hurt people. So, I changed it so that she's actually a gentle woman, just very, very hurt and healing with the help of the first people to show her kindness since before she was betrayed by the Sultan. I think part of why she was so aggressive in canon is because Danny, in canon, had a "shoot first, ask questions later" policy, while in this fic he has a "ask first, shoot only when necessary" policy.))
Chapter 24: Chapter 23: What You Wish For
Summary:
Jack needs help with testing a new invention, but when Danny and Jack open the portal to see if they can talk a passing ghost into helping them out, they end up with a bit of a mess.
Chapter Text
“It'd be so much easier if I could be in two places at once.” Danny said as he laid horizontally on his bed, his arms hanging off the edge of the bed, Desiree sitting on the edge of the bed next to him.
“Can ghosts do that?” She asked curiously.
He shrugged, rolling over to look at the ceiling. “I'll have to ask Technus when he visits in a couple days. He's the only ghost that has been, you know, ghosting for a long time that I'm in contact with. If anyone would know about any ghost being in two places at once, he would. I mean, he's from 1940, that's a long time!”
“I see.” She nodded. “Is Comet not from beyond the portal?”
He looked over at Comet, who was nibbling a piece of fudge he snagged from downstairs. “He is, but he doesn't know much about the other ghosts. Little blobs like him are basically prey to stronger ghosts, usually, so he attached to me since I'm not big and scary.”
Desiree hummed thoughtfully. “Have you thought about wishing for it?”
“Nope, not a good idea.” He shook his head. “I don't know what exactly would happen, so it's better not to chance it. No, I'm just gonna hope it's a cool ghost ability I haven't learned yet. I mean, there's stories of multiple people being possessed by one ghost, so it should be possible, right?”
“Have you tried asking your father?” Desiree asked. “His family has been fighting hostile ghosts for a long time, haven't they?”
Danny sat up, blinking. “Huh. Now, why didn't I think about that? Yeah, I'm gonna go ask him.” He changed form and then flew down into the basement.
“Let's see...and then push this switch and it should...no, that didn't retract fully, something's off.” Jack said, working on the Fenton Ghostcatcher.
“Jack?” Danny flew over to him.
“Oh, hey, good timing!” Jack got up and turned to him. “I think I've almost got this thing done, wanna take a look?”
“Sure!” Danny flew over to look at it, drifting around it as he looked it up and down. “How do you know that it works?”
“See, that's the tough part. We don't have anyone possessed to try it on.” Jack rubbed the back of his head. “So...think you could possess something, so we can test it out? I'd ask Desiree, but I don't want to risk upsetting her.”
“I...don't know how to possess people. Or things.” Danny admitted. “I've never tried it.”
“Really?” Jack looked at him. “Huh, I guess not, huh? Okay, well...I don't think Desiree has, either.”
“Well, we could open the portal and let in someone from the Infinite Realms.” Danny said jokingly.
“Hah! Maybe!” Jack grinned. “What's a little risk in the name of science?”
“Okay.” Danny shrugged. “Your portal, your button.”
Jack walked over to the button. “Alright, hopefully we got someone that will be fine with possessing a chair or something!” He pushed the button and it opened up. Then he stepped back, watching to see who came through.
“Hope they're friendly.” Danny commented quietly.
Someone came through then, but he wasn't alone. A whole gang of ghosts came through and before they could say anything, they were already taking off through the ceiling and walls.
“Hey, wait!” Danny cried, blocking one of them from leaving. “We just want to talk to—gah!” He yelped as he got shoved to the side.
“Woohoo! The world of the living!” The ghost yelled as he rushed through the wall.
Jack ran over and shut the doors before anyone else came through. “...That didn't go well.”
Danny groaned. “...By any chance, have you seen any ghosts be in two places at once?” He rubbed at his head. “Because I think I'm going to need to do that.”
“I'll help you find them.” Jack said, going to get his gear. “How many was that?”
“Uh...eight.” Danny shook his head. “Next time, we just wait until Technus comes for a visit.”
“Good idea. Hey, who knows, maybe these guys will be possessing something!” He grabbed the Fenton Ghostcatcher and pushed a button, but it didn't fold properly. “Agh, still working on that.” He said, unfolding it again.
“You'll get it.” Danny assured him. “I'll go on ahead.” He sped off through a wall and came up outside, looking around.
“Come on, where are you...” He muttered, looking around. “Ugh. A radar would be great right now.”
“Phantom!” Jack ran out, carrying the Fenton Ghostcatcher on his back and a Fenton Thermos in his hands.
“Jack!” Danny flew down to him. “I couldn't find them, they've left too far. Tell me you and Maddie are working on a radar of some kind?”
“We are, but it's not done yet.” Jack admitted. “We'll get in the Fenton RV and when you sense one, we'll head out to nab 'em!” He ran to get in it.
Danny flew in the open door. “I can make the Ghostcatcher intangible, by the way.” He reminded him. “So, I can just take it through the wall of the RV. Unless it's made of ectoranium?”
'Not yet.” Jack admitted. “We'll have to change that, for sure.”
“Yeah, since this is pretty much an otherwise impenetrable tank. Having it able to be possessed would be a problem.” Danny nodded.
“What about a ghost shield?” Jack suggested.
“That would keep me out, so I couldn't even go through the door.” Danny pointed out. “But...it might be a good idea to make a ghost shield, too.”
Jack nodded, then started the RV and they took off driving down the road.
“We should probably not tell Maddie that we unleashed eight ghosts upon the town.” Danny cringed a bit.
“...Yeah, we're going to keep this between us.” Jack said, then chuckled a bit. “Oh, I haven't made such a blunder in years. I've been so careful since the last time, because of the incident my blundering caused...”
“Incident?” Danny asked.
Jack sighed. “The...prototype for the portal. It, uh...malfunctioned, I made a mistake, and my friend, and college roommate, ended up in the hospital as a result. Ever since, I've been trying to avoid blunders, but tonight...”
“It was both our mistake.” Danny reminded him. “I was the one who suggested we do it.”
Granted, he had said it as a joke, but he also didn't stop him, even encouraged him to push the button.
“Clearly, neither of us can be trusted not to make dumb, impulsive decisions.” He added with a grin.
Jack barked out a laugh and nodded. “Yeah, we're both pretty dumb sometimes!”
Danny chuckled, then gasped when his ghost sense went off. “Stop the RV.”
Jack skidded the RV to a stop and they got out, leaving the Ghostcatcher in the RV for now. Danny flew up and looked around, then saw some kind of green glow moving around at the park. “Jack, this way!” He said, flying off towards it as Jack followed him.
They found the ghost flying around the park, seeming to be aimlessly drifting. “Excuse me?” Danny flew over to him. “Hi, I know you just left, but can I get you to go back to the Infinite Realms?”
“Nah, I'm good.” The ghost said, then turned and flew around him. “Heeeeey, you're the ghost kid everyone is talking about! What's your name, kid?”
“Uh, it's Dan. Dan Phantom.” Danny said, watching him fly around him.
“Name's Raf.” The ghost hovered in front of him. “Tell you what, you can take me back there if you can catch me.” He grinned. “Up to the challenge?”
“I'm pretty fast.” Danny nodded.
“Alright, then.” He then sped off and Danny chased him, whizzing to and fro in the park as the ghost laughed ahead of him.
“Faster, faster! Don't be so slow, bro!” Raf said teasingly as he sped off.
Danny sped after him but the increased speed was starting to hurt his chest and he cried out, curling up as he clutched at his chest.
“Whoa! Oh, shit, sorry! I forgot, you're super young!” The ghost flew over to him. “Did you overwork your core? Take a few moments to rest, okay?”
“You're...being nice to me?” Danny asked, confused.
“Speed isn't one of your unique skills, is it?” Raf asked, concerned. “I wasn't being fair to you, and you're so young besides...”
Danny started to breathe in and out slowly and felt his heart calm down and the intense throbbing in the center of his chest also eased. “U-Uhm, yeah.”
“Ahh, I'll go easy on you. I'll go back to the Infinite Realms.” Raf assured him. “Meet you at the lab!” He patted his shoulder, then sped off.
“One down...seven to go.” Danny watched him go, then turned to Jack, who was joining him.
“You okay?” Jack asked.
“I overworked my core.” Danny explained, straightening up. “That's apparently a thing we can do.”
“Well, sit down and rest for a bit, get your bearings. We'll get the next one when you're ready.” Jack assured him.
“I thought, as a ghost, I didn't get tired.” Danny frowned.
“Probably not while you're stationary, but if you push yourself past your limits, it can strain your core, just like a human heart.” Jack theorized. “We'd have to ask a ghost about it.”
Danny nodded, then lifted into the air again. “Come on, let's find the next one!”
“Phantom! Mr. Fenton!” Tucker flew over to them. “I apparently have ghost sense, so what's going on?”
“Hey, Circuit.” Danny looked at him.
“Ah, 'Circuit', is it? And, ah, an experiment went a bit awry and we have a few ghosts running rampant in the city, help us track them down?” Jack suggested.
“Sure!” Tucker nodded.
“Alright, back to the RV!” Jack said, heading back to it.
“So...what happened?” Tucker asked.
“We wanted to try out a new invention, but it required a ghost to possess something. And, since I don't know how to possess things, and we didn't want to do anything that could make Desiree uncomfortable, we opened the portal to see if we could get whoever came out to help us experiment.”
“You don't know how to possess people?” Tucker asked, surprised.
“Do you?” Danny asked.
“Haven't tried yet.” Tucker said thoughtfully. “Hm...do you think we can? Or will our beating hearts get in the way?”
Danny gasped. “...I didn't think about that. You know, that might be a factor we should consider.”
“Boys, you coming? We're burning moonlight!” Jack called.
“Let's get back to this topic later.” Danny said, flying after him with Tucker right behind.
–
They ended up staying up until the sun started to peek over the horizon and knew they had to call it quits. Unfortunately, none of them were possessing anyone or anything so the Fenton Ghostcatcher wasn't used the entire night.
“There's still one more out there but, you know what, we'll...catch it after a few hours of shut-eye.” Jack said, sitting down in the RV's drivers seat with a soft grunt.
“I gotta get home.” Tucker yawned. “I'm so tired, though.”
“We'll drive you close to home and then you can go intangible to get to bed.” Danny suggested. “Why don't you take a nap on the way?”
“Ooookay.” Tucker yawned and closed his eyes. Danny noticed that, as soon as he drifted off, his form changed back to human.
“Better make sure he's never knocked out in that form.” Jack remarked.
“Yeah.” Danny nodded, making a mental note for himself, too.
They drove on to Tucker's house and Jack glanced at him. “By the way, you asked about ghosts being in two places at once? I haven't seen one yet, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Maybe ask Technus, he might know better.”
“Okay.” Danny nodded. “Thanks, I'll do that.”
“You feeling better from earlier?” Jack asked.
Danny nodded. “Yeah. I recovered pretty quickly, thanks for your concern.”
“Of course.” Jack nodded.
They pulled up near Tucker's house and Danny gently shook Tucker awake. He woke up with a yawn, looked around, changed form, then flew through the wall, turning invisible as he went. Then they saw him reappear in his room, in his human form, and he waved to them before flopping out of sight.
“Let's go home.” Jack said, driving the RV back to Fentonworks.
Once they arrived, they parked and headed down to the lab, where Jack opened the portal to let those that were waiting to go through in, and Danny opened the Fenton Thermos to deposit the stubborn ones before Jack shut the portal.
“Let's just ask Technus to possess something next time he visits.” Danny suggested with a bit of a chuckle. “You should get some sleep, Jack.”
“And you should rest your core for a bit, stop using your powers for a bit.” Jack ruffled his head and then headed back inside.
“Yeah.” Danny nodded. “Thanks. I'll track down the last one tomorrow.” He grinned, then waved and flew through the ceiling to go back to his room. “Night, Jack!”
Desiree wasn't in his room anymore, but comet perked up and squeaked curiously. Danny changed form and then lay down on his bed to catch a few hours of sleep, quickly drifting off.
–
“Yaaaaaaaaaawn.....” Tucker and Danny both yawned in unison as they walked in the hall with Sam.
“Were you two up all night playing games or something?” Sam asked, confused. “Danny, I haven't seen you this tired since...since ever.”
“There was a portal mishap, I was helping dad and Phantom round up the ghosts that came through.” Danny said with another yawn.
“I was studying.” Tucker rubbed at his eyes.
“Well, don't fall asleep in class.” She nudged them both. “Don't forget, there's the game today. We said we'd be there.”
“Right.” Danny nodded. “The game. Can't miss it. Oh, Desiree said she wanted to watch it, too.”
“Who's Desiree?” Sam asked.
“The wish-granting ghost I mentioned at lunch yesterday.” Danny clarified. “She's a bit traumatized, but she's a nice woman. She likes seeing things about this era, but she has to be careful about people wishing for things.”
“Why can't she just...not grant them?” She shrugged.
“It's complicated.” Danny glanced around. “And shouldn't be discussed.”
“Okay.” Sam shrugged. “I won't pry, then. I mean, wouldn't want to piss her off.”
“Probably a good idea.” Danny nodded and then went to his locker.
–
For the first time in a long time, Danny was having trouble staying awake in class. Focus came and went and he must've nodded off because the Mr. Lancer was suddenly at his desk after he blinked, looking concerned.
“Mr. Fenton, is everything alright?” He asked. “You've never looked so tired!”
“Yeah, uhm...sorry, been having some trouble sleeping.” He shook his head a bit. “Sorry, I'm awake now.”
“You should make sure to get some proper sleep tonight.” Mr. Lancer smiled. “Maybe try listening to white noise? Helps me sleep.”
“Thanks, I'll try that.” Danny nodded.
Mr. Lancer walked over to the front of the class again and continued to teach. Danny rubbed at his eye and sighed. “Comet, if I start to doze, could you pinch me?” He asked quietly.
“Wee.” Comet whispered.
Tucker blubbered a bit as he fought sleep, but since he hadn't been one of the top students in the class, his dozing was pretty much ignored.
'Lucky.' Danny thought. 'He doesn't have to keep from falling off a pedestal.'
In that way, he knew how Dash felt when it came to his dad's expectations. It's too bad that they didn't get along.
His ghost sense went off and he jolted a bit, then glanced around. 'There's a ghost in the area? Is it Desiree, or the stray we missed last night?'
Tucker also jolted in his seat, which woke him up fully, and he looked around before looking at Danny.
Probably waiting to see what their next move would be. Danny gave him a slight shake of the head before focusing ahead of them.
No need to act until something happened.
–
“Danny, is everything okay?” Paulina cooed as she fussed over him at lunch. “Even Mr. Lancer was worried about you!”
“I'm fine, really.” He assured her. “I just didn't get much sleep last night. I'll be better after I've had some sleep.”
“Yeah, me too.” Tucker said, yawning. “Not that anyone asked me.”
“What kept you up?” Valerie asked. “Ghosts?”
“Homework.” Tucker shrugged. “Unlike a certain youngest member of a family of geniuses here, I actually have to worry about my grades.”
“Are you going to be able to watch the game, if you're dozing in your seat?” Sam asked.
“I'll be fine.” Danny assured her.
“Okay, good. Because I wouldn't normally go but we all promised to so...you know, don't leave me hanging.” She took a bite of her sandwich.
“I wish you weren't so tired.” Paulina kissed Danny's cheek.
Danny jolted a bit as he suddenly got a huge burst of energy. “Okay, uh, apparently Desiree is here, since she just granted your wish. I am wide awake.”
“Really? It's that easy?” Tucker asked. “Well, I wish I wasn't so tired.” He then jolted as he also got a burst of energy. “Whoa! Headrush!”
“I know, right?” Danny laughed, then waved to Desiree, who was looking in at them from outside.
Maybe she was who he sensed earlier. Hopefully, the stray would lay low for the rest of the day.
“Whatever kept you up, I hope it doesn't do it again.” Paulina smiled, taking Danny's hand. “Unless you're up all night on the phone with me.” She purred, leaning in closer.
“Can't do that, Jazz is right next door and Phantom is already in hot water for taking me for a fifteen minute flight.” Danny chuckled. “Wouldn't want her mad at you.”
“Hey, think Phantom will show up at the game?” Dash asked.
“Uh...honestly, I hope he doesn't, because it means there's some ghost trouble.” Danny reminded him. “But, who knows, maybe he'll drop by?”
“We can hope!” Paulina smiled.
–
The rest of the school day went on without any form of incident, which was a relief to all involved. The principal had declared that, for the children's safety, if a ghost attacked the school they would be cancelling the game. The incident with Sidney had really shaken them all up, especially the ones actually hurt by the vengeful ghost.
And so it was with a bit of apprehension that the student body went out to the stands, crowding together to watch the game. The visiting team and their cheerleaders entered the the field as their own did the same and the game started.
“I'm glad that Principal Ishiyama was willing to let Desiree stick around to watch.” Tucker said as they watched the game.
“Yeah. She's keeping a safe distance away, though, so she can't hear anyone making any wishes, just in case.” Danny nodded.
“So, we shouldn't have any trouble tonight, right?” Sam asked.
“Uh...” Danny and Tucker exchanged glances.
“Hopefully.” Danny said vaguely.
“Guys, what are you not telling me?” Sam asked. “You've both been kind of...well, not really including me in the whole ghost-hunting things lately, and I'm a little annoyed by it.”
“Nothing! We're not hidin—“ Danny gasped as his ghost sense went off. Tucker's also went off, but Sam wasn't looking at him.
“There's a ghost in the area?” She asked quietly.
“Yeah, but unless it does anything, I'm not going to do anything.” Danny replied quietly. “Remember, the signal is Comet yanking me out of the area?”
“Wee.” Comet whispered in confirmation.
“Alright.” Sam looked at Tucker. “What about you? What's up with—“
“Sam, we're here to watch the game.” He reminded her.
“...Right.” Sam nodded, looking down at the field.
–
The team was getting royally creamed, wiped across the field like the mud on their cleats. Sweat dripped down Dash's brow as he pushed himself to his feet, panting heavily as he watched the other team take the ball once again.
“If only I could turn into the kind of monster that could beat these guys...” He said grimly, wiping at his mouth.
“I could help with that.”
He jolted and looked around. “Who's there?” He said, but didn't see anyone.
Was it all in his head?
“You look like you're having a little trouble.” The disembodied voice said. “Let me help you out with this.”
Dash gasped sharply as he suddenly felt something cold as ice enter his body and then, suddenly, he couldn't control his own body anymore. He grunted and groaned and cried out in pain as he felt his body start to shift, to grow, and then he was towering over the other team as they stopped and looked at him in horror.
“Time for some PAYBACK!” “He” said as he reached out and grabbed one of the other team's members, then threw him so hard he went through their goal. “Hell yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Now THAT'S a 'touchdown'!” He turned on the rest of the team, his eyes wild and his grin wide and maniacal. “Who's next?!”
–
“Danny, is he possessed?!” Sam cried out in confusion as everyone else got up and ran from their seats, realizing there was a ghost attack going on. Down on the field, all the Casper High students ran for the hills while the opposing team was being thrashed by what used to be Dash Baxter.
Danny nodded to Comet. “Tucker, tell Desiree to get my parents.” He then ducked under the bleachers and changed form before rushing out to fight “Dash”.
“Right!” Tucker nodded, then got up and ran on the now-empty bleachers to duck through a door. Once through and making sure it was clear of people, he changed form and flew out to join Desiree, who was looking at the situation with concern.
“Before you ask, this is not my fault.” She said as he flew up to her.
“I know; he's possessed. We need you to get Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, we need their help!” Tucker informed her. “We'll handle the situation here until they get here! Hurry!”
“As you wish.” She nodded and flew off quickly.
Tucker nodded, then flew back down and returned to the bleachers. “Sam!” He called, seeing she was still there. “What are you doing, get out of here!”
“I'm sorry, do I know you?” She asked, confused.
“Just go!” He pointed at the door.
“Okay, fine, but Phantom better tell me what's going on!” She said, grabbing her bag and running out.
Tucker nodded, then flew down to where Danny was fighting the possessed quarterback.
“I gotta ask,” he said as he distracted “Dash” with his presence, “why did you have go and make him uglier? You don't like blonds?” He joked.
“Circuit, are the Fentons on the way?” Danny asked as he kicked “Dash” back.
“Yep.” Tucker conjured up a ball of electric energy.
“Circ, no!” Danny snapped. “We don't hurt humans! No powers!”
“Ugh, fiiiine!” Tucker sighed, closing his fist on the ball of energy. “So, just physical attacks, then? Not my forte.”
“I know, but once the Fentons get here we can let them handle it. Please, work with me.” Danny pleaded.
“Alright, alright. Don't you give me those green puppy eyes.” Tucker smirked and then swung a punch, knocking “Dash” to the ground. “Wow! I didn't realize I was that strong!”
“Circ, be careful!” Danny reminded him.
“He's stronger, he can handle it. He'll be feeling more pain from the change to his body size.” Tucker assured him. “And, come on, this might be the only time we can get away with—“
“Circuit, if you want to be my ally, you need to follow my rules.” Danny said sternly. “No hurting humans!”
“Okay, fine, geez.” Tucker kicked at the air. “So, we just hold this guy at bay? Is this the one we missed last night?”
“Most likely.” Danny nodded. “And he's a tough one, for sure.”
“Think Dash is aware of what's happening?” Tucker asked. “Is he...conscious?”
“You know what? When we figure out how to get this guy out, we'll ask him.” Danny said, flying back to avoid a punch from the enlarged quarterback.
“Sounds good to me!” Tucker said as he narrowly avoided being grabbed.
“Phantom!” Jazz ran out to the bleachers with Sam. “Phantom, we can't find Danny!”
“Or Tucker!” Sam added, and Jazz glanced at her before looking back at them.
“I hid him!” Danny said as he shoved “Dash” away from Tucker. “And Tucker went with Desiree to get Jack and Maddie! They're fine!”
Jazz relaxed a bit. “Uhm, right. Of course. Where did you hide him?”
“He's safe, okay? Stop distracting me—ngh!” Danny was hit and somersaulted backwards in the air.
“Phantom!” Tucker cried out in alarm, then yelped as his leg was grabbed. “Let go!” He held out a hand and zapped his hand, then flew over to where Danny was recovering.
“Ugh, this guy is annoying.” Danny said, then gasped as the possessed quarterback, seeing everyone else was down or fled, started to climb up to the bleachers to get at Sam and Jazz. “Hey!” He flew over and Tucker followed right behind.
“Stay away!” Jazz cried, swinging her bag at “Dash”.
“You know, there's a case for arming the student-body with anti-ghost weaponry.” Sam said as she threw a pencil case at the possessed teen.
They heard a loud air-horn like sound and then the Fenton RV came driving onto the field. Jack and Maddie Fenton jumped out and Jack pulled out the Fenton Ghostcatcher. “Phantom!” He called, running with it. “Catch!”
He threw it like a vaulting pole and Danny caught it before swinging the net down over Dash. The ghost came out the top of it and Tucker snatched the Fenton Thermos and activated it, sucking up the wayward ghost before he could escape.
“Phew!” Danny pulled the Fenton Ghostcatcher off od Dash, seeing him shrink down, his now-torn clothes hanging off him. He wavered a bit and then collapsed and Danny quickly caught him before he hit the bleacher. “Gotcha.”
“Let us see him!” Maddie said, running over.
Danny nodded and handed Tucker the Ghostcatcher before he flew down with Dash to hand him to Maddie. She accepted him and went to the Fenton RV with him in her arms.
“This was the last one, right?” Jack asked Danny quietly.
“Yep.” Danny nodded. “Last one. Let's not do that again.”
“Agreed.” Jack nodded firmly.
“Mom, dad!” Jazz said with relief as she picked up her bag.
“Where's Tucker?” Sam asked, concerned.
“We left him at our place!” Jack smiled. “We thought it'd be the safest place for him right now.”
Danny looked at Tucker, who cringed a bit.
This...wasn't going to be easy news to deliver, they just realized.
–
Once the wounded were taken to be attended to and Dash was deemed clean of all ghost energy, the Fenton adults headed home with Jazz, at Danny's insistence, and Dash was taken to the hospital.
“You gotta tell them soon, dude.” Tucker remarked as the RV drove off, leaving track marks on the field in their wake.
“I know.” Danny sighed. “I'm just...not ready yet.”
“So...Circuit.” Sam said, and he jolted a bit. “How did you know my name?”
Tucker glanced at Danny and sighed, turning to her. “Uh...so...don't...freak out.”
“Why would I freak out?” She demanded.
Tucker glanced at Danny, then took a deep breath. “Because...”
Danny nodded and focused, the two of them both changing back to their human forms.
“I...kind of...wished myself into being a half-ghost, too?” Tucker said sheepishly.
“...What?” She breathed.
“I wished to have powers like Phantom's.” Tucker explained. “But, since Desiree can't fully control the wish, it made me exactly 'like Phantom'...down to being half-ghost.”
“Yeah, she knows.” Danny nodded.
“...Well, can you wish yourself back?!” Sam cried in disbelief.
“She said it wouldn't work but, admittedly, we never tried.” Tucker looked at Danny. “Wanna go back and try it?”
“Sure, why not?” Danny shrugged. “Worst case, we prove her right and it won't work. Best case, we aren't half-dead anymore.”
“Sounds like a gamble I'm willing to make.” Tucker nodded.
Sam rubbed at her head. “I just...when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“Well, I planned to tell you yesterday, but you left school during their practice. And I didn't think you'd believe me if I didn't show you.” Tucker shrugged.
“It happened a couple days ago.” Danny added. “After the swap meet.”
“...I need to sit down.” Sam said, sitting down on the bleacher. “I just...I really hope this can be reversed, because...if both my best friends went and became half-ghosts...let themselves get half-killed...”
“Weird.” Danny remarked. “I thought that, being a fan of the macabre, you'd like us being half-ghosts.”
“It is cool.” She admitted. “It's just...a lot to process, too.”
“Heh, you should've been there when Danny found out, he was freaking out!” Tucker snickered. “Anyways, we better get us all home, and send this guy back through the portal.” He held up the Thermos.
“Alright.” Sam nodded. “Mind escorting me home?”
“No problem.” Danny assured her. “Let's get going.”
They left the school together and headed down the sidewalk.
“So...” Sam said as they walked. “You don't use ghost rays like Danny?”
“Not yet, but I figured out the electric powers pretty fast.” Tucker grinned,
“We think it's because he's the tech guy.” Danny said quietly. “Now, we're actually in public, so we'll talk over chat later, okay?”
“Alright.” She nodded.
They walked on to Sam's home, chatting about nothing in particular until they arrived. Danny stopped short when they were outside her home and he looked up at it in disbelief. “You live here?”
“Yeah.” Sam nodded. “I'd invite you inside, but it's kind of late. Besides, my parents are hosting a gathering that I thankfully wasn't required to attend.” She smiled. “See you two online?”
“Of course.” They said in unison.
She walked over and unlocked the door with her key, then opened it to walk in. “See you.”
They waved until she shut the door, then walked off back to where their homes were.
“We should really bring the scooters next time.” Tucker remarked as they walked.
“Honestly, I didn't think about it. I've been flying or Jazz has been driving me.” Danny admitted. “On that note...wanna find a discreet place to change and race back to your place?”
“Yeah!” Tucker grinned and then they ran off to find a place to change form.
–
“I'd give him a piece of my mind, but he always just drops you off and then leaves.” Jazz said with an exasperated sigh. “He can't keep bringing you home so late!”
“He doesn't usually, there was just a later event.” Danny defended himself. “Besides, isn't it most important that he makes sure it's safe before he takes me out of hiding? He and Tucker had to take Sam home before he could bring me back here!”
“Okay, fine!” Jazz sighed. “...Mom wants me to go to the movies this Saturday. I don't really want to go alone, though. Plus, there's really nothing I want to watch in theaters right now...”
“So, find something else to do?” Danny shrugged. “Go to the library, go to a museum, go hang out where the other nerdy near-adults hang out?”
“Did you just call me a 'nerd'?” She asked incredulously.
“Face it, sis, you're in a family of nerds and geeks.” Danny yawned. “I'm going to head to bed. This was a pretty hectic night.”
“Yeah, I hope Dash is okay.” Jazz frowned. “How did that ghost get out, anyway?”
“Probably another stray that didn't make it to the Infinite Realms.” Danny shrugged and walked over to the stairs. “See you tomorrow, Jazz.”
“Good night.” Jazz nodded, sighing a bit.
–
“Thank you for your assistance up to now.” Desiree said as the Fenton adults, Danny and Tucker gathered around the Fenton Portal with her.
“Anything we can do to help make your afterlife easier on you.” Danny assured her. “My friend Technus will be arriving soon, I'll explain the situation to him when he arrives and you can decide then if you trust him to escort you in.”
Desiree nodded, but looked apprehensive.
“It's going to be okay.” Tucker assured her. “Technus is a great guy, very nice.”
“He can be a bit eccentic, though.” Danny warned her.
“So are we!” Jack and Maddie chimed in, then laughed.
“Yeah, that's true.” Danny nodded.
“It's too bad Jazz isn't home to see you off. And Danny went to the mall, so he's going to miss your sendoff, too.” Maddie sighed.
“I would prefer less of a crowd, anyway.” Desiree nodded.
“Oh, right. Uhm, Desiree, before you go, my friend Sam wanted me to actually try wishing back to normal. You okay with that?” Tucker asked.
“Of course not, feel free.” She said, gesturing to him slightly.
Tucker nodded. “Okay. I wish I was no longer a half-ghost.”
Desiree held out her hands and focused. A wave of energy rippled over Tucker, but nothing else seemed to happen.
“Did it work?” Danny asked.
Tucker looked at him, then focused, changing to his ghost form. “Nope. Still ghost.”
“Apparently you were right.” Danny looked at her.
“For something like that, you would need someone powerful enough to completely alter reality.” Desiree explained. “I am only a genie, I can't alter reality. I am confused enough about how he became a half-ghost at all.”
“Well, maybe we can find someone that can?” Jack suggested.
“Oh, it would not be wise to get involved with anyone with that kind of power” Desiree shook her head.
Danny looked at the clock. “Jack, the door.”
Jack went over and pushed the button, opening the door. It slid open and then there was a bit of silence before Tucker came through.
“As scheduled, Dan, I have arrived!” He declared triumphantly.
“Hey, Technus.” Danny greeted. “Look, I know we planned to spar, but I actually was hoping you could help Miss Desiree get settled in, instead? She's been trapped in a bottle for...a long, long time and she needs a friendly face to show her the ropes.”
“Oh, of course!” Technus assured him. “Miss Desiree, was it? Welcome to the Infinite Realms! Before I show you around, we're going to need to take you to the Warden to get settled in!”
“The Warden?” Danny asked.
“He's the keeper of the census, the law and all things related to order in the Infinite Realms!” Technus explained. “Ironically, he changes his appearance at the drop of the hat, even mid-conversation, which isn't very orderly, hah!”
Jack jolted a bit, then cleared his throat. “Ah...yeah, I know of him. He was the one getting in the way of our hunts, him and his deputy. Looks like he got an office job?” He added jokingly.
“He's really the only one of the Masters of the Realms we meet.” Technus shrugged. “Anyways, if you will come with me?” Technus offered his hand.
Desiree tensed, jerking backwards.
“Ah, Technus?” Tucker spoke up. “She's touch-adverse when it comes to men.”
“Ah, okay.” Technus nodded, then looked confused. “Who are you?”
“Oh!” Tucker changed back. “Sorry, uh, I got wished into being a half-ghost by accident. It's me, Tucker.”
“...That's unfortunate.” Technus said with concern. “Better keep that secret, boy. Too many people in there, well...they might find you fascinating, and not in any good ways.”
“Right.” Tucker nodded, glancing at Danny.
“So, shall we go?” Technus turned to go.
“Wait, uh, before you do. Are there any others like me?” Tucker asked.
“...Uh...yes, but he's more ghost than human, so people don't really count him as one. He's like a ghost wearing a human mask, to put it simply.” Technus explained. “We've only met once or twice, but I don't really like him.”
“Right.” Danny nodded. “Well, we've kept you long enough. Have a safe trip, and I look forward to seeing what kind of lair you create for yourself.”
Desiree nodded, then waved before going through with Technus.
Once they were through, Jack shut the door.
“Alright, back to...I dunno, wanna go spar?” Danny looked at Tucker.
“Sure!” Tucker grinned and changed form.
“Don't have him out too late!” Maddie called as they flew through the ceiling together. She sighed and shook her head. “It's nice that Phantom has someone to hang out with. He needed a friend his age to fight by his side.”
“Let's get that lot ready.” Jack suggested and she nodded enthusiastically.
Notes:
Desiree is in good hands with Technus.
Looks like Tucker's stuck like this until they find a way to change reality.
Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Old Friends
Summary:
The Fentons get an invitation to a party and Danny tries a little experiment.
Notes:
Danny Phantom (c) Butch Hartman & Nicklodeon
((A/N: So, there were some complaints about changes in the previous episode so, just a heads-up, this episode is not going to be the same as in canon. Characters are going to be introduced early, events will happen in a different order, and existential questions will be asked.))
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Check on the catering for me, would you, Veronica?” Vlad Masters said as he walked towards a landline phone sitting on a small table.
“You got it.” The red-haired teenager he passed by said as she pulled out her cell phone.
“I want everything at this party to go...perfectly.” He picked up the receiver and tensed before he brought it to his ear and started to turn the rotary dial, the numbers never before dialed but memorized for so many years.
The phone wasn't picked up by who he expected, however, but a young boy's voice. “Hello, Fenton residence?”
This must be the son. “Ah, Daniel Fenton, I presume?” He said pleasantly. “I'm calling for Jack, would you tell him an old friend from college is calling?”
“Uhh, sure. Hold on.” He heard the phone be set down before the boy's voice distantly called for his dad.
Then he heard thumping footsteps and someone was picking up the phone. “Yello?”
“Hello, Jack.” Vlad said pleasantly. “How long has it been? It's Vlad.”
“Vladdy! How could I not recognize your voice? It really hasn't changed in twenty years.” Jack chuckled. “Wow, it just...seems like all my old friends are coming back into my life suddenly. Anyways, what's up?”
“Well, as you said, it has been twenty years since we were in college, and I thought I would organize a reunion at my estate. You can bring your children, of course.” Vlad assured him.
“A reunion party? Awesome! I'll tell Maddie to pack that gorgeous dress and I'm gonna bring my suit!” Jack declared.
“Yes, black-tie is the theme.” Vlad said, rolling his eyes slightly at his enthusiasm. Though, he did mention Maddie in a gorgeous dress...
“You know, we got Jazz a dress, but she hasn't been able to wear it yet. It's perfect for this kind of event! And Maddie has been saying she should meet more people, so this is great!” Jack was rambling.
“Yes, yes. Do you have a pen handy? I'm going to give you the address of my estate, I'm sure you can find the way on a map.” Vlad said patiently.
“Oh, gimme a bit! Danny! Get me a notepad and pen!” He paused for a bit. “Thank you, son. Go let your mother and sister know to pick their bags, would you? And pack your own, it's black-tie!”
“Got it.” Danny replied on the other end as he walked further away. “Oh, is Comet coming?”
“I think he'd be sad if we left him behind, so let's bring him!” Jack replied enthusiastically.
“Is 'Comet' a dog?” Jack asked.
“Uh, no. He's a shapeshifting blob-ghost we kind of adopted as a pet.” Jack explained. “He came through the portal when it first opened!”
“Hm. Well, as long as he doesn't make a mess on my varnished floors.” Vlad smirked a bit.
“Don't worry, he won't.” Jack assured him. “Now, that address?”
After giving him the address and when it was taking place, Vlad wished him well and hung up, then walked over to look into a ballroom being prepared. “Twenty years...it's a long time to be apart from old friends, isn't it, Veronica?”
“Whatever you say.” She turned her head to look at him with her good eye. “Do we have to attend, too?”
“Of course. You three are like my children.” Vlad smiled. “Unless you'd rather not?”
“I'd rather not.” Veronica sighed. “Plus, Tony and Derek don't like crowds, you know that.”
“Well...Jack is hoping for teenagers for his daughter to socialize with. Surely, you could stay for a little bit?” Vlad suggested. “You can leave once it gets to be too much. I'll get you a new dress.”
She smirked a bit. “You think you can win me over with goodies like the boys?”
“Is it working?” He asked.
“Yeah, sure, just make sure it's a V-neck.” She waved her hand dismissively.
“I will be showing you the options before I buy it.” He assured her. “Go inform the boys we're going to have company.”
She nodded and walked off. “Oh, the caterers said that everything is arranged and they'll be here a couple hours before the event to set up.”
“Splendid.” He smiled. “I knew I could count on you to take care of that.”
–
“Dad, why didn't you ever mention you know Vlad Masters personally?” Jazz blurted out as she came down the stairs with a magazine.
“I didn't know you'd know the name?” He shrugged.
“Oh, come on! Anyone with a brain knows about Vlad Masters!” She shoved the magazine in his face. “He's the founder and owner of the company VLADCO, he was named Affluence Magazine's Billionare of the Year and he's just an all-around famous guy that you didn't tell us that you personally knew!”
“Wait, wasn't that the name of the guy that bought Sam that dress and made those robot frogs?” Danny asked absently, then gasped as his ghost sense went off. “I'm gonna go ask her!” He said, heading up to his room.
“Remember to pack!” Jack called after him.
Danny entered his room and locked the door before closing the curtains, then changed form and flew out to investigate who was in his town.
He saw Tucker flying up to him in his Circuit form. “You sensed that, too?”
“Yeah.” Tucker nodded. “There's a ghost around here somewhere. Did you guys open the portal?”
“Nope.” Danny shook his head.
They heard some people screaming in alarm and saw three green, ghost vultures wearing fez hats phasing out of the wall of a house.
“Looks like our troublemakers.” Tucker said.
“Let's talk before attacking.” Danny reminded him, then flew over to intercept them. “Evening, gentlemen! Welcome to Amity Park. I'm Dan Phantom, guardian of Amity Park.”
“Uh, wha?” The vultures looked at each other. “Uhh, okay. You don't gots ta worry about us, chum. We's lookin' for someone, then we'll be outta your hair – do you have hair?”
“Oh.” Danny pulled down his goggles and hood. “I forgot to do that. Also, who are you looking for, and why?”
“You should know, if you're here to start trouble, we're not going to put up with it.” Tucker said, flying over to hover next to Danny.
“Circuit, let me handle this.” Danny looked at him.
“Well, they's local, maybe they know.” One of the other vultures said, looking at the leader.
“That depends on what you're looking for them for.” Danny said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“We gots words with them.” The leader said vaguely. “Strong words.”
“Sounds like fighting words.” Tucker said, nudging Danny.
“Do you intend this person any form of harm?” Danny asked.
“Aw, naw, what would you assume that?” The leader procured a picture that looked like it torn off of something. “Here, we's lookin' for this guy.” He said as Danny accepted it.
“...Jack Fenton?” Danny said, looking at the picture, then looked at them. “Explain what you want with him, and choose your words very carefully.”
They all moved back a bit, unnerved as his eyes flashed dangerously.
“We, uh...we were sent to...” The leader stammered. “You know, uh...maybe...maybe we'll just take that back and—“
“You're avoiding the question.” Tucker said with a grin.
They look at each other and then fled with alarmed squawks.
“Cowards!” Tucker called after them.
“Let them go. I want to avoid a fight if I can; imagine the property damage we could cause fighting them?” Danny looked at the torn picture. “...But, I do want to know who sent them. Let's go chase them.”
“Yes!” Tucker cheered, flying after them.
Unfortunately, they weren't able to catch up the vultures and lost them. Tucker kicked at the air and turned to him. “Well, what now?”
“We go talk to Jack about this picture." Danny held it up and then flew off.
“Sounds good to me.” Tucker nodded, following him.
They flew over to the FentonWorks building and into the lab. “Jack?” Danny looked around.
“Hm? Someone call me?” They heard Jack say as he came downstairs. “Oh, Phantom! Right, I gotta tell you something! We're going on a trip, you two mind watching the portal for us?” He walked over to them.
“Yessir, Mr. Fenton!” Tucker saluted with a grin.
“You know we will. But, Jack, I wanted to talk to you about something.” Danny said with concern, showing him the picture. “Three ghost vultures were in town looking for you, and I don't think their intentions were good. Does this picture look familiar? It might give us a clue on who sent them.”
“Well, not necessarily.” Jack took the picture, looking at it thoughtfully. “Hm...Not really, but maybe show it to Maddie, see what she says?”
“I'll do that, thanks.” Danny nodded. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow!” Jack grinned. “We'll be back Monday morning but, just in case, I told the school the kids might be a bit late getting in due to family business!”
Danny nodded. “Just in case, what weapons are you bringing?”
“Oh!” Jack walked over to picked up a ball the size of a basketball in his hand. “This, for one thing! Ha-cha!” He threw it down and it landed hard on the ground, grew feet to latch down and then a pole came out of it, then branched out and formed a circle, which then released a laser-like net in the middle of the circle. “Ta-dah! Compact!”
“You figured it out, that's great!” Danny said excitedly. “How do you make it the ball again?”
Jack walked over and reached down to push a button and the whole thing went in reverse and folded up to sink back down into the ball. “I did consider a box, but then realized that was a bad idea.”
“Yeah, good thinking.” Danny nodded.
“Not exactly good for pockets, but still good!” Tucker nodded.
“Well, we do have to account for the size of all the machinery inside.” Jack shrugged. “I did consider just making it a pole, too.”
“No, no, this is fine.” Danny assured him. "What about the ectoranium suits, did you make those yet?”
“Not yet! Turns out, it doesn't work well for anything cloth-like, but we didn't want to make them clunky.” Jack looked at Tucker. “It's too bad, I wanted to make them look like what you got there.”
“Yeah, bummer.” Tucker shrugged.
“Ah, we'll figure it out!” Jack assured him. “Anyways, I gotta get back to packing!” He handed back the picture, scooped up the ball and headed upstairs.
“I guess we'll go ask Maddie.” Danny shrugged.
“Right.” Tucker nodded. “You know, it's a bit of a bummer they know my identity, because I can't get away with calling adults by their first names.”
Danny laughed. “You could ask them if you can?”
“Maybe I will.” Tucker nodded.
They flew up the stairs and into the kitchen. “Maddie?” Danny called, flying around.
“I'm upstairs!” She called back.
Danny flew up with Tucker and found her folding things to put in a suitcase. “Wow, where you are off to, packing such a pretty dress?” He asked, leaning against the doorway casually. “Didn't you wear that to the school dance?”
“I did.” She smiled. “We're going to a college reunion, and since it's a black-tie affair, I'm bringing my dress.”
“And, this time, you're going to get flirted with by people older than your son's age.” He joked. “Honestly, though, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Is it urgent?” She looked up at him. “You seem so serious, Phantom.”
Danny left the door and walked over to her, pulling out the picture. “Does this picture look familiar to you?”
She took the picture. “Hm...you know...it actually kind of does. Hold on, let me get the photo albums.” Maddie got up and went to open a large file cabinet, looking through it. “Let's see...looking at his face and hair, it must be from college, so that's...ah!” She pulled out a binder. “Here we are.” She walked over and set it down on the bed and Danny and Tucker moved closer to see it better. “Now, let's compare...” She opened it up and turned the pages of the binder, which had meticulously-labeled pictures from her college years.
“Wow, were you on Yearbook Committee?” Tucker asked.
She laughed a bit. “I was, in high school.” She admitted. “But, in college, I focused on science. All my extracurriculars were related to science and strengthening my mind, like Chess Club or the Ghost Studies Club.” She stopped on a page and sighed softly, looking a picture featuring three people. “Here it is.” She moved the torn picture over Jack's image in the binder's picture. “This is the picture.”
“Who else has this picture?” Danny asked.
“I'm not sure.” She shrugged. “It's the official picture for our club, it's also in the yearbook, so I imagine a lot of people?”
“So, anyone at the reunion you're going to?” Danny asked with concern.
“Phantom, what is this about?” She asked, looking at him.
“Maddie, we intercepted three ghost vultures coming into town looking for your husband, and judging by their hesitance to tell us what they wanted, I don't think they had good intentions. They also said someone sent them.” Danny explained.
“Well, maybe it was the ghost of someone from our college days that sent them, then.” She said, closing the binder and getting up to put it away. “After all, the only person that was interested in ghosts besides us lost interest after, well...our proto-portal blew up.” She put it in the file cabinet and sighed. “He said he wanted nothing to do with ghosts or us after that.” She shut the file cabinet and locked it, then turned to them. “Which is why I'm surprised he invited us to his estate.”
“Vlad Masters is your college friend? The one from the 'incident'?” Danny asked, surprised.
“Yes.” She nodded. “We were so close, but...that one incident destroyed everything.” She walked over to them. “Tucker, don't let anything come between you and Danny, okay?”
“Nothing could.” He assured her. “Uhm, by the way, it feels a bit weird to keep calling you 'Mrs. Fenton', can I call you by your first name, at least as Circuit?”
She smiled. “Well, alright, but only as Circuit.”
“Yes!” He did a fist-pump.
“Now, I have to finish packing, so why don't you go bother Danny for a little while, make sure he's actually packing and not playing a video game?” She gently nudged them both towards the door.
“I'll get him back on task.” Danny assured her with a grin.
“I hope so. You're the only one that he can't wheedle his way out of trouble with those big, blue eyes.” She sighed.
Tucker grinned and then they walked off to Danny's room. “Danny! Open up!” Tucker said, knocking on the door.
“Oh, form.” Danny nudged him. “I don't think he can hear us, must have headphones on. I'm going to invade his privacy.” He turned intangible and flew through the door as Tucker changed form.
Tucker waited a bit and then the door opened and he walked in, shutting it behind him. “You know, this double-life thing is kind of funny.” He said quietly.
“Yeah, but I still wish I could be two places at once.” Danny frowned. “I need to convince my parents to let Phantom follow behind, but how can I explain not being able in the same room as him?”
“Hm...what's that Ghostcatcher thing do again?” Tucker asked.
“You saw when we used it on Dash, it removes the ghost energy from your body.” Danny shrugged. “Why?”
“Maybe give it a try, see what happens?” Tucker grinned.
“...Uhm...okay, but how am I going to get it from dad?” Danny asked.
“Leave it to me.” Tucker grinned and opened the door, heading out of the room.
Danny looked over, confused.
–
“Mr. Fenton!” Tucker walked up to where Jack was loading up the Fenton RV. “I was wondering, could I borrow the Fenton Ghostcatcher?”
“The compact one or the non-compact one?” Jack asked as he looked out at him.
“There's two?” Tucker asked, surprised.
“Well, yeah. Did you think I just took apart the first one to make the second one? Nope, that one's in the lab, it's just really bulky. Anyways, what'd you need it for?” He stepped out. “Is there ghost trouble?”
“Ah, no, I wanted to show Danny the transforming one, I thought it was really cool.” Tucker admitted.
“Eh, sure.” He picked it up and handed it to him.
“Oof. It's heavy as a bowling bowl!” Tucker protested.
“Maybe a lighter bowling ball.” Jack shrugged. “Anyways, bring it back soon!”
“Yep!” Tucker tucked it under his arm and headed inside and back up to Danny's room.
“Got it!” Tucker said, walking in. “Let me just throw this down and—“
“Uh, Tucker?” Danny spoke up. “Maybe we should do this somewhere less likely to, uh, break?”
“It's fine, the feet come out before it hits the ground, you saw that.” Tucker said, then threw the ball on the floor. It made a dull THUD sound and then grew feet and the rest of it came out. “Oh. Whoops.”
Danny sighed. “Well, at least it didn't break my floor. Okay, let's try this.” He walked over to the Ghostcatcher, then cleared his throat. “Uhm...”
“What's up?” Tucker asked.
“The door.” Danny looked at it.
“Oh!” Tucker went to shut it and lock it. “Sorry!”
Danny nodded, then changed form and flew up. “Here goes nothing.” He flew through the net, gasping sharply and crying out as he felt himself being pulled in two different directions. And, then, suddenly...he was on the floor. He blinked in confusion and looked up and saw...what was he looking at?
The ghost above him didn't look like what he usually saw in the mirror, but had greenish skin, some kinds of scars on his face – he'd have to look that up – and his hair was shoulder-length and drifting up and down like he was in water. He was also wearing an outfit that closely resembled...
“A diving suit.” Danny breathed. “This is what people have been seeing all along?”
“Wow.” His ghost form said, flying down to look at him, hovering in the air on his stomach. “So...this is what happens, huh? We just kind of...split in two.” He reached out a hand and Danny gasped at his cold touch as he touched his chest.
“No core.” His other self said, with an unfamiliar ethereal echo to his voice.
“What?” Danny asked, then reached out to touch his other self's chest. “...No heart.”
“All human.” His other self nodded.
“All ghost.” Danny breathed.
Phantom then offered him a hand and pulled him up so they were standing together.
“...Whoa.” Tucker said, reminding them he was there. “How...How do you guys feel?”
“Unnerved.” Phantom admitted.
“But also...excited?” Danny grinned. “I mean, it worked! We can ask you to come along now!”
“You're vulnerable now.” Phantom argued.
“Well, it's a good thing you're coming along.” Danny smiled.
Phantom sighed, then looked at him, tilting his head a little. “Huh.”
“What?” Danny asked.
“Just...looking at it from the outside, I guess we are kind of cute.” Phantom brought his hand to his chin thoughtfully.
Danny blushed a bit as Tucker cracked up laughing.
“Wee?” Comet flew up from the bed and around Phantom.
“Yes, it's me. We went through the Ghostcatcher, weren't you watching?” Phantom looked at the bed. “No, you were reading a comic book.”
“Wee...” Comet curled in on himself a bit.
“We're going to be going with the Fentons to protect them. If Jack Fenton is being threatened, so is the rest of the family.” Phantom looked at Tucker. “As previously discussed, you'll watch over the portal. I'm sure Jack will let you push the button to send any strays in. Remember my rule.”
“No hurting humans, even possessed ones.” Tucker nodded.
“Good. I'm going to tell Jack that I'm coming along, considering what Maddie told us. Danny, get to packing.” He walked over and unlocked the door, then flew out.
Danny watched him go, then knelt down to retract the Ghostcatcher. “So he says. You should go down with him, I got packing to do.”
Tucker shrugged. “Alright. See you around.” He scooped up the ball and left the room to follow Phantom.
It occurred to Danny that this would be the first time that he and Phantom were seen together in public. Maybe, if this worked out....he could do this more often?
He placed his hand on his chest, feeling oddly hollow without his core.
Notes:
Who sent the ghosts? Two heads are better than one, maybe together they can figure it out!
Chapter 26: Chapter 25: Meeting Again
Summary:
The Fentons and Phantom head out on a road-trip to Wisconsin!
Chapter Text
“Okay, I get that we're in danger, but why does that mean Phantom has to come along?” Jazz asked as they loaded their suitcases into the car. “Don't you have to protect Amity Park?”
“Circuit can cover for me.” Phantom assured her. “I won't be gone that long. But, either someone at the reunion is working with hostile ghosts or a ghost that would've been at the reunion if they were alive is, and you know that they have ways of finding out things that matter to them.”
“So, he's coming with us.” Danny shrugged.
“Here's the key to the house, I made cookies for you to eat while you're watching over the portal for us.” Maddie said, handing Tucker a key-ring.
“Thanks for trusting me with this, Mrs. Fenton.” Tucker smiled.
“Ah, Tucker, you're practically family!” Jack grinned. “No wild parties, though!”
Tucker laughed. “With who, Sam?”
“Oh, you know they can tear up the dance floor together.” Danny laughed.
“No parties.” Tucker assured her.
“Well, here's some money for pizza if you do decide to invite her over.” Maddie pulled out some money and handed it to him. “And there's a Thermos in the lab armory. Feel free to use anything in the lab you need to keep this town safe.”
“Got it. Tell Mr. Masters I say 'hi'.” Tucker grinned.
“In your experience, what's he like?” Jazz asked.
“Ehh...I mean, I thought he was creepy but charming in a Dracula way, but Sam seemed to like him, I think? She just didn't like that he was getting involved in our sleepover, but he did bring cheesecake.” Tucker shrugged. “I guess you gotta just meet him for yourself to judge that.”
“Well, at least we have a vague idea of what he's like.” Danny shrugged.
“Well, let's get going so you can meet the real thing!” Jack said, climbing into the RV.
“Good luck, try not to have too much fun.” Maddie kissed Tucker's head and then got in.
“Phantom, you riding with us or flying behind?” Danny asked.
“The closer the better, right?” Jazz grabbed Phantom's arm. “Get in the RV.”
“Geez, you have a vice grip.” He said as he let her guide him inside.
Tucker chuckled and looked at Danny. “Well, have fun! And, uh, good luck to Phantom, apparently!”
Danny nodded. “I feel...kind of bad.” He walked over and climbed into the RV.
“Hey, Jack? I've been wondering this for some time, but why are there no safety features?” Phantom asked as he stood by the driver's seat.
“For the purposes of this thing, safety features would actually get in the way.” Jack explained. “We need to be able to quickly get up and grab things to rush out.”
“Yeah, but what if someone gets hurt if the RV gets knocked into or crashes?” Phantom asked.
“I'm more worried about anyone or anything that knocks into us.” Danny quipped.
“Look, if you're that worried, I'll install some straps.” Jack assured him. “Later, though.”
“Aren't you worried about getting in trouble with the law?” Phantom asked.
“We essentially drive a tank, Phantom.” Maddie said as she took her seat. “Go sit in back with the kids, we'll be fine.”
He shrugged and walked over to sit down next to Danny. Comet flew out and squeaked at him and he looked at him. “Yeah, road trip. This should be fun, right?”
“Can you...understand him?” Danny asked, startled.
Phantom looked at him. “Yeah?”
Danny placed his hand on his chest, over his beating heart. Now he understood why he didn't understand Comet, even though he was the “ghost” Comet was “attached to”. He was too human still. His beating heart got in the way of him being able to fully harness all of his ghostly abilities. It's highly likely that, like Tucker suggested, he couldn't possess someone as a half-ghost, either.
“Danny, are you okay?” Jazz asked. “Are you feeling homesick already?”
“Uhm, no. I'm okay.” He moved his hand from his chest.
The RV started up and they were on their way. Danny and Jazz waved to Tucker from the window and then Jazz got out a book to read while Danny got out a travel-size chess set from his suitcase.
“Wanna play?” He looked at Phantom.
“Sure.” Phantom nodded.
Danny set it up and then they started to play. Jazz looked up from her book to watch them and scooted a bit closer to get a better look.
“I haven't played in a little while.” Danny admitted.
“I haven't played since before I died.” Phantom chuckled. “So, if it's sooner than that, you're doing better than me.”
Jazz sucked in a breath. “Oh, uhm...hm...Danny, maybe you shouldn't...”
“Jazz, don't backseat play. You can play against him once I'm done.” Danny said, rolling his eyes.
“Alright, fine.” She said, picking up her book again. “Let me know when you're done.”
“Wee!” Comet flew down and picked up one of the pieces.
“Comet, no!” Danny and Phantom said in unison. Comet dropped the piece on the floor in surprise.
“Where was that placed?” Danny said as he leaned down to pick the piece up. Then he set it down on the board and Phantom took it and moved it three spaces to the right.
“Here.” He said, then nodded. “Your move.”
“What did he say just now, anyway?” Danny asked.
“'I want to play with the horsie'.” Phantom glanced up at Comet. “I have reason to believe he was a child when he died, a very young one, but he doesn't remember anything of his life before.”
“I liked to play with the horsie when I was a little kid, too.” Danny chuckled. “Drove Jazz nuts.”
“Comet, come read with me.” Jazz called. “Let them play.”
Comet flew over to sit on her head, looking down at the book.
“So...we told him we're bringing Comet, but Phantom is going to be a surprise, right?” Maddie clarified.
“I'm going to be invisible for the most part.” Phantom assured her. “He won't even notice me unless I have to stop a ghost. But, you know how much Comet loves attention, so it's good you told them he's coming.”
“Wee?” Comet looked up at him.
“Yes, you.” Phantom looked at him.
Danny chuckled. “It's true, you know. You preen under the attention.”
“Wee.” Comet focused on Jazz's book.
“Hey, does Mr. Masters have any children?” Danny asked, looking at Jazz.
“He has three orphans he took in when they were young.” Jazz explained. “Veronica, Anthony, though he prefers 'Tony', and Derek. They're incredibly bright kids that have been winning medals in their private school ever since he enrolled them and have won martial arts tournaments. They'd be about my age now. And though he never officially adopted them, he is their legal guardian. According to the magazines, at least. “
“I'm looking forward to meeting his kids!” Jack said enthusiastically.
“And maybe Jazz can make some friends her age.” Maddie smiled back at her. “Wouldn't that be nice?”
“I guess.” Jazz nodded. “We could...email and stuff.”
“Check.” Phantom said.
“Aw, what? Hold on, that can't be...” Danny sputtered a bit.
“You need to move your king or it's checkmate.” Phantom reminded him.
“I know, I know.” Danny moved the King somewhere. “There!”
“Good.” Phantom said, moving his own piece. “Don't get distracted next time, your move just a moment ago was sloppy and that's how you got in that situation.”
“Giving me tips, now?” Danny asked.
“This is important to remember, in any form of combat. One wrong move and I'm not going to be the only ghost around here.” Phantom said sternly. “You should learn to fight with your parents, and you can also train with me and Circuit.”
“I know that he's Tucker already.” Danny reminded him.
“Yes, but he is not 'Tucker' when he is in ghost form, is he?” Phantom raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, fine. 'Circuit' it is.” Danny moved a piece.
“I'm just trying to be consistent. If I were to refer to him as 'Tucker' when he is in ghost form, even among friends, it would put me into the practice of referring to him as such around friends in public.” Phantom explained. “I'm sure you can understand that such an event would not be safe for him.”
“It really wouldn't.” Maddie frowned. “So, we appreciate the effort, Phantom. We'll do the same, of course.”
“I think Circuit appreciates it most of all.” Phantom smiled. “I'm just doing all I can to help him.”
–
The RV drove on for several hours, leaving the city limits and driving down the road. Jack turned on some road trip tunes which mostly consisted of oldies and country rock.
“It's going to be about four hours, so we shouldn't have to worry about stopping to eat anywhere. If you're hungry, though, we did pack road trip snacks!” Jack said cheerfully.
“The way he drives, it'll be less time than that.” Danny remarked.
“He still has to adhere to the rest of traffic.” Phantom assured him.
“Oh, I'm so excited to see everyone again!” Maddie said, practically bouncing in her seat. “What do you think everyone is up to lately?”
“Oh, we're going to find out! I mean, not everyone has their life plastered on magazines.” Jack grinned. “I still can't believe it, though! Vlad, father of three! Is he even married yet?”
“No, and they're not actually his children.” Jazz reminded him. “They're just orphans that he took legal guardianship of.”
“What do they look like?” Danny asked.
Jazz pulled out her magazine and opened it. “I think there's a family photo here...” She stopped at a page and showed it to him. The three teenagers with Vlad Masters were a girl and two boys. The girl had red hair with a high ponytail, a long part of her hair covering her half her face, while one boy had short, black hair and the other had blond hair and a low ponytail. All three of them were in red and purple clothes, and had gold rings on their left middle fingers with VM on the round top. Vlad Masters himself had the same ring. He was seated in a fancy-looking chair while the other three stood around him, and there was a white cat in his lap.
Phantom leaned his head on Danny's shoulder. “They seem nice enough. Is that hairstyle in fashion, covering her eye like that?”
“Oh, uhm, no. That's Veronica.” Jazz shook her head. “Her parents died in a home-invasion and her right eye was badly hurt, according to an interview she did years ago. Luckily the police showed up before anything else could happen to her, but that's the most she's told anyone. After someone tried to press her for details, she clammed up. All we know is that, despite the police showing up in response to the house alarm, the assailant got away.”
“Yikes...” Danny frowned.
“Well, it's best not to push her.” Phantom smiled. “Whether living or dead, if someone brings up your past trauma, it can cause a negative reaction.”
“And the other two?” Danny asked. “They got any traumatic past?” He asked jokingly.
“Considering they're all orphans due to violent crime, yes.” Jazz nodded. “All three of them were orphaned and injured in major ways by their attacker at a very young age, but we don't know if it was the same person, only that they escaped capture each time. I know you just said not to bring it up, but I'm actually curious about what happened there, and what compelled Mr. Masters to take them in.”
“Just...don't make things uncomfortable at the party?” Danny pleaded.
“Jasmine Iris Fenton, you are not going to be spending your time socializing with these teenagers by trying to be their counselors.” Maddie said sternly.
“Okay, okay!” Jazz held up her hands.
“Wow, Jazz, your obsession with psychoanalyzing people is almost as bad as your parents' obsession with ghosts.” Phantom quipped playfully.
Her jaw dropped and she stammered a bit defensively before putting the magazine away and grabbing her book.
“Kids, play nice back there!” Jack called as he drove. “Don't make me stop the RV! Actually, maybe we should, take some pictures! Look at this view!”
“Jack, let's not keep Vlad waiting. Don't you want some time to hang out with him before the party tomorrow?” Maddie asked.
“Oh, right, of course! We'll take pictures on the way back.” Jack said enthusiastically.
“It's a four hour trip, we can spare a few moments.” Jazz spoke up. “Besides, I want to stop and stretch my legs, anyway.”
“Alright, we'll find a place to stop and get out for a bit.” Jack assured her. “We'll find a rest-stop soon.”
“Ohhh, with cookies and cocoa?” Danny asked eagerly.
“You know it!” Jack grinned.
–
They drove on until they found a rest stop and then got out. Phantom decided to stick to walking instead of flying, just in case, and followed Danny and Jazz around as they walked around the rest stop.
“Don't go far, kids!” Maddie called. “We're getting back in the RV in fifteen minutes!”
“Yeah!” Jazz called back.
“So, uh, which do you think is more likely, ghost ally or ghost?” Danny asked, looking at Phantom.
“Hm...well...” Phantom hummed thoughtfully. “I can't really take a guess at this present moment, not without more information. I am hoping that the perpetrator will simply reveal themselves when the time comes, at which point I will reveal myself and intervene in their plans.”
“Hopefully they'll reveal themselves before the party.” Jazz frowned.
“Let's get some cookies and cocoa.” Danny suggested, walking over to the stand.
Phantom hung back to watch over them, then looked towards the adults as they walked together. “I suppose a man with his reputation would have many ghost enemies.” He said to himself.
“Here!” Danny walked up to him and offered him a cup of cocoa. “Warm yourself up a bit, you're cold as ice!” He said jokingly.
Phantom accepted it and then followed Danny as he headed for a bench to sit down. “Did you grab cookies for Comet?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Danny nodded. “I'll give them to him when he's done with his nap.” He took a bite of his cookie, then paused. “...Wait, why is he napping? Do ghosts need sleep?”
“No, but we also don't need to breathe. I still do it.” Phantom shrugged. “He likes experiencing 'living' things, even though he doesn't need to.”
“I feel like a lot of ghosts do.” Danny nodded.
“We were, after all, once alive ourselves.” Phantom nodded.
Danny glanced at him. “So...” he spoke quieter, “what are we?”
“Hm?” Phantom tilted his head a bit.
“I thought we were the same person, but...now, I'm not so sure.” Danny admitted.
Phantom hummed thoughtfully. “I don't think this is a conversation we can have right now. I'll come to your room later and we can talk, or we can wait until after we're done with this trip.”
“I'd rather not put it off, we can talk about it tonight.” Danny nodded.
“Okay.” Phantom smiled, then sipped at his cocoa. “Mm, warm.”
Danny smiled and sipped his own drink.
–
Jazz looked over at Phantom and her brother talking and her brow furrowed. It was unnerving how close they were, considering she'd never seen them together before. Then again, how many late-night flights had they had? How much time did Phantom spend just hanging out with her little brother when he was supposed to be getting Danny to bring him home? If they were this close, it explained why he became so hostile when she said for him to stop spending so much time with him.
'Oh, god.' She thought. 'Is this ghost in love with my brother?'
No, no, they were just friends, she told herself. But...did “just friends” fly off together in the night? Did they smile at each other like that, and speak in low voices no one else could hear?
She wasn't sure, she had never actually had any friends since she was so focused on taking care of Danny in her parents' stead, and the ones she tried to make had been chased off by her...oh, Phantom was right, she did have an obsession with psychoanalyzing people!
“Kids! Fifteen minutes, let's go!” Maddie called.
“Coming!” Danny said as he and Phantom got up.
Jazz hurried over to the RV after them.
“Wee?” Comet spoke up as they entered.
“Here, buddy.” Danny handed him a couple cookies and Comet happily ate them. “So...if he spends more time with you, he's going to get stronger, right? That's what Technus said?”
“Yes.” Phantom nodded. “And through training, of course. Have you been practicing your shapeshifting?”
“Wee!” Comet confirmed.
“Show me.” Phantom nodded.
Comet changed into a spaceship, then a pencil, then a cookie, then a tiny, green version of Phantom before reverting to his blob form.
“Good, keep practicing.” Phantom nodded. “Get stronger.” He rubbed his head affectionately.
“Everyone sitting down?” Jack called.
Danny and Phantom sat down and Jack started up the RV to continue on down the road.
“So...you two seem...close.” Jazz said awkwardly as they went on their way.
“Hm? Yeah, I guess so.” Danny shrugged.
“Isn't it only natural for a bodyguard to be close with their charge?” Phantom asked casually. “Considering I've been taking him out of danger since I first came out of the portal he opened. After all, Jack Fenton's son or not, you guys haven't exactly made it a secret who the one to actually get the portal to work was.”
“That's true...” She nodded. “You just seem...really close.”
“Jazz, I have Paulina.” Danny said, raising an eyebrow. “Besides, I'm not a necrophiliac, even if I was interested in him.”
“Spectrophilic. I'm a ghost, not a zombie.” Phantom corrected him.
“Aren't they the same?” Danny asked.
“They really aren't. One is attraction to a corpse, the other is attraction to a ghost.” Jazz chimed in.
“Right, okay. Anyways, I'm still not attracted to him, and I'm dating Paulina.” Danny looked at Jazz. “Got it?”
“Right. Of course. My mistake.” She blushed and buried herself in her book.
Danny looked at Phantom and then they both started laughing for some reason.
'I don't understand them.' She thought, shaking her head.
No matter what they said, “just friends” did not act the way they did around each other.
–
The Masters Estate was huge. In fact, Danny would even call it a castle and he wouldn't be wrong. This wasn't just a big mansion, this was a huge castle out in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Madison, Wisconsin. The entire building was colored white, gold and green, and the place looked way too big for four people to live in.
“Wow.” Danny said, looking out the window. “That's...uh...big.”
“Perhaps he's overcompensating for something?” Phantom asked quietly and Danny laughed a bit.
“Phantom, remember, invisible.” Jack reminded him.
“Right.” Phantom nodded and turned invisible. Comet, on the other hand, wrapped snugly around Danny's wrist like usual.
“Okay, let's head in!” Jack said, opening the RV and walking out to approach the door. As they approached, the door opened and Vlad Masters himself stepped out, his hands clasped behind his back as he stepped into the sunlight with a smile.
“Jack!” He greeted, spreading out his arms and then clasping them together in front of his chest. “And Maddie. Oh, and these must be your children! Welcome to my humble home. Please, come inside, I've had rooms prepared for you.”
“Wee?” Comet lifted off of Danny's wrist and flew around Vlad curiously.
“This is Comet.” Danny explained. “And I'm Danny.”
“And this is my sweet little Jasmine.” Maddie said, smiling at Jazz.
“Moooooom.” She blushed.
“It's a pleasure to meet you all. Come, let's not stand around outside. I'll show you to your rooms and then you can unpack. But, first, let me introduce you to the children under my care.” He walked inside and they followed him in. The door suddenly shut before Jack, who was going in last, could go through, but then it opened on its own and Phantom briefly turned visible to wave to him before going invisible again.
“So, what's with all the green and gold?” Jazz asked as they walked further in. “You're a billionaire! Couldn't you afford an interior designer?”
“Jazz, Jazz, Jazz.” Danny shook his head. “Look around you! These colors aren't just coincidence, it's a theme!” He gestured to posters and cabinets full of sports memorabilia. “Specifically, the theme of the football team The Green Bay Packers! He's obviously a big fan!”
“Oh.” She looked at it. “I admit, I don't know much about sports.”
“By the time we leave, you'll know all about the Packers!” Jack laughed, walking over to them. “He's been a fan of them for as long as I've known them! Honestly, I wasn't even interested in sports until he introduced me to it.” He admitted.
“Guess that answers the question of if you played in high school or not.” Danny grinned. “Tucker wanted to know. Oh! Mr. Masters, Tucker says 'hi'.”
“Tucker? Ahh, yes, Samantha's friend. He's a charming young fellow.” Vlad nodded. “And, yes, it is as you deduced, my home is themed around the Green Bay Packers.”
“I'm surprised you didn't just buy the team.” Jazz remarked.
“Oh, he's tried.” An unfamiliar voice said as a teenage girl with red hair tied in a ponytail aside from a long part that covered half her face walked up to them. “Repeatedly.”
“No matter how much I offer, the city of Green Bay refuses to sell!” Vlad huffed, then sighed, brushing his hair back. “One of two things my wealth has...yet to help me acquire.” He glanced at Maddie with a sly smile.
Maddie smiled innocently back at him, but Danny felt a bit...creeped out by the way he looked at her.
“Anyways, that aside, I should introduce you. Veronica, these are the Fentons. Fentons, my ward Veronica.”
“Pleasure.” She held out a hand and Danny took it to shake it. As he did, though, Comet left his wrist curiously and she gasped and jerked her hand back. “Is that a ghost?!”
“Oh! Yeah, but he's friendly.” Danny grabbed Comet and cupped him in his hands. “Harmless, like a kitten. His name is Comet.”
“...Are there more ghosts with you?” She asked cautiously.
“Veronica, please.” Vlad placed his hand on her shoulder. “They mean no harm. Why don't you go inform the other two that the first of our guests have arrived?”
“...Sure.” She nodded, then walked away from them.
“You will have to forgive her, she had a rather traumatic experience with ghosts years back.” Vlad explained. “I'm sure you know, by now, not all ghosts are...friendly.”
“Yeah, we know.” Danny nodded..
“Did a ghost...?” Jazz gestured to her right eye vaguely.
“Yes.” Vlad nodded. “But, we of course did not make it public knowledge, and it would be good of you to not bring it up around others. Oh, and...perhaps Comet should stay on your wrist, or in your room during the party?”
“Right, sorry. We forgot that not everyone is as receptive like in Amity Park.” Danny smiled apologetically.
“I hope we didn't upset her too badly.” Maddie looked at where Veronica left to. “Comet just wanted to greet her.”
“I know, and I know you meant no harm.” Vlad nodded, “Now, let me show you to your rooms so you know where to bring your things.”
“Right.” Danny nodded, then stopped and looked at a football on display. “Hey, is this an autographed football?”
“Ah, good eye! Yes, this was autographed by the legendary Ray Nitschke himself.” Vlad said, picking up the ball and showing it to him. “It's my prized possession.”
“Why not keep it in a safe or something?” Jazz asked. “Aren't you worried that it might get stolen?”
“Oh, don't worry. I have my own security measures.” He assured her, then put it back down. “Now, let's go to your rooms.”
“Hey, Vlad, I hate to bring it up, but I really think we should.” Jack said as they walked up the stairs to the second floor. “I'm...sorry about what happened, back then. I should've been more attentive, double, no, triple-checked the calculations and the solution. I was just...so excited...and you paid the price.”
“Oh, Jack.” Vlad sighed and smiled. “I know that I was cold and bitter at the time, and can you blame me? I was in the hospital for years, suffering from the agony of the ecto-acne while the doctors struggled to figure out how to cure it! And then, one day...it cleared up on its own. It was a miracle.” He chuckled. “I checked myself out and started a new lease on life, starting with building up VLADCO. It started out small, but then I inherited this castle from a distant relative and was able to build up my company even more. I took in three children that no one would adopt because they had medical complications and were 'too damaged' and made myself a whole new name, with a new life. I've also made many powerful friends over the years, one of which helped me get back on my feet after I left the hospital.”
He smiled and looked up at the lights above them. “That experience opened my eyes, Jack, to a whole new world of possibilities. And I realized that...it's been too long since I saw my old friend Jack Fenton.” He turned to him and opened his arms.
Jack smiled and pulled him into a tight hug.
“I hope that you will enjoy your time, short as it will be.” He said, then pulled back. “Now, to your rooms!” He walked upstairs.
Jack smiled. “It's nice to know that someone from my past isn't trying to kill my family.”
“Let's not talk about your crazy ex—friend.” Danny suggested.
Jack nodded and then they walked after Vlad.
–
“No sign of a ghost here yet. If there is, I'm not detecting them.” Phantom muttered to himself, floating around invisible. “But, if the proto-portal caused what happened to me to happen to him, then Mr. Masters is the most likely suspect.”
“Finally going to make him pay.”
He stopped short and looking into a room, seeing three teenagers standing in front of a dartboard.
“All the pain and humiliation; it's finally going to come to an end.” One of the teenagers said, the only girl in the room.
“Do you think it's true, that they have a bodyguard somewhere?” One of the others asked.
“Who knows? Let's just do what we can to make sure no one suspects a thing.” She threw a dart and it landed dead-center on the board. “Come on, we need to go meet the guests.”
“Right.” They followed her out.
'A suspicious conversation between three teenagers in matching purple, black and red clothes.' Phantom thought. 'I should probably keep an eye on them, but they aren't ghosts so I can't actually do anything to them. I'll have to trust the humans to this one.' He thought, flying off. 'Maybe I'll tell Danny about the conversation, see what he thinks.'
As he flew off, wide, blue eyes blinked up at him and followed his movements before the fluffy, white cat let out a “Mow” and walked into the room, tail swishing back and forth.
Notes:
The Masters family seems...nice!
Chapter 27: A Family Meal
Summary:
After getting settled in, the Fentons and Masters share a meal together
Chapter Text
“Okay, I'm unpacked and....wow, there's still so much space.” Danny chuckled a bit. “You know, it might be a good idea to turn this place into a Bed and Breakfast. Nah, he'd never take the suggestion.”
“Danny.” Phantom said, turning visible. “I have finished my pat—“
“Dude!” Danny yelped in alarm, turning to him while clutching at his chest. “Don't just appear out of nowhere like that!”
Phantom sighed. “May I continue?”
“Yeah, sure.” Danny nodded, releasing his shirt and rubbing at his neck.
“Good.” Phantom nodded. “I have finished my patrol and there doesn't seem to be any sign of ghosts here, at least not yet.”
“We'll keep an eye out.” Danny smiled. “Look at this big bed, huh?” He walked over and climbed onto it, settling down against the pillows. “Seriously, you could fit at least two of dad on here!”
“I'm glad you're enjoying your free time as a full human.” Phantom said, crossing his arms over his chest with an amused smile.
“Come lie down with me.” Danny patted the spot next to him.
“Excuse me?” Phantom said, startled.
“It's comfortable, lie down.” Danny encouraged.
Phantom sighed and flew over to settle down on the bed. “You realize, of course, this is why Jasmine thinks we are a couple?”
“I think there's more to it than just sitting on a bed together.” Danny grinned. “So...we're alone now.”
“Yes, until you are called away.” Phantom nodded. “Oh, I saw three teenagers earlier talking about some kind of plan taking place during the party, but they weren't really going into detail about it.”
“I doubt they're connected to the ghosts.” Danny shook his head.
“Danny, think about it. Aside from us, who was caught in a portal at the time it opened?” Phantom asked. “Their old college friend, right?”
“Ohh. So, you think he might be...the other half-ghost?” Danny asked quietly.
“It is a possibility, and not one I'm ruling out.” Phantom nodded.
Danny ran his hand through his hair. “...Yikes.”
“Yes, my sentiments exactly.” Phantom nodded. “If my theory is accurate, then we have walked into the dragon's cave.”
“Isn't it usually 'lion's den'?” Danny asked.
“Perhaps, but a dragon is far more dangerous, seeing as it can breathe fire and is much harder to kill or even wound than a lion.” Phantom reasoned.
“Huh. I never thought about it that way.” Danny nodded. “The dragon's cave, huh...”
“To put it most accurately, we have walked into the lair of a potentially hostile ghost.” Phantom said seriously. “And we must not let him know that we are aware, or he will make a move sooner that could endanger your entire family.”
“You know, if he is a half-ghost, I don't think those kids know.” Danny said, frowning. “Why would he take them in, if they were attacked by ghosts?”
“Perhaps, in time, we can ask them about it.” Phantom nodded.
“Hey, why do you do that?” Danny asked.
“Do what?” Phantom asked, confused.
“Talk in that fancy way. I didn't do that when I was you.” Danny pointed out.
“Oh, I...I'm not sure. I think I did it once and it just...stuck?” Phantom shrugged. “But, on the topic of you and I...now that we are alone, we should discuss the question of 'what are we', right?”
“Right.” Danny nodded.
“By the way, where is Comet?” Phantom looked around.
“Wee?” Comet came out from Danny's bag, carrying a bag of chips.
“Wow, really?” Danny raised an eyebrow. “Alright, fine, have them.”
“Wee!” Comet nuzzled him and then struggled to open the bag. Danny opened it and took a few before handing it back to the blob.
“Alright, now that we know that, let's discuss.” Phantom nodded. “What do you think we are?”
“Well...either our soul split in two somehow, or...we're not actually the same person.” Danny theorized.
“Explain?” Phantom asked.
Danny took a deep breath and released it, piecing his thoughts together. “Okay, so let's go over the details. Dan Phantom came to be, as a person, a half-ghost, when the portal opened while I was inside, right?”
“Right.” Phantom nodded.
“What if, and just think about it for a moment before replying, I wasn't the only one in that spot when the rift tore open and engulfed me?” Danny theorized. “What if there was someone else, a ghost, on the other side in the exact same spot, but on the other side of the door?”
“It...seems like a decent enough theory, but how could we confirm it?” Phantom shrugged. “All my memories are yours.”
“Well, what if you were a blob, like Comet?” Danny gestured to him. “Though, I really don't know where the diving suit came from. Maybe it's a hint to how the real you died?”
“I don't know.” Phantom shrugged. “As far as I know, or remember, I'm just your Phantom.”
“Danny?” Maddie called from outside the room. “It's time for dinner, sweetie.”
“We'll talk later.” Danny smiled. “I'll sneak you some food?”
“Sure, sneak some for Comet, too.” Phantom nodded.
“Yeah, it's too bad, but he's not going to be able to attend the party and interact with the guests, since it might freak them out.” Danny got off the bed and walked over to the door. “We'll talk more about this when I get back.”
He nodded and waved. Danny waved and opened the door, then walked out to join his mother in the hall.
“Is Phantom in there?” Maddie asked quietly.
“Yeah. He just finished patrol, he said that he hasn't seen the ghosts that tried to attack dad yet, but...you know, they could still show up.” Danny said as he followed her downstairs.
He decided to keep their theory about their host possibly being a half-ghost to himself. After all, the basis for their theory was, well, how he became a half-ghost.
He wondered, if his theory was right, if there was another ghost on the other side of that proto-portal twenty years ago?
–
They entered the dining hall, where Jack and Jazz were already seated with Vlad and his teenage wards.
“Ah, good, we're all here.” Vlad smiled. “And, ah, Comet?”
“He's in my room, I'll bring him food later.” Danny assured him as they took their seats.
“Everyone, this is Anthony and Derek.” Vlad gestured to the two they hadn't met yet. “Anthony, Derek, these are the Fentons; Jack, Jasmine, Daniel and Madeline.” He gestured to them each in turn.
“It's a pleasure to meet you!” Jazz smiled. “And, uhm, just 'Jazz' is fine.”
“And 'Danny'.” Danny nodded.
“Call me 'Tony'.” The blond teen said. “How long are you staying for?”
“Oh, not long. We'll be going back Monday morning.” Maddie assured him.
“We have school.” Jazz explained.
“Public school or private?” Derek asked.
“Public; we go to Casper High.” Jazz replied.
“'Casper'? As in the 'friendly' ghost?” Veronica smirked.
“Oh, it gets better. Our city, Amity Park, is named after the Amityville Horror House, and the middle school we attended was named after the demonic doll Annabelle.” Danny grinned. “I guess it was only a matter of time before it became haunted.”
“The fabric of reality between our two worlds was weaker where we moved to after we got married, which made it the ideal location for us to build our portal!” Jack said enthusiastically.
“Ahh, right.” Derek nodded. “You're the family that got Genius Magazine to actually feature guys for one issue, because your mother refused to be interviewed on her own. You had a lot of interesting things to say about having a portal to the realm of the dead in your basement.”
“You don't seem to like ghosts.” Danny observed. “Is this place haunted?”
“Well, perhaps. Supposedly, the ghost of the Cheese King is around here somewhere, but we've yet to see it.” Vlad chimed in. “He was the original owner of this castle, and died in its very halls.”
“We don't like ghosts because they're vicious and cruel and spitefully take their deaths out on the living.” Veronica said coldly. “I don't know why you trust that 'Comet' or that 'Phantom' kid, but you shouldn't. The only good ghost is a dead one.”
“Veronica.” Vlad looked at her.
“Aren't ghosts already, by definition, dead?” Jazz asked, confused.
“With a family history like yours, you question that?” Derek raised an eyebrow. “Have you never thought to look into your family history? Your grandfather, your father, hunted down hostile ghosts and destroyed them completely, wiping them from existence and were paid for it! Just because he's gone soft, it doesn't mean the methods aren't still out there!”
“Derek, please, let's not discuss such things.” Vlad coaxed him. “But...yes, they have a point. After we parted, I had a lot of time and I thought I would look into the past you never talked about, Jack, and the fact you now ally with a ghost instead of hunting them is...frankly, jarring.”
“I don't want to talk about this.” Jack said tersely. “I was raised to be a monster and I roped my childhood friend into it and, guess what, he died because of it and so did my father, my mother, my uncles, my aunts, my cousins, EVERYONE in my family that hadn't already disappeared somewhere!”
Danny and Jazz flinched at his raised voice.
“Jack...” Maddie breathed.
“Losing them all right after I left for college was a wake-up call to me, and I swore I would put hunting behind me and focus on studying them, learning about them, trying to make amends for what I did, and Phantom has been a wonderful ally, a brilliant child that died far too soon and all he wants to do is help keep humans safe and the ghosts peaceful and happy!” He clenched his fists, sighed heavily, then looked at his shoulder with a furrowed brow before sighing again and clearing his throat, looking ahead of him. “Sorry about raising my voice, everyone. It's just a...touchy subject.”
“Note taken.” Veronica said, and then the maids came over to serve them their food.
Danny felt a hand on his shoulder and realized that Phantom must've come down at his father's raised voice and touched his shoulder to calm him. Phantom, though invisible, gave his shoulder a light squeeze before letting go, most likely to return to Danny's bedroom.
“So, uhm, are you guys going to the party?” Jazz asked, trying to ease the tension.
“For a bit. Masters already got us clothes for it, so it'd be rude to not at least make an appearance long enough for him to show us off to his lessers.” Tony smirked.
“Oh, you.” Vlad laughed.
“What are you doing after that?” Jazz asked.
“We were gonna sit down and watch a movie. Join us?” Veronica invited.
“I'd love to.” Jazz smiled.
Once they all had drinks poured, Vlad stood up and knocked his spoon against his glass a few times. “I would like to propose a toast.” He raised his glass. “To reuniting with old friends and making new connections!”
“Hear, hear!” Jack said, raising his glass with a grin as everyone else raised their glasses.
Then Vlad took a swig of his drink and sat back down as everyone else drank theirs.
“I'll do another toast tomorrow.” He assured them. “But, I couldn't resist the chance to do one just for us.”
“We appreciate it.” Maddie smiled.
They started to eat, conversation paused for the most part while mouths were filled. Danny took the time to think about the Masters household. While it made the most sense based on his own experience, it just made no sense why these traumatized children would be with a man that was a ghost part-time. Or maybe he was hiding it from them? He glanced at Vlad, who did indeed remind him of Vlad Dracula.
'I wonder what his ghost form looks like?' Danny thought. 'If it is him, that is.'
“What's eating you?” Derek asked. “You're just staring into space.”
“Do you think vampires are real?” Danny asked absently.
The three teenagers burst into laughter and Danny blushed.
“Let me guess, Tucker said I was 'like Dracula'?” Vlad said with an amused smile.
“U-Uh, yeah.” Danny nodded.
“It's a common mistake, but I am human, I assure you.” Vlad assured him. “Completely human, as much as you are.”
Danny moved his hand to his chest again, where his core would normally be, then went back to his eating. “Right. Sorry, didn't mean to be rude.”
“It's quite alright.” Vlad assured him. “As for if I believe vampires are real, who knows?”
“I haven't met any yet.” Jack shrugged. “Lots of witches, lots of ghosts, but no vampires.”
“What about werewolves?” Tony asked.
“Mm, I heard rumors of them, but we never ran into any.” Jack admitted.
“What about aliens?” Derek asked jokingly.
“Nope, none of those!” Jack laughed, then took on a serious tone. “Or did I?”
“Who paid you for these jobs, anyway?” Jazz asked. “Did you get paid by the homeowner, or...?”
“Oh, we were working closely with the government, actually.” Jack revealed. “There's a little-known sect similar to the guys in the Men in Black movies that specialize in handling paranormal and supernatural sightings, and they often hired us to help them deal with particularly hostile ones. Not sure what they're doing now, since I'm no longer working with them and anyone in my family that was is, well, dead.”
“I doubt they would approve of your close relationship with...Comet.” Vlad remarked.
“Actually, they might find him kind of cute! Comet's a non-hostile, and only supplies distraction support for Phantom and pulls Danny here out of danger when hostile ghosts attack.” Jack said, patting Danny's shoulder. “They only got involved when humans were threatened, you know. Non-hostile entities were generally left alone, which is why so many people are still encountering places that have been haunted for hundreds of years!”
“Speaking of Phantom, why do you work with him?” Veronica asked. “From what I've heard, he's pretty hostile.”
“Phantom is only hostile to hostile ghosts, and he only becomes so when humans are threatened.” Danny explained. “He's more like a diplomat, a liaison, he talks down the ghosts and handles them before things get messy and when things do get messy, that's when he calls in my parents to help him and everyone knows that the moment Comet takes me out of sight, that's when they need to clear the area.”
“We are discussing making an alarm for him to trigger, though, for those that can't see when Danny is hidden.” Maddie chimed in. “He's a very sweet boy, and he just wants to protect people. Why, if he was around when the ghosts attacked your homes, he would've done everything possible to ensure you didn't get hurt.”
“He wasn't always going on patrol, though.” Jack frowned. “He focused his attention on the portal but once ghosts started appearing in town that didn't come through it, he started to patrol the city to make sure that what happened in Casper High didn't happen again.”
“What happened?” Veronica asked.
“The hostile ghost of a student killed long ago was released from his seal by a frequently bullied student and they worked together with the ghost possessing the living one to attack fifteen students and one teacher, all of which had, well, bully tendencies.” Danny explained. “The ghost had killed himself as a result of being horrifically bullied. Once Phantom was alerted to what was happening, he quickly took action to harmlessly stop the ghost, and got my parents to help him remove the ghost from the human host to send him through the portal. But, he feels really guilty about how he didn't realize what was happening sooner, and so he started to go on patrol. Just the other day, he found a ghost that had been trapped and was unsealed and managed to talk her into calming down, getting some mental health support from my mom and sister and then, once she was ready, escorted her personally through the portal with the help of another ghost friend he'd made a little while ago.”
He smiled. “So, he's doing a really good job! And though things were a bit rocky between us before, I think we've started to become friends.”
“Why were things rocky?” Derek asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Because I'm the one that opened the portal, which was announced, so that made me an automatic target even without my dad's reputation and also I can't fight so he had to keep shoving me out of danger. Our first meeting, well, our first time talking, he borrowed the Fenton Thermos I brought to school to show off and then dropped it on my head to return it once he was done with it!”
“We actually couldn't get it work, but Phantom managed it somehow!” Jack chimed in cheerfully. “It took a little bit for him to trust us enough to openly work with us, he's a little shy.”
“He only died very recently, and he doesn't like to talk about his life before.” Maddie smiled sadly. “He came out of the portal when it first opened, but he wasn't the only one. If he hadn't come out, Danny might've been in danger. We're very fortunate that he came out.”
“Where were you?” Tony asked.
“I had just come into the lab when they were about to give up on it for the day.” Danny explained. “I thought I might be able to find the problem, so I suited up and got to work after they left the lab. They just missed pushing a button to actually turn it on, and once I pushed it, it came to life right away!”
“Danny is so smart, we really value his help in the lab!” Maddie said, beaming proudly at him.
“Did you ever consider just letting it be?” Tony asked. “If it didn't work, just give up and don't take the risk of trying to open it. I mean, what good has it actually done you?”
“The number of ghosts that have come through the portal are more often benevolent than malevolent.” Danny assured him. “Only one of them turned hostile, and that was because she found out that shortly after she died, her treasured lunch menu was changed to an all-vegan diet. That was a bit of a mess, we had to stage a school protest to put meat back on the menu and it took her actually attacking the one responsible for the change, because they led a counter-protest to keep the meat off, for them to finally give up and let us have a balanced diet. We've since put some better vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu along with the meat and Abigail Grace, the Lunch Lady, hasn't been hostile since.”
“We have met other ghosts that have been very forthcoming about the Infinite Realms and ghosts in general, which is incredible information for our research, and we had an instance where a poor ghost was possessed by a cursed amulet that made her go berserk and Phantom helped her get it off before she went back home.” Jack chimed in. “Then, well, Phantom let Danny study it and it somehow ended up in the hands of Danny's friend, who put it on because she hated the girl Danny is dating. But, again, Phantom helped us take care of that with no harm to Danny's friend and the ghost girl visits us off and on.”
“When she can get away from her overbearing mother.” Danny quipped. “We also made friends with a ghost from the year 1940 and he was both excited to see how technology has advanced and also very helpful to both us and Phantom in teaching us about ghosts and the Infinite Realm. He actually visits us every week to spar with Phantom!”
“Our biggest concern to come out of the portal is actually our dad's dead childhood friend that decided he wanted to kill Danny, for some reason.” Jazz spoke up.
“Or capture. Capture is good, too.” Danny reminded her. “Either way, he targeted me and we suspect it's because I opened the portal.”
“It was Phantom protecting Danny and beating the ghost up when he came after Danny at a friend's party that made him finally back off, but we're on guard for if he comes back.” Jack nodded firmly.
“Well, this has been a fascinating conversation, but why don't we finish our food and then I'll give you all a tour of the mansion?” Vlad suggested. “So far, all you've seen is the foyer, this dining hall and your bedrooms. Jasmine, would I be incorrect in assuming you would be interested in the library?”
“Ohh, yes!” Jazz said excitedly.
“Hey, Mr. Masters, I know that you have your own company and everything, but you used to do lab work, right? Do you still do it?” Danny asked.
“I...do, yes.” Vlad nodded.
“Could I see it?!” Danny asked excitedly.
“Oh, well, I suppose it won't hurt to let you have a little supervised tour.” Vlad smiled a bit. “Jack, Maddie, why don't you join us?”
“Oh, we'd love to!” Maddie said eagerly.
“You three have fun with that.” Jazz rolled her eyes. “Danny, mind if I borrow Comet?”
“'Borrow'? There's no 'borrow', he's not mine.” Danny shrugged. “Go ahead, take him to the library with you, he's up in my room right now. Actually, on that note, he really likes eating human food, could I take a couple plates up to him?”
“A couple? Big appetite.” Vlad remarked. “Feel free.” He nodded to a maid to go prepare that.
“Oh yeah, he's a hungry little guy.” Danny nodded. “Thanks, let me go bring him the food and then I'll be right down and we can get started on our tour!”
“Of course.” Vlad nodded.
–
The meal ended after everyone finished eating and Danny took the two plates up to his room, then knocked twice on the door with his foot. “Room service, open up.”
The door opened and Phantom held it open for him to enter. “They seem nice, though I don't like how those teenagers seemed to be trying to aggravate your father.” He shut the door once Danny was in.
“Me neither.” Danny admitted. “I've never seen dad so worked up, but then he's never talked about what happened to his family before, only about his childhood fighting ghosts.”
“I'm just concerned that they might not be as 'traumatized' as they claim.” Phantom frowned. “They seem very aware of some kind of plot in motion, and we should be on our guard for that.”
“Hey, I keep him distracted, you do the investigating.” He set down the food on the bed and comet came over to claim a plate with happy squeaks. “I'm going to be checking out his lab, though, so I'll tell you if I find anything suspicious.”
“Good. I was starting to wonder if you planned to do any work on this trip.” Phantom smirked a bit.
“Hey, I'm actually here to relax and party, not to work.” Danny reminded him.
“You should know well that the moment you opened that portal, your life has been far too complicated to 'relax and party', especially since you know that your father is at risk.” Phantom pulled out the picture.
“...Right. Yeah, you're right. Sorry.” Danny nodded.
“Keep your head in the game, Danny. We can't afford to miss any hints of what's to come.” Phantom nodded firmly.
“I know, I know. You don't have to remind me.” Danny frowned.
“Clearly, I do. You were under the mistaken impression that you will be able to let down your guard here.” Phantom picked up the other plate. “Well, you can't. Someone at this party sent those vultures. I'd suspect Nikolas, but he wasn't in college with your father.”
“Weren't we suspecting Vlad Masters?” Danny asked.
“Wee?” Comet looked at Phantom.
“Based on what we know, he has the connection to the Infinite Realms and the motive to kill Jack Fenton, yes.” Phantom nodded. “But, that's only if our theory is correct and his being blasted by the proto-portal caused him to become...well...” he faltered, unsure.
“Like us?” Danny filled in for him.
“...Yes.” Phantom nodded. “Like us.”
Whatever they were...
Notes:
Maybe they'll find some more clues on the tour!
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