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The Specter Speeder and the Vanishing Van rolled into the Multiverse Hub almost at the same time. Danny’s group stepped out first, weaving through the bustling terminal, while Ceci, Denise, Jamie, and their younger siblings—Charlie, Felicity, Danika, and Ruben—clambered out of the Vanishing Van, bouncing with excitement.
Hover carts zipped past. Floating luggage blinked and hummed. Somewhere, a ghost juggled glowing orbs, only to crash into a snack table.
Paradox hovered nearby, arms crossed, visor flickering. “Seriously… human kids, ghost kids, glitter—one wrong move and it’s a core attack waiting to happen. Why does this always happen at New Year’s?”
Danny leaned against the Specter Speeder. “Relax, Paradox. It’s a party. You might even have fun.”
Paradox’s visor flickered. “…I have a responsibility to maintain order.”
A hum of energy filled the Hub as Clockwork appeared, spiraling down. “Paradox,” he said, calm but amused, “tonight, you have the night off. Go… join the festivities.”
Paradox blinked. “…Really?”
“Absolutely. Go.” Clockwork’s golden threads of energy shimmered around him.
Danny grinned. “There we go! Come on, everyone. Through the portal!”
The groups stepped into the Nexus, which opened like a glowing playground. Platforms twisted and spun. Tables floated with glowing snacks. Spectral fireworks burst overhead in impossible colors. Ghosts zipped past on hover carts, juggling candy orbs, tossing confetti, and wearing tiny party hats. Party favors fizzled in harmless bursts of light.
Box Ghost and Mailman lingered quietly in a corner, surprisingly calm for once. Desiree and Twiggy twirled and sparkled, delightfully entertaining younger ghosts with magical tricks. Irma Edmonds and Sidney Poindexter hovered near a balcony, exchanging shy smiles, preparing for a midnight kiss. Bloodbeard and Youngblood sat at a hovering table near the edge, quietly enjoying themselves, the adult clinking his spectral drink against his surrogate son’s as the boy laughed at something only he could see.
Felicity and Danika ran straight to the spectral ring toss, squealing as they tossed rings onto glowing pegs. “Yes! Got it!” Felicity cheered. Danika laughed. “Not fair, I almost had it!” They bounced together, colliding and tumbling onto a floating platform.
Ruben and Charlie crouched over a hover-chess board, eyes locked on the spinning pieces. “Move the knight there,” Charlie whispered. Ruben adjusted a piece. “Check. Did you see that?” Charlie’s glasses slid down his nose. “Nice. Didn’t think you’d see it coming.”
Ceci weaved through the chaos, scooping up drifting cupcakes and flicking rogue candy orbs back into the air. “Careful! Cupcakes aren’t supposed to fly into the crowd!”
Jazz ran along the platforms, tossing confetti at the younger kids. “Catch this!” she laughed, ducking a mischievous ghost. Felicity spun in circles, confetti sticking to her hair. Jazz rolled her eyes but smiled. “Chaos can be fun.”
Sam and Tucker chased prankster ghosts, laughing as sparks fizzled harmlessly around them. Jamie, short but determined, weaved through spinning ribbons and floating lights, grinning. Denise chuckled. “Careful, short stuff, or you’ll get stuck in a ribbon!”
Danny darted between platforms, grabbing runaway cupcakes and pulling the younger kids away from hazards. “Heads up, Felicity!”
Hover-chess pieces collided midair. Rings wobbled on pegs. Candy orbs zipped from platform to platform. Confetti floated like snow. Ghosts zoomed past, wearing party hats and juggling cupcakes or glowing spheres. The chaos wasn’t just around them—it was the party.
Paradox hovered near the portal, still on probation but smirking as he watched the kids tackle games, bounce on platforms, and laugh through minor disasters. “…Alright, maybe this isn’t so bad,” he muttered.
The kids ran, laughed, and dodged obstacles, each finding their own corners of fun. Ruben and Charlie argued quietly over strategy while still enjoying themselves. Felicity and Danika screamed every time a cupcake or candy orb spun past. Jazz and Danny chased a mischievous ghost trying to steal confetti. Ceci and Denise rounded up the runaway cupcakes. Sam and Tucker tried to wrangle a floating mini-hoop game. Jamie finally scored, cheering as Denise high-fived him.
Time ticked on. Lights pulsed. Platforms spun. Everyone’s energy was high, and the anticipation of the countdown grew. Above it all, Clockwork hovered, golden threads of energy weaving a glowing display in the center of the Nexus.
“Ten… nine…” Clockwork’s voice rang out, calm but commanding. The countdown numbers shimmered in the air.
“Three… two… one…”
With a flash of brilliant ectoplasmic light, Clockwork’s threads coalesced into a massive, glowing orb, spinning above the center of the Nexus like a spectral New Year’s ball. Sparks of color and floating party favors exploded outward as it descended, trailing ribbons of light.
When the orb reached the center, it burst into a cascade of dazzling energy, showering everyone with glittering streams of ectoplasmic light. Ghosts cheered. Platforms spun faster. Every kid—Felicity, Danika, Ruben, Charlie, Sam, Tucker, even Paradox—laughed and scrambled to catch bits of sparkling magic. Jazz threw handfuls of confetti at Danny and Ceci, who dodged and laughed.
The Nexus glowed brighter, pulsing with celebration. This was the moment the New Year truly arrived.
Danny caught Jazz’s eye. She winked. “Told you chaos could be fun.”
Ceci grabbed Danny’s hand. “This… this is perfect.”
Danny squeezed back, smiling. “Yeah. Exactly what we needed.”
Felicity and Danika spun in place, confetti in their hair. Ruben and Charlie clapped each other on the back. Sam and Tucker laughed over confetti-covered chase scenes. Denise and Jamie high-fived again, still smiling from the hoop game. Paradox shook his head, chuckling quietly as glitter landed on him.
Clockwork hovered above, golden threads still pulsing, the Nexus alive with magical celebration. The Ghost Zone’s New Year had officially arrived—dazzling, chaotic, magical, and completely theirs.