Dark Side of the Moon
By. Anthiena
Disclaimer: I don't own DP.
AN: The title and chapter names of course, come from the band Pink Floyd. The song was also covered by Rasputina. Not a song fic.

THIS IS AU! ...but does follow cannon a bit... I just couldn't forget Reign Storm, it was foreshadowed in Million Dollar Ghost!

Amikoj- Friends (Esperanto)

Chapter 1: Wish You Were Here
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts...
...and did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? -Pink Floyd

Every ghost had their little obsessions. Freakshow, Ringmaster of Circus Gothica knew this. He of all people knew, he used their obsessions, changing a few with his staff, indulging in others, all that was par for course. He'd never met a ghost he couldn't break, couldn't master control over; Danny Phantom was, by far and large, no exception.

Lydia drew and did tattoos and piercings; the big guy liked to gamble; the midget produced some intense, brooding music. More than two years had proven time and again that the young girl who'd been brought on board the night they'd left Amity Park was that ghost's obsession. It had become the only thing that Freakshow didn't have control over in regards to the former hero. He didn't understand it, as earlier in the night, he'd shown no remorse in almost killing the girl.

"Get rid of them." The ghost knocked the black boy onto the tracks probably to a number of minor injuries at worst, but the ghost had drawn close to the young goth, taking her chin with one hand, brushing his other hand through her hair, looking very smug, yet somehow very gentle.

"Mine... she's mine..." The boy had spoken quite clearly, staring into her eyes.

Freakshow had brought her on board against all his instincts and was not happy about it in the least. What kind of ghost obsessed over a human? He thought with irritation. The boy had proven unusual in other ways as well. He could do the same things any human could do; eat, drink, bodily functions. He also aged. It had been a bit of a shock when Freakshow realized that his main attraction had become taller and deeper voiced than he.

It had made him more money off the circus, which erased any hardships two teens put on his profits. He wasn't envious of him, though. The girl was spitfire and sarcasm, though she plainly cared for the ghost that obsessed over her. He didn't envy her, either. He knew that his control often brought out the malovent side of a ghost and Danny Phantom seemed to rather enjoy the havok he caused while theiving.

How should I scare you? Most emotions had dropped from the boy, as had forethought from how she spoke of him while under his control. A week before, Danny had truely shown he lacked inhibitions, compunctions, morals and the human emotion called shame. There were some things he hadn't wanted to know about ghosts, he'd found; that had been one of them. It sickened him to think of it.

He came down the tracks, checking the connectors between cars, opening on in particular. His slaves were waiting for the next town, seemingly bored. The teen ghost slept with a scowling young woman at his side, who glared at the Ringmaster. "What? Do you blame me for that ghost's attack on you? I do not control his actions toward you."

"No, your control robbed him of his heart." She pointed out bluntly.

"Ha! I've never seen a ghost with one of those, not a one." He scoffed. "Not once has he ever fought my control, girl. Not since you came. I keep my slaves taken care of, not that it takes much. Oh, but they have and do fight my control. Him? He's only not listened to me on your behalf. He's got a very strong obsession over you. Only their obsessions matter to a ghost."

"Just like your obsession with money is the only thing that matters to you, you greedy bastard." She spat at him.

He grinned and made a scoffing sound. "You used to be better at insulting me." He gave a good look at his ghostly properties. For some odd reason, whenever the ghost teen slept or ate, his appearence would change to pretty damn close to human. However, his eyes glowing red never changed, nor did the ringmaster's hold on him and therefore her as well. "Enjoy the ride and let me know when you've thought of something clever to say." He shut and locked the door. It was for her and any vandals. The ghosts could phase out anyway, but they'd never run.

She was actually an interesting person, but she was a bitch and an unwanted complication; at least, in his eyes. In the ghost's? Who knew. He was very unpredictable with her, callous and almost sadistic on moment, friendly and gentle the next, sullen and jealous another. If Freakshow ever doubted his family's talismans, he would fear that boy. Freakshow had never seen any reason to doubt his control. The train sped into the midwest, towards it's next stop... and perhaps, for his main attraction, the last.

A year and a half. That was how long Maddie had lived with him. Her son's disappearence and her husband's demise had shaken and shattered his beloved's core. He'd actually felt regret at the funeral, though that feeling was quickly pushed away. Jasmine was a brilliant girl and had figured him out as a half-ghost. He'd been surprised at her knowing Danny's secret as well. The two had bonded over the shared secrets. She helped him by listening to him vent his frustrations; wooing Maddie; seeking Danny; both becoming fool's errands.

Maddie never healed. Jazz just didn't share the same bond with her as Danny had. Maddie one day just up and left. Vlad just could not banish her memories or feelings... or find ones that had never existed. She hadn't the strength anymore; she had lacked the courage to say goodbye in person and hadn't even rejected him to his face. Oh, how he had loved her... but she would never love him back.

I'm sorry, Vlad. You make me remember our college days and better times, but it hurts to remember. I need to move on with my life. I could never care for you the same way you obviously care for me. Jazz... be a good girl for Vlad. It had hurt both Vlad and Jazz deeply, Maddie's abandonment. The tragedies had broken the woman, changing her completely.

He mourned as if she were dead, not looking after her, yet never shedding a tear. He was far too proud. Six months ago, she had left. Jazz sat in a coffee shop, reading a newspaper, her textbooks waiting for her intended study session. She turned the page to see a rather lurid ad and her heart pounded. "Longer hair, taller, but it's him! He's alive!" She downed the rest of her coffee, gathering her things and keeping hold of the ad, going out to her tiny pink car and stepping on the gas.

Hope burned anxiously through her heart. She went through the Wisconsin home, looking for her billionaire patron. Finally, she went into the lab. Fright Knight was there, Vlad in his ghostly form, going over some report or another most likely. "Jasmine? What on Earth?"

"Danny! I found Danny!" She gave the man the ad.

"Circus Gothica? That family survives?" Fright Knight read. "That staff..." he tapped the image of the staff with his armored hand; "...it can be used to control any ghost that looks upon it. I thought that clan had been wiped out utterly, down to the last man. All of their weapons were thought to be destroyed long ago."

"Apparently not." Vlad noted wryly. "We'll have to see how much control over the Little Badger that... Freakshow... has over him." He read off the ad, a smirk tugging at his features. "We will need a plan, especially if that foul little man can control even a half ghost like Daniel. I rather value my free will." He shuddered. Plasmius suddenly took Jazz in an embrace, kissing her on the cheek. "You've done well, my dear. Very well." He spoke, pleased and proud.

She smiled, blushing. Although Vlad didn't mind or think much of touch, he was not prone to random displays of affection such as that. He was still a touchy-feely sort; like her father, ironically. She appreciated the warmth, without him, she'd be alone in the world with a very sensitive secret she could tell none other, even her aunt. With him, she felt needed and appreciated along with another emotion she couldn't quite quantify. Odd how that feeling had come upon her.

No matter. They'd figure out this mess first and get Danny away from the creep. Everything else could come later. Then she'd deal with her odd emotion, then she'd deal with herself and Vlad. Over two years... she wondered how much he'd remember. Or if Tucker would be ever able to forgive Danny.

When he was asleep, Sam could almost see the old Danny. It was harder now than when they'd first gone to a new city. She'd given up on reaching his humanity long ago; his human side never heard her anymore. His ghost became more and more obsessed over her. She hadn't slept well as he had, only a few hours here and there. She held on to Danny, who slept on peacefully. Lydia signed to her, concern.

Sam had learned the woman's sign language quickly as well as Esperanto. Young ghosts usually do not rest this long by now. You say he's been a ghost two years. The human act should be almost gone. The ghost woman signed.

"He's... different. He's the Halfa." Sam shrugged.

"Says you. Plenty of ghosts can look human. We do it at the circus, no big deal." Commented the big guy.

"He's got a heartbeat and breath when he's got black hair. Can you fake that?" The midget spoke crisply in an English accent. "I heard of the Halfa, but neither of you lot want to believe me; Walker was livid, you should've seen 'im. Any bloke who tweeks the Warden's nose and gets away with it is alright by me. Especially if they can get way with it, amikoj."

"He's still a slave like us. He doesn't fight that human like we do, either." The big guy sighed calmly.

Sam listened to the sound of the tracks under the train, laying back down, Danny snuggling up to her, sighing in his sleep. "Mom..." he murmured.

The show ran without a hitch, opening night was always a bitch, but she could rise to the occasion. Danny approached her in his costume, hood pushed forward, his face shadowed yet his red eyes illuminating and twisting his features into a strange parody of him. She was enjoying the brief stay in fresh air, regarding him calmly as he picked her up in a stong embrace, phasing them into an empty railcar. He began kissing her hungrily, her kissing back.

He never held back, such a thing would simply not occur to this Danny. He was a creature purely of the moment, now. She hadn't been exactly willing the week before. He took her anyway, yet she only blamed Freakshow. It didn't hurt so much this time. He collapsed on her, resting his head on her chest. He looked up at her with a lazy grin. He duddenly stood up, gripping his head, as if in pain. "Danny? What's wrong?"

He took a few weaving steps, hitting the wall. "My... head... I can't think... two masters..." He sunk down, his face oddly blank. "Too much..." He then cried out, falling to the floor, reverting to human, unconcious.

Someone began opening doors, but not a ghost; they would just phase through. Thankfully, Danny's human half was fully clothed. Sam fixed her clothes quickly and started shaking Danny, trying to wake him. Maybe they could escape... but the door opened, revealing someone familiar.

"You!" Sam exclaimed.

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