Hey guys! I'm here with what I'm hoping will be a really fun fic for you all. I was inspired to write a story about Dark and a haunted house by a review from my fic Convince me to Try. I was asked if I had a fic telling the story of why Emiko has banned Dark from using any of the artwork he's stolen. I didn't but, I knew I could write the story. So here it is, I don't reference Convince me to Try so this can be read as a standalone fic for those who don't want to head over to CMTT and read it. I'm only planning to write 2-3 chapters of this and have the whole thing up before the end of the month.
Disclaimer: I don't own DN Angel.
"Mom! Why didn't you wake me up? I'm going to be late!" Daisuke shouted as he threw on his school uniform.
His mother stood in his doorway carrying a basket of folded clothes, "You were so tired after last night's heist that I wanted to let you sleep for a little while. I'm sure you'll make it if you hurry. Just think of this as more of your training," She winked at him before continuing down the hall.
Daisuke groaned. Another morning needlessly rushed because of a late night heist was the last thing he wanted. He was tired of being late because of Dark.
"As opposed to being late because of yourself?" Dark said.
"That's not the same, Dark," Daisuke said aloud as he finished buttoning up his shirt. He ran a hand through his hair, failing to tame it before snatching his school bag and tripping out his bedroom door, "Oww," he mumbled getting back to his feet.
"I could get you to school on time, if you'd let me," Dark suggested.
"No way. If I do that you'll flirt with all the girls again and Miss Harada will be suspicious," Daisuke told him taking the steps downstairs two at a time.
"Oh Daisuke, it's good to see your up, you'll be late to school if you don't hurry," his grandpa said looking up from his newspaper.
"Hi, Grandpa," Daisuke said as he ran into the kitchen to grab a slice of bread, "Bye, Grandpa," he said as he ran back out of the room and out the front door.
He ran the whole way to school and still ended up being a few minutes late.
In between classes the Harada twins approached him, "Hey Niwa. I'm glad you made it today, even if you were a little late," Riku said with a smile.
"You know Niwa if you're always late to class that's all anyone will know you as," Risa said as she shook her finger in his direction.
"You don't think that's really what everyone will know me as? The late guy?" Daisuke gulped.
"Not if you start coming on time," Riku told him.
"Though with your track record that might not even help. Maybe you're doomed to be labeled as late," Risa said with a shrug, "Although, you could be redeemed if you did something huge that everyone knew about."
"What am I supposed to do?" Daisuke asked.
Takeshi strolled over, "Hey ladies, hey Daisuke. Do you know what day it is?" he asked before continuing on without waiting for their answer, "It's October 1st, the day I finally get my big scoop."
"What scoop?" Risa asked.
"Just the one that will land me the big time," He said and then leaned closer to them and whispered, "There's going to be a contest here among the students for the best Halloween presentation and I'm going to be the one who covers the winning student before they even know they're the winner."
"And just how do you think you're going to do that? You're not psychic you know," Riku told him, hands on her hips.
Takeshi reached out and hooked Daisuke's neck with his arm, dragging him closer, "Because I'm going to help Niwa be the winner," he grinned.
"What?" Daisuke blanched, pulling back from his friend, "No. No way am I hosting some kind of haunted house."
Risa clapped her hands together, "That's it, Niwa! This is how we can make sure you're not known as the late guy. You can win the contest and then everyone will know you as the King of Scream," she grinned.
"I don't know about King of Scream, but it will help my reputation…I guess," Daisuke sighed.
"Great," Riku said, "Then we'll meet up after school to start planning."
"Wait, what? Halloween isn't until the end of the month, why are we meeting today?" Daisuke asked.
"Because, it will take all month to create the best haunted house in the city," Risa told him.
Daisuke thought about it for a moment before deciding, "Alright, but let's ask Hiwatari to help too."
"Hiwatari? Why?" Takeshi asked.
"He doesn't seem like the type to want to host a haunted house does he?" Riku said.
Before Daisuke could state his case Risa stepped in, "I think it may be fun to have Hiwatari help, he's so smart he can fix anything that goes wrong," she cast her gaze around the room spotting the bluenett, "Hiwatari, could you come over here for a second?" she called.
Satoshi did a double take, looking at Risa, then around the room, before looking back at her, "Yes you, come on," Risa said crossing her arms.
Satoshi set a bookmark in his book and moved towards them, "Yes?" he asked.
"We'd like your help making Daisuke the most notorious student in the school," Takeshi said waving a hand in the air as if the word notorious was written out in floating letters.
Satoshi turned to Daisuke, "Notorious?" he asked.
"Not like that!" Daisuke waved his hands in panic, "They want to help me host a haunted house. And we thought you might like to help."
Satoshi didn't say anything for a while, thinking about the proposal. Daisuke was sure he was going to refuse and just as Satoshi opened his mouth to answer Daisuke jumped in.
"It's fine if you don't want to help. I know you're busy with other things, and this probably seems silly to you. So we won't take it the wrong way if you say no."
"Niwa, I was going to say yes," Satoshi smiled, "I was just surprised you invited me. I know I don't really seem like the haunted house type."
"So you'll do it then? Help us set up the greatest haunted house known to this school?" Takeshi asked.
Satoshi nodded, "I'd like to."
"This is going to be amazing!" Takeshi pumped his fist in the air with his shout.
"This is still a classroom Saehara, please try to remember that," their teacher said looking up from her desk.
"Right," Takeshi cringed then turned back to his friends, "Seriously, this is going to be awesome."
They got started after school let out, all of them flooding to the Harada twin's house since theirs was the largest and could fit the group easily.
"The house has to have a theme," Takeshi said once they were all gathered together.
"Can't it just be spooky?" Daisuke asked.
Takeshi shook his head, "No way, everyone is just going to do spooky. Your house has got to stand out, and a theme will be the perfect way to make that happen."
"What kind of theme should we pick?" Riku asked, "Maybe a haunted carnival?"
"Or a Zombie apocalypse?" Risa suggested.
"All good suggestions, but I think we need to get a little closer to home. Something the people can really relate to, something that will pull them in."
"Daisuke! This is perfect, this is my chance to shine. Tell them I'll be hosting the haunted house," Dark said his voice sudden and excited in Daisuke's head.
"You? Why would anyone want to come to a haunted house hosted by you?" Daisuke asked.
"Because, it will be their chance to finally see the great phantom thief. And what says Halloween better than a phantom?"
"What do you think Niwa?" Riku turned to him.
"I..Well…Why don't we base it off of Dark?" Daisuke said and immediately wished he could take the words back, it was a terrible idea, one that was sure to spell disaster.
"That's a great idea!" Takeshi jumped to his feet, "We can have haunted artwork, and a hunt for the phantom thief!"
"Do you think that Dark will show up if our haunted house is popular enough?" Risa asked with a sigh.
"His ego won't allow him to miss something like that," Satoshi said grinning at Daisuke.
"Tell creepy boy that I'd come just to see the look of defeat on his face when he can't catch me again."
"You don't think Hiwatari will try to capture you at the haunted house do you?" Daisuke asked panic starting to rise in him.
"Probably not, he wouldn't want to ruin the event. Even creepy boy has his standards," Dark replied.
"Stop calling him that, Dark. Hiwatari is not creepy."
"It's decided then. We are officially hosting Dark's Haunted House of Fun!" Takeshi announced.
They fell into a routine, meeting a few times a week to discuss their plans and collect supplies.
They decided that the haunted house should be held at an old church that Satoshi knew about. The church had only been abandoned for a few years and was still in good condition. He'd had some of the police and firefighters check it out and make sure it was up to code before they could use it.
After it was approved they got to work, spending almost every free moment they had decorating. Risa made up hundreds of flyers that they distributed around the school, and neighborhoods building up excitement for the event. It was quickly becoming the most talked about site to see on Halloween night.
A week before Halloween Daisuke sent everyone away, telling them that he wanted to finish the last bits of the haunted house on his own, so even they would be surprised. He snuck down to his basement where they kept all the Hikari artwork and looked around.
"Now to find the perfect thing to add a little magic to our haunted house," Dark said.
Daisuke could feel the thief's excitement buzzing through him and gulped, "Maybe we should have had Hiwatari stay behind and make sure this was safe."
"What does he know, I'm the magical being here."
"But he knows all about this stuff, we only steal it, Dark."
"I know all about this stuff too you know. Anyway, let me take over for a bit. I'll have it all set up and ready soon enough."
Daisuke sighed, knowing it was a bad idea, but pulled out his picture of Riku anyway and switched with Dark.
"It's been too long." Dark said with a stretch, "Now then, let's get down to business."
Dark made his way through the trophy room examining the different Hikari artworks he'd stolen, searching for the perfect one to help make the haunted house extra special.
There was no way he was letting Daisuke become known as anything other than the best. Anything other than that reflected bad on Dark. Finding the perfect magical help made sure that nothing was left to chance.
On his way he collected a few pieces he was sure would add to the atmosphere of the haunted house. At last he found the perfect piece of art, it was a decorated cape and hat set that Daisuke had once referred to as 'something from a Goosebumps book' because it made user's disappear for a short period of time. It would be a perfect addition to the 'Phantom Thief' themed part of the haunted house. Dark was sure everyone who came would have a great time playing phantom.
He slipped the cape off the mannequin and pulled it on before tossing the hat onto his head there was a wisp of magic and he disappeared, he held his hand up for inspection and couldn't see it. He felt safe enough to sneak out of the basement and past Emiko.
It wasn't that Dark didn't think Emiko would mind his 'borrowing' the artwork, he just didn't want to risk her saying it was too dangerous. He knew there were some dangers tied associated with taking the artwork out for Daisuke's friends to use, but he'd know if anything went wrong and would be able to fix anything before the situation grew too bad.
He was sure nothing could go wrong.
That's a wrap for chapter one. I hope you guys liked it. Chapter 2 will be along shortly. As always read and review!
~Dawn