Hello again! So this is now my third fanfic which will involve bonding between Danny and Vlad (I love the conflict and endless possibilities which could have evolved from their relationship), which will develop in a plot separate from the show's sequence. I also have this story completed (with a total of 13 chapters) so there will be no disappointing quick finishes or long absences…weekly updates guaranteed!
And just a quick warning… T for mild swearing and death. This story will include references to death and beliefs about the afterlife, which some people may not like or disagree with. Just so you know, it will not discussed in a disrespectful way.
And finally…I DO NOT own the rights to Danny Phantom (Sadly).
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Going Ghost…Forever?
Danny smiled as he listened to his parents loudly debating with each other along with the banging of metal with different tools and machinery in their basement lab, as he sat in the kitchen with his older sister Jazz and ate lunch. It was a typical Saturday afternoon. Jazz listened to the commotion as well, but unlike Danny, she did not find it amusing.
"How can they spend days on end down there wasting their time building junk based on nonsense?" Jazz snapped, setting her sandwich back on her plate and folding her arms in disapproval.
Danny's smile faded as he looked at his sister. He knew how much Jazz contemned their parents' ghost hunting career…or lack of. It was true that although Jack and Maddie Fenton dedicated so much time and passion into creating ghost hunting equipment, he was unsure if they had actually seen a ghost before, let alone captured one. But then again he had never actually asked them about it. Danny certainly hadn't seen any ghosts, not yet anyway, and he was certain he didn't want to either. If they were real, that is. So like his sister, he tried to limit his association with his parents' ghost hunting.
Danny wasn't quite sure what his own thoughts and feelings were in relation to ghosts. It was difficult to decide when he had parents who were so passionate about their existence, and a sister who was as equally passionate against it. For as long as he could remember it had created a rift in the household. Ever since Jazz was old enough to use the oven and control the hot and cold water taps she had more or less looked out for her and Danny's basic needs, even though she was only two years older than him. Jack and Maddie had launched themselves into their research as soon as they found a spare moment. It's not that they didn't love or deliberately mildly neglect their children, their passion simply had a firm hold on them and stole much of their time. Therefore they took great advantage of their daughter's independence skills, and allowed her to coddle Danny in the process.
Apparently Jack and Maddie had been this way ever since a 'spectral incident' occurred in their college days. Something happened then which had greatly sparked the development of their mutual interest in the paranormal. And then moving to a town like Amity Park, where everyone seemed suspicious or neurotic, only encouraged their research. Some members of the community were grateful to the Fenton's, enough for them to make a living out of their hobby anyway. Others however, openly mocked them. Which made it all the more difficult for their children to lead 'normal' lives.
Danny in particular found it difficult. Jazz simply chose to ignore the potential negative impacts which her parents' career choice could have on her social life, by indulging into her studies. She was planning to excel in school in order to move to a good university and specialise in psychology. And of course in her spare time, she liked to keep a close eye on her little brother.
Although Danny admired his sister's intellect, he couldn't help but feel stuck in her shadow. He struggled to study as well as she did, so he couldn't match her standard if he tried. He also wasn't good at sports, which made him a prime target for jock bullies. Sometimes the fact that he struggled to fit in really got him down. He often wondered how much longer he would have to endure the whole emotional nonsense that came with puberty. But giving that he hadn't even been fourteen that long, he knew it would probably be a while yet. At least he had his best friends, Sam and Tucker, to haul through it with him. At school, they were unjustly equally as out-casted as he was.
As another loud crash came from the lab and the sound of his mother's irritated voice (which was directed at his father), echoed into the kitchen, Danny sighed as he was yet again reminded of just how much his family lacked normality. Jazz growled upon being forced to listen to the racket as well.
"Will you two please cut it out?" She shouted, though not surprised when her plea fell on deaf ears. "I'm so sick of this!" she mumbled to Danny.
Danny shrugged, toying with his sandwich. "They only want to help Jazz. They think what they do helps to protect the community." He responded weakly in their defence, knowing his sister was well aware of their unusual and possibly unjust reasons, and was none too caring about it.
"There are other ways to help the community Danny. Volunteer to help the homeless, organise a blood drive. But hunting ghosts is ridiculous!" Jazz protested.
"Well some people obviously think it's helpful." Danny replied, "I mean, they wouldn't get funding if they didn't right?"
"You know that two wrongs don't make right? Well two crazy groups of people don't create a sane community. And that's what it is. Crazy people claiming they've been terrorised by ghosts and creating moral panics. Mom and dad have simply jumped on the crazy wagon." Jazz argued whilst taking her plate and washing it in the sink.
Danny finished off his sandwich before saying, "I don't know. I mean, if so many people in Amity Park have claimed to have seen ghosts…maybe there is some truth in it you know? They can't all be crazy right?"
Jazz give a bitter chuckle. "Ghosts aren't real Danny, and disturbed mental health is becoming more recognised nowadays. Please do not let them suck you into this nonsense as well. I don't know how I'd ever cope if all the members of my family were hung up on the existence of ghosts."
She smiled reassuringly at Danny as she lifted his empty plate, he smiled back. When Jazz finished drying it off she turned back to him.
"I'm gonna go back upstairs. I've got to finish my essay, it's due on Monday." She glanced at the two egg salad sandwiches which were still sat on the bench.
"I guess they're not coming up for lunch. Again." She sighed. "Do me a favour Danny, go down there and convince them to eat something before one of them passes out."
"Yeah okay." Danny replied, standing up. "Oh and I think I'm gonna meet up with Sam and Tucker after a bit."
Drinking soda and playing video games always came tops when it came to helping Danny feel more 'normal'.
"Again?" Jazz smiled, "Don't you see enough of those two?"
"Would you rather I stayed here and helped mom and dad?" Danny grinned.
"Point taken! See you later Danny." Jazz called as she headed up to her room.
Danny's grin faded as he walked slowly down the stairwell into the lab. He sometimes found the large room fascinating, with all of his parent's scientific equipment and experiments. He was used to it anyway, as his father often demanded that he clean it as part of his chores. But today…he wasn't sure if it was the extra loud banging or his parent's frustrated voices, but something was making him feel uneasy. Just like when he was a small child, and he had associated the lab with a mad scientist he had accidently seen in a horror movie once.
Danny shook off his feelings of uneasiness as he approached his parents. There was no point in making them think that what they were doing was making both their kids uncomfortable. They appeared to be soldering a large round machine. Danny's jaw dropped. The progress they had made in a number of days was remarkable. If nothing else, Jack and Maddie Fenton were determined and ambitious people.
When Maddie caught sight of her son she turned her welder off, lifted her mask, and smiled at him. "Hi sweetie." She greeted him fondly.
"Danny!" Jack shouted loudly, before switching off his flame.
Danny's eyes widened as he watched his father. He could all but hold his breath when he was around his father operating dangerous machinery. Luckily the man slowed his actions and cautiously disarmed himself before addressing his son again.
"Whatta ya think Danny?" He beamed, stepping out of the machine, "isn't she a beaut?"
Danny paused and looked from his father to the machine and back to his father again.
"Uh…Yeah, it's…it's cool. I guess." Danny stammered, walking closer to inspect it. "What uh…what is it exactly?"
"Why it's the Fenton Portal of course!" Jack declared loudly, clapping his son hard on the back.
"The Fenton Portal?" Danny repeated in confusion.
"If we've calculated everything correctly, then this devise should connect us directly to a ghost dimension." Maddie added gleefully, "We may be able to have the chance to explore their atmosphere!"
"Or blow it into oblivion…whatever comes first!" Jack grinned.
"Oh it's so exciting! We haven't come this close since college!" Maddie said, clasping her hands together.
"You got it sweet-cheeks! We're so close I can practically smell the fear from those ghost scum." Jack bellowed, walking nearer to the power outlets. "In fact…why don't we give the portal a whirl?"
"Jack wait!" Cried Maddie.
But Jack had already picked up the power cables and jammed them together. This caused a few sparks to flow in an inward spiral inside the portal, but nothing burst to life and nothing sinister happened. Much to Danny's relief.
Sometimes he prayed his dad would become a little less impulsive. However, looking at Jack's deflated expression made Danny feel a little sorry for him because it hadn't worked.
"Aw!" Cried Jack, he walked over to the entrance and kicked it in anger, "useless piece of junk!"
Maddie quickly jumped to her husband's side to calm him down.
"Jack you know it's not ready just yet, there's still a few bugs to fix." She reassured him. She glanced over at Danny and took account that he was listening before she whispered, "and we still haven't inserted the 'special component' yet."
Danny raised his eyebrows and wondered what the 'special component' was. It wasn't like his mother to want to keep secrets. In fact both of his parents were normally very proud and open about their work regarding ghost related matters.
The truth was Maddie hadn't wanted to unsettle their son with the fact that during combats they had manage to acquire the equivalent of 'ghost blood,' in order to make the portal active and effective: ectoplasm. This component is what the Fenton's believed would make the machine link with spectral activity, and connect them to a ghost dimension.
Jack smiled appreciatively at his wife, "You're right Maddie, as always. Good things come to those who wait I guess."
Danny relaxed again upon seeing his father perk up. Even though he wasn't sure about the whole ghost haunting business, he knew it made his parents happy, and that made him happy. They all turned when they heard footsteps and voices coming down the stairs into the lab.
"Danny?" Called a familiar female voice, "Jazz let us in. You in here?"
Danny smiled, realising his two best friends had decided to come over and visit him instead.
"Yeah you guys, come on down." He answered.
Both Sam and Tucker stood at the bottom of the stairs and eagerly glanced around the lab. They were regular visitors, but both teens took great interest in the fascinatingly weird projects their best friend's parents endured. Tucker was a techno geek and as such appreciated the advanced technology used and occasionally created by the Fenton's. Sam on the other hand was an ultra-recyclo-vegetarian goth, who took great pleasure in expressing her individuality by exploring interests which were considered both unpopular and uncool by her peers. Ghosts used to be one of them, however city wide panics had made it more of a hot topic, much to her distaste.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs Fenton." Tucker grinned, waving at Danny's parents. Sam also politely greeted them.
"Hi Sam, hi Tucker." Maddie welcomed the two fourteen year olds. She had grown very fond of the two teenagers, as she saw them almost as regularly as her own children.
"Hi kids!" Jack beamed, "Wanna check out our new Fenton Portal?" He offered hopingly. Jack Fenton rarely surpassed an opportunity to show off his latest works.
"Um… Maybe that's not the safest idea Jack," Maddie reminded him gently, "and remember what we just discussed?"
"Oh yeah." Jack mumbled with a sheepish smile.
"Maybe next time Mr. Fenton." Tucker said cheerily, "I'd rather be checking out those tasty looking egg salad sandwiches up in the kitchen." He added hintingly.
"Tucker!" Sam scolded for his abruptness.
"Sandwiches?" Jack perked. Another one of his passions: Food.
"Oh Right! Jazz made you guys lunch, that's why I came down here." Danny said.
"Oh Mads we nearly missed lunch!" Cried Jack in disbelieve, "well you know something's important if you almost miss a meal over it!" He laughed heading for the stairs. "Come on Maddie lets chow down!"
Maddie rolled her eyes and followed her husband, before stopping to speak to her son for a moment.
"Danny, Jazz wasn't upset with us for not eating with you kids again was she?" Maddie asked quietly with a slightly concerned tone.
"Uh, no not really." Danny lied, "Jazz is fine mom. Really."
Danny didn't like to tell lies to his parents but in order to keep the peace over the years he had gotten good at it. As far as his parents were aware they were all happy and lived in a secure, functional family unit.
Maddie smiled, feeling reassured. "Thank goodness. I know your sister doesn't always agree with what we do, but she'll see it's for the best one day."
Maddie then followed her husband up to the kitchen, leaving the three teenagers alone in the lab. Sam moved closer to Danny.
"You okay Danny?" She asked.
Both she and Tucker were aware that sometimes Jack and Maddie's ghost obsession created friction in the family. As such, they made sure that they were always there for Danny.
"Yeah I'm good." Danny smiled at his friend reassuringly, "That's nothing."
"Yeah, but this sure isn't." Tucker interjected, referring to the Fenton Portal. He was stood a few feet in front of it, observing its detail closely. "What's the deal with this thing dude?" He asked.
Sam walked over to were her other friend was stood, also looking at it more carefully.
"Yeah, your dad said it was a 'Fenton Portal'?" She probed.
Danny sighed, wondering how he was going to explain another one of his parent's crazy inventions to his friends. He also wondered why his mom didn't want his dad to tell them. He figured she was maybe just afraid that it would fail. It was their second attempt at building one, and Danny had a feeling that something may have went wrong during the first time they tried to build one in college. After all, that had been twenty years ago.
Danny stood in between his friends, gazing at the portal entrance.
"Mom and dad think that once this thing works they will be able to travel to some ghost world." Danny said weakly, thinking that it sounded much crazier when said out loud.
"Really? Cool." Sam responded.
"Come on Sam, you don't think it's really gonna work do you?" Danny mumbled. He was honestly slightly embarrassed by the fact that his parents were dedicating so much time and effort into something which most people would find utterly ridiculous.
"You never know dude." Tucker chuckled, "You're dad sounded pretty optimistic."
"He's always optimistic!" Danny laughed.
He then walked over and curiously lifted up the two cables which his father had plugged together just before Sam and Tucker had arrived.
"He did sound like he thought they were getting pretty close though." He told his two friends. "They said that once they add some 'special component' they will get the results they're after."
"So…this thing is harmless until they do that then?" Sam asked eagerly, standing on top of the circled entrance of the empty portal.
"I think so…" Danny replied warily, watching Sam as she gently tapped one of her feet against the metal.
"Uh Sam, what are you doing?" Tucker asked suspiciously.
Sam turned and grinned at her two friends.
"Oh come on!" She said willingly, bounding away from the entrance and walking over to Danny and Tucker. "If it's not working yet we may as well have a little look around inside. You know, see what makes a Fenton Portal tick!"
Danny and Tucker glanced at each other nervously, they were too familiar with consequences which tend to follow after Sam suggests even a slightly daring idea.
Tucker twitched his nose, as a curious thought crossed his mind with the focus being the portal.
"Hey, if this thing takes you to the ghost land, why didn't your folks just call it a Ghost Portal?" He asked Danny.
Danny simply rolled his eyes and shrugged in response. He knew it was really because his father liked to dedicate all of his joint inventions with Maddie to themselves. Jack was strangely a proud man, a trait which didn't quite match the rest of his friendly personality.
"Sam…" Danny began worriedly, "You know my parents will flip if they catch us wondering inside their portal. I'll end up grounded or something."
"Yeah Danny's right." Tucker agreed, "Maybe it's not such a good idea, Sam."
"Oh come on Tucker you should love this, it's totally techno!" Sam argued heartily, "Or are you afraid some nasty old ghost is gonna come up and snatch you?" She laughed tugging him playfully.
Danny and Tucker still seemed uneasy. She sighed at her two friends and glanced into a box sitting a few metres from her, and grinned. Sam dived into the box and yanked out a white and black hazmat suit.
"And Danny, this is just the sort of stuff you get in space programs! Just imagine you're exploring a space shuttle!" She smiled, thrusting the suit into his arms. "Look, here's your spacesuit!"
Danny chuckled at Sam's clever humour. He couldn't deny that she was very convincing, and he couldn't help but give into her when she smiled at him like that…
"Go on, put it on!" Sam encouraged, her lilac eyes twinkling at him.
"Go ahead Danny, just for laughs." Tucker grinned.
"I don't know what you're grinning about Tucker, we're going in too! As soon as I find us our 'spacesuits.'" Sam told him, rummaging again through the box.
Danny laughed as his two friends debated with one another about whether or not Tucker was going to go into the portal. Danny couldn't blame Tucker for not wanting to, as he pulled the hazmat suit over his clothes, that uneasy feeling crept over him again.
Sam smiled when she saw Danny had put the suit on. Danny hoped she would say something like, 'wow you look so cool' or 'awesome Danny'…
"Oh God, you look so lame!" The goth girl laughed, pointing at Danny.
Tucker sniggered too when he turned around and looked at him. Danny felt a little hurt that his two best friends were laughing at him, until he looked down and saw what he was wearing.
"Guess my dad should have went into the trademark business instead." Danny chuckled, ripping his father's velcro face off his chest.
"What a triumph it would have been for the fashion or appliance industry!" Tucker joked.
Sam eventually stopped laughing and nodded to her friend in approval.
"Much better. You look great Danny." She said with a smile.
Danny smiled back, and was starting to feel good about the whole crazy idea of rummaging around inside a pending ghost portal…
"Why don't you go on inside." Sam suggested, "Tucker and I will come in in a minute. With or without our 'spacesuits!'" She sneered at Tucker, who pouted back.
Danny stood on the edge of the entrance, where Sam had previously stood, and looked into the darkness. He couldn't tell how long it was. He looked back at his friends who peered eagerly at him.
"Here goes!" He smiled before stepping inside.
His footsteps echoed surprisingly loudly through the metallic portal, it was almost like a small tunnel. Danny took a few more steps, and shivered as he ran is gloved hands over the cold round metal walls. Danny didn't know what the fuss was about, but it was really too dark to see anything that may have been of interest.
Sam and Tucker had become quiet. Danny decide to turn around and see what was keeping them. He thought he would get out anyway, it was really nothing spectacular and he was certain a genuine space program would be much more exciting than this.
"Sam, Tucker? It's not worth your while guys, it's just like a metal tunnel." Danny called to them.
Danny didn't realise that there was an internal 'ON' switch built into one of the metal slates of the portal walls. He certainly wasn't aware that he had placed his hand over the switch, and when getting his balance…pressed into it.
Sam and Tucker jumped when a bright white flash suddenly shot from inside the portal. Their eyes widened in horror when they heard Danny scream.
"Oh God!" Cried Sam, she leapt up and ran over to the portal, "Danny!"
Tucker panicked, but quickly reached over and yanked apart two cables. One connected to the outlet source and the other to the portal. It was the same two that Jack had connected earlier. Tucker didn't know what it would do, he just hoped it would shut off the portal, as one of his friends was inside and the other one was making a run for it.
It was the right call. Within seconds of Danny activing the internal electrical circuit of the portal, Tucker had disabled the outer source, disconnecting the electrical systems. The bright flash had vanished indicating this just as Sam reached the entrance.
Fearlessly, Sam ran into the portal and dropped to her knees where Danny lay. He was still, and his eyes were closed.
"Danny? Danny!" She cried desperately, shaking his shoulders.
"Sam what happened?" Tucker gasped running up to them.
"Tucker I don't think he's breathing! Call an ambulance, get Mr. and Mrs Fenton. Hurry!" Sam yelled.
Tucker ran out of the lab in attempt to get help. Sam stayed with Danny. She wasn't trained in first aid but she gave it a shot anyway. She pushed hard on the chest compressions and she breathed deep into his month. No change.
She stopped after a few seconds when she heard Danny's mother and father burst through the basement door and shout loudly as they ran down the stairs.
Tears of fear started to form in Sam's eyes. Danny wasn't breathing, and although she tried hard she couldn't find a trace of his pulse. Sam took hold of his limp hand. If she was right in believing that the flash had contained electricity, it was very likely that all of Danny's organs had been short circuited from shock.
She turned her head when Jack and Maddie leapt into the portal and stood over them. Jack's jaw dropped, and Maddie stared with disbelieving wide eyes,
"Dear God, no." She whispered, leaning down beside her son.
Sam let out a sob, "I'm so sorry."
She wasn't sure for certain who she was saying it to, but she was certain that Danny was gone… and that she was to blame.
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Hope everyone enjoyed this first chapter, please don't forget to review! I am aware that it was very much an introductory chapter, but it was necessary. The plot thickens in the next chapter which will be posted next week. Ta for now!
xseriouslyx