I've done personal replies to reviews, because you guys have completely surprised me by liking my story. I less than three you all~
You deserve personal replies! xD
So yeah, I was lying in bed last night thinking about this chapter, and I decided to do a Lancer POV followed by Vlad in the GZ, with a glimpse of the next chapter with Danny at the end. Make sense? I hope so. It's making me hella confused trying to figure out how to set it out. D;
As always, R&R, and don't hesitate to point out anything you think is wrong or odd. I need the criticism! It helps me grow!
.....................
Charles Lancer stood in his office during lunch and gazed out the window without really seeing anything. His mind was set on young Mr. Fenton, and yesterday's revelations. A small sigh escaped his lips. Everyone in the school, including him, had watched the news last night and consequently Danny's arrest. It seemed like overkill to the balding teacher, and he grimaced as a memory of the agonised teenager's screams flitted through his head. Fenton had never hurt anyone. Well, not deliberately, at least. The boy had a good heart, and Charles couldn't help but feel disgusted at the GiW for treating the way they did.
Movement near a set of picnic tables drew Charles' attention. Ms. Manson, Ms. Fenton, Ms, Gray and Mr. Foley were sat there talking. Ms. Manson was gesticulating wildly, while Ms. Gray nodded in agreement. Charles narrowed his eyes. He had no doubts that Manson, Fenton and Foley had already known about Danny's half-ghost status, but he had seen no sign from Ms. Gray that she had known. In fact, he knew that she had hunted Phantom as the Red Huntress for quite some time. Contrary to popular belief, he did know some things about his students. He had watched as Ms. Gray approached Foley and Ms. Manson that morning apologetically, before the two friends leapt to hug her. He wasn't aware that Phantom and the Red Huntress had developed a shaky alliance after the Huntress discovered the truth about her benefactor.
As Charles watched the four talking, he noticed Dash Baxter and Paulina Sanchez approaching the group. They immediately fell silent and watched the A-Listers come up to the table. Paulina clasped her hands in front of her chest and said something which seemed to upset Ms. Manson, before Foley rested a hand on her arm. Dash folded his arms and glared at the two, before speaking himself. Not for the first time, Charles wished he could read lips. He slowly opened the window closest to the table and stood near it, trying to act like he wasn't eavesdropping while straining to hear the teens over the bustle of the rest of the school.
"Why didn't you losers tell us Fen-twerp was Phan-twerp? Err... I mean, Phantom. Then he could've spent time with us, instead of you dweebs!" Dash drawled. Edward frowned. Baxter was a very obnoxious boy. Not too smart, either.
"Yeah, and I could've dated him! I mean, he's not really hot as Fenton, but I could make allowances..." Paulina tapped one manicured nail against her chin. Sam gripped the table and growled. Jazz glanced over at the Goth and shook her head. Now wasn't the time.
"Oh man, it would be so cool to be friends with someone who had ghost powers. Shame those Guys in White got him. They've probably wasted him by now." Dash sighed.
"Shut your damn mouth!" The entire school seemed to stand still and turn to stare at a heavily breathing Sam. Dash's mouth fell open.
"He's not dead! Don't act like he is! We'll get him back, you'll see!" Sam struggled to hold back tears. Valerie stood up and rested a hand on her shoulder, before turning to Dash and Paulina, fury in her eyes. She slammed a fist into the picnic table and one on the planks split in two. Dash stared at it with something akin to horror.
"You shift your asses out here right now, or you're going to end up the same as that table!" Valerie hissed. Dash and Paulina turned and fled. Sam sank back down into her seat and placed her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook gently.
Charles sat down heavily on his desk. They were plotting to rescue Danny? That meant they were going to go against the government, which was illegal... He stuck his head out of the window and called to the teens.
"Manson! Foley! Fenton! Gray! In my office, now!" The four teenagers looked out before sharing an annoyed sigh. Charles ignored it and pulled himself back into the office. He needed to dissuade them from breaking the law. More than anything, he knew it would break their parents' hearts if they were arrested. And God knew that the Fentons didn't need another child locked up, for whatever reason.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in!" Charles called. The door swung open and Samantha Manson slouched in, followed an equally annoyed looking Valerie Gray. Tucker was being pushed through the door by the fourth member of the group, Jazz.
"Take a seat." Charles smiled. It was best not to upset them too much; he needed them to see reason, not blow up at him.
"Where? There's like, two seat and four of us, if you hadn't noticed." Sam butted in. Charles frowned.
"Ah, yes. Ms. Manson. Your wit never ceases to amaze. In case you hadn't noticed, there are a couple of chairs stacked in the corner for occasions like this." Sam blushed angrily stormed over to the chairs, which were tucked in behind the door. She hauled one up and stumbled back when it lifted easier than she'd expected. Valerie waited for Sam to drop her chair and flop into it before moving to pick up the other one. Eventually, all four teens were sat and four sets of eyes glared at the overweight vice-principal. It was extremely unnerving. Even Jazz seemed irritated to be here.
"I overheard your conversation with Mr. Baxter and Ms. Sanchez." Charles steepled his fingers and looked over them at the teens. Manson reacted predictably. Her hands curled into fists and she let out a small snarl. The girl had no concept of masking her emotions, which worked to a teacher's advantage. Valerie, Tucker and Jazz, on the other hand... They sat, not reacting to their teacher's words. But there was a slight tenseness present in Valerie that hadn't been there before, if he looked carefully. And Tucker seemed to be gripping the seat just that little bit more... Even Jazz pursed her lips.
"You intend to rescue Mr. Fenton?" His tone was soft, gentle. All four teens snapped to attention.
"Of course we do!" Charles was surprised. Of all the people to burst out like that, he hardly expected it to be Tucker.
"Do you really think it's wise to attempt something like this? I understand your desire to ensure your friend's safety, but the consequences if you're caught are dire." Charles hardened his voice. He needed to make them see that this wasn't some... game!
"We don't care! You have no idea what they'll do to him!" This time it was Jazz. Charles snuck a glance at Sam. She was sat there, an odd expression on her face. He chose to ignore it.
"And you do know what they'll do to him?" Charles found himself genuinely curious. In the pit of his stomach though, he knew he didn't want to know the answer.
"They'll experiment on him. Test his limits. Inject him with all kinds of stuff, just to see what happens. They might try to separate his two forms. But I know one thing for sure." Sam spoke up calmly. All eyes turned to look at the Goth.
"What?" Charles whispered.
"They'll kill him when they're done."
......
Vlad stood on a floating rock, scanning the surrounding area for a familiar black and white form. He knew she was around here somewhere. He could sense her. A green ecto-blast narrowly avoided his ear, and Vlad spun round.
Nothing.
He growled in irritation and closed his eyes to focus on her signature. This was a technique that even Daniel, with his swiftly evolving powers, had yet to master or even learn. The boy's pathetic "ghost sense" had nothing on this ability. It was the ability to home in on any ecto-signature that you were familiar with. Vlad had spent three years learning and honing it.
Even here in the chaotic Ghost Zone, he could see the soft blue trail of her signature. It was the exact same colour as Daniel's. It blended into the deep greens of the Zone, and danced with his own red signature.
She was behind him.
Vlad half-turned and grabbed the fist that was heading for the back of his head. Dani squirmed in the older halfa's grasp, while aiming kicks at his abdomen.
"Let me go, you fruit loop!" The girl squealed furiously. Green eyes glowed darkly as the thirteen year old finally stopped struggling. Vlad looked at her silently, before speaking in a low, dangerous voice.
"It would be wise for you to refrain from calling me by that infernal nickname, 'dear daughter'. I only came looking for you because it's was Daniel's wish." Dani's eyes widened.
"Danny? Have you done something to him? You better not have hurt him!" Her struggles started anew, as Vlad sighed and pressed his free hand against his eyes.
"I haven't done anything to the boy. It's the Guys in White who have him." Vlad released the girl, who hovered in front of him, stricken.
"So the rumours are true!" Dani pressed a white glove to her mouth.
"Yes. He was captured yesterday. I came here looking for assistance to rescue him."
"You want to rescue Danny? Are you really Vlad?" Dani floated around Vlad, scrutinising him carefully. She kept her distance though, still not willing to trust the man after his attempt to melt her down. Thankfully, she was fully stable now.
"I may be prone to villainous deeds, Danielle, but I am not cruel enough to leave someone at the hands of those fools. If you think me trying to melt you down was bad, then you've clearly never seen what they do to ghosts." Vlad spat. Dani recoiled.
"What... What will they do to him?" Worried green eyes bored in Vlad's red ones. It was ironic how much the girl cared for Danny. She preferred her real "father" to the man who had grown her. Perhaps it was because they had the same genes; it pulled them together.
"They'll do to him what they do to every other ghost they manage to lay their hands on. Mutilate him in the name of science." Dani gasped in fear.
"You can't let them! Can't you do something?"
"I would, but alone I'm no match for them. And I have the distinct feeling my allies aren't going to be willing to help this time. Doesn't Daniel have any ghostly friends?" Vlad rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If Daniel did have ghostly allies, it would make things a lot easier.
"Well, there's Queen Dora, Frostbite, Wulf and Clo- Oh! He might be able to... I need to go ask him!" Dani began to fly away.
"Where are you going?" Vlad called.
"There's someone who might be able to fix all this! In the meantime, try to find Wulf! Or Queen Dora, or Frostbite! They'll definitely help!" Vlad widened his eyes slightly. Daniel was acquainted with Queen Dora? He couldn't even get the blasted woman to speak to him! And Frostbite was equally chilly - no pun intended. He hadn't heard of this "Wulf", though. Vlad shook his head and headed towards Dora's realm. It was the closest to his position.
Halfway there, Vlad stopped suddenly. Who had Dani gone to meet again? She had said "Clo", but as far as he knew, there were no ghosts called "Clo"... Making a mental note to interrogate the girl when they met up, Vlad continued on his way to the intimidating Dragon Castle.
Time was of the essence.
......
"No."
And speaking of time...
Clockwork hovered impassively, watching Dani kick a gear in her rage.
"Why the hell not? Danny's your responsibility, isn't he? He'll die if he's left there! And you can easily break him out!" Dani yelled at the Master of All Time.
"All is as it should be. Danny's capture will lead to the unity of the Ghost Zone. It is imperative that this happens."
"But what if he dies?"
"Then his sacrifice will not be in vain, as long as the future is not changed." Clockwork raised an eyebrow at the youngest halfa.
"Does it not occur to you that I know what I'm doing? I have been doing this for a long time."
"But I don't want Danny to die! He's... he's more important to me than some stupid unity..." Dani snuffled quietly. Clockwork rolled his eyes affectionately at his young charge-by-extension.
"Dani, your cousin will survive, if you're able to unite the ghosts. You need to persuade them that helping Danny is beneficial to them. And it will be. You have lived in the Ghost Zone for some time, and have made your own allies. Danny has allies, as does Vlad. It is no mere coincidence that the three of you exist as you are. For a long time I have watched this particular outcome, and it will only come to fruition if you can put aside your differences with your creator and help the other ghosts put aside their differences with your cousin. I have faith in you, Dani." He patted the girl on the head as she wiped her eyes.
"You really think I can help save Danny? I mean, I'm just a clone..."
"Haven't you noticed? You are slowly breaking away from the outline of your genes. You're becoming your own person, Dani. You will develop powers unique to yourself. Don't you want to show the world you are more than a clone?" Clockwork smiled as Dani clenched her fists, determined.
"I do! And I will! Thanks, Clockwork!" She grabbed the time ghost in a backbreaking hug. Clockwork rubbed her back gently, before ushering her to a portal leading to the Far Frozen.
"You know what to do." Dani leapt through the portal, and landed on the snowy rock. The portal swirled back into a green spiral. Clockwork watched it for a few moments, before sighing quietly.
"I hope they are successful, for your sake, Danny."
......
Vlad was having equally bad luck with Queen Dora.
"If you would just listen-" Vlad tried to say before a guard jabbed a nasty looking spear in his face. They were currently in a rather long throne room, bedecked in blues, reds and golds. Queen Dora sat upon an elegant throne on a small pedestal. A long red carpet led to the throne from a high set of mahogany doors.
"I am not interested in your deals, Sir Plasmius. They tend to sway on the shadier side. As Queen of this small pocket of the Ghost Zone, I must protect my subjects from such business." The blonde ghost sat up straight in her throne, a regal air exuding from her gaze. Vlad flinched slightly.
"I haven't come here to make a deal! Well, it is a deal, but it's not that kind of deal!" Vlad flapped his hands uselessly. How the devil had Daniel managed to get on her good side?
"I will not allow you to corrupt this realm!" The pendant around Dora's neck began to glow. Her body hunched over, before icy blue scales erupted from her skin. Flaxen hair turned to wicked horns, and the woman's body twisted and elongated until the slight form of Queen Dora was gone and all that stood before Plasmius was a huge, very angry, dragon. Vlad squeaked slightly. The dragon's head lowered, and red eyes met with Vlad's own.
"I think you should leave." The words were almost lost in Dora's rumbling voice.
"I don't want to corrupt your realm; I just want you to listen!" Coming to see the dragon queen first had clearly been a bad idea. Perhaps he should have sought out the mysterious "Wulf". Dora roared furiously and set out a blast of blue flame. Vlad teleported out of the way just in time, only to be struck by a long blue tail. He silently cursed the Queen, before raising a shield to protect himself from a fresh bout of fire. If he attacked, the blasted woman would definitely refuse to help, but he couldn't reason with her in this form! Maybe it would just be better to leave and make Dani do the talking.
A claw shattered his shield and smacked him against a wall. It pinned him there, and Vlad found himself struggling to breathe. Dora's face loomed in close once more.
"Give me one good reason not to set your silly cape on fire." She growled.
"D-Daniel! ... Captured... Needs assistance!" Vlad choked the words out. It was very hard to talk when your ribcage was being crushed. Now he knew how Danny felt during their battles.
"What? Sir Phantom is in danger? Well, why on Earth didn't you say so!" Dora released Vlad from her grip. Her pendant glowed, as she slowly returned to her human shape. She frowned at the halfa.
"You know, you should really try talking things out before getting into fights, sir Plasmius." Vlad only groaned before collapsing on the ground.
......
Dani flew swiftly towards Wulf's lair. He rarely frequented it, since Walker kept it under constant watch, but she had to make sure he wasn't there. A sudden icy grip on her chest and a puff of breath from her mouth alerted her to the presence of a ghost. Normally, Dani wouldn't bat an eyelid, since she was in the Ghost Zone. But the area she was in that the threat of Walker and his goons attacking, so Dani stopped and looked around hesitantly. Something heavy cannoned into her back and she shrieked.
"Mi fratino amiko!" A familiar voice cried out joyfully.
"Wulf!" Dani span round and grabbed the dog-like ghost in her arms. The two hugged for a while, until Wulf pulled back, a question in his eyes.
"Kie amiko Danny?" Dani bit her lip.
"Danny got captured." Wulf tilted his head.
"Umm... Danny... Oh, darn! I don't know enough Esperanto!" Dani ran her hands through her white hair. Then she widened her eyes. Flying over to a piece of rock, she transformed into her human form, held her hands together at the wrists and said:
"Blanka... viro!" Wulf's eyes narrowed.
"Walker havas Danny?" Dani shook her head and pointed at herself, before repeating the Esperanto words. Wulf's eyes filled with understanding. She meant the human Walkers!
"Blanka viroj havas Danny!" Dani clapped her hands together.
"That's it! Wow, Esperanto is hard. Musta taken Danny ages to learn." She was startled out of her reverie when Wulf unsheathed his claws.
"Wait! We have to make a plan to rescue him! Uhh... Ideo!"
"Ideo?" Dani slapped a hand against her face.
"Why couldn't Tucker or Sam be here too? I don't know enough Esperanto yet!"
"Ah, bona ideo! Jes!" Wulf seemed to understand what the young girl meant, and he re-sheathed his claws.
"You understand? Kompreni? Great! This way! Um, veni koni mi?" Wulf rolled his eyes and followed Dani.
"Malbona."
......
Vlad stood impatiently on the same rock he had confronted Dani on. He knew she would return here. Once again, his mind flickered to who she had gone to meet. Who was "Clo"? Who was Wulf, for that matter? Vlad sighed. Here he was, a man with twenty years experience, and he didn't know of half the people Daniel had met. And befriended.
Vlad snapped his head up. Dani was on her way, along with another ghost he'd never felt before. The mysterious "Clo"? A giggling black and white shape appeared, followed swiftly by a gigantic wolf spounting some nonsense. Ah, so this was probably Wulf. The pair halted, and Wulf spoke some more of his made up language to Dani.
"Amiko?"
"Ne, malbona." Wulf regarded Vlad silently.
"Malbela, ankaĆ." Dani dissolved into fits of giggles. Vlad frowned.
"Are you quite finished being childish, or do you intend to leave Daniel in the hands of the GiW?" His voice came out slightly more clipped than he intended; Wulf growled menacingly.
"Relax, Vlad. This is Wulf. He's able to rip holes in the Ghost Zone that lead to the human world. And vice versa. Danny rescued him from Walker twice, so he says he's more than willing to help us." Vlad huffed quietly.
"Did you get any help from your mysterious 'Clo'?"
"'Clo'? Who's- Ohh. No, he said that this is something we have to do for ourselves." Dani seemed to deflate a bit with this.
"Queen Dora has agreed to help. I was unable to reach the Far Frozen." Vlad felt bad for the girl for a fleeting moment, but he forced the unwelcome emotion down.
"I went. Frostbite agreed to help us. I also managed to persuade Youngblood, but he said we have to let him beat up Danny afterwards." Dani smiled faintly.
"Youngblood? Why would he help?"
"I made friends with him a while back. He's alright, once you get to know him." Vlad shook his head. The childish ghost was notorious for being a brat; he doubted that any aid from the child would be useful.
"If you insist. We need to formulate a plan. Then we can relay it to Queen Dora and Frostbite. And Youngblood." Vlad added on the end after a glare from Dani.
"Just tell me what to do!"
......
Danny slowly opened his eyes. His head felt as though he'd head-butted Skulker.
Why did all his similes relate to his enemies?
Everything was blurred. Danny shook his head, but immediately regretted in when pain flared in his skull. He raised a hand to hold his head, but it jolted to a stop halfway up. Danny's eyes snapped open. He was sat in a chair, inside a ghost shield. His arms were shackled to the chair and to a collar around his throat. Danny strained softly against the chair, but the agony surging through his entire body soon persuaded him to stop. Letting out a whimper of pain and terror, Danny took a proper look at the room beyond the ghost shield.
It was a pristine, white laboratory. Scientists worked on experiments on benches that hugged the walls. There was movement to his left and Danny turned to see. Two men in white suits stood, their eyes obscured by black glasses.
"Where -?" Danny's question died on his lips as one of the men lifted his arm and pressed a button on his wristwatch. Danny's world exploded in pain. His head rolled back as he screamed. The scientists flinched away from the noise, but none dared look at the halfa. After what seemed like eternity, the pain stopped. Danny dropped his head on his chest and sobbed.
"You speak when spoken to, Phantom. Am I clear?" There was silence, then Danny nodded.
"Good. You learn fast. And to answer your unauthorised question..." The man smiled and waved an arm around the room.
"You are in Laboratory #12 in the Arc." Danny looked up, his eyes hazy. Just before he slid back into unconsciousness, he heard the man speak one last time.
"Welcome to your new home, freak." Laughter filled Danny's ears as he slid into oblivion.
.....................
Daaaaang. Those Guys in White are badass. And not in the good way.
In case you were wondering, here's Wulf and Dani's Esperanto dialogue. Sorry it's not very good, I'm a beginner. Words translated from Esperanto will be in italics.
"My sister friend!"
"Where friend Danny?"
"White... man!"
"Walker has Danny?
"White men have Danny!"
"Wait! We have to make a plan to rescue him! Uhh... Idea!" (this was Dani trying to say plan, and failing.)
"Idea?"
"Ahh, good idea! Yes!"
"You understand? Understand? Great! This way! Um, come with me?"
"Bad." (I wasn't sure if the "come with me" part was correct Esperanto grammar, so I put Wulf being exasperated with Dani's poor Esperanto here.)
...
"Friend?"
"No, bad."
"Ugly, also."
I hope that sheds some light on their conversation. The next chapter will be focusing on Danny, but we might visit everyone else. I'll definitely be doing a tiny flashback as to how Dani persuaded Frostbite and Youngblood to help, since I couldn't seem to picture them for this chapter.
Urgh, this chapter felt so hard to write. I tried to put a lot of info in it. I hope you guys enjoyed it! ;D
