-NOTICE- for the brevity's sake (and the fact that I fell ill, and pumped this out in two days,) a conversation that occurred previously to these events will be enlightened upon; but not directly written down.
I don't own DP. Thank you for your support! Now, onto the chapter!
Chapter 3: Sickness and Strength.
(POV: of Danny Phantom.)
"Argh!" I shouted, dodging a barrage of ghost-rays, seriously rethinking the purpose of training sessions.
Yep, a training session with Dani in a little dimension called "nowhere," courtesy of Clockwork who'd been sending us there for a while. It's just a grassy green field of rolling hills and streams, beneath a sky that always shined fresh blue with no sun in sight. I believe I've mentioned before about training with Dani last summer? We've kept it up since, spending a few hours together on weekends, and weekdays now and again.
Shall I summarize our progress? Dani; despite not being abnormally powerful, hits hard. She has speed, and agility like me; but she has Mom's accuracy, frequency, and focus. Her greatest strength so far, is defense. I know this, mostly because I accidentally fired off the "boom of doom" at her, and she managed to successfully block it, (to even Clockworks amazement.)
My progress? Well, last summer is when I first discovered the above-mentioned power, (I try to avoid using the publicly-gifted name for it.) I improved in rapid-fire and power control due to necessity. Meaning that it took Dani a while to train seriously when I hadn't actually done anything to hurt her.
The rest of the story is for another day. All I knew, was that Dani's lack of seriousness was gone with the wind…
"Uncle!" I shouted, mentally cursing my slow defense, and shield generation. We'd been taking turns on defense, and offense, and then just plain brawling. Obviously, it was my turn to take the position of the first-mentioned.
"We're cousins, Silly!" Dani replied back, ignoring the purpose of my cry.
I toppled over, and landed face-first into the grassy hillside. Dani landed a finger-blast to my butt, before she joined me on the grass.
She sighed loudly, snuggling into my back, "I win!" She shouted.
I rolled over, effectively pushing her off of me, "Yeah, you win one out of three."
She pouted; but didn't protest further.
"Say," Dani began casually, "who were those "masters" Clockwork was going on about earlier?"
I thought for a second, recalling this morning's conversation, "Some foreign ghosts. Or I guess they would have been foreign to us, whenever it was they were alive. Their names sounded…well, I can't put an origin on them."
Dani shrugged, "But; why would we need anyone like that, anyway?"
"Clockwork mentioned something about furthering our skills…they're probably some kind of martial arts masters from a while ago."
Dani pouted at me again, "That still doesn't answer my question…"
I rolled my eyes, "Think of Valerie, and Mom. They're both what, 9th degree black belts?" Dani gave me a blank look, clearly not understanding the painful difference between a trained fighter (Val, and Mom) and an untrained fighter, (everyone else.)
Frowning, I failed to find a way to explain, "Look, I trust Clockwork, and if he wants me to train under some guy I know nothing about, because he knows it'll be good for me, then I'll go with it."
Dani nodded in understanding. Don't get her wrong, she and Clockwork have always been on good terms, she'd just never had everything she could ever lose saved by the guy. Dani laid down next to me. I closed my eyes, and attempted a nap. My stomach had been bothering me that entire week, and I was worried about a new pain in my chest. I'd been considering, going to the Far-Frozen to see a doctor.
That's right, ever since the doctors there first treated me, I've been receiving all my regular checkups and medical needs there. I can worry a lot less since they know my hybrid status, and can adapt to treat me as a ghost, and as a human.
Dani prodded my chest; I proceeded to groan about, "five more minutes" and, "training can wait."
I could feel her staring at me, "Danny," she began, "are you feeling well?"
My head shot up quickly, alarmed that she'd noticed my discomfort, "Uh, well I am feeling a little queasy. Why?"
She looked at me oddly; I momentarily felt her ghost-sense prodding at me. I shifted, "Hey, you promised you wouldn't use that on me!"
Dani rolled her eyes, "I'm just trying to make sure nothing's seriously wrong."
Making a distinct 'humph' noise, I relaxed, and let down my mental shields that previously prevented her from examining me.
Dani had been spending time in the Far-Frozen ever since Frostbite gave her a room there. Of course, Frostbite trained her to expand her senses much like I could, except while mine was like submarine radar; Dani's was more like an Aura sense. Living or ghost, if you had a problem, Dani could snuff it out (this made her quite the popular assistant at the Far-Frozen's medical facilities.)
I tensed at what I would call an 'invasion of privacy;' but she only took a few seconds.
The resounding pause frightened me a little, "How long do I have, Doc?" I said, half mockingly.
Her serious stare didn't go away, "Danny, I think you need to go see Dr. Verglas. I don't know what to make of it; but your Cold-Core is acting up for some reason that has to do with this weird energy in your stomach, and throat."
I stood up, surprised that she'd figured out that much, "I will."
Dani stood up with me and together, we reached for Clockwork's amulets and removed them from our necks. Instantly, we were removed from "nowhere" and replaced back into Clockwork's tower.
The ghost himself was floating in front of his time-portals. I don't actually know what their technical name is. All I know it that they show time, and can be used as portals. Once again, I prove that even a Fenton; can come up with a creative and totally-not-obvious names…don't I wish.
Normally, Dani and I would've said a quick and polite goodbye, before heading out. This time though, Dani dragged me towards Clockwork by my wrist.
"What are you doing?" I whispered to her, feeling like an idiot for acting secretive around the all-knowing ghost.
Dani looked at me defiantly, "Ask Clockwork about these "master's" he mentioned this morning."
I blinked at her, "You do it; I don't care as long as these "masters" aren't Vlad."
Thus, came the pleading-threatening-angry-defiant glare; how she always pulls that one off, I'll never know.
I gave in, "Fine; but you owe me one." Dani nodded 'yes' as I turned to Clockwork, "Sir?" Clockwork turned to me, recognizing the title's actual meaning, 'I want something; can you help me?'
"Yes, Danny?" Clockwork replied calmly.
I paused, "Should I bother? You already know what I'm going to ask."
Clockwork nodded with a faint smile, "Do not think too much of these teachers for the time being. They will not introduce themselves for a short while, for now, simply maintain your training with Dani." I bowed my head slightly in acknowledgement, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have matters to deal with."
Dani and I said a hasty goodbye, before leaving. Like every sentient being, Clockwork also had certain speech patterns.
'Matters to attend to,' always meant pleasant business as usual. "Matters to deal with," meant the Observants were complaining about something trivial, and were otherwise bugging Clockwork.
The conversation didn't distract Dani, however. No, she stayed focused and intent on getting me to see Dr. Verglas of the Far-Frozen.
Using quickly regenerating energy, Dani and I raced from Clockwork's tower to Frostbite's ice castle…where we engaged in a heated argument on whom actually won the race.
After that was settled (I gave in,) we greeted Frostbite and asked if Dr. Verglas was available. Frostbite told us "yes" after we escaped his crushing bear hugs, and chatted for a while.
Dani went ahead to tell Dr. Verglas what she'd discovered. When I finally got in to see the aging white-yeti, he was looking at me thoughtfully.
When I laid on the cold-steel table, and allowed him to run various scans and tests on me, his face changed. Growing more and more concerned, the happy Dr. began showing his ancient age more and more…Dani stood by me, looking over the results for her own eyes. She looked quite baffled, and confused.
'Well,' I thought to myself, 'This can't be good.'
I sat up, "Is everything alright?"
Dr. Verglas nodded, motioning Dani and me to an ice bench, he looked thoughtfully as he kneeled in front of us. Removing his glasses, he looked at us gently, "Nothing of great concern, Danny." I smiled at him, as one of the greatest doctors and most ancient residents of the Far-Frozen, Verglas held a high respect and rank. His age and wisdom made him feel comfortable calling me by my name.
Reaching for some printed charts, Verglas continued, "It seems to be an advancement in your powers. Namely, a new core has flared to life."
Dani quirked an eyebrow, "But doesn't Danny already have a core?"
Verglas nodded, "That he does, as do you. However," he said, gesturing to us, "from what I have gathered; hybrids have a structural density far beyond any complete-ghost." I gave him a sorry glance, "By that I mean, a ghost like I, who has a much less dense structure, could only contain one core safely. Your powers can expand limitlessly, and will do so since your body is equipped to handle it. Thus, new developing cores."
I looked up sharply, "Cores?" As in, more the one new core?"
Dr. Verglas nodded, "I thought you were aware. Months ago a wind core, centered in your throat and upper chest, developed at a rapid rate. I believe this may explain some of your more destructive tactics."
Dani looked at me, "The Ghostly-Wail?"
"For starters," I replied, turning back to Verglas, "how does that explain my stomach?"
"Well normally," Dr. Verglas began, "ghosts are limited to one central core, if they even have a core at all. Amazingly though, hybrids are apparently able to sustain many more, you yourself Danny having three now. From what I partake of the placement of the core in your abdominal area, it would be a fire-core."
Dani looked at me excitedly, "Cool!"
I shoved her playfully; Verglas looked a little confused as to how a 'fire-core' could be "cool," but he moved on anyway.
"This isn't something to be taken lightly, children. Heat rises, even in the confinements of Danny's body. Directly above your fire-core Danny, is your cold-core; which is the most powerful, but also the most vulnerable of the four known cores to exist. Tell me, have you been feeling any chest pain?"
I nodded nervously, "Then it is confirmed. The two cores are adjusting to each other, while developing. Both trying to maintain themselves, while not destroying you from the inside out."
I visibly paled, "So, I'm dying?"
Verglas blinked, "Ancients, no! You may feel sick, you may have fluctuations in power; but nothing that will kill you."
I let out a breath; Dani rubbed my back comfortingly. As Verglas continued, Dani and I were at full attention, "There is one matter, of which I would like to warn you of. Just as your when cold-core left its infancy, and caused you to feel ill, and your ghostly-form to freeze up. Your fire-core will most likely run you up a high fever, and possibly cause your cold-core irritation, resulting in chest pains. At it's peak, it may leave you exhausted, so I suggest that you keep Dani close at hands if that should be the case."
Dani and I nodded, thanked him, and exchanged goodbyes with the good Doctor.
Flying through the Zone, we chatted a bit about it; Dani thought there was nothing to worry about, I was understandably not as convinced…
We relayed the information to team Phantom: Jazz seamed worried, Sam cautioned me, and Tuck gave me a high-five. All and all, the day had been pretty eventful; the night was spent patrolling with Dani, (something we both liked doing together.) I managed to get some sleep too. The next few days were fairly normal save for my increasing discomfort.
Now if only the weather hadn't taken such a quick turn for the worst…
Author's notes! (Probably important.)
QUESTION! 'Dani' is spelt with an 'I' I know; but I'm still confused...Is it Danni, or Dani? My computer wants to spell it with only one 'N' and a baby name-site I searched on said it goes both ways. A lot of DP fan-sites have her name with only one N too...So far I just think the one N, is easy on the eyes. If I'm wrong, let me know.
NOTES. I'm expanding a lot on little hints in DP, here are some.
-Recalling the show: the second time Dani appeared and fought a duplicate-Vlad, she showed some SERIOUS rapid fire. Danny on the other hand throughout the series, always looked like he struggled with shields
-ABOUT CORES. When I thought about it, there seemed to be three cores in DP: Cold/ice, wind, and electricity. Think about Vlad; he can create a tornado (wind-core: I've located in the throat) and he can electrocute Danny with a slight touch (electric-core: I've located in the skull.) Then the Cold/ice core; which Butch placed in the chest.
It only seemed logical that there'd be a fire-core located in the stomach.
See you Sunday! Next week, we get Fruitloop for breakfast. ;)
