Chapter 3
Jasper Monroe
A/N: Hello, hello all. Thank you so much for the faves, alerts, and reviews. Every single one of them brightens my day. I hope you enjoy this chapter. You might be interested to know that while writing this story I made a few minor tweaks to the work this world comes from. I apologize for the time I took; I got a bit distracted this month. Also for later reference on my dA page is a map of Prometheus Institute.
"The nerve of him!" Maddie muttered slamming down the phone, "Just who does that man think he is?" Jack laughed a bit sheepishly and looked away making her feel a little guilty. She had been short with him quite a bit lately perhaps unintentionally punishing him for the actions of Jasper. "I'm sorry, Jack. It's not your fault. But I can't help wondering how you and your family put up with him." Jack shrugged.
"We just do what he said mostly." He admitted, "He never paid much attention to my part of the family, so I honestly didn't think he'd pay attention to us. " He took on a slightly more determined demeanor. "But that doesn't mean I won't have a few words with him about the way he treated you." Maddie smiled. It was something she loved about her husband that his loyalty never failed. Now that left one question though. What were they going to do?
"Did you ever hear about this school?" she asked him.
"Yep. A bunch of my cousins went there" Jack said, "I have to admit I was pretty jealous. I was stuck at some boring regular school while they went off to school in ghost –central!" He looked away for a moment, betraying a bit of anxiousness. "Would it bother you if...Danny and Jazz were…different?" Maddie shook her head in disbelief. She had been almost militant because Jasper was trying to make choices for them, but it hadn't occurred to her that she might come across as if she were upset about her children having the abilities Jack had spoken of.
"Of course not," she said, "But, I'd like Danny and Jazmine to know that they can make their own choices in life. This is their choice. If they don't want it though, I'm not going to have this man force it on them. If they say no and he tries to push it, he'll be out of here faster than you can say 'Anti-Creep stick'. "As they went off to bed Maddie thought back to Danny and Jazz's childhoods. During the week, Jazz had come to them privately and told them about her visions. It explained the dreams she had in childhood, or the peculiar Trouble Sense that all but faded away as she grew into adolescence. But Danny had yet to say anything, leaving them to speculation. He didn't show any obvious signs of Psi ability but Maddie did remember he had such a problem with low grade fevers when he was a child. She couldn't help wondering why her youngest child felt like he couldn't confide in them about what ability he had. Had she and Jack not made it clear enough that they loved him no matter what he was?
Danny left soon after breakfast getting the sense that he should probably get out of dodge when his mother had her words with Jasper. While it would be satisfying to see him get put in his place –for probably the first time in his life from what he knew and heard of the man. He would be lucky if she didn't have at him the moment he walked in the door.
"Danny, sweetie, could I ask you something?" The hairs on the back of Danny's neck stood up.
"Uh sure…"he said, hoping desperately that she wouldn't talk him into a corner. He hated being forced to lie to her.
"Your power," she said, "Your sister told us hers and we're still trying to figure out yours. "
"I'm not exactly sure." It was a half truth, he was precisely certain whether his freezing ability was entirely a ghost power or not. "Sorry, I gotta go meet Tucker and Sam."
"I see…one more question though. Do you really want to go to this school?" Maddie asked.
"I think...I think I do. Sam and Tucker are considering going to it to. It was different when I would have been going alone. If that's okay. But I still don't like how that jerk treated you." He said. His cell phone vibrated signaling text message. "I gotta go. I love you, Mom" Danny left still feeling a little guilty about his half truth to her. It was times like this he wished he could tell her about his ghost powers. But if they knew, it would put them in danger from the Guys in White and other ghost enemies. He was glad that at least he didn't have to worry about them rejecting him anymore.
He met with his friends at the Nasty Burger for an early lunch. Tucker had managed to find a bunch of information about Prometheus Institute's handbook, campus and classes. The campus reminded him very much of a university there was a library a school store for school supplies and a bunch of buildings. Sam marveled over the diverse class list they had.
"Composition, Shakespeare, Literature, Pop literature AND Literature discussion." She said, "It really is like a college. What did they say was the youngest grade here?"
"6th grade' Tucker said, "though apparently in the UK that's when you start high school."
"Whose bright idea was that?" Danny asked. He would have gotten completely wasted if he started high school at only eleven years old. "So there's a lot to choose from. Somehow though I get a nasty feeling that 'Uncle' Jasper might insist on choosing them for me."
"Sheesh, talk about a control freak." Sam said, "Surely your parents wouldn't let him get away with that."
"Mom won't. Dad seems a little intimidated by him." Danny shook his head, "the guy's a jerk. You should have heard the way he spoke to my mom last night. I almost wish I could give him a visit as Phantom and-"
"I don't know dude, somehow threatening your rich and super powered uncle doesn't seem like a good idea." Tucker said.
"Well, I think your mom can stand up for herself. She's a ghost hunter" Sam said, "And I'm sure your Dad wouldn't take someone treating her badly. But more importantly you shouldn't make exceptions to your morals just because you think someone deserves it."
"What?" Tucker looked at her, "but weren't you the one who was telling Danny to use his powers to keep people from buying awesome cares last year?"
"Well you know what? I was wrong then, okay, I admit it." Sam said, "I was wrong and selfish and I'm sorry. Danny you have amazing powers, and that also means you have to be even more careful. You start using them the wrong way maybe a few times, and justify yourself and pretty soon you'll start doing it more." It seemed like a clever idea at the time but looking back it made her shudder at what she was encouraging Danny to do.
"Thanks…but I know that Sam. I still remember the CAT test," he said. "I'm not going to do anything to him with my powers." 'Unless he uses his against Mom and Dad.', he amended in the back of his head. He and his friends went on to continue synchronizing their schedules.
Jasper arrived in a sleek, new looking car no doubt rented for the trip. Maddie was rather cool but not yet outwardly hostile toward him. Jack waited for his arrival spending an hour preparing how he was going to tell Jasper off for his shortness toward Maddie. When he arrived, shown in by Jazz, Jack prepared to say something. Jasper met his eyes with a cool, somewhat annoyed gaze.
He had often gotten that look from that man as he was growing up. The previous head of household who was Jasper's father rarely even acknowledged the Fenton branch of the family-as if it didn't even matter that they troubled to show up. Jasper had actually talked to them a few times but most of his encounters when they were young had been criticisms or corrections. However Jack had misjudged their acquaintanceship as a kind of friendship so he had been excited when he found that Jasper was the next head of house even when none of his siblings had. His siblings bitterly lamented that it was no use going to the reunion because regardless of what the Monroe's said, they weren't really important what with being descended from what was called an 'empty generation'. Their great grandparents had missed the Psi gene and since they didn't feel they belonged as much, became distant from the main family.
None of Jack or siblings had inherited Psi abilities either. While Jack was excited at going to meet all his super-powered second and third cousins, his brother and sister just felt jealous. They often asked to stay behind or slept over with their maternal relations when they could. Jack vied for the approval of his unique cousins. A few were friendly but some of the others would roll their eyes likely thinking "not him again". His sister had tried to save him from the disappointment by explaining that Jasper wasn't particularly close to any of them. There was no nice way to tell your little brother that someone he thought was his friend just put up with him.
Jack insisted that she was wrong and that Jasper was his buddy. When they arrived he went to find Jasper right away and tried to make conversation with him. What a shock it had been to hear Jasper snap back that he was busy and he didn't have time for Jack's foolishness. The only mercy perhaps was that Jack didn't overhear Jasper telling his brother to make sure Jack stayed out of his way. He tried to talk again but it didn't do much good. Whatever feeling he had that he had a friend in Jasper was gone. They talked far less after that and now Jack could understand his siblings' resentment toward the Monroe branch. That look of Jasper's never failed to make Jack feel small and insignificant. The older man nodded toward him and hung his coat.
"Mr. Monroe?" Maddie asked.
"Yes, I presume you to be Mrs. Fenton?" Jasper asked.
"Yes" Maddie said, "And I presume you to be the man who signed my children up for a school in England and then blatantly disrespected myself and my husband." Jasper was quite taken aback; few people spoke to him in such away. He tried to appear intimidating as he met her eyes.
"Yes, madam, I am here to talk about that." he said, "I mean you no disrespect by merely enforcing my family's rules."
"Well I believe in family rules as well" Maddie said, "But I also believe that children deserve a chance to make their own choices about some things." Jasper raised an eyebrow sardonically.
"Surely there are choices you don't want your children to have the option of" he said. Maddie crossed her arms.
"Well of course. I did say some things, Mr. Monroe." she said, "While they're still young I can keep them from the other things. But I know I cannot possibly presume to be in control of everything in their lives. If I make every important decision for them now, they'll be unable to do anything on their own." Jazz and Jack were watching the two, like one would watch a tennis match. Jack knew how rigid Jasper was and they both knew how stubborn and persistent Maddie was. This could go on for ages or get really, really ugly.
"Okay then" Jack interrupted, "Let's go talk about the school and stuff, eh?" Jasper relented, his younger distant cousin could be annoying but he was making quite a sensible suggestion.
"Yes," he said, "That should do nicely." Jack led them into another room where they could talk privately.
After working on their schedules, which were now as synchronized as they could get while still taking all the classes they wanted, the three best friends went off to the mall to relax. FYE had managed to recover from the ghost fight it suffered earlier and Danny and Sam purchased a few movies to enjoy for the remainder of their summer. When they returned to the Fenton house with milkshakes in hand and shopping bags, Sam noted the car in the driveway. It was very new, fairly expensive in model and far more normal than the Fenton RV. Jazz was out reading on the front porch and looked up.
"Looks like you had fun" she noted.
"Yeah. How's it been?" Danny asked.
"Ugh terrible. I had to go outside because it got so uncomfortable watching Mom and Dad argue with Mr. Monroe" she shook her head, "Honestly I couldn't blame Mom if she pulled out the AntiCreep stick." Danny noticed she was no longer calling him 'Uncle Jasper'. Good, that gave him an excuse not to either. When they entered the house however instead of seeing chaos like he expected they found relative peace and quiet with some very calm talking behind a closed door.
"…how long did you say you'd been out here?" he asked.
"I lost track when I got lost in 'Psychological Theories of the 19th Century.'" Jazz said sheepishly, "I think an hour at least." The four of them settled around a plate of cookies, while Jazz looked over their schedules and made suggestions. Within a half hour the adults came out. Jasper Monroe was a bit younger than Danny expected, though still older than his father. Still the man carried a walking stick with a rather ornate top-handle.
"Hello, Jasmine, Daniel and…" his eyes swept over Sam and Tucker, "friends I presume." Sam and Tucker got their things together wondering if they should leave the Fentons to what was obviously family business. "You may as well stay. What I have to tell my niece and nephew may pertain to you as well, as you are also one of our kind."
"Niece and nephew" Jazz asked, "pardon me sir but according to the family research I did, you're technically their cousin." Jasper gave a long slow breath as if he were trying not to lose his temper.
"I shall explain that as well." He said. "Please be seated." The teenagers all exchanged looks but sat down.
"How can you tell that we're Psi?" Sam asked.
"We all have a sense that allows us to know one of our own. "Jasper started, "If you were raised mundane it would likely appear to be perhaps a vague sense that something is unusual about somebody but you cannot tell what. In a crowd of peers it's not uncommon that Psi will unwittingly gravitate towards people like themselves. As seen here" He nodded at Danny and his two friends.
"I didn't choose them because they were Psi" Danny said, "Heck I didn't even know I was one. I just chose them because they were cool to hang out with."
"I did say unwittingly, Daniel" Jasper reminded, "I don't doubt that you have your own reasons for your choices in friends. But I do believe that your sixth sense, so to speak, had something to do with your choice" Danny didn't say anything but shot Jasper an annoyed look.
"So we have a Psi sense" Jazz said, "okay sure. That's a little weird but it makes sense. I guess. So how do powers work exactly?"
"Your ability" Jasper said, "should normally manifest anywhere between the age of five years to fifteen in some dire cases. However I am told that you live in a house dripping with ectoplasm which has been proven to slow or tamper with the development of Psi abilities." He spoke of ectoplasm with obvious disdain.
"How do you know what power you have?" Tucker asked somewhat eagerly. He hadn't noticed any obvious signs of a superpower.
"There has been a lot of research into that matter, but we have found a consistent set of symptoms for each ability." Jasper said.
"Symptoms? That makes it sound like a disease." Sam commented. Jasper looked at her impatiently and Sam only replied with an apathetic look that served her well through high school.
"Signs, then, of oncoming Psi ability."Jasper said, "There are a number of signs for each ability sometimes mistaken for disease." He reached into a briefcase he had brought with him, retrieving a spiral bound book. "Perhaps I can shed some light for those of you still unsure what your ability might be." He turned a few pages in the book and started reading.
"The most common power is telekinesis, the ability to move things with ones' mind. Signs of it coming are often unconsciously manipulating objects, nosebleeds, and a problem with headaches which is an ongoing issue. Headaches inhibit telekinetic ability, and come about when the power is overused. " Danny looked to his other friends, Tucker and Sam both shrugged or shook their heads.
"Well then…Clairvoyancy. A power oft misrepresented by the mundane media. It is the ability to see into the past present and future." He started.
"Wait …how do you see into the present?" Tucker said, "Everybody can do that."
"I mean young man, seeing things that are happening in places at the same time far away." Jasper said. "Those who are developing it have peculiar visions in their dreams. It is possibly with proper development to shut out visions, and it is unlikely and unadvised to force a vision."
"I knew all those TV psychics had to be fakes" Jazz said.
"Quite, some Psi do make a living off their ability but that is often greatly smoke and mirrors" Jasper said.
"So Jazz was psychic?" Sam muttered to Danny. "Who saw that coming?"
"Didn't I tell you about the trouble sense?" he said with a laugh.
"Moving along…" Jasper looked at the two of them intently, "There is electrokinesis, the ability to manipulate electricity. The first signs are extremely high fevers, a sudden increase in metabolism, and proneness for static shocks." Tucker had sat up at attention but as he heard the list of symptoms slid back down. Sam gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"We'll get to it." she said. Jasper flipped a page and began reciting again.
"There are the two types of shape-shifters." He started.
"Two types?" Danny asked, "Why two?"
"Because they work differently, Daniel, you cannot turn into both human and animal. Human-to-human shape-shifting is usually marked by unexplained pains and aches in the body, and flickering eye colors. There are certain….risks and concerns that pubescent shape shifters should discuss with our school's nurses" The look on his face made it clear that he wasn't going into it and none of the teenagers wanted to ask.
"And the other kind?" Jazz asked, hoping to change the subject.
"Yes, Human to animal shape-shifting." Jasper began, "Like is counterpart, its development is marked by unexplained pains and aches, but also by the gradual understanding of animals, and the growth of fangs or claws."
"Don't you think people would notice that?" Sam asked.
"The growths are usually small but occasionally they get noticed, and people rarely believe the claims." Jasper said.
"Have you shifted into any animals lately Sam?" Tucker asked.
"No, unfortunately" Sam crossed her arms and huffed, being a shape shifter would be cool.
"Next is Cyrokinesis, the power over ice." Danny sat up in rapt attention. "Its manifestation is marked by low grade fevers and chills in childhood, as well as a perpetual coolness that is often mistaken for poor circulation." It sounded so familiar, getting strange fevers in second grade and being sent home early.
"That sounds like what happened to Danny," Maddie said. "For a little while. They went away before anything else happened-"
"Psi powers do not go away madam; they may, however hibernate when their development is slowed." Jasper corrected, "I take it that is your power Daniel?"
"I guess" Danny said.
"Hm well. "He started to put away the book when Tucker spoke up.
"What about the other ones?" He gave an exasperated sigh but took out the book again.
"Cyrokinesis' more destructive sibling, pyrokinesis is marked by high fevers and burn resistance of the skin. The burn resistance process often includes unexplained marks or bruises on the body that go away in time. Occasionally when a pyrokinetic is feeling a particularly strong emotion their skin will emit smoke."
"Bet that makes enforcing a 'no smoking' policy a bit difficult" Danny remarked.
"Do you want to hear the rest or not," Jasper demanded. He continued reading, "and the last of what might be considered the nature based powers, geokinesis has two forms- terrain based and plant based. The two may overlap a bit but for the most part it's majorly one or the other. The first signs may include a strange sensation that the earth is shaking beneath one, and being able to 'feel' it so to speak, as well as experiencing lethargy when in the dark." He looked at Sam and raised an eyebrow.
"I trust that you have found your ability?" he said. She nodded just a bit awestruck at his ability to just know. Was that part of the Psi sense? Hardly, considering she didn't 'just know' Danny's ability.
"Dude! Can you read minds?" Tucker said. He regretted it when he saw the momentary look of indignance on the man's face. 'Right, they don't like telepathy'. Jasper took a deep breath as if to calm himself.
"No, I used my eyes. I have made visits to young mundane raised relatives before and I recognize the expressions of young people who finally understood what made them so different from their peers." He said, "I would strongly discourage you from accusing Psi of being able to read minds-"
"Accuse?" Sam asked, "It was just a question. You make it seem as if it's a bad thing."
"Well that's how it's generally seen amongst our people. Before you judge you should know that there is far more to it than you think." He said, "Now…" He continued reading through the powers. Tucker became more and more discouraged as the list was read. Danny watched the man and got a nasty suspicion that Jasper was aiming to do just that. The more he saw of Jasper, it seemed, the more he found to dislike about him.
"and….last we have techno-commutation. This ability to interact with technology is usually marked by a constant ringing of the ears, with some the ability to hear the subtle noises household appliances, and a tendency to short circuit electrical devices." He shut the book with a snap.
"So…what my ability is being good with computers? I already knew that," Tucker said. He looked down at his feet and grumbled, "What a rip off." Once again, even when he was special, he wasn't as special as his friends. They could do things like make ice and talk to plants, and all he could do was being really good at computers.
"I'm terribly sorry you're disappointed, but it can't be helped." Jasper replied. He didn't have to use words to make Tucker feel even worse or voicing his disappointment. "Now, I must have some time with my niece and nephew to make further preparations. You two, Daniel and Jasmine, will have to be prepared to leave within a week's time."
As they left, Sam tried to catch up with Tucker. It hurt her to see her friend feeling so lousy. She could understand his jealousy now; the poor boy really couldn't seem to catch a break. While she and Danny sometimes gave him a hard time about things or ribbed at him, it was never with the pure spite that Mr. Monroe had leveled at him.
"Tuck! Hey, wait up!" She hurried to catch up with him, "Tuck, I'm sorry. That guy's just a jerk; don't let him make you feel bad."
"I'm fine" He said. He certainly didn't sound fine.
"No you're not, I know you" Sam said, "I think your power is pretty cool. Besides, I and Danny don't care if you have superhero powers or anything. We hang out with you because we like you. Powers or not."
"We have a whole week." Danny said. If he could feel that his eyes had turned from blue to icy blue he would have panicked. "Right now, I just want to hang out with my friends and enjoy what I have left of summer. "
"You still have placement tests young man-" Jasper started.
"Which can be done tomorrow." Danny said, "Besides it might help if I could get a moment to study."
"Well how can I be sure that you will actually study?" The older man asked.
"You'll find out tomorrow then won't you?" Danny said. He got up and went off to his room. He heard Jasper call after him but ignored it. Thankfully his parents were on his side about this. Jazz followed after him and closed the door, sensing that a long rant was about to follow. That it did. "…and what was he playing around with Tuck for? For insulting his ego with that mind reading comment? Any guy who gets so worked up over a simple question probably has some serious issues of his own. He reminds me of…he reminds me of Vlad! What with the comments, and the attitude and, the smarminess. He's exactly like Vlad. "
"Well I don't like him either," Jazz said, "But how do you know he was deliberately messing with Tucker? It's not like he knows him the way you do. All he can sense is that Tuck has powers. Maybe that's just the order of the list. Unless we know what's going on in his mind-"
"Come on Jazz, it was all over his face" Danny said, "The guy's just…he's just a jackass."Jazz looked at him in surprise.
"Don't let Mom hear you saying that." She said. He scoffed.
"Somehow I think she's thinking the same thing"
"Jasper" Maddie went to search out the man after dinner. Jack had tried to talk to him and Jasper once again brushed him off. It was her turn now. "You are really pushing it."
"I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about Ms. Fenton." He, barely even looked up to acknowledge her. With an exasperated sigh she came over and turned off the lamp.
"Might I remind you that you are only staying because my children are interested in your school? Though I can honestly say I'm surprised Daniel still is considering how you treated his friend." She said.
"Excuse me? I told the boy about his power." Jasper said, "It's not my fault he built up ridiculous expectation. It's the fault of the ridiculous comic books if anything. What's really on your mind Mrs. Fenton?"
"Well your attitude for one. " she said, "You may be able to bully your relatives with threats to write them out of the will, but unfortunately for you we don't care about your money. "
"I resent your implications Mrs. Fenton. I do not bully, I do my duty." He said, standing up, "furthermore it's curious that you are the one accusing me of being rude. You have been against me from the moment we spoke." For once Maddie was disarmed and he took the opportunity. Tell me Madeline, are you really cross with me because I signed your children up for a proper school or because I saw the-forgive me but- painfully obvious signs of their abilities and you didn't?"
A/N:
Okay before anyone says anything, two things. One, just for the record, I like Tucker. He's a cool guy. I hope it doesn't come across that I'm picking on him or just don't like him. There is more to his power than just 'being good at' technology.
Second. Yes, Danny just slipped and said a bad word. I'm not trying to make him super edgy or anything, but I also know that sometimes even the squeakiest clean teenagers are capable of slipping up in a moment of anger. Heck one time when I was in high school I said "pissed off" in front of my dad no less- and I used to have a neurotic complex about 'bad words' when I was young. I did that to show that he was really annoyed with Jasper for being a jerk to his friend. I hope this chapter was all that it was built up to be.
Oh one more concern. Jack. He really did honestly try to tell off Jasper but, well, given his history with Jasper, Jack had a bit of a hard time standing up to him. Everybody has a person at some point in their life that always manages to make them feel foolish and insecure.
Anyway, we'll be getting to Vlad and his business next chapter and we'll be actually getting to the school very soon. Feel free to ask me anything you don't understand
Happy End-Of-School-Year to you all,
JJ
