Notes:
Oh, I'm terribly sorry! I didn't even realize I left the previous chapter in a cliffhanger! (Snickers)
Again, your comments are much appreciated. So, thank you once more for all your support. And now, the scheming!
Chapter 3: The Scheming
Phantom winces slightly as he tries to find a more comfortable sitting position. He finally lets his spine rest against some crates as I continue to stare at him expectantly, gun still in hand. He remains silent, with his eyes closed. My foot is taping on the floor in a completely conscious attempt to show him my impatience. I usually find that habit a bit annoying, but he seems to be taking his time on purpose. It's probably another one of his schemes to drive me crazy.
"Enough with the suspense! I really want to get this over with!" I snap at the spook, and with good reasons: I'm already stressed, I still have to find Danny and take him to FentonWorks safely, go home afterwards, do my homework, get something to eat, and try to get some sleep. Well, that's not even mentioning the never-ending lecture I'm going to get from my dad.
The ghost kid just gives me an annoyed look as he opens his bright green eyes. "Do you really think I've got nothing better to do? That I would prefer to stall you here instead of going home?" he questions me and I can't help but raise an eyebrow at that last comment. He obviously notices this since he decides to change the subject rather quickly. "Anyway, I don't know if you're going to believe me or not, but please try to listen and don't interrupt until I'm finished, ok?" I nod silently. If not saying a word means that I'll get the truth out of him, then by all means…
As if trying to focus his thoughts to what he's going to say, he sighs once more. Apparently, he does that a lot. I find it amusing, to be honest. Is not every day that you see a dead creature inhaling and exhaling air in such a habitual way, especially when they no longer need it. "You already know that the Fentons are ghost hunters and that they have a portal to the Ghost Zone," he starts, not really asking for confirmation. It's a plain statement. "What you don't know is that the portal was broken at first, but Danny managed to make it work."
I stare at him, trying to hide my curiosity but failing miserably. "Where are you going with this?" I ask. His only answer is a pointed look, reminding me that I shouldn't be interrupting. I sigh in defeat. "Fine, go on."
"Anyway, when ghosts began to terrorize Amity Park, I came here and knew I had to stop them from destroying everything. I swore during my first fight that I would do whatever it takes to protect this city. However, I didn't have any access to the Ghost Zone or to any kind of equipment to hold my enemies." A gloved hand then passes through the white bangs of the phantom. If I could have a guess, I'd say he's nervous. Or lying. Probably both. But I promised to remain silent. "Danny knew I was a good ghost. He knows I am. That's why, since he knew how to operate the portal, he helped me with it so I could send all the ghouls back."
Hold on a second-
Danny did what? He… helped Phantom?
While I'm asking myself these shocking questions, I fail to notice my wide-eyed expression or my almost broken jaw, which might be adorning the floor by now.
But, since I'm intrigued about this sudden piece of information and I don't want to interrupt the ghost kid from telling me the rest of the story, I decide to stay quiet. Note that this is obviously against my usual reactions. If I weren't so desperate to find Danny, I wouldn't refrain myself from giving that ghost a piece of my mind.
I keep my eyes locked on his and that's when I realize something: he knows. He knows his words had an impact on me. He knows I'm concerned, angry, disappointed… all but happy, of course.
The ghost kid clears his throat and continues his tale. "Before you even say it, I didn't drag Danny into this," Phantom exclaims, holding his cuffed hands defensively and earning another glare from me. "Actually, he got involved without even wanting to."
I cross my arms to let him know that I want him to explain that last sentence better. He moves from his position slightly and winces again while putting a hand on his ribs. Before I can help it, I roll my eyes. He's using that excuse just to avoid the explanation.
"The thing is," he resumes, "Danny became one way or another one of the Ghost Zone's targets: he's the son of two ghost hunters, he hangs around the portal often, some cheesehead I don't even want to mention is constantly sending minions to kill his dad… well, there are several other reasons, but you get the point."
More reasons? Yeah. Like being the love interest of a teenaged hunter, for example. And, if Phantom's saying the truth, being the closest thing to a ghost's sidekick can be listed as another reason as well.
"So, now that you're aware of all this, my guess is that Skulker's the one who took Danny, but I'm not sure of what are his intentions or what the heck he did to him either," he concludes and I notice once again the veiled concern behind his gaze and his words.
Wait a minute… that's it? He doesn't know where Danny is? And why didn't he explain the deal with the cell phone?
I stand up in front of him, taking my hands to my hips. I really don't know where to start, so I just blurt the first thing that comes to my head: "You actually want me to believe that you and Danny have some sort of friendship?" I ask in disbelief. Without waiting for a response or a reaction from him, I cross my arms and continue. "Not all humans are stupid, you know? If we apply your logic about how Danny became a target 'one way or another', then he would be a great trophy in your collection, huh? Think about it: his parents are always trying to hunt you, he befriended a huntress who swore to destroy you, and all the other ghosts are after him," I say, pausing for a second to let it all sink in that thick, white-haired head of his. "Yeah, I bet you're just looking for someone to play 'Doomed' with," I add sarcastically.
"Well, to be honest, I really have nothing against you or any of the Fentons," he replies in a serious tone. "Even if it is extremely annoying to be blamed for everything and to be chased all across town, I know that you're just doing your job. At least you're not setting me up like Walker, or threatening to add my pelt at the foot of your bed like Skulker, or even using me as a pawn like Plasmius."
Plasmius. That name sounds oddly familiar.
Ugh, of course!
I mentally slap myself as I realized where I saw that name not long ago: the Plasmius Maximus, the device that Skulker used against Phantom.
Something here isn't right. Skulker mentioned how I allowed him to do his job. So, does that mean he works for this Plasmius guy? Who the heck is he, anyway?
Instead of telling the ghost kid about my suspicions, I prefer to ask him something else. "Who is Plasmius?"
My enemy makes a face as soon as I repeat the same name he mentioned a couple of seconds ago. "He's one seriously crazed up fruit loop who just happens to be my archenemy," he explains with a shudder. Well, that's disappointing. And here I thought I was his archenemy. "You already met him," the spook continues, which causes me to raise an eyebrow to match my quizzical look. "Remember our battle side by side against the Fright Knight and the army of ghost skeletons?" Remember? How could I forget? "There was a vampire-like ghost with us. That's Plasmius."
Is he trying to mess with my head or something? Probably. So, now his nemesis turns out to be the same guy he became allies with? That doesn't make sense.
But then, again, I made the same mistake, right? I can't really blame him without sounding like a hypocrite.
"If he's supposedly a bad guy, why did he join us, then?" I ask with a challenging tone. It's not like I really trust that spooky fiend, but I'm not eager to bank on Phantom either.
"Because he had a lot to lose. He never wanted Pariah Dark to rule the Ghost Zone or Earth. He wants to be the ruler, among other things he wants to accomplish," Phantom answers, muttering the last part with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Other things? Like what?" I question him again.
"Like trying to convince me to join him," the ghost replies bitterly. "He's also the one sending out his minions to kill m-Danny's dad."
Did he just cover up a slip-up? No, maybe I'm just being a little bit too paranoid.
Well, this is interesting… Plasmius wants to have Phantom on his side? He can't be good news, then.
"Why does he want to kill Mr. Fenton?" I ask instead.
"He blames him for ruining his life," he answers simply. Just before I can come up with another question, he stares at me with a curious glance. "Why are you suddenly so interested in Plasmius? I thought you were concerned about Danny."
Busted. Well, it's not like he wasn't going to find out sooner or later, right? "Do you remember the shock Skulker gave you?" I inquire, to which Phantom nods. "Well, I got a chance to look at the device he used. It had two words written on it: Plasmius Maximus. Ever heard of it?"
Phantom's eyes are wide open. I take that as a sign of recognition. "Are you sure?" his eerie voice questions, the shock apparent in his words.
"Yeah. I was trying to sneak on Skulker when I saw it," I confirm.
Softly, he shakes his head. "So, it didn't work?" he ponders out loud to himself. Huh? How is it supposed to work instead? "Unless… oh, crud," the ghost boy exclaims in near panic.
"What now?" I exclaim impatiently.
"I, uh… think I might know what happened to Fenton," he exclaims, speaking those words as if he were contemplating a new idea.
This time, my eyes are the ones that go a bit wide before replying. "Really? You happen to know just by listening to the name of some apparently broken device?" I inquire with some disbelief.
What are the chances of figuring out this problem all of the sudden just by hearing one name? I really can't get the thought out of my head that Phantom is just trying to play with me once again. He knows a lot more and I'm sure he's in some seriously tangled business. One second he wants to act dumb (though he doesn't need to put that much effort into it), and then he sounds like he might have all the answers.
The ghost kid looks at me nervously, though I don't know the real reason behind that tension. He's hiding something big. "The device is not broken. It was… modified. At least that's what I'm guessing," he explains. There's suddenly a pause. That spook sure likes to get dramatic at times. His expression is even grim during this brief silence. "I think they used it to make Fenton disappear. And if part of it works the way I remember, then it's going to be at least two more hours before we can find him."
I stare at him perplexed. "What? How the heck do you know that?"
Why is everything so complicated when it comes to Danny or Phantom?
Notes:
All right, who actually thought that Danny was going to tell her the real truth? I know his version of the truth was somewhat lame (gulps) but I hope you enjoyed this chapter either way.
The question now is, will Danny's secret be exposed at all in this story? (Walks away whistling)
Next update:
Chapter 4: The BreakingComing soon to computers near you.