Danny's POV
Backstage was dark and dimly lit with the remaining spotlights on stage. Sam and Tucker sat with me on rickety old wooden chairs as some people in the stage crew rushed by us. Today was an interesting day (even more then normal). My parents were having a public press conference/interview about ghosts, including all their biology research and methods to fight against them.
Even though they still thought all ghosts as malevolent creatures trying to take advantage of humans especially Danny Phantom, I was proud of them. Ever since ghosts started coming to Amity Park they were viewed as less idiotic, psycho, people who obsessed over ghosts, and more so the researchers and hunters they truly are. Tonight they finally really got to share their research to the public, the stuff they'd dedicated their whole lives to.
Both Sam and Tucker were happy by this idea too and came to keep me company since Jazz had emergency research she had to do. The interview seemed to be going pretty good so far, the audience, and live streaming cameras, were eating it up. They were really making it known to the community all about ghosts, sadly that means more people now thought ghosts were dangerous and needed to be destroyed. That was definitely a downside.
It was finally time for the QA section, the reporters and journalists were practically bursting at the seams from all their questions. As soon as it started there were dozens of questions shouted out in the audience eventually Mom ended up choosing reporters one at a time. She must have pointed at someone because the guy proceeded to shout out his question "What do you plan to do with the ghosts in Amity Park." Thank the ancients they decided Mom would answer most of the questions "Well, we plan to stop any rampaging we get to before Phantom and then either release them back into the portal or study them for a period of time to make better equipment or learn more then we already do."
Another reporter asked his question "How do you feel about Phantom since he is a ghost as well." I thought they would go onto a speech dictating how evil he was, but instead Mom reluctantly answered "We believe Phantom is... an interesting case." Dad continued for her "Though we don't completely trust Phantom he has protected the town from his own kind many times. Our Jazz is currently researching the mindsets and emotional spans of ghost and has found supporting evidence that they have emotion. And possibly some ideas to do good for others." Mom finished it off "It's in theory so far but Jazz is really certain about this."
Lots of murmuring in the crowd was the response to that. I can't believe it, I looked at Sam and Tucker and they looked equally surprised, Tucker had even stopped multitasking on his PDA "Did they really just consider not all ghosts are evil, including Phantom?" I looked out onto the stage through the gaps in the curtains and saw the honesty in their eyes. I finally responding it sounded weak even to myself "Yeah, I-I think they actually did." Maybe just maybe they'd actually accept Phantom, me, someday.
The next reporter was a females voice who sounded ever so slightly doubtful "So, you actually have children?" I could practically feel the annoyance radiating off of Mom from that comment, luckily Dad responded to that "Yep. We have Jazz in Danny, the most important parts of our lives." A few awww's were heard from the audience, the loudest and most sarcastic was from Tucker beside me until he was cut off by Sam's elbowing him in the ribs.
Mom had calmed down from the comment "The two off them weren't very interested in our career until after the Pariah Dark incident, but after that they seemed quite interested and attentive to it. A little like everyone else too." Many people who had doubted and ridiculed the Fenton's before the incident shifted awkwardly or even coughed. *Cough cough* a lot of people did *cough*.
Another female reporter continued "Are either of them here tonight?" Dad looked back at the curtains happily, "Yep! Danny-boy is hanging out backstage with his friends." I swear to Clockwork stars lit up in most of the reporters eyes "Can we see him?!" Mom knows I hate attention completely and utterly so maybe she'll be able to stop them- "YEAH! Coms on out Danny and we can show them our pride and joy." I love my dad, I really do but I was not impressed with him for that.
Looking to the sides of me Sam and Tucker's faces were split into big grins, that's when I knew my fate was sealed. All the audience heard in the moment of silence was a drawn out groan and two muffled laughs before Danny Fenton seemed to be shoved out onto the stage. I was almost shoved face first onto the stage but instincts kicked in and I did a roll before standing up quickly and shuffling over to my parents. On my social anxiety instincts I had my hands up over my face, definitely burning red like a bright tomato as the audience clapped enthusiastically. I'm not sure whether the clapping was so loud because I was the Fenton's son or because I just did some sort of ninja roll onto the stage, media's reactions are so confusing.
Forcing my hands down I glanced over the sea of reporters who all looked at me like Dad would to the last piece of fudge, well I'm terrified. Speaking of my lovable father he proceeds to take hold of my shoulders and basically present me in front of them to the world. In return I, exasperation clearly written all over my face, look helplessly to my mom who I could see had pity in her eyes. We share a look, but we both accept there's no way I'm getting out of this now.
The next statement from my dad caused an aproar for the reporters "All you questions will go to him." he basically just tossed me to the wolves. I would much rather go against hoards of ghost animals then face these bloodthirsty animals. As reporters started yelling questions everywhere's, Mom put a stop to it by yelling "EVERYONE QUIET!" When my mom comes yelling everyone should rightfully be terrified, therefore it gave her a moment of peace to continue "What Jack means is Danny will be taking over FentonWorks when he's older and you will direct all of these questions to him someday."
A few gasps went around the room from locals who thought of me as the scared Fenton kid but luckily this time I wasn't one of them. About a month ago we had decided as a family I would be taking over, Jazz never had any interest of taking over the family business though now she would always support it, and there's no way I'm leaving Amity Park defenceless, though my parents didn't know about me being Phantom yet. The gasps that did echo around the room were mostly covered by groans of the reporters since it's always young people being asked questions that got more views.
Maybe I could get out of this without talking at all- "Danny will answer three questions now and then he'll go backstage with his friends again." Dang It mom I was so close, but the prospect of hiding behind the curtains once more was very tempting.
The reporters finally seemed to accept this and waited patiently to be picked, having already been with the Fenton's for an hour they know how it works. Dad led me to the centre of the stage and Mom arrived beside me, handing me the microphone. "Do you want to choose them?" placing my hand of the microphone I whispered back "You choose, make sure they're the good ones."
She nodded her head, completely understanding my terrible social skills, and pointed to a man up front. "What do you think about your parents work?" "Er- I think you're going to have to be a bit more specific." my voice echoed around the room joined by a few chuckles. The man was about to respond when another guy cut in rudely.
"Daniel, have your parents ever experimented on you?" without my consent my hands tightened around the microphone my knuckles turning white. My gaze snapped to the man at the front, he was smirking smugly at my reaction and it was extremely difficult to keep my eyes from going green. When I had first become a Halfa the fear had crossed my mind but I realized my parents would never do that. Sure if they found out they'd have a field day but they would accept me and support me, their parents first. Not scientists.
I levelled the guy with the most heated glare I could muster (that wasn't green) and responded accordingly. "First, it's rude to cut people off. Second, no. My parents would never do that to me, or anybody. They love their work and I support them but they would never do that. Don't you dare think for a second my parents are those kind of people. So for anyone here who even thinks they mistreat me or Jazz, get it out of your heads right now because you're wrong."
Another shocked silence seemed to appear, but I don't care all these people should know by now. Mom and Dad had been questioned like this before but they weren't expecting that reaction out of me. Okay... maybe I'm a little overprotective. My glare stopped and I looked back as my mom took my hand and squeezed it, I smiled sheepishly back at her even though I was still mad about that guy. I swear if the rest of these questions are like that this isn't going to go well.
We shared a nod, Mom looked back at the crowd and chose a girl with fluffy blond hair holding a notepad more towards the back. "Are you actively involved in many ghost attacks?" in reality I'm involved with almost all of them, but they can't know that "Well, the high school gets attacked or the fights are near it like- maybe three or four times. Depending on the day, you know." I ended up glancing back at Mom and she motioned for me to continue, damm long questions.
"Umm once all the adults in Amity Park, plus Jazz, we're brainwashed into going on a cruise which was actually a illusion made by Ember and Youngblood who can only be seen by people with child like minds. So basically our entire class came together to save our parents, after a few hours, and we helped rescue the adults while Phantom finished off the ghosts."
A loud cough was heard off stage followed by a loud voice "Actually this nerd took lead of the class, taught them all how to fight with ghost weapons, made the plan, fought the powerful ghosts there, and then alerted Phantom of what was going on while the other kids freed the adults." I heard more laughter from backstage and my face lit up like a tomato, again. Quite a few heads whipped to look at me, especially my parent's.
I covered the microphone and yelled behind me "SHUT UP TUCKER." there was even more laughter from my oh so supportive friends. I've got to admit my parents faces were priceless but, "I'll explain later" is the last thing is said before uncovering the microphone again. Thank the ancients, Mom took that as a sign and chose the last questioner, it was some weird guy. He looked to be about a head taller then me but was still skinny, I couldn't make him out much but he seemed to have red hair. "Excuse me Danny Fenton, but what happened to you exactly two years ago today?"
He said the question as more of a statement or accusation, like he already knew what happend but he wanted me to say it to the audience. My parents looked confused trying to figure out what the stranger was talking about, but I knew. My face definitely looked (pun intended) like I'd seen a ghost, colour drained from it. Exactly two years ago today was- the portal accident, the accident that turned me into a half-ghost changing me forever.
"I-I uh." I looked back to where Sam and Tucker were sitting, they both weren't laughing now, I wished I could join them again where no one could see me. "T-two years ago today I had an accident with the prototype portal in our basement." My parents gasped both finally realizing what today was, I'd never forgotten, the stranger seemed to smirk though I still couldn't make him out much. "I was being an idiot and showing Sam and Tucker the portal. I ended up going in and accidentally activated it. But- hah- I ah fixed it by doing that at least."
"It must have been painful. You were in a coma for a week after the incident." I winced and a few startled people around the crowd gasped. "Yah it was.." "Then how about you tell me why Danny Phantom a ghost that greatly resembles you, appeared not long after your incident?" Oh this guy is getting really to close for comfort. "With my accident the portal started working so he must have come out of the ghost zone, or made his own portal to the human world to stop rampaging ghosts."
"Right right of course. Can you explain why you and Phantom have never been seen in the same place even though your the son of two ghost hunters and you're friends have even said you've met Phantom. Even your classmates say you're never to be seen when Phantom's fighting ghosts." If it was physically possible my face whitened more and my grip on the poor microphone held tight again. "Wh- What are you trying to get at?"
"What I want to know? Danny Fenton What is your connection to Danny Phantom?" Oh my Clockwork I see who it is now. I know that red freckled prick anywheres, it's Wes Weston. For about half a year he's been preaching to everyone that I'm Danny Phantom and so on. It's true sure but luckily must people shrug it off and laugh, the weird Fenton kid who always carries around a thermos our hero? Unbelievable. Let's just hope people don't believe it now.
"Pff- now I know who that is. Weston, how many times do I have to tell you that your theory isn't true. It's not like I'm a ghost living with ghost hunter parents or some comic book stuff, honestly Wes." I laughed it off, only the really perspective ones could know I was faking. "Oh no way Fenton, you aren't getting out of it this time-" in that terrible moment my blessings came in the form of my two best friends.
Sam and Tucker sprinted out onto the stage, they both linked arms with me, probably looking ridiculous, and Tucker grabbed the microphone out of my hands. "Sorry folks we've got to take Danny here off your hands." At this point no one argued, still very confused as to what's going on. "Give it up for Danny Fenton!" Clapping and a few cheers went up in the crowd, as Sam dragged me away, Tucker quickly following leaving the confused Fenton's on stage with the microphone.
Once we were backstage and briskly walking through the exits we started laughing "Oh fek that ended abruptly." "I swear I'm going to murder that Weston." Sam in that moment looked very ready to storm back in and do just that. "Okay how about we wait until there aren't hundreds of witnesses with cameras in the same room." She just grumbled under her breath.
Thank you to my one reviewer for adding your thoughts, I'm glad you like them. I really don't know why I just like more so different views on the show, so that will probably continue for most of the oneshots.