Okay, first of all, I realise Sam seemed a little out of character last chapter. Thanks for pointing that out, I'm really sorry about that. Truth is, I was worrying more about getting Valerie to seem in character than anyone else, and I was a little unsure about Sam's reaction anyway, so it didn't go as I had hoped. If I have time, once this is complete I'll go back and alter the chapter, and any ideas you have about that would be great. Secondly, thanks again to DPcrazy and sciencefreak330. Your reviews have been really encouraging. Finally, next week's update will be delayed, because I have some major schoolwork due in and I can't really take time out to write this. Instead of updating next Wednesday, it'll probably be Saturday or Sunday. Sorry about that, I'll go back to Wednesdays after my work's been handed in.
Last chapter revealed Danny and Mimic's alliance to Sam, Tucker and Valerie. Valerie, after a chat with Mimic, is beginning to wonder if Danny Phantom might not be such a bad guy after all.
DISCLAIMER: If you saw it on the TV show, it's not mine.
CHAPTER FOUR: Alliances
A week had past since Sam's outburst, and Antoinette had been forgiven, provided she promised never to pull something like that ever again. Antoinette and Danny had begun to train each other: Mimic using her ten years of experience as a ghost to teach Danny new tricks, and Danny using his year's experience of ghost fighting to help Mimic better defend herself against ghostly attacks. Once a week, they would head out to a large, empty area just outside of Amity, taking turns to show each other what they knew.
'You just need to learn to change the shape of your shield, and to hold it without needing to concentrate on it all the time. Try again, and focus on making it stay up this time.' She told him, attempting to teach Danny how to make his ectoshield into an ectosword- or, for that matter, anything else he might have wanted to make. Danny had quickly mastered getting it into the right shape, but he was having difficulty making it keep its shape once he stopped concentrating on it and tried to fight. She demonstrated again for him, forming a long, glowing green blade. 'It's tricky, but I'm pretty sure you'll get it soon.' She told him encouragingly. The two ghosts, one full, one half, continued to train together, unaware that they were being watched by a certain red-suited huntress.
Valerie watched the two ghosts sparring with one another. They were a lot better than she had thought they were. Maybe they really didn't want to hurt me, she thought. If this is anything to go by, they certainly could've injured me more seriously than they did. Ever since Mimic had had that little chat with her on the roof, she hadn't been sure what to think of Phantom and his new friend. On the one hand, they really did seem to want to protect Amity Park from ghosts, and Mimic's explanations helped clear the air a little with Phantom. Besides, Mimic had really surprised Valerie. She'd been convinced all ghosts were evil, but Mimic had calmly and reasonably explained Phantom's actions and shown... well, a lot more maturity than Valerie had, actually. But on the other hand, they were both lying to the residents of Amity Park, and Valerie wasn't sure she liked the idea of a ghost who could disguise herself as anyone she liked to avoid punishment.
She had thought it over long and hard, and had come to the conclusion that, although she wasn't sure she wanted to befriend the two ghosts, she was willing to make an alliance. But there would be a few conditions...
'Hey, ghost boy!' she shouted, emerging from her hiding place. She had put her ecto-blasters away, and taken her helmet and mask off as a peace offering. She knew it was a risk, but hopefully, Mimic had been telling the truth and would hold Phantom back if he tried to attack.
Alarmed by the noise, Mimic automatically morphed into a girl Valerie recognised as Phantom's cousin, Danielle (Who was actually a female clone of Danny, but Valerie didn't know that.) Phantom lost his concentration, and the ectosword in his hand disintegrated. Upon seeing Valerie, his eyes widened and he dropped into a defensive crouch, a glowing ectoblast forming in his hand, until he felt Mimic lay a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her questioningly.
Upon seeing Valerie, Mimic had returned to her own form, and laid a hand on Danny's shoulder to stop him from trying to attack. 'Danny, it's okay. I talked it all over with her a couple of weeks ago, actually. She's not going to try and destroy us... I hope.' She glanced up at Valerie, who, after a moment's hesitation, nodded. A wide grin split across Mimic's face, a combination of happiness and pure relief. Danny, whoever, looked surprised and worried. 'You- you told her? About what?' he asked, the normally tanned ghost looking extremely pale. Mimic laughed.
'Oh relax, Danny. I didn't tell her anything you wouldn't have told her. I just said that you were a good ghostie, explained your previous actions and told her who I was and what I was up to. She has apparently taken my words to heart, as she is not blasting the living ectoplasm out of us, which is always nice.' She paused, and gave Valerie a thoughtful look. 'I would imagine that our little chat is what she's come to talk about, actually.' Valerie nodded, and turned to face Phantom, clearing her throat.
'Is it true, about that dog and the squeaky toy?' she asked him. He nodded, still looking somewhat dazed, not to mention annoyed with a certain shapeshifter. 'And about my old suit, and the thing with my Dad and my secret?' he nodded again, and a hopeful look was dawning on his face. He looked at her anxiously, and opened his mouth to speak. '...So, you believe me? You... you don't think I'm evil anymore?'
Valerie looked reluctant, unsure how to answer the expectant ghost. 'I'm... willing to reconsider.' She told him. His face fell, but rose again, and he grinned widely. 'Mimic, if this crazy idea of yours hadn't actually worked, I'd be blasting you right back to the ghost-zone, but since Valerie actually seems willing to discuss this with me, you are forgiven.' He told her, beaming. 'And Valerie?' he turned to the ghost hunter, who was giving him rather bemused look. 'I'm so, so glad you've agreed to try and make peace. You have no idea how much it means to me.'
'...So, yeah, I'm not sure I totally trust you, but I do think Mimic was telling the truth. I think that you're a good guy, Phantom, even though I don't like you much. I'll fight on your side, but... on one condition.' Mimic raised her eyebrows. She was currently floating upside down a couple of meters in the air, in her own form but dressed in Phantom's jumpsuit. Her expression was one of faintly annoyed surprise. Danny, on the other hand, looked slightly panicked, and a little disappointed. He had been hoping Valerie would forgive him, but he supposed he would have to take it one step at a time. Val was proud, after all, and didn't like admitting her mistakes. It was a miracle Mimic got her to agree to this at all.
'What condition would that be, Val?' asked Mimic, still hanging upside down, something which was making even Danny feel slightly nauseous by now. Valerie evidently felt the same way, as she looked slightly queasy when she looked at Mimic. 'Turn the right way up first; you're making me feel ill.' Mimic grinned, and flipped herself over before settling cross-legged in the air. 'Thank you.' She stopped, and took a deep breath, wondering how the two ghosts would react. 'My condition is that you have to tell Amity Park about Mimic.'
The ghost in question momentarily lost control of her powers and began to fall, although she regained control of herself before she hit the ground. Danny merely looked mildly surprised: he had been expecting something like that. Valerie didn't like ghosts much, after all. Mimic, panicked, began to protest. 'But they barely trust Danny! They'll never accept a shapeshifter, Val!' Valerie shrugged. 'It didn't stop Phantom, did it? They'll learn to like you in time, Mimic. Besides, wouldn't you like your own uniform? Especially since your powers mean you can wear whatever you can dream up. Do you have any idea how much Paulina would give to be able to do that? She's always moaning about not being able to find the clothes she wants at the mall.' She chuckled, and despite herself, Mimic laughed too.
'It would be nice to get some of the credit. But I don't want to knock Danny's already shaky reputation...' Valerie took a deep breath, and said something she never thought she'd hear herself say: 'I... I know you're a good ghost, Mimic. I'll vouch for you. Both as the Red Huntress and as Valerie Grey.' At this, Mimic looked surprised, but also genuinely happy. 'You'd do that for me?' she asked in a small voice. Valerie nodded. For a moment, the long-dead teen looked unsure of what to do.
The surprised look that had crossed Mimic's face when Valerie offered to vouch for her was nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to the look on Valerie's when the ghost girl flew over to her and hugged her, thanking her over and over again the whole time.
Mimic hadn't really thought when she'd gone to hug Valerie, but she honestly hadn't expected any support from the ghost hunter. Apart from Danny, and now Sam and Tucker, she hadn't really had anybody who would stick up for her since, well, since she'd died. Valerie's offer to vouch for her had meant a lot more to the ghost than Valerie could've guessed, even if that hadn't been the ghost hunter's intention. She grinned at Valerie before they left.
'Val?' she called, smiling widely. 'Thank you, Val.'
Valerie felt confused. A part of her was screaming that all ghosts were evil, and that Valerie was playing right into a trap. But Mimic's sudden gratitude had overwhelmed her. She had never thought of ghosts having emotions before, but both Mimic and Phantom seemed to display the full human range, from anger to joy. She sighed, and kicked her jet sled into life, flying homewards as fast as she could.
Danny and Mimic, meanwhile, had met up with Tucker and Sam and gone back to the training space just outside Amity Park, not only to discuss the Valerie situation, but because Sam wanted to give Mimic a hand choosing a ghost hunting outfit. After suffering the Goth's wrath the week before, Mimic was quite eager to get on her good side and happily accepted Sam's help.
'At least she won't be trying to kill you two anymore, although I still don't think we can trust her.' Said Sam, sat cross-legged on the (ever so slightly scorched, thanks to Danny and Mimic's training sessions) grass. Danny and Mimic were lounging about a few feet away, while Tucker was fiddling with his PDA. Danny nodded his response, and looked at Tucker. 'Anything to add, Tuck?' Tucker shook his head. 'I think Sam's covered all the bases.' He said with a grin. Mimic nodded. 'Yup, I'd say we've talked this topic into an early grave. Change subject?' she asked, lazily.
Sam smiled. 'Okay then. Since Valerie wants Amity Park to know about you, Mimic- the only thing she and I will ever agree on, I think-' Tucker mumbled something about Danny at this point. Sam glared at him, Mimic burst out laughing (Tucker had filled her in on the Danny-Sam situation a little while back, and she was almost as bad as Tucker when it came to 'lovebirds' comments) and poor Danny just looked confused. Sam coughed. 'As I was saying, the only thing we need to cover now is what you'll be wearing to your ghost fights.'
Mimic looked thoughtful. '...I was thinking I'd probably get a jumpsuit like Danny's, because that'd be easier to fight in than loose clothing... I suppose blue, for the colour scheme. What do you think?' She directed this question at Sam, as the two boys had already contributed their ideas. Danny had recommended the jumpsuit, and Tucker had said that since he was neither a fashion guru nor a ghost hunter, but a tech geek, he couldn't really advise her.
Sam looked thoughtful. 'I'd go with dark blue, personally. Or black and purple.' Mimic had chuckled, and morphed into a black and purple jumpsuit. 'Maybe a little too Goth for me, Sam.' She laughed. She changed again, this time making it into a light blue version of Danny's jumpsuit. 'How's this?' She asked. Danny laughed.
'You look like my Mom!' he told her, trying and failing to hold back his laughter. Sam and Tucker joined in, and Mimic hit Danny lightly over the head. 'It's not that much like your Mom's jumpsuit, Danny.' She scowled, and darkened the jumpsuit to midnight blue, turning the belt, boots, gloves and collar a silvery-grey colour. She made the wide collar smaller, so that it covered less of her shoulders and neck. Then she changed her boots slightly, making a small heel. Finally, she lost the silver DP insignia on the front of the jumpsuit, and replaced it with a logo of her own: a little white ghost emblem with blue eyes, roughly the same size as Danny's own symbol. Mimic looked down at her new motif with a grin on her face, and to complete her new outfit she tied her mid-length peacock-blue hair back in a ponytail to keep it out of the way during fights. She looked to the others for approval.
Sam grinned. 'I think I like it. Danny, Tucker, what do you think of our newest ghostly hero?' Tucker grinned. 'Looks good! What do you think, dude?' he poked Danny in the ribs. 'It looks great, Antoinette. Better than the last one, anyway.' He grinned. 'It wasn't that much like your Mom's!' she protested, but Danny ignored her, and the four teenagers, both living and dead, began to pack their things away and prepare themselves for the flight back to Amity Park.
The sun rose over Amity Park to a cloudless sky that Saturday morning, revealing a very nervous-looking ghost pacing backwards and forwards up the wall of a building. As the ghost paced, an alarm clock went off in the bedroom of the youngest Fenton, who had been lying awake with nerves anyway. He shot out of bed and hurriedly dressed, before transforming and shooting out the window to meet his ghostly friend. When Danny and Mimic met, neither spoke to the other, just exchanged anxious looks as they waited for the arrival of Valerie Grey.
They didn't have to wait long: The roar of the jet sled's engines could now be heard, a sound familiar to both ghosts. Valerie rounded the corner, to find a worried Phantom floating in midair before his friend, and a very stressed Mimic, pacing up and down a wall. That's going to take some getting used to, thought Valerie, as she raised an eyebrow at the girl displaying intense disregard for the laws of physics. She could just about handle the floating and the ectoblasts, which she'd seen before, but other ghosts rarely walked up walls, or hovered upside down. Mimic certainly was... weird.
'Hey ghosts!' Valerie called. I used to use that as battle cry, now it's a friendly greeting, she thought, amused. Well, sort of friendly. 'You ready to get this show on the road?' she asked. Mimic paled visibly, and Phantom shot the other ghost a concerned look. 'Val, can this maybe wait a little? She's really worried about it...' he gave her a pleading look, and Valerie was actually about to say yes, when she was interrupted by Mimic.
'Danny, the sooner we get this done, the better.' She said, as firmly as she could in her current condition. 'Val, you'll stick up for me, right?' she asked, looking forlorn. Valerie just nodded. There wasn't any other answer she could give, really.
Phantom smiled comfortingly at Mimic. 'If you're sure. You don't have to, not if it's worrying you that much. Although you really don't need to worry, you know... even if they don't believe you, it doesn't matter, right? They'll come around. They didn't like me either...' he said trying to encourage the scared ghost. Mimic nodded again. She knew that she shouldn't worry so much. But, truth be told, Amity Park was really beginning to grow on her. The past ten years had been pretty dull, with nothing to do but sit around and play with her powers. Sure, all the practice was coming in handy, but it would be no use if she couldn't use what she'd learnt. And although if it came to it, she could just start pretending to be Phantom again, but she didn't particularly like the idea. And what would happen to Phantom's reputation after this little stunt? Would they think he was trying to bring in ghostly minions to harm their town? Would they still trust him?
But she couldn't back out. She had agreed to do this to get Valerie to agree to a truce, an alliance. She had agreed to do this to help Danny. So here we go, she thought. Time to face the music.
They were floating in the city center, Valerie on her jet sled, Phantom and Mimic floating beside her. A few citizens were staring: After all, the Red Huntress was usually trying to destroy ghosts. Valerie cleared her throat.
'Amity Park, this is the Red Huntress. If I could have your attention, please?'
So there you go. You'll have to wait until next chapter to find out what Amity thinks of Mimic, I'm afraid. Just to reiterate: Next week, the chapter won't up on Wednesday like normal, but on Saturday/Sunday. Thanks for reading, please leave a review. And if you have any advice/ideas on how I could improve my writing, please tell me! I can handle criticism, and in fact, I appreciate people pointing out my mistakes so I can correct them. Thanks!
