Hello my fellow phans! Would just like to say another quick thank you for all of your support, I know I do this every time, but you take the time to read and review my story the least I can do is acknowledge it!

Anyway…here's chapter 7!

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Sometime later Vlad's limousine pulled up into his grand driveway which framed his even grander home. Danny's faced dropped when he looked out of the window as the limo came to a stop, whilst Vlad's face lifted. He gave a fiendish smirk as he relished the thought of having finally returned to his home. He had been tempted to declare "home sweet home," out of relief for himself and bitterness towards Danny. However, when he saw the boy's face he thought better of it and decided to control himself. He had noticed that as the journey had went on, Danny had become quieter and quieter. He was certain that it wasn't simply because the boy had been feeling slightly unwell earlier.

As the driver opened the door and Vlad stepped out, Danny shrunk further and further into his seat. He felt as though the realisations of what he was doing were beginning to hit him. Why on earth was he moving in with his enemy? The same man who had attempted to kill his father and steal away his mother, who put his friends in danger by attracting a bunch of ghost hunters and his minions to Amity Park, who regularly created chaos and injured Danny. He knew that if Sam and Tucker were here they would be yelling and slapping some sense into him right now.

"Come along, Daniel." Vlad spoke, as he waited for the boy to step out. "Let's get all your things in order shall we?"

Danny stared blankly at the billionaire. He couldn't very well run off or start screaming abuse at Vlad, the man could simply catch up to him and drag him back, and he clearly had too high a hand for Danny to start an argument which he would evidently lose. And realistically, Danny had nothing to accuse Vlad of. For once, the man had done nothing wrong, he had even actually been somewhat nice to Danny recently. Naturally, this only raised the boy's suspicions.

"Daniel? Why are you looking at me like that? Come on let's get inside, its bloody cold out here." Vlad snapped.

Danny's eyed widened, he had never heard Vlad swear before. Well, it was as close to swearing as either Vlad or himself got, generally Vlad referred to sweets or biscuits as a substitute for some reason. Nevertheless, Danny slowly stepped out of the limo, trailing his bag and Bearbert with him. Vlad began to walk towards the huge striking doors of the castle. Danny slowly followed, his stomach turning as his discomfort with the whole situation weighed him down. Vlad turned his head occasionally as they walked through the corridors and upstairs, making sure Danny was still there. The boy didn't respond whilst Vlad was telling him where everything was and what room was what, he couldn't disregard that Danny was also still a whiter shade of pale.

Vlad pointed out his room, the master bedroom, as they walked past it. A few feet down the same hall he opened a door to another large bedroom, they walked in. It was a stunning room, with a charming colour scheme of creams, golds and browns. It made a nice change from the general green and gold, clearly Vlad's obsession with The Packer's hadn't lessened any since Danny's last visit. Danny looked around the room in awe. The was a stunning king sized four poster bed with thick pillows and a heavy duvet, a classy dresser and a wardrobe with a mirror which matched the wood and varnish of the bed and two desks, one with an up-to-date laptop on it, the other next to a bookcase. Not to mention the ensuite bathroom, which Danny couldn't see into properly from the angle which he was stood. The room was indeed, very nice to simply look at.

"This will be your room Daniel." Vlad told him, "I hope it is to your liking, of course you can change it and decorate it any way you wish. You have only to say."

Danny didn't reply. Vlad wasn't surprised by this, the boy had been making conversation very difficult for at least the past hour and a half, and he currently did not have the patience to learn why.

"I'll leave you to get settled then." Vlad said finally, "We arrived a little later than I'd hoped so I'll see you down for dinner in about an hour, hm?"

Danny sighed as Vlad closed the bedroom door behind him. He looked around the room again. He couldn't deny that it was a lovely room, but it wasn't his room, it wasn't what he wanted and he didn't want to have anything to do with it. He dropped his bag and Bearbert on to the floor and slid down himself, leaning against the door. He reached into his bag and pulled out the family photo displaying his family and friends.

"I miss you." He whispered, "I don't know what to do." He then buried his head into his knees, trying to block out the surroundings which he found so distressing.

()()()

Vlad had made his way down to his lab, one of the rooms he decided not to show Danny so as not to spark his temptation and curiosity. But then again how would he even get to get it? The lab was connected to his private study, through a secret passage way disguised by the fireplace, so for Danny to be there would be doubly unacceptable. He entered the lab, and was somewhat pleased to see that Skulker was still at his post.

"Impressive. You managed to complete your task and yet my home and lab are still in one piece." Vlad said to the ghost hunter in a dry tone, "Did the Fright Knight return?"

Skulker greeted his employer with his devious grin, "Not since the last time." Skulker said proudly. "I scared him off. So…Where's the whelp?"

"In his room." Vlad said sternly, "And you're to leave him alone Skulker, do you hear? I don't need you winding him up worse than he already is."

"Aw. Is the whelp wound up? Poor little pup!" Scoffed the ghost, "What do you mean 'his room?' He's hardly staying!"

"Well where else is he going to go?" Snapped Vlad.

"Please Plasmius! You two can't stand each other. I'll give it until the end of tomorrow before either you have him by the throat or he's stuffed you into one of his thermoses! You ever been in one of those? It's not very comfortable." Skulker mused.

"He is most certainly not going to 'stuff' me into his ridiculous thermos." Vlad huffed. "And I should like to think I'll have no reason to have him by the throat. Now about the Fright Knight…"

"He wouldn't need to intent on trapping you in a thermos," Skulker interjected. "Who's gonna protect him from me if you're out of the picture?"

"Skulker I swear to-"

"Honestly Plasmius, what I wouldn't give for the ghost boy's pelt on my wall!" Skulker declared, "Ouch!" He shouted as he was met by an ecto-blast.

"I have warned you." Vlad told Skulker darkly, "Do not make me tell you again."

Skulker pulled himself up. "What was that for? I haven't done anything." He snarled angrily.

"I'm not going to stand here and listen to you threaten my charge, Skulker. Now if you're going to continue working for me I need to know that I can trust you around the boy."

"Yeah, whatever." Skulker grumbled. "But if he crosses me…"

"I'll have a word with him." Vlad cut him off. "Now, about Fright Knight, if he attempts to come back here you inform me the minute he gets here. Got it?"

"Sure. But why do you need me here now you're back? And what's Fright Knight after you for anyway?"

"I need you here because I've other things demanding my attention right now. I don't have the time to be standing around waiting for Fright Knight to show up." Vlad explained.

"Wait…didn't you say you would give my job to him if I refused?" Skulker asked in a concerned tone.

"Simply a rouse, Skulker." Smiled Vlad, "No, I have an unsettled dept. with Fright Knight, and he is proving to be rather impatient about it. The sooner it's settled the sooner he can become my ally and we can move on."

"Something tells me that guy may not be interested in an alliance, Plasmius. After all he tried to smash up your lab and I assume by his temper that he wants to smash up you."

"Doubt it. I practically saved him from the Ghost King." Vlad said smugly, completely ignoring Danny from the situation. "Anyway, I'll see you later. I have to go and convince the boy to eat something."

Skulker grinned, "What, first a bedroom and now food? Jeez Plasmius you didn't say you were striving for father of the year!" He called after Vlad as the man walked away. He was disappointed by Vlad ignoring his comment. "If it were me he'd be locked in a cage like the little rat he his." Skulker grumbled under his breath before he began to inspect his blade for hints of rust.

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Vlad approached Danny's room door and knocked, "Daniel, your dinner's ready." He called. He sighed when he got no response, and knocked again. "Daniel?" Lacking in patience, Vlad simply fazed through the door. He raised an eyebrow, concerned slightly when he saw Danny sat against the door with his head buried into his arms and knees.

"Daniel what are you doing? Have you not unpacked yet?" Vlad asked, confused.

"Go away." Danny muffled through his arms, not surprised that Vlad had fazed through the door. Vlad sighed and left again, fazing through the floor this time. He knew better than to try and argue with the boy. Danny lifted his head and looked around in surprise. Vlad had left him alone? He was sure that the man would have dragged him to the kitchen by his shirt collar rather than simply just leave. However a few seconds later, Vlad appeared in the room again after regaining visibility, and was holding a plate of pasta carbonara. Danny's eyes widened at the man.

"I won't normally allow this, but since this has been a tiring day I'll make an exception." Vlad said whilst setting the plate in front of Danny. "And so help you if you spill any of that on the carpet!" He hissed, before reaching out and lifting Danny's duffel bag.

"Hey what are you doing? That's mine!" Danny protested in an almost childish tone.

Vlad sighed at the boy, "Since you did not bother unpacking, I figured I would give you a hand."

"Put it down!" Danny yelled, standing up and grabbing it. Vlad let go of the bag almost immediately, causing Danny to fall backwards on to the floor. Vlad then leaned down to the boy's level.

"Good, now we have an understanding. Eat your dinner, put your things away, get washed, and go to bed. You're exhausted, and you're not helping my energy levels or temperament any. So do what you've been asked, and we can start tomorrow on a brighter note." He said firmly before standing up and leaving Danny alone in the room.

Danny stared after Vlad. He couldn't understand what had just happened, Vlad was forcing him to do stuff, but…he wasn't? Danny shook his head in confusion. He then looked at the pasta carbonara, the food looked extremely tempting. Danny remembered that he hadn't ate in a very long time, and suddenly his hunger pounced on him. He lifted the plate, a few thoughts concerning whether or not Vlad had poisoned it crossed his mind. However, whenever he inhaled the smell of the dish these thoughts vanished and he quickly spooned the food into mouth. Soon the plate was clean and Danny wiped his mouth, feeling satisfied.

Danny then pulled his duffel bag towards him and unzipped it. He really didn't want to unpack it, that would mean that he would have officially moved in with Vlad. But what choice did he have? Danny let out a shaky sigh,

"It's only temporary," he told himself calmly, "its only temporary."

He then set the three photographs he had brought with him around the lamp which sat on one of the bedside tables. He pulled out the few items of clothing he brought and stuffed them in a drawer, along with the Fenton thermos, his model rocket and posters. He didn't feel like pinning them up. Danny then picked up Bearbert Einstein and sat him next to Jazz's photograph. He smiled, it looked 'right'. Once he held the remaining item from the bag, he tossed it aside. He climbed on to the bed and set his parent's pillow in the centre. As he did, he could faintly smell his mother's scent. He couldn't resist burying his head into the pillow and inhaling the comforting smell. A few saddened tears escaped his eyes, so he kept them closed. Very soon, he'd drifted off to sleep.

()()()

After he had eaten, Vlad returned to the lab to speak with Skulker. He found it rather unusual that he and the ghost hunter were able to uphold any form of conversation, as the two of them were nothing alike. However, Vlad found that there were times when he enjoyed the mechanical ghost's company, particularly times like this when he needed a laugh. The hunter and the halfa had been in Vlad's lab for hours now, discussing all sorts. However, it got to the stage were Vlad knew his human body needed to rest, Skulker continued with his banter.

"Now I must be losing my mind, Plasmius." Skulker laughed loudly, "And I know you have said that time and time again, but all I know is one day he was a pirate and the next he was a cowboy! Madness!"

"Hm, yes, very amusing Skulker." Vlad mumbled with disinterest. "Anyways, I'll see you tomorrow." He said standing up to leave.

"You're going? What for?" Skulker demanded, gutted that his banter was coming to an end.

"Skulker, it's after midnight. I need to sleep, you know that." Vlad told the ghost.

"Hm. That human half of yours sure is a weak spot, Plasmius." Skulker mused.

Vlad smirked at him, "I disagree. I would rather sacrifice a few hours a day for sleep rather than be condemned by the human race and barred from everything they have."

Skulker raised his eyebrows at the half ghost. "Touché."

Vlad flew up to his bedroom, not bothered about walking at this time. He had intended to check on Danny, but this thought had long since left his mind. In fact, he had all but forgotten that the boy was in his home. Little did Vlad know that if he had remembered to check on Danny he would currently find him whinging and shaking on his bed, trapped within his unconscious mind. However, all Vlad had on his mind right now was his luxurious double-king sized bed, his satin sheets, and at least eight hours of non-interrupted sleep.

Danny was in darkness. He could see nothing, he could feel nothing. He wasn't even standing on a surface, he was more or less just floating in this sea of darkness. He could hear something though, it was like hissing. It gradually got louder and it made Danny's skin crawl. Eventually the hissing turned into words, and they were spoke out in an evil voice:

"I'm coming for you Danny! You can't stop me, I'm inevitable! You're pathetic thermos can't hold me…you don't even know where it is. How foolish but typical of you, you've lost it. So now when I break free, mankind will have you to blame when I unleash my reign of terror. Your pitiful family and friends were easy targets, and you're next. Do not deny me Danny, I will win!"

The voice shrieked as its face appeared. Danny cried out as his vision displayed a pale blue face with black and red eyes, white fangs, and a serpent tongue, threatening him.

Danny's screams could be heard well across the landing. They were certainly loud enough to wake a sleeping Vlad Masters. He stirred and sat up in his bed, slowly making sense of what had wakened him.

"Hm…Daniel." He mumbled sleepily, "What is wrong with him now?"

Vlad got out of his bed and went to inspect the screaming coming out of the boy's room. He was surprised by how increasingly loud it was when he entered Danny's room. Surely if it was a nightmare causing this, his screaming would be loud enough to wake him up? Vlad gasped in shock when he saw the horrifying display of Danny screaming and thrashing around on the bed, it looked like the boy was being tortured by an invisible adversary. Vlad walked over to the bed and firmly caught hold of Danny's wrists.

"Daniel wake up! Wake up!" He shouted, shaking the boy slightly. Vlad also applied heat energy through his hands, hoping that the additional sensory element would help bring Danny into consciousness. Danny's screams stopped abruptly and he sucked in a large gulp of air as his eyes shot open. Much to Vlad's concern, they were glowing green. How had he been using his ghost half when he was asleep?

"Daniel, are you okay?" Vlad asked quietly, still holding on to his wrists. Danny had not made eye contact with Vlad yet, it was as though he didn't know he was there. Suddenly Danny's body jerked violently.

"The thermos!" He cried in panic, "I lost it! Where's the thermos?"

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Sorry, I know this isn't a terribly long chapter, I could have kept going but this seemed like a good place to leave off! I'll try to make up for it in the next chapter. Hope you're enjoying it, let me know. Told you I had plans for evil Danny's thermos, ect!

xseriouslyx