Hey everyone. Finally! Chapter Eight! I had a lot of fun writing this one so I hope you like it.
Eternal Night
Chapter Eight
It had been two weeks since the incident in the graveyard and Kya tried to avoid Danny as much as possible. During those two weeks, she had seen some of the most common ghosts in Amity Park and had even battled a few. Most of the time though, she watched Phantom as he fought them, memorizing how they fought and what they could do. When she did fight the ghosts, she made sure not to be seen by Phantom or by any humans who happened to be in the area. She didn't want to be seen as a new evil ghost, and she didn't want to draw attention to herself either.
The sun had just risen and Kya stared at the ceiling, watching as the shadows began to recede. It was a weekend, but she still got up early. It seemed to be a habit of hers ever since she got her ghost powers, that and she never needed as much sleep or much to eat. Kya had a feeling that today would not be a good day and she wanted to stay in bed, but she knew that would never happen. Something always seemed to happen to make her do something she didn't want to do. As expected, she felt her mother's nervousness as she walked up the stairs. Kya's door opened and her mother walked into the room.
"What do you want?" asked Kya and her mother jumped slightly.
"I have something I want to tell you so you won't be surprised," said her mother.
"Surprised?" asked Kya and she turned to her mother with a glare, not liking where this was going.
"Well…today…it's um…" said her mother.
"Spit it out already," snapped Kya.
"There's a family reunion today and all of our relatives are coming over today to see our new house and some may stay over for a little while," said her mother.
"WHAT?!" screamed Kya. "Why are you only telling me this now?!"
"Well, you've been busy lately and we've been working in the lab…" said her mother trailing off.
"In other words, you forgot," said Kya. "Just get out so I can get dressed."
"Kya, could you please wear something other than black today?" asked her mother. Kya only glared and her mother hastily left the room. She got out of bed and headed into her closet, pulling out a pair of black pants, a long-sleeve black shirt with a red dragon wrapping around her torso and down her left arm. She dressed and pulled on a pair of black tennis shoes and walked into the bathroom to brush out her hair and tie it up in a ponytail. When she finished tying the black ribbon around her neck, she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Kya stopped in the doorway and stared. Some of her relatives had already arrived. At the table sat her Aunt Serra and Uncle Ian, both were talking merrily to her parents. Over at the fridge was her cousin Devon who was about thirteen. Kya walked into the kitchen and went over to the counter near the sink and picked up an apple and bit into it. At the sound, her parents and relatives looked up and her relatives smiled while her parents looked at her warily.
"Kya! I was wondering when you would come down. Though, if I remember correctly, you never were a morning person," said Ian.
"No, I'm not. It's nice to see you all again. How have you been?" asked Kya in a pleasant tone, but her expression was indifferent.
"We've been great. Devon's been doing well in school ever since you tutored him last time we saw you. You truly are a genius," said Serra.
"Not really," said Kya with a shrug and Devon glared at her. She felt his glare and his indignation. She glanced down at him and glared back. At her icy glare, he hid behind Ian. With a smirk, Kya finished her apple and threw the core into the trash.
"So, Kya, how has your research been going?" asked Ian.
"Research?" asked her mother.
"Eve, you don't know about your daughter's research?" asked Serra.
"She's been researching a ghost's energy source. She told us about it the last time we saw her, but she wasn't that interested then. I think she wanted to get your attention," said Ian and Kya glared at him.
"I've found out quite a bit recently actually," said Kya.
"Really? Fill us in why don't you?" asked Ian with a big smile.
"I've found out that ghosts get their energy from human emotions which would explain why they torment humans. Malevolent ghosts get their energy from fear, anger, hatred, and so on. Benevolent ghosts get their energy from happiness and sometimes love. Poltergeists get their energy from frustration, annoyance and sometimes fear and nervousness. The malevolent and poltergeists do what they do so they can feed off those emotions and gain power from them. To ghosts, emotions are like a drug and they get addicted so they come back for more and can't resist coming to the human world. In the Ghost Zone, they stay at the same power level, never weakening never getting stronger, so they come to get energy from human emotions. That's why ghosts come here," said Kya.
"But Kya, there is no such thing as a benevolent ghost, right Alan?" asked Eve.
"Right," said Kya's father with a nod.
"You only say that because you're prejudiced and because you refuse to see them," snapped Kya with a glare. Serra and Ian were surprised at Kya's attitude toward her parents and Devon seemed to study Kya. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go let in our other relatives who are coming to the door." Kya left the room and those left were staring at the door.
"How does she know that they're coming to the door?" asked Devon.
"I don't know. Maybe you can ask her later," said Serra and Devon nodded. Kya opened the door and was greeted by her grandparents.
"Kya! It's so good to see you! My, you've gotten so big!" cried her grandmother and she hugged Kya. Kya twitched but allowed her grandmother to hug her. Her grandfather stepped through the door and looked at Kya.
"What's with all the black girl? And why are you so quiet? The last time we saw you, you were all loud and hyperactive," said her grandfather.
"Times change," said Kya. "My parents are in the kitchen with Aunt Eve, Uncle Ian and Devon." Her grandparents went to the kitchen and Kya closed the door with a sigh. She walked over to the kitchen door, but stayed in the hall, hidden by the wall.
"What's with that girl? She used to be happy," asked Serra.
"I really don't know. She just changed one day. We never found out why," said Eve.
"Kya is really different now. She's scary," said Devon.
"That's not all. We hardly ever see her anymore. She's always in her room or somewhere in town. She never talks and when she does, it's some sarcastic comment or an insult," said Alan.
"Really?" asked Grandma.
"Yeah. Also, her grades have dropped, but they're rising again. She also gets in trouble at school and she has so many big scars and she won't tell us where they're from," said Eve.
"If she had so many big scars, don't you think you would have noticed if your daughter was severely hurt?" asked Serra with a stern look.
"Of course we would," said Alan.
"Not when you're in the lab all day long," said Kya, leaning on the doorway. "It seems you all forgot that I'm still in the house." Kya glared at all of them. "Let me tell you all something; my parents hardly ever leave their lab except for food or a bathroom break. They're never there when I come home, and the only time they talk to me is to tell me bad news, yell at me, or annoy me. They know less about me than they do of ghosts which is saying something."
"Kya!" yelled Alan.
"See?" asked Kya. "Now, there's another person at the door. I suggest one of you go get it, because I'm not going to." Kya left the kitchen and headed into the backyard. She leaned against a tree and waited for everyone to arrive and come to the back for the barbeque. After a while, everyone had arrived, but they were all inside talking. Just then, the door opened and all of Kya's cousins came outside. Devon sat at one of the tables set up with another boy about twelve named Dane. Three young girls ran around the yard chasing each other. One was seven and her name was Lily. Another was eight and her name was Talia. The last one, Kya had never met so she had to be less than four. Ignoring them, she began to hum. Still, none of the younger kids noticed her until she began to sing.
You gotta be out there
You gotta be out there somewhere
Wherever you are
I'm waiting
Cause there are these nights when
I sing myself to sleep
And I'm hoping my dreams bring
You close to me
Are you listening?
Hear me I'm crying out
I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down
Find me
I'm lost inside the crowd
It's getting loud
I need you to see
I'm screaming for you so please
Hear me
Can you hear me?
I used to be scared of
Letting someone in
But it gets so lonely
Being on my own
No one to talk to and
No one to hold me
I'm not always strong
Oh I need you here
Are you listening?
Hear me I'm crying out
I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down
Find me
I'm lost inside the crowd
It's getting loud
I need you to see
I'm screaming for you so please
Hear me
I'm restless and wild
I fall but I try
I need someone to understand
(Can you hear me?)
I'm lost in my thoughts
And baby I've fought
For all that I've got
Can you hear me?
Hear me I'm crying out
I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down
Find me
I'm lost inside the crowd
It's getting loud
I need you to see
I'm screaming for you so please
Hear me
"Wow, you have a really pretty voice," said the youngest girl that Kya didn't know.
"Kya, we didn't see you here. This is Mai my little sister," said Talia.
"Hi," said Kya in a bored tone.
"Kya?" asked Lily in a quiet voice. Kya looked down at her and she shrank away.
"Yes Lily?" asked Kya.
"Will you play with us?" asked Lily.
"Sorry, but I don't feel like it," said Kya.
"Kya, why have you changed so much?" asked Talia.
"Because things have happened and I've seen things that I never want to think of ever again. I've gotten older and I've matured. The same thing will happen to all of you one day, but you won't turn out like me," said Kya.
"Will you sing again?" asked Mai and Kya turned to the little girl. Kya froze. She looked so much like Ami.
"Sorry, no. Look, I need to go relax for a little while," said Kya and she went inside the house.
"What's with her?" asked Dane.
"When she looked at Mai, she froze. I don't know why," said Talia. The five kids ran inside to their parents and told them.
"She's taking a shower now," said Eve. "When she's done, why don't you all ask her to show you around town? I'm sure you'd like to see the place." The kids cheered and ran outside to wait for Kya.
Kya went into the bathroom and undressed. She pulled out a towel and set it on the counter, turned on the water, and got in when the water was warm. The water ran down her body and she relaxed, letting her mind wander. She remembered some of the times she spent with Ami, the crazy stunts they pulled, the pranks they played, and the havoc they caused. A small smile graced Kya's lips but she frowned when she felt a wave of cold and a light thud. She passed off the thud as the kids downstairs and turned up the heat of the water.
Kya ran her fingers through her hair and froze when she felt something cold touch her foot.
Danny had been rudely awakened by his ghost sense telling him that there was a ghost nearby. Quickly getting dressed, he grabbed a Fenton Thermos and transformed into Danny Phantom and flew through the wall. Instantly alert, he looked around for any sign of the ghost. A flash of green flew by and he gave chase. He had never seen the ghost before, but it didn't matter, he was going to get rid of it as soon as possible.
The ghost suddenly stopped and confronted Danny with a maniacal grin. They fought using only punches and kicks, and then Danny threw in an ecto-blast. The ghost got blasted into the ground and it flew back up and glared at Danny. The ghost rushed Danny and threw him towards a house. Instantly, Danny turned intangible until he slowed down and then turned tangible again. He hit a wall and noticed that he was sitting in water. Rubbing his head he looked up to see blue eyes looking down at him.
Kya looked down and her eyes widened when she saw neon green eyes staring back at her. Phantom's face turned beet red and Kya screamed. Phantom flew out of the shower and Kya turned off the water.
"I'm so sorry!" cried Danny as he tried to leave. Kya grabbed his collar and he looked back at her to see her wrapped in a towel.
"You are so dead," growled Kya.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. There was a ghost and it threw me," said Danny trying to explain himself.
"I don't care," said Kya and she began to beat the crap out of the poor ghost. He flew intangibly through the door and Kya followed, grabbing his leg and pulling. She punched him and he landed on the ground with a groan. A green mist came from Kya's mouth and she turned around to see the ghost from earlier in the week that she had fought. It had tried to steal her box.
"You," growled Kya. "Phantom, I'm not done with you." She glared over her shoulder and Danny gulped. "I have a little payback for you," she said to the other ghost. She then proceeded to beat the ghost until it was a pile of ectoplasmic goo. She turned around and Phantom was gone. Kya glared at the floor and started to yell. "Phantom! You get your ass back here! I'm not done with you yet you pervert! Next time I see you, I'll beat the hell out of you!" Kya heard a gasp from the stairs and she turned around.
Standing at the top of the stairs, were the five kids. There were all staring at Kya as if she was crazy. "Auntie Eve! Kya's going crazy and she's cursing!" yelled Devon.
"I'm not going crazy you little brat," snapped Kya. She stormed into the bathroom and got dressed. When she got downstairs, all the adults had scolding looks on their faces.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't curse around the kids," said Serra.
"And what were you yelling about young lady?" asked Alan.
"I was taking a shower and a stupid ghost shows up and sees me naked. Then another ghosts shows up letting the other escape, but it got beaten to goo," said Kya.
"But our alarms would have gone off," said Eve.
"Obviously, they didn't. Go upstairs and take a look at the pile of ectoplasmic goo on the floor. I think that will be proof enough," snapped Kya. Her parents went up the stairs and everyone else looked at her like she was crazy.
"So, ghosts actually exist?" asked Dane.
"Of course. And Phantom is so going to get it when I see him again," growled Kya.
"Phantom?" asked Talia.
"He's the main ghost of this town. His full name is Danny Phantom and he fights the other ghosts that try to cause chaos," Kya explained absently. She felt a tug at her jeans and she looked down to see Mai looking up at her.
"Will you show us around town?" she asked. Kya sighed.
"Do all of you have shoes on?" asked Kya and they nodded. "Fine, let's go." They walked out the door and headed down the street. "All of you stay near me. If any of you wander off, I'll punish you myself and then tell your parents." All the kids nodded. Kya led them around the city and stopped at the park to let them play for a little while. She stared at the sky while sitting on a bench and let her mind wander. Suddenly, there was a scream and Kya immediately jumped up and looked for her cousins. A large panther ghost had pinned a terrified Mai to a tree. The young girl was screaming and crying.
Kya rushed over and kicked the panther in the ribs, just behind the shoulder and it hissed in pain, letting Mai go. The little girl began to run and the panther licked its lips, anticipating a good meal. It chased after Mai and was about to slash her across the back with its claws when Kya jumped in the way. The claws tore through her flesh from her let shoulder, across her stomach, to her right hip. She cried out in pain as she fell to the ground, blood coloring the grass red, the drops glittering like rubies in the fading light.
"Kya!" yelled Mai and she ran to her cousin.
"Run," said Kya quietly.
"No! You're hurt!" cried Mai. Her other cousins ran over and Kya struggled to get up as she heard the panther growl. Her cousins hid behind her as she stood holding her right hand to her chest, blood dripping down her arm.
'This is going to be hard trying to protect them and fighting that thing at the same time,' thought Kya trying to think of a way to get the panther to keep its attention on her. Kya rushed the panther and her little cousins gasped. She slid to the ground and slid under the panther's stomach. With all her strength, she kicked up with both feet causing the big cat to scream in pain and fly into the air. Kya rolled as it began to fall to the ground and avoided its large body. The panther growled and got to its feet just as Kya did.
"Kya!" yelled Devon as Kya staggered.
"Shut up!" yelled Kya but the panther had already heard him. It ran towards the group of kids and they stood frozen in fear. Kya ran after the panther and slammed into its side, sending them tumbling across the grass. The panther bit down on Kya's right shoulder and she screamed in pain. She pulled out a small dagger that was hidden in her sleeve and stabbed the panther's eyes. It screamed in pain and yanked its head back, pulling the dagger from Kya's hand. Kya lunged, grabbed the knife, and pulled it out, only to stab the panther's other eye. Screaming again, it thrashed around in a blind rage, trying to hit Kya. Its claws sliced Kya's right leg until it collapsed from exhaustion. Kya pulled out and little device and put it on the panther and pressed a button. The panther disappeared in a bright green light.
"Kya!" cried her cousins as they ran over to her. Kya kneeled to the ground, breathing heavily with her eyes closed. Blood flowed freely onto the grass and the little ones looked worriedly at Kya.
"Are you okay?" asked Mai.
"Of course she's not! Look at all that blood!" cried Dane.
"I'm fine," said Kya and they looked down at her. She gave them a small smile. "Don't worry, I'll be good as new in no time. Now, let's get you home. Luckily, it's not far." They slowly walked down the street, Kya limping and walking slowly while the children surrounded her, helping her when she needed it. They were almost home when Kya heard someone call out to her. She turned and saw Danny running towards them.
"Kya, what happened?" asked Danny.
"Ghost attack. Giant panther," said Kya with a little difficulty.
"Let me help," said Danny and he gently lifted her arm and draped it across his shoulders. Kya flinched and he loosened his grip. "Let's get you home. Then we'll call an ambulance."
"No!" cried Kya. "No, I'll be fine. This is nothing."
"This isn't nothing! You've been torn to shreds! You look like a cat's scratching post," said Danny.
"That's essentially what I've become," said Kya with a smirk. "Look, I've had worse than this and I didn't go to a hospital then, so I don't need to go now. Just get me home and I'll take care of it myself." Danny scowled but did as he was told. They reached Kya's house after a couple minutes of walking and the children ran inside to their parents. The adults ran into the room and gasped.
"Kya! What happened to you?!" cried Eve as she ran to her daughter.
"Back off!" yelled Kya and Eve stood frozen in shock. "Just go to my room and bring me that box that is under my bed." Eve ran up the stairs and brought down a large metal box. Danny sat Kya down in one of the chairs in the kitchen and Kya opened the box. Inside were all kinds of medical supplies.
"Do this often?" asked Danny with a raised eyebrow.
"You have no idea," muttered Kya. "Anyone who is squeamish should leave the room. Danny, can you get me a large bowl of hot water and a pile of rags?" Danny nodded and a minute later, he had what she had asked for. Mai and the other kids stood at the door and watched Kya as she cleaned her wounds, stitched some, covered them with different kinds of ointments, and covered them with bandages. When Kya was finished, she leaned back in the chair and put her hands to her head. "I need painkillers." Danny handed her a cup of water and a couple of pills. "Thanks."
"Your welcome," said Danny with a smile and Kya took the medicine. "You know, I think this is the most civil I've seen you."
"What? Am I usually a barbarian?" asked Kya with a smirk and Danny laughed.
"No, just mean," said Danny.
"This is me in pain. Don't get used to it," said Kya.
"What in the world happened to you young lady?" demanded Alan.
"I was attacked by a damn panther ghost!" snapped Kya.
"No, we were and Kya protected us," said Mai. "That ghost was going to kill me, but Kya stood in front of me and got hit instead."
"Then she attacked the panther head on!" cried Devon.
"She beat the crap out of that ghost!" cried Dane.
"She protected us with her life," said Talia.
"She got hurt because of us," said Lily.
"Not because of you, for you. And don't blame yourselves. The ghost was the one that did this to me, not you," said Kya.
"Kya, thank you so much for protecting our kids," said Serra with tears in her eyes.
"They're family, and they're only kids," said Kya. "Listen to me, all five of you." The kids perked up and watched her intently. "Life is short and you never know what can happen to you. Live your life the way you want to and don't let anyone control you. Do what you want, live your dreams, because you never know if or when they'll be taken from you. Never give up, always push forward, and never look back at the mistakes you'll make. Learn from them, and you'll be happy." The kids nodded and the adults looked at Kya strangely.
"Since when did you become a philosopher?" asked Danny with a smile.
"Never. I just have a lot of time to think," said Kya. Danny helped Kya upstairs to her room and helped her get in bed.
"You better get a lot of rest. Get better quick okay?" asked Danny and Kya nodded. "I need to get home, but I'll come visit you tomorrow. Bye." Kya nodded and her eyes began to close. Soon, she slipped into a dreamless sleep.
Wow. This is longer than I thought it would be. Oh well. I finally thought of an idea for this chapter, but now I no idea what to do next. It may take a while to get the next chapter up, but I'll do my best.
