Eight
It was not till after school let out early that Danny had all of Yugi's friends gathered at the turtle game store. He even had Grandpa Muto in on this to explain about his ghost powers. He figured the kind old man had the right to know as well. The group was inside the living room and Danny stood in front of the TV and faced small crowd. He could see all of them looking at him with worry. He knew they had been in slight shock from realizing that he was the famous Danny Phantom. The half ghost boy was glad that school was let out early due to the mishap in the lunchroom. He would have been for sure that one of them would have accidently let it slip about his powers. Besides, he did promise to tell Yugi's friends about his ghost powers. And to even add to this, Joey and the others seeing him transform back into his original form right in front of them back at school made them even more at shock.
"Yugi was able to find out about my powers." Danny began and glanced over at Yugi, who had Yami still in control. He nodded for the raven-haired boy to continue and he turned back to the others, "I honestly wasn't sure if any of you would ever guess but I better tell you the whole thing."
Danny once again explained how he got his powers and everything. By the time he was done, he could see the shocked looks on all their faces had not flattered. He bit his bottom lip and glanced down at his shoes. He heard a cough although he was not sure who did that. Finally, not taking any more of this long silence, he glanced up through his black bangs and he saw Joey gulp.
"Well, I godda say, for all the time I've spent with Yugi and even Catzi, I godda say…" the blonde laughed nervously and he struggled to find the right words, "You're saying that you are like half dead?"
Danny shrugged, "I really have no idea. I feel alive really. It's just…I guess I have ghost powers or something. I'm what some spirits in the Ghost Zone call a halfa; which is short for half ghost and half human." The raven-haired boy tried to explain.
Grandpa Muto rubbed his chin, "I must say I never thought Jack would ever create something as dangerous as a portal to a dangerous realm." He mumbled to himself and Danny glanced over at him.
"Danny, the thing is we really don't care of what you are," Tea finally said with a deep sigh and shivered slightly, "Even though I'm not a big fan of ghosts…"
Danny laughed nervously, "You guys don't really think I'm a freak then?" he questioned while rubbing his hair.
"To be honest, I think it's amazing that you have ghost powers," Bakura replied thoughtfully and he gave the half ghost boy a kind smile, "Plus I have always had a liking for anything ghost related anyway."
Danny felt more at ease from Bakura's words and turned to the others, "Eh what the heck, Yugi seems to trust you still. I've learned to deal with really weird freaky things going on. Plus I've seen you on TV and saving your town so really, you aren't a bad dude." Joey said with a wide smile.
The raven-haired boy could see the others nodding their heads in agreement too, "Well, that's good to hear." He sighed with relief, "I mean my own parents don't even know about my ghost half."
"They don't? Why not?" Emi questioned with a frown.
"Let's just say they only study ghosts just to capture them and tear them apart molecule by molecule. And they want to do the same thing with my ghost half." Danny answered shortly with a knowing look.
Emi got the point and Bast spoke up in her gentle voice, "Danny, you will not have to worry about any of us telling another soul about your secret. We will keep it to ourselves." She said with a smile that Danny gave her a grateful nod.
There was something about Bast that made Danny wonder. Like with Yami, she seemed oddly familiar. He could see why Yami got embarrassed when he and Yugi teased him about Bast being his wife. She was certainly pretty and seemed to have a strong will. In a short time, questions and stories were exchanged. For Danny he felt a lot more at ease to being able to tell other people about his ghost half then having just his close friends and his sister know of it. And even though he just knew Yugi and his friends for a short time, it was like they welcomed him to their tight knot group. This feeling made the raven-haired boy all the more welcome. And he also realized that they seem to care about him as much as he was willing to care about them. He was grateful to them all and he knew he wanted to keep in touch with them even after he went back home.
Finally, Danny remembered of what was going to happen and he spoke up after the last question was answered, "My best friend Tucker for some odd reason has gone missing. My partner Carrie Angel and my other good friend Sam Manson is coming over," the half ghost boy began as everyone in the room had their full attention to Danny, "I really hope Tucker going missing has nothing to do with Plasmius, but when it comes to that cheesehead, anything goes."
"Has this Plasmius guy always been a pain in yer side?" Joey spoke up.
"Yeah, from the moment I met him," Danny answered and turned back at the matter at hand, "I really don't know what Plasmius is up to, but I need to find Tucker. Carrie said she and Sam couldn't find him anywhere back in Amity Park. And this is making me worried."
"Do not worry, Danny," Yami said as he unfolded his arms, "We will help you find your friend."
Danny nodded gratefully when the phone rang. Mr. Muto stood up to go and answer it. While the elder man did so, Tristan asked, "Does Tucker get into trouble a lot?"
"Oh yeah. But he means well. He's been my best friend like forever." Danny shrugged as Joey grinned.
"Just like me and Yuge. Don't worry about a thing, Dan, we will not rest till we find Tucker!" the blonde piped up as he got into a dramatic pose while everyone else stared.
"Uh sure, man, no need to get so cheesy." Tristan said with an unimpressed look on his face.
Danny had to laugh to see Joey start to retort with brown-haired young man. He stopped laughing when he saw Mr. Muto come back into the room, "Yugi, a phone call for you." The kindly old man held out the phone to Yami.
The nameless Pharaoh frowned before he reluctantly took the phone and questioned, "Hello?"
"Hello, my Pharaoh, I am glad you are on the phone for I need to tell you something very important." Ishizu's voice answered.
"Ishizu?" Yami asked with a raised eyebrow, "On what?"
"You must come to the museum at once. I suggest you bring all your friends as well for it does involve them too." Was all Ishizu said before she hung up?
Yami blinked and lowered the phone to stare at it, "Yugi?" Joey questioned as he and the others stared.
"Ishizu said we must all go to the museum right now." The ancient spirit answered as he glanced up.
"The museum?" Danny pondered as he quirked an eyebrow. Before anyone could even reply, Danny's own cell rang again, "Hello?" the raven-haired boy answered as soon as he picked it up.
"Danny, its Carrie. Sam and I are here. We were wondering of where you are right now?"
"You guys got here that fast?" Danny asked in slight amazement since it has only been a few hours since Carrie called him.
"First class and on the world's fastest jet. The wonders of your parents' technology, I know." Sam's voice said over the phone and Danny had to laugh when he realized that Sam decided to save her money and had taken the Fenton Jet instead.
He gave them the directions to the game shop. He then asked for Yami and the others to wait on the museum for the time being until his friends got there. It was only almost a half hour before Danny saw not only Carrie and Sam but Jazz come up in the jet. The Fenton Jet landed right near the game store so that way it will be well out of the way.
"Whoa!" Joey observed as the group was outside waiting. Carrie came hopping out first and rushed up to Danny.
"Danny! I missed you so much!" Carrie exclaimed as she flung herself into his arms.
"Missed you too, Car." Danny laughed as he hugged the brown-haired girl.
"Hey Danny. I know it's been a few days but I godda say, I missed you too." Sam spoke up next and gave Danny a hug as soon as Carrie backed away.
"You too," Danny nodded and glanced over at his older sister come walking up, "Jazz? What are you doing here?"
"I had to come, Danny. Ms. Francess insisted since she and Lily will cover things back at home. Besides, I am still part of Team Phantom and I am sure I can try to help out." The red-head answered with a perky smile that Danny rolled his eyes upon.
"Danny? Are these your new friends?" Carrie questioned as she glanced at the patient group.
"Yup. I guess some introductions are in order." Danny sighed and began to introduce the three girls to his new good friends and then vice versa.
"So you're the great Yugi Muto? You're even hotter up in person." Carrie piped up to Yami and she blushed before she rushed back to Sam and Jazz.
Danny mentally sighed in slight embarrassment and he hoped Carrie brought her medication. He glanced over and could see Yami had a curious look on his face, "Sorry about Carrie. She's kind of…" he began.
"Weird?" Joey asked and started to laugh.
"Well, part of that, but she has a medical condition which is ADHD as well which can sometimes make her act a little out of the loop too. You heard of it?" Sam questioned as she gave the blonde a look.
"Hey I was being curious." Joey retorted as Danny spoke up,
"Ok, now that we all know each other, don't we have to get to the museum?"
Yami nodded and began to lead the large group to the museum in question. Along the way, Danny told Carrie, Sam, and Jazz that Yami and the others already knew of his ghost half as well as Carrie's. At first this came as bit of a shock, but Tea reassured them that the secret was safe. After that was done with, Danny heard from Carrie and Sam of what happened to Tucker.
"And then, he grabbed Dula Man's staff and disappeared. That's when Sam and I tried to find him." Carrie finished and gave a heavy sigh to catch her breath.
"Exactly. It was weird. He said something about revenge and who knows why. Apparently some ghost must have overshadowed him." Sam confirmed as she glanced up at the evening sky.
"Could it be one of your enemies?" Emi asked since she and the others were listening in.
Danny frowned at this question, "It could be. I did have a run in with an Egyptian ghost awhile back."
This perked everyone's curiosity as well as Grandpa Muto's and the raven-haired boy told of the adventure he had with Pharaoh Dula Man's staff and his disloyal minion, "I have heard of that staff. It was said to hold some ancient power." Mr. Muto put in with a thoughtful look.
"Wait, ya mean to say Tucker was some look alike of this other Pharaoh?" Joey asked in slight disbelief.
"I guess so. Of course we managed to work things out, even if it was difficult. He managed to bring us back home and things went back to normal. I honestly had no idea what Tucker or that ghost plans to do with the staff." Danny shrugged as he pondered on what the next plan of action will be.
"We better think of that later," Yami suddenly said as the group turned to face in front of them to see Domino Museum, "We are here."
Maxmillion Pegasus stood by the large window that overlooked the city below. He had a calm look to his face, even though his own brown eye held a deeper emotion. He closed his one good eye and he heard the door open behind him. "Master Pegasus, forgive me for interrupting you, but there is a Vlad Masters here to see you." His servant announced while bowing.
"Excellent. Send him in." Pegasus nodded before he opened his eye again and turned to see his loyal servant move aside for a familiar gray-haired man come walking in, "Vlad Masters, it is good to see you again."
"Maximillion Pegasus, same here." Vlad held out his hand and the two men shook on it.
"Please take a seat," Pegasus offered as he sat at his desk and Vlad did the same. The fair-haired man reached over and started to pour some wine in a glass, "Would you like some wine?"
"Yes please." Vlad nodded with a small smile as he sat down and folded his arms.
Pouring some more in another glass, Pegasus then gave the glass to Vlad and the two men drank quietly for the moment to savor the sweet bitter taste of the red liquid, "How is being a mayor of Amity Park coming along?"
"Oh, so you have seen that," Vlad chuckled at Pegasus's attempt to make small talk before he answered, "Why it is coming along very well. It certainly has its ups and downs."
"Very good." Pegasus nodded politely and took another sip from his wine glass.
Vlad too took a sip and turned to his old business partner, "Now then, you said you wanted to see me about something very important. Would you care to tell me what that is, old friend?"
Pegasus paused and he carefully placed the glass on his desk, "Yes of course. Well, you do realize we cannot keep secrets from the other." The younger man began as his one brown eye gazed at Vlad.
"Yes. And I am terribly sorry to hear you lost your Millennium Eye." Vlad's dark blue eyes scanned the hidden half of Pegasus's face.
"Thank you. Of course, I do feel relieved to be rid of it. However, my Eye was able to give me visions of everything. It was one of the reasons why I did my business with you after finding out you were the ghost man doing all the robberies."
Vlad laughed at Pegasus's words, "Being lonely and bitter can do that to you, for you know that as well as me." The half ghost man answered and took another sip from his wine.
"I know. But I am really not here to talk about just that, my good friend. For you see, this also involves your young foe."
Vlad gave Pegasus a look from hearing this, "Daniel?"
"Yes, also known as the great Danny Phantom." Pegasus finished as Vlad chuckled softly.
"The boy is a nuisance. I have tried to be kind to him and have him come to my side, but he as stubborn as his father Jack Fenton," Vlad gave Pegasus a harsh look before he went on, "Just why does whatever is you are going to tell me have anything to do with him?"
"Now calm yourself, Vlad my friend. It has everything to do with him. For you see, he is a part of something ancient; Egypt to be exact," Pegasus began with a mysterious smile on his face, "In fact, you too are a part of ancient Egypt."
Vlad frowned at this information, "What do you mean?" he questioned casually and he was now piqued with curiosity.
"It is very simple, my good man. You see, the zone in which you call the Ghost Zone is a part of an ancient realm known as the Shadow Realm. This realm was discovered many centuries ago and Egyptians were the first to discover this. I have seen many visions with my Eye, Vlad, and even without it, I can still sense you are going to take place in something very drastic."
Hearing Pegasus's words, Vlad gave him a sharp look, "I see. I have learned to believe in many things, Pegasus. And having ghost powers is what brought me into seeing that. Just what are you getting at here?" the older man questioned with a bored look on his face.
"I have called you here because I want to warn you that you will need to be careful in what you plan in the future. For you see, I have seen that you plan to do something that will try to take down your young foe. And believe me, it will not work." Pegasus answered as the friendly air between the two men seemed to grow awkward by the minute.
Vlad gave Pegasus a long hard look before he started to chuckle, "My dear Pegasus, I am not sure when you started to lose your playful nature but I assure you, what I do to do what I want is between myself. Besides, I have something very special planned just for Daniel and possibly Caroline too if she tries to get in the way. Besides, it is time those two got what is coming to them."
Pegasus shook his head, "No Vlad, you cannot do this. You will only end up getting hurt. It is not worth it." He tried to explain but Vlad stood up.
"I am sorry, Pegasus, but this conversation is over. Thank you for the wine, but now I must be getting back to Amity Park to settle on some mayor issues," the half ghost man gave him Pegasus a smile, "Thank you again for this nice chat. Maybe we will talk again. Good day."
Vlad then turned and walked out of the office. Pegasus stared after him and sighed, "I did try to warn him, but I am afraid he will have to learn the things the hard way." The fair-haired man sighed deeply while he rubbed his forehead.
Yami led Danny and the others inside Domino Museum. Waiting for the group inside the main hallway was Ishizu Ishtar herself. The black-haired woman gave them all a kind smile, "Ah yes, it is a good to see you all made it," she greeted and turned her blue eyes toward Danny, "And yes, I am glad you are here as well."
Danny blinked in surprise, "Me?" He had never seen Ishizu before so why did she say was expecting him too.
"Do not be surprised, young Daniel, for I know a bit about you. I also know of your secrets." Ishizu said with a kind smile as the raven-haired boy looked a bit more uncomfortable.
"What secrets?" he demanded as Ishizu laughed, "And how did you know my name?"
"You know as well as me we cannot discuss that right here. So please follow me." She then turned and walked off as Danny blinked after her.
"You can trust Ishizu, Danny. She will explain how she knows in due time." Yami tried to comfort the young boy while patting his shoulder.
"I wanna believe that, but I don't know…" the half ghost boy answered with a sheepish grin.
"Better follow her then." Bast said gently before the group made their way to where Ishizu went.
Sam, Jazz, and Carrie stared at the museum in amazement while Danny thought over of what Ishizu meant she knew some secrets. Something told him he was going to find out very soon; which goes without saying. Yami and the others haven't really told him about this woman really so now he was going to have to learn on his own. Ishizu walked down the steps to a room that Yami and Bast knew only too well.
"What the…" Joey was the first to break the silence before the group was at the bottom of the steps.
Inside the room and on the wall opposite of the stairs was the two tablets that held images of Duel Monsters and of Yami and Seto Kaiba. Danny blinked in surprise to see this and he rushed over while Sam, Carrie, and Jazz did the same, "Wait, isn't that?" he began.
"Yes, Danny, that is the Pharaoh Yami. And there is much to discuss," Ishizu nodded and glanced back at Yami, "And you my Pharaoh, there is something you, your wife, and even Danny must see."
Danny glanced over as Yami and Bast too looked over in question, "What do you mean?" the nameless Pharaoh questioned as the group leaned a bit to hear of what the Egyptian woman was going to say.
"You see, I was in Egypt and digging up something very interesting and I have brought it here. I'm sure you remember the announcements of it on TV, am I correct?" Ishizu began as she stood beside something that was covered in a red cover.
"Yeah we did." Joey nodded to confirm that.
"We never knew that." Sam added with a shrug.
Ishizu nodded to the Goth, "Perfectly understandable. Despite this matter involves the Pharaoh, his Queen, and young Danny, it would be a good idea for all of you to hear it out since you are all close friends with these three."
"Wait, who is the Pharaoh and Queen?" Carrie asked with a frown.
Ishizu smiled before she pointed to Yami and Bast, "They are."
Carrie, Sam, and Jazz blinked while Danny laughed nervously, "I know…I forgot to tell you two that. But um, maybe you can explain it better?" the half ghost boy questioned Ishizu.
"Of course." The Egyptian woman talked about the Millennium items, Yami, Bast, and other things that Danny did not even hear about. Luckily he had enough info to not be shocked of hearing a lot of this information. Carrie, Sam, and Jazz however were not exactly sure of how to take it. By the time the stories were done, Sam was the first to speak,
"Wow…I godda say that is just really awesome."
"But really weird…" Jazz bit her bottom lip while Carrie smiled nervously.
"Well, Danny and I have ghost powers, so I suppose it works." The girl laughed as she tried to help the uneasy feeling between all three girls.
"Hey, trust us, we have been hanging with Yugi and Catzi and we know this stuff is real." Joey said with a laugh.
The others all nodded in agreement and Danny smiled to see Carrie, Sam, and Jazz all relax to hear this. After all, if ghosts existed, this kind of stuff with Egypt had to be real as well, "Now then, what I have discovered in Egypt is the reason why I called you here today. Even without my Necklace, I was able to see a few visions for this matter and I must show you three." Ishizu directed her words to Danny, Yami, and Bast.
"Why is that, Ishizu?" The ancient Pharaoh questioned with a frown.
"For starters, I know of Danny being the famous ghost boy Danny Phantom." Ishizu began and Danny blinked at her.
"How did you…"
"After I discovered this, I looked into the information about Danny Phantom. And seeing your human form up close, I was able to make the connection. Do not worry, Daniel, I will not tell anyone of your secret." The black-haired woman said with a smile.
Danny blinked again and could see Ishizu seemed honest and if Yami and the others seem to trust her, he might as well too, "All right then. So what is it that you found in Egypt?" the half ghost boy questioned.
"It was this…" Ishizu removed the red cover and the group gave a surprise gasp at what they saw.
It was another tablet, and this one showed the Pharaoh but it also showed another figure standing beside him. It was a boy and he looked a lot like Danny himself! "Is that Danny?" Carrie finally questioned to break the heavy silence.
"Yes. In fact, as much as this might surprise all of you, Danny Phantom is the son of the nameless Pharaoh and his Queen," Ishizu turned to Danny, "Danny, you are the heir to brave Pharaoh and his wife who dwell within the Millennium Puzzle and Wand."
Another stunned silence filled the room as Danny stared at Ishizu. Did he hear what he thought he heard? Or did he imagine all of this. Yami and Bast too were in shock to hear this and finally, after a few good minutes, Joey was the first to speak up,
"Uh lady, did you say what I thought you heard? Did you really say that Danny here is the son of the Pharaoh and Queen? The same spirits who are inside Yugi and Catzi's items?"
"I did, Joey. The ancient writing on this tablet tell of the brave Pharaoh who had one son," Ishizu said and turned back to the tablet, "And look above them," the group obeyed and they took notice of a strange monster hanging above the figures that looked like Yami and Danny, "That monster is a combination of two of their best monsters. It was with that monster the brave Pharaoh and his son was able to lock away the evil."
"Wait hold it!" Danny shouted and the others glanced at him, "I'm still trying to get my head around one thing…" he then glanced at Yami and Bast before turning back to Ishizu, "Are you serious that my ghost half is the son of those two?"
The black-haired woman simply smiled, "Yes, Daniel. Which leads me to question is that have you felt anything from them? Like you knew them from somewhere?"
As Danny thought these questions over, he realized Ishizu had a point. Ever since he met Yami and Bast, he felt like he knew those two. And he had been getting the distant feeling the two were like parents to him. Yami stared at Danny for a moment and now knew why he felt protective of Danny during Katina's attack. And also of why he felt more connected to Danny's ghost half. This was his son of his past.
"Wait, Ishizu, if Danny's ghost half Danny Phantom is really my…and Yami's son…" Bast began with hesitation while everyone glanced over at the Queen, "Is he reincarnation of our son then?"
Ishizu smiled, "I am glad you have brought that up," she turned to Danny, "Danny, have you told everyone about how you acquired your ghost half?"
Danny blinked and slowly nodded, "I did. I went into my parents' nonfunctional portal, turned it on and I got zapped. I guess that's how my ghost half was born."
"And do you know the history of the Ghost Zone?" Ishizu questioned as Mr. Muto spoke up this time.
"I have. I discover a few things about it while in Egypt. It was place that not only held spirits of people who never moved on but other spirits and monsters as well," the old man turned to the teenagers, "In fact, Danny's own parents were with me on my last trip when we made this discovery."
"Yes. You see," Ishizu began as the group glanced back over at the Egyptian woman, "The Ghost Zone is more than just a part of the Shadow Realm. Back in Egypt, the powerful Pharaoh had to lock away the evil that spread all over the world. With the help of his son and wife, he managed to do just that. There was one uncertain thing that the history books were never able to explain."
"What is that, Ishizu?" Yami questioned as he was now very curious on to know more about his past as well as the ghost boy being his son.
"After your and the Queen's spirits were locked away inside your items, your son disappeared. No one knew of what had happened to him. His body was later found near a temple but it was only a shell. His soul was gone and some say he may have either died out not being able to see his parents again. Or he might have performed a powerful spell to seal himself away as well.
"Some also say that if the prince did in fact seal himself away, he would come back again to help out his father. This is why I am thinking that Danny getting his ghost powers was not a mere accident."
Danny blinked from all of Ishizu's words, "Wait, what do you mean?"
Ishizu turned back to the half ghost boy, "Danny, you may not realize this, but your ghost half is the son of the Pharaoh and his Queen. When you went into your parents' portal and turned it on, you created a door to another dimension which is the Ghost Zone. And I have a feeling your ancient past-self sealed himself away in the Zone. His soul drifted for years until you opened that portal and you and your past-self became one.
"I have heard about how you tried to do everything you can to keep not only your city safe but the whole world as well. You were born with a good heart, Danny and you wanted to use your powers for good. Your ancient self the son of the Pharaoh too was like that and he wanted to make sure all of his loved ones were safe. This is why it is time for you to help out your father once more."
Danny blinked from what Ishizu has told him and he managed to ask, "Which is what exactly?"
"There is a tournament coming up hosted by Seto Kaiba. You must enter it along with your parents for it will lead you deeper into finding more about your past." Ishizu answered as the group stared.
"Tournament? What tournament?" Sam asked with a frown.
"Of Duel Monsters. I have a feeling that Danny must enter that as well." The blue-eyed woman replied as she glanced at the whole group.
"Wait, I have to enter it? But I barely have a grasp of the game." Danny retorted as he backed up slightly.
"Danny…" Ishizu began before the raven-haired boy shook his head.
"No. Look, I know I should just totally believe this, but I'm almost fifteen. I mean, the tournament is in a few days and I don't know if I can handle it," He closed his eyes and turned into his ghost form as the group stared, "I need some time alone. Excuse me."
He then turned and phased out of the room and the museum. He was still trying to get over the fact that he was indeed the son of the great Pharaoh. And the Pharaoh in question was the spirit that dwelled inside the Puzzle Yugi held. He had to admit, what Ishizu told him was true. But did he have to enter Seto Kaiba's Duel Monsters tournament to help save the world. As he flew into the evening sky, he wondered of what he should do. For now, he only flew high above Domino City in silence to help his mind think all of what he was told.
