Sixteen reviews for the last chapter!?! You guys are awesome. Anyways, thanks tons for those who reviewed, and special thanks to Waterdog and DGirl101 (you both ROCK) for motivating me.
Disclaimer: Some people come up with extremely witty bits to put here, but I stink at those. I'll have to stick with I don't own DP or TT and please don't sue me.
Here goes!
Strong Enough (Teen Titan, Danny Phantom Crossover)
Chapter Nine: Lack of Amity
----Amity Park, Illinois----
Friendship; friendly, peaceful relations, as between nations, groups, ect. That's the Webster Dictionary's definition of the word 'amity'.
How ironic.
Sam sighed as she walked through the crowded hall on her way to her locker. There had been no peaceful relations since Danny had left. Everyone seemed tense and unapproachable.
The other high school students watched her with an unmasked curiosity that irritated the Goth. Sometimes someone would even come up to her to tell her how sorry they were, pitying her. She hated it, and distanced herself even further from her peers now that the unthinkable had happened to someone she cared about. She had way too many secrets to risk becoming friends with anyone.
Sam's parents constantly asked her if she was okay, and if she wanted to talk about it, pretending they actually cared. As if. They had never liked Danny. They were probably glad he was gone.
And then there were the Guys in White. The agents followed Sam and Tucker mercilessly, questioning them numerous times about Danny's location. Their interest in Danny was unnerving; Sam wished with all her might that she didn't know why, but she did.
It was because of the evidence that the Fenton's untimely deaths were caused by a ghost. The GIW's were undoubtedly convinced that Danny Phantom was the malevolent spook responsible for the crime, and that the heartless ghost would strike again. Logically, the sole survivor would be the main target, and the Guys in White were determined to find Danny before Phantom did.
Sam turned to her locker, suddenly glad Danny had run. It would have broken his heart to know most of Amity Park blamed him for his family's death.
Not that his heart wasn't broken already.
Sam spun her lock impatiently, aware that a number of eyes were glued to her back. She pulled the metal door open, heart stinging when she saw the picture taped to the back of her locker. She reached in and pulled it off the metal angrily. She looked at it a moment, studying the three faces in the photo. She looked at Tucker, arms draped over his two best friend's shoulders. His eyes were shining, and a grin lit his face. On his left stood a slightly younger Sam, a small smile on her lips as she looked at her friends. Sam turned her gaze to Danny, his relaxed expression and innocent smile making her hurt all over again. How could they have been so care free? So innocent? So naive? Sam took the picture in both hands, intending to tear it to smithereens.
This wasn't some game they were playing.
This was a war.
She pulled against the picture ripping half way though the image but stopped, unable to tare completely through the paper reminder of how simple things used to be.
She couldn't do it. Sam looked at the picture once again. Carefully she picked the tape off of one corner and used it to fix the rip she had made in the snapshot. She squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to postpone the tears until she was alone, in her own bed. She put the photo back in the locker, pushing it against the far wall, pressing down the edges and praying the tape would stick.
Sam glanced at the empty Fenton Thermos against the far wall and grabbed her books. For some unknown reason she grasped the thermos too before slamming the locker shut. She turned and found herself looking into the eyes of Valerie Grey. A scowl flashed across Sam's face.
"Look." Valerie said quickly, noticing Sam's reaction. "I know you don't like me very much, but if you want to believe it or not, I care about what happens to Danny as much as you do. I just wanted to say that if you need anything..." Valerie let the sentence hang in the air as she watched Sam's resentment turn to shock.
"Why would you help me?" Sam asked, eyes narrowing.
"I just told you! I want to help because your one of Danny's best friends. And for the record, you've always hated me more than I hate you."
Sam couldn't deny that. She was hard on the Ghost Hunter… but then again, Valerie's main purpose in life was wasting one of Sam's closest friends.
"Sorry." Sam said half heartedly. "It's just-"
"I know. You want to keep Danny safe. You always have."
"HEY SAM!"
The two girls turned to see Tucker running towards them, waving a hand above his head. The students in his path moved quickly to the side, watching the teen with the customary 'poor boy' look. Sam wondered if the techno-geek even noticed.
Tucker stopped a few feet from the girls, bewildered by the sight before him. "Whoa. You two are standing about two feet from each other, and no ones shouting or throwing things. Did I miss something?"
Valerie gave the boy a hollow smile. "We were just talking about Danny."
Sam lifted an eyebrow. "We were?"
"… Yes, we were."
Suddenly a scream echoed through the hall, causing every person in sight to instantly drop what they were doing and run full speed towards the nearest exit. Sam pressed her body against the lockers, thermos still clasped in her hand, as the students rushed towards past her, already a full fledged mob. Valerie pressed herself against the lockers also, and after being pushed a few yards by the crowd Tucker managed to make it to the side of the panicked student body as well.
Valerie's eyes glinted in determination and she began to force her way against the swarm; towards the scream.
Sam gritted her teeth and followed.
The traveling got easier as the two neared the spot the teens were running away from. Valerie ducked out of the hall, probably to change. This gave Sam time to get ahead of the huntress without being noticed. Another scream reached Sam's ears. She gripped the Thermos and followed the shrieks to a pair of double doors with the word GYM written on them. Sam looked through the glass, but found that somehow the window had been blocked so that she couldn't get a good view. She placed a hand carefully on wood, pushing the door open about two inches.
Paullina sat on the floor, staring fearfully at the black shadow of a being floating above her.
"What's wrong Princess?" the ghost mocked. "Are you afraid of me? It's not surprising. You've always had the Ghost Boy to fight your battles, and now that he's gone," A wicked smile played on the spooks sorry excuse for a face. "There's no prince in shining armor is there? You're all alone, you're weak, and so helpless…"
Sam's eyes narrowed. Spectra. Sam opened the thermos, finger on the appropriate button. If she could get the ghost while she was distracted-
A hand was placed heavily on Sam's shoulder. The girl gasped, spinning, thermos ready.
"Uh Sam?" Tucker whispered, eyes on the thermos pressed against his stomach. "I'm human. That thing won't work on me."
Sam let out the breath she had been holding. "Don't scare me like that!" She hissed. She turned to the door and carefully pushed it in.
A pair of red eyes stared back at her.
"Boo."
With a cry Sam spun to the side, barely managing to miss the ray of ecto energy before it messed up her makeup, along with other things. The green glob of a ghost, better known as Bertrand, phased through the singed wood and turned, eyeing Sam and Tucker maliciously. With a sinking feeling in her stomach Sam realized what had been blocking the window.
"Awe, so cute. The two tag-alongs think they can handle us all by themselves."
Sam scowled, lifting the thermos and readying herself for battle. "You beat us? You must be joking."
"Funny- I was about to say the same thing. Sorry girl, but Danny Phantom's not here to protect you."
Sam growled. She was perfectly capable of protecting herself. Wasn't she?
Tucker puffed out his chest bravely. "You know, if you're trying to scare us, it isn't working."
"It should be." Bertrand said. The ghostly assistant morphed before their eyes, taking the form of a very large, very green serpent.
Tuck gulped. "Okay, I guess my lack of fear is debatable-"
The familiar sound of an ecto-gun interrupted nearby, a pink blast sending the shape-shifter flying.
"Your toast, ghost freak." The Red Huntress said, her voice hard. She leveled her weapon and fired. The ghost dodged, coming up behind the Huntress, shifting back to his gelatinous form.
"Well well, another wannabe."
Valerie shot and missed again.
"Do you really think you can protect this town alone?"
"I always HAVE protected this town alone!"
Bertrand dove at the girl, but Valerie ducked, pulling her board around in a tight loop.
Sam gritted her teeth in determination. This went against every one of the 'Laws of Hating Valerie' ever written but- "We have to help her."
Tucker looked at her. "What?"
"We have to do something. Danny would have our heads if we let some ghost have free reign in his town." The two turned back towards the fight.
Bertrand sneered at the girl. "You've always had help keeping the ghosts in check. You've always had Phantom, if you admit it or not."
Valerie roared in rage, finally nailing the ghost. "Phantom is a murderer. He's a threat and I never trusted him."
"Is that right? Or deep down did you wonder if he was really how Amity pictured him? Did you think that just maybe-"
"Stop it!" The Huntress yelled.
"Hey goop ball, leave her alone." Tuck said, valiantly, stepping forward.
"And you. What kind of best friend are you? You let Danny down."
Tucker stopped mouth gaping. "I-I…"
"If you hadn't been so self-centered and foolish, you would have paid attention. You would have seen it coming."
"I can't let him get to me. I have to get him away from here." Tucker thought. The boy gulped. "Yeah, well, your not so great." He said weakly. "You hide behind Spectra and just free load off of her. She's the real threat. She's the one who does all the work. You're just a sorry excuse for a sidekick."
Bertrand's eyes widened.
Bingo. Tucker would have smiled if he hadn't been running for his life from the enraged specter.
"Get back here ghost! I'm not through with you!" The Red Huntress fumed, revving her board up.
"Valerie, wait!" the ghost hunter turned towards Sam. The Goth pointed at the gym door. "Penelope Spectra's in there. She has Paullina. You take her down, and Tuck and I will finish this guy off."
Valerie nodded. "Fine, just be caref-" Realization hit her in the face. "Valerie?! How did you know my name?" She demanded.
"Not now, I'll explain later." Sam said, running the direction Tucker had taken.
Valerie didn't have time to be shocked. Instead she zoomed into the gym, ready for a fight…
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Tucker huffed as he spun around the corner. The halls were empty long ago, making it easier to make his way through the maze, but also easier for Bertrand to keep up.
"I really need to get into better shape." The tech loving teen thought. He turned left, losing a little momentum as he rounded the corner. He looked over his shoulder to see Bertrand take the turn in the form of a green cougar. Tucker yelped and pushed himself to run faster. His side began to sting almost unbearably. This had better work.
The ghost rose from the ground in front of Tucker, grinning at the human. Tuck slid to a halt and took another left turn, sprinting off again, the ghoul giving chase. Tucker's eyes darted from side to side. Now he new how Danny felt after Dash failed a class. Tuckers backpack thumped against him, the heavy gadgetry holding him back. A roar from behind gave Tucker enough fear-induced energy to make it to the next corner. He bolted left once again, the enraged spirit not far behind.
Bertrand grinned. He was gaining.
Tucker spotted an open door, and propelled himself through it, slamming the door shut behind him.
Bertrand smirked. As if the child thought that the door could keep him out. This would be too easy. The ghost stuck his head through the wood, and was met with several surprises. First off, the boy wasn't alone. An enraged girl in black stood beside him. Second, the girl was armed with a thermos. Third, the cap was off, and the device was pointed at Bertrand's head.
Sam fired, holding the container steady as the thermos pulled the screaming ghost in. after the blue-white light died down Sam replaced the lid, smirking.
Tucker immediately fell to his knees, grasping Sam around the shins. "Never make me be bait again!" he exclaimed.
"Get off of me Tuck!" Sam said, annoyed. "We need to find Valerie."
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BAM BAM BAM!
Valerie shot another round at the ghost in front of her. Spectra dodged them, grinning maliciously at the huntress. "That all you got?" Pity. I thought with your reputation you would be better than the ghosts you fight."
"I am better."
"It doesn't seem like it does it?" Spectra swooped towards Valerie, catching the girl by the shoulder. "Seems like your hunting skills are just a joke, a sorry excuse for you to play with a few toys. How could you think you can keep this place safe? Its only a matter of time before you find a ghost that's to strong for you. Then what happens?"
Valerie felt a burden of guilt weigh at her shoulders. The ghost was right. She wasn't good enough. Her energy seemed to leave her, and she slumped down in Spectra's grasp.
A blue light enveloped the ghost, pulling her away from her victim. Spectra tried to pull away, but was slowly sucked in after her assistant.
Valerie lifted her head to see Sam clap the lid on a smoking soup container. Tucker walked up to the huntress, clearly concerned. "Val? You okay?" he asked. "What ever that lady said, don't believe a word of it."
Valerie let him help her up, rubbing her head with one hand. "Why was that ghost here anyway?"
"That's easy to figure out. Spectra feeds off misery. With Phantom gone and Danny missing, this town is full of it. I'm surprised she didn't show up earlier." Same said.
Valerie's head began to clear. She looked over at Paullina's unconscious form. "So she targets the weakest. Typical."
"Alright, this was a nice chat, but I think we need to go now." Tucker said, pulling Sam towards the doorway.
"Wait!" Valerie called. "How did you guys know who I am? No one knows except Dad, Mr. Masters (Sam couldn't help noticing the bitter edge to Valerie's voice as she said the name), and Phantom know I'm the Red Huntress."
Sam sighed and turned back towards Valerie. "One, this suit doesn't conceal your face half as well as the first one. And two, a friend figured it out."
"What friend?"
Sam and Tucker looked at each other. "Danny." Tuck said.
"What? And he was… okay with it?"
"Oh yeah!" Tuck answered. "He thought you being a ghost hunter was simply to die for." This earned Tucker a tired smile from Valerie and a swift elbow in the ribs via Sam.
"Valerie, we've known for a long time. If we were going to rat you out, we would have by now." Sam explained.
The two friends turned towards the door once again.
Valerie scowled, torn. She knew the ghost had been using her, but some of what Spectra had said was true. With the Fentons gone and Phantom no where to be found (not that that was a bad thing) Valerie was alone, face to face with a whole dimension worth of enemies. Valerie had never asked for help, and she wasn't about to start, but this wasn't about her and her stubbornness. This was about protecting Amity Park. About making sure that someday the town could live up to its name.
"Sam, Tucker, wait a sec. This is gonna sound crazy, but I want you to… do something for me… with me…" Valerie tried again, focusing on Sam. "I've seen you in P.E. and well, you're good. You were friends with the Fentons and are familiar with ghost weaponry." Valerie turned to Tucker. "You're smart. You got the highest score on that test we took the day after Ember McLain's concert. You could use that intelligence for something."
"What are you saying?" Sam asked, eyebrow raised.
Valerie took a deep breath. "Let's face it. The Guys in White are good, but this town deserves better than them. I'm saying we should join ranks. I think you Sam could make it as a ghost hunter, and Tuck, you can supply the brains."
"You mean like a team?" Tucker asked. "Don't you think this is a little fast? One minute you don't even know we know you hunt ghosts, and the next your suggesting we form the 'Paranormal Posse' or something."
"Okay, it is quick, but this ghost attack signifies something. After the …tragedy… the ghosts seemed to lay off a while. There were a few attacks, but nothing the GIW couldn't handle. But now, the ghosts are coming back. I know they are, and we have to be ready. So- are you guys in?"
Sam looked at Tucker and back at Valerie. She didn't know quite what to say. Danny would tell her to go for it…
It was funny in a way. Danny's presence had pushed her and Valerie apart. Now his absence was pushing them together.
"I'm in, as long as it keeps this town safe. Tuck?" Sam had thought Tucker would jump at the idea, but the boy showed considerable reserve.
The technopath looked at Valerie. "You can't take Danny's place. You know that right?"
"Of course I know that! You guys' friendship was -and is- something special, and I would never try to take that from you."
Tucker looked at the two girls, and his face split into a wide grin. "Then what are we going to call ourselves? A team's gotta have a name."
Valerie smiled. "It's not going to be the 'Paranormal Posse'."
"The Ghost Getters." Sam said softly.
"What! That's almost worse."
"Sam didn't come up with it." Tucker explained quietly. "Jazz Fenton did. I know it's awful, but maybe we could be the Ghost Getters, in remembrance…"
Valerie nodded in understanding. "That's a fine name. Where are we going to have our base of operations?"
"I can set up my room for it." Tucker offered.
"I don't think so Tuck." Sam said. "Last time we went there your parents wouldn't let me go home, and ended up sleeping in the same room with us. We're using my place."
"Okay then. I'm guessing you have some Fenton weapons." Valerie said. Both teens nodded. "Then tomorrow we'll gather them all up, and stock our rescourses."
The three parted ways after school, a feeling of duty heavy on them. Sam looked up at the front of her house. "Danny, we're keeping your town safe. We'll be just fine. Just please, be okay…" Sam sighed and walked to her door. A sense of foreboding fell over her, but also a since of peace. Amity. Maybe it was possible after all; even after your world fell to pieces.
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I spent from 10:00 PM to 4:10 AM finishing this. You guys are lucky that I love you. If this chapter's really bad, blame it on exhaustion.
