Chapter Ten: Trial
"Well, that's…adorable, but I think I'll just agree to being his nanny every now and then." Desiree commented, looking at the sleeping boy on the couch.
"He's fourteen; he doesn't need a 'nanny'." Plasmius chuckled. "He needs a proper mother-figure."
"I have never had kids. I'm not the nurturing type." Desiree shook her head.
"Well, it won't hurt to spend a little time with the boy." Plasmius coaxed.
"Tell you what, let's get through the trial and see if he still wants that. He might've just said that part about me because I gave him the burgers." Desiree rolled her eyes.
Plasmius smiled. "Still, it is nice of you to keep bringing him food." He gestured to the tray full of crumpled wrappers.
"Nn…" Danny whimpered, shifting in his sleep. Both ghosts moved over, Plasmius making soothing sounds while Desiree used her magic to give him peace of mind. Before they knew it, they were sitting on the couch with Danny between them, both of them making comforting attempts. He finally relaxed, dreaming of other things, and they both let out sighs of relief.
"…This doesn't mean I'm going to play 'mom'." Desiree said, getting up. "I can…be a big sister or an aunt, though."
"Speaking of sisters…" Plasmius frowned. "What are we going to do about his older sister?"
"…Well, crud." Desiree sighed. "She needs to be here for the trial, doesn't she?"
"Not really, according to Daniel she didn't know or notice anything going on." Plasmius shook his head. "But...she does deserve to know they're in the prison…"
"Or they can have just vanished without a trace." Danny said between them. They looked at him, surprised. "Jazz doesn't believe in ghosts, she'd never believe my parents went to ghost prison. Besides, I can't let her know the reason why." He rubbed at his eyes, yawning. "She. Would. Freak."
Plasmius sighed. "I suppose there is that."
.
Danny looked at the picture of his friends thoughtfully, curled up on the couch. The hours ticked by and the date of the trial was fast approaching. He looked at the clock and then at the picture, wishing he was back home and that none of this had happened.
Something was really bugging him though. He got up and flew out of the living room, landing in the bathroom and changing back to his human form in front of the mirror. His reflection changed…but then changed back. "…I knew it." He murmured. "You are a different person. I've been feeling you…hearing your thoughts…but I just dismissed them as my own. But if you were me, your reflection would change into mine."
"I'm not that strong. You wanted to talk to me." The Phantom in the mirror said. "That's the only reason I changed back."
"Is it true…what mom said? That we're…not the same person?"
Phantom curled his lip in disgust. "I'm still you. I'm just a stronger, braver you. I'm willing to do things you won't. And I promise you, if Plasmius hadn't been there and I'd been dragged back to that place…their blood would paint the fucking walls."
Danny flinched at his other form's harsh words. "W-Well, Plasmius was there. So…"
"To answer your question a little better, I'm you but a different personality. That doesn't make us different people." Phantom sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yes, Plasmius was there. Thankfully. And now they're seeing justice in the Ghost Zone."
"Daniel?" Vlad approached the bathroom. "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay. I'm just…talking with Phantom." He looked at his reflection.
Vlad raised an eyebrow, looking at it. "Daniel…that's just your reflection."
"Yeah, and Phantom is me." Danny nodded. "It's easier to talk to him if I can see him."
"No, that's just your reflection." Vlad sighed. "I think what she said is getting to you. Come away from the mirror."
"But—I wanted to…"
"Come." Vlad gently wrapped an arm around his shoulders, leading him out of the bathroom. Phantom's image flickered in the mirror before vanishing in a swirl of green.
Danny was led over to the couch again, gently held in Vlad's lap. "Is Desiree coming over today?"
"You know she has work." Vlad smirked. "On top of granting wishes left and right, she also runs that club."
"So…" Danny raised an eyebrow.
"She'll be here tomorrow to join us for the trial." Vlad sighed.
Danny pursed his lips. "…Yeah. The trial." He mumbled.
Vlad looked at him worriedly, then pulled over a box. "Here, I went out to get you some chocolate from the Real World. If you're wondering about the writing on the box, it had to be approved by Walker. I think he ate a couple pieces."
Danny smiled, opening the box and nodded. "Yeah, he ate a couple." He smiled up at him and picked up one, eating it happily before holding one up to Vlad's lips.
"Oh, no, you eat it." Vlad smiled. "Thank you, though."
"You sure?" Danny pouted and ate his chocolate. Then he set it aside after finishing half the box and relaxed in his arms. A knock on the door made him gasp and look around, but Vlad stroked his hair soothingly and carefully sat him down as he went to the door, transforming to Plasmius.
"HELLO!" Danny looked over when he heard a familiar voice booming. "I AM THE BOX GHOST! I BRING SOMETHING FOR THE BOY WHO LET ME GO SO MANY TIMES WHEN HE COULD HAVE PUT ME IN HIS CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER AND TAKEN ME TO MY DOOM!"
"Well, hello. Could you keep it down a little?" Plasmius frowned.
"…I suppose I could." The Box Ghost looked like talking normally was a strain for him. "I would like to come in."
Plasmius looked at Danny, who nodded. "Alright, come in." He opened the door, the Box Ghost flying in with a large, brightly-colored box.
"Hey, Box Ghost." Danny greeted, sitting up properly.
"Hello!" The Box Ghost greeted, his voice raised a little. "I bring you get-well gifts from those of us that you did not put in your cylindrical container and take us to our doom!" He set down the box on the floor in front of him. "Walker was going to take it away, until we explained it was for you!"
"Aww, a present?" Danny opened it and blinked, seeing an assortment of objects. He took out a hoverboard that glowed green, a small TV that also glowed green and various things from his bedroom. Someone had even been kind enough to include his textbooks. "Wow, lots of stuff."
"The hoverboard is from Skulker! The TV is from Technus! I gathered the things from your bedroom so you would have familiar items! And in that box there are cupcakes, made by the Lunch Lady!" The Box Ghost explained.
Danny smiled, taking out the box of cupcakes and opened them. "Heh, either she only made five, or…"
"I confess, I ate one!" The Box Ghost admitted shamelessly. "They are delicious!"
"I figured." Danny nodded, setting them on the table next to the chocolates. "Want some chocolate?"
"You are offering me some of your chocolate confectioneries?!" The Box Ghost looked surprised.
"Well, if you don't want any." Danny shrugged.
"I will have three!" The Box Ghost held out his hands.
Danny nodded, picking out three and handing them to him.
The Box Ghost accepted them, eating one before he spoke again. "We will see you at the trial tomorrow! We will be there for support if you need it!"
"Thank you." Danny smiled. "It's good to know I have friends here."
"You have spared our lives many times!" The Box Ghost nodded firmly. "And for them to abuse you, though I know not the entire details, was terrible even if you were not their son! Ghost or not, fourteen is still fourteen! You are only a child!"
"Thanks for the sentiments." Danny nodded, pursing his lips.
"And thank you for the chocolate confectioneries!" The Box Ghost nodded. "I will go now, and see you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow." Danny nodded, smiling.
The Box Ghost nodded and then flew out. "FAREWELL!"
Plasmius shut the door, rubbing his ear. "Does he always have to yell like that?" He mumbled.
"My theory is that he was working in a warehouse when he died and there was a lot of machinery he had to yell over." Danny smiled. "Cupcake?"
"Well, since you're offering."Plasmius walked over and sat on the couch with him, taking the cupcakes Danny offered him. Danny took out his own and cuddled up close next to Vlad, resting his head on his chest as he ate. Vlad smiled and nuzzled his head affectionately before he started to eat the cupcake.
.
The day and hour of the trial came too quickly in Danny's opinion, but he knew that was because he was dreading seeing his parents again. He changed into Phantom and Plasmius dressed him in a black suit and tie for the event, his tunic changed out for the same kind of outfit. Plasmius gently tilted his face up and kissed his forehead, smiling. "Don't worry. This will all be over soon."
Danny nodded, taking his offered hand and following him out. 'Just a little longer…' He thought, his grip on Plasmius's hand tightening as they left the house. Plasmius paused to lock up and then they were going through the Ghost Zone, arriving at a large courthouse next to the prison that Danny didn't recognize.
"Uh…how come I never saw this before?" Danny asked.
"They only summon it for big events. We don't often have trials." Plasmius explained. "But, seeing as this is a human/ghost issue…"
Danny nodded, landing when Vlad did and stepping into the tall halls of the Ghost Courthouse. Ghosts in suits were all over, and he clung tighter to Plasmius as they looked at him. He looked around for any sign of his parents, but didn't see them. 'They must still be in the prison.' He thought.
"Ghost Child."
Danny blinked and turned around to see Skulker. "Are you ever going to learn my name?"
"I know it. You just react to that and make the funniest face." Skulker looked amused and then reached out to ruffle his white hair. "Good luck in there. If you need us, don't hesitate to step out of the booth and come to one of us. We will testify to their cruelty, which we witnessed each time you released us from the thermos."
Danny nodded, smiling a bit sadly. "This…this is really happening, isn't it?"
Skulker nodded, then tilted Danny's head up. "Don't be sad. Show them that they can't hurt you and walk in head held high."
Danny nodded, pursing his lips, and then threw his arms around the larger ghost. Plasmius smiled fondly, but Skulker didn't know what to do with it and awkwardly patted Danny's head. "Right…well, we'd best go in. Don't want to be late."
"Right." Danny nodded, releasing him and taking Vlad's hand.
.
Seeing his parents had hurt him less than he thought it would. They had been cleaned up and given suits to wear, so seeing them in anything but HAZMATs Danny felt like he couldn't recognize them. Like he could properly detach them from him as his parents and just look at her as a woman that had…had…
"Daniel?" Plasmius gently took his hand. "Are you alright?"
Danny tore his eyes from Maddie and nodded. "Yes."
Plasmius nodded, gently kissing his forehead. "Don't worry. I'll be here the whole time."
Danny nodded, then looked around. There was a jury box, but it was empty. He turned his head and saw Desiree, The Box Ghost, The Lunch Lady, Skulker and Technus sitting in the benches. He gave a little wave and they gave encouraging smiles before the door opened and Walker strode in.
Plasmius gently nudged Danny and he stood up when everyone else did, watching Walker go up to his stand. Then they all sat down at a woman ghost's urging.
"Alright." Walker opened a binder, his gaze on the accused. "The Fentons. Never mind your numerous crimes against ghosts, we have you, Madeline Rita Fenton, and you, Jack Daniel Fenton, here for a crime that is both human and ghost related. Were it only for your crimes against ghosts, we wouldn't bother with this but seeing as the victim is both human and ghost you have caused us to summon this courthouse for the first time in 5000 years." He sneered. "Are you proud of yourselves?"
To their credit, his parents didn't say any jabs or even reply, just stared up at him.
"You may have noticed there is no jury. That is because I AM the jury. While I have already decided your sentence, I'm giving you a chance, as humans do, to defend yourself and convince me why you shouldn't live out the rest of your lives in my prison."
"Thank you, Your Honor." Jack said calmly. Danny cringed at the sound of his voice.
Walker stared at him, then placed both hands on the booth. "Let's start with the woman. Ladies first, after all." He sneered. "Although, the way I hear it, you're not really a 'lady', are you? Madeline Rita Fenton. You stand accused of drugging and sexually assaulting your teenage son while camping with him alone the previous weekend on the days of May 13, 14, and 15 in the year of 2005. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty." Maddie said coolly. "As I have explained, I did not sleep with my son. I slept with the ghost that shares my son's body."
Danny's green eyes sparked furiously.
"Ah, yes. I have been told of your delusions." Walker gripped the stand. "However you view it, you did not deny the crime done. So, let's say that you have drugged and sexually assaulted a teenager, relation aside. How do you plead?"
She sighed. "I assure you, each time was consensual. I only persuaded him to; he did as much as I did."
"Fucking whore…" Danny growled in his seat. "You lying bitch…"
"Daniel." Plasmius looked at him, alarmed by the animosity in his face and his glowing hands.
"It seems that the victim has something to say." Walker looked over at him. "You may speak. Please come up to the booth." He gestured to it.
Danny got up and walked over to the booth, gripping the railing with glowing hands and cracking the wood. "This whore, this woman who claims that Phantom is not her son, drugged my food each time so that I could not refuse OR accept. I could only do as she moved my body to, my mind clouded by the drug so that I wasn't even AWARE of anything. When my awareness returned, she was zipping up my bodysuit and I was sore all over, my body screaming from the experience. I had bruises and scratches that I didn't even realize were there until I was rescued and NO amount of reasoning with her got her to stop it. She drugged me at dinner the first night, lunch the next day, and then breakfast before we returned home. She said it was an experiment; that it was good and I should be happy she did that to me. And HE allowed it…even encouraged it when I left, telling me to 'be gentle' with her before I left without actually tell me what he meant. I understand NOW, though."
He tightened his grip on the wood. "She never saw me and Phantom as the same person, and forced me to change each time even if I didn't want to." Tears formed in his eyes. "Both of them…ever since they found out, they had been abusing me, doing experiments on my body, and forcing microchips into my body to block my powers or locking a belt that shocked me if I tried using my powers at all around my waist. They said they would never do anything to my human form, no; they always forced me to change into Phantom for it. DID YOU THINK THE PAIN WOULDN'T CARRY OVER?!"
Plasmius got up and went to his side, gently placing his hand on Danny's and holding him close. "I think that's enough, Walker."
"Yes. He can sit down." Walker nodded.
Plasmius coaxed Danny's hands off the railing and led him down. As they approached the accuser's seat, Desiree got up and went to Danny's side to gently soothe his mind. Walker didn't interrupt, waiting for Danny to be calm and Desiree to return to her seat before he continued.
"Well. That's his rebuke against your claims. We'll now hear from the witnesses." Walker nodded towards the benches.
One by one, they came up and told their stories, of how Danny had been ordered to capture them and after putting them in the thermos he released them and begged them to not attract his parents' attention again. They told of how they hung back to see if he would be alright and saw them slap him with a force that left a mark before dragging him into their RV with his head hung low.
Plasmius then stood up and told of what he'd witnessed in Wisconsin, with the bracelet. How they'd acted like they loved him, but it was clear something was wrong and that was why he had started to watch Danny, even going so far as to slip a tracker into his pocket.
"My biggest regret…" He said, gripping the cracked railing. "Was that I did not take him away before the camping trip. Had I had the sense to when I heard his reluctance, perhaps…" He pursed his lips.
"That's enough, Plasmius. Stand down." Walker nodded.
Plasmius joined Danny in the box again, holding him close. Desiree nodded and returned to the benches, having gone to Danny's side while Plasmius was testifying.
.
The verdict: Guilty. The sentence: Their remaining lifetime and their afterlife. Basically, forever. Danny watched his parents pass by his seat as they were escorted in chains by Walker's guards, and then everyone was allowed to leave.
"Now you can start having a REAL life." Lunch Lady smiled. "I hope you can make many friends now that you aren't bound by their rules!"
"Yeah." Danny nodded. "I hope so, too."
"We should return home and prepare to return you to your real home." Plasmius nodded. "I can get a mansion in Amity Park and you and your sister can move there. Not sure if she'll buy the story, maybe even think I kidnapped you to get to your parents, but we have to try to get your life back in order."
Danny nodded, then gasped. "Oh, shoot! I missed a TEST!" He gripped his white hair.
"Considering you went missing, I think we can get the school to let you re-take it." Plasmius smiled.
"I hope so…" Danny groaned. "Mr. Lancer is going to kill me…"
"If a test is your biggest worry right now, I think you'll be fine, child!" Technus laughed, walking over to him. "We will meet you again, I am sure, and our battles will continue?"
"Yeah. This time, though, I'll be chucking you back in the Ghost Portal instead of letting you go." Danny grinned.
Technus rumpled his hair. "I look forward to our next battle, child! I, Technus, will use all the technology and beat you soon!"
"Just try it!" Danny playfully punched him.
Technus pretended to be hurt and then poked Danny's nose before walking on.
Plasmius smiled. "Let's go home, little badger."
"Badger?" Danny blinked.
Plasmius smiled and led him out of the courthouse.
Some would say this trial was unfair, but considering that they had already decided their fates, who cares? XD
Geez, Phantom, watch your mouth in the courtroom. :/
Badger Badger Badger Badger Badger Badger Badger Badger MUSHROOM MUSHROOM!
Wow, that was a while ago...
Anyways, now Danny can (hopefully) have a normal life! Except...oh, wait. The next chapter is called "Trauma". ~ Zone