This chapter's more like a bridge/cooldown chapter that'll have things brought up for later chapters. Either way, I hope you enjoy it :)
Also, please feel free to leave me a review! I don't bite, and I literally sit here waiting to see at least one. I:
Chapter 10:
"But Terra just came back! Why would you leave us now?" Beast Boy had his arms wrapped around Danny's legs, looking on the verge of tears.
"I told you already, I'll be back soon. It's not like you can't just call me if you pass my high score or something, B.B." Danny rolled his eyes, phasing out of the changeling's hold. "I'm just going to visit my... Family." He decided that yes, even though he hadn't personally met Vlad yet as Fenton, the man was still his godfather and had been taking care of his sister.
"Don't worry Casper, I'll keep them occupied," Terra winked, ruffling Danny's hair. "Starfire wanted to give me one of those fancy makeovers, I think Beast Boy and I were gonna play some of those Monkey things, and... Oh right, training." She listed off. "I think they're gonna keep me busy for the both of us..."
Danny chuckled as he picked up his suitcase. "Well, I'll see you guys later. Keep in touch."
"Be careful, Danny." Robin finally spoke up, arms crossed. "You're going out there as a civilian, but you still have to keep your guard up..."
"I'll miss you too, Robin." Danny shook his head before walking out the door. He vaguely heard the murmur of chat among his teammates as he left the tower.
(Break)
He was still surprised to have been treated to a private jet to Wisconsin and a limo to the mansion. It brought up so many questions to him, like how his parents had known a billionaire, or why his parents had never brought their supposed friend up his whole life.
Or why the limo was so cold that he could see his own breath. Even though he didn't normally mind the cold, it was unusual.
Politely, he tapped on the closed window separating him from the driver. "Excuse me, can you lower the air? It's freezing back here..." He heard a small grunt and the air conditioning made a noise as it adjusted to whatever temperature his driver had changed it to. "Thanks."
Finally, the car parked in front of the house, a butler coming outside to escort Danny in. Vlad stood in the middle of the room, arms open as the man gave a very warm smile.
"Daniel! It's so good to finally meet you," he said as he practically ran over and picked Danny up into a hug, making the teen slightly uncomfortable but he didn't fight it.
"Uh, actually, it's just Danny..."
"Yes, yes. Of course. You gave me and your sister quite the scare for a while. Imagine my surprise when she tells me you were finally coming home." Vlad's eyebrows raised slightly.
Home. The word didn't apply to this place though, Titan's Tower was his home. Still, he didn't argue as he nodded his head. Vlad seemed like a nice enough man and if he hadn't run away, he could see himself living here. "Where's Jazz?" He asked, feet on the ground again as Vlad had released him.
"Jasmine is waiting for you in the living room. She can give you a tour of the mansion, including your room- Which, I fail to inform, hadn't been set up with you in mind yet. Feel free to contribute any changes you want to the room," Vlad said, still smiling. Almost too friendly, but it could have been worse. Maybe this guy was just really glad he was safe.
"Thanks, Mr. Masters. I'm not going to be staying too long though, just a week." Danny grinned.
"Oh? My dear boy, where have you been staying? Where will you go?" It was the first time Vlad dropped the smile, a more curious than worried expression on the man's face."
"Honestly? Been living with some roommates and taking classes online. I even have a job." It wasn't a lie.
Vlad clasped his hands together. "Ah, a very independent young man, I knew I liked you from the moment I saw you. Start from the bottom and work your way up, maybe you can work for Vlad co. one day-"
"Actually, I want to be an astronaut," Danny chipped in.
"A very astute profession. I'm sure your face will be on televisions across the nation one day, hailing you as a hero for your efforts." Vlad seemed pleased.
Danny couldn't help but grin, his cheeks tinted red. "Thanks, Mr. Masters. It means a lot to hear that from you."
"You may call me Uncle Vlad, my dear boy. No need to be so formal."
"Yes, uh, Uncle Vlad."
(Break)
It was an understatement to say Vlad liked the Packers. Memorabilia and colors were everywhere, showing Vlad's true nature as a Cheese-head. Danny relaxed as he and Jazz chatted, both of them smiling. It was a blessing to be able to talk about everything.
"I still can't believe my brother saves people," Jazz smiled. "I was worried for you going to high school because I knew there'd be big changes in your life, but never did I even think something like this could happen..." Her expression changed but she looked away before Danny could even catch it. "... You never did tell me what happened though. People don't just get powers overnight. Did... Did you d-"
"No!" Danny quickly put his hands up, looking horrified she would even imply such a thing. She'd already checked him for a pulse and everything, she should have known better. "I... Okay, remember the Ghost Portal mom and dad were always working on, but it didn't work? That night I just got really curious-
It's Sam's fault kinda, she made me want to look at it. So I went down in the basement, and then the ground started shaking and I hit a button inside the portal and got zapped. I kinda passed out and woke up as Phantom," he concluded, a thoughtful look on his face.
"My friend Terra said I'm a meta-human, but sometimes I wonder if it's more? I know I'm not a full ghost because when I'm like this, " he gestured to himself, "I do need to sleep, eat, breathe, ect. And I'm much weaker, but I can still use some of my basic powers... But then, it's different when I'm Phantom."
"Hmmm," Jazz looked him over. "Have you had any tests done? Mom and dad said ectoplasm doesn't affect humans, but maybe it contaminated you in the portal."
"... I thought you didn't listen to mom and dad's "ghost crackpot" theories." Danny grinned.
Jazz rolled her eyes. "I never took them to heart, but I did listen. Despite being crazy, our parents were brilliant scientists (or at least mom was) and I was observing them for my college papers."
"Right," Danny was still smirking.
"Anyways, it's still something worth looking into." Jazz concluded.
"Sure," Danny shrugged. "So, getting away from my condition, whats, uh..." He looked at everything but her, deciding his question might not have been appropriate.
Jazz gave a small smile, patting his arm. "It's fine, Danny. My condition's improving, thank you for asking. In fact, Vlad was telling me how I might be able to participate in a clinical trial that might get me back on my feet, although I honestly wouldn't care too much. It's not like limited mobility has affected my mind," she joked.
"I am sorta interested in the trial, though. Apparently some corporation came up with a suit that connects to your nervous system and the possibilities are endless, from better prostheses to super soldiers. A spinal injury like mine would be easily overcome," she grinned, her teal eyes lit up with possibilities.
Danny blinked. "What corporation?" he asked, curious.
"Huh? I think it was like, Wilson Co. or something. I'm not saying I'm going to run straight for it though, not until I see more studies on it," Jazz assured.
"Good. We don't need you giving Cyborg a run for his money if next time I see you you're half robot."
Jazz tried to smack him, Danny easily avoiding it. "Hmph."
(Break)
It was night and he couldn't sleep. His breath kept coming out in little wisps and he had since decided that no, it wasn't the cold. And so, Phantom was currently floating invisibly through the halls of Vlad Master's mansion, listening to the internal tug he felt came with every little cold breath. Something was here.
There wasn't anymore room to walk forward and the draw had inclined below him. Danny phased through the floor and his eyes widened in surprise as they met red ones.
There was a moment of silence before Plasmius looked away, seeming not to notice the boy.
Oh, right, invisibility. He thought for a moment he'd lost it in shock.
He looked around the room. It was some sort of lab- There was even a green glowing portal in the room. How and why did Plasmius have all this, set up in his godfather's mansion no less.
Plasmius was mumbling to himself and Danny overheard things like, "ghost sickness" and "cloning", which made him further question the villain.
He was about to turn away and leave when black light formed at Plasmius' waist, traveling down the ghost's form.
'No way!', he covered his mouth before he could gasp and flew out of the room as fast as he could.
Plasmius was Vlad Masters. His sister was living with the crazed fruit loop that had tried to give him some psycho speech to join him.
He'd been worried about Slade, when Plasmius had his sister all along.
But did he know?
(Break)
"It was great and all, but I have to get going. Thank you for letting me stay here," Danny stood there awkwardly. He was trying his best to act normal after last night.
"So soon?" Vlad asked, while Jazz had pulled her brother into a hug.
"Yeah. Things to do, places to be... I'll make sure to send a postcard or something," Danny said, lips pressed together tightly in an attempted smile.
"Like I said, call me any time. And make sure to call Tucker, he's been mad since I told him you were alive that you haven't gotten in touch," Jazz lectured him.
"Right..." That was one of the things he and Jazz had talked about, but he couldn't bring himself to talk to his best friend.
According to Jazz, of Danny's two friends, only the techno geek Tucker Foley was still in contact with her. Sam Manson's family had moved away from Amity Park after the incident (Not because their house was destroyed, but because of the death count that they felt would further 'harm' their gothic teen), while Tucker's family remained.
"Well, I'm going now..."
"We hope you will come home again, little badger." Vlad told him.
Danny hated the fact he actually though Vlad seemed like a good guy, without the Plasmius thing.
It was on his flight home that he let himself wonder, was Vlad like him, human with ghost powers? Or was he a ghost that could look human? What had happened to him? Why didn't he like Danny using his powers for good? Maybe, just maybe, Plasmius was only trying to hide his secret and by being Danny Phantom, the other thought he was putting them both in danger? He'd probably never know unless he confronted the man, but he decided now was not the time.
Reviews:
Greatazuredragon: I know, right? I feel if she hadn't seen him transform, she would have still found out. I mean, it's her brother, and unlike her parents she's more rational. I imagine Maddie and Jack were too blinded by the whole "He's a ghost!" thing to figure it out, while Jazz, who's more open minded. Also, grats, you get a new chapter the day you probably finished reading the last chapter.
Michael: I watched a bit of the new Xiaolin and had to Xiaolout because too many differences. If they ever made a new Danny Phantom, I' be kinda mad if they did it like that or what happened to Teen Titans.
Oblitus Angeli: Maaaaaaybeeee.
Crystal013: Ember probably won't make it to the stage, since the portal's closed. Still, about that DxR... I: