Author's Note: This is the chapter everyone's been waiting for, so I hope you like it! It's very lengthy, but it's worth the long read!

Zinnia99 and Chiri124 are helping me continue my story Extrinsic SOuls, but if you have any ideas that you'd like to be worked into the story just let me know via PM or review!

Chapter 10: Truth Divulged

Danny's POV

I did it. I stopped the asteroid. Well, I didn't do it all by myself. My enemies had to help. I know. What a shocker, right? My enemies! I'm thankful that they did because everything would've been destroyed. I'm also thankful they wouldn't try to kill me anymore. Except for maybe Skulker. After all, some things never change.

After I was tackled by Jazz and my friends, I got up and brushed the snow off of myself. They're so proud of me for what I've done. Even Jazz is calling me a hero. I don't know what I would do without any of them.

"Thanks, guys, for always being there for me," I told them.

"We'll always be there when you need us, Danny," Tucker said cheerfully.

I smiled and Jazz nudged my arm with her elbow. I looked at her then turned my head to see what she's looking at it. I gulped.

It was our parents.

I haven't told them anything about my ghost powers. Jazz found out by herself so I've never had the pleasant experience of explaining what I am. I bit the inside of my lip. What will they say? They hunt ghosts for Christ's sake! Will they accept me or think I'm a freak?

"Nice job you did today, Danny Fenton," Dad said. "Or should I say, Danny Phantom?"

I blinked twice. How could they have known?

"Uh...I-I-" Instead of stuttering like an idiot, I cleared my throat and attempted to sound strong and tough. "Yes! That's me, sir," I said placing my hands on my waist. "I am Danny Phantom!" I wagging my finger at Dad. "I don't know who you are-"

"You can stop with the act, Danny," Mom said. "Because of what happened, I know who you really are."

I expected this day to come, just not so soon. I looked around at everyone's expectant faces. They didn't realize, not yet. It was just a hunch of theirs. I could fly off now and they'd all still wonder who Danny Phantom really is.

No more hiding.

Two white rings ran in opposite directions up and down my body, and I changed into the scrawny and dorky kid that everyone knows. They didn't know I'm a ghost with supernatural powers until now.

Shocked faces gape at me, not from Jazz and my friends, though. I scan the crowd to see their reactions then my eyes landed on the last two people: my parents.

It was a relief to see them smiling, but I have an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Everyone is applauding and congratulating me for what I've done.

My parents hadn't said a word.

Eventually, I escape the crowd and fly home. When I stop at the front of my house, two white rings appear around me and I'm back to being human. I look at my house, hesitant to go in. Before I can take a step, the door flies open and Jazz rushes out to see me.

"It's okay, Danny," Jazz assured me, taking my shoulders in her hands. "They just want to talk to you."

They were angry. I thought this would happen, but part of me hoped they'd welcome me like a hero. Jazz's tone and expression makes that hope come crashing down faster than you can say ghost.

"They'll understand when you talk to them." She gave me an encouraging push forward. "Now go. I'll be there with you."

I go inside with Jazz following behind me. I hear the door close and all four of us are in the living room. My parents were sitting; I decided to stand.

The silence is threatening, and especially in this situation. I don't know what to say, but I might as well break the silence since this discussion will be centered around me.

"I'm sorry that I haven't told you I am part ghost." I started with an apology. I thought that would be good enough. "I wasn't sure how well you'd take it. You guys were always saying how you'd 'rip that ghost kid apart molecule by molecule.' I know I should have told you first, but I couldn't."

"How did you become a ghost?" Dad asked in a monotone voice.

Suddenly, it was getting harder to breathe, and is it hot in here or is it just me? "Tucker wanted me to check out the Ghost Portal and I did. I accidentally pressed the 'on' button, and that's how I was changed. I'm only half ghost, though."

He sighed. I can't tell if he's frustrated or annoyed. "You know, you shouldn't fool around with any ghost equipment or weapons, Danny."

"I know and I'm sorry. I didn't know what could happen."

"You should have told us first, Danny," Mom said, disappointed.

"He did now and that's all that should matter, right?" Jazz piped into the conversation. I'm not sure if that's good timing or not.

"How did you find out?" Dad asked.

"I saw him changing into a ghost outside of school." They looked angry.

"You didn't tell us, either?" Mom asked, obviously offended.

"I kept it a secret for Danny because he wanted it that way until he was ready to tell you. I respected that."

I can feel Dad's eyes on me and that gave me chills. "It took you a long time to reveal your secret."

"I did now. I told you my secret, I saved your lives; what more do you want from me?" I demanded. "Instead of being upset that I haven't told you, why can't you be happy for what I am?"

"It's a lot to take in, Danny," Mom said simply. "We never thought any of our children to be a ghost." Mom glanced over at Jazz. "Or would help one."

"If I or his friends wouldn't help Danny, he would have probably died. The same way for us if he wasn't a ghost; he wouldn't have been able to get all of the ghosts to save us from the asteroid. Danny does good things. He helps people."

"I'm sure he does," Mom said, an edge to her voice that I didn't care for at all.

"From now on, no one in this family should be keeping secrets," Dad declared.

Jazz and I nodded. I assumed this little talk was over because Jazz walked upstairs. I was about to go up to my own until I got called to stop.

"I don't like that you're a ghost," Mom said, shaking her head. "It's not right."

"I can't change the way I am. This is me, now."

My parents were standing beside each other, looking down at me like I was a filthy dog that had gotten into mud while I was outside.

"Daniel," Dad began in a disgusted tone. "If this is who you are, I don't want any part of raising you."

I cringed, looking at Mom for support. "Leave," she said, disappointed once more. She shook her head and walked out of the room.

I can't believe what just happened. Did my parents really tell me to leave? Disowned me, basically? I thought they were supposed to be more accepting! Maybe those types of parents are only on TV. I didn't expect something like this to happen.

I gave my ex-Dad the ultimate eye daggers, and from his freaked out expression, I know my eyes changed to green. Good. He can see that I lost my temper.

"If this is what I get for saving your life, Dad, I can tell you right now the feeling is mutual."

When I got to my room, I slammed the door. Hard. Hard enough it knocked one of the hinges off. I need to hit something. Anything. That's when I drove my fist through the wall. I think I heard a bone break, and there was a lot of blood. But I wasn't worried; my ghost powers healed it in under a minute. And now a lot of my anger had been brushed away.

It didn't take long to pack my things; I only had a few necessities. Most of my things held too much sympathetic value. A ceramic cup Mom and I had made together at her art class. A fishing pole – my first – that Dad had given me. It had belonged to him as a kid. Family pictures at the zoo, pictures of Dad and I holding new ghost hunting weapons when I was seven, all of it. It made me sick to my stomach.

My parents don't have any power over me, so I can do anything I want to this room. Why should it be neat? After two minutes of rampage, the room was transformed into a tornado destruction zone.

A knock sounded from my door. Did my parents suddenly have second thoughts and think disowning their only son was a horrifying idea? Fat chance. I knew they didn't have a change of heart. I'm beginning to think they don't even have hearts.

"I'm packing my things, alright?" I yelled and was surprised to see a teary eyed Jazz when the door opened. I crossed my arms not in the mood to see her. "Thanks for the support, sis," I growled.

"Please, Danny, don't go," she begged, choking on her words. "I-I can change their minds. You can stay–"

"No, Jazz. It's fine. They're our parents so whatever they say goes, right?"

She shook her head and more tears spilled out. I hate it when girls cry, especially if it's my sister because she doesn't cry often. Her arms were around me hugging me close and so tightly that I can barely breathe. I hugged her back, knowing this moment would be the last time I would see her for a long time. Our parents – her parents – would probably forbid her from seeing me.

She let go of me saying, "I'll miss you, little brother."

"I'll miss you, too, Jazz."

I got my things and flew out of my old home, smashing my window for dramatic exit. Where am I going? I have no idea.

"I'm sorry to hear that, dude," Tucker frowned.

Us and Valerie were inside his room. I just needed someone to talk to about my situation. I don't know who else to turn to other than my friends. They're the only people I have now.

"I don't know what to do." I put my hands on my head with a loud sigh. "I don't have anywhere to go."

"You can stay at my place," he offered.

"Or mine," Valerie piped up.

I looked at them. "'m not going to stay at either of your houses. I can find a hotel and see what I can do from there. Maybe I'd get to live there for free if I offered my services."

"What about school?" Valerie asked.

"Drop out. I don't have the money to go thanks to my wonderful parents." I never thought I'd be a high school drop out. I was doing so well in school too; I was a D student and turned into a C+ and B- student. Now, that's going to be taken away from me and it's my parents' fault.

"Seriously, Danny, you can live with me," Tucker said. "My parents love you; I'm sure they won't mind."

"They don't care that I'm a freak?"

"You're not a freak, Danny," Valerie comforted me. "You're a ghost, a hero."

"Really? Try telling my parents that," I grumbled.

"I would love to actually..." She mumbled.

"Why won't you stay with either of us?" Tucker asked.

"I just can't, alright," I snapped. "It's bad enough I got disowned. I don't want my friends having to drag me into their families."

"We're not dragging you in, we–"

"You know what I mean. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need anyone's help."

"Of course you do, Danny," Valerie said. "You're hurting and what you need is friends–"

"Who are you? A therapist?" I yelled. She leaned away from me with a shocked, hurt expression on her face. I instantly regretted what I said. She was my ex-girlfriend, I shouldn't treat her like that.

"We're trying to help, Danny," Tucker hissed, now madder than me. "Now, it's obvious you don't need it."

"From you," I said angrily. "If you hadn't told me to go inside the Ghost Portal, none of this would've happened! I'm a ghost who has these freakish powers and got kicked out of my family because of them!"

He looked offended. Anger quickly replaced that. "What are you saying? That all of this is my fault?!"

"You were the one who thought I should go inside!" I countered.

"That doesn't mean you have to go along with it!" he screamed. "I'm sorry that your Mommy and Daddy doesn't want you anymore, but that doesn't mean you can take your anger out on us when we haven't done anything to hurt you!"

"I should have never listened to you because that's what got me into trouble IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

The floor was suddenly very close to my face, my jaw stinging. Valerie was kneeling next to me, worry and panic written all over her face.

"Let him go, Valerie," Tucker spat. "He can take care of himself, isn't that what he said?"

I glared at him. I expected someone like Dash to throw a punch at me, but never him. My trust and our friendship is gone.

"Stop fighting, please," Valerie pleaded.

I got up and so did she. "I never saw this side of you before, Tuck. If this is who you really are then I don't want anything to do with you." My jaw hurt with every word I said. Tucker had hit me really, really hard.

"Good because I don't want a friend who treats me like nothing."

"You don't know what I'm going through!" I defended then I gave up. "How could you know? You're nothing like me. I have to go."

"To your family? Oh, that's right. You don't have one anymore." Valerie gasped at his insult.

I whirled to him sending him the most livid glare. I went intangible and flew away, ignoring the fact that Valerie was desperately calling my name.

Way to go, Danny. Losing my family and friends all in the same day. My friends who I could count on. If it wasn't for my stubbornness, I could have them back. But, no. I had to be stupid. I literally have no one now.

I stopped at a park (far away from my hometown) and sat behind a tree that blocks me from any passersby view.

Why? Why does all of this happen to me?

I'm going to be alright on my own, but I don't think I'm quite ready yet. I never expected my parents to do this to me. How could they? They're not proud that I'm a ghost who saved people's lives and their own. They were ungrateful that I risked my life to save them and the rest of the entire world.

I hate them.

Then, there's my friends. I don't think I can ever go back to them after what happened. I don't hate them. It's just they got me at a bad time when I was angry and upset. I lost my temper with them.

The words I told Tucker earlier replayed in my head: "If this is who you really are then I don't want anything to do with you."

Who did I sound like? That was almost the exact same thing my so-called Dad told me. I will never become my father, believe me. How could I have said that to my friend who has always been there for me? Ugh! I hate myself. I wish my heart would suddenly stop beating so I can die; it would be a quick, painless death. I'm sure my parents wouldn't care.

Where else can I go? Do I really want to keep moving from hotel to hotel? I don't think so. I would get sick of it. The Ghost Zone sounds nice, but I know it's not a place for a Halfa like me. Someone came to mind when I thought about my limited options. It's a person I never thought I would even dream of considering in my time of need.

He has a huge mansion. We can tolerate each other. Would I really go so low to think about the possibility of moving in with my enemy? Yes. I would. Because I'm desperate. He's at Wisconsin, but it's worth it to go there.

At least I was able to fly. After two long hours, I finally arrived at his doorstep. I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. At first, no one came. I though maybe he wasn't home and was about to turn away when the door opened, revealing the silvery-white haired man himself. His face morphed from business like to completely stunned in less than a second.

"Daniel?" Vlad asked incredulously.

"I need help, Vlad. You're the only one I can turn to. The only person I have left." I hate the way I sound: pathetic and desperate.

He guided me to the living room and we sat down while I began to explain everything. Throughout the course of my talking, Vlad listened intently to every word. I hadn't expected him to be this way. I expected him to keep interrupting and not hear me out. Like my parents. Adults usually don't care about other peoples' kids' problems. But we can relate to each other because we're both Halfas from an accident.

We didn't ask for any of this.

A butler came in and served us food on silver platters, a servant behind him carrying TV trays for us to eat on. The food was steaming, it was so fresh from the kitchen. Vlad asked me if I was hungry. I didn't think I'd feel like eating, but at that moment my stomach growled fiercely. I started digging into the twice baked potato and steak in response. I didn't realize how starving I was.

Vlad looked at me with sympathy; he appeared to be genuinely sorry for me. Vlad had always hated Da – Jack – so Vlad expected something like this to come from him. However, Vlad never imagined Maddie would agree with disowning their son. He claimed that Jack must've had a bad influence on her for all of these years.

"You can stay here as long as you need to," Vlad said. I felt like a ton of weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"Thank you so much, Vlad." Who knew those words would come out of my mouth?

I was given the guest room, and compared to my room, it was like a whole apartment to myself. I moved my stuff in and went to sleep even though it was only eight o'clock in the evening. I'd had a very long, busy, tiring, disappointing day.

I stayed with Vlad for a couple days . . . and then those days turned into months. I couldn't get back on my feet and face the real world alone. Vlad offered his help, but I had declined. I was being stubborn I know, but I wasn't ready to accept help. I needed more time to recover.

Vlad wants me to continue my education. He told me all the schools around his county in Wisconsin, but I don't want to go back. Vlad ordered a homeschooling kit for me, and he tried to work with me every day, but my heart wasn't in it. Right now, I was to the point where I didn't want to continue life.

I've been acting like a zombie for the past few months, and I know my attitude is like a bitch, but I don't care. I don't care about anyone's feelings. My parents didn't care about mine, so why should I consider anyone else's? I don't think about Maddie and Jack too often, but I do think about Jazz frequently. I wonder how she is doing without me. I wonder how she is behaving around her parents.

Instead of me acting depressed all the time, Vlad wants me to train to improve my ghost powers. Being a ghost is what got me in trouble in the first place. Also, there were no ghosts terrorizing anywhere, so I don't see the point in trying to act like a hero. Eventually, Vlad made me do it, and once I got into the habit of training, I couldn't stop.

More time passed and I have no plans on what to do next with my life. As much as I hate them, I miss my family. Would they ever take me back if I apologize? I'm sure they can make an invention that could permanently change me to a human. I don't want to be a ghost anymore if I'm getting treated this way by my family. Maybe I should go back. I could also apologize to Tucker and Valerie.

I talked about that possibility to Vlad.

"Are you sure, Daniel? What if they wouldn't take you back?"

I hadn't thought about that. But they're my parents, and I want to give them a second chance. "Since they don't like me being a ghost, I think they can make an invention that can permanently change me to a human. Normal is what they want, right?"

"Do you really want to give up everything to please just a few people?"

I was hesitant to answer. I'm proud of who I am and I love being a ghost, but it cost me my family and friends. I would do anything to have them back. "If I can get my family back then yes," I answer determined.

I can tell he disapproved of it, but it was my decision.

He let me go with a sigh. People were doing that a lot here lately. "If this is what you want."

"It is. I'll come back if they . . . if they don't want me anymore."

"I'll always be here for you."

Sure. That's what they all say. "Thanks. For everything." I attempt to smile and I left for home - well, what I use to call home. I hope it still is.

It took me another two hours to get back to Illinois, back to my home. Once I got there, I noticed something was different. The Fenton Works sign wasn't lit up. A deep pit grew in my stomach.

"No..." I murmured.

I flew inside the house and what I found in there was . . . nothing. All of the rooms were completely empty. There was no one there. Where could have my family gone? Have I disgraced them so badly that felt they needed to move? They moved so they would never have to see me again. Fine. If that's how they want it they can live their lives without me.

I sat on the floor trying not to cry. I won't see them ever again. It was a gut feeling. No matter how much Jazz can be a pain, I'll miss her too. I won't get to see her graduation and her family. If my parents die, I would never know.

A hard, baseball sized lump grew in my throat, one that I couldn't manage to swallow no matter how hard I tried. Suddenly it was hard to breathe. My stomach started tightening. Even though I tried hard not to, several tears spilled form my eyes, trailing all the way down from cheeks and jawline to my neck. I have to face the fact that my family does not want me anymore. It's hard, I won't lie. I always thought my parents were the greatest ever. And now . . . now I hate them with every part of my being. I wouldn't care if they died. They probably wouldn't care if I died. . . .

I can't stand being here anymore. I don't want to see Tucker and Valerie. Chances are they've moved on. Forgotten all about me. It's been over eight months now. I picked myself up, wiped my tears on my sleeve, and got ready to fly back to Vlad's. But then ice blue mist emitted from my open mouth, trailing up towards the sky.

A ghost was near.

Someone's eyes were on my back, so I snapped my head in that direction. A ghost was hovering a few feet in the air not but a few yards away. I had never seen him before; black body armor that showed off his gigantic muscles that could very well beat me to a bloody pulp, a long, blood-red cape, and a golden skull belt.

"Danny Fenton." How did he know my name when I didn't know anything about him?

"Not Fenton." I'd have to get used to that. "Phantom. How do you know who I am and who are you?"

"My name is Vaughn. I've been watching you with great fascination." Okay, creeper alert. "If you're with me, we could make a great team. I never knew a Halfa could exist."

"Halfas do exist and this Halfa doesn't want to work with anyone."

"Still hurt that you've been disowned and abandoned?" He mocked.

I was shocked. "How do you know that?"

His smirk was smug and it matched his voice. "I know everything.

Getting annoyed and tired of this conversation, I sneered, "Do you know I'm going to do this?" I shot an ecto beam straight at his sickly pale face which sent him flying into a brick building.

He laughed, rose from the crumbling mass, and flipped his greasy black hair backwards, revealing a long jagged scar on his cheek and yellow, cat-like eyes.

I stood my ground, waiting for him to make the next move. He just stood there for what seemed like an eternity, and then rapidly started firing lightning bolts at me. I threw up a shield, but it started breaking almost immediately. I looked around at my surroundings, trying to sum up my chances of a victory . . . or at least an escape. No, not an escape. I would win.

And then I spotted it. I don't know why it had been thrown in the trash, but it had been. Maybe Maddie and Jack didn't have a use for it anymore.

It was sheer luck that it was only an arms length away from me. I broke my shield long enough to grab the device and then I turned intangible, melting into the ground, and appearing behind Vaughn, invisible. He was looking left and right, but couldn't find me. I latched the Specter-Deflector onto him, and almost instantaneously, he arched his back as shocks on electricity coursed up and down his body. He fell to the ground with an almighty thump, knocked out cold. Or so I thought. His eyes fluttered open as the shocks subsided. He clawed at it, trying to get it off him, but to no avail.

"There's always a next time, Daniel," he hissed.

"I'll be ready and waiting," I replied quietly. and he vanished into thin air with a whirl of his cape. How did he do that with the Specter-Deflector still on him?

After what happened, I'm glad that I'm a ghost. Being in a fight is a great way to take out your anger.

If I would ever get the chance to see Vaughn again, let's just say there would be another fight I'll get involved in.

I don't know where to go next. Vlad's? No. I was a burden for him. I won't go to my old friend's places. I wouldn't waste my time to search where my family moved. They don't want me anyway. Why should I want to go to them?

Where do I go from here? I have no idea.

Then, a thought struck me. My family couldn't've tore down the Ghost Portal, could they? Only one way to find out.

Once I was in the basement, the whole Ghost Portal looked normal. I pressed the big red button to the right of the doors, and the doors open automatically.

A took a long deep breath. Whatever would happen in my future would be in the Ghost Zone. Nobody here really cares for me, so what's the point in staying? There's a whole new life in the Ghost Zone waiting for me, and it's full of promising possibilities.

I'll leave this world forever without any regrets. None at all.