Dan glared out the window of the Nasty Burger restaurant as he finished the last of his shake. He had turned back into human form just before deciding to stay in Amity Park for a bit. He had considered heading back out to the woods, but quickly dismissed the idea. Chances were the Queen would most likely be gone by the time he returned. Not to mention he needed to come up with a new plan to catch her. The thermoses were obviously not working. It was like she had this strange power that allowed her to resist them. In all of his years of hunting, he had never come across a ghost that could do that. Even Dan himself couldn't do it. He could break out of them, but not resist them. So, how could she? There was something weird about that girl.
Dan reached for the banged up backpack next to him. The bag had taken a huge hit from landing so hard after being launched so high up into the air, but the stuff inside were all still intact and functioning perfectly. He pulled out the thermoses and set them aside. He shoved his arm back in and felt around for anything else he could use. Each Fenton Ghost Gear that Jazz sold all contained the exact same gadgets, so he already knew exactly what was inside. Inclucing the Fenton Grappler and the Jack o' Nine Tails. He found them and pulled them out. He leaned back in his seat and stared at them, turning his gaze from one to the other. The grappler might be a handy weapon, but for how long? It would catch her, yes. Even humans could be caught in it. However, if the Queen could resist the thermos, then there really wasn't any reason for him to believe she couldn't resist the grappler's effect after a while. Just give her a few minutes and she'd be out of the net and running among the trees again. The nine tails, however, that could possibly do the trick. Not only did the device latch itself around its victims, it gave them an electric shock, making them temporarily powerless. As stupid as its design was, what with Jazz's father's face plastered right in the middle of it, it just might be powerful enough to take down the Queen long enough for Dan to capture her.
Dan stuffed the grappler and the thermoses back into the bag and attached the nine tails to his belt. He put on the backpack and left the restaurant. Now all he had to do was find the Queen. She wasn't in the woods anymore, he was pretty sure of that. But, wasn't she looking for something back there? Did she find it? Maybe she went back to the Ghost Zone. Though probably not back to her lair, not while being hunted. That would be too easy. So, where'd she go?
He passed by Jazz's house as he tried to figure out how to track her down. At first, he didn't pay any attention at the girl getting out of the little, pink car in the driveway. At least, not until he saw a flash of green on her. He looked back just in time to see her about to enter the house. Her back was towards him, but he was still able to recognize the dress, the bare feet, and the dark hair. The Queen! She was here!
She glanced back at him as he continued to stare. She arched up one of her eyebrows as her violet eyes looked at him, probably wondering who the hell was the creep staring at her like that. She disappeared into the house and shut the front door. Dan stood there for a minute before evilly grinning to himself. It was like Fate had heard his troubles and was delivering her Majesty to him on a silver platter. All he had to do was capture her once and for all! Dan looked up at the house and his smile disappeared. Only problem was the Queen was in a ghost hunter's house filled with ghost hunting gadgets. Now, normally this wouldn't be a problem at all for most ghost hunters. In fact, this would be a dream come true. However, most ghost hunters weren't half-ghost themselves like Dan was. Which meant the Queen, not to mention Jazz, could level up the playing field and use the gadgets against him. She already figured out how to use the thermos against him. It wouldn't take her long to figure out how to use the rest of the stuff. So how could he catch her without getting caught himself?
Dan turned his gaze from the house to the car still running in the driveway. If it was still running, the keys must still be in the ignition. Jazz was coming back. And he was pretty sure the Queen was with Jazz. His evil smile returned as he chaanged into his ghost form. He turned himself invisible and phased through the car and into the backseat. Now to wait. Shouldn't be too long. And then he could catch the Queen by surprise with the nine tails and drag her back with him. Of course, there was the possiblility that Jazz would attack him and try to save her new friend. But seeing as Jazz had a bit of a history with being a lousy ghost hunter, Dan wasn't too worried about her.
Something caught Dan's attention out the car window. He peeped out and saw something large and metallic with fire-like green hair fly right past the house. Skulker? Dan growled in annoyance as the other hunter flew out of sight. What the hell was he doing here? What poor sap was he after this time? Oh, whatever. He rolled his eyes and ducked back down. The Queen should be back any minute now. Suddenly, something phased right through the car door and pinned Dan down flat on his back.
"What the hell are you doing here, welp?" a voice growled down at him.
Dan looked up. Skulker was sitting right on top of his chest, glaring at him. A missile launcher gun coming out of a compartment on Skulker's left arm was aimed right at Dan's head. Dan raised up his hand.
"Get off!" he shouted as he shot an ecto-blast.
Skulker was knocked back and he banged his head against the window, smashing it entirely. Dan managed to sit himself up just in time to see Skulker lunge at him. He turned himself intangible and Skulker went right through him and into the door. Dan moved to the driver's seat and became tangible once more as Skulker started to sit up. He growled and aimed the missile launcher at Dan again.
"I said what are you doing here?" he repeated.
"Funny," Dan sneered, "I was wondering the same thing about you."
Skulker narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Finally, he retracted the launcher back into his arm's compartment.
"Just stay out of my way, welp," he warned, "You're lucky I'm too busy trying to hunt down the Queen."
"Wait, what?" Dan's eyes widened and he stared at Skulker, "The Queen?"
"Queen of the Forest. Supposedly, she has some sort of plant powers, whatever that means. I know she's around this town somewhere. But where?"
"The hell you want her for?"
Skulker's eyes narrowed back down at Dan, "Why?"
Suddenly, Skulker jerked his head up. He leaned in closer trying to get a glimpse of something out the windshield. Dan turned his head and looked out, too. He could see the very top window of what he guessed was the attic. A dark haired figure stood in front. He could see her amethyst-colored eyes looking out. The Queen! Dan glanced back at Skulker and saw him with the same evil grin Dan had just a moment ago. Another launcher shot out from Skulker's back as he prepared to take off. Dan grabbed the gear shift, put the car in reverse and stomped on the accelerator, making his unwanted passenger lose his balance and stumble back into the seat. Dan wasn't about to let anybody touch even a hair on the Queen! She was his prey!
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Skulker shouted as he reached for the gear shift, "Gimme that!"
Dan quickly put the car into drive and sharply turned the steering wheel. The car's tires screeched on the asphalt as it made a sharp right turn. Again, Skulker toppled back into his seat, forcing the launcher back into its compartment. Growling, he grabbed Dan by the back of his head and yanked him back. Dan howled in pain and reached for Skulker's hands, but the other hunter smashed his face right into the steering wheel. He howled again and slumped down in the seat. He could feel himself changing back into a human as Skulker shoved him aside into the passenger seat. Dan clamped his eyes shut in concentration and forced himself back into ghost form. He turned to see Skulker in the driver's seat steering the car back towards the house. Dan shot an ecto-blast right in Skulker's eyes. He screamed and vigorously rubbed at his eyes as Dan grabbed the wheel. He made another sharp turn, stumbling Skulker on top of him. Their heads made a BONK! sound as they knocked together. Again Dan felt himself go weak and stars began to dance in front of his eyes. He fought the transformation again as Skulker sat back up. He grabbed Dan's collar and tugged at the door handle. The passenger door open and he with one mighty shove, Skulker managed to get half of Dan's body hanging out the car. . With his head hanging upside down, Dan could see the road below them rapidly passing on by. The car was still moving! He needed to get Skulker out of here now! Dan raised up his leg and kneed Skulker in the gut. Skulker immediatley let go with a grunt of pain and keeled over. Dan then shoved him right into the dashboard as he sat back up. He grabbed at he back of Skulker's collar and was just about to shove him out the open door, when Skulker suddenly jolted right up and smashed Dan into the driver's side door. Skulker yanked at the steering wheel as Dan got up and also grabbed hold of it.
The two tugged the wheel, making the car swerve left and right all the while crashing over whatever happened to be in its way. People screamed and debris was thrown all about, but the two took no notice.
Finally, after what seemed like two hours instead of two minutes, Skulker glanced out the now shattered windshield. He did a double-take and quickly became alarmed. He turned intangible and phased out of the car. Dan looked to see what was the matter and gasped. The car was heading straight into a tree! Quickly, Dan followed Skulker's lead and phased out just as it crashed right into the tree and crumpled up like an accordian. Dan could no longer resist the transformation and he was changed back into a human just as he hit the ground. He moved his limp hair out of his face and looked up just in time to see the tree fall over. He winced as it crashed right on top of the car's roof, caving it in completely. He turned his head towards the sky. Skulker was flying away, probably back at the house.
Dan stood up and felt next to him for his gear. He looked down when he realized he couldn't find it. Then he looked back. The car! It must have slipped off during the struggle! Dammit! By now, the area was surrounded by police cars with their lights blazing and their sirens blaring. Since nobody seemed to be paying even the slightest attention to him, Dan assumed he in the clear, for the car at least. But what about the Queen! Skulker was heading straight for her and he didn't have his gear! Then Dan remembered the nine tails and reached for his belt. Good. Still there. At least he had something. Dan broke into a run right after Skulker while trying to think of a plan. He wasn't going to be able to use his powers for a while, which meant he would have to rely on the nine tails and his own wits. The Queen had already outsmarted him twice, both while he was in ghost form. So for him to take her on in human form AND keep the other hunter, who was fully ghost by the way, away from her: Well, to say that it would be difficult was an understatement.
As Dan continued to run, the Queen rushed right past him from the opposite direction. What the-? He stopped and turned around in time to see her disappear into the alley next to the house. The very same alley he himself was at just a few hours ago. A few seconds later, Jazz came running past shouting about and waving the thermos menacingly into the air.
"I'll get you, ghost! I'll get you!"
She ran past the alley, completely oblivious to the Queen crouching behind the garbage cans. Dan couldn't help but roll his eyes. Didn't Jazz say she quit? He saw the Queen peek her head out from behind one of the cans. Seeing that the coast was clear, she sprinted out of the alley and turned down the corner. Dan followed, making sure he stayed a few feet back than necessary. No need to make her put her guard up. Not yet. She continued sprinting down the street and right up to a boarded up old house. She stopped and gazed up at it for some time, tilting her head as if she were confused. He watched as she carefully walked up the front steps and placed a hand on the door. Her fingertips traced the floral pattern etched onto it as she stared longingly. Her face seemed so sad with every passing second.
"What is it?" Dan found himself wondering, "What's wrong, your Majesty?"