Me: For once I have nothing witty or sarcastic to say.

Danny: I think the world just blew up.

Me: Drama Queen.

Danny: Bitch.

A/N: Audience centric POV: I still don't want to explain what's going on inside Danny, Sam, and Tucker's heads yet. So 3rd limited (same as the last couple chapters).

Previously: (For anyone who's confused)

Danny takes charge and, although it wasn't their plan, the trio explains what's been going on to the rest of the class. They find medicine for Mr. Lancer and supplies for themselves in the suitcases that washed ashore. Right before they're about to leave, Ember and Skulker show up.

"Skulker?" -Danny

"Whelp!" -Skulker

"Dipstick." -Ember

"EMBER!" -Tucker

"Tucker!" -Sam

"Sam…" -Tucker

"DANNY!" -Sam

"Jesus Christ, why can't anything ever be simple?" -Danny

Ghostly Aid

Stranded Day 2 part 3

"GHOST!" a startled cry came from the crowd of students, and chaos erupted.

Danny quickly shoved the entity off his chest and faced the frantic people. "Guys, wait a second- HEY -they're good ghosts!" The two beings behind him laughed. "-Er, good-ish ghosts. They can help us," he tried to explain.

The poor teen's calming voice did nothing to quell the panic before him. Dash and Kwan abandoned Mr. Lancer's body at their feet. Some of the larger teen grabbed the smaller ones and threw them to the floor yelling, "Take them, not us!" Screams so high-pitched they would make an Oprah singer wince, the girls flipped out and tumbled towards the water. The boys, after fighting each other to get away, followed them soon after. It was a madhouse that the audience couldn't help but laugh at.

Danny's eyebrow twitched. "So much for our unity."

Picking himself off the ground, Skulker hissed at the quivering mass of kids. "These are the humans you hope to lead into battle? Pathetic," he sneered.

"You know, you're not helping."

"I wasn't aiming to."

Ember moved to stand next to Skulker while nodding her head at Sam and Tucker. "At least your friends aren't like that," she commented.

"Thanks," replied Tucker, dryly.

Sam scowled at the rocker, clearly showing the emotion the audience was expecting them all to exhibit: distrust. "Danny, I know you said a while ago that these two have mellowed out, but can we really trust them?" she asked. Clearly not offended by Sam's comment, the two ghosts smirked at her resentful attitude.

"Yes," Danny assured, watching his classmates try to stay as far away from the two ghosts as possible without going too deep in the ocean. "Judging by the suppressors on their wrists, they aren't here by their own free will." Sam looked surprised and mumbled something along the lines of "didn't even notice."

"Huh," snorted Tucker, examining the band on Ember's wrist who grudgingly allowed the human to touch her. "The enemy of my enemy is a friend."

Meanwhile, across the world people were banging their heads against any solid objects they could find. The trio knew Skulker and Ember, two of Amity Park's most popular haunters? The amount of ghost related information that was made public knowledge centered around how to fight a ghost and the different types of ghosts that are out there. Skulker was a level 3 threat, meaning he's dangerous but not overly so, and Ember was listed level 5 because of her ability to hypnotize people. They, along with several others, were included in the list of frequently occurring ghosts that show up at Amity Park so their existence is public knowledge. Despite the private access Danny might have to certain information not made public knowledge due to who his parents are, that doesn't explain why he's so friendly with two ghosts. If anything, the ghosts should be afraid of him, the son of two ghost hunters. "I don't even want to know," the irritated humans decided.

Back on the screen students began to hyperventilate. They all gathered in a ball of warm bodies about ankle deep in the water and shivered as one large body of mass. Terrified eyes watched the conversation between the three humans and two ghosts with disbelieving expressions. Sam and Tucker were completely relaxed, rolling their eyes at the scene before them. Danny was shaking his head at something the robotic ghost was saying and the flame-haired girl was laughing. Mr. Lancer was passed out at their feet. The students couldn't believe what they were seeing, and the audience couldn't blame them for being horrified.

"Why aren't you running?" shrieked Amber as she clung to a very annoyed Chris.

"Or shooting them with your guns?" shouted Devon, pointing accusingly at the trios wrists. "And why the hell don't we get guns too?" Every other students nodded quickly and exchanged worried glances when Danny cleared his throat. Taking in his classmates fearful looks he decided to approach the topic carefully.

"Guys, these ghosts aren't here to hurt us," he coaxed in a calm voice. "Skulker and Ember are trapped also."

"Well, I wouldn't say trapped," muttered the male deafeningly.

"Can it, Skulker- You're just as much stranded as we are." Said ghost muttered a few choice words under his breath but stopped when the female placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and smiled. Skulker grinned back and the two linked hands.

The students noticed the contact and tilted their heads curiously. "Are you two… together?" Dash questioned loudly, his blunt curiosity winning the battle against his overwhelming fear. Kim, who was still wary of the ghosts, punched him in the shoulder for being so inconsiderate.

Ember proudly answered yes and Skulker beamed at her response. This caused an uneasy ripple to move through the shivering crowd of adolescents. If that was true, then it contradicted everything they thought they knew. A redhead boy with glasses peeked out from behind Kim. "I didn't think your kind had any romantic or even platonic feelings towards each other," he stated. The two ghosts tensed and frowned at the innocent observation while Mickey ducked his head when their sharp gazes turned towards him.

The audience was curious about this as well. Do ghosts really feel emotion? Maddie and Jack Fenton had always preached that they were nothing but ectoplasmic blobs of pure hatred, and not in an entirely biased sort of fashion. They argued that the reason people become ghosts when they die is because they feel the need for revenge on those who were still living. Essentially, they had something they still wanted to do that kept them from moving on the they died, and their motivations always include anger and betrayal.

"Not all ghosts are evil," Danny said, with no emotion or expression. The class turned to look at him in surprise. That statement was just a little too odd for the son of two ghost hunters to say.

"What do you mean?" Valerie growled, hands itching to grab the dagger she had hidden.

Danny shrugged and answered, "It's simple. They're people."

"No they're not," the girl argued.

"Yes, they are," Danny laughed, incredulously, raising one eyebrow at the fuming girl. "What do you think happens to people when they die? They turn into ghosts, right? That means they're people, they're just in a different state of body and mind that those who are alive."

Valerie wasn't swayed. "They're people who kill and terrorize humans then."

"Humans kill too."

"They can't do it as easily as ghosts. We don't have powers!"

"We have guns- guns that can hurt them just as badly as they hurt us!"

"That's different!"

"No, Valerie," Danny snapped, finally looking frustrated, "it's not any different, not at all! You can't generalize an entire population on what a select few do. Humans kill, but humans can also be kind. Ghosts kill, but ghosts can also be kind. I know for a fact some have no desire to have anything to do with the living world and just want to be left alone! I know Valerie- I've met them."

Valerie's face was red, but she bit her lip to stop herself from yelling. "You're wrong, Danny. You have no idea," she finally said, angrily clenching her fists. "You don't know what they're really like- you've never seen it. You just don't know, okay?"

The students shifted uncomfortably, each recalling the ghost attack that killed Valerie's mom when she was little. The police hadn't even been able to determine the cause of death at the time because it almost looked like a ghost had done it. Years later when more ghosts starting popping up and paranormal studies were published, the police were finally able to confirm Valerie's mom's death as a result of a ghost attack due to the ectoplasm found in her blood. Valerie already hated ghosts by then because one had apparently caused her father to lose his job, but finding out she lost her mother because of one? She was never the same.

Danny, seemingly not thinking the same thing as the class that only felt pity and sadness for the girl, gave her a blank look. "Sure, Valerie. Whatever you say," he replied before turning back towards the ghosts behind him and apologizing for asking such a personal question. Despite Valerie having the last word, she couldn't help but feel like she lost that battle.

"Ignoring Valerie's reluctance to believe that there are benevolent ghosts, I can promise you these two are friendly," Danny maintained, turning back to face the class. Valerie winced at the jab but didn't rise to the bait. Why was this so important to Danny? She was so used to seeing the quiet, kind boy she had dated a while back. Was this topic so important to him that his entire personality changed?

"So why are they here?" Star asked, giving the ghosts a look of resentment.

The raven haired teen exhaled loudly and peered at Skulker through his messy, black bangs. "She has a point. It's nice to know that you're on our side this time, but why did you come to us like this? Were you captured too? Why is the ghost allowing you to see us?" he demanded.

Ember and Skulker shared an exhausted look that startled the class. The two looked very... vulnerable. "It's obvious that we didn't come here by our own will," began the male, gesturing towards the metal band on his wrist, "but we did come to you for a reason"

The leader of the Golden Trio bit his lip and his eyes looked to his classmates. The ghosts must have understood what he was feeling and smiled. Reassured, Danny relaxed.

The audience openly gaped while the students frowned. "What the heck was that?"

"We came to give you information on Twist. We know we can't beat him and escape on our own so we're hoping that you'll help us," struggled Skulker, stumbling over his words. The rocker ghost elbowed him with an unreadable expression on her face.

Danny frowned. "Twist?"

Ember gave the teen and exasperated look. "Seriously? You didn't even bother to ask his name? Danny, dear, you're slipping."

"That's what I said!" cried Tucker from behind them.

"Shut up."

Sam stepped forward. "Who is Twist exactly? What does he want?" she asked.

Skulker scratched his armored head. "We don't know what he wants," at the trios blank looks he growled, "I'm serious! When Ember and I were snatched from the ghost zone, we knew nothing. Waking up in a cage earlier today- before sending us out on this island- he told us some things about himself but his motives weren't one of them."

"What did he tell you?"

Ember laughed. "Oh gods, kid, you won't believe this," she managed to say through her chuckles. "His brother's the Box Ghost."

Danny, Sam, and Tucker seemed to stop functioning. Their eyes were huge and their jaws unhinged; Danny didn't even look like he was breathing at all. Apparently this news was so shocking to them that they had difficultly processing it. The audience, meanwhile, turned to the books written by Maddie and Jack Fenton, but couldn't find anyone called "The Box Ghost." Hopefully they trio would explain.

Eventually Danny regained control of his facial structures. His jaw clicked shit with a disbelieving comment of, "No way." Sam and Tucker were still having trouble doing anything but blinking.

"Yes way," Ember laughed. "Sorry to break it to ya, Baby Pop, but you got bested by a relative of the Box Ghost."

"Strangely, I don't feel insulted."

"Neither did we."

Large bobble glasses flashed in the sun and an alien t-shirt caught Danny's attention. "Who's the Box Ghost?" Nathan asked from the back of the group.

"I suppose you all know him as the Cater Ghost," Danny answered. "He's the guy who handed out sandwiches and shoes a while back, and is apparently the exact opposite of his brother. Like, complete opposite. So far off the spectrum that it's not even funny."

Nathan wrinkled his nose. "The fat, blue man in overalls?" he asked, vaguely remembering a day when food rained down from the sky.

"That's him," Sam answered in a breathy, disbelieving voice.

"Oooooooooh," cried Paulina excitedly, "I got my favorite pair of hot pink high-heels from him. He's such a cool ghost- like Phantom!" As if Skulker and Ember's loud snorts of laughter and Tucker and Sam's sudden coughing fit weren't confusing enough, Danny's mortified face had everyone raising eyebrows. "Was it something I said?"

"I take back what I said earlier," Skulker announced. "These humans are starting to grow on me."

"Shove it, Tin Can."

Skulker grinned down at the scowling teen. "It appears that your insults are getting worse. Did you pull that one out of your-"

Ember slapped him and shouted, "Getting off topic!"

Despite being left out and confused, the students giggled into their hands. These two were pretty funny- for ghosts, that is.

Casper's resident techno geek took out his PDA and tapped the screen furiously. "So we were set up by a ghost named Twist, brother of the Box Ghost, who decided it'd be fun to strand us all on an island?" he asked. Skulker nodded. "Well this sucks."

"My life in one sentence," grumbled Danny.

"Something still isn't adding up," announced Sam as she faced the couple. "Why would Twist tell you all that valuable information and then let you go to come crawling to us?"

"Maybe he didn't think we'd come to you for help. We are supposed to be enemies," Ember stated, giving Danny a pointed look.

Surprising the audience, the camera swirled around from its previous view of the trio and the ghosts to focus on just the hushed conversation going on in the background with the class still standing in the water. "I have no idea what's going on," whispered Dash to the humans around him.

"If any of us did know then we'd be participating in the conversation as well, you dolt," growled Kim.

"But guys, do you think it's true? I mean, I know Phantom's good and stuff, but these ghosts always attack Amity," Star pointed out.

"Shh," whispered Paulina, "I think they're almost done."

Once again the camera paved its way back to Skulker's group. Tucker, Sam, and Danny were talking to each other with their eyes. After a brief nod, they smiled at Ember. "Then why don't you travel with us then? We're heading along the coast to search for food if you want to come," Danny suggested.

The class and audience frowned. Didn't Danny say earlier they were heading inland in search of water and shelter next? Everyone in the huddle in the water looked like they wanted to speak up, but suddenly Valerie hissed at them. "They're lying," she snapped. The humans around her jumped.

"What do you mean?" Kim asked.

"The ghosts," continued Valerie, "they're not telling the full truth. Something's off so Danny isn't telling them what we're really doing."

Mikey cleared his throat. "I thought Danny said we could trust them," he pointed out.

"You can NEVER trust a ghost." The class shivered and slowly turned around without responding to the fuming female.

Oblivious to the discussion behind them, the trio continued to lie through their teeth. "It's not too much trouble, right?" shrugged Tucker. "We can all work together to get off this island."

"We give you protection and you watch our backs," grinned Danny. "Twist wouldn't stand a chance against all of us."

Dash and the class frowned. Since when was the Danny Fenton so good at lying? He could barely make a decent excuse when late to class everyday.

The ghosts being spoken to twitched uncomfortably. "No, that's alright. We only came to give you the information. Ember and I would like to go our own way," Skulker coughed.

Danny sighed as if disappointed. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I mean-" he started.

"-We'll be fine, Baby-pop," Ember smiled, honestly, while glancing at the kids behind the teen. "You just take care of yourself and your friends."

The conversation ended there and the couple began to make their way back into the forest. As the ghosts got farther and farther away, the rest of the teenagers shuffled to stand beside the trio. Mixed expressions watched the two leave.

Suddenly, Skulker froze. Ember's grip on his robotic arm tightened, but she didn't move to stop him as he turned to gaze at the people behind him. The camera gave the audience a side look at both groups before closing in on Skulker's determined gaze that flickered towards the invisible technology.

"Don't do anything you'll regret, young Halfa. You never know who might be watching," he warned. A spark came from the bracelets on the couples' wrists and they disappeared in a swirl of green energy.

Danny gasped, swaying on his feet slightly, "That's exactly what he told me."

"At the airport? What does that mean?" questioned the goth with a worried frown.

"It means that there's a lot more going on here than I thought," Danny admitted.

Sam, Tucker, and Danny winced awkwardly in the direction of the forest. "Damn, I really hope he's not watching us right now," the shortest male shuddered. "And after all the hard work I went through to lie about where we're going next." The silence stretched on as everyone watched the small swirls of green that had yet to disappear.

Then a small voice broke the peaceful atmosphere. "What's a Halfa?"

Black swarmed the screen.

Many humans grumbled about not being able to hear the trio's answer, but forced themselves to continue watching the technology anyways. The video feed changed and the conflicted spectators were given a nice view of a black wall that lit up with green energy. A second later, Skulker and Ember tumbled to the floor.

"You know, Skulker. What you did at the end there wasn't very nice."

The couple jumped at the rough voice before Skulker grabbed Ember and stood protectively in front of her. "I didn't reveal much. Just enough to get the suspense to build," he explained, defensively.

The voice went quiet as if pondering about the truth in the robotic ghost's excuse. "Yeeeesssss," it hissed, finally. "I suppose it does add a nice twist to things."

Ember gulped. "We did everything you asked us to," she said. "Now you have to let us go."

The voice sighed. "I am a man of my word," it assured. "It's so sad to see you two go, though. You were the perfect little messengers."

The couple looked at their feet. A loud snapping sound came from offscreen and the metal on their wrists tumbled to the floor. Two ovals of red light glimmered in the shadows near the camera's edge. Both Skulker and Ember shook their heads before fading away.

"Good luck, Danny, you're going to need it.'

Danny: Paulina compared me to the Box Ghost. The story just keeps getting worse and worse.

Me: You suck.

Danny: You know you love me.

Me: I love to see you in pain.

Danny: That's probably the best I'll get out of you so I'll take it.

Edited: December 28, 2015