A/N: I'm a little ashamed of myself. In case it wasn't obvious, I was trying to keep a schedule of updating once a week. Well, last week I had surgery and due to that I wasn't able to write. But that's over with so maybe I'll be able to keep up a schedule. Oh and I'm unsure of any currency in the Ghost Zone so I figured that to pay a ghost you have to satisfy their obsession (I could be wrong about the currency thing). Anyways, please enjoy.
Ghostly hormones; that's what Catalina chalked it up to be. After all who in their right mind would be attracted to a ghost? With blue corpse-like skin and glowing red eyes that seemed to look right through you, why would anyone fall for that. Catalina sighed pulling her knees to her chest. "I'm crazy. Absolutely crazy," she mumbled. "My first clue should have been the fact I talk to myself."
She opened her soda can and took a swig. The carbonation in the drink stung and Catalina coughed. She put a hand to her chest over where her core would be. After being berated for potentially damaging her core, Catalina was more careful with the amount of ecto-energy she used. It had been a week since that incident and Catalina still couldn't get a perfect duplicate. It frustrated her to no end; she was doing everything right, but Plasmius stated that she needed to practice. She took another swig of her soda. A quick glance at the clock told her that Plasmius would appear in about ten minutes. The ghost was very punctual, a trait Catalina could appreciate. A vibrating sound came from her purse and a quick glance told her that Danny was calling.
"Hi, Danny. How are you doing?" Catalina greeted cheerfully. The teen called, not as often as Catalina would like, but he did call.
"Okay, I guess. I was wondering how good you are at math?" Danny asked. "Sam and Tucker are busy and I need to get this done before I go patrolling."
"What kind of math, Danny? Algebra, Calculus, Geometry? Uh, that's all I can think of," Catalina asked trailing off.
"Geometry," Danny answered.
"Ew, I personally preferred Algebra. Calculus was pretty fun as well. My Cal teacher was also kinda hot, so that's why I liked it. He had the most amazing accent," Catalina started to trail off in thought.
"Uh, Cat…" Danny's voice interrupted clearly a little uncomfortable.
"Sorry Danny, I went a little off topic. Just forget I said anything. But yea, I can help you with your homework for about ten minutes before I have to go. Don't worry about it. Math is easy; it's just patterns. You just have to notice them. What are you stuck on?" Catalina asked. The next ten minutes were spend with Catalina guiding Danny to the correct answer and the woman pointing out the pattern that would help him solve any other problems.
"See, Danny. You're a smart kid. You just need to focus and pay attention. Uh, hey I got to go. Be safe, okay?" Catalina said quickly as she saw Plasmius float into the room.
"Sure thing. Thanks, Cat," Danny said before he ended the call.
"Daniel again. Seems like the kid has taken a liking to you," Plasmius noted.
"He just needs someone to talk to. I imagine he gets lonely. I do sometimes. But I got you so that's cool," Catalina said smiling. "Oh so I was thinking. That I should actually meet Danny face to face. We've been talking on the phone, but really talking with someone gains trust."
"He lives in Amity Park," Plasmius added helpfully, "It's a state away."
"Well, I need a reason for just popping up," Catalina said, "It'll be weird just to show up."
"It sounds like you're plotting something," Plasmius deduced no doubt from the mischievous grin that spread across her face.
"Actually yes. I was thinking if we can stage a ghost attack; one he can't handle himself. I can swoop in and help," Catalina said crossing her legs. "Everything will be fine. I mean; no one will be in real danger. And Danny and I can solve the problem before any damage is done."
"Amity does have a fair share of ghost attacks, so another won't draw any suspicion. As long as we pick a ghost that the two of you can handle, it would make you seem more trustworthy."
"He does have trust issues with ghosts. I can imagine this is where your first meeting went awry. And the best part of this plan is that I can convince him that his friends shouldn't be ghost fighting with him. The goth girl seems to think I'm up to something or at the very least she doesn't trust me," Catalina said.
"You make a good point. We'll have to go into the Ghost Zone. There are plenty of mercenaries that can prove useful," Plasmius responded.
"Great, I wanted to go back to the Ghost Zone," Catalina said with a shout pleased that her little plot worked.
"Did you come up with the plan for me to take you back into the Ghost Zone?" Plasmius asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yup, we've been working on duplication for so long and you said you didn't want to go into the Ghost Zone until I actually made a working duplicate," Catalina put her hands on her hips.
Plasmius scoffed amused. "Tricky little bird. I'm tempted to tell you no, but you made valid points. So we'll go into the ghost zone today."
"I assume we will be back by morning," Catalina said getting to her feet and changing into her ghost self. "I do have a job. You know that thing normal humans have."
"Yes, you'll be back by morning. My portal is very close to the ghost I have in mind," Plasmius stated.
"One of your 'allies'?" Catalina asked making quotation marks with her fingers. "Or another agreement?"
"A real mercenary. He will ask for something in return for his services; if you have anything sweet, that would be helpful," Plamsius stated.
"I always have cookies around. I'll be back," Catalina ran to her kitchen and wrapped cookies she had just baked that evening onto a plate with plastic-wrap. She carried the plate back to Plasmius. "I have two dozen here. Will that be enough?"
"We'll see," Plasmius said. "Give me your hand," the ghost said reaching out with his black-gloved one.
"Why?" Catalina asked holding her hands further away already feeling her core warm.
"So I can teleport us to my portal," the ghost said as if it was the most obvious answer.
"Woah, you figured out how to do that already?" Catalina said ecstatic, but conscious not to float into the man's face. She swallowed roughly, but gave the ghost her free hand.
"Of course, I actually figured it out weeks ago. Before we teleport you need to take a deep breath and hold it," Plasmius ordered.
"Please," Catalina added before taking a gulp of air. Plasmius shook his head with the smallest of smirks and Catalina mentally fist bumped; she was going to break through to him eventually. Plasmius tightened his hold on her hand before shutting his red eyes.
It felt like someone punched the air out of her lungs before all the ectoplasm in her body decided to become a flame. It wasn't painful just very uncomfortably warm like a hot humid day when it became difficult to breath. This sensation lasted moments before it disappeared and Catalina found herself blinking in the shining lab. "Woah, that was weird," Catalina said; she glanced at Plasmius who had turned his hand intangible to release it from her grip.
Catalina looked away in embarrassment realizing that she had held onto his hand longer than he intended. "So this ghost likes cookies?" Catalina asked as she floated alongside her mentor.
"Sweets in general," Plasmius answered, "They'll be our payment." The two floated into the Ghost Zone side-by-side. "He's nearby. About an hour flight."
"He likes pastries? That's great. I'll have someone to give me their opinion about recipes," Catalina said clasping her hands together. Plasmius didn't say anything making a very uncomfortable silence. "…So how's life been treating you? Or I guess afterlife?"
"I've been doing well. If that's what you are asking," Plasmius stated. Catalina nodded and decided to remain silent. "I actually have been researching an artifact called the feathered serpent crown. It's absolutely worthless, but would be a wonderful addition to my collection. We can plan for a trip to its location."
"Sounds fun, like being Indiana Jones," Catalina said. Plasmius sighed but consented to the comparision. The ghost then started explaining the lore of the crown and the history behind the object while the female halfa listened intently.
"It looks like we're here," Plasmius said pointing to a simple floating purple door. The ghost took the lead and knocked twice. Catalina tightened her hold on the platter of cookies. The door opened slowly with a creak. The female halfa had to crane her neck to look up at the towering ghost.
The ghost had long gangly arms and legs clothed in white fabric. His face was misshapen as if when he had died he had been crushed. The right side of his face was skeletal with few muscles along his jaw. Protruding ribs that broke through white fabric and missing fingers told that this ghost's death hadn't been peaceful. "Plasmius," the ghost greeted its jaw moving in a way that made Catalina's stomach queasy. She discreetly lowered her gaze as to not offend the ghost. "I thought I told you that I was retired," the ghost continued.
" Geis, It's only one job and it's an easy one," Plasmius said.
"The last time you said that I almost lost my after life," the ghost said not amused, "But you do pay well, so just one more job. What do you need me to do?" Plasmius explained to the mercenary the plot the pair cooked up. Geis looked at Catalina when Plasmius brought her role to his attention. Catalina turned her gaze downward at his scrutiny. "Sounds simple enough. Are those for me?" Geis pointed to the platter of cookies in Catalina's grasp.
"Yup, they're cranberry with white chocolate chips. Not to brag, but they're really good," Catalina spoke up. She held out the plate to the ghost and the mercenary grabbed them eagerly.
"It's been so long since I've eaten any real cookies," the ghost said his gruff voice becoming more childlike with wonder. He picked up one of the pastries before plopping it into his mouth. He groaned satisfied before plopping another in his mouth. "These are the best things I've tasted in years. And I don't even like cranberries."
"See, Plasmius. This is how you should react to my baking," Catalina said.
"Can you bake a pie? Cheesecake? Cake?" Geis asked as he munched down on the platter; Catalina was almost jealous that she couldn't eat like that without gaining a couple of pounds.
"Oh, yeah. I can bake all of those. I've even made a crème brûlée. I have several recipes that I'll like to try; mostly French pastries," Catalina said excited that she found someone who appreciated desserts as much as her.
The ghost held out his skeletal hand, "I believe that we can do a lot of business together, Miss Alma." Catalina took the skeletal hand and shook it firmly.
Plasmius spoke up, "Since you see I have the means to pay you, what would you say is a reasonable price for the job." After haggling for ten minutes, Catalina got the list of things to bake. An apple pie, cheesecake, and just because Catalina wanted to one of the French pastries she wanted to bake.
"It has been a pleasure doing business with you," Geis said as the two ghosts from the human world prepared to leave after deciding to set things into motion the following weekend.
Plasmius led the way back to the portal. "Are all ghosts so obsessive?" Catalina asked noticing how much the mercenary could talk about baked goods.
"Many are," Plasmius stated.
"Except for you," Catalina said waiting for a reaction. The ghost only pinched the bridge of his nose. She smirked before red hot steam passed her lips. Her ghost sense was hotter than it had ever been before. Catalina shook her head as she saw what had set it off.
There had to be dozens of ghost all dressed like Roman centurions. Leading the group was Timus who didn't look pleased to see the pair. Catalina could see Plasmius square his shoulders to fully face the ancient ghost. "Timus, it is a surprise to see you here. I would have thought you would be at the Far Frozen," Plasmius greeted in a false friendly tone.
"Don't mock me, Plasmius," Timus shouted. Plasmius didn't appreciate the tone the other ghost spoke to him.
"Maybe we should calm down," Catalina said with an awkward nervous chuckle but not daring to step between both ghosts. The ancient ghost's eyes turned to her before his gazed narrowed. He moved so fast that Catalina barely had time to put up a shield before an ecto-blast was shot at her.
Catalina watched as Plasmius shot an ecto-blast toward Timus. With this attack, the dozen ghost standing on the sidelines, joined the fight. Catalina dropped her shield as she noticed that Timus was more focused on Plasmius.
She shot two ecto-blasts at a couple of ghosts that were trying to flank Plasmius. This drew the attention of half of the ghosts who decided that Catalina was a credible threat. The halfa noticed her mistake; she never really been in a fight with a ghost. She dodged two ecto-blasts before creating a shield to block two more attacks.
Two blue ecto-blast to her enemies missed as she flew to find an opening. The flashes of blue and green ecto-blasts glittered in the green space of the Ghost Zone. Catalina spun and dove to avoid getting hit. The maneuver caused her to be right next to one of the ghostly warriors. With two handfuls of ecto-energy, Catalina shoved the ghost backwards. Her enemy tumbled through space before just floating lifelessly. The injured ghost smoked for a moment before his form began to bubble as if it was boiling. Catalina was distracted by the sight of the ghost becoming a glob of green goop before the material floated away as steam.
Two blows from behind threw her through the air. She closed her eyes as she spun. Using her arms to regain her balance, Catalina glared at the two ghosts in front of her. Movement in the corner of her eye warned her of an impending attack. The halfa turned intangible and watched as a green ecto-blast collide with another enemy.
Catalina smirked a little pleased. She mentally counted the enemy that surrounded her. The woman prided herself in her power of observation and now knew how to use it to her advantage. Watching the body language of the ghosts, Catalina kept out of the way of their ecto-blasts and handing a couple hits herself.
There was a grunt to her left and Catalina looked to its source. Plasmius floated holding one hand to his shoulder. Catalina could see that the other ghost had greatly diminished the force that attacked him. The only two still locked in battle was Timus and Plasmius. Catalina dodged a kick aimed for her face before rewarding her attacker with an ectoplasmic filled fist. The ghost staggered but otherwise seemed okay.
Catalina knew that she had to get to Plasmius's side; not only would the other ghost could help her, but maybe they could come up with a plan. An ecto-blast struck her side roughly tossing her even further from Plasmius. The halfa narrowed her gaze at the five ghosts that remained in front of her. She knew that she couldn't keep this up much longer. The odds were not in her favor.
Catalina stole a glance at Plasmius. He didn't seemed to be faring as well. His shoulders were slumped forward as if he was fighting to keep upright. The sight caused Catalina's heart to seize. They couldn't win at least without serious injury. "We have to get out of here," Catalina whispered to herself.
Without bothering with her own enemies, she tried to dart to her mentor's side. An ecto-blast flew past her head close enough to make her flinch. Catalina looked over her shoulder to fire a counter back at the ghosts. Another grunt told Catalina that Plasmius got hit again. The woman watched wide-eyed as Timus gathered a large amount of ecto-energy to his hands. Catalina looked at her mentor and how heavy-lidded his eyes looked. He couldn't take another hit or at the very least Catalina wouldn't let him.
The distance between them was daunting, but Catalina had to get there before the Roman ghost landed that final strike. She narrowed her eyes and mentally repeated to herself that she was going to make it in time. The large ball of ectoplasm shot forward toward Plasmius. A shout rang out from the female before being cut off as all the air was pushed out of her lungs and her own ectoplasm became fire.
Catalina recognize this sensation. She had time to see that she had appeared between Plasmius and Timus before she rose the strongest shield she could muster. The energy blast collided a moment before deflecting back at the ancient ghost. "Alma," Plasmius's voice called out sharply. The woman realized her error as soon as her core began to sear the interior of her chest burning even hotter than before. The woman whimpered at the pain before an arm around her waist pulled her back.
Everything was becoming slightly fuzzy as her core continued to burn and the fire spread to her bones. She could feel Plasmius pulling her at a rapid speed. The woman gasped as the burning stopped only to be replaced by a deep chill. Her eyes were dimming and her vision was becoming black.
The sensation of sliding across a solid surface brought her to the present. Cool flooring was pressed against her face as she looked at Plasmius who was standing shaky. He collapsed to his knees as a pair of black rings appeared at his waist.
Catalina watched heavy-lidded as the ghost's white suit and cape was replaced with a dark suit, black hair with white, and blue flesh into a more human tone. Catalina's breath caught in her throat not only at the chill that was eating at her core, but at the sight of Vlad Master kneeling in front of her where Plasmius was moments before.