DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN DANNY PHANTOM
Danny stood on the deck of the Black Toybox as the ship pulled into port of Kong Hong harbor. Even though he didn't have much experience with ships, he's still strong enough to help with the mooring lines. Once the people on shore threw the lines on deck, Danny and some of the other pirates grabbed them and started hauling to help bring the ship to the pier. After the ship was securely tied to the pier, Youngblood called his entire crew to the main deck. "Yo me hearties, I'm going to meet with our client now and should be back by nightfall, until then go and enjoy yourselves!" he said as he threw bags of gold at the pirates. Naturally the pirates began fighting over loot as Youngblood and his bird disembarked.
"Should we follow him?" Danny asked Valerie.
"Let's not show our hand yet," Valerie advised. "Besides, this will be an opportune time to restock some supplies." Danny ordered Cujo to stay behind and guard their stuff. Cujo whined in protest but being the good guard dog that he is, he agreed after Danny promised to bring him some treats and to take him out later. Once out in the city Valerie then guided Danny to a small tailor shop with several flowers potted next to the windows. Off hand there was nothing indistinguishable about this shop with any other, but Danny then noticed that the flowers were arranged in the Hunter's insignia. That could mean that this was a secret Hunter's establishment.
"May I help you?" the receptionist asked as they entered.
"Yes, I apologize but we don't have much, so I would like to see what you have at a discount in the backroom," Valerie said nonchalantly while giving the receptionist a wink. The receptionist smiled and showed them the backroom filled with old clothing. Some of which were torn and dirty.
"Is this within your budget? If not, you can check the trash bins outside." the receptionist said rather rudely.
"I prefer to see your basement," Valerie said coldly as she pulled out the golden Hunter's card.
The receptionist nodded as she tugged on one of the coat hangers and the floor opened up revealing a hidden staircase. "I hope you enjoy our selection," the receptionist said with a friendly smile as Valerie and Danny walked down the stairs.
"You know it never ceases to amaze me how you can remember all the different code phrases for each of the hideouts," Danny complimented.
"It's not hard, usually the code phrases are written out in plain sight," Valerie teased.
"Huh?" Danny paused in confusion.
"There was a sign at the desk that said 'ask about our special discount from the backroom' with the hunter's stamp on it. That meant it was a code phrase." Valerie explained.
"I see, but then how did you know she was an agent and not just another ordinary worker?" Danny asked.
"Because she followed us," Valerie answered. "If she was just a normal employee, she would have left us alone to shop, and no normal person would dare insult a potential customer the way she did." Danny nodded in understanding, it would seem that he's been over complicating the code systems which would explain why he's always had trouble getting help from Hunter's establishments in the past despite using the same phrases that he heard her use in other areas.
"Ah welcome Hunters!" A tall, creepy, and boney looking man in a lab coat greeted. "I am Dr. Rand, Dr. Bert Rand if you please. I am the chief maker of this fine establishment." the man introduced himself.
"I thought Dr. Smith was in charge here?" Valerie said suspiciously.
"Yes, he got transferred back to back to Sanctuary, so now I'm in charge." Dr. Rand explained. "So how may I help you? We have a fine selection of spring loaded weapons and chemicals." Dr. Rand showing off a good assortment of tools and weapons. "Sadly no steam powered stuff. I can't support any of those here." he apologized.
"No problem we just need a few of these," Valerie said grabbing the chemicals needed to make more hallucinogenic gas as well as a few more trick arrows.
"And I'll take these," Danny said grabbing some Yo-Yo blades. While he did purchase a few back in Sanctuary, these look like the ones he lost back in Spectra's mansion, so he had a bit of sentimental value towards them.
"So how much?" they asked.
"Oh please this is on the house. It is so rare to serve gold card members after all." Dr. Rand insisted. Danny and Valerie both gave their thanks and departed. "So those two are back, this could be trouble," Dr. Rand sneered.
"Man I'm glad to be out of there," Danny breathing a sigh of relief. "That Dr. Rand was really giving me the creeps."
"Hey don't be rude," Valerie scolded. "He may look strange but he is on our side," she defended.
"He's still creepy," Danny shuttered just thinking about him. "Should we head back to the ship? I really don't want to leave our cart or Cujo in the care of pirates." Danny said.
"Why not, we need to drop this stuff off anyways," Valerie agreed. So after buying some doggy treats, they returned to the Toybox where they were greeted by the remaining pirates who were ordered to stayed behind to watch the ship.
"Hey Cujo, we're back," Danny said as they approached the carriage. Cujo barked happily as Danny tossed him several treats, which Cujo caught in his mouth. "So did anyone try to steal our stuff?" Danny asked. Cujo snickered mischievously as he pointed to some of the traps have been triggered.
"Looks like they couldn't keep their sticky fingers off our stuff," Valerie joked already imagining pain and agony the pirates must have gone through.
"As long as they didn't actually take anything of value," Danny said seriously as he checked the compartment holding Striker. Thankfully it didn't looked like it had been tampered with. After storing their wares and resetting the traps they contemplated on their next course of action. "So do you want to break into the captain's room and see what dirty little secrets he has?" Danny suggested.
"Still too risky at this point," Valerie said shaking her head. "We need to play it smart and wait for the right time." Danny reluctantly nodded, more out of habit rather than agreement. "Just kidding!" Valerie laughed. "With Youngblood and most of the crew gone, we won't have a more opportune chance than this. You really need to learn to speak up more." she lectured.
"Yeah, sure thing," Danny said with embarrassment. Ever since they've been partners he's always followed her lead due to the fact that she had more knowledge and experience; and even though he's grown a lot in their time apart, he still kind of sees her as a mentor figure, and finds that he has difficulty voicing his thoughts especially if it conflicts with hers. Danny and Valerie quickly put on their Grey Ghost outfits and begun sneaking around the ship. Cujo was tasked with look out and distraction duty. Which proved to be easier than they thought as the pirates were so bored that they were easily distracted by Cujo chewing on a piece of rope.
Danny and Valerie, or rather Grey and Ghost, slipped in Youngblood's cabin. Inside they found, not surprisingly, that the room was a mess. That's what you get when you give a child their own room with no adult supervision. Regardless of the state of the room. Grey and Ghost quicky searched around looking for any clues. After finding nothing of interest in the drawers or desks, Danny found a suspicious package under Youngblood's bed. Inside the package was message with a broken seal that matches the DALV group's crest. Carefully going over it, the message just said to pick up the cargo and deliver it to the country of Plasmius, bonus pay for speedy delivery. Danny's eyes widen in shock. The country of Plasmius was right next to his home land of Amity Park. He started to feel a sense of homesickness as he handed the letter to Grey. Grey quickly skimmed through it and gestured him to pull back. Carefully making sure that they put everything back where the found it before leaving the premises. A few minutes later the returned to their carriage.
"So they are taking some cargo to Plasmius, what's your take on this?" Valerie asked.
"Hum, oh what?" Danny stuttered lost in thought. "Well um, one would think that's where Vlad is hiding." Danny recovered. "Didn't you once say that he used to be the Earl there?"
"Duke actually," Valerie corrected him. "So the former dictator has returned home eh," she laughed until she saw how depressed Danny looked. "You know if we capture him there it would only be a days ride to Amity Park. You could be shoveling after your horses by the end of the month." she teased.
"Is it wrong of me to actually prefer to shovel manure than hunting?" Danny whispered. For that Valerie had no answer; she's been a hunter all her life and can't see herself doing anything else, but she understood that this isn't for everyone. So she just kept silent. The two spent the rest of the day going over maps and strategies for their ultimate encounter with Vlad Masters. Not only planing how they would attack him but also several escape plans incase things go wrong or they need a fast exit. It was late afternoon when they finally finished their plans, covering for every contingencies that might pop up, and even more back-up plans for anything thing they haven't thought of. Good thing too, because at that moment, they heard they announcement that Youngblood was returning to the ship. Quickly hiding all of their plans in the secret compartments and locking up their carriage, the two hunters scrambled to the deck.
"Welcome back captain," everyone greeted.
"Ahoy mates," Youngblood greeted. "Bunnie, Claude, I thought you two were going out on town?" Youngblood said making kissy noises and hinting of romantic evening. All of which is inappropriate.
"Um we needed to get a few things before we go," Danny lied.
"Oh, okay," Youngblood shrugged. "As long as you are here, how about you see to our client." Youngblood ordered directing them to a woman slowly boarding the ship. Danny and Valerie gasped in shock as they came face to face with the one contingency they haven't planned for. Meeting up with Spectra again!
"Well, well don't you two look familiar," Spectra snickered.
"Well, uh, um." Danny stuttered.
"You guys know each other?" Youngblood asked.
"Oh I know a lot of people, and I'm sure I've seen these two before, but I just can't put my finger on it." Spectra taunted wanting to see what her two former bodyguards will do. Danny and Valerie gulped, if Spectra reveals that they have been lying to Youngblood there's no telling what the childlike pirate will do.
"They're my new crew mates the legendary thieves Bunnie and Claude!" Youngblood introduced proudly.
"I see, you are rather famous aren't you." Spectra mocked. "No wonder I thought you two looked familiar." This caused Danny and Valerie to breath a sigh of relief. Apparently Spectra isn't going to rat them out, but they are a bit nervous of what she might be planing to do to them. "Why don't this strapping young man help carry my bags to my quarters while the missy gets me some refreshments." Spectra grinned. Normally the real Bunnie and Claude would never be bossed around like this, no matter how much their client is paying them. But Danny and Valerie knew they had to follow orders or else Spectra might blow their cover.
"As the lady request," Danny said in his best gentlemanly voice. Valerie sneered a bit before going to the galley. Danny carried Spectra's belonging to the cabin that Youngblood had prepared for her. As Danny placed the bags down, he felt an invisible force flinging across the room and slamming him on the walls!
"What are you up to Grey Ghost?" Spectra asked seductively while licking her lips.
Danny gulped trying to come up with a good excuse. "Well mistress, after me and um...Veil were captured we were taken to a Hunter's prison..."
"I don't mean that!" Spectra interrupted. "What have you and Veil been up too? Why are you posing as a married couple?"
"We needed a disguise, and the tickets were half off for married couples." Danny said hastily.
"Is that all?" Spectra said skeptically. "There is nothing else going on between you two?"
"Yes mistress, nothing else." Danny insisted.
"LIAR!" Spectra yelled hitting him with more magical force. "I can't feel the level of misery that you two used to have!"
"Misery?" Danny repeated.
"I gain my powers through misery. Normally I have to use various spells to keep my minions in a constant state of misery, but you two. You had so much misery seeping out of your every pores that I didn't have to do anything. Far more misery than I knew what to do with!" Spectra explained with a blissful expression on her face.
Danny recalled how all of the servants and miners all seemed depressed and devoid of life. 'So that's why they were all like that' Danny realized. "But mistress," Danny pleaded.
"But now, you are barely excreting half of what you did before. Either of you!" Spectra sneered. "That leaves me to believe that maybe you two have comforting each other? Mayhaps you two are truly married?" Spectra grinding her teeth in frustration.
"Nothing like that mistress," Danny assured her. "It is just that I was overjoyed to be reunited with you again!" he said in his best macho tone.
"Really?' Spectra now giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Yes," Danny said sternly.
"You better not be lying to me," Spectra said sweetly.
"Never mistress, never to you." Danny replied.
"Because if you are Danny I will pay a visit to your family in Amity Park!" Spectra threatened.
"Don't you dare!" Danny gasped. "I mean what are you talking about? Who's Danny? He sounds like a great guy." he tried to play it off.
Spectra inhaled deeply. "Ah there's the misery I know and love," she laughed blissfully. "I have known about who you really are for quite some time now. And I also know that you and Veil were once students of the former Hunter Skulker." Danny's expression became dark and serious. "Don't worry, I'll keep your dirty little secret. And I won't do anything to your families. So long as you do as I say." Spectra threatened as she once again turned her clothes transparent, giving him a full view of her voluptuous bod. A few day ago such a sight would have aroused him, but now thanks to Valerie's training it no longer affects him. Well maybe a little, but well with in his self control! But is doesn't mean he can't still pretend to be a love struck idiot.
"Uh mistress is this really appropriate?" Danny gulped seemingly nervously.
Spectra smiled as she took his hand and placed it over her breast. "I just want to remind you of who you really belong to, and what I can offer you if you cooperate." Spectra said seductively. As Danny held her breast he knew something was wrong. Her breast did not feel the way they looked! As he had suspected, she's using an illusion spell to make herself look far more sexier than she really was. Which explains why she always wore transparent clothing around him rather than just coming in the nude. This revelation has caused him to completely lose interest in her, and to think he almost wanted to sleep with her that one time.
"I've always known where my place is mistress," Danny said as he kissed her on the forehead. This caused Spectra to feel giddy with anticipation. She began to lean forward about to kiss him on the lips when suddenly... *knock*knock*knock*
They heard a knocking on the door. "Mistress I have the refreshments you asked for," Valerie said from outside the door.
"I swear that girl has the worst timing," Danny teased.
"You better go," Spectra grumbled. "I have things to discuss with Veil in private. GIRL things!" she reiterate.
"Until a more opportune time then," Danny said as he kissed Spectra on the hand before leaving. As he passed by Valerie he signaled her, 'she knows'. Valerie nodded signaling that she got the message. Danny hurried back to his room where he found Cujo waiting patiently for him. "Sorry Cujo I know I promised to take you out, but something has come up." Danny told the dog. They counted the minutes until they became hours, and soon after 2 hr and 46 min Valerie entered. Cujo barked happily welcoming her back. Valerie smiled as she picked up the little dog and started scratching behind his ear. "So what did she say to you?" Danny asked.
"She wanted to know how we escaped the hunters," Valerie answered still scratching Cujo. "In great detail."
"What did you say?" Danny asked nervously.
"Pretty much what happened," Valerie replied. "Minus the whole meeting Technus thing and getting gold cards. I merely said that we picked the locks, collected the bounties on Bunnie and Claude and stole their identities to charter a ship. Which got attacked by Youngblood's pirates, which is how we ended up here."
"Did she buy it?" Danny asked.
"Hard to say," Valerie said not bothering to hide her concern but she finally put Cujo down on the bed. "Having her here complicates matters. We may have to revise our plans."
"It gets worse, she already knows who we really," Danny warned.
"What? How?!" Valerie demanded so suddenly that even Cujo was shocked by her outburst.
"I don't know how, but she knew my name, and threatened my family." Danny said trying to keep himself under control.
"Does she know about me as well?" Valerie asked.
"I don't know, but she thinks that we were both Skulker's apprentices." Danny said.
Valerie twitched, even after all this time, she still didn't like being reminded about her former master. "Looks like the cards are on her side," Valerie said reluctantly. "We're going to have to play her game for awhile, which means you've got to prepare yourself."
"What do you mean?" Danny gulped.
"Because while we were catching up, Spectra became, well how should I put it, very emotional when it came to the subject of our marriage. To put it precisely, if we've done it yet."
"And what did you say?" Danny cringed.
"That our marriage is a fake and that we haven't." Valerie replied giving Danny some relief. "But now she wants you to sleep with her during our trip to Plasmius." Valerie said.
"I think I need to..." Danny collapsed on the bed.
"I already told her that you couldn't do that," Valerie said.
"Really! How come?" Danny asked hopefully.
"Because we don't want Youngblood and the other pirates to get suspicious." Valerie explained.
"And she accepted that?" Danny asked.
"Well yes and no," Valerie said cryptically. "Yes she agreed on that matter, but I can see it in her eyes that she still wants to have her way with you." Both Valerie and Danny cringed as the image of Danny sleeping with Spectra slipped into their mind. "So she might actually try to corner you one day. And when that happens..."
"Don't worry, I'll find a way to weasel out of it without blowing our cover," Danny promised.
"I'm afraid that it would probably be better for us if you did sleep with her," Valerie reluctantly said. This caused both Danny's and Cujo's jaws to drop!
"What?! Why!?" Danny demanded. Even Cujo seemed to bark in oppose to that idea.
"Like you said, she knows about you. If she has any reason to suspect that you/we're going to betray her in anyway; your family will be in danger, not to mention our mission!" Valerie pointed out. "Our best bet is to make sure she believes that we are on her side for as long as possible, and that means"
"That means I've got to step it up," Danny sighed as he slouched on the bed. Taking a deep breath, he renewed his determination. "Alright if it comes to that then maybe I will, but will still try to do everything in my power NOT to!"
"That's all I can ask of you," Valerie said sympathetically as she placed her hand on his hand for support. Even Cujo put his paw on Danny's other hand to comfort him as well.
"Thanks guys," Danny said showing his appreciation and thankful that he has friends like them for this endeavor. "Oh why was I cursed with such a handsome face!"
"Don't flatter yourself," Valerie scoffed with Cujo barking in agreement with her.
Over at Spectra's quarters, Spectra was busy checking her makeup and drawing on the misery left behind by Danny and Valerie. While she was surprised to see them again, she welcomed this unexpected turn of events. Not only does she get her greatest supply of misery, she also gets another chance to have fun with the Grey Ghost. She was greatly upset that she lost her chance the first time, and she wasn't about to lose it this time! Regardless of Veil's warnings. "Oh she probably want him all for herself!" Spectra ranted out loud. As much as she would like to keep Veil around because of her misery. Spectra wasn't sure if she wanted Veil as a rival. "Maybe it's time I down sized." she said to herself.
As she was pondering this, a pelican flew into her window. "Madam Spectra, you won't believe who I saw in town today!" the pelican said as it's head turned into her shape shifting henchman Bertrand.
"Veil and Grey Ghost," Spectra said calmly.
"But how did you know?" Bertrand gasped.
"I have my ways," Spectra teased. "They are here on this boat and they are ready to come back and serve me."
"Are you certain? I still have a bad feeling about them." Bertrand warned.
"Just get the cargo ready! I will deal with those two if they get out of line." Spectra ordered.
"As you wish, but don't say I didn't warn you." Bertrand said as he flew back out the window.
"Trust me, I have everything under control." Spectra laughed manically.