A.N. Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom…yadda yadda yadda…

Now, after the last chapter I was at a cross-road of ideas so to speak, I think I went the right way and that the reactions are in character. Vlad wouldn't act as he does without good reason so now we have some good old witty banter but I do advance the plot so that it works.

Before you read this, I just want to explain that I went over this chapter quite a lot and I couldn't think of anything plausible to happen other than what I have written, trust me I explored all other options! Vlad wouldn't just run and hide in Wisconsin or the Rockies or anywhere else really, they would be found too easily and he is used to doing this for himself he's a man of action I guess so he can't just sit on his laurels and wait around like me writing fanfics...heh heh!

Now that said; meine Damen und Herren, I'll let you be the judges…

What Unusual halflives we lead

Chapter 11: Sceptical Decisions and Foresight

While the world was in darkness, a lone cloaked figure floated through the gloomy hallways of the Mayors' Mansion. The master of the house was preoccupied in his precious lab and was unlikely to notice another crisis if it hit him in the head singing 'this is a large crisis' at the top of its lungs whilst dancing the Macarena.

As predicted the older hybrid had gone to 'rescue' the boy after all, despite his better judgement and self-preservation he had willingly put himself in danger for the child. He really did care too much for the Ghost Boy…and it would be his downfall…caring was an emotional weakness. But Vladimir Masters had few other weaknesses…and he was only human…half human but in the end they were all the same.

Deep down, the dark figure knew that child wanted nothing more than to revenge himself on the man and never look back from all of the anguish Plasmius had caused, but Daniel would never carry out those actions. He was too 'good.' From only this brief encounter it was clear that the child was no murderer…unlike the older half ghost. But Daniel also respected him; he respected the control he had over his powers, his position in life and the admiration he was able to command of others. And it clearly aggravated and distressed the child to no end.

But the man himself; Vladimir Masters…need anymore be said? It was true; the man was indeed an intellectual leader and it did demand respect and awe. Even though they had come fully prepared and versed on his manners, his habits and his background, the figure had become caught up in the whole thing.

But…there was a job to do, and 'going native' as the humans called it, would not help that mission, there was a great evil loosed upon the world and little to stop it from getting what it wanted. The Decuriones would be delighted with the discoveries….but as the cloaked figure flew up into the midnight's sky an emotional internal voice echoed, and had to wonder…

…was this right? (*1)

Vlad was sitting in his lab, he had never before been prone to work in such mess, but for the moment he had no choice. It was now well past 4 in the morning and he had been working on a new, portable shield to protect Daniel and himself if…when they left the mansion.

There was no question about it, the way things were they needed to leave, it was too risky to stay here and wait for another attack...and he had a good idea of where they should go...however there was still one thing that would be essential for his success...

But he still had Daniel's injury to worry about; was leaving really a good idea with a wounded child in tow? Should he abandon the boy…NO…that was not an option, a father should never abandon his child. He may not be Daniel's biological father but he believed, no he knew he was far more suited than Jack was to look after and guide the boy.

He had been alternating his attention between his almost completed device and a wad of papers on his theories about the parasitic wound that was threatening his Little Badger's life. After he had shocked the sample with his own ectoplasm he had monitored it constantly over the past hours; and it appeared to have been completely destroyed. But looks could be deceiving and he would have to try his theory on Daniel before he could be sure. He didn't really want to cause the boy any unnecessary suffering but this was essential for his survival, so it had to be done.

Vlad was still curious about Daniel's earlier violent reaction to his attack, he knew he had shocked the child with the smallest amount of electricity he could generate, and the results still worried him. If he was to test his theory would he just render the boy unconscious again thereby making things worse for them?

He sighed and added the finishing touches to the device, he was still unsure of a name but it wasn't important. It was able to repel ghosts and spirits so it held tremendous power and condensing it to 'travel size' had been no easy task. Under other circumstances he would have rejoiced at his scientific breakthrough…but there was a time and a place for celebration and a dark, disorganised lab at 4 in the morning was not the place for a one-man party.

His scientific breakthrough in spirit repelling technology had been designed to be inconspicuous and it was not meant to attract attention. It was constructed of a combination of the strongest elements at his disposal and it was left with a shiny silver outer layer, inside, a combination of microscopic hardware created the necessary charge to generate the shield which he would be able to expand with his own electrical charge with a single touch.

He had managed to make it small enough to fit into the palm of his hand, and he supposed it resembled a futuristic-looking remote but with a single circular button in the centre. Simple but effective…not a bad motto to live by, although he would have preferred something with a little more theatrics and flair. But discretion was key if he wanted to survive.

It was truly one of his finest achievements and he was exceedingly proud of his genius. He had never been one to fold under pressure anyway, and this was the proof…his life and the life of 'his' child was in danger and he still took pride in the aesthetics of his work!

Once he was sure it was finished he slipped the device into his pocket for safe-keeping and turned his gaze back to his papers with a frown. He could now do no more until Daniel awoke and Vlad was now entertaining the idea of speeding things up by rousing the boy himself. Soon it would be necessary anyway and after all there was no time like the present.

He had…out of boredom and for the sake of appearances…rang the hospital and had been informed of the condition of the remaining Fenton's. Apparently they were going to remain hospitalised a considerable length of time and fortunately for him it meant that he wouldn't have then getting in his way whilst he sorted this horrible mess out.

Vlad was still unsure on a number of aspects and it irked him that he couldn't find any solutions. He didn't know why he was being chased and targeted…he didn't know why Daniel was either and he wanted to know what had started the whole thing. But he just didn't have the answers…but he knew there were people that did...he just had to find them.

All he did know was that he…and Daniel…were in serious trouble.

As his concern continued to mount and increase he finally abandoned his papers and teleported up to the dark room in which he had left the sleeping in his human form he landed silently beside the bed and sighed as he found the child still sleeping soundly in the clean bandages he had changed a couple of hours ago. Most of the minor wounds had already begun to scab over and would most likely have healed completely by tomorrow night.

Daniel's quiet breathing was the only sound in the room and to Vlad it seemed loud enough to completely block out the rest of the room, even the rest of the world, as he studied the beds' slumbering occupant. He would not get into the child's good graces by waking him while he was wounded like this, but it was necessary.

Vlad sat on the edge of the mattress and lightly shook his shoulder, "Daniel…" he said forcefully as the child's eyes flittered under his eyelids.

Danny's eyes flashed green for a moment as he vaguely registered a familiar voice…maybe it was calling his name…it didn't matter, he was too tired to move let alone open his eyes right now, so he ignored it.

"Daniel…" he heard again and whimpered in annoyance…this was quickly becoming annoying.

"…Mmm…go 'way…" Danny sighed; he pathetically attempted to swat away the voice with his right hand and tried to snuggle closer into the soft blankets he was lying on. Why did stuff always get in the way when all he wanted to do was sleep? He hadn't had a good night's sleep in months, and although he wasn't fully aware of his surroundings or of the amount of time he had been asleep, it was probably considerably more sleep than he had gotten at home recently. And once again something had come along to piss him off by waking him up…again…what was with the world lately? Had he done something really bad that he was completely unaware of that he was being punished for?

"Wake up," the voice commanded again and Danny felt torn between obeying it and continuing to ignore it.

"…n…no…" he managed to mumble and his lungs seemed to protest at the added effort, his eyes practically scream in agony at the internal battle as he tried to open them. He needed to see what was happening…he hated being blind; it was a dangerous disadvantage, and although he probably had about as much strength as a new born kitten at least he would be able to see…

"Daniel!" the voice seemed to grow more angry and louder until finally he felt a sharp pressure on his face and he jolted awake with a scream.

Vlad had been growing increasingly irritated at the lack of response he was getting from the child and just after he had lightly slapped Danny on the cheek he smiled in amusement as the reaction. The boy had jumped awake and tried to transform in a dim flash of light but he had failed painfully and he winced, this of course didn't go unnoticed by Vlad but Danny was too busy now glaring at the 'enemy.'

"VLAD…WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?" Danny shouted automatically assuming that, as he saw Vlad, that the man had done something bad. Then he remembered that the man had woken him…by hitting him no less! He was not impressed!

"Good morning to you too, Daniel," Vlad whispered sarcastically and watched as the boy tried to move quickly away from him, but was wincing from the strain.

"What happened…where's mom and dad…and Jazz?" Danny asked as he strained his eyes to make out the room in the darkness."What did you do with them?" Danny demanded and met Vlad's eyes with a furious expression of his own. He knew that Vlad didn't like to be interrupted but the safety of his family was paramount, and he didn't have to explain who, or what he meant.

"They are in hospital, Daniel" Vlad replied indifferently, clearly annoyed that the conversation had drifted away from his chosen topic. "They'll be fine…eventually…"

"What d'you mean 'eventually,' Vlad?" Danny demanded as Vlad's cryptic answer only served to increase his anxiety.

"Exactly what it sounds like; they are not fine but they will be…that is what hospitals are for, after all," Vlad smirked.

"Then why aren't I in hospital?" Danny wondered aloud as he concluded that the very large expensive looking bedroom he was in was not a hospital room; there was no stark white walls or stiff bedsheets.

"Half-ghosts tend to be frowned upon by doctors, Little Badger," Vlad replied as though it was the simplest answer to a most uncomplicated question, but he would never forget his experiences after the accident. And he would never step foot inside the horrid buildings unless he had no other choice. He didn't fear them…he hated them. And it would make things even more difficult if any doctor found anything amiss with the boy. Hospitals were out of the question for him and for Daniel.

Danny was startled at the look of concern took over Vlad's face, part of him though that it was a caring look that did notbelong on the sour, evil face of half-ghost billionaire Vladimir Masters. But the other part said that it was swiftly becoming a familiar expression that said that the man cared for him, Danny ignored it…it could not be real…it was one of Vlad's tricks…it must be. "Oh," he muttered, it felt increasingly strange to be grateful to Vlad…so he said nothing else.

"Now, I have a theory that might help you," Vlad said after an uncomfortable silence and began pacing the length of the room again.

"…me?" Danny repeated incredulously, still finding it strange that the older hybrid wanted to help him…maybe he just wanted to save his own skin…but that didn't explain why. "Alright…what's your angle, Plasmius?" He demanded and pulled himself up against the headboard of the bed.

"Angle…really Daniel you can be so paranoid, is it really so difficult for you to trust me?" Vlad asked with mock-horror.

"Frankly…yes…"

"Oh dear…I am hurt…" Vlad chuckled and looked over at the boy's indignant expression, "Well, you have two choices you can either trust me and live…or leave and die…"

"Is that a threat?" Danny shouted.

"No, it is a fact. If you leave here that Calidae will find you and kill you…not that you would put up much of a fight after last time…or you can listen to me and we can both survive. As heartless as you think me," he added as he saw the boy about to protest, "It is of no benefit to me if you get yourself killed because you are too proud to admit you need my help." The child thought he was heartless, if he told Daniel that he actually did care like a father he would 'flip' and no doubt run off. So it was best just to let him hear what he wanted to hear, and for now it would have to do.

Danny knew what Vlad said was true, he didn't stand a chance against that monster…and he could only vaguely remember the fight. But he had no problem remembering how much it had hurt…it had practically gloated over his powerlessness as it had tossed him around his own sitting room like a rag doll. What kind of monster did that…why didn't it just kill him and be done with it…instead of dragging things out so cruelly? If he stayed he would no doubt put more people in danger because of his hatred for Vlad. But surely Vlad would make him do some 'evil' things that he would regret, the man had always wanted him as a creepy little apprentice anyway, and this was an opportunity for him to take advantage of.

"What did you have in mind?" Danny asked reluctantly and was rewarded with a strange smile from his 'enemy.' He knew somewhere along the line he was going to regret asking Vlad that…but he had little other choice.

"I need to figure out what is happening, I can't do that here…" Vlad began, but clearly his idea wasn't so attractive to Danny.

"So…you're suggesting…we…run away?"

"No. I'm suggesting a…tactical retreat at most…look…" Vlad sighed and began talking quickly, "I would not suggest it unless the situation was dire…we both need time to recover but…"

"I'm not running anywhere with you!" Danny shouted he was appalled that Vlad would even suggest it, he may not like then man but he'd never thought he was a coward!

"We're not running…didn't your father ever teach you to choose your battles?" Vlad replied angrily, "There is no point in fighting one that you have no hope of winning, it is suicide, until I can discover more about the enemy…"

"What more do you need to know? It big, bad and ugly and it wants to kill things…like me!"

"You stupid child…sometimes I wonder how you've survived so long with such a simple mentality; do you even know why it wants to kill you?" Vlad asked.

Danny stared at the man, "…err…" he muttered and rubbed the back of his neck as he racked his mind for answers.

"Do you know why it suddenly came here…of all places and targeted you or me?"

"…well…I…I…"

"No. In short you know nothing about the enemy that so obviously wants you dead…really, Daniel it is fortunate for you that I never intended on killing you or you would have been dead on the very first day." Vlad sighed.

"Hey!" Danny protested, he wasn't weak…he hated being called weak!

"No, you will listen to me; stop acting like a child and…"

"I am a…" he shouted, but Vlad was louder.

"DANIEL!" Vlad shouted and Danny's ear drums protested at the loud volume that the man's voice had taken. "Do you really have a death wish? Do you want to die?"

"…No…" Danny sighed reluctantly, maybe he should have said 'yes,' just to spite the man.

"Well then, I know you are aware of the danger you are in if you say here, why else would it attack your family?"

"Are you saying it's my fault that they…I didn't mean for them to…I was doing fine before you showed up…I could've…" Danny stuttered and avoided Vlad's eyes…but the man was right…he had put his family in danger, not Vlad. It was his fault his family had been hurt and were now in hospital, not Vlad's.

"You're damn lucky I came to help you otherwise you would be dead now!"

At this Danny could say nothing, he knew it was true, Vlad really have saved him…and his family, even though he didn't have to. He really did owe the man now…and it hurt to admit that to himself…so how was he going to admit it to Vlad? "Now…" Vlad continued, "As I said…I have a theory, but I need you to listen to it before you try and storm off."

"Fine,"

"Your wound…it seems to be weak to electricity, it is the only explanation for the way you reacted to my attack…I have also conducted a little experiment and I think I have sufficient evidence to support my theory," Vlad explained, it was like the man had a teacher switch that he could turn off and on...weird.

"…and…" Danny muttered, not understanding where Vlad was going with this…he couldn't mean that he wanted to electrocute him again…please god he hoped not.

"Tell me what it feels like first, is it hot…cold…what?"

"Why?" Danny asked, but caught the impatient look on Vlad's face so he answered; "It's warm."

"What about when I shocked you?"

"Worse…it was like it was on fire," Danny muttered and looked away from the older hybrid; he really, really hoped Vlad didn't want to play pseudo-doctor and try and electrocute the thing off of him. "Oh no I know what you're thinkin' and it's so not gonna happen dude," Danny protested and waved his arms at Vlad…the dude was nuts if he thought Danny would just go along with this little 'theory.'

"Now really….you've figured out my evil plot so easily…I'm astounded," Vlad's sarcasm was back in full force and it slapped Danny in the face…kind of like the man himself did. "But I am doing this to help you, you know,"

"No, I don't know, and if you think I'm just gonna…AHHH!" Danny screamed as Vlad raised his hand over the injury and both began to glow with lethal purple electricity.

Vlad's hand was charged with the smallest amount of power he could manage as he concentrated the energy to the wound only, he had become impatient with Daniel's childish protestations…Vlad would just have to earn his trust the hard way…once his theory worked.

"What about now?" he asked and moved his hand away and watched as the ugly black scab crackled with his residual concentrated power.

"OWWW!" Danny yelled and stared up at the man in horror. That had really hurt! He covered the injury protectively and scooted to the far end of the bed with renewed vigour, one good point of electrocution was that it woke him up. He didn't feel tired or weak as he lifted his left hand and it glowed angrily with green ectoplasm ready to throw Vlad into the wall and beat the man into the ground for that.

However Vlad's eyes lit up and he smiled as soon as Danny's eyes shone green and he was able to encase his hand in ectoplasm…maybe it had worked…a little. He studied it carefully and was rewarded when he saw the black crystallite pulsate and it seemed to shrink in on itself momentarily.

Danny seemed to notice this as well and his breathing increased as he now felt a cold chill emanate from the usually burning wound. And the familiar feeling of fatigue seemed to come and go…it was strange….one second he was knackered and the next he felt like he was on a sugar rush.

Vlad thought that, whether it was sentient or not the substance could tell if it was being targeted rather than the host and it was obviously not happy. And he had clearly been right about it…but gloating would have to wait.

"Huh…that's weird…" Danny muttered at the strange mix of feelings he was experiencing…this had never happened before…and from a kid who was thrown through walls -repeatedly- and fought ghosts on a regular basis, that was saying something.

"How do you feel now?" Vlad asked as the wound finally seemed to settle and seized its crackling.

"…err…err…" he muttered helpfully.

"I was hoping for a more intelligent answer than that," Vlad smirked.

Danny's eyes once more shone green in anger as he scowled at Vlad…he didn't think he'd ever glared at someone so much in such a short space of time before in his life. But Vlad irritated him so much…he deserved it! "Different," he answered.

"Care to elaborate,"

Danny growled again and added, "Just different, it's not warm anymore…it's cold, and I don't really feel tired but that's just because you just electrocuted me again!"

"Perhaps, but perhaps not…can you morph?" Vlad wondered aloud, but once more the boy was reluctant to comply and Vlad fought the urge to just attack him and force Daniel to do so. But he was surprised as, after a long minute of silence, Daniel sighed and transformed effortlessly into his alter-ego. Hah! He had been right…there was no other explanation, when Daniel had attempted to morph before he had failed but now he had succeeded! Ha! "I was rig…"

"Don't say it…" Danny muttered and lifted a hand to his face, he really hated when Vlad was right...or even when it just looked like he could be right, Vlad didn't need another ego boost…it still didn't justify shocking him, or in Danny's book it didn't anyway. Nothing warranted getting electrocuted!

"I suppose until I can find a cure that will be the only way I can treat it," Vlad noticed the boy's dejected demeanour and smiled ruefully, "Think of it as practice for our fights."

"Great," Danny muttered and morphed back as he remembered the bandages that he had partly noticed when he had been yelling at Vlad...some things it seemed were more important, and yelling rather than being covered in bandages was one of them. He began unpeeling some of the bindings off his torso; they were uncomfortable and mostly unnecessary as he felt no serious injury…save the obvious...of course. He was covered in them… there were bandages on his arms and legs as well and he tossed them aside…was he supposed to be Tutankhamun for god's sake? He would be battered and bruised for a while but he had had far worse before now.

Once he was finished he only vaguely wondered how they got there…but Vlad had saved him…maybe he just had one of his servants do it after that. He doubted Vlad would have looked after him himself…but he just couldn't remember…he must have been so out of it!

"Sir…" they, heard and there was a knock at the door, "Sir, I have the…oh…" Danny felt his ghost sense go off and was instantly on the alert as the woman started at him, he transformed again and glared at the open door. It was that same maid from before, the one who had tried to give him a heart attack, and when she had failed she'd tried to kill him! Stupid Vlad! Stupid maid! Stupid weird house!

Vlad just sighed at the paranoid child and walked over to Marion; he stood in the doorway and exchanged a few quiet words that even Danny couldn't hear. Vlad had clearly taken his sensitive hearing into account…that fruit loop. She handed something small over to him and then bowed and left, Vlad closed the door behind her and turned back to the bed. "You'll want to get ready; I expect we'll be leaving soon…I had Byron fetch you some decent clothes,"

"Byron?" Danny repeated, but it went unnoticed by Vlad, the man was clutching something in his hand but upon noticing the boy's curiosity he pocketed it.

"Hurry up, I'll be across the hall when you're done…bathroom's through that door," he pointed to a closed door across from him and teleported out of the room. Danny sighed at the man's abrupt departure and pushed himself out of the bed, stumbling into said bathroom.

Vlad, encouraged by his recent success materialised in his bedroom with a smile, maybe if he played his cards right neither of them would have to get hurt and he could still come out on top. He glanced down at the small, antiquated mirror from his pocket; small enough to fit in his palm it was circular and engraved around the edges with faded Latin inscriptions and dusty old jewels.

Once he figured out how it worked it would hopefully show him the way to the infamous 'Dark Zone' that he had only read about. If the creature hunting them had originated from the Ancients perhaps they could at least explain to him why he was on the receiving end of an angry Calidae. And then 'convince' them to do something about it, that thing had disrupted his life enough and as Vlad saw it, it was all their fault!

He had been in possession of the location of this fabled mirror for a long time and taking it had obviously been no problem for his maid…so it would have been a walk in the park for him. Marion respected him and Larson feared him, but together they could break into any human security system…even without ghost powers so it had been no problem. They were his servants, and were not above stealing a paltry little trinket from government property if their master told them to.

But this was no paltry little trinket…and he almost laughed at the fact that its wealthy owners had so poor of a 'human' security system for such a valuable 'ghostly' object. Sometimes people really were stupid! But he wasn't complaining; it made things all the more easier for him. So he sat down at his desk and tried to occupy his mind as he plotted his next move.

Danny had decided to forgo a warm bath in favour of a quick shower, he didn't know if Vlad would be angry if he took too long…so he didn't want to risk it. Now that he had so many mirrors he could study his wounds better. Most of them were now just small scars and scabs that would heal by tomorrow probably…but he wondered how they had gotten to that stage so quickly, he had been badly tossed around and bleeding last thing he remembered.

But he didn't know and wasn't intending to dwell on the fact…whatever it was it had saved him a lot of discomfort and pain. Maybe Vlad had…nah…Vlad wouldn't want to get rid of his discomfort…he would want to make it worse…

As he looked around the overly elaborate room Danny couldn't help but roll his eyes, who needed so many mirrors and expensive things in one, of probably a hundred bathrooms anyway? There were plants and marble counters that created a calming atmosphere which helped elevate some of his worry and uncertainty.

As Vlad had said there were clean clothes waiting on the counter by the pristine sink and he had examined them before taking a shower. Apparently this Byron person, who Danny assumed was another of Vlad's dodgy servants, had bought…or stolen some expensive looking clothes in his size. Creep.

There was a cashmere black turtle neck sweater and black jeans…apparently they thought he should sport the black on black look now. Danny didn't really care right now though; the clothes were clean and soft so he had no reason to complain. He turned off the shower head, phased the warm water off his body and began to pull on the new clothes careful around the black wound…what was it with that colour lately?

He ran his fingers though his hair with a sigh then left the comfort of the tranquil bathroom and found himself back in the empty bedroom. Just was about to go and tidy up the discarded bandages he had removed earlier he found that it had already been done and the bed had been made once more. Wow. That had been quick.

Vlad had said he would be across the hall, but as Danny opened the door into the corridor he found himself wishing that the man had been more specific. The 'corridor' was never-ending and there were dozens of doors! He face palmed and tried the one closest to him…the door opened into a dark room…there was no-one in there so clearly this wasn't the room Vlad had meant. "Vlad," he queried and looked around for someone to give him directions.

No-one...

After trying several more doors he was successful…and a little bit frustrated…and found Vlad kneeling at the foot of a huge 4 poster bed. He was gazing down into an old oak chest as Danny opened the door, "You could've said which door," he moaned.

"Now where would the fun be if I did that?" Vlad asked and lifted a long straight sword from the chest; its scabbard was a beautiful dark blue with gold inlay on the chape and locket, (*2) the hilt was the single most elaborate piece of gold Danny had ever laid eyes on. Vlad had serious ego issues.

Danny felt his ghost sense come from his mouth…but it was the weakest blue mist he had ever felt. It was very strange. "What is that thing?" Danny asked, not taking his eyes of the sword.

"It is a sword, Daniel…to be precise it was modelled on a Renaissance English longsword with a double edged blade and cost me a small fortune." Vlad replied, but strangely his voice carried no hint of sarcasm. He had pulled the blade from the scabbard and it made an awe inspiring 'swooshing' sound as the gold in the fuller shimmered in the light.

"I know it's a sword Vlad, why is it setting of my ghost sense?" Danny demanded, this had got him really confused...a ghost sword, now he'd seen everything!

"Because it is technically part ghost, I had one of Wulf's claws ground down and mixed in with the metal." Vlad explained.

"…eww…err why?" Danny eyed the sword in Vlad's hands.

"You probably already know that Wulf can literally tear portals into and out of the Ghost Zone, I wanted to know if I could do the same with this," he replied and gently lowered the blade back into the scabbard.

"And can you?" Danny asked, he hated to admit it but he was intrigued. It was a beautiful sword; with potentially huge power…sometimes Vlad had his moments.

"Yes," Vlad smiled, "although it is risky and dangerous…it does work. I needed something strong enough to withstand the force of tearing a portal into another dimension; and I had this made from the same material as the door on my ghost portal. It's practically indestructible," it was only now that Vlad noticed that Danny was actually interested in his creation, he hadn't seen it before because he had been so enraptured by it himself. Maybe the boy wasn't a lost cause after all. "Here," he tossed it over to Daniel who caught it deftly with his right hand; his reflexes had improved considerably too.

Danny continued to turn the scabbard over in his hands; he had never really handled a blade…except in a few ghost fights…but you tended to learn quickly when someone was trying to slice your head off.

"I've never had occasion to use it, save when I tested it," Vlad said and studied the boy's reactions carefully. It was clear that Daniel knew how to handle a blade; they had fought with swords before and though Vlad knew he was the superior, considering the boy had had no formal training he wasn't half bad.

"So what're you doing with it now?" Danny asked as he finally was able to take his eyes from the weapon. "I don't think it'll be much use to you," he smiled slightly.

"It may come in handy…you really do need to learn to think ahead Daniel," Vlad replied and pried the sword away from Daniel. He then walked over to a holdall bag on the floor, ignoring a suitcase beside it and picked up the bag, it looked heavy and was bulging out in places. "Now, come…I have several more things to sort out before we leave," Vlad lead him out of the room as he carried the bag and sword.

Danny was surprised at Vlad's calm demeanour; it was like they went on holiday together all the time and this was just another little outing for them, not a possible life or death situation. It was seriously weird. They floated down through the floor and Danny followed him down into the man's lab.

Vlad dumped the bag inside his own, high tech Spectre Speeder, he had of course improved Jack's designs…as he always had in college…and created a more sleek, manoeuvrable all-terrain vehicle. Ignoring the boy's indignant look as he observed the vehicle, like The Fenton's design it could fly in high altitudes, but his could also appear more conspicuous than a big grey and green Assault Vehicle. He preferred a more archetypal Bentley look, a shiny black look that screamed expense and class.

He had decided that tracking down the Ancients was more important than anything at the moment…in a sense it was a retreat…but it was a tactical move that would…should give them he upper hand…once they found the Ancients that is. He wasn't entertaining the possibility that he would come up empty handed.

Vladimir Masters would succeed in finding the Ancients were thousands of others had failed; his years of painstaking research would help of course. And he could only hope that they would take the Calidae by surprise…this was not going to be easy.

While Daniel was circling the Speeder he also called in the Mayoral office and fabricated a story that would explain his absence and told the same thing to each of his companies, they could function without him for a while, he hoped. Then he pocketed the phone and turned to face the child.

"Thief," Danny muttered and crossed his arms, Vlad merely grinned. "You're not gonna tell me we're going into the Ghost Zone, right?" he laughed.

"Of course," Vlad replied simply and raised a curious sliver eyebrow.

"WHY?" Danny shouted.

"What did I say about planning ahead…the creature has origins with the Ancients, if we find them…"

"HA! Right, Vlad; find the Ancients…sure thing I'll just go and look on the map…oh right they don't show up on a map…even the Infi-Map doesn't show you where they live, good plan…I'm doomed!"

"Your faith in me is astonishing. But please remember that unlike you I am always prepared; I do have a map, I have a defence against the Calidae should it show up, and I have an escape plan should I need it…but considering that the Ghost Zone has been its place of imprisonment I doubt it will, it will want to savour its freedom while it thinks we're weak." Vlad wasn't sure whether or not he was just trying to convince himself on that point but it seemed plausible. "After all, it is hardly likely to think I made the connection between it and its gaolers," he added.

"And the…err…suitcase in your room?" Danny asked, still only half believing Vlad, what he was saying did make sense though.

"Backup; if it has helpers I must give them something to follow, if anyone asks Byron is driving me to the Rockies on an extended vacation…it's not unheard of for me to do so…you of course - my nephew, are accompanying me to convalesce after the obvious shock of having your family hospitalised in an explosion while you were visiting your friends," Vlad smiled, clearly proud of his little validation and its credibility .

"Fantastic," Danny muttered, "I hate the Rockies Uncie Vlad," he pouted and rolled his eyes as Vlad opened the door and climbed into the vehicle with a grin.

Danny reluctantly followed and jumped into his side of the vehicle, then the portal opened and all was swirling green…

A.N. Ta Da! What d'ya think? I like this chapter, I think it sets up a good outline for some more of the story and for their relationship... after all the trust has to come from somewhere. But there will be some twists and turns along the way. No plain sailing ya might say!

- So I now have three major 'artefacts' in my warped little universe...I have the 'Scientia collectivu' a book written by the Ancients for the Ancients; it's a kind of telepathic book that gives you the information on a certain subject and dislikes being thrown around!

- Then I introduced a mirror that acts kind of like the Infi-Map, only it shows the location of the Ancients rather than every location of the Zone. I didn't want the Infi-map to give the location of the 'Dark Zone' because then people would have found it easily before now. I will later stress the importance of Vlad's research into the Ancients is the only way he has these two objects now.

- The last one I suppose isn't really an artefact but I am hoping that it will be of great importance later on in the story, the sword that Vlad made with nigh all unbreakable metal...and of course him being Vlad; gold, it can tear portals into and out of the Zone which I think is really cool and dangerous! He would of course take it with him in case they need a quick escape...cuz we all know Vladdie likes to think ahead! I guess I'll give the sword and mirror names in the next chapter or so, it just did'nt seem right to tell you to much in one chapter, I don't want to be seen as being overgenerous!

So what d'ya think...to much too soon? Anyway T.T.F.N ; )

(*1) Did you guess who the 'dark figure' is, did ya? I love to know who you think it is…who does it come across as being to you? 'Cuz I'm not telling you yet! 'Decuriones' is the Latin for 'Senators'…make of that what you will…

(*2) If you didn't know the chape and locket are the opposite ends of the scabbard of a sword. And the Fuller is the centre of the blade…you can probably search it on wiki or google or something. I can't help my obsession I love swords I want a huge room full of my future collection. At the moment I only know how to use a Fencing Foil and Sabre…and I'm hardly a champion but I do win some fights ; )

- I suppose it helps when you have people who don't go easy on you, if you just learn with people who don't try their best to beat you you'd never learn anything. It's different of course 'cuz Danny has ghosts that actually do want to kill him…but y'know what I mean. But there's one girl I really don't get along with in fencing class and we're always at each other's throats so to speak! It's fun really…but not so fun when I loose!

Anyway you don't want to read about me rambling on so I'll see you on the flip side dudes!