Much to Danny's annoyance, Minerva had refused to tell the students about the ghost but had agreed to double teacher patrols. Danny had signed up immediately. This ghost had unnerved him. He hadn't lied to Harry that this ghost was dangerous but it hadn't felt right. His ghost sense had felt different. It had definitely been triggered but it didn't cause the usual puff of cold air to spill out of his mouth. True to his word, Danny did give Harry a Spectre Deflector for the next weekend they went into the Forbidden Forest. However they didn't come across the ghost. Danny had agreed with Harry not to go after the ghost without Hagrid and Fang there as back up. Danny was definitely of the opinion that the more the merrier on these ghost hunts. Peeves had returned to his pranks, but he didn't dare go near the students. Something everyone had noticed. Hallowe'en was just around the corner and Sir Nick had invited Danny to his Death Day party. Danny had agreed to go and Harry, who'd been there at the time, had begrudgingly agreed to go as well.
"I'll warn you now Danny, I've been to one of Sir Nick's parties before. It was boring. Also, there was no food there either. Just rotting stuff in the corner that Sir Nick said that they could get the feeling of tasting the stuff. You'll probably regret saying you'll go," Harry warned Danny Hallowe'en morning. Danny laughed.
"Harry, I doubt it's that bad. Besides I have a lot more things to talk about with ghosts than you would. No offense. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take care of something," Danny replied to Harry. Harry scowled at Danny but didn't press the matter. Danny didn't have any lessons on Fridays and he'd arranged for Wulf to check in on Hallowe'en before he left Amity Park. It was a way for Danny to restock on ghost weapons and let his family know how he's doing. Now he would be able to get Sir Nick a surprise for his party.
Danny closed the door and began to mark a few papers that he had set to recap the material he'd covered already. It was the most homework he'd assigned and it was really just a way of gauging how well his students understood the material. Particularly the stuff on ectoplasm and the Ghost Zone which could be confusing. Suddenly he heard a faint ripping sound and he felt a shiver go up his spine and saw a small puff of mist as it fogged his eye sight. He turned and grinned as Wulf appeared from a newly formed portal. Danny put the paper to one side. He had the weekend after all to finish grading the papers. He stood up and turned to Wulf.
"Saluton amiko, ĝi pasis iom da tempo. Kiel vi fartas?" Danny greeted the ghost. (Hello friend, it's been a while. How are things?). Wulf grinned at Danny and pulled him closer for a hug and a slimy lick.
"Ĝi estas granda vidi vin amiko! Mi bone kaj vi?" Wulf replied. (It's great to see you friend! I'm well and you?). Danny laughed and wiped off the green slobber and shrugged.
"Mi bonfartas. Wulf, kiel estas aferoj hejme? Multaj fantomo atakoj?" Danny retorted curiously. (I'm fine. Wulf, how are things at home? Many ghost attacks?). Wulf shook his head.
"Ĉio estas bona amiko. Via familio havas ĉiu malaltan kontrolon. Tiel, vi bezonos mian helpon por nenio?" Wulf answered. (Everything is fine friend. Your family has everything under control. So, do you need my help for anything?). Danny nodded.
"Fakte mi bezonas vian helpon. Komprenu I estis invitita al festo por fantomoj. Afero estas, tiuj fantomoj estas konstante intangible kaj ne povas manĝi aiŭ trinki ion. Mi volis fari vojaĝon en la Fantoma Zono por vidi se Frostbite aŭ Dora povus trovi manieron ĉirkaŭ tiu. Mi scias ĝin signifus multe al tiuj fantomoj. Pensas vi povus helpi min?" Danny explained. (Actually I do need your help. You see I was invited to a party for ghosts. Thing is, these ghosts are constantly intangible and can't eat or drink anything. I wanted to take a trip in to the Ghost Zone to see if Frostbite or Dora could find a way around that. I know it would mean a lot to these ghosts. Think you could help me out?). Wulf grinned and nodded. He wordlessly motioned to the portal and Danny smiled. He stepped through and Wulf followed him and the portal closed behind them.
Once Danny was in the Ghost Zone he allowed white rings to appear around his waist and separate to slide across his body. His jeans and shirt changed into his ionic black and white jumpsuit with his logo on his chest. His black hair turned a brilliant white and his natural blue eyes changed to a piercing glowing green. His body glowed and he began to float by himself in the swirling green gases. He smiled happily.
"Man I've missed this feeling. It's been too long since I've had a flight," he remarked to himself. Wulf grinned at Danny and led the way through the Ghost Zone to Dora's kingdom first. Danny easily keeping pace. They landed outside the castle and Wulf decided to wait outside for Danny. Wulf wasn't exactly welcome in the still medieval realm. The people thought he was too like a werewolf for their liking. So Danny floated across the draw bridge and into the castle alone.
Danny stopped in the entrance hall and two skeletal guards marched over to him. They took one look at him before bowing forward slightly. Danny smiled to them and returned the slight bow. Many ghosts respected him, especially among his allies such as Dora's kingdom and the Far Frozen.
"Phantom. Princess Dora will be here shortly," one guard announced as the other floated out of sight inside the castle. Danny nodded.
"Thanks, I'll wait here," Danny replied with a smirk, knowing that the guard wouldn't allow him further inside without Dora's say so first. The guard nodded stiffly and they waited in silence.
"Danny Phantom! It's been too long!" Dora squealed excitedly as she walked into the entrance hall. Danny smiled and gave her a bow and she curtsied to him in return. She giggled and ran forward and gave him a quick hug.
"So formal. What happened to you?" she joked. Danny laughed.
"Been spending too much time like an adult I guess. I've been away teaching a school about ghosts," Danny replied. Dora smiled at him and gestured to walk with her around the moat. Danny followed her outside and the two guards followed them. Dora scowled at them and waved them off.
"Go on, go guard Aragon or something. I'll be safe with Danny. Go ahead, I'm fine," Dora ordered them sternly. The guards glanced at Danny before complying. Dora shook her head at them before smiling at Danny.
"So what brings you here? You don't come into the Ghost Zone unless you have a reason Danny," Dora prompted. Danny laughed but shifted uncomfortably.
"Am I really that bad?" Danny asked. Dora shrugged.
"Afraid so. What do you need?" Dora admitted. Danny sighed.
"I've been invited to a ghost party, a death day party to be exact. The ghosts I've been dealing with though are always intangible and really miss things like eating. I thought I'd come and see if you could help me change that," Danny explained hopefully. Dora glanced at him as they walked and smiled.
"As thoughtful as always. Don't ever change Danny. I'll ask my cooks to start preparations immediately," Dora answered happily. Danny smiled.
"Thanks Dora. I'm sure the ghosts will love the food. How's Aragon? Does he need me to beat him back into place?" Danny inquired conversationally. Aragon had tried at least three times to retake the throne since Dora overthrew him. Dora scowled.
"I hope not but guards have been concerned about him recently. He seems unusually happy as of late," Dora mentioned. Danny raised an eyebrow.
"I could pay a visit if you want Dora. I really don't mind. Besides, I could use the practice, haven't been fighting ghosts as much as usual recently," Danny suggested. Dora glanced at Danny and gave him a nod.
"I hate to ask, but I think it would be best. Thank you Danny. The food will take a couple of hours to make. You can check in on my dear brother when you return. I suspect that you need to do other things while you're here," Dora informed him. Danny nodded.
"I want to check in with Frostbite and if the portal's open, might visit home. It'll be a flying visit but I'd like to check on them. Wulf says everything's fine, but I'd like to check all the same," Danny admitted. Dora gave him a knowing smile and nodded in understanding. They returned to the entrance and Dora bid him a brief farewell and Danny returned to Wulf.
So, I wanted to give a better idea about the forest ghost and give a reason for why Phantom doesn't just go after the ghost himself. The ghost feels dangerous and different to any ghost Danny's ever met, therefore he's playing it safe.
Esperanto translations are from Google translate.
Anyway, until the next chapter.
