Hey guys! I know, I'm sorry. I took forever. I hope this chapter is worth it ^-^" my excuse is college. But I'm sure you'd much rather read the chapter, so... Just go on! I'll meet you at the bottom.
Disclaimer - Yeah... no. I don't own much here. Um, I think there's a new OC in this chapter. Erebus does not belong to me, that is the property of ShadowedSword. Thanks for your contribution!
3rd Person
"What's our next move, Danny?" The black haired boy looked up from the paper in front of him, a rough sketch of Amity with symbols scribbled all over it. The question had come from his mother, standing there in her usual attire, though the blue was being covered by dust and dirt from the battle taking place outside. He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he thought.
"I know you don't trust them, but we need more ghost reinforcements. We hardly have enough people as is, and the ghosts can push people out of the bodies without harming them." The woman pursed her lips, still not fully convinced their "ally" ghosts wouldn't turn against them. "Mom," said Danny, exasperated. "We don't have much of a choice." Giving a defeated sigh, she relented.
"Fine. But we need to stay on guard." Her son just gave her a weak smile before turning back to the map to plan the next attack.
They had been greeted with chaos the moment they stepped through the portal, the town having scattered to various buildings and barricading themselves in. At first it had been unclear what had caused the widespread panic, but then we saw them. Running through the town were… bodies. Eyes glowing red, broken and half decomposed bodies littered the town, ambling down the streets. The group had walked out of Fenton Works to see a small gathering of the corpses waiting for them, one standing in front with his arms crossed and a gruesome attempt of a smirk on his face.
His name was Cainan, he had told them. And he was confident that he had already won. He was the cause of the destruction in the Ghost Zone, and the reason much of the town was locked in their houses, sobbing about their relatives being dug up from their graves. Immediately Cainan had focused his attention on the two halfas in charge, who were glaring at him as they stood protectively in front of their class. His words were confident, cocky even. This was a man used to power, accustomed to being in charge. Our two heroes were not aware, but Cainan had been planning such an invasion for years.
He had resided in a desolate and abandoned part of the Ghost Zone, leading his ragtag group and slowly amassing followers to build up an army. As he got stronger he ventured more, gaining respect among the more vengeful spirits. Now that the time had finally come, he was proud of his efforts. For the time being, they were paying off quite nicely. With the halfas distracted and their 'forces' untrained, he expected an easy victory.
Of course, he was unaware just how far some ghosts would go to defend their homes.
Danny
I was still down in the lab, looking over the map, when Luna came in. I looked up at her arrival, noting the frown on her face and the exhaustion in her eyes.
"How is she?" She just shook her head, sighing as she sat down on an empty counter. Nodding at the map, she said,
"How's that coming?" I frowned at her lack of response, but answered.
"Okay, I guess. I sent Sam and Tuck after reinforcements, they should be back soon. After that, I guess we just need to attack and hope everything turns out okay. How's training?" The look that crossed her face was many things, the majority of which being exasperation and annoyance.
"It's…. Getting better. Really, everyone's doing okay except for a few. Paulina being the main one. She wouldn't shut up about how it was going to ruin her manicure or how the sweat would clog her pores. Now she's stopped that, but she keeps complaining about how tired she is and how hard the training is." Luna rolled her eyes. "Our troops aren't nearly as skilled as I'd hope, but I guess they'll have to do."
"Well, at least it's something." I gestured for her to come over, and we both leaned over the map. "Here, this is where we think Cainan is stationed." I was pointing to the graveyard, where there was a large red x drawn. "It's where they're getting all of the bodies, and there's plenty of guards. It would be risky to launch a full attack there, but that's probably what we need to do." She bit her lip, giving me a concerned look.
"Is there anyway to lessen their numbers there? Something not enough to draw Cainan out, but at least get rid of some guards?" I nodded, moving my finger to a point farther away.
"Yeah. If we take some of our troops and move them here, I think we can distract them. The only problem is who to send. We need strong fighters with us, but someone capable has to lead the distractor group."
"Yeah… Valerie needs to stay with us, she's too valuable. We need to keep Shay and Hope as well. Maybe… Our parents? That would keep them away from the worst of the battle, and they should be able to handle this." I paused, thinking. It might be a good idea. That way, if worst came to worst we at least wouldn't have to worry too much about them.
"That could work. We could send them, and Miss Layton." She nodded.
"Want me to tell them?" I nodded as well, standing up and stretching.
"Yeah, go ahead. Send Paulina and Dash too, and any others you think might be useful…" I trailed off, and she started to leave. "Wait. Make sure Kiki stays here. She knows, it's best to keep her close. Just in case." She paused biting her lip.
"There's no way we're going to win this without changing, is there?" I sighed, shaking my head.
"I'm afraid not… We can certainly try, but their lives are more important than our secret. And we can't just have Fenton and Spearum "disappear", it wouldn't work." She studied my expression, coming closer and giving me a hug.
"We'll make it through this, Danny. I know we will." I smiled at her as she pulled away.
"Thanks. Now go on. I'm going to finish this map before going to check on her." She nodded, heading up the stairs.
Luke
I sat outside the room on the floor, leaning back against the wall. It was still too soon to know for sure what was going to happen, but every extra minute was a miracle. She hadn't opened her eyes yet though, hadn't moved or spoken or made any other signs of life. Her ecto-signature was weak, her pulse even more so. In fact, there had been several terrifying moments already when it vanished completely. I could feel her presence disappearing, and I was scared. She was like my twin, I didn't want to lose her.
Death had disappeared after the incident, and Mom and Dad had told me that he wasn't allowed to fight with them. I think it was guilt. He could've stopped this, he could've healed her. But instead he just stood in the background, and disappeared before we went through the portal. I barely knew the guy, but I couldn't forgive him for this. And that dragon… I couldn't do much to him, he was trapped in the thermos. But he worked under Cainan, we knew that much. So no matter what I was told, I would fight against him. I had to.
I got up, intending to go find some supplies or help prepare for the attack, and nearly got flattened by Valerie. She paused, waiting for me to steady myself, before speaking.
"Come on kid, Luna needs everyone in the living room." Then she was off again. I shook my head my head before following, wondering what she could need.
When I got to the living room I found Mom standing in front of the group, waiting for everyone to get settled. I took a seat on the arm of the couch, watching as the others around me claimed any remaining space. Finally everyone was quiet, watching Mom curiously.
"Okay," she started. "We've got a plan going, but it requires a team to go out and act as a distraction. We can't attack Cainan directly without taking out some of his forces. We need a group to lead some away." A few people shared looks, whispering about who was going. "Now, Danny and I have already discussed who we think should go. Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, and Miss Layton, you five will be in charge of the group, and figuring out exactly what your strategy will be. Going with you will be Dash, Paulina, Ash, and Kwan for the humans, and we'll send the Box Ghost and Skulker as backup in case things go wrong. The rest of you will come with us to launch the attack on Cainan. Distraction team, get grouped and get ready. The rest of you check your supplies before heading down to the lab." The group sat there for a brief moment before getting up and splitting off, so I jumped out of my spot on the couch. Before I could run off though, I felt a hand on my arm and looked up to see my mom standing there.
"You're staying here."
"What?!" I exclaimed. "But I can help! You need me, they don't know about-"
"That doesn't matter anymore!" She cut me off. "They're going to find out eventually. We don't care about that anymore. We care about getting as many people out of here alive as we can, and you have to be one of them. You're staying here. Dani already got hurt, we're not going to risk losing you too." She spoke in a tone that left no room for questioning. I was stuck here, like it or not. Instead of responding, I just put my head down and pulled my arm away. I get that they want to keep me safe… but I want to help too. I'm not that young. I didn't want to sit here and be useless, but Mom wasn't going to budge on this. I looked up at her again before walking away without a word. Guess I had to do something myself.
3rd Person
The two groups organized in record time, finishing their plans within a few hours. It was decided they would take time to rest, attacking at first light.
The distraction team was sent out first, agreeing to join the main fight when they had done what they could, while the main force stayed behind and waited with bated breath for the signal. When the ectoblast appeared in the sky they breathed a collective sigh of relief before looking to their two young leaders. Danny and Luna shared a look, one that while short conveyed so much between the two. They were worried, about each other and the others in the group. They also knew that they wouldn't be getting out of this with their secret intact, and they had a plan.
Once the fight started, they would remain in human form to deal with Cainan's forces unless absolutely necessary to change. But once he came out himself, they needed to be at full power. They could only hope the others in the group who didn't know would take it okay. After another moment they looked away, looking over the group. Determined faces stared back at them, ready for anything that might be thrown their way. It certainly wasn't the perfect army, but it was pretty damn close.
Hesitating not a moment longer, Danny and Luna nodded, and they moved out.
It didn't take long to reach the graveyard, where the front guards were noticeably absent. The two halfas couldn't help the slight grin that spread across their faces; so far so good. They made it through the entrance with no problems, and even into the camp they saw that the guards were gone. Their hopes began to rise, as well as their suspicions. Why would he send that many guards? A few could be expected, was hoped for, but the whole base? No, something was definitely wrong. And this suspicion was confirmed when they heard a menacing chuckle from behind them.
"Did you really think I wouldn't realize what you were doing?" Danny and Luna spun around, the others jumping to surround the ghost. He had jumped bodies since last time, and when the others saw it they gasped in horror. His new body was fresher, in fact, the group had seen it alive just a matter of hours ago. The blonde hair, the white and red letterman jacket… Cainan was inhabiting the body of Dash Baxter. Star covered her mouth in horror, staring wide eyed at what used to be the most popular guy in school and the leader of the A-list. Luna shook her head, unbelieving. Cainan merely tilted his- Dash's- head back, letting out a laugh.
"Ah, your reactions are absolutely fantastic. I knew they would be." Star lowered her hand, staring at the ghost.
"Is he-"
"Dead?" He cut her off. "No, not quite. He was simply a little too slow leading my 'guards' away. He is quite injured though. Things aren't looking good for him." Cainan shot them an evil grin, a glint in his red eyes revealing that he had something else to say and they weren't going to like it. "I suppose if you want him back alive you can't touch me, can you? One hit from your little leaders over their and Dash would be joining the ranks of us ghosts." The others turned to Danny and Luna, who were staring daggers at the ghost.
"Let him go, Cainan," growled Danny.
"Hm, let me think about that… No." Star gasped.
"But… but we have you surrounded!" she spluttered. Cainan looked at her, adopting a fake but sympathetic expression.
"Oh, sweetheart… that's cute." He snapped his fingers, and suddenly more corpse inhabiting ghosts appeared, surrounding us. Star paled, regretting her words, while the others looked around in fear at the sheer amount of ghosts surrounding them. Only a few weren't unnerved, those being Danny, Luna, Sam, Tucker, and their ghostly allies. Said allies weren't in the huddle however, but floating above them, invisible, and sincerely hoping Cainan hadn't sensed them.
There was Frostbite, who was willing to do pretty much anything to help the Great One. Ember and Technus were also there, though there wasn't much technology around for Technus to control. Alana and Lee had split, one of them joining in the distraction team and the other hidden above. There was also Erebus, a demon halfa they had met before and had agreed to help them if necessary. What the others didn't know though, was that Luke had followed as well. He was staying far enough away that he didn't think his parents would notice him, at least not until the fighting started. And once that happened, they wouldn't be able to send him home anyway.
Back on the ground Cainan was admiring his success, happy that his plan was working out. Not that it could have failed anyway. The halfas had never seen it coming. And now, for the final touch. The cherry on top. He smirked, looking back at Danny and Luna.
"So, what now, little heroes? Whatever can you do?" he laughed again, taunting them. "You know your best chance would reveal the truth. Are you really prepared to do that so soon? With all eyes on you? Oh wait, don't answer that yet." He gestured to some of the ghosts, who nodded and walked away, returning shortly with the entire distraction team. They didn't look seriously injured, but they certainly weren't in the same condition as when they left. Cainan turned back to Danny and Luna, grinning again.
"Now, as I was saying… why don't you tell the truth?" Danny and Luna shared a worried look, gazing over at the other group. Their parents were there, concerned but seemingly okay. The two teens were hesitant. They knew they'd have to reveal it eventually, but they had counted on the battle distracting attention away from them. Now Cainan looked ready to force them to change right here. "Oh, come on. You know they'd find out sooner or later," he said, walking closer. "Just tell the truth, you filthy halfas." Cue gasps from those in the dark. Of course, the whole class knew by now what a halfa was, so when Cainan said those words all eyes were on Danny and Luna. They scowled, glaring at Cainan.
"What could you possibly get out of telling them that?" Asked Luna. Cainan chuckled.
"Suspicion. Disorder among the ranks. You haven't been honest with them at all, have you? In fact, you've kept from them probably the biggest secret you could have." He turned, looking at the other people in the group. "Think for a moment, do any of you see the similarities? The truth about these two halfas? Because it's very important." He stopped when there was a gasp from the distraction team, where Luna's parents now had their hands over their mouths and their eyes were wide with realization. He turned back to the halfas, smirking. Danny shook his head.
"We don't have time for this. He's right Luna, they'd find out eventually. We had planned to do it anyway later, he's just trying to turn the tables on us." Cainan's smirk began to falter as h realized what Danny was doing. "We can't let him win." Luna nodded, grabbing his hand. Before Cainan could try anything else the two changed, and Danny Phantom and Luna Spirit stood before him.
"Follow the plan," they shouted to the groups. "Don't let them get away!" Then they flew at Cainan. It took a moment for the others to react, given that they had just found out Danny and Luna had been Phantom and Spirit all along. However, they managed to snap out of it, jumping into action. Danny and Luna were nearly to Cainan when he moved, dodging both of them. They landed on either side of him, hands charging up ectoblasts, but Cainan simply stood there and laughed.
"Are you forgetting something? I'm in this fool's body! If you launch that ectoblast, Dash will die. And both of you know I'm not lying." They stopped, the glow in their hands dying down. Unfortunately, he was right. The force of even just one ectoblast could easily kill him. And if they could take down Cainan without losing Dash, they would try their hardest. Danny looked over to Luna, thoughts drifting to the last time possession was an issue.
It's possible that they could've tried to phase him out of Dash themselves, but there were a few problems with that. For one, Dash would then be in the middle of a deadly war zone with serious injuries. For two, it was unlikely Cainan would let them get anywhere close to him. They would have to figure out something else. And until then, they were at a stalemate. Cainan laughed again, daring the two to follow him as he turned and began walking away.
"I hope you don't mind, but I have to go watch the rest of my plan unfold." Then he disappeared into the crowd, untouched by either army.
Luna turned to Danny, about to say something, but she didn't get the chance before one of Cainan's minions launched a kick in her direction. She managed to move slightly, but not in time to completely avoid the hit. Her arm took the brunt of it, and she spun around to counter the attack. Danny was occupied with his own opponent.
This one appeared to have chosen a… fresher vessel. Flesh was still clinging on the bones, maggots squirming in and out of eye sockets and the remaining rotten flesh. Danny shuddered, but readied himself nonetheless. While neither he nor his allies wanted to disrespect someone's corpse, they didn't have much choice. So when a punch was aimed his way, Danny ducked and sent a kick flying into the enemy's stomach. The corpse stumbled back, but quickly right itself so it could throw itself at Danny once more. Said halfa grimaced, dodging a kick and sending back one of his one. This was going to be a long fight.
All around the two half ghost heroes were the rest of their team. Their parents, having quickly recovered from the shock of seeing the teens transform, were fighting back-to-back against a large group of the zombie-like creatures. While Mr. and Mrs. Spearum sent out shots as precise as they could to keep their targets away, Jack shot wildly into the group and kept them back. They barely ever got close to them, and any that did were taken out swiftly by Maddie.
The kids had split up into several different groups by the ghosts, but so far they were holding their own. Valerie and Star were complimenting each other well, Val with her own gear and Star with what had been given to her and what looked like some sort of baton. Hope, Shay, Logan, and Angela had all wound up together, though they didn't seem to be working as closely together as some of the others.
Still, Danny and Luna's group was outnumbered. Even after the ghosts floating above had dropped into the fight there were still extra zombie-like creatures running around, looking for a weaker group to overpower. Cainan himself had retreated further from the battle, watching from afar as his army slowly pushed back the others. There was a smug grin on his face- he knew who would come out the victor. That is, until a bright ectoblast singed the hairs off of his puppet's arm. He gave a loud shout of surprise, which quickly turned to angry.
"I warned you that this boy would be destroyed. How stupid can you be?!" He whirled around to face his opponent, expecting to face one of the two halfbreeds. But to his surprise, it was the little abomination instead. His eyes narrowed as the boy landed, hands still glowing from the shot. "Funny, I thought I'd take you out of the race for good. I heard what happened to that pathetic little girl, I only assumed you would be with her." Luke glared, practically growling out his response.
"Don't you dare talk about my sister that way. It's your fault what happened to her, and I'm here to make you pay." Cainan threw his head back and let out a deep laugh.
"Cute! You want to avenge her. Unfortunately, you must have missed my little speech, but I have acquired a very helpful form. If you attack me, this pathetic boy will die." Luke took a step closer, eyes glowing dangerously.
"And if I don't try, and you win, he'll die anyway." Then he lunged for Cainan.
Okay, I really don't have much time. I'm sitting in my school library uploading this to make you guys happy. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?! Jk, it's cool. But I do have a class soon, and a bus to catch. I will say though, that this story is coming to the end. I think my next one will be a Heart's Redemption, which I believe has more info on my profile if you're interested. Okay, now I really have to go. Farewell, my faithful readers! (If there are any of you left...)
~ Attic out!
