Chapter 10:

The entire mansion sat in silence. Each of the servants were doing their specific jobs and Desiree was reading in the library. She had been in the ghost zone for so long that she had no idea of all the changes that were occurring throughout the world. Machinery, ending slavery, even the new forms of expression. Since Vlad had made a deal with her about watching over Daniel, she had been learning more and more about the world and it's changes.

Sometimes, she couldn't help but stop and look around when she went on her trips with the maids. Everything was different from when she had been alive.

A sudden explosion echoed through the halls as Desiree was broken out of her thoughts.

….

Daniel swore under his breath as the practice dummy he had been working with fell to a charred mess on the floor of his father's lab. Vlad watched from his spot next to him with his arms crossed.

"Very good. You're powers are very strong much like my own. More practice will lead to more skill. What you need to remember is that they will grow with more practice and more precision. I've requested Skulker to begin training you with your powers as well as your physical strength."

Vlad looked from the dummy to his son, who was clenching his fists as he glared at the charred mess on the ground. Listening to his fatherly instincts, the elder halfa set a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Now listen, I understand better than anyone that these new powers of yours are difficult, confusing, infuriating…" Vlad squeezed Daniels shoulder. "I went through everything you're going through right now. Don't think your mother told me nothing about your fear of losing control. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself…. That's Skulkers job."

Daniel nodded, letting a soft smile grace his lips.

"Thank you, father."

Vlad nodded and squeezed his son's shoulder again before letting go and pressing a button on the control panel, making another dummy appear.

"Now, let's try this again."

….

Sam couldn't help but feel suspicious of the rocker girl. For the past week, since Sam and Valerie had talked, the pale girl had been sticking to Valerie like glue. They showed up at school at the same time and left together as soon as the final bell rang. Of course, Sam could feel the rocker girl's eyes on her despite being in the same room or not. It always felt like she was being watched now. Ever since their trip to the mansion, Sam guess that Plasmius had sent ghost servants to insure she kept their secret. Of course, she wouldn't tell if it meant putting Danny in danger but she would tell everything if it meant that Danny would be safe and with his rightful family.

The problem was, Sam wasn't sure which was his family anymore.

Danny hadn't grown up with the Fentons so he had no idea what life would be like with them and he was already biased against them due to their beliefs when it came to ghosts. Perhaps if he were to spend some time with them away from Mr. Master's influence, he would like them more.

No, that wouldn't work either.

Danny's opinion of the Fenton's wasn't only fueled by his father's influence, it was also due to his growing up surrounded by ghosts that he saw them as family.

The Fenton's saw ghosts as enemies. Not even caring enough to find out the truth about them.

Sam sighed, closing her book as the final bell rang. She watched, ignoring Mr. Lancer's final reminders about the homework for the weekend, as Ember was at Valerie's side before she could even put her books in her bag. The two said a few words, seeming excited about something as they left the room. Her phone let out a small sound, indicating someone was calling her. She saw Tucker's picture and answered.

"What do you want, Tucker?"

"I did some research on that new girl in our class and found out something interesting." Tucker's voice sounded smug.

Sam rolled her eyes as she made her way towards her locker.

"And what is this super interesting thing?" Sam asked, beginning to put in her combination.

"Apparently, Emily McLain is under custody of Vlad Masters. So she and Danny are practically siblings. Problem is, there's no other information of her that's recent."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I did some searching for her and found out that a similar Emily McLain was found fifty years ago. She was apparently killed by a fire that was ignited by a unknown source. She and her boyfriend were reported dead. The picture of Emily looks exactly like the one at our school despite some major color changes. So, maybe they're related?" Tucker said, yawning into the phone and Sam glared slightly.

"Or maybe it's the same person…" She muttered, coming to the realization.

"What?"

"I gotta go!"

"Wait! Sam-"

The goth ended the call and shoved her phone in her pocket as she ran for the bus.