I swear I was dead for about 2 months, but about 8,000 words should make it up :) I really liked this chapter and I hope you will too.
Let me go over everything you forgot first: Vlad is still trying to cure himself after he found out that all humans have ghost's genes and whatnot. He even finds the three cultures we all know and love that served under Pariah Dark, and Pam wants a normal life. so mini-plot line. The three way war is still going on. Freakshow loves working with the ghosts so he's helping Plasmius out. And GIW just got the gem of life.
Luz got a tattoo. Delinquent. I changed the position of his tattoos from the last chapter because I felt this was more symbolic. You probably won't even notice.
Oh yeah and "Sammy" got kidnapped.
Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Aim at the Heart
"Everyone has their weak spot. The one thing that, despite your best efforts,
will always bring you to your knees, regardless of how strong you are otherwise."
Sarah Dessen
"I cannot believe you directly disobeyed me! I literally told you 'no' an hour ago!" Pamela's bright eyes were furious as she glared down at the boy. A few minutes ago, she discovered someone had tattooed him causing her to quickly call Luz -and give him the punishment he deserved!
The orange-haired woman jabbed a finger at his chest where, underneath his shirt, the sun Sammy drew was permanently placed. "In what universe did you think doing this was okay?!"
He cringed somewhat at her scolding, but stood his ground. His adoptive mother was going to find out about it anyway. "Plasmius said-"
She threw her hands up and rolled her eyes. "I don't care how many armies that man rules. You listen to me. Got it?"
Sighing, Luz nodded. "...okay."
Pamela lessened her stare. "Good. Now take off your shirt so I can see the inflicted damage." She muttered sarcastically.
On his chest stood the proud sun Sammy had drawn earlier; on his right shoulder, a red flame.
Pam understood the full meaning of the symbols and his intentions. Luz finally felt like he belonged somewhere. He was extremely popular with the faction, revered for his power and status, and wanted to express his pride. Vlad's wife shook her head decisively before letting out a breath. "You can keep them."
Instantly, his eyes lit up and a smile overtook his features. "Really?!" He embraced his adoptive mother tightly. "Thanks! Thank you!"
Smiling, she hugged back before letting him put on his black cut-sleeve shirt he always wore under his trench coat. "I'm letting it slide this one time, but in the future keep in mind that you shouldn't make hasty decisions-"
"-Oh my gosh! Guess what? Vlad just adopted three vultures that have been around since, like, Pariah Dark times!" Widget came bursting in followed by Vlad, Roden, and the three birds.
Seeing the irony of her words, she dropped her hands in defeat. "I give up." Vlad walked up to her to greet his wife, but instead received a disapproving face. "You are unraveling everything I am trying to teach." She said before sitting down on a couch across the room.
Vlad furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as she passed him, but quickly gathered his thoughts, and confronted her. "These vultures have been alive since Pariah Dark. They could tell us valuable information…" He alluded to finding a cure for himself.
She caught his drift and gave a half smile. Lately it seemed the only thing Pam could wait for was the day Vlad could win this war, cure himself, leave the faction to his second in command, and finally be a normal family. But until then, it was their little secret.
She rested her head on her palm and stared at the ghosts. "So what happened?"
"First, the GIW obtained the jewel of life. Let it be known: the fault lies on Widget's stupid animal." Plasmius accused the computer ghost. Widget scoffed.
"Don't blame it on me! Now that you know the government has it, just steal it back." The near mid-twenty year old proposed casually while plopping on the couch next to Pamela.
"If you had been paying any attention on the way over here," Roden crossed his arms, "you'd know that it won't be as simple as last time."
"Why not?" Pam asked curiously. "It doesn't take a genius to be in government."
"True," Vlad chuckled as he sat down on the armrest of the couch, next to Pam. "But they concocted some god-forbidden defense mechanism out of ectoplasm-uranium. They're ghost shield, practically impenetrable." His eyes became lost in thought.
"Someone is supplying them. I need to somehow retrieve information from a person on the inside." His thoughts crossed over to Laura Gray, the analyst he encountered. She seemed...impressionable. "With or without their consent.
"Wait!" Luz ran up to Vlad. "The humans made ghost shields! Does my watch work against them?"
Although bit shocked at seeing him, for Plasmius had been too focused on their discovery to notice him earlier, he leaned forward to level with the young boy. "I'm not sure. We'll have to see, but I wouldn't worry too much. Ghost shield or not -we're still more advanced than them."
Plasmius broke eye contact to gaze around the room. "Where's Sammy?"
Before he could answer that she was outside, Roden noticed the new marks peeking out from under his black undershirt. "Luz, when did you a tattoo?"
Vlad's face melded into confusion before he turned his adopted son around. Roden stepped behind the couch and they crowded around to see the symbols.
"Not bad, Luz!" Widget encouraged, much to Pam's annoyance.
"No it's very bad." She turned to Vlad. "And he has another one near his collarbone. Now, I'm not going to make him take them off, but I think some sort of punishment is required."
"But it looks cool! Johnny a bunch of them!" Luz protested.
Immediately, Roden's face soured. He hated the teenage boy! Kitty, his daughter wouldn't stop spending time with him despite his order not to. "I knew it! It's that urchin you decided to keep as mechanic! He's nothing but trouble!"
Widget smirked. "You're just mad that your daughter's itching to get inside his pants-"
Roden smacked him upside the head, but the younger ghost just stuck out his tongue.
"Calm down," Vlad stated and let go of the boy's shoulders. Luz turned around to face him. "I think I can't make an exception in this case. At least you didn't get a tattoo of something immoral like a curse word or Crypt's symbol."
Luz smiled triumphantly while Roden, Pamela and Widget began arguing. "Leave it alone." Vlad ordered. "We have to return our attention to the topic at hand."
The pre-teen nodded as he headed towards the door. "Okay, I'm going back out. Sammy's waiting." He told them, not realizing the irony of the statement until it was too late…
Sounds. Whispers. She heard a voice far before she saw light for there was hardly any light to register. Her mind was boggled. She couldn't focus on one thing for too long. It was huge room, and she felt her body placed in the center. The very center of a dark empty room, lonely but not afraid.
She'll never admit she was afraid.
What's my name? Samantha Masters.
Where do I live? Wisconsin.
Who are my parents? Vlad and Pamela Masters.
Sammy asked herself the questions to ensure she didn't have amnesia or any signs of mental trauma. Now to the important question, "where am I?"
She tried to mentally scan the area, but only to find her bounds stretched as far as the room she was being held in. The walls have ectoplasm-uranium inside of them, she concluded. Whoever kidnapped her, knew her secret and took her to the Ghost Zone. The walls of her current prison were high and beam ran across the ceiling to support it. There was tools everywhere, broken weapons, junk, old wood -was this a ghost warehouse?
Finally, gaining control of her body, she tried to move only to find herself tied to a chair, hands behind her back. And the reason she couldn't see with her eyes was because she was blindfolded. Suddenly, her mind picked up a presence quietly opening a door and stood behind her, examining her.
"Who are you? I know you're there." She stated calmly. If it's anything her father taught her, it's never panic, never show fear and always act like you have the upper hand, even if you're screwed.
"My, my, my…" She felt the man circle her until he stopped in front of her. "I never would have guessed it."
Sammy didn't want to mentally look. She didn't want to see whose mercy she was under. But it was already obvious.
Crypt.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Unfortunately."
Crypt grinned at her response. She didn't even show a hint of fear. "What's your name?"
"You kidnapped my without knowing my name? Very unprofessional." She scoffed.
The shadow ghost was slightly taken aback. Being the leader of a faction, he hardly encountered disrespect from a man, much less an eleven year old girl. "Oh my, you're the spitting personality of Plasmius."
Sammy internally cringed when she felt a gloved hand grab a hold of the blindfold. "which creates a problem between us…." He pulled the blindfold, causing the cloth to slip of her face.
Her purple eyes instantly met his black, soulless orbs. The bottom part of his face was a skeleton, she could handle that….but his eyes!
Crypt smiled at the flicker of terror in her eyes. "Are you scared?"
Swallowing, she lied, "no."
The sudden sadistic smile that came afterwards made her flinch. His hand closed around her neck and tightened just enough to cause pressure. "Looks like we'll just have to find your limit, then."
Vlad Masters has seen his share of tragedy over the years. An abusive father, a mother who never stood up for him, living in a community infested with drugs, prostitution and poverty, and the first girl who ever showed him kindness left him for some idiot. He always felt as if he was cursed at birth.
Then it got worse.
The accident that caused him his powers on that Ill-fated day led to more chaos, destruction and death than he had ever imaged.
Yet, nothing gave him the same horror or urgency than the moment Luz ran into the living room with the confounded rolled-up ransom note in one hand screaming, "Sammy's been kidnapped!"
A few agonizing minutes later brought them to Vlad's lab in Wisconsin. They burst into the lab where Freakshow and some of Vlad's officers were discussing minor battle plans. Johnny was off to the side, being supervised by Croaten, fixing a machine.
"What's happened, my lord?" One of the more devout officers asked.
Pamela let out a small groans of agony before Roden answered for the pair. "Sammy's been kidnapped."
Gasps escaped the ghosts as the room was plummeted into worried conversation. Everyone liked Vlad's daughter, so young and full of life. But through their conversation, Vlad didn't hear a word. He just stood there, lifeless, staring at a piece of paper with a haunting emblem: the picture of a scythe over a half moon.
Crypt finally found his weakness.
Vlad snapped out of his thoughts and focused on his wife across the room. Leaning against the counter, tears were forming in her eyes. Seeing her cry, a rare occurrence, opened his eyes to something: Sammy just wasn't his weakness. She was both of theirs and he needed to do what he did best -act like he had everything under control.
Vlad put a hand on her face and wiped away a tear with his thumb. "Don't worry. I'll get her back." He assured her before kissing his lover.
Pamela watched him walk off with an unreadable expression. She had felt loss before from his occupation, but never like this. For just a split second her melancholy was replaced with the bitter emotions of anger and regret. If Vlad wasn't a half ghost, if he just cured himself, their daughter wouldn't have been kidnapped.
Plasmius slammed the note down on the table, capturing their attention and ending their talk. "He wants the jewel. How he know I have it, we could only assume a traitor, but that's not my primary concern at the moment. I need to know her whereabouts before sundown or I'll be forced to make the trade...or resort to more drastic measures." He trailed off before glancing at Luz from the corner of his eye.
Crypt didn't have an heir. Either he knew about Luz and was searching for him in secrecy or better: he didn't know and would do anything to get his newfound son…
Of course, Plasmius wouldn't sacrifice him. Over the years Luz became his son too. He just needed something to bait Crypt with long enough to Rescue his daughter. That was last resort though.
"Can one of the trackers find her location based on this paper, or is that too wishful?" Plasmius asked Roden, his friend who also supervised that area of his armies.
"It would be difficult…" He examined the paper closely searching for any indication of where it came from.
"This is grounds for war!" One of the officer's exclaimed. "Stealing your child should result in a full frontal assault!"
Roden answered for him. "I am sure only Crypt and a few others in that faction know about her existence. If we were to attack right away not only would every other faction know, but they would use it against us."
"Exactly," Plasmius, "And I don't want to risk anything with a frontal attack, not with her in his possession."
Lydia, watching them talk, wrung her hands together. This was all her fault -directly. But she had to do it! Her old master practically died to secure the jewel, and retrieving it was of utmost importance.
...wait.
She already had the jewel. There was nothing more too loose. She smiled. If she didn't uphold her loyalty, she didn't have to uphold her betrayal.
And she had a clue to where the little girl was being kept.
"Master, I think I know where she might be." She whispered to Freakshow. His ear perked at the news as he turned to her, surprised.
"How?" Freakshow demanded.
The second she finished her sentence he addressed Vlad with great urgency in his voice. "She's in a warehouse on the island you found me."
Everyone paused for a second to stare at him. "How do you know?" Vlad raised an eyebrow.
He shifted his eyes to Lydia once she began speaking. "It's where he takes all his powerful prisoners for interrogation. The walls are completely coated with ecto-uranium. He took me there and...I'm sure he took her there too."
"Are you sure?"
"I can gamble my life on it."
Plasmius allowed a tiny smile of relief escaped his lips. "Thank you. Very well then, that presents another problem, it will not doubt be heavily guarded and we need to get past the ecto uranium barricade. The good news is that he won't be expecting us."
Widget smirked. "Sweet! That's the island we have surveillance on! I'll start downloading the terrain layout with those cameras Vapor installed and try to find the warehouse. Anyone else have some miracle news they'd like to share?"
A gasp escaped Johnny as he jumped to his feet. "I can get you in the warehouse!"
Widget squinted his eyes. "Actually it was more of a rhetorical joke-"
"No, seriously!" The teen pushed past Crotean and made his way to Plasmius. His young eyes were wide with hope as he stared up at the half ghost. "If I can get her back, would you let me join your faction?!"
Plasmius was taken aback by his request along with the rest of the room. "My shadow isn't really a ghost! He's just darkness. He could mask you long enough to get into the warehouse!" Johnny smile faded slightly when he saw Plasmius wasn't responding.
"Come on! You can trust me! I've lived for a while now, I fit in here, I know your secret, and I never liked my old faction anyway. Let me join!"
"Plasmius! This is madness! You're going to be putting your daughter's life in the hands of a thirteen-year old boy who used to work for one of your enemies!" Roden discouraged.
Johnny narrowed his eyes. "I like Sammy. I want to save her!" He insisted then turned to Vlad genuinely. "Deal?"
Over the past few months, he'll admit, he had grown to like the kid. The matter was trust. Could he put his faith in a prisoner?
Oh well, he always did have a thing for taking in strays.
LINEBREAK
A guard in each corner. The walls were approximately thirty feet tall. The only escape was a single door about twenty feet behind her. Crypt stood a few feet away leaning over table, back turned. Her mind searched for a solution before paying attention to whatever he was doing.
The most probable outcome became apparent after her accelerated probability kicked in. He would turn around in a few seconds and slowly advance towards her, invading her personal space. She'll transmit a scenario to his brain causing concern from the other guards. From then, she'd be able to blind them, grab the keys and escape. Hopefully.
"So, tell me darling," Crypt turned around, slowly walking towards her just as she predicted. "What are your abilities? That is, if half ghosts had any."
"You kind of look like the skeleton from "the nightmare before Christmas." Sammy candidly stated. She needed to agitate him enough to get closer. Just from the few minutes she'd seen him, Sammy already knew how to push his buttons.
"It's a human movie, you wouldn't understand, but just picture this really ugly creature that looks like a dog chewed it up."
The shadow ghost expressed no other emotion at her words besides the little sadistic smirk he wore. He was just a few feet away now, hands behind his back. "Can you guess what's behind my back?'
Sammy gave a puzzled look. She hadn't thought of checking to see what he was doing on the table for she had been too focused on her escape plan. And she couldn't do it know or else Crypt would see her eyes glowing. The quarter ghost didn't want him to have the slightest advantage over her.
She needed to wait until he was just a few inches closer to ensure her plan….
Now, Sammy's power predicted the most probable possibility when given whatever facts she could observe. The reason she always proved to be right correlated with how consistent people were. Humans, and ghosts, were so...predictable.
But in the shadow of that moment, she realized the one major drawback to her power: the spontaneous ones.
Within the next instant he grabbed her face between a gloved hand and forced her to face him. With the other hand, he held a chunk of ecto-uranium in his hand and pressed it to her forehead. Upon seeing no reaction, Crypt shook his head. "Hmm. I guess it doesn't have a direct reaction." he stated casually at the girl who was breathing heavily. Then he smiled again. "I wonder what would happen if you were to swallow it…?"
Her eyes widened as he began forcing her mouth open. She wasn't a full ghost so skin contact didn't have effect on her, but swallowing it definitely would! In rare panic she starred kicking wildly around to escape his grasp but the warrior had a strong grip. "No! Stop!" She yelled before blinding him with her eyes in desperation.
Crypt stumbled back in shock and gripped his head. She had mentally inserted the experience of drowning into his head. "Ughh!" Crypt hyperventilated for a few seconds causing the guards to rush towards him.
In his mind, he was no longer there. Sammy had sent him momentarily to the bottom of the ocean. But it broke off as soon as he broke away from her eye contact.
Crypt place a hand over his eye in shock and…anger. "What the hell?!" He pointed to her. "Blindfold her!"
Sammy kicked wildly again and tried to get another person to make eye contact, but they shielded their eyes after knowing her ability. The young girl heart fell as she realized that was one of the only possible solutions to escape.
"NO! Let me go!" She screamed.
Suddenly, she stopped once she felt a gloved skeletal hand cup her face. A shiver ran down her spine as she heard the sadistic laugh. "Thank you for the demonstration, love. Now we can have some fun."
"Have you seen Pam?" Vlad asked Widget once a stable plan had been discussed. This was his
first time he got to take a breath right before they planned to execute the plan in a few minutes.
The younger ghost rubbed the back of his neck apprehensively. "She's….kind of shaken up about it. She hasn't left her room."
"I know." Plasmius sighed. He dealt with things better because, in truth, he was cocky about his plans. In his mind, he already knew he would rescue his daughter as long as he had a plan. "I wish I could reassure her."
The billionaire looked at the laboratory door thoughtfully. "I'm going to go talk to her."
Widget eyes widened in alarm before holding his leader back with one hand. "Woah…I wouldn't do that."
Vlad arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Umm…she seemed mad…like, 'I'm a female on my period, don't mess with me' mad." His face was serious as he warned the halfa. He shivered. "I walked in and got welcomed by a flying vase."
"I suppose it be best to leave her until after I bring back our daughter." Their conversation was quickly interrupted by Luz who finally saw his chance to speak to Plasmius.
"You have to let me go with you!" The light ghost pleaded. "I can save her too!"
Plasmius sighed as he put his hands on Luz' shoulders comfortingly and looked down into his eyes. "I can't afford to lose you too." And it was true. In the few years Luz had been there, he had become part of the family.
A son he never had. Plasmius did truly care about the 12 year old.
"I'll leave you two alone." Widget walked away.
"Look, I out-power Johnny by almost four levels. I can help! " Luz begged to be taken. Sammy was his best friend. They did everything together and he would do anything to get her back. Especially from the man who also murdered his mother.
"Luz...I can't risk that either. Do not worry. You know I will bring her back. Look after Pam for me." Plasmius squeezed his shoulder before heading back to the crowd.
"You promised I would be the one to kill him!" Luz blocked his path. "He's already taken one person I loved. It can't happen again."
Looking at the fire in his eyes, Plasmius couldn't help but feel the twisted irony in all of this. The young boy held so much resentment for the supposed murderer of his mother. Throughout their years of knowing each other, he still believed Crypt deliberately killed her. And that...he was also his true father.
"I do not know how things will turn out today, but I will assure that you will have a hand in the downfall of Crypt's faction." Plasmius hugged the young ghost. "I promise."
Plasmius walked passed him to Johnny 13.
"Are you ready?"
The agents crowded around the crystal in awe, but mainly still shaken from their interaction with Plasmius. Understanding how he even escaped from the ghost shield was still being discussed among them. "Is there a certain power he has that can break a ghost shield or bypass one." An agent asked.
They were back at the headquarters in Amity Park, discussing the previous occurrences in a private meeting room.
"No, no. Not from what we observed so far. And it is impossible for a ghost to just…bypass… these shields. They are composed of ecto-uranium. No ghost can get through them." Laura explained.
Agent J dismissed the conversation. "Forget about it. We have to focus on winning the war. Then we'll be able to have so many specimen to experiment with: one of those being Plasmsius."
Agent O started presenting a few ideas, but was quickly ignored by Agent K. Not only did the most experienced subordinate have to be partnered up with the new guy, but the head agent seemed to take an immediate liking to the Caucasian. He just hoped he didn't have to work with him any further.
"I feel as if it would be easier if we just bombed the entire Ghost Zone." Agent O suggested off-handedly, receiving a few smirks.
"Heh, that wouldn't be a bad idea." Agent J chuckled,
Laura Gray quickly spoke up. "But of course, that wouldn't even be an option because genocide isn't practical."
"Well, I wouldn't say that…." Agent J trailed off.
"We shouldn't even be talking about this!" Mrs. Gray insisted.
"Why not? What's so wrong about killing all the ghost? All the problem would be solved and we'd be hailed as heroes." He walked away to check on a few files while the rest of the room broke off into their own chatter.
"Agent Johnson, despite their aggressive nature, they are still a species! Destroying the top two factions with help of Narium is enough to stabilize and control the violence in the Ghost Zone."
"Yes I understand that, Mrs. Gray, however, sometimes more drastic measures are necessary." Agent J tried to end the conversation before she blew it out of proportion. "Not to worry, that is only last resort if this war does not work out."
Laura narrowed her eyes as he left. She hated ghosts as much as the next person, but that didn't mean they should completely destroy another dimension. That was not the plan.
And, hopefully, that wouldn't be the plan.
"This is so cool!" Johnny squealed. "I can't believe I'm on a mission with you. I should've brought my bike."
Plasmius smacked him upside the head for concentration. "And it'll be your last mission unless you find the ability to focus!" He whispered.
"Right. Sorry, sir." He rubbed his head while peering at the warehouse. It was in the middle the forest, in perfect view of one of the cameras vapor installed. Luckily, they were able to obtain a sketch of the landscape beforehand.
"Okay Vlad, as of now, it's not well guarded. There's patrol of two coming your way, ETA 2 minutes." Widget informed over the ear piece. "Also, no pressure or anything but the overshadowing has to be smooth or they might have time to sound an alarm and –boom- there goes hope of poor Sammy's rescue and-"
"Roden, could you slap him for me?" Plasmius narrowed his eyes until he heard a satisfying smack over the earpiece. "Thank you."
Meanwhile, Johnny mentally prepared himself for the upcoming task. He never took on full bodied ghosts, but the biker didn't feel nervous. After all, he had the powerful "Vlad Plasmius" with him. In just a few short moments, the halfa's promise would be fulfilled and Roden wouldn't look down on him so much. And …maybe one thing could lead to another with his daughter.
For now, he just needed to focus on getting into that warehouse.
The fifteen-year old's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of upcoming patrol. "Shadow." He whispered carefully, summoning the thin wisp of shadow, a little bigger than the teen. "Okay buddy, you know the plan."
The two guards walked in sync on the path in front of Plasmius and Johnny, unbeknown to their presence. "How many more hours do we have to guard that brat?"
Plasmius held Johnny off to hear what the giant ghost had to say.
"Just until Plasmius releases the jewel in a few more hours. And, he has to. I mean, heirs are everything."
"Yeah, unless our leader kills her first." One of the ghosts closed his eyes and chuckled loudly. Until a loud thump sounded. The guard opened his eyes in alarm. "Umm…Ares? Hello?" The guard looked around in confusion, not aware of two pairs of eyes watching him from a bush. He turned around and scratched his head. "It's not a joke! We're supposed to be guarding!"
A twig snapped causing him to turn around. "Ah-". He tried to scream before a shadow engulfed him and overtook his body. Ares, the other guard now being hosted by Plasmius, went up to Johnny, now in the other person's body.
"Well done, although a little rusty on your approach." Plasmius noted.
"Do you ever give straight compliments?" Johnny crossed his arms.
"Follow me!" Plasmius ignored the teenager and sped up to the warehouse.
Sammy tried to spit out the small glowing piece of rock Crypt forced into her, but it was no use. She screamed in pain for what seemed like the hundredth time! Ecto-uranium was painful in even small doses.
"What else do you know?" Crypt held her by the nape of her neck and pulled the girl closer. Crypt had promised his daughter back alive, not unharmed. Besides, while she was here, might as well attempt to extract any information.
But she wouldn't budge!
"I know my multiplication tables." She shot him a sarcastic smile.
Crypt scowled and roughly let her go. Her head dropped in exhaustion from being tortured and her long hair hung loosely covering her face.
"Why couldn't Plasmius have a spoiled brat?!" The leader rhetorically complained to a guard. "Almost every human is!"
Grinning, he turned around to stare at her. "But of course, you're aren't human, isn't that right? You are just a human with powers If it wasn't for the status of your father, no one would accept you."
"That's not true!" Sammy's head shot up to glare at him, if she wasn't blindfolded.
Finally getting a reaction out of her, Crypt's mouth twitched into a smile. "You think you're going to be able to inherit your father's empire? You have no power. Just a little girl with little powers."
Her fists clenched into balls and she tried to ignore his taunting words.
"Plasmius most likely desires an…actual ghost to take care of things." At that point all Sammy wanted to do was kill the shadow ghost! Her arms were shaking in anger.
"You know what my favorite part about all this is? Your mother!" He leaned back against the table and laughed. "I really wonder what that was like. HA! He actually slept with a human! I tell you, one of them must have been desperate. Or both."
"But in the end, she must be completely worthless." He stated casually.
Even though she was blindfolded, her head shot in his direction.
"Oh, you know." Crypt smiled. "You're the only heir she provided."
"That's not her fault! She can't have any more kids!" Sammy defended, but her eyes widened once she realized her mistake.
The shadow ghost let out a throaty laugh. "Now my suspicions are confirmed. She is completely worthless. Why doesn't he just leave her for a ghost that can provide an actual ghost?"
"Shut up! You don't know anything! Especially about love! At least my dad has an heir!" Sammy screamed at him before a guard placed another pieced of ecto-uranium in her mouth.
Her last statement put the ghost in a small trance. His mind wandered to a woman with a kind smile.
"I hate this! Those human ruined everything! I didn't want my father's throne! Should have been –would have been!- my older brother if he didn't die. And my sister, hmp, she doesn't even have enough power to do anything." Crypt furiously laminated to a woman as they walked through a garden.
She smiled at him. "You'll make a great leader."
"I know what some people already think of me. I'm dangerous. I kill everything I touch." He slumped down on a bench glaring at his skeletal hand. "
"Not everything." She comforted by grabbing his cursed hand and holding it in her own. Being a plant ghost, a ghost full of life, caused their powers to cancel each other.
"For what it's worth, those people in the faction that judge you, do not know you. But I know you, and I know that you have a kind heart."
A genuine smile from his was rare, but to her. "Thank you." He whispered before they kissed.
Crypt's beautiful memory was quickly covered by the pain of losing her. He balled his hands into fists as he stormed over to the girl for making him think of something so depressing!
Sammy whimpered suddenly as she felt Crypt grab her mercilessly. She quickly felt strong jabs of pain and burst into louder screams.
Crypt ordered everyone to leave and tortured her further in return for her torture; the kind she caused emotionally.
"I wish Sammy were there. She could give a mental layout of the warehouse." Widget commented.
Roden rolled his eyes. "Imbecile. She's the very girl we're trying to save!"
"I know that! I'm just wishing outl oud here." Widget said, watching the monitors despite the fact they had no surveillance inside the warehouse. It was all up to them now.
"You couldn't try being more sensitive about Sammy." Roden whispered with a tight smile and nudged him.
Widget raised an eyebrow but understood when he turned around. Across the large lab, where ghosts wandering around worriedly as they waited for news from Plasmius, Pamela made her way through the crowd.
Luz led her to the duo grateful that he finally convinced her to come down. Her eyes were slightly red, but she had stopped crying the second Luz came knocking on her door.
Ghost parted for her and tried to comfort her as she walked by, but it did no good. Widget immediately sat up as they approached. "What's happened?" She finally asked to them.
Roden put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Everything is fine. He successfully infiltrated the warehouse and is slowly making his way to her."
"He's giving us updates every minute." Widget informed before suddenly hearing a voice in his ear. "Okay, according to Lydia, there should be a room hallway past the room to your left."
Widget glanced at Pamela after finishing. "Um…" he covered the mouth piece as he addressed her. "Do you want to talk to him?"
"No." She stated firmly before walking away.
Luz shoulders slumped helplessly. "Keep me updated." He gave them one last look before chasing after his adoptive mother.
Widget exhaled sharply. "I swear, those two…"
Roden stared at the computer ghost with a raised eyebrow. "What about them?"
"Vlad and Pamela, they're either going to kill each other one day or live happily ever after." He frowned.
The second-in-command smiled for the first time that night. "They seem capable of doing that at the same time."
"There it is." Plasmius breathed a sigh of relief as he laid eyes upon the door. So close to his daughter. Guards were standing around the entrance with instruction that no one should enter.
"Cool," Johnny whispered. "We just go up to them and pretend we're needed inside?"
Plasmius, still in the guard's body, leaned back behind the wall. "I don't have the proper time to list all of the reasons as to why that wouldn't work."
Johnny threw his hands up. "There is just no pleasing you."
"Shhh." Plasmius shushed the fifteen year old. He scanned the walls to secure the plan they had previously discussed.
"Okay, I need the shadow now." Plasmius ordered.
The boy nodded as a wisp of black smoke exited the guard's body.
"Just…."
"What?" Plasmius raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know. They say he brings bad luck. What if me being here with my shadow will somehow jinx you?"
"Never mind that." Plasmius straightened himself. "I don't believe in luck. You know what to do, correct?"
Johnny nodded. "No sweat. I'll keep the escape vehicle ready." He assured him before taking off.
Inhaling deeply, Vlad stepped out of the guard's body and stuffed him in the nearby closet, unconscious.
The plan was simple, he would sneak into the room where Crypt couldn't even dream of expecting him, wait for the moment to attack, and knock Crypt out. Although his body shook excitedly at the thought of killing him instantly, he knew he would have to wait in that room awhile. Even seeing his daughter being touched by that man!
He would have to wait for his chance.
Deciding he was ready, Vlad changed into human form and let the shadow engulf him. It was a strange science. The shadow itself was not a ghost, but rather, the ghost of a ghost. Yet, still able to turn him intangible while not being affected by ecto-uranium.
Vlad's human form was just enough to be able to bypass the ecto-uranium with enough help from the shadow.
It worked flawlessly.
The shadow floated through the walls past the oblivious guards. No one even noticed the wisp of smoke holding one of the most powerful ghost in the world.
Settling in a dark corner, Vlad's eyes adjusted to the unusual darkness in the room. But almost immediately his eyes focused on his precious daughter tied to a chair in the middle of the room.
The father's eyes softened in sorrow seeing Sammy so shaken. Bruises covered her skin, the blindfold and rope cut deep into her skin and her breaths were in sharp gasps as if struggling.
How could he let this happen? His only daughter, his pride, his joy be taken by this monster.
Plasmius narrowed his eyes as he noticed the lord of darkness himself. Crypt looked at her with a stare fit for the devil, eyes narrowed with a scowl.
As he grabbed her collar for her to face him, she shivered and inhaled in more shallow breaths. It took all of Plasmius' self-control to not murder him on the spot. But what he saw next sent a shiver of pure hatred down his body.
Crypt forced a piece of ecto-uranium down his daughter's throat!
In invisibility and human form, Vlad's eyes flashed a strong red that wouldn't cease. Wisps of red smoke were flowing out of his eyes.
He could hardly stand her screams! It pained him more than anything he'd ever heard or seen!
Pain and worry shot through his heart like bullets when he saw Sammy's head drop down. If she wasn't tied to the chair, she would have fallen to the floor.
That was it! He needed to attack now! He needed to rescue-
"Sir!" Came a loud bang on the door. "Ares was found unconscious in the room next door!"
Fast as light, Crypt pulled the little girl out of the ropes and held her up by the back of her shirt. She was hyperventilating and her body slumped tiredly in his grasp.
He yanked the blindfold off her eyes as his sharp eyes scanned the room. "Plasmius, I know you're in here. Come out…or you're daughter gets it."
Vlad knew when he was being taunted and fought the urge to comply.
"Plasmius! Ha, I knew you liked humans, but banging one?" He shook his daughter up and down furiously. "Come on! You created a complete freak of nature."
He waited expectantly, but frowned when he got no response.
"Oh, but of course, we all know you can't create another one." Crypt grinned, relaying the information Sammy had accidentally told him. "I don't know why you would ever do it with a human, but, seriously, at least pick one that can have more kids! You sure have a taste in outcasts."
Plasmius growled but still kept quiet.
"Too bad the one she gave you…" He held the girl out as if dangling bait out. "…is useless."
The black cloud smoke rammed into his side at an impossible speed! Sammy dropped to the floor, eyes wide and bright purple, and hyperventilating.
Plasmius emerged from the cloud with his red eyes darker than anyone's ever seen them. His hands glowed dark red, no longer being able to hold his hatred.
"I will kill you!" Vlad walked towards Crypt thrown across the floor.
Crypt shook away his surprise. How did he get in?! How was he always one step ahead?! "Well, well." He started as he stood. "You are full surprises."
Vlad balled his fists and upper-cut him in the jaw. Crypt flew up in the air before landing a few feet away.
Crypt rubbed his head, but stood when he saw the other ghost approaching. He quickly lost his confident smirk. Something was different. Plasmius felt different.
He's more… powerful! A sliver of fear struck his heart. Plasmius jumped a level. He's more powerful than ME!
Plasmius growled as he shot a red flame into Crypt's heart. Bolts of electricity flickered over the shadow ghost's body, reminded his of Luz only momentarily, but he relentlessly attacked him.
"YOU HURT MY DAUGHTER!" Plasmius screamed, eyes blood red, as he picked up Crypt and blasted the man away to the other side of the room.
Crypt groaned painfully as the ecto-uranium struck his body. More electricity flickered over him before falling to the floor. But Plasmius swiftly flew and grabbed him once more before he moved. "I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
The halfa held him up, hand holding an odd looking ecto-ball. It was almost blue, the most intense fire and capable of causing anyone death at point blank.
Plasmius stared at him with wild eyes. "I will be the last person you see." He whispered before reeling back his hand.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Both Crypt and Vlad cringed at the highest, shrill scream they've ever heard. Sammy screamed bloody murder as he held her head tightly!
She couldn't stop screaming as slowly the room started to shake! The wall, pure ecto-uranium, shook violently as pieces started falling to the ground.
Plasmius tried to run over to his daughter but couldn't walk in the chaos. Crypt stared at the girl in complete shock. She was shaking the walls…
…with her mind?
With her intensifying screams, it felt like invisible waves were crashing into the grown men.
"Sammy!" Plasmius screamed, trying to reach her.
Sammy shook her head furiously, unable to stop screaming from the pain building her head. She let out a final yell that caused part of the ceiling to fall!
Then fainted promptly.
Plasmius saw the building fall apart before his eyes. Crypt stood in one corner while Sammy stood in another. For a split second, he made eye-contact with the shadow ghost.
He smiled knowingly at him speaking with his eyes as if saying "Go ahead, kill me. But you could only chase after one: So me, or your daughter?"
Plasmius narrowed his eyes but ran towards his daughter in the collapsing building knowing he had given Crypt the chance to flee.
He grabbed his daughter in his arms and covered her with his cape.
"You're going to be okay."
Her head felt like somebody slammed it with a hammer. Last thing she remembered was the feeling inside of her, like something had exploded.
Purple eyes shot open into a day-lit room. Sun streamed from the windows lighting her belongings. She was back safely in her room in Wisconsin.
The quarter-ghost propped herself up on the bed. What had happened?
A cold feeling brought her attention to her wrists. She looked down to see two black cuffs, too thick to be bracelets.
"Sammy?" The girl looked up to see her father in human form sitting on the chair next to her bed, half-asleep. Up all night waiting for her awakening.
Vlad sat up realizing she was awake. He quickly ran over to the bed to hug her. "I am so glad you are safe!"
Still shaken from the experience, she buried her head into his chest. "I'll kill him." Vlad growled under his breath, eyes turning red.
She let go trying to make sense of everything. "How long was I asleep?"
"Three days." He informed her while stroking her hair comfortingly. "You're okay now."
Suddenly everything came back to her at once. Crypt. The ecto-uranium. The pain. Her dad. The building shaking. "What happened to Crypt? Why did the building shake? What happened to my head? Did I move the building?!" She looked down at the bracelets. "What are these?!"
He calmed her down from her rapid inquisition. "Shhh. I'll explain everything." He held her wrists carefully. "Telekinesis."
"What?" She breathed.
"Very powerful ability too. I've only met one another ghost with such skill." He smiled at her. "But unfortunately, you can't control it. Without those bracelets that suppress ectoplasm, objects would float uncontrollably around the room."
"Wow." She stared at her wrist unbelievingly. "I have an actual power!"
Laughing, Vlad tried to calm his still weak daughter. "Not yet. You can't take those bracelets off until you can control that powerful. The intensity was so extreme that I needed to make two."
He quit his rambling and hugged his daughter again. "I'm just glad you're alright."
A knock at the door sounded before Luz entered excitedly. "I heard voices! You're awake!"
Sammy grinned wide as they embraced in a hug. Vlad stepped out of the way, watching their interaction contemplatively.
He had to end this war soon. He couldn't afford to lose anyone else he loved for he had already lost so much,
And he knew someone that could help.
"Mommy! There's a limo outside the house!" A little African-american girl jumped up and down excitedly on the couch.
"What?" Laura Gray peaked out the window. To her surprise, there was a limo with a very important person approaching her house.
"Oh my gosh, is that Vlad Masters?" Her eyes shot up in surprise. What would a world-famous billionaire want with a minor government analyst?
At the sharp ring of the doorbell, she quickly let the man in. "You are…hi. I'm Laura Gray" She extended her hand nervously. "Am I being pranked?"
Vlad laughed. "No, I have actually heard of your work and came here searching for a business opportunity. Could we speak in private?"
"Of course! Of course." She started escorted him to her office before a girl jumped in front of them.
"You are on our magazine!" She said, amazed, but then studied him. "Why do you have white hair? You're like, thirty-five."
"Valerie, go with your father." Laura smiled nervously. "This is my daughter, she just blabbers whatever's on her mind."
"It quite alright, I have…experience with kids as well." He finished carefully as he looked at her. "Such spirit."
"Too much. And to think I just enrolled her in Karate." The mother rolled her eyes light-heartedly.
"Hmmm." Vlad watched her run along with an interested expression, but shook it off as they entered the office.
"Do you have any kids of your own, Mr. Masters?" She asked before smiling nervously. "I mean, if you don't mind me asking."
He looked up from a picture frame he was staring at. "Hmmm? Oh, no. I'm not married." He lied before changing the subject. "So I'm aware you work for the Guys in White government branch, and oversee the current war."
"What?" Laura responded flabbergasted. "H-how did you know about-"
"Please, Mrs. Gray, you think secrets of the government can resist the temptation of money? I promise many wealthy people are aware of ghosts."
Gray stared at him warily. He was so straight forward and casual about top secret government secrets. "The point is," he continued, "I require protection from of these…aggressive creatures."
"How so?" She asked curiously.
"I have a niece who was recently attacked by ghosts. I have no desire to lose members to ghosts and would do anything to protect them. Let me be frank: I will compensate you with any amount of money you desire if you provide me with the newest weapons and information regarding the war."
Laura nearly choked. "What?!"
"At your discretion from the head of the Guys in White as well-"
"-NO! I can't! I'm sorry Mr. Masters but you're asking me to give you confidential information secretly."
"I promise you no one would find out." His piercing gaze bore into her eyes, breaking her confidence. "Mrs. Gray, you have a daughter I can see you love very much. I'm sure you couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her.
Same as I with my niece. Unless you want this increasingly dangerous war to continue to the point that will destroy everyone's lives, I highly suggest you assist me. I will use the weapons to good use."
She tilted her head. "You sound as if you could stop all of this."
"Maybe I can." He smirked, holding all the world's secrets behind his dark eyes. "Do we have a deal?"
Almost to the end of the pre-canon. I can see the light…
Hope you liked it! Please review and I'll see you in a month ;)
Psssst….review please