music: let it out
also, I should be giving actual chapter names tbh and as usual not betad ,bc no beta to beta it =I
Curtains drawn, lights off, the room was absent of all light except her alarm clock that blinked lazily on her nightstand, a steady 1:26 showing on the surface. Sam watched her clock dazedly a ragged sigh - or maybe it was a gentle sob - escaping her lips as she closed her eyes, desperately wishing for sleep. After a few minutes she opened her eyes again this time deciding to glare at the ring next to her alarm still untouched after she carelessly tossed it there upon entering her room.
She felt tears gathering at the corners of her eyes and let them fall in the privacy of her room. The sooner she was through this, the sooner all these feelings and hurt was out of her system the better. Or so she tried to convince herself. She unconsciously patted around until she found a small black pillow and pulled it to her chest in place of the plush animals she used to have as a child.
That she was furious was an understatement. When she arrived home a little after 7 p.m. she headed for her room, at first wishing to scream into her pillows all the bitterness that was coursing through her but when she entered, all of that left and she suddenly felt really, really angry. So she changed into a pair of sweets and sport bra and went down to the small room in the basement they used as a makeshift gym and attacked the poor boxing bag that had been hanging from the ceiling. When she first started to take self defense classes she never thought she'd be able to use it so well for stress release too. She fell into a familiar and comforting rhythm of hits and kicks, her anger leaving her as she attacked her target with practiced movements
Her punches slowed after half an hour, her kicks losing momentum, her breathing hard and ragged as she collapsed against the bag, hands holding on and still refusing to collapse entirely, both literally and emotionally, but letting the first tear drops slide down her face. A strangled sob broke free and she was entirely grateful that her family was out for the night for one reason or other.
The hot shower felt scorching against her skin but she welcomed the distraction from her aching heart as she let the water mingle with her tears making her forget for a short moment all her misery.
She put on her pajamas and climbed into her bed not even sparing a glance to the ring sitting on her night stand. She should put it on, she should learned what happened, but to be honest she had enough to think about, no need for I've-turned-zombie-and-aided-an-evil-psycho-plant thoughts at the moment.
That'd been over five hours ago, and she turned on her side facing away from the ring, her mind revisiting the happenings at the park. Her heart gave an aching clench and she took a deep breath to steady herself.
She should have known better. On both fronts really. A ghost flirting with her - and that should have rang her alarming bells way more than it did, really - and the next day there were people approaching her in school when everyone stayed clear of her since 10th grade -she was surprised it took them a whole year to understand a simple "Leave me alone," that she might as well have tattooed on her forehead - and actually socialized with her and stuck around her and they became her friends. And for that she was just as angry with them - because she had a nagging feeling Tucker was exactly aware of the shit that went down - for letting them in, for trusting them. Because she really should have known better, that people simply didn't try to get on her good side for herself but for some underhanded reason or the other. It just wasn't her family this time. But a fucking ghost. That brainwashed her. And consequently made her into a walking power package for an even bigger jackass - and yeah her vocabulary got colorful when she was angry.
Thus, she was now angry at herself, at Danny Phantom and Danny Fenton, who were actually the same person and oh god she really hoped she hadn't let slip anything the Phantom, or any other ghost really, of her crush on Fenton, because lately she's been more attentive towards the punch that were served the social gatherings her parents dragged her to and somehow ghosts found it fun to harass her when she was already down a few cups and more chatty than she would've liked. And if Danny, no matter which one because they were the same, learned about it, well, she couldn't take that. It was hard enough that he was aware that she considered him a friend - their relationship never been specified as such but back then she felt it fitting - that he could hurt her this much... no he must not learn the true depth of my feelings, she concluded as she turned back once again toward her night stand amethyst orbs landing on Clockworks' ring.
With a despaired sigh and a whispered "Oh, screw it!" she yanked the ring onto her left middle finger and fall back onto her mattress. Well, she was procrastinating because of Danny, and will be about exams in the morning, might as well add 'Memories of my zombie days' to the list. Maybe, they'd make a circle of distraction from each other, she fingered the ring idly as she closed her eyes and the darkness dragged her under into a ride of memories.
Sunny sky and warm weather, light clothes in mid May. A blur of her morning routines except the walk to her greenhouse and a quick pick of her favourite fruit and vegetables, she was feeling green today. A walk through the under construction main street, grumbling about the mayor trying to score points for reelection by murdering nature. Then it happened.
The earth trembled, the ground cracking up under her shoes and plants shooting up, quickly growing, spreading. A bunch of them grouped together around a dark colored rose bud that revealed a brain inside its petals, and Sam took an involuntary step back. As a resident of Amity Park, she had her fair number of survived ghost-attack experiences, but never this close, this personal.
The creature took form and started screaming about it's fallen comrades and vengeance upon humankind for it, mid speech turning and addressing her (well, apparently everyone else had been smart enough to bolt when shit hit the fan - expect her of course) and accusing her of the misdeeds too. Righteous indignation swelled up in her, she was actively participating in all forms of protest against the demolition of nature, so she gave him a piece of her mind about petitions and some less violent form of protest, "Cause really? Not cool!" Okay so, it might have been fear getting the best out of her - she kinda rebuked with sass and/or sarcasm when she got scared, she'd always been a show-no-fear kinda person, ghost included too, seemingly.
So, she got sassy, the ghost got angry and quite ready to turn her into a pancake when something zoomed past her and the ghost had been blasted back with several green energy orbs. It took her a few moments to asses that it was indeed the famous Danny Phantom that came to her rescue, but by that time he was plastered against the side of a building, vines pinning him against the cement. The dark haired female turned on her heel as she spied on the younger ghost, he seemingly gave a furious shudder before the vines solidified and he pushed against them to break their hold. They shattered with an audible crack and the white haired spectre used the side of the building to give him momentum as he hurdled back at the plant, maneuvering through the dozens of whines and blooms that came out of nowhere to halt him.
Samantha shook herself out of her mesmerized state - she never drolled after boys, and really, best not start now. The teen started to run as energy orbs went above her head. She could see from her peripherals that though the green ectoplasm did hit its intended target it did little damage, the plant ghost simply regrew or mended its injured part like it was nothing.
She got a full 3 meters behind her when vines shot out of the earth capturing first her ankle than her upper body as she fell lifting her from the ground towards the creature controlling it. She felt more than heard the desperate cry that emerged from her lungs as the vines steadily wrapped around her head, successfully muffling her voice, grip firm and unyielding against her attempts of escape.
She was losing consciousness, and fast, resolve living her limbs as her mind started to shut down when the plants' hold loosened and her newest problem became death by plummeting into the hard ground of Main Street. And while on one hand the day was sucking royally, she really shouldn't have been surprised when out of nowhere strong hands wrapped around her halting her fall and keeping her safe. Or that it was Danny Phantom saving her ass from some creepy plant too - anyone seeing the irony? This day was just weird like that.
The white haired ghost lowered her to the ground gently, staying a second more to make sure she was alright before hurdling back towards the other spectre. And did that thing just call itself Undergrowth? Creative.
Sam took a shuddering breath trying to calm her heart and trembling limbs all the while keeping her mind from freaking shutting down, Because really? Not the time.
Another shaky breath and she was standing again, a wary glance toward the battleground her hometown had became before running to some form of shelter. She didn't get too far away this time either, as a bunch of the newly animated wildlife shot after her trapping her legs and arms and wrenching her back toward the center of destruction. With a stubbornness that no doubt came from her grandmother, the amethyst eyed female thrashed about as the vines' hold tightened enough to leave nasty bruises.
The fact that Danny Phantom, seemingly unconscious, just got thrown to the other side of Amity Park didn't exactly do wonders to her state of mind as the creature finally diverted its attention on her. It lifted a hand calmly yet firmly and the vines got replaced with its fingers, still holding her up like a marionette. The plant spectre studied her for a silent minute before a creepy smirk split it's features and an unholy shrieking shook the ground. It was with a quickly downing fear that Sam realised it was laughing.
"You," it bellowed and brought her closer for inspection, the grin splitting its face giving it an incredibly insane light. Though, I guess that's a given with or without the grin, she mused as she still thrashed about.
"You are different," it stated, grip tightening on her, "be honoured flesh walker, no one shall have the privilege you are about to." Sam felt a tick start just under her right eye, as the creature before her smirked satisfied with an altogether crazy glint in its eyes.
"The hell do you mean?!" the teen shrieked as she once again tried to shake herself free from the vines to no avail. The ghost only shook with a slight laugh as it answered with a "You shall see," as the world suddenly went black.
There was pain. An incredible amount of pain and it seared just beneath her skin then got deeper and deeper till it wrenched right through her bones. A silent scream echoed through her, breaking her mind and will, leaving her vulnerable and helpless. Another soundless sound wrecked through her and she felt her control starting to break over her every sense, her limbs, her mind, her very soul. And she felt it, the exact moment she lost it.
In retrospect, it was like her soul had been wrenched out of her body then squished into the seat of a theatre where she was nothing but a spectator with no contribution to the happenings, then pulled back into her body again. Only difference, that everything was clear.
Samantha took a calming breath as it all seeped through her mind. Undergrowth. Her King. Her Father. All the plants, all the blooms, all vegetation in this town, her children and she, their keeper, their mother. A grin split her face, liberating, maddening, everything falling into place in her mind.
Another breath and the petals keeping her hidden pelted away as she rose, vines holding her gently but firmly, to her Father. He was speaking to someone, but it did not register with her, only the chatter of her children as they've purred happily of her welcome. She could feel the leaves that clad her bare form making an intricate dress, her hair down, falling over her shoulders and caressing her bare back. She opened her eyes, gaze clear and tinged with a warm green at the edges.
The dark haired female turned her attention to her Father as he gesticulated ardently at his captive and she swirled lazily in the air to face the foolish creature that went against her King. It was a mix, half way spectre like her King and the other a flesh walker, those that destroyed her children and ignited such righteous fury in her Father. White hair and orbs that were the color of the leaves and vines of this Garden, yet colder. The clothes that wore the colors of the day and the night clad his form and a curious frown marred his face as he cried at her King while trying, futilely, to get free from the grip of the wines constricting his movement.
"What have you done to her?" the spectre shouted and her Father laughed merrily as he brought Sam closer so the ghost boy could inspect her, "Nothing, my boy. I've simply cleared her mind and gave her a purpose. She has a love of vegetation that makes her a wonderful keeper of my garden."
Sam smiled gleefully as she flew closer to the hybrid and did a mock curtsy in mid air. His frown deepened in reply, a strange glint entering his eyes. If she hadn't known better she would have pegged it as worry or concern, but he had no reason to fear for her. Of her, on the other hand, she thought with a smirk replacing her easy smile as she flew closer to him, lightly caressing his face. "You speak as if I have been wronged, flesh walker," she stated with a light tone. She drew back, a shocked expression following in her wake, as her Father laid out his coming plans to the captured ghost. He spoke of the destruction of this city so they could raise the plants in place of it, that he would use the flesh walkers that had destroyed so many of his kind to plant and care for them, that he would not stop till not only this town but the whole world came to that exact fate. She smiled at the prospect, warmth filling her, yet a small hidden part of her cringed in dred. She quickly cast away those niggling thoughts to the deepest part of her brain, never to be seen again.
The captured ghost also seemed to cast away his holders in that exact same moment, with the same amount of fierceness too, Sam noted as the vines turned to solid ice where they touched his form and a moment later broke to a million pieces leaving their captive to escape. Which he did, but not before throwing her an apologetic glance, that had her confused. They were foes, why did he make her into some kind of victim. That thought had her frowning and chasing after him - her King did order the imprisonment of that foolish spectre.
She caught up easily enough but he just phased through her wall of defense and headed toward whatever destination he had in mind. Which infuriated Samantha greatly as he had no qualms shooting ectoplasm against her Father and, well, fighting anything and everything but her.
"How dare he," she muttered as she took after him once again, cornering the half spectre in the sewers. He chattered audibly, hands clutching at his arms, his already pale face sporting a rapidly darkening blue hue, eyes dilating uncontrollably in the darkness. It was like he was suffering from a fever, only that he was getting colder than warmer. She flew closer, the plants creating an offensive wall behind her thickening and he took a step back as shivers shook his form.
"Join us, Phantom," her voice was calm and determined with just the right amount of seduction as her glowing olive orbs found his own that were changing from emerald to glacier and back in every few seconds. She found it fascinating, leaning closer, studying him.
Well, it was all give and take, allures and interest really, her King needed him out of the way and he was too good at dodging their attempts at recapture so she simply had to use a different manner of approach. He could be tempted into joining and helping them - then they could just turn him into one of their workers-, or she could just distract him enough to give that last strike that would end him. She really could care less until her King's wishes came true.
He seemed to reach the same conclusion as he swatted her attempts at physical contact away and slipped through the plants that stood in his way. The dark haired female turned furiously at that and tracked after him under the ground and over the surface till she reached a strange looking house, that had several signs blinking ominously at her. She took a second to absorb the scene -why they needed the word Fenton displayed so much was beyond her- before she ducked into the house, down the stairs and into the basement.
The place was cold, mainly covered in metal, with heavy tools of mass destruction - the amount of cannons and hand weapons were disturbing - lining the walls, one corner seemingly dedicated to a laboratory of sorts and in the middle of the southern wall an open gate glowed invitingly.
"The Ghost Zone," Sam whispered as she cautiously flew closer to the opening of the transdimensional tear that decorated the Fentons' basement. A quiet voice whispered in her mind, "Stay away," in a repeated mantra that had her take an unconscious step back, "You are not to go there, child," her Father's voice rang in her ears and she spun around as another presence made into the room. He looked even paler and bluer than before, teeth chattering, lips trembling, body shivering and eyes now permanently a glacier shade. She kept her distance while her plants took hold of the room, vines growing and flowers blooming, shredding the place in a green glow and giving her a boost of confidence.
She took one cautious step closer, palms up and facing him in a placating way. "Danny," she started tentatively and he seemed to tense up at her tone, "join us. Father would gladly have you on our side. You could rule together, with us." She took another step closer but stopped when he leveled her with an unreadable gaze.
"I promise you," he stated simply, voice calm yet cold as ice, "that I'm going to save you, and every person in Amity," he stated more firmly. A furious shiver ran through him eyes clenching shut, making him pause for a second before he looked up at her once again, "You don't know me, and you don't really have any reason to believe me or in the current state take this as anything but a threat, but I'm going to come back and stop Undergrowths. I'm going to save you, Sam" With that he leapt through the air and through her plants, yet careful not to touch her with his cold form, and dove right through the portal to the world of the ghosts.
Actually I wanted to do the whole dream in one shot but things kinda escalated…
And i'm totally rewriting a general amount of that episode (that I love a lot tbh) bc, dif pov and my story and all that jazz. Also, you missed a generally enormous plot twist that I had in mind for the last few days, be grateful (hint: Fringe)
Reviews?