Chapter 14
"I can't believe this!" Tucker grumbled as he followed Danny into his house.
"What?" Danny frowned at his friend as he closed the door after Tucker entered Fenton Works. They walked toward the kitchen, dumping their book bags on the table.
"This whole stupid auction thing!" Tucker waved his hands as he spoke. "How can Sam do this? Wasn't she the one that protested the whole beauty pageant thing? Isn't it a bit hypocritical of her to now turn around and put men up on the auction block like pieces of meat? Of all the stupid stunts she's done in the past, this takes the cake!"
"Tuck," Danny sighed as he walked over to the door that led down in his parents' laboratory, "aren't you getting a little too angry over this whole thing?" He listened carefully, hoping that his parents wouldn't be working on something at the moment.
"Of course you're not angry about it. You don't have to be put up for auction!" Tucker folded his arms, frowning like a pouting child that didn't get his way. "Doesn't she get how this is going to make me feel? I'm going to be up there, and no one is going to bid on me."
"You don't know that. I'm sure there's someone out there that will bid on you." Danny walked over and patted his friend on the shoulder. But the look in Tucker's eyes suggested that he was angry about something more than simply the auction. "What is it?"
"I was going to ask her!" Tucker shouted in frustration, smacking Danny's hand away. "I had a whole plan for how to ask her to prom. But now that whole plan has gone to waste if I'm being auctioned off."
Danny winced when he heard that announcement. "Okay. So you don't go to prom together. That shouldn't stop you from asking Sam out."
"Again. How easy for you to say," Tucker grumbled, still boiling with anger. "You ask Kwan out, and it's all good and happy and the world is perfect. But asking someone out doesn't always go so perfect for everyone. What if she says no?"
"You think I wasn't scared of rejection when I asked Kwan out?" Danny demanded, growing a little tired of watching his friends dance around their feelings. "I didn't know if Kwan would yes or no when I talked to him. But, Tuck, do you really want to go through life regretting never seeing if Sam feels the same way? You're never going to find out if you never ask her."
Tucker released a shout of frustration as he kicked one of the chairs. "Sorry," he mumbled after blowing off his steam. "I just can't believe right when I got up the nerve to ask her to prom, she pulls this whole auction stunt."
"Sam didn't mean to ruin your plans," Danny assured him. "She just wanted to do something for a good cause. Which, you know, is what she loves to do."
Tucker rolled his green eyes and sighed. "Yeah, I know. She just wants to help out the animals in the zoo."
"Look. Just ask her out. Prom is just a dance. It's not like who you go to prom with is going to be the person you marry." Danny opened the door to the laboratory and started down the stairs. Luckily, it looked like his parents were out at the moment, which allowed him the perfect opportunity to take a trip into the Ghost Zone.
"Okay, okay." Tucker sighed, following his friend. "I'll ask her out. Hey, maybe we can double date with you and Kwan." He smirked as a blush crept onto Danny's cheeks. "Which, by the way, I'm cool with. But it's still kind of shocking to find out you're gay."
"Not gay," Danny argued, forcing back the blush. "It's not like I woke up and was like, 'yup, I'm totally into dudes now. All guys, all the time.' I still find girls attractive. I mean, seriously," he stopped and turned around to face Tucker, "I still think Sam's beautiful. When I saw her in the dress for the posters, she was drop dead gorgeous. And Valerie, seriously, how could I not think she's a total babe? And Paulina," Danny shrugged, "every guy at school dreams of dating her. And it's not all about how pretty they are. They're all smart in their own ways. Sam and Valerie can kick some serious ghost butt. And Paulina," he laughed, "if you've ever been slapped on the back by an enthusiastic Paulina, you'd have no doubts that she could probably do some serious damage with a fist." He rubbed at his shoulder in memory of one such time.
"Okay, okay!" Tucker held up his hands. "I get it. You still like girls."
"And don't forget it." Danny transformed into Phantom as he opened the Ghost Portal. "If you ask me why Kwan, I wouldn't be able to give any real answer. I like him, and I want to see where our relationship will go."
"Hey, as long as he treats you right, I won't have to some way to hurt him," Tucker said as he walked over to wear they hid jumpsuits for him and Sam when they went into the Ghost Zone with Danny. They could take the Specter Speeder, but Danny's parents actually started to question why its power was always almost out when they checked on it. Thanks to help from Valerie and some advice from Vlad, they were able to build some inventions that allowed for faster maneuverability within the Ghost Zone. The jumpsuits that Tucker and Sam used had built in speed boards that appeared under their feet, much like with Valerie's suit.
Danny rolled his eyes at the comment, but he was glad that his friends both cared about his feelings and were okay with his discovery of liking men as well as women. He held out a hand, stopping Tucker after his friend pulled on his jumpsuit. "But," he said with a wince as he chewed on his lower lip, "can we not do the double date thing? I kind of want to have my first date be just me and Kwan."
"Sure, man." Tucker nodded as they passed through the Portal into the Ghost Zone. "So what do you plan to do for your first date with Kwan?"
Danny frowned at the amused grin on his friend's face. "I don't know yet. What's your plan for a date with Sam?"
The amusement faded quickly from Tucker's face. "You're assuming that Sam actually agrees to go on a date with me." Doubt showed in his eyes, and Danny wondered how Tucker was blind to the fact that Sam liked him. "And anyway, my plan was to ask her to prom. I haven't even thought of what to do for a date."
"Hm," Danny thought out loud as he folded his arms and flew backwards alongside Tucker. "Maybe we should think about doing something that follows the interest of the person we'll be going on a date with. Like Sam is an ultra-recyclo vegetarian, so you could take her to some kind of a vegetarian restaurant for dinner. And she loves those sci-fi movies with the female villains. I think they're showing Trinity of Doom again at the theater this weekend."
"I thought you said going to movies was pretty plain."
"Hey, I was trying to be helpful." Danny sighed, scratching a hand through his white hair as he thought some more. "I mean, it's better than suggesting you take her to some sort of protest. Getting arrested, I don't think makes a good first date."
"All right. Good point," Tucker agreed with a nod. "Why is this so difficult?"
"Because we want to make a good impression on them?" Danny snapped his fingers as an idea occurred to him. "Kwan told me about this band that he thought Sam might like. You should see if you can get tickets to their next show. They're called Blue Blaze."
"That," Tucker said hesitantly, "is actually a pretty good idea. If Sam actually ends up liking them. It might make up for the fact that I got her that Devil Head CD for her birthday without realizing that she no longer likes them." His shoulders drooped as he hung his head.
"And that's why you need to pay more attention to Sam and less attention to all of your tech gadgets. Hm, maybe that's why." Danny's brow wrinkled as he considered an idea.
"What's why?" Tucker demanded. "And did you actually have a plan here? Or are we just going to fly around until we bump into a ghost?"
Danny righted himself and took a look around the Ghost Zone. The overall atmosphere of the Ghost Zone hadn't changed much. There were new doors and island lairs that appeared all the time. It made mapping the Ghost Zone an impossible task since it was always changing and growing. Danny stuck to the familiar landmarks to guide him. They were coming up on Skulker's lair, which was a thick jungle island just up ahead.
"We'll talk to Skulker," Danny explained as he headed for the jungle island. "If anyone is going to have information, it'll be him."
"And Clockwork won't give you any information?" Tucker reached over and gave his friend a nudge. "And don't dodge my question. Maybe what's why?"
Danny shook his head as they reached the island and touched down on the land. "Clockwork will offer advice when he needs to. Beyond that, he prefers I figure things out on my own. If I go to him to ask about this ghost, he won't tell me anything." He rubbed at the back of his neck as he looked away. "I was just thinking that maybe the reason Sam hasn't asked you out is because she's waiting to see if you actually care about her. You have your head so clouded by all this tech stuff that she might feel like there's no room for you to have any interest in her."
"Hey, I care about things other than tech!" Tucker argued.
"Then show her sometime."
"The whelp does have a point," Skulker said, his voice coming from within the thick mass of vegetation. "After all, he gave me that sort of advice when I was having problems with Ember. When I started showing some interest in her and her needs, things got better between us."
"I still think it's weird that Skulker and Ember are a thing," Tucker said, frowning as Danny stood defensively in front of his friend.
"Well, weirder couples have happened here," Danny said with a shrug. "Just look at the Box Ghost and the Lunch Lady."
"I'd rather not." Tucker turned a shade or two greener at the thought of that coupling. Danny grabbed hold of him and jumped to the side in time to miss the five arrow that pierced the ground where they were standing moments ago. He had no doubt that the tips of the arrows were laced with a paralysis poison. After fighting Skulker for the past four years, Danny knew practically all of the hunter's tricks.
"I think it's kind of nice, in a way," Danny admitted and fired an energy ball into the air as a net flew at them. "It's nice that love can be found after death. It kind of makes becoming a ghost seem a little less lonely." He grabbed hold of Tucker's jumpsuit and yanked him backward before his friend could trigger a hidden explosive.
"Yeah, but not everyone that dies becomes a ghost," Tucker pointed out, and Danny hesitated, frowning at that reminder. That brief moment cost him, and Skulker landed an attack that caught Danny around the waist and pinned him to the ground with a grunt.
"I'm a little disappointed there, whelp," Skulker admitted as he came out of hiding. He approached Danny, placing his feet on either side of the half ghost's head. "You usually make this a much better game. How am I to keep up my skills if you allow yourself to be caught so easily?"
"Sorry," Danny mumbled. "Momentary distraction." He frowned, his green eyes sliding away from the ghost. He usually tried not to think too much about what might happen when he died. Would he become a full ghost? Or would Phantom fade away with him? He wasn't sure of the answer, and he was too scared to ask Vlad if he had any answers on that topic.
"Yeah, it's still weird that you two are kind of buddy-buddy now," Tucker said, watching as Skulker freed Danny and helped the half ghost back to his feet.
"I recognize him as a worthy adversary," Skulker said, folding his arms over his chest. "His creative ability to find ways to escape from what seems like even the most hopeless of traps is admirable. Fighting him helps to improve upon my own skills."
"Don't worry, Skulker." Danny grinned as he patted the ghost on the arm. "We won't tell anyone that you've got a big soft heart inside that metal suit."
"Watch it, whelp." Skulker glared darkly at him. "What brings you to my lair anyway?" Suspicion seeped into the glowing green eyes of his suit.
Danny reached into his jumpsuit, sticking an arm down the collar to retrieve something. "I had an encounter with a ghost last night," he explained as he unfolded a piece of paper. "He was just sitting there waiting for me to wake up. Have you ever seen him before?" He held out the paper with his drawing of the ghost.
Skulker frowned as he took the paper and examined the drawing. "You've improved."
"Thanks." Danny tugged awkwardly at his ear at the compliment. "But do you know him?"
Skulker sighed, glancing to Danny. "Are you sure you saw him?"
"Yes," Danny growled firmly. "And last night wasn't the first time either. He appeared to me when I was a child and had nightmares. I don't know why he's reappeared now, but I'm going to stop him."
"Don't." Skulker shoved the paper into Danny's chest.
"What?" Danny shouted in confusion.
"Some creepy ghost watches Danny sleeping, and you tell him to just ignore it?" Tucker demanded.
"You don't know what you're messing with on this one, whelp." Skulker turned away to return to his jungle.
"Then tell me what I'm up against!" Danny shouted as his hand crumpled the paper with his drawing.
Skulker halted and turned halfway back to Danny. "He's harmless, Danny. I thought you left the ghosts that weren't hurting people alone now."
"I do." Danny stomped up to Skulker and glared into his eyes. "But he is hurting people. And I'm going to stop him before he does anymore damage to me or anyone else."
"That's impossible." Skulker's expression clouded with absolute confusion.
"You're giving me a headache with all this cryptic talk," Tucker complained, rubbing at his head. "Can you give us some real information?"
"I need a name, Skulker. What powers does this guy have? Does he have weaknesses?" Danny questioned, frustration rolling over him. Skulker was usually more helpful with giving out information.
"The Nightmare Jester," Skulker answered reluctantly. "I've only had one run in with him. Beyond that, I don't know anything. He doesn't usually let anyone see him when he works."
"Works?" Danny's brow furrowed, not liking the name of the ghost.
"With dreams." Skulker rolled his eyes as if it should be obvious. "Why do you think he was in your bedroom in the first place? He was peeking into your dreams. But," Skulker shrugged, "he's usually more careful about not being seen."
"So basically, you don't have any real information to tell us," Tucker said with a touch of smugness that gained him a slight nudge from Danny's elbow.
"I can tell you that if you're really looking to get in touch with him, which by the way I think you're crazy for doing, you can find him in your dreams." Skulker turned and disappeared into the jungle.
"That sure was helpful," Tucker muttered sarcastically.
"Might be the best we'll get though," Danny said with a frown. "If Skulker is reluctant to give me answers, no other ghost is going to talk." He still didn't have any answers about how to defeat a ghost that could slip into his dreams, or even how to protect his friends from the ghost. His hands curled at his side. But he was going to find a way to stop this ghost.
Some Weird Chick: Eventually! Looks like Tucker might finally be getting the courage up to ask Sam out. XD;; I want to get to the auction and Danny's date with Kwan already! D: Can I just skip to them? orz Woo, I'm glad it came through so well. 8D;; Poor awkward Danny~
marsetta: At least Sam stopped him from actually walking into it! XD Poor Danny. That wouldn't have been fun for him. Yay! I'm glad you liked the kiss. =)
NikaStarlight: Yes! I'm back and finally getting back on track with my stories. 8D
Ignacia Kitty Dolohov-Potter: Who knows? I haven't thought of his date outfit yet. XD;; Funny you mention something like that. Xander, Dash's son in Doctor Dash, when he's a teen wears a white hoodie with bunny ears. XD;;;
simplegay me: I can't wait either! 8D Ooooh, what should they do on their date? Danny better start thinking of something good!
midnight: They are! XD And Kwan just wants to keep Danny safe. *glares at Calvin*
Orpheus Thanatos Messiah: Well, he did blow up. XD;;; Just not to Sam. *pats Tucker* I think the bad luck is still following you, Tuck.
AngaSong13: I'm glad you like the story. 8D Oh no! These are tough questions! D: I jump all over the place with pairings, so it's always hard to pin one down and call it my favorite. Though I'd probably lean a bit more toward Dash/Danny between those two. I seem to have grown a soft spot for Dan/Kwan too. Man, that's really tough. I really enjoyed writing all of them. I loved all the supernatural stuff in A World Unseen, and I loved the slow build from friends to something more in Doctor Dash. But I also love how the rewrite of Duality turned out. And I loved the whole cop thing in Chasing Shadows. But - Ah! It's hard to pick a best. D: I think they're all really good.