Chapter 21 is finished!
I was actually supposed to make this chapter early this morning, but due to FF being down for, like, forever, I lost a lot of motivation. I earned it back after finishing my coding homework though lmao. Though my fingers kinda hurt at typing things, as well as my brain from both coding .php scripts and writing.
I will not promise any revelation yet, though there might be one big hint here in this chapter. And Phantom seems to remember his long lost memories now, so the reveal won't be kept raveled for too long now.
Also, this fic might be quite short (this is a pre-chapter note and I still don't know how long I will write ha-ha.)
A Grasp at a Distant Memory
Chapter 21: Realizations
®® - Danny Phantom belongs to Butch Hartman - ®®
Jack ran to his home with the teens, clutching the trembling Fenton Thermos in his hands. He needs to release the ghosts at Clockwork's lair before they can cause more commotion, and possibly endanger more lives. He knew he promised himself that he'll try to get away from the ghost business, but in this case, he might be one of the few people the Amity needs right now, and he wouldn't put his selfish wants first. As much as it hurts him, the chances of restoring back his family… can wait.
As soon as they reached the house, Jack pushed the Ghost shield button on, in case the offending ghosts escape before he can surrender them to the ghost authorities.
"I'd need to go to the Ghost Zone. You kids stay here, ok? I'll be back soon."
"But Dad!" Jazz protested. "You're hurt!"
"No, I'm n-" Jack was suddenly countered by the pain on his gut, the alarmed gasps of the teens following rather quickly. Blood seeped from his orange jumpsuit, and he doubled in pain.
"Dad, no!" Jazz ran to her father's aid. "That seems serious!"
"But", Jack tried to talk through his clenched teeth. "The ghosts…Plasmius…Phantom." Jack tried to stand up, but gave up within mere seconds. "Phantom's in trouble…"
"Mister Fenton", Sam said, grabbing the thermos from the huge man. "Phantom's a ghost, no matter how much he gets hurt, no force other than his father will be able to kill him. But you aren't. Also, you're hurt. So let I and Tucker handle this."
"What? Who said I'm venturing inside the Gho-" before he could complain, Sam effectively cut his rant by jamming her heels into his shoes, the techno geek howling in pain. "Gho, go, yeah, I'll go with Sam. Really. I'm not forced or something, ok?" Sam rolled her eyes.
"But-"
"No, buts, Dad. I'm going to make sure that wound's gonna heal soon." Jazz turned to face her two friends. "Take care, ok?"
Sam gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, Princess. We'll be ok."
As Jazz handed the keys to the Specter Speeder, they waved their goodbyes and good lucks, and as Sam and Tucker retreated to the dangerous world of the ghosts, the daughter began treating her father's wounds.
-DPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDP—
After 30 minutes of going through circles, appearing at the other side of the Fenton portal for the nth time, Sam and Tucker has finally been seeing a familiar pathway, something they are quite familiar with due to the last time they've been there. They finally breathed a sigh of relief when they saw a familiar Time Master.
"Clockwork!" Sam shouted, as the ghost spun at her shout. "We got a lot of ghosts!" She pushed the release button, and all the ghosts that have been recently terrorizing Amity appeared before the Ghost Zone ruler, their eyes unbelieving.
"No…"
"How the hell… did we get here…"
"We're done for…"
Clockwork gave a stern look at all the ghosts before him.
"What? Can't believe it? Can't believe that a few humans, most of them as young as my child, bring you all to your demise? Didn't Spectra and Bertrand give a morbid example already?"
"Oh, please!" Desiree knelt in front of the Time Master. "If you would, at least, give us one more chance, we're going to prove to you something else."
"Something else what, Desiree? Did you forget I am the Time Master, and I do know basically everything? I've seen all the possible timelines if ever I am to release you once again, and, to be brutally honest, you're just going to bring shame and dishonor on the ghostkind every single time."
Sam and Tucker could clearly see the utter terror on the ghosts' eyes, and for once, they've felt remorse for them.
"I'm sorry, Clockwork, but is there any other way? I think I won't like this." Tucker shuddered.
"Young humans, I do remember Phantom said the same thing not too long ago. You're all too young and inexperienced to realize the concept of death, afterlife, obliteration and reincarnation. However, their tainted souls wouldn't have a seat reserved on the paradise. I'm afraid… there's no other way around."
Before Sam and Tucker could even retort, Clockwork started muttering a few Esperanto spells, confusing the teenagers. Before they knew it, the other ghosts began glowing so bright, then shattered to glass-like fragments. None of them could talk for a while, too absorbed on what just happened before them.
"As the ruler of the Ghost Zone, I hate to say this. No, not after they have been warned of the impending consequences, I think they fully deserve it. If only they could have gotten more peaceful ways like the other ghosts my child dealt with."
"And then you ruminate we're just overthinking about you favoring your son too much? I think not, Clockwork." Another voice chimed in, making Sam and Tucker jump to some extent. "And… two young humans… What are you doing here?"
"Leave them alone", Clockwork glanced at the newly-arrived Observants. "They delivered the ghosts who broke the code of conduct, they're not those humans out there who wants to examine us as specimen. I have no intention to hurt them, and so would you not. Code of conduct, I warn you."
"Or are they simply your child's human lackeys?" the other Observant questioned.
"Do not question my judgment. You are supposed to observe me, not persuade me into thinking about things that won't probably favor to the right timeline. Scram, I do not need any of your taunting words. I also have to send back these children to their rightful world safely."
"Tch, once we knew you're up to no good, we can kick you out of your throne just like how the other ghosts put Pariah Dark into his tomb."
And then they were gone. Clockwork sighed, before facing Sam and Tucker.
"I deeply apologize about their rude behavior. Now, I would like to talk to you about one thing, and that concerns my son."
"Your son?" Sam asked. "What does Phantom have to do with something?"
"I am not the Time Master for nothing, young humans. I know everything that can happen, all in alternate timelines, and how I am not supposed to alter the flow of the timeline by telling people how it works. However, I do have the authority to change the timeline once it goes awry… That was my authority until the time the Time staff was taken from me."
"Time staff?" Tucker inquired. "What is that?"
"The staff that gives me the power to change the course of timeline. And taking the Time staff from me rendered me half-useless, as I cannot stop what the thief's plan is. No matter how sinister it is, and how it can affect the timeline."
"But you do know who the thief is, right? Considering you can still see the alternate routes the timeline has." Sam questioned, looking intently at the Ghost ruler.
"Alas, that is one of my limits on being a ruler. I cannot venture on the Human Zone, and the thief is a human."
"What!?" the two teens cried at the same time.
"Believe me or not. I couldn't give you more details, but let's get to the point. Little Phantom is in danger, and if nobody goes to rescue him, he could obliterate in the thief's hands. And now, in case the guy happen to find him, he'll kill him in no less than 48 hours. I'm sorry I couldn't give you more details due to… restrictions, but let's just say both worlds will be in danger if my son is gone."
"He's in trouble?" Sam worriedly pondered. "Even if you don't tell us those, we're still going to rescue him! I'm sorry, Clockwork, this will have to wait! We're off now! Bye!" they bolted to the Specter Speeder, in hopes of saving Phantom. Clockwork just shrugged, and resumed watching the course of the current timeline.
-DPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDP—
Phantom stared at Vlad, his jaws hanging. He couldn't talk, not after every single lost memory returned to him. To both Vlad and Skulker, he was just surprised about Vlad being a half ghost.
"Too surprised, aren't you, whelp? That was my same reaction when I found out, but I managed to make friends with him."
"Don't get too comfortable around me, Skulker", Vlad/Plasmius arched his eyebrow. "I never said something about considering you a friend."
"Oh, geez, Plasmius. I'm hurt." Skulker feigned a sad expression. "Well, what are we gonna do with Clockwork's whelp here? Keep him hostage until his daddy arrived and be kicked out of his throne?"
"I've had other thoughts, Skulker, but that works better."
"Oh, yeah?" Phantom spoke from being silent for long. "Involving my father into you and Plasmius' mess? Wow, never though you could go down as low as worshipping some thief who stole some of my father's powers, you blob residing in a hunter's skin."
Skulker and Vlad went still.
"H-How did you know, Phantom?" Vlad asked, too lost to comprehend the true meaning. "You can't… Nobody knew except for me and Skulker… Unless your father knew. And unless he told you…"
Phantom chuckled.
"Silly. Father always keeps his knowledge to himself, not even to me."
"Then how…"
"You should guess then. Maybe you're all missing a key person to this that knows awfully a lot about Plasmius."
"What?" Vlad's eyebrow raised. "Boy, stop confusing us… You wouldn't kno-"
"HYAAAARRRGGHHH!" Sam and Tucker appeared outta nowhere, Tucker dousing Skulker with Blood Bosoms as he writhed in pain, while Sam blasted Vlad with an ectogun, making the half-ghost double in agony.
"Sam! Tucker!" Phantom shouted.
"We deserve something in return to this, Ghost Boy." Sam said as she drenched more Blood Bosoms on Vlad.
"Sweet. Thanks, Sammykins!"
"Eew, don't call me that, Little Phantom."
While the other ghosts are still distracted, Phantom grabbed Sam and Tucker, and made his way to a safe haven.
"Thanks guys. You don't know how much that means to me." Phantom smiled at his two friends. "Now you stay here while I talk to them."
"Are you nuts, ghost boy?" Sam remarked. "You've gotten out of the danger, and now you're diving back? Seriously?"
"No I'm not. With you and Tucker's help, I'm pretty sure they'll be immobile for 30 minutes. Also, I need you to keep watch of the Ghost portal while I'm away, I don't want some minor frootloop get out again. I'm out."
"Take care, dude. Don't get yourself in trouble again, we won't be able to repeat that stunt."
Phantom laughed, as he waved his hand and swiftly flew off, the two human teenagers going to Fenton Works.
-DPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDP—
True to his words, Phantom appeared in front of a still-recovering Plasmius and Skulker.
"Wow, whelp. What a move to go back to the enemy's lair right after you've escaped" Skulker sarcastically praised.
"Yes, foolish isn't it? However, I do have some sick moves!"
Before Skulker can react, an ectoblast hit him square in the gut, the hunter howling in pain. Vlad was almost up to his senses as well, but Phantom appeared behind him and punched him ever too painfully.
"What the hell is wrong with you, whelp!?"Skulker exclaimed.
"Maybe you should ask those questions to yourself, Skulker." He said as he pointed at the crouching Vlad. "That man is the embodiment of evil, and the next in line for Satan's throne."
"Indeed." Vlad remarked. "I'd happily push him out of his throne, just like how will I do to your father."
"Hmph, You're really a destroyer of trust, aren't you?"
"Stop confusing us, whelp!" Skulker exclaimed. "What do you even mean by that?"
"Nah, I just want to say that Vlad might betray you sooner or later. Just like how he did to Jack, his former best friend, to Maddie, and to an 8-year old boy he killed even if he did trust him."
Vlad's breath hitched.
"W-What are you saying? H-How did you?"
"All for Vlad's plans, Skulker. He's willing to sacrifice anyone, all for his plans."
"What in the blazes!" Vlad exclaimed. "N-Nobody knew that… Unless you're…"
Vlad's eyes widened, and his whole battered figure trembled.
"No… No, that's not… Impossible! You're not…"
"Hmph. Still refusing to believe everything?" Phantom said. He then went near Skulker. "You're going with me, tin can." Phantom said as he sucked the hunter ghost into the Fenton thermos. "And, goodbye. Till we meet again… Uncle Vlad."
"N-No, that's impossible… You can't be!"
Before he could call out, the ghost teen has already disappeared.
"My little badger… is Phantom."
Vlad fell on his knees.
-DPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDP—
Sam and Tucker came back okay, and Jack has been so far so good. The first thing she wants to see right now is Phantom being away from the danger Sam and Tucker has told her.
She finally took a breather when she saw Phantom at the doorstep. But then, her expression quickly turned to worry when Phantom cast a rather serious appearance, his worn-out face and rather unexplainable facial expressions taking out Jazz's inner psychologist.
"Phantom, could you tell m-"
"I'm sorry, Jazz. I wouldn't be able to keep a promise. Goodbye."
Phantom brushed past her, gently pushing her out of the way. Jazz was frozen in place, unable to react to his current behavior. However, when she saw him float down the basement, which was when she decided to call out.
"Phantom, wait!"
However, he was gone, and for some reason, Jazz wasn't happy of what he just said.
A/N: I'm sorry if the latter parts were a bit confusing and poorly written. My mood was dampened that part of the writing. I'll try to make up for it in the later chapters, though.
And no, no preview for this time. :}} ~AyaPie