Previous Chapter: Chapter 17
Chapter 25: Go With the Gut
Danny looked at the three portals. He had to choose one, and wherever he ended up couldn't be worse than where he currently was, right? No, there were much worse places out there, Danny was sure of it, but he was trying to force his feet to move. He couldn't stand there forever.
Taking in a deep breath, Danny blew it out slowly. Jack had taken the middle portal and Danny thought his gut was telling him to do the same. Quickly, before he could change his mind, Danny threw himself into the center portal.
There was bright light all around and Danny could feel himself being tossed and spun like he was in a drying machine. The vertigo from the whiteout around him didn't help at all and soon he was utterly confused on which way was up and where he was going. He felt himself change into his human form at the rough handling and the disorientation got worse. He closed his eyes and tried not to be sick praying the ride would end soon and he would be home.
Then, suddenly it did.
Danny felt himself land, flat on his back, bouncing on impact with a tired squeak accompanying his landing. His heart froze a moment as he recognized that sound. He recognized the surface beneath him, the spring poking up just slightly into his back and the complaining groan as he shifted his position. He was in his own bed!
Danny opened his eyes, blinking in amazement at the old glow in the dark star stickers plastered to his ceiling. He was staring at his own ceiling! Looking around he confirmed what he already knew. He was in his own room! He was home!
Shooting out of bed, Danny didn't notice if it was day or night. It really didn't matter. He ran to the door and flew out into the hall. Reaching the top of the stairs, he froze when he saw Jazz. She was halfway up the stairs herself, eyes wide and half formed tears in her eyes.
"Danny?" she said, her voice wavering only slightly from emotion.
"Jazz!" Danny called, happier than he had ever been to see her.
Jazz shot up the stairs barreling into him at high speed. "Where have you been!" she cried, barely contained tears evident in her voice. "We were so worried about you!"
"I was lost," Danny said, hugging his sister more relieved than he could say.
Jazz sniffed, pulling back and looking at him. "Mom told me about shooting you with the Portable Fenton Ghost Portal, but we looked in the Ghost Zone! We looked everywhere we could!"
"It was an uncharted area. I'll tell you all about it later," Danny said, smiling so wide it hurt. "Do mom and dad know?"
Jazz shook her head. "No we told them you were other places. To be honest we had run out of excuses and were getting ready to admit that you were missing. It's been days, Danny, almost a week."
Danny grimaced. "Sorry, I got home as soon as I could, really."
"We need to tell Sam and Tucker you're back," Jazz said, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the stairs. She paused a moment, looking back at him with a wrinkled nose. "And then you need to take a shower."
Danny laughed as Jazz dragged him out the door, uncontrollable giddiness bubbling up through him. If she was making fun at his expense or telling the straight truth, he didn't care. He was home!
THE END
A/N: Always trust Samurai Jack….and your gut I guess. Anyway, you got Danny home! Yay! Now go back and see if you can do it again. And don't forget to review! :D