So much to do and so little time, but I'm doing what I can to give you nice long yet quality chapters. Plenty of plot, and maybe some angst flowing threw this one, but things need to happen, and I may have a couple more chapters in me than I thought.=^-^=

Ch. 26 - What If

It was rather curious when the idea first crossed his mind. So far all he'd come across were lowly humans who tried in vain to stop his search. He watched the curious ghost as he sent off the humans before floating down to meet his challenge. "Until now all I've seen are humans, so imagine my surprise at seeing another ghost here. Mingling with humans no less." The Fright Knight remarked with a pompous tone. "Tell me child, what do you know of the Ring of Rage? It is my master's wish that it be returned to him at once."

Danny seemed confused for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't really know much except it belongs to Pariah Dark."

"Yes, and its location boy?" He reiterated seeing the obviously hostile body language of the teen. It was amusing that he seemed ready to accept the challenge at all.

"I don't know. I thought it was lost centuries ago." Danny remarked on guard.

The Fright Knight chuckled darkly as he took a few steps forward. "So in other words you are no use to me child." He got up closer and drew out his sword to be only inches from the halfa's neck. The teen flinched in response which the knight enjoyed along with the fear he gave off. "I'm in a hurry so consider this your lucky day. You may go with your afterlife, and pray you do not cross my path again."

Danny gulped as he resolved to do what could prove to be the most foolish thing he's ever done. "Can I ask you a question first?"

Fright narrowed his eyes at the young ghost. "You dare to question me child?" He couldn't tell if he was brave of foolish, but perhaps this could prove helpful in his quest. "Speak lest your good fortune fail you child!" He demanded in impatience.

Danny took a breath to calm his nerves. "What makes you think the ring is here in the human world to begin with?"

"Be thankful child, your fortune holds." He remarked with his sword still so very close to the halfa's neck. "The ring was stolen by a half breed who foolishly sought my master's throne. Tell me boy, do you know anything of this?" Danny couldn't help being surprised at the information. He'd been right about Plasmius' plot, and this time he was successful. "Your eyes tell what your tongue does not boy! Speak what you know or my blade will give life your fears." The knight ordered with a hidden grin. He'd been right not to simply dispose of the child outright.

"I... I don't know where he is."

"Then know your end!" He yelled as he drew out the blade to swing.

"H-hold on!" Danny quickly tried to reason with his arms raised though shaking from his rattled nerves. The Fright Knight stilled his blade to allow Danny to continue. "I-I can tell you were I saw him in the human world. I only saw him once."

The knight seemed to mull over whether to believe the halfa briefly before something odd about the boy caught his eye. It was the way he reacted as well as the strange energy he could feel from him. He mingled with humans, and in fact acted much like one... In a flash Fright Knight drew back his sword and instead made a grab for him. Danny, though quick to counter, was out muscled easily. He was thrown back where the knight rushed him to take him by his neck. He held him up with a scrutinous gaze. "Something about you rings false child."

Danny grasped at the arm holding him as his eyes flashed blue. "I'm not... lying..!" He tried to voice through the choking hold. It was now or never time for the halfa. If he didn't attack now, he could very well be killed, but if he were to attack there would no longer be a chance the Fright Knight would let him go.

"You have a strange aura... you are no mere ghost!" He declared as he realized something he recalled from long ago. Half breeds were rare but not unheard of. There have been a handful through the centuries, and all had a peculiar aura not easily distinguished from other ghosts unless you have felt it before.

"Unhand him you foul usurper!" A roar came from behind, and threw the knight back in surprise. He was slammed into the football goal, and his captive was dropped to the ground. Polar was quick to take him into his arms in worry while his brother stood between them and the ghostly knight. "How is young Danny?"

"He appears to be unharmed." Polar deduced hearing a groan from the boy.

He peeked open his eyes and reach for his throat. "Wha... Polar?"

"Yes Danny, it is us. We have come to rescue you."

"Yes, and our timing could not be better it seems. To think the Fright Knight has been freed to terrorize the human world. I only hope it is not at the biding of his master." Thuban added in as he readied another attack at the recovered Fright Knight.

"Foolish FarFrozen!" He shouted in anger. "Hand over the half breed now and your ends will be quick!"

Thuban simply growled in response. "I do not aide those who would betray their true king! You are the fool Fright Knight!" He then blasted him with his ice energy full force.

The knight countered with his blade that deflected the blast as he marched ahead. "Then the choice is made!" He picked up his pace to break Thuban's attack just as the ground beneath him was blown up in a flash.

Thuban looked back at the large white vehicle with its gun barrel still smoking. "Brother let us retreat!" Polar proposed as he phased into the building. Thuban didn't see any reason to argue and followed suit while the Fright Knight contended with the GIW's anti-ghost tank.

Tucker couldn't really say he was the strongest kid around. That was made more obvious when carrying Sam's dead-weight down two flights of stairs made him feel like he'd just run a marathon. He was leaning against some lockers right next to the stairs when he felt her stir. "Sam?"

She groaned to life and he gently let her down to the floor. "What... Danny?" She quickly looked around more alertly. "Where's Danny!?"

"Don't worry Sam, I happen to be fine, and why do you finally wake up after I get you all the way down the stairs?" He asked in exasperation.

Sam turned to him with a sharp gaze. "Nothing's fine Tucker!" She raged now fully remembering what had just happened. "Danny just went to fight some super evil ghost knight with a magic sword!" She then raised an accusing finger. "And you just let him go so you could save your own skin!"

Tucker glared back. "What!? Like I wanted to leave him!?" He slapped Sam's hand away. "Danny knows what's up, so I decided to trust him. Just think about it Sam, his odds are better just protecting himself." Sam knew he was right, but she was still angry. Her rage was put on hold, however, at the loud clang of metal from down the hall. "What was that?" Tucker asked in a hushed tone.

"Another ghost?" Sam proposed as they both hid around the corner. Tucker peeked out and saw a large hairy beast getting to its feet.

"Don't be so clumsy brother. We do not need humans finding us." Thuban reprimanded.

"You worry too much brother. Remember, there are no humans in the building." Polar recalled as he looked around. "A fact we lucked upon before. It is rather strange that we would wind up where we started to find you Danny."

"True enough. Are you alright Young One?"

The confused teens then saw their friend appear beside the creatures with a smile. "Yeah, you showed up just in time."

"Danny!" Sam called out the moment she saw him.

The three ghosts quickly turned to the teens. "Humans?" Thuban remarked in surprise.

"Sam?... Tucker!" Danny responded as he waved them over.

"Then I suppose you are acquainted with these humans?" Polar asked curiously.

"Yeah they're uh... friends of mine." He responded shyly as Sam took him into a hug.

Thuban couldn't help grinning at the halfa's obvious blush. "Friends, of course." He then struck his chest and bowed slightly. "It is wonderful to meet you, friends of the Young One. I am called Thuban."

"And I am called Polaris, but you may call me polar as Danny does." Polar introduced in a similar fashion.

Tucker's uneasy expression wasn't hard to miss as he introduced himself. "Uh... hi... I'm Tucker..."

"It's alright Tucker. These are FarFrozen." Danny explained hoping to calm his nerves.

"I know dude... It's just well... A picture was easier to deal with." Seeing them in real life was pretty scary despite the circumstances.

"Come on Tuck, get a grip." Sam gave him a jab in the arm.

A loud crash helped them realize they were not out of the woods yet as Thuban gazed down the hall they came from. "I suspect the Fright Knight will not be hindered for long. We should make haste back to the portal assuming it has not closed yet."

"A portal? You mean back to the FarFrozen?" Danny asked with a hopeful tone. Even with all that was going on this little bit of good news was enough to make him put it aside.

"Yes Danny, but as I said, we cannot assume it remains." He gestured out to the foreboding dark clouds. "My brother and I have been here for only a few hours and there appears to be something unnatural about this storm."

Thuban nodded as he wave them all to follow down the hall. "Yes, considering all the ghosts now in this city it could be causing some sort of electrical reaction in the atmosphere. I'm thinking the Fright Knight may have caused it to begin upon his arrival or perhaps even before he came through." They guided the kids around another corner before stopping in front of the Boiler Room.

"But brother, if that were true his power is not great enough to... oh dear..." Polar muttered at the end with a horrified expression.

"Perhaps indeed." Thuban agreed stoically as he opened the door.

"So... it is Pariah Dark isn't it?" Danny finally asked as he entered with his friends and Polar closed the door behind.

They both nodded. "That is what the evidence is telling me." Thuban raised a claw as if counting. "One, the Flizards have been very active recently." He raised another claw. "Two, this unnatural storm, and three, the Fright Knight searches for the ring." Thuban finished raising his third claw. "I can come to no other conclusion then someone has released Pariah Dark from his eternal sleep."

Danny let out a frustrated sigh. "It was Plasmius... Damn it!" He cursed just thinking of how he'd tricked him into letting his guard down even for one second.

"Who is this Plasmius?" Polar asked with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, that is the one who you stopped at the castle before is it not? I recall Tundra mentioning that name." Thuban recounted as he tugged at his beard.

"Yeah, only I ran into him again before ending up in the human world. I should have attacked him as soon as I saw him, but I... I let him get into my head..." Danny ran his fingers through his hair.

"Remember Danny, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known." Sam tried to encourage despite being a little lost with everything happening at once.

"No!" He pulled away from her. "If he hadn't knocked me out I could have told everyone he was still up to something!" The halfa reiterated with an annoyed expression laced with guilt. He reached into the pocket of his coat to pull out the black band his father had given him. He couldn't wear it on his arms, but he still wanted to keep it on him. "I don't deserve this." He threw it on the ground. "I'm no warrior."

Thuban and Polar traded glances before the former reached down to pick it up. "Young One..." He placed a claw on his shoulder. "I think you are being too hard on yourself."

"Yeah dude, didn't you say that was really important to you?" Tucker added in remembering how Danny had gotten mad when he tried it on for laughs. "Your dad gave that to you right?"

Danny shook his head. "It's only for a warrior who's proven they're ready to compete in the Ice Trials. Because of my weakness, there might not be any Ice Trials at all." He turned away in shame. "I don't even deserve to be a FarFrozen warrior let alone compete."

Sam couldn't say what suddenly made her snap but she jerked him around before anyone even realized she'd done so. Danny only had time to be surprised before the palm of Sam's hand left its mark on his face. "Shut up!"

"Huh...?" Danny responded after reaching up to the stinging mark and stepping back.

"You heard me Danny." She snapped sternly with her hand still raised from the slap. "I can't believe you of all people would be backing down! You, who already saved me from that Plasmius creep before you even knew what he was planning. So he tricked you? Big deal! Dash tricked you into the girl's locker room, and you got over that in less than an hour!" She pointed to him with a sharp glare. "You learned not to listen to him anymore!" Danny backed up another step when her finger made contact. "When you found out Tucker's family got in trouble because of you before you promised to make it up to him right!? You said, 'On your honor as a FarFrozen warrior' right?" She asked retracting her hand to cross her arms. "Well?" Danny simply looked at her like she was suddenly able to breathe fire. "Back me up!" She demanded as she turned to Tucker who was standing with the FarFrozen.

"Oh uh... yeah, you haven't made it up to me yet have you?" He stated growing more confident as he played along. "So much for being honor bound. I thought it was pretty cheesy anyway." Danny's confusion moved to Tucker. He couldn't figure out why they were suddenly acting so... His thoughts were interrupted by a boisterous laugh.

"I believe Young One, your friends are correct." Tundra began as he figured out what was going on. "If you do not believe you are worthy of being a warrior then you must do what you can to prove it." He struck his own chest. "If you have made a mistake then you must rectify it."

"And if you have made a promise with your honor, you must keep it." Polar agreed as he struck his chest as well. "I know Lord Frostbite has taught you the importance of honor Danny. Now is not the time to worry over a mistake, but it is time to take action."

Danny looked at them with an uneasy expression while still holding his hand on his cheek. "But what if I-"

"Come on Danny! Are you going to get hung up on what ifs now? Or should I slap you again?" Sam proposed readying her hand. "I mean what if won't solve anything."

"Yeah what if my aunt had a mustache? She'd be my uncle!" Tuck chimed in only to be met with the slap Sam had primed for Danny.

"Not the time Tuck." She scolded before turning back to her halfa friend.

"True Young One. I believe a wise human once said, 'A weak man worries before he makes a choice, a strong man worries after.' You're hesitation will only prove to help our enemies." He then pulled out a scroll. "If you wish to be a warrior then you must act." As Thuban began to draw a circle in the air strange sparks jumped off the artifact.

"Halt brother!" Polar declared as he swatted the item from his brother's claw. The air shimmered only a moment before the energy died down. "It's as I feared. There's too much energy interfering with the portals." He reached down to the map with a furrowed brow.

"It would seem so." Thuban agreed feeling a slight tingle in his claw from the energy.

"So even the Infi-map can't find a way through now?" Danny asked looking suddenly more calm. "Do you think maybe we can find a portal the Ghouls are using?" Danny gestured out the door.

Thuban wore a grin at seeing Danny a more decisive expression. "That would be a good plan yes, but they would no doubt be well guarded Young One."

"So we just need a portal right? One that's not guarded by a bunch of ghost?" Tucker questioned pulling out his PDA.

Sam raised a brow at him. "You know where a portal is and you didn't mention it bef- Hold on! You can't be suggesting going there!" She suddenly corrected as if he were crazy. "That could be way more dangerous than an army of ghosts!"

Tucker raised his hands defensively. "Maybe, but now that we have Jazz on our side we could probably get there."

"Hello! Do you not remember last time she saw him." Sam pointed to Danny. "He didn't exactly take it well." Sam whispered harshly.

"Huh? Who are you guys talking about?" The halfa asked with an almost too confused expression.

Polar recognized it immediately as he'd seen this a few times before. "Perhaps a friend of theirs Danny. Maybe someone you haven't met." He then pat him on the shoulder and turned to the teens. "Am I correct in assuming this friend knows where a portal is?"

Tucker raised a brow at him and nodded. "Yeah, the Fenton's have one in their lab."

"They're also the best ghost hunters in the city." Sam added in while also noticing how Polar was trying to distract Danny from thinking about Jazz.

"You guys knew where a portal was this whole time?" Danny seemed hurt at the revelation.

Sam felt guilty, but she also knew it was a bad idea. "Yeah, but like I said, the Fentons are the best ghost hunters in the city. If you thought the GIW were dangerous, you don't want to test the Fentons. Half of the equipment the GIW use was made by them."

"Or stolen." Tucker added in with distaste. "While Sam's right about the Fentons being better, they don't like working with the GIW because of all the Anti-Ecto Codes they've enacted in the city. The Fentons can't even go out hunting unless... hold on Sam this is perfect!" He suddenly looked excited. "I need to call Jazz."

"Did you not hear me?" Sam asked looking annoyed.

"We can't bring Danny or these guys to the most competent hunters in the city."

"Yeah, but we're in the middle of an Ecto Exodus Alert Sam. That gives the Fentons permission to hunt on their own which means?" He gestured for her to finish.

"Which means they'll be out of the house! You're brilliant Tuck!" She finished seeming just as excited.

The techno geek was already dialing while Danny and the FarFrozen still seemed a bit confused at most of what they were talking about. "So you do know of a portal we can use safely?" Thuban asked for clarification.

Tuck help up a finger. "Hey Jazz... No, he's fine, but I need to ask you a question if you're home." He grinned upon getting the answer he wanted. "Good what about your parents?... Ha, I figured they were out hunting." He winked at Sam who looked the happiest she had in hours. "Oh the shield huh? Not a problem. I could shut it down long enough for us to get in... oh, and we have a couple more ghosts with us but they're friendly." His expression changed a few times as he listened on the other end. "Yeah I looked, but I didn't show Sam yet." He seemed uneasy all of a sudden. "I know, but for now we should concentrate on one problem. If your parents aren't home you think we can use the portal?" He suddenly raised a brow. "Locked?... Oh wait, I know what you're talking about. I'm pretty sure I can get them open anyway." He nodded a few more times. "Then we'll try to get there as fast as possible."

"And tell her to keep her theory to herself when we get there. The last thing we need is-"

"I know Sam." Tucker cut in. "And she did hear you just now." He then hung up the phone and turned to the ghosts. "Alright now we just need to make it to Fenton Works without running into any GIW or the Fentons themselves."

"And the army of ghost skeletons." Sam added remembering the cheesy attackers.

Danny seemed only a little uneasy now and looked to the FarFrozen. "Sound good?"

They nodded. "Yes, and once we return to the FarFrozen I'm sure Lord Frostbite would be very interested to learn about this Plasmius ghost."

"Not to mention we'll be better able to address Pariah's return. If the ring is still lost we may fair a chance."

Danny suddenly remembered. "Oh right! The Fright Knight was looking for the ring back before he attacked me. He said some half breed stole it and I assumed he was talking about Plasmius cause he told me that's what he was, and..." He trailed off as something else came to his mind.

"A half breed you say?" Polar asked seeming a bit nervous.

Thuban seemed to share the feeling as he traded a glance with his brother. "No matter Young One. We can go over all of it with Lord Frostbite." He reached back for the door knob. "But first we must get there."

Getting off school grounds was about as difficult as they expected since the GIW had it surrounded. The only reason they made was due to the fact the agents didn't bother looking around for them. Their attention was still on the specter that sliced their tank in half and downed the helicopter that had just arrived for back up. They only ducked for cover a few times, and may not have need to at all since no agent ever looked their way. After a few blocks the piled snow became more prevalent due to the streets remaining clear of people. Sam stopped just around a corner to take a good look for ghosts. It was surprising they hadn't spotted any yet though they were taking the long way around. "Looks clear. Maybe they haven't come this way yet."

Tucker looked over his PDA. "Maybe, the scans from earlier show they were coming from the other side of town, but since they were headed towards the school they probably passed Fenton Works by now." He deduced looking at his map. "We'll have to be careful as soon as we get close to the park." He turned to check on Danny and was surprised to see the FarFrozen completely out of sight. "Hey Danny where'd the yeti guys go?"

Danny looked surprised and gestured next to him. "They're right here Tuck."

"Yes Tucker. We are merely keeping ourselves invisible as to not be seen. Our ice cloaks can only mask our energy signature, but should a human spot one of us it would be pointless would it not?"

"Good point..." Tucker muttered now that he thought about it.

"Okay lets go while we can." Sam called dashing down the sidewalk after motioning to them.

Maddie was definitely distracted. By what, Jack couldn't say, but he knew his wife enough to know something was bothering her. It started right after they left the house. Maybe she was worried about leaving Jazz alone... but the shield would more than protect her, and he made sure to lock the portal. There was no way a ghost could break in, and Maddie knew that. He turned and blasted another skeleton that was about to sneak up on his wife. "Back off filthy ghost!" He raged and blasted another one who was rushing from nearby.

Maddie turned just in time to knock back the ghost after Jack missed, but the attack caused her footing to falter. It was her luck, however, that Jack kept shooting and the last two in the area went down. "Nice shooting Jack." She praised as she stood up right again and checked her weapon.

"Well I don't want to brag but..." There it was again. Her expression was happy but he knew something was the matter. He would admit he could be oblivious about her feelings especially when it came to their anniversary... when was that again? No, that's not it. "Mads... are you okay?" He finally asked snapping her out of her thoughts.

"What? Of course not Jack, there are ghosts all over town."

He shook his head. "No I mean something else." He insisted.

"What else could possibly be bothering me Jack?" She wasn't hiding it well. Her smile twitched under his scrutiny.

"Look Maddie, I know I can be a fool, and forgetful, and oblivious, but I know something is wrong." He pointed to the bones of the ghosts. "We just ran through a dozen ghosts and you only took down two of them. That's not the Maddie I know."

The huntress was more than a little surprised at him. "Well Jack I..." She stumbled with her explanation. His expression was worried, and she just couldn't lie to him now. "Jack... remember that Halloween a few years ago when Jazz swore she saw Danny?"

He raised a brow. "Yeah, you and I spent days trying to calm her down and prove she couldn't have seen him... Don't tell me she saw him again?" He asked placing a worried hand on her shoulder. "She didn't tell me, but if she told you-" He stopped at Maddie's hand raising.

"No Jack... It's just something she asked a few days ago. She asked... If maybe Danny became a ghost when he died."

The man furrowed his brow and crossed his arms. "Okay, but didn't we already dismiss that? There were no residual energies left behind. We only got the one ecto-signature before the scanner blew."

Maddie nodded and pulled off her hood. "Yes, but Jack... maybe we... we could be wrong. I mean there's always a remnant even if they don't last long." She looked like she could almost cry, and she felt she would too. It had been going through her mind since they left the house. "W-what if... its true? What would we do find him?" Her answer to Jazz before hurt. What if it was true? Could she really bring herself to hunt her own child? Even if he was a ghost?

Jack let out a sigh. "Well Mads..." He trailed off not really sure what to say to that. He'd thought they'd dismissed it. He was happy too so he wouldn't have to think about it, but... What would he do? His thoughts were interrupted by metal clang around the corner. Both hunters readied their weapons. The first one they saw had them charging up to fight due to its large appearance. "Looks like more than some skeleton this time Mads." Jack declared more than ready to change the subject.

"Oh bother..." The large ghost shook its foot trying to get the letter box off.

A second later another large yeti like ghost grabbed the metal box to yank it off. "I can't believe you tripped on such a small creature."

"It came out of nowhere." The other defended.

"Well so does an enemy but we're trained to react are we not brother?" Polar chided as he waged a claw.

"Is this really the time to argue over this?" Thuban countered before getting the distinct feeling he was being watched. He turned to the side and his brother's gaze followed. "Oh dear..."

"Indeed."

"Alright spooks. No sudden moves." Jack ordered while Maddie locked her sights.

"Geez dude, you could have just got a bull horn if you wanted to get the attention of everyone in the area." Tucker reasoned as he turned the corner to find them.

"Yeah, we'll be lucky if no one heard... that..." Sam trailed off when she noticed the Fentons had the FarFrozen locked on.

"Kids please step back. These are dangerous ghosts." Maddie ordered with one hand to motion away.

"Yeah, what are you doing out during the alert? You know the streets aren't safe right now." Jack reasoned the more he thought about it.

Sam and tucker looked between the ghosts and the hunters thinking over what to say. "Don't make me say it again kids. Step back before they attack you."

"I am quite sorry miss, but please let me reassure you I have no intentions of harming these children." Thuban declared with his claws up in a nonthreatening manner that wasn't so effective since they were indeed claws.

Maddie raised a brow at his declaration. "Right and I suppose you're here by accident, and not to terrorize the citizens of Amity Park?" She tried not to laugh, though her husband failed.

"Good one Mads."

Polar gave his best smile, though the fangs seemed to ruin it. "Actually miss, we are not here by accident, but do not wish to terrorize."

Maddie just rolled her eyes and raised her gun. "Likely story."

Sam and Tuck rushed into the line of fire just as she powered up her blaster. "No! Wait Mrs. Fenton!" Sam shouted in their defense. "They're not lying! Right Tuck?"

He nodded. "Yeah, they're here to uh..." He trailed off wondering what to say. Should he tell the truth? Would they believe him?

"Tucker! You and your friend better move out of the way now! Don't make me call your parents. I can't even imagine what they'd say if they knew you were out in this." Maddie threatened like a stern mother.

"Please miss, we do not wish to fight." Thuban implored as he saw the teens trade uneasy expressions.

"Too late for that ghost! Should have stay in your own dimension!" Jack declared as he raised his weapon to lock his sights.

"But that's just it Mr. Fenton! They're trying to get back there, and we were just going to help them out!" Sam informed with flustered desperation.

"What are you doing Sam?" Tucker asked hearing her start to give things away.

"Telling the truth Tuck. No point in lying now, and we can't just let them attack or D-"

"What are you guys doing? I lost those ghouls, but why did you wait up for me? Someone might spot Thuban and Polar."

"Uh..." Sam couldn't really find the words to tell him in the situation though it didn't take long for Danny to spot the hunters anyway.

Maddie's reaction was immediate but subtle as her weapon lowered to just the right angle where she wouldn't fire. Jack noticed immediately though kept his weapon up. "Sam? Sam Manson?" Maddie asked with obvious surprise though now that she thought about it, Jazz mentioned they were hanging out together. She then turned back to the one who held her attention. The young man with white hair, green eyes, and had Jazz's edited photos flashing through her mind.

"Yeah, please Mrs. Fenton, you have to believe me when I say they won't attack anyone. They just want to get home."

Tucker glanced at her. "Uh yeah, actually if they get home this whole ghost invasion mess might get fixed!" That got both hunter's attentions.

"Tuck!" Sam chided as she elbowed him.

"You're the one who said not to lie."

"What's that supposed to mean huh? These ghosts behind it?"

"Oh no sir, not at all. You see these ghouls serve Pariah Dark, the ghost king. It's all quite complicated, but we have no more desire to harm you than we do for Pariah to get his way really. You must understand, but we cannot waste time here or we may lose our chance to return."

Sam nodded. "The GIW is everywhere and so are the skeletons. Who knows how long before someone else finds us."

"Really Mrs. Fenton I promise. You know me right? You know I wouldn't just trust a ghost for no reason right?" Tucker added in which did get Maddie's attention. Considering what happened to the Foley's four years ago he was right. Tucker knew the cost trusting a ghost could bring.

"You three just come this way alright, and no sudden moves ghost!" Jack ordered again as he waved the kids over. Sam looked over to Danny in surprise for a moment at realizing he wasn't recognized as a ghost.

"I'm sorry Mr. Fenton, but I'm not going to move if you're going to shot Thuban or Polar." Danny decreed as he held his arms out to guard. "You don't look like bad people... but Thuban and Polar aren't bad ghosts."

"Come on kid-" Maddie put out her arm to stop her husband. "Hold it Jack." She lowered her gun completely and looked to Tucker. "You understand how dangerous ghosts are don't you?"

"Yeah Mrs. Fenton, but this a special situation you've got to trust me."

She turned to Jack and let out a resolute breath. "Alright."

"Maddie?"

"I know Jack, but you know Tucker as well as I do. He would definitely know better."

Jack furrowed his brow. "I suppose, but can we really trust these ghosts haven't done something to trick him?"

Maddie pulled out her scanner to read only two feint ecto-signatures. "I don't believe they have. If he were overshadowed he'd still be giving off ecto-energy."

Jack looked at the screen and then to the odd group. "You do have a point..." Maddie nodded while slightly curious the boy wasn't giving off any. That had to be the boy in the picture Jazz had as well as the picture the GIW sent her of Phantom 1. If Jazz's theory was right then he was... Danny. Jack saw the conflicted expression on his wife and finally gave in. She wasn't a fool, and she rarely took a chance like this. "Okay Mads, I understand." He lowered his gun as well though he kept his eyes on the ghosts.

"Alright Tucker, we'll believe these ghosts for now." She gestured to follow. "We'll go back to the house, but you Sam and Danny need to stay indoors once we get there understand?"

"Of course!" Tucker agreed readily. He could hardly believe the Fentons just agreed to help ghosts. "Come on Sam." He gestured for her to follow when she was the only one who didn't move. Danny paused too with the ghosts stopping when he did.

"Oh... right." She finally picked up the pace. They all began following the hunters though Sam still brought up the rear. She couldn't shake the weird feeling she had just now. "Did we tell her his name or..."

Mysterious cliff hanger! This is an example of situational irony since we know Maddie is suspicious but no one else does! Sorry, I was working in 2nd grade groups the other day and have story parts in my head even though that's not an elementary level vocab word. Weird things pop into my head sometimes. Anyway, hope ya'll liked this one. I still haven't brought Vlad back up huh? I need to get to him again, but wording that part is hard.

Please take the time to let me know how you felt about this chapter or ask questions in the box below!=^-^=