Alright. Sorry about not updating lately. I was in trouble, and my old computer crashed, erasing 29. I saved this and chapter 30 and 31.
The winner today is…
DANNY!!
Well, Danny had 5, Tucker had 1, and Valerie…um… you all don't like her, do you?
Okay. The reason I said to think critically was to think about the advantage the three have. Danny could escort Sam from danger, but he is not good on memorizing stuff. Tucker and Valerie can memorize the rooms since they are Hunters, but I left this vote in your decision.
see animefreak1457. deviantart. com in gallery to see.
Chapter 28: The Door
"Are you sure that you, two, are going to be okay?" Danny asked the two Hunters (this time Tucker had new outfit, similar to Valerie's: painted his biker helmet black with a down side blue triangle on top with half right triangles on both sides of his helmet, his logo on his chest is a blue equilateral triangle, and the lines on his suit are blue) while Team Phantom was flying in the sky. Danny volunteered to go with Sam for her protection and exploring the new world with her, so he is familiar to the place once they enter it with others. Tucker and Valerie understood that two could only remain in Amity Park for their temporary departure, and the other two should explore the unknown. It was to protect Amity Park from ghosts or upcoming ghost events. However, the two Hunters were unsure about Danny's ability to remember. The team agreed that once they are halfway to the destination, Sam must announce their departure and split up. Sam looked down to see the main street to depart while flying at the same time.
Sam? Spectra asked through thought, and Sam frowned a bit at her sisters' tone of voice. She sounded… unconcerned.
What is it, Spec?Something's bothering me. I think… I could understand the language from the letter.
Sam suddenly stopped with wide eyes and a bit of anger. Phantom, Black Hunter, and Red Hunter stopped behind Spectra in confusion.
"Sam?" Tucker asked in concern. Sam looked up and remembered what she stopped for, blushing and cleared her throat in embarrassment.
"Sorry, guys. Um… Black Hunter. Since you are still finding the Ancient Esperanto language, do you still have the letter with you?" Black Hunter nodded and lifted his right arm, revealing four buttons on his arm. He pressed the top button, and the letter automatically slid to his hand inside the glove. Sam floated closer to Black Hunter and snatched the letter. She opened the letter to read the handwriting.
All right, Spec. Prove it that you could read.
Um… are you mad? In Sam's mind, Spectra's timid was back. Whenever Sam was mad as hell, it was never a good thing. The last time she was mad was when Ember and Desiree mocked about Sam and Danny had an argument. The two were forgiven later, but Sam's temper was remembered forever in the minds of the ghosts.
Oh no. I'm not mad. I'm just a bit frustrated. Okay, read.
So… you're not-
NOW, Spec!
Eep!
Spectra's eyes took over, blinked, and scanned the letter, ignoring the questions from her team members. Danny, Tucker, and Valerie were wondering why Sam needed to read the letter or scan. Before they were about to ask her again, Sam growled and looked up from the letter to her team, scaring the team a bit.
"Uh… Sam?" Danny asked in concern and fear. Sam sighed and apologized, trying to keep her temper in check.
"I'm sorry, guys. Could you give me some time to talk to my sister?" She asked to be blunt for her friends to get the message. Danny nodded and turned his attention to the other two who did the same. Sam turned her back to them and talked, or scolded, her sister.
How could you not tell me about this?! At least tell me that you know something before I had to translate what Danny says!
Spectra bowed her head and rubbed her neck.
I'm sorry. I understood what you said when I looked into your memory.
Sam raised her eyebrow and asked.
Weren't you awake and seeing what I was reading?
Yes. I did see, but I couldn't understand what the words were until now. I told you before. Something's bothering me.
… Where?
I… think in my head.
Sam turned around and whistled, signaling Team Phantom that it is okay to speak to her.
"So… what's up?" Tucker asked.
"Spectra said that something's bothering her head. I'm not quite sure what's bothering her, but she said that she fully understood the Ancient Esperanto after she looked into my memory." Sam rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming up. That's strange. Sam didn't feel a headache until now. Probably, it's the pressure in the air.
"Sam? Are ya okay?" Valerie asked. Sam nodded and looked up.
"Yeah. Let's go. I don't want Ms. High to forget us." The team chuckled and nodded, continuing their destination to their checkpoint.
0000
"This is where we split up. Take care, guys." Phantom said and shook Black Hunter's hand with his. Black Hunter nodded and looked at the two ghost hybrids.
"You, too. Don't worry too much about this town. Red Hunter and I will protect Amity Park." Tucker and Valerie fought with Danny for a long time and were used to the ghosts in the town without him. Sam, however, was not one of them because she was still new to the team. When she's human, she's the longest time friend in the Hot Group. When she's a ghost, she's just a new member. Sam nodded and looked around their surroundings. They have reached halfway to their destination for Tam's home. It was a quiet town and quite peaceful like usual. Sam smiled at the memory.
When it was her first time to enter Tam's home, Sam just grumbled because her parents were gone and her grandmother was in another party… again. She thought she was going to stay home by herself again, but her martial arts teacher rearranged her schedule to stay with her. Sam was slightly surprised about that and agreed without any protests. Besides, Tam teaches in Casper High and would drive Sam to school. So… Sam was sitting in her small car while looking out of the window like everyday. It was the usual: building, building, building, tree, building, tree, tree, tree, building, tree, tree, tree, tree, tree...
Wait a minute… it was a bunch of trees. Yes. Sam was fully surprised that they were off course and out of the city. Sam was about to ask her martial arts teacher, but her teacher was listening to the music instead, making Sam silent for the rest of the trip. In a few minutes, the two stopped in front of a yellow house filled with flowers in the front yard and in a small town. Sam blinked to see the scene, and she didn't know how to live in a less populated town. It wasn't a normal everyday stay in the house, but a quiet and slightly lively home wouldn't be too bad. Tam said that if she needed anything from her in her black walled guest room, she doesn't have to be hesitant on everything. Well, Sam got used to the early morning routine, unusual training at her home, helping Tam on some chores around the house, and going to bed at nine at night. Plus, Sam liked the idea of staying in a calm and quiet house.
Sam's thoughts snapped into reality when she felt Danny tapping her shoulder. Sam turned her head to face Danny and nodded, signaling him that she was alright to go and continue. The two halfas' feet turned into ghost tails and dashed in the air to make this quicker.
0000
Knock
Knock
Knock
"…"
"Ms. High, come on…" Sam groaned in frustrations while she kept knocking on the door. It had been more than five minutes outside of her home, and it was bothering both Danny and Sam. When they first spotted her home in their ghost mode, they thought they could surprise her by going through her home. Unfortunately, Tam turned on the Ghost Shield, preventing any ghosts and halflings to enter her territory. So, they had to find an empty place nearby to transform back into their human form. Today, it was taking Tam… a bit too long.
Sam growled and was about to have an outburst until muffles behind the door.
Finally…
When the door was opened, the two blinked to see Ms. High in ordinary blue jeans and yellow tank top. Tam smiled and nodded.
"Sorry. I have guests here, but I'm glad that you two came." When Tam walked back inside, Sam and Danny glanced at each other and shrugged, dealing with her forgetfulness.
When Danny first stepped inside the legendary heroine's home and observed the contents inside, Danny blinked at the different lifestyle in her living room. He thought it was more belongings and items, but it was a bit empty in the blue carpet living room connected to the door. There were one red sofa, two chairs with wood on the back and a blood red cushion to sit, a coffee table in the center of the room, a television in front of the sofa, and a bookshelf filled with children's book, novels, non-fiction books, and some college books next to the television. He could see two hallways that the left is somewhat leads to the garage and bedrooms and the right leads to the kitchen. The smell in the house was key lime, and to add information, the house had calm and relaxing scent. Probably, the hidden ancestors are guarding and watching over the home since Tam respected the dead.
However, occupying the seats, three teachers who the two feared the most in school were in the house.
Oh C.R.A.P. Mr. Ole, Mr. Grite, and Ms. Charatee.
"Ah. Daniel, Samantha. You came in at the right time." Why?! Why did Tam invite the three sadistic teachers?! Sam did know that Tam was a comrade friend of Danny's mom, and the former martial arts master, Yumi, was an old friend of Ida, but… those three were also her friends in college?!
"Um… Ms. High? Do you know them?" Danny asked with curiosity. Tam nodded and stated the obvious.
"Those three are my college friends." Sam felt a headache coming up much worse.
That's it. I need an aspirin.
"There's something you need to know, you two." Tam nodded to the three teachers, signaling them something. The teachers stood up and closed their eyes. Suddenly, a bright ring formed over their head and scanned down to reveal the three giant cats that attacked Team Phantom. Sam and Danny's jaws dropped and yelled at the same time. Good thing that they shut the door behind them from any noise coming out of the house.
"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL?! THEY ARE THE GHOST CATS WE FOUGHT?!"
Tam glared at them to shut them up and for their "colorful" words out of their mouths. She cleared her voice and introduced them to her cat friends.
"Sam Spectra, Danny Phantom. I want you to meet my halfa friends, Leo, Tigre, and Cheetara." Sam and Danny were gapping like fish out of the pond, trying to find words to explain or ask. However, neither of their voices is coming out. Tam rolled her eyes and explained more.
"If you are wondering why they fought you, on the first day, it was figuring out if Sam was the next ruler of the third dimension. Once Sam's power was awaken, I asked them to test you during your vacation. You, four, passed. Later, I sent Nectar to you a letter I wrote in Ancient Esperanto. However, only selected ghosts and halfas could understand Ancient Esperanto."
Finding her voice, Sam ranted.
"Wait a second. So that means that I could understand what Danny read out loud, but I couldn't understand what the words are. Danny could read out loud, but he couldn't understand what he said. If you could read and understand with other selected ghosts and halfas, why didn't you tell us this?"
Tam blinked and looked at the three cats.
"Did I tell them?" The three cats sweat dropped and shook their heads while in the background, Sam and Danny made an anime fall. Tam faced the two halfas and rubbed her neck, smiling sheepishly.
"Um… sorry." A bright ring formed above her head and scanned down to her feet, transforming Tam into Spirit.
"Well… for starters, you and Phantom knew the language. However, with a bit of learning, you and Danny would fully understand the language. It's sort of like Spanish and French. The difference is the understanding and writing the language." Sam and Danny groaned in frustration. It was freshman all over again.
"Well… since we are both here, what's going on?" Sam asked, or demanded, for answers from the famous Tam Spirit. The woman nodded and looked at the three cats. The three ghost cats nodded and turned intangible, sinking down to the floor. Tam sighed and turned intangible, following the three cats. Sam and Danny followed the procedures: transforming to their ghost egos and following behind them.
0000
Meanwhile…
"Dammit! Again?" Black Hunter ducked from the ghost eagle's talons and shot it from behind with his shotgun. Red Hunter was surfing in the air, trying to lose the flock of ghost eagles on her tail. Black Hunter cursed, hovering down toward the new giant ghost that was attacking the hovering Hunters. Dodging the chains wrapped around its wrists, Black Hunter dived down above its woolen bag over the head. Then, Black Hunter made a sharp turn to avoid collision, letting the two eagle ghosts hit square on the giant's head. The two eagle ghosts and giant ghost disappeared, but the other eagle ghosts were still after his rear.
"Black Hunta! I need help! I can't shake 'em off!" Red Hunter said through the mini microphone. Black Hunter thought of a plan quickly and snapped his fingers.
"Red Hunter! I have an idea! There's something I installed in both of these hover boards, so I'm gonna need your help." Black Hunter told her the plan, and Red Hunter nodded. The Hunters sped up and hovered in the air, separating some distance between the eagles and them. The two looked behind them, seeing the ghosts were a bit away from them, and sped their hover boards straight toward each other.
"Now!" With a sharp and enough strength, the two flew up in the hair and were parallel under their boards. The eagles followed, making a flock like two halves make a whole. Black Hunter glanced behind them, seeing now a large number of birds were after them. He touched the triangle button on his right wrist, activating something under his and her boards.
"Split!" Black Hunter signaled Red Hunter that it was time. The two split, and on the tail of the two boards, a net with violet electricity crossing each other was formed. Not only that, two illusionary forms of the Hunters also followed the two Hunters, helping stretch the net. The two real Hunters and the illusions sped downward until they reached to the last bird.
"Circle around!" The command from the Black Hunter was heard. The four chased each other around, making a tight end for capturing the ghosts. Since the eagles couldn't escape and were in a net, they were trapped. Finally, the ends of the net were cut off, and the illusions disappeared.
"Ready?" Black Hunter activated the laser weapons in his hover board, crossing his arms and aiming at the net.
"Ya bet!" Red Hunter activated the same thing in her hover board. The laser weapons glowed, and determination fired in their eyes.
"Rapid Elimination!!" The Hunters shouted at the same time the lasers fired at the net. With that said and done, the net disappeared with the rest of the ghosts. Black Hunter sighed in relief, and Valerie cheered in victory.
"We did it, hon'! That was great!"
"At least… we don't have to deal with giants anymore." Valerie giggled at Tucker's relief. Tucker was still having trouble dealing with the bigger ghosts, but he managed to wipe out the last giant. Before Tucker and Valerie were going to retreat, Tucker spotted something… or someone… unusual.
"Val- Red Hunter. Wait." Black Hunter held his palm out to her, signaling her to stay still.
"What is it?" Red Hunter looked at Black Hunter. He didn't give her a glance of worry, but his eyes were glued to somewhere, alarmed and suspicious. Valerie slowly moved her sights to a certain place where Tucker was seeing.
Tucker moved his other hand to the back of his belt, holding a small pistol for emergencies. This person, or ghost, looked unfamiliar and mysterious. He couldn't see who this person was because the brown cloak covered up most of his body. However, he could see white hair and a golden eye. He frowned and whispered.
"Valerie. Stay back. I'm gonna intercept. If he disappears and reappears behind you, the hover board will automatically transport you since I only installed the teleportation in your hover board yesterday." Tucker had a grim face, and his voice sounded uncertain that he would be safe.
"Tucker-"
"Valerie. My wrist is vibrating too hard, meaning that ghost isn't the same as the last ones we fought. There might be a possible chance that this is one of Samuel's spies or second in command. If you are transported to a safer place, go straight to Tam for help." Valerie was about to protest, but Tucker gave her a quick stern glance, flinching her.
"Valerie. Remember what I said?" Valerie stared at Tucker and bit her lip, nodding. She knew why he was doing this. It was the best friend code and vow he made to her before they were together. It did hurt her, but she knew he was right. Tucker nodded and, then, charged straight toward the cloak ghost. Tucker took out his pistol and aim straight at the ghost. The ghost looked up and stared at Tucker. At the same time when Tucker fired the pistol, the ghost vanished. The aim shot into nothing, and Tucker halted with surprise. He lifted his wrist and put his index and middle fingers on his wrist.
No vibration.
"Black Hunta!"
Tucker turned around to see Valerie, unharmed and not teleporting. He was very confused. Shouldn't the ghost attack either him or Valerie?
"What happen'd?" Red Hunter asked. Black Hunter shook his head and dropped his wrist to his side.
"I don't know. He… vanished… like he didn't exist in this world."
0000
Sam and Danny's jaw dropped. In Tam's basement, there were markings on the ground. There was a large purple ring around the diamond mark and in between the diamond and circle, there were the same strange languages written on the ground. Outside of the circle, four small circles were around the larger circle. The three cats were already in one circle, but the fourth was empty. The two halfas flew next the elder halfa and were about to land on the ground.
"I recommend you, two, to stay afloat." Sam and Danny blinked, staying in the air. It looks like Tam was about to make a chant and to activate some sort of entrance for the next world. Tam looked at them, not turning her head.
"I'm going to activate a door in a center. Once a door is revealed, you two and the three cats must enter quickly. They will give you a short tour around the third world, and then you, two, will come back here once you are done." Sam nodded, but Danny scratched his neck.
"But… what about you?" Tam shook her head and looked straight.
"If I go with you, it would trigger a signal to Samuel that I am no longer here and in the third world. He would either harm this world or find this place, activating this circle to the same world you would be in. He longs to enter the third world, claiming the crown and destroying the two worlds. You, two, have to do this without me because six halfas are a sign for every ghost that we are in a group. Additionally, I don't know the third world myself." Danny sighed and nodded. If things could be easier for them…
Tam looked at the three and nodded. She stepped in the circle, and the markings were glowing. Sam and Danny gasped at the sight. Not only the markings were glowing, but the four halfas were glowing brighter. Tam closed her eyes and then opened them, revealing empty white eyes. She, then, chanted in Sam's understanding.
"I call the spirits of my ancestors.
Open the door of the 'nother world,
And protect my friends and comrades
For they shall seek the truth."
Then, Tam closed her eyes, and opened them again, revealing her ghostly blue eyes. She shouted.
"Reveal the door!"
Then, the door appeared in the center of the square through the bright light. Sam and Danny blocked the brightness in the dark room with their hands. Once the light died down, the two slowly opened their eyes. They finally saw the door. Its white marble frames were carved and curved on the edges. Above the door, the emblem of an "S" was black through the white picture frame.
"Sam. Touch the letter. Then, explore the other world." Tam commanded her student through the tone of the leader of the World Guards. Sam nodded and floated toward the small frame with Danny behind her. Once Sam reached to the word, her right palm was placed over the word, and under her gloved hand, there was light. She removed her hand from the glass, and following the hand, a small light like a tiny star in the sky was drawn out. The small light float away from the hand and was going straight to the center of her chest. The light burst like a small firework, and the "S" emblem was embedded on the center of her shirt.
"Sam. You are now the heir of the throne." Tam announced. They heard a small click from the door, and the three cats were now quickly by their side. Danny and Sam floated down, staring at the door that would go through the Halfa world. There was no turning back and no time. Sam held the knob and twisted it. Then, she pushed the door forward to see the light. Finally, the light engulfed the five and disappeared, taking them to a new world.
