A/N: Sorry for the lateness again. I was a little under the weather last weekend. Now where were we? Oh, yeah: Danny has stumbled not upon his friends, but upon someone else. Bhuto is still searching for Danny. Sombre is placed in the cell he was first put into and no one had noticed that the original set of keys was still in the cell. Sam, Tucker and Johnny 13 are on the run and have barely missed capture by the Spectre, but they don't know that everyone is looking for them, including Jiva, who now has the amulet.
Oh, and this is one of those Chapters I told you about that is kinda intense. If you don't want to read it, that is fine, just scrolled down the bottom for a summary. But it's another personal fav for me (top five), nevertheless! But for those who dare, are you ready for more action? IDNOAC, and here is Chapter 54. We're on top of the highest part of the roller coaster. Enjoy. Here we gooooooo…
Shadow of a Doubt—Chapter 54—Dead End
Bhuto continued to search for the Phantom-of-the-flesh. He and his small band of Spectre soldiers had spread out and were searching from room-to-room nearest to the Princess's chamber. He knew the flesh-shadow was fast, but not this fast. Perhaps his prey had managed to slip past the Spectre on the other side after all.
He divided the group and gave them instructions to meet back at a small post further ahead. He pressed upon them that they were to stop, but not harm, the Phantom and bring him to the same post. He then darted toward a shortcut that would cross a path further ahead. He could only hope to guess it was somewhere around there where the Flesh-shadow would be.
He checked rooms sporadically for the Phantom, only to come up empty each time. And he was suddenly aware of a change within him. His fear was mounting and he tried to fight the dread that he felt was now overwhelming him. He could not fail! He shivered at what evil the Princess would do to him.
But several minutes later, panic began to creep up his spine. Now he was certain that his search would be in vain and Jiva would discover that the Phantom was missing. Still, he pressed on. He had no other choice.
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Spectro looked at the young flesh-shadow and noticed his stunned reaction. The boy knew who he was.
"You recognize me," the Spectre said, but his tone and face hid his emotions well.
"Yes! At the human town of Shadesville a few weeks ago. You're…you're the commander of the Spectre army!"
Danny was surprised how much younger this Spectre looked than he had originally believed when the teen first saw the Spectre from a distance in Shadesville. The boy had assumed a much older Spectre would naturally be in charge of an army. If the Spectre were human, he could easily have been a few years older than Jazz.
"You are correct," Spectro said, a slight smile curling to one side of his mouth. The Phantom-of-the flesh was also obviously intelligent. "My name is Spectro."
Danny inadvertently frowned at the oddity of this situation. Was this the Spectre's way of introducing themselves? Attacking first and then asking questions? But he said nevertheless. "And I am…"
Spectro finished the sentence for him. "Danny Phantom. You told us at the flesh-town of Shadesville a few weeks ago."
"Oh, yeah, right...Uhm, now what are you going to do with me?" the boy asked.
He knew he was still weak from their encounter and could not fight him right now. And he hoped that the Spectre wouldn't ask him how he was able to survive here.
"Nothing," the Spectre told the boy, drifting slightly from the light. He turned back to the boy and added, "You need to find your friends and leave the Spectre Realm! We do not want any interference from outsiders. Our affairs are our own!"
"No argument there!" Danny said moving the light a little higher since it had begun to dim. Another thought drifted into focus. He decided to chance it. He, too, had the strange feeling that he could trust this shadow ghost. "But after I find my friends and everything has calmed down, I have some information that might be the answer to all your problems. It's about the Prophesy's Omen."
"How do you know about that?" Spectro growled in sudden suspicion, not mentioning that the boy had mispronounced 'prophecy'. Still, underneath, he was not surprised. There was evidence of someone following that mystery trail all along. And it was too coincidental that this creature kept happening upon the same interests of the Spectre. He was certain that it must have been this creature that was behind it all. It would not have been too hard, after all, even for one so young as this one, to at least read the scrolls—though he was truly amazed that this creature had been clever enough to solve the riddles. That would only make sense, since Spectro had discovered a while ago why this flesh-shadow would be able to read their language. And would also be the reason why they could communicate all this time. It was a side effect of the creature's getting hit by that ray from Phasma. The Spectre understood all this. What he didn't understand was why this creature was interested in the affairs of species not of his own?
Another pressing thought surfaced…Could it be, then, that he was really under the obedience of Jiva after all and just using this story as a ploy? But he no longer felt that this Phantom was a foe. Still, he could not be certain unless he asked the creature directly. If this shadow-of-the-flesh was a servant of Jiva, revealing any more of his suspicions of her might be dangerous.
"Whoah!" Danny said, raising his hands up in surrender. "I didn't mean anything by that! It's a very long story. But I think that's one of the reasons why my friends were captured. But I'm not sure. I was hoping that maybe if we work together, maybe all of our questions will be answered."
Spectro looked at the flesh-shadow, puzzled. He still was not sure. If the creature were in league with Jiva, why had he not demanded safe passage from him? What was in it for this Phantom? Why should he care about the Spectre? Still, he called that Spectre prisoner his friend. But how did he know of him?...And he was concerned about the flesh-creatures as well? Odd, though. What kind of being was this that befriended both Spectre and flesh-creatures? And how was it that he was not already showing signs of decay here? He did look like he was suffering; still, was he not a flesh-shadow? What kind of magic did he behold to keep from perishing?... But, then, if he had some magic, why could he be defeated? And why could he breathe like the flesh-creatures?...He did not think that shadows-of-the-flesh did that…So, should he really trust him after all?...But he did not believe that the creature was lying. Maybe…..Spectro felt a hunch. He went with it. "I do not understand all that is happening with you. In order for me to completely trust you, I have some questions to ask of you! For instance, how is it that you can survive here?"
Danny bit his inside lip, debating on whether to reveal the rings. He had already regretted his decision to tell this Spectre about the Omen.
But just at that moment, they heard a lot of noise just outside their door. Spectro pulled the boy against the wall and shielded him with his own shadow body. However, the noise stayed outside the door and quickly died away.
Spectro knew that he could not linger here much longer. He would have to wait for the explanations of the flesh-shadow later. He finally uttered, "Perhaps if it is possible, I will send for you when the Spectre affair is settled... And I have yet gotten word about your flesh creatures…. Or rather, humans. But my soldiers will bring them to me if they find them first. And they will be unharmed. In the meantime, go and look for your companions as well. And leave our Realm as soon as you do. The danger is mounting. And I cannot help you. I have more important matters to attend to!"
Danny looked at him in surprise. He was letting him go! Though he knew he was pressed for time, and didn't want to press his luck with this Spectre as well, he extended his hand in friendship. "Thank you for understanding."
Spectro looked down at the hand and then back up with questioning eyes. He did not understand the meaning, nor with the light still glowing from Danny's other hand, did he notice the slightly glowing ring.
Danny smiled in embarrassment. Pulling his arm back, the teen squeamishly added, "Right. It's all right. Maybe one day we can have a long talk and explain a lot of things to each other." He turned away without another word. He headed to his right when he exited the room.
And Danny resumed his slow, random search.
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Bhuto continued to soar onward. He stopped at a crossroad of hallways and growled. He would avenge himself on that creature for creating such havoc with his escape!
He checked around again. This is where he guessed would be as good a place as any to start to look for the flesh-shadow in this area. He planned to circle back toward where he surmised the Phantom had first gone after all. He would then rendezvous with his soldiers at their agreed-upon place if he was unsuccessful in finding the Phantom.
A few minutes later, he heard a door just ahead of him open. But oddly, no one came through. Curious about this, he darted into a nearby dark corner. He spied toward the door again. He thanked the fates! The Phantom-of-the-flesh was sneaking around the door and headed right to him!
The shadow ghost knew he had only one chance and it had to be a precise hit. He smiled menacingly as he aimed his Spectre hand and waited, hoping the flesh-shadow would not detect him.
Finally, the Phantom drew nearer and Bhuto was surprised that the flesh-creature didn't seem aware of his presence. But, of course, Bhuto couldn't know that Danny's 'ghost sense' wasn't working here. Still, the shadow ghost didn't hesitate and thrust his beam at the boy….
Success! The boy crumbled immediately, knocked completely out by Bhuto's blow.
The shadow ghost quickly soared up to the unconscious teen and was about to thrust another beam meant to drive intense pain into the creature for its audacity. Suddenly, the shadow ghost noticed the fresh wound on the flesh-shadow's neck. Did he do that to him when he attacked him just now? He shivered in fright. Even if he did not, and Jiva discovered that, she would certainly blame him. After all, Jiva had charged him to guard the creature. He forgot about getting revenge on the flesh-shadow. Trembling, he scooped the senseless teen up and charged back to Jiva's chambers. He hoped she hadn't returned yet….
He was there in no time and knocked on the door. He was surprised that there was no answer, but the soldiers he had left there had been summoned away. He looked frantically around. At least the book was still there! He quickly entered and went right to the wall where the boy had first been bound. But when he tried to fasten the chains back around one of his wrists, he gasped. The wrist and ankle restraints had been destroyed!
He placed Danny down and began to panic. The princess would be furious. He anxiously scanned the room for something that could help him. Then he spied the curtains. And their cords. He knew this was the best plan. He produced a claw and quickly slashed the cords off. Looking nervously toward the door, hoping that he still had time, he began to fasten the ropes to the chains. He still was so worried that the princess would prematurely return, he kept his gaze to the door, and blindly tied the boy's wrists and ankles to the curtain cords as he did.
Finally, he was through, and pulled on the knots to make certain they were tight. In his haste and his skittishness, he had failed to notice the rings. He gave the knots another pull when he suddenly gasped at what happened next. The chains seemed to come alive and instantly wrapped around the ropes like snakes. The cords then morphed into red strains of fire, but they did not burn into the creature's flesh. And the glow that they gave off was so intense, that they entirely hid both of the boy's hands and feet. The rings were now hidden as well.
Bhuto sighed that nothing more serious happened to the Phantom. And he was certain that these frightful bonds would hold the Phantom.
He darted outside and called to the two nearby soldiers who were passing by. "Shi sou! Obake! The Princess commands you to guard the Phantom-of-the-flesh and the book until she returns."
The soldiers nodded, but were terrified with this foisted-upon responsibility. As Bhuto darted off, they entered the room. But when they saw the red glowing bands around the still flesh-shadow and the book, they lost their nerve. They looked at each other. They knew they need only to obey the Prophesy or Spectro. They quickly left and headed toward the opposite side of the castle, leaving Danny and Libro alone again.
Or so it seemed.
Those same green eyes that had visited the princess' chamber before emerged from the shadows. They quickly scanned the area before retreating once more into the blackness.
Meanwhile, Bhuto charged up to rendezvous with the rest of his soldiers. He was determined to capture the flesh-creatures and solidify his favor in Jiva's eyes.
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Jiva knew she had to tend to this matter herself. She needed to find the flesh-creatures soon. Only then, when they were within her clutches, would the Phantom see that he had no choice but to give his complete obedience to her.
She moved swiftly, gathering as many soldiers as she could find along the way. Finally, she neared a crossroad of hallways. On one end was the entrance to a large room. The other hall led into an even darker passageway. At that very moment, she did not know that she was just a door away from the flesh-creatures she was seeking.
Suddenly, she heard several other Spectre oozing out of the darker corridor. It was Bhuto and more of her army!
As soon as he had cleared the blackness, Bhuto met with Jiva's eyes.
"Bhuto!" Jiva called, forgetting that she had ordered him to guard Danny. "Help me! I have not located the flesh-creatures yet!"
"Yes, Highness!" he immediately said, relieved that she had not remembered her command to him. But then he jolted when he saw the amulet swinging from her neck.
Now all together, Jiva, Bhuto and several Spectre soldiers opened the door. Its painful cry of protest echoed down the dark hallway they currently occupied. But they ignored it as they quickly entered.
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Spectro left the room in which he had met Danny almost immediately afterwards. But he went in a different direction. As he soared through the castle, he occasionally would call a servant here or another there; and would also pull soldiers aside, whispering commands to them as he went. Those Spectre to which the commander spoke acknowledged him with a bow and sped off to relay his message.
After he had finally met his key contacts, Spectro summoned a few of his most trusted lieutenants. "We must find the flesh-creatures before they are harmed. Be sure the word is spread that they are to be brought to my quarters once they are found. I must attend to another important matter. And make haste! We must be ready for my signal!"
They all bowed low and headed off, doubling their efforts to find the flesh-creatures.
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Sam, Tucker and Johnny 13 ran out of the room they had fled and down the hallway. It met a wall and, like the place at which they had first rematerialized, two halls with doors at either end diverged from it. Since all three of them heard something very loud coming from behind the door to their right, they immediately headed to their left. The door flew open. They immediately entered through the doorway and locked the door behind them.
"Oh, man, another room like the last one!" Tucker cried as he quickly scanned the area with the beam from his PDA. He handed his PDA to Sam before he immediately dragged a bench toward the locked door.
Johnny 13 hurried with another bench and then said, "Let's keep moving! I'd hate to get trapped like rats."
"There's another door over there," Sam announced, throwing the beam toward where she was referring to and then quickly handed Tucker his PDA. Not needing any further convincing, they raced to the far door but immediately froze before they reached it. It was opening and the screech it made sent painful shudders down all of their spines!
The trio stood their ground and Tucker fired at the first Spectre soldier who slinked in.
"Get behind us, Sam!" he ordered as he, and now Johnny 13, continued to fire at whatever came through the door.
But suddenly, the door on the other side of the room began to shake. The benches could not hold the onslaught and more Spectre soldiers burst in. Now the fugitives were pinned in. They backed up, trying to make a stand against one of the walls.
Then, however, Johnny 13 was hit with several black rays almost as soon as the other Spectre had rushed in, and fell senseless. Now even more Spectre began to circle the two young humans in ready attack. But they had stopped firing, hesitant to attack these two powerful flesh-creatures who had managed to infiltrate their castle.
At first, Tucker kept firing as he and Sam pressed against the wall. But since the Spectre were afraid to return his fire and had ceased in their attack, he, too, stopped firing. But he kept his guard up and stayed in front of Sam.
Finally, two more Spectre filed out of the door and immediately thrust their black seals at Tucker. He responded with his own greenish-white beam, which destroyed each of the rays in quick turn. A couple of other Spectre returned fire, but again, Tucker successfully countered them.
Just before the last attack, Bhuto emerged into the room with Jiva and when the princess saw what was happening, she pointed to Tucker and commanded, "Stop him, you fools!" The amulet around her flared and the other smaller amulets around each of the Spectre responded. She had inadvertently given more power to their black rays.
Bhuto looked over to where Jiva had pointed, and he immediately screeched in anger. It was the same flesh-creature that had twice attacked him in the Flesh Plane! Now was the time for his revenge. He darted upward toward the ceiling as his other soldiers tried in vain to subdue the boy. The shadow ghost saw an opening and produced a very powerful red-and-black beam.
It hit Tucker right in the abdomen. The force of the blow knocked both his Ghost Gabberettes and glasses off him; and sent him screaming in pain as both he and his PDA crashed to the floor.
"Tucker!" Sam shrieked and immediately knelt to his side, another beam just barely missing her head.
But he could not answer her call. She hunched over him, stunned in disbelief. How could this be happening? Why could they be injured here? She blinked away her thoughts and could see that even though his wound was serious, he was not bleeding that much. The red-and-black seal had both severely injured and cauterized him. But to her building dread, Tucker was already looking a little dusky. Sam had no idea he was suffering from internal injuries. But she feared the worse. And that was bad. Very bad.
Seeing that the flesh-girl was unarmed, Jiva immediately commanded, "Stop firing!"
The Spectre immediately obeyed and hovered in fear. Attacking these powerful creatures was a bad omen.
But Sam wasn't going to give up that easily and reached over to retrieve Tucker's PDA. Before she could reach the machine, however, a large red-and-black beam fired near her hand. She yanked her hand back, but still did not surrender. She pulled herself in front of her friend and defiantly guarded him with her own body.
"Don't you dare touch him!" she seethed through gritted teeth, controlling her breathing and ignoring the tears and sweat already falling with her anger and grief. She stood her ground, planting herself firmly and defiantly as her hands trembled with how tightly she fisted them.
And even though no Spectre except Jiva had understood what she had said, her stance was more than a challenge; they knew it as the undeniable threat that it was: she wouldn't hesitate to strike any creature that neared her friend.
Jiva smiled in admiration. Here was that insignificant flesh-girl, totally defenseless, yet courageously defying her. "No wonder the Phantom-of-the-flesh found her so attractive," she thought. And then she was pleased at her next thought, "And he still will!"
She pulled out a few red strands from her head and groaned as she pushed them inside of her own form. Then she concentrated, and the amulet burned with an intense orange-red flame just before Jiva charged at the girl with her claws ready in attack.
And Sam screamed in excruciating pain at the top of her lungs.
"Sam!" Danny screamed with a gasp, jolting himself into consciousness.
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A/N: A lot has happened: Danny finds out that the shadow ghost who defeated him in the fight in the dark hallway is none other than Spectro! Spectro lets him go and runs to get things ready for his own matters, even though he has assured Danny that he will try to have his soldiers find his friends and keep them from harm.. Danny continues to look for his friends, but Bhuto finds him first and captures him again. Bhuto brings Danny back to Jiva's chambers and rebinds him. Afterward, Bhuto goes to look for Sam, Tucker and inadvertently, Johnny 13. He meets up with Jiva and together, with a bunch of Spectre soldiers, they find the fleeing trio. Johnny 13 is shot and incapacitated. Bhuto sees that Tucker is among the company of fugitives and shoots him in revenge. Tucker falls as he struck down by Bhuto's blow. Unconscious with a very serious wound, Sam knows that Tucker is in grave danger. Still, she defies all the Spectre, ready to fight every one of them in order to protect her friend even though she is totally defenseless. Jiva admires her courage and now knows one of the reasons why Danny has found her attractive. She charges at Sam in attack, and Danny, who has been unconscious and bound in Jiva's room in another part of the castle, is startled into consciousness just as Jiva attacks Sam.
