Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danny Phantom, I'm a big fan and was feeling nostalgic.
Note (1/15/2020): I forgot to mention this in the last note but I still plan to go back and touch up a few chapters eventually because when I went back to read them even I had a hard time with some sections being so drawn out. I definitely went overboard with some of the dialogue. That's why I tried to focus more on the action with the final chapters. In fact, since I worked on the finale so long I decided to skip rereading the rest of the chapters for now since I'll have to do that when I tidy things up. Anyways, now it's time to start wrapping things up and to tie up the loose ends so thank you so much for being a part of this journey with me and I hope you'll keep an eye out for the eventual sequel! Also apologies again for this being so dialogue-heavy but at least I'm trying to space it out a bit better.
Chapter 74: Catharsis
Danny's POV
The concept of time lost all meaning to me after I felt that last wave of excruciating pain in my chest as the fragment of Dan within me 'died' and slipped into oblivion. But somehow, I knew I wasn't dead too. Because how could I be dead if I could still feel things like the dull throbbing in my head and the rhythmic ache in my ribs every time I breathed...? After all, pain is proof that you're alive, isn't it?
The last thing I remember from when I last came to and was aware of my surroundings someone was carrying me in their arms, probably Vlad, and there were voices all around me. They sounded angry, scared, confused, but they sounded so far away that it was impossible for me to make out their exact words. Besides, everything, including my eyes, felt so heavy that it wasn't long before I lost touch with reality and was swallowed by the small mercy of a dreamless sleep...
It could have been days, weeks, or only hours before I opened my eyes, but when I did I thought I was still dreaming. This was...my bedroom. Not the bedroom I had in Vlad's castle, but the one I left behind four months ago covered in blood from the gunshot wound that seriously injured my human half too. When I became a little more oriented I stiffened at the sight of it when it brought back all the painful memories of that night, but then I felt something warm holding my hand and looked down. It was Vlad's hand holding mine and he was fast asleep with his head resting on that arm almost like he was afraid of letting go but was overcome by exhaustion.
He was wearing a long-sleeved dark teal shirt with a pair of equally dark blue jeans and I could see the bandages peeking out around his neck. I was wearing a pair of old pajamas that were a little too short for me now but they probably didn't have anything else for me to change into. Either way, from what I could tell I was in worse shape than Vlad was and that's when I suddenly remembered Valerie and her dad were hurt too and tried to sit up. I...I had to make sure everyone was alright. Because after this I wasn't sure if I would be able to ever see them again.
The movement must've jostled Vlad awake because he blinked a few times before sitting up and looking at me with a relieved smile as he pulled me into a gentle hug and said a bit hoarsely, "Good morning, little badger."
"Vlad...why are we-? What...what happened?" I leaned heavily on his shoulder because I still felt so heavy and lethargic, but I needed to know so I continued, "Are they safe...? Is...everyone safe?"
"I know you have a lot of questions, but you need to rest. You have a fever and while they've mostly healed you still have some bruised ribs and a few other injuries," Vlad explained before pulling away and pushing me back into bed.
Once I was laying down again, he sighed, "I can tell you this much, after I...after Dan was dealt with I immediately brought you to where I teleported the others via a few duplicates so they would be safe. I brought them to the lake we visited once before on the outskirts of town since I assumed he would be unlikely to search for them there. Needless to say, none of them were very happy to see me, but at least they accepted the fact that they would be dead if not for us."
"And while they were still in shock about all the revelations concerning our hybrid status your parents suggested that we return to Fenton Works so for the time being it's safe for us here and they won't do anything," Vlad continued with a hint of bitterness in his voice, "And even though I was injured in battle as well I wouldn't let them near you when they tried to treat you. We've been waiting for you to wake up so I can tell them the whole story. About how I found you, saved your life after they shot you, among other things. No amount of overshadowing will make them forget the truth about the two of us being half-ghost, not without damaging their minds. But since they let me stay here to take care of you and didn't want to lose you again that's something to be thankful for at least..."
"Then my parents...they-" I began when there was a knock on the door.
Again after everything we've been through I was still on high alert so my body tensed up automatically, and it hurt so I hissed in pain just when it opened and Jazz elbowed her way into the room and whispered, "Hey Vlad? You awake? Here, I brought you some food because you really should eat something. Like I said you're no good to Danny if you collapse aga-"
Whatever else she was going to say got caught in her throat when the plate slipped out of her hands as Jazz stared at us in shock and Vlad just barely caught it in time after teleporting over to her. He sighed in relief though there was sweat beading his brow as he set the plate down on the nearest flat surface and steadied her, smiling despite the obvious pain he was in, "Well now that was a close one wasn't it?"
"Vlad...he's...my brother is finally-!" Jazz began tearfully, taking a step towards me before Vlad stopped her and shook his head, putting a finger to his lips and shushing her.
"I know you're happy to see him but he only just regained consciousness so don't get too excitable. It may overwhelm him and I don't think he's quite ready to see your parents yet so we don't want to wake them. And Miss Grey and her father are still resting in the guest room next door. But thank you for your thoughtfulness, my dear," patting her head gently and giving my sister a brief one-armed hug, Vlad picked up the plate of food and offered, "It's almost your turn to watch over him anyway so I'll leave you two alone and eat this downstairs. If you need anything at all though, call for me immediately and remember to keep your voices down."
Nodding and wiping away her tears Jazz replied, "Alright. Thank you, Vlad. For everything. And promise me you'll get some rest soon too ok? You really scared me when you passed out the other night. I don't care if you are half-ghost it's not good to stay awake for three days straight."
"Three days...we've been here that long?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, and a lot has happened since then," Jazz explained as she took Vlad's place in the chair next to my bed and held my hand gently too, "I'll tell you everything I know but after that, you need to get some more sleep, Danny. You're in much worse condition than you were when Vlad saved you before so it may take a little longer for you to heal this time. We were worried you might slip into a full-on coma for a minute there when Vlad first brought you back home, to Fenton Works-"
After Vlad left once he knew my sister was watching over me, Jazz told me all about the lockdown at school. She told me all about how a bunch of people ended up taking shelter there when the other scattered ghost shields in town were damaged thanks to Dan's rampage. No one was allowed to leave, but Val must've gotten out somehow during the confusion. That makes sense given how Dan used me to lure her out in the first place. I just couldn't remember most of our encounter.
And when it was all over Sam and Tucker wanted to come see me, but their parents wouldn't let them since it was too dangerous to wander the streets because of all the damage. The last time the town looked this bad was after Pariah Dark tried to take over Amity. So now the city had its own cleanup crew. But they really had their work cut out for them this time...
No one knew what happened exactly, but it turns out that some random bystanders fleeing the scene did manage to catch a glimpse of the two of us on camera when we tag-teamed Dan. That's why a lot of people were saying that Danny Phantom was back and I defeated the impostor who tried to destroy Amity Park and that they suspected he was the real mastermind behind Danny Fenton's kidnapping. But I didn't care about any of that. I was just relieved that mom and dad, my friends, Val, and her dad were safe. Everyone was safe now and I...it was over, right? Dan was finally gone, for good this time.
As if reading my mind Jazz smiled and squeezed my hand gently, nodded, and said, "Everything is going to be alright now Danny. We're going to tell mom and dad everything from start to finish together since I was there the last time Dan appeared. And I don't know how he did it but Vlad really came through for us. He's a hero. And so are you. There's no way anyone can deny that."
"I don't...feel like one," I admitted tiredly, my eyes drooping, "None of this would have happened if I just told him sooner Jazz. I should have trusted Vlad with everything just like Clockwork told me...to..."
A few hours later I jerked awake when I suddenly heard yelling outside my door and this time I was by myself since no one was watching me so I wondered what was going on until my mom's voice answered that question for me. "...I don't care who or what you are you can't keep me away from my baby boy!"
Snarling angrily Vlad snapped, "Oh yes I can because he's the same son that your idiot husband nearly KILLED MADDIE! And you LET Jack do it! The only reason Daniel is still alive is because I was fortunate enough to find him before he bled to death from that gun wound you two gave him! I kept him away from here for a reason, Maddie. You have no idea what your actions did to him much less how much Daniel has suffered on your behalf! He left his home because he had to, and it's not just because you both seriously injured him, it's because Daniel wanted to protect you from that evil version of himself! And despite EVERYTHING you did to him, after he put up with all the neglect, heartache, and disappointment from you and Jack Daniel NEVER ONCE stopped loving you. All Daniel wanted to keep all of you and this stupid town safe. He's put himself in harm's way so many times, all for your sake. But now it's my turn to keep HIM safe, even from you if need be."
There was a long tense pause before Vlad continued coldly, "I never got the chance to finish saying it over the phone but I'll say it again now, you don't deserve him. And if you two really do love and accept Daniel for who he is like you say you do, then you will do what is best for HIM and not yourselves. Just because you want Daniel to come home doesn't mean he's inclined to feel the same. Daniel has every right to decide where his home is now for himself! And at least he HAS a home and a family to come back to! That's why I refuse to let you force your feelings onto him. Daniel has been through enough as it is."
"You don't get to decide that for him either, Vlad," my mom growled in return, "All this time you've been lying to us about Danny and about yourself! We could have helped you if you just told us the truth!"
"Don't try to place the blame on me, you can't possibly fathom why I'd hold such a secret from you. No one wants to be hunted for what they can't control being. You two made me what I am after all. By the time I left the hospital, you both were eager ghost hunters. It was your sole profession, so the time where I could have safely told you what I was even if I wanted to came and went. Your own son grew up witnessing the creation of each and every one your inventions to hunt, dissect, and capture them and to hearing how unsympathetic you were towards their very existence. When he became like me, a halfa, a very real fear of you two likely took root soon after because of that. I needed my friends, just like he needed his parents, but knowing what we both know about you two made total honesty impossible."
"Jack didn't mean to hurt you Vlad, and he didn't mean to hurt Danny either! It was a mistake!" she suddenly sobbed, though my mom still sounded angry at herself too as she snapped, "Do you have any idea how it feels knowing that I've been endangering and attacking my own son this whole time...? Threatening him with annihilation and experimentation? Every anti-ghost invention we showed him, every hateful comment we made about ghosts...we must have made him feel so frightened of sharing the truth with us even when his life depended on it. You're right about that which makes it even worse! Yet Danny he...he endured all of that pain and uncertainty in silence and he was willing to die for us! But we're the ones who are supposed to keep him safe, Vlad! We're his parents! I love him so much that knowing I've hurt my baby is killing me inside. That's why I just want to hug him and kiss him and let Danny know it's ok...I understand why he didn't tell us. We never gave him any reason to believe that we'd still love him no matter what. Especially after we chased him away without realizing it!"
Sounding cold and indifferent Vlad sighed and finished reluctantly, "Daniel already knows how much you love him, that's why it hurt him so much to stay away. Even for his own safety. But it would have hurt him worse to lose you. He told me once that Dan was a version of Daniel who lost everyone he loved, and he blamed himself for it. It destroyed him inside until eventually, he couldn't bear it anymore. Maddie, that alone should prove to you that your son, even as Danny Phantom, always strove to do the right thing and he isn't just a ghost. Or rather half-ghost. Even ghosts have feelings, and his have been hurt beyond imagining so please...I'm asking you do the right thing when this is all over. Because if you won't, I will even if he hates me for it because that is what parents do. We may not share the same blood, but we share more in common than you can possibly imagine because of who and what we are. You'll have your chance to see him again but for now, we've carried on long enough. I need to go make sure his condition is stable before waking him up if he isn't awake already from all our yelling. Just be thankful Jack isn't here since I still have some things to say to him too. Things I've waited twenty years to say to that so-called friend of mine."
Not wanting to make the situation worse I quickly laid back down and pretended to be fast asleep, wondering what all that was about, but at the same time I felt awful that I made my mom cry so much. But at least...at least I knew she didn't hate me because of what I am. That was something at least...
Now if only I could be so sure about my dad and Valerie.
As hard as it was listening to my mom cry earlier, it was painful to see my again dad for the first time since this all started since he's the one who pulled the trigger. He looked really scared when he saw me looking all pale and feverish, then again maybe he was just feeling nervous because Vlad was glaring daggers at him from the moment he stepped into the living room. Vlad has done nothing but glare at my parents ever since he helped me downstairs so we could talk about what happened. And Jazz was being protective of me too and stayed close to me the whole time on the other side of the sofa. Either way, I could tell my dad was sorry for what he'd done to me, and after letting it sink in that he didn't hate me either for being half-ghost after all I was about to tell him it was ok when-
"You are not to take another step closer to him do you hear me? Stay right there and say your piece so we can get this over with," Vlad ordered coldly, making my dad wince and step back again and slump into the nearest armchair next to my mom.
"Vladdy this is my son, I just -I didn't mean to- it's all my fault!" my dad began shakily, dragging his other hand down his face and groaning, "I'm a terrible father for not seeing it sooner! I can't believe that four months ago I almost killed Danny. But he was so brave out there and still willing to sacrifice himself to protect us from that monster! You were right, Vlad, those things I almost said when we thought we lost him to some punk ghost were stupid and cruel. I never should have given up on him so easily. Danny never gave up on us even when we -when I- did something so horrible to him. I'm just so happy to have my son home again, to know that he's alive! Or is it half alive? Ah, who cares! Either way, you kept your promise and saved my son's life again, Vlad. I can't thank you enough for that even though it can never make up for what I almost did to him," he began but I could tell there was more he wanted to say, just not in front of me and Jazz.
"I didn't do any of this for you you fool, I did it for Daniel," Vlad snapped grumpily glancing at my mom too before rounding on my dad again, "I hate you for a lot of reasons Jack, but what you did to Daniel was FAR worse than infecting me with ghost DNA back in college and leaving me to rot! But, I did what I had to for his sake. I even used that abominable weapon you two shot him with that sent Daniel running to me in the first place. I felt so dirty holding such a vile weapon in my hands that you happily tested on the first ghost you saw who has done nothing but protect everyone from the real threats this town faces because of you and that stupid portal! Threats that you have thus far blatantly ignored until they came knocking at your door when he wasn't here to clean up YOUR MESSES!"
Pinching the bridge of his nose Vlad suddenly looked very old and tired and shook his head, resting a hand on my shoulder as if to calm himself before he continued, "No, no this isn't helping and I already lost my composure with Maddie earlier. The important thing is that I think it's time we told you everything from our point of view and not Dan's because by now you realize that most of it is true. Daniel and I are indeed both half-ghost, and it all happened because of YOUR Ghost Portal and overall stupidity. These are facts. But in regards to how Daniel feels about you and about what he is is for him to share. As for me, well, there are things we need to discuss privately now that the Dan situation has been resolved. Daniel? Is there anything you wish to say to them?"
"I..." glancing behind them at Valerie when I noticed her walking down the stairs in some clothes she borrowed from Jazz, I watched her sit down on the steps without looking at me to listen to what I had to say and the pressure was intense...
It all seemed too fresh to me, the memories I mean of getting shot by my dad, having my rare cold-core almost kill me too, living with Vlad, destroying Skulker -well, almost anyway, according to Vlad he managed to get away after ejecting himself from his helmet which was a relief- then being controlled by Dan and forced to attack Valerie and Vlad. I was still having a hard time processing it and believing that we've finally come full circle again. My parents were here with me, and I've been sleeping in my own bed again, but if I'm being honest it didn't feel like home anymore. All I could remember was the fear I felt when I ran away and the anger in their eyes when they pointed their weapons at me with every intention of reducing me to ectoplasm. And sometimes when they looked up at me I'd involuntarily flinch because of those feelings; even when Vlad let them come close enough to give me a hug their movements felt hesitant like they were afraid of me. I think they were actually afraid FOR me, but it didn't change how strange this all was.
And now, for the second time in my life, they've learned the truth about me in the worst possible way.
They saw what I could become, an evil ghost just because I couldn't handle it when I lost almost everyone I cared about in an explosion at the Nasty Burger. I nearly lost them again this time too and the thought was unbearable. I didn't know how to feel or what to say except, "I'm sorry...for everything. There were so many times I wanted to tell you what really happened to me the day of my accident, but I was scared and then...ghosts started appearing everywhere and I thought I could help. And I did help, in secret because I thought it was easier for everyone that way. But as time went on it got harder and harder to keep up with everything, my chores, hunting ghosts, school, making time to see my friends, there was just so much pressure. I couldn't sleep, I was barely eating, and it was like even when I made it home in time for curfew I was always in trouble with you guys so I started to wonder why I even bothered hunting ghosts at all when that's supposed to be your job. I just had the advantage or disadvantage I guess of being able to sense them when they're nearby. It all happened a year ago when I had my accident. Sam, Tucker, and I were messing with the ghost portal and I turned it on by accident and then it happened-"
I shuttered at the memory, "I never told them how painful it really was, how much it changed me even though my friends knew at least part of it because they saw how I looked when I climbed out of it. My hair turned white and my eyes turned green and I suddenly had all these powers I didn't understand. Once I got used to them though I decided to use my powers to help people. That's why almost every day and every night I was sneaking out of the house or school, hunting ghosts. It was ok for a while, but then one night...one of my worst fears came true and I became the latest ghost who was being hunted by my own parents just when I had started hitting my limit after fighting more ghosts than usual that day. But when I saw that my human half was bleeding too, I knew there was no going back, and I had nowhere else to go. At least, I thought that was the case until Vlad saved me. Before then I thought we were enemies because at the reunion he tried to make dad look bad so he could win over mom but when Vlad found out I was a half-ghost like him, he told me what really happened to him back in college. I...even saw it happen in person once when I went back in time but that's another story. But dad, the truth is that day I saw you pour diet soda into the ecto-energy filter instead of ecto-purifier and that's how Vlad ended up with ecto-acne. He suffered through the slow changes of becoming the first half-ghost in existence whereas for me it all happened at once in a single terrifying moment when I wasn't sure if I would make it out of that portal alive. Guess I only made it halfway..."
"Hold on, is THAT how you knew how to cure him of his ecto-acne again and your friends when they had it a few months ago?" my mom asked and I nodded, wincing when I saw her eyes widen in horror as she exchanged looks with my dad before turning to Vlad, "We just thought you were too angry at us to let us come visit so eventually we gave up and moved on with our lives. But Vlad we never meant to abandon you to such a cruel fate. We were friends."
"Friends...bah!" Vlad scoffed, "At times I deeply regretted ever letting you two into my life because it cost me everything! And I don't just mean my chances with you, Maddie. I told Daniel this before, but did either of you know that both my parents have long since passed? My father died of an incurable disease and my mother died from grief shortly before we met. The only reason I was able to attend college that time was because of the life savings she left me in her will. But after the accident I was trapped in a hospital bed for years, all while trying to keep my ghost powers in check and also trying to explain to these blithering idiots that ecto-energy wasn't just any radiation, it comes from another plane of existence entirely and thus their treatments often made things worse. And I had to bear every excruciating second of it."
Closing his eyes and adopting a sadder tone, Vlad said, "Even if you were ashamed to face me, even if I was angry with you and turned you away, truth be told there were many MANY times I wished you both would have at the very least TRIED to reach out to me during those hard times because unlike you...I had no one to look after or comfort me. No relatives, no other friends, I was all alone. That is until I met Daniel and realized that whether by our accidents or not he and I were bound together because of what you two did to us. I thought if nothing else, I could spare him from the same fear and loneliness I felt and help him learn more about what he'd become since I was the first of our kind. Admittedly I made a few mistakes with him it's true, but unlike you two I at least have the courage to admit to them."
"And Daniel, when he first came to me he was in a very dark place. He was in shock and had nearly died from that gunshot wound you gave him in addition to being struck by lightning when he fled Fenton Works. Even so, when Daniel recovered his strength he missed you so much. Poor Daniel was deathly afraid that you'd reject him which allowed this evil ghost from an alternate future, Dan, to use that as fuel to torment his mind the whole time, and it took a serious toll on him. He tried so hard to stay strong for as long as he could for your sake once he realized what was happening. And by some miracle, despite everything I've done to him, how I've manipulated those around him to get what I wanted, he still gave even someone like me a second chance. At one point Daniel even tried to kill himself to protect all of you from his evil future self when he thought it was the only way until he finally realized something very important for himself. That he wanted to LIVE. Not for you, not for me, but for himself..."
Opening his eyes and standing up without letting go of my shoulder, Vlad proclaimed, "He's given his blood, sweat, tears, and given up his dreams for each and every one of you in this town and in this house and not once received a word of thanks. And I gave Daniel what he needed most when this all began, a safe haven, someone who wouldn't judge him, a confidant, and my help defeating Dan when he couldn't fight alone against his worst enemy. I helped him shoulder his burdens. It was difficult, but I did what needed to be done. And now I ask you, Jack, Maddie, as his parents what will you do now that you know the truth?"
Looking down at me Vlad continued somberly, "Now that you know how much your son Daniel has sacrificed for you when no child should have to fear being attacked by both his parents and the ghosts infesting this town and has had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders quite literally, what will you do...? How can you possibly make up for putting him in that position where Daniel felt safer in the care of a former enemy rather than his own family? With the exception of Jasmine of course who even went so far as to lie to you as well to keep her brother safe. Well...?"
"I don't know," mom admitted quietly, looking at me with a heartbroken expression, "All I do know is we're so sorry sweetheart. You didn't do anything wrong, and we..."
"We love you Danny, nothing will change that," my dad finished for her, holding mom's hand as she fought off tears again when he wasn't exactly doing much better. "I'm sorry for shooting you son, I didn't know but that's no excuse. Can you ever forgive me? Can you ever forgive us?"
Swaying dizzily since I was overwhelmed by all these thoughts and feelings swirling in my head, I leaned heavily on Jazz's shoulder as she silently supported me and closed my eyes. It took me a minute to recover and find the right words but all I could say was, "I'm just glad...you don't hate me. I was so afraid of that every time I thought of telling you my secret. Knowing that you still love me...is enough. And I love you too."
"Danny, I think we should get you back up to bed. You look pale and your fever still hasn't gone down," Jazz offered but I shook my head slowly and looked up at Vlad who seemed to be thinking the same thing I was.
"Guys, can I have a minute alone with Vlad? I don't think I can handle much more serious talk right now," I asked. "I promise I'll get some sleep after we've talked.
Exchanging looks again as if to ask for Vlad's permission before they walked over, my parents hugged me gently and mom kissed my forehead, which became damp when some of her tears spilled over and she said shakily, "Alright sweetie, we'll be upstairs if you need anything."
"Thanks," I smiled weakly, letting Vlad help me to my feet before Jazz hugged me too and followed after mom and dad to console them a bit since it looked like they seriously needed it after we unloaded all of that on them...
Still, maybe I was just feeling lightheaded from the surge of relief that swept over me after I finally told them how I really felt and about how things turned out this way. I even forgot Valerie was still sitting on the stairs, and that she heard everything I said, suddenly looking unsure of herself as my parents walked past her after briefly asking if her dad was ok. We would have taken him to the hospital but that would have risen too many questions so while she was reluctant at first to let Vlad anywhere near her dad, he had more medical experience than both my parents. But despite still having his own injuries to deal with Vlad was able to diagnose his condition and treat the few injuries Mr. Grey had with ease. Vlad even helped my mom with her concussion too. He let mom take care of Val's injuries herself though with a few instructions because she wouldn't let him touch her and she even threatened to shoot him if he came too close.
Obviously, Valerie was livid knowing that Vlad's been pulling her strings all along and she felt more betrayed after learning his secret than mine. I still didn't know how she felt about all this since she hasn't left her dad's side or said a word to me, but I had a feeling we would end up talking soon since I wasn't sure where we were going to go from here.
Wandering over to the nearest window under the careful watch of Vlad to get some fresh air, I leaned over the windowsill and asked him quietly, "Vlad, is it really over?"
Putting his hand on my shoulder again, Vlad nodded and smiled softly, "Yes little badger, it is. It's finally over..."
And just like that, the dam broke and suddenly I couldn't hold back my tears anymore, so I hunched over the windowsill and sobbed with all my might, not caring who was watching anymore. I couldn't form any words to thank him with or express how much this meant to me. At this point, I didn't even care how Vlad got rid of Dan or why he kept my parents gun. I'm just glad that he did and used it to put an end to all this. Finally, that huge weight on my shoulders, the fear I once had of becoming Dan, it was all gone now and I could breathe again! My parents didn't reject me, they didn't hate me, my friends and family were all still alive and Amity Park was saved! We did it, working together with Vlad we defeated Dan once and for all and now I could safely say I still had a future. I had a say in what happened to me from this moment on.
I just had to decide where the road would lead me from there, and what the future would bring.