The next few days proved to be very eventful. Mind you, in a span of forty eight hours Pine twins already managed to begin ruining the casual way of things. Apparently, Mabel went through with her stupid idea of playing a matchmaker for a self-loathing epicenter of all angst in the entire town. Even compared to how Danny felt, at few times, mind you, it never went so far like what Robbie was showing. Anyways, Phantom was totally unprepared when in the middle of the day, when he was helping Wendy around the shop so they would go to the festival sooner, his buddy Love God barged in, seeking help.
Needless to say that the teen gang which had come there in anticipation was stunned at seeing Danny being friends with a musical star. But as there was an audience, both supernatural beings were avoiding many words. One thing was made clear through tips and innuendos — Mabel had stolen the love potion from him. That girl was so insufferable and downright annoying in her stubbornness sometimes. Although unenthusiastically, seeing as this whole affair was interrupting his own plans, Danny agreed to assist.
Telling the others that he would catch up, he and the overweight angel went looking around the festival, where the obvious targets of the potion were. Danny came up with a plan for them. He would find Mabel and snatch the potion back before she could do harm to anyone. She wouldn't suspect his initial intentions so it wouldn't be hard to take it without complications in the process. Love God meanwhile would go to his van and find the antidote for the victims of her meddling.
It worked...less than perfect. The hand of fate kept slapping him in the face. First of all, he kept running into Wendy for some reason. And she, unknowing of what he was doing, offered him to join the party. Phantom had to come up with multiple excuses but to no avail. He just kept running into her. He could technically make duplicates, but being spotted in two places would be hazardous.
After about half an hour the cherub spotted him and gave Danny the antidote. It had taken some convincing, Love God reminded meddling with love affairs was wrong, but Danny said that they were simply returning the things to how they were. Love God then said he had to hurry for the concert and even gave him a VIP pass for the effort he was doing. It was both nice and annoying, because how would he enjoy the music if he had to stop one prepubescent girl? Danny asked to make that two passes to compensate. The guy just laughed and did just that. He also said that he would try to postpone it as much as he could so his newest buddy would enjoy everything. Phantom wanted to get this over as soon as possible.
He finally found the preteens, caught them red-handed, one could say. Ironically, they were trying to find the antidote themselves. And to say that he was angry at them, Mabel specifically, was to say nothing. Dipper was somewhat of the same mind with the half ghost, he was also just trying to reverse the effects of the potion. Apparently, the sudden relationship between Robbie and Tambry was enough to drive a stake within the gang. And they were trying to mend the things. Danny demanded that Mabel gave him the potion right now. It turned out that the girl had used it all on only one case. The tick on Danny's head became bigger.
The twins were stunned at learning Danny's knowledge of Love God and his possession of the antidote. His response was simple: "I have a way with people".
The moral of the story was simple, yet sudden. Phantom did just what was intended and puffed some of the liquid at the couple. Robbie and Tambry at first didn't do anything out of ordinary in this situation, considering the strange nature of it. They separated, and Danny could finally go to the concert with the clean consciousness. Wendy was excited and thankful for the VIP tickets. Although she did seem bitter. The angry split of their gang was rubbing her the wrong way. But Danny helped her take her mind off the situation, still wondering if he should tell about the potion.
But then, after the concert and quickly returning the antidote to Love God while no one was looking, Danny and Wendy were at the grounds again. What was pleasant...the group did cool off, eventually. It was a wholesome moment, and Danny was glad to be a part of it. But from the edge of his eye he noticed the disenchanted couple on the distance. To his shock...they kissed. At first thinking that Mabel had lied, the preteen's girl surprise made his misconception obvious. And that was the moral...sometimes one didn't need some magic for loving.
Then Mabel claimed to be the greatest matchmaker once more. The look Danny gave her said more than anything. Someone hadn't learned this lesson.
Soon, in about a week, the things would soon get much more interesting. Bill said that in his anticipation he would even postpone the apocalypse. Whether it was a joke or truth, Danny clearly stated that that would go against the rules. The dream demon grumbled and didn't bother him, reminding himself that the next episode of the show was going to be fun.
Speaking of a show, one evening all kids, including even Mabel's friends, were lazily sitting in front of a TV. Danny was munching a granola bar, occupying the entire sofa. "Over my dead body," he said when asked to share. The carpet was very soft and the chairs were still there, so no problems occurred.
"Well tonight's the night, but I've been out here for days! The Northwest family's annual high-society-shindig-ball-soiree is here! And even though common folk aren't let in, that doesn't stop us from camping out for a peek at the fanciness," Toby Determined said in front of the large mansion. The guy had got over the secret society thing.
"Oooooooooh!" The girls responded.
"Okay, can someone please explain why people care about this?" Dipper asked.
"It's pretty much the best party of all time. Rich food, richer boys!" Grenda, a big one, exclaimed.
"And stuck up brats," Danny called, tiredly dropping the bar, which was about his tenth, "I was at one of those once. Extremely boring."
"Wha? Where?" Mabel asked in surprise.
Phantom sighed, "It's a long story."
"Guys, in case you've already forgotten, the Northwests are the worst," Dipper said, saving the half ghost from the explanation. Knock at door; Dipper got up to answer it, "And that's not just jealousy talking. I'd say that to her face."
He opened the door and saw Pacifica.
"I need your help."
"You're the worst," Dipper said and slammed the door. The girls gasped.
"Wow, no shit," Danny snickered. "The life gave you lemons and you squeezed them into her face."
Another knock made Dipper sigh and open the door again.
"Look. You think it's easy for me to come here? I don't want to be seen in this hovel. But there's something haunting Northwest Manor," She took off her sunglasses. "If you don't help me, the party could be ruined!"
Phantom appeared literally out of nowhere. Everyone was startled.
"Haunting? As if...ghostly type?" He inquired.
"Yes, now keep your distance, creep," Pacifica said, before taking a step back herself.
"Actually, Pacifica...you'd better tell this guy," Dipper began slowly. Obviously not out of the kindness of his heart, but because he didn't want to do anything with this.
"Him? Who is he even?" Pacifica asked.
"A specialist," Danny said bluntly.
She seemed to contemplate the option for a moment, "Fine, name your price."
"I only need the gho..."
"Hi, Pacifica!" Mabel jumped in. "Excuse us!" She dragged Danny and Dipper away. "Guys! Don't you see what this means? If you help Pacifica, you could get us invites to the greatest party of all time!"
Danny narrowed his eyes, "After what you have done lately I doubt that I will struggle just so you could waste your time out there."
"Dipper!" Mabel turned to her brother pleadingly.
"Mabel, this is Pacifica we're talking about," Dipper shook his head.
"But it's Candy and Grenda's dream!"
"Dreeeaaaaaaam," Candy Grenda said, starry-eyed, miming rainbows.
"Life is unfair, kids," Danny shrugged, before sighing, "Fine, I guess. I'm not your relative to punish you for misbehaving. What say you, kid?" Phantom looked at Dipper.
'Please, stay here, please, stay here...'
"I'm going too, then."
'DAMN IT!'
Dipper looked at Pacifica, "Alright, we will bust your ghost. But we all get into the party."
"Hrrn! You're just lucky I'm desperate."
"Des-perate! Des-perate! Des-perate!" The girls chanted.
"Grenda, get the glue gun. We're making dresses!"
Danny tapped on Dipper's shoulder after the girl ran off and Pacifica left. Curious, the preteen followed the raven haired teen into the latter's room.
"So, I guess we are working together?" Phantom smirked, hiding his displeasure.
"You aren't happy, are you?" Dipper asked, sitting on the bed.
"Not in the slightest. I do the job alone...but seeing as I won't be able to convince you otherwise..." Danny dug in his bag and took out the thermos, "I will at least give you something to not die. Or do you have some more orthodox means?"
"Well, the jour...I mean, well, my experience tells me that the ways of beating them depend on the level."
Danny didn't want to let too much. But if the kid died, the bet was off. Besides, letting a preteen die was not something he would allow to happen. And acting harsh would only make matters worse, so that left few options. Phantom nodded.
"Yes, pretty much. Guess we won't know what to do until we find out how strong the ghost is," Danny kept checking the duffel-bag, "Keep the thermos for now. It's an empty one, so you may as well use it for beverage until the time comes. Still, pack anything useful for each possible outcome. I hope you do have these?"
"Uhm..."
Phantom rubbed his face, "The ghost is malevolent, seeing how these Northwests have reacted. Salt will be pointless, it works only with the weak ones. And my poor stomach. That fries had so much for some reason."
He missed Dipper's expression.
"I guess we will have to stick to my ways," Danny smirked, patting Dipper on the shoulder, "Promise you won't do something stupid."
The kid looked up at him, "Well...you do have expertise. Will you teach me how to hunt ghosts? Your style? I mean, I know the usual ways...but I have never actually used them."
Danny raised an eyebrow, "And the couple in Dusk2Dawn?"
"I...eh...used unconventional means."
"He danced a Lamb Dance!" Mabel shouted from the corridor, just so happening to be passing nearby.
Danny tried to hold back the laughter. And he failed miserably.
Soon, the time came for the group to go to the mansion. It was the creation of a megalomaniac. It obviously went for the victorian style, being from that age. The front yard of the Northwest Manor had water fountains, peacocks, and a statue that resembled Pacifica behind a large metal gate. Cute. Two patches of hedges were cut to spell the letters "N" and "W." The house itself was two stories tall and appeared to be gigantic on the outside. There was a wall surrounding the entire manor, with a deer statue placed atop each corner. The manor resided on the top of a mountain and it was a pain to get up there.
As they went to the main entrance, Danny suddenly stopped, curiously looking at the higher floor and shifting the bag on his shoulders. Dipper asked what was wrong.
"Look at the windows on the second floor. Sixth window from the left is in shape of letter C. The eighth is in shape of letter U. Now look at all the windows."
"C-U-R-S-E-D. What the heck?!" Dipper rubbed his head in confusion.
"No idea, kiddo."
Soon enough they went inside, soaking wet. Immediately the two were greeted by two most shallow looking people Danny had seen in a long while. That commercial smiles, fancy clothes and botox lips on the lady. Danny shivered. At least his godfather could look intimidating, these ones were a joke.
"Ah, if it isn't the our saviors!" The man kept smiling, "Hopefully you can help us with our little... situation, before the guests arrive in an hour."
Before Dipper spoke, Danny stepped forward, "Skip the pleasantries. I'm here to do my job, not listen to your faux sweet talk. I need to know the story of this ghost. If I know its reason to stay behind then it will be much quicker."
That seemed to startle the Northwests for some reason. And even if he hadn't received the immediate answer, Phantom already knew that something was not right. But they were saved from further questioning by the loud clock bell.
"Oh, Preston, these two are dressed atrociously, something has to be done," the lady complained.
"Oh, please, I, like, love my superb clothes," Danny parodied the stuck up, whiny tone of hers, making his young companion choke, "Do you need the ghost gone or not? Relax, I'll stay out of your sight for the most part," Phantom waved his hand and walked off.
The preteen decided to follow, "Do we know where we are going?" He whispered.
"Anywhere away from them."
They entered the corridor, and it was quiet. Phantom put down the bag and dug in it. Dipper actually felt excited, putting away his dislike of the teen. Yes, he may have gotten to close to Wendy, but here it did not matter. But what to do with him going through the wall...maybe he DID make a mistake, there was nothing unusual afterwards to solidify his claims. Needless to say that Bill was not happy about it. Now Dipper was about to begin a real hunt with someone who knew what he was doing.
"Alright, let's see," Danny mumbled, digging in the bag, "You got any way of finding the ghost?"
He could just use his ghost sense, but that would be suspicious. But what he could already do was to confirm that there was indeed a ghost, and a powerful one for that matter. But still inferior to him. The fight could get very nasty, though, the difference wasn't big.
Dipper shook his head, "I know that it gets extremely cold near the ghosts..."
Danny grimaced while the kid did not see. Crap, he knew. Phantom radiated cold in human form, albeit in small amounts. It just was cool near him, it could be discarded as the air conditioner. Danny took out the ectoplasmic scanner, the one he had fiddled with so it wouldn't point at its ghostly user. Smirking at Dipper's expression, Phantom switched it on. A blip on the tiny radar appeared.
"Alright," Danny mumbled, "Now let's check if we have everything and move forward..."
"Run for your lives," the device said in a robotic tone.
"Should have removed this feature," Phantom deadpanned.
It was also his greatest tool of deception, now that Danny had fixed it. The tool was not picking him up, that freed him of suspicion of being a ghost, returning everything to square one. Hopefully Dipper took notice. Their path was soon blocked by a certain blonde Northwest.
"Where do you think you are going?" She asked, crossing her hands.
"Down the corridor," Danny said bluntly.
"What's the problem?" Dipper moaned.
"I will be watching in case you decide to steal anything of value. Which is basically everything in the house."
Phantom snorted, "Relax, girl. If I wanted money I would have asked."
"Make a u-turn," the device said.
"Well, you heard it," Dipper smiled, "we've got to go."
"Make a u-turn."
"I'm not going anywhere, Pines. It is my house. I don't want you to peek your nose into our things."
"Dipper, can't you see?" Phantom asked. "The lady wants to die, don't stop her."
"Make a u-turn."
"Coming, coming," Danny mumbled, going the required way. Despite the warning, Pacifica still went after the two, growling at the teen's behavior.
They were just passing another corner, when they started hearing many noises. The guests were obviously downstairs. Danny's device suddenly beeped louder. His head snapped in its direction. Two new dots were on the radar. Phantom looked at Pacifica with narrowed eyes.
"You said it was only one ghost!" He snapped.
"What? It was one ghost!"
"How do you even know it?" Dipper asked her, before being shown the radar itself, confirming what Phantom had said. Danny then paid attention to the dots' position. His eyes widened in shock.
"Damn it, they are near the guests!" He exclaimed, turning to the shocked preteens, "Alright, I'll deal with those two. Dipper, will you manage?"
Dipper nodded. "I'll try. Is there a way we can keep in touch?"
Phantom handed him a green walkie talkie, "No ghostly interference. Works like the normal one."
Danny then hurried to get away. It was...oddly convenient. Now separated, Phantom could let himself use his ghostly power. Tapping into his ghost half, he used the ghost sense. It was more reliable.
"Make a u..."
Phantom shut off the piece of metal. The music was becoming louder as he approached the main celebration hall. Although he could care less about some rich snobs, it was better to take down the specter silently. The ghost would just possess a random host and get away if the panic rose. Danny was about to switch to his other half, but then he was stopped by a very young voice.
"Hi!"
Danny jumped and turned around rapidly. He hadn't expected to see a little girl near him, about eight years of age. Phantom blinked once again. She had long raven black hair, tied in a low ponytail, had the icy blue eyes just like his. Her slightly flushed cheeks with a tiny remaining amount of baby fat couldn't help but make Danny smile. The white dress made her all the more adorable to his eyes. Phantom chuckled.
"Well, hello there," he said, "What are you doing here, kiddo?"
"I was bored," the girl said gloomily, "I don't wanna be here."
Yeah, it was the worst time for a child her age to be alone in a haunted mansion.
"Look...ehm..."
"I'm Dani."
Now that was just weird. Danny shook his head.
"Look," he kneeled on her eye level, "you shouldn't be here, kiddo. Let's get you back to your parents."
"I'm here with my Daddy," the girl responded and grinned.
God, she was such a cutie.
"Alright, let's get you to him."
The two entered the hall, so richly furbished and bright. It was full of the people in fancy clothes, the music was playing by, no doubt, the professional. Somewhere on the distance Danny saw Mabel and the girls chatting eagerly. Dani just casually walked by him, looking around for her father. All of a sudden, Preston's voice reached him. Albeit he was smiling, Phantom saw the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
"Look, boy," he said through the clenched teeth of his Hollywood smile, not even caring to memorize the name, "I thought you said that we won't be seeing you. You've already caught too much attention."
Danny looked straight into his eyes. The man actually felt something drop within him. That look was damn scary.
"Would you want a girl die in your mansion?" He whispered, "I'm sure it will benefit your prestige."
Preston looked at Dani, before reasonably paling. Yes, that girl's loss would ruin his entire life, "You got her here. Now get out and do your damn job."
"How rude, Preston."
The voice was calm, confident, yet playful. It could belong to only one person in the world. Danny froze in horror, trying to hide this as much as possible. From behind Preston stepped another man. Every step he made was firm and temperate. The man looked to be in his mid forties, his broad shoulders gave him a good stature, and beneath the black suit there were obviously muscles. His piercing dark blue eyes pierced the half ghost, his gray hair was tied in a ponytail. The man was holding a glass of champagne with his pale, veiny palm. His smile was just as creepy as ever.
"Oh, Mr. Masters, it's just...the boy was doing maintenance and..."
"Hello, little badger," Vlad kept looking at Danny, "I didn't expect to see you here of all places. Knowing how little you think of these parties."
"Hey, Daddy, I found Danny," Dani called, taking Phantom's hand.
Thunder struck yet again in the half ghost's head. Vlad seemed to notice the shock and smirked widely. It had been a while since he last put little badger into such stupor.
"Forgive him, Preston," Vlad chuckled, "He is just so happy to see us, right, son?"
The people around froze and looked at him. Not the entire hall noticed, but only the nearest people. Phantom narrowed his eyes slowly, but retained calm expression. He wouldn't give the man such a luxury of seeing him scared.
"So, have you got anything to say, Daniel?"
Danny looked around. Then he closed Dani's ears.
"Go f*ck yourself, Vlad."
With that Phantom walked off, ignoring all the shared shocked stares. Shutting the door behind him, Danny took a shaky, deep breath, leaning on the wall. Why was he here? Why? Just why? His life here was most possibly ruined, Vlad would never leave him alone now. He wasn't under protection of the Far Frozen here. Then Danny realized something.
"Bill," he growled, and as if on cue, the triangular being popped out of nowhere, "Explain this. Now."
"Explain what?" Bill asked, twirling his cane around.
"I know it is your doing. There is no way Vlad would have come to these nobodies Northwests. He is the richest man in the world."
The dream demon sighed, "No, DP. You know the only thing I did?" He examined his hand, "I told you to go to the party in the forest. This doesn't count as interference."
"How is this even connected?"
"You went there and met Love God. Thus he asked you for help with the potions, giving you a sizable reward. You sat in the first row during the concert and the camera caught you a couple of times. The rest is history you will be too bored to listen. And this is one of my tiniest schemes. I am innocent, kid," Bill said, before bursting laughing.
"Why you..."
The demon vanished, and Danny heard the door creak. The little girl approached him. Phantom sighed.
"If Vlad sent you, then you don't have to bother."
Danielle still sat on the chair near him. Phantom noticed her slight official mannerisms. The girl looked at him in confusion, tilting her head.
"Why don't you like Daddy?"
Danny sighed, "Vlad probably doesn't show this to you, but he is a horrible person."
"No! He isn't!" Dani exclaimed.
"He has done a lot of things to me. Bad things. Why do you think I don't want to stay with him? I don't expect you to understand, how old are you?"
"Two months," the girl showed him two of her tiny fingers.
Chuckling, Danny ruffled her hair and she giggled. He just couldn't resist doing that. But it felt weird doing that. His mind went back to the words of his friend. Bill had said about Vlad using a different approach...Dani had the same features, even the name was similar. That bastard...used his DNA or something akin to that. It was against every single law of morals.
"Why did your father come here?" Danny asked softly, "Did he tell you?"
The girl nodded, hugging him, "Yeah. He told me you are my big brother."
"That little...look, Dani," Phantom rubbed the back of his neck, "It's more complicated than that. I am not your brother, but at the same time we...are somehow related."
"Will you help me?" She suddenly asked in a worry.
"Uhm...what do you mean?"
"I'm...I'm not a complete clone. I des...ta...bil...ize," Dani slowly said a long word. Phantom looked at her curiously. So she did know she was a clone.
"Destabilize?"
"I'm okay when human. When I use my powers I...slowly turn into yucky green goo. Every day it's worse," Dani looked to be on the verge of tears, "I'm scared, big bro."
She clenched him tighter and sobbed. Phantom hugged her back without even noticing. Maybe it was because she was basically a part of his being, maybe it was because a small girl was crying in his arms, but he felt the urge to comfort her. She never asked for any of this.
"What do you need for that?" Danny asked.
"Daddy said that he needs your another sample to heal me."
What shall he do, a big question remained. After all, it was Vlad they were talking about. To give something as important as his DNA to the bastard...Danny wasn't sure if it would be used like he wanted. He wanted to help the girl he hadn't even known for half an hour. She did accept the fact they were relatives, she trusted him after such a short while. Maybe it was because she was two months old. The only relative Danny had got was near him. The core within his chest stung, demanding to be heard.
Phantom preferred to leave the matter for later. They just talked. Although the girl had little to talk about, seeing as how short her life had been so far, Dani could listen and had a curious mind. She kept asking about his past adventures. It could have been enlightening for her to hear about what Vlad had done to him in the past, but those were the stories not for her little ears. Her eyes full of awe and childish adoration made the storytelling worth it.
"And then I told him, the last laugh is on you! He was so dumbfounded about me mixing the statements, he missed the blow!"
Dani giggled, covering her mouth. The laugh jumped around the corridor, poorly lit with candles. She was lying on the soft divan, her head on his knees.
"It's so awesome!" She said loudly, throwing her hands up. Danny chuckled, leaning against the wall.
Suddenly his walkie talkie beeped. He pressed the button.
"Danny, we are cornered," Dipper whispered, "It's level ten!"
"Nonsense," Phantom commented, confusing the girl near him, "there is only a select bunch, your classification must be skewed. Where are you?"
"The Western wing," Pacifica whispered.
"Be right there."
Phantom looked down at Dani, concern shining in his eyes.
"Listen here, Dani. I don't want you to walk away from your father while I'm gone. Even if he is a meanie, the one who can harm you won't be able to beat Vlad."
"And where are you going?" The girl asked.
"That will be our secret," Danny winked, raising a hand for a fist pump. She grinned and did just that, before Phantom opened the door for her.
Then Phantom hurried where his ghost sense told him to go, even jumping through the walls. Finally he reached the corridor where the ghost was. The specter was very intimidating judging from the looks. He took the form of a lumberjack wearing a flannel shirt and denim overalls. He was missing his right eye. Blue flames shoot out from his head to form a beard and hair, which. He also had a single-sided ax deep in a crack in his head. The ghost also used a separate, double sided axe as a weapon. He appeared to be blue and had a blue, ghostly aura around him. Danny approached as near as he could, without calling attention.
"Is there a way to sort this out peacefully?" He asked.
The ghost roared, beginning the swing of the axe, but it stopped close to Danny's neck once he saw who that was. Phantom moved the weapon away with his finger.
"Hello there," Danny smiled.
"Pha..."
The half ghost put a hand over his mouth.
"Yes, it's Fenton for you, slime!" Danny shouted.
"That was uncalled for," the ghost said quietly, "And why are you shouting?"
"In case they are listening," Phantom whispered, shooting a blast in the air, "You know how it is."
"You are Phantom! It's an honor sir, I've heard you are a noble man."
"Thanks, now, are you going to come willingly? Swing the axe and roar."
The facade kept going, the ghost did just that.
"I cannot, boy. After I am done, I will be free, anyways. Not a bother."
"Done with what?" Phantom inquired.
"I will punish the Northwests for their arrogance and selfishness!" The ghost busted the wall.
Ironically, it was behind that wall where the preteens were hiding. Danny took out the blaster to keep the pretenses. Phantom winked to the ghost, who got the message. The fight had to be taken elsewhere. Roaring, the ghost lunged forward and pushed Danny outside. The rain poured on the two.
"You know killing is not the best option," Phantom got on his feet.
"You don't understand. You think I want to avenge only myself? I speak on behalf of hundreds of abandoned people, destined to rot on the streets while Northwests lived the lives of luxury. We've put our labor for them, they promised us so little and yet we agreed, and even then they tossed us all out. I've sworn my vengeance upon these ignorant fools."
"So we are dealing with a vengeance case," Danny sighed. Those were the most complicated ones. He tapped on his chin, still holding the blaster, "Look, the Northwests at fault are long dead, what's the point of killing those about whom your offenders didn't care? Because they wouldn't be born for a century."
"Like that would make a difference," The ghost huffed, "They are just the same, haven't you noticed?"
"Yeah," Danny mumbled, "They are rare asses. But killing them will not be a proper payback. They didn't kill you per say..."
"They have done much worse, kid."
"Danny!" Dipper and Pacifica ran outside. The rain had stopped by then and they hadn't even noticed. The ghost reached for his axe, but one look from Phantom, with the glowing eyes hidden from the humans, was enough to stop him. That shocked the preteens.
"Let's finish the talk first, ehm...what's your name?"
"I am Archibald Corduroy, boy, and I was about to kill that brat before you came in!"
"Danny, are you...talking to him?" Dipper asked in shock.
"This boy has done much more than you. He is a hero you all should aspire to!"
Phantom reddened a bit, "I...eh...am very known among the ghosts."
"But you hunt them!"
"I help them," Danny crossed his hands, "First and foremost. And I am saying that killing this kid won't do any good," he looked at Archibald, "I understand, that's your obsession, yada yada, but you can do something more with your afterlife than that."
"I will," the ghost said, raising the weapon, "After I am done!"
Phantom was about to leap between the raging specter and the kids, but suddenly Dipper took a hand-held silver mirror. With a scream of anguish the ghost was just...absorbed in it?
"NO! FREE ME!" Archibald shouted from inside the mirror, barging on the walls of his tiny prison.
"We did it!" Pacifica exclaimed and hugged Dipper. Eyes wide, she realized what she's doing, and then she backed off awkwardly. She cleared her throat and held out a dollar, avoiding eye-contact with Dipper, "Can I pay you to pretend that never happened?"
Danny tapped on the ground and hummed, "He came from the picture, didn't he?"
Dipper nodded, with a proud expression, "Yep...so, how do you dispose of the ghosts?"
"I send them back to their world. It takes a lot of mumbo jumbo."
"But they will be back, won't they?" Dipper asked.
"YES! I WILL TEAR YOU TO SHREDS, BOY!"
"It is nearly impossible to get out once you are there," Danny explained.
"Maybe I should do this?" Dipper suggested, "I would like to try."
Phantom sighed, "Go ahead," he waved his hand, "I have my hands full at the moment, anyways."
"Is this because of your father?" Asked Pacifica, flinching at seeing his glare.
"Masters is not my father," Danny growled, "He is just a pompous bastard."
"Wait? Masters?" Dipper's eyebrows shot up in shock, "As in, the richest guy in the world?"
"Yes," Phantom rolled his eyes, "On papers, I am his adopted son. Now, excuse me, I have to go, I'm sure we have to talk with him."
"That won't be needed, little badger."
God knows how Vlad got there so quietly and so conveniently.
"Kids, would you please leave us?" He asked in a sickeningly polite tone.
Nobody needed to be told twice. The door shut and Vlad directed his eyes towards the half ghost, who looked coldly at the older man.
"Finally no prying eyes," the man approached Danny.
"Stay where you are, Masters. What do you want with me?"
"Is it not obvious? I thought the point had been made quite clear long ago."
"And here I thought that you have stopped trying to convince me. I'm fine on my own. And what even is the deal with Danielle?"
"I admit, I have tried to make a son of my own, but she is my first...more or less successful attempt. The mistake is quite obvious."
"A mistake? Is that what she is to you?"
"You misunderstand, the mistake is something else," he crossed his hands and finally stepped closer to the half ghost, "Her 'siblings' are dead by now. Too unstable, they barely even resembled humans, we both are contradictions to the laws of nature, and once we decide to play by its rules, we get...this."
"She is dying, isn't she?" Danny asked grimly.
"Yes," Vlad said stoically, "But of all my creations I've gotten attached to her the most. Even if she is not the son I want. She has told you about that, I need your DNA sample. The last one wasn't enough. You aren't going to just let her dissolve?"
Danny looked away. She was only two months old, for god's sake. How could he leave a little girl to die?
"How do I know that you will use it to help her? For all I know you might create another proper clone and let her die."
"Daniel," Vlad said sternly, "I don't believe you have much choice. I am the only one who can help her. I know you won't leave her like this. I am her creator," he leaned closer, "But you are something more to her, more than a creator, not even a brother."
"I didn't ask for this," Danny said, his voice shook slightly.
"Don't act like you don't care, Daniel. You are a terrible liar. If you want to help her, you will have to trust me."
"You son of a..."
"Language, Daniel..."
Vlad suddenly received a punch to the face, hard, imbued with ectoplasmic energy. It launched him several meters away. Phantom was breathing heavily.
"Does this fit your manners!?" He asked loudly.
Vlad only chuckled and got up from the ground. The mud and water from the puddle phased off and fell on the ground. He fixed the dislocated jaw with a loud crack.
"Still as brash as always, Daniel," he said, not caring about the pain, "What was that for, boy? Ran out of words to say?"
"I am a teen, Vlad!" Danny shouted, "And now you are telling me...I have..."
"I am freeing you of this burden. The girl doesn't know. I can save her."
"You are the one who has created all this mess in the first place! Now I am the one who is supposed to fix everything?!"
Phantom hurled a blast at him. The green beam only hit a purple energy shield. Vlad seemed unfazed by the attack, but he was getting angrier, judging from the look. Danny was suddenly hit in the back of the head, making him fall on the muddy ground. The rain started pouring again. He was roughly lifted by hair and his head was yanked backwards, so the boy would look upwards, into the blood red, pupiless eyes.
"Enough is enough, boy. Shall I come to Danielle and tell her that her brother would just let her die? Do you think she would take it lightly?"
Vlad was hit in the leg, giving Danny the chance to get out and up. The dirt once again dropped on the ground. Phantom didn't think what he was doing. He was at such a loss. Of words, of what to do...There was a reason why cloning was looked down upon by many. It was so immoral and...sudden. How would he live knowing that somewhere out there is his flesh and blood?
"You bastard," Danny mouthed, "I don't want her to die, for as little as I have known her. She is too sweet and innocent. Be it someone but you...I wouldn't have given it another thought. But it's you, Vlad. The one who has committed many crimes against morals. One of these violations has taken form now. And now I have to trust you to do something selfless?"
"She is my creation, Daniel. I do care."
"I don't believe you. I never will. But I don't have a choice."
"You can come with me," Vlad suggested, "You will see first hand that she gets the treatment."
"If I come, I will never get back, I know it."
Vlad growled, "You insufferable brat."
"Sure am, your point?" Danny made a tired grin.
"Stop fooling around, Daniel!" Masters snapped, "This is an important decision!"
"Look at him, so caring," Phantom responded, "Says the one who left me in the forest to die!"
"I was raised the same way."
"And here I wondered why you are an unsociable prick."
"That makes two of us. Honestly, Daniel, what is the point of this whole exchange? You want to do that and yet refuse. Cease this delusional nonsense and just let me."
All of a sudden an idea occurred in Danny's head.
'Bill, you still there?' He thought.
'Hearing you right and clear, Houston,' the demon responded.
'I think you already know what I need from you. And you'd better repay for bringing him here.'
'Fine, fine. But you get rid of him yourself. However you like.'
Danny took a deep sigh. So Bill would keep a watch on the sleazy businessman.
"Alright, Vlad. You will have what you need, creep. Just keep her alive."
"Splendid. All I need is but a hair from both your ghost and human halves. But that would have to wait until the end of the party. That would be rather impolite to leave just now."
"And Danielle?"
"She has about half a year. Certainly one evening would do no harm, seeing as I have the machine waiting to take the samples."
"Being a father certainly didn't add to your amenity."
"I'm a creator, Daniel. It's not my blood coursing through her veins."
He was messing with his head. To make the half ghost feel remorse, guilt, forcing the teen to face an internecine inner conflict, when two diametrically opposite views clashed in a battle for dominance. Vlad was just the way he had always been. A manipulative snake who always was many steps ahead. He knew that Danny actually had no choice, no matter how seclusive the half ghost may be, how ignorant he may present himself, he would always be the one helping people in need. Especially from the death so cruel and immoral.
Smiling, Vlad turned around.
"Come along, little badger, I have a present for you."
"Mom told me not to get in a creepy fruitloop's van," Danny crossed his hands.
"I ride in a limo, Daniel," Vlad rolled his eyes, "And I am NOT a fruitloop."
"Sure you are."
The man groaned, "Your reminiscence of Jack is uncanny. But you need to work towards the present of yours."
"How exactly and what is it?"
"I have made a little piece of technology. I am concerned about that blasted agency that wants to capture you. My own secret will be put in jeopardy as a result. Thus, I have come up with a certain device to hide your ghostly signature. Of course, the drawback is that you cannot use your powers while using it."
"That's...awfully generous."
"There is a condition, however..."
"I hate you."
That was the condition of getting the device in Danny's disposal. He had to pose like a sitting duck in front of the hungry vultures. Namely dress up in a thrice damned tuxedo which Vlad ACCIDENTALLY had and ACCIDENTALLY it fit the teen like a glove. Not only that, but Phantom needed to accept the fact of his adoption for at least this evening. Did anyone question his past action in the celebration hall? No one at all. Everyone just ignored the fact of his past outburst. Another testament that they judged who the person was instead of what they did. One sort was forgiven everything, the other didn't even have a chance to pull off something like that.
"Now, now, little badger," Vlad patted him on the shoulder, "Chin up, back straight."
Phantom growled and didn't bulge. Then Vlad did everything himself, which didn't help to ease the tension.
"Just stay away, Vlad. It was not a part of the deal."
"No, but I want to enjoy it as much as I can. Don't stray far away. And what did I say?" He smiled cheekily.
"Yes...but I'm calling you Dad only over my dead body."
"Actually..."
"Shut up," Danny grumbled and still walked off.
Vlad did not follow. Phantom wanted to stay away from the snobs, but they weren't of the same mind. Pestering things. Sighing, Danny tried to find something to drink. There was nothing but fancy wine and champagne older than his grandfather. Oh, wait, there was mineral water from the peak of Kilimanjaro. Water is water, damn it. If it's not the one from the Mystery shack's tap, though.
Suddenly Mabel noticed him, appearing right next to the half ghost.
"Wow, Danny, I thought you were catching the ghost with Dipper!" She said.
"Yeah, we are done already. But...well, certain circumstances came into play."
'Yeah, who knew ma boy DP will get a baby girl,' Bill burst laughing.
"Wha? Is this why you are wearing this?" Mabel kept asking.
"Well, Daniel needed an attire, luckily I have one to spare," Vlad appeared near them, "Isn't that right, son?"
"Yeah..."
The grip on Danny's shoulder became stronger. It was obvious what he wanted. Phantom did not bulge, just giving Vlad a look. Sighing, Masters let go.
"Go find your sister, little badger, I cannot see her."
"Alright," Danny mumbled, "Hope you enjoy it, you sick fruitloop," he whispered.
"Immeasurably," the man smirked.
As Danny walked off, Vlad looked at the girl, who shifted nervously under the gaze. If the smiles of Northwests were that of sharks, the astute man smiled like the Devil himself. Now which one was more menacing?
"I take it that you are acquaintances with my son," Vlad noted, much to Mabel's surprise, "Can you enlighten me on what he has been doing lately?"
"Oh, well, he is just doing...his teen things...I dunno. We don't hang out much, he prefers to stay with his teenage buddies more."
"He has made friends? Curious, I wouldn't have thought that he would be the one to make an approach."
"So...you are his Dad?"
Ah, a siren's song to his ears, "Why, yes, girl. Hasn't he told about me? I almost feel insulted. Albeit there has been a tension between us lately."
Danny meanwhile was on the lookout for the little kid. It wasn't so hard, he had a ghost sense, and could track her in no time. Dani was too busy trying to get something from the high table. She kept jumping in attempts to get higher and get the snack. Phantom smiled and took it for her. The girl was surprised at first, but then beamed.
"Danny!" She exclaimed joyously, hugging his leg, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Did you want the chocolate so bad?" Danny joked.
"No, not that," the girl shook her head, "Daddy said you would help me."
"Well, yes," Phantom smiled a bit awkwardly.
After the whole exchange with his surrogate menace it had become strange to talk with her. It should have been like that even earlier, but being pointed out something is not the same as taking notice by himself. Sighing, Danny ruffled her hair, guessing that he was supposed to look after her for now. It wasn't hard, honestly, she was a hyperactive child, but at the same time Dani wasn't willing to stray away, like so many of those of her age.
Phantom actually noticed that she was very shy, their meeting aside. Clinging to his leg, she didn't make a single step away. But Dani kept talking nonstop, babbling about everything she knew, starting from the little birds living in her castle grounds and ending with what was known to her about ghosts. It was amusing to Danny to see the reaction of the people around. Seeing the 'daughter' of the richest man on Earth talk about ghosts, the people were confused, then disregarding it as her childish fantasy, unaware that they had been saved from the ghost not so long ago. Vlad came by a couple, well, many times, to chirp in, much to Danny's annoyance.
So that's how it would be, huh? He would just let the girl go with his arch nemesis? Even if he had a backup plan...he still felt uncomfortable. Who knew what this innocent child would grow up into? Danny looked at the sleazy snobs around. The mere thought of Dani turning into one of them...he shuddered. No, Vlad may be a rich guy, but he was someone else. But between a manipulative fruitloop and the likes of Northwests...it wasn't clear what was worse.
If Vlad would step out of line just once...there were going to be some troubles.
