Chapter 17

"How long has it been?" Star asked. "We might need to make a supply run, soon."

"We've been stuck here for two days now," Dash told her. "We should have some non perishables in the basement to last us a little bit longer."

"With how many people we've shoved in here it won't be that much longer. Maybe another couple of days."

"That's a couple of days to plan, then."

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Baxter."

Dash and Star turned around to find Lancer, his hands behind his back and an unusual calmness about him.

"What do you mean?" Dash asked, his hand twitching for the bat strapped to his back. The motion didn't go unnoticed by Lancer.

"It's time," he told them. Except now his voice had a weird echo to it. Dash grabbed the bat and stepped in front of Star.

"Time for what?" She asked, reaching for the gun on her hip.

"Why, time for the big show of course," Lancer said, his voice not his own. He blinked, and when he opened them up again his eyes were bright red. Dash, without hesitating, slammed his fist through the glass and hit the alarm. They were plastered all around the school, another of Tucker's designs. He had strategically placed them every few yards for exactly this purpose.

Every hallway and classroom lit up, changing between red and green. Dash tightened his grip on his bat as he looked at Not-Lancer. The lights made his face glow eerily as Lancer stepped forward.

Then he lunged at them.

"It's time," Walker told them.

"For what?" Clint asked. He looked almost nervous, but his fake bravado held strong.

"To die."

Valerie had never liked Walker. He had been annoying, always trying to find loopholes in Danny's new rules for treating prisoners and such. That and the fact that he had invaded Amity all those years ago.

She wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't being brainwashed to do this. There was probably some part of him that was giddy at the thought of finally taking Phantom down, even if it meant bringing the whole Ghost Zone down with him.

Even though Valerie gets up with no argument, Walker is the one to come over and escort her himself, pushing her around a bit as he led them all in a line, one by one, up the stairs and outside.

They were in the heart of the city that Valerie loved so much, despite its problems.

They were paraded through the streets as citizens and ghosts alike cheered or booed on the sidewalks. When they were passing Casper High, Valerie's heart sank as she saw her old friends, Dash, Kwan, Star, and Paulina. They had been hiding people in the school, but judging from the bruising around Dash's face, it hadn't worked out. There were ghosts lining the sidewalks, making sure the people of Amity Park didn't try anything to save Valerie or the Avengers.

Valerie was glad they were smart enough to stay back.

The walk was long and terrible. At one point Walker pushed her hard enough to fall to the ground, scraping her knees, before pulling her back up by her collar and tossing her forward again. There were cries of protests from her friends, but Valerie stayed silent. She wasn't going to give Walker the satisfaction, no matter how much it stung.

They walked all the way to the park, where the birds had long since flown away. The sky was still green with spirits, but every now and then a little bit of blue would peak through. Valerie almost smiled to herself. Almost forgot where she was. Almost started remembering her and Danny's early relationship, where all they did was sit in the park and watch the clouds go by. But another shove from Walker pulled her back to reality.

And then she saw what was waiting for them.

It was long and complicated. Old and barbaric, even, but Valerie had no doubt that it would get the job done.

Sitting in the middle of the park was a twelve-person gallow, all with nooses ready to go. There was only one large lever to pull, and Valerie's heart broke when she saw who was the executioner.

Danny stood there, motionless. Both hands were on the lever, and he was wearing that blank expression on his face. His eyes were still red.

Behind the gallows sat Freakshow in his makeshift throne. The scepter, glowing and radiating with energy, was in his hand. Lydia floated next to him, ready to do whatever Freakshow needed her to. Dani was on his other side, standing in front of his throne. She stood tall and strong and expressionless.

Valerie watched Danny intensely as she was led up the stairs and put into the noose closest to her husband. If she looked closely enough she could see his hands shaking. He was fighting it. With every part of himself, he was fighting Freakshow. He just needed a little bit of help.

As the Avengers, Sam, Tucker, and the Fenton parents were put into their own nooses, the ghosts forced the citizens of Amity to crowd around them. Dash and the others were up front, while the ghosts floated above them.

"Welcome, one and all," Freakshow said. He glanced down at the crowd, and upon seeing that nobody had a camera, had a couple of ghosts force Lance Thunder to broadcast this to the entire world.

"Welcome, everyone," Freakshow said once again. "Today is a very special day, where we will not only get rid of Phantom, your precious ghost hero, but the Avengers as well! For without them in the way, ruling over the rest of you will be so much easier." Freakshow paused for dramatic effect. He stood up from his throne and walked down to the gallows, casually walking in front of each person. "I want you all to stay tuned as I-"

Freakshow stumbled back, falling down on his butt. His hat was knocked off. When he got back up, there was a large gash on his forehead. In the crowd, Jazz stood in the very front. She had another rock in her hand, ready to throw.

"Step away from my family," she snarled. Dash and Kwan quickly followed suit, picking up rocks and chucking them at Freakshow. A couple of them hit the Fentons because that's who he was in front of, but nobody really cared if they got hurt in the crossfire. Valerie is pretty sure Jazz threw one at them on purpose, anyway.

"Lydia," Freakshow snapped. He didn't need to say more than that. Lydia let all of her tattoos go, attacking Jazz and the others until other ghosts could come and hold them back.

"You girl," Freakshow said, pointing at Jazz. "If this is your family, then why don't you join them? After all, the last thing we need is another ghost hunter."

The ghost holding her flew her over to the last noose, shoving her head inside of it ungracefully.

"If anybody else would like to play childish games then you can join her! But first," he gestured to Phantom. "If you would please do the honors, slave."

Danny gripped the lever, his hands still shaking. He looked over at Valerie as Freakshow cackled.

Valerie stared at him, mouthing something to him and hoping he would understand. His hands paused for a moment as Valerie looked at him earnestly.

"Snap out of it," she told him. "You have to."

While she was distracted, Freakshow came up and grabbed her face, pulling it towards his. His breath smelled like his teeth looked. His red eyes bore into her.

"Nobody can help you now," he said, his voice quiet, and menacing. "I cannot wait to hear the sound of your neck snapping, girl." Valerie tried to pull her face away, but he held on tighter.

"You belong to me, now." Valerie only smirked.

"I belong to nobody."