A/N: I AM SO SORRY! I thought I posted this chapter months ago! I guess the upload didn't work! For all of you who have been reading this I am so sorry for the wait! I went back and checked my emails for the notification that this chapter was posted and I couldn't find it, but I swear I uploaded it! Damn, well, here is the last chapter! It's nothing special and I am so sorry it took this long! Love and peace, please enjoy and I am so sorry!
Entry XII
I find taking down notes on the main points in my life where major changes occurred has given me a unique perspective on the man I have become. The situation with Ernestra had come out of left field for me. This crazy Twilight ghost went from being just some annoying ghost who had a weird obsession with Vlad, to a ghost that had spent nearly thirty plus years trying to control, manipulate and groom my mate into her perfect little king.
I was curious, confused and caught so off guard that I honestly didn't have a chance to really register what all the stuff Vlad had told me might actually mean to me. It wasn't until after the battle with Ernestra and her army that I was able to digest everything.
Vlad and I had a very long talk, but it didn't come until much later. Remember how I told you there are no guarantees in life? There are no certainties? Well, I can honestly tell you we planned for just about every contingency we could think of and we still got our asses handed to us.
I found myself wondering what Vlad must have thought of me, seeing my evil future self, seeing what I had the potential to become. Yet, Vlad told me something months after the battle with Ernestra, as we watched the sun set from one of his many balconies.
The old fruitloop turned to me and said softly, "When I saw the monster you could have become, knowing it was my fault, I realized in that moment all the good we were capable of."
I thought he was just trying to make me feel better but really the old bastard was trying to make a point. Dan Phantom had been born out of my anguish and Vlad's hate. But as lovers, we shared only love and happiness between us. Whatever could have been no longer was, and what we had never planned to be was bringing with it the brightest of futures. I never thought I would take such solace in any of Vlad's wisdom but he carried so much more than I ever thought possible.
I still feel my scars burn when I think of what happened to me, and while they are now faded and mostly meaningless, I still have dreams of Ernestra's castle and seeing Dark Phantom looming over me. I wake up and roll over, finding comfort in my partner and pressing it back to the recesses of my mind.
The fight between my friends, Ernestra and Dan was bloody and cruel, but I can say with such relief it ended rather quickly. I came out of it the worst and honestly, if Vlad had not been there for me, I am not sure how I would have handled the nightmares and the dark cloud of depression that followed me for nearly a month after.
I was so ashamed that Vlad had seen that side of me, so guilt ridden that once again my jerky older self had caused so much chaos and disruption. In the end, Vlad's gentle hands and soft affections won out and he pulled me back to the beautiful reality that waited for me.
I warn you now, before you read further, the war we waged was short but the brutality of it left a lasting impact. Afterward I will admit openly to you, I disappeared in Vlad. I shouldn't have, but I took the brunt of Dan's anger, and in doing so, I retreated. I wonder if you can imagine the scenario, Vlad calling Sam and Tucker to keep them informed of my mental health because I was too depressed to even pick up the phone. I wish I had heard more of those conversations, as the few I did hear were rather heartwarming. I'll never consider my life anything but wonderful, I've been blessed in this life, I wouldn't change anything. I hope you see the happy ending when my writing is done…
Chapter Twelve
Love's Adversary
Danny woke up to a soft hand on his forehead and the gentle call of his name, "Daniel, Daniel you need to wake up now." His bright blue eyes popped open and reality came back to him quickly. He jerked up, coming to see Vlad sitting next to him on their bed and he shook his head in confusion.
"What? What the hell happened? Why am I in bed?" Danny recalled dragging Vlad upstairs, and he remembered what they had done, but he did not recall falling asleep after so finding himself naked and in bed confused him.
"I will have to explain it later. Now is not the time. We need you in the lab to help coordinate the attack on Ernesta."
"How long was I out?" Danny asked, instantly moving to get out of bed and dress with haste.
"Not long, maybe a half hour." Vlad offered and Danny was pulling his shirt over his head when a small wave of dizzy hit him, "Whoa. I feel drained."
"Yes. A side effect of our session of love making." Vlad said as he stood and headed for the door, "Love….making? Please don't call it that." Danny said as he shook his head and followed the man out into the hall.
"What would you have me call it then, Little Badger?" Vlad asked and Danny scoffed, "Anything you want, just not that."
"Very well." Vlad said absentmindedly as he grabbed Danny's hand and they instantly phased through to the lab far below. They became tangible in the middle of pure chaos. Everyone appeared to be packing, talking to each other quickly and preparing for battle.
"No, I am telling you, we can't wire it this way. It will create a feedback loop and you Danny or Vlad could get sucked into the thermos instead."
"Well how do you recommend me run these wires, it needs more power and this is the only way to boost the energy output." Skulker countermanded.
Danny looked to the two women who were hunched over a roughly drawn map, "We could attack from this side, Skulker said it's a blind spot for the archers." Sam offered to Valerie who was staring at the makeshift map on the table before them as Sam was busy packing a bag with a variety of ghost weapons.
"What did I miss?" Danny asked, not losing a beat as he stepped right into the chaos and starting talking with Sam and Valerie without pause. He glanced at Vlad and saw the man give him an approving smirk before he went to join Tucker and Skulker.
"Hey, you feeling okay Danny?" Sam asked, placing a hand on Danny's shoulder as he glanced at her, "Yeah, you look a little pale." Val offered.
"Yeah. I'm fine. All this ghost core stuff has been a little hard to keep on top of. One minutes I'm fine, the next my core is making me act crazy. Let's just focus on the mission. Explain the layout, I might be able to help figure out a good entry point."
Ernestra had given Vlad twenty-four hours to agree to her terms or she would supposedly let out Dark Phantom from his prison. While both Vlad and Danny thought it a bluff they couldn't be one hundred percent sure and so, the initial plan was that Sam and Tucker were going to focus on getting the thermos away from her, while Vlad, Skulker and Danny were going to attack Ernestra directly.
The only issue was Ernestra's army, Skulker laid out the honest truth and the odds of them being able to fight off the army and get the thermos from Ernestra were stacked against them. Their best bet was a quick snatch and grab. They'd do everything possible to get in without being seen, and as soon as they spotted Ernestra and the thermos they would need to grab it and go.
The idea being that the thermos and who rested inside of it was the bigger threat, and Danny and Vlad could deal with Ernestra at a later time as long as the thermos was no longer in her hands. The group spent nearly the entire twenty-four hours planning the attack as well as working on modifying the Fenton Thermos to be more powerful and much harder to open.
These new thermoses would require a code to open them as well as a thumb print from both Danny and Vlad. Jack's initial design had always suffered from being too fussy and releasing whatever was inside just because the thing was dropped or bumped.
They made it thicker, reinforced both the outside and inside and added a bigger energy ring so the suction would have a better chance at pulling someone as strong as Ernestra or Dark Phantom in.
"The only reason I was able to suck him in was because I had blown him up in an oil rig and then used my wail on him, he was also wearing a Specter Deflector. He was considerably weaker when I did it. It's only held him this long because mom added a dampening field, specifically designed to nullify a ghost's energy once they were inside. This new thermos needs all the same tricks plus a lot of extra juice, as I doubt I will be able to wear him down as much as I did before. Sam, I want you and Tucker to wear a Specter Deflector. And everyone is going to have one of these new thermoses. If one of us gets a shot on Ernestra take it, but remember our main focus is the old thermos. Hopefully she's bluffing and we won't have to worry about dealing with Dan. On the off chance he is released, you aim for no one but him. Understand? Dark Phantom is top priority if he gets out, ignore everything and everyone else, just get him in a new thermos." Danny said as the group came together near the end of the twenty-four hour period.
Coffee mugs, food wrappers, blankets, maps and a large quantity of parts and pieces were strewn around the lab. Vlad's fabrication machines had heated up the air as they pumped out six of the newly modified thermoses plus other ghost fighting equipment for Tucker, Sam and Valerie.
Everyone was exhausted, while at the same time completely wired, the battle ahead leaving none of them feeling hopeful.
"We each have our jobs, we know what we are going up against and we know there is only one way this can end. No other options, right? We win...or we die." And Danny said it in a very honest but gentle voice.
"And if Dan gets out and we can't catch him?" Skulker asked and all eyes turned to him, save Danny who looked down, "I've seen the future Skulker, I know what happens if he isn't stopped. I need you to trust me when I say this, if we can't catch him, all of us, we need to do anything within our power to slow his progress, to keep him in the Ghost Zone as long as possible. Even lay down our lives, otherwise, neither the Zone or Earth will survive. Understand?" and Skulker reluctantly nodded.
Finally Danny's sharp eyes turned to Valerie, who gave him a rather sad smile, "Val, I know I don't need to remind you what's at stake so I won't. You give us one hour to get there, after that, you have one more hour, if you don't hear from one of us-"
"I lock down Amity and prepare for the fight of my life." She said softly.
"You've done it before. You kept humanity alive, you protected thousands. You can do it again, I have faith in you. If it comes down to you, make sure, this time, when you build the defensive shield around Amity, it HAS to be immune to my ghostly wail. Tucker sent you the frequencies and power output, make sure you adjust for it."
"I will." She said softly.
"This is it. Is everyone clear on what they are going to be doing? Everyone understand the plan?" Danny asked, the group as a whole nodded but said nothing, "I know it's a lot to ask of all of you, but I wouldn't want anyone else next to me. So, let's finish packing up and head out."
Everyone disbanded, Valerie giving Danny a hug and kiss on the cheek before leaving the lab and heading upstairs to fly to Amity. Vlad came to stand next to him, Danny looking at the floor and feeling the anxiety and fear in his stomach boil and bubble.
"That was...very well said. I am impressed, both by your conviction and bravery and your ability to instill it in others." Vlad murmured softly.
"I've fought this enemy before. I have seen what waits for everyone in the future if we fail. This was supposed to be over. Just like your dealings with Ernestra was supposed to be over. I'm...sorry I was so mean to you. So angry about what happened between you and her. Both of us have these things in our past we want to forget and leave behind us….but they keep following...like a shadow we can't shake. I don't know what to do, all I know to do is try."
Vlad placed a hand on Danny's shoulder, turning him and raising a hand to his face, "I suppose that's all we can do. But, you should know, no matter what happens, even if we die, I am very glad you and I got to know each other, and that for a time, I was finally able to really love someone, and be loved in return."
Danny blushed a little, bringing his hand to rest over Vlad's as he said softly, "Thanks for everything, Fruitloop."
"My pleasure, Little badger." and Vlad was about to lean in and kiss him when suddenly Tucker cleared his throat and the pair looked over at the group of three waiting, "Seriously? Right now? I'll have you know me Sam and Skulker didn't get to say good-bye to our significant others."
Danny blushed harder as he pulled away from Vlad, "Right, sorry. My bad. Let's go." and Vlad scoffed as he followed Danny towards the portal.
Everything should have gone according to plan, there was no reason it shouldn't have. They were at Ernestra's castle three hours before the deadline, and while it was utterly quiet and devoid of minions or armies of ghostly warriors they had prepared for a trap.
They'd crossed the Zone in record time, entered into her castle without raising the alarm and found the main throne room with the thermos sitting right on the arm of her throne. An obvious trap but the question was how to deal with it.
The small group of five had remained aloof, high up in the shadows of the rafters above, Danny holding Sam, Vlad holding Tucker and Skulker right beside them, the two halfa's helping to turn their human companions invisible.
They spoke in hushed voices, trying to decide the best way to get the thermos without raising the alarm.
"It's an obvious trap." Danny mused.
"Yes, but how to get around it isn't so obvious." Vlad said.
"We may have to modify the plan. It doesn't look like Sam and Tucker are going to be able to grab it." Danny said as his eyes continued to gaze at the thermos so perfectly placed out in the open.
A thought occurred to him suddenly, "Hey, Skulker, you still got that grappling hook? Think you can snag it?" Danny asked quietly and Skulker smirked, "I do, but you realize if any one of us tries for it, grappling hook or not, it will raise the alarm."
"At this point it doesn't matter, we get the thermos and get the hell out of here." Sam offered.
"It's too simple." Vlad said softly as his eyes studied the room far below them but couldn't identify a good way to get the thermos without Ernestra knowing.
"The real question is, if we get it, how much time will we have to get away." Tucker said and Danny's eyes narrowed, "Alright. Here's what's going to happen. Skulker, I want you to shoot your grappler, if you snag it reel it in and get the hell out of here. Head straight back to Vlad's lab and wait. If it's a trap Vlad, Sam, Tucker and I will hold it off so you can make a break for it. Alright?"
Skulker looked at Vlad, though since they were all invisible it was pointless, though the silence seemed to speak volumes and Vlad said, "If you're looking at me I am nodding. I agree with Daniel's plan. It will be much easier for us to defend you and remain behind to fight while you get the thermos out of here. If we all try to flee we could all be caught, you included. The thermos is priority."
"Very well, be ready to fight. I know a trap when I see one, it's going to get ugly." Skulker took aim and Danny heard his suit power up a little before the familiar sound of his grappler was shot. It connected with the thermos which fell sideways and everyone sucked in air praying it wouldn't activate and expel the demon inside.
Skulker started to reel it in and was about to take off when suddenly a horrible shriek filled the air. Luckily Danny had Vlad whip up five pairs of Fenton Phones, and while they cancelled out some of Ernestra's nasty shriek it didn't protect them completely. The castle around them shook and both Vlad and Danny lost their balance.
They ended up turning visible, still holding both Sam and Tucker as they flew into the air and looked around, "What the hell!?" Sam cried out, "It's Ernestra! She's here!" Danny called over the horrible sound, "Skulker! Go! Get the hell out!" Danny called to the hunter and he beelined for the window they had all entered through.
The scream ended and Ernestra appeared, "Tut tut, you can't leave without saying hello, that's just rude!"
Out of nowhere hundreds of armor clad ghosts appeared, cutting off Skulker and surrounding the group, "Glad to see you finally came home, my love! Come, give mommy a kiss!" Ernestra mocked before cackling wickedly.
"Over my dead body!" Danny suddenly yelled as he flew down low and dropped Sam safely to the ground before he charged the woman and let out a yell.
Vlad flew down as well, placing Tucker next to Sam, "You two, help Skulker get out! Watch each other's backs and if the opportunity arises, get out of here! I am going to help Daniel." and Vlad took off, leaving Sam and Tucker to turn and run towards where Skulker was being swarmed.
The hunter had the thermos in his hand, and was skillfully managing to dodge or block the blows from the ghosts around him, the creatures looking like nothing more than glowing green corpses.
"Farrell beasts! Wretched verman! Away with you!" he yelled as he continued to try and protect the thermos and make for the window.
"Skulker, heads up!" and Sam whipped out the Jack-o-nine tails and started to attack as Tucker fired a modified version of Maddie Fenton's ghost bazooka at them, "I love this thing!" Tucker said as he vaporized a handful of ghosts with one shot, "FOCUS!" Sam yelled as she continued to lash at the ghosts surrounding Skulker.
As the pair continued to try and make a hole for Skulker to slip through Vlad and Danny were tag teaming Ernestra, who was putting up one hell of a fight.
"Come now boys, there is plenty of me to go around!" The woman teased as she blocked or dodged their attacks quickly.
"Only if I break you into peices!" Danny countered, managing to sneak in a blow to her jaw only to have her rebound quickly and grab him by the throat, "Awe baby, I like it rough, but you gotta learn where to hit!" and she brought her knee up swiftly into Danny's gut, the young man falling to the ground as pain exploded in his stomach.
Vlad moved in quick to tackle her and the fighting continued. It should have been pretty easy, distract Ernestra, suck her into a thermos if possible, get Skulker out of there and get Dark Phantom back to Vlad's lab.
But as the minutes ticked by Danny noticed they weren't advancing towards their goal, both Vlad and Danny were unable to pin her down long enough to hit her hard and subdue her. Sam and Tucker were also not able to remove enough of Ernestra's minions so Skulker could make a clean exit and as Danny continued to fight next to Vlad he realized Ernestra had already learned how to counter them.
She was staying just far enough away from them that they couldn't pin her down with one joined attack, Vlad couldn't get close enough to electrocute her and so Danny couldn't land a wail. She was too quick and knew from her experience at Vlad's mansion that if they couldn't land their two most powerful attacks she just needed to wear them down.
"Her armies are moving in!" Danny yelled to Vlad, noticing that as they had continued to fight her Ernestas army was building and circling around them, "Where did they all come from!" Tucker yelled, "Doesn't matter, Tucker, keep fighting!" Sam bellowed.
Danny pressed on his Fenton Phone and said in a softer voice, "Hold her, Vlad, I got a plan." Vlad didn't respond, only giving a nod before he moved closer and blocked Danny from Ernestra's sight.
"Sam, be ready to catch the thermos. Tucker, you cover Sam as if your life depends on it. Skulker, throw the thermos to Sam when I tell you. I need your biggest gun aimed right at Ernestra. She's studied both me and Vlad, she's biding her time, wearing us down so her forces can move in. But she's not expecting you. I need you to get one clean and powerful shot to put her down so Vlad and I can finish her, think you can do it?" Danny said into his ear piece.
"I shall not miss." Skulker said with certainty and Danny smirked, "You're the zone's greatest hunter, I wouldn't expect anything else. Get ready guys, on three, two, one, NOW!"
Skulker shot through a handful of ghouls, tossing the thermos down to Sam, before turning to face Ernestra and from his spot up above pulled out his biggest gun, aiming right at her. He fired without hesitation and connected with the wicked woman's back perfectly. She went down and Danny ran to stand next to Vlad, "NOW VLAD!"
The older man shot electricity right at her as Danny took a massive breath and released his wail, slamming into her as Ernestra screamed and thrashed from the triple hit.
Tucker was covering Sam who was running towards Skulker who had sunk to the ground as he fired his weapon. However, at that moment Ernestra let out a massive shriek, the entire castle shaking hard, stones and wooden beams falling in the process.
"Keep going, we need to knock her out!" Vlad yelled to Danny. She finally stopped, her shimmering body going limp as she lay on the ground and all three stopped their attack. Danny swayed a little due to the duration he had managed to hold his wail.
"Suck her up." Danny panted as he placed his hands on his knees, "With pleasure-" Vlad started to say as he pulled a thermos off his belt.
Sam and Tucker were next to Skulker, noticing how the zombified ghosts around them seemed to freeze as soon as Ernestra fell unconscious, "She must control them with her mind." Sam mused as she poked one and it fell over.
"Whoa, that's creepy." Tucker mused.
"More than likely a form of possession that I've not ever seen before." Vlad offered as Sam and Tucker glanced at him, "She's rather good at that."
"Looks like we did it guys, everything is going to be alright." Danny said as he stood up straight and whipped at his mouth.
"Hey, Danny, here, I have the thermos!" Sam called, moving towards him carefully as she held out the cylinder for him to take.
"No...NO!" Everyone's eyes turned to Ernestra who was barely able to push herself up, her arm swinging recklessly through the air and one of her minions seemed to jump forward, stumbling into Sam who fell forward and tripped over a stone that had fallen from the ceiling.
It was like a clip from a movie, everything slowed down and all eyes turned as the thermos flew through the air, spinning in quick circles. Everyone heard Danny's shriek, saw the way he jumped for it, reaching out a desperate hand to grab the old metal cylinder before it could hit the ground.
The bottom edge grazed his fingers but Danny fell short and as the thermos hit he heard it fire up. There was a bright flash and as Danny's eyes opened a pair of large white boots stood before him as he lay on the ground and tears came to his eyes.
"Oh shit-" he whispered, his eyes slowly traveling up to see the face of his nightmares, the devil himself slowly looked down at him. Red irises glowed and a frown rested on his lips as his eye narrowed, "Hello, Daniel."
"Sam, Tucker...anyone, shoot him! Shoot him!" Danny suddenly ordered as he turned and went to scramble away. Both Tucker and Sam turned their newly modified thermoses at the terrifying spector only to go ridged and shake, the containers falling from their hands.
Danny's eyes grew wide as he looked back over his shoulder to see Dan with an arm outstretched and he turned back to his allies to see them all suddenly slammed against a wall in a perfect line, their bodies restrained by glowing green bands.
Vlad, Skulker, Sam and Tucker all with their mouths covered and bodies restrained as they hung from the wall in shock.
"No! Let them go!" Danny said, turning to the monster who scoffed, "As if. Be good, Daniel. I'll be back to deal with you in a moment." And though Danny knew it was going to take some serious strategy to once again trap Dan in the new thermos he felt his anger and fear ignite and shot a quick blast at the creature before diving for the nearest thermos.
"Child." Dan scoffed as he easily blocked the blow before holding up his hand and Danny went rigid and green bands of energy appeared around him.
Dan crossed to him, gripping a hand into Danny's hair as he yanked him up and the youth grunted at the pain of it.
"You see, that's your problem, you never listen to anyone but yourself. Too cocky to take anyone's advice and too stubborn to listen to your elders." Dan glanced to Vlad who was still taking in Dan's appearance as the demon winked and smiled knowingly, "A little discipline goes a long way, right, old man?" And Dan turned and headed towards Ernestra who was still lying on the ground and dazed from the onslaught of attacks from Danny, Vlad and Skulker.
He dragged a bound Danny behind him by the hair as he came to stand above her looking down, "Ya know, I really like you, your one nasty disgusting bitch, but I don't appreciate being woken up." And Ernestra's eye twitched a little before she looked up at him and gave a soft whimper before saying, "I'm...not...disgusting...I'm...I...am-"
"You're finished, my lady. Whether you know it or not." And suddenly Dan raised his foot and started to slam it onto her head. Over and over he stomped on Ernestra's head, the noise coming from her churning the group's stomach. Most of them closed their eyes and looked away, but Vlad looked from Dan to Danny who was still bound though his eyes were massive and looked slightly traumatized as he heard the sounds but saw nothing, his back to the woman as Dan still gripped his hair.
After a while Danny finally jerked, trying to scream through the gag for Dan to stop and the man halted, his foot mid-air as he glanced to the youth and then back to Ernestra, "Yes, I suppose your right. It's no fun when they don't fight back. Very well. Let's finish it quickly then." And Dan finally released Danny who fell over, tears pouring as he closed his eyes and curled in on himself.
Dan reached down and picked Ernestra up, his face scrunching as he said, "You are a foul thing, aren't you. The smell of death is covering you, normally I'd find the smell soothing, but there's an undertone of decay which I don't much care for."
"P-please…" Ernestra gasped through a contorted and destroyed face as green ooze slid from her mouth, nose, eyes and ears.
"Oh darling, don't beg, it's unbecoming." And Dan suddenly reached into her, his fist seeming to latch onto something before he ripped it out and Ernestra let out a scream that shook the ground.
"Damn Succubus wanna be, always with the shrieking." And Dan held within his hand a glowing ball, what Danny could only assume was Ernestra's core.
Ernestra begged for him to give it back but Dan just smiled and after a second of watching her cry he crushed the core in his hand and Ernestra squirmed and screamed as her body started to disintegrate until there was nothing left.
Danny watched as her armies, which had been surrounding them for the last half hour fell, all of the monstrous creatures turning to dust and blowing away into the voids of the zone.
"Alright, the queen is dethroned, her army is conquered and now you and I are going to have a little chat. Don't go anywhere-" Dan said as he glanced to the other four prisoners, "We'll be right back."
Dan once again dragged Danny by the hair towards a large wooden door, the young man struggling and thrashing as he let out muffled shrieks and cries from behind the gag.
Vlad started to struggle in hopes of getting loose, his eyes locking with Danny's terrified ones and he managed to send a mental message, Don't be afraid! Fight him! I'll come for you! I'll get you out! We will stop him! Don't give up, Daniel!
But Danny's eyes only looked more terrified as Dan dragged him into an unknown room, looking at the group stuck to the wall as he gave a wicked smile. When the door shut the four captives started to thrash desperately, trying to get loose so they could come to Danny's aid. Suddenly a scream ripped through the air and they all froze as they realized with horror it was Danny.
The young halfa screamed as Dan brought his foot down hard on Danny's hand, the smaller having not had time to turn his hand intangible and the pain exploding as he felt it break. When Dan raised his foot off Danny pulled away, pushing himself up to stand but stumbling back into a corner.
"My you've grown. How long was I in that thermos? Must have been awhile, you've gained a few inches, nice broad shoulders, lost the baby fat...you've become such a handsome young man." Dan mused much the same a proud father would to a son who he'd not seen in years.
"The ladies must love you." and the man leered at him as he leaned a little closer, "What the hell do you want!" Danny yelled out, cradling his broken hand against his chest as he gave a defiant stare.
Dan stared at him but his smile faded as his eyes narrowed and he said, "I haven't decided yet. It all depends, how long was I in the thermos, Daniel?"
Danny weighed the options of telling Dan the truth or lying and he decided for now the truth was safer, "Five years. Why?"
"Five years? And that's all you've grown? Such a shame. Well, at least I know mom and dad are most likely still alive. Wouldn't want to leave them out of all the fun."
"Fun? W-What are you talking about?" Danny asked, the pain and fear sending him into shock as his body started to shake and his face grew pale.
"Don't you remember? When I was first created, everyone I loved was already dead and since I just saw Sam and Tucker outside I can only assume after you sucked me into that blasted thermos you managed to save them. This time, if I so choose, I could kill them all...nice and slow." and Dan's brows wiggled playfully as he explained his plans.
"Y-You….s-stay away from them! If you go near them, I'll...I'll-" but Danny felt his knees give, the pain in his hand near unbearable as he felt his mind start to slow down and keeping his focus became harder.
"Oh no, stay with me Danny boy, can't have you sailing off into lala land just yet. I need a little more information. Tell me, how's Clockwork?" and Danny's head jerked up to look at him, the man chuckling softly, "Ah, still the keeper of time? What joy, I'll have to pay him a visit as well, can't have him meddling again. That only leaves one person unaccounted for."
Danny managed to push himself up, his whole body feeling like jello as he managed out a determined, "Who?"
"Oh, can't you guess? The last remaining piece of the puzzle. Where's The Huntress?" and Dan's face grew vicious as he glared and moved closer, slamming his hands into the stone of the walls on either side of Danny's head.
Despite this Danny chuckled and shook his head, "You must think I'm pretty stupid, huh. She's the one who stood against you all those years. You really think I would bring her anywhere near you? She's not here, she's safe and far away, hidden. If we don't make contact in the next hour, she tells my parents everything and the new and improved ghost shields go up over Amity. You'll be locked out and the one place you never managed to destroy will remain out of your reach...forever." and Danny glared at him with a triumphant smirk only to gasp when Dan grabbed him by the front of his suit and threw him across the room. Danny slammed into the wall and fell to the ground, letting out a yell as the hit jarred his hand and pain exploded.
"Come now, Danny, don't make me beat it out of you. You've gotten so handsome, I'd hate to bruise such a pretty face." and Dan was walking over to him, reaching out a hand to pick him up and give a shake, "Where is she?"
Danny said nothing and Dan growled as he threw Danny to the ground and formed a glowing green rope of ecto-energy in his hand, "I'll do it, you know."
"I know." Danny panted, still refusing to give in and Dan gave a regretful look, though Danny knew it was fake as he prepared for what was to come.
It had been pretty silent as the four continued to struggle with their restraints and three sets of eyes turned at the sound of a saw going off, Skulker having managed to summon one of his buzzsaws from his shoulder as he tried to cut at the green rings of energy that held them captive. Their mouths were still covered and so they had no way to communicate.
Sam and Tucker turned at the sound of electricity crackling only to see Vlad sending electricity through the rings, his power surging higher and higher as he tried to break them. Sam looked to Tucker who looked back at her, the girl silently trying to communicate with her eyes.
However, all four were distracted when suddenly more screams rang out, each one seeming to be in response to some brutal torture but they couldn't tell what. That was until the door to the room Dan had dragged Danny into opened and the youth bolted out.
He stumbled and rolled, laying on the floor and both crying and growling through the pain, the four seeing burning red lash marks on his back, his uniform shredded.
The door suddenly went flying across the room, barely missing Danny's head by a few inches as Dan suddenly appeared, a glowing green whip in his hand, "Why do you have to make things so difficult. Just tell me where she is and it will all stop." and Dan strolled over to the young man on the floor, reeling back and smashing the whip down onto Danny's back, his uniform shredding more as he let out another scream.
"WHERE IS SHE DANNY! TELL ME!" and Dan continued to rain down lashes, Danny screaming and curling in on himself.
"I won't play these games with you, boy!" and Dan dissolved the whip, marching up to him and yanking him back up by his hair, "WHERE. IS. VALERIE! SHE IS THE LAST ONE! THE ONLY REMAINING PIECE! WHERE! TELL ME!"
Danny, who was near unconscious, managed out a groggy, "Bite me." before he seemed to lose consciousness and Dan went to growl only to stop and stare at him, "Very well. You want to be stubborn, so can I." and Danny was dropped to the ground, lying broken and brutalized as Dan turned to his four captives, "Who else wants to play?" he said with a rather dark smile.
"I do." and Dan's eyes turned to look at Vlad, whose mouth was no longer gagged and Dan gave a soft smirk, "Of course you do. How are you old man? What do you think of my improvements? Turns out you were right all those years ago, we make a great team."
And Dan walked over to him leaning close, a hand on the wall next to the man's head as Dan whispered out, "What are you doing here, hm? We were never close, in fact, we were enemies up until you helped turn me into the best parts of myself. Danny said I've been gone five years...why are you suddenly here helping him?"
Vlad's eyes met Dan's, unblinking as he said sharply, "Don't you know? Your timeline was destroyed, it no longer exists. While you're left without a place to call home, Danny moved on with his life. His family and friends survived, and he fell in love. Which means, you will eventually fade out. It may take some time, but then again, you must know better than most, the natural order will always correct itself and time is never on the anomalies side."
Dan chuckled, a cruel smile on his lips, "Oh how I missed our petty banter. You've sure got a way with words and empty threats. I've had this discussion with the kid before, as long as I am still here, at some point he still turns into me. And if you're here that means you must care for him, which means at some point...he'll lose someone precious to him...and he'll beg you for relief. It's all just a matter of time. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure his future brings my destiny."
Vlad gave a wicked smile of his own, "Funny you should say that, because you see, Danny and I...well...to put it bluntly...we've joined cores. We are mates. I'm not a bad guy anymore, so even if something horrible happens and the events of the past repeat themselves, if Daniel's ghost half fuses with mine...well...I don't have any evil in me left to give. I'm all dried out and filled with the warm and fuzzies."
Dan's eyes grew wide, "Vlad?" and Dan turned to see Danny reaching for the man, their eyes locking and Danny whispering in his mind, Keep him talking, lie, bluff, talk in circles, do whatever you can to keep him busy...I'm going for the thermos. But Danny's voice in his head sounded weak, it sounded faint as if it was fading and Vlad felt fear explode in his chest.
"Look at me!" Dan suddenly screamed as he gripped Vlad by his hair and forced the man to look at him, "You can lie all you want, but I know that I would never fall in love with you...it was Sam! I remember! Sam and I-"
"Didn't end up together...in fact...as I do recall...Miss. Manson's boyfriend's name is Luke?" and Vlad glanced at the girl and she nodded quickly.
"Are you telling me after wasting thirty years of your life on some grandiose scheme of revenge you gave it all up for-"
"You...well...not you...him, the other Daniel, who's quite lovable. I can't say the same for you." Vlad mocked gently acting unphased as he watched Dan try to figure out if this sudden change in Vlad would spell doom for himself.
Vlad was honestly lying through his teeth, he had no clue if his change of heart coupled with their cores bonding would have any effect on the monster before him now that he was pulled out of his own timeline. If things were reactionary then Vlad's shift to a good guy, Danny's correct actions in the past and the pair falling in love should have been enough to destroy the beast, yet here he still stood before them. So, Vlad highly doubted that any decisions he or Danny made in the future would have any direct effect on Dan now that he was no longer linked to a timeline, or at least, his own timeline.
"I need that fool time spirit, he's the only one who will know the truth-" Dan started only to glare at Vlad who chuckled dryly, "Oh, didn't Daniel tell you, Ernestra killed him...well...as much as you can kill an ancient. He won't be reincarnated for a very long time, so all questions about time, space and our linear existence will have to wait until he returns."
"Another lie-" Dan hissed out, his forked tongue sliding out between his teeth as he glared, "You try my patience and I don't have time for this. I'll find Valerie on my own, and then I will find Clockwork...and then...I am coming back for you, old man. I'd love to have a go at you now that we are on equal footing. Then again, you weren't so tough to begin with." and Dan released him and turned away only to get a thermos to the face. Danny turned it on only for Dan to smack the thing from his hands before he shoved his foot into Danny's chest and pressed, "Nice try, kid. But I'm not going to make this easy on you." and Dan looked down at Danny, eyeing him with a small smile as he said, "Ya know, I don't think I've used you to your full potential. Alright old man, let's see if you really love me. Tell me where Valerie is, or I'll torture him until you do."
Dan removed his foot from Danny's chest, the young man gasping in breath now that the weight was gone, "Leave him alone!" Vlad yelled and Dan only smirked as he looked back to his younger self, "Sing me a pretty song." Dan purred before he kicked Danny with his foot, sending him rolling across the floor.
Dan then held out his hand and shot a massive amount of electricity through him. Danny screamed and thrashed, his friends struggling at their bonds to break free.
When Dan stopped Danny lay on the ground motionless and Dan sighed, "Ya know, it's kind of embarrassing how weak you are. I suppose I have you to thank, old man, your knowledge and power gave me the boost I needed." And Dan leered at Danny with hateful eyes, "Leave Daniel alone, you want to fight, release me, I'll give you a lesson in pain!" Vlad snarled and Dan chuckled, "Tempting, but despite how weak I was, I always had a knack for being a dark horse. I think I'll just end this now, unless you want to tell me where Valerie is."
Vlad said nothing and Danny groaned on the ground, "Alright, come on Danny, why not get up. You've always gotten up, even when no one wants you to!" and Dan stomped his foot down on the young man's back, grinding his heel in as he gave a cruel smile, "Stop!" Vlad screamed, "TELL ME WHERE VAL IS!"
When Vlad still said nothing, looking to Sam and Tucker who shook their heads 'no' he pressed his eyes closed and growled.
"Have it your way then." and once again from Dan's hand the ecto-plasmic whip appeared and he reeled back to deliver a devastating blow, "AMITY!" Vlad suddenly screamed and Dan paused, glancing over his shoulder as he smiled triumphantly, letting the whip fade away as he turned to look at Vlad, "See, that wasn't so hard, was it, old man. I appreciate the information. And, if my parents are still there, I can kill two birds with one stone."
Vlad looked between Dan and Danny with worried eyes, "What?"
Dan seemed to ignore him as he bent down and picked up one of the thermoses off the ground, "Can't wait to see the look on dad's face when I pay them a visit. I'll take them apart….molecule by molecule. Now, the only thing left to do is suck both you and young Danny into a thermos. Should keep you from spoiling my plans."
Dan turned to Danny and smirked, "Sorry kid, time to go to sleep for a few hundred years, don't worry though, I'll let you and Vlad out when I get bored, we can spend the next few hundred years keeping each other company."
In that moment as Vlad looked at Danny the pair locked eyes, and though Danny's voice was faint, he mentally whispered something to Vlad and the man's eyes grew wide.
Dan was about to activate the thermos when he suddenly stopped, his pointed ears perking and twitching a little as he looked around, "What is that?" and suddenly a warmth seemed to wrap around his core and he looked around wildly.
"What….what is that!" Dan said as he dropped to the ground and covered his ears with the palms of his hands. Words and images were suddenly flooding his mind, images of his younger self and Vlad, talking, working on a car, kissing, flying, laughing, having sex, fighting, and the emotions were near overwhelming, his core suddenly humming brightly as he felt an extremely ardent feeling of love. Then fear. Anguish. Joy. Humour. So many, too many, he'd not felt this...felt these emotions...since he was half human.
His eyes burned red as he turned to look at Vlad who was staring right at him, "Funny thing about joining cores. It allows us a direct link to each other, we can feel each other's emotions, share memories, speak to each other mentally….if we make eye contact." and Dan looked to his younger self whose ice blue eyes were staring right at him.
Don't you remember any of this? These feelings, how happy you were, how wonderful it all was to be alive...to feel good….to feel human- Danny's voice whispered in his head.
"The way I see it, you're both Daniel and myself, completely fused, which means, even if you're from the future we can still share our thoughts and feelings with you, and after so many years without humanity, it must be rather daunting." Vlad mused with a cruel satisfaction.
Dan jerked as more emotions, raw and powerful flooded him, more images, more memories, all so overwhelming and the restraints holding the four disappeared.
"Stop it!" Dan hissed, firing blasts of ecto energy at Vlad who dodged, Dan's sight growing hazy as heat came to his cheeks and shivers ran up his spine. The emotions and memories were changing and shifting so fast he was losing sight of his own reality. He couldn't focus, and the overwhelming nature of humanity began to consume his mind.
"What's wrong, can't take a little love? Amazing how much it can burn isn't it." Vlad said, pressing more of his core energy into Dan who was letting out shaky yells as his body trembled.
"Really? He can't handle l-love, huh? Sounds like a personal problem." Danny suddenly groaned out as he pushed himself up to his knees, "How about a big old serving of guilt and shame!" And Danny pushed more of his core energy in and wrapped it tightly around Dan's. His own guilt and shame burning brightly as Dan let out a scream and started to sob uncontrollably.
"I've got plenty where that came from!" Danny yelled.
Skulker had scooped up a thermos, tossing it to Tucker who tossed it to Sam, "Looks like it's you who's going to sleep!" She yelled as she activated it and aimed it right at Dan's back.
It hit him, the creature screaming as he clawed at the ground and tried to fight it. The thermos won out and after a moment all was silent.
"We...we did it!" Tucker yelled happily as he shoved a fist into the air and Skulker smiled as Sam laughed, "Did you have any doubt?!"
All eyes turned at the soft call of Vlad's voice, "Daniel?" They looked to their friend to see Danny sway before he fell over and said with a smile, "Danny Phantom two, Dark Phantom zero." Before the faces of his friends faded and he was met by darkness.
Danny woke up in an extremely large amount of pain, his whole body feeling like it was nothing but one big sore spot. He groaned, his vision blurry and unfocused for several seconds before the familiar face of his lover came into view.
"V-Vlad?" He groaned out, going to sit up only to feel a gentle hand on his chest, "Don't move. You were severely injured. You've been in my healing tank for several days. I've only just removed you. It will still be several days before you can do much of anything." Vlad's gentle voice said as Danny finally met the man's eyes and he asked softly, "Dan?"
"Sealed up tight in the thermos, which is under lock and key in my lab. We will find a safer place as soon as possible, but for now, you can relax." Danny felt Vlad's hand cup his cheek, a thumb running under his eye softly and Danny savoured the excessive heat of Vlad's touch, now so familiar the gentle burn didn't even phase him.
"We need to keep that thermos close to us. We are the only ones who have any chance of stopping him if he-"
"Daniel, for once, listen to me and don't think about it. For now, you need to focus on getting better."
"My school-"
"I called and explained the situation. A rather nasty car crash put you out of commission for the final week. It's the beginning of spring break now and I had all your professors forward your work to me. We can get it done and you can turn it in when the break is over. Please, for me, just rest. I will see to everything. You are safe, it's over." Vlad urged as he leaned down and gently gave Danny a kiss.
"I...need to...I'm so tired." Danny breathed as his eyes tried to remain locked with Vlad's and the older man smiled knowingly, "I know. Rest. Sleep. I will be here the entire time. I promise."
Danny faded back into sleep and the next time he woke up he found Vlad was next to him, reading a book and seemingly ready for bed.
"Vlad, what time is it?"
"Near midnight. I was about to go to bed, but if you feel up to it, we need to get some food into you and-"
"How long was I out?"
"Since we last spoke? A day. You're body is trying to heal itself, in your ghost state it will be faster but because of that, the amount of energy used to-"
"Is there water?" Danny asked and Vlad was quick to set his book aside and grab a glass from the side table. He helped Danny to sit up enough to drink about half the glass.
"Better?" Vlad asked and Danny nodded, "Thanks. Love you." Danny murmured as he tucked back down, rolling onto his side and pulling the blankets over him, "Tired." he whispered and he faded out again.
This continued for another two days, Vlad only able to coax a little bit of food and water down Danny's throat and into his stomach, the young man intent on continuing to sleep and heal. He fought very little and did whatever Vlad asked of him, remaining in his ghost form even as he slept and mostly unaware of Vlad changing bandages or applying salve to his back and chest.
On the third day Danny woke up screaming, a nightmare having ripped through his calm and dreamless sleep. He recalled very little of what the dream was about, but he did remember feeling Vlad holding him, murmuring to him that it was just a dream and that he was safe.
After that night things took a turn, Danny started to get stronger and was able to eat full meals and drank every glass of water, juice or coffee Vlad gave him. He stayed in bed and got up only to use the bathroom. He'd not bathed himself yet, but Vlad had assured Danny that he had been bathed twice now via a rag and water basin.
While he was more coherent and was feeling less and less tired, the nightmares started to come regularly. It was no different than what had happened the last time Danny had fought Dark phantom, but these dreams, unlike the last ones, were much more potent and brutal.
Danny had escaped Dan's cruel wrath mostly unscathed the last time they fought, this time however, Dan had done some severe physical damage. And Danny's mind didn't seem to want to let it go as it had done the time before.
Every night found him waking up screaming, covered in sweat, and shaking violently. He would apologize profusely to Vlad, who never failed to be there ready to help calm him and offer comfort.
"It's never been this b-bad before. I don't understand why this is h-happening. I've had plenty of nightmares before, but none of them have ever b-been this b-bad." Danny said as he continued to shake and Vlad held him carefully, "Yes, well, I don't think you've ever actually been truly tortured before. Even I, in all my cruelty, never really-"
"No. You never...even then...you never...I've got to be stronger than this. He's trapped. He can't get out. I know it, I know it's over...that I am s-safe...but my mind…"
"It's just trying to process what happened to you, Daniel. It will fade, the dreams will fade, but until they do, I am here." Vlad assured.
"I promise I'll get better. Just...just stay close to me okay?"
"I promise. I will never leave your side."
Halfway through spring break Danny finally got out of bed, Vlad telling him a hot bath would help ease the aches in his body. Thanks to Vlad's attentiveness and Danny's ghost half, he healed much quicker than would be expected. After several days in Vlad's stasis tank and nearly four in bed his body was mostly healed. His mind, however, remained disjointed and anxious.
Danny had followed Vlad into the bathroom, the older man having drawn them a bath and as Danny removed his clothes he caught sight of himself in the mirror. His left side, back and part of his chest had scaring from the lashings Dan had given him. His right side and stomach had what appeared to be scarring from electricity. While his face had come out scar free there was still light bruising around his right eye that had not quite faded yet though it was very close to being completely gone. His hand was another mess entirely. Vlad had taken it upon himself to insert a thin metal brace to help the bones fuse back together and because of that there would be noticeable scarring and his hand was still in a mini cast.
Danny's eyes moved in the mirror to meet Vlad's who came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "They are just scars. They are not who you are, and they represent nothing more than your ability to fight no matter the obstacles in your way."
"Do they...do they bother you?" Danny asked and Vlad's brows went up as he frowned, "Heavens no!" Vlad assured, placing a hand on Danny's back as he pressed Danny towards the bathtub, "Well, yes, but not for the reasons you might think."
Danny said nothing as he sank into the hot water, sighing out softly as he leaned back to get his hair wet and savoured the feeling of being weightless and surrounded by heat.
"The scars bother me, only because in all reality I was the cause." Vlad mused as he too sank into the water, pulling his hair free from the ponytail he had it in and sinking down low, a look of sadness on his face.
"Because I did not deal with Ernestra sooner, she attacked and killed your friend. In doing so she found a weakness in both you and me when she learned about you in Clockwork's portals. My enemy used your enemy against you and because of what happened, you were hurt and permanently scarred. So, when you asked me if the scarring on your body turns me off from being with you, no, not at all. If you asked me if they bother me...yes...because in the grand scheme of things, every scar Dan put on your body could have been avoided if I had dealt with my past mistakes appropriately."
Danny stared at him as the guilt weighed heavily on Vlad's face and Danny moved over to him, pressing Vlad back so he could straddle the man's thighs and wrap arms around his neck, "I forgive everything. Just promise to stay with me." Danny whispered, having no other words he could offer the man because after everything that had happened, there really was nothing left to do but move on.
Dwelling on all the shoulda, coulda, woulda and if only's would do nothing and it wouldn't make either of them feel better or make the pain go away. Yes, Vlad had made a million mistakes, but the fact that he kept trying to do better and be better was enough for Danny. Honestly, as the young man thought about it, he was no better. Danny had made so many mistakes in his short life, well, he and Vlad were simply meant to be at this point.
"I will stay with you as long as you will have me." Vlad breathed out, wrapping arms around Danny as the young man kissed gently at his neck, "I want it...can we...now?" Danny asked.
Vlad hesitated before he pressed a kiss to Danny's temple and said softly into his ear, "Only if we go slow, I don't want to aggravate any-"
"I'll go slow, promise."
Danny focused on Vlad, on nothing but the moment, pressing all his negative emotions as far away as possible so he could be completely absorbed in his partner. Sliding his hands across Vlad's skin, kissing him, stroking him below the water and building the heat between them.
It had been a long while since they had been intimate and so when he pressed onto Vlad's length it took a few minutes for Vlad to enter and reach Danny's end. They gasped and moaned, Danny taking the initiative and over nearly a half hour worked to bring them both to completion. Vlad's hands gripped his ass firmly as he got close but Danny continued a slow and steady pace which seemed to drive Vlad crazy.
They came together and after, Danny remained on top of Vlad, as they both rested and Danny tried to ground himself in this once beautiful reality.
Spring break was nearly over, only the weekend remaining and Danny was finally up and about. He had been working on finishing his homework from the week he missed when suddenly his phone vibrated.
Sighing, he set his pencil aside and picked up his phone, looking at his screen to see a message from Sam.
How are you? SM
Danny rubbed at his eyes before staring at the text message again and shaking his head. He wanted to respond but couldn't think of anything to say. Ever since Danny had returned to Vlad's after the battle with Ernestra and Dan he hadn't been able to get himself out of this funk.
What could he say to her or Tucker or Valerie? He was miserable, depressed and plagued by nightmares. His body was working but his brain was on autopilot. The only time he felt any sort of happiness or comfort was at night when he would disappear into Vlad and the pair would have sex, cuddle and watch movies.
He felt good then, safe and calm, like the world outside didn't exist. Like he could forget everything. Why this specific battle had taken such a heavy toll on his mental health was beyond Danny's ability to comprehend.
He'd been in plenty of messed up situations before, hell, the last time he fought his evil jerky self was traumatic enough but this, well the dark cloud over him kept stretching.
Perhaps it was a mix of both losing Clockwork, Dan getting free and Vlad seeing the monster Danny could have become...what they could become together if the situation was right. Perhaps it was the physical abuse he had suffered at Dan's hands as Vlad often suggested or it was the fact Danny didn't want to face the fact that part of him was truly evil.
There were a lot of reasons Danny could be so disconnected and depressed but how he was supposed to extricate himself from this pit of despair he did not know.
His ears caught the sound of soft conversation and he glanced over his shoulder at the door to Vlad's bedroom.
Standing up he moved away from his desk and listened at the crack in the door.
"Please, calm down Miss Manson. I promise he is alright. Yes, I understand he isn't responding. Daniel has been rather...out of sorts. No, he is up and about, working on the homework he missed. Yes, I am aware he wanted to invite his family and friends over for break but I am not sure- well I would be happy to ask him...do you think it would help? I must admit while I'd do anything for him I am at a loss on how to proceed. I am not...very experienced in caring for others when they are...sad….I...appreciate the vote of confidence. I will suggest he respond to you and Mr. Folley and I will ask him about the party. Though, should he choose not to perhaps we can plan something for the summer time...I believe there was a concert on Daytona Beach? I could perhaps purchase some backstage passes-" Danny saw the man pull the phone from his ear a little as he winced only to bring the phone back, "Yes, Daniel may be just as pleased with the offer as you are. Be patient I will speak to him and we shall see what I can do. Yes, have a good evening Miss. manson."
The faintest smile came to Danny's lips as he glanced back down to his phone, seeing Sam's message and realizing his friends had been getting updates through Vlad. That's probably why they haven't been blowing him up or threatening to come over. A small swirl of warmth came to his chest as he realized there was a small happiness that came at the idea of his friends and Vlad getting along.
Perhaps he should try to be more proactive in his attempts to combat the blanket of sadness that had covered him.
Yet, as soon as the small smile had come it vanished as Danny felt an indifference settle firmly in his stomach.
"Mmm, why do I feel this way? I don't want to feel this…" and he had sat on the end of the bed just as Vlad opened the door and popped his head in.
"Daniel? Are you alright?" Vlad called softly and Danny looked up, eyes awash in stress and fatigue.
"Yeah, just...tired I guess. My homework is… more exhausting than usual."
"Would you like some help?" Vlad offered as he stepped into the room.
"Hm? Oh, uh, no...I think I am going to take a break." And Danny looked back down at his phone, seeing all the messages he had yet to respond to from his friends.
"I would recommend responding. Even if it is just a hi and hello." Vlad suggested as he came to sit next to Danny and the young man leaned against him.
"I know, I've been selfish. But for some reason I just can't bring myself to act like it's business as usual. It doesn't feel like business as usual. Everything feels broken, nothing feels the same...and I don't feel okay." Danny sighed.
Vlad wrapped an arm around Danny's shoulders and said softly, "I know Little Badger. But perhaps, in this situation the only way to make things feel less broken would be to not isolate yourself so much. Your friends have always been there for you, remaining distant from them will only feed this dark cloud that has been hanging over you."
"I know. And your right, I shouldn't ignore them. But...right now...all I want to do...is disappear. I want to forget what happened. And I wish you'd never seen me...that version of me. I'm ashamed….embarrassed...guilty-"
Vlad suddenly cupped Danny's cheek, raising his face so their eyes could meet, "Daniel, whatever you may think, I do not judge you for Dark Phantom's actions. Nor do I love you less because of his existence. What you seem to forget is, well, Dark Phantom was never just you. Part of me was in there too. What that creature was, is, well...his wickedness wasn't just you...it was me too. But just because he was, doesn't mean he has to be...does that make sense?"
Danny leaned in, pressing his forehead to Vlad's before saying softly, "Yeah. I think so. I just wish none of this had happened. I just can't shake the feeling that this whole situation somehow has ruined us."
Vlad was quick to quell this train of thought as he looked Danny in the eyes and said with a determined face, "No, Daniel. This incident with Dark Phantom, with Ernestra, has ruined nothing. I love you, you love me. The only thing that is different is that now you know my darkest secret and I know yours. We have nothing else we can hide from each other, Daniel. We have no more secrets."
Danny finally allowed a small smile to come to his face and after a moment he pressed his lips to Vlad's, shifting to his knees as they kissed before he pressed Vlad back to lay on the bed and slowly straddled his hips, "I love you, Fruitloop."
"And I love you, Little Badger."
Entry XII
Continued
If I recall correctly we spent the rest of the day in bed, and that night I finished the rest of my homework and finally called my friends. Days turned to weeks and weeks into months, I finished my first year of school, turned nineteen, had an incredible summer and Vlad took the first step towards repairing his relationship with my parents. That summer is a story for another time, and considering I think Vlad is buying me a new journal for Christmas I will have plenty of room to write it down. But I hope whoever has read this story was able to take something away from it. I don't know what, but I do believe to a degree, there is something useful for everyone to take away from this.
Things got better, they usually do if given enough time and patience. Vlad and I grew closer, his life as a single millionaire bachelor changing dramatically to something he'd never really experienced before. Friends, family, a real life with real meaningful things.
I suppose I will need to amend my earlier statement, there are no guarantees in life, accept one, change my friends, is inevitable.
The End
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this story. Keep an eye out, I may do some one shots that take place after the events of this story. Peace and love!