" Welcome to Ghost Wars, how tough are you?"
This just had to be some kind of joke. A sick and twisted joke. Out of everyone in the entire Ghost Zone they expected to see here in this position this was certainly not who any of them were expecting. This familiar green blob standing on the signed up table in the front of the coliseum with a bored look across his face.
" Skulker?"
Judging instantly by the way his eyes go wide in shock as he brings his little eyes up from the stack of papers he is standing on she hits it right on the head. She would be able to recognize this green blob from anywhere. Why wouldn't she? She has sent his ass soaring across The Ghost Zone kicking and screaming more times than she can count. Speaking of which as she looks around Ember can't help but notice one of his little power suits is nowhere in sight.
Pfft. The Dipstick must have gotten mouthy with someone.
A thought that just makes Ember grin widely making Skulker start to sweat bullets. She could picture it so perfectly. This so-called greatest hunter walking around like he owns the place. Bumping into some ghost making them spill their drink all over themselves while he would just grunt and stroll on by making shots be fired resulting in one these little slime's suits being totally destroyed.
Yep she totally can see that happening to the little dipstick. As for Danny? He isn't thinking about how this could have happened. Far from it. He really couldn't believe what he was seeing. This proclaimed Ghost Zone's greatest hunter was nothing more than a fat little green blob. A blob that looks as though he will melt into a puddle of goo at any moment while under his wife's stare. Ember had often confused him by making a couple of jokes here and there about Skulker's size but never in his wildest dreams could he ever imagine this was Skulker's true form. This small fat green blob whose little legs wobble right now as though they are about to give out on him from the weight being applied from up above.
A sight he has to bite down hard on his lips in order to avoid outright laugh at what he is seeing. So much so that his face starts to turn bright red as he remains silent by Ember's side totally content on watching the scene unfold before his very eyes. How could he not? It is just so….perfect.
" Is that really you dipstick?"
Without giving him even a chance to defend himself instantly Ember plucks Skulker off from the table and holds him up for everyone to see. This green blob whose arms and legs dangle freely trying to wiggle out of her hand but to no prevail.
" Huh? Would you look at that? Not so tough without one of your little suits are ya?"
He knew she was just doing this on purpose now. Especially from the way her eyes flicker over towards him while trying to hide a grin. It was at times like this whether or not he couldn't figure out if his wife was an evil genius or just plain evil all together. Not that he would ever say it outloud. No sir. He has seen her when she is angry and it is not a pretty sight. Better just to nod your head and say yes dear when it comes to her.
Crossing his arms over his chest grumbling under his breath wanting nothing more than to wipe that damn grin off from her face the moment he feels himself being released causing him to plop back down onto the table snapping his head to look up towards her with an insult on the tip of his tongue one look at her challenging look makes Skulker think better of it.
" What was that? I couldn't quite hear you."
Glaring hatefully at her from the way she just leans forward with her left hand holding her ear close to him after a couple of seconds of staring at her grinning face Skulker's eyes light up as a sudden idea pops into his head. This twinkle in his eyes that doesn't go unnoticed, making Ember lean her head back to give him a questionable look before he puts his plan into action by going over to the end of the table and using all the strength he can muster up lifts up a small closed sign off from the table.
" Hey!?"
Smiling triumphantly at her doing something he has always wanted to do turning his back to her with a one finger salute instantly Skulker quickly takes off and leaps off the opposite end of the table and disappears into the crowd leaving an outraged Ember staring at where he had disappeared off to.
" Why that little pipsqueak! Just wait until I get my hands on him! He's going to regret the day his mother didn't abort him at birth!"
An outburst that is heard by all making every single pair of eyes look in her direction. Eyes the moment that fall upon her widen instantly in terror from the way her blue hair grows rapidly like a burning inferno making many back up in the hopes she doesn't look their way. From the way her left eye twitches uncontrollably as she stares coldly ahead making even the toughest of ghosts steer clear of her gaze. A look that makes even Danny start to sweat bullets from just behind her but deep down he knew it was his duty to distinguish this flame. It is his duty to save the lives of these ghosts. Well afterlives anyways. Can a ghost even die again if they are already dead? He will just have to ask Kitty or Ember later when she is more calm. Right now despite the intense heat he can feel radiating off from her taking a couple of steps forward reaching out Danny wraps his arms around Ember from behind causing her hair to flicker slightly in anger as her head snaps around to look at just who is touching her before upon seeing his face her hair starts to die down turning slowly back to normal.
" Better? Besides, I think you are overlooking one small detail."
Earning an questionable gaze smiling sweetly at her tilting his head to kiss the sweet spot of her neck that he knew drives her crazy grinning at the silent moan that escapes her lips leaning up Danny whispers into Ember's ear.
" We know exactly where he lives. Who knows? Maybe something goes wrong with every one of his suits? You know like some wild fire breaks out burning them all to a crisp."
He does have a way with his words. Just knows how to cheer her up. He is right of course. She was overlooking that small detail. As a matter of fact if it wasn't for the prize money at stake she might be tempted just to go over there right now and cause a few unforeseen accidents to take place. She isn't heartless. No she wouldn't burn down his realm. That would just be cold but his fancy suits on the other hand? Those are fair game in her book.
" Babypop?"
" Hmm?"
Turning in his arms causing his hands to wrap around her waist with a wide grin leaning forward as she brings him into a deep kiss the moment she feels his hands starting to wander Ember breaks off the kiss and gives Danny the biggest smile she can muster up.
" You know you're really cute when you act so…."
" Manly?"
Biting down on her lip tilting her head slightly with a thoughtful look coming across her face after a couple of seconds Ember shakes her head and returns her attention back towards Danny with a grin forming across her face.
" I was gonna say so dorky…."
" Hey!?"
Smirking from his look of outrage unwrapping her arms so that she can take his face in her hands leaning forward Ember pecks Danny on the lips causing his face to break out into a small smile.
" I never said that was a bad thing and frankly i wouldn't have you any other way."
" First mate Mclain?"
A voice that suddenly comes from behind her making Ember turn her head to look over her shoulder before her eyes widen when she sees a familiar face staring up towards her from the ground holding an ice cream cone in each of his hands while his faithful parakeet licks away at the ice cream dripping down his hands to the ground below.
" Youngblood? What are you doing here?"
Giving her the simplest answer he can muster up by nodding to his head towards his chest where a name tag can be seen instantly a grin forms across Youngblood's face when the sound of palm meeting flesh echoes through the air when Ember face palms herself before looking back towards him with a warily smile.
" Right. Of Course you would have a job here."
Nodding his head like it is the most obvious thing in the world ignoring the dabs of ice cream that leak onto the sleeves of his jacket with two pairs of eyes watching him making his way over to sit in the vacant seat with a bit of effort Youngblood climbs up onto the chair and is forced to remain standing to be eye level with them.
" Now then what can i do for you?"
" Ahem!"
Glancing over his shoulder seeing a disapproving look coming from just behind him smiling sheepishly snapping his head back forward a more serious look comes across Youngblood's face.
" I mean welcome to Ghost Wars, how tough are you?"
Blinking in surprise glancing back and forth between his nervous look and the stern look he is receiving from a rather formal looking older woman doing her best to remain oblivious to the crowd around them piecing the pieces together leaning forward Ember whispers out loud enough just for Youngblood to hear.
" Who's the hag?"
Ah he always knew there was a reason why he liked his first mate so much. The way she always speaks her mind not caring who or what opposes her. In fact it was one of the reasons why he had decided she was to be his first mate. Not because she scares him either. Nope a captain must always be fearless in the face of danger. Though she has pushed him to his absolute limit on that one. Boy is she scary when she is angry and that look? That cold look she would give you when you disagree with her. He would never say it outloud but that look simply scares the afterlife out of him.
Snapping back to reality paying a quick glance over his shoulder back towards the old hag in question finding her eyes still on him with a questionable look across her stern features with a grin slowly forming Youngblood motions for Ember to come closer.
" Oh the wench you mean? She so happens to be my boss. A nasty one that one is and to think you've gotten to see her on one of her better days."
Noticing the way the older woman looks crossed as though wanting to intervene at this moment nodding her head in understanding leaning back Ember clears her throat before reaching out to wrap her right arm around Danny's waist.
" Well then good sir, we don't wish to waste anymore of your time. If you will just give us the forms to sign we will be on our way."
" I'm afraid that is out of the question. Good day to you, miss."
Now that she wasn't expecting. Receiving a couple of forms to sign sure. A full disclaimer to ensure the ones responsible for the event couldn't be held accountable for any injury was a no brainer but this? For the little pipsqueak to outright refuse them. He has a lot of nerve.
Why that little!? Alright that's it! Screw it if we have an audience a long overdue spanking is in order!
Seeing the makings of what he likes to call Volcano Mclain about to erupt glancing around to make sure their conversation isn't overheard motioning for her to come closer again as he feels the heat of her hair starting to increase covering the side of his face Youngblood whispers out.
" Are you one hundred percent certain about this lass? I've seen some interesting characters already sign up for this little fiasco. Wouldn't it be better to sit this one out?"
Oh she sees. This was his way of showing his concern towards them. She always knew he had a soft spot for them. So much so that he is doing everything he can to ensure neither of them gets hurt. Well her Babypop anyways. No way is she going to participate in this. She's crazy but not that crazy. Huh? What's that to say about her Babypop then? Is he crazy? Nah! He couldn't be. He's a lot of things but crazy isn't one of them. He was just got roped into doing this by not only Kitty but herself to an extent. All for what? A little prize money? Well not exactly little. It is a whole lot of money. Speaking of which, determining by the way the little pipsqueak seems to have to take up an available job just for a little extra dough he seems to be hurting for cash. So much so that….
And with that Ember's eyes light up causing Youngblood's eyes to go wide in shock. Especially from the way her lips curl up into a predatory grin that makes even his faithful parakeet stop his feeding to take notice of the situation.
" Oh i'm sure. Say Dipstick? Are you looking to earn a little extra green?"
It's like taking candy from a baby!
Was she feeling quite pleased with herself for a job well done? You betcha. Who wouldn't? Everything was now going according to plan. Most of if not all the competition was now taken care of and the best part about it was no one needed to get hurt. Sure she may have had to get her hands a bit dirty but that's just fine with her. A little dirt won't hurt ya. Besides it was for Danny's sake so she's forgiven. At least she will be once she spreads the news to Ember. She can already taste the green coming to them. These Ghost Wars are in the bag now and all she had to do was blow a kiss here and there.
Oh, I can't wait to tell Em the good news! She's gonna be so stoked when she hears her Babypop won't be in any danger thanks to yours truly.
Oh yes she can already picture the pleased look across her best friend's face the moment she hears her husband's competition has been disposed of. Not to mention some of the fancy souvenirs she has picked up along the way.
Just wait until she gets a load of this. I personally think it looks better on me but hey everyone's a critic these days.
Speaking of best friend's as she sees a familiar set of blue hair off in the distance huddled up with the lucky man destined to become the next champion of these little games smiling widely Kitty skips over happily towards them.
" Hey guys!?"
Snapping her head up to look over her shoulder as she sees a smiling Kitty skipping her way happily towards her returning the smile just as she is about to return her attention back to what she was doing before instantly Ember's eyes go wide.
" Where did you get that!?"
Yep she nailed it right on the head. Out of everything she had picked up from all of the stands stationed around the coliseum she knew this would be the one thing her best friend would be interested in the most. She couldn't blame her. The moment her eyes laid upon it she knew she had to have it. The same look she can see in Ember's eyes right now as she stares down at her chest. No in that way! Geez get your minds out of the gutters! No but at the symbol or to be more precise the face in the dead center of her chest.
" You like?"
Doing a quick twirl to show off her latest purchase while keeping her hands noticeably hidden behind her back as she sees a mixture of outrage and longing in her best friend's eyes after a few seconds a wide grin comes across Kitty's face.
" Aww don't look so down Em. I gotcha ya one too. See!?"
Deciding enough she has had enough teasing retracting her hands rearing back Kitty tosses Ember a folded up piece of clothing that is caught easily. Judging from the way her best friend unfolds the article of clothing and raises up to eye level for the whole world to see she knew instantly she had made the right choice in attire. A truly one of a kind article of clothing at least she thinks so. A hockey sweater with Danny's face front and center right dab in the front of the sweater while the name Phantom is etched on the back with the number one right underneath it. A sweater that takes Ember no time at all to put on before within a flash Kitty is right by her side with an arm wrapped around her shoulders.
" We're like twinsies!"
Though she hated to admit it she had to give it to Kitty. This truly is a piece of art. True she should be pissed that someone is out there using her husband's face to earn a little extra green for themselves but hey she isn't heartless. Besides she doesn't know just who they are quite yet. If she did well then it would be a different story. For now she will just enjoy the moment. The mere fact that Danny blushes bright red in embarrassment for seeing such an article of clothing with his face on it is just an added bonus. In fact she will just have to remember to wear this shirt quite often from now on. Maybe even with nothing underneath it?
" Kitty?"
" Hmmm?"
" Where did you get these?"
Oh ho! I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it….
Grinning like a cheshire cat just imagine all the teasing material she now has at her disposal missing the concerned looks she is receiving from all around suddenly a snap from Ember's fingers in front of her face snaps Kitty out of her daze to smile sweetly at her best friend from the way she looks rather annoyed at her silence. So much so that slowly Kitty backs away from Ember while grinning like a mad woman.
" Oh here and there. The shirts, I got at a stand just a little ways from here. The panties, I…."
" What!?"
Cringing at the shout she can still ringing in her ears looking back up as she sees a comical sight of Ember looking as though she is about to burn down the place from the way her hair shoots upward like a rocket while Danny looks directly at her jack jawed with his face turning a deep red grinning sheepishly Kitty scratches the back of her neck as she slowly backs away. That is until one look from Ember stops her head in her tracks and makes her feel like a deer caught in headlights.
" Kitty? Are you wearing said panties right now?"
What could she possibly say right here? That yeah she is wearing new mint condition black panties with her best friend's husband's face sticking out his tongue in the front. This would only result in being burned to a crisp. Nope she is gonna keep her mouth shut on this one.
" Ummm….no?"
Instantly realizing what she had just said quickly covering her mouth with her hands as she sees Ember's eyes go wide in nothing but fury sweating like bullets Kitty's eyes go wide with nothing but fear. In nothing but horror as she watches her best friend's hair grow to dangerous levels making her pale considerably.
Me and my big mouth.
" Oh i'm sure. Say Dipstick? Are you looking to earn a little extra green?"
A stroke of genius on her part but it was to be expected. Especially since it comes from a member of his crew. In fact he was quite peeved that he didn't think of it sooner. No matter in the end they all come out on top. So long as his first mate comes through for him. When she had first spoken of her plan he thought she was out of her mind. Who would in their right mind want to compete in such a death defying event? Well apparently his first mate's mate did. A foolish lad in his book. Didn't he know the whos whos of The Ghost Zone always enter these contests? Names that have struck fear into the hearts of many for centuries? Apparently not and that will be a rather painful lesson for him to learn.
" Youngblood!?"
Snapping back to reality glancing over his shoulder as he sees his boss staring daggers at him sending her a nervous smile looking back forward doing his best to not show how nervous he is feeling Youngblood looks up towards the first of a long line of ghosts awaiting at the end of the table. Oh how he can't wait to see the shock on the old hag's face the moment he quits on her. The both of them. It was no secret to him what his parakeet thinks of the woman going so far as leaving a couple of droppings on her office desk from time to time. Perhaps this time his pet can leave something a bit larger to show how much he appreciated everything she has ever done for him. For now he will play his part and with a quick adjustment of his hat a faint smile comes across Youngblood's face.
" Welcome to Ghost Wars, how tough are you?"
" Geez! You tell one little joke and this is the thanks I get!? What happened to freedom of speech!?"
Glaring over her shoulder towards a pouting Kitty making the message loud and clear through her eyes causing the green haired ghost to instantly shut up rolling her eyes Ember turns her head back forward to look down towards the small bundle in her hands. The key to all of their problems. Well most of them anyways. Some would call what they are doing cheating but not her. No this was different. She would put it simply as strategic planning. There is nothing in the rule book stating what they are doing is illegal. No they simply came across certain papers detailing everything they needed to know.
" Will you shut up and help me already!?"
Letting out a huff with her arms coming to cross over her chest making her way to look over Ember's shoulder towards the stack of papers she is holding reaching around Kitty plucks a couple of papers off from the top of the pile earning an annoyed look that goes unnoticed as she looks down at them herself. The john hancock of every single ghost that signed up for this contest. A list of every single one of the powers they possess. Rather detailed papers if she says so herself. At least that's what she had been told. If only she could get past the signatures. Names she has to blink a few times just to see if she imagining them but to her shock she isn't.
" Umm Em?"
Ignoring the faint voice she can her calling out to her in the distance in favor of focusing down on the papers in her hands as she skims towards the bottom of every single paper choosening to focus on the contents down below feeling someone poking her repeatedly on the shoulder after a couple of seconds Ember snaps her eyes away to glare in Kitty's direction.
" What!?"
" Did you bother to look at the names of the ghosts?"
Rolling her eyes with a shrug of her shoulders Ember turns her attention back down towards the papers in her hands. This pure gold in her hands. They are practically blueprints of how to beat each and every single one of these ghosts. A ghost that can shoot fire like yours truly? No problem. Just extinguish the flame. A ghost that can shoot water? Easy just freeze the water. Yep it is perfect so why bother learning the names of these ghosts that soon will just be stepping stones for her Babypop?
" No? Why bother? Their names don't matter. All that matters is their abilities and with these papers at our disposal my Babypop is gonna be unstoppable."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Really couldn't. The usual logical Ember Mclain was sounding more like well her! She didn't know whether to hug her right now or to scream out in fear! She wouldn't be saying these things if she were to just get a mere glimpse at the names she is seeing. In fact she makes it so when in a sudden move Kitty thrusts a paper right in front of Ember's face causing her to feel the heat from her best friend's anger and annoyance radiating off from her.
" Kitty!? What the hell!?"
" Just look!"
Snatching the paper out of Kitty's hand glancing at her best friend seeing a pointed look rolling her eyes, Ember turns her attention towards the paper in her hand making sure to zone in on the top of the page. To focus in on the name of the ghost on this paper. Like it matters. It's not like it will be anything newswor….
And just like that the moment her eyes lay upon just who had signed this paper instantly Ember's eyes go wide as saucers as the color drains from her face. This look that draws Danny's attention as he looks up from his own paper seeing his wife looking quite frazzled at what she is seeing. Why she is looking like this he honestly could say he has no clue. Some of these ghosts have impressive abilities but not that impressive. He may be a bit biased here but none quite measure up to his wife's along with their mutual friend's abilities. To be able to teleport with a mere thought. To get stronger the more and more people chant your name. To be able to make anyone disappear with a mere kiss. Kick ass abilities in his book. Not to mention some of the more bizarre abilities they have learned recently he himself is capable of.
But this is far from his mind right now as Danny makes his way over to look down and see what has Ember so spooked. To see what has her frozen to her spot in shock making him look down at her paper before right away something catches his eye. The name front and center at the top of the page.
Oh fuck berries.