Danny waited until Harry's breathing slowed before rolling out of bed. He moved silently towards the window, but paused to glance back at his sleeping brother. Harry's quiet, dejected words replayed in his mind, but Danny turned away and climbed out the window.
Flying high in the sky, Danny quickly made his way to Casper High's football field. They had decided to use the field for training since it was a wide open space, and the high school's gym equipment was easier to move than Sam's mattress. Zipping through the school, Danny quickly pulled out some mats and archery targets they might need and carried them outside. He placed them neatly before Sam and Tucker, who were patiently waiting for him in the bleachers. Tucker was already typing furiously on his PDA, while Sam leaned over him, observing his progress.
They had been following this routine for almost a week now. Tucker had been working on breaking Skulker's code, while Sam gave Danny exercises to improve his ghost powers. They were so committed that they even agreed to meet tonight, despite it being Christmas Eve.
"Thanks again for doing this, guys. Spending the night before Christmas helping me train isn't the most ideal choice. I hope I'm not causing you any stress at home," Danny began, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Nonsense! My family usually sleeps in on Christmas," Tucker reassured, glancing up from his PDA at his friend.
Sam shrugged nonchalantly. "Hanukkah's already over, and there's no tears over missing the most commercialized holiday of the year."
Their willingness to help caused a smile to form. "I said it once, but I'll say it again. You guys are the best."
"You can thank us when you finish off Skulker," Sam commented. "Will you be alright training tonight?"
Danny nodded. "We're thinking that Mom and Dad forgot it's Christmas tomorrow since they've been holed up with their research. Regardless, there won't be much family time." He tried to hide his disappointment, but Sam and Tucker saw through it and gave him a sympathetic look. Feeling awkward, Danny shrugged and gave them a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, I'm just glad I didn't have to suffer the annual Santa debate."
Seeing that Danny was trying to lighten the mood, Sam returned the gesture with a smirk, and stood up. Stretching, she asked, "Are you ready?"
Danny's eyes filled with determination. "What's the plan?"
"Tonight, you're going to fight me,'' she replied, giving her friend a fierce grin.
Danny raised an eyebrow. "No offense, Sam, but I think I could finish you off pretty easily."
"Not without your powers," she began, walking towards the mats and picking one up. Seeing her spread them out side-by-side, Danny moved to assist. "You're improving your endurance when it comes to invisibility and intangibility, and we've gained some traction with aiming your ectoblasts, however, you still stink when it comes to movement and reaction time. Tonight, I want you to train without using your powers so that you can feel the flow of a fight. Who knows, Skulker might have a gadget that nullifies your power. You might need to rely on your human strength alone." Seeing Danny's unsure expression she crossed her arms. "What, are you afraid to fight a girl?" she goaded.
Danny shook his head and smirked. "You're on Sam."
Tucker snorted, "You're dead, bro."
"You're not focused!" Sam growled as she once again tossed Danny on the mat. Tucker had long ceased code breaking, and was cackling madly as he filmed the epic smackdown. Danny groaned and rolled onto his back.
"If I wanted a beat down, I would've found Dash," he complained, sitting up. Sam marched in front of him, and stood with her hands on her hips. She glared at Tucker, who instantly stilled. He nervously followed her silent demand and looked back at his PDA, typing away to break Skulker's armor code. Satisfied, Sam moved her gaze to her fallen friend.
"Danny, I'm not even trained to fight and you're getting your butt kicked. How is it that you can't defend yourself when your mom is a ninth degree black belt?" she chided.
"Mom was always too busy to train us," Danny grumbled, not meeting her eyes. Ever since the Lunch Lady incident, he had avoided talking about his parents to his friends.
Sam hesitated, deciding to let the topic drop. "Well, you're also distracted." Before Danny could retort she continued in a softer tone, "Danny, you can tell us if something is on your mind."
Danny deflated. "It's just all so… overwhelming," he admitted. "We're already a quarter of the way through our ceasefire, and despite all the effort we've put in, I'm still a lousy fighter. At this rate, this Christmas will be my last."
"At least then you won't have to worry about the annual Santa debacle," Tucker supplied unhelpfully. Sam shot him a look, and he held his hands up in surrender. "What? I'm only trying to cheer him up."
"Danny, you're not down for the count yet. I know training has not been the easiest, but you really are improving. Just four days ago you could hardly maintain intangibility for 5 minutes. Since then it's tripled. At the rate you're going, you might be able to hold it for the duration of a fight."
"Yeah, and last week your ectobolts would hit anywhere between the scoreboard and Sam's weird up-do." Sam sent Tucker another glare, while Danny glanced guiltily at her singed fringe.
Tucker smiled nervously at the goth, but pressed on. "Now, you hit the target four out of ten times. Come January, you'll be able to bring a heavy offense. And if that fails, you have me." He puffed out his chest. "Techno geek extraordinaire. I'll hack that Hunter XX Machina and send his butt home."
"This isn't about training, is it?" Sam guessed, placing a hand on Danny's knee.
Danny looked away. "It's part of it…. but….. keeping all this from Jazz and Harry is taking a toll at home."
"So tell them," she offered.
"I can't," Danny stated bitterly. "All these ghosts know who I am - they know my human half. What if they start using the people I love to get to me? Skulker's already hurt you two, and I don't think I could take it if anyone else is caught in the crossfire. The more people I let in on my secret, the more danger they're in." He placed a hand on his core and continued, "Not to mention if Jazz thinks I'm in danger, the first thing she'll do is go to Mom and Dad, and you've already heard what they'll do to my ghost half."
Sam and Tucker flinched. Ever since Danny's accident and the introduction of ghosts to Amity Park, Danny's parents had been discussing ways to capture the ghost boy menace dubbed 'Invisobill', and how they would conduct painful experiments to learn more about ghosts and what makes them tick. After one particularly gruesome discussion, which involved plans of dissecting Danny's alter ego, the three friends had been avoiding hanging out at Fentonworks.
"Once this ordeal with Sulker is finished, and I get strong enough to protect everyone, I'll tell them," Danny vowed, while standing up and rolling his shoulders. "But until then, I'll have to work harder." He took a defensive stance and faced Sam. "You up for another round?"
Sam smirked. "You're on."
"Again, you're dead, bro."
"Have been for two weeks, bro."
Harry woke up to the sound of the window sliding open. Rolling over, he saw Danny standing beside it, softly closing it.
"What are you doing?" he grumbled blearily.
Startled, Danny jumped and spun around.
"Harry! I-I was…I-It," he stuttered as he struggled to find a valid excuse. "It was too stuffy in here s-so I opened the window."
"Then why did you close it?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. The sun had not risen yet, but the dark sky was already lightening in anticipation.
Danny shifted. "It was colder than I thought," he lied.
Harry nodded, accepting the response, and got up to stretch. "Well, I'm still jet-lagged, or I should say floo-lagged," he grinned at Danny. "I'll make us some breakfast."
Danny glanced longingly at his bed, but returned Harry's smile and nodded. "Breakfast sounds great. Think anyone will throw a fit if I make us some coffee?"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you drink coffee?"
Danny shrugged, still smiling. "I haven't, but I've always wanted to try it."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Do you even know how to make coffee?"
"No time like the present!" Danny stated cheerfully. He pushed past Harry and bounced down the stairs. He took a moment to look at the empty Christmas tree before moving to the kitchen. He and Jazz had set it up a week before Harry arrived, but Jazz decorated it on her own. A ghost had attacked, and Danny had made a weak excuse to go stop it. Her crestfallen expression as he left was still fresh in his mind. Just another way I'm disappointing my family, Danny thought sullenly.
He pushed his dark thoughts aside before they could spiral. "Looks like we were right; they forgot all about Christmas," Danny commented to make conversation.
Harry followed behind him with a scowl. "Figures," he grumbled. "It's not that they didn't get us anything, trust me I can do without the ectoguns and ecto-covered fudge, but Christmas is usually one of the few days they actually set aside their work to do something with us. One of the few times we mattered more than their work…."
Danny filled the coffee pot with water and set it on the counter. "You know, I've always hated Christmas," he began, gazing intently at the pot. "How Mom and Dad would fight endlessly over the whole 'Santa is real' thing." He began fiddling roughly with the brew machine, a glare forming on his face. "But I think I'd rather have them trying to kill each other over Santa, than boasting about what they did to their most recent catch."
Harry hadn't been home long, but he'd heard plenty of Jack and Maddie's ghostly adventures. So far the only things they'd managed to catch were small ghost creatures, but the descriptions of what they did to them were horrifying. Apparently, Danny felt the same way. Harry was both surprised at the despondent tone in his brother's voice, and the honest confession. Danny was finally opening up to him, if only a little, and he didn't want to scare him off.
"I think the water should be poured in here," he commented softly, pointing to the back of the device. As Danny poured, he continued, "What they're doing is cruel."
"They just don't know," Danny defended, pulling out the coffee ground container. Harry disagreed. Their parents refused to acknowledge his comments on the peaceful ghosts at Hogwarts, and continued to stick with their previous theories without trying to prove them wrong first. He opened his mouth to voice this, but faltered at the look Danny was giving him. He looked as if he was trying to convince himself more than Harry. As if he couldn't handle the alternative.
"Yeah," Harry agreed after a long pause. They both knew his response was a lie, but neither spoke. Instead, they continued their work in silence. Harry pulled out bacon and eggs from the fridge and a mixing bowl for pancakes. He started stirring the ingredients while Danny looked at the coffee container with a furrowed brow.
"I can't tell how much to stick in," he grumbled, looking at Harry questioningly.
"Don't look at me, all they have at Hogwarts is tea," Harry stated.
Danny wrinkled his nose. "Not enough caffeine."
Harry deadpanned. "Why do you need caffeine? You're eleven!"
Danny shrugged and just started scooping heaps of coffee grounds. He couldn't tell Harry that he needed caffeine because he was secretly training at night to stop an evil assassin ghost from skinning him alive. Harry would either panic and use magic accidentally, refuse to go back to Hogwarts so that he could help, or worst of all, think it was all a joke.
He was preparing himself to spout some ridiculous excuse with full confidence so that Harry would take the lie, when Harry's dejected whisper surfaced; Danny, don't leave me too.
Danny internally winced. Lying to his brother wouldn't do him any good in mending a breaking relationship. Maybe he could mention part of it, without bringing up the whole half-dead part. He mulled it over while pouring the grounds into the top compartment of the coffee maker. Making a decision, Danny glanced toward the living room to make sure there were no eavesdroppers. Satisfied, he looked at his brother and said in a small voice, "Can you keep a secret?"
Harry stopped cooking and looked at his brother. His baggy eyes, which spoke of sleepless nights, suddenly held an intensity that no kid his age should have. "Of course," he murmured.
Danny took a moment to warily size Harry up before releasing a breath. "I'm the one who's been releasing the ghosts," he admitted.
Harry looked at his brother curiously. It explained Danny's skittish behavior and his exhaustion. Jack and Maddie were up all hours of the night working on their experiments. Their schedule was unpredictable and it wouldn't surprise Harry if Danny stayed up and waited until he heard them going to bed before releasing the ghosts.
But this didn't explain his motive. Why didn't Danny follow along in their parents' beliefs? He didn't know anything about ghosts, so it would only be natural for him to go along with the supposed experts. Harry mulled this over as the pancake behind him started to smoke.
Danny watched his brother's reaction nervously. Swallowing thickly, he continued, "I-I can hear their screams from our room. I just couldn't take it anymore. Sometimes, I'll make a distraction that causes them to step out of the lab, and I'll get in quick. Mom and Dad are crushed each time one escapes, but after what I've seen and heard, ghosts can definitely feel pain and I just can't sit here and do-" Harry cut his brother's rambling off.
"Danny, you don't have to make excuses. This is - wow." Seeing Harry's relaxed and almost happy demeanor, Danny took a relieved breath and waited for Harry to continue. "So you've been sneaking into the lab and releasing the ghosts Mom and Dad catch?" Danny nodded. "How come I haven't heard their screams? You know, I haven't even seen any of the ghosts that you guys talk about."
Danny paled. Originally he had heard the screams due to his enhanced hearing. Clearing his throat he gave a partial truth. "They haven't caught anything recently. For some reason, there's been fewer ghost sightings. I overheard a few of them talking about some sort of ghost truce."
"Do Mom and Dad suspect you?"
"No, they think it's Invisobill."
"What do you do with their equipment? Dad said the core extrapolator was destroyed."
Danny shrugged, pressing the on button on the coffee maker and sitting at the table. All that was left to do was wait. "I pull wires, screws, and circuit boards. Whatever I can get away with when they're not looking. As for the extrapolator," he gave a self righteous smirk. "I tossed it in the Fenton Furnace." Harry looked at his brother, shocked that he would go to such extremes. Danny shrugged nonchalantly, giving Harry a wry look. "What can I say, I've had a lot of practice."
Harry rolled his eyes thinking back to the little menace's pranking streak, but he couldn't hold back a smile. Sure, he was worried that Danny might be in over his head with this 'helping ghosts' business, and that it might end up bringing more dangerous ghosts to Amity Park, but he couldn't help but be happy. Danny was finally confiding in him, and his secret was something to be proud of. Danny was sticking to his morals and standing up for others, even though it was going against their parents. He glanced fondly at his brother who was dozing at the table.
"Smells good, Harry!" came Jack's cheerful voice. Danny startled awake, his eyes fearful. He quickly schooled his expression back to his tired one, and made himself useful by setting the table. Maddie and Jack walked in brightly.
"Oh sweetie, you made coffee for us too?! Aren't you just the sweetest," Maddie smiled. Danny watched her pour herself and Jack a cup, silently hoping that there would be enough for him to sneak one, too.
Harry gave Danny a sympathetic smile, and replied, "That was Danny. Breakfast should be ready in five minutes."
Maddie took a sip of the coffee and grimaced. The gritty texture of the drink and the overly bitter taste spoke of one too many scoops and the lack of a coffee filter. Setting the cup down she spotted Danny eyeing the coffee. Thinking he was waiting for her reaction, she forced a smile and said, "Thanks Danny, it's wonderful."
Danny gave a tight smile back and nodded.
Soon the four were sitting around the kitchen with a plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs to feast on. Danny was even able to sneak the last bit of coffee by pretending it was hot chocolate. Any normal parent would have caught him right away, but the Fentons were anything but normal. Someone called Jazz down and when she entered the room, a tense, silent anger surrounded her, despite her calm face.
"Jazzy-pants! Harry made us breakfast!" Jack exclaimed, happily.
"Thanks, Harry," she said through a tight smile. There appeared to be plenty of those going around today.
"What's the occasion, son?" Jack asked absentmindedly.
Jazz let her fork clattered on the table. "What's the occasion?! Do you realize what day it is?!" she yelled furiously.
"Jazz," Danny said warningly. The last thing he needed was the Santa Debacle along with all the ghost talk.
"It's okay, Jazz," Harry added placatingly. He didn't want the day to be ruined with yelling.
"No, it's not okay, Harry," Jazz growled. She turned to their parents. "It's Christmas, and you've been too busy playing crazy scientists to notice."
"Christmas isn't today, honey, it's next week," Maddie stated calmly.
"No, Mom, it's today. Check the calendar," She replied firmly. Jazz closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. When she opened them again she looked determined.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you, but family traditions are important for the healthy growth of the adolescent mind. They've come to rely and depend on them and when you take them away, it leaves them lost and struggling to find a new sense of normalcy."
"Jaaazzz," Harry complained. The psycho babble was getting old.
Jazz ignored him. "Not to mention that you've been so busy with your precious portal that you haven't even noticed that your children need you. Do you even know that Danny's been skipping school?" She glanced fiercely at Danny. "Or that he's drinking coffee right now?"
Danny sputtered mid-sip. Between the coughs that ensued, he managed to say, "It's hot cocoa!"
"Yeah, and I'm Santa Claus," Jazz deadpanned. "Look, I know you're excited about how the ghosts are finally turning up here, but you have to take some time to take care of your family."
Jazz's outburst had an effect on Maddie, who realized that the ghost portal was taking a toll on her children. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry. Is there any way we can make it up to you all?"
Jazz breathed a sigh of relief. Jack and Maddie were finally taking this seriously. She'd been subtly bringing Christmas up for the past week, hoping that her parents would get the hint, but it looked like blunt honesty was the only way to get through to them. "You can spend the day with us," she stated. She noticed Danny wince but chose to ignore it.
"We'll clear the whole day for you kids!" Jack exclaimed. He didn't like seeing everyone down, especially now that he knew it was Christmas. "Maddie, grab the presents!"
Maddie gave him a guilty look. "Honey, we never went shopping," she murmured. Turning to her kids, she said, "But we'll have a second celebration, and get you each something. What would you like?"
Taken aback, Jazz took a moment to think. "Well, I've been saving up money to buy Penelope Spectra's new book."
Maddie smiled. "Say no more, we'll go to the bookstore tomorrow." Jazz smiled gratefully.
Jack turned to Harry, "What would you like, Harry?"
Harry shrugged. Gifts never mattered much to him unless they were sentimental. "I could use some wool socks, and maybe some pens. Most of my classmates use a quill, but screw tradition, pens are more practical."
Jack nodded. "That's the spirit, son!"
"Danny!" Maddie scolded, and everyone turned to see him taking another sip of his coffee. She proceeded to snatch his mug, pouring the rest of its contents into hers. Danny slumped and watched her petulantly. "You better watch yourself, mister, or you'll be on the naughty list."
"You don't even believe in Santa," Danny argued.
"Don't play cute with me, Danny. What do you want for Christmas?"
Danny opened his mouth to give a retort about coffee, but Sam's voice surfaced. How is it that you can't defend yourself when your mom is a ninth degree black belt? Swallowing nervously, he said, "C-Could you teach me how to fight?"
Harry and Jazz looked at their brother both stunned and confused. With raised eyebrows Maddie asked, "What brought this on, sweetie?"
Danny shifted uneasily. "Well with all the g-ghosts around I thought it would be good to know how to defend myself." He didn't like putting the blame on ghosts, but seeing as they were the cause in this case, he didn't dwell too much on it. Seeing his mother's hesitance, he pressed on, "I'll listen to everything you say. If you don't have a lot of time that's fine, I can be flexible. Please?"
Maddie opened her mouth to tell her son that she was too busy for lessons and wouldn't be able to fit them between her research, when she caught Jazz's expectant glare. The look all but told her that she messed up, and she'd have to make it up to her kids if she wanted to keep peace in this household. She sighed with resignation. "Oh alright."
Danny pumped his fist in the air and exclaimed loudly, "YES!"
Giving her son a playfully glare, Maddie added, "But I won't go easy on you, mister."
"I promise you won't regret it!" Danny said excitedly. Or maybe she will when she sees that Phantom is getting better at fighting.
"Though, it'd be more practical learning how to shoot an ectogun," Maddie mused.
"No!" Danny shouted. He imagined getting hit several times with the ectoplasmic gun that wasn't supposed to hurt humans and winced. He hastily formed an explanation. "You've already shown us how an ectogun works. Heck, I can even make my own at this point! I'd rather learn some martial arts."
"If you're sure," Maddie relented. She smiled at her son. "We can start this afternoon."
Danny beamed. If he could get hand-to-hand training from his mom during the day, and power training at night, then Danny might have a chance at defeating Skulker. With three weeks to go, Danny vowed to try his hardest. His life depended on it.
A/N - I hope you enjoyed! Thanks again for all your comments!
FYI - I'm delayed this week, and will most likely be delayed next week too. The next chapter needs some heavy revisions.