AN: Lets see if I can keep this update thing going a bit better this time around. I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, thank you all for the wonderful favorites and reviews!
Chapter Five: Tactical Negotiations
Danny looked around in awe at the ancient castle Dora led him through. It had changed greatly since he had last been here when he fought Aragon and saved Sam from the pageant fiasco. Much of the dark and forbidding spires and old tattered gloomy tapestries had been changed, leaving smooth turrets and towers, decorated with light celtic banners in soothing colors.
The dust and webs had been cleared away, and if it weren't for the faint purple tinge to the stone and the hint of green to the sunlight filtering through the large windows the halfa would have assumed he was in a real medieval castle. The wall sconces held dancing bluebell flames that swayed ever so lightly as they passed. They traversed up a spiraling staircase to another short hall before coming to a stop at the most ornate door Danny had ever seen.
Dora knocked lightly and then entered, but seeing as the room was empty Danny figured it was just an old ingrained habit. It seemed like a normal if old study, with a sturdy desk and large windows. A crackling fire in the corner had more of the same fire from the wall torches burning merrily. The light sound of a whispering breeze could be heard whipping around the tall tower they stood in. It wasn't until Danny heard the cheery voice that he realized they weren't alone after all.
"Ah there's my primrose! After Sir Nicholas swooped by my portrait to let me know a young lady of striking resemblance had been by to visit Helena I knew you made it safely, but to see with my own eyes brings this old man an extra sense of comfort indeed. Now, who is this young man next to you? Is he in shock? Shall we call for a healer?" As Danny stared open mouthed at the talking painting that moved he felt completely baffled. While Dora's realm was no longer stuck in the dark ages, they sure as hell shouldn't have video chats in old exquisite frames with painting filters over them yet… right?
"Father, this is Sir Phantom. I have invited him here to discuss matters of aid on behalf of both sides. He is Muggle as well, so I'm sure he's just startled by your presence. He'll snap out of it in a moment. I hope." Dora waited a moment before a slight bit of nervousness showed. She bit her lip and twiddled her thumbs, still staring at Sir Phantom's catatonic gaze. With only a slight timidness to her actions she reached out and tapped his shoulder. His head swiveled towards her and he pointed at her Fathers portrait.
"The painting is talking and moving. It said words, it's looking at me. Why is it laughing at me!?" True to the halfa's word, the portrait had started snickering at the confused boy's expense and with his exclamation it became a hearty chuckle.
"I apologize lad, I don't mean to befuddle you. Perhaps you and my daughter can discuss the issues you are familiar with before she shares her story." With a still glazed expression, Danny nodded before sinking into one of the ancient chairs that sat before the desk. Dora lightly perched on the other one, shaking her head ever so slightly at the slouched posture that did nothing to express the true stature and power of the young man before her. Seeing as Danny wasn't going to start, she began explaining what she would like to provide.
"As I mentioned to you before, I would like to offer you a constant guard to the inside of the Portal that leads to your realm. I could supply a rotating guard of three knights at a time, for a total of twelve for four six hour shifts. I wish I could spare more to aid you, but many of the more unruly ghosts do still tend to cause a bit of trouble and my people feel safe having plenty of knights to patrol. You may of course speak to any and all of the volunteers should you wish to ease any concerns you may have." Danny glanced at her and straightened up in his seat, bracing his elbows upon his knees. Tendrils of snowy hair shielded his thoughtful eyes from her sight until he glanced up at her.
"The only thing I don't understand is why you want to help me. No other ghosts besides Frostbite and Clockwork have extended any sort of truce, let alone actual aid in the day to day protection of Amity. Is there something you want in return?"
"I could never hope to repay you for your help in freeing us from Aragon's rule," A quick glance at the dark and confused expression upon her fathers face reminded her that she had yet to tell him of Aragon's decent into twisted madness, a tale for later, "let alone even begin to touch the surface of what you did in defeating Pariah Dark. I dare say it makes you the high king of the Zone by right, should you choose to claim the throne. It is the least I can do to give you some small measure of peace. However; I do have something I dare ask of you- but please, feel no burden to accept or agree on my behalf. You have enough resting upon your shoulders as is Sir Phantom."
As Phantom gazed intently at her she felt as if his fierce peridot eyes were searing through her, searching for the slightest hint of a lie in her words. Luckily for her she was as honest and true as she could possibly be. The hero gave a slight shake to his head and his shoulders relaxed. With a small smile he turned to her,
"Alright, what's this story you wish to tell me and what can I do to help?"
Helena drifted through the walls of Hogwarts, enjoying the quiet at last after the long semester of an overfilled school. The tournament had been something she had hoped would never return. Trust the magical government to endanger and risk the children of their world.
She found herself led back to the Astronomy tower, her favorite perch all throughout the castle. She loved gazing at the endless sky, and now she had the most wonderful memories of reuniting with her oldest friend to fill the space as well.
As she floated up through the floor of the open viewing area she found her musing space to be occupied by another soul deep in thoughts. The headmaster looked out upon the grounds of his school with lines of worry etched deep in his face.
The profile of his crooked nose and downturned lips had Helena concerned. It was rare to see past his mask of cheer and wizened smiling of mischief. His subdued air made the tower feel downtrodden, as if the very wards of the castle were reaching out to him in sympathy and comfort.
Hoping she wasn't intruding beyond her bounds she came nearer to him and rested upon the railing as well as she could without truly touching it. She gave him a slight smile,
"Care to ramble to some old ears Headmaster?" His eyes lightened ever so slightly.
"I always have found solace in council with my elders." She smirked slightly at the long going joke the two had shared. The headmaster loved pointing out her far older age despite her eternally youthful face. And while he jested she knew he genuinely did appreciate hearing her take on matters, as she had centuries of knowledge to contribute. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, a weak sigh easing past his lips.
"It appears I am at a disadvantage for the coming war. Cornelius refuses to see reason and has me pegged as an old lunatic rambling out of senility and paranoia. Without his acceptance of Tom's return I fear that we shall be far underprepared as a nation." Helena wished she could place a gentle hand upon his shoulder to ease some of the burden he faced, but after centuries of mistakes born from the same intent she knew all too well it would only bring him shivers and discomfort.
"Regardless Hogwarts will stand proud and defend any children who call her home."
"Of course. Enough of this sad talk, perhaps you could regale this old man with tales of your reunion with your friend. It's not so often our lovely school is host to a princess, let alone one that's capable of crashing through the wards like a dragon in a china shop." The professor's knowing eyes seemed to glance her way, chuckling slightly at her minutely shocked expression.
"I admit that Dora is unlike the ghosts that walk our halls, but I feel that it is not my right to tell her tale, especially without her present." The old man nodded his head and adjusted his half-moon spectacles as they balanced precariously upon the tip of his nose.
"It is admirable to see such loyalty. I hope that I may become privy to her story some day, as I find myself quite curious." Helena felt compelled to let the headmaster know of her friend's desire to aid in the coming war, but until she knew to what extent her friend could assist she deemed it necessary to hold her tongue.
"I hope that you shall hear it sooner rather than later, as it is quite miraculous." The headmaster let loose a slight chuckle.
"My dear, now you're just teasing me." The Ravenclaw ghost gave a small smile, before deciding to continue her drifting elsewhere, to allow the headmaster more peace and privacy for his thoughts.
"I suppose I've intruded upon your musing long enough, I bid you a good night Headmaster." Having a nod of thanks sent her way, Helena paid no attention to the physicality of the floor and sank into it, meandering off through the empty halls of her home.
The fireplace continued burning throughout the two ghosts' talk, the bluebell flames licking at the green tinged wood but never seeming to burn it. The last bit of light had faded from the Zone outside, leaving the office nearly dark, save the glow being projected from the two beings speaking and the pale blue light from the fire. If not for the cozy warm feeling, one would find it to be eerie in the unnatural light.
"So, let me get this straight- there are other ghosts out there, shades that are peaceful and harmless, but only in the magical world? And magic, that's a thing. Like, real magic."
"Yes, I wish I could show you but I have no proof here besides the enchantment upon my fathers portrait." The painting in question held a now snoring king, apparently lulled to sleep by the gentle voice of his daughter regaling a story he had heard many times.
"What I don't understand is why do you think I would be any help? The war thing going on is just targeting humans right? Why are the ghosts in danger? What could I do against Wizards? I'm just a 'muggly' what'chamacallit."
"If the dark wizard Voldemort succeeds in his campaign t against the magicals who oppose him, he shall take the school and subject all who inhabit it to the most evil treatment. Those who live on as shades will be forced to see their eternal home ripped apart and destroyed. Magic itself will be desecrated. For now the school is a safe haven, a place of learning and laughter for humans, and home to many ghosts- including my dear childhood friend."
"I want to help, but how? It's all the way in Scotland, I have Amity to protect, and there's no way I could infiltrate the school as a human. I don't have magic." The halfa shrugged in a hopeless fashion, truly not seeing what he could do to help in any scenario.
"The wizarding kind are not familiar with our form of ghostly manifestation. We have power they know not, and as such no way to defend against us. We could aid them in the apprehension of the Dark Wizard and stand as protectors over their school." She knew it was a bit of a stretch, as it relied on hiding in plain sight and perhaps informing at least a few wizards of their presence, which did put them at somewhat of a risk- especially Sir Phantom, with his human half to protect and keep secret.
"I.. I don't know Dora. I still don't like the idea of leaving Amity unprotected, even with your knights to guard the inside of the portal. And if they've never seen our form of ghost, how do we just blend in without them asking questions?"
"Their shades look like us when intangible, we would merely have to retain intangibility to go unnoticed besides simply being seen as visiting specters. My friend Helena has long been an inhabitant of the school, her vouching for us would remove much of the suspicion. As to the protection of Amity, perhaps Lord Frostbite would be willing to appoint a guard to the portal as well. Few ghosts are brave enough to challenge a citizen of the Far Frozen. His people coupled with my knights would ensure the portal is well defended from any threat." Danny steepled his hands, gazing at the pale fingertips that squished themselves together.
He noticed a slight fray along the edge of one of the fingerless glove tips and picked at it absently. The halfa was deep in thought considering what Dora had shared. It went against his morals to leave so many, human and ghost alike, undefended from a threat… but it truly wasn't his war to fight.
A deep wave moved through his chest, emanating from his core. He felt the need to protect and desire to help rise through his being. Knowing Amity would be safe drained even more of his willpower to fight his obsessive need to help away. He knew he could fight the compelling need to aid those at the magical school if he really needed to, a perk of being a halfa was power over his obsession. But did he want to? If Amity was safe, why not help someone else? He would get to see Scotland, and learn about real magic for Clockworks sake!
It was even the start of summer break after school tomorrow, so it wasn't that big of a deal for him to be gone. He could tell his parents he signed up for a NASA summer camp or something, he had the flyers sitting on his desk to back it up. The only issue would be telling Sam and Tucker. No doubt they would be worried and think he was insane for adding more to his plate. At least with Jazz off at college already planning to double up on summer courses he wouldn't have to deal with her worrying as well.
"I think I need a bit more time to think it over Dora, but I'll definitely take you up on the stationed guard you've offered. I'll interview them some other time, for now feel free to send them over. I'll pop in and say hey while they're guarding the portal." The princess nodded, a smile upon her lilac lips and a happy gleam in her crimson eyes. Even if Sir Phantom said no, the fact that he was willing to consider coming to her friend's aid warmed her to the core.
The teen rose from his seat, stretching his back with a mighty pop that startled Dora. So long as a ghost she had forgotten the feeling of a skeletal structure popping to realign. She found it interesting that Sir Phantom retained that in his ghostly form. He gave a slight yawn and squinted his eyes, more than likely quite exhausted as their talk had extended well into the night. She rose from her seat and offered to guide him out and back to his portal, but he quickly waved her off.
"I know the way back, thank you for the hospitality though. I'll come back in a few days with my decision if I can."
"Thank you for listening Sir Phantom, it was an honor to see you." He smiled and shook his head as he lifted a few inches above the floor, much like she herself was floating.
"Danny is fine Dora, it's what all of my friends call me." She felt a bit of warmth from her fiery core tinge her cheeks, overjoyed at the thought of being considered this halfa's friend.
"Goodnight Danny, thank you again." With a smile and a wave, he began his flight through the now dark and quiet halls of her castle. Watching from the tower window she saw the small blur of ebony and snow zip into the depths of the Ghost Zone at a speed that even she in her draconian form couldn't hope to reach.
That Friday was full of thought for Danny. As the last day of the school year he had plenty of time to ponder over Dora's request. There hadn't been a single ghost attack all of last night or today, so the halfa knew Dora had been true to her word in stationing a guard. After he had gotten home last night he had tossed and turned for a while, mind reeling with the information and options that had been presented to him.
Despite being oblivious to most things, he had noticed Sam and Tuckers worried glances being exchanged over his shoulders. He supposed he had been pretty quiet today, far from the other students with their lackadaisical cheering at the end of another school year. As they left the school building the trio wandered to the Nasty Burger, which was quickly filling up with students that had similar after school plans.
Danny ordered his food on autopilot and snagged the last corner booth for his friends while they received their orders. Tucker slid in beside him while Sam sat across from them. She smacked her tray down with a little excess, startling Danny out of his train of thought.
"Okay Danny, spill. What has you so stressed out and quiet?" He saw right past her annoyed glare and to the friendly concern beneath it. A pang of guilt flared up for worrying his friends.
"Notice the lack of ghosts today?" The two humans exchanged a brief look and thoughtful expressions crossed their faces. Tucker nodded as he stuffed a bite of his triple decker extra meaty NastyBurger into his mouth, a dribble of the establishment's signature NastySauce smearing his cheek. Sam poked at her salad with a disgusted grimace before turning back to Danny.
"Yeah, I suppose it has been quiet. Think they're plotting something?" Danny shook his head.
"No, I took Dora up on her offer to station some Knights on the inside of the portal." Tucker choked slightly on his full mouth of food, and Sam merely looked baffled.
"Why? How can you trust her? Just because she doesn't come and attack doesn't mean she isn't helping someone that will! She could just be getting your guard down! She's a ghost Danny, you of all people should know they can't be trusted!" With a bit too much frustration bubbling up Danny's eyes flashed a startling acid green. It took all of his strength to avoid raising his voice enough to gather attention.
"How have you and Tucker not realized what your jabs about ghosts mean to me? I am a ghost. All of those crappy things you say about ghosts being evil and not trustworthy apply to me too. At the very least half of me!" The two looked taken aback by his slight outburst, and Tucker was the first to reply.
"It's just… It's different dude, you're not like them, ya know? You're more human than ghost really." Danny clenched his teeth in frustration.
"But I'm not Tuck. I constantly feel my ghost half just under the surface, I have an obsession- it just happens to be protection instead of destruction. Not all ghosts are evil, you should know that by now. Wulf, Clockwork, Frostbite, and Dora! And there are more out there too. You're so quick to judge these days! You guys used to be the ones encouraging me to give people second chances and hope for the best, I don't know how I ended up being the optimistic one in this scenario."
The two teens looked abashed as they considered his words. They had forgotten the 'good' ghosts lately. Even if they didn't attack, they never really helped either, so they tended to slip past their memories forgotten. Even harsher to their guilt was the fact that they had been hurting Danny this entire time with their thoughtless comments. Neither of the two realized that he had been interpreting their words in that way.
"I'm sorry Danny. I didn't realize we were being so hurtful." Sam rubbed at her shoulder and absently scooted her salad around in its bowl.
"I am too man, I just.. we didn't realize." The techno-geek ducked his head, his enthusiasm to tear into his burger diminished to nibbling on a fry. Danny sighed, worried he had been a bit too blunt.
"It's fine guys, sorry I didn't say anything sooner." An awkward silence enveloped the three, theirs was the only quiet table in the bustling fast-food joint. Determined to break it, Danny continued. "So, will you guys hear me out about this Dora thing?" The two teens looked up at him and nodded, determined to prove that they would be more open minded.
"Essentially she wanted to help keep Amity safe for two reasons, the first as a thank you for the whole Aragon thing, and for beating Pariah Dark too. The second reason… She also asked me for a favor, and keeping Amity safe is sort of essential to me agreeing." The two looked a bit worried but held their tongues.
"Long story short, there's this magical school and it's in danger from this crazy psycho wizard dude, and she thinks I can help save all the humans and ghosts that stay at the school. It's some castle in Scotland, apparently magical ghosts are different and harmless, kinda just intangible shades, and a lot of them are really worried about this war thing. I think I could really help, she's kind of got a plan and all. I think I'm going to do it." Sam and Tucker stared at their friend, sure that he had finally cracked and gone insane.
"Dude I don't know what you're smoking but I want some." Tucker's joke broke the odd silence and all three teens gave a slight laugh. "So you really believe all that is true?" Danny nodded,
"She kind of proved it to me. She's got this enchanted portrait in her dad's old study, and it's like, alive. It's her father, and he moves, talks, even snores. I think I'll go talk to Clockwork and see if he can tell me anything, but I'm almost positive she's being honest. And her kingdom… her people seem so happy now. This little ghost kid ran up and handed me a flower, everyone was polite… Even the land itself seems so healthy and flourishing, it's not creepy at all anymore. I think what we've seen of the Ghost Zone is just a small portion. What if there are others out there like Dora and her people. Like Frostbite and the Far Frozen. Heck, even Pandora! Isn't it worth it to give it all a chance? I'm so burnt out on all of the mistrust and doubt, I've got to focus on something hopeful." Sam and Tucker exchanged quick glances and a smile. Sam nodded her head and began speaking,
"You're really great Danny, you know that? I won't say I'm not still a bit worried, but you're right. It's worth a chance to know that it's not all bad in the Zone. Plus, you could probably help the wizards or whatever a lot. And if Amity stays safe regardless, that's even more off your shoulders. Just.. promise to keep in touch if you go? Maybe contact Wulf again, see if he'd be willing to help out with some portals for quick communication?" Danny smiled, his mood brightened by his friends loyalty and faith in him. He felt like kicking himself for even thinking that they thought poorly of him.
"I will, and of course I'll keep in touch. There's probably still a while before I head out, we need to do a bit more planning and get things figured out, and I definitely want to stop in to talk with Clockworks and Frostbite to see what they think. Thanks for listening, you guys are the best." The three friends moved onto lighter topics from there, a peaceful air filling the table.
After they finished their food they went for a stroll through the mall and stopped in at the arcade. By the time six rolled around they decided to part ways for the evening. Danny gave them a wave from the steps of Fenton Works as they headed back towards their own houses. This could all work out, he had a support system and friends here and in the Zone.
Speaking of the Zone, Danny headed down to the basement, thankfully empty of his parents as they had decided to go on a run to the store (his dad was out of fudge again). Switching to his ghostly half in a brilliant flash and ring of light, the halfa hopped into the air and shot through the portal. He had a master of time to chat with.
AN: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm hoping the situation with Sam and Tucker is a bit smoother and makes a little sense now. I'm needing it to feel a bit like they've grown apart while still maintaining a support group for Danny to keep him feeling good about his choice to help Dora. As always, feedback and suggestions are always welcome!