Downward Spiral by SupremeDramaOverlord

Chapter 19 - Always be Yourself, Unless You Can be a Dragon

Danny's POV~

It wasn't like falling. It was more like gravity couldn't decide which way to throw me. The air around me was pulling in every direction like a million different vacuums. My stomach did somersaults and I had to shut my eyes against the blinding emerald lights that flew past.

And then it abruptly stopped.

My eyes snapped open and I saw the other side of my parents' portal flicker out of existence. Leaving me trapped on the wrong side. But I quickly realized that I had bigger problems. Because the moment the portal fizzed out, I had a full view of the creature lurking behind it.

It was a ghost - or at least I thought it was a ghost. I had never seen one quite like this one. It was as if a piece of the night sky had fallen and stolen the shape of a monster. Its' body was an endless expanse of space with stars dotting its skin. It turned, its' eyes like two small suns that shined sharper than the blade of a knife. Where its' mouth should have been there was a line of silver stitches suspended over a black void.

Without making a sound, the creature pounced for me. I was too stunned to do anything but scream. I've never screamed so loud in my life. But just before it grabbed me, something else grabbed it. My jaw dropped as I stared up at a literal. Freaking. Dragon!

Rooted to the spot, I gaped as the massive dragon violently backhanded the creature before sending a torrent of blue fire to ward it off. Then unexpectedly, the dragon turned its slitted eyes on me and spoke in an oddly feminine voice.

"Get on my back. Now!"

I must have been too shocked or maybe I was just insane but either way, I obeyed. I hopped on top of the waiting back. Clutching for dear life, I held on tight as the dragon took off at an incredible speed. In less than a second we had left behind the creature behind, the surrounding world nothing more than a blur as the dragon's powerful wings carried us away.

After a few minutes, my brain seemed to have finally caught up with my current situation. Warily, I shifted on top of the cool scales but I didn't loosen my grip. A sickening feeling was growing inside my chest, spreading through my limbs till my arms started shaking. I didn't know what to freak out about first. Should it be the fact that some nightmarish thing nearly killed me, or that a freaking dragon of all things was taking me to some unknown location, or was it the knowledge that I was trapped in another dimension where everything wants to kill me? I couldn't decide.

Despite my undying anxiety, the tingle of curiosity pulled me. I tore my eyes away from the dragon and towards the new world around me. While we were going at an unnatural speed for me to really discern much, I could make out some details. The Ghost Zone was an endless world of green. There was no sky and no ground. Just ghostly colors, swirls, and space. Scattered throughout the environment were chunks of floating islands. Gravity didn't seem to exist here but it seemed that the islands stayed in place, moving only if they wanted to. Sometimes there was a building on one, like a house or a castle. On others, there were strange forests and jungles. But there were other things floating about too. I lost count of how many floating doors we zoomed by. Each was unique and different from the last. I wondered if each door housed a ghost. There were also staircases, though they weren't as numbers as the doors or islands. Whenever we passed one, I couldn't find where it began or ended.

My attention was drawn back to the dragon as I noticed a gradual decrease in speed. Wherever we were going, we must be getting close. Despite the danger, I couldn't help but admire the dragon. Her - at least I think it's female - scales shimmered in bright turquoise colors with tinges of emerald. The powerful wings that spread out on either side held elegance and grace. She was very beautiful. However, my eyes kept darting to her long snout where long, glistening fangs poked out. She may have saved me from the strange creature but what were her motives? Maybe she did it out of the goodness of her heart.

I couldn't hold back a snort. More likely she just wanted the fresh meat all to herself.

Without warning, the wings angled downward and we descended to a huge mass of land nearly covered by forest. The towering trees grew in gnarled shapes and glowed in haunting colors. The ground shuddered as we landed and I wasted no time jumping off the dragon's back. When I put a healthy distance between us, I faced my strange companion. It was the first time I really got a good look at her crimson eyes. The pupils were narrowed, reptilian slits, but strangely they held a look of concern.

"Are you harmed?"

I jumped, the sudden question catching me off guard. The dragon's voice was indeed feminine, but it was also low and the words rumbled. I was too surprised to respond and after a moment, the dragon answered for me. With a long talon, she pointed.

"You're hurt."

I blinked in surprise. All I could do was stare down at my left shoulder in complete shock. The black fabric of my jumpsuit was torn on my shoulder and green ectoplasm oozed out from it. Something wet and sticky oozed down my arm. If I looked carefully, I could see the slivers of red human blood splashed in the green. My shoulder was jacked up and soaked from blood but I couldn't feel more than a dull throb. Then my gaze drifted lower.

A rush flooded through my head and I swayed on the spot. However bad my shoulder looked, it was nothing compared to my abdomen. It was a bloody mess. Just like my shoulder, the fabric around my chest was singed and ragged. Because of the wet, sticky blood seeping out, the fabric clung to my skin. Tentatively, I lifted my hand, my fingers grazing the injury. Then all at once, I turned and heaved vomit to the ground, my stomach clenching and twisting. A sick stench clung to the air. A stabbing pain rocketed through my body from the gaping wounds.

Movement forced my attention to the dragon. She had taken a step forward and in turn, I took five wobbly steps back, nearly falling over myself. It was getting hard to breath, the surrounds danced as black spots spun across my vision.

Noticing my retreat, the dragon paused before going through a strange transformation. I blinked and a girl stood before me. The dragon was gone. She reached out and I inched back a step.

"I mean you no harm." Her voice was softer now, the deep rumble gone. She spoke gently as if approaching a cornered animal. "Did it get you?" Silently, I shook my head. A worried frown fell on her face, "What happened to you?"

My parents shot me.

I kept my mouth shut as I tried to look anywhere but down. Instead, I focused on the stranger. She looked like a teenager, maybe just a couple of years older than me. Her blonde hair was held back by a braid, her features sharp, her red eyes no longer slits. The girl looked like she just walked out of a renaissance fair, the blue dress she was wearing styled in medieval fashion. A ghostly glow surrounded her and she took a careful step forward.

Maybe it was the concern in her eyes or maybe the traumatic events were making me delusional, but I held still and allowed her to get closer. Gingerly, her hands floated over the injuries. Wordlessly, she gripped the hem of her dress and the sharp sounds of tearing cut through the air. I warily held still as she bound the strips of cloth tightly around my shoulder and abdomen with careful movements, mumbling a quiet apology every time I flinched. She paused only for a moment when her eyes found the splotches of red mixed with the green but without revealing her thoughts, she quickly resumed her work.

"Come with me," she draped a gentle arm around my shoulders, mindful of the left one and guided me down an overgrown trail. I stiffened at her touch, trying to shake her off. I gave up and tried to focus on just walking (floating took too much effort). "I can give you medical treatment back home."

"Where," I sucked in a gasped,

"Home."

"Where is 'home'? Who are," I sucked in another breath, "Who are you?" My head pounded as a million questions ran through my mind. I stumbled as if drunk, too tired to feel embarrassed that the dragon girl was practically supporting all my weight.

"Oh, my apologies, I am Princess Dora," she patiently kept the slow pace I trudged in, taking care to push aside low hanging tree branches. "My kingdom is not far from here. You'll be safe there."

A Dora the Explorer joke popped in my head before I pushed the thought away. I doubted she would have understood it. "My name is Danny."

"The halfa everyone is talking about? Danny Phantom. I assumed you must be, normal ghosts do not bleed as you do."

I cringed and waited for the attack that was surely coming. Ghosts hate me, hate that I'm half-human. Hate that I catch them and put them back in the Ghost Zone. Now that this 'Dora' had confirmation about who I was, she wouldn't wait any longer to waste me.

But nothing happened. Dora kept her steady grip around my shoulders and continued our slow progression through the ghostly woods. It was a while before I found my voice.

"Why?"

The sudden sound startled her, causing her to jump slightly before furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "Pardon? Why, what?"

"Why help me? You're a ghost! Ghosts hate me."

The smile on her face was one of amusement but the twinkle in Dora's eyes held understanding. "You are referring to the challengers that seek you out in the Living Realm?"

I scoffed, "Challengers? That's what they've been calling themselves?" I started to shake my head before stopping the motion abruptly. The pounding in my head got worse. I shut my eyes as if that could ward off the pain, "You still haven't answered my question."

There was silence. Then, "I saw someone in danger. What else was I to do?" I opened my eyes to find Dora staring straight ahead. I could have sworn memories were flashing in her eyes. She avoided my gaze entirely, "Many have been lost to those creatures. So many… And you are so young…"

"Creatures?" I studied the dark showdowns that seemed to lurk behind her eyes. "That thing that attacked us, it was a ghost, right?"

"It used to be."

A shiver ran down my spine at the implications of that statement. What did she mean by that? Were there other things in the Ghost Zone besides ghosts? I realized very quickly that I didn't want to know the answer.

We continued through the woods in relative silence, the only sounds were my clumsy footsteps and the strange ghoulish noise coming from animals unknown. Dora was floating as she helped me along without making a sound. Without her arm around me, I wouldn't have known she was even there.

After a while, Dora glanced at me and I could tell that she was testing the waters. Finally, "You never answered my question."

"About what?"

"What happened to you?" Her eyes flickered over the bandages, "If it wasn't from the nightmare, then what did that to you?"

A nightmare. Was that what that thing was called, or was Dora just using a crude description? I filed that question away in the back of mind for later. For now, I shrugged away her question, "It was an accident."

I could tell from the way her brows furrowed critically that she didn't believe me. Thankfully, she looked away, deciding not to press the matter. By this point, we had reached a break in the trees and a wide valley stretched below us. A bustling cluster of medieval cottages and buildings filled the area, a castle towering high above in the center of it all. I gave a low whistle. I glanced at Dora, waiting for her to lead the way. Instead, she stood nervously on the spot. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Can you turn invisible?"

I gave her a strange look before deciding to roll with it. Biting my lip, I tried to focus on what was left of my energy. My body flickered briefly before I lost my grip on my powers completely. I felt so weak. If Vlad hadn't zapped me with that stupid taser, I probably would have been forced back into my human form. I shook my head, embarrassed that I couldn't perform such a simple task.

"Very well," Dora nodded, scanning the area. There were a lot of ghosts milling around but none of them seemed to have noticed us, "I am going to turn us both invisible but you mustn't make a sound. Understand?" When I gave her a confused nod, she readjusted her grip, "Follow me."

Completely unseen by the villagers, Dora weaved us throw the crowd and towards the castle. I let her pull me along as I indulge my curiosity. My attention was glued to the alien sights, sounds, and smells. It was as if I walked into a Halloween themed renaissance fair with Tim Burton as the organizer. The ghosts' skin and clothes were a variety of blues, greens, and purples, and their echoing voices filled the air. There was too much noise to really decipher what anyone was saying and the buildings and houses were just as strange as the ghosts.

Dora lead me around the castle and along a stone wall. But as soon as she pushed a loose brick into place, a hidden door creaked open. It was made of wood but the outside was painted to look identical to the real bricks surrounding it. I opened my mouth but Dora frantically shook her head while holding a finger to her lips. Begrudgingly, I bit my tongue.

Following Dora through a narrow corridor, I relied on her to guide me through the darkness. Even with my ghost vision, it was hard to see, the only things I could make out were cobwebs and the stairs we ascended. I was finding it harder to keep quiet.

I bumped into her when she abruptly stopped. Ignoring me, she pressed her ear to the wall. After a moment, she pushed a hidden panel back and we stepped into an empty bedroom. Letting me go and allowing us to become visible, she walked over to a closed door and locked it. The action deeply unnerved me.

From a cabinet, Dora pulled out a small wooden box and gestured for me to sit. "It is safe to speak now, no one will hear you."

I had to remind myself that the statement was supposed to sound comforting. I eyed a set of chairs positioned next to the window - noticing immediately that heavy curtains blocked the world outside. Glancing suspiciously between the closed curtains and the locked door (which was apparently soundproof) I wondered if I made a mistake in trusting the ghost.

Dora sat down before patting the seat across from her. My eyes narrowed.

"What's in the box?"

With a knowing smile, she opened the lid to reveal a trove of bandages, ointments, and a ton of other things that belonged in a first aid kit.

"Oh," I felt a bit bad about assuming the worst of someone who was trying to help me. "… thanks."

Forcing my paranoia into the back of my brain, I couldn't hold back a low hiss as I lowered myself into the chair. It was then that I actually started paying attention to my injuries. There was dull stinging sensation left behind where Vlad had tazed me with that awful invention. But it was nothing in comparison to the burning wounds made from my parents' ecto-guns. In an attempt to block out the pain, I focused intently on Dora as she pulled out gauze and bottles. She turned to me expectantly.

Hesitantly, I removed the makeshift bandages and unzipped the top of my jumpsuit - just far enough to expose the two bleeding eyesores. I tried not to look too closely. Before I could reach for the gauze, a cold wet cloth was being pressed against the wound on my shoulder.

I jerked back and swatted her hand away, "Hey! I can do that myself!"

She recoiled, genuinely surprised at my outburst. Instead of becoming violent as I expected her to be, she only offered up a soft smile. "I do not doubt that you could, but I will gladly help you." Dora sat a little straighter in her seat, a glimmer of pride in her eyes, "I have been a nurse saint for over eight-hundred years!"

I blinked. Eight-hundred years? How old was she? I stuttered before shaking off the question, "Ok, fine. Congratulations on being a nurse saint - whatever that is. But I've been through a lot worse than this! I can take care of myself!"

I knew how rude I was acting and a part of me was saying I should be a lot nicer to someone who could turn into a dragon. But I couldn't bring myself to care. I was in a locked room in another dimension, with a ghost I've never met, and I didn't have the strength to protect myself if she decided to attack me. It all was bringing up memories from that isolated mansion in the woods. And right here, in the Ghost Zone, in this room, I was feeling very isolated. This was not a good day.

"I'm sorry."

I slowly opened my eyes, not even knowing when I had closed them. Dora was holding up her hands in an unarmed, calming gesture.

"Of course you can do it on your own. You can tend to your wounds without me. If you do not want me too, I will not do it."

Wondering when exactly I lost it, I unclenched my grip on the charred armrests and focused on breathing normally. My gaze darted to the door. The locked door.

"You are safe, there is no need to fear." Dora's voice was softer and quieter, "If you want to, you may leave whenever you wish. No one will make you stay. You are safe."

I was safe. Safe. When was the last time someone told me those words? When was the last time I felt like I was safe?

Not now.

Not in a long time.

Nervously, Dora's hands twisted the cloth she held. "I will not make you stay, but please, your wounds need attention. You may do it yourself of course, but you are my guest. Allow me?"

My mouth opened to give an immediate no, but I cut myself off. Dora was staring at me intently. Not in a malicious, predatory way like my enemies often did. Though this was a familiar stare. I've seen it so many times on my sister's face when I came home late, when she knew I was hiding injuries, or when I refused to open up and talk to her about the things that kept me awake at night.

Dora's stare was pleading. Waiting for my answer, my permission. She was making it very clear that she wouldn't force me to do anything I didn't want to do. She had called me her guest.

Guest. Not hostage.

Dora. Not Vlad.

Closing my eyes briefly, I took a deep steady breath before nodding. "Alright."

Dora gave me a friendly grin as she gently dabbed at my shoulder with the cloth. I hissed at the numbing sting, trying hard not to pull away. "What is that?"

"Disinfectant. It will only hurt for a moment."

Once she finished cleaning it, Dora carefully wrapped the wound in a firm bandage. As she moved on to the injured spot on my chest, I did my best not to squirm. It felt really awkward to have my chest exposed as Dora cleaned out the wound. Dora may have been a ghost, but she was also a girl. And not counting my mom or my sister, I've never had a girl this close to me before. It was uncomfortable.

My face flushed as I cleared my throat, resisting the urge to move. "So, uh, what's with all the sneaking around? Why didn't we just walk through the front doors?"

She paused. For the first time, a trace of anger flashed across her face, her pupils turning to slits before she seemed to calm herself. She shook her head, "Outsiders are forbidden from entering the kingdom. No matter how dire their situation. Anyone who breaks the law is punished."

Forgetting all about my previous insecurity, my mind buzzed with questions. "If that's true, why did you bring me here?"

"You needed help. If not me, then who would help you?"

I was thrown off by the blunt honesty in her words. "But you said you're the princess. Can't you just change the law?"

"My brother, Aragon rules the kingdom. Ever since the…" She trailed off before shaking her head. "In light of recent events, he decided that it was safer for everyone if no one came in or out of the kingdom."

My mind reeled. What was so dangerous that a literal dragon couldn't leave home? As scary as that thing was, Dora was able to fight it off without breaking a sweat. I might've even been able to beat it up if I hadn't felt like a train wreck.

A string of questions hung on my tongue, but a roar that shook the room had the words lodged in my throat. Dora did nothing more than flinch as she pulled out a fresh roll of bandages.

As she wrapped up my chest, an urgent knock sounded on the door.

"Princess Dora?" The voice on the other side of the door wavered and cracked with unconcealed fear, "King- King Aragon wishes your presence."

Another resounding roar vibrated through the walls and a painting hanging from the wall actually fell.

"His majesty- he - he - he has been screaming for you."

My jaw dropped, "Your brother is making that racket?"

Dora didn't respond as she finished the wraps. Her hands shook.

There was another urgent knock on the door, "... My princess?"

Dora stood, her voice calm and regal, "I am coming." Then whispering, "I'll be back as soon as I can. Stay here."

I jumped out of my seat as she rushed for the door, "Wait-"

"Stay here," She turned and met my eyes, "Please."

Without waiting for a response, she unlocked the door and hurried out. She didn't lock it back.

I stood there and listen to the fading sounds of footsteps. The roaring stopped. Slowly, I walked over to the door and opened it a crack. The hallway outside was empty and quiet. I closed it back.

I looked around Dora's room as I placed a hand on my bandaged shoulder. The pain from my wounds still throbbed but it didn't hurt as badly as before.

I felt exhausted and that chair just looked too darn comfy. After a moment of silent debate, I settled into it. Curling my knees to my chest, I let my head drop and closed my eyes.

I decided to do something I never thought I'd do in a million years.

I trusted a ghost.

Ok, here it goes. I know I haven't updated in a while and my reason is because this chapter was so hard to write. But I didn't have any issues with writer's block or editing. My best friend was my biggest encourager to write this story, but a few months ago we had a fallout. It's been so hard to finish this chapter because it hurt too much. But finishing this story means so much to me. Now that I've accepted what happened, I can move on and continue the story.

I'm sorry for making you all wait so long, hopefully I'll have the next one up sooner.

I'd also like to thank everyone who took the time to write out a review. You've all encouraged and supported me so much! Honestly, your what's keeping from quitting.

Side note, Dora and Danny are NOT a pairing in this fanfic. It's just some good ol' platonic friendship!

P.S,

Don't worry, Vlad fans. He's in the next chapter!