[EDIT: 1/13/2022] Did some more editing in the texting between Danny and Dani. :)
"Oh wow! What a honeymoon suite!" Valerie said, admiring the room they have. "Oh, Danny, it's so warm and inviting in here!"
"Yeah, our room certainly looks nice," Danny said as he briefly looked around it, putting his suitcase on their bed.
"Oh my goodness!" Val sees the glass door windows that lead to the balcony which showcases the lake. "Oh...it's so gorgeous!" She went up to the sliding window doors and opened them to walk up to the balcony. "Danny, you got to look at this!"
Danny smiled at his wife's enthusiasm and went outside on the balcony with her. Standing next to her, he admired the scenery of the lake, the golden reflection of the water hitting off from the sun setting down for the day. It certainly was breathtaking.
"Wow...this is a nice view," Danny said as he gazed out at the lake. It seemed to look like the lake spans out in the distance until he can see the town.
"Yeah...Toluca Lake is what it's called," Val said with a serene smile.
"Toluca Lake, huh?" Danny reiterated as he adjusted his glasses.
Valerie sees him fix his glasses and smirks. "Danny, do you really have to wear those glasses?"
Danny turned his head to his wife with a blink. "Well...yeah. I can't see anything without my glasses."
Raising a brow but still smirking, Valerie teased him by saying, "Are you sure you're not trying to go for the Clark Kent look?"
"..." Danny sighed, "Val, seriously. I can't honestly see without them."
"And yet, you don't wear them when you're Danny Phantom."
"That's because I have heightened senses when I'm Phantom."
Shaking her head, Valerie countered, "I would think that would be the other way around, depending on you dying once."
Danny gave her a dull pouty look, "I thought you liked my glasses."
"I do. I think they look sexy," Val told him with a smile, "I'm just thinking of you, really. I mean, you don't want to keep switching to glasses to no-glasses when you 'Go ghost', do you?"
"I mean..."
"You can try contacts, you know?"
"...Well, I did one time...but they kind of screwed up Phantom's eyesight a bit when I go ghost...that, I just really hate putting on contacts."
Val giggled, "Okay, okay, you big baby. You can keep the glasses on if you feel like they help. Like I said, I was just thinking of you."
Danny smiled warmly at her. "Thanks, Hon. I honestly do appreciate you thinking about little ol' me."
Smiling back at him with the same warmth, Valerie gave Danny a sweet kiss on the lips. They stood next to each other, with Danny wrapping an arm around Val, and directing their attention at the lake and the hills that made this picturesque area give the town its name...
"Man…" Danny said, mesmerized by the scenery, "This place is gorgeous."
"Yeah..." Val agreed, "...You know what I read about Silent Hill?"
"Hm?" Danny turned his head to Val, "What have you read?" he asked curiously.
"That...this whole place, this area, where the lake and the town is...it used to be a sacred place."
"Sacred place?" Danny raised a brow, "Should I be worried?"
Valerie giggled, "Well, it used to be. I think it's something like the Native Americans used to do purifying rituals around here on the vicinity of the lake."
"On the lake? Like Baptism or something?"
"Something like that. I don't know the whole details, but that's the gist of it."
"Hmm..." Danny looked back at the water, "Well, I can see why it would be sacred around here. It feels so...I don't know, peaceful? Peace can be a sacred attribute, right?"
Valerie chuckled, "I would think so, Hon."
Danny smiled down at his wife and gave her a one-arm hug, and a kiss on her forehead. "Well, you know...I feel at peace too, just looking at you."
Val looked up at her husband with a warm smile of her own, "Danny, I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I love you."
Danny chuckled, "I love you too, Val."
They stared back at the water as the sun was setting down on the horizon. While they gazed upon the majesty of the lake, Danny had one thought in mind from what Valerie mentioned a while back.
...Sacred place, huh? ...I wonder if that has anything to do with...what I felt back there at the car...
...He'll worry about that later.
Right now, he's on his honeymoon with his wonderful, beautiful, and loving wife.
Later in the Evening, After Dinner
"Man, that was some good lobster!" Danny said as he and Valerie entered their suite again.
Val giggled, "I can't help but imagine you in that lobster bib! You looked so adorable in it."
"Heh, who would've thought lobsters can be so messy," Danny chuckled.
"Well, I'll tell you this, the town looked wonderful at night!" Valerie said as she placed her coat on a chair near a table.
"Yeah. I mean, man, we picked the right place to go on our honeymoon." Danny said as he placed his jacket on a chair near a desk. "So, what do you want to do tomorrow?"
"Hmm..." Val sat on the bed and thought about it, "...How about we go on those hiking trails? And then, later on, we can go to that amusement park?"
Danny smiled at that. "Sounds great!" He then began to open his mouth and yawned, "Woo...that meal certainly made me sleepy."
Valerie opened her mouth to yawn as well, "Yeah. I think we should hit the bed early. Maybe we can get up early on and hike around the nature trails here."
"Sure thing," Danny smiled. He then went to his suitcase to get his sleeping wear and went to the bathroom to change.
"Aww, you're not gonna give me a show?" Valerie teased her husband with a sexy smirk.
Danny chuckled, "Sorry, Sweetheart, but I'm basically chivalrous that way."
Val snorted, "Okay then, my courteous husband, I'll let you do your thing. In the meantime, I'll change into something...well, I'll just say, saucy. So...don't keep me waiting," she said with a wink.
"...I'll totally keep that in mind," Danny said with a happy smile. Once he went to the bathroom to change into his sleepwear, he undressed by taking off his glasses and his shirt, which he's now in his undershirt. As he was about to take off his undershirt, he sees himself in the vanity mirror.
He paused...
Letting go of his white t-shirt, he went over to the bathroom counter and leaned on it, seeing his reflection in the mirror.
He looked into his own eyes...
He heard looking into one's eyes was the portal to looking into one's soul. And technically, he is a living soul...somewhat.
Danny put a hand up to his face, letting his fingers touch it, and dragging them down, letting his weak finger and his index finger go down on his eyes, while his middle finger brushed down onto his forehead, nose, and then his mouth. He looked at himself in the mirror, his fingers now away from his face, and then glanced at the hand in front of him.
Staring at his hand, he wondered…
DING!
Danny snapped out of his trance. He reached into his jeans pants pocket and got his phone out.
Dani: Hey Danny! You two look like you're having fun! ;) Nice pictures! Also, you look so dorky with that lobster bib on.
Rolling his eyes with a smile, he texts back to Dani 'Danielle' Fenton.
Danny: Hey, Val said I looked adorable. But yeah, hey Dani! How are ya? You back at New York City over at Jazz's place?
Dani: Haha! I bet she did! And I'm doing great! Yep, I am! I tell ya, I'm glad school is out! After graduating, I really need to find my own place!
Danny: Jazz becoming a pain?
Dani: Nah. I love Jazz and her ramblings! It makes her feel good!
Danny: You know, you're only feeding her ego when you do that.
Dani: Ah, come on, Danny! She's a child psychiatrist. I feel like she needs to vent out some things every once and a while.
Danny: Vent? Is she okay?
Dani: Oh yeah, she's fine! You know, the stresses of being in that kind of job position. Although, I think she drank too much champagne last night. I think she drank a lot of it, so she woke up with a bit of a hangover.
Danny: Huh...well, either way, tell her I said 'Hey' and leave off the sparkling alcohol for a while. And tell her not to worry about anything. She's doing fine. I mean, if anything, being an astronomer isn't what it's cracked up to be!
Dani: Yeah, but you love it, don't ya?
Danny: Heh. Hey, the universe is always expanding!
Dani: Pfft! Nerd.
Danny: Ha ha. Anyway, what's up?
Dani: Well...I was wondering if you saw Sam there at the wedding? I know Tucker was there, he was the best man. I'm just wondering if...well, I want to see if everything is alright, I guess?
Danny: Well...I mean, no, I haven't seen her. But she has her first year at Harvard Law School back in Boston. I'm pretty certain she couldn't come because of that.
Dani: ...Well...okay. I just don't want it to be something like...you know, Sam being all upset and that being the reason she didn't come or anything.
Danny: Nah...I mean, no way, she wouldn't be like that... And hey, if she's still somehow hooked up on me, then...well, tough.
Dani: Whoa. You mean that?
Danny: I mean...well, yeah. She needs to grow up if she's still stuck up on that.
Danny: I mean I did have something with her at one time, but...I chose Val because we just click.
Danny: Val was with me during the times of hardships and trouble when I really was down on my luck on doing this whole Ghost superhero stuff for who knows how long.
Danny: She really let me realize that I have a calling...and I can't help but try repaying her back, especially after all the things that happened to her in high school...that I caused.
Danny: I mean, she's now an engineer in robotics, and her father is back doing technical engineering for a tech company.
Danny: Things are actually looking up for her and her Dad now...and I want to let her know that I still care.
Danny: I love Valerie...I love her. And that's why I want to spend the rest of my life with her.
Dani: Aww...that's so sweet, Danny. :)
Danny: Heh. Hey, you weren't the maid of honor for nothing.
Dani: Haha! Yeah. By the way, I was rocking it last night, wasn't I?
Danny: I...wouldn't say it like that.
Dani: e_e Still, all the boys were looking at me.
Danny: And if they try anything to you, then I'll ghost them into the Ghost Zone.
Dani: Pfft! Anyway, I'm keeping you away from having your alone time with Val. ;) Just want to ask about Sam, that's all.
Danny: Well, I tell ya one thing, we're having a great time in this town, Silent Hill. You should come here sometime, it's really nice.
Dani: It looks like a fun place. :) Well, I'll let you go! Tell Val I said 'Hey'! And remember, use protection!
Danny: Dani! We're married now!
Dani: Hahaha! See ya Danny! ^_^
Danny sighed as he shook his head with a smile.
Danny: See ya, Dani.
Once he finished texting, he put his phone on the bathroom sink. Looking at himself in the vanity mirror again, he stared at his reflection.
...I don't want to keep Val waiting...but I'm curious.
He remembered what Valerie said about this whole area of Silent Hill…
I heard this used to be a sacred place…
...Sacred place, huh? Does it affect my ghost form in any way?
He looked down at his hands, which were on the countertop of the bathroom sink. Lifting them up and turning them to look at his palms, he looked at each hand...
...Well, if it makes me sick somehow, then I can just change back into Danny Fenton. No big deal...
He took a deep breath…
"...Going ghost," he murmured.
...and let his hands, as well as his whole body, turn intangible.
(CLICK!)
Hm? It...I think that means it's unlocked again.
...The door is...opening wider now…
(...EEERREEEKK...)
...It's opened…
...What?
...It's...It's Danny.
...What the hell is happening?
Wait...it's a mirror...he's looking at himself...
He's...turning into Phantom…
…
Wait.
Could that be what is making this...this door unlock?
...Well, things just got a whole lot interesting now, have they?
All I have to do now is go through this entry...
And find out where this will lead me.
Danny felt...odd.
Once he turned full Phantom, at first he still felt the same sensation when he turned his hand intangible. He felt like...he was there, but at the same time, he wasn't. Like another person had invaded his mind...
Danny winced as he placed his hands on the bathroom sink counter to support himself.
Now it felt like something was gripping onto his skull...
What...What's...What's going on?
The sensation now felt like his mind was being crushed by this unknown grip. Then, there were pangs of something sharp penetrating his brain. Almost like...as if a set of knives were seeping through the cranium.
His arms buckled underneath him. Grunting, he used his strength to try to further support his upper body, any kind of strength that could erase this...this feeling.
What in the world is this?
Trying to somehow cease the growing pain in his skull, he used his own hand to grab onto his head, cringing at the sensation of his entire mind being...mutilated? Intruded? Transformed?
What…?
What?
...Well, I'll be…
Wh-... Who-
Hm, hm...I see now…
Wait...who...who is this?
...Really? You don't remember me, Danny?
Eyes widening, Danny looked at himself in the mirror...but he can see the semblances of someone else.
He needs to go back to human form. Now.
Danny then quickly changed back to his human form.
Wait! NO!
(SLAM!)
(CLANK!)
Danny almost collapsed in the bathroom, but he propped himself on the countersink.
Hastily looking at himself in the mirror, he sees his reflection to spot any other changes on him…
He looked...normal.
Sighing in relief, Danny stood up, feeling wobbly for a moment. He shook his head to clear out whatever clouded and struck his mind, the numbing sense gradually going away.
Just...what the hell was that?
"Danny?" Valerie called out outside of the bathroom. "Honey, are you okay?"
Val...
"Uh, y-" he cleared his throat, "Yeah, I'm fine, Babe. I was just...well, Dani was texting me. She wanted to know how we were doing."
"Oh! Okay!" Val seemed to buy that excuse...which was true on Danny's part. "Well, if you had, tell her that we're doing good! Also, don't keep me waiting, Ghost Boy. I'm really lonely here..."
Instantly, Danny recognized that tone.
...Oooh, she's waiting for me...oh snap.
Danny quickly took his shirt off, instantly forgetting the weird experience he had in the bathroom...almost.
I'll wonder that later...I never had that happen to me before when I turn into Phantom. Could it be this whole area?
Once Danny left the bathroom, he was met with a...welcoming sight.
Valerie was laying on her side on the bed, showcasing her dynamite curves in a red satin nightgown. She had a hand on her hip, while her other hand was on the covers, although the hand on the covers turned over and used her finger to motion Danny in a 'come here' matter.
...Danny was glad his assumption was correct. Cause now he's basically shirtless in his pajama pants, showcasing his toned muscled chest, biceps, and core, making his physique look god-like. That, and he got the glasses off.
Smiling in such goofy but warm fashion, Danny said one thing to describe Valerie. "Damn, you're sexy, Val."
Val giggled. "I could say the same thing for you, Babe." She then raised an eyebrow in humor as she smirked, "And I thought your eyesight was bad in human form?"
Danny chortled, "Okay, I'm just a little farsighted. I just really don't want to put on contacts."
Rolling her eyes with a smile, Valerie said to him, "Well, soak your eyes on me, big man."
Smirking, Danny said, "Oh, I'll do that and more."
"Well then...come and get me." Val invited him huskily.
"...Yep. I'm turned on now." Danny said with a grin.
And so, Danny climbed onto their bed to approach Valerie...and their night became even more special...
DAMN IT!
I should have just exited through the door!
...I need Danny to change into his Ghost form again.
But how?
...I heard something from Valerie. How where they're in, this whole area, being some sort of sacred place. What was the place called? Silent Hill?
Either way, I think this place is what's making me be here...I think. Hell, I don't know. But Danny has to turn back into Phantom...just one time, whenever it may be.
I just hope something bad will happen tomorrow…
...Hm?
...Oh no.
...They're gonna...
...Ugh…
...I mean, granted, Valerie is attractive...
But, I have to hear it all…
...Bloody terrific.
...The Next Day...
Danny and Valerie woke up from their blissful sleep and got dressed to get ready for their hiking trip in the hills of Silent Hill, Maine.
After a wonderful breakfast in the hotel's restaurant, they drove up further north of the lake to the hiking trails, admiring the pristine lake as they drove.
As Danny drove up the road, he glanced at Valerie, who was looking out the car window with a serene smile on her face.
Danny smiled in her direction and looked back at the road.
That...was a special night.
And soon, they reached their destination...
Silent Hill Hiking Trails
"Wow...it's so beautiful around here," Valerie said softly as she looked around the beauty of the woods in Maine.
"Yeah...they got it made here," Danny murmured in awe as he gazed at the scenery and greenery around them.
They walked up the hiking trail as they admired their surroundings. They could hear the nature around them, experience the fresh smell of the forest, and pass by scenic routes as they walk by.
Danny and Val walked next to each other, wearing their hiking gear as they carry their travel backpacks on their backs.
"Whew!" Danny wiped a bit of sweat from his brow, "Man, this trail just keeps on going!"
"But it is gorgeous, isn't it?" Val asked her husband.
"Oh, of course. But you know, I actually forgot that Maine not only has a lot of trees, but it also has a lot of hills."
Val giggled, "I'm guessing this region is why the town is called Silent Hill?"
"Heh. Maybe. There's a lot of hills though, instead of it just being one hill."
"So it should be called 'Silent Hills'?"
"Hm...it has a nice ring to it."
Chuckling, Val said, "Well, we'll take up to the town officials to change the town's name then."
Softly laughing, Danny said, "Oh sure, that's our number one goal here now."
Laughing as well, Valerie softly pushed him in jest, which Danny laughed back.
They went up the trail further…
"Man, it's so nice around here," Val said as she looked around the area.
"Hmm..." Danny hummed in agreement with a smile. He then had an idea, "Hey, Val, let's take a picture here!"
"Okay!" Val agreed with a smile also.
Danny got his phone out and went up to Valerie's side to give her a one-arm hug around her waist. Positioning the phone camera in his hand to let it focus on them, he told Valerie, "Okay, Sweetie, smile!"
They both smiled and Danny took the selfie photo of them. He then checked the photo to see how they look.
They look so...happy.
Danny softly smiled as he gazed at their photo for a second.
"We look great, Hon," he told her.
Valerie leaned next to Danny as she looked at the photo also. She smiled sweetly and said, "Aww...we sure do."
Chuckling, Danny said, "Hold on, let me send this to you and everyone in my family."
"Oh sure, Baby."
Danny went to the contacts on his phone so he can send the photo to his family as well as Valerie. Walking up a few paces, he gathered his family relatives in one text and sent the picture as well as the caption on it.
"Okay, and…" He sent the picture to Valerie. "There! All sent to you and my fam!" He turned to face Val, "Okay, Val, let's..."
...He sees Valerie, her neck wrapped around by a man's arm, holding her in a threatening matter as she tries to struggle within his grasp.
He was also holding a gun to her head.
The man has messy blonde dreaded hair and is wearing a blue trenchcoat and dark jean pants with dark shoes. His facial expression was devoid of any emotion, except that it was one of determination, his mouth in a thin line as his eyes hardened.
"...Wh-" Danny spoke up once the shock was out of his system, but was interrupted by the man.
"Don't say a word," the man said softly in a surprisingly calm tone, but put emphasis on the last word. He held the gun in his hand tightly, "Here's the deal. I'm going to take your wife, and you're going to stand there, doing absolutely nothing, while I walk away with her."
Danny looked on at the man, his eyes wide as he realized that Val was going to be taken away by this man at gunpoint...
Val looked scared, trying to hang on to the man's arm as she didn't want to be choked while the gun was pressed into her temple.
At this moment, Danny Fenton felt helpless in this situation.
...Hm?
...Someone has...Valerie captive?
...Well, my luck hasn't run out just yet.
Hmm...let's see where this goes.
"Hey," Danny softly said to the man, raising his hands up, "Whatever you're thinking of doing, I advise you not to do it."
"And I advise you not to take a step closer if you want me to take her life away," the man told Danny in the same calm tone. Valerie's eyes widened in fear.
Feeling trapped, Danny quickly tries to think of a solution to save Valerie from this man.
Okay...crazed man, not possessed...at least I don't think he is. No, not now, think, think, think! Val is in danger! I can't let him take her away and let him do...whatever he'll do to her!
Seeing that the man was backing away with Valerie in his grasp with the gun still on the side of her head, Danny decided to try and talk to him to slow him down, "What are you going to do to my wife?"
The man's hard look turned into a mocking smirk. "That's none of your concern, wretched filth."
Okay, clearly I did something to the guy that made him resort to name-calling... Danny kept going, "Look, let her go."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," the man's smirk then turned into a disturbing smile. "I won't be able to complete..." he airily chuckled, "I almost got careless there for a second."
"Complete what?" Danny asked as he started to glare at this person.
"Nah-ah-ah. Just know that I only need her," the man motioned his head to Valerie.
"For what?" Danny raised his voice impatiently, his anger boiling.
The man laughed softly, the sound chilling to their ears, "You know, you ask a lot of questions, ingrate. In fact..." He turned his head to Valerie, "I don't know why I'm keeping her hostage. I could kill her right now."
Danny's heart stopped for a second. Valerie's eyes widened even further, the horror on her face.
"No! Wait!" Danny said as he reached out to Valerie and this man.
Surprisingly enough, the man did wait, if only to humor him. "Yes?" he said in a mocking tone, letting Danny continue.
Danny tried to think of something to stop him from pulling that trigger on Valerie. Anything.
Wait...my ghost powers!
But after last night in the bathroom...can he?
Come on, Danny...change into Phantom.
Come on...come on!
...I have no choice. Danny thought to himself. But I got to distract him. Catch him off guard or something.
"Listen, you don't want to do what you're about to do," Danny warned him.
"Oh really? Why's that?" the man challenged him.
"Because Phantom will come," Danny said with his eyes narrowed into a determined glare.
"Phantom?" the man said incredulously with a raised brow, "You mean that Ghost Superhero back in Indiana?"
"Yes," Danny answered firmly, "I know him."
The man looked at Danny to study if he's fibbing or not.
...The crazed lunatic chuckled and said, "So...you know Phantom, huh? Hmph...as if this world isn't wretched enough. Now the hero wants to communicate with you people."
Danny glared back at him.
"That Phantom character is probably another disgusting being that wants to receive some kind of self-righteous glory. Of course he would be friends with your kind," he said with a sneer.
Scowling at him, Danny said with gritted teeth, "He's not that type of guy to bask in his pride. I don't know what you got against Phantom or even me, but you got a bad sense of ideology there, pal."
"You better watch what you say, whelp," the man threatened as he pressed the gun barrel on Valerie's temple. "Unless you wanna call Phantom?"
"I don't need to," Danny said as he glared hard at the maniac. "He's coming right now."
"He's coming right now?" the man actually laughed a little bit while containing Valerie, the gun still to her head, "Alright then. Prove it, wretch."
"...Look behind you," Danny said with a smirk.
The man looked at him like he was crazy, "Look behind me?" he scoffed, "Is that the best you got?"
"Fine...don't say I didn't warn you," Danny advised him.
The lunatic stood there as he held his gun to Valerie…
...He turned his head to look behind himself.
Going ghost!
And Danny went ghost...and disappeared.
(CLICK!)
(EEEREEEK!)
Oh...yes! Finally!
Now here, we, go!
Danny then flew towards the man.
The man looked quickly back at Danny...to see that he was gone.
Valerie hoped that Danny would get them out alive.
Danny went inside the man and possessed him…
YES!
Ooooh, Honey, I am home!
And then...nothing.
There was nothing.
...Danny saw nothing.
END OF CHAPTER
And that's the chapter…
...I ain't telling you what happened. That was on purpose. XP
But yeah, tell me what you all think in a review! Or give me a fave and a follow! I love them all! ^_^
As for the next chapter...well, we start to get a little serious. :O
Until then, thank you all for reading, and keep on rocking everybody! :)
-TSP