Here is chapter 2, I know it has been long, but this chapter is long to make up for it, I hope you guys enjoy it, as much as I enjoyed writing it, without further adue, I give you Chapter 2 of Aftermath.
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Chapter 2: The Meeting
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in Danny Phantom, all rights belong to Butch Hartman.
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Danny could feel the sun coming in through his window, he didn't bother opening his eyes to check what time it was instead he tried to roll onto his right side, but something was stopping him. He opened his eyes and saw Sam lying on his chest.
"Sam what are you doing here?" Danny asked as he blinked his eyes.
"Cuddling my boyfriend duh." Sam nestled herself deeper into Danny's chest now listening to his heartbeat.
"How did you get in?"
"Like any other person would have, I knocked at the front door, and came in. Your mom said you were probably still sleeping, I came up to your room, and saw that you were still sleeping I didn't want to wake you, so I quietly got in your bed, and waited for you to wake up."
"How long have you been here?"
"Roughly about 30 minutes."
Danny chuckled. "I love you Sam." Danny kissed the top of her head.
"I love you too Danny."
"How much time do we have before the meeting with the mayor?" Danny was too lazy to look over at his clock.
"Maybe an hour." Sam replied.
"Good, I'm not ready to leave my bed yet." Danny wrapped his arms around Sam and held onto her so preciously.
Sam closed her eyes, and before she knew it an alarm was going off.
Danny sighed. "Is it bad that I don't want to do this?"
"No, you've been through so much in the last month, not to mention the last few years. I don't blame you for not wanting to do anything, but this might turn out to be a good opportunity." Sam sat up and faced Danny. "I will always have your back, just like I always have since day one."
Danny sat up as well, so he was now face to face with Sam, noses touching. "What would I do without you Sam?" Danny didn't give her a chance to respond, he just kissed her tenderly and ever so passionately.
"Alright Mr. procrastinator, we need to get going. Tucker will be waiting for us."
Danny got out of bed and started to get dressed. When he was done, he walked downstairs with Sam right behind him, only to run into his mom.
"Hey sweetie, where are you guys off too so early?"
Danny was hesitant to tell his mom what was going on, but he figured things couldn't get worse than they already were. "Mayor Montez wants to have a meeting with me this morning and ask me some questions. I don't know what questions he wants to know, but I am having Sam and Tucker go with me….The last time I let my guard down around the mayor, didn't turn out so well." Danny shuddered at the thought of the last interaction he had with the mayor.
"Ok, we'll be safe, and remember our deal from last night." Maddie said as she walked into the kitchen
"Ok mom, I'll probably be home later today." Danny started to head towards the door, when he got stopped by his mom.
"Honey, you need to eat breakfast before leaving."
"Mom, I'm not really hungry right now, I promise after my meeting with the mayor I will get something with Sam and Tucker." Danny said.
Maddie didn't like the idea of letting him leave without seeing him eat breakfast, or something before going. "Ok." Maddie peaked around Danny now addressing Sam. "Please make sure he gets something to eat, even if I send him with something I know he won't eat it."
Sam gave Maddie a re-assuring smile as she responded. "Of course, Mrs. Fenton. I will make sure Danny is taken care of."
Danny rolled his eyes "Can we get going now?" Danny was not in the mood for Sam and his mom to become buddies right now, he had other things on his mind.
"Just be safe Danny, I will see you when you get home."
Danny didn't respond, he just gently grabbed Sam by the arm, and guided her out of the house.
"Danny what is wrong with you, I've never seen you treat your mom like that, much less talk to her like that." Sam always new Danny was on the fence about telling everything to his parents, but she couldn't understand why he acted the way he just did. He seemed fine when they were upstairs.
Danny sighed. "I've just got a lot on my mind right now." Danny continued to walk down the street holding Sam's hand not making eye contact.
Sam stopped dead in her tracks, almost making Danny fall on his back. "Having a lot of things on your mind has never bothered you before, at least not to the point that you treated you mom the way you just did." Sam was now very irritated with him.
"Look Sam I don't think I can explain how I am feeling right now, I'm sure my mom understands the pressure and changes I am going through. I will apologize to her when I get home, plus I am still trying to figure out how them knowing my secret changes our relationship."
Sam pulled Danny close to her and embraced him into a hug. "Promise me you will always be honest with me, and you will always tell me when things are bothering you."
Danny slightly chuckled and kissed the top of Sam's head. "I promise to try my best. I love you Sam."
Sam pulled away just a little bit and gave Danny a kiss. "Love you too ghost boy. Now we seriously better get going, if we aren't there in 5 minutes tucker will send the task force to look for us."
Without hesitation Danny transformed, and firmly grabbed Sam's hand. "Hold on tight." With that he pushed off the ground and they were airborne in seconds. Moments later they landed in an alley way close to city hall, and met tucker out front, who was sitting on the steps.
"About time you guys got here, I was wondering if you guys forgot about the meeting." Tucker stood up and walked towards them, when he reached Danny, him and Danny did their handshake they always do. The trio stood at the doors of city hall and looked at each other.
Danny took a big breath in. "Well let's get this over with." As he said that the city hall doors opened on their own, the trio were greeted by a few guys in white. Danny put his arms in front of his friends as to protect them.
"Don't worry Mr. Fenton, we are only here to escort you and your friends to the mayor's office, please follow us." One of the guys in a whit suit said, waving his hand forward as a way to offer them to walk in. Danny was still being super cautious walking behind the first man in white and made sure to pay keen attention to his senses for the man walking behind them. A few moments of walking and they arrived at the mayor's door. The first man in white knocked on the door.
"Please come in." A voice was faintly heard from behind the door.
The first guy in white opened the door, and motioned for the trio to walk in, as they did the man in white introduced them to the mayor. "Please allow me to introduce Mr. Fenton, and his two friend Ms. Manson, and Mr. Foley."
The mayor was sitting in his chair that was facing the window in his office. The mayor spined around in his chair, got up from it and walked towards the trio. "Please have a seat, make yourselves comfortable." The mayor gestured his hand to the couches that were just across the way, in front of the couch was a table with soda and some treats.
"Oh sweet." Tucked exclaimed as he started walking towards the table.
Danny cleared his throat in effort to remind Tucker that this could be a trap. Tucker heard Danny clear his throat and walked back to them. They all then sat on the couch together, continuing to keep their guard up.
"Thank you, guys, you can leave us now, do not leave your posts unless told otherwise by me." The mayor escorted the guys in white out the door and closed it behind them. Then turning around to join the trio. "First of all, I want to say Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today, I know things have probably not been the easiest since the disasteroid, but I sincerely appreciate you guys taking the time to come and meet with me." The mayor sat across from them in a chair. "I have to say I figured you would bring Sam and Tucker with you, but you guys can relax a little bit. I have the entire building guarded and no one knowns you are here except for us and your families."
Danny took initiative and spoke first. "What did you want to meet with me about? Am I in some kind of trouble?"
Mayor Montez chuckled. "Trouble? Oh, dear no, you are far from trouble….Unless you have broken some laws since we talked yesterday."
"No sir, unless turning into my ghost form to travel has now since become illegal."
The mayor chuckled again. "You're a funny kid Mr. Fenton."
"Just Danny is fine, the only people who call me Mr. Fenton, are my school principal, and Mr. Lancer." Danny shuddered at the sound of saying Mr. lancers name out loud, since the last time he saw him was right before the disasteroid.
"Of course, well let's cut to the chase, shall we? The reason I wanted to meet with you is to discuss officially making you the town "superhero" if you will. Of course, you will get paid to continue to protect the town from other Ghosts, and dangers that might threat the city. Also, to thank you for always protecting the town for the last year and a half, even though you didn't have to. I can't imagine the amount of stress you three went through every time the town got attacked, or was in danger, and let's not mention when Vlad Masters took over for a little while. That was a disaster. I want to make sure the citizens of amity park continue to be safe, and I can't do that without your help."
As the mayor was talking Danny was trying to figure out where this meeting was going.
"There are a few things I would like to offer you. First off is the official tile of Amity Park's superhero. I want to make Phantom an icon, and a hero. I want everyone in Amity Park to appreciate the work all three of you do for this town, with that in mind I am willing to offer each of you a $5,000 paycheck every month for protecting the city. And if you guys end up having to deal with more than usual in one month each of you will get a $5,000 bonus added on. The second thing I would like to offer Danny is 2 vehicles of your choice. I will take care of everything; you will be able to pick any 2 vehicles you want and customize them to your liking. The insurance and fee's will be paid, as long as you continue to protect the city. I figured since you were almost 16 you would be getting your license soon and using your powers to travel most of the time, just doesn't seem very logical. Of course, you don't have to accept these offers, but they are on the table for you if you do. It would be my honor to make Danny Phantom a hero of this city, and to compensate you for what you have already done. What do you think?"
Danny looked at Sam and Tucker, and they all nodded at each other. "I have a few questions."
"Ask away Daniel." The mayor said as he took one of the goodies that were placed on the table.
"Just Danny, I'm not a fan being formal. First question is, you said you wanted to make Phantom an icon, what will that include? Will I have to be present at parades or be required to be at events and sign autographs? I like the idea of making Phantom a hero and an icon, just no sure how I feel about all the attention."
"Very good question. For the first little bit we will hold a few events, and maybe try to catch some footage of Phantom fighting ghost, just so people can really appreciate what Phantom has been and will do for this town. There will be a few interviews as well, so that people can ask questions they would have without having to bug you in your daily life, it's also a way to get people to trust Phantom, most people already trust Danny, and even though they know that Phantom and Fenton are the same person, for some people it might take some getting used to. I want to make sure we get all the promotional stuff out of the way, so you can live your life like a semi- normal teenager. Once we promote Phantom as a hero, not a menace or a villain, and we are able to set up the superhero image for you, I will not require you to be a part of any event, interview or meeting you don't want to be a part of. You will only have to collect your check at the end of every month, and if you decide to open up a checking account at the bank, I can arrange to have the checks deposited into your accounts, that way you won't have to come to city hall very often."
"Ok, second question. When I chose the vehicles do I get to choose any vehicles I want? Even if they have to be shipped across seas to get here?"
"When I say any vehicle I mean any vehicle, no limit on price either, of course the vehicle might take a few weeks to get shipped or be assembled in the factory depending on what you decide to get, but that is a price I am willing to pay as a thank you for saving Amity Park so many times, and now the world."
"My turn to ask a question." Sam interjected. "Since he saved the world, this has been a lot for Danny, what if he is in the middle of saving the city and the feds decide to take over like the last time and arrest him?"
"If that ever happens, I would personally release him from custody, and make sure the feds never interfere again. If you three decide to accept my offer, I have requested the feds stay out of my city business, unless otherwise invited by me or Danny."
"This one is more of a demand or a condition that needs to be agreed upon before anything else happens. Danny, Tucker and I are inseparable, figuratively when dealing with ghosts we work together as a team, with that said, any event he is a part of or any interviews he has to go to, we get to be by his side at all times." As Sam finished speaking, Danny turned slightly to his left, and looked her in the eyes. The look on his face was a little surprised, as he had never really heard her express how protective she is over him. He gave her a half smile and kissed her lightly on the lips. Danny could hear Tucker make his normal gagging sound whenever they did anything like that.
"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. I understand if you three need a few days to make a decision, but I really do hope you accept my offer. I really want what's best for this city and I believe that having a proper superhero is just the way to do that."
The trio continued to look back and forth at each other, almost like they were communicating with one another without saying a word.
"I have a question, if Danny accepts this offer, will he have the equipment necessary to protect the city?" Tucker asked
"If equipment you mean the proper gadgets and technology, then yes, any tools or technology needed will be covered, and if it hasn't been invented yet, I will find someone who will invent it. All you need to do is ask, and I will make it happen. Are there any other questions you three have for me?"
The trio looked at each other once again and nodded in agreement.
"I do have one more question, If I don't accept your offer right now, how long will your offer be good for?"
"The offer will always be available, weather it is 2 hours from now, a few weeks from now or even a month from now. I know it's a lot to think about and you three probably need to talk about amongst yourselves, and come up with some more of your own terms, so I understand if you don't accept right away. I would just like to get the ball rolling with all this, but only if you want to make Phantom the hero he was meant to be."
Danny nodded. "I think we do need a few days to think about it."
"Alright no rush, you three take you time, talking to each other and to your families. As much as I would love to sit here and talk all day to you three, I have other meetings and things to get to. Please help yourselves to the treats on this table, but I must be going now." The mayor stood up and started to walk over to his desk, as he did so the door to his office opened up and there stood the same man dressed in white, ready to escort the trio out of city hall.
Danny and Sam stood up together and walked towards the door, meanwhile Tucker was stuffing his face with the treats on the table. Danny cleared his throat again to catch Tuckers attention. Tucker looked up and with a mouth full of food he said "What he said help ourselves, and I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning, I was up late last night playing doomed." Tucker caught up with them mouth still full of food. All three of them walked out of the office, followed by the guy in white. They were almost to the font doors when Danny turned around and was facing the man in white.
"Since we will be seeing more of each other weather I accept the mayors offer or not, we should at least know your name."
The guy in white looked down and Danny. "Why does it matter that you know my name."
"Unless you would rather me call you baldy, cause I don't know your real name." Danny slightly shrugged his shoulders, and turned back around. Before he could walk out the door the man in white responded.
"My name is Felix." He said in defeat.
Danny turned back around to face Felix. "Was that so hard? Thanks for escorting us and guarding the door."
Felix scoffed "Whatever kid, just get out of here. I have important things to take care of."
Danny turned back around and walked out the city hall doors, Sam and Tucker right behind him, however he was stopped in his tracks. Waiting for him and the others was a crowd of people, and to no surprise the crowd included Dash and Paulina.
Danny rolled his eyes. "Not this again. Hold on tight guys. I'm going ghost." Even though Danny didn't technically have to say that anymore, it was a force of habit, with those words a bright blue flash of light appeared, and when it was gone the trio was airborne. They could hear the crowd below confused and were now searching the grounds and air.
Danny continued to fly through the air holding Sam and Tuckers hand, when what felt like hours, they arrived at his house. He didn't bother to walk through the front door, he just flew through his window, landing on his floor instantly changing back to his human form. Danny let go of both of his friends' hands and flopped onto his bed digging his face in his pillow. He felt someone sit on his bed, he didn't bother to lift his face from his pillow, as he knew it was Sam that had sat on the edge of his bed.
Sam put her hand on his back, and starting rubbing it. "Danny, I know it's frustrating to have everyone gawking at you all the time, but if you decide to accept the mayors offer, maybe it will help with the crowds."
"Yeah man, $5,000 a month and a bonus if we have to deal with more than what we would usually deal with, plus all the ghost fighting equipment you could ask for. Not to mention you get to pick your own cars dude, not many 15-year-olds get to do that, and have it paid for."
Danny lifted himself up on his elbows, keeping his head down, so his hair was covering his eyes. "It's not about the offer, I just wish things would calm down with everyone wanting my attention. It's already been 1 month since I exposed myself and people are still not used to it."
Sam grabbed his face and lifted it up. "Remember how long it took you to actually get used to your powers? You were having troubles keeping control of them, now you can go ghost without a second thought, and most of your powers are now stronger than ever. Even your ghostly wail, which if I remember correctly it took Dark Danny years to learn how to do that, and you learned how to do it in a matter of life and death. Give the citizens a chance to get used to everything, it also did take Jazz quite a while to get used to your powers once she knew too. People just need a chance to ask what they want to ask and be around you more." Sam placed her hands on his face, and turned his head so they were now locking eyes.
"I just don't get it, every knows who I am, and they only want to be around me because they now know I am Phantom and Fenton. Before every knew my secret I was just dorky Fenton. I almost wish I never would have exposed my secret to the world, it's just made things a big mess." Danny pushed himself up and sat down facing Sam. "Not to mention you guys now have to deal with this as well, I never wanted any of this, I wanted things to stay the way they were." Danny lowered his head trying to fight back, and hide the tears. Sam lifted his head again and saw a few tears had escaped his eyes. Danny hardly ever cried, he has only cried a few times in his life and all times had been because loss of a family member. The most recent time he cried was when his grandpa on his mom's side had passed away, and that was way before he had his powers or started high school. Sam didn't say anything she just wiped his tears away, embraced him and gave him a kiss. Tucker was watching everything transpire in Danny's computer chair, and didn't make any noises when they kissed this time.
"Things will get better Danny, trust me. It's just hard right now because we are trying to get everything figured out, and don't feel bad for exposing your secret to the world. You did what you thought was the right thing to do, and we will always be here for you through thick and thin, nothing you do will make us leave. Right tucker?"
"Well…" Tucker started to say.
Without hesitation Sam looked back at Tucker. "Tucker!"
"What I'm only kidding, Danny knows I've got his back no matter what." Tucker stood up from the chair and also sat on Danny's bed. "We will always be by your side, and back you up no matter what. We've all know each other since the second grade, and we have known each other before that. If you haven't scared me away yet, nothing will." Tucker put his hand on Danny's shoulder as a way to re-assure him that he wasn't going anywhere.
Danny looked at his two best friends, and wiped one of his own tears away. "Thanks guys, I couldn't ask for better friends than you." Danny felt a little bit better knowing that his friends weren't bothered by the fact that things will never be the same, and their relationships might change, but with everything that has happened since now they have stuck by his side.
"Anyways, are we going to discuss this offer the mayor is giving you?" Tucker asked trying to lighten the mood
Danny sat for a minute thinking. "It is a pretty nice offer." Danny closed his eyes and imagined him driving his dream car with Sam in the passenger seat, ever since Danny can remember his dream car has always been a black Lamborghini Murcielago, up until he got his powers, he just wanted a black car, but since then his dream has been to have his Phantom logo painted on the hood and sides of the vehicle. The paint would almost perfectly match the shiny black finish, but a few shades lighter, just enough so you can see it close up, but not from far away. He smiled at the thought of owning his dream car, and being able to share it with Sam.
"What are you smiling about?" Sam asked curiously.
Danny opened his eyes, and looked at Sam. "I was just thinking about what kind of car I would get."
"Oh yeah, and what's that?"
"A Lamborghini Murcielago, with a black shiny finish." It wasn't Danny who answered Sam, it was Tucker. "Danny has wanted that car ever since we were kids."
Danny chuckled. "That's true, but now I want to customize it, ever since I got my powers, and Sam made me the logo for Phantom, I want to have the logo on the hood and the back sides of the car. I want them dark enough that if you are far away you can't tell it's there, but if your close and know where to look you'll be able to see them."
"Dude that would be sick. So, are you going to accept the offer then?" Tucker asked
"More than likely yes, I still have some things to consider." Danny stood up from his bed, and walked over to his window.
Sam stood behind Danny, and hugged him from behind "Whatever choice you make Danny, I will support your decision."
Danny continued to stare out his window, when the sky suddenly got darker, and his ghost sense went off. Without hesitation Danny transformed and flew out the window, looking everywhere for a sign of the other ghost, not much longer and Danny heard a childlike voice coming from above him.
"I Young Blood will take over this town, and nobody will be able to stop me." Young Blood laughed his little kid laugh, only to be interrupted by Danny.
Danny was now floating in front of Young Bloods ship. "Can we just skip the part where I kick your but and you get into the thermos?"
Young Blood laughed once again. "You think that just because you saved the world, your words are enough to defeat me?"
"No, but it has been a month since that happened, and you are now just showing yourself. Did you have to build enough courage to face me again?" Danny mocked.
"How dare you mock your future leader!" Young Blood shouted.
Danny started laughing, it was the first time in a month he had laughed this hard. "While you have been doing whatever it is little kids do. I have been training, and studying how to kick your but faster."
Young Blood scoffed. "Well let's see if all that training and studying has paid off." With his last word, Young Blood shot a plasma blast towards Danny. Danny opened his hands preparing to shoot back his own plasma blast, but instead of creating his own, he stopped Young Bloods plasma bast with his hands, not really realizing what he was doing, Danny was able to create another plasma blast, adding to the one he already had in his hands, and shot it towards Young Blood.
Young Blood tried to dodge the plasma blast, but he wasn't quick enough, the plasma blast hit him square in the chest, causing him to spin backwards a few times. While Young Blood was spinning backwards, Danny followed him until he stopped "Ouch, that really hurt!"
Danny now holding Young Blood by the collar of his clothes looked into his eyes. "Told you I've been training, now go bug someone else." With every word Danny spoke he raised the thermos closer and closer to Young Blood, until the opening was at his feet. "Sea you later Young Blood." Danny pressed the button on the thermos, and with-in seconds Young Blood and his ship were inside the thermos. The sky turned back to normal and Danny continued to float where he was, thinking about how easy that fight was. "He didn't put up much of a fight, and his pesky little parrot didn't even interfere either. That was too easy." When Danny got done finishing his thought, he briefly heard Sam calling his name.
"DANNY, WATCH OUT!" Sam screamed from his bedroom window.
Danny had just enough time to turn around only to be met with a net, that was shot from the enemy he couldn't see. The net captured Danny and fell to the ground below, which was a pretty far drop, considering Danny was floating higher than the satellite that was on top of his house. When Danny made contact with the ground a loud bang echoed through the town.
Danny tried to focus his energy to break free from the net, but was met with a very strong powerful shock throughout his entire body. He screamed out in pain as what he thought felt like 300 million volts of electricity (roughly the same amount as a lightning strike) started coursing through his body. When the shock finally ended, Danny was trying to catch his breath, when the shock happened again, causing him to almost change back. "Who is shocking me? And why did they have to use Young Blood as a distraction?" Danny's question was answered as soon as he had thought it.
"Enjoying the extra power welp?" The capturer was none other than Skulker.
Danny was still recovering from the second shock; he could barely talk.
"Oh, too scared to talk, weakling?" Skulker taunted. Danny could hear his voice getting louder and louder and could also hear the sound of his boots getting closer and closer.
"You had to use Young Blood as a distraction to capture me?" Danny replied weakly
Before responding Skulker shocked Danny again causing him to transform back into his human form. "The little brat wanted to get revenge on you and he came to me with a plan. We worked on this plan for a few months, we were going to attack days before the whole saving the world thing, but that's when we found out about you losing your powers, we decided you were no longer threat, until you decided to risk your life and visit us in our world, knowing you no longer had your powers. After we helped you save the world, Young Blood still wanted to get revenge on you. We tweaked our plan of attack and got some new toys to test out, and now here we are, you trapped in one of the new toys, not being able to escape." Skulker picked up the net like a bag. Danny had just enough strength to muster up a very weak laugh.
Skulker shook the bag up and down. "Why are you laughing, do you understand I have the ability to shock you as many times as I want? I could possibly make your weak human heart stop, then you would be dead."
Danny continued to laugh and even harder this time. "First of all, you and Young Blood think of me a threat? Second of all, no matter how many times you shock me, I can't die. I'm already half dead. The only thing you are doing is making my heart beat faster with every shock." Without Skulker noticing Danny was able to change back into Phantom and he was able to obtain enough energy form the shocks, that he broke free of the net, the first thing he did was give Skulker the most powerful and hardest punch he could muster up. Danny had punched Skulker so hard it sent him flying backwards into one of the neighbor's buildings. Danny flew over to Skulker and threw the net over him. "Let's give you taste of your own medicine. TUCKER NOW!" Seconds later Tucker took over Skulkers system and was now shocking him with his own net.
"Doesn't feel good does it Skulker?" Danny said with a smirk on his face.
Skulker didn't move for a few seconds, Danny could see the electricity ribbons jumping all over Skulker's ecto-suit "How did you survive those shocks? I didn't realize they were that powerful."
Danny chuckled "Those shocks may have made me weak for a moment, but I have learned to absorb energy and counter attacks and use it to my benefit. Something I've been working on since saving the world. You're not the only one that has improved on things the last few months."
"Silly child, that's not the only thing I have up my sleeve." Before Danny could stop him from getting up, Skulker was able to retract the net, and fly into the sky. He then pulled a small black box out from his armor and tossed it at Danny's feet. Danny didn't have time to react, the black box activated trapping every part of Danny's body except in the box for his head. This box was exactly like the one he had got trapped in at Vlad's castle attending his parents' college reunion.
"Really, this thing again Skulker? I thought you had upgraded equipment; this doesn't look upgraded to me." Danny didn't sound very impressed.
Skulker flew down to where Danny was now trapped. "I've made some upgrades to this device, let me show you what those are."
"Can't be worse than getting shocked." Danny mocked.
Skulker pushed a button on his arm, and the box started to glow and vibrate. Everything happened so fast, not only was Danny forced to change back into his human form, but the box was emitting a very high pitch noise, that caused Danny to cover his ears for several seconds, not to mention the extreme pain he felt when being forced to change back.
"What did you do to me?" Danny felt as if every bit of energy he had was sucked out of him, and he felt much weaker compared to getting shocked.
"This box has neutralized your powers, and sucked every bit of energy out of you, leaving you weak and defenseless." Danny could hear the joy and excitement come from Skulkers voice as he explained what just happened.
Danny was trying to think of how he was going to get out of the box, but the noise came back, causing him more pain. He screamed and held his ears, even holding his ears wasn't good enough he could still hear the sound just as loud. When the noise stopped Danny's head hurt so much, he thought his brain was going to explode.
"It's not nice to pick on children." Sam said with Tucker standing next to her. They were now standing behind Skulker.
Skulker turned around to face them. "This doesn't concern you two, this is between me and the ghost boy."
"That's where you're wrong, you mess with Danny, you mess with us." Tucker said with confidence. "I think it's time to even out the playing field. What do you think Sam?"
"I think you're right Tucker, give him everything you got, I'll get Danny." Sam ran past skulker making her way to Danny.
Tucker pulled out his PDA, and beeping noises started to come from his device. "I think it's time for some exercise." Tucker pushed a few buttons on his PDA, and seconds later Skulker's PDA on his armor chimed, and Skulker was being forced to do push-ups.
Sam was at the box trying to find the release button. "It should be close to the edge on the right." Danny said weakly. Sam found the button and when she tried to push it, she got shocked, the shock was enough to send her flying back to where Tucker was a few feet away from Danny. "SAM!"
Skulker was still doing push-ups but was laughing. "You think it's going to that easy to escape the box this time welp? The only person who can open it without getting shocked is me."
"That's enough out of you." Tucker pushed another button on his PDA and now the net from earlier came out and tied itself around Skulker, making him in moveable. Tucker rushed over to Sam, who was laying on her back not responding. "Sam, can you hear me?"
"Tucker is she ok?" Danny asked worried.
"She's still breathing, but I don't know how powerful that shock was, she might need to go to the hospital, her heart is beating pretty slow." Tucker continued to try and wake Sam up, but she still wasn't responding.
"THAT'S IT!" Danny got so mad that he focused all the energy he could into his core, causing ice to start forming all around his body, before too long him and the entire box was covered and ice, and seconds later he used a very powerful ectoblast and broke free of the box, as soon as he was free, he didn't waste any time, he quickly changed back and flew over to Sam, once by her side, he lifted her into his arms. "Sam, can you hear me? Sam, please wake up." Danny put his ear next to her heart and it was beating very slowly. "Tucker her heart isn't beating like it should, I might have to give her a little shock, you might want to stand back." Without hesitation Tucker stepped a few feet back, once Tucker was far enough away, Danny placed his hand over her heart. "Please let this work." Danny sent a small shock through Sam's body. Danny waited for a few seconds before giving her another one. "Please Sam wake up, I can't lose you." Danny tried once more, and Sam jolted awake, and screamed in pain. "SAM!" Since Danny was already holder her, he brought her into a tight embrace, and whispered in her ear. "Don't scare me like that, I thought I lost you."
Sam returned the hug, and slightly grunted in pain. "What happened." She asked sounding confused.
"When you tried to free me, you got shocked; as soon as I was able to escape, I rushed over to you and your heart almost stopped beating. I gave you a few small jolts of electricity to get you heart to beat normal again." Danny explained with a hint of worry and anger in his voice.
They were still hugging, and Sam whispered in his ear. "I'm not going anywhere, now go kick Skulkers ass."
Danny gently let go of Sam and turned around so fast that within a few milliseconds Danny was holding Skulker by the neck with his left hand, and his eyes were not his usual bright green, but deep red. "You've made a big mistake Skulker." Danny didn't allow him to talk he once again focused his energy and was shocking Skulker with twice the amount of power than the net gave off. Danny was shocking Skulker for several seconds before stopping. He took the thermos from behind his back. "I better not see you back here for a very long time." He threatened. Danny pushed the small button on the thermos, and Skulker vanished inside of it. Danny continued to float in the air for a few seconds before returning to Sam, which Tucker was now sitting by her. Danny's left hand was smoking from shocking Skulker with that amount of power.
Tucker looked at Danny with a blank expression. "Remind me not to ever get on your bad side. That was pretty powerful Danny, how did you manage to do all that after Skulker sucked all the energy out of you?"
Danny didn't change back immediately and picked Sam back up in his arms. "I don't know, I was just so pissed of that I thought of ending Skulker forever for what his box did to Sam. I didn't even know I had those powers, and when I escaped from the box, I wasn't even in my ghost form, I was still in my human form. I must be getting stronger."
"Danny, you need to be more careful when using your powers like that, you don't want to overdo it and literally burn yourself out." Sam said with worry in her voice.
Danny looked down into her eyes. "Thanks for worrying about me, but I'll be fine. We need to get you home so you can rest."
Sam forced her way out of Danny's arms and was now facing him arms folded.
"What?" Danny asked.
"Danny, I love you more than words can express, if something happened to you, I don't know what I would do without you. All I'm asking is to be more careful."
"Honestly Sam what's the worst that can happen? I'm already half dead, I don't think there is a way to burn myself out, besides I can recover a lot quicker than what I used to be able to."
"Danny I'm being serious." Sam sounded more annoyed than worried.
Danny continued to look at Sam and caved. "Ok fine, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to me more careful when using your powers to a point that your hand isn't smoking after using that power."
Danny grabbed Sam and hugged her. "I promise I will be more careful, and I will get to a point where I can control my powers better." He kissed the top of her head. "I love you Sam."
Sam returned the hug and dug her face into his chest. "I love you too."
"Could you guys get any more gross?" Tucker asked disgusted.
Danny let go of Sam and faced Tucker "Sorry Tuck. Thanks for overriding Skulkers suit today and distracting him." Danny Finally changed back to his human form. "Now let's get you home Sam.
They all started walking in the direction of Sam's house.
"Oh Danny. My parents are not to know what happened to me, got it." Sam requested
"I'm not going to tell them. Your parents already don't think very highly, even though they know my secret. I don't think anything I do is going to change the way your parents feel about me, I'm not about to add something to their list of reasons they don't like me, there is already so many things on that list. My lips are sealed." Danny said.
"I'm not saying anything either, your parents have a neutral feeling about me hanging out with you, if I break the news that their only child was harmed while fighting ghosts, then your parents would hate both of us." Tucker stated
Sam smiled at the fact that all three of them could always rely on one another, and that they all had each other's' backs at all times. A few moments later they arrived at Sam's front door. Danny turned Sam toward him, holding her arms.
"Danny, what is it?"
"I was just going to say, don't let your parents see your chest for the next little while. There might be a hand mark over your heart. The shock I gave you, was like using a defibrillator. It should heal in a few days, just be careful."
Sam smiled. "Don't worry they won't know anything." Sam kissed Danny on the lips, before going into her house, she faced the other two. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." She turned back around and walked into her house.
Danny watched her walk into her home, and he caught a glimpse of her dad standing behind the door, with the same scowling look on his face that he always gave Danny. Danny rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"What's up dude?"
"I just don't understand why her parents still don't like me. I mean if it weren't for me, and you, they would be dead. The least they can do is be grateful for that" Danny turned on his heel, and started walking back to his house, Tucker right behind him.
"I get where you are coming from dude, but can you blame them? Sam and I risk our lives every time we help you catch a ghost." Tucker explained
"I know Tuck, I wish you guys didn't have to do that. I want to get to a point where my powers are strong that you guys don't have to risk your lives to help me. I know you guys don't mind, but if anything, ever happened to you or Sam while fighting a ghost, I don't know what I would do. My worst fear almost came true today with Sam. Every time we have to fight a ghost that thought of losing you and Sam is always in the back of my head. It's almost as bad as when we had to fight Dark Danny, I didn't stop having nightmares about him for a few months after we defeated him, because I was afraid that he would return and change everything for good." Danny continued to walk to his house, Tucker still walking by his side.
"Danny even if you get to a point where your powers are super strong. Sam and I will still be there for you. There is nothing you can say or do to stop us from helping you. It's what friends do man. When we were in the second grade did, I ever think that one day my best friend would have ghost powers, and I would be able to fight by his side? No, but I wouldn't change it for the world! I enjoy fighting ghosts with my best friends."
Danny didn't respond he just smiled. Before long they arrived at Danny's house, and to his surprise Jazz was sitting on the front step outside
"Jazz is everything ok?" Danny asked as he approached the stairs to his front door.
"I just needed some air is all." She answered. Danny could tell something was bothering her. He turned toward Tucker.
"I'll catch ya tomorrow, Tuck."
"Alright dude. Nasty burger at 11?"
"I'll be there." They did their signature handshake and Tucker left. Danny turned back to Jazz
"I know you didn't just come out here to get some air Jazz, what's going on?" Danny walked toward his sister and sat down next to his sister. Danny didn't usually care if something was bothering his sister, but he could tell that something was different and more serious about what was bothering her this time.
Before Jazz answered him, she sighed. "Things are just not going to be the same between us, are they? Now that everyone knows your secret including mom and dad, I feel like I'm losing my little brother."
Danny slightly shuddered when Jazz said little brother, he put his hand on her knee. "Jazz I'll always be your little brother, and yes things will be different, but that doesn't mean things have to change all the way. You know I am almost 16 now, and I'm going to need someone to teach me to drive." Danny was now looking up at Jazz, which for him now wasn't that hard to look up to her, he was almost the same height as she was.
Jazz looked at Danny and met his eyes. "Are you serious? You want me to teach you how to drive? What about mom and dad?"
Danny chuckled. "Dad's the last person I want teaching me how to drive. I would much rather learn from someone who can't be fooled by a robot as his son."
Jazz knew Danny was referring to dressing the Tuck-bot up to look and act like Danny during the disasteroid. "I guess you're right." Jazz pulled Danny into a side hug. "Love you, Danny."
As much as Danny disliked being pulled into hugs like that, he didn't really mind it this time, and returned the hug. "Love you too, Jazz." Danny and Jazz hugged each other for a little while longer, before Danny's ghost sense went off. He let go of Jazz, and without much thought he was airborne as Phantom. He scanned the area and didn't see any ghost around.
"Jazz, go back inside." Danny instructed still searching for the other ghost.
"Danny, I want to help." Jazz was now standing on the bottom step trying to help Danny search for the other ghost.
Danny flew down to where Jazz was standing and held both of her arms. "Jazz please go inside; I don't want what happened to Sam today happen to you. I'm sick of the people I care about getting hurt." Jazz could hear the worry in his voice and went inside.
Once Jazz was safe inside Danny flew to the top of the observation room, turning every direction to find the ghost, when far off in the distance, a few miles from his house, he saw Frostbite floating above a house, with-in seconds Danny was floating next to Frostbite's side. "Frostbite what are you doing here?"
Frostbite didn't respond right away the expression on his face was pure confusion. He looked at Danny trying to comprehend what had just happened. "Chosen one? Where am I?" Frostbite hardly ever came to the human world, and if he did it was for something serious.
"You're in the human world, in Amity Park. Why aren't you in the far frozen, and how did you get here?"
Frostbite floated down to the roof of the house and sat down. "The last thing I remember was my people and I were defending the far frozen from your nemesis. I think I remember seeing Wulf there, but I can't be sure."
Danny was sitting next to Frostbite, when his phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and saw it was Tucker. He answered it.
"Dude I just got a notification that a ghost is here, is everything ok?"
"Since when do you get a notified that a ghost is in Amity Park Tuck?" Danny asked curiously
"I updated my software to detect ghosts a little bit before the disasteroid, just in case we weren't with you, and could be there in minutes if needed."
"Impressive Tuck, but everything is fine, I think, it's just Frostbite."
"Frostbite? What is he doing there?"
"I don't know Tuck, that's what I am trying to figure out. I'll tell you everything tomorrow." Danny hung up not waiting for a response, and directed his attention back to Frostbite. "What was Plasmius doing in the far frozen?" Danny gave Frostbite time to respond.
"I'm sorry great one, but I can't remember much." Frostbite hung his head.
Danny placed his hand on Frostbite's shoulder. "We'll figure all this out soon, for now I think you need to rest." As Danny had his hand on Frostbite's shoulder, he could feel how drained Frostbite was of energy, it almost made him tired. Danny stood up. "Do you have enough energy to make it back to my house?"
"I believe with some assistance I should be able to." Frostbite stood up and just as quickly as he stood up, he fell forward. Danny acted fast, and caught him before he fell to the ground.
"Are you sure you'll be able to fly back to my house? You can barley stand." Danny helped Frostbite stand back up, allowing Frostbite to use Danny for a little bit of support.
"My apologies great one, I didn't realize I was that weak." Frostbite tried to stand on his own, but just couldn't muster up enough strength to do so.
"It's ok. If you can't fly, I'll just teleport us to my house. Even though I have never done this with anyone else, I'm sure it can't be that hard."
Frostbite made eye contact with Danny and half smiled. "Definitely shouldn't be hard for you, especially since your ice powers are becoming stronger."
Danny looked at Frostbite puzzled. "How do you know my ice powers are getting stronger?"
Frostbite chuckled. "I can feel how strong they are. You have been practicing."
Danny smirked. "I have been practicing, and not just on my ice powers either. I've been practicing everything." Frostbit nodded in agreement.
Danny helped Frostbite get into a better standing position, and put one of his arms around Frostbite's waist. "Well here goes nothing." Danny focused every bit of energy he had, and with-in seconds they were teleported from the top of the building into the safety of the lab in his basement. Once their feet hit the floor, Danny changed back and fell to his knees. Teleporting the both of them took a lot out of him. Frostbite also fell to his knees, but not necessarily because he had no energy, he wanted to make sure Danny was ok.
"Great one. Are you ok?" Frostbite asked concerned.
Danny didn't answer right away, and before he could he heard a scared high pitch scream. He turned on his back and saw his mom standing at the bottom of the steps pointing a blaster at Frostbite, staring at both of them. Maddie didn't hesitate and pulled the trigger, Danny weakly stood up and rushed in between the blast and Frostbite, causing the blast from the gun to hit him in the chest, and making him fall to his knees, then on his stomach.
"Great one." Frostbite exclaimed.
Maddie was trying to comprehend everything that just happened. She just shot her son, she dropped the blaster and kneeled down to Danny's level. "Oh, my goodness, Danny are you ok? I'm so sorry."
Danny laid there motionless not responding.
"Danny, can you hear me?" Maddy tried shaking him, but he didn't respond.
Frostbite kneeled down and turned Danny over so he was now laying on his back.
"What are you doing to my son?" Maddie asked worried.
Frostbite didn't answer her, he just placed his ice arm over Danny's heart. With the strength he had left Frostbite now focused all his energy and gave Danny's heart a small shock. He waited for a few seconds before delivering another one. The second shock was enough to get Danny's heart beating again, and he sat up quickly, breathing very fast.
"What happened?" He asked looking at his mom and Frostbite. No one answered him right away, as there was an awkward stare going on between Maddie and Frostbite, and Danny could feel the tension in the room.
"Honey I am so sorry; I didn't think before acting. I heard some noise coming from down here, and when I got down here, I saw you and this abominable snowman looking thing, and my first reaction was to shoot. I wasn't expecting you to jump in front of the blast." Maddie now had a little bit of tears coming from her eyes. Frostbite stayed quite not wanting to make things worse, after all Danny did just sacrifice his own life to save Frostbite's.
Danny slowed his breathing down, and took a moment before answering his mom. "It's ok mom, I should have called you and let you know I would be bringing someone with me." Danny was now rubbing his chest, and turned his attention to Frostbite who was also kneeling next to him. "Did my heart stop?" He asked curiously. He already knew what the answer was going to be.
Frostbite nodded, and Maddie gasped. "Mom please this isn't the first time this has happened to me, and it probably won't be the last either."
Maddie was at a loss for words, and couldn't talk.
"I guess introductions are needed. Mom this is Frostbite, leader of the far frozen from the ghost zone. Frostbite this is my mom, Maddie"
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance Ma'am." Frostbite extended his other arm out offering a handshake.
Maddie stared at Frostbite's giant claw like paw and placed her hand in his, to her surprise his paw was cold to the touch. "Nice to meet you too." Maddie said apprehensively, but shook his paw any way.
"I apologize for scaring you, and causing any confusion." Frostbite looked at Danny. "And Great one, I am sorrowful that you took that blast for me. I should have been hit with that blast." Frostbite put his hand over his own heart and lowered his head, indicating he was trying to bow to Danny.
"Don't apologize Frostbite, I would have done it for any of my allies, plus you have protected me to many times to count." Danny tried to stand up but was stopped by Frostbites paw on his chest, forcing him to stay sitting.
"No great one, you mustn't exert any more energy, after what you just went though."
Danny pushed his paw away from his chest and continued to stand up. "I'll be fine Frostbite, I just need to take it easy for a few days, but knowing what Plasmius is up too, I won't get to do that." Danny was standing in front of his mom, and offered his hand to her to help her up off her knees. She allowed Danny to pull her up, and when their hands touched, she was surprised to find out that he too was cold to the touch, and not just a normal cold, his hand was cold like holding a piece of ice. Danny turned to Frostbite.
"Let's get you some rest before we go after Plasmius." Danny started to move around the lab finding things to make frostbite a makeshift bed.
"Thank you for your hospitality great one, but I couldn't impose any more than I already have." Frostbite politely declined.
Danny was not going to take no for an answer. He stopped what he was doing and walked back to where Frostbite was standing. Danny had grown a little bit since the last interaction, but his head only went up to Frostbite's chest. Danny looked up at Frostbite. "I am not taking no for an answer, you are staying for a little while, so you can recover." Danny said with authority.
Frostbite didn't ague back, he just gave Danny a very low respectful bow. Danny nodded and walked over to his mom. "I promise to explain more later, I can take care of thing down here. I hope it's ok for Frostbite to stay long enough for him to gain his energy back." Danny gave his mom a hug, which she returned.
"Of, course it's ok, next time I would like a warning before hand." Maddie gave Danny one more hug and walked upstairs.
Danny continued to make the lab as comfortable as he could for Frostbite during his short stay. Once he was finished setting up a make-shift sleeping area, he handed Frostbite a pair of Fenton phones. The earbuds looked so small in his hands compared to Danny's.
"These are Fenton Phones, to decrease the interaction with my family, just use these if you need anything, I will be able to hear you and respond with-out having a pair of my own, and don't think about going back to the far frozen before you are rested up. I have put a lock on the portal, and you can't phase through it, so don't try"
Frostbite put the Fenton phones in his ears. "You don't have to cater to my needs great one. It is I who should be catering to yours."
"Maybe when I'm in the ghost zone, but you are in my world, which means it's my turn to tend to your needs. I'm not about to let you risk your life to go after Plasmius, when you are already at a disadvantage, and weaker than normal. The ghost zone and my world can't afford to lose you. If we lose you, who knows what Plasmius would do. I'm not strong enough to deal with him alone yet. I know my powers are getting stronger and I have already mastered some powers that Dark Danny hadn't mastered till years later, but I still need practice." Danny explained.
"Alright savior of the realms, I will allow you to tend to my needs until I am strong enough to go back to the far frozen." Frostbite sat down on the make-shift bed Danny had made for him.
"One more thing. I know it's your custom, but when you're here in my world no need to be formal, at least around my family. They aren't used to my powers yet and it's probably confusing for them to hear you call me great one, you can just call me Danny, or Daniel if you prefer."
"As you wish great one." Frostbite laid on his back, and in seconds fell asleep. Danny took the hint and walked upstairs, where his parents and Jazz were all sitting on the couch. Danny sighed. "I owe everyone an explanation, don't I?"
"You can start by explaining who Frostbite is, and what he is doing here." Maddie said in a calm yet irritated tone.
Danny didn't quite walk over to the couch to join his family, instead he walked over to the wall, and activated the ghost shield. He could hear the antenna rise from the tip of the satellite, he looked outside and saw the house was now being covered by the ghost shield.
"Danny why did you activate the ghost shield?" Jazz asked
"I'll explain in a second." He walked over to the couch and sat between his parents. "First of all, thanks for letting Frostbite stay in the lab while he gets his strength back, if you guys knew him like I do you would know that Plasmius really did a number on him. When I talk about Plasmius I am talking about Vlad Masters. I know you don't want to admit that he's bad, dad, but he is and he always has been, ever since the day he got his powers back in college. Frostbite is one of the more powerful ghosts I know, so for him to beaten by Plasmius and be that worn out from it, means that Plasmius must have found something powerful to defeat Frostbite." Danny thought back to earlier when he saw Frostbite. He remembered Frostbite saying something about Wulf being involved in the fight with Vlad.
"When we were downstairs Frostbite called you great one. Why did he call you great one?" Maddie asked
"He calls me the great one because of the time I defeated an ancient ghost that shouldn't have been released. His name is Pariah Dark, he used to rule over the ghost zone ages ago, he ruled using the Ring or Rage, and the Crown of Fire, which grants whoever possess both of them limitless powers, and also has control of a ghost army, a group of powerful ancient ghosts came together and defeated him putting him to sleep until Plasmius set him free."
"Where is this Frostbite from?" Jack asked
Danny was surprised his dad was paying attention and got Frostbites name right. "He comes from the far frozen, which is a part of the ghost zone that he rules. The first time I went there was by accident. Sam, Tucker, and I were in the process of making a map of the ghost zone and happened to come across his land." Danny slightly chuckled remembering the first time he met Frostbite and how he wanted to harm him all because of a piece of ice that was lodged in his back. "After Frostbite showed us around his land, he gave us an object called the Infi-map, which is a very powerful map that can lead the user to any portal that is going to open up in our world, He gave it to us so we could get back home. The next time I saw him was when that overgrown plant like thing (undergrowth) took over the town. I went to the far frozen because I needed help and also because I was discovering that I had ice powers."
"What is Frostbite doing here in our world, if he is supposed to be ruling his world?" Jazz asked the question this time.
"That is a question I don't have an answer to, and I am in the process of finding out. I know Plasmius has something to do with it, I just don't know what. I was trying to get that information from Frostbite, but he can't remember hardly anything from the fight. I am hoping that by letting him rest his memory will come back and he will be able to tell me why Plasmius was in the far frozen with Wulf. Before anyone asks Wulf is an ally of mine, his main language is Esperanto, and no I don't know where his language comes from, but I have been trying to learn as much as I can to communicate. If Wulf is involved it's because he is being forced, not because he wants to be."
"One last question for me, then I'm done asking questions until I need an answer for something. How long will Frostbite be staying with us?" Maddie was the one to ask this question
"Hopefully not long. If he rests like he should, then by tomorrow. That's one good thing about being a ghost, or half ghost in my case. We heal faster than the average human. Something that might take an average human an hour to recover from a bad injury takes a ghost less than half that time. Once he is back to normal, him and I are going to get to the bottom of this. The reason I also activated the ghost shield was for two reasons, the first one is to keep Plasmius out, the second one is to keep Frostbite in, and protect you guys. I would hate for you guys to get hurt." Danny stood up and faced his family. "Any more questions?"
Everyone shook their heads. Danny noticed that his mom was silently crying. "Mom what's wrong?"
Maddie took a moment to compose herself. "My little boy is growing up so fast, and taking responsibility. I just didn't expect things to go by so quickly."
"Well now that you all know about my powers there is no point in playing dumb anymore or acting careless. You guys know what I've gone through in the last year and a half, and you know the responsibilities I have being Phantom." Danny walked up to his mom and wiped the tears off her face.
Maddie smiled, placed her hands on Danny's cheeks and kissed his forehead. "We love you, Danny."
Danny didn't fight against his mom kissing his head like he normally did. "I love you guys too, and if any of you have any questions about anything, please ask me, even though they might seem silly. I know learning your son is half ghost can't be easy, but I'm an open book now. Nothing to hide." Danny looked at his family and was living in the moment. Danny didn't ever think that he would be able to have this type of conversation with his family. He thought he would always have to keep the secret from them.
"So, Danny, how are you and that goth chick?" Jack asked
"Her name is Sam, and we are fine. I'm going to go to my room now."
"Not so fast Danny." Jack was now standing at Danny's side with his hand on his shoulder. "We need to "talk"." As Jack finished his sentence he winked at Danny.
Danny looked back at his dad, and his eyes grew wide. "I actually need to call Tucker." Danny went intangible and flew up to his room. As he made his escape, he could hear his dad shouting at him.
"You can't run from this talk Danny; it is going to happen!"
Danny phased through his floor and laid on his bed.
If you guys want to know what Danny's car looks like, please DM me, I can't figure out how to upload a picture with the chapter.