Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or any of the characters. Danny Phantom is the sole property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Paramount global.
Envied
Chapter 14: Shi's Betrayal
Previously
Star tried to run, but Shi hoisted her off the ground. The girl tried to free herself with a kick, but her leg was caught by the yawning vampire.
"Hey! Let go!..."Star demanded as she struggled.
"No, I don't think so. Anyway, I think we've had enough fun for now. When I'm done with you... let's just say it'll limit the amount of boys you'll be dating…"Shi said, taking the girl and spell book out the window.
Misty barely woke up in time as she watched the two leaving. Or rather, Shi taking the blonde girl away from whatever nasty plan he has in store. As well as the spell book.
The dark haired girl soon realized what had happened...and could only feel horror and guilt right now.
"Oh, what have I done?!..."Misty whispered in horror as she wondered what to do now.
Present Time
Misty tried to get up but hissed in pain. She hit her head when Shi tossed her and she was still feeling it.
"Ow! If he hit me any harder, I'd probably have a concussion or worse. One that Mom would definitely notice!..."She hissed, trying to ignore the pain.
She doesn't have time to worry about that. She had to find Shi and save his kidnapped victim from a fate worse than what the girl originally had in mind for her rival.
"Oh no, Star!..."Misty thought in worry as she went upstairs and was noticed.
Going into the living room, the girl faced her mother, who seemed surprised at her demeanor.
"Misty, where do you think you're going? Where's the fire?..."Her mother asked.
"I'm going to the book store to pick a book that I need for my project! I'll be back before curfew! Bye!..."Misty lied quickly as she ran out, not even bothering to hear a response from her mother.
Mei blinked, surprised but having her own theory on her daughter's bizarre behavior lately.
"Teenagers! They come up with all sorts of excuses to meet a boy..."She commented, unaware of what was really happening.
"I just hope that I can find them before Shi starts feeling hungry!..."Misty thought as she had no idea what he really wanted.
She just knew that she needed to find them and find help and soon, before Shi did whatever he planned.
There was no telling what that monster had in store for Star or anyone now.
Meanwhile
Danny and the rest of Team Phantom were trying to find Star. They were using Tucker's PDA and the tracking device he placed on her phone in order to track her down.
To be more precise, Danny was flying around in any possible direction while carrying Tucker by the arms while the techno-geek did his best not to look down, while the others followed in Jazz's car.
"Any sign of her?!..."Danny pleaded, worried.
"Not yet, it's almost like something is interfering with the signal..."Tucker said as he fiddled with the device, trying to get a better signal.
"Seriously!? You said that you built that to not have ghosts interfere, but are you telling me it's like satellite TV?..."The ghost boy snarked in anger.
"Hey, I don't have unlimited funds and I already used the last of my allowance on getting my PDA fixed after our last encounter with Skulker!..."The tech geek defended, only to feel a little woozy all of a sudden.
"And to be honest, I wish I didn't eat that chili dog before coming to see that sweater..."Tucker said as he tried not to throw up.
"FOCUS!..."Danny yelled, since they had more pressing matters than Tucker's upset stomach.
The techno-geek did managed to notice a ping. The device beeped rapidly, showing a blip on the screen.
"Found them.! They're just North of Elmerton..."He said.
"Elmerton? Then that's where we are gonna go! And when we get there, that creep is gonna be even uglier once I'm done with him!..."Danny said in determination as he flew faster.
"Hey! I know you wanna save her but I don't survive colliding with buildings as well as you do!..." Tucker shouted but was ignored, so he had no choice but to hang on to his best friend and his PDA...exactly since it's his last one and he can't exactly get a replacement now due to his parents being on his case about his internet bill.
Again.
Danny didn't notice or care, he just wanted to find Star and fast.
"Don't worry Star, I'm on my way!..."The ghost boy thought as he flew faster, wanting to save her before it's too late.
With Shi
The jiangshi had been carrying his captive to his new lair, one that he found when he had "gathered information" for his former "master".
However, the young blonde girl put up a huge fussed, so he knocked her out again and was now flying there.
"She's definitely got the spirit. She will definitely do nicely..."He thought as he carried his captive as he inspected her.
He flew around and spotted the lair.
It was a long abandoned Chinese restaurant, closed due to health code violations and a cockroach infestation. He left Star on one of the abandoned stalls as a man passing by spotted him.
"AH! A ghost!..."The person yelled in horror.
"I'm not a ghost, I am a jiangshi!..."Shi explained, looking more annoyed than anything right now.
"I don't even know what that is!..."The person yelled before running away in horror.
Shi didn't even bother chasing after him.
"Not worth it..."He said with an unimpressed look.
He could easily drain his life force, yet he felt like that was more trouble than he was willing to do.
"Humans…sometimes I wonder why they seem to be the dominant species of this realm…"He muttered as he went back inside his lair.
Despite his own origins, he didn't have the highest opinion of humans. However, there was one human he had on mind for a certain spell that he plans to do as soon as possible for his female prisoner.
He looked at the girl who was unconscious and what a ruckus she made before he knocked her out...and he also recalled all the trouble that she gave him. It was strange, had it been anyone else, he would have been furious and not hesitate to drain them and yet he found himself strangely fascinated by her since she reminded her of someone whom was already long gone.
"She really does reminds me of Meilin... just as spirited as she was..." He thought.
He knew that as a jiangshi, he has not aged in centuries, he was still at the age of 17 when he threw away his humanity for this power, he came to realize how he was alone. So... he had plans for her once she awoke.
"She is just what I need. After today, I shall no longer be alone and I will have what I always desired...after all this time..."He thought. "I just need the right ingredients..."He added, as he read the book.
5 minutes later
With Star
The blonde girl groaned as she stirred awake. She frowned when she saw that she was now in an abandoned location.
"Two times I get knocked out, kidnapped and taken to a new place in one day! It must be a new record..."She muttered sarcastically.
She then noticed that she was once again not alone.
"Ah, I see that your awake..."Was heard.
Star turned around and frowned when she saw that it was Shi.
"And I see that YOU'RE still around! I'm only gonna say this once, don't make me make you experience the pain of defeat again!..."Star said as she reached for something, only to gasp when she saw that her bag was empty.
So were her pockets too.
"What?!..."She exclaimed.
"Don't even bother. I got rid of those weapons of yours, along with that cylindrical device you used to capture my minions..."Shi said.
Star hated this. She was unarmed and at the mercy of a Chinese hopping vampire who went rogue against his master. This is not looking well for her, yet she refused to panic or cower right now.
"Oh well, I can still take you on..."Star said as she got into a fighting stance.
"Oh, really..."Shi said with a mocking grin.
"If you take a bite or whatever, I'll knock your teeth out!..."Star said, trying to not sound nervous.
To her surprise, the vampire just smiled.
"Do not worry, my dear. I will not inflict any harm on you..."Shi revealed, surprising the girl.
"You...won't?..."She asked, sounding unsure.
"Yes...originally, I would have been happy to drain your qi and I was actually annoyed that sorceress refused to allow me to end your life...though, now...I guess I am rather glad that I didn't..."He said as examined her from top to bottom with half-lidded eyes.
Star was getting creeped out by this and stepped back.
"Where am I, exactly? Why did you bring me here anyway?..."Star demanded.
"Quick to the point. In my day, women were not even allowed to ask questions or even speak without permission...though I guess times have changed. To answer your questions, we are in my new lair, I spotted it during trips between your village and the sorceress's. As for the other question...well, I have something planned for you..."Shi said, smiling at her.
A smile that made her skin crawl. The girl shuddered, barely keeping her brave facade together as she tried to get as much information on what was happening.
"If you aren't working for Misty anymore and you aren't gonna eat me, then...why keep me alive and why take me to what I assume in an abandoned Chinese restaurant?..."Star asked, wondering what this is about.
Shi sent her a strange look, floating away with a dark face as he reached for the spell book. For a moment, the girl could see some rage building in his eyes.
"We must hurry..."He said.
"What? Hurry what? Why?..."Star demanded.
"Let's just say that I have a feeling that girl will be back... she'll find some ridiculous attempt to enslave me again, but it won't work. I have the spell book with me and all it's knowledge. And that freak you associate with doesn't know where we are..." Shi said.
"My boyfriend is NOT a freak and exactly what do you need with me?!..." Star asked, still keeping her distance as she wondered what this deluded villain wanted.
Shi smirked and approached her, being too close for comfort. He clearly was feeling confident due to no longer fearing being turned to stone anymore.
"At first... I planned to drain you of your life force. However, you're more unique compared to the women in this era and after witnessing you on the battlefield...I decided that I have other plans..." Shi admitted.
"Plans?..." Star asked, not liking the sound of that.
Shi grabbed her by the chin and smiled.
"I think... I find you quite interesting... much like the woman I had loved so much..." Shi admitted.
"W-What?!..." Star asked, looking horrified and REALLY unnerved right now.
Shi nodded and grinned.
"Allow me to clarify... Star, was it? I have many plans and you will play a key role in them..."He declared.
"Who are you anyway? Why are you going from killing me to whatever it is that you are up to now? And why are you dragging me into your insane plans?..."Star demanded as she backed away from him, keeping her guard up.
Shi smirked, but decided to indulge her a bit.
"Very well... since we will have plenty of time together before any unwelcome guests arrive ..."He began.
"Not as long as you think..." She thought as the villain began to tell his origin story.
"There are spells which allow one to shed their mortal coil for power. Not like that girl and magic, but real power..."She chuckled, skimming through a couple spells.
"I would know, since that is how I came to be like this..."He said as he gestured to himself.
Star remained silent as she listened to the jiangshi tell his life's story.
"Long ago, I too was human. I was from a family of who was in service to the regional lord of my humble little village. However, as I was the youngest son of the family and because...I lacked certain skills that my family thought were expecting of me and my siblings, I was always overlooked by my older half brother, especially since I was the son of my father's second wife. My brother was made heir to everything and left nothing for me except what was leftover!..."Shi said, looking bitter as their was even a green aura around him.
Star stepped back almost certain she'd be in the path of his rage. Thankfully, Shi calmed down as the glow disappeared. He didn't want to hurt her, it'd ruin everything.
Star tried to see if there were any way that she could escape, while the Dracula wannabe was preoccupied from both giving his backstory and working on the ancient pentacle.
"So... Shi? Is that your real name?..."She asked, but the villain shook his head.
"Shi was my nickname by Meilin..."He said, smiling like he was recalling some pleasant memory.
"It was?..."She asked and he nodded.
"What was your real name, then?..."She asked and the villain decided to indulge her once more.
"My real name was Jiang Hiyashi, once in service to my village's lord. I was only 17 when-..."Shi was cut off when Star interrupted.
"Wait, wait wait...let me see if I got this right... you're called Jiang Hiyashi, with Shi as a nickname, and you turned into a jiangshi that was turned into stone. Isn't that a little too on the nose?..." Star asked, looking incredulous now.
"Says the girl who is with a boy, whose hidden identity is his with a family name that sounds eerily similar to his normal one once he morphs... "Shi pointed out.
Star opened her mouth and even wanted to argue as she tried to speak, but paused and closed her mouth when she realized he had a point. She frowned.
"Touche..."She admitted, as she crossed her arm to show that she's still visible unhappy.
Seeing that his monologue will no longer be interrupted as Shi continued with his story.
"As I was saying, even though I was still overlooked in favor of my brother, I still had a duty to serve my lord as his family's chef. It was an honor, even though it was my brother whom our lord regarded as his favorite. Things were bad. However, everything changed when I fell in love with a young lady named Meilin, whom was the youngest daughter of the lord whom my family served..."Shi said as he smiled as he recalled his past love.
"Meilin was as beautiful as a lotus and as graceful as a wave. However, she was unlike most women during our era. Since her father didn't have any sons, she practice kung-fu from him in secret, since in that time, it was forbidden for women to learn such fighting skills, especially since those privileges were usually meant only for men..."He said.
"When was that?..."Star asked, frowning as she found that very offensive.
"During the Qing Dynasty..."Shi explained and Star knew enough history to know when that was.
"Geez, history is really sexist..."Star muttered as she continued listening, while looking for an opportunity to escape undetected.
"As I was saying, Meilin acted like a proper daughter in public, but only her father and my family knew what she was really like underneath her mask of refinement and elegance. I actually had admired her for years and I wanted to win her love. She and I knew each other since childhood and she always treated me with so much kindness, she didn't treat me like the useless son of our lord's men like the others. I knew that we were meant to be, and she felt the same. So... one day, I made a dinner to profess my love. However... my older half brother, Aiguo, the one I mentioned before...he loved her too and he won her heart before I could. He asked her father for his blessing and they were arranged to be married. They even mistook my labor of love for his celebratory dinner!..." He went bitterly, glowing more green and tightly balled up his fists in rage.
"Oh... I see..." Star said, stepping back as she didn't like where this story was going at that moment.
"My brother was a man who shined brightest amongst all my siblings and the more he had his light seen by others, the more dim mine looked in comparison! He not only took my rightful place as father's heir and the respect of everyone in our village due to his talent and loyalty to the land, as well as his service to our land's lord but he also had to take the woman whom I loved! He took away the one person whom I thought I would find happiness with!..."He said, fists shaking and teeth grinding.
"So, you were jealous of him?..."Star said and keeping her distance and carefully looking around so she could either find an escape route.
The jiangshi just grew angrier.
"I was NOT jealous. I was LIVID! My so-called brother took everything away from me! He took my father's respect, the admiration of the entire village and the love of my life! I wanted nothing more than my one and only beloved Meilin and vengeance upon my brother for betraying me! So, I decided to take back what was mine..."Shi said, looking truly dangerous now.
"Oh man!..."Star thought, as the villain continued.
"I wanted revenge! So, I turned myself into a jiangshi to eliminate him and take her... but then I was turned to stone, doomed to eternity in that state...until that stupid little sorceress set me free and foolishly thought that she could CONTROL me...then again, I guess I should thank her for being so easy to influence..."Shi said.
"And I thought Vlad was a fruitloop!..."Star thought, as her suspicious about Shi's insanity seem to be confirmed.
She then noticed what he said about Misty, and was confused.
"What does that mean?..."Star asked, being extra cautious around this freaky vampire who clearly had a few screws loose.
"The envy that she feels towards you is very raw, just enough to make her irrational enough for me to...well...influence...just enough to point and push her in the exact direction that I wanted her to go to so that I could regain my freedom. It was surprisingly much easier than I thought..."Shi said, smirking and gesturing to him not being stone.
"That girl might be smart enough to learn spells rather quickly...but she is VERY easily mislead..."He said, chuckling.
"That still doesn't explain what you want with me..."Star said, crossing her arms.
"Oh, you'll play an important role tonight..."Shi said.
"What role are you talking about, anyway?!..."Star demanded, thinking he was beating around the bush.
"I know many spells and rituals that can help me find my beloved Meilin's spirit somewhere out there. However, it is very difficult to bring her back towards the living realm after being gone for all these years...but then...seeing you in combat reminded me of my Meilin so... I have decided you shall take her place by my side and bring her back to me..." He said, shocking his female prisoner upon saying that.
"What?! Uh... eww! I know you're physically younger but... you're like older than my grandparents! Maybe even my great-grandparents!..."Star pointed out, looking visibly repulsed.
Shi frowned, looking insulted to say the least.
"I'll have you know that I am still in my prime from the day I chose to become a Jiangshi! Besides, I've seen all the proof I need to see that you will do for my plans..."He said.
"Back off!..."Star yelled, but he ignored her.
"I would consider what I'm about to do to you as an improvement. Plus, seeing your talents...and how you are able to hold your own in combat...even I admit you are very comely for a westerner, almost as much as Meilin was. Now that I think about it, the more I saw you with that half ghost abomination, the more he starts to remind me of my older brother Aiguo with his foolish bravery and sickeningly gentle heart..."Shi said bitterly before he continued.
"Soon enough, I thought to myself...why should that freak of nature be the one to have you just like how my brother had my precious Meilin? So I decided that he will no longer have you..."Shi said, as if his delusions made sense to anyone.
"One, I already have a boyfriend who is probably looking for me, even as we speak! Two, you're like what over hundreds of years old? You're beyond way too old for me, much for however old this Meilin girl was when she passed away, which again is super Eww! And three, I'm not some object, you can't own me!..."Star yelled, completely disgusted that she even heard this come out from the creepy Jiangshi.
That only made him laugh.
"I never stopped aging past 17 since then, I am both physically and mentally the same age since then..."Shi pointed out before smirking. "And it has been so long since I had any companionship..."Shi said as he floated closer to her.
Star responded with throwing a hand full of dirt mixed with salt at his face.
"In your dreams, creep!..."Star yelled.
"GAH!..."Shi yelled, angry and hissed as the mixture of salt and dirt were stinging his eyes.
"Don't touch me!..."Star yelled, but the vampire just glared at her.
"You're lucky that you're cute and useful to me right now, or I would have drained you already! Though, it seems you'll need more improving after this..."He said, looking angry.
"Not by you, you Shu-Kai Chan ripoff! Plus, I already told you that I'm in a relationship! Misty might not know, but you do! Do you have any idea of what Danny will do to you once he gets here and saves me from you!..." Star yelled.
"You have too much faith in that ghost-human creature. It would be admirable, if it wasn't so pathetic. As for that pathetic sorceress, I've done her a favor. Once I am done, that pain will be so heartbroken that she'll be able to manipulate him into loving her. Besides... I doubt he'd want whatever is left of you once I've changed you." He said before inching his face closer. "you won't even be you anymore!..."He said sinisterly, actually scaring her right now...not that she'd show it.
"I won't be me anymore? W-What does that mean?!..."Star asked, wishing that she had a weapon on her right now.
"You will see soon enough...and it seems that you misunderstood me. I do not want YOU specifically to become my bride, even if I've grown quite fond of your spiritedness. It's just that I said, it would be difficult to bring Meilin back...but not impossible...especially if I find the right...vessel for her..."He said with a dark smirk on his face.
"Vessel?!..."Star repeated, not liking the sound of that.
"Yes, there is a spell that can bring her spirit back to this realm and keep here here, I only plan to use your body as a vessel to bring back my beloved as a jiangshi!..."He said.
"That's even creepier!..."Star yelled.
"I don't care what you think! I chose you because you remind me so much of my Meilin in spirit...and also since I figured that if I have to look at some woman's face for all eternity, I wanted to make sure that I like it...and I do like yours..."He said, like it was obvious.
Star hated this and tried to find an escape, but she has no weapons and Shi can easily block her or stop her with his spells.
"But why me?..."Star demanded.
"Like I said, I like your appearance and your feistiness since it reminds me of my beloved...and the other option was that sorceress and she is definitely not going to be a candidate..."Shi said, confusing the blonde girl.
"Uh, not that I care...but why didn't you chose Misty?..."Star asked, confused.
"It's because she's descended from my love and half-brother..."Shi said.
"What? She is?!..."Star asked, surprised.
Shi nodded.
"Yes, she is and that's why I can't take her. While a body with her blood might work better, I will not do this to someone who is family...even if I despise whom her ancestor is and despise her for enslaving me and treating me like some minion..."Shi said, being serious.
"Well... good to see you have some standards..." Star remarked sarcastically.
"It doesn't mean that I won't destroy her for all she put me through..."Shi said, looking scary again.
"And you should feel honored that I would even consider a westerner of all people to be granted the chance offer in the task of returning my beautiful Meilin back to me. It's not like you'll be gone forever... you'll just be unable to control your body. You can still have your senses... just that you'll... How do you modern humans put it?... be in the passenger's seat... forever..."Shi said darkly as he smiled.
Star just glared at him.
"So NOT happening!..."She yelled as she tried to run.
Shi blocked her and looked down at her.
"You don't have a choice in this, my dear. Once you wake up, I will finally have my beloved back with me..." He said darkly as his hand glowed green, just as the spell book did.
"What?! Don't you-..." Star tried to run, but he was too fast.
He used his powers and cast another spell on her, a powerful gravity spell that pinned her face first on the ground, as it even made moving nearly impossible for Star.
"Hey! Let go!..."Star demanded but she couldn't move at all.
Shi just smirked as he cast another spell, causing her to pass out.
She's knocked out thanks to his magic. Smiling, he stroked her face with a malevolent look on his face before turning to the pages of the magic spell book and with a malevolent look on his face.
"Once my spell is complete, I will no longer be alone. Once I am done with you, you will become my beautiful Meilin..."He whispered before he went to get everything prepared for his big spell to bring his beloved back.
"Soon, I will have a bride and a companion to take my revenge on humanity for ruining my human life, even the ones from this modern age. I will be avenged, and take the love that was suppose to be mine from the start!..."He thought darkly, smirking evilly. "And we will both feast upon those who refuse to bow to us, the ones from this modern era...starting with that freak of nature and foolish sorceress, using them as viable sources for as long as I see fit!..."He thought as he went to get ready.
It seems that this jiangshi's luck was finally turning for him, as he was certain that Meilin would finally be his...and Star would be no more.
-To be continued-
Next time on Envied
A Spell For Disaster
A/N(1): I dedicate this chapter to my family, my friends and my love for God :)
A/N(2): Special thanks to NeoMark, Jay The Average Fanboy and BeConfuzzled Writer for helping with this chapter. You guys rock! :)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:
RonaldM40196867:
1) I hope that this chapter explains everything.
2) I hope that this chapter explains everything.
3) Yes.
4) True, but he did lie and deceive Sam, which is a major red flag.
Invader Johnny: We shall see.
CMR Rosa: Thank you :)
Jebest4781: Thank you :)
Danifan3000:Sorry, no will have to wait and see what happens.
CZS4: Yeah.
Luiz4200: Yeah.
Hmilles02: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) Probably.
2) I see him more as an older brother to her, rather than a father.
3) Maybe.
4) Maybe.
5) No, I don't see Skulker as a good parent and while I don't know Ember's exact age, I don't see her as a parental figure for Danny.
:) I hope you enjoyed this! Remember to read and review :)
