Like many nights, Daniel Fenton hadn't much sleep, not with ghosts roaming the city and doing whatever the restless dead do. many for sure decided to annoy his alter ego, the supernatural hero, Danny Phantom. So, he spend a big part of his night with chasing the ghosts that found their way to amity Park, either though one of the artificial Portals or the natural ones that pop up and close after a while.
While others would be scared of facing the dead on a daily, or nightly basis, Daniel is too used to actually care. He fought them and still does, it's his hobby at this point. But the last night, it even weirded him out. He was, like many days, chasing the ghost obsessed with boxes. The ghost calls himself 'Box Ghost', Danny calls him Boxy, as he can't take him serious. Boxy is one, if not the weakest ghosts in existence.
Box Ghost seemed to be easier to be defeated, but that could just be experience of Danny. No, it became weird when he found the ghost called Kitty, a female ghost. Danny, being somewhat friends with the female, decided to ask her why she is there. She at first didn't say anything, but then, she appeared to be scared, and vanished. Danny is confused, but decided to ignore the weird behavior of Kitty.
So, like many Wednesdays, he was tired and his friends, the only ones besides his sister, that know his secret, asked what happened this night. He told them about his Kitty encounter, and they were as confused as he was. Tucker guessed, "Maybe Pariah Dark is back? The last time, the ghosts were scared shitless." Danny declined, "No, Kitty and any other ghost would have told me that Pariah returned. And I as a half ghost would have sensed his return."
They decided to discuss this later, as their school day officially starts. Like always, their homeroom teacher, Mr. Lancer had the most boring lessons.
"Listen children, I have an announcement! We will have a Field Trip next week!" announced their teacher. The reaction of the class wasn't much, they all groaned, remembering the other trips they had. Some student asked, "What museum is it this time?"
"We will visit an abandoned Asylum." told them their teacher. This shut the class down and caught the attention of Danny and his friends. "This is an experimental Field Trip, with the goal to learn about the Asylums of America."
The three friends looked at each other, this sounds pretty, not boring. On the other hand, it's Lancer, it could become as boring as the museum trips, maybe even more. Their Teacher just continued his talking, "They were, like you know, created to take care of the mentally ill, be it temporarily or permanent. This was especially good for the poor, communities that can't take care of their beloved ones."
The class wants to know what the actual trip will be, but Lancer spoke, "But like many great things, humanity ruins it. There are multiple reasons, one being, in the past, no one really understood the mind, disorders like Schizophrenia. This missing knowledge caused doctors to come up with methods, therapies that doesn't work. Many of these methods would be seen as inhumane and immoral by today's standards."
Some listened. "Another reason, is of course money. Many Asylums became privatized, and became just an industry. Many also send their elderly into the asylums, which caused the asylums to be over filled. This made the methods of healing worse, as they had to deal with more people. The general care also suffered. The patients often weren't even seen as human be9ings. Which enabled something else, inhumane..."
Now the class listened for the most part. "Many patients, especially the ones that stayed there for decades, seemingly abandoned by their families, were used for experiments. Experiments for anything the state won't approve, especially by today's standards. many patients were killed and many asylums are rumored to be haunted. Years ago, it would be just rumors, but since Amity is haunted by real ghosts, many wonder, are these claims true..."
Now the whole class was all ear. "Now to our trip. We will explore an old, abandoned asylum, one like many said to be haunted. On the drive there, I will tell you in detail about the Asylums, arriving there, you will split into groups, no solo walks and explore the asylum. The St. Nora Asylum isn't the most complex one. Now, like said, it could be that it is haunted, so you will be taught to use light weapons, ghost weapons in case of ghosts."
The class started to talk excitedly about this, and one even said, 'I hope there is a ghost I can beat up, so that I can impress her.' Lancer just told them, "If you meet a ghost, don't fight them! Defend yourself and flee. You will get the specific rules when we arrive there. Now, P.E will be replaced by the ghost defense lessons until the trip is over. You will be taught by experts, by Mr. and Mrs. Fenton."
"Oh, fuck." thought Daniel. His parents are the last thing he needs. And these two, experts? He prays to Nyx, the goddess of the ghosts, that there won't be a ghost he can't handle. Or no ghosts at all, but now, he just hopes Dash and Kwan won't bully him because of his parents.
The rest of the class was the typical boredom of Lancer's lessons.
But the Ghost Defense lessons, the GDL's that followed, were something. Not only did his parents came late, which is his job, they embarrassed him in front of the class, calling him by the worst nickname they commonly use. But after that, they caught his classes attention with ghost weaponry.
"In case there are ghosts, not only will we accompany you, but you will be given small weapons, like Wrist Rays, Fenton Thermos and, the ones that can't defend themselves, Anti-Ghost belts. We can only give a few, as these are hard to make, in fact, we only have five." explained his mother, Madeline Fenton, Maddie for short. While mentioning the weapons, she showed them the weaponries.
Mr. Lancer, who supervised the GDL's, added, "In preparation of a worst case scenario, not only will you be in groups of at least three, belt wearers will be split, each in one group, so that at least two with a Wrist Ray can protect them. We know, that doesn't sound exciting, but these trips are experimental, now knowing that ghosts are real... so we can't take many risks. And you live in Amity park, the most haunted city. Experience won't hurt."
His father, Jack Fenton, ended, "And from what I heard, your class is only interacting in cliques, mixing the constellation up won't hurt."
Danny just thought, "Unless you are stuck with your bully."
...
School was over and Danny and his friends were on the way to his home, but they were stopped by none other than Valerie Grey, also known as the Red Huntress. "Knowing Danny's history with ghosts, we should be prepared. I have a plan to propose, and I think you should know it."
Danny just told her, "Okay, but I also have an idea. We shouldn't be in a group, each of us should go with a different group, so that if a ghost appears, at least one of the group is competent in fighting them."
"That... was actually my idea... with the addition that we should have Walkie Talkies, to tell the others about the ghosts." answered the dark skinned girl.
Tucker shared his thought, "Even though not sticking with you sounds terrible, it is a plan."
Sam also agreed, "And we should take extra weaponry with us, these Wrist Rays are a joke."
"So, we have a plan?" asked Danny, "I just hope we don't need it."
...
The next Wednesday, his class was on their way to the St. Nora Asylum, and getting the full talk about the asylums of America. For most, the way Lancer lectured them was boring, but a few, like some nerds, Star and Tucker were scared. Sam shock her head and told said geek, "You really are afraid of asylums? You faced ghosts already, ones that don't stick to a building with an ugly past."
Danny agreed with Sam, "Yeah, we three, eh, four, should be the last to be afraid." Valerie added, "Yeah, and we don't even know if these rumors are true."
"But still..." "Tuck, shut up, calm down and listen." stated Sam, glaring daggers at him. Their Teacher noted their talking, "Manson, Foley, Fenton, listen!"
"... The asylum we will explore is, like many, intended as a place of healing, but like most others, things come different. And like some, the doctors there used some patients as test objects for experiments. Some not moral, not even then and especially not now. Many died there..." said Mr. Lancer. Danny's mother chimed in, "The deceased probably became ghosts, judging by the records of St. Nora being haunted. But that's why we are here and why we trained you!"
Lancer pulled their attention back to himself with a clap. "If you remember, five of you will wear an Anti-Ghost belt. The five we decided on, based on health and training, are Star Morgan, Michael Pennings, Mia Nicolson, Tiffany Yvonne and Daniel-"
Team Phantom flinched. They know Danny can't use his powers wearing that cursed belt.
"Martinez."
They relaxed, they have two Daniels in class. Lancer gave out the belts and took out a list. He told his class, "We also split you into groups. Each group will have one belt wearer. Group A will contain Mr. Jack Fenton, Daniel Martinez, Hannah Abott, Nathan Lester and me."
The team got a bit nervous, knowing their luck, it would be better if they are in different groups.
"Group B will contain Valerie Gray, Star Morgan, Dale Cage, Sarah Lindenwood and Liam Marques."
Valerie rolled her eyes, she is in a group with two A-lists. Star and Dale. Her old friend and her old crush, at least she isn't in a group with Danny, Sam, and Tucker.
"Group C will contain Tucker Foley, Tiffany Yvonne, Mrs. Madeline Fenton, Kwan Chong and Ashley Megan."
Tucker smiled, he is in a group with his crush, Tiffany. Maybe this will be his chance to land a date!
"Group D will contain Samantha Manson, Paulina Sanchez, Mia Nicolson, Rebecca Davis and Henrey Owens."
Their split plan for the worst case is working.
"And the last group, group E is Daniel Fenton, Dashiel Baxter, Michael Pennings, and Brittany Stuart.."
Daniel wasn't much of a fan of this, he, in the same group as Dash, his bully? That can't be, but it is, so he has to deal with this dilemma. And he is in the smallest group, his protector obsession doesn't like this, at all. But he isn't in a group with the older Fentons, so that is a plus. Or isn't it?
Soon, they arrived and were greeted with the eerie appearance of a massive building from the 18th hundreds, a building like many other asylums, just a bit bigger that the average, and build from darker stones. It looked abandoned, like you expect, but it had a certain creepiness to it. Michael, one of the geeks of the class sure thought so.
In front of the building stood a man and a woman, probably the people responsible for this trip.
"Hello! You are probably the class from Casper High, in Amity Park! My name is Stacy Woods." chirped the female. He male colleague added, "And I'm Keith Woods. Now, aren't you excited for this experimental experience? not many classes explore an abandoned Asylum!"
Their eagerness was strong, but Danny was just weirded out. Something was off with these two. And in general, he, himself, felt off. Like something wants to happen, what's to come out, but it won't, like something suppresses it.
"Now, we recommended your teacher, Mr. Lancer, that you split into groups. Have decided the groups?" asked Stacy, receiving multiple nods. "Wonderful! Now, everyone of you will get a map of the building, a flashlight and a walkie talkie, in case someone gets lost. If you want to take a break to eat, please go outside for this or eat before you venture in."
"We don't have much to say, besides, don't try to touch everything and if you see old paperwork, don't read it."
"Who would read boring paper work anyway!" complained a black guy, Dale Cage, a team member of Dash's football team. Said blonde agreed, so did Kwan and Liam.
"Well then, go in, if you want. Or eat first, if you want." chirped Stacy.
Before Danny could do anything, Dash pulled him and the others of their group, namely Michael and him into the building. Brittany just followed them, as she doesn't want to stay behind. Danny's weird feeling got stronger upon stepping into the asylum, but his ghost sense didn't react, so he just shrugged it off as paranoia. He noted that another group walked in as well.
The group decided to walk into the west part of the complex. On the ground floor, it didn't appear much creepy, just a lot of dirt, a few cracked windows and unhinged doors. Michael just said, unimpressed and not scared anymore, "This is surprisingly boring."
"Agreed, Mikey." said Brittany. "Hey Danny, considering your parents are ghost hunters, did you pack a few extra weapons?"
"Why do you ask?" answered the black haired teenager, skeptical over this question.
Dash just asked the blonde girl, "Are you scared? Hehe."
Instead of answering, she stopped and pulled Dash on the collar to her, yelling straight into his face, "Yes, I am! If you hadn't gotten the memo, ghosts are fucking real! We were attacked by so many ghosts, the ghost king himself! Yes, I am afraid, for a good reason, you asshole!"
Dashiel was tacked aback by the blondes outburst, and Mikey was scared. Danny told her, "If it calms your nerves, yes I did. I packed a few extra Thermos, actual guns that do more than a tickle for a ghost of a tier higher than D. Also special walkie talkies that aren't as easily interrupted by ghosts than the ones we were given, Tucker, Sam and Valerie have one, too. Oh, and ghost staffs."
He pulled one of these out of his backpack, revealing a thick, twenty centimeter long metal stick and pressed a button on it. The stick extended into a staff nearly as long as Danny is tall, the ends having a fuzzy, purple glow. He pressed the button again and but the stick on his belt. He gave one to Brittany, Dashiel and Mikey.
"Good." stated Brittany. "Could we walk to the highest story first and than actually explore downwards?"
"The basement, the creepiest part last? Good idea, Brittany!" agreed Dash, taking pace to the nearby stair case. The others followed the loud blonde. On their way up, Danny's feeling grew worse, like something is going on and just waits to happen.
Mikey then asked, "Hey, Danny, you said something about tiers for ghosts? Could you elaborate?" Brittany also wondered, "Yeah, you said something about stronger than Tier D."
"There are six tiers, F, D, C, B, A and S. Ghosts can be sorted, based on power level, into the six tiers." explained Danny the two, at least he thought only they were listening
"Can someone see what tier they are?" wondered Dash of all people.
"Eh... yes! The ghosts plasma, the color indicates the tier. Tier F ghosts have blue ectoplasm. The darker, the stronger. D tiers have white ectoplasm. These are rarely seen. C tiers, mostly old ghosts from the time were Pariah Dark suppressed ghosts, have yellow ectoplasm. B tiers have green ectoplasm."
"Like Danny Phantom!" cheered Dash, "Knew it our hero has power!"
"Yeah... Green is also the most common and it's more of a spectrum. Like in F tier, the ghosts still differ. A tiers have pink, which is hilarious, and S tier... we don't know much about the S tier, just that these have either red or purple ectoplasm. One being Pariah Dark.", ended Danny his explanation.