Hello everyone. Theo here, adding a new update to Phantasm. Sorry it took so long, but my life's been getting difficult lately. Unfortunately, I won't bore you with details. That would take up too much time. Anyway on to the story.

Disclaimer: Do I own DP? Hell no. Wish I did though, but I don't.

Chapter 17- Emotional Ties

The night was late, and the air was cold to the touch. He felt the cold, and for the first time in his afterlife, Leuderity was able to feel it, and it disturbed him. He held the green cloak tighter around himself in a vain attempt to shield himself from the cold, and his failure. His memories, once long forgotten, wormed their way back into the deepest corners of him mind and he remembered. Linus. That was his real name. A name he had forgotten. Perhaps he chose to forget. He didn't know himself. Nor did he know what he's become. His yellow eyes dimmed as sadness and grief washed over him like the rain that fell, and he closed his eyes in misery.

At that same time, Danny Fenton stared distractedly out the window from the safely of his home. The storm came in quicker than a cobras strike and he was glad he and his two friends, Sam and Tuck managed to get home before the clouds came. Yet even the lightning was more welcomed than his family. When he returned from the hospital, his parents practically smother him. And then there was Jazz, who announced they all knew of his secret. The secret he's kept from them for so long, he's forgotten when it even started. They all knew of his Phantom powers now. And Danny was not happy with that fact. It's uncomforting to think that his own parents, still obsessed with ghost hunting, know that their son is part ghost.

For all I know, they're making a new device so they can examine me.-

He thought with anger tightened teeth. In fact, his family stood outside his door, contemplating if or not they should enter Danny's room, and break his silence.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Jack? I mean, he didn't happy to know that we're aware of his new persona."

"That may be Maddie. But Danny needs to know that he's our son, regardless of what twisted, vile, scheming, monstrous, traitorous…"

"DAD!"

Jazz screamed while slapping her father at the back of his head. He looked at her as he rubbed the sore spot

"He's my brother, not some Boogie-Man. Show some restraint."

"I only meant that though he's a ghost, he'll always be my son. Even if he is a monster…"

His eyes gave that 'Get ready for anything' look. Then Jazz slapped him again.

"Mom. Kindly take Dad away while I talk to Danny."

"She is right dear. I don't want Danny to end up in the hospital a second time."

Maddie agreed as she took Jacks arm and dragged him downstairs.

Jazz took a deep breath, and then tapped twice on Danny's door. She heard his voice grant her entrance, and she obeyed, cautiously sticking her head into Danny's room. There he stood, staring out the window like a monk praying for a miracle. Perhaps Danny was in some emotional torment and he found some escape in the rain.

"Danny? May I talk to you?"

"If it's about my Ghost powers, then no. I don't care what you think. It's who I am, and it was something I didn't want you to know about."

"Danny, I've know since Spirit Week. Remember when you saved me when those sparklers went off in the gym? And afterwards that little fight we had with Miss Spectra?"

"I had a feeling you recognized me. That 'Ah, a Ghost.' Scream you did was pretty pathetic."

"Well excuse me for not screaming 'My brother's a ghost!' down the halls."

She countered. Was that a chuckle she heard from him?"

"I am grateful Jazz. Honestly. I can't believe you're taking this really well though."

"I'm your sister, Danny. No matter what happens, I'll always be your sister."

"I'm not surprised you'd say something like that."

"It's true."

She sat down at the foot of his bed while Danny still stood with his back towards her. She didn't mind it though; at least she got him talking.

"So how's your love life with Sam?"

"What love life?"

He asked automatically. That wasn't too convincing.

"Come on Danny. You may think I'm blind and stupid, but I'm not. Why do you think I got you those cond…?"

"Shh!"

Danny demanded as he spun to her before she could finish her word

"You think it's easy for me to talk about that so openly? I'd be taking a big risk if THAT secret ever got out. Never mind my ghost powers."

He calmed down a bit only to rub his eyes in frustration.

"Look Jazz, I need some air. I'm going out."

Since Jazz knew of his powers, there was no need to try and hide from her, he went ghost right in front of her and her mouth dropped to see Danny's hair go from pitch black to a silvers luster. Then going intangible, he flew out his window, leaving his sister alone in his room.

Well, at least we're starting to communicate.-

Jazz thought, then left.

Danny flew all around Amity Park. No conscious thoughts went through his head as he flew through rain, wind and thunder. All he wanted right now was to clear his head. He didn't want to see Sam just yet; he wasn't feeling up to another 'romantic' evening. Nor did he seek Tuckers company. Games and Technology just didn't reach out to him tonight. And ghost fighting was out of the question. What more was there? Only to fly around.

Damn, I thought home would feel safe for me, but since Dad nearly killed me, I felt threatened instead, Is it because they fear me?-

"Perhaps ghost boy"

Says a strangely familiar voice in his head. Instantly Danny stopped and looked around him.

"Leuderity? Where are you?"

No answer. The darkened skied were hard to see through and the rain stinging his face made it that much more difficult.

"I could have sworn I heard him…"

Then he looked to the city. There the ghost was, sitting on the rooftop of one of the business buildings like a scared runaway child. How humble it seemed to see this ghost bundle his torn cloak about him like a shelter. Had a human seen him, they would swear it was another homeless guy trying to find a place to stay.

"Leuderity. What are you doing here?"

Danny asked when he landed a few feet from the Shakespeare speaking ghost.

"Many a night I rest here Phantom. Any place of solitude is welcomed by me."

"You never gave me a chance to thank you for saving my life today."

"Twas but the proper thing. You may thank me another time."

Danny looked at Leuderity as he sat there with his knees to his chest. This ghost was now in more emotional torment than Danny was right now.

"You look distressed Leu, how can I help?"

Danny approached and offered his hand. Leuderity's yellow eyes shot open like a demon about to release its wrath.

"Stay your hand Phantom! I shall have none of it!"

Danny was suddenly stricken. Never had this ghost snapped at him so. Once before this ghost asked Danny to kill him, now he demands that Danny stays away? Something strange seems to be going on.

"Hey now. I'm only trying to help. You helped me against Thrash, now it's my turn to help you Leu."

"I don't want your pity!"

Leuderity snapped again, only to wisp his cloak about him and vanish before Danny's eyes.

"It's gratitude. Not pity."

Danny whispered, but only the storm winds answered back.

Meanwhile, Tucker sat at his computer, furiously searching the net for any information about the two ghosts that appeared today. Leuderity he's got some idea about. However the one called Thrash, was a complete enigma. A 'Ghost Devourer' he called himself and Tucker was determined to find the answer to the mystery. When the search engine came across something, Tuck's eyes widened and he did a double-take.

Danny's not going to like this.-

He thought as he bit his lip at what he read.

TO BE CONTINUED

What is Tuck reading that would make Danny upset? Find out soon. I hope…

Until Next Time.

Theo