Chapter 1
A 17-year-old boy stumbled out of the remains of a resonantly collapsed building. Dust and debris were scattered every which way around him. The large amount of dust that had collected in a cloud around the ruins of the building, was making him cough and abstracting his vision. He fanned his face and waited a few minutes until he could see clearer.
When the dust had settled the boy looked around. It was hard to see because not only was it dark out but gloomy rain clouds covered the night sky, obscuring the moon from vision. But despite that he could still make out all the damage that had been caused.
The dust was starting to get to him and he could feel his nose beginning to itch. He tried to stop what was to come but was unsuccessful. He sneezed and a cloud of dust and dirt that had collected in his hair clouded his face once again. He gave a frustrated sigh and began to shake his head. Running his hand through his black messy hair a few times, freeing the dust and dirt that had been lodged in it from when the building had fallen.
When he finished, he looked back up and scanned the area. Seeing no immediate danger he then looked skywards, searching the night sky for any sign of the ghost that he had been in battle with. But there was no sign of him. Not one trace.
"I'm not getting better I'm getting worse" He stated hotly, his frustration finally getting to him. He thought that all of his practicing was paying off. 'But apparently not'. He looked at the ground once again and began walking, kicking over bricks and wood as he went. Until he found what he was looking for.
He moved to a rather big piece of wood and turned it over, feeling somewhat relieved when he found it there. He bent down and picked up the Fenton thermos. 'Well at least I didn't loose you'. At this moment he figured positive reinforcement was probably better then negative.
He looked around himself once more. There was not much he could do about the building or the mess he and the ghost had created. But he was planning to find the ghost that he had let slip away. Determined not to let it get away and cause more trouble that it already had. The young man stood completely still and concentrated.
Within seconds the dark night was illuminated by the bright bands of light that had appeared around his waist. And Danny Fenton began to change into his altar self. As one of the rings proceeded upwards the other went down. His clothes changed to a black and white jumpsuit with an emblem that was a D with a P inside of it, marked clearly on his chest. His hair turned Snow white, while his eyes changed from ice blue to luminous green.
He was now Danny Phantom.
He let the change of power he felt flow through him freely. It happened every time he changed. A new sense of power would flood his body. Heightening his senses and giving him a better sense of his surroundings, as well as himself. He lifted himself slowly in the air preparing to take of at full speed, but jerked to a stop when he heard a pained moan. Turning around he searched for the sound. But couldn't make out where it had come from.
Danny began to feel his panic rising. What if someone had been in the building when it had collapsed? What if they were hurt really badly? Why hadn't he checked! He flew back down going intangible. And frantically flew through every mound of debris that was big enough to conceal a body, desperately looking for the owner of the sound.
He gasped and his face turned sheet white when he found the owner or rather owners of the sound. Danny's whole body went into shock. And fear burst through every part of him. His mother and father were unconscious under some bricks and wood. That had obviously fallen on them when the building had collapsed. He grabbed them both. Using his powers to turn them intangible he pulled them out of the wreckage, and then dragged them to a clear spot. Danny stood back up and took in a deep breath. He had exerted a lot of energy when he was fighting the ghost, and with most of his power gone, he could already feel himself beginning to change back. But he held on to his transformed state a little longer, working his mind over.
What was he going to do? If he called for help on his cell phone then surly his parents would figure out his secret when the next phone bill came. They thought he was at home in bed. What would he be doing out here… calling a hospital? But he was also to week to fly them to a hospital. Choices, choices what should he do. And Danny new he didn't have much time. His parents needed medical attention. Coming to a decision he transformed back and whipped out his cell phone deciding upon the better action. He called the hospital. Giving their location and giving a little summery on what had happen. Of course leaving out his 'little' ghost battle and his name. As soon as he hung up his phone he turned it off then shoved it back into his pocket. Looking down at his parents sadly he turned back into Danny Phantom. He would have to leave them here. He would need to be home before the hospital called. Danny turned from them and took off flying toward his house.
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He landed in his bedroom and gave into his exhaustion. He changed back to his human form and collapsed onto the bed. Danny turned his head toward the window and watched as it began to rain. Tormented thoughts of his parents danced across his vision. There was nothing to do now but wait. And he didn't have to wait long. The phone rang only a couple of minutes later and he could here his older sister Jazz talking.
Like Danny had guessed it was the hospital calling the two siblings to inform them of their parents. They left the house shortly after and were now in the waiting room.
A short while ago they had been given reports on their parent and were waiting for them to wake up. They were not badly hurt. 'Luckily. Whose to say what will happen next time…' They had many cuts and bruises and had received mild concussions. His mother had a left broken arm, and his father a broken right leg. Danny new they would be all right. Not because the doctors had told him so. But because he just new. It was an extra sense he had always had, even before he got his ghost powers. That was triggered when ever concerning someone he deeply cared for.
When someone close to him was endanger he knew about it. He would feel nervous and shaky. If that person or persons was physically hurt he would feel beaten down and achy, and if that someone was mentally in pain Danny would feel an off set feeling in the pit of his stomach and feel like the world was closing in. Right now he was feeling calm even if he was a little shaken up. And that could only mean that his parents were alive and well… well as well as they can get in their current condition. There were few times when this sense had failed him, so few it would be foolish not to trust it now.
Danny should have been thinking about his parents and coming up with an excuse for the hospital call. But Danny's mind was occupied with other thoughts. His mind turning over thoughts, mulling over so many things concerning his life and the people in it. He was constantly putting his family and his friend Tucker in danger. He hadn't meant for it to be that way. But it was. There was no way to escape it. They were closest to him. And so they were the ones that got hurt.
Over the years of fighting ghosts. He had come up with many probabilities. Turning them over in his mind repeatedly. He didn't know why he did this. It was just something that he had started doing. But something's seemed to make sense and stick. For instance when there is a hero. It seems there is always someone evil to oppose you.
It was how balance was kept. There could not be love without hate. Nor could there be order without chaos. It was just another balance that was needed to make the world go round. So there for, if he left, the ghosts would leave to. Right? If he was wrong then the town would be in big trouble. But that's why he was going to close the doors to the ghost zone. Besides his parents could handle the ghosts a little better now. Danny took a long time thinking things over, and of the arrangements that would have to be made. Thinking everything over in his mind carefully. He came to his decision. He stood up suddenly and jazz gave him an odd look.
"Where are you going?" The red head inquired
"I'm leaving. I can't stay any longer." He started to slowly walk toward the door but stopped when he heard her voice.
"Well okay. I'll see you back at home then"
"No Jazz… that's not what I meant." He paused fumbling with the words he wanted to say. While Jazz looked confused and concerned. "I won't be home when you get back. I'll be long gone by then."
"Danny… What are you talking about."
"I have to leave, don't you see. I've been putting everyone in danger and I won't do it anymore."
"But you save people from danger. What are we going to do when you leave?"
"I plan to deactivate the Fenton portal. That way no ghost can escape into our realm. And I'm going to do a sweep of the city to make sure it's free of ghosts. But I'm going to be counting on you to make sure the Fenton portal stays shut."
"You're asking too much. No way is mom and dad going to let it just sit there. You know their gonna wanna turn it on and start messing with there gadgets as soon as they get better."
"You'll do fine."
"You're not even going to say good bye are you. What am I supposed to tell them." Jazz adopted a sarcastic tone "Danny ran away but its okay, it was his choice. He thought we were better of without him. But don't call the cops"
"Jazz you'll understand someday. And I will be back. I don't know when. But I could never just up and leave, never to return. I'll be back… when I sort everything out and when I'm stronger and am able to handle all the ghosts that have been showing up. I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."
"You're being selfish…" she turned her head toward the floor. "Danny don't you understand you've saved so many life's, you've done so much good." she pulled her head up to stare at him again. "Why are you walking away now. What if the ghosts find other means of getting in to our world. And your not there."
Danny turned away from her heading toward the door. "Goodbye Jazz" he said it softly. But not so soft she wouldn't be able to hear it. Then he was gone. Jazz looked down at the floor and sniffled. Fighting to keep the tears at bay. 'Why did he feel he had to leave? Oh Danny what is going on that you wont let me help you with? what could possibly push you to leave?' Ether way it wasn't up to her. She may not agree with him. But she'd do what he asked of her. And keep the ghost zone closed off from this world for as long as she could. 'good luck little brother finding what your looking for.'