I write better when listening to music (which I can't always do). However, as I read over this and the last chapter I realize the tone of the music I listen to influences the tenor of the story in quite a major way.
I like plot deviations and twists and turns as you've learned already. However, I'm rather disappointed that a story I intended to be happy and funny has veered into such angsty, dramatic territory and I fear it turning into the utter crap fest of my other story. Take heart however dearest reader, there is a light flickering in the distance, at the end of the tunnel, which is coming nearer than either you and I could guess. If you get scared, hold my hand and I will lead you through unscathed.
Also, I have been wanting to focus a little on Danny and his ghost powers. I feel I've been neglecting him, yet torturing him madly….how else do I give him focus but follow the course in which we are about to be lead?
Chapter Nineteen
Danny sighed as he stopped he'd been flying around the Ghost Zone for what felt like an eternity and he was tired. He found nothing. He'd stopped and talked to Skulker who said he hadn't seen anything. Danny had talked to the Box Ghost and the Lunch Lady, but they had reported nothing unusual.
Bertrand and Spectra were more interested in trying to talk him into letting them out of the Ghost Zone to play out in the living world to be interested in anything he had to say. Danny was seriously annoyed but grateful that they feared his power too much than to cross the truce he'd made with the rest of the Ghost Zone.
Danny was about to give up hope and fly back home when something caught his eye. He swooped down to hundreds of papers floating along a slow current. He grabbed one of the pages and looked at it.
"Social Psychology," he read aloud, then grabbed another page and another. His heart began to race in excitement as he followed the trail, gathering pages as he went. But then there were no pages left to gather. He looked around unhappily then something else caught his eye. A door.
Danny flew up to the passage way and knocked. He waited and then slowly opened the door. He looked around the room clenching his jaw in anger. He recognized the painting on the wall. He knew Vlad had set up this room. Danny walked around looking for clues, but found nothing. Had Vlad moved her or had she escaped?
"Yes, she escaped," said a voice by the door.
"Plasmius," Danny growled as he turned to face his arch-nemesis.
"Daniel," Plasmius oozed. "So you know my little secret." He raised his eyebrows and said casually. "But really there's nothing you can do about it now."
Danny's right hand began to glow green, but he held back his blow. "You have gone too far this time Plasmius," Danny growled. "First you rig one of my father's devices to explode, nearly killing him. Then you kidnap my sister and friends, then you try to kill Sam. You kidnap Jazz again, intent on making her part of some nefarious scheme. I've had enough of you! It ends here and now!"
Plasmius had already taken a defensive stance. "So you are going to finally do me in?" he asked blandly. "Are you sure that is a wise course of action, considering…"
"Considering what Plasmius?" Danny asked.
Plasmius smiled like the snake about to charm the mouse as he slithered into the room. "I am now the champion of those in the Ghost Zone who have grown weary of your little peace accord. It's ironic actually. In the beginning I was the bad guy they were willingly escaping from, but at least I allowed them to run free."
"What are you talking about?" Danny asked his white eyebrows furrowing. "I freed them from your oppression with the simple agreement that they no longer cause trouble in the living world."
"They simply traded one type of oppression for another," Vlad said easily. "I've convinced them that perhaps my rule would be easier on them than yours. Of course I had incentives as well. Considering you've lost a key bargaining chip."
"I don't rule the Ghost Zone," Danny denied. "And I don't believe you."
"But you should," Vlad said in a creepily deadly tone of voice. "The original status quo is about to resume itself my dear boy. You should have joined forces with me when you had the chance."
"I don't believe you," Danny said. "The truce still stands. I spoke to…"
"You spoke to ghosts who still remain loyal to you," Plasmius said in disgust. "They will either turn against you or be destroyed in due time." He stopped and looked at the painting hanging on the wall. He touched it and then looked at Danny from the corner of his eye.
"And you have your lovely little Goth princess to thank for everything," Plasmius said happily. "After all she is the one who relinquished the ring."
"The ring?" Danny asked in confusion.
"You didn't know it was the ring which caused so many ghosts to accept your truce? It's the ring of guidance, rule and destruction! Did you think it was just a silly name? Or did you not care as you tossed it around as if it were just an average piece of jewelry?" Plasmius laughed. "For all the growing up you've done. You are still a fool Daniel!"
Danny thought for a moment. Sam had the ring this morning when he'd left her, and he doubted that she'd give it up.
"If you had been wise," Plasmius continued, "You would have taken advantage of the last few years. You would have embraced your ghost side instead of trying to deny it. You would have learned more about the Ghost Zone. You would have armed yourself against the coming tide. You could have stopped all of this Daniel. Instead you chose to try to live some paltry normal little life. You, with these grand powers playing super hero at corner markets and flying your little girlfriend around." Vlad paused and waited for Danny to speak.
Danny opened his mouth, but he had nothing to say. It was true he preferred to stay away from the Ghost Zone. A few ghosts had urged him to stay, to learn to embrace his ghost side, but he denied who he was.
"You've become nothing more than a little ghost performing parlor tricks Daniel," Plasmius taunted. "So much power and so much potential going to waste."
Plasmius floated a little closer to Danny and continued to speak. "But, I can't say you are entirely to blame. I did take advantage of your weakness and desire to be just a normal boy." He smiled. "And now that I have the upper hand. I really didn't think the day would come. I am looking forward to your surrender."
"Or I can destroy you" Danny growled as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Don't you remember what happened last time we fought Plasmius?"
"Oh yes," Plasmius said as he laughed bitterly. "I remember! What a fool you were to show me mercy Daniel." He pointed at the door. "But as you will see. This time I have back up."
Danny turned and looked out the door and was confronted with a growing host of green armed ghosts. He turned back to Plasmius who was smiling with barely contained glee.
"I'm sorry Daniel," Plasmius said in a tone that sounded more pleased than sorrowful. "But you can't simply deny your ghostly gifts any longer. You cannot simply live in the world as if you are just an ordinary man. You cannot have the life you hunger for. Better that you embrace your fate now."
Danny closed his eyes and took a deep breath as Plasmius continued to speak, "These are no longer the childish games of your youth Daniel. The stakes have been raised. I'm amazed really that everything fell together so easily in my favor, and you played so perfectly into my hands."
"I haven't fallen into any of your plans Plasmius," Danny growled. "You're deluding yourself. I'm not going to accept this or anything you say and I will fight back."
Plasmius threw back his head and laughed. "Be my guest Daniel. I'll find your sister before you do. When I find Jazz, I will take her child and raise him as my own. I will have power over the Ghost Zone and everything I desire. You will have what? A life lived in misery. You will never have peace with Samantha, a woman the laws of the Ghost Zone forbid you to be with. Even if you changed the law, we will always be coming after both of you."
"And I'll fight back," Danny promised. "And I will defeat you Plasmius. You will not have Jazz or her child." He paused then advanced slowly on Plasimus. His green eyed narrowed to small glowing slits. "Next time we meet, I won't be merciful Vlad."
Vlad watched in amusement as Danny flew away. "Run Daniel. Run," He laughed. "I so do enjoy a good game of chase, or perhaps chess. Maybe both."
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Sam was stretched out on the floor on her stomach concentrating on drawing when Danny flew into the room. Danny just suddenly appearing was something she had become so unaccustomed to that she looked up and jumped.
"Sam!" Danny said urgently as he advanced on her so quickly she barely had time to take a breath let alone move. "The ring!" He flipped Sam over on her back and looked down at her.
"Whoa!" Sam said as she scrambled to orient herself as Danny sought the chain on around her neck. "Wait a minute!" she growled, struggling to get loose from his grasp.
"Where is it?" Danny asked frantically. As he let her go, placing her gently on the floor.
"Where is what?" Sam asked in confusion.
"The ring!" Danny answered in desperation. "Where is it Sam?"
"I-I gave it to Basnater," Sam answered. Danny sat down next to Sam with a thump and put his head in his hands.
"You didn't find Jazz." Sam stated as she gave Danny a concerned look.
"No," Danny answered miserably as he kept his head in his hands. Sam frowned worriedly as she put her hand on his back and was suddenly frightened that he would pull away.
"Sam," Danny said sadly as he turned and put his arms around her. "Do you know how to find Basnater?"
"No," Sam answered as she returned the embrace. "Why are you looking for the ring?"
Danny pulled away and looked deep into Sam's eyes. He didn't know what to tell her. She would insist again that they were not meant to be together, that this was the final straw, the ultimate proof. Danny, still in ghost form kissed her gently then put her away from him.
"What happened in the Ghost Zone?" Sam asked anxiously. "Something bad? Something with Vlad?"
"Yes," Danny answered. "Yes." He paused for a moment then told her what happened. With typical Sam like strength she listened quietly and remained calm.
When Danny finished the story and looked at her awaiting a response. She smiled slightly and said, "It looks like Vlad has us painted into a corner doesn't it?" Danny simply nodded his head.
Sam rubbed her face with her hand and then looked at the ring on her finger. She was beginning to really dislike jewelry. "I think Basnater will give us back the ring," she said softly. "We just have to decide if we're going to pay the price."
"Price?" Danny asked. Sam took a deep breath and then related to him the events of her morning and her audience with the tribunal, right down to Basnater asking for the ring. "He knew what he was doing Danny. I'm sorry…"
Danny shook his head. "It's not your fault. You didn't know." He sighed deeply. "Vlad is right. I should have taken advantage of the last few years. I should have been learning about the Ghost Zone and my powers instead of…."
"Living with me," Sam finished for him. She looked down at her hand and spun the little amethyst ring around on her finger and feeling extremely selfish. It looked as if they had two choices. Join Vlad or give into what the three ghosts of the Tribunal wanted.
"I'd rather be with you than without you," Danny said as he pulled Sam close and kissed her neck.
Sam took several shaky breaths, doing her best to keep from sobbing, but Danny could still feel the repressed emotion humming in her body as he held her. "I can't," Sam said brokenly. "I can't let you do that." She pushed away from him then took off the ring and placed it in his hand.
Danny growled as he took the ring and phased it back on Sam's finger. "No," he said as he took her face in his hand. "We're not giving in Sam." He pulled her close and kissed her gently. "I love you too much. We'll find a way out of this."
Sam laughed bitterly as she wound her arms around Danny and let him hold her. The rush of emotion that engulfed them that morning surged back to life. Danny pulled away and looked at Sam questioningly for a moment before claiming her lips hungrily with his own. He lifted her in his arms and placed her softly on the bed. Nothing else mattered to him. Nothing but holding her. Sam herself gave up caring about anything as she abandoned herself in his arms, for what she was terrified would be the last time.
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Jazz woke up feeling woozy. She had been sleeping on something soft and furry she opened her eyes and looked up and came face to face with Michie.
"Good morning," Michie said happily. "Wulf says you should be hungry." She helped Jazz sit up then placed a bowl of rice in Jazz's hands.
Jazz was grateful that it was something bland, but wondered about the rice. Michie only nodded and motioned for Jazz to eat. So she did, and felt much better.
"Where is Wulf?" Jazz finally asked.
"He went to stake out the Ghost Zone," Michie answered. "He said something about bringing back comfort for you. I suppose it will be a nice feather bed and I shall be jealous."
Jazz stood and walked to the entrance to the Ghost Zone. The formlessness seemed to be moving in agitation. "What's going on?" Jazz asked. "Do you know?"
Michie shrugged. "I'm not quiet a spirit of this plane of existence," she answered. "I cannot draw power from it, so I can learn nothing of it."
"What are you?" Jazz asked her natural perkiness and curiosity kicking in.
"I am a fox spirit," Michie said then bowed slightly. "Kitsune." She turned around and displayed her tails. "I have four tails!"
"Wow," Jazz said as she nodded her head, not quite understanding.
"I had to work hard to earn the fourth," Michie said happily. "Now I can shape shift. I can possess a human now. I can become real!" Jazz eyed her warily and Michie laughed.
"I guess I should offer you congratulations," Jazz finally said.
Michie nodded her head. "I promise I won't hurt you Jasmine. I like you." Her face grew solemn. "But I'm not making you anymore promises. Wulf already holds too many debts of honor over my head."
Jazz nodded her head like she understood. "So you're not a ghost?"
"No!" Michie said as she wrinkled her little fox nose. "I'm a spirit." Jazz took a deep breath. That didn't really answer her question.
"How soon do you think it will be before I can go home?" Jazz asked tiredly. Michie simply shook her head, indicating that she didn't know.
Wulf arrived what seemed like hours later and Jazz listened patiently as he conversed with Michie. She really wished she could understand what the ghost was saying.
"Jazz," Michie finally said. "Wulf has called in one of my debts to him on your behalf. I don't know how to make you aware of the gravity of what he has done for you. It is almost like asking you to give him one of your tails" Michie looked sympathetically at Jazz. "If you had a tail that is."
"Why what's going on?" Jazz asked worriedly.
"A creature named Plasmius seeks you," Michie said. "He wishes to possess your unborn child. Wulf proposes that I." Michie stopped and took a deep breath. "Wulf requests humbly that I stand in your place, serving as your protector."
"And what does Wulf want in return?" Jazz asked worriedly.
Michie grimaced as if she was embarrassed to answer her. "He wishes that you would name your infant child after him." She winced away from Jazz who very nearly collapsed into hysterical relieved laughter.
"I can only do that if it's a male," Jazz answered. Michie put her hand on Jazz's stomach and sighed.
"Good fortune dictates that your son will be a son." Michie declared then covered her mouth as she laughed at what she must have felt to be a good joke.
Wulf said something to Michie who said to Jazz. "Is it an agreement?"
"Yes," Jazz said, hoping that Tucker wouldn't mind.
Michie said a few words to Wulf then took a deep breath. "I am sorry I cannot remain to translate for you. I will return as soon as I can to interpret for you once again."
"Thank you," Jazz said as she looked into the white fox's eyes.
"You are welcome," Michie replied then looked at Wulf who took her by the arm and flew her into the Ghost Zone.
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I hope you don't mind Michie. She's my OC. She's a Kitsune, a Japanese fox spirit just in case you missed it. She's pretty much there to be Wulf's interpreter because I just got sick of figuring out the Eperanto stuff. Plus I figured out an interesting plot point and Michie will serve a good purpose. I've always liked Kitsunes. The reasoning has something to do with an old Nintendo game…not Super Nintendo. Not the 64….the plain old Nintendo. Anyway, I did a little Kitsune research before putting Michie in my story. Kitsune's do not break promises, they can also be tricksters, bring out a person's weakness…they are rather amoral creatures.
Poor Danny. Poor Sam. Poor me for writing such bad fluff. Poor you for having such a short chapter to read. There are things we know that they do not so forgive Danny and Sam their feelings of desperation.
Please review! I love you all! Don't forget to review. Make me happy. And if you review, I might start listening to some more up beat music.