A quick note from the author: This chapter's pretty sad. Bring tissues.
Chapter 10: Going Home
DJ slammed into the wall, the Skulker ghost gripping the front of his jumpsuit. He grunted as the ghost slammed him into the wall again. He was having a hard time controlling his powers, and he didn't even know what half of them were. A figure ran down the stairs, and DJ's eyes widened as he recognized Cassy. The teenage girl gasped, and Skulker turned, aiming a weapon at her.
"Leave her alone!" DJ yelled, unknowingly firing an ectoplasmic ray at the ghost.
Sam and Cassy ducked under a desk for cover as DJ met the ghost in the air. They fired blow after blow at each other before Sam finally got up, grabbed a battered old Fenton Thermos and sucked the ghost in. DJ lowered himself to the ground, breathing hard. Sam just looked at him; he looked so much like his father save for the green streaks in his white hair. She took a step toward him, but he backed away as if realizing he shouldn't be here. He changed back accidentally, but he didn't seem to care as he ran back up the stairs and out of the house.
Sam let herself sink to the ground, tears filling her lilac eyes. How she wished he could be the little boy he once was. Cassy came to her side, gently touching her shoulder. "Mrs. Fenton?"
Sam looked up at her. "Cassy… Oh, Cassy, I want him back," she whispered. "I want my son back."
"I'll go talk to him," Cassy replied softly.
DJ ran until he finally stumbled and fell, panting. He raised himself to his hands and knees, raising his head. He found himself looking at the inscription on his dad's statue. Someone had repainted it. In Memory of Danny Fenton and Phantom, it read. The year he was born was written below that with a dash and the year he died. The son of the hero sat up, staring up at the statue. He sniffled then lowered his gaze, breaking down into ragged sobs. He heard someone's running footsteps, but he didn't turn.
"DJ?" Cassy's voice whispered, but he didn't reply.
She sat down beside him, putting her arm around his shoulders. He looked up at her, sorrow and pain written in his eyes. "Why did he have to die?" he choked out. "Why couldn't it have been someone else? Why did he have to leave me here to be the hero's kid? Why couldn't he have just left everything alone?" He buried his face in her shoulder, hugging her as she hugged him. "I hate my life," he whispered.
"No you don't," she whispered, rubbing his back. "Your dad didn't do this to be mean to you, DJ. I'm sure if he had a choice, he would've rather stayed alive."
"But he had a choice!" He pushed away from her suddenly, standing up and facing the statue. "Desiree gave you the chance, asshole!" he yelled at the statue. "She offered you a cure, but you wished for me instead!" His anger dissipated as quickly as it came, and he slowly dropped to his knees beside the stunned girl. "You wished for me instead," he repeated, still crying. "Why?" he sobbed. "Why did you choose to wish for a kid that would end up like me instead of wishing for the cure so you could stay with Mom?"
Cassy set her hand on his shoulder then moved closer when he didn't push her away. He leaned into her, resting his head on her shoulder again as she put her arms around him and hugged him. He wiped away his tears, feeling like a little kid again. They didn't speak; she just gave him the comfort he needed. She looked down at him, but his eyes were closed. She almost thought he was asleep, but he spoke.
"I want to go home," was all he said then he fell asleep, mentally and physically exhausted.
Sam found them about half an hour later. DJ was still asleep in Cassy's arms; the teen girl looked up at her and smiled weakly. "I didn't want to wake him," she said.
"I could understand that," Sam said gently, sitting down beside them. She ran her hand through his hair, tears filling her lilac eyes. "My poor little boy," she whispered.
He stirred and opened his eyes. "Mom?" he mumbled thickly, still sleepy. Cassy released him as he sat up and turned to his mother. The green-eyed girl stepped aside as son and mother embraced. "I want to come home, Mom," he whispered. "Can I come home?"
"Yes." She hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead. He rested his head on her shoulder, and she gently ruffled his hair. "Yes, you can come home," she whispered, looking up at the statue of his father in silent thanks.
A/N: It's not over yet. DJ still has to run into the ghost that quickened his father's demise then he has to make a certain wish, and then… the end is near…