Welcome back, folks!
I managed to find a decent schedule for the time being to include some writing and managed to pop this out in less than 2 weeks. Hope you enjoy this one!
Ver. 1.0.1 (6/18/22)
Ver. 1.0.0 (2/1/20): Initial release.
Update 1.0.1 (6/18/22): Revised ending of story. Grammatical corrections.
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom. Yeah, shocking, I know. Anyways, let's get to it!
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
It was late afternoon in Amity Park. Danny, Tucker, Sam, and Trevor were all sprawled around the Fenton Works living room, staring at the map that would lead to the Orbs of Power. Dust was sitting on Trevor's chest
"Maybe there's an Orb at Pariah Dark's keep?" Danny suggested.
"No, Reaper would have found one there when he left you unconscious with a spiked ceiling coming towards you*," said Trevor, "I still can't believe you fell for that."
"What about Hollywood?" Jazz asked through Trevor's cellphone via speakerphone, "If you look at the Orb on the top right, it looks as though it's near some hills with words on them."
"Jazz, I think those stalagmites and stalactites inside a large cave," said Sam.
"Well, it was worth a shot."
"Are you sure you have time for this?" Danny asked, "You don't have to help us right now if you're too busy with college stuff."
"Danny, it's the weekend and I have nothing better to do," said Jazz, "Besides, it's not like any of you have anything better to do either."
"Touché," said Danny.
"This is ridiculous," Sam sighed, "We haven't found any information on the Orbs for almost 2 weeks and-"
She glanced over at Tucker and noticed that he was on his hands and knees looking for something under the couch.
"Tucker, what are you doing?" she asked.
"I can't find Tiffany," he replied as he pulled a pillow off the couch.
"You got another PDA?" Trevor asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Tucker replied as he started digging inside the couch, "A-ha! Found her!"
He removed his hand from the couch and revealed his prize.
"You're not Tiffany."
"Oh, there's the TV remote," Danny chuckled as he grabbed it from Tucker, "Thanks for finding it, Tucker."
"Yeah, whatever," Tucker sulked as he sat back down in his seat.
"Foley, can you please focus?" Trevor asked.
"Well, I'm out of places to search for the Orbs," he replied.
"Really?" Trevor asked.
"Well, they must be somewhere, right?" Tucker asked, "I mean, someone made them, so at least one person should know. It's not like they just appeared out of thin air."
Trevor sat up so fast that Dust was launched off his chest and into Danny's lap.
"Say that again, Foley!" he exclaimed.
"Say what again?" Tucker asked.
"What you just said," Trevor said as he turned to him.
"I'm out of places to search for the Orb?"
"No, after that."
"It's not like they appeared out of thin air?" Tucker asked.
Trevor deadpanned.
"No, before that," he growled in annoyance.
"Someone made them?" Tucker asked.
"Yes!" Trevor exclaimed, "Foley, you're a genius!"
"I am!?"
"No," Trevor said flatly, causing Tucker to deadpan at him, "But that's actually a great idea!"
"You mean finding the creator of the Orbs of Power?" Danny asked.
"It may be our only lead," said Trevor, "I can't believe I didn't think of that sooner."
"There's just one problem with that," said Jazz, "Do you know who created the Orbs?"
"… Good point, Fenton."
"We might not know who," said Danny, "but I bet I know how to find them."
*Cue Intro*
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Danny Phantom in: Fire and Steel (Episode 63)
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
"You kids ready?" Jack asked as he sat down and started up the Specter Speeder.
Tucker and Sam gave each other a nervous glance as they scooted over to make room.
"Yeah, we're ready, Mr. Fenton," Sam replied with uncertainty.
"Great!" Jack exclaimed, "I've always wanted to explore the Ghost Zone. And now I can, with my son on top of it!"
Danny and Trevor, who were standing between the Speeder and the Fenton Ghost Portal, turned their attention to Jack as the vehicle started up.
"Uh, dad?" Danny asked, "I don't mean to offend you or anything, but we can handle this ourselves."
"Danny, I know I can be a bit of a foolish clown at times," Jack sighed, "but when will I ever get another chance to explore the Ghost Zone with you?"
"Any time you're not out of town?" Trevor suggested, "If I may, Mr. Fenton, can you please restrain yourself from attacking every ghost we come across in the Ghost Zone?"
"You have my word that I, Jack Fenton, will not attack any ghosts that mean us no harm," Jack stated, pointing a thumb towards himself.
"20 bucks says he doesn't last 30 seconds," Tucker whispered to Sam.
"I didn't know you owned that many deer, Tucker," Trevor smirked.
His eyes suddenly widened.
"Oh, jeez, I need to capture Reaper before I turn into you," Trevor moaned as he turned to Danny.
"What can I say, I make a great role model," Danny smirked.
"We're all set over here, Danny!" Jack exclaimed, "Ready?"
A white and blue ring appeared around Danny and Trevor and the two halfas turned into their alter egos.
"We're ready," Phantom announced as he walked over to the door controls and pressed his thumb against the scanner.
"Uh, Danny?" Sam called out, "Your glove is in the way of the scanner."
"Hm?"
Danny looked down and noticed that the scanner wasn't performing the scan.
"Oh, right…" he chuckled and knocked himself on the forehead, "Stupid."
A white ring appeared around his wrist and it reverted back to human form. With the glove no longer obstructing the scanner, Danny pressed his thumb against it and the Portal opened.
"Hot dog!" Jack exclaimed, "Let's get a move on!"
Phantom joined Specter and the two flew into the Ghost Zone.
"Hold on tight, you two," Jack told Tucker and Sam as he took off after Danny and Logan.
Once inside, Jack gazed around the strange world from which ghosts lived in.
"Incredible," he noted, "I've never seen anything like it!"
"Dad, over here," Phantom said over the Fenton Phone, getting his father's attention.
Jack saw Phantom and Specter and flew the Speeder over to them.
"So, where to now?" Jack asked.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
A few minutes past before the team closed in on their destination.
"Brrrrrr!" Jack shivered, "It's freezing cold."
"Dad, didn't you bring a coat, like I told you to?" Danny asked over his shoulder.
Jack blinked a couple of times before reaching behind and grabbing his jacket.
"Where are we anyways?" he asked.
"The Realm of the Far Frozen," Danny replied as he and Specter flew down to the icy wasteland.
Jack piloted the ship along their flight path. Down below, a pair of ghost yetis saw something approaching their lands and turned around and left.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Danny and Logan landed on the snowy ground of the wasteland and looked around. The Specter Speeder landed behind them and Jack, Tucker, and Sam, all wearing Fenton hoodies, exited the vehicle. Everyone's breath was visible due to the extreme cold.
"What is this place?" Jack asked as he took in the scenery.
"It's a place where a good friend of ours lives," Danny explained, "Come on, his village is just through this canyon."
Everyone followed Danny through the snow and climbed over some large icicles that were lying on the ground.
"Remind me to melt most of this ice away so we can move the Speeder closer," said Specter.
A few seconds later, the gang entered the snowy village, but found no one around.
"Where is everyone?" Danny asked, scratching his head before putting his hands around his mouth, "Frostbite!? Hello!? Anyone here!?"
Behind the group, three pairs of icy blue eyes began to glow and fired cryo-ghost rays.
"Ha!" Specter exclaimed as he spun around fired a powerful pyrokinetic green ghost ray, countering the six smaller ghost rays, "Nice try, Frostbite, but you and your people are gonna have to do better than that!"
A hearty laugh was heard as Frostbite appeared from a nearby cave.
"An excellent counterattack, Specter!" he exclaimed before he noticed the others, "Ah, Great One! Welcome!"
"It's good to see you again too, Frostbite," said Danny as he and Frostbite shook hands, "I take it you know Specter."
"Of course. He comes often to train," Frostbite explains.
"You can never train too much," Specter smirked.
"I see you've brought your friends as well," Frostbite noted before turning to Jack, "I do not believe we have met."
"Uh, yes- I mean no!" Jack exclaimed nervously, "*Ahem* I am Jack Fenton; world's greatest- or second greatest- ghost hunter!"
Frostbite and his people gave the older Fenton a suspicious glare.
"I also happen to be Danny's father," Jack added.
"I see," said Frostbite.
"Don't worry about him, Frostbite," said Danny, "He's knows my secret and he's not going to do anything to you or your people."
"I even left all my weapons in the Speeder," Jack said proudly with his fists against his hips.
"Hmm…" Frostbite hummed before smiling, "Well, it's an honor to meet the father of the Great One."
"And it's nice to meet nice ghosts for a change," Jack replied as he and Frostbite shook hands before glancing over his shoulder, "Great One?"
"Yeah, they insist on calling me that," Danny explained, slightly embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head.
"So, what brings you all here, Great One?" Frostbite asked.
"We need you to do us a favor," said Phantom, "A big one."
"What sort of favor?" Frostbite asked.
"We need to find the remaining Orbs of Power and we think the Infi-map can lead us…"
Danny stopped talking when he saw Frostbite's eyes narrow.
"Great One… how do you know about the Orbs of Power?" Frostbite asked calmly, but sternly.
Danny, Tucker, and Sam turned to Specter in confusion, but he just shrugged.
"A ghost from the future came to our time and is planning to use the Orbs to control everything," Danny answered, "Don't you remember? Freakshow used one to take control of your mind?"**
Frostbite turned to Specter and approached him.
"You should have told me this information earlier, Specter," he told him.
"To be fair, I had no intention of using the Infi-map to directly look for the Orbs, since the map won't allow that," Specter replied before explaining to everyone, "In my timeline, we tried using the Infi-map to find the Orbs, but it would always return here, much to my surprise and relief."
"As it should," Frostbite noted before turning to the rest of the group, "If that's the case, why would you want the Infi-map?"
"We thought maybe we could use it to find the creator of the Orbs," Sam explained, "They could help us find the rest of the Orbs."
"And what do you plan to do with the Orbs?" Frostbite asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Specter replied, "All we're doing is keeping them from Reaper."
"The ghost from the future?" Frostbite asked, to which Specter nodded in response, "Are you certain that this is best course of action?"
"Well, Reaper does have a map to the Orbs, so better us than him," said Tucker.
"Frostbite, if I may?" Jack asked, getting his attention, "I'm well aware that you and your people have praised Danny for his actions against Perry Dork."
"Pariah Dark," Danny corrected.
"He trusts Specter, as well as all of us," Jack continued, "And Tucker brings up a good point; it's better if we have the Orbs rather than Reaper."
Frostbite began pacing back and forth, rubbing his chin. Danny glanced over to Specter.
"Why didn't you tell him about what was happening?" he whispered to Specter.
"You really think I want every ghost in the Ghost Zone to help us find the Orbs?" Specter asked, "How do you think that will turn out?"
"But it's Frostbite," Danny argued.
"Word travels fast around the Ghost Zone," Specter whispered.
"Very well," said Frostbite, getting their attention, "Follow me."
The yeti ghost turned around and entered the nearby cave. Everyone followed him inside.
"I never knew ghosts could use advanced technology," Jack said aloud as he walked by some equipment.
"We ghosts tend to stay in secluded areas of the Ghost Zone, rarely ever heading into the human world," Frostbite explained, "That doesn't mean we completely isolate ourselves from technology."
"We should compare notes sometime," Jack suggested.
"I'll consider your offer," Frostbite replied.
"Gotta admit, your dad and Frostbite sure got along quickly," Sam said to Danny.
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting that," he admitted.
"Ah, here we are," said Frostbite as they reached the small altar where the Infi-map was floating, "Are you absolutely certain this is the right choice, Great One?"
Phantom peaked over to Specter.
"I honestly have no other ideas of finding the Orbs, aside from blindly searching the Ghost Zone and Earth," said Specter.
Danny nodded and turned to Frostbite.
"Yes," he said, "This is our last possible chance of getting the remaining Orbs of Power before Reaper does."
"Very well, Great One," Frostbite sighed before he reached over and grabbed the Infi-map.
He carefully rolled it up and handed it to Phantom.
"I wish you the best of luck, Great One," said Frostbite before turning the Specter, "You and I will have a long discussion upon your return."
"Do we though?" Specter asked.
"Thanks, Frostbite," said Danny before he turned to the rest of the team, "Hope this works."
The gang, Jack, and Frostbite left the cave and headed back to the Specter Speeder.
"Alright," said Phantom as he opened the map, "Let's see if this wor- WHOOOOOOoooooooaaaaaa!"
Before he was ready, Danny was dragged through the air by the Infi-map, quickly leaving everyone else behind.
"Phantom, you idiot!" Specter shouted as he took off after him, "Wait for us!"
Tucker and Sam nervously smiled at Frostbite.
"Well, it was nice seeing you again, Frostbite, but we better get going," Sam said quickly before hopping into the Specter Speeder.
"Uh, yeah, what she said," said Tucker as he pulled Jack inside the Specter Speeder.
Jack activated the vehicle and floored it after the two half-ghosts. As Frostbite watched them disappear into the distance, one of his fellow yeti ghosts approached him.
"What are you thinking, Frostbite?" he asked.
"I fear that they are making a grave mistake," Frostbite sighed, "I only hope that I'm wrong."
Frostbite and his fellow ghost turned and walked away back to the village. Had they been more aware, they would have noticed a cloaked figure turning visible and grinning menacingly before silently flying after the heroes. Meanwhile, Danny was screaming across the Ghost Zone as the Infi-map zigzagged its way around to Danny's desired destination.
"Phantom, will you stop screaming into the Fenton Phone!?" Sam exclaimed, "You're gonna make us all go deaf!"
Phantom put a hand over his mouth as he continued to be pulled around.
"The muffling is just as bad," Specter said flatly, "I'm just gonna take this thing off and follow."
"Better than the screaming," Tucker quipped, "… Specter?"
"Guess he took his Fenton Phone off," said Sam.
"Or he broke another one," Danny quipped, finally able to calm down, "You guys able to keep up?"
"Don't you worry, Danny!" Jack exclaimed, "I've got my eyes on you. You won't be able to lose us!"
"Danny, look out!" Sam exclaimed.
Phantom looked forward and gasped.
*WHAM*
He faceplanted straight into a stone brick wall and slumped to the ground a couple feet below.
"Ow," he groaned as he picked himself up, "I'm definitely gonna feel that tomorrow."
"Phantom!" Specter exclaimed as he landed beside him, "You okay?"
"I'm fine," he replied before holding up the Infi-map in his hand, "Still got this."
He and Specter glanced over to the structure Phantom crashed into.
"What is this place?" Danny asked.
"Good question," said Logan, "I've never been this far out into the Ghost Zone before."
The roar of the Speeder's engines got their attention; they turned around and watched as Jack practically slammed the vehicle into the ground.
"Nailed it!" he exclaimed as he hopped out of the Speeder, "Another successful landing by Jack Fenton!"
"Yay…" Sam half-heartedly cheered as she got out.
"Whoo-hoo…" Tucker said sarcastically behind her.
The three looked up at the structure before them. It appeared to be a small medieval fort; stone walls, a small drawbridge and a large stone building inside. Random scraps of metal were lying all over the grounds.
"What's this place?" Jack asked them.
Tucker and Sam shrugged.
"You sure this is the place, Da- uh, Phantom?" Specter asked.
Danny's eyes widened as he stared at Specter.
"No! Nooooo! I almost said Danny, not dad," Specter clarified, "I'm not your son; get that idea out of your head. It was a slip of the tongue!"
Danny turned his attention back to the building.
"We should head inside," said Tucker.
Everyone nodded and followed Danny inside. Not far, their unnoticed follower was watching from a nearby floating boulder.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
The gang was exploring the strange place for a few minutes before they reached the top floor of the main building. Phantom and Specter were using ecto-energy in their hands to illuminate the dark rooms. At the top of the stairs they had climbed, Danny pushed open a dusty old wooden door and stepped inside.
"Whoa," he breathed as everyone followed him inside.
The large circular room they entered had dozens of old weapons and armor lined up along the wall.
"What is all this?" Sam asked.
Everyone spread out around the room and looked around. Danny saw something in a dark portion of the room and went over to investigate. As the light illuminated the area, Danny realized that he had stumbled across an old forge; there was a stone furnace, an anvil, a wooden table with various tools lying on it, all covered in dust. On the other side of the anvil, Danny noticed something was leaning over it.
"Found something?" Sam asked over his shoulder.
"Maybe," he replied, "Hey, there's a closed window right here."
"I'll get it," said Sam.
She reached over and pushed the small window open. As soon as she did, more light entered the room and revealed the object next to the anvil. Sam looked over and was face to face with skeletal remains covered in dusty old garments.
"Eep!" Sam exclaimed as she jumped back.
"Sam!?" Jack exclaimed in concern, "Are you okay?"
Everyone gathered next to Phantom as he calmed Sam down.
"I'm fine, guys," she assured them, "Just didn't expect that."
Everyone glanced over and saw the old remains seated beside the anvil. Specter walked over and inspected the remains. After a few seconds, he stood up straight and sighed.
"Welp… so much for that idea," he said, "I think we found the maker of the Orbs of Power alright."
"Great," Danny groaned, "Now what?"
"There must be something here," said Tucker, "Why else would the map lead us here?"
"To screw with us?" Specter dryly joked.
"Well, someone must live here," Tucker argued, "Why else would this place be here?"
Specter glanced around the room, thinking it over.
"You might be right, Foley," said Specter, "But if that's true, then where's the homeowner?"
Suddenly, the door and window slammed shut, leaving only the limited light from Phantom and Specter.
"What's going on?" Phantom exclaimed.
A dark, evil laugh filled the dark room, causing the heroes to stand back to back.
"Oh, no…" Specter groaned, "Not him."
"A pleasure to see you all again," said a dark voice, "Shame it will be short-lived."
Everyone turned to where the sound of the voice was coming from saw a pair of burning red donut-shaped eyes from the shadows followed by the sound of a blade being unsheathed. The ghost slowly floated forward as black mist covered the ground.
"Reaper," Phantom hissed.
"Shame your friend, Specter, couldn't stop me before," Reaper chuckled, "This will make things much easier."
Specter blinked in front of Reaper and blasted him into the wall with a blue ghost ray.
"Why do you think Specter isn't here?" the halfa smirked, referring to himself in third person.
Reaper glared at Specter and groaned in annoyance.
"I thought I was just seeing things when I saw you back in the Far Frozen," Reaper sighed as he began to circle around the group, "Guess Clockwork grew a backbone and let you stay?"
"You're not getting rid of me that easily," said Specter.
Danny glanced over to the others.
"Guys, you need to get out of here," he whispered to them, "We don't have anything on us that we can use against him."
"We have plenty of weapons back in the Specter Speeder," Jack whispered.
"Oh, that tin can?" Reaper called out, "You'll have to find a new ride."
"You're an animal, you know that?" Specter asked.
"How did you even find this place!?" Danny asked.
"Wasn't hard," Reaper smiled, "I knew Specter would always play it safe and have an extra copy of the map on him. I figured he'd give it to you guys, and I'd let you do all the work for me. You're at, what? Four Orbs so far?"
"How did he know that we found another Orb?" Tucker asked.
"Tucker!" Specter exclaimed.
"Because you just told me, genius," said Reaper, "And now you have no clue where the last two are."
"Neither do you," said Phantom, "If you knew we didn't know where they were, that means you don't either."
Reaper glared at Danny for that deduction.
"Good guess, Phantom," said Specter, "Now, Reaper, let's get to business. Where's-"
Reaper fired a pair of red ghost rays from his eyes at Specter, who quickly ducked out of the way.
"Oh, the hell with this," he grumbled before hold his hand out and holding Reaper in place with his telekinesis, "I'm in no mood for games! Now, where's Cole!?"
"Your brother?" Reaper smirked, "Don't worry about him. You'll see him again real soon. Just not the way you'd like."
Before Specter could react, Reaper tilted his scythe and it tapped the blue aura around him.
"UGH!" Specter gasped, gripping his forehead in one hand.
The sudden surge of pain in his head was enough for Specter to lose his hold on Reaper and the ghost prepared to attack the halfa.
"Specter, look out!" Phantom warned.
*WAP*
"I think not," said a deep ancient voice.
Reaper was unable to move as a pair of black gloved hands held him by the back of his neck and gripped his scythe.
"What is this!?" Reaper exclaimed.
"Your soul… so full of vile poison and sadistic cruelty…" the voice continued, "You are not worthy."
Everyone watched as the stones that made up the walls and ceiling began to levitate and fly around the building.
"Do not return here," the voice said sternly before a massive green ghost ray shot Reaper in the back and carried him far into the distance in a matter of seconds.
The gang stared into the vastness of the Ghost Zone and blinked before turning their heads back to whoever saved them. But the only thing they saw was the remains sitting next to the anvil, causing them to look around in confusion.
"What… was that?" Phantom asked.
"I think we found the person we were looking for," Specter replied with unease.
"Where is he?" Jack asked, "I don't see him."
"Humans… in my domain?" the voice asked; its voice coming from every inch of the room.
"Guess he's still here," said Tucker.
"Oh, really?" Sam asked sarcastically, "The flying bricks not a big indicator?"
"Who are you?" Phantom asked.
"You do not ask me questions, human!" the voice boomed, "You will answer mine. Why are you here?"
"We're here for the Orbs of Power," Specter replied, "We're gathering them to keep them away from the hands of Reaper, the ghost you sent flying away."
"… Gather them you say… A very foolish thing to do," the voice said slowly.
"So is doing nothing and letting Reaper get the Orbs," said Phantom.
"You two… you are ghosts… yet you are not… what are you?"
"We're what you might call a half-ghost," said Phantom, "Half ghost, half human."
"Half-ghost… an amalgamation of human and ghost… how interesting."
The stones in the air began to slow down and return to their original position. The ceiling and walls were reconstructed, and a small fire came to life in the , an orange aura appeared around the remains and its eyes began to glow a gold color.
"Perhaps… I have misjudged you," said the voice, which now came from the skeleton's mouth, glowing the same gold color as the eyes as it talked, "Tell me… what brings a… half-ghost from the future to my forge?"
Specter's eyes widened.
"How did you-?"
"I have read your mind, young one," the voice explained, "I have read all of your minds."
"That's a bit invasive of our privacy, ya know," said Tucker.
"If you know so much, then help us find the remaining Orbs of Power," said Phantom.
There was a long moment of silence before the voice began talking again.
"Do you know who I am? Do you know my name?"
"I presume you are the one who created the Orbs of Power," said Specter, "Your name is irrelevant."
"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh…Huuuuhhh… You are correct… I crafted the Orbs of Power… my greatest work… and greatest mistake."
"Irrelevant it is then," Specter dryly joked in annoyance, "Can we cut to the chase and tell us where the last two Orbs are?"
"Logan!" Sam hissed, "Have some patience!"
"Such anger… such… misery…"
The creator's body began to jerk periodically as it tried to reach over to the table and grab a tool. The sudden movement of the ancient remains caused even Specter to cringe a little. After a few seconds of difficulty, the creator managed to have some form of motor control and glanced around the room.
"Such corruption," he growled as he picked up a smithy hammer and pointed it at Specter, "Bring it to me."
Everyone raised an eyebrow and turned to Specter as he sighed and approached the archaic ghost. He reached behind and pulled out a familiar yellow object.
"Ah, the Orb of Strength," said the creator.
"How long have you had that on you!?" Phantom exclaimed.
"Since we got it back from Reaper," Specter replied without turning his head, "Yes, I'm a hypocrite, but unlike all of you, I can afford to use this as a last resort against Reaper."
Everyone glared at him as he handed the Orb to the creator.
"Like I said, I'm going back to my timeline once Reaper's been dealt with and- AAAAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!"
The creator grabbed Specter's arm and instantly began to drain green ecto-energy from him.
"You foolish child," said the creator, "The Orbs cannot be used ever again! You plan to keep them away from your arch-enemy, yet you also plan to use them against him."
"Hey!" Danny exclaimed as he flew over, "Let him go!"
"Silence!" the creator boomed as his eyes began to glow purple.
A magical barrier appeared around the creator and Specter. Phantom fired a ghost ray at it, but it deflected back towards him, hitting him in the chest and slamming him into the wall.
"Danny!" Tucker, Sam, and Jack exclaimed and rushed over to his side.
"You have been deceiving them, Specter," the creator said as he continued to drain his energy, "You seek revenge more than you wish for justice. You come alone to fight Reaper and yet you withhold information from your allies."
Through the pain, Specter opened his eyes and glared daggers at the creator. His eyes were now a cerulean blue and a small flame occasionally flickered in his right eye.
"You don't know me," Specter growled before he began erupting blue electricity all around his body and electrocuting the creator.
The creator jerked his hand away from Specter and the shield went down. Specter blinked away from the creator and stood next to Phantom as he got back up and they held their hands out toward the ghost.
"You know so much… and yet so little," the creator muttered as he held up the Orb that Specter had dropped, "These Orbs were never meant to be used for power. They were hidden away so they would never return."
"Never return?" Tucker asked, "What are you talking about?"
"You think I created the Orbs because humans couldn't take care of their world? No… no, I had created the Orbs long before then."
"For what purpose?" Specter asked as he winced in pain.
"I've said too much," said the creator, "Leave now and never return. Your search for the Orbs is futile and ultimately perilous."
"If that's how it's going to be, so be it," Specter muttered.
His hand started glowing blue as he telekinetically grabbed the Orb and caught it.
"Come on, let's get out of here," said Specter as he stored the Orb away.
Everyone nodded and made their way to the exit.
"Heed my warning, heroes!" the creator boomed, "You continue this quest, none of you will survive!"
Phantom stopped in his tracks and glanced over his shoulder.
"Is that a warning? Or a threat?" he asked before following the others out the door.
The door creaked shut and the furnace fire died out. Only the creators glowing eyes emitted a small amount of light in the darkness. A few moments past before a pair of red donut-shaped eyes appeared behind the creator's body as his eyes flickered purple a couple of times.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
A few minutes later, Danny and Logan were flying next to the Specter Speeder as everyone was flying back to the Fenton Works.
"I can't believe we fell for the 'I destroyed your ride home' schtick," said Tucker.
"Yeah, I should have seen that one coming," Specter sighed, "My bad."
"So," said Sam as she glared at Specter, "Mind telling us why you are carrying around an Orb?"
"Short version: I'm not from this timeline, ergo my life is not worth fighting for; your lives are," Specter explained, "I'm going back home after capturing Reaper. The Orb is a last resort. That is all."
"And what if you do get corrupted by the Orb?" Danny asked.
"What makes you think I'm not already?" Specter asked, "The Orbs been reaching out to me, so to speak; trying to convince me that I should use it now and get the job done."
"Then why don't you?" Jack asked, "When it comes to hunting ghosts, isn't the easiest solution usually the best solution?"
"Uh, dad? I don't think that's how the saying goes," Phantom pointed out.
"Have I ever told you guys that Reaper has never once been captured?" Specter asked as they closed in on the Fenton Ghost Portal.
"I don't recall reading anything about him getting captured in the file***," said Sam.
"And now you know why," said Specter, "Look, I'm not saying I like the idea of me having an Orb of Power on me all the time as well, but anything can happen."
"Speaking of anything, we forgot to return the Infi-map back to Frostbite," said Sam as she held up the rolled-up map.
"I'll return it tomorrow," said Phantom before yawning, "I'm beat."
They arrived at the portal and the two halfas followed Jack through. In the labs, Maddie was running some experiments with ectoplasm while Dust, who was in her normal form, was researching on Danny's laptop. As soon as the Speeder arrived through the portal, she morphed into her raven form and flew over to Specter as he landed on the ground.
"So, what now?" she asked him.
Jack raised an eyebrow in confusion and turned to Danny.
"Those two have a psychic link with each other; they can communicate with their minds," he explained before he changed back to human form.
"Well, if he won't help us, all we can do is do what we've doing and just wing it," Specter replied, slightly raising his arms and letting them fall to his sides.
"I might have an idea," said Maddie, "If you don't mind, I think I can make a device that can track down the other balls."
"Orbs," Specter corrected.
"If you could let me borrow the Orb for a few minutes and let me scan its energy signature, we might be able to search the other Orbs that way," Maddie suggested.
"It's better than what we've got now," Specter sighed as he pulled out the Orb, "Just be careful with it- Huh?"
He stared at the Orb for a couple of seconds before his eyes widened.
"THAT SON OF A BITCH!" he shouted as he dropped the Orb and rocketed back into the Ghost Zone.
Dust quickly flapped her wings before she hit the ground and gently landed.
"What's wrong!?" Danny asked, but Specter was already long gone.
Maddie bent down and picked up the Orb and examined it.
"Is there a problem, Maddie?" Jack asked.
"I'm not sure," she replied, "Danny, is there any reason for Specter to act like that?"
"With him, who knows?" Danny shrugged as he walked over and glanced at the Orb.
Dust flew up and perched herself on Danny's shoulder and looked at the Orb.
"Oh, boy…" she groaned, "That's not the Orb. It's a fake."
Everyone's eyes widened.
"He's going back to the forge!" Danny exclaimed.
A white ring appeared around his waist and he flew after Specter.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Back at the forge, the room was completely dark and still as Specter slowly opened the door and invisibly floated inside. His eyes faintly turned blue as he glanced around the room.
"I know you're in here," he said loudly as he turned visible and made himself present, "Both of you."
"Impressive," said Reaper as he emerged from the darkness, "I was hoping you wouldn't notice for some time. But you're too late."
A large hammer with a glowing yellow aura appeared behind Specter and slammed into the back of his head, knocking him out. Specter's body went limp and he fell to the ground, turning back to human form.
"Excellent work, Forgemaster," Reaper smiled.
"Just doing what needs to be done, Reaper," the ancient skeleton replied, "Shall I prepare for Phantom's arrival as well?"
"Indeed," said Reaper, "Just stick to the plan and all will go smoothly."
The Forgemaster nodded and made his way downstairs. Reaper looked down at Trevor.
"Oh, how I would love to kill you right now," he sneered, "But then, how will I ever experience the look on your face when you watch me kill everyone in front of you?"
Reaper began to laugh darkly as he pulled out the Orb of Strength.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Not long after, Phantom arrived just outside the creator's domain. He took a deep breath and sighed as he walked across the drawbridge. Just around the corner, the Forgemaster spied on him and followed him.
"This plan better work," Danny sighed as he put on his Fenton Phone.
"Don't worry, Danny, you've got this," said Sam on the other side.
"And so are we," said Maddie.
Phantom took a deep breath and sighed.
"Alright, let's do this."
He pushed open the door to the main building and stepped inside.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Trevor slowly opened his eyes and lightly shook his head. He quickly realized he was sitting in the middle of the forge room and wrapped in old green chains.
"Ow," he moaned before glaring up at a smirking Reaper, "You still watch people in their sleep, sicko?"
"Only the ones I enjoy toying with," Reaper smirked.
"Given that I don't see anyone else here, I'm assuming that you only have me."
"For now," Reaper replied, wiping his finger cross one of the scythe blades, "And your brother of course."
"Why is it that every time my family is in trouble, you're always involved?" Trevor asked, "Look, I get that you might be attracted to me, but I don't swing that way."
Reaper gave Trevor a hard side-eye.
"You know what? Kill me now before I turn into Phantom," Trevor said flatly.
"Kill you? And have you miss all the fun?"
"Well, given that the chains are made of frickin' refined ecto-ranium, I doubt I'll be doing much of anything," Trevor hissed, "Since I'm stuck here waiting for what will most likely be the most embarrassing rescue attempt, mind telling me where Cole is?"
"He's… around," Reaper said cryptically, "Let's just say he's dying to be rescued."
"You expect me to believe you'll kill him?" Trevor asked with a raised eyebrow, "He's your only leverage against me."
"Leverage? Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaa…" Reaper laughed, "Oh, Trevor, you really think I didn't know?"
"Know what?"
"Know how to get my hands on this?" Reaper asked as he revealed the Orb of Strength to the halfa.
"Let me guess… you summoned Betelgeuse by chanting his name three times and he brokered a deal between you and the creator of the Orbs."
"Your mental database of old movies disgusts me," said Reaper.
"So, I was right," Trevor said flatly, "Is my prize trapping you in my Fenton Thermos and delivering you to Satan on a silver platter?"
Reaper had a huge grin on his face as he revealed another object in his hand. Trevor's eyes widened and he began to struggle in his restraints.
"Oh, now you're worried," Reaper smirked, "And I haven't even talked about your rescue party's arrival yet."
"Wait, what!?" Trevor exclaimed.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Downstairs, Phantom was slowly making his way around the old fort, searching for Trevor.
"Specter?" he whispered, "Where are you?"
He pushed open a door and poked his head inside.
"Anyone home?" he called out softly.
Nothing but empty wooden barrels, dust, and cobwebs. Danny stood up and closed the door.
*CRASH*
He barely took three steps forward before the door he just closed smashed open and a dozen barrels floated out of the room and darted towards him. Phantom quickly fired ghost rays at the incoming projectiles and blasted them into splinters. The last barrel was inches away from hitting Phantom when the hero sent his fist through it and destroyed it.
"Guess someone's home after all," he muttered as he glanced around the room.
"You did return," said an ancient voice, "That was a grave mistake."
"More like a barrel mistake," said Danny as he floated away and entered another room.
"If you value your life, you leave now," said Forgemaster, "This is your last chance."
"I'm not leaving without Logan," Danny replied, "Where is he!?"
"Don't you worry," Forgemaster said behind Danny.
Phantom turned around and gasped as Forgemaster grabbed his head and slammed it into the ground. Upon losing consciousness, Danny reverted back to human form.
"You fool," Forgemaster sighed as he picked Danny up and carried up over his shoulder.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Trevor continued to struggle in his restraints, with Reaper watching in amusement.
"Sucks not being able to go ghost when you've got that anti-ghost element around you, doesn't it?" he smirked.
"Brulu en infero, murdisto," Trevor growled.
(Burn in hell, murderer.)
"You first," said Reaper.
Out of the corner of his eye, Trevor saw Forgemaster enter the room with Danny over his shoulder. Reaper glanced over and noticed as well.
"Ah, you've captured Phantom!" he exclaimed, "Excellent work."
Forgemaster floated past Reaper as he handed the Orb of Strength to him. The Forgemaster stored it away and dropped Danny next to Trevor.
"Can it possibly get any worse?" Trevor deadpanned.
*WHACK*
When Trevor was staring at Danny, Reaper floated behind him and knocked him out with a quick whack across the back of the head, instantly knocking him out again.
"Since that's our only chain, use it to tie those two together," Reaper ordered.
Forgemaster nodded and began removing the chain from Trevor.
"The others will be here soon," said Reaper, "And without their heroes to protect them, we'll be able to make quick work out of all of them."
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Overlooking the fort from a distance, Jack, Maddie, and Sam were seated in the Specter Speeder, waiting anxiously.
"Danny, are you okay?" Sam asked into the Fenton Phone.
"Sam, that's the tenth time you've tried contacting him," said Maddie, "He's probably busy fighting a ghost."
"Or he's been captured," said Sam, "I don't think this plan of his is working."
"Well… what should we do?" Jack asked, "The scans were showing were ghosts, now there's only two."
"Maybe Danny and Specter captured the ghost?" Sam asked.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
"If that were the case, why haven't they left the fort yet?" Jack asked.
"We may have been mistaken," said Maddie, "What if we were wrong to assume there was only one ghost here when Specter arrived? What if there were two and Specter was taken?"
Reaper's smile grew as he held the Fenton Phone to his head.
"Then that means only two things," said Sam, "Either Danny had captured one of the ghosts…"
"Or the ghosts have captured him too!" Jack exclaimed, "We shouldn't have let him go in alone!"
"That does it!" Maddie exclaimed, "We're going in and saving my son!"
"And Specter," Sam added calmly.
"And Specter!" Maddie exclaimed.
Reaper tossed the Fenton Phone next to the unconscious half-ghosts that were tied with their backs together.
"Looks like the fun is about to begin."
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
As Jack carefully landed the Speeder in front of the draw bridge, the vehicle's occupants armed themselves for battle. Sam slipped on her Fenton Wrist Ray, Maddie strapped on the Fenton Specter Deflector as she pulled out the Fenton Lipstick Blaster****, and Jack put on the Fenton Ghost Gloves.
"Let's go," Jack said grimly and stepped out of the Speeder.
Sam and Maddie followed him out and they marched across the bridge. As soon as they were inside the fort, the drawbridge behind them instantly raised and slammed shut, trapping them inside, causing them to spin around and notice.
*WHAM*
The Forgemaster landed on the ground before the three, getting their attention.
"So, you three must be the valiant rescue party," he chuckled as he stood up, "How dull."
Sam, Jack, and Maddie aimed their weapons at the ghost.
"Where's Danny and Specter?" Sam asked.
"They're still around," Forgemaster answered, "I'd let them run free, but they're a bit tied up at this time."
"You better tell us where my son is," Maddie threatened, "or I will make you wish you had never been born!"
Forgemaster cackled as pulled out his hammer.
"Human, I have lived in the Ghost Zone for tens of thousands of years!" he exclaimed, "I've seen every vile action done by humans against ghosts. You think you scare me?"
The three ghost hunters glanced at one another and nodded.
"Not scared, eh?" Jack smirked, "Do you know who I am?"
"No," Forgemaster said flatly.
"I am Jack Fenton!" Jack exclaimed, "My wife and I are the world's greatest ghost hunters! And we don't run from ghosts. We chase 'em! And I never back down from a challenge."
He cracked his knuckles as his narrowed eyes
"And I love a challenge."
The Forgemaster lowered his hammer and raised his left hand up. A yellow aura appeared around it and metal scrap flew off the ground toward the Forgemaster. The pieces aligned together on the back of his arm, forming a large circular shield; the cracks in between glowing yellow.
"As do I," Forgemaster remarked before dashing over the ground towards Jack, "Hrraaahhhhh!"
Jack quickly stepped aside as the hammer smashed into the ground. Maddie aimed the tube of lipstick at the ghost and fired. Forgemaster quickly raised his shield and deflected the ecto-energy back at her. Maddie gasped and backflipped out of the way. Jack ran up and swung his fist at the ghost's head, but the Forgemaster quickly turned intangible, casing Jack to lose his footing and land on his stomach. Forgemaster turned tangible and lifted his hammer, reeling it back with the intention to swing it at Jack. Before he could attack, two ghost rays hit him in the back, blasting him away from Jack.
"Rrrgghh…" the Forgemaster growled as he turned around and watched Sam and Maddie smirk at him, "Why you-"
*BAM*
Jack took the opportunity to get back up and send his fist flying across the Forgemaster's face. The ghost crashed into the stone brick walls off the fort and glared at Jack.
"We'll keep him, busy," Maddie told Sam, "You go and find the boys!"
"Got it," Sam replied as she turned and ran inside the main building.
Maddie turned back to the Forgemaster and charged him. No one noticed Reaper peering through the tower window, watching everything happening below.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Sam quietly made her way up the stone stairs that led up to the forge.
"Danny! Trevor!" she whispered.
She quietly tiptoed towards the door and slowly opened it. She poked her head inside and gasped.
"Danny!"
The older halfa began to stir.
"Sam?" he groaned.
Sam rushed over to him and got to her knees.
"Are you okay?" she asked as she grabbed the chains.
"Yeah… I'm fine," Danny replied, "Where am I?"
"Back in the forge," Sam replied, "Ugh, it's no use! These chains have you and Trevor tied up tight."
"Trevor?" Danny asked before he glanced over his shoulder and shook Trevor, "Hey, Trevor! You awake?"
Trevor didn't reply. Sam grabbed his shoulders and tried waking him herself.
"Trevor! Wake up!" she exclaimed.
"It's no use, Sam," Danny sighed, "He's completely out."
His eyes glanced down on the ground and he noticed the Fenton Phone.
"Hey, can you grab that?" he asked Sam.
She looked over and grabbed the Fenton Phone before focusing back on the chain.
"What's with the green chain?" Sam asked.
"If I had to guess? Ecto-ranium," said Danny.
"Correct answer."
Danny and Sam looked over and gasped as Reaper relinquished his invisibility and slashed his scythe down. Sam quickly rolled to the side, barely avoiding the blade. She got back to her feet and grabbed her upper right arm.
"You're a fast one," Reaper smirked as he wiped a finger across his blade, cleaning off the blood, "but not fast enough."
"You are so gonna get it when I get my hands on you," Danny growled as he struggled in the chains.
"Good luck with that," Reaper replied before he charged toward Sam.
"NOW!" Sam shouted.
A huge cryo-ghost ray erupted from the entrance and blasted Reaper against the wall, trapping all but his head in ice.
"NO!" Reaper exclaimed, "What is this!?"
"Remember that rescue party?" Tucker smirked as he entered the room, "That wasn't the rescue party."
Everyone watched as Frostbite and two other yeti ghosts entered the room.
"This is the rescue party," Tucker finished.
"Great work, Tucker!" Danny exclaimed.
"Hey, someone had to bring the calvary," said Tucker.
Reaper glared at the new arrivals and fired his eye beams at them.
"Look out!" Frostbite exclaimed as he got in front of Tucker and created a large ice pillar in front of him.
The ghost rays shattered the ice and Reaper, who had broken free, lunged toward Frostbite. Sam raised her arm and fired her weapon, hitting Reaper in the face.
"AGH!" Reaper exclaimed, grabbing his face.
Frostbite fired a pair of his own eye beams at Reaper, freezing his body. Reaper removed his hand, revealing his raging red eyes. His hand clenched his scythe as an unsettling red aura surrounded his body.
"ENOUGH!" he shouted.
Before anyone could react, Reaper unleashed a powerful repulsion shield that sent everyone flying against the wall and filling the room with dust. Danny got to his hands and knees, coughing up the dust.
"Huh?" he moaned, "I'm… free?"
Reaper flew towards the two villagers and grabbed them by their heads.
"I have had it," he hissed as he slammed their heads together and dropped them to the ground, "with all these interruptions."
He reached down and grabbed both their heads in one hand and slid his scythe over their throats. Through the dust, a pair of bright icy blue eyes appeared behind Reaper and fired another pair of eyebeams at the ghost. His arm and scythe were frozen in place as the formed against the wall and floor.
"You will not harm my people!" Frostbite roared as he batted Reaper away with a swift backhand.
Frostbite picked up his fallen brethren and began carrying them toward Tucker and Sam, who were slowly recovering from Reaper's attack. Reaper glared at the leader of the Far Frozen and threw his scythe at him.
"Frostbite, look out!" Tucker exclaimed.
The yeti turned his head and gasped as the scythe spun through the air right at him. Suddenly, a green aura surrounded the scythe and it froze in place, inches away from Frostbite's face.
"What!?" Reaper exclaimed.
Straining groans got everyone's attention and they turned toward the source; Danny Phantom holding out both his glowing hands and telekinetically holding the scythe in place.
"I won't let you hurt them!" Phantom exclaimed, straining and sweat dripping down his face.
"How did you get-URK!"
Reaper didn't get the chance to finish asking his question before a familiar green chain flew through the air and wrapped around his neck. As soon as the metal touched him, Reaper's body was covered in what appeared to be blue-highlighted white electricity, causing him the yell in pain.
"Hurts, doesn't it?"
Everyone glanced over and saw Specter, with the chain wrapped around his lower right arm, yanking Reaper towards him. The same white arcs were all over his body, causing him pain as well.
"Everyone, get out of here!" he shouted, "He has the Orb of Knowledge!"
"What!?" Sam exclaimed, "How!? I thought you destroyed it!"
Reaper opened one eye, grabbed the chain, and jerked Specter towards him. Specter quickly reoriented himself midair and kicked Reaper in the chest.
"UUGH!" Reaper exclaimed as slammed into the wall.
Frostbite hurried to the door, carrying his fellow yeti over his shoulders. He glanced over his shoulder to Phantom.
"We must leave, quickly!" he told the half-ghost.
"Ahhhh!" Danny groaned as he released the scythe, letting it penetrate the brick wall, "Wait! Where are my parents!?"
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Down on the grounds, Jack was pushing against Forgemaster's shield with his hands as Maddie pulled on the Specter Deflector strap as hard as she could, squeezing the ghost's torso.
"AAAAUUGGGGHHHH!" Forgemaster screamed before his body sizzled and he fell face first into the ground.
The shield stopped glowing and crumbled into the small pieces of metal it was before. Maddie removed the Deflector and Jack leaned on his knees to catch his breath.
"Phew," he sighed, "That was tough."
"Well, Jack, you should have watched what you said," Maddie smiled.
"And show weakness!?" Jack exclaimed stoically, "Never."
"Uuuuuggghhh…" the Forgemaster moaned as he slowly picked himself up, causing Jack and Maddie to jump to a fighting stance, "I'm… I'm free?"
"Not for long you won't be," said Maddie.
The Forgemaster turned around and blinked in confusion as Jack and Maddie slowly approached the ghost.
"Heed, humans!" Forgemaster exclaimed calmly, "Please, forgive my previous actions. I was not in my right state of mind."
Jack and Maddie exchanged glances.
"And why should we believe you?" Jack asked in suspicion.
"Because if we don't, the others will suffer a tragic fate," the ghost explained, "Wait… where are the humans? And the… half-ghosts!?"
"They went up to your forge and-"
The Forgemaster's eyes widened as he shot past Jack and Maddie and entered the tower. The ghost hunters ran after him, ordering him to come back and stay away from the kids.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Reaper gripped his scythe in both hands and ripped it away from the wall.
"Hurry!" Frostbite exclaimed, "We must leave!"
Reaper glanced over to the doorway and raised a purple glowing hand.
"I don't think so," he hissed as his hand began to glow brighter.
Danny quickly flew over to Sam as Specter blinked behind Tucker. The two halfas gave each other a quick glance and nodded.
"We're not scared of you!" Sam exclaimed, "We'll take you down right now!"
A white glove grabbed Sam's shoulder, causing her to pause.
"Sorry, Sam," Phantom sighed.
As Frostbite began descending the stairs, he heard Sam and Tucker exclaim in surprise, causing him to turn around. He watched as the two teenagers tossed away and landed on the steps.
"Danny! Logan!" Sam exclaimed as she and Tucker scrambled back to their feet and ran for the room.
The last thing the three saw before the door slammed shut was Phantom and Specter giving them a soft smile.
*BAM*
As soon as the door was shut, a red aura appeared in front of it. Tucker and Sam ran up to his and reached for the knocker, but they couldn't reach it.
"Great One!" Frostbite exclaimed.
Phantom and Specter sighed.
"Oh, this is priceless," Reaper laughed, "You two are trying to save your friends? And what? Become martyrs?"
Phantom raised his glowing blue fists while Specter started spinning the chain in his right hand, both glaring at the ghost. Reaper scoffed as he reached inside his cloak and revealed the Orb of Knowledge.
"I don't know how you got that," Specter said darkly, "but there is no way in hell I'm letting you get away with that."
"And what makes you think you two have a chance against me?" Reaper challenged.
Specter reached behind and pulled out the Orb of Strength.
"What?" Reaper asked in disbelief, "How did you get that!? I gave it to the Forgemaster!"
"Oh, you did," Phantom smirked.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Out of the corner of his eye, Trevor saw Forgemaster enter the room with Danny over his shoulder. Reaper glanced over and noticed as well.
"Ah, you've captured Phantom!" he exclaimed, "Excellent work."
Forgemaster floated past Reaper as he handed the Orb of Strength to him. The Forgemaster stored it away, but was unaware that Danny was feigning unconsciousness. Danny reached down and grabbed the Orb of Strength before being dropped next to Trevor. He quickly hid it away before anyone noticed.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
"Trevor?" Danny asked before he glanced over his shoulder and shook Trevor, "Hey, Trevor! You awake?"
Trevor didn't reply. Sam grabbed his shoulders and tried waking him herself.
"Trevor! Wake up!" she exclaimed.
Danny managed to shift his arm enough for him to reach for the Orb of Strength and slide it into Trevor's hand, which were both behind his back. Danny felt Trevor's fingers close around the Orb and acknowledged the signal.
"It's no use, Sam," Danny sighed, "He's completely out."
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Reaper glared at the two heroes, seething through his teeth. His grip on the Orb of Knowledge was so strong that any stronger it would shatter it. But then, he started chuckling. Phantom and Specter both raised an eyebrow as the chuckling turned into maniacal laughter.
"What's so funny, chuckles?" Danny asked.
"This is your great plan?" Reaper laughed, "To take me on? And steal back the Orb of Knowledge?"
"It is now," Specter muttered, "So how's this gonna go down, Reaper?"
Reaper stared directly into Specter's eyes as he took the Orb and shoved it into his chest. He groaned in pain as the Orb remained in place and began to spread purple wisps along his body.
"Think we have a chance against him?" Phantom asked without any fear in his voice.
"It might be next to impossible," Specter replied as he put the Orb of Strength away.
"I'll take those odds," Danny smirked.
Reaper raised his scythe and slammed it into the ground. A giant red rune appeared under Phantom and Specter and a bright orange glow began to shine.
"Get above me!" Danny ordered as he floated an inch off the ground and fired a continuous large beam of ice from his hands.
Specter blinked over his head and threw the chain towards Reaper. The ghost glanced up and smirked before a small red ecto-energy constructed wall appeared in front of him. As soon as the chain touched it, the barrier vanished and hit Reaper in the face. Steam began to form around Phantom and Specter as the older halfa continued to fire his icy ghost ray at the ground.
"AAAAHHHH!" Reaper screamed as the chain retracted back to Specter.
The halfa blinked away towards Reaper and threw the chain from the side. Reaper glanced over and swung his scythe at it. The chain wrapped around one of the blades and Reaper yanked the chain out of Specter's hand, tearing away his glove and skin.
"Grrrrggghh…" Specter groaned in pain as he grabbed his ectoplasm covered wrist.
Danny looked up and saw Reaper removing the chain and dashing towards Specter.
"NO!" he exclaimed and flew forward.
Glancing at the wall, Danny telekinetically pulled a small square shield off the wall toward him. As Reaper swung toward Specter, Phantom caught the shield and floated in front of Specter, blocking the attack.
"Thanks for the save," said Specter as he noticed the shield, "In the mood to play catch?"
Phantom glanced over his shoulder and nodded. Specter peaked around Danny and Reaper and telekinetically summoned another shield from the wall, pulling it towards Reaper's head.
*CLANG*
The shield hit Reaper and Danny caught it in his other hand as he tossed the other one underneath the ghost. Specter then flew above Reaper and telekinetically pulled that one back towards him, hitting Reaper in the back. As Reaper was pushed forward from the force, Phantom charged him and punched him in the face. Behind the door, Tucker and Sam were frantically pounding on the magic barrier.
"Danny! Specter!" Tucker shouted.
"Humans!"
Tucker, Sam, and Frostbite turned around and watched the Forgemaster approach them.
"Stand aside," he ordered, "I'll bring this barrier down myself."
"And let you help Reaper!?" Sam exclaimed.
"That's not gonna happen!" Tucker added.
"Kids!" Jack exclaimed as he and Maddie made it to the top, out of breath, "Let… let him help."
"Reaper… controlled him," Maddie gasped.
Tucker and Sam blinked a couple of times and turned the Forgemaster.
"Do it!" they said.
The Forgemaster walked up to the door and raised his hammer. Yellow ecto-energy radiated from the head and he slammed it into the barrier, causing a couple of cracks to appear. He raised the hammer and slammed it against the barrier again. More cracks appeared. Reaper ducked below another shield being throw at him and slashed his scythe towards Phantom, who quickly split his body across his midsection, allowing the green blade to avoid making any contact with blinked above Reaper and kicked him on top of the head with both feet. As Reaper groaned and reached for his head, Phantom flew up and punched him in the face, sending him across the room and slamming into the wall. The impact caused a long kite shield to come off the wall and hit Reaper in the head.
"It's over, Reaper," said Phantom, "You're not getting away this time."
Reaper glared at Phantom with burning red and purple eyes. Without moving an inch, Reaper telekinetically picked up the chain behind the heroes and flung it towards them. Phantom heard the chains and quickly glanced behind him. Without warning, he shoved Specter out of the way and got completely wrapped in the restraints.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Phantom screamed as the ecto-ranium surged his body with pain.
"Phantom!" Specter shouted and blinked behind Reaper.
*WUMP*
With lightning fast reflexes, Reaper spun around and socked Specter in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. As Specter fell to his knees and groaned, Reaper leaned down towards him.
"You should have listened to Forgemaster's warning, Specter," he smirked, "You've failed… and now you will watch as I end the life of Danny Phantom."
Reaper rose back up and turned towards Phantom as he continued to scream in pain. The Forgemaster continued pounding away at the crumbling barrier as the screaming continued.
"Danny!" Maddie exclaimed, "Please! Hurry!"
An evil and cruel smile appeared on Reapers face as he slowly approached Phantom. Specter slowly raised his head and glared angrily at Reaper.
"I… won't… fail…" he moaned as he reached over and grabbed the kite shield in his bleeding right hand.
With a final blow, the Forgemaster's hammer shattered the barrier and he shoved the door open. Tucker, Sam, Jack, Maddie, and Frostbite all rushed inside behind him, just in time to watch Reaper swing his scythe towards Danny's neck.
"NO!" they all exclaimed.
*CLANG*
Reaper's blade was parried away before reaching Danny's skin thanks to Specter blinking over and blocking it with the shield. The ghost's eyes widened when he realized Specter's glowing yellow eyes. With his right arm in position from the counter, Specter channeled the power of the Orb in his left hand again and the shield began to glow yellow.
"You will fail," said Specter and he launched his fist into Reaper's face.
*THOOM*
The impact was so strong that it not only created a shockwave, but sent Reaper crashing through the stone wall and spiraling away into the distance. No longer under Reaper's control, the chains loosened around Phantom's body and fell to the ground. Phantom and Specter did the same and they reverted back to their human forms as the younger halfa dropped the shield.
"Danny!" Sam exclaimed, rushing over and helping him to his feet, "You okay?"
"Yeah… I'm fine," he replied.
"Good," said Sam before she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close to her face, "Because I'm gonna KILL YOU!"
"Whoa, Sam, calm down!" Danny exclaimed.
"You and Trevor just chucked us away like we were a couple of sacks of meat," said Tucker, who crossed his arms.
"We were just keeping you safe!" Danny argued.
"Danny, look at me!" Sam said sternly, forcing Danny's head to face hers, "We are a team. We don't care about the risks; we care about everyone. We're not doing this just for us."
"But this is different!" said Danny, "It's Reaper. I just… *Sigh* It was just a spur of the moment decision I made. I couldn't risk something happening to you or Tucker with Reaper having an Orb of Power. Sorry."
"My apologies as well, Tucker," said Trevor as he continued catching his breath on the ground.
Sam smiled and gave Danny a quick kiss.
"You and your hero complex," she chuckled.
"Great One," said Frostbite as he, Jack, and Maddie approached him, "Are you hurt?"
"Nah, I'm fine," Danny smiled, until he glanced over at Trevor and saw the blood and ectoplasm that covered his lower right arm and hand, "But he's not."
"The Orb!" the Forgemaster exclaimed, "Where is it!?"
"Over… here," Trevor sighed as he slowly got back to his feet.
Forgemaster flew over to where the Orb of Knowledge was and picked it up.
"Thank goodness," he sighed in relief, "I was worried he'd make off with one of the originals."
Trevor's eyes widened and he slowly glanced over to the Forgemaster.
"Originals?" he asked, "What are you talking about?"
"It took me many attempts to create the Orbs of Power," the ghost explained, "Each one had to be perfectly crafted, or else their magics would be unstable."
"How many are left!?" Trevor explained.
"Trevor, calm down," said Maddie, "We need to tend to your hand."
Maddie reached for his hand, but Trevor moved away and approached Forgemaster.
"How many!?"
"This is the last one," the Forgemaster sighed.
"… Good," Trevor replied and telekinetically summoned the Orb to his left hand, "Makes things a lot easier."
He promptly threw it to the ground and shattered it.
"Human," the Forgemaster sighed as he turned around to face Trevor, "that may not have been a wise-"
He stopped midsentence as soon as he saw Trevor.
"Your highness!?" he exclaimed.
Trevor gave the Forgemaster a hard look.
"What the fu- Do I look like Pariah Dark or Aragon to you!?" he asked exasperatedly.
The Forgemaster rubbed his chin.
"Curious… you look just like him."
"Whatever," Trevor said, rolling his eyes, "Let's start this all over again; where are the remaining Orbs of Power, Forgemaster?"
"… I don't know," Forgemaster replied.
"Someone kill me, please?" Trevor asked, "Just… just end my God forsaken life."
"So, this was all for nothing?" Jack asked.
"No, not nothing," said Tucker, "We freed the Forgemaster and stopped Reaper."
"For now," said Danny.
"You must beDanny Phantom, correct?" Forgemaster asked as he approached Danny.
"Uh, yes…"
"The same Danny Phantom who defeated Pariah Dark?"
"Yes?" Danny replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Then I, Forgemaster, hereby solemnly swear to forever be your ally, until my time to leave this world arrives," the Forgemaster announced as he got to his knee.
"Hey, looks like you got another follower, Danny," Tucker smirked.
"Uh, thanks," Danny replied to Forgemaster, slightly embarrassed, "Is there anything you can tell us that could help us find the Orbs of Power?"
"I'm afraid not, Phantom," Forgemaster sighed, "But… there is one thing I'd like to give you."
The Forgemaster telekinetically lifted the shield Trevor dropped and the ecto-ranium chain and flew over to his forge.
"This will only take a moment," he said as he sat down on the stool and the furnace fire came to life.
Everyone watched as the ghost hammered various pieces of hot metal and ecto-ranium on the shield. After a couple minutes, the Forgemaster telekinetically placed the hot shield into a large barrel of water, boiling it and cooling the shield.
"It is finished," he announced as he lifted it from the water.
The Forgemaster turned to Danny and levitated the shield towards him.
"For you," the ghost explained, "I call it the Ethereal Shield. Consider it a gift for my mistakes."
"All's forgiven," Danny smiled as the grabbed the long kite shield, "But, uh… what do I do with this?"
"Use it in battle, or keep it as a trophy, it matters not to me," said the Forgemaster, "Consider it an olive branch for future endeavors."
Danny nodded and tried holding it in his right hand.
"Um, it's a bit small," he pointed out.
A blue aura surrounded the shield and it darted away, right into Trevor's left hand.
"Hmm…" Trevor muttered as he examined the shield in his hand.
"Something wrong?" Danny asked.
"This feels… familiar… somehow…" said Trevor, "Never mind, I think I can use this against Reaper; it's a perfect fit. I'll return it to you after he's been captured, Danny."
"I'll hold you to it," Danny smirked.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
A few minutes later, everyone was outside the drawbridge, preparing to leave. Danny, Tucker, and Sam were talking to Frostbite and his villagers while Jack and Maddie were getting the Specter Speeder ready and Trevor was talking to the Forgemaster.
"Thanks again for your help, Frostbite," said Danny.
"It was my honor, Great One," Frostbite replied, giving a small bow, "I only wish we had captured that vile fiend before he escaped."
"Don't worry about it," said Tucker, "We'll get him."
Tucker reached back and pulled out the Infi-map.
"Here, Frostbite, I believe this belongs with you."
"Ah, yes!" the yeti ghost exclaimed as the took the map from Tucker, "Thank you for returning it. I'll be sure my people and I keep it safe."
"I don't doubt that," Danny smiled.
"Hey, kids!" Jack exclaimed, getting everyone's attention, "Ready to leave!?"
"Yeah, we'll be right there, dad!" Danny replied before turning back to Frostbite and held out his hand, "Thanks again, Frostbite."
"And thank you, Danny Phantom," Frostbite replied, shaking Danny's hand, "for keeping us all safe."
"I do my best," Danny chuckled, "Come on, let's get going."
Danny went ghost as Tucker and Sam approached the Speeder.
"Hold on, Sam," said Danny, "There's only room for three in the Speeder."
"You've got something else in mind for me?" Sam smirked.
"Maybe…" Phantom smirked back.
Trevor approached them as a blue ring appeared around his waist.
"Ready?" he asked them.
"One sec," said Danny.
Phantom stepped next to Sam and swooped her off her feet, carrying her bridal style.
"Okay, now we're ready," Sam smiled.
Phantom took off first, followed by Specter, and finally the Speeder. Frostbite turned to the Forgemaster and the two nodded to each other before Frostbite led his fellow yeti ghosts back to the Far Frozen.
"Take care of that shield, Specter," Forgemaster said quietly, "It is capable of so much more."
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Somewhere far into the Ghost Zone, Reaper pulled himself out of a crater that his body made when he impacted a small desolate graveyard. A smile was upon his face.
"Well, well, well… even Specter couldn't resist the taste of power within the Orb. *Sigh* Shame I lost the prototype. Oh, well. I still have something special for Specter. I wonder how he'll like the gift I left him."
Reaper floated up in the air and his hand began to glow purple.
"And with the last prototype destroyed, there's no way any of them will know the permanent effects they provide."
He held out his hand and a ghost portal appeared in front of him. A dark laugh escaped his mouth as he flew through the portal and it closed once he was through.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
"I gotta admit, Phantom," said Specter as the two flew side-by-side, "I had my doubts about your plan."
"I'm just lucky I was able to get your attention on the Fenton Phone before you charged in like a lone wolf," Phantom replied.
"A lone wolf with no plan," Sam added before she pulled out a Fenton Phone, "Speaking of which…"
Specter flew over and grabbed his Fenton Phone from Sam.
"Thanks," he said as he put it on, "So, Maddie, you said you had an idea to find the other Orbs of Power?"
"Oh, thank you for reminding me," she replied through the Speeder's external speaker, "I think we can find the other Orbs if you let me scan the one you have and we isolate it's energy signature."
At this point, they arrived at the Fenton Ghost Portal and they entered the Fenton Works' Lab. Danny put Sam down as he and Specter changed back to human and Jack landed the Specter Speeder.
"Hey, what's that?" Tucker asked, pointing to the middle of the lab.
Everyone turned and saw a strange metallic looking box on the ground.
"Uh oh," Trevor muttered, "Dust? Where are you?"
The box rumbled a couple of times. Trevor ran over and placed his injured hand on the scanner, opening the top.
"Well, it's about time!" Dust exclaimed as she hopped out of the crate.
Trevor reached inside and rummaged through the contents.
"What happed!?" Danny exclaimed.
"Reaper happened," Dust muttered, "He snuck in here and knocked me out. Next thing I knew, I was inside this thing. I was screaming for help, but no one was here. I tried contacting you."
"I haven't heard anything from you telepathically, Dust," Trevor replied.
"We just got back," said Sam, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Dust sighed, "Did you guys-"
"Oh, my God…"
Everyone turned to Trevor, whose eyes were wide and filled with horror. He slowly pulled out a piece of paper with writing that was written in blood.
"'Your brother's days are numbered,'" Specter read nervously, "'And so is this world and yours.' He... he knows."
"Knows what?" Sam asked.
"Forgemaster warned me that the Orbs were created not for the purpose to save man, but to protect Earth and the Ghost Zone from… something," Trevor explained, "I don't know what, he wouldn't tell me, but he told me that even with all the Orbs of Power, the ghosts were barely able to contain them and lock them away."
"Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, hold on!" Danny exclaimed, shaking his hands in front of him, "What are you talking about?"
Trevor took a deep breath to relax.
"The Orbs of Power are not just conduits for power," he explained, "They are magical relics that are providing power to locks that are holding back creatures that will surely bring the end of the world."
"Meaning?" Tucker asked.
"Well… I destroyed three Orbs already, so kiss those locks goodbye… and if Reaper gets his hands on the Orbs of Power…"
"So, we're screwed," said Sam.
"Unless we capture Reaper and the Orbs manage to repair themselves in time," said Trevor before he pulled something from the box, "And assuming I don't decide to blow Reaper's head off."
Everyone's eyes widened from that comment.
"Umm… why's that?" Danny asked.
Trevor stood up and showed everyone the dog tags, dripping with fresh blood.
"These are my brother's," he said, "And I have no clue how, or even if we are going to find him."
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
The next day, Danny, Tucker, Sam, and Trevor were eating lunch at the Fenton Works in the kitchen. Trevor's right hand and wrist were covered in bandages for his injury.
"And Reaper didn't take anything from your chest?" Tucker asked Trevor.
"No… which makes no sense," Trevor replied, "I had the Orb fragments hidden away inside; why didn't Reaper take them?"
Green ecto-energy erupted from Trevor's chest and Dust appeared on the table.
"Maybe it has something to do with that quote you read yesterday," Dust suggested.
"I hope- no I pray it's not," Trevor replied, "If what Forgemaster said is true and Reaper is actually trying to bring ghosts with apocalyptic powers back… we're fucked."
"Where are the shards now?" Danny asked.
"I hid them away in various locations," Trevor replied, "Don't worry, I'm the only one who would ever know where to find them."
"How can you be so sure?" Danny asked.
"Because it's the last place even I would ever look for the shards," Trevor replied.
"Let me guess…" Tucker smirked, "they're at Sam's place, under your mattress."
"Nope."
"Are you absolutely certain that Reaper won't be able to find them?" Sam asked.
"No," Trevor replied, "but it's the best we're gonna get. How's the device coming along?"
"My parents are still working on it," said Danny, "Hopefully it'll be done soon."
"And that it works," Tucker added.
Sam glanced over and noticed that Trevor was staring at something in his hands. Trevor glanced over and saw her looking. With a sigh, he placed the object on the table.
"What's this?" Danny asked.
"Family photo," Trevor replied.
"Looks old," said Sam.
"It's more than four years old, yeah," Trevor replied as he took a sip from his water bottle.
"Is that your brother?" Tucker asked, pointing at the older boy in the photo, "He looks a lot like you."
"He sure does," Trevor replied before pointing to two others in the photo, "That's my mother and my older sister, Alexis. Yeah, surprise, surprise… Sam's not my mother."
His mother appeared to be a tall slender woman with dark green irises and his sister was a spitting image of their mother, only with much shorter hair.
"Where's your dad?" Sam asked.
"Well, as I said before, it's not Danny. Regardless… don't know, don't care," Trevor replied, "It's… complicated. I'd rather not say anything and give the wrong impressions about my family."
"That's fine," said Danny before he raised an eyebrow.
Trevor's hand was covering up part of the photo next to a younger Trevor, but Danny could see that someone else was in the photo.
"Who's that?" Danny asked, trying to shift Trevor's hand to the side.
The younger halfa grabbed the photo and put it away in his pocket.
"There's no one else in that photo," he said calmly.
Danny gave him side-eye but didn't push the subject.
"Feeling homesick?" Tucker asked.
"Not the word I'd use, but something like that," Trevor replied.
"Aw, don't worry, Trevor," said Sam as she playfully ruffled Trevor's hair a little, "I'm sure you'll see your family again soon."
"… I'd like to think so," Trevor sighed.
"Come on," said Danny as he got up from his seat, "We should train some more."
"You sure?" Trevor asked, raising an eyebrow, "We took quite a beating yesterday, I don't want to push you too hard."
"We weren't expecting Reaper to have an Orb of Power," Danny explained, "Better to be safe and assume he has an Orb. Even if he doesn't, if we're capable of defeating him when he has an Orb, we guaranteed to beat him when he doesn't have one."
Trevor wasn't convinced.
"Plus, I'm fine," Danny added, "Just a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle."
"Alright… if you say so," Trevor replied, "I might as well try out the Ethereal Shield. I'll meet you down in the lab."
"Actually, we were thinking heading to the Far Frozen," said Sam.
"I'm sorry, 'we'?" Trevor asked.
"Yeah, 'we'," Tucker replied, "We're all gonna train."
Trevor turned to Dust, who just shrugged her wings.
"Well, I guess I'm gonna have that talk with Frostbite sooner than I thought," said Trevor, causing the others the laugh.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
{Notes}
* Reference to Episode 54: "Hunting Time" from my Season 3 fic.
** Reference to Episode 60: "All Actions Have Consequences" Part 2 from my Season 3 fic.
*** Reference to Episode 57: "The Timeless Struggle" from my Season 3 fic.
**** Although it was never officially named, I'll refer to this weapon as the Fenton Lipstick Blaster, which was seen in the episode "Doctor's Disorders".
^ This is a form of spectral body manipulation, as seen in the episode "Pirate Radio".
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Fun Fact: I alternate Forgemaster's moniker between Forgemaster and The Forgemaster. I didn't intentionally do this at first, but upon reviewing the document, I decided to go along with it. Much like how Batman is called either Batman or The Batman.
Fun Fact: The Ethereal Shield takes on a very similar appears to the Vile Shield from Infinity Blade 2 and 3, only it's completely black in color with some traces of green.
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
Just for fun, I decided to try something different and just write the entire episode without making a summary first. I'm not sure how I feel about it, given that summaries make it easier to keep track of changes and story points. I might stick with them for the time being.
Like, follow, and please review! Until next time!
~ThePhantomHedgehog
"~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~"
