Author's Note:
Recent events have put this into my head. I don't know, I have the
tendency to put real life scenarios into my fanfictions, which can be a
good thing... or a bad thing. No, this isn't the most exciting chapter.
Vlad and Clockwork
(And do I dare say it? Dan.) are involved much later in the story. Just
a heads up, this might disturb some people.
Also, thank you to the people who proof-read the first chapter for me
on Livejournal. I appreciate it so much, now that I know I'm useless
without spellcheck! XD
Disclaimer for the entire story that I'm not repeating so there: I don't own Danny Phantom or any of the respective characters. Emily Penn and her teddy bear and probably some other random characters are the only ones I take credit for.
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Amity Park was always a close community. Residents walked without fear, their heads held high with pride for the low crime rate and the safety of their children, who walked with even less fear. The only real danger the town ever faced was the occasional robbery, and of course, ghost attacks. (Although, some residents will argue that the danger is the local ghost hunters, who sometimes caused more damage than the actual ghost.) The entire town was aware of ghosts, since a hostel takeover of the town sent it into a foreign dimension known as the "Ghost Zone." Not to mention the eminent and unsung Danny Phantom, who served as the town's unofficial hero.Amber Alerts, although known to other cities, were rare in Amity Park. In fact, there had only been one other time it was needed, serving as a false alarm when a 16-year-old faked her own kidnapping in order to run away with the "love of her life." She was found six hours later when she appeared back at her house, claiming she forgot her wallet.
Two days ago, as the local
news station reported, seven-year-old Emily Penn disappeared from the
crowded Spruce Street Playground. Her mother told officials that she
was reading on a nearby bench while Emily was on the swings, and when
she next looked up, her daughter was no longer there. Her mother
searched the playground, and finding no sign of Emily, she called the
police. An extensive search around the area took place, with
instructions that no one would leave the playground. Emily was not to
be found.
With the Amber Alert came a curfew for children
attending the town's schools. All students were to report directly to
the buses after the final bell and be dropped off at the front doors
of their houses. They were not to leave the house without a parent or
guardian escorting them.
At Casper High, the busy lives of teenagers were disturbed by the curfew. They made sure they voiced their anger.
"My mom won't let me anywhere out of her sight!"
"So much for going to the mall this weekend."
"If anyone so much as touches me, I'd give them a good ass-whooping!"
"That would show 'em!"
"It's hard to believe..." Tucker said over the crowded sounds of the hall. "My mom used to take me to that playground." He leaned against the lockers beside Sam, both of the teens watching as Danny attempted to remember his locker combination.
"My parents are so freaked out." Sam sighed. "They hired several guards for the house. They're there all day and all night, it's kinda creepy." She directed her attention to Danny, who had just banged his head against the metal door of his locker. "Having trouble?"
"No." The blue eyed boy answered, gazing around before his hand went intangible. Sticking his hand through the locker door, he felt around for a moment and pulled out his Biology book.
"See? You don't even need a locker combination." Tucker laughed. The two friends shared a grin, but Danny broke it off as he noticed a particular someone walking down the hall.
"Gah! Hide me!"
He squeaked, jumping behind Sam. Sam and Tucker watched as Jazz
passed the lockers, her eyes filled with determination. She glanced
around, not noticing the horribly hidden Danny behind his two best
friends. As she turned into another hall, Danny wiped invisible sweat
from his forehead.
"What was that all about?" Sam asked
first, raising an eyebrow.
"Jazz has been trying to convince me to lie off of ghost hunting for a while, at least until the curfew is over. She says it's for the best, so that nothing bad happens." Danny did his impression of Jazz, his last words forming into an annoyingly pitched voice and his eyes crossing. As much as he appreciated Jazz's concern, there was a limit to how much he could take. Taking the Fenton Anti-Creep Stick, for example, was a level above what he could take.
"Well... She's kinda
right, you know." Sam said, her voice unsure if what she was
saying was right. "I mean, what if the kidnapper was a ghost?
Something could happen if you get too much involved, or--"
"Or
the entire town could be taken over again by some crazy ghost."
Tucker said shortly. They shared a glare, and Danny heaved a
sigh.
"I don't know." He said, shrugging. "That's kind of the risk you take, right?" Sam's eyes fell to the floor, giving it a frown. Tucker nudged her in the ribs, knowing exactly what she was thinking through a silly grin, and received a punch on the arm.
"OW."
"Just be careful, okay Danny?" Danny nodded at Sam's request, just as the bell rang and they ran to their next class.
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"Oh no." Danny said, directing his attention to the clear blue sky. He shuddered lightly at his ghost sense and frowned.
"Who is it?" Tucker asked beside him, his gaze never leaving the PDA in his hands.
"When I find them, I'll let you know."
The students felt like cattle on the grass in front of the school. They were being herded onto their buses, surrounded by the school faculty to make sure none of them snuck off. Among them, Danny and Tucker stood, waiting for Sam to catch up before they headed to their bus.
"There they are." Danny said, elbowing his friend. They squinted, trying to make out the speck that was gradually getting closer.
"Is it... Skulker?" Tucker asked. The speck didn't get any bigger as it got closer, remaining the same blue spot that was about to meet Danny's fist for the fifth time that week.
"No." He replied, sighing. "It's--"
"I AM THE BOX GHOST!" The entire student body turned into chaos, every girl shrieking and every boy yelling from the pain of the shrieking. The staff around the students did not budge, telling them to remain calm as the chubby little ghost hovered around the school grounds.
"I have come to take your precious computers in all of their square glory! Once I clear out the insides of them, THEY SHALL BE MINE!" He paused, and looked down onto the students. The Box Ghost swooped down, and yelled at a section of the crowd. "BEWARE."
"When did the Box Ghost become Technus?" Tucker said, tilting his head slightly in thought.
"I don't know, but I guess I'd better go stop it." Danny said, leaving Tucker and pushing his way towards the border of the students. The panicking kids hardly noticed Danny, running about in the little space they had. Danny felt his shoe catch on another's and hit the ground hard. He groaned at the grass stain on his elbow, but continued on by crawling. Finally, he reached the end and pulled himself past the legs of a blockade teacher. As he got up to run, someone grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
"Mr. Fenton! Where do you think you're going?" Danny met the eyes of Mr. Lancer, and gulped.
"I... I- um..." He stuttered, before a push from the crowd jolted Danny out of his teacher's hands. Mr. Lancer's attention was suddenly elsewhere.
"War of the Roses, Mr. Baxster! The teachers are not part of football practice! Do not try to tackle me again!" Danny held back a chuckle as he raced across the school grounds and hid behind the school wall. Duel blue rings stretched over him, leaving a green-eyed white haired boy in Danny Fenton's place. As if on cue, there was a mock evil laugh from the window above him, and Danny flew into the classroom.
If there wasn't anything more disturbing than seeing a ghost cuddling a computer, Danny did not know. He hovered in the air, cocking an eyebrow, until the Box Ghost noticed him.
"HOW DARE YOU DISTURB ME! NOTHING CAN STOP ME FROM TAKING THESE BOXES OF BEAUTY... NOTHING!" Danny decided that a witty comeback just wasn't worth it, and shot an ectoplasmic beam at the Box Ghost. He disappeared through the wall, and Danny followed him. In the hall, Danny noticed Sam on the other end. She stared as he knocked the Box Ghost into another classroom, and then gave Danny a quiet wave. He returned it, before disappearing into the classroom.
Sam smiled, little nips of crimson biting at her cheeks, before she headed to go outside.
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Author's Note: Eh? EH? Please, please, please critique this. Don't go so far as to flame me, but I would like to know how I can improve. (The next update should be on August 27th, where things really pick up.)