Hi!
I'm overjoyed that the e-mail system seems to be working once again. If it's working for you all as well, you have received my individual, personalized thank-you's for each review. I'm pretty sure I responded to all of them; I'm not used to using the review list on the site to check. Sorry if I missed you!
Newcomer welcome to Call Me Blue Streak. If you haven't seen my oh-so-subtle allusions, I too bow down to the mighty Irkan Zim. Or at least Gir. But he tells me to obey Zim, so I do. XD
One last announcement. After seeing it on almost every other profile, and a few very understandable misconceptions (Seriously, it happens all the time…to me. No big deal) I have updated my own profile with some personal information. I'm one hundred percent serious about the Miyazaki plug. You owe it to yourself to watch his stuff. Also, for those of you who might read these but not have an account HERE, I have decided to expand to DeviantArt under the same username to try and increase the number of critical readers I get. Also, I'm sick of being barred from any moderately graphic (violent) images in ongoing comics there, so I just had to get an account and end that particular stupidity once and for all.
Anyway, here's that press interview. In THIS story, Danny's secret ISN"T out, so it makes things rather awkward. Muahahaha! Also, this is a VERY long chapter.
Later!
HiddenAuthor
Chapter 13 – Sides
Valerie stood up in shock so fast Tucker fell off her lap onto the floor. "What?" Jazz looked over at the huntress.
"Oh, hey Val. Yeah, the press scheduled a conference today to get mom and dad's take on that video footage you gave them." Valerie paled as her scowling boyfriend climbed back up into the seat.
"But what am I supposed to do? And what about Sam and Tucker?" Jazz shrugged.
"I guess you'll sit in if they want. I don't really know." The older girl looked around. "Where's dad?" Maddie groaned, plopping down in the seat beside them. Sam silently passed out sodas and looked around for a chair.
"He's out with Damon, setting up perimeter shields. I'd call him in, but that's a lot more important. We'll just tell the press that something came up." Jazz frowned.
"Okay, but they probably won't be too happy. What about Danny?" The older girl jerked her eyes downstairs. Maddie shook her head.
"He's up in his room, getting some sleep. Sam, would you go wake him? Tell him the press showed up a little early." Sam nodded from where she stood and started upstairs. The doorbell rang. With one last sigh, Maddie got up and walked over to the door. Fixing on a smile, she opened it up to let in a beaming anchor lady.
"Hi there, I'm Tiffany Snow. First off, I'm so glad you and your family agreed to do this, and I hope to take up as little of your time as possible." Slightly frightened by the creepy Hollywood grin, Maddie backed up and led Tiffany into the living room. "And who might you all be?" The older woman cleared her throat, trying to stay cheerful.
"Well that's Valerie Gray and her, uh, friend Tucker. They're both friends of my son Danny. And you've already met my daughter Jazz." Practically radiating cheer, Miss Snow reached out and shook all their hands vigorously.
"I'm so pleased to meet you all. And where is the rest of the family?" Jazz smiled back.
"My brother Danny is upstairs resting. Sam went up to wake him." Snow nodded.
"I see. And this Sam is another friend of Danny's then? My, isn't he popular." Maddie smiled.
"Yes, she's a great friend. They're very close." The anchoress paused.
"She? Oh." The woman took a brief note, smirking. "And Mr. Fenton is…"
"Out on business." Snow's smile vanished.
"What?" Maddie nodded, concerned at the sudden shift.
"Yes, he's out on business with Valerie's father. They won't be back for sometime. If that's a problem, we" Tiffany raised a hand.
"No, no problem." Her lips never moving, she furiously scratched off half a page of questions. Maybe she could play off of Danny's friends a bit, get the younger generations'' view on Phantom…
"Is there anything we can do?" Tiffany shook her head, once more smiling, as her crew set up in the living room. Danny and Sam slowly made their way downstairs.
"No, no. Everything's fine. We might have to change a few questions without mister Fenton here, but that's life!" The woman's eyes lit up again as Danny and Sam made their way into the room and sat down next to Val and Tucker. "Ah, and this must be Danny! I hope you had a nice rest. Please, sit down. If we can, I'd like to start asking questions in a minute or so." Nodding, everyone sat on the couch, and Tiffany motioned a crewman to move a comfortable lounge chair in at an angle. Briefly checking her makeup, Tiffany reviewed the positions on the couch. "Mrs. Fenton, if you and Jazz could switch places, I think it will balance the shot better." Shrugging, Maddie moved to Jazz's left, leaving her daughter on the end of the couch. On Maddie's left were Danny, then Sam, Tucker, and Valerie. "Yes, much better. Well, let's begin, shall we?" After a brief uncertain nod from everyone, Tiffany turned and smiled into the camera. A few silent moments passed, and the crewman nodded as a red light came on.
"Hello Amity Park. This is Channel five's Tiffany Snow. I'm coming to you live from the home of Jack and Maddie Fenton, Amity Parks' own local ghost experts." Snow turned towards Maddie and flashed her dazzling smile. "Mrs. Fenton, may I call you Maddie?" She nodded. "Maddie, we all know I'm here about Phantom. But first, why not tell us a little about your family. Credentials, day-to-day…" Maddie nodded, looking a bit flustered. She hadn't known it was a live interview.
"Well, my husband Jack and I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Parapsychology. The two of us spent several years doing privately funded research under a University grant, wrote several joint papers, and with the aid of an associate, Mr. Vlad Masters, successfully developed a device to transmit matter and energy into and out of the Ghost Dimension. We moved to Amity Park to take advantage of a natural weak point in the barrier between the human world and Ghost Zone. Under extremely tight security, we managed last year after years of effort to open a permanent gate between the two dimensions, so we could capture and study ghosts with relative ease." Maddie paused and turned towards the camera.
"I would like to take a moment to give an official announcement to clear up any confusion. While the portal has accidentally released ghosts onto our plane on several occasions, almost all ghost attacks on the city originated elsewhere. The portal is sealed shut at all times except during research, and we keep our basement lab well insulated." Tiffany nodded.
"I'm sure we can all appreciate your precautions, Maddie. And on the subject of ghost attacks, I was curious if you would give us some random trivia. How many ghosts have come to Amity Park in the last year?" Maddie opened her mouth to explain how that was impossible to know.
"Six hundred thirty seven." Danny said absently, and then paused, closing his mouth. Miss Snow turned to favor him with a curious look.
"This would be Danny, Maddie and Jack Fenton's son, with some close personal friends. So you say the town has been invaded by six hundred thirty seven ghosts. You seem to know a lot about your parent's activities." Danny gulped.
"Well, I'm a big fan of what they do for the town, and, uh, I like to know that stuff so I can stick up for their…reputations." Tiffany smiled.
"I see. Well I'm sure as interested as you are; you've heard your parents talk about Phantom." Danny paled slightly. "I was wondering, what sort of reactions you kids had to that tape the Red Huntress gave the press? I mean, before we receive a professional's opinion." Danny gulped.
"Uh, well," Sam nudged him slightly.
"I think Phantom has been misunderstood and underappreciated all this time. He's been working very hard to protect us, and deserves our trust and thanks." Tucker and Jazz nodded. Valerie just shifted, looking uncomfortable.
"Well you seem outspoken." Tiffany said cheerfully. "You would be Danny's friend Sam, right?" Sam nodded, frowning. "That's really sweet of you to want to be here with him for this." Snow turned towards Tucker. "And you agree with her. My, all of you seem to be big fans of Phantom." She turned towards Miss Gray. "And what about you, dear? Think Phantom is a hero?" Valerie scowled. "Oh, you don't think so?"
"I didn't say that!" Valerie snapped, uncomfortable. "Why don't you ask him?" She mumbled, upset. "The Fentons have him at the house." Jazz gasped, and everyone else lost the color in their faces. Tiffany seemed shocked speechless, but quickly recovered. She whipped her head towards Maddie.
"Phantom is here? Well Mrs. Fenton, why didn't you say something? An interview with Phantom himself! Go get him, I'm sure he'd love a chance to clear his name live."
"Wanna bet?" Danny mumbled to himself. Maddie's frightened eyes flashed, and suddenly she sent Danny a sly glance.
"Danny. You heard the nice woman. Be a dear and bring Phantom to join us." Danny shot his mother a confused and very frightened look. "Double time, dear." She said in a meaningful, almost sing-song voice. Something clicked in his head, and his eyes lit with desperate hope.
"Right. I'll be right back." The only two on the couch that weren't completely dumbfounded were Maddie and Valerie. Sam and Tucker just shot each other panicked looks and Tucker discreetly started trying to hack their broadcast transmitter. If worst came to worst, at least no on else would find out. A minute later the two friends almost passed out from shock as Danny Fenton and Phantom both walked in. Danny seemed to have a slightly glazed look on his face, as if he weren't completely paying attention, or was focusing intently on something. Phantom for his part looked nervous and slightly strained, but managed a half-smile at Tiffany.
"Um…hi." Tiffany seemed slightly shocked. Maybe she didn't think he was really there. Tucker was poking Danny in the arm gently, with similar doubts.
"Mr.…Phantom. How nice. I suppose I'll just ask the obvious question. Are you evil?" Phantom froze at this, torn between amusement and embarrassment.
"Err, no. I'm not evil. Everything on that tape was true. I'm just glad someone snuck in and caught that. Wherever the Red Huntress is, I want her to know I'm grateful, and that I understand why she hunted me. I hope we can work together now." Valerie was slightly red. Phantom shifted in his seat. "I really can't stay long, did you have another question?" Startled, Miss Snow nodded quickly, dropping her steno pad.
"Yes! Oh, um, well, is it true that ghosts can't come to Amity Park anymore?" Phantom frowned.
"Not quite. Ghosts have their own set of laws, rules they can't break, stuff like that. I've 'lived' here for a year, so as far as they're concerned, I own this town." Tiffany started, and Phantom hastily explained. "I don't mean I'm trying to control you, or run your lives. It's more like a house deed, or something. Other ghosts can't come here without an invitation from either me, or someone else that lives here." He turned towards the camera. "It is very important that you don't invite ghosts into this town. I've worked very hard to protect you, and this rule will make that much easier, if you help me out." Miss Snow cleared her throat, directing her attention to the local expert.
"Mrs. Fenton, can you with your years of research and professional expertise confirm the authenticity of that stunning footage?" She turned and grinned at the Camera. "Which we will be showing immediately after this interview!" Maddie smiled.
"I believe that given what Jack and I know about ghosts and their behavior, the footage caught on the Huntress's tape is both authentic and valid." The anchoress turned and beamed at the camera once again.
"There you have it, folks! The Fentons officially vouching for Phantom. But what does he have to say about that?" Practically glowing from what a ghost interview would do for her career, she turned back to the ghost boy.
"Err, Danny?"
"Yes?" Both Fenton and Phantom answered at the same time, then froze. Tiffany paused, confused, then chuckled.
"Oh, that's right; your first name's Danny too, isn't it? Well that's just confusing. It sure doesn't help that you two look so much alike." Both of them paled.
"Uh, yeah. Eheh." Danny pulled on his shirt collar and Phantom tried to look less human. "That is weird, huh? I guess he just likes my haircut." Danny chuckled half-heartedly, and his feet flickered slightly. Eyes wide, he looked down briefly. Phantom hastily cleared his throat.
"Look, the Fentons have something important to tell you, and I shouldn't take up any more of your time. I'm sure you'd like my opinion, but you really need to talk to mo-Maddie now. Er, Danny, would you please escort me back downstairs? Nodding mutely, the human Danny led Phantom out the door as fast as he could without being suspicious. Maddie let out a breath. Sam cleared her throat.
"Sorry, I think I need some water. I'll be right back." The young girl hurried off with a very confused expression on her face and caught the two Danny's downstairs. "Alright, what's the deal?" Smirking with success even though his knees were shaking, 'human' Danny's appearance seemed to blur for a moment, then changed into a second Phantom. The two ghost boys then merged back into one, and Danny turned human, shaking off a slight headache and major vertigo.
"Double time." He said, chuckling. "Remind me to get mom a big present for Christmas." Catching Sam's look, he calmly explained. "When I came down here to, er, find myself, I changed into my ghost form, duplicated, and had one of me use my disguise power to pass as human me. Then we went back upstairs." Danny sighed. "I'm just glad I got out of there so fast. Disguising myself takes concentration, even when it's me, and since I had to run two different bodies at once…" Sam pulled him into a tight hug, laughing.
"You jerk. What, you couldn't tell me you could do that?" Danny wiggled his eyebrows.
"And ruin all those perfect pranks I'd worked out? Never! Besides, I have to get back at Tucker for poking me." Danny mock-winced in imaginary pain. She punched him playfully in the arm. "Come on, we need to get back up there." Chuckling at how lucky they had been, the two went back up and sat down. Maddie was in the middle of explaining the current danger.
"At this time, my husband along with Mr. Damon Gray is setting up a defense perimeter around the city. We urge any capable citizens to join in defending the shield generators and city. Please do not panic, we have had some time to prepare, and Phantom will be fighting on our behalf. This ghost is powerful, but not indestructible. Perhaps his most terrifying feature is his ability to mimic the appearance of others. Keep your friends and family close, and defend yourselves. Jack and I will make a public announcement when all is clear. Once again, do not panic. The situation is currently dangerous, but controllable. Thank you." Tiffany sat back, pale.
"Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Fenton." She said monotonously, and walked off while the cameras were still rolling. Shrugging, the crew cut the feed and packed up. Mere minutes later they were gone. Valerie stared at the older woman.
"So that's what's happening?" Maddie nodded, and the girl's eyes narrowed. "I'll help. Count on it." Danny turned towards his mother nervously.
"Uh, what exactly did you say?" Mrs. Fenton gave him a reassuring look.
"I didn't say anything that would hurt Phantom's reputation, if that's what you're asking. I only gave them a threat assessment and vague description. But we have to tell Valerie more about this ghost." Danny gulped. "I'll let Phantom fill her in, it's his business anyway." With that, Maddie went off to check the house defenses. Valerie looked over at Danny.
"What?" The girl sighed.
"It's your house. You gonna take me to Phantom or what?" Danny paled, then shook his head.
"I'm going back to bed. He had me up all night helping him. Sam and Tucker know the way." Sending him a disappointed look, Valerie followed his two friends downstairs. Groaning at the world in general, Danny quickly changed forms and teleported downstairs. A second later, the light clicked on. The three surveyed the room in shock, and then Valerie gave Phantom a suspicious look.
"I really want to believe you're on our side. But what's with the blown up lab?" Danny looked around nervously.
"Yeah. Hehe. Your dad said the same thing. The Fentons gave me permission to use what I had to in here to test my limits. I needed to know what I could do if I really tried." Valerie raised an eyebrow. "What? You think I actually use all I've got when I fight you or most other ghosts? I don't want to kill you, or hurt anyone nearby. I have to use just enough to hurt the other guy without doing too much else. But this guy who's coming," he muttered, "doesn't care who get's hurt. He wants to destroy everything." Valerie tilted her head.
"You sound like you know him." Danny chuckled hollowly.
"Maybe in another life."
Out at the edge of the city, the Fenton RV sat parked next to a power hub. Two sweat-covered men worked with the smooth efficiency of a constantly repeated task, cutting specific wires and routing them through the small device they had bolted to the base of the utility pole. Pausing to wipe his brow, Jack looked over to his partner, who was busy preparing the programming chips.
"How's it going, Damon?" Damon Gray shrugged, typing codes in furiously.
"Same as the last one." He called out cheerfully. His smile dropped. "And the one before that, and the one before that, and the one before that…" Jack grinned.
"Well at least there weren't any surprises, right? And this is the last one." Damon smiled despite his boredom. Jack really did have a bouncy attitude. You just couldn't kill his enthusiasm.
"Right." Finished, Damon tossed the chip into Jacks' already waiting hand. The hunter deftly plugged it into the small device, telling it that instead of forming a sphere, it was to work with other generators to form part of a much larger whole. Locking down the security cover, Jack stepped back and grinned.
"It's done. Two redundant power sources on each generator and a direct remote link to Fenton Works. This has gotta be the coolest thing I've ever built!" The massive man pulled Damon into a quick, friendly side hug to celebrate. Mr. Gray only turned slightly blue. "And I couldn't have done it without you, buddy!" Gray smiled, and held out a remote activator.
"Care to take it for a spin?" Smiling like a kid at Christmas, Jack grabbed the small device and plunged his fist down on the button.
"Bonsai!" Mere seconds later, blue energy started spreading out from dozens of the small devices around the city edge, meeting the others at the seams with a brief crackle of energy before blending into one giant dome. An occasional ripple spread across the surface, indicating at least one of them wasn't exactly calibrated. Shrugging, the two men turned to congratulate each other. "Here's to the first city-wide anti-ghost barrier!" Jack said, pulling a soda can with 'Fenton' on the label from some compartment on his suit. Damon raised a Coke. Pleased with their work, the two sat back and just looked at it for a moment. Throughout the city, hundreds of people were doing the same thing, silently thanking Mayor Montez for having the foresight to build such a perfect defense.
"We'll have to fix the discordant wavelength, wherever it's coming from. But it's a good start!" Damon's grin actually matched Jack's as he thought of how much safer the city would be with that dome. Jack nodded.
"We could shut each generator off one at a time until it stops rippling. It'd be a great way to test how many of them we need to keep the dome up anyway." Damon nodded. At this rate, the two would be back at Fenton Works inside an hour.
Vlad was frozen at Clockwork's.
Leave it to the Box Ghost to know something like that. Then again, Dan had always suspected that guy knew more than he let on. How else could he manage to escape the Ghost Zone so often? It was a bit ironic that Dan had been searching so hard for someone who was at the very place he started. Chuckling darkly, the destructive ghost slowly made his way towards the Fenton Portal. With Vlad out of the running, Danny was next in line. Floating along, he suddenly spied a familiar lair. He hadn't visited this old friend yet. Dark glee in his eyes, Dan burst open the technology ghost's door only to find Technus already trembling in a corner. His eyes widened when he saw his guest.
"Ghost child? Has it been so long already? Do what you will, but I beg you; do not take me back to that horrible lair of yours! It makes no sense at all. No up, no down, no logic. It's horrible!" Dan's eyes grew confused, then lit back up.
"A lair, hmm? Perhaps a more interesting way to enter the human world. And less likely to be defended. Yes. Danny's destruction will be all the better when he realizes he provided me with the gateway that made my victory possible. Where is it?" He glowered at the geeky ghost. Technus merely trembled.
Hours later, Dan closed the door behind him, wiping the green muck from his hands. The whole 'chat,' Technus hadn't given him one clue on how to find that infernal door. All he did was beg. Dan had even tried acting nicely, promising a swift painless death instead, but had gotten nowhere. He had to admit, he had lost his temper. One could only hope Technus never lacked for a host body to share, because he'd never form one of his own again. Grinning at old memories of a similar attack, Dan started off again.
"Will you be my friend?"
Dan paused, and turned to view the PJ'd ice ghost. A sneer played across his lips. Light danced from his outstretched fist as he prepared to destroy the annoying ghost. Klemper's eyes widened, but not with fear. He was grinning at Dan's emblem.
"Hey! That's just like on that door I saw!" Dan paused, his gaze shifting from his emblem to Klemper. A feral grin lit his features, and he let his ecto-blast die.
"You saw a door with this symbol?" The poor lonely creature nodded happily, eager to please. "Where?" Klemper rubbed his chin and smirked stupidly, an idea forming.
"If I show you, will you be my friend?" Dan grinned darkly, and nodded. Klemper took off, squealing with joy. His follower just laughed.
"When we get there, I suppose we could…" His fist briefly flared back to life. "Break the ice?"
