Aaaaaand here's chapter seven! Thanks everyone, for all the wonderful reviews! ChibiSamiSala and I are so happy that so many people like our story. It makes us feel all gooey inside!
On with the show. ;D
Chapter Seven
Truth
Now, if you asked anyone who worked in the castle, many would say that Danny Phantom was a quiet sleeper, never moving around too much or falling off the bed in the mornings like most human males do around his age. He indeed kept up his authorative figure even while sleeping... 364 days of the year (Figuratively speaking). As misfortune would have it, this night was not one of those nights. Sighing softly, Phantom's brows furrowed while he was deep in a dream, and turned to one side, facing away from the sleeping Sam. A few moments later, he rolled to his back again, this time, his left arm sprawling out and landing softly on the Goth girl... right on her chest.
Which, did not fail to wake up the poor girl with a squeak, her precarious position on the side of the bed sending her tumbling to the cool floor, her hair messy and nightdress falling over her head. "Why you little!" She hissed, flying to her feet as she brought her fist up to hit him, pausing mid strike to see that he was still unconscious, his brows pushed together in unconscious thought, and she glowered at him, finding the slippers he had set out for her as she hugged her arms about her self, sitting down across from the bed on the couch, trying to make herself comfortable there. It didn't work quite that well though, and finally, she stood with a sigh, pacing about the room before, slipping out his door. It wouldn't hurt to go exploring...
Luckily for her, thought most ghosts don't need sleep, most of them were indeed doing just that. Perhaps it was the safety the inhabitants of the royal castle felt, being guarded by the three most powerful of their kind in existence, led them to expect the leisure of sleep. In any case, this was good news for Sam, because if she was caught wandering so close to the royal chambers, she would have been captured for questioning.
Sam yawned, the slippers barely making a sound on the cold marble floors as she walked in a half daze, nearly sleeping but not quite. She wasn't quite sure even how she had gotten down this part of the castle, but she shook her head, bringing herself back to reality. "What do we have here?" She asked to no one in particular, feeling dumb and yet happy to act so stupid as she looked around, overly stealthy as she ducked behind columns and doors on her way down the path, humming under her breath a quick paced beat.
As she continued down the halls, the ceiling became steadily higher, until she found herself in a room with one wall that slowly melded into a luxurious staircase - leading up to a small balcony that held a pair of extravagant double doors - much like Phantom's, except the small crown that adorned the top at the royal crest was much larger.
She winced, looking up at the doors. That had to be Vlad's room, and she quietly tiptoed past there, dropping the Mission Impossible charade to find herself in a smaller area, more secretive. The dust let it be known that it wasn't used much, only a faint path traveled over the floor of disturbed dust. Well, someone had to have come through here recently... She put her feet in the path, following it only to almost scream when she saw something move, only to realize it was the faint reflection of her self in a glass wall. She bit back a nervous giggle, watching herself as if she was afraid her reflection would switch into something more sinister, only to stop, as a thin gold line cut her reflection in half. She blinked, taking a few more steps into another line, before she walked away from the wall, realizing that the gold lines formed the thin outline of a door.
Indeed, the gold that adorned the wall, barely able to be seen, was the thin remenence of a door created from a spell. Apparently it had to be a secret, if one was able to collect that it was located in a small hallway that didn't seem to lead to anywhere but a wall not fifteen feet down, and no one has set foot in here in ages. Well, save for the faint impressions of footprints in the dust... that precariously stopped in front of the 'invisible door'.
Sam looked around nervously, curiosity picking at her fear like a bird, urging her forward. Well, it wasn't like anyone was around to catch her taking a peak... She bit her bottom lip, and lay gentle warm hands against the glass, only to squeak loudly as the solid gave in to her, sucking her hands in down to her wrists, and then to her elbows, and then, it ate her whole.
The startled girl was quite then quite harshly spewed back into the room that would have existed on the other side - had there been room. The glass door was still behind her, but everything around her was black... so all she could see was the faint gold outlining her only exit. Upon further inspection, the place she ended up in didn't seem much like a room... since if there were walls, she couldn't see any. There was just darkness, with a single light coming from the center. Not too far away, a lone white pedestal stood, and on top of it, was a red velvet box, lined with an intricate gold metallic substance. It, like the rest of the castle, seemed expensive and overly done, but the fact that it was in a hidden room made it even more suspicious.
She tried to calm her raging heart, placing a hand over it as she stumbled to her feet, trying to look around, hoping that maybe if her eyes adjusted, some other option would arise. "Damn it Phantom. This is all your fault." She grumbled under her breath, carefully making her way to the light in the center, eyeing the box. She reached out a hand, pale fingers just gently brushing the velvet, before she carefully lifted it off of the pedestal, wincing as she waited for a booby trap, stumbling back a few good feet, clutching the box to her chest. "What the Hell am I doing?" She hissed to no one in particular.
"And how is this my fault?" The low tenor voice spoke directly in her ear, but it wasn't quite a whisper - and it didn't sound pleased.
Sam gasped, whirling around to face the white haired prince, stumbling back into the podium. "Y-Y-You!" She sputtered, knowing that she had screwed up big time.
"Yes, me." He replied in a cold tone, folding his arms, obviously not too happy to find her down here. "And what made you think you could just sneak off like that, hm? Do you have any idea how close this place is to my father's quarters? You're lucky he didn't find you."
"Well...he didn't." She said slowly, still waiting for him to splatter her all over the walls. "This place hasn't been touched in a while anyway. I don't think he comes back here much."
Oddly enough, Phantom didn't retort to that comment, but he slowly began to glance around the area they were both in, since it could be specified as a 'room'. It was as if suddenly, he just noticed where he was... and for a brief moment, he looked baffled. A few moments passed, and he looked down at the box Sam held carefully in her hands, a serious expression washing over his face. "We shouldn't be here." He said simply, his voice cold and possibly a little scared. This place was obviously kept secret... "If my father finds out--"
"You'll be in very, very deep trouble." Came the dark voice from behind them both, as Plasmius' red eyes burned angrily into the two of them, his heavy boots clinking on the icy floor as the room seemed to drop twenty degrees at their entrance.
If Phantom's face could get any more pale than it usually is, it would have. His emerald green eyes that once glared at Sam with rising fury immediately mirrored apprehension and a hint of fear. Slowly, he turned, doing his best not to get himself in deeper shit. "...Father." He said quietly as his head tilted in a small bow, instantly showing regret.
Vlad didn't even look at him, shoving his son out of the way before placing his hand out to her, his voice betraying how pissed he was. "Give it up girl, and I might spare your life. Maybe."
Phantom let out a rather primal growl the moment his father shoved him out of the way, but didn't make a move towards the elder ghost. "Don't touch her." He said firmly, the hesitance still in his eyes, but rage filled them as well, and it showed in the fierce green glow.
"What was that Daniel?" Plasmius looked behind him incredulously, arching an eyebrow at his son, turning his back to the black haired girl, balling his fist up. "Did you just talk back to me young man?"
Instantly the young ghost prince winced, regretting ever saying anything. His head hung low for a moment, before it seemed as though his resolve hardened, and he looked back up at his father's stare with confidence. "I said." He replied slowly, his fists clenching. "Don't touch her."
"Phantom!" Sam hissed in warning, backing up more until she ran into the podium, watching it wiggle as Plasmius' body went ridged.
"She showed you what was in there, didn't she..."
"What?" Phantom's brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to decipher his father's words. Showed him... what was in that box? There couldn't be anything in there valuable enough for King Plasmius to get an ulcer over... "What are you talking about? I don't give a rat's ass about what in you're damn box. But if you so much as breath on my property, I'll make you wish you never died."
"You boy, are asking for trouble." Plasmius growled, before he turned around, his attention more towards the raven haired girl who was looking up at him with wide lavender eyes. "And you do not deserve a pet." Faster then her eyes could follow, the ghost king had lifted his arm, glowing with dripping energy, before swinging it down at her as she screamed silently, hugging the box to her chest.
In an instant, a flash of green lit up the room as it collided with burning violet, Phantom's protests echoing in the vast space of the hidden chamber. The moment the lights dimmed, the ghost prince could be seen holding up his father's hand with his arm - his feet planted firmly in front of the startled girl as ectoplasm started to steadily drip from the open wound under Plasmius' hand. "I said..." Phantom's voice growled low, as he looked up slowly at his father, eyes glowing a bright and threatening green. "Don't touch her!" He bellowed and sent forth a massive blast of emerald energy from his free hand, hitting the King square in his chest.
Sam looked up through a curtain of black, her breath caught in her chest as she realized what had just happened, The Phantom so close to her that she could feel the heat of anger radiating from him. What...the...
The King cried out as he was hit, stumbling back a bit before his red eyes narrowed on his son. "That's it. I will beat you within an inch of your after life for this you insolent little--" Vlad split himself, three more of the massive man showing up besides him, each wearing a sadistic grin.
Phantom looked around hastily, gritting his teeth painfully as he quickly realized he was outmatched against his father... And there was no way Sam could escape the direct line of fire if he stayed here. "You forgot one important detail, father..." A nervous smile crept upon his features as he reached for his belt, igniting a switch with a small wisp of green light. Within seconds, the space next to Sam ripped in half, a glowing vortex growing quickly to its full size. "I always do appreciate your little inventions." He said with the familiar cocky voice, before he turned intangible and dove right past a duplicate Plasmius, his arms quickly wrapping around Sam. "Hold on!" He shoved them both into the portal, the gate closing within the blink of an eye... leaving the king's fury all to himself.
The young girl wrapped one arm about his neck, closing her eyes as they rocketed through the portal, her mind a mess of jumbling thoughts and the air felt like it was pulled right from her lungs as they passed through, and then suddenly, they hit solid ground, falling in a messy pile into the soft grass, their arms still wrapped about each other.
Phantom seemed to catch his breath for but a moment, before he tore away from her, standing to his knees as he grabbed her shoulders, vaguely aware of where they were. Thankfully, not many people visited the park at night... "What were you thinking!" His voice rose dangerously as his eyes shone brightly in anger. "You were almost killed! And for what - A stupid box! What the HELL was going on in that tiny head of yours!"
She stared at him in a way that she had never before, with almost...repeat, almost...respect, before it melted into an equally angry look. "Obviously it isn't just a stupid box or else he wouldn't be so pissed off! There's something in here that he doesn't want you to see!"
Apparently, screaming back at him didn't seem to help at all - his eye flared brighter yet as he harshly ripped the box from her hands, and throwing it to the ground, leaving a small indent in the earth. "I don't give a damn about what's in that box!" He yelled, grabbing the collar of her nightshirt in a very threatening manner. Beside him, the small gold lock on the velvet container lurched and unlatched itself. "How could you possibly think you could wander around the castle at night?" A tiny hint of light crept through from underneath the lid. "You...Sam..." His voice began to soften to barely a whisper, the glaring light from his emerald eyes melting away. "I... I was so worried about you..." He admitted softly, though his stubborn exterior was still as strong as ever. "Stupid girl..."
She felt her cheeks heat up, much to her own horror, and she gaped quite a bit like a fish at his words, trying to come up with a retort, only to have the words wither in her throat. She carefully lifted her hands up, placing them over the ones that were on her shirt, pulling them off so they sat heavily in her own. "Phantom..." She said slowly, not sure where she was going, before something caught her eye. "The box." She finished flatly, her eyes widening.
A faint hint of confusion crossed the prince's face, before he turned to look at the so called 'prize' she stole from his father, a small light beginning to shine through. He frowned and reached to it, gently picking up and closing the lid tight. "We shouldn't be worrying about some damn box right now." He said rather sternly, before he shoved it into her hands and stood to his feet. "My father won't know where we are for now... but he'll track us. We should be worrying about him."
"If he's so worried about it, there has to be a reason." She said firmly, using one hand to shove herself to her feet, her white night dress dirty with grass stains. "I'm opening it."
"For the love of..." Phantom groaned loudly, rubbing his temples with obvious annoyance. "Fine, do whatever you want. But we're leaving." He stated firmly, turning to look around and assess where they really were. Amity Park... the park, specifically. Now just where to hide...
Sam snorted, opening the latch, before she pried the top off, letting it fall back, bouncing against the back of the box with a clatter, light seeping out and into the air, blindingly bright. Sam squeaked, dropping the box, as it rolled, and pointed directly towards the phantom, enveloping him in the light.
The moment he heard her startled voice, he turned - only to see whatever the Hell was in that box, shining brightly. And it was pointed straight at him. He tried to sidestep the beam of energy that came from it, but he hadn't moved near fast enough, and he was struck with what felt like electricity. He held his ground for a few moments, his entire body shaking from the pain, before he gave up and fell to his knees, his hands holding either side of his head as he let out a painful cry, energy still radiating around him.
"Oh...shit..." The Goth hissed, stumbling forward as she kicked the box out of the way, just as the light began to flicker and disappear, leaving the container dead to the world as she Dropped down beside the Phantom, laying her hands on his shoulders carefully, her voice high with worry. "Phantom! Phantom, are you alright!"
The white light around his body began to dim, but his posture remained the same, his breath still heavy as the searing pain began to subside. Still crouched close to the ground, he slowly opened his eyes, his hands releasing the firm grip he had on what he thought was his head splitting in half. Cautiously, he rose, still sitting on his knees, as he looked up to see the worried expression of Sam's violet stare. But as he gazed back at her, he didn't portray anger, like she was probably expecting... instead, it seemed as though a sudden realization had hit him, and a wave of confusion, curiosity, regret, and fear washed over him. "S-Sam..." He whispered, his emerald eyes going wide as his hands dropped to the ground, gripping the grass beneath them tightly.
"Phantom?" Sam asked sharply, completely taken aback from the way he had looked at her, and she carefully took his shoulders, helping him sit back up. "Phantom what happened? Are you alright?"
He simply stared at her for a moment, allowing her to help him to his feet again, but never once did his gaze leave hers. Then, slowly... something happened that Sam thought she would never see - tears. Phantom's green eyes blinked a few times as they began to water, his expression quickly changing to that of a lost boy, as he fell to his knees again, his hands covering his face as his shoulders shook violently. Phantom, the Ghost Prince, was sitting in front of her, crying.
HOLY SHIT! She stumbled back like he had burned her, eyes wide and frightened. What was going on? Had Plasmius staged all this on purpose? did he know that Phantom was planning on over throwing him and he was getting rid of the competition through her? "Hey! Hey Phantom!" Sam half shouted, half panicked. "Hey, its alright, I don't know what's wrong, but its okay! Are you hurt? "
"S-Sam..." Phantom whispered as he grasped the end of her nightshirt, hiccupping softly. "I... I remember..."
"R-Remember?" She asked, still panicking, her hands sliding down to take his, fingers interlacing as a point of support. "Phantom...what do you remember?" She urged, the fact that he was crying so pathetically scaring the living daylights out of her.
"Everything..." He said softly, the tears slowing as he sat up, but his gaze was still downcast. "My name... who I was before I died... my parents...my home..." His hand tightened around hers. "I..." He hiccupped again, rubbing his eyes with his free arm (and thankfully not the one that had a gaping wound on it).
She felt her heart drop into her stomach, and she struggled to find words. "I-It's alright. It's going to be ok." She Soothed, trying to hide how scared she was, her free hand wrapping over his shoulders carefully, quite afraid that this was all an act to get her to relax around him. If it was, it sure as hell wasn't working. "The past is the past…" She finished lamely.
"N-No, it's not!" He grabbed her hand that set on his shoulder, gazing down at her with painfully hurt eyes. "You don't understand...I never..." He paused for a moment, his gaze moving down again as if he was ashamed. "Plasmius... he was never my real father... "
She blinked at him, confused, "He wasn't? Phantom, I don't know what's going on here. You're...really starting to scare me. If that was your motive, its working."
"No, Sam... listen to me." He said almost desperately, as he looked at her with a worried, yet serious expression. "You remember... back when I nearly destroyed your school...?" He asked in a whisper, as if ashamed that the event took place.
She nodded slowly, watching him with wide violet eyes. "Yes..."
"I... got so angry that I wanted to kill the Fentons. But when I got the chance... I couldn't." He spoke softly, obvious that he was still searching for the right words. "I couldn't because...they were my parents. My real parents." He hesitantly caught Sam's violet gaze. "My name... was Danny Fenton."
And suddenly, what she thought had been the real world crumbled down around her.
Ooh, evil cliffhanger! I love doing this. Oh, there's a reason why Phantom went all mushy and baby-like on her. And it's probably not what you're thinking.
Just to let you all know, this is going to be the last update until August 3rd, most likely. I'm going down to Atlanta this Thursday to see Becky (AKA Discordiansamba on or Bekuki on DA), and I'll be staying there around a week.
But it's all good! I'll just make sure next chapter is extra long. (Niko niko)
Stay in school, kiddies!
Zoey