Chapter 2: Welcome to the Ghost Zone

Somewhere in the deepest reaches of the Ghost Zone. A place where spirits go after they have left the Earth. Something was happening. Something was wrong. And someone was coming…

"Ahhhhh" Sam shrieked as she fell. A loud thud was heard as she hit the ground. She gave out a yelp from the impact. Sam rubbed her head and tried to open her eyes. Her vision was fuzzy but soon cleared up after a few blinks. Everything she was taking in didn't make sense. All she could see was green. Wails of unknown origin echoed through the air. Spooky specters passed her by. Giving glances but not before soon looking away.

"Where am I? How did I get here?" Sam asked herself puzzled. She was so confused. So many thoughts raced through her head. Where in the world was she? Her body felt cold and lifeless. Like nothing more than a cheap dummy. Barely able to support her. A chill traveled up her spine. The last thing she remembered was being at the Nasty Burger. Bound to the Nasty vat filled to the brim with the deadly sauce. The Fenton family along with Tucker and Mr. Lancer all beside her. All of them awaiting the same demise and seeing their life flash before their eyes. Soon to be greeted by the waiting hand of death. At that moment she felt so scared. But had she survived? Did she make it? Had she managed to slip through? Soon her thinking was interrupted by another scream.

"Tucker?" she whispered as the shadow closed in above her. It got larger and larger as it descended. Sam tried to see it but before she could the thing came crashing down. Another hard blow to the unmerciful ground. A faint cough escaped her lungs. The ribs crushed for a moment by the sudden impact. Swiftly she pushed the thing off of her. She sucked in a gasp of breath. Spotting the red hat she instantly knew who it was.

"What? Huh? Where am I!" Tucker asked bewildered by the sights around him.

"Tucker!" Sam shouted to the frantic teen.

"Sam? Sam!" Tucker responded joyfully.

"Tucker, you don't know how happy I am to see you!" Sam exclaimed.

"Me too! But…any idea where we are?"

Tucker scanned his eyes across the scenery. Taking it all in for a moment. Never had he been inside a place like this. So unwelcoming and sinister. Anyone who saw it would immediately say "ugh" in disgust. But alas he was clueless. Even if this place looked familiar. Feeling defeated he gave out a long sigh.

"I have no clue. But we better figure out soon." Sam answered. No one could stand being in a place like this for long. It would be enough to drive a person insane.

"Hello! Is anybody out there!" a strange voice cried. It was very low but loud enough to be heard. Sam and Tucker perked up. Listening to the voice of distress. Excitedly and cautiously they ran to where it came from. They ran past a giant wall and sharply turned the corner. To be greeted by no others than the Fenton family. Minus Danny of course. Tucker and Sam stopped to a screeching halt. A wave of relief swept over them. Never had they been so happy to see the family of ghost hunting lunatics. Minus Jazz of course.

"Tucker, Sam we're so happy to see you!" Maddie exclaimed in jubilance. A smile slapped onto her face. Almost instinctively she embraced the two young teens. As if they were her children. Sam and Tucker replied with hugs of their own. They were partially comforted by this show of affection. But reality soon knocked them back into consciousness. Out of the now shattered barrier of safety.

"You kids alright?" Jack asked concerned. For once everyone saw a serious look on Jack's face. It wasn't the usual optimistic smirk of catching his fill of ghosts. His eyes repeatedly shifted from side to side. Ever vigilant for anything dangerous.

"Yeah. We're fine." Sam answered reassuringly. But the uncertainty in her voice alarmed everyone otherwise. They knew that she wasn't okay. None of them were.

"Any of you guys seen Danny? I hope he's okay." Jazz spurted out. Again her busy body self was at work trying to pry information out of her brother's friends. Everyone could see the utter distain in her face. She was really worried.

"No we haven't." Tucker responded sadly. He honestly wished he knew where Danny was. Or better yet where he was.

"More importantly does anybody know where we are?" Maddie asked curiously. The others shook their heads. They were all sullen and lost with no answer or end in sight. The only thing either of them recalled was being at the Nasty Burger. After that…nothing. All of them felt a sense of emptiness inside. But more than anything they wanted to know here Danny was. He could be anywhere alone. Only Sam, Tucker and Jazz knew he might have been fighting ruthless ghosts. What if he needed help? Unbeknownst to them someone was watching from far in the distance.

"Interesting. It seems a new clan has joined the Ghost Zone. Finally. New prey to hunt!" Skulker said as he watched the newbies. He grew excited inside. He had gotten bored for awhile. Day after day he grew weary of the prey he was seeking. Whether it was the Box Ghost or the geeky kid Poindexter. Hopefully this fresh meat would give a challenge. Much like the ghost kid who hadn't been around for a while. Eagerly Skulker looked through his arsenal and took out his Ecto Gun. He would start out with something easy just to warm them out. Then soon the real hunt would begin…hopefully. Quietly Skulker started to inch closer. Carefully trying to make no sounds. With the bulky suit he wore that was no easy feat. He dove behind a rock. Now he was barely feet away from his prey. They all looked so feeble and innocent. So confused and puzzled. He really hoped they didn't disappoint him.

Down below the group of new ghosts walked around aimlessly. They had no idea where to go or how to get home. Sam walked over to Tucker. He was trying to figure out where they were on his PDA. Sometimes Sam wondered what he would do without it.

"Do you have anything yet Tucker?" Sam asked desperately.

"I'm working on it." Tucker answered annoyed. He didn't like people pressuring him."

"Could you work faster? This place gives me the creeps and I want to get out of here." Sam told him.

Tucker still fished around in his PDA. Searching through millions and millions of files. He started to grow impatient with himself. Wasn't he supposed to be a like a living computer. He should've gotten something by now. The constant tapping of his pen on the screen was the only sound around. Everything else was quiet. Tucker looked up for a second to rest his eyes. Sam stood there distracted by her own thoughts.

"Sam, look out!" Tucker yelled as he pushed Sam to the side. Sam fell with a bang. Tucker's body soon replaced Sam's and he was hit. He screamed as the energy zapped him. Hurting right down to the marrow of his bones. Draining the life out of him. Then steadily he fell to the ground.

"Tucker!" Maddie said alarmed as she ran to the injured boy. She knelt down and lifted his head up. Jazz, Jack and Sam joined them. They were all instilled with fear.

"That was a warning blow prey. I'll give you a head start before I fire again. I suggest you take it." Skulker said sinisterly as he watched the smoke rise from his gun. He loaded once more to give a further and more thorough warning. Recognizing the voice Sam sharply turned her head.

"Skulker!" she screamed as she pointed to him. They all turned around to see him there. Menacingly with his Ecto Gun. Just waiting to fire again.

"We gotta get out of here! Now!" Sam shouted as she grabbed Jazz's hand. She tried to pull them up so they could run. But they were all still wondering about the name. Again Sam pulled and Jazz lifted to her feet. With no time to think the Fentons took Sam's warning. Although they didn't understand what was going on. Jack flung Tucker over his shoulder and ran. Everyone followed behind him.

"Yes that's it. Flee from Skulker!" Skulker howled into the air. He gave a deep laugh as he watched them run. Oh how he loved to see it. The group frantically ran about. Not sure where they were going.

"Sam! What's going on here! Who is that robot!" Jack questioned in a huff.

"That's Skulker! He's Ghost World's Greatest Hunter! And he's after us!" Sam answered between breaths.

"Why is he after us!" Jazz interrogated. She wanted answers.

"Wait a minute! Did you say ghost!" Maddie urged. If this had to do with ghosts she'd be all over it.

After waiting for a few minutes Skulker finally decided to go. He had reloaded his gun and turned on tracker. He watched the screen for any ghost activity. Then he eagerly set off for the hunt. He easily found them only a few feet ahead of him. It was obvious they weren't runners. After getting a good aim Skulker fired again.

"Ow!" Jazz screeched as she was grazed by the blast. She took her hand and held it in agony. But they didn't have time to stop with the hunter on their tail. Then at their relief they found a savior. It was the yellow and black striped doors of the Fenton Portal.

"Head for the door! I'll hold him off!" Jack yelled as he handed Tucker over to Maddie.

"Jack you can't. It's too dangerous!" Maddie cried to him.

"Don't' worry about me. I'll be fine." Jack reassured them. He immediately took a battle stance.

Reluctantly Maddie took Tucker and ran to the portal. Not before taking one look at her brave husband. Risking his safety just for them. When they finally reached the door Sam took one fist and banged on it. Jazz joined her to try and get it open. Again and again they pounded it but it didn't budge. Their efforts were in vain.

"The door won't budge." Jazz told her mom. They turned back to see Jack desperately ducking and weaving Skulker. Numerous times he had been hit and it didn't seem he would last much longer. They had to find another way. But there was no time…

"Ahhhh!" Jack screamed as he was trapped into an electric net. He struggled to get out of it.

"That's of no use. That net renders any ghost it touches helpless." Skulker bellowed in triumph.

Jack stood there utterly baffled by what he just heard. The net renders any ghost helpless? How can that be? Jack was being hurt but he wasn't… he couldn't be…a ghost.

"Jack!" Maddie called out to him. She couldn't stand to see Jack get hurt that badly. She rushed over to help. But as soon as she touched it a shock went through her. She pulled back her arm. Skulker sighed as he watched them. Soon he lost interest in them. Discreetly he left. This prey just wasn't what he expected. And as he did the net ceased to function. Maddie saw the opening and ripped the net off. In an instant she embraced Jack in her arms. Grateful that he survived.

"Jack, are you alright? I don't understand why the net hurt you." Maddie said shocked. Jack slowly turned his head. He didn't know if he had the heart to tell her. But there was no avoiding. Not anymore.

"The answer is simple Maddie. We didn't make it. None of us did."

Well how was that chapter? Don't worry I have not forgotten about Mr. Lancer. He'll come in later.Thank you guys for giving constructive critisism And I would like to thank my first reviewers!

Invader Johnny, digidestened7, Tessa Kitsune, TheVeritasProject1-2, purrbaby101,and Shadow Guardian of the Gate

You guys rock!