Chapter 11: Prepare for the Showdown
An unbearable eeriness had come over Amity Park. People wandered hopelessly in the streets, dazed and confused by the sight they just beheld. Debris littered the streets for blocks. The remains of a battle that was not yet over, but merely on hiatus. You could only guess what was going to happen next as suspense built up inside of you.
Valerie scurried home at her fastest pace, holding one injured arm in the other. She couldn't believe what she had just been through or what she had just heard. There was only one thought bubbling in her head: What was her next move and more importantly, Phantom's. Only adding to her rage, fear, and befuddlement, were the numerous people standing in her way. Preventing her from giving this urgent news to her brother. Amity Park was in the midst of disaster and she had to take action.
"Finally." Valerie mumbled to herself as she reached the door of her apartment, where she hoped her dad was at the time. To no surprise, there was Damon intently counting the seconds it would take for Valerie to walk through the door.
"Dad! We have an emergency! You have to just let me talk while you listen!" Valerie demanded of her dad. There was no time to spare on kind words or formal greetings.
"What on earth happened to you?" Damon wondered as he counted the slew of bruises that were on his daughter. Totally disregarding what she just said.
"No dad, forget about me! We have to get this town safe! There's barely anytime left!" Valerie continued on, trying to get Damon's focus on the big and important picture.
"You know Valerie, I really don't know what has gotten into you. Ever since you had that chat with that Masters fellow, you've been acting off the wire. I'm not sure I'm very partial to that man. " Damon trailed off from the conversation. Only making Valerie peeved more than she was.
"Dad, I was just in a fight with Phantom but he's not the same anymore! He's more powerful and I think he wants to destroy the town! If we don't hurry-"
"Why am I not surprised that name has come out of your mouth. For the longest time you've been obsessing over this ghost and I don't know why. But now I need to know!"
"If you would just lis-"
"What is so important about him that you can't let go!"
"He-"
"What is so important!"
"He murdered Danny!" Valerie blurted with every breath she had.
"What?" Damon paused.
"He murdered Danny. There was no accident. He killed him with his own two hands and didn't think twice about it. If we don't do something fast that could happen to a lot more people." Valerie finally calmed down. Now that she had given her reasoning, there would be nothing that would stop him from helping. Damon put a consoling hand on Valerie's shoulder. Knowing the kind of person she was, holding the knowledge of a friend's death must weigh heavy on the soul and her only goal would be to see revenge. Especially for a person she was so close to.
"I'm so sorry Valerie. I had no idea. But if what you say is true then I'll help by any means necessary." Damon apologized and resolved. Valerie gave a smile of approval.
"Well if we want to do something then we have to get to FentonWorks fast before he shows up again." Valerie ordered. Both of them bounded out the door and headed to their destination.
As they ran across the sidewalks more people had gathered around outside. Investigating and prodding through the remains of what was on the pavement. News crews were buzzing about trying to get any information about the event that occurred. Most of their searches coming up dry. As soon as they reached FentonWorks, they fled to the Ops Center and prepared to devise a plan.
"Okay. We have to come up with a plan and soon. There's no telling when Phantom will come back." Valerie explained.
"First things, first. Where did you see him last? Where did he go off to?" Damon requested.
"The last I saw him, he disappeared through the Fenton Portal. It may be dangerous for us to be here but it's our only headquarters."
"Okay, then what we should do is inform the citizens. Warn them to stay inside until further notice and avoid contact with him at all costs."
"Right. You know how to work their equipment?"
"Mostly. But if I hit a snag I should be able to sort out the problem."
"Good. Meanwhile I have to get my jet other sled and beef it up. If I'm gonna fight him then I need to be able to keep up."
After they deliberated their first phase of the plan they both went off to do their jobs. Damon went to fiddling around with the recording equipment. Valerie went down to the basement to get her extra jet sled. When she got down there the portal stared her straight in the face. It was the constant threat that could doom them all. Being the smart girl she is she installed an alarm into her suit that would warn her if any ghost should come through. Though it never had gone off, she would recognize the ring that she programmed into it. She carried everything she could carry and brought upstairs so she wouldn't have to go back down again. As she headed up the stairs she had remembered another nifty device she had installed into the Fenton house. On the wall to the right there was switch that would activate a moderate energy ghost shield. That way, when Phantom does come through, the alarm would sound and the shield would hold him back for a few minutes while she got ready.
Up in the Ops Center, Damon had finally got the recording equipment ready for broadcast and it ready to send out the message. One that would hopefully save lives. By the time he was finished Valerie had met him upstairs and was about to give out the speech. As soon as they set their headpieces on, they flipped on the switch. Every giant TV screen in Amity Park broadcast their faces for everyone to see. Hundreds of heads poked out of windows and diverted themselves to the screens. Valerie wasted no time in giving her speech.
"Citizens of Amity Park, this is Damon and Valerie Gray. As you may or may not have noticed a battle was fought within our town only a few hours ago. The ghost that we have known as Danny Phantom has turned on us and can no longer be called an ally. I can tell you all from experience that he is not the same and may very well be seeking to destroy this town. We must ask that at this time of dire emergency, you stay indoors and off of the streets. There is no telling what he might do to anyone at this time or if he is targeting anyone in particular. But please be warned that the Phantom is deadly and has already committed the unspeakable crime of murder. As we speak, a rescue plan is already being put into effect. We will be sure to keep you posted as soon as information becomes available. For now…just be safe."
The screens went blank and a gasp could be heard throughout the streets. People couldn't believe that this was happening. Those who had thought of Danny Phantom as a friend were now discouraged and utterly brokenhearted. While those who thought of him as foe only planted a deeper seed of hatred in their minds.
Valerie removed the headset and got back to her preparation. Phase 1 of their plan was complete. There was no guarantee the people would be safe. But at least they were informed.
"Valerie, shouldn't we put the ghost shield up for protection?" Damon questioned. Concerned for Amity Park's well being. But Valerie shook her head.
"We can't do that yet. If we do then Phantom will just be stuck in here with us. We have to drive him out of shield's radius so he can't hurt anyone. Then I'll deal with him after that." Valerie elaborated.
"How are we going to lure him out of the town?"
"We'll lure him out with me. I'm the one he's after." Valerie stated. Damon frowned.
"You can't do that! What if you can't hold him off long enough?"
"The only thing that matters right now is everyone's safety. You don't have to worry Dad. I'm ready. Nothing will stop me from-"
BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP
Both of their hearts jumped inside their chests as they heard that sound. The hour was upon them. The moment they had all been waiting for. Valerie and Damon looked at each other and exchanged smiles of reassuring. Valerie grabbed all of her weapons, equipped her suit, and got her adrenaline rushing for the fight of her life.
I promise I'll avenge you Danny…
Allright I know I have angry people looking for me asking why I haven't updated in months! Long story short I had written this chapter on my stepdad's laptop and before I was done with it the stupid thing brokedown. There was no other computer I could get to and he keeps procrastinating to get it fixed. So here I am submitting the rewritten chapter now. Hope you enjoy...will edit it later.
