WoM- 'dizzy' pretty stars… 'shakes head' Sorry, folks, I haven't been feeling well lately. 'groans' Ah, well, just 40 more hours of school and then I'm free! At least until January 2nd… Oh, and I've already got one of my presents! A 144 set of Prismacolor markers. O.O so many colors… so pretty…
Oh, and before I forget, I'm sorry for posting the wrong update date at the end of last chapter. I didn't catch it until the 8th, and felt like an idiot when I noticed. If there's ever another problem with me missing a date check my Bio, I should have something posted there under 'Notes.'
MY DEEPEST APOLOGIES TO DannysGirlForever! Didn't mean to exclude you. SORRY!
"I will not eat oysters. I want my food dead. Not sick -- not wounded -- dead."
-Woody Allen
"What do you mean they didn't get away?" Vlad asked sharply, glaring at the battered and bandaged bird in front of him.
"Just what I said, boss," The vulture responded. "We saw the plane, some kind of black shadow came after us, I high tailed it outta there and the other two didn't make it!" Vlad frowned.
"A black shadow?" He repeated. "And the plane was black as well?"
"Black as death," The vulture confirmed.
"Did you see any ghosts nearby?" Vlad asked, "Or where they were headed?"
"No ghosts," The vulture said, "And I think they were headed out of the Snow Sector, and towards the Endless," Vlad sighed in a defeated soft of way.
"That is all," He said to the bird, dismissing it with a wave of his hand.
"But what about-!" The vulture began to protest. A cold glare silenced the question, though, and he lumbered obediently out of the office. Vlad sighed.
"So, the rumors are true…" he murmured, glancing at the glowing green newspaper in front of him. It was a Ghost Zone tabloid, Telling Tales. Usually, he didn't pick the nonsense up, but a headline had caught his eye that he decided was worthy of further investigation.
Now Vlad scowled at the paper, as if it'd been the cause of this recent problem in his life. Without glancing at it again (He already had it memorized, anyways,) Vlad lazily tossed it into his fire, which exploded with green flames for a moment before settling again.
Yet without even looking At it, he could already see the headline darken and curl in the flames…
'The Haunters Return'
Paulina sighed as she fingered through expensive clothes, not even really looking at them. She wasn't much of a deep thinker, always preferring the more here and now outlook on life, but right now she was wracking her brain out, trying to think of everything she knew about her ghostly crush.
'He's a hero,' She listed off right away, 'wears a lot of black… has gorgeous green eyes and white hair… he fights ghosts…' she frowned, unable to think of anything else.
But that was part of Phantom's appeal. He was so… mysterious. She wasn't the only girl to notice, either, but she was the most influential. She was the one with the looks, the money and the charm, so if anyone was gonna win Phantom's heart, it would be her. No one questioned this, no one fought it. So other girls treated him as they did their movie star and musical crushes. They admired from afar, but weren't crazy enough to think they'd actually stand a snowball's chance.
That wasn't Paulina's problem today, though. She had bigger things to worry about, like the big fair that was coming up. Normally, worrying about such thins was below her, but her new obsession with Phantom had made her learn two things about him she hadn't listed off.
1.) He nearly always seemed to show up whenever Danny Fenton was around. She didn't know or care about his connections to the loser, other then the fact that it could get her closer to him.
2.) Ghosts seemed to make a habit out of showing up to every semi-major event in town. If there was a crowd, you could expect a ghost attack before long. And a ghost attack would mean that Phantom would come to save the day.
So therefore Paulina already had everything plotted out. She would drop hints to Danny that she wanted to see him at the fair, letting his crush on her do the rest of the work for her, and then just wait for the fireworks. After Phantom showed up, she would tell him how she felt and they would live happily ever after, he her Ghostly Hero and she his Latino Princess.
…At least, that how it worked out in her mind, anyways.
Right now, though, she needed to find the perfect outfit to confront Phantom in. Her normal street clothes simply would not do, not for confessions of love. The problem was she didn't know how to dress for her hero.
'Should I go slinky and sexy?' She wondered, 'To show him I'm his perfect match? Or maybe something a little more innocent so he'll let his guard down? Should I dress to look tough, so I can look like his super girl? And what color should I wear…?' Paulina pouted. Decisions, decisions…
She took a step back, knocking into someone.
"Excuse you!" She snapped, glaring. The man frowned at her, then started away without a word. Paulina glared.
"Don't mind Alex," A girl's voice said beside her, "He's a mute." Paulina raised an eyebrow at the person who was talking to her, not seeing them too well as the shadows seemed to cloak them.
"Like I care," She snapped, "I'm just trying to find the perfect outfit for my meeting with Phantom!" Paulina got the impression that the person raised an eyebrow.
"Phantom?" They repeated, "Danny Phantom? The ghost-child?"
"Is there any other?" Paulina snapped irritably. There was a glint of white teeth.
"No…" The person responded, "I suppose not… I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name…?"
"Paulina," The Latino sighed, "Now will you leave me alone?" And, turning on her heels, the girl started away huffily.
"Paulina." The figure in the shadows repeated, a plan forming in their eyes, "We'll be in touch, my pretty…"
BLACKBIRD
Chapter 3; Meet the Fentons
"Now Jack, calm down," Maddie scolded her husband as she would a young child, "You wouldn't want to scare off Danny's little friend,"
"Nice sentiment, mom, but probably way too late…" Danny muttered. Only Valerie and Raven heard him, and both had to smile at the boy.
"Yes, Maddie," Jack sighed before turning back to Raven, "Seriously, though, do you like ghosts?"
"I'm interested in the Spirit Realms in general," Raven admitted, "But I haven't looked too much into the Ghost Zone. I was hoping to learn a little bit more about it while I was here…"
"Then have you come to the right place!" Jack bellowed, grabbing Raven by the arm and dragging her down to the lab, oblivious to her startled yell.
"Sweetie, I said calm down!" Maddie yelled, racing after him. Jazz, Valerie and Danny watched them go, blinking.
Moments later, there was another explosion from the lab.
"Well, then," Jazz said conversationally, "Guess you won't bee seeing too much more of Rae around after today…" Danny sighed.
"Come on," He said, "Let's stop dad before he kills her,"
"Good idea," Jazz agreed, "We've got enough problems paying for all the property damage dad does on the job without having to worry about paying for pain and suffering, too." Danny shot his sister a dry look and Valerie laughed before the three of them headed downstairs.
"And this is the Fenton Fisher!" Jack was explaining loudly, "We use it to fish ghosts out of the Ghost Zone. Still need to untangle the darned thing. Oh! And here's the Fenton Peeler! We use it to peel a ghost apart, layer by layer, to see what's on the inside!"
"Dad," Danny sighed, "How about giving it a rest? I think you're scaring Rae,"
'You don't know the half of it,' Raven thought, staring at the large man. Here she thought nothing was more hyper then Starfire on a sugar buzz, but Jack Fenton had proven her dead wrong.
"Hang on, son," Jack said, fishing through his old inventions. "Ah! The Ghost Gabbler! I was wondering what'd happened to this!" Danny flinched and Jazz groaned at that.
"Ghost Gabbler?" Raven repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep!" Jack said happily, "It takes the strange noises ghosts make-!"
"And translates them into words you and I use every day," Jazz and Danny finished for him, rolling their eyes.
"Most ghosts we've met speak English anyways, dad," Danny reminded him.
"Never too careful!" Jack said firmly, "Here, give it a shot!" He thrusted the device under Raven's nose, turning it on.
"Uhh…" She blinked at it, "I really don't-!"
"Come on!" Jack grinned, "Don't be shy!" Raven sighed.
"Boo," She said in a monotone. The invention didn't make a sound, and Jack looked put out.
"Darned thing must be broken again…" He muttered.
"Again?" Valerie grinned at Jack.
"Yep," Jack said, "Last time we had it on, and it wouldn't do a thing except to repeat whatever Danny said. Still haven't figured out what's wrong with it…"
"I think that's enough inventions for today, Dad," Jazz said quickly.
"Nonsense!" Jack said eagerly, pushing all five teens into chairs, "Just a few more!"
"How many is a few?" Raven asked Danny suspiciously. Danny sighed.
"Honestly?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, "We'll be here all night." This was punctuated by the Ghost Gabber, which decided to start working suddenly with a soothing;
"We'll be here all night. Fear me."
And there all night they were. Raven dozed off somewhere between the Ghost Gloves and the Fenton Toothbrush, after realizing that nothing Jack was saying could actually help her. Jazz and Danny tuned him out far earlier, in favor of a riveting game of I Spy. Only Valerie seemed to be maintaining some sort of vague attention, though the sorceress couldn't begin to understand why.
Finally, though, Maddie realized that the teens were bored to the point of seriously considering locking Jack into the Fenton Stockades and 'accidentally' forgetting to let him out until morning and suggested that they start dinner. Relief ended, however, when Maddie offered to prepare a special recipe she'd been working on.
"Why is it I'm always the one who has to cook?" Danny grumbled, glowering at Jazz who was sitting on the counter.
"Because you're the only one in the family who can cook something passably edible that won't eat you back," Jazz answered. "Are they behaving in there, Valerie? It's too quiet for my comfort…"
"Yeah," Valerie said, "I think they're working on the Ghost Gabber again…"
"Is it considered normal to ban a parent from the kitchen?" Raven couldn't help but ask.
"It is when their food gives you nightmares," Jazz responded, "Ten to one says that if we'd let her go through on it, we'd be fighting off evil mutant mash potato monsters with teeth right now,"
"So therefore, mom's not allowed to make meals the entire family must be forced to eat." Danny finished for her, putting the spoon down, "Meaning I get stuck with it,"
"Hey, I would cook, too, but you already know how that would turn out." Jazz said defensively. Danny chuckled.
"Fair enough," He said, smirking. Jazz glared at him and threw a dishtowel at his head, with he caught easily.
"Are your parents always such…" Raven wondered how she could put it so she wouldn't offend the two siblings.
"Freaks?" Jazz supplied.
"Ghost Fanatics?" Danny said at the same time.
"I think Danny's sounds nicer," She said, smirking slightly.
"Yep," Jazz answered, sounding as though it pained her to admit it.
"Since before college," Danny piped up. "But you get used to it,"
"Just like you get used to random attack by various malevolent ghosts?" Valerie grinned at the two. Raven used this as a way to get into the whole 'What-Do-You-Know-About-Phantom' thing she was supposed to be looking into.
"Speaking of which," She started, "What's with that Phantom guy? Is he one of those malevolent ghosts, or is he on our side?" Not exactly as subtle as she could've made it, but it wasn't like she was dealing with evil criminal masterminds here, just a few ordinary teens in a not-so-ordinary town.
Raven didn't bother with this thought too long, though, too intent on watching the facial expressions of her classmates to see their reactions to the issue. Both Fenton siblings seemed to falter for a moment at the question, exchanging looks that made Raven raise an eyebrow. Valerie on the other hand scowled darkly.
"He's a menace!" she hissed, "A danger to everyone! He's responsible for an attack on the mayor, you know. Among other things…" Valerie brooded here for a second, her eyes flashing, "That's how he got the status of 'Public Ghost Enemy #1' around here." Raven was about to ask more questions when she heard a familiar beeping sound from her messenger bag. She frowned at it, annoyed, as everyone else watched her curiously.
"Sorry," She sighed, "I've gotta take that…" She picked up her bag as the sound stopped, and turned to Jazz, "Is there a room around here I can use?" She asked. "I need some privacy."
"Sure," The redhead said, smiling brightly, "There's a bathroom upstairs. Let me show you the way,"
"That's not nece-!" Too late. Jazz was already on her way up the stairs, and Raven sighed in annoyance. Deciding there was nothing else she could to, Raven followed the girl up the stairs and to the bathroom obediently. "Thanks…" She said, about to go in. She was stopped, though, when Jazz grabbed her arm. Curious, the sorceress turned to see the girl biting her lip hesitantly before working up the courage to say something.
"Phantom isn't evil, you know," She said firmly, "He's actually saved me more times then I care to count. I admit, he's not perfect, and he does have a dark side, but that shouldn't matter if he's helping people, right?" Raven gave the girl a startled look. Then, she remembered her own dark side. And those of her friends…
"No," She said softly, "I suppose it doesn't," Jazz smiled, looking relieved.
"Um, hey, one last thing…" She said shyly. "Are you a ghost hunter?" Raven stared at her.
"What?" Jazz laughed slightly and blushed.
"Okay this is gonna sound really stupid, but we've had ghost hunters try and steal my parent's job and weapons before. And it's not that we think you're untrustworthy, it's just… well… Not many kids your age like all this ghost stuff,"
"I'm not like most people," Raven answered, thinking that was probably the biggest understatement to ever come out of her mouth, "But to answer your question, no I'm not a ghost hunter." Jazz looked even more relieved.
"Good," She said, "I'll leave you alone now, you probably need to get that call," And, with one last wave back, Jazz started down the stairs again. Raven watched her go curiously for a moment before entering the bathroom.
She dug around her bag for a bit before finally finding the familiar yellow device. Sitting on the counter of bathroom sink, Raven flipped it open.
"You guys do realize I'm undercover, right?" She said dryly.
"RAVEN!" several voices cried back happily.
"Dude, what took you so-!"
"Friend Raven, It is most reassuring to see you are-!"
"How is your mission going? Have to contacted the-!"
"Man you don't know how crazy we've been going here without-!"
Raven sighed, forcing back a smile.
"Guys?" She said, silencing all of them, "It's kinda hard to listen to four people at once…" the Titans blushed.
"How are you faring, Friend Raven?" Starfire asked innocently.
"I lived," Raven sighed, "Barely…"
"That bad?" Beastboy asked, grinning.
"Are any of you familiar with the term 'ultimate social suicide?'" Cyborg laughed.
"Same ol' Raven!" he said grinning.
"Have you made contact with the ghost yet?" Robin asked seriously.
"Not yet," Raven admitted, "But I'm in the house of the ghost hunting couple right now."
"Already?" Cyborg said, genuinely impressed.
"One of their kids has some classes with me," She explained.
"What are they like?" Beastboy asked curiously. "I've never met a ghost hunter before…" Before Raven could answer, there was a loud explosion downstairs, followed by a cry from Jack.
"Maddie! Get the Fenton Fire Extinguishers, STAT!"
"Let's just say I've never met anyone like them before," Raven answered in dry honesty. "Look, I've got to get back downstairs before Valerie or someone gets suspicious, I'll call you guys again when I get back to my apartment."
"Roger," Robin said, nodding, "Good Luck, Raven," And, closing her communicator, Raven left the bathroom.
Only to stop dead when she saw Valerie leaning against the opposite wall, frowning suspiciously.
"You okay, Val?" Valerie jumped at Danny's voice, tearing her eyes away from glaring suspiciously at Raven's back to turn and meet Danny's concerned frown.
"Fine," She sigh, "It's just… Don't you think there's something weird about her?" Danny looked puzzled for a moment.
"Rae?" He clarified, "Nah. She's blunt, and a little cynical, but don't think she's any weirder then anyone else I've met." Danny grinned, "Actually, Val, if you think about it, you two are a lot alike."
"How so?" Valerie asked dryly, raising an eyebrow.
"You're both sarcastic and don't care about other people's impressions of you, for one," Danny told her, smirking. He laughed when Valerie stuck her tongue out at him.
"I'm serious though, Danny," Valerie said, sobering up, "I get this weird vibe when I'm around her, like she's gonna attack me outta nowhere or something."
"With all these ghost attacks, you think you'd be used to being attack out of nowhere by not," Danny said mildly stirring his stir-fry.
"Dan-ny!" Valerie growled. Danny grinned back before he saw she was serious.
"Rae's fine, Valerie," He said confidently, "I'm sure there's some things she's not telling us, but we all have out secrets, right?"
'You have no idea…' Valerie thought dryly as Jazz re-entered the kitchen.
"How's the food coming?" She asked Danny.
"Bout fifteen minutes," Danny responded.
"Good," She said happily, "I'm starved!"
"Hungry enough to attempt a Frankenstein?" Danny asked grinning and pointing to a chained and locked icebox next to the fridge that carried the warning 'DO NOT OPEN!'
"It's not possible to be that hungry, Danny," Jazz said dryly, shooting the ice box a dirty look.
"Do I wanna know?" Valerie eyed the two, bemused.
"No," They answered as one.
"Hey, Valerie, how's work been coming for your dad?" Jazz asked, "I've been meaning to call him myself but…"
"Alright," Valerie said vaguely, "He got a raise the other day."
"That's good," Jazz said, smiling, "You know, the Maxton Labs in upper Amity are looking for a new security director." Valerie considered this for a moment, then shook her head.
"Thanks Jazz, but dad's still in trouble, thanks to the Axion disaster," She said.
"Yeah, but that was all just ghosts stuff, right?" Jazz persisted, "Mom and Dad could teach you dad how to make ghost shields and weapons. Everything considered, that kind of knowledge would make him the most valuable Security Director in Amity Park." Valerie looked between the two, wide eyed.
"You guys seriously think they'd do that?" Valerie asked, sounding hopeful.
"Of course!" Danny answered at once, happy to have some way to at least begin to make up for all the trouble he'd accidentally caused his friend. "I mean, if it wasn't for your dad, they would've been swamped during the second big attack on Amity. Besides, they know he won't go selling their secrets off to the military or anything," Valerie grinned.
"Thanks, guys," She said.
'BOOM!'
"Maddie! Get the Fenton Fire Extinguishers, STAT!"
The three teens blinked at each other, then burst out laughing as one.
"Dinner's done," Danny chuckled, "Val, can you go get Rae? And Jazz, tell mom and dad to come up after they've taken care of the lab fire."
"Gotcha, Danny," Valerie said, grinning. She obediently headed upstairs to bring the new girl down for the meal. She stopped, though, when she heard what sounded more like a walkie talkie then a cell phone coming from the bathroom.
"Roger," And unfamiliar voice said, "Good luck, Raven," All suspicions came back instantly, and Valerie leaned against the wall, waiting only moments for the girl to exit, freezing when she caught sight of Valerie.
"I think you owe me an explanation," She said coolly, giving the girl an even look.
WoM- Already in identity trouble on the first day! Ain't I mean? How's Raven getting out of this one? If you wanna know, you'll have to stay tuned and review!
Thanks to;
DannysGirlForever
Tetsukon
epobbp
Invader Johnny
noveler00
peppymint
Rei Tamashii
The Wicked Wench of the West
shadowspinner1
Shadow Guardian of the Gate
DarkDragonQueen
animekraze
Stephen King Reincarnated
Firehedgehog
Krystal
Reggie Tuesday
Jaakusan
soaring-bright-flame
Anime Chick009
Sqweakie the Wonder Mouse
Raven's Alter Ego
Samantha-Girl Scout
Erinyes Star
Crisis Haylo
Questions;
I've decided to stop answering questions in my stories. Nt because of lame rule, but because so many people are complaning about it that I've decided they're only a hassle. Sorry for anyone who was looking frward to a response. I'll be happy to answer any of your questions if you leave me your e-mail.
Next update; December 17th (This one's the real deal. sorry for any and all confusion.)
See you then!