Previously:
"Perhaps, you were right, Godfrey. A little mourning together really gives us immense progress."
"Glad I could help, sir."
Vlad nodded and, after giving the butler an order to clean the den up, retreated to his chambers. This day was the first tremendous step towards molding his Little Badger into Daniel James Masters.
On Monday morning Danny felt nervous about his first meeting with his tutor. Also he was grouchy. When the alarm clock wailed at 6:45, Danny nearly blasted it into pieces. But the main point was that the clock went silent. And the next time Danny was awakened not by it.
"Here you are, whelp! Now your pelt is mine!" With a shout Danny got intangible and fell through his bed hard. Right after that a heartful laugh filled the room.
"Vlad!" Danny shouted enraged and got up. Vlad was standing near the entrance to the room with a recorder and was trying to wipe away the tears of fun.
"Good morning to you too, Little Badger." He said right after composing himself, which was fast. "It's time to rise and shine. Now, dress and go downstairs for breakfast." He ordered and was about to exit when he added. "Oh, and for the sake of your manners it's Uncle for you, dear boy."
"Get out, Uncle!" Danny angrily threw a pillow which met only the door and another laugh, now from the hall. Danny shook his head. "Frootloop." He looked at the time. "7:05!"
He quickly showered and brushed his teeth. When he went back to his room, he was shivering. Outside the clouds were dark and it seemed at any moment cold rain would start. Wanting to make a good impression on the tutor, he dressed in a white buttoned-up shirt, black pants and, so he won't freeze, not without a whine a knitted black vest. After getting into shiny dress shoes, Danny quickly ran downstairs.
"Daniel, hurry up, you are being late today", Vlad scolded. Danny greeted Godfrey and sat in his chair. "Oh, my boy, what will I do with you? I thought I sent you to bed early yesterday." He tried to comb and smooth Danny's hair with fingers, but it got little result. "Ahh. No matter."
Godfrey put a plate of some porridge and a glass of milk in front of Danny and a plate of English breakfast in front of Vlad with a cup of tea.
"Hey! I also want an English breakfast!" Danny said.
"Sorry, Daniel, but porridge is very good for you. It will help your brain be nutritioned during your lessons. I, on the other hand, will need a lot of energy, because I have a lot of business meetings today. And if it is any comfort, your oatmeal is also known as English porridge." Vlad smirked at Danny's scowl.
"Not that funny." He grumbled, stirring his meal.
Vlad chuckled and looked through his morning newspaper.
Not a lot of breakfast Danny could accommodate into his stomach. It was obvious that today he would be forced to take tests on subjects so the teacher could see on which level he was… And for Danny it was rather evident that he was on level zero. And he was sure that when the teacher saw his results, her face would adopt that indulgent expression and eyes would glance greedily and scornfully, imagining how much money she would earn on such an idiot-student. And at dinner Vlad would be irritated and disappointed because he had thought of Danny better than what he heard from his teacher.
"It's rather cold today, don't you think?" Vlad said suddenly. Danny perked his head.
"Sorry, I didn't really pay attention." Danny answered.
"That's alright, Daniel. I say it's cold outside today. If you want you can go wear something more comfortable…"
"No, no, thanks, I… I'm fine."
Vlad smiled. For Danny it was obvious that Vlad was glad with his choice of clothes and asked if he wanted to change only to be polite. Though Danny appreciated that all the same.
"As you wish, Daniel. I think Miss Juliets will be quite impressed with you."
Danny nodded, getting himself to remember down his tutor's name.
"Today I'm going to the office." Vlad said. Danny gave a curt nod again, picking on his porridge. "I will be home by seven. Until that time it would be wonderful if you looked through your homework from Miss Juliets, finished everything you can and if there are some questions, put it all in order for me. When I'm home, I'll be happy to help you. But, honestly, I doubt you would have any problems."
Danny glanced meekly at Vlad who encouragingly smiled at him.
"You'll do well. Now, finish your breakfast. And don't forget your milk."
A little smile graced Danny's face. Hearing that Vlad was there for him, that he believed in him… It was great. In the past Danny's parents and sister were ones who tried to help and support him. But now that… he was alone… he felt utterly useless, somehow, though Vlad, as he was now sure, tried really hard to make him see that he still mattered.
Maybe because of that all the time before meeting his tutor Danny just couldn't think of anything else but… that he was a failure... only that he just had to do badly. But every time he inwardly kicked himself and repeated in his mind "I'll do well, I'll do well, I'll do well."
And now was that time, 7:50, when Vlad and he were standing outside on the porch, watching Clinton opening the door of the car for the short woman with light-red hair, made in an elegant bun, in a strict white blouse and a rich-looking maroon long skirt. Vlad, who was keeping his hand on Danny's shoulder, supportively squeezed it.
"Welcome, Miss Juliets!" He said with a smile. "It's a pleasure having you here."
"Good morning, Mr. Masters. The pleasure is all mine." They shook hands and she looked at Danny, gently smiling. "You must be Daniel. I am very glad to meet you." She held her hand out to Danny and he hurriedly shook it.
"H-Hello, Miss Juliets." He said shyly. "T-Thank you. And… Thank you for your arrival."
Vlad led the group into the study on the first floor, which he had prepared specifically for Danny's lessons with his tutor. There was a big window there, a bookcase full of different textbooks and copybooks, a teacher's table and student's desk, a classic blackboard and computer corner. Also a set of rulers, maps and portraits of historical figureson the walls, a globe on the teacher's desk and a lot more. If Danny really wanted to count every educational object in here, it would probably take him a couple of hours.
"I'm afraid it's time for me to leave", Vlad said, glancing at his wristwatch. "Miss Juliets, is it okay with you if I called you later in the day?"
"Of course, Mr. Masters."
"Perfect. Then I wish you all a good day." Vlad squeezed Danny's shoulder once more and smiled at him reassuringly. "Daniel, be good and try hard. I will see you in the evening."
"Thanks. You too."
With that Vlad left and Danny sat himself at the desk to start his lessons. Of course as Danny predicted, Miss Juliets asked him on the material he should know and tested him on different subjects. Danny was surprised with himself when it appeared that he wasn't doing all that bad. Maths for him was one of the hardest topics, but during the lecture Miss Juliets was explaining everything in easy terms, pointing at what must go where and why. This technique was hardly used by teachers and widely exploited by students and when his tutor understood that… Danny felt a pang of confidence in his chest.
During recesses Miss Juliets told him about the Goldsword Academy. It appeared that everything Max had told Danny at the opera was true — the cafeteria there had servants and was arranged like a restaurant and school uniform there really was a serious question. Also Danny found out that the Academy was founded in 1835 and stuck to the old teaching regime with harsh corporal punishments until 1959 when such treatment of students was forbidden. Danny thought that was the best decision the school had made, because he visibly winced upon thinking about poor children being beaten by their teachers.
"Isn't that called abuse?" He asked his tutor.
"Now yes, but in the past it was seen as an effective way of preventing children from misbehaving. These upbringing methods were quite popular around the world, but, as we now all agree, they were unnecessarily harsh and unfair, especially if we consider that Goldsword always took children from 11 to 18 years old under its wing. Now, of course, these techniques are forbidden and are punished by law. Personally I think it's for the best."
Danny had never been used corporal punishment on and was really happy about that fact. Yes, he misbehaved sometimes, but never even once his father or mother raised a hand on him. It made him feel something pleasantly warm rising in his chest. Though now… remembering Vlad's rules, he was a little bit afraid. Yes, Vlad told him he would never beat him again, but… Danny hadn't done anything wrong to test this promise yet. All this time it was he who was laying low. So if he ever was to experience how it had been to be a student at Goldsword in the 19th century…
"I think it's time for us to move on to history. How do you get along with this subject?"
Miss Juliets… was really pleasant. Danny even could voice that she was the best teacher he had ever had. At one second he felt guilty that apparently with such thoughts he disrespected Mr. Lancer, but then he remembered how eager he always was to punish Danny for every little thing and, moreover, ignore Dash's guilt in every conflict that arose between him and Danny because he was a football player… how Lancer purposefully overlooked that more popular students had constantly bullied Danny… No, Miss Juliets was better and kinder, and that was the fact even Danny's conscience couldn't deny.
At 12 Ms. Juliets announced that they were finished for today and praised Danny for a good work. Danny's eyes went round and big as platters.
"You… really think I've done well?" He asked bewildered, but politely.
"Of course you have." She smiled at him. "You've missed some material, but you are a very intelligent and clever boy, Daniel. I'm really pleased with how you performed today. I have no doubt you'll do great at Goldsword and will blend right in."
Danny's smile was so wide his cheeks soon began to hurt. So he really wasn't stupid! He had done well! Hearing that from his relatives or friends or even Vlad was one thing, but hearing that from the teacher from the prestigious private school… Danny's self-esteem went up really high, he thought.
"Thank you."
He escorted his tutor to the front doors, where Clinton was already waiting for her near the car.
"And also don't worry about your father, Daniel." The tutor said gently. "He really won't be disappointed with my report, as won't you. Well done today."
Danny tensed a little when Miss Juliets referred to Vlad as his father, but didn't say anything in return. Could it be that Vlad signed him in as Daniel Masters? Well, it wouldn't hurt to have a talk about this, because if he did...
After goodbyes, he watched for some time as the expensive black car went down to the gates and then he went back to the Manor.
"So you now back at school, my boy?" Suddenly said a very familiar elderly voice. Danny turned around with a smile to see a green skinned ghost in a mantle and a crown. His white mustache was quivering funny.
"Wow, hello, your Majesty!" Danny greeted the Dairy King. "Haven't seen you in a while."
"Royal duties, my boy, don't ya know?" He chuckled. "My people had so many requests and as their king it's my work to let their dreams come true, yes? And look at you, my boy! You look like a good prince yourself! And Vladdy complained that you had a bad taste in clothes!"
Danny hesitated.
"Um, this is a new habit." He said.
"Oh, I see. Well, it's quite fitting! I heard you live here now, so it's quite important to match your home, don't ya know?" Suddenly his eyes flickered in a sad light. "I now know about your situation, my boy, and, please, accept my deepest condolences." Danny looked at the ground, trying to control his emotions. He'd gotten better in that area recently, but still it was really hard to be stoic when he remembered the accident and graveyard and… "But remember that Vladdie is not that bad. He can be evil and cruel and obsessive, but he still cares about you. I think you will see it fully soon enough, don't ya know?"
Danny nodded though not very happily.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Well, I'll leave you now, my boy." The Dairy King said hesitantly. "As a young prince you should study hard, don't ya know? And eat some cheese, it helps with brain work!"
With those words the ghost disappeared into the ceiling. Danny sighed. These titles again. First Master, now some prince... If it wasn't bad enough on its own to be called sir (he thought, at least, this one wasn't as digrating as other titles). Letting out another sigh Danny went into the dining room. There Godfrey had already prepared his place and great smelling sandwiches met his eyes.
"So how was your first study day, young Master?" Godfrey asked.
Danny told Godfrey a lot about his lessons with Miss Juliets. He really didn't understand why exactly. It wasn't some secret, but all the same... The first assumption that he came to was that he was just very hungry now for at least some interaction, with anybody. Perhaps, it was some stage of grief? Danny didn't know, but after the Dairy King reminded him of why he was here in the first place, Danny really wanted to distract himself with something else than remembering his tragedy.
During his tale, Volfgang came out of the kitchen to listen to Danny also. It was quite odd, but the ghost cook was somehow more relatable to him. He could do or say something childish and unimportant, and though always cheered for Vlad like a fan for their idol, he wasn't always pushing speeches about how great it was to be a Masters or something like that. Very often he even humored the boy by calling him just Danny and not Master Daniel or young sir. For Danny himself it was refreshing and quite needed, so very fast Danny found himself considering Volfgang some kind of a friend. At least in this house.
Perhaps, because of that he decided to do his homework in the kitchen where the cook was making juice and preparing products for preserving them in a fridge for later.
"Volfgang, may I help you now?" Danny asked, bored.
"And do you, Danny, like to cook?" He chuckled.
"Well, yeah, why not? I mean, I usually helped with dinner on weekends."
"And what's with your homework, young Master?"
Danny groaned and showed him several written off exercise books.
"See? I've almost done everything. It's only English that is left."
"Well, then, I think firstly you must finish your whole homework, Master Daniel, or your father won't be pleased with you." Suddenly said firm voice of a ghost butler, who entered the kitchen. "Moreover, I would like to have another lesson with you on your manners today."
"A lesson? On manners?" Danny whined. "But we've already covered everything!"
"Not everything, young Master. Very soon a dinner with Master Masters' business associates will take place in this Manor and your father wants to show you off there. That is said, you must be prepared to impress his guests as a true Masters heir would."
In anger Danny slammed his Maths book shut.
"How many times, Godfrey?! He is not my father and I'm not his heir!"
"Considering that he pays for your teacher from the best private school in the country and totally provides for your physical, mental and ghostly needs, he is taking the parental role on himself and more explicitly the role of being your father, young man. If I were in your place I would jump out of joy for somebody having so much faith in me and I would be much more grateful than you are."
That got Danny to blush and look down.
"I am grateful. But I already have a father, and Vlad is not him."
"And here you are wrong, young Master. Master Masters hasn't been anything but the model parent for you since you arrived here. And though you did have a biological father, he is not around anymore to care for you. And with that, he and your mother have selected Master Masters to be your godfather. And though I understand your background and that you will always consider Jack Fenton your father, and for no reason… I still don't understand why on Earth you deny yourself of the second father." He sighed. "It's true that it is all messed up for you, young sir. But consider that now you can make my Master and yourself very happy, and with that you will also honor your family's wishes. After all, your parents appointed my Master to be your godfather, and that, my young sir, is screaming more than anything that he is worthy to be your father."
The kitchen went uneasily silent. So much that Danny could hear his heart beating nervously. Godfrey sighed again.
"I'll be waiting for you in the Green Room, as you named it, in forty minutes. Do try to finish your homework till then."
And with that, he retreated. Danny looked at Volfgang worriedly and hesitantly asked:
"Do you… also think that I should accept Vlad's offer to become his son?"
Volfgang cut the vegetables absentmindedly for a few minutes and Danny was almost sure that he wouldn't answer.
"I would say that I don't really approve of Mr. Godfrey's attempts to push you." All of a sudden, Volfgang finally said. "He is pressuring you about this subject on purpose. I think you should make up your own mind. And nonetheless… I agree with him. You have a potential to make Master Masters and yourself extremely happy here. And there is nothing to fight over anymore for both of you. So why not to take upon his offer and get a new family officially? Why not leave the past in the past and finally agree to accept him as your parent who you really need, as your father who can and will help you to explore this world, as your teacher and mentor, who will be able to teach you everything you can't even imagine? It's all very logical and tempting. You will have everything you've ever wanted. Power, money, education, love and caring — everything. Godfrey's position is very understandable. And in some ways very right. And though…" he let out a tired sigh. "I know how loyal you may be to your first and maybe only family: to your parents, to your sister, your friends… And what an unfair offer my Master has made to you when you first met. He wasn't right, that's a fact. He has made you suffer. So I am considering this… It's all only a question of if you are ready to forgive him completely. Because when or if you do, then you will be able to try and see his point of view. That's all I can tell you, Danny, and I'm sorry for that."
Danny nodded and exhaled sadly.
"I don't want to upset him. He tries and I said I was ready to try too… But I'm not ready for anything... more, you know."
Volfgang put a hand on Danny's shoulder and somehow it gave him more strength to speak freely.
"Right now… it all seems like a game. Like we're pretending. Like it's only for one summer and after it I will go home and there…" he hiccuped unpurposely and closed his eyes. "I know that I won't return and that nobody is waiting for me at home anymore…" He hiccupped again and Volfgang patted his shoulder in comfort. "But it seems like if I sign those papers, if I agree to adoption, it will all stop then to be like pretending, because it will become real. And I don't want it to be real! I know Vlad tries the best he can, and I appreciate it, but I just… I just want to go home…" the tear splashed on the paper of his opened copybook, leaving a big wet dot. "I want to go home, which doesn't exist anymore."
Danny took his head in his hands, very happy with himself that even with this awful tearing-apart feeling inside of him he still wasn't completely in hysterics. Suddenly something cold touched his cheek and he raised to see a small can of lemonade in Volfgang's hands.
"Drin' it, kid." He said with unusual simplicity in his speaking. "It'll make yar suga level high 'gain. Should 'elp ya with yar emotions."
Danny's eyes widened in surprise, but he gratefully took the can out of the cook's hands. In several galps he drank all of it, the sweet liquid soothing his raw throat. When he was finished, Volfgang quickly took the can out of his hands to dispose of it. He squeezed Danny's shoulder gently.
"When the time is right, you'll know what to do and how." He said, his normal manner of speaking returning. "Now it's too early to make any assumptions and we all know it. Do as you feel right, Danny. No one here will judge you here, especially your godfather."
Danny sniffled for the last time and looked up at Volfgang.
"And Godfrey? He judges."
"He doesn't really. It's just his obsession of being the best butler for his master speaking. In reality he wants what is best for you, sir. He may seem harsh and one-sighted, but… Just wait to get to know him better. I'm sure you both would be pleasantly surprised."
Danny smiled and nodded.
"Thanks. You know… for the talk." Volfgang bowed slightly and Danny dared to ask. "Sorry, but I'm curious. What was that change in your speaking?"
"What change?" Volfgang asked, going back to preparing products. "I haven't noticed anything."
"Oh, come on! That change! One minute you speak like you speak always and the next second like… simpler, I don't know."
Volfgang chuckled, cutting the meat.
"You have a very vivid imagination, young Master." He said and Danny slopped in his place, pouting. Volfgang sneaked an amused glance at him over the shoulder. "Maybe, next 'ime, Masta."
Danny shot a look at his direction incredulously, but Volfgang was just humming while doing his chores.
When Vlad came home, Daniel was waiting for him. He met him at the grand doors and first of everybody else greeted him back home. At this Vlad's heart fluttered. He finally had somebody waiting for him at home. A child. And from today on really his child. In a fit of emotion Vlad hugged Daniel close to himself and soothingly ran fingers through his thick dark hair. His child. His apprentice. His heir. His family.
Danny looked at him confused, but quickly decided that, maybe, it was a normal gesture from Vlad's side to hug him. Sometimes he still expected a blow or a some snappy remark, but admitted to himself that hugs were much better than strikes at the face.
The atmosphere at the dinner was somehow lighter than usual. So was Vlad. He seemed… brighter and happier and more joyful than usual and that said something especially with how optimistic he tried to be every day nowadays. He asked Danny vigorously about his lessons with Ms. Juliets and shared with him his own conversation with the tutor.
"She said you showed good skills in class today. She said two months of lessons might fill some blank spots you have in your education and then you'll be ready for the Goldsword! If we really meet these terms, we might even get a vacation in August. I'm really proud of you, Daniel. You did a great work today!"
I'm proud of you… Sometimes Danny thought he might be addicted to this phrase. It felt so… glorious when someone was pleased with him. Danny sadly remembered that in the last several months his parents had nothing in his list to be pleased with, and it made Danny feel awful. But now he… managed to make someone proud of him. Perhaps… Danny's parents really knew who they were giving Danny's welfare to.
"You look really pleased today." Danny picked out, cutting his meat.
Vlad's smile got even wider and brighter if that was possible, but he only said:
"Nothing that special, Little Badger. I'm just really pleased that you've got on so well with Ms. Juliets and am proud of your efforts. Also the day in office appeared to be really successful."
"Really? You've got… some contract signed or something?"
Vlad's face got thoughtful for a moment.
"As a matter of fact, yes. And now I also think, would you like to spend a day at work with me?"
Danny nearly choked, but was quick enough to get the water down his throat before those words hit him.
"Work? With you? Like… Bring-your-kid-to-work-day?"
"Yes, why not?" Vlad looked amused at Danny's childish antics. "One day you're going to inherit all my businesses. I would like to start preparing you for that."
"But…"
"Of course, it will be a very, very, very long time before I allow you to take my position at all my companies, but… I, all the same, think it will be a great experience for you to try to learn something about business. It'll give you a better view of things, after all, will help you to understand if this profession is for you."
"But… I kinda want to be an astronaut." Danny mumbled, looking down.
"Dad has always wanted me to inherit his and Mom's ghost hunting business," he thought desperately, "now Vlad wants me to be an heir for his business empire! What is with me and all the people who want me to do something with some businesses?"
"Of course, if you want to, you'll be an astronaut." Vlad said confidently, which made Danny abruptly turn to him in amazement. "As I said it will be a very long time before I entrust the responsibilities of my companies on to you, and in this time you are free to be anything you like. My only request would be for you to at least be my intern once in a while. No matter what, when you are much, much older, you won't be able to go to cosmos and then it will be time for you to become a businessman, my boy. Say, at my age."
"But… Will you be able to lead the companies… that long?" Danny asked carefully.
At once Vlad burst into laughter. Danny shifted away, looking frustrated at such an immediate reaction. For a moment he got afraid that Vlad totally lost it.
"Oh my dear boy," he said once finally calm, "I think that's the sign that we must start our ghostly trainings. You see, Daniel, as part-ghosts we can live for a very, very long time without any side effects."
"Yeah?" Danny asked, not convinced, and supervising Vlad suspiciously for any other abrupt and weird reactions. "And how long?"
"As my research has resulted… more than one hundred and twenty years."
Danny's mouth fell agape.
"Shut up!"
Godfrey, who stood beside the doors to the kitchen, glanced disapprovingly at Danny and the boy quickly apologized.
"Yes, Daniel, that much. My health now is one of a 24-year-old young man. So the numbers of our possible lifetimes seem quite right if you ask me."
"And… what about me?" Danny asked. If Vlad's health was that young, maybe, the problem with Danny's height and muscles had also something to do with ghost parts of his genes?
"That's also one of the issues I wanted to raise for quite some time. I would like to give you an examination." Danny froze. "A check-up. It wouldn't be a discomfort for you at all." Vlad rushed to say. "Only performing some tests so I could have extensive information on your health. Then we can have some way made for you to deal with some… imperfections of your health. Nothing more."
Danny shrugged, knowing that he would do everything in his might to postpone this procedure.
"Perfect. Then I will pick some day for us to do that. And then I will also pick out a date for our trip to my office."
"What? But I never said I wanted to go!"
"Oh, Daniel, believe me, you'll enjoy the trip. Moreover, that is mandatory."
Danny loudly whined.
"How is that mandatory?"
"Because today I got your adoption papers!" Vlad announced happily and loudly. He barely managed to keep it secret till now. The room at once went silent. "They are all prepared and lack only your signature. And I would like you to sign them this week, preferably today."
At that moment Danny's world froze and started really slowly to crumble in pieces.
After the news of the finilized adoption papers, Danny hadn't said a word. As soon as dinner was finished, he rushed to his room. He needed to be alone. Vlad, worried, pursued him and even banged on his door, but Danny locked himself up in the bathroom and made the water run, so Vlad would think that he was in a shower. At last Vlad left him to his own devices, but asked him to come to his study to speak to him when he was ready.
Danny sat in the warm water of the jacuzzi with his knees held close to his chest and was just thinking about this adoption. All his fears were the same. He thought about his family, about his father, about those moments when he made his Dad think that he wasn't good enough for him. But the thing is that he loved his Dad, so much that now he just couldn't even think of anybody sporting this title even if only on paper. He just… wasn't ready, like, at all.
But at the same time he couldn't help but feel ungrateful. Vlad had done so much for him. He'd arranged such a beautiful ceremony for his family, even for his Dad who he hated. He let him see his family's faces one last time, even while thinking it wasn't healthy, just because Danny sincerely asked him. He had arranged such a great room for him, and he had found the best school in the county and a tutor for him, because he wanted him to have a good education. He let him avoid the rule about looking fancy at dinner and even was willing to spend time with him like a normal family would — for example, throwing around a football or watching a movie with him. He supported and encouraged him, he was there when Danny was depressed and was open enough to grieve with him.
Vlad behaved… like a real dad would. Danny missed his family really much, he missed his real Dad so much, that he would do and give anything for everything to be like it was in the past…
His Dad would always be his Dad… but was it okay if Vlad would also become his father?.. like a substitute one?..
With such thoughts Danny spent all evening. Maybe in two hours he, at last, got out of the bathroom. The first thing he noticed was that his homework that was arranged neatly on his desk earlier, was now gone. In its place laid a little note:
Took it to check. When you're ready, come to my study.
— Uncle Vlad
Danny sighed. He wasn't ready. He couldn't make the decision now. He didn't trust Vlad that much. He wasn't sure that if he stopped being good and obedient, like he was now, because really on anything else he hadn't much mental strength, Vlad would still stick to his own rules and promises. He wasn't sure if Vlad wasn't… manipulating him.
"But I at least need to have my homework back to correct any mistakes if there are any." He thought.
Changing into a T-shirt, a pair of jeans and sneakers, Danny went into the hallway. On his way to Vlad's study he thought about how Godfrey and Volfgang treated Vlad. Not only like an employer, but also… like some kind of a friend. They trusted him a big deal. And Danny's parents also did, even Mom, though she disliked him. Maybe if he visited their graves and asked them about what's bothering him, they would give him some piece of advice? Somehow?.. Vlad had promised him that they would go there this summer, so maybe then?..
In his thoughts he didn't notice how he was already near Vlad's study. He wanted to knock when he saw that one of the double doors was ajar and a small line of light was drawn on the floor. In a moment he heard some whispers, coming out of the study. He heard closely and was quite sure that one of the voices was Vlad's and the other one was really familiar. But he couldn't make out a word. And when Danny risked coming a little bit closer, the shout rang through the room.
"You will not accuse me of what has happened, Plasmius! It wasn't my fault!"
Danny recoiled from the door. It was Walker! Vlad was talking to Walker!
"Would you watch your tone, Warden!" Vlad said with might and venom Danny hadn't heard from him for a long time. Exactly this tone made him as terrified as a kitten before an enormous mad stray dog. "I will not have you shout at me, and moreover not when I have a child in the house!"
"If I were in your place, Plasmius, I would turn the punk in. His place is in my jail!"
"His place is here, with me! I am his guardian in every sense of the word and every punishment considering his transgressions is delivered by me and only by me, no matter if he is a human or a ghost, Warden."
Walker growled, and Danny remembered the time that he got to spend in his ghost-jail. He shuddered.
"You are very lucky everybody agreed to entrust the punk to you, Plasmius. Otherwise you would be rotting in one of my cells beside him."
"Watch your words, Warden!" From Vlad's horrendous tone Danny's heart skipped a beat. "It was your responsibility to guard the islands and you neglected to do so! You let them be found and by who — a thirteen-year-old! If you were not useful to me, you would be already obliterated by me and you know it!" Surprisingly, Walker got silent. "Now, you are lucky that the information you've delivered is valuable. And if you want to remain your afterlife to yourself, I advise you to deal with the rebellion as I know you can and watch your tongue, Warden."
"Believe me, I will." Walker said. "But what about the punk?"
"He is not your problem, Warden. Your problem is the rebellion. I don't want any of those insurgents or ancients near my portal or Daniel, is that understood?"
"Yes." Danny heard footsteps and dared to look through the slit. His eyes widened when he saw Walker near the opened fireplace. Behind it was a staircase, which led down in the darkness.
"And don't forget, Warden, — I expect the total loss of those lost in time idiots. And if you even try to betray me, the consequences shall not leave you alive."
Walker's eyes turned to slits, full of disgast and rage, but even Danny could see there a bright glimpse of fear.
"As you wish, Plasmius."
With that Walker disappeared in the darkness of the staircase.
Danny watched as Vlad closed the passage behind the fireplace and turned into Masters. It seemed like ages since Danny last saw Vlad in his ghost form. And since he saw Walker…
Very quickly, Danny jogged away from the study. Once in his room, he went to the bathroom and wet his face with water.
"Okay, okay…" Danny analyzed. "So Walker was here. So what? I never expected Vlad to stop his errands because of me, not even if he promised. But Walker still wants to put me back into his jail… And what was that about rebellion? What rebellion? Is it that… Vlad decided to conquer the Ghost Zone, while I am out of work?.."
At first it was hard to believe. Vlad was always at home these several weeks. And he was so nice and pleasant throughout this time…
But then Danny remembered Vlad's rules. He had forbidden him to fight ghosts. He said Danny wasn't allowed to even think about approaching the ghost portal. Today he said he had accomplished something at work and today he announced to Danny that he was to going start teaching him about his business and start ghost powers trainings. Could it be… that Vlad wasn't at work but in the Ghost Zone, conquering it? It would explain the rebellion. The ghosts rebel against him trying to get power over all of them. He had already tried it in the past, when he initiated the Pariah Dark incident. But wasn't the Ring of Rage sealed in the Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep along with Pariah Dark? Danny was sure that that was what happened.
But then he remembered who had locked the ghost tyrant in the Sarcophagus. It was Vlad. After Danny Plasmius was the only one close enough to the King in the final battle. Beside him was Fright Night, who had betrayed Pariah! After the fight Danny almost immediately fainted. Could it be… that Vlad somehow took the Crown and the Ring while Danny didn't notice? Because that was Vlad's plan from the very beginning, wasn't it? Otherwise it made no sense! Vlad couldn't be so careless as to let one of the artifacts all this mess was started for in the first place to get secluded in the Sarcophagus again, right? That meant the Ring and the Crown were still in Plasmius's hands! And Danny totally gapped it off!
"No way…" Danny said, taking a seat on his bed and running a hand through his hair. "That can't be… How could have I been so stupid?!."
Walker was working for Vlad, and if he feared him so much, it was just another proof of Vlad having the King's artifacts. And Walker was also leading Plasmius's army again the rebellion… And Godfrey suggested that Vlad took Danny away from Amity Park not so Danny could have a fresh start, but so he couldn't get to the Ghost Zone through his family's portal… And that's why he so pushed for Danny to feel guilty and accept Vlad's offer — Vlad not only wanted a heir to his businesses, but also to his future throne in the Ghost Zone!
Faintly, Danny remembered Plasmius's words on the night they first met:
"Daniel, stop! Think about the things I can show you, the doors I can open for you. You, Danny Phantom, and I, Vlad Plasmius, — a father and a son — together we could rule!"
It was his plan from the very beginning. From the very day he heard about his family's deaths. Right when Vlad tried to choke him in the car on their way to Wisconsin Danny should have understood that something was really, really wrong. But he ignored that ring of a warning bell. He let himself be fooled by the person he knew as an adept manipulator!..
He fell for his lies of caring for him…
Suddenly his throat contricted and eyes burned with upcoming tears of betrayal. Everything inside him boiled and wracked as every detail fell in its place.
The decision was made quickly. Abruptly Danny jumped off his bed and went to his closet. There he fished out his old backpack and stuffed it with everything he thought he would need — some clothes for a change, a toilet paper and two of his most valuable belongings — Jazz's Bearbert Einstein and his family photo, which all this time had its place on the bedside table.
After that Danny threw on his old raincoat and turned into his ghost form. Surveying the room he finally got used to calling his own, he sighed bitterly and turned invisible and intangible, and flew through the floor. He carefully got to the kitchen, which, luckily, was empty, and quietly opened the fridge, filling his backpack with every ready food and water that he could see. When his bag was full, he closed the fridge and flew outside. He tried to get away as fast as he could, trying not to look back. Luckily for him Vlad decided to be an idiot and hadn't turned on the ghost shield. Danny freely flew outside the Masters Manor's grounds and farther.
He knew that at latest in the morning Vlad would understand that he had got away. It was obvious where Danny would go first — of course, Fenton Works. Only there was another portal to the ghost realm. Danny was sure that very soon he would meet a lot of his enemies who obviously worked for Vlad and would need to fight them with everything he got so to not end up back in the hands of that manipulative cheesehead and his deceptive servants. No one could be trusted. Everyone that could be now was dead. Danny was on his own. But he, at least, knew that even if he didn't get out of all this mess, he would meet the only people who really cared for him.
But firstly he had to do everything in his power to save the world from the cunning snake-chess-player who has given him a check. And the best way to do this was to checkmate his opponent first and for that he needed to analyze all his previous moves. From the very beginning...
Author's Note:
Finally done, phew! That was hard. But finally all the pieces are in their places. It's time to find out what kind of game Vlad actually plays ;)
For now it's all, till the next time! :)