Previously:
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…
But now 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...
Events in this chapter take place six and a half months before the main plotline
It was refreshing to step out of that terrible RV of Fentons' and breathe some fresh air. Finally Danny wasn't suffocating in that small place and didn't feel claustrophobic.
"Here we are, folks!" Exclaimed his Dad, Jack Fenton, gesturing to the enormous white with green and gold gothic castle in front of them.
"Greeeaaat…" sighed Jazz tiredly. "Someone has issues."
"Jasmine!" Maddie, their mother, scolded.
"What? Look at this house! It's just a psychological fact!"
"Shut up", Danny murmured, not wanting to be deprived of a comfortable seat because of his sister's "adult" rudeness.
Jack locked the RV and they all headed to the huge front double doors.
"At least, I hope, we will be allowed to sit a little and use a normal bathroom." Danny dreamed to himself, but was actually sure that his pleas won't be heard and no matter what Dad would make them all spend another night in his favourite deathly machine. And Mom would even agree, after all, this trip was some form of punishment for Danny. And it was all thanks to Jazz. He sighed angrily. When they are back, he better doesn't forget to make some trouble for her too, for instance, rearrange all her precious psychology manuals. This would make her so mad... In the corner of his eye he could see how his sister was massaging her stiff neck and back. On the other hand, maybe, she's already paying for her know-it-all-ness.
When they approached the stairs, a man came out of the darkness of the castle. He was tall and lean, but well-shaped, in an expensive black suit with red bow-tie. His hair was silver-grey and pulled back neatly. The smug grin on his face and that dangerous gleam in his eyes made Danny cringe at first. But this feeling rapidly went away, when the man smiled broadly.
"Jack! And Madiiiie! You look lovely, my dear!" He greeted his parents.
"Thanks, pal!" Jack roared happily, proudly bulging out his chest.
Vlad wrinkled his nose in distaste, but then momentarily got back his mask of equanimity and then looked down at Danny and Jazz.
"And you must be the youngest Fentons. What a delight to meet you both! Please, please, come in!"
He let the three of them come inside and Jack in his usual loud manner greeted back:
"Vladdie, my man! It's!.."
But before he could even finish the sentence the front doors swung shut right in his face. Danny gasped and looked back along with his mother and sister to hear his Dad on the other side of the doors.
"I'm okay! Hello?.. Hellooo!"
But Mr. Masters seemed to not notice anything weird. In fact, Danny thought he even saw the rich man smirk complacently a bit.
"Jack! Are you alright?" Maddy asked worriedly and ran to the doors, trying to open them, but it was to no avail.
"Oh, I'm so very sorry." Mr. Masters said upset. "These doors are automatic, but since the material they are made of is old, sometimes problems arise while using them. I will order the butler to fix this situation immediately. It's a castle of the legendary Dairy King, after all. It's rather old, though I still view it as marvelous, now, don't you?"
"I don't see any electronics near the doors." Danny said suspiciously, inspecting the walls.
He thought he caught a hateful glare from Mr. Masters, but when the billionaire spoke however his voice was pleasant and composed.
"It's all hidden inside the walls, my boy. My house is equipped with the most modern technology the world has as of yet."
Danny wanted to retort, but Jazz was first to speak.
"Okay, but what's with all green and gold?" She said irritatingly. "I thought you were a billionaire! Sure you could have afforded an interior designer."
"Be quiet!" Hissed Danny at her, looking longingly at seemingly very comfortable armchairs and sofas through the arc of the nearest living room.
"You be quiet!" She hissed in return and at that moment Danny was petrified at her behavior. Jazz Fenton, his know-it-all-nerd-the-politest-teenager-in-the-world was now rude and uncomposed?! IN FRONT OF THE MR-BILLIONAIRE-OF-THE-YEAR?! While thinking that she must pretend like she's an adult already?! Who SUBSTITUTED HER while he was asleep?!
"Hello, alien, you're in the castle", Danny whispered to her sarcastically, but she only folded her arms. "I get it, you're tired, so am I, but at least try to think! It should be obvious for you if it is for me! Football helmets, jerseys, cheese heads — this guy is a Packers fanatic!"
The last part Danny himself spatted out too loudly, so when Mr. Master's gaze found him, he cowered back a little, preparing an apology. But to Danny's deepest incomprehension, the man only smiled at him smugly and put a possessive hand on his head, ruffling hair there a bit harshly, like Danny was some kind of a naughty pet.
"Oh, fanatic is such a negative word, my boy."
He still didn't take his hand off of him, and with every passing second it seemed for Danny that the man's palm was becoming heavier and heavier on his head.
"I apologize…" Danny murmured hesitantly.
"But yes — you could say that I'm quite fond of the Green Bay Packers football team." And only then he let Danny go. A relieved soft sigh escaped the boy's lips, and he backed away from their creepy host.
"I just don't understand", to Danny's immense irritation and anger Jazz continued her rant, "you have billions of dollars! Instead of buying all this stuff, why don't you just buy the team?"
"BECAUSE THE PACKERS ARE OWNED BY THE CITY OF GREEN BAY AND THEY WON'T SELL THEM TO ME!" Mr. Masters suddenly blew off, scaring all Fentons away from him. Noticing this, he quickly straightened and, turning to Danny's Mom, put on a charming smile. "One of two things my wealth has not as of yet, ha-ha-m, been able to equire."
Such a drastic change in demeanor didn't fool Mom though. Nervously saying something about checking on Dad she went back to the front doors.
Danny stood in shock looking at the scene unfolding before his very sleepy eyes.
"Is he hitting on Mom?" He asked Jazz dumbly.
"Oh, I don't care!" She whined desperately. "Let's just find a restroom and then some guest room and just take some rest already!"
For Danny it was a miracle that nobody of adults reacted to her outburst. And even more shocking was the fact that even after Danny, who obviously didn't like at first sight, asked him about Ray Nitschke's signed football, after Jack nearly squashed their host like a bug in some "old-football-move" and after Mr. Masters again got all mad because of the college accident, about which Dad told his children the other night, he still invited them to stay for a night. IN HIS OWN CASTLE! Danny didn't quite understand how it suited the billionaire. Maybe, he really wanted to spend some time with his Mom, who he obviously favored. Or, perhaps, he desired to show off his unbelievable wealth which, according to one of his speeches this morning, he got really fast. Or, maybe, he was just very worried that the Fentons would ruin his precious beautiful fountain on the driveway with their even more unpredictable RV. No matter what was the reason and no matter how Mr. Masters might dislike Danny, the boy himself was on cloud nine when finally all clean and in fresh clothes he was lying on the enormous comfortable bed in his guest room. It was even better than the chairs in the living room he was dreaming in the main hall about, thank you very much.
The dinner was one of the trendiest Danny'd ever been to. The luxurious dining room with giant windows and rich decorum, made in green, gold and light brown colors, with a table that could sit a great number of people and even doors to the kitchen from where servants went out to deliver food. His mother also spotted a brilliant chandelier in the center of the ceiling. Danny really felt like he was dining with a king in the royal castle. Though, looking at Mr. Masters you could tell that he actually looked and felt like a king here. And the fact that Danny's Mom made him and the rest of their family wear formal clothes to dinner only increased this assositation.
"Oh, Maddie, you haven't changed a bit since our college days! This spectacular dress suits you wonderfully", Vlad complimented, kissing her hand in a gentleman fashion. But Danny could see how greedily and lovingly the billionaire's eyes were looking at his mother. As though she was his wife and not Jack's. "Please, let me assist you."
Mr. Masters pulled out the chair on the left of the head seat to let Maddie slip in her place before pulling it back forward.
"Oh, thank you, Vlad, you're such a gentleman", Maddie thanked confusedly and dryly.
"He is hitting on Mom", Danny said to Jazz confidently.
"He's just being a gentleman, Danny", she shrugged. After an afternoon nap in the comfortable bed she resumed her friendly and polite nature. "It won't hurt you to master this skill also, little brother. Girls do love gentlemen." She playfully nudged Danny with her elbow. "But… even if he is flirting, until Mom says no, who cares? It is lonely here, and our Mom is really pretty. I won't be surprised if he…"
"I'm here, I'm here! Sorry, I'm late!" Jack Fenton shouted, loudly bursting into the room. At that moment Danny was incredibly grateful that the grandiose double doors to the dining room were opened or they would have been destroyed by his Dad.
"Oh, Jack. Yes, it's good you are here." Mr. Masters said chilly, finally being forced to take his eyes off Maddie. He motioned for the chair on his right. "Please, do sit. Children, it would be wonderful if you too took your seats at the table."
All dinner long Danny was quietly watching Mr. Masters, who deliberately ignored him and Jazz and it seemed tried to zone out their Dad as well to be completely concentrated on their Mom. Danny found it disgusting and so much wanted to just stand up and shout out: "She is a married woman with two teenage kids, chill out already, you Frootloop!". But remembering his mother's order to behave himself he mostly kept quiet, only occasionally, when Mr. Masters' flirting with his mother and hidden insults towards his father became too much, saying something innocent about how his Mom and Dad loved each other and had a perfect life, which, as he noticed, ticked their host off to no end.
After dinner they all were dismissed to take their rest before tomorrow's big event. Danny, however, thought he caught a hateful glare from Mr. Masters when he thanked him for the dinner, just as all of his relatives did. Perhaps, Mr. Masters thought Danny was just being cheeky with him, because of how he tried to ruin all his chances to win his mother over with compliments tonight. But Danny really just couldn't care less.
Danny rolled in his bed uncomfortably. Finally, he awakened only to feel how everything hurt. Memories quickly settled everything and worry found its way to his heart. Those vultures were here and tried to hurt his Dad again! And then that vampire-ghost! What if he were to harm his family too! And Danny let himself be knocked out by him! He just had to check up on his parents!
He quickly got out of the bed and ran to the double doors which, right in the next second, opened. Danny halted to a stop, his eyes wide from surprise. In front of him stood Mr. Masters still in his evening attire. It was like he never even went to bed yet. He smirked down at the boy.
"Oh, I see, someone's having some problems with their sleep."
Danny was sure that the remark should have been snarky, but it went out more… gentle, should he dare to assume?
"I… I'm sorry, Mr. Masters…" Danny said shakily. "I didn't mean to be a bother. I just… wanted to check if my Dad had his inhalator…"
"Oh, what a caring son you are", the man said, his glare softening. "I assure you, Little Badger, I only just passed your parents' room and, according to Jack's infamous snoring, he is just alright."
Danny let out a relieved breath. His Dad was okay… Sleeping in their rooms… Danny hadn't doomed him.
"But you, on the other hand, must also return to sleep, child", Mr. Master placed a light hand on Danny's shoulder and pushed him back towards the bed. "You must be just as exhausted as your family members are after such a long and uncomfortable journey here."
The boy nodded, though, being suspicious about Mr. Masters' sudden unreasoned friendliness.
"Sir, may I ask you a question?" Danny inquired politely, getting back under the quilts.
"But, of course, my dear boy." Billionaire smiled encouragingly.
"Why are you awake at this hour, sir?"
"After meeting my college pals I found myself too excited and even… inspired, you could say, to go to sleep. So I decided to devote this night to working on one of my company's projects that requires a lot of creative thinking. I was just heading towards my own quarters when I heard some noise coming out of here and decided to check up on you." He answered without hesitation.
"Oh." Danny felt his cheeks redden from shame. "Um… Sorry for disturbing you, sir. It won't happen again."
Masters huffed.
"Don't be silly, my boy. You haven't done anything wrong. We are all friends here, now, aren't we? Now, it's really time for both of us to have our rest. Sleep tight, Little Badger."
And with that he left the room.
Danny roamed the castle aimlessly, trying to figure out the drastic change in Mr. Masters over the night. Yesterday he obviously wasn't pleased with Danny, giving him glares and making him apologize in such a strange scary manner. At night when he came to check up on Danny he was more pleasant, but, of course, Danny could be only imagining it to himself, considering that he was sleepy at that time. But today's breakfast… It was like yesterday's Masters and hodiernal one were two different people. Today's was kind and friendly, even initiating a talk about interests and hobbies. Truthfully, what else was there to say if he insisted on Danny being seated at his right as if he were someone important? Danny sighed. Sometimes he really didn't understand adults.
Right then Danny found himself back at the ground floor. Looking at the corridors he picked one and entered it. The hall was stony, without windows, but had a row of portraits on its left wall. Most of these people Danny couldn't recognise, but some seemed familiar, so the boy assumed they were some historical figures whose depictions he might have seen in his textbooks.
But when he reached nearly the end of the row one of the pictures got his attention. It was one of a short stout man with white hair and mustache, dressed in a red royal mantle and a cheesehead-crown. In one of his hands he held a golden staff with a pink ice cream cone on the end.
Danny recognised him — it was Wisconsin Dairy King. The picture similar to this one hung in the main hall. His majesty Lord of Cheese smiled cheerily from the picture at Danny, and the boy couldn't help but smile back at him.
"My best Gouda, my boy, you have a great taste!" Said the elderly accented voice and, all of a sudden, a green-skinned red-eyed ghost stuck his head out of the Dairy King's portrait. Danny gulped and backed away, only to realise the ghost before him was… the Lord of Cheese himself! He wore the same happy smile and his eyes were twinkling friendly. "Oh, don't be so scared, kiddo! I am a good ghost, don't ya know?"
"Wait… good?" Danny asked pitifully, but then cleared his throat and straightened, seeing that the ghost wasn't about to attack him. "Um, excuse me, your Majesty… But what do you mean good?"
"Don't ya know not every ghost is evil, right? Some of us just want to be left alone. You are one of us, don't ya understand that?"
"How do you know me?" Danny asked suspiciously.
The Dairy King laughed and his belly began to jump funny with him, reminding Danny strongly of Santa Claus.
"Rumors are quick to spread between ghosts, now, don't ya know?"
"Yeah?" Danny asked eagerly and pulled out a torn piece of a photo that he got from the fight with the ghost-vultures in Amity Park. He showed it to Dairy King. "If it isn't too insolent of me to ask, your Highness, don't you happen to know who of ghosts would want to eliminate this man? It is very important."
The ghost looked closely at the photo and Danny thought he saw something strange entering his red eyes. But that glean vanished so rapidly the boy doubted himself.
"Sorry, kiddo, know nothing about this. But I do wish you luck in your escapade. Now, I must get back to my royal duties, don't ya know?" With that he disappeared back into the portrait of himself, only the echo of his voice ringing through the hall. "Taste some Cheddar, it's very fresh!"
Danny let out a disappointed breath, hiding the photo back in his pocket. And yet Dairy King does know something. If it really wasn't just Danny's imagination, of course. Albeit he found it quite pleasant to just talk to a ghost and not be directly assaulted by it. In his memory it was the first time such a thing happened.
"GHOST!" He heard his father's shout from the direction of the main hall. And really in a time speed of five seconds he was near Danny, looking around madly with an ectogun ready in his hands. "Where is it, Danny? I'm certain I heard an echoing voice coming out of this hallway." He noticed the picture of Dairy King and pointed at it triumphantly. "Ha! I knew it was the ghost of the Dairy King! Have you seen it, Danny? It hasn't harmed you, has it?"
"No, Dad, there wasn't any ghost here!" Danny said nervously, trying to sound accusing. "It was me humming a song to myself and the walls of the hall must've made it echo. Really, am I so bad at humming?"
With those words he hurried back to the grand staircase, hoping that his Dad didn't pay mind to his uncharacteristic behavior.
The Wisconsin college reunion was the most boring event Danny has ever been too. Well, except some of Mr. Lancer's lessons, maybe. But really there wasn't anything fun going on here! All adults seemed too serious in their tuxidos and gowns, and that woman Harriet Chin — she was the worst so far. Being so snobby and complacent, only talking about her lame articles could bore anyone to death in five minutes the most! Agrh... Danny now really wished he wasn't late on the curfew several nights ago.
"So, you're enjoying the party, hmm?" Danny felt the hand on his left shoulder and looking up saw the smiling face of this reunion's host.
"Um… yes, thank you, Mr. Masters." Danny said nervously. He saw the man chuckling and nodding.
"Oh, well, I must agree that for someone your age this event isn't as exciting as it is for us, seniors. You have no need to lie to me just to be polite. I really value the truth, you might say."
Danny blinked at the billionaire intelligently. Yeah, that says a guy who is still hitting on Danny's Mom, fully ignoring the fact that she is happily married and has two kids. So much for valuing the truth. And moreover accepting it. But Danny was always trying to be polite to adults, no matter how crazy they were, so he shyly smiled and nodded.
"Yes, of course, Mr. Masters. It's… very chivalrous on your part."
The man hummed in thought and smiled slyly.
"Yes, I think so too. And, talking about chivalry, I myself wanted to congratulate and praise you on the previous night's events." Danny's heart sank and his face was immediately drained of all color. "You were quite a knight battling the grand… phantom of this castle so boldly." Danny right then wanted to retort, but Masters held up a hand with the other one still clutching the boy's shoulder. "Please, don't bother with any lies, my boy. As I stated earlier, I really much appreciate the truth."
With this sentence something snapped inside Danny. He scowled seriously at the man before him, his fear being forgotten, leaving behind only the desire to keep his secret safe.
"What do you want, sir?" He asked in a quiet strong voice. At hearing this the billionaire's smile, surprisingly deprived of any maliciousness, grew wider.
"Even in such a tentative state as you are now you continue minding your manners. It's truly a delight to see. Nowadays children hardly know what the word 'etiquette' means." He said conversationally. "And your question… Right away with the right one, aren't you? Indeed, most impressive." He patted Danny's shoulder approvingly, but the boy gave it no mind. " Everything I want now, Daniel, is for you to come with me to the living room. It's right opposite this ballroom. I promise, no harm will come to you. I just want us to have a peaceful talk."
"And why exactly should I trust your words, Mr. Masters?" Danny asked defensively. "Or why at all should I go with you? Wait, don't tell me, I'll guess — someone will get hurt if I reject your offer, won't they?"
But despite what the boy anticipated, the billionaire looked at him incredulously.
"Daniel, I would never threaten you to do anything. I just wanted you to know the real level of my awareness to let you decide wisely. I really intend just to talk."
Danny looked at the man mistrustfully. What if it was a trap? This guy used to explore ghosts in college alongside his parents. What if he just wants Danny to become his labrat? What if he is connected to the military or government or some sect? It would be really easy to get them in disguise into the building tonight when so many guests attended.
No, it wasn't worth the risks. But also if Danny didn't work out some deal with Masters… Who knows who he might tell to extend his lovely wealth some more? And if Danny is gone, who will be there to make the man quiet about not telling his parents of his new nature? Danny paled when understood that his revelation would totally break the Fenton household. His parents would totally split up… His Mom would divorce his Dad because she already believed that it was his negligence, his fault to close the door to the basement-laboratory like they always had, that Danny got inside the portal… that he nearly died… And when she discovers that he indeed is half-dead...
"Give me one good reason to know that you're not lying to me." Danny required, but winced at how his voice faltered.
He looked back at Masters to see his face sad. The man looked around so as to be sure no one was eavesdropping and then leaned towards the boy.
"Daniel… I understand why you are so inclosed. And you are right. But around me you shouldn't have to be so defensive. You can trust me… Because I bear the same burden as you do." He pulled forward the hand that wasn't on Danny's shoulder, hiding it behind the table, so nobody but the two of them could see it, and suddenly… red flames started to engulf the palm, but not hurting it in any way. Danny's eyes widened as he recognized the deathly light that only the other night danced on his skin in painful valtz.
His terrified gaze found Masters' face.
"It's you…" he whispered, fear shaking his voice. "You wanted to waste me last night…"
Vlad hurriedly let the fire in his hand subside, his eyes wide with concern.
"Daniel, it's not what I meant…"
The boy darted, but was yanked back in his seat.
"Please, let me go…" Danny found himself begging, when Masters' hand didn't let him get away. "I won't tell anyone, I swear…"
"Little Badger, that was a mistake!" The billionaire hurried to explain. "Please, trust me, I didn't know it was you there the other night before you transformed back. I only defended my territory from the intruder. Do you know about territories?" Danny wildly shook his head. "I see. Well, it will be my pleasure to tell you, but I really ask you to hold this talk in a less crowded area. It will be best for both of our secrets."
Danny swallowed hard, trying to keep calm. Though it was quite a task when the flashbacks of yesterday's brutal beating kept swinging in the back of his eyes. He needed to, just had to stay put right now. But he was torn between two very different emotions: a necessity to flee from the apparent danger and an inexplicable desire to talk to the only one in the world like him!..
"There is another person like me…" Danny realized miserably. "Another halfa… I… I am not alone…"
It still was so very risky… But he just so wanted to know more…
"Okay…" Danny said hastily. "I-I'll go to talk." Masters' face brightened, but Danny raised his voice. "But!.. We won't go to the living room. We… We'll go outside. Yes, outside."
The man's face stretched out in surprise.
"As you wish, but…"
"I'll feel safer there, okay?!"
Masters nodded and guided the nervous boy out of the ballroom. They walked through a couple of dark corridors before coming to the beautiful glass doors. Masters opened them and stepped aside to let Danny go first. The boy stepped outside the porch into the beautifully decorated terrace. There were pretty leaves and flowers, twining around sophisticated columns, and an exquisite glass and gold table with two matching chairs to the side. The homely orange glow of the garden lamps eased the tension in Danny's body. The marble steps led from the terrace into the startling garden with sculptures and benches. Danny could even spot an outdoor pool in some distance.
"Breathtaking, isn't it?" He heard Vlad saying and turned around. The man was looking ahead of himself, somewhere into the garden, with his arms folded relaxedly behind his back, a peaceful expression pictured itself on his features. "When I became wealthy enough, I started to look for a suitable home for myself. Something grandiose, something dazzling, something majestic — a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design. I looked at a lot of buildings before being introduced to this one. Of course, those days it was desolate, forgotten, but all the same magnificent. European architecture of the XIX century, great exalted gothic. High impressive vaults, creative windows and fretworks… I just couldn't say no to this place. And then this garden… It wasn't nearly as good looking as it is now. And the fact that I've helped it become so regal is making me a very proud man."
Danny went back to looking around the terrace and the yard.
"But didn't this castle belong to the Wisconsin Dairy King before you?"
Masters pursed his lips together in distaste.
"Yes, though to be completely frank he didn't appreciate such a precious structure as he should have. I, on the other hand, am fond of any form of art and try to treat it with grace it rightfully deserves." He sighed and glanced back at Danny. "But architecture is not the thing we are here for tonight. Please, sit down, Daniel."
Danny obeyed, watching Masters gracefully sit into the other chair, opposite of him. Folding his hands on the glass surface of the garden table, he began speaking.
"First of all, I truly wanted to apologize to you. Yesterday's night shouldn't have been like that for you. You see, ghosts like to claim territories for themselves. Some piece of land in the living world or their reality, where they feel at home. These territories must not be trespassed without direct permission or invitation, or else the unwanted visitors are to be banished from out there by the claimants of that land. For instance, Wisconsin is claimed by me, so no ghost can trespass it safely without my knowing. So yesterday when I saw Danny Phantom in my hallways I thought he was a claimer, because he beat those strange ghost-vultures. I only heard from other ghosts about Phantom, I had no idea he was a halfa and most importantly you. I was just defending my territory.
"But when I saw that he can morph, that he is you… I was terrified that I hurt you too much and at the same time was tremendously happy. I took you back to your room and put you back to bed. Thanks to ghostly accelerated healing you have been already unscratched by the morning. But I am still gravely sorry for what has taken place, Daniel, and really hope that you can forgive me for my horrible deed."
Danny found it hard to look at Masters right now, but he jerkily nodded.
"O-Okay. Of course, I understand."
Vlad sighed relieved.
"You have no idea how thankful I am for your forgiveness, Daniel." Danny shrugged again uncomfortably. "I regret scaring you tonight as well. I didn't mean to frighten you, but, on the contrary, enlighten you on the state of my knowledge about yourself and myself, so you could decide on your own if you wanted to know more. And, to be fairly honest, I am excited that you took my offer for this talk."
"And", Danny started uncertainly, "you won't tell my family about my secret?"
Vlad huffed facetiously.
"Certainly not, my dear boy. If you haven't said them, why should I? I am interested in keeping our nature to myself as well. Although I must admit that I also take interest in you. If you don't mind, please, tell me how it was. How did you change? I believe you know my story quite well and can pinpoint where my ghost powers came from."
"Well, yeah… I mean, you probably gained them during your time at the hospital after the accident with the proto-portal."
"Clever boy." Vlad nodded, making Danny blush from embarrassment. He knew for real that he was anything else but clever. "And you?"
"I…" Danny hesitated, but then saw no harm in telling at least half of the truth. "I sneaked in to my parents' laboratory and was stupid enough to go into their damaged portal and turn it on."
At this Masters' eyes grew so unbelievably wide that Danny was afraid they would fall out of their sockets in any minute.
"You mean to tell me you were inside the ghost portal?!" He clarified, astonished. "The whole of you?!"
"W-Well, y-yeah…"
"But… that's incredible!.. And the transformation? How long did it take you to develop your phantom form?"
Danny blinked.
"Actually, I went out like that at once. And then after the hospital, maybe in a couple of weeks, I kinda figured out how to control the metamorphosis."
Masters obviously wanted to ask further, when a sudden loud crush sounded from the hallway followed by a blood freezing scream.
"JACK!"
"MOM! DAD!" Danny shot up from his seat and, wholly forgetting about the conversation, ran down the hallway.
"Daniel, wait! It can be dangerous!" Masters yelled, before starting after the boy.
As soon as Danny reached the ballroom, he had to bend down to dodge a chair flying to his head. With dread he surveyed the unfolding scene. His Dad was flying around the destroyed room, throwing about guests that got in his way. His lips were crooked into a malevolent, wicked grin and eyes were flaming bright red! He grabbed a man in a blue suit who tried to escape him and threw him right out of the ground floor window!
"If you get out alive, don't forget to tell who nearly killed you! That it was I, Jack Fenton!" The voice was strangely familiar, with a strong accent and… crispness? Right then Danny had a believable guess, who overshadowed his father.
He jumped aside when a table rushed his way through the air and settled on the floor behind a fallen armchair.
"Daniel!" Mr. Master came rushing into the room, and right at that moment a brief flash of light turned Danny into a ghost and he disappeared into thin air.
He invisibly approached his father and got inside him.
"Get out of him, you ball of feathers!" He cried out and then with all his might pushed an intruder out. The green vulture in dark spectacles flew through the room and into the adjoining one. Danny left the body and was about to follow the bird when a shriek stopped him.
"Jack!" Danny saw his Mom on the floor terrifiedly looking at his father falling to the ground from the height.
Gasping Danny rushed downwards, but before he even got close, some other invisible force caught his Dad midair and carefully set him down on the parquet.
"Jack!" Maddie ran to her husband, worriedly tapping him on the cheeks. "Love, can you hear me?"
Jack's eyes fluttered open. A dazed impression overwhelmed him.
"Mads… Is… Is it over? It is out, right?"
Danny's Mom nodded with tears in her eyes.
"Oh…" He looked around the room. "This… I did all this?.. Mads, I… I didn't mean… Oh goodness, are those people okay?"
"It wasn't your fault, Jack!.. You did everything you could. You were so strong, struggling against that ghost… I'm proud of you, you banished it out of yourself nonetheless!"
"No, Mads… It was something else… Some force pushed that spook out of me… I'm almost certain…"
"Shh… It's okay. You need your rest. The kids..."
"Our kids!" Jack shouted and started to look around the ballroom madlessly, terrified to see his children's battered bodies. "Are they alright? They weren't here?.."
"They weren't here, yes." Her look became determined. "But we must find them now. Who knows what else that ghost can do?"
"Then let's go!" Jack hastily got to his feet only to take his head in hands. "And I need some strong sedatives…"
"I have a better idea — you stay here with Harriet while I quickly search for the kids."
"Me?" Cried out Harriet, but then suddenly smiled. "It would be my promotion interview!"
"Don't say much." Maddie snarled at her before running out of the door.
"Mads, wait! I'll go with you! Just give me one second!" Jack started limping after her, only the safety of his kids on his mind.
Danny suddenly felt a touch on his shoulder which guided him through the wall. When he was on the other side, Masters materialized in his own vampire-looking ghost form.
"Y-You saved my Dad!" Danny exclaimed dumbly, looking at Vlad in astonishment.
"I was quick enough to only let him get to the ground safely. You were the one who set him free, Little Badger."
"Thank you." Danny smiled. "I won't be fast enough." Vlad nodded in acceptance. "And… how exactly should I call you, sir? Well, in this persona?"
"Plasmius. Vlad Plasmius." The man introduced himself, bowing a little.
"Danny Phantom." Danny eagerly held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"All pleasure is mine, my boy." Vlad shook his hand.
"Thanks again. But now I must find and catch those vultures. They've been trying to kill Dad for some time. I saw them back in our town." The blue mist escaped his lips and a smirk found a way on his face. "They're nearby."
Not wasting time, he shot through the walls intangible in search of the ghost-killers.
"And are they the only ones who attack your family?" Plasmius asked, flying close to the side.
"There were ectopuses, a ghostly ghost-hunter and some more, if I'm not mistaken." Danny answered, wholly concentrated on his task. They flew into the grand library and Danny looked around carefully. "And after those birds I am certain — somebody is behind all these assaults. But I still don't know who exactly. However, I'm quite sure I will meet them some day."
Suddenly, something green shot right next to Danny's head, and the boy was lucky Plasmius held him back in time.
"Here you are, fancy pants!" Cried out one of the vultures and three of them attacked.
Danny threw his fists and ectobeams, attacked and dodged as fast as he could, but it seemed whatever he did, wherever he flew the birds were there. They completely ignored Plasmius, who tried to stop them. All of a sudden a sharp pain grew in Danny's side and he found himself roughly hitting the ground, reversing to his human self.
"Danny!"
The thundering roar echoed through the hall with the sounds of rockfall, and the Fenton RV flew into the library, walls crumbling behind it. Danny miraculously was quick enough to jump out of the way. The Assault Vehicle abruptly stopped and Danny's Dad sprang out of it with an ectogun. His Mom stayed behind, along with his Dad aiming RV's own lasers into the three bird-ghosts, menacingly circling the ceiling. In a blink of a moment they went down with their claws ahead, ready to rip three Fenton's to shredders.
"Danny, get into the RV, NOW!" His Dad put him behind his back and raised his weapon.
But the rays of the guns never even scratched the birds, so evasive they were. And right then Danny saw a thermos on his Dad's belt. Quickly turning it on, he removed the cover and skillfully caught the vultures in a blue light. Their animalistic shrieks filled the library before they disappeared inside the container. Closing it again, Danny breathed out tiredly.
"Gotcha."
"No worries, Mr. Masters, all the guests are mostly undamaged", informed the host the doctor from the ambulance. "Though really I can't tell what could have provoked such a show…"
"It was a ghost!" Jack said confidently. "A green vulture ghost!"
"Yeeees…" the doctor nodded, unimpressed. "As I said everybody is mostly undamaged. If any complications arise, let everyone know this number, we are the closest clinic in the land." He handed Masters a business card and turned around. "I will find the exit myself."
Danny who was listening also let out a relieved sigh. It was nice to see his Dad get back to normal. Though, his and Mom's praises on well-captured ghosts were still welcomed. Now, anyway, they were fussing over Jazz, who in her casual I'm-already-physiologically-an-adult-manner tried to explain to them that she was fine.
Right then he felt a gentle hand fall on his shoulder.
"You've done a tremendous job tonight, my boy. You sure are something."
"Um, thanks…" Danny blushed in shame. "But that wasn't much, after all, your help was undeniably inquired."
"And anyway it was again you who captured those ghosts. You shouldn't reject praise when it is rightfully earned, Daniel. You did fabulous tonight."
Danny blushed further at hearing he did something right and smiled. Normally he got praised really rarely.
"Thanks."
"And speaking about that." He hugged Danny by the shoulders and pulled him aside into the undamaged living room. "I really wanted to speak to you about one important case, but since we were interrupted… I would like to do that now." He stood in front of Danny, keeping hands on his shoulders. "Daniel, you are an incredible young man. And I'm astonished at how good you are at controlling your powers by now. You've done a great job on your own… But you no longer have to do everything by yourself."
Danny looked at him incredulously.
"Y-You mean…"
"Daniel… It would be my honor if you agreed to let me train you." Vlad announced with a proud smile. Danny couldn't believe his luck.
"You mean… like… for real? You're gonna help me?"
Vlad chuckled.
"My dear boy, today is the happiest day of my life! I finally found the one who is like me and it appeared to be a skillful smart child! And now I'm not letting you go without being completely sure that you'll get the guidance you need! I offer you to be my apprentice and protege. And I don't take no for an answer! So you are…"
"Agreed! I mean, yes, I would love to, Mr. Masters!" Danny chirped eagerly and happily. So he was serious!
"Great choice, Daniel!" Masters joked. "I will set everything for your training. You will not regret this decision, Little Badger!"
And with those words Danny believed him. After this evening he was certain he could trust him, he was sure that from now on everything would go smoothly and he would get out of that black hole that his life started to be. With Mr. Masters' help he would become better at protecting his town from ghosts, and he would have more time for his studies, and friends, and entertainment! He would live normally again!
"But now though, I am sure you need your rest, expecting that tonight you drive back."
"Oh, it will be awful!" Danny whined, but rapidly caught himself. "But I will manage, no doubt!"
"I am very sure about it." Mr. Masters said, ruffling Danny's hair playfully.
"Mr. Masters!" The voice rang through the crowded hall, which soon revealed Jazz Fenton rushing to them with something in her hand. She smiled nervously at the man and her brother. "Hey, Danny! Mr. Masters, I'm really sorry to interrupt, but I found this in the wreckage. Thought it was important for you to get it back." She handed him a torn sheet of photo-paper. "Must've been damaged during this madness our parents created. We are very sorry for that, by the way!" She added hastily and was quick to leave the living room. "But thank you very much for hosting us, your presence made this weekend truly delightful and unforgettable! Um, goodbye!"
And she ran back into the crowd. But that Danny didn't see. He even didn't care that technically his parents had destroyed the whole ballroom and some parts of the walls and ceiling in the halls and the library where he caught the vultures. No, his eyes were glued to the photo, and, when Masters noticed it, he was very unsubtle in hurrying to hide a snapshot.
"These are you and my Mom…" Danny whispered suspiciously and pulled out his own piece of photo-paper from the inside pocket of his jacket depicting his father at the same age. "And my Dad was there too..."
The piece that he caught after his first battle with vultures in Amity Park matched the torn corners of the photo that Jazz now brought perfectly. It was rather obvious. And that made Danny's legs shake and take him away from the man beside him.
"Daniel…" Masters called out desperately, but Danny looked at him in fear. "Daniel, you must listen…"
"I must do nothing." Danny said surprisingly coldly. "And there is nothing to listen to. You manipulated me to trust you… And I was too dumb to make it out."
"Little Badger…"
"Don't call me that!" Danny snapped, but tried to keep it together. "I don't want your help! And I don't want to see you near my family or myself ever again."
And with that he bolted. But there wasn't even half a distance to the exit, when the double doors, suddenly, were engulfed in red light and shut themselves off. Danny yelped and backed away.
"What are you doing?!" He shouted turning back to his new foe.
"Making you listen." Masters said, something dark entering his voice. "I've been waiting for this day for a very long time, Daniel, and though it turned out not as I planned, I won't let twenty years of my work go to waste."
"You tried to waste my Dad!" Danny exclaimed, angry at himself for not figuring out the apparent truth a lot earlier. "All these attacks — the ectopuses, Skulker, the vultures…"
"I intended to test your father with those assaults, but what do you think my minions delivered me? The defeat and the news of some goody-two-shoes little ghost who decided to play a hero in his town. And how convenient it was that whenever I planned an attack this Ghost Child was nearby. And though now it all explains itself, I still can't fathom why you would even care to defend this buffoon of a man!"
"Are you crazy? He's my Dad…"
"He killed you, Daniel!" Vlad roared. "Don't you get it, child? If it wasn't for him you would be a normal boy right now!"
"It was my own fault I went into the portal!" Danny retorted. "I myself am responsible for what has happened to me! And if you do blame my Dad for it, why do you evade the fact that my Mom also worked on the portal, alongside him? I'll tell you why, you don't care who was at fault at my transition. You are just obsessed with my Mom, you lunatic Frootloop!"
"YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN MINE!" Vlad roared with eyes blazing blood-red and it was a wonder the room didn't shake. "You should've been mine just as your mother! If it wasn't for that idiot good for nothing Jack Fenton I would have married Maddie and you would have been my son! She loved me, I know she did, and it was your father that purposefully got me half-killed! He never even apologised for that!" Danny stayed silent, eyes big with dread at Vlad, being too anxious to make any move. "He stole my life! The happy life with a family I truly deserve! You should've been born from me! And look how fate corrected it! You are just like me, we are the only human-ghost hybrids in the universe! I am meant to be your father and you are meant to be my son, Daniel! Can't you see that?!"
Danny shook his head from side to side, terrified out of his mind.
"You are crazy…" He murmured really quietly.
"I AM NOT!.. Daniel, wait!.."
But Danny still in his human form already got intangible and flew through the wall as quickly as he could. Not caring about anything he ran through the lessened crowd of shaken guests, his heart bumping in his ears rapidly, eyes desperately searching for his family. Finally seeing his Dad's enormous form in an orange jumpsuit he darted towards him.
"Danny-boy! Here you are! I just told Harriet that you would be delighted to give her an interview about those spooks!" Danny's Dad said joyfully clamping arm around his shoulders.
"Anything you want, but, please, can we go home as soon as possible?" Danny rumbled trying very hard not to give out the panic in his voice. "I… I'm so homesick!"
"Well, of course, sweety", his Mom hugged him close, sensing his agitation. "I understand this evening was too much. Let us just pack our things and we'll be right on our way, okay?"
"Thanks, Mom." He hugged her tightly in return, images of shouting, mad looking, terrifying Vlad still blurring behind his eyes.
"I'm just happy that you're okay, Danny." His Mom said in his hair.
"Same here, Mom." Danny whispered. "Same here."
Jazz and Danny were waiting in the main hall of the Wisconsin Castle for their parents to pack their things. Theirs' were already made. Despite all the drama that went on here just half an hour ago, Jazz was really calm, even bored.
"Nothing to say?" Danny asked her without real interest. He was surprised he got so calm himself after some sedatives... well, lots of them.
"What do you want me to say?" She shrugged. "I knew they wouldn't leave this place whole. They never really do."
"True." Danny agreed. He had no choice but to. Because she was right about their parents.
It was way past midnight, and all the other guests had already fled away from here with promises never to step foot in this castle ever again. To tell the truth it was a little creepy to know that somewhere without his supervision their Mom and Dad were packing while the maniac who wanted to separate them might be roaming these halls with them. Not very smart on Danny's part.
"You know, I will go and help them pack. Maybe this way we'll be sooner on the driveway."
"Agreed. Thanks, Little Brother. Need any help?"
"Nah. It'll be quick, I'm positive about that. Besides, you look tired. What were you doing exactly?"
"Analyzing a psychology book for the college", she yawned. "It's interesting and boring at the same time. Talk about psychologists who write about incredible things in words that are more boring than this college reunion."
Danny smirked.
"Right. There wasn't even an army of alive barking sausages or outrageous meatlady."
"That's right. Compared to our town, this place is a sanctuary of peace. Well, be careful. It's easy to get lost in these ridiculously long and tricky hallways."
"I think I'll find my way around. But thanks for the worry."
"You better hurry there."
With a smirk Danny retaliated. Jazz was right. These halls and halls and halls. It was unnerving. Suddenly when he was ready to go ghost, his ghost sense was set off.
"Don't you worry, my boy, it is just your King, don't ya kno-ow?"
Throughout the wall peered the ghost of the Wisconsin Dairy King. Danny smiled.
"Hi again, your Majesty. Hey, haven't you seen my parents here? They were supposed to be packing?.."
"Your parents I haven't seen, my boy, but someone else really wants to see you."
Danny scoffed and scowled.
"I've already seen him and said everything I wanted. I am not up to another fight tonight."
"As isn't he, I assure you. Please go talk to him, my boy, or he won't leave me alone, and you know how I want that, don't ya know?"
Danny sighed in exasperation.
"Yeah, I know. Well, where is he?"
"In his private study. It is on the second floor, the left corridor. Massive double doors, can't miss it. And thank you, my boy, good luck to you! And eat some cheese, it helps with nerves!"
"Sure thing will do", Danny smiled while watching Dairy King disappearing into the ceiling. With a sigh Danny went to seek for Vlad.
It wasn't too long before he found the needed room. Surprisingly, Dairy King gave detailed coordinates. It was a specious dark room with a lot of bookcases along the dark-green-painted walls, a big window opposite of the doors, braced by dark red curtains. A massive desk of dark wood with a luxurious chair behind it looked somehow intimidating. On the left side there was a beautiful fireplace with two red luxarious armchairs in front of it. There Danny saw Vlad, sitting with a glass of something red in his hand.
"Isn't it too early to drink for your failure?" Asked Danny bitterly. "I thought you were meant to be impressive."
Vlad's face turned to him, a small smile on it, surprisingly, not a resentful one.
"Ah, Daniel. I'm very glad you decided to join me, my boy. Please, take a seat." He motioned to the armchair next to him. Danny glared at it suspiciously.
"No, thank you, I'm okay standing."
"Nonsense, my boy", Vlad brushed him off. "Take a seat. My word, it won't do anything to you. Didn't Dairy King tell you my motives for now were innocent?"
"He did, although it's hardly valuable when the one who sent him is a real snake." Danny spat.
Vlad only shook his head.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Manners, Daniel, manners. You must learn to hold your temper to speak with other people. It's a really important skill in life, Little Badger."
Danny blushed a little, but hoped it wasn't seen in a half lit room. Oh how was he wrong.
"There is no need to be embarrassed, son, it's a hard skill to learn, I tell you from my own experience."
Danny was confused by Vlad's so… civil and peaceful tone after what had happened tonight. What were they now, old friends?
"Don't call me "son". It's creepy. And what do you expect from all this?" He asked, gesturing around himself.
"Just a little innocent talk, that's all." For a moment something unknown to Danny entered Vlad's face. Something that didn't really belong there… but was like a constant guest in his features. "I know you don't trust me and you're right, Daniel. It's always better to be on your toes around such people as myself. But just this one time I ask you to let us be something we're really not anymore — just a man and a boy, just something close to uncle and nephew. I only want to speak with you, nothing else. I promise I won't use the knowledge I get tonight against you or your close ones. Just one little conversation that will bring peace of soul for a lonely man like I am. That's all I ask of you."
Somehow Danny knew that he wouldn't be able to decline this plea. That odd impression on Vlad's face… Was it sadness? Or depression? Despair?.. Maybe… maybe, loneliness really?.. Danny couldn't clearly tell but could swear it was something along those lines.
Anyway with a soft sigh he found himself sitting down in a very comfortable armchair next to his new arch-enemy. With his peripheral vision he could see Vlad smiling gratefully.
"Thank you, my boy. It means a lot to me. More than you'll ever know, I hope." Danny curled up a little into himself, not really used to a praise. No matter how sincere it was, there was always that annoying voice at the back of his mind that told him that wasn't really a praise but a sarcastic remark that Danny was too stupid to notice. And after tonight… he really doubted it was real.
"That's… that's okay… Nothing special." He answered meekly.
"Maybe for you, but for me it means the world, dear boy." Vlad was smiling fondly at him, but Danny couldn't help but curl up a little bit more and blush. For some reason he was embarrassed right now like he had done something wrong, though he knew that wasn't true.
"Is something wrong, Little Badger?" Vlad asked carefully.
Danny furiously shook his head.
"No! N-nothing is wrong! It's all okay!" He cringed, so loud and pitiful were his words. To make this quick, he asked gingerly: "What did you want to talk about?"
Vlad didn't answer right away and Danny tried really hard not to look away from his hands in his lap, so nervous he was, his sedatives apparantly already gone. He really wished now he ate some cheese first like the Dairy King recommended.
"Maybe you would like some juice, dear boy?" Vlad pushed a container of pomegranate juice that was on a coffee table in front of them towards Danny. "I must say it's pretty good."
Danny glanced at the container and a spare glass, but shook his head once more.
"No, thank you. I would like to… would like us to finish this conversation as quickly as possible. I don't have all night, as you know."
"Yes, I know, child. And you're right. It's time for business." Vlad leaned back in his seat, apparently, wishing to give Danny more space. It didn't really work. "How old are you, Daniel? I haven't had a chance to ask. Please, answer truthfully, there is nothing shameful in age."
Danny scoffed, badly covering his unease.
"I'm not ashamed! I'm… I'm thirteen."
Vlad nodded.
"I remember myself when I was at such an age as you are now. It was hard, of course. Thirteen is the first of many teenage years ahead, and this transition period can be really vulnerable and insecure for children such as yourself. How are you at school, by the way?"
Danny rolled his eyes in irritation.
"Like my parents or sister haven't told you! That's part of the reason they got me to this reunion in the first place! Obviously, I suck at school!"
"And can you blame yourself for that?" Vlad's tone was sympathetic.
"Of course, I can! Moreover, I must! Everybody tells me that! Because it's!.." Danny suddenly realised who he was saying all of this to. "Because it's none of your business! And you had to get your assumptions from what my parents told you about their major disappointment, me! You already know all you need, so I see no point in this conversation!"
He turned from Vlad with arms across his chest. Vlad sighed.
"Your parents really told me some piece of information considering their obliviousness for your little secret. But… there are a lot of differences between you and an ordinary child now, is there none?" He asked. Danny grumpily nodded. "As I told you a couple of hours ago, I got my powers when I was a college student. You did at a much younger age and it is disturbing."
Danny shrugged.
"Why do you care? It's not like I will ever be your student on your terms." Danny was bitter and upset, that much was clear for the both occupants of the room.
"Daniel, I care because all these twenty years I was not only superior to other people. I was also alone. The only one of my kind. I know for a fact that you know how it feels. When you don't know your limits or what you can do, when there is nobody there to guide you through this uncertainty and fear, when the only thing you can do is try at your own risk. Don't lie to me, I know you can relate to it!"
"Okay, I can! So what?!" Danny finally met eyes with Vlad. "What will it change if I am afraid of what I'm doing? If I don't even know what I'm doing?! It'll change nothing and you said that yourself! I don't expect you to! It's the main part of your offer, to wait till I can't push myself harder to get out of this mess and plead for your "kindly" offered hand to rescue me from this unfair cruel ghost swamp!"
Danny suddenly got to his feet.
"I don't want this! I don't want your pity or manipulation or praise! I can handle it myself and I will!"
"I just want to keep you from the mistakes I've made!" Said Vlad, also standing up.
Danny laughed sarcastically.
"Yeah, right! Like I will believe you! You've hired ectopuses to go after my Dad! You've hired Skulker who is now, by the way, trying to catch me, kill me and get my pelt to hang it over his fireplace! Dang, you've arranged all this stupid reunion just to get rid forever of my Dad! Does it sound normal to you?! And even these two days all you did was make my life a hell!"
"I'm trying to help you, Daniel!.."
"NO, you're trying to help yourself! Admit it, even if you care about me now, it is only because I'm a half-ghost like you! If I were human you wouldn't give a damn about me! It's not about me or my life. It's all about my powers! You care about them and only them!" Danny sighed angrily. "Just like everybody does nowadays."
He stomped to the doors, but was stopped by the sad voice.
"I really care about you, Daniel. You are too young to do what you do."
Danny shook his head.
"You're trying to destroy my family. To separate me and Mom from the people we love most. If you really cared about either of us, you would leave our family alone. Because, believe it or not, but not all the happiness in the world can be achieved with money." When he heard no response, Danny opened the door. "Goodbye, Mr. Masters. Please, stay away from me and my family."
With that Danny left. He didn't hesitate to go back to the main hall, where the front doors were already opened.
"There he is!" Said Jazz loudly.
"Danny!" His mother came up to him with a stern expression. "What did I tell you and your sister?"
"Not to leave the lobby", Danny breathed out tiredly. Now he was being scolded for trying to talk his family's protection out of the psychopath.
"And you left! Honey, you know that there are dangerous ghosts in this place! This evening was proof of that! You shouldn't have left without me or your father."
"Yeah, I know. Sorry."
His Mom sighed and gently pushed him to their RV.
"We are ready, let's go."
"Hey, Danny-boy!" Exclaimed his father when saw them coming. "Don't be so glum, I knew you had the ghost hunting bone in your body!" He hugged Danny roughly around the shoulders, clearly not understanding his own bone crushing strength. "Just like your old man! Wait a year or two and we both will be the unstoppable team of ghost hunters!"
"Dad!" Cried Jazz out. "Stop filling his head with such idiotics! Danny needs a normal environment to grow properly, not the one where the ghost is the most usable and loved word!"
Danny covered his face with his hand in shame.
"Jazz, haven't you seen that ghost tonight?" Asked Mom in disbelief.
"I only saw your Assault Vehicle destroying Mr. Masters' home!"
"Jazzy-pants, it's the Fenton Family Assault Vehicle", corrected her Dad.
"I refuse to associate myself with such preposterousness willingly!"
"Maybe we can just go home?!" Cried Danny pitifully.
"Great idea, Danny!" Exclaimed his Dad. "Fenton family into the Fenton Family Assault Vehicle!"
Jazz scoffed irritated and Danny just got in without saying a word of protest. The only thing he wanted right now was to get out of here as quickly as possible and never come back.
Author's Note:
Wow, it's been a long time! But, considering that this chapter is a flashback of the Vlad and Danny's first encounter, I decided to take my time in writing it, because I really wanted to make their backstory impressive and fix all (or at least most) of the plot holes, which Bitter Reaunions has far too many as for the one of the most important episodes, as I see it, of Danny Phantom series.
So I'm really proud of myself for this chapter. Now, I think, it's my favourite (^U^).
And now, seeing as what Vlad was like on his and Danny's first meeting, it's getting more interesting to guess what is really his plan towards our favourite Ghost Boy ;) Well, I guess we'll see in time.
For now it is all, thank you very much for reading up to this point, I hope you've enjoyed it, love you all, good night! :)