Chapter Three - Crash
VLAD was in a rush, he had just received the worst news of his whole plan... His sweet Daniel was in the hospital for the last thing he'd suspected of the young powerhouse... Self mutilation. The boy had been cutting himself and for a long time apparently from what Jack had said on the phone. He dashed into the hospital and immediately asked for his badger.
"Daniel James Fenton?! " He begged.
"Are you family, sir? " Asked the aggravated receptionist, it was a busy day. His eyes glowed crimson at her disrespect though, he put a clawed hand on the countertop to gain her fearful attention.
"Yes~." He seethed. The girl finally took notice of who she was sassing at and cringed in fear but supplied him with what he needed.
"Room 615, straight down, three doors to your right! " He ran on only to find the remaining Fenton's plus the boy's friends outside the room while screams came from the inside plus a few voices. Everyone wore a look of worry and fear and it only got worse as the doctors and nurses hastily came out, some covered in scratches and bruises.
"What happened? " He asked quietly while taking a seat across from the others. Sam snarled at him and stuck up her nose in disgust. Maddie ignored him and instead choose to sob into her husband's shoulder, Jack sighed but answered.
"Apparently Danny tried to commit suicide in the school bathroom. "
"Why? "
"Maybe because he's tired of a certain SOMEBODY'S shit. " Sam chimed with hatred.
"Little girl. " The billionaire seethed. "Stay out of this... " The Goth could only simmer in fear and anger at the growl of evil but let it go being her best friend was going crazy in his hospital room.
"Why the hell is he lashing out like that?! " There was no vicious intent only sheer concern as terrified screams came from the aforementioned room.
"They tried to take his blood and he snapped." Vlad immediately stood and took off his jacket, thrusting it at Sam then moving for the deranged boy's door... He went in.
The room was in disarray, contents of any and all surrounding medical supplies lying on the floor, hell... Even the bed had been flipped but from behind it Vlad could make out a series of soft yet hysteric sobs... Daniel. He found him curled up in the corner sobbing like the river Nile had overflowed. Vlad tentatively moved towards the boy— his plans for him lost till further notice.
"Daniel? " He quietly chimed, the boy looked to him and Vlad held back a gasp. Daniel looked entirely dead, BEYOND dead even; the bags under his eyes were black and heavy, his cheeks devoid of their youthful glow and puff, and those eyes... Those eyes, Vlad could've cried, they looked as if the life had been stolen from them by aeons worth of torment and degradation. Once a fabulous ice blue now a soulless navy.
"What are you doing here? " The boy asked, his voice tired but dead serious.
"Your parents called me in. But my question is why are you acting out? " Vlad tried. "Usually I'm the one causing problems. " At his words those soulless eyes lit up turquoise and the room got chillier, Vlad turned up the heat on himself to avoid getting frozen.
"That's part of the problem... " The boy sobbed. "I'm tired... I want this to stop. I try and try but what does it get me?! Abuse?! Pain?! Ignorance?! "
"Daniel, I~"
"SHUT UP! " The mini chill became a full-on blast filled with heartbreak. "I only wanted to protect and help people but all they do IS LAUGH AND JEER IN MY FACE! My own parents want to put a blaster to my head for what I am! Kids at my school beat the shit out of me for fun! The Ghost Zone hates my GUTS! Ghost or human?! DEAD OR ALIVE?! Freak~!" The boy cradeled his head, his thoughts of abuse and mistreatment fueling him on, he rocked his body making the chill worse as the room became overrun with ice, Vlad was pressed against the wall as the killer frost slithered over to him like he was food. His eyes filled with fear but he yelled out just as the heinous chill started to climb his leg.
"DANIEL! "
It took a minute but eventually it was agreed upon that Danny was better off in Vlad's care. The man was oddly enough everyone's choice, he had the money, equipment, and amongst them all he truly knew Danny best and the struggles he faced. This news obviously pleased the young halfa but his body didn't reflect that, he was still lethargic and depressed. The doctors provided Vlad with everything he would need to care for the boy and recommendations to psychiatrist and the like, #no. He then traveled back to FentonWorks with the family and helped packed a bit of the young halfa's things. By noon that same day, Daniel was moved in, on instant he remembered he had nearly hurt the very man who harbored all his hidden affections he ran off into the massive mansion and claimed a room on the FAR side. It wasn't the steadiest adoption but it was worth it, Vlad finally had the young halfa in his possession and was willing to do whatever it took to help him. As time progressed their relationship began to mildly blossom as Vlad unknowingly took the Mirror's advice even if Daniel refused to come out his room eighty percent of the time. The billionaire was determined and patient though, before he left out for work he'd fix Danny a meal and eat with him. He had managed to coax a few things out the boy like the fact he was being bullied and this came to light after chatting with him all night through his door. This was the way it worked, but after a bit of talking and coaxing... He found Danny in his kitchen with a soft smile on his face as he made some breakfast. The first time he'd finally seen the boy outside his room since the hospital incident, he was still pale and gaunt but he looked healthier than a few weeks ago. A soft yet hypnotic hum filled the air as the younger remained oblivious to Plasmius, he was... Happy. Vlad couldn't help himself as he watched the teen cook and hum as he made his breakfast, a smile came to his face as he observed the first smile on Daniel's face in weeks (months). A niggling feeling in the back of his head told him he had a goal to attend to but he couldn't bring himself to care, the peaceful harmony overode it.
"Good morning, Daniel. " The sudden pipe up startled the young half-breed and he nearly dropped everything, luckily Vlad managed to save him with a little telekinesis. "Careful there, my boy. Don't want you hurting yourself. " At this Vlad set all back to rights upon the stove, unaware of the faint blush on Daniel's face. He walked past the boy and ruffled his hair, still oblivious to "the signs." Apparently the boy had went all out, coffee, pancakes, sausage, ham, grits, fruit, waffles; to say Vlad was impressed would be a silent understatement. Said villain leaned on the counter and sipped his coffee— bitter.
"So. What's all this then? " Daniel put his hands behind his back, the flush on his cheeks riding across his face as he prepared to answer the question.
"I-it's for y-you actually. " The answer nearly made Plasmius choke but he held his composure and smiled, the statement triggering an ego boost. "I never thought you'd do this for me. You're the first one to actually pay me any attention in the better part of six months yet you're supposed to be my arch-nemesis."
"Is that so? "
"Y-yeah. " The boy replied. "Sam and Tucker are cool but their parents ~" Yeah, their parents had become highly disapproving of Danny. It was known throughout Casper High, the innocent ghost-boy already had horrid grades but as the months and ghost-fights wore on, his two best friends began to fall with him. Sam had mainly maintained her 3.7 GPA but she was falling fast in at least two of her key classes plus her parents hadn't approved of Danny from the get-go. The Foley's were cool with Danny but on one misfortune night Tucker had returned home with a massive gash on his forearm. His parents thinking it had come from a highly volatile Fenton weapon forbade him from going over to the Fenton's anymore. But in hindsight, his friends were slowly drifting from him anyway; the poor ghoul struggled to hide his tears.
"I see. " At that Vlad went over and pulled the poor boy into his frame for a hug. Over the years Vlad had let go of his insane plans but kept up with Daniel to challenge him and secretly train him. He couldn't for the life of him understand why the boy refused his offers and continued to deal with all this neglect and abuse. If he had been under Vlad's care he could be free and be loved truly and fully for who he was, the weight released from his sagging shoulders.
"I'm tired, Vlad. Done!" The boy sobbed, staining the billionaire's shirt. "I try to help this SHIT CITY and what do I get?! I want to have a normal life! Wherever I go I'm not welcome! My parents have given up! FRIENDS! No one cares! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! " The grip around Vlad's waist became tighter as the boy held onto him with reckless abandon plus it started to get colder. The man looked to the young spectre only to find a small entrapping frost forming around his waist... Daniel was trying to make him stay. All Vlad could do was sigh and... Kiss the crown of Daniel's head. This made the hybrid stop crying and look to Vlad with a hopeful glimmer, the man smiled knowing he put that smile there, the child needed it.
"I know you're tired, Daniel. " He mused. "I've watched you for a long time... Your~ family are unaware of your inner pain, as are your friends. But don't fret... You have me, I understand you like no me else can, we're the only two of our kind. If you wish to stay here with me, I'll gladly oblige you. "
"PLEASE!"
A few days after this, Vlad officially went unto the Fenton's and demanded that they relinquish Daniel unto his care. Maddie was unsubtly - subtle and gave up her rights to Danny immediately. He was just becoming too much for her to handle, all the secrecy and lies, dropping grades and increasing disciplinary actions. Danny had her genes and Jack's so he should've been a pure genius but his grades and GPA said otherwise. She had tried to get him to open up about his struggles but the boy shoved her away with fear and trepidation as if the truth would entirely end him. She had tried to be a good mother but she was finished, maybe the billionaire could straighten him out. Even though Maddie was sold to the idea, Jack took a bit of convincing.
"That's a big offer there, Vladdie. " The large man mused. He was aware of Danny's hidden struggles but to just hand him over? "Taking Danny off our hands... I mean I love him dearly but I just don't know. " Vlad merely scoffed and looked away thinking of how in the hell his little badger kept his sanity around this hovel for as long as he did. His Daniel deserved better, he deserved to have his dreams fulfilled and his desires catered to and more importantly his cries for help heard, his parent's love be damned. Vlad turned back to them with a stern glare.
"Oh! Come now, Jackson." He seared. "Daniel needs calm, quiet, relaxation. And to be quite frank, he obviously doesn't get it HERE. If you hand him over to me, I can provide him the care he needs. To be honest, you two and your~ obsession are part of his problems. " Maddie glared with hatred at the man on her couch who sported a smug gleam in his eye. He was up to something and it had to do with her baby.
"What could you possibly gain from taking Danny? " She asked in a~ provocative tone, tilting her body just so as to~ entice him. Vlad took notice of this and restrained himself from outright laughing or spit taking his tea... He no longer wanted the ghoul obsessed wrench, he was a worldly figure with money and power to blow. What in the name of Clockwork kept him tethered to that dead love for Maddie when he had a whole host of men and women throwing themselves at his feet? He shook his head, remembering all that tomfoolery.
"I gain nothing... " Vlad surmissed. "He asked. " This took Maddie and Jack for a loop, Danny HATED Vlad! Everytime they were near each other it looked as if there was going to be a war. Yet... Danny ASKED to stay with HIM?! Something was up.
"I don't believe you. " Maddie bluntly replied.
"I barely do. " Jack added. "Danny seriously wants to leave? He's got school, friends. Why would he just want to drop it? "
"Same reason for this. " Vlad chimed, in his hand rested a series of documents, Maddie snatched them up and looked them over. After she was done, she could've cried... She had given up on Danny and in return he had given up on them. Vlad stood up to take his leave, he straightened his clothes and went towards the door but before he stepped out entirely.
"I expect an answer by this time tomorrow... If not... You will be hearing from my lawyers. "
It was heart wrenching but Vlad got his way, Jack and Maddie relinquished their parental rights which immediately put Danny on the adoption block. Vlad — realizing one of his long awaited dreams was coming True— stepped to the plate. Even though the judge has trepidation about finalizing the documents and taking the young man from his parents and turning his life upside down, but Vlad Masters was a man not tobe argued with. He got what he wanted and he wanted Daniel and unknown to him, Daniel wanted him too — way more than he let on. It was a welcome yet odd change. All Daniel would do was cook, clean, and fly around the mansion— Vlad's few servants were under a strict discretion contract. It was odd to Vlad to have someone else within his home without motive or unwillingly, especially someone as affectionate as Daniel. The boy would randomly run up behind him and... GLOMP! Hug him? That's right instead of an expected and likely ectoblast to the back, Vlad was rewarded a random and unexpected hug and as a bonus, Danny would nuzzle into the billionaire's back. It had the man blushing like a mad everytime it happened, all that raw and unadulterated love cast upon him so, it was so nerve-wracking he was frazzled all day at work. But on Danny's end, he was having the time of his life, for the first time in forever, he was free. And bonus, under the care of the man he loved, he had claimed his happiness... But Murphy's Law had struck the lottery...
After several weeks of blissful and decadent peace, Murphy and Fate had come together for a collaboration...
"NO! "
"Daniel, stop being such a drama queen. You were going to have to go back eventually."
"NEIN! " At this a staring contest was initiated between the two halfas. The senior of the two had received a call last night from principle Isiyama. It started with a nice chat but being Vlad was not one for beating around the bush or others doing it while speaking with him, she got to her point which was: Danny was on the verge of failing, THE ENTIRE ELEVENTH GRADE! All his classes were crap from the beginning but at least he was hanging onto B's where he could with a C average overall but with his time in the hospital and recuperation... Yeah. Vlad had to get the boy back in which being him had it's advantages, the paperwork was done all that was required~
"Daniel~!"
"No! " The boy seethed and looked to walk off into the mansion but his guardian caught his arm. That was when Vlad felt it, a surge of rageful power flow off the upset boy and the way Daniel turned on him, it was as if Vlad was meeting with the agent of Death himself. The billionaire was frozen with fear as he felt the icy and darth aura leak off the teenager. It felt like he was touching the sheer force of a killing blizzard, he then looked directly into Daniel's eyes and saw... A storm raging in them and that's when it hit, a voice in the back of Vlad's head. It was deep and wise, the Mirror.
"The change. Honour his wishes, leave him be... His devotion will follow. " Vlad wanted to follow the artifact's advice, he did but also wanted his little badger to have a bright future, perhaps a compromise could be reached? Vlad shook himself out his stupor.
"Daniel, please. " He began. "I know you hate that place with every fiber of your being and you're scared to death of those who torment you day by day but I need you to~"
"You don't understand... " The distraught creature choked out. "The football team treat me like I'm their future sex doll. And the teachers cover their asses. HELL! The cheer squad stripped me down and wrote on me with neon markers. Nobody did a thing. " Vlad's eyes blazed crimson with rage at that, he had known about the bullying but this...
"I swear to you, Daniel. " The tyrant snarled while gripping the boy's shoulders with a clawed death grip. "Your safety will BE their main priority. If so much as a hair falls from your head at their hands and no one does a thing about it..." Vlad pulled the boy into his frame and hugged him tight— Danny was elated with this but too upset to express his happiness. "I'll see to it they're ruined and erased. " At this the tycoon kissed the younger's forehead then left him be. Danny flew to his room and fainted.
It took a minute but Danny finally agreed to return to school, he put some thought into it and came to this: only a fool or predator would risk touching him. He had the protection of VLAD - MOTHERFLIPPIN -MASTERS! The man he was head over heels for, the tyrant who could order a hit without so much as lifting a finger. The tycoon of madness and obsession— yandere. He was trepidatious about returning to school but in hindsight... He missed his friends. They probably thought Plasmius had brainwashed him by now but in truth, the man was sweet. Psychotic but sweet. He knew they would refute that till their dying breaths but, oh well, he knew the truth and that pleased him greatly. He didn't care he was failing highschool, he had ghost powers and could pretty much go where he damn well pleased and if need be "take"some things. The day it was time for him to go back, he lied in bed with his eyes closed but awake, eventually his resolve won out and he got up. The daily steps to looking good with an added bonus of staring in the mirror. Tiny shocks of fear raced through him but he steeled himself.
"You can do this Danny. You can do this." He whispered. " One day. That's all he ask, one day. Can't handle it, you get homeschooled. You got this. " At this a sharp pain hit his chest but all he did was hiss, it was more of an annoyance than pain. In truth it had been happening for several days now since that small argument about school. In his heart, Danny knew he wasn't ready to go back but he had to be strong. For Vlad. The billionaire only wanted the best and strongest, he wanted to show the man he could be anything he wanted and tough out any situation starting with this. He looked to his healed wrist and smiled things were giving to change... But not for the better.
It was a blissfully awkward ride to school, A) he was in a limo and B) Vlad wasn't trying to kill him for a change but either way Danny was fidgety. His thumbs twiddled with no set pattern, he shivered constantly, and his eyes alternated between diamond blue and neon green while flitting anywhere and everywhere. Vlad was busy fiddling with his tablet but during the ride to Casper High, he took occasionally glances at Daniel. He was starting to worry and take back his end of the deal and let Daniel stay home but something was telling him to let it all play out. Eventually they had reached the school and Danny glanced Vlad's way before getting out.
"You have nothing to fear..." He mused to the young halfa, he laid a tentative hand on his shoulder. "You are powerful, Daniel, brave. Flaunt what you have, stay with your friends and before you know it, I'll be here. Remember my promise?" The young halfa took a peek over his shoulder only to flush at the deep pools of azure that gazed at him with kindness and encouragement
"Y-yes. "
"Then you will be fine. " VLAD then proceeded to steadily nudge the boy till he finally sighed and got out.
"But YOU remember your end." Danny playfully growled. "If I get in any KIND of trouble, then I'm OUT OF HERE. " At this they backhand fist bumped then Daniel went inside.
Even though the transition was met with trepidation and heinous whispers behind a certain halfa's back, things were~ Relatively okay. Danny had reunited with his friends and sister. Tucker had missed him greatly, hugging and touching him, cracking the same old lame jokes. For a spell this helped quell Danny's growing pains and headache but when he gave his attention unto the girls, the ache in his chest split open with cold aggressence, it leaked a steady chill pulse through his body the second he found his sister and Sam. They each gave him a glare of measuring worry and anger but nonetheless were happy to see him safe and sound even if it was with the last person they thought he'd ask to stay with but as usual take a bet on who broke the joy first... It was Sam. After his first string of classes and reacquainting himself with his teachers, it was time for lunch. Tucker was instantly by his side and yammering on about the latest video game release when the Goth came over. At first she was quiet but after making it this far without bringing it up, the dam burst...
"Why? "
"Why what? " Asked Tucker as he took a breather, Danny's eyes flashed diamond but only for an instant.
"Why him? " Sam then dared a small glare Danny's direction but the halfa pretended not to notice. "I know you heard me, Danny. "
"I have no clue what you're talking about. "
"Play dumb all you frickin want but when Plasmius stabs you in the ASS don't come crying to me. " The diamond glow returned along with a frost as the insult settled in Danny's heart. That nosy stuck trottel, did she even have a clue as to what she was unleashing?
"Nobody's perfect, mortal. " He replied calmly.
"Excuse ME?!" Sam was a cross between insulted and shocked, what happened to her bestie while he was away. "In case you HAVEN'T checked a mirror. You're human too. Well~ HALF OF ONE. But still. " To this the cold in Danny only grew as he listened to his so-called best friend try to check him on his status and who he could associate with.
"You're not you~
"If this little 'DEBATE,' you're trying to start is going to be about WHY I shouldn't stay with Vlad and that he intends to kill or use me. I don't wanna hear it. " Danny interrupted. "I've got my own reasons for staying with him besides my own safety. Besides... It's not like I'm welcome anywhere near your home. " Sam was about to refute that but Tucker took her stead.
"Point taken on that one, but why didn't you ask to stay with me instead? "
"No disrespect, Tuck but your parents haven't been cool with mine since the Technus incident. " The frost evaporated but the air around Danny remained frigid as he slowly rose up to his anger. "Why am I even here? It's not like I'm welcome. Hell! The jocks have been staring at me like I'm a new toy. " That was true as the two humans in the trio glanced at A-list table only to see... Dash licking his lips as he stared down Danny, gross. Sam was angered but held her calm, she wanted the truth, why had Danny switched up from hating the evil billionaire to happily living with him like a spoilt wife unless~...
"Are you~... In love with ~!"
"I was wondering when you'd figure it out. " Danny chimed after he propped his head up on his fist.
"Dude. No way. "
"Yes WAY. " Sam's heart... SHATTERED! She was the one meant to be by Danny's side but instead she's traded in for... THAT BASTARD?! Sam had stood by Danny's side time and time again, helping him, protecting him and he chose the man that ruined his life on a regular basis?! "I'm sorry Sam but... I have to think of the long term. Believe me, I'd love to spend my life with you, hell you're my first crush but... You're ~...Human. " At this Sam and Tucker connected the dots, the ghoul did truly love Sam but he was thinking of love for the long haul, his ghost half gave him obligations, ones that couldn't be easily ignored. Would she be able to deal? Trading date nights for ghost fights, wondering whether or not he'd return to her. Whole or in pieces? Will she live... Forever. By his side. She looked to Danny only to find him with his head down and tears silently streaming down his face. The pain and reality of his words hit hard and fast.
"Are you... Immortal?" It was minute but slowly... Danny nodded.
"It's been three years Sam and I still look like I'm 14..." He concluded. "Hell, the only thing that's changed is my powers and muscle mass. "
"Oh my God~ Danny. I~!" She was too late, he had walked away. Tucker sat there awestruck as the weight of their conversation settled in: his best friend was immortal. While he was doomed to grow and age as is natural human right, his best friend was cursed to forever walk the earth, trapped in the same body he had when he had nearly died. Forced to watch his friends and family age out, die and pass on. No wonder he wanted to be with Plasmius. They were doomed to walk the earth for aeons to come, so why do it alone? Eternity is a hell of a long time after all...
Danny ran to the bathroom and cried his heart out, the cold in his core seeping into his heart. It nullified the pain but not by much, he was still reminded of the fact he was immortal which only added another degree of hurt to his weeping soul. Someone was bound to notice after a while then on top of that he was cursed to sit back and watch from his youthful throne as his loved ones dropped dead like flies after long and most likely fulfilling lives. He wanted to be with Sam but in the end... She was human and wouldn't understand his struggles. Vlad could that's why he wanted to be with man, he had done his homework and had come to realize that they both wanted the same thing... Acceptance and love. Why not have that... Together?
