Note: So do you ever do that thing where you read someone else's fic and daydream about how you'd continue it for months? Just me then?
This idea is based on Phantom Offspring by Light-Eco-Sage.
From the summary of that story. "Every three years, ghosts enter a reproductive cycle. It has been three years since the Portal Accident [age 17], and Danny enters his first reproductive cycle without knowing it. One would think without a ghost for a mate, nothing would come of it, but ghost biology is a little stranger than that." So basically by the end of the story, through weird ghostly asexual reproduction, Danny ends up with nine offspring, eight animal-like ghosts and one phantom (a species of ghost). Phantoms are mischievous, small, and completely invisible. These spirits are a little more intelligent than animal-like ghosts. They can generally understand speech but aren't able to produce sound, much less speak. For ghosts produced this way, the offspring generally leave right after 'hatching' and so the spawning ghost doesn't have any parental responsibilities to them. So all of Danny's brood leave and he moves on with his life. My idea starts seven or so years later when Danny is in his mid-twenties.
Danny's duties as future ghost king have him spending a lot of time in the ghost zone. He visits different realms - like Dora's Kingdom, the Far Frozen, the Acropolis of Athens - to learn about the zone's history and culture. He establishes relations with other areas, making more allies and learning everything that he can.
One day, when he's in the Acropolis for a multi-day festival, he runs into a familiar ghost. A little phantom literally flies right into his head, ruffling his hair playfully. Danny instantly recognizes the small spirit as one of his. It's one of his phantoms, in fact the phantom from his first nesting. Danny's eyes light up, excited to see the little ghost after so long.
The phantom hangs around for a while, generally causing mischief as all phantoms tend to do. The presence warms Danny's heart but at the same time… it stings. He knows the little ghost won't hang around for long. Anytime he'd run into his offspring before, they never had. His phantom would likely move on by the morning.
But that is not what happens. At breakfast the next morning, a mischievous ghost knocks over his cup. Danny blinks in surprise, recognizing the being. His phantom is still here. The small ghost continues following him around for the rest of the day and the next. It gets underfoot at the market, steals his food, hides his shoes. The phantom makes all sorts of trouble but Danny's core flutters happily as an invisible form presses into his chest. A presence brushes his hand. Tiny fingers grip his hair. Actually…
That's strange. Though able to interact with the world, phantoms don't have defined forms. He shouldn't be able to feel hands in his hair, feet standing on his shoulders. But Danny brushes off the oddity. He goes to sleep with the little phantom pressed into his chest.
Danny wakes up with a small, visible figure tucked under his chin. The half ghost blinks, taking in the ghost. It's in the shape of a person with a head, arms, and legs, even if only as tall as his hand. The hair is white, most of the body black. And… Danny's breath catches as the little green eyes look up at him. It looks like him, like Danny himself, except at 14. A miniature version of him as a teen.
Eyes wide, Danny tentatively reaches for the ghost. His fingers brush and… he recognizes the presence, the energy, the vague emotions churning under his touch. It's… it's his phantom. Except completely visible.
Danny quickly stands, picking up the small ghost and holding it to his chest. The phantom wiggles, trying to escape.
"Hey. Hey. Calm down. I need to find out what happened to you." The man pleads.
The phantom stopped at the words, relaxing into his hold.
Danny finds Pandora and anxiously asks for an explanation.
"It manifested." The woman peers down at the phantom with some surprise.
"Manifested?" Danny asked.
A nod. "That is when a phantom takes on a physical appearance. It is not very common, but does tend to happen when a phantom spends prolonged time with its maker. Most will take on their spawner's form, though miniature."
Danny looks down at his offspring. Well, that is definitely true. "So… is this permanent or…."
Pandora chuckles. "Do not worry. This normally does not last long. It will get bored soon, wander off, and cease to be your shadow."
Something in Danny stings at the thought. He absently ruffles the phantom's hair, which wiggles again before breaking out of his hold and flying off.
Danny's heart sinks. He goes back to the festivities. Except his phantom returns less than an hour later, just as visible as before. The small ghost flutters around him, leaving and coming back, making mischief as always. But that night, Danny still falls asleep with his offspring close to his core.
Sometime later, Danny leaves the Acropolis and the phantom goes with him. Danny stops in his lair briefly before planning to go back home, through the portal. The small ghost follows, excitedly buzzing around the room, investigating and knocking things over.
The half ghost rolls his eyes at the mess before chuckling as the phantom tangles itself in the blanket on his couch. "Tuck was right. You really do take after me." Something in Danny aches at the words.
The phantom zips out of the blanket before running into a framed photo on one of the end tables and falling onto the wooden surface. For once, the small ghost stays still, just staring at the picture.
Danny approaches, kneeling to see the picture. The corner of his lip turns up. "That's Sam, my wife." He looks at his offspring. "Do you remember her? She was there when you hatched."
The little ghost does not respond, not even with a nod. But for just a moment, something sparks in the eyes, recognition.
The half ghost watches for another few minutes as his phantom explores. Then, the small ghost darts in front of him, rubbing up against his chest. There's…. an emotion communicated there, some type of affection. Danny's heart clenches as he gently wraps his hand around the ghost.
"I have to go home now." He says softly. "Back to the human world. To my friends and… family." He stumbles on the word, because… isn't the ghost he's holding family too? "You probably don't know this but… I'm half human. I'm not a full ghost like you are. So you can't come with me." His shoulders fall. "Not that you probably want to."
The little ghost shifts under his hand and Danny lifts it. But his phantom doesn't fly away. Instead, it tilts its head to look up at the half ghost. Danny feels his heart melt, even as his eyes start watering. "I loved getting to see you these past few days so much. I… God… I've missed you and your siblings so much."
That is the problem with being half human. Most ghosts don't care about their offspring, not the ones produced without a partner. But for Danny… every time he has to capture an animal-like ghost in Amity, every time a mischievous phantom drifts through the portal, he thinks about them. He wonders where his offspring are, how they're doing. "I figured I'd never see you again. But… you're here. And that made me so happy."
Danny sighs, pausing for a moment as the little ghost hovers in front of him. "I'll be back in a few days to visit the Far Frozen." He looks down. "I'll understand if you're not here when I come back. I know how phantoms are." He reaches forward, ruffling the fluffy white hair. "So bye, little guy. Maybe I'll see you around."
The small ghost presses into Danny's hand. And for just a moment, the half ghost feels a hum, a buzz like a core purring. But the feeling vanishes. He stands, floating to the door and closing it. He pats the opening of the lair; it will let the little phantom leave if it wants to. But… "I hope you're still here when I come back."
Danny leaves, heart hurting despite his excitement to see Sam and his other loved ones.
Three days later, Danny returns. He opens the door to his lair, expecting an empty room but… there, sitting on his couch, still visible, is the little phantom.
The half ghost's eyes light up, joy sparking. He grins, scooping up his offspring in a hug without thinking. The small ghost accepts; for just a second, equal excitement brushes Danny's core from the outside. "Come on. We're going to the Far Frozen, Buddy."
The phantom hovers up, sitting on his shoulder. Danny flies to the icy realm for a few days of study. The little ghost stays near him all this while.
This continues for several weeks. Every time Danny returns to the Ghost Zone, his little phantom is still there, still visible. His offspring is his constant companion. He talks to the small ghost. Even if it can't respond, he knows it listens, maybe even understands. Danny eats his meals with it. He even tries to play with it- tag, simple hand games, with various improvised toys. But the small ghost has little interest. Danny's heart swells with growing affection all the while.
But… things are not all well. Other ghosts look at the pair oddly. Eyes narrow in judgment, flicker away in suspicion. It makes Danny's stomach churn. Sure, Pandora said that phantoms manifesting are rare. And yeah, no ghost Danny knows ever treats their single-parent offspring like this, so affectionately. But this can't be that odd.
Dora approaches Danny, the next time he is in her kingdom.
Danny sits under a tree with his legs splayed in front of him, the small phantom facing him. He forms a tiny marble of ice in his hand and rolls it towards his offspring. "Come on. Catch it." He encourages.
The little phantom just stares at the marble, uncomprehending. The ball rolls, coming to a stop between its own splayed legs.
"Now roll it back to me." Danny waves with his hand, showing the action.
The small ghost looks up, head tilting as if confused.
"Sir Phantom." Dora interrupts. "May I speak with you?"
"In a bit." Danny waves her off. "I'm trying to get this one to play with me." His head turns back to the smallest ghost. "Let's try again." The man grabs the marble before gently rolling it back to his miniature look-alike. "You can do it. Catch it." He tries to spur on the little ghost. The ball rolls to a stop and curiously, the phantom reaches forward to take it. "Yes! That's it! Now roll it back." Instead, the small being grabs the marble and darts away.
Danny deflates with a sigh. "We'll try again later." He mutters.
After a pause, Dora sits down beside him. "Your offspring is quite handsome." She starts. "A very fine specimen, for a phantom."
The half ghost turns, raising a brow at her before his expression softens. "Yeah. The little guy's great." His voice rings out with affection before grinning. "Takes right after me, huh?"
Dora doesn't respond positively, as Danny expected. "Sir Phantom, my trusted knight." She pauses, her expression turning serious. "I fear… you are becoming too attached."
The halfa's eyes narrow. "Queen Dorathea." He sees her flinch in surprise, hurt at his use of her full name and title. "What is that supposed to mean?"
The queen visibility fights not to slump. "I mean no offense. I simply do not wish for you to get hurt."
"By my attachment… to my own offspring?" He frowns, severe.
"You must understand. Phantoms are not like us. They are flighty little things. They go where they please, when they please, causing mischief." She looks in the direction the small ghost had flown. "Yes, your phantom is a cute little thing and its continued presence is an exciting delight. But you must realize it is temporary."
Danny's shoulders fall. "I know. Pandora told me that but…" He balls his fists, sounding resolute. "I'm just trying to make the most of the time we've got."
"Are you?" Dora raises a brow, expression hardening. "Your behavior does not strike me as that of maker to offspring. It seems to be quite parental."
The half ghost stiffens at the word. Parental. No, that isn't… that's not what he's doing. And yet…. He bits his lip.
"So you do not refute my words." The queen states after searching his face. She then sighs. "Daniel. I fear that you are setting yourself up for pain. Phantoms are not like us." She again emphasizes. "They are simple, coreless, unchanging beings." Her eyes bore into him. "They do not speak, they do not grow, they do not change. And it can be guaranteed, they do not stay."
Danny's heart twists at the words and yet, anger flickers in him. "What are you implying Dora?"
She maintains his hard gaze, her own eyes narrowing into draconian slits. "Offspring are not children. No amount of desire will make them so." Instantly, her pupils round again, a grieved look covering her face.
The expression douses Danny's anger, like water poured on a fire. "Dora?"
She looks down. "I only wish to save you from pain, as I have experienced."
A pause. "What happened?"
"Centuries ago…." Dora starts, closing her eyes. "I had a phantom who manifested." A soft smile graces her face. "She was a beautiful little girl. Little blonde pigtails, the cutest dimple. She was the light of my afterlife, for the time she was with me. Curious, Affectionate. She followed me everywhere I went. She was my little girl, my little Estrella. I named her and she came flying whenever I called to her. I began to hope…." Her voice lowered. "They say that if fate is particularly generous, if parent and phantom offspring agree, then… there might be a transformation."
"Transformation?" Danny asks, tentatively.
"A miraculous change. From mere offspring into… child. A child of the same kind as their maker." Her shoulders fall at the word, tears welling in her eyes. "I wished to be parent. So I named my would-be child. I set up a nursery, had clothing made. I showered my Estrella with affection and she reciprocated. She loved her toys. She ate from my plate. She allowed me to dress her. I thought… I thought we would begin our new afterlife together." A tear spills down her face. "I thought we agreed but…"
Danny's heart falls. "What happened?" He asks, even as dread pools in his stomach.
"We did not agree." Dora says simply. There is a long pause, her lip pinched tightly closed. Then… "She disappeared. I know not whether she simply became invisible again or… faded. But… I never saw my little girl again."
The pair stare down, neither speaking. Danny's mind crowds with thoughts, pain spiking through his heart as his own little phantom's face sparks in his mind.
"I would never wish that pain on any soul." Dora vows. "Daniel… Please, listen to one with experience. I warn you to save you that same sorrow and grief."
Danny does not meet her eyes for a long while, staring towards the castle. A small black and white figure darts towards them before slowing. Danny's little phantom. The ghost holds… a pink flower, which it drops into Danny's lap before landing on his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek.
The half ghost moves a hand up, to cup his offspring. "Dora. I…I understand what you're saying but… getting to know this little guy, no matter how long it lasts… I know it's worth it."
Dora's face is thoughtful for a long moment before softening. "I hope then that his presence brings you joy, no matter what the outcome."
Danny brings his hand forward to ruffle the phantom's hair. "Thanks Dora." He looks down at the phantom, something in Dora's words sparking in his mind. His… He should probably stop calling his offspring an it; the little phantom does look male, like a boy. "Come on, little man. I'm ready to get some food."
The pair fly off, back towards the castle. Danny eats and the small ghost sits with him, mostly playing with the food but… to the half ghost's pleasant surprise, his offspring tries a few bites.
Danny smiles proudly, even as he cleans off the food-covered face. "You made a mess there, huh?"
Dora's words still ring in his head, a bittersweet feeling crowding his heart. Still… no matter what, he will make the most of this.
Another trip back through the portal. Mostly happy days with his friends and family. Lingering sadness too and worry that the next he ventures back into the Ghost Zone, the little phantom will be gone.
Still… eventually, Danny has to go back. More duties to attend to, more visits to make, this time to the Far Frozen. To his relief, his offspring is still waiting in his lair. The half scoops up his phantom in a hug. But… Dora's words…
'Phantoms are not like us. They do not speak. They do not change. And they do not stay.'
Danny tightens his hold slightly. No. None of that mattered. He loved… he loved the little guy, no matter what he was or what he was not, no matter what he could or could not do. But that last bit, the thought of him leaving… It hurt, deep in Danny's soul.
The man reassures himself. He'll be okay with just this, just a few weeks with his offspring. With just being followed around by the silent, unchanging presence. It's enough. It has to be.
Danny sits around a fire in the Far Frozen. He watches two yetis with a smaller one between them, their child. One scoops the young yeti into their arms, tickling the little one's belly who giggles. And something in Danny aches at the sight. Two parents with their child. Their kid.
Earlier in the week, when he'd been home, he and Sam had talked. They'd talked about his phantom manifesting, Dora's words, the other ghost's reactions. They'd talked about Dora's accusation, his 'parental' behavior.
And they'd talked about wanting kids. And they agreed. They both wanted kids but… because of his half-ghost status, Danny can never have children with a human partner, never have children with Sam. He watches across the way as one of the adults plays some type of hand game with their child. That…that will never be him and Sam. And it's Danny's fault, because he's infertile.
Except… he looks down at his little phantom. That's not true. He's plenty fertile; curse weird ghostly biology. He's had no problem producing offspring of his own ectoplasm. But… there is a difference between an offspring and a child.
Danny closes his eyes, breathing. Because, damn it, Dora was right. He wants more, more than just this. He doesn't want what is essentially a loyal, excited pet following him around for a few weeks. He wants a child that he could watch grow up, a child that he and Sam can raise and love. He wants… 'I wished to be parent' Dora had said. That was what Danny himself wants now.
But….Danny pulls his phantom to his chest, kissing him on the head. His heart aches. He loves this little ghost so much. So much. That affection swells in him. He would give his life to protect his little one. He can imagine. The little ghost in his arms but different. A toddler's frame and size. Chubby hands. Playing patty cake. A child's laughter. He'd… he'd give his soul to hear that sound from the mouth of the small body pressed into him. But…
Offspring are not children. No amount of desire will make them so.
Dora is right. His desire will not change reality. It won't change the being in his arms into a different type of creature altogether. And it's wrong to want his offspring to be something he can not be. His heart twists guiltily at thought. He can't force that on his little one. He won't. He won't expect, demand, beg, or wish for him to be anything more than what he is.
Danny kisses the little head again. "I love you. I love you so much."
The small phantom presses into him, wrapping small arms around his fingers. Something… new flutters in the feelings coming from the ghost, a cacophony of emotions. And there, under his fingers, sparks the faint buzz of a core.
Danny brings the little ghost back through the portal with him and calls Sam. If they stay in his parents' lab, near the portal, the little one should be okay. Minutes later, his wife arrives. And…
The little phantom darts forward, curious and then excited when he recognizes the woman.
Sam laughs as the little guy investigates her hair. "You do look just like your daddy."
Danny blinks, startled at the words before relaxing. They'd joked about that when he was younger. But now…. Daddy… the word rings differently in his heart. Now that he's made the decision, now that he's promised to love no matter what.
Sam tickles the little ghost, who rolls in the air, laughing without sound. She turns to her husband. "What's his name?"
Again, the half ghost is given pause. "His name?"
"You haven't named him." His wife crosses her arms.
Danny rubs the back of his neck. "Honestly… Pandora said this would be temporary. So… I hadn't bothered with it yet." His voice quiets at the reminder. He hadn't bothered because this wasn't going to last. Any day now, the little guy would get bored and Danny would never see him again but….
Guilt swells in his …his little one deserves a name, doesn't he?
His eyes trace the small body; his phantom does look just like him, like Phantom. "I'm thinking Jackson." Danny blurts out.
Sam raises a brow before laughing. "Really? After your dad?"
"It just sounds right." Danny doesn't say how excited his dad would be to have his first grandchild named after him. Because… grandchild… no, this little phantom isn't Jack Fenton's grandchild. He'll never really be Sam and Danny's child, even if they both want…
The man swallows, grabbing his wife's hand. "You should pick out the middle name."
The couple's eyes met and… the woman's expression softens; Danny sees that she understands. "How about Aaron? That was my granddad's name."
"Jackson Aaron Fenton." The man hums thoughtfully. "It's great." And just like that…
"Jackson?" Sam asks, addressing the small. "How do you like that name? Huh, Jackson?"
No response. After a pause, Danny experimentally calls. "Jackson?"
The phantom's gaze turns instantly and his head might just nod. The ghost flies to Danny, landing on his shoulder and placing tiny hands on his cheek.
"I think he likes it." Sam says with a smile.
"Do you, Jackson? Do you like that name?" Danny asks.
For just a moment, there's a hum. A cacophony of emotions wafts off the phantom before returning to simple contentment.
"I think that answers it." Danny smiles.
Jackson. Their little phantom has a name now. And the half ghost uses it with glee. The name is sweet as honey on his tongue. It rings like the sound of a bell. Danny's eyes light up whenever the little ghost reacts to the name, even if it's only half of the time.
The small ghost still goes from kingdom to kingdom with Danny. Jackson still causes trouble. Danny still tries to play, even if the simplest game of patty cake is beyond the ghost. Danny tries to teach his offspring to nod and shake his head for yes and no. But no lessons stick. Still….
The little ghost is affectionate, even more so than before. He loves cuddling with Danny, little body pressed up against his heart. Sometimes, a faint buzzing rings in time with the half ghost's core. Jackson eats more often off of Danny's plate. He sleeps more often too, not just when Danny himself is sleeping.
Danny watches, expression soft and loving as Jackson sleeps on the couch. His little chest moves up and down, in mock breathing. His arms wrap around the keychain stuffed penguin Sam had given him.
Sam and he had talked. They had made their decision. They were parents. Their little phantom, Jackson Aaron Fenton-Phantom, was their son. Even if he wasn't like them, even if they only have him for a limited amount of time.
The half ghost kneels down, watching the sleeping figure closer. His ears twitch at… the soft sound of breathing.
Danny flies Sam to his lair.
"He was asleep when I left." The man says as he opens the door. "I figured he'd want to see you again."
The couple cross the threshold and Jackson stirs at the sound, letting out a silent yawn. He darts up, glow flashing brighter in excitement.
"Hi there." Sam smiles.
The little ghost flies up, nuzzling into her cheek before darting to Danny and doing the same.
The goth chuckles. "I brought you something." She pulls out a tiny rubber ball and holds it out.
Jackson tilts his head, studying the object.
"It's for you." Danny encourages. "Go ahead and take it."
Tentatively, the phantom flies forward. He lowers, landing on Sam's hand, and tentatively takes the toy. He floats for a long moment, looking between the two adults.
"Do you want me to play with you?" Sam asks.
The little one's head moves oh so subtly. Danny blinks. Was that… a nod?
The goth clearly notices as well, eyes widening. She kneels. "Just roll it to me, Jackson."
The small ghost lands on the floor, sitting with his legs splayed in front of him. For a long moment, he stares at the ball before…. He pushes it away from himself, towards the woman.
"Good job!" Sam congratulates, clapping. She catches the ball and pushes it back to the little ghost. "Roll it back to mama." After a hesitant pause, Jackson rolls the ball back.
Danny kneels as well. "You did it! You did it, little guy!"
Soon, there is no hesitation. Jackson passes the ball, chest shaking with soundless giggles. Danny and Sam couldn't be more proud.
They keep playing for a while, before Jackson flies off. He explores, periodically bringing small objects back to the couple.
Sam tilts her head questioningly as the little phantom sits on the coffee table, nippling on an oversized cracker held in his small hands.
"What is it?" Danny asks.
"Is he bigger?"
The half ghost blinks. "What?"
"He was the length of your hand earlier, the last time I saw him. But…" She held up her hand to compare. "He's bigger. Maybe… three or four inches taller?"
Danny furrows his brow. He holds up his own hand. And… "You're right."
Shock washes over him. Jackson is about one and a half times the length of his hand now. Definitely, measurably bigger. But…
The man leans forward, really looking at the smiling face. And his eyes just about pop out of his skull. Those features… Jackson's face, it's smoother, cheeks just a little bit rounder.
"He looks… he looks younger." He wishes… he wishes he had a picture from before, from right after Jackson manifested. But… it's burned into his mind. Danny's likeness, a face identical to his own as a young teen but now…
"He does. He looks… eleven or twelve now. But before… he looked like you did at fourteen."
The adults look at each other. And Danny's mind whirls. Because…. Phantoms do not grow. They do not change and yet…. The changes are in front of him.
Something in Danny's mind sparks, small pieces sliding into place. The increased affection, the subtle nods, the eating and sleeping, finally playing with Sam and him. The… the buzz of a tiny core under his finger. Phantoms are supposed to be coreless but…
There's a suspicion. One he hadn't allowed himself to think, yet alone dwell on… But, right in front of him, what he is seeing….
'They say, that if fate is particularly generous, if parent and phantom offspring agree, then… there might be a transformation.'
Later that night, once Sam has gone to bed, Danny stands in the doorway to Jackson's room. It's sparse, a room specially made for the little phantom. His offspring lies on a bed perfectly sized for him, with his stuffed penguin in his arms.
Danny kneels in front of the bed, again studying the sleeping face. The expression is serene, relaxed. Eye pinched closed, fringe ruffled by sleeping breath. The quiet sound of air moving in and out of the little one's chest. He can almost, almost hear a quiet snore.
The man's heart swells with hope.
"My little phantom." Danny breaths. "You knew… I said before that I wasn't like you. I'm a half ghost. And you're a full ghost, a phantom. But…. I'm a Phantom too." He chuckles lightly. "That's what I named my ghost form anyway."
There's a pause as the man watches the chest rise and fall again. When he next speaks, his voice is quiet and sober. "We're not that different. I know we're not. Dora said… well, a lot of things but… phantoms aren't supposed to be able to grow or change. They aren't supposed to be able to make noise, definitely not talk. And they don't stay. Not as long as you have." Tentatively, slowly, Danny reaches. His thumb ruffles the sleeping head. "Oh, Jackson. The offspring of my ectoplasm. My child." He pours all of his love, his hope, his belief in the words. "I think… I think you can be more. No, I know. I know you can be. If you want to."
Danny's hand shifts, gently rubbing his child's back. "Sam and I… we love you no matter what you are or what you're not. That's what… what parents are supposed to do. Love you unconditionally. And us, your dad and mom, we love you so much, Jackson. Your daddy loves you so much." He closes watery, emotion-filled eyes, his free hand clutched over his core. "But… if you want more than this. If you want a life with me and Sam. If you want to be not just my offspring but… our son, our baby, our child." He emphasizes the last word, that distinction, the incredible difference between the two. "If you want things to be different. If you… If you agree… just tell me. Tell me and you can have it."
The man finishes, his heart poured out. Emotions clash through him. Hope, fear, anxiety, desperation, sadness, love. But… something trickles into him, from the small body under his hand.
Danny's eyes open and his gaze meets another's, green eyes so like his own. Those eyes… the expression bores into him, the depth boundless. There is so much there, so many emotions, so many feelings. Danny's hand shifts, moving to the bed in front of his son. A tiny hand grabs his pinky. And determination, certainty, assurance presses into his mind, from the child before.
A word is breathed into his very soul. Yes
In the morning, when Danny tickles Jackson, for the first time, his child laughs out loud.
