Ch. 5
The Fenton's didn't seem to hear Tucker comment but the ones who had, looked to him for an explanation, "Well…" He began but as they passed a floating island covered in trees, flowers and bushes a jock interrupted.
"How are their plants and stuff in the Ghost Zone? Isn't it all supposed to be dead?" A jock questioned.
Val smiled as she looked out at the window at the island, "When the King and Queen were crowned, their energy spread throughout the Zone repairing the damage the previous King had caused. The Queen is quite adept at taking care of plants, so the ones that died in the past have come back to life."
As they flew past a very large floating landmass, Star looked out the right window. She noticed scorch marks on the ground as well as multiple craters, "What the heck happened over there?" Her words made many students look out the right side of the Speeder.
"A war." Was all Tucker said.
This caused Mr. Lancer to look at him, "A war?" The pair in the back nodded.
"I thought the King was that scary giant Ghost King that brought Amity in here all those years ago," Kwan said also turning to look at the pair.
Val looked at him before looking back out the left window, "Pariah Dark was the former King's name. He was defeated by the current King when Pariah sucked Amity into the Ghost Zone. That was how we returned to earth."
Mr. Lancer looked confused, "Then why was there a war?"
Tucker sighed and looked at Mr. Lancer, "After the current King defeated Pariah, by resealing him in the coffin of forever sleep. He ended up becoming King for defeating Pariah. It's an ancient rule very few knew about until the current King was crowned." Tucker explained as he looked back out his window and noted they were heading out of the wastelands and heading towards Pandora's kingdom. Mr. Lancer looked confused until Valerie continued.
Val looked at Mr. Lancer, "The Observants, who had been the ruling council over the Ghost Zone after Pariah was locked away the first time. Weren't too happy about the current King coming of age and taking the throne of the Ghost Zone. So, they plotted against him and the Queen. Starting a civil war around the beginning of summer for us. Luckily for you all, the war ended yesterday."
Lancer's eyes widened, "Yesterday? But it looked like the war ended years ago! There's hardly any trace aside for the damaged ground."
Tucker smirked, "Because the King and Queen don't drag their asses."
Lancer studied the pair for a moment, "You seem to know a lot about the rulers. Do you know who they are?"
Val and Tuck glanced at each other. Lancer noticed this and narrowed his eyes slightly, "No of course not!" Val said with a dismissive wave.
"They're royalty. We only know so much because of our friends in here." Tuck explained casually.
Dash let out a laugh of disbelief, "No way you nerds have friends! Though you are freaks, so I guess you would be friends with a ghost!"
Tucker sent him a glare that made him shudder, "It's because of our friends, that your alive right now."
Val rolled her eyes, "We're getting near Pandora's Palace." She pointed out the left window and the class immediately went to look. Mr. Lancer, however, kept an eye on Tucker and Valerie. He could tell they were hiding something.
Val leaned over to Tuck and lowered her voice, "We're not stopping at Pandora's, right?"
Tuck shook his head, "Na, the only place we're stopping is the keep. I sent Sam and Jazz a message as soon as we entered. Apparently, Danny's still not awake. But Sam's fine, Jazz and Danielle are back, and apparently, the Manson's came along too. We have to keep the class out of the east wing though." He sighed, "Hopefully Danielle doesn't get curious."
Val snorted, "You really think that won't happen? This is Danielle we're talking about."
Tuck laughed, "True, she's to dam curious, for her own dam good. Definitely takes after Sam."
"So true." Val laughed, before sighing, "No one is going to interfere right?"
Tuck looked out the window, a look of concern showing on his face, "They shouldn't. But those two Observants did get away. Sam's message did spread over the Realms, but that could've also reached the Observants."
Val nodded and sighed as she glanced over the class and noticed Lancer watching them subtly. She looked back at Tuck, "Lancer's watching."
"I know. Prop's for being subtle though." Tuck said looking down at his PDA. His eyes widened a second later. He sprung up instantly, "EVERYONE DOWN! NOW!"
Val instantly dropped to the ground covering her head. Some of the class were about to protest before Lancer stood and yelled, "GET DOWN!" Most of the class dropped instantly.
The Fenton's looked back into the Speeder confused by Tucker's yelling. Lancer was still standing and clung to his seat. A second later the Speeder was hit with a blast that sent them crashing into a floating island.
The impact knocked Lancer to his knees. His eyes widened as everything seemed to play out in slow motion in front of him. He watched Tucker's armor deploy covering him in brown and yellow, a split second after the Speeder was hit. And when he landed on the Speeder floor he saw the Red Huntress in Valerie's place. The second impact knocked Lancer fully to the ground, knocking him out.
When Lancer opened his eyes again, they quickly widened when he saw a small army of ghosts with two green cyclops like ghosts at the front. His eyes flickered to the Brown and Red hunters standing between them.
"You can't beat us Royal Guards! Let us have the humans!" One of the green cyclops ghosts yelled.
"Hell no!" The Red Huntress yelled. Her mask was up, but Mr. Lancer could now clearly make out her voice, even though it was slightly distorted from the mask.
The Brown Hunter's visor was open, showing Tucker's smirking face, "We'd actually like to thank you! We don't have to keep searching for you now! Why don't you give up before we kill you all for a second time!"
The two ghosts up front turned red in anger, "Attack!"
Val and Tuck instantly went into defense mode. Val pulled out multiple blasters letting off shots that landed every time, knocking many ghosts to the ground. While Tucker's visor reappeared as he launched from the ground and landed flying kicks and punches on each ghost he encountered. He would use many of the ghosts as springboards to launch to the next one, also knocking many down in the process.
Lancer pulled his view away from the fight and saw the Speeder had been broken into pieces because of the harsh impact. He saw multiple of the students starting to regain consciousness but others, including the Fenton's, were out cold and bleeding. He stood and rushed over to the ones regaining consciousness and questioned if they were alright.
Mikey looked at Mr. Lancer and over to the battle with worry, "Mr. Lancer are we going to die?"
Lancer shook his head, "No. The Red and Brown Hunter will protect us."
"But where did they come from?" Star asked moving to wake up Paulina.
Lancer pursed his lips together and glanced to the pair fighting to hold back the army, "They must have been following us."
"But why?" A jock asked confused.
"Enough! Those of you who are awake go try and wake the ones who are still out cold. Check for injuries and call out if any look severe. If they don't wake up, stay beside them so we know who needs the most attention." Lancer yelled so those awake could hear him over the fighting. The ones awake did as Lancer had told them and luckily no injuries looked serious. But multiple people weren't waking up including the Fenton's.
A few students stayed by the ones that wouldn't wake up, but the rest moved to stand in a group by Mr. Lancer who was watching the fighting. All the students were cheering for the hunters as they held back an army that would be impossible for anyone other than the Phantom's.
The Brown Hunter was hit by multiple simultaneous blasts sending him into the ground. The impact created a small crater.
"Brown!" The Red Huntress yelled but didn't look away from the ghost she was shooting.
The Brown Hunter crawled out of the hole rubbing his neck, "I'm fine Red!"
He was about to jump again when a woman's voice echoed around them, "OBSERVANTS!" This caused everyone to freeze and lookup.
The class's eyes widened and many gasped as they looked up. A ghostly woman dawned in a flaming green, yellow-green and yellow dress. There were dark green thorny vines wrapped around her waist and feet. She had long, white, flowing, flaming hair whipping around her body. A thorny vine headband of flowers circled her head. While a small dark green, crown surrounded by light green flames, floated above her head. Her eyes were piercing green as they stared down at the Observants with fury clear in her eyes.
Behind her was an army twice the size of the one that was fighting the hunters. The woman didn't look anywhere other than the cyclops ghosts she was staring down. Her voice carried clearly through the air, "Shield them." Was all anyone heard.
The hunters quickly moved in front of the class and activated a shield that spanned the length of the island. The class looked at them but quickly looked back up as a bright light began to come from the woman. Green fire engulfed her body as she made a ring of fire in the air and green fire engulfed the opposing army cutting them off from every direction but up.
"I'm tired of this game Observants." The woman said as she floated down gracefully until she was in front of the ones, she called the Observants. Green glowing vines sprouted from the ground circling each member of the army, except the Observants. Once every member was captured the fire disappeared.
"For beings who claim to know everything you are pretty stupid." She moved towards them, and they started to float backward away from her only to run into a glowing vine wall. She glared, "You aren't going anywhere."
One of the Observants glared, "You aren't fit to rule! We've seen the path you too halfa's will take! You will turn out worse than Pariah! Danny Phantom's path still leads to destruction!"
Sam's eyes flared in anger as the hunters looked at each other. She was in front of the Observants before anyone could blink, grabbing their faces with each hand. She clenched hard enough to make ectoplasm drip from where her nails dug into their skin. Her hair began to whip faster as more green fire spread down her arms and engulfed the pair. They struggled against her hold, but the woman wasn't budging.
She glared, "That will never happen. Now DIE!"
The Observants instantly exploded. Her arms dropped to her sides, ectoplasm dripping from her hands. The class was horrified and amazed as they watched the woman look at the army that cowered at her glare, "You were given a chance to turn yourselves in. You were given the chance to live in peace in your homeland. But you begrudged the King's kindness and returned. You will all die." Sam sighed, "That is what I want to do. However, the King would be upset if I killed all of you here. So, you will be sent to different dungeons around the Infinite Realms. Until you are tried for your crimes."
Sam looked at the army that came with her, "Separate them throughout your domains. They are to be under the highest security." They all bowed and grabbed the opposers before taking off in separate directions. As soon as they were all gone, she turned to the class who flinched back in fear. She let out a sigh and the fire around her dissipated.
The Red and Brown Hunters dropped the shield and instantly kneeled. Lancer followed suit and made those awake do the same. The woman let out an amused laugh, "Ambassadors, you know you don't need to bow."
The pair stood, "We know your majesty." The Red Huntress said.
The Brown Hunter shoved his thumb towards the group of humans, "However, they must. So, we figured we'd be good role models."
Sam laughed again and walked over to the class. Stopping in front of Lancer, "You may stand humans."
Lancer stood, followed by the class. He looked at the woman, "I take it you're the Queen of the ghost zone?"
Sam smiled at him, "That I am. And I'm sorry you all were caught in our civil war."
Lancer looked over at the hunters, "It's alright. One of my students explained it to us earlier."
Sam raised an eyebrow at Lancer's tone before noticing he was looking at her friends. She put her hands on her hips and looked at her friends, "He knows?" The Brown Hunter shrugged, and The Red one facepalmed. Lancer laughed, while the class just looked confused.
Sam moved past Lancer and through the group of standing students. She kneeled by one of the unconscious students and sighed. She looked at the hunters, "We're going to the Keep now."
They nodded and a second later the whole island began moving. Sam stood and walked back over to the hunters. She moved past them and motioned for them to follow her. Which they did. The class slowly began to come out of their shock and began talking about what they just witnessed.
As soon as the three were out of earshot Sam groaned. Tuck laughed and nudged her, "That was pretty badass there Sam."
She covered her face with her hands, "Danny's going to be so mad."
Val made sure he back was to the class before she opened her mask and smiled. She put a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder, "I doubt that. He'll probably be more concerned than mad Sam, the Observants had it coming. Besides the class was in danger and he would've been livid if someone was killed. Especially one of us."
Sam laughed, "True. We'll ok, he won't be mad, especially after all the problems they've caused. But he will probably be upset because I used so much power while he was out cold."
Tuck nodded, "Now that, is true." They continued to talk as the island moved towards the castle.
Lancer watched them as they all talked like old friends. Interesting.
"Mr. Lancer! Maddie Fenton's awake!" A jock called causing everyone to turn and look at the ghost hunter who was holding her head as she sat up. Maddie looked around the small island her eyes widened at the destroyed specter speeder, multiple out cold students, and the ghost standing between the two hunters that usually patrol Amity.
Maddie reached for the gun on her belt, but a vine snatched it first and crushed it. Maddie gasped and looked straight at the ghost who was staring at her. Sam gracefully moved across the small island and stood in front of Maddie with the hunters behind her.
Maddie gritted her teeth, "What have you done ghost!" She spat.
Sam rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "I haven't done anything Maddie. I saved your asses from an army. Your welcome by the way."
"Bull shit I don't see any army!"
"That's because they were taken away by the Queen's guards," Lancer said coming to stand beside Sam.
Maddie looked between Sam, Lancer, and the standing students who were nodding in agreement to Lancer's words. Her brows knitted in confusion, "But… Wait. Queen?" Maddie looked shocked as she finally registered the ghostly woman in front of her. Her regal dress, queenly aura, and finally the floating crown.
"Yes. I am Queen of the Ghost Zone." Sam said while putting her hand on her hips as if daring Maddie to argue.
"But… Yo…" Maddie started but was cut off by Sam.
"No, we aren't mindless creatures. And one would think you would remember when the previous King of ghost, Pariah sucked your hometown in here. He did in fact announce that he was king."
Maddie gapped, "Of course I remember that, but I didn't think he was serious!"
Sam smirked, "Oh, so the world-renowned ghost hunter thinks every ghost in here has the capabilities to suck an entire town into an alternate dimension. Scary thought." She mocked, "If I'm wrong correct me, but I believe when Pariah was picked up on your devices, they basically overloaded because they couldn't measure his power. Am I wrong?" Sam questioned like she was speaking to a child.
Maddie's brow knitted together, "Well… yes…"
"And have you not, yourself said, that ghosts have varying power levels and feat such as the one that occurred with your town shouldn't be possible?" Sam asked again.
Maddie nodded, "Yes. But!"
Sam cut her off again, "Well my dear narrow-minded ghost hunter. Let me, let you in on a little not so secret, only ghosts that are named King or Queen have the capabilities of doing what Pariah did. Because no other ghosts have the amount of power needed to accomplish such a feat. And only ghosts that have been named rulers of the Infinite Realms are able to acquire that amount of power." Maddie narrowed her eyes a pushed her lips together, unable to argue with what Sam had just said.
"Hey, Queen Lady?" A popular girl called.
Sam turned to look at her, "Yes?"
"Why did so many scary-looking ghosts attack Amity?"
Sam sighed, "Sadly, that was before my husband and I took the throne. As for the scary-looking part, some of us might be more monstrous or beastly looking but those normally stay in the wastelands." Sam began explaining and looked back down at Maddie who seemed to be trying to find a way to argue with what Sam said a minute ago, "Where the Fenton's portal happens to have opened when they created it." Maddie looked up at her confused once more, as Sam continued and looked around the island, "However, the vast majority of us are humans that have died. So, we are well aware of human emotions and practices. We just get a second chance at life. And some of us are even born as spirits, like my daughter. We can reason, we can get along. And I apologize for the very small amount of spirits who come to Amity and cause a ruckus." Sam explained causing everyone to gap except the hunters.
"Wait, daughter?" Lancer asked before anyone had a chance to speak.
Sam nodded, "Yes my daughter, Danielle. She was born four years ago." The class and Maddie were shocked.
"No that's not possible! You're… you're dead! I can accept the rulers part, but not you having a baby!" Maddie cried refusing to believe Sam's words.
Sam knelt down in front of Maddie, "I may be dead. But that doesn't stop my body from producing a ghost child." Sam stressed the word staring into Maddie's eyes, "I still have eggs and a womb, as well as breasts to feed my child. And my husband still has his balls and sperm. So, explain to me Madeline, how that wouldn't be able to produce a child. Ghost children aren't common, but they do happen." Maddie's eyes were flickering back and forth as she tried to process the information she'd just been told.
Sam stood looking down at her, "Just because we aren't warm like a human, does not mean we aren't alive. Our blood is ectoplasm and it moves through our veins. Like your blood does. We have cores instead of hearts, but they have the same purpose. Our bodies are made to exist in the Infinite Realms. That is why we can fly. Our powers come from our cores and sometimes our deaths. Much like how humans have courage, we have powers to protect our last chance at life. Once one dies as a ghost one never returns."
Maddie looked up at the queen again only to see her glaring back, "But you've already been told this haven't you, Maddie." Maddie gulped as stared up at this woman covered in fire. Sam's eyes told her to tread lightly.
Maddie looked down, "Yes... I have." She said softly but clearly.
"Didn't that person seem alive as he begged you? Answered all of your questions?" Sam's voice was tense and sharp. And the class was very aware that they had missed something.
Maddie clenched her fist against the ground. Gritting her teeth as she tried not to think of the one thing, that still makes her feel dirty. But she couldn't deny the Queen's words, "Yes he did." She whispered.
Sam's glowed brighter in her anger as she stared down at the ghost hunter, "We are going to my home. I will answer your questions. But you will not hold weapons in my home, where my baby resides. Tell your husband what you wish. But if either of you makes the slightest move, that looks like it would threaten my family, I will kill you on the spot. Without question." The class shuddered at the threat knowing full well she could and would go through with it.
Maddie nodded and looked back up at the woman hesitantly, "Your Highness, what was your name… when you were alive?"
Sam sighed and her demeanor softened, "That isn't something one should ask a spirit. Some do not remember their names. Others suppress their human memories, so they won't remember their death. However, most ghosts keep their human names. Mine is Samantha." Maddie nodded and looked over at Jack and scooted towards him.
Lancer's eyes widened when she said her name and his eyes immediately went to the hunters. Their visors were up but he could feel them looking back at him. Sam moved to pass him and patted his arm, "We'll explain when we get to my home, Mr. Lancer." He watched as the three of them walked away again. He couldn't help but stare in shock and confusion.
