A Ghostly Cry

by P.A.W.07

Danny loses everyone he loves when they are killed in a fire, leaving him to be taken in by his godfather, Vlad Masters. How will they survive each other and the vengeful demon that killed his family? It won't be easy, especially when everything isn't what it seems and Danny has no powers to help him deal with everything. Gore. Dadvlad. PreSeason 3. 23/30.

18. The Ghostly Gathering

Chapter 18: The Ghostly Gathering

Vlad sat silently in his office staring at a charred safe on his desk while packing peanuts tried to escape off the edge of the desk and hide away like foamy little insects.

Rubbing his eyes, wondering if he should turn on more lights than the lamp on his desk, Vlad reached for the letter that came with the safe. The ability to even read escaped the man, forcing him to rub his eyes again. He was so tired and this day refused to end.

First, he had to take Daniel back to the hospital and Dr. Monroe. Luckily, his fever broke quickly and he was allowed to take a strangely distant Daniel back home. Yet, before he could even get the teen in the limousine, he was informed by his lawyers that some detective had just subpoenaed Daniel's and his medical records for some ungodly reasons. Then, as soon as he had put Daniel back in bed, Skulker came up to him with Walker of all ghosts in tow with some ridiculous requests. Apparently, Walker lost his territory and was willing to serve while Clockwork, a maintainer of the Ghost Zone, had volunteered his territory for some kind of ghostly gathering tomorrow. It wasn't even a request. They were just informing him and the decision was beyond them all at this point.

Finally, when he had been able to escape everyone and their growing stupidity, he entered his office to be greeted by a charred smell. He was about to blame one of the flaming ghost-types he employed only to stall when he saw a box on his desk. He immediately knew what it was and now everything else seemed inconsequential. He could deal with the gathering, the lawyers, and Walker tomorrow. Right now, everything revolved around the box.

And so, withdrawing his hand from his eyes, he finally was able to read the letter that came with the package:

Dear Vlad Masters,

This safe was found when cleaning up the ruins of the Fenton house during the fire investigation. We thought you'd like to have it. It was one of the few things that survived the blaze. There are some letters and photographs inside. We are sure Danny will find some solace in these personal effects.

And, again, thank you for your sizable donation to our firehouse. If any other noteworthy personal items or tech are found in the Fenton house cleanup, we will inform you promptly.

Sincerely,

The Amity Fire Department.

For Daniel, huh? Honestly, he had barely opened the safe and all he found were glaring reminders for himself. It had been years since he had even remembered writing these, and he was honestly surprised that Maddie had kept them for that matter put them in her fireproof safe. They were all still in their carefully opened envelopes… love letters that he had written to her during their freshman year in college. To tell the truth, she had actually fancied him until she met Jack, and after that there was nothing. No spark.

Carefully, like it was an ancient tome, Vlad opened one of the letters and looked at his smooth handwriting. He felt so empty inside at this very moment, given all the terrible news today. Yet, after a few seconds of staring at the swirls of his L's and the curves of his E's, he read the letter.

A single tear fell down his cheek.

Why couldn't she have loved him? Why couldn't Daniel and Jazz have been his children? Why had she even kept these?

Wiping the tear away like a stray thought, Vlad refused to look at another love letter and instead turned his attention to the rest of the contents of the safe. There were so many memories packed into this little thing. There was a toy doll and even a wedding photo of Maddie and Jack. He might have even taken time to rip the photo up if something more intriguing hadn't caught his eye. It was a small drawing that had been put in a frame.

Carefully, the millionaire picked up the brass-colored frame and felt his heartache. It was a drawing of four stick people. They were crudely colored but anyone could tell that they were of the Fenton family. Vlad smiled at the childish yet heart-filled drawing and turned it over to read the messy writing on the back. "I luv u mummie and daddie."

Almost delicately, he put the drawing back and looked a little deeper, wanting for any distraction. There was a small paper crane at the bottom and Vlad wondered what significance it could have had. He didn't get to question it further though when his computer chimed with a new email. Even from here, Vlad could tell who it was from.

It was the Vice President of Vladco. Linx Nikolli had been on his back since the ghost population in the human world had exploded. He also wanted to meet Vlad's heir when Daniel felt well enough.

"He probably wants to use him for a media coverage sob story. It would help the company's stocks so I wouldn't put it past him," grumbled Vlad to himself as he dwelled on calling Linx or continuing with his safe-browsing when a shiver ran down his spine.

Thhh-THRUMMMMM

The bright flash of electricity rippled through the sky outside causing Vlad to shift his sharp gaze toward the windows as thunder shook the panes. A pair of glinting eyes glared back at him through the windowpane, seemingly larger than life with a colossus shadow. Vlad was so surprised that he nearly fell back in his chair, knocking his papers everywhere. He immediately turned away, trying to grab his work, only to immediately regret it when he glanced and noticed that there was nothing outside except for more lightning.

Vlad sat there a moment trying to calm his heart as the last of his papers hit the floor. What was that? It was too big to be a wild animal and almost all of his ghostly employees were out while Daniel adapted to his new living circumstances. In fact, if it was a spirit, they weren't supposed to be here until around tomorrow for that ghostly gathering.

He frowned before promptly transforming into Plasmius, phasing through the windowpanes and out into the humid air outside. He didn't even twitch as the rain started to come down, the almost warm water kissing his skin before he went intangible. No ghost entered his territory without permission.

A few minutes later in the downpour, Plasmius came to the conclusion that the invader had fled. Yet, the moment he headed back for the castle, he heard the grinding of stone. He gazed upward just in time to duck a falling stone from the castle wall. He barely caught a glimpse of it in with the lightning's flash, but something was clamoring up the castle wall.

Eyes glowing in rage, Vlad quickly flew upward. But just as quickly as he had caught sight of the intruder, with a flash of lightning, they were gone.

Rising up higher, trying to see what happened to his prey, Vlad's stomach sank as he caught a bulky figure perched on Daniel's balcony like some kind of large crow. There was another flash of lightning, the storm fully overhead, and then the figure was gone again ... the door leading to the teen's room open and swinging in the wind.

Blinking back spots from the blinding lightning, the half-ghost swore under his breath and quickly flew to his godson's room, bursting into the room like a vengeful gust.

He floated there at the entrance, eyes shifting around as he looked for the smallest bit of movement. Only after he had stalked around every corner of the room like an angry tiger, did he float over to his godson.

Feeling paranoid, he even glanced under the bed quickly before checking on the boy while whispering, "If it wasn't for the falling rock, I'd think I was seeing things... Daniel are you awake? Did you see anything?"

He kept his voice soft as he asked, suspecting that the teen was still doped up on medication and all but dead to the world. Unsurprisingly, he was right, the kid not even twitching as Vlad removed a glove and put the back of his hand onto the youth's forehead. Thankfully, the fever had not returned.

Shutting the balcony doors and locking them securely, Vlad made his way to his Second in Command, his irritation almost palpable.

"Skulker," barked Plasmius as he floated down into the kitchens a few minutes later, finding both Skulker and Walker sitting there while the Dairy King retreated into the nearby fridge. "Are any of the ghosts already showing up for that Ghostly Gathering? If so, they can stay out in the outbuildings, the woods, or at most the left wing. I will not have any of them near the living quarters. One of those wayward vandals already entered through my godson's room!"

The two spirits at the table shared a slow yet surprised look. Walker could only hunker down in his seat as his headache grew, wanting nothing to do with this situation. He was still having trouble coping with the fact that he was under Skulker of all ghosts and that Danny Phantom was in the castle as a ward of Plasmius.

"Are you certain, Plasmius?" asked Skulker in a gruff tone. "As far as I know, no spirits of importance have even arrived. Plus, none of the underlings have reported anything coming through the gardens and up to the castle."

Plasmius looked ready to argue, but Walker, still in pain from his beating and patch-up job, tiredly agreed, "Skulker is correct. As far as we know, no spirits of note have arrived. Plus, the ghost child's breath ability would have likely woken him if an unfamiliar spirit was around."

The halfling's nose crinkled in irritation as he glared down at his newest underling, noting the warden's shoulder brace and sickly glow. It was a bit disturbing how much Walker already knew about his charge. Not that he should be surprised, Daniel had thrived in chaos and Walker had his reputation for a reason.

Sighing, the woes of the day crashing back down onto him, the philanthropist leaned heavily onto the table with his arms, allowing his dampened cape to drip water onto the floor, "I swear this day refuses to end and tomorrow will undoubtedly be worse."

Walker wiped the water from the table out of instinct. He then looked at Plasmius, part of him noting just how tired the usually assured halfa looked. He was supposed to be under this? A halfling? How had Plasmius ever gotten so much territory?

Wanted to test the waters, Walker stated, "You are half human and easily damaged in that regard. Perhaps having a ward is finally wearing youdown, Plasmius. How have you kept your territory this long?"

The millionaire gave the skeletal figure a cold glance, before leaning forward somewhat and into the spirit's personal space, "Still bitter that you could never catch me breaking the law, aren't you? Well, get over it. This is my domain and if you don't like it, you can leave. Flicker away into nothing in the wilds."

The warden glared but somehow kept his mouth shut.

Skulker, smirking at Walker's suffering, leaned forward and added, "Though I'd hate to agree with anything Walker says, your ribs and burn are still healing. We need you functioning for the Ghostly Gathering tomorrow. Besides, the ghost alarm would have gone off for any unregistered signatures."

Plasmius gave his hunter a look before standing up straight and waving at Walker, "Then how did he get in here?"

Looking at Walker as if remembering he was sitting there, Skulker merely shrugged, "He was mostly re-dead when I found him, but I will have some underlings make rounds if you want."

Sighing, hating himself for feeling so exhausted, the halfling relented to Skulker's logic. "You are probably right. And yes, that's what I want. Double check Daniel's room. I will be in my own rooms if anything of importance happens."

With that, looking far more fatigued now than he did ten seconds ago, the halfa flew up through the ceiling without another word.

"You think anything got in?" asked the Dairy King as he exited the fridge with a cheese wheel in hand. "Don't want any more riffraff in the castle, yah know."

The hunter scratched his chin before chuckling to himself, "You mean old Walker? I would certainly call him unexpected company, but riffraff might be a bit harsh."

The warden put down his teacup with a loud clink and glared at the hunter, "At least I am not a pawn to a halfling. I am working on my unfinished business, unlike you."

Skulker's reaction was monstrous ... a metallic finger coming forward and flicking at the teacup, spilling the liquid all over the table.

Walker looked like his favorite toy had just been snatched as he watched the spilled tea flee towards the edge of the table.

"Next time it's a punch to the face, Walker. I don't think I won't crush you just because you're already injured. It's humane, after all, to put down an injured animal," gruffly said Skulker as he stood up, glaring at his newest underling. "And stop acting like you're better than the rest of us. After being so graciously accepted into this territory, that makes you Vlad's newest lapdog just like the rest of us."

Looking up from his spilled tea, the warden's tone was a calm hiss, "I may be reliant on Plasmius's benevolence, but I am nobody's lapdog."

Skulker glared at the skeletal ghost. It looked like he was getting ready to punch the other ghost when a soft beeping echoed over the large kitchen. Skulker grunted at his underling before he grabbed a kitchen towel and threw it at the warden, "Clean that up since it's your mess."

The hunter then turned to the oven, his steps almost happy as he opened the oven door and lifted out a steaming tray of … tiny cakes?

Mopping up the tea, still confused about the whole cooking thing, Walker unabashedly stared. It has been a long time since he hadn't had his own territory as a ghost … and it stung, but surviving was all that mattered right now. He had to at least try to be civil.

"Why are you cooking right now anyway?" asked Walker awkwardly, not knowing how else to break the ice. He hated being on a lower tier than another spirit, but Skulker was right … this was Plasmius's territory and Skulker was his righthand man.

The Dairy King, as if understanding the warden's internal plight, patted him on the shoulder before righting his teacup and refilling it for him. Walker struggled not to mope as he watched his cup being filled. The Dairy King was probably higher than him in his hierarchy right now. Not that he knew how many ghosts Plasmius employed, but he was sure the number was significant. He'd leave if he could but given predatory spirits were on the prowl, his weak core, and injuries ... it would be unwise to leave.

"I suppose I picked it up because a true hunter is never supposed to waste the meat of a kill. Plus, there is little else to do right now. It really is cathartic," said the hunter as he looked at Walker with a knowing glance, understanding that Walker was silently relenting in the power struggle.

Walker, not wanting to see that metal idiot's victorious grin, glanced down at his steaming cup while he gritted his teeth. He pointedly ignored Skulker's gaze as he added, "Cathartic, huh? Is that how you are dealing with this present madness?"

Skulker, little cakes still in hand, suddenly laughed as if this was all a joke. "Madness, huh? You really have a hard time functioning outside of your orderly prison, don't you? If anything, the world is the same chaotic mess it always was. It's the spirits that have gone mad. They're just freaking out because there's now something higher up on the food chain... Now, quit pouting and have a cake. I need to know if they are edible and why not eat? We are in the human realm."

The hunter then placed a plate down with a little sponge cake on it, plopping some strawberries and homemade whip cream on it.

Walker, feeling the sting of hierarchy again, sighed and picked up a spoon. He looked at the food jiggle for a moment and then threw a glance up at Skulker. Skulker was merely standing there, watching him with his green unwavering gaze. So, the little cakes were a powerplay … and Walker hated it. He didn't want to be under Plasmius' thumb and certainly not under Skulker's, but was there really any choice in the matter right now?

Sighing, he finally took the little morsel into his mouth and immediately noted there was ghostly energy to it and that he could fully taste it despite being undead. The little cakes did look slightly green so there was obviously something ethereal about them. It only made sense given the household they were in. Not that he was going to ask what was in it. Skulker had said something about putting his prey to use.

Skulker, as if accepting his surrender, turned to prepare the other cakes before adding, "I know you know what's in the cake. Plasmius's ghostly form needs the nutrients right now. Take one or two to him when you are done."

Walker, despite himself, bent the spoon he had in hand, but somehow didn't rise to the bait while silently finishing the strange little cake.

A few minutes later, Walker's lips were still pursed tight as he looked at the platter he had been forced to carry. Finally, pride raising its ugly head, he snapped, "I already relented to you. Why must you humiliate me further by treating me like a maid?"

Skulker merely waved his hand in a dismissive way, "Because Plasmius said you were my problem, and I am making sure you aren't going to be a problem by keeping you busy. We need to do rounds anyway as well as check on the whelp. Plasmius has started to show concern that something is wrong with the boy's ghost side. If the boy's awake, he'll be getting a cake as well."

Walker sighed, but relented, nearly jumping when they turned the corner and came face to face with a … butler? And not even a dead one at that.

Smith, stalling in the hall, immediately cursed himself for being caught by the two ghosts. He had bigger problems than these two. He had smelled something ... dead … in the castle and he wasn't speaking about its normal ghostly occupants.

Nonetheless, he put on a smile and pretended everything was right in the world. "Good evening. May I help you two gentlemen?"

Unsurprisingly, the two ghosts stared at him as if expecting him to run away. When the human didn't, Walker elbowed Skulker, prompting the hunter into action, "Who are you and why aren't you gone with the rest of the regular workers? Also, why aren't you running away?"

The imposter tried not to smile, wishing he had enough power to distract the two beings minds, but after Clockwork, he hadn't the energy. Nonetheless, he still had his wits, and confidently said, "I'm the new full-time butler and driver. I just started so that vacation doesn't count for me. As for the castle's hauntings, I was forewarned and accepted them as an occupational hazard."

Skulker stood there for a moment, eyeing the strange man. He seemed so unnatural for a human. He was clean-cut with dark features and seemingly normal, except for those eyes. Those deep yellow eyes seemed wrong, but he didn't seem ghostly. He could be an ex-ghost hunter or a medium of some kind. Vlad did like to expand his circles of power, and it only made sense to hire someone alive to help deal with Daniel.

"You still seem rather calm for a … first encounter," finally said Skulker, making a mental note to ask Vlad about the strange human later.

Smith merely shrugged, "What can I say? I do not run, I merely walk briskly. I also do not scream for such noise can be unnerving for the young master of the household. Now, if you excuse me, I wish to continue familiarizing myself with the castle. I'd hate to get lost in the future."

Not knowing what else to say, his mind screaming something was wrong and yet somehow accepting everything the man had just said, Skulker waved him off. It only made sense. Daniel did need to interact with living people once in a while.

"That was unsettling and suspicious. There was something wrong with him," finally said Walker as the human disappeared around a corner, the two ghosts continuing their trek to presumably Vlad's rooms. There was just something so suspicious about the human. He didn't like it.

"Vlad hires all kinds, but I will ask," said Skulker simply, trying not to be unsettled himself. He had an image to uphold now. It wasn't every day he was given hierarchy over another powerful spirit. He had originally joined Plasmius for the technology perks, but now he was wondering just how much power he was going to end up with. With the Ghost Zone falling to pieces, who knew where spirits would start to take up residence or under who?

"This is the door," finally said Skulker as he knocked on the door with a huge golden 'M' on it.

"Well, that's tasteful," grumbled Walker.

Skulker merely chuckled, stating, "You should have seen the castle before he redecorated most of it. Tacky wouldn't have done it justice."

…

Skulker hummed softly to himself as he walked with Daniel's cake. He had left Walker behind to remind him of his precarious situation under Plasmius territory. Obviously, Vlad still didn't trust his newest underling near his ward. Which brought into question, where did Danny Phantom fit into this hierarchy? Did Danny even know about ghost's territories? He could have claimed Amity Park many times over, the whole city with the way he used to patrol, but he never did. Part of Skulker now wondered if the whelp even knew how to claim territory.

Probably not.

Well, luckily, he was high on the food chain being Vlad's godson. So, he likely wouldn't be in for a rude awakening. It was unlikely that he would be higher than Skulker though. So, the kid was lucky that Skulker had found himself starting to like the little whelp. After all, now that they all lived under the same roof, they had to look out for each other … Most of the time.

The hunter finally came upon the door to Danny's suite, but he immediately noticed that something was off. For one, the door was wide open and a freezing breeze was drifting from within. His metallic form tensed up as he entered the room and looked around.

He quickly found out why the room was freezing, the source being an open window on the far side of the room. The hunter put down the cake without a second thought and surveyed the room until he got to the teenager. The halfling was luckily in bed but was struggling in his sleep. Probably because he was cold. The window was shut quickly enough, Skulker's footsteps seeming too loud as he crossed the room. And, yet, the foreboding feeling remained even with the window closed. It felt like death had wrapped its cold bony fingers around the inhabitants of the bedroom. Skulker was sure that if he was alive, he'd have seen his breath. The kid had to be cold.

"Whelp, are you awake?" asked the ghost as he headed over to the boy's bedside. There was no answer so the hunter figured the child was still under his medication's effects. Vlad had brought him from the hospital nearly comatose.

Getting closer, he watched the boy whimper and curl in on himself, countless prescription pills on his bedside. He hated seeing that brat like this. It was unnerving and a steady reminder that no matter how powerful you are, you can still be crushed.

Skulker sighed, deciding to feed the cake to the whelp tomorrow, and leaned down to tuck the teen in. Yet, as he pulled the quilt up to the boy's neck … bandaging fell to the floor. Bandaging that was likely supposed to be on the halfa's arm. Why was that unwrapped?

Creeeeeeeak … Click

Skulker felt a sense of dread run down his spine as he listened to the door slowly creak shut behind him.

There was someone in here.

Please be the Dairy King … Please be the Dairy King …

Skulker quickly turned around grabbing for the gun on his thigh. A pair of cold green eyes smiled down at him as a dark lumbering figure inched out from behind the door. Skulker withheld a gasped as the thing's ragged animal-like body was exposed in the faint light. It was over six feet tall and it was hunched over like a dog learning to stand. It had the look of a werewolf, yet it had plates of bony armor scattered from place to place. It held itself lazily like its limbs were loose and yet some muscles seemed to bulge. It even had bandages in its hand: Danny's bandages.

The hunter shifted into a battle stance, his metallic fangs bearing themselves in threat. This was not good. He hadn't sensed this being at all and even Vlad had overlooked its hiding place somewhere. Worst of all ... this thing was messing with the sickly whelp.

"Who are you beast and why have you entered Plasmius's territory uninvited?" growled the hunter coldly as observed his opponent.

The creature merely made a wet kkkk-kkk-kkk noise like it was laughing, its long white fangs parting to glint in the dim light. It then took two shaky steps forward before springing forward with large muscular legs. Skulker barely got one shot off before it was digging its claws into his armor, slicing it open like a tin can. It then shifted its weight to overbalance the hunter entirely and sent Skulker to the floor.

The quick creature almost got a large clawed hand around Skulker's whole helm before the ghost instinctively used his phasing powers. The hunter even fell through two floors before he gathered himself enough to stall his momentum.

Walker, released from Vlad's unwanted attention (where he had been forced to watch the man slowly eat the cake before giving the tray back to him), barely was able to go intangible himself before Skulker's bulky form slammed down in front of him.

Peering down at the hunter, the first question in the warden's mind was if the brat and Skulker gotten into a tiff. And if so … he was almost disappointed he'd missed it. Plasmius might be intolerable, but he also hadn't broken into Walker's prison and caused a riot either. He honestly hated the young halfa more, but the two halflings had both earned their own kind of disdain as far as the skeletal being was concerned.

"Getting your ass handed to you by a child, Skulker? Can't say I'm surprised," said Walker cheekily as he watched the other ghost slowly open his eyes and shake his head as if disoriented.

"Last time I checked, Danny didn't have claws the size of kitchen knives," growled Skulker as he stumbled to his feet, waving towards the gouge marks in his chest plate. "Something was in his room. Grab a plasma gun and come with me."

Walker didn't have to be asked twice as he took an offered gun and quickly floated upward with Skulker.

Seconds later, Skulker was kicking in the door leading to the teenager's room (an entirely unneeded action since it wasn't locked). The same feeling of dread was draped over the room like a miasma. Something was still here.

Skulker quickly reached for the lights while grumbling, "Before this becomes any more ideal for a horror movie."

Of course, the lights didn't turn on.

Walker merely shook his head but walked into the room regardless, checking the closets and the bathroom while the hunter went to Danny's bedside and flipped on the lamp. It cast an eerie light throughout the room but it was better than nothing.

Walker, still systemically searching the room, turned his attention to the draft in the room. The sliding glass door that led to Danny's balcony was open meaning that it was likely the exit location and that the thing was gone.

Holstering his gun, the warden walked over to Skulker and murmured, "Whatever it was is gone."

"I kind of figured that because of the balcony door which you could kindly close. The whelp shouldn't be exposed to the cold," Skulker stated as he looked at the mostly unwrapped arm and the scarring below. That was going to be one hell of a scar. He was a marked child.

Wait, hadn't that wandering -

The warden, having done as he was asked, walked over to the balcony door and was about to shut it when a fearful shout escaped him. "Arraaggghhh! It has my face!"

Skulker jumped, forgetting the teen as he turned to watch something latch onto the other ghost's face. Walker's angry shouts were muffled as he struggled to pull whatever it was off his face with his one good arm. The hunter rose and grabbed his hunting blade, barking, "Hold still! I'll cut it off."

"No!" came Walker's muffled reply as he tried to tug it off. He already had enough wounds and didn't need the hunter stabbing an eye out as well.

"Stop complaining and hold still," barked Skulker as he pushed the stumbling Walker into a wall and immediately went to ripping the thing off of the other ghost's face. He surprisingly didn't need his blade, the thing squeaking like a chew toy. This thing was a … winged eyeball? Well, that was anticlimactic.

"Please don't hurt me," squeaked Gibgit as he struggled against the hunter's grip, tears gathering in his giant eye.

Walker, stumbling away from the wall, whipped the ectoplasmic goo from his face.

"All that screaming over this," mocked the hunter with a growing grin as he threw it back at the warden. "Here, hold it while I finish checking on the kid. It might have seen something. Also, one of us is going to have to stay here tonight, while the other goes and informs Vlad."

Walker glowered, both of those options felt like losing.

…

To say when Vlad woke up the next morning (both of the ghosts deciding to tell the elder halfa about the incident the next day because nothing was worse than a cranky Plasmius) surprised would have been an understatement. This had to be a dream or a nightmare perhaps. There was no way Daniel was up, wrapped up like a blanket burrito, with two ghosts at the same table while playing what looked like poker. There was even a bird cage with a floating eye in the middle of the table.

"What is going on? Why is everyone in here, and what is that thing on the table … in the betting pool?" asked Vlad in rapid fire, still wondering if he was dreaming. He wanted to see if Daniel's health had improved since yesterday and if he was going to fight again about eating meals with him. What he found was discerning and yet strangling relieving at the same time. It proved that the teen could interact with his subordinates without getting into a fist fight and that the boy was well enough to be playing card games.

"The eye thing was a witness," simply said Walker.

"It says it knows nothing. It's dinner," said Skulker.

"It was in my room. It's mine," was all Danny said, though he seemed to be the most possessive of it.

Vlad was still confused until Skulker looked at him directly, stating, "The winner gets the bat thingy. Now, if you want it as well, play a game of poker with us. The boy has no idea what he's doing so it will obviously be mine or Walker's."

"I do know what I am doing!" barked Danny, still surprised to have woken up to Skulker and Walker interrogating the poor thing in his room.

The billionaire, confused, walked over to the table, picking up the cage and shaking it slightly.

"Hey, don't shake him like that!" growled Danny as he took another card. He had a horrible hand from what he understood of the game. Maybe he could bluff his way out of this, but then again, he was a horrible liar.

Vlad saw through him without even trying.

Putting the cage down, Vlad gave Daniel a questioning look as to why he even wanted this thing. Regardless, the meeting was tonight and he just didn't want the boy at the castle. So, deciding to get this over with now, he merely stated, "Daniel, I'm glad to see that you're feeling better from yesterday, but you look unwell and the doctor wanted to run some more tests. I think I'm going to allow the hospital to keep you overnight today."

"What?!" Danny dropped his hand.

"Ha ha! The kid folded. Now it's just you and me, Walker," laughed Skulker as he smirked at the flying eyeball.

"What … no! I didn't fold. I just wanted to go to the meeting," demanded Danny as his godfather turned a surprised eye to the two ghosts present.

"You told him?" barked Vladimir, aghast.

"Well, he would have noticed the ghosts showing up with that breathy thing of his. I figured we'll have fewer fist fights this way," said Skulker with a shrug.

Staring for a moment more, accepting the rationale of that point, he still turned to his godson and said, "You're still not going to the meeting Daniel. Your health comes first."

Danny held this shocked expression that the old Vlad might have ravished in. The teen was about to start a chorus of buts, but Masters waved him off with his hand, adding, "There will be no worming out of those tests, especially with what happened yesterday. I'll have the driver take you to your appointment and he'll stay with you. That will be later this evening … and until then I ask you to kindly stay in the living quarters as we prepare for tonight."

The two ghosts watched out of the side of their eyes as somewhat of a debate happened between the two halfas. Walker almost laughed. And here he was sure that the older halfling was going to spoil the boy to the point of rottenness. Regardless, the boy had folded and he wanted that prisoner. He might even allow it to remain undead in its little cell if it confessed to all its trespasses.

Skulker, in turn, smiled as he turned back to the game. One less opponent and he had a good hand. Winner, winner, chicken-bat-thingy-dinner.

"Hah, the prize is mine," cried Skulker as he slammed his hand down onto the table.

Walker immediately sighed and threw his hat onto the table. Danny gapped, Vlad rolled his eyes, and Skulker did a weird chair-dance. Then, happy to have bested two of his old-time rivals at something as trivial as cards, the hunter picked up the squeaking creature and smiled into the cage. "Pass the lips, over the gums, into the stomach, and here it comes."

"Hey! I told you I wasn't done," barked Danny as he tried to jump up and grab the cage from the hunter.

Vlad, not needing the boy to have another attack, grabbed Danny by his good shoulder and forced him to sit back down. "Don't you dare move."

Danny watched Skulker slowly walk away with the first confidant he had had in weeks. That little eyeball had offered him words of comfort and strength. He couldn't just let Skulker eat it.

Thinking fast, the teen turned to his godfather, "Vlad, please let me have the bat thingy - I mean Gibgit. He's my … ghost pet. That's why he was around my room. I won't whine about the meeting if I can have him back." As if. I'm going to that meeting if I have to dress up in a sheet and pretend to be a ghost!

Vlad, surprised that Daniel had a pet and apparently had managed to hide it from him, straightened his spine. Rightfully, he should let Skulker have it since Daniel didn't ask to keep it. Then again, the boy had few in the way of friends right now if the card game he had walked into was any indication of the boy's want for any type of companionship. Plus, if the boy stayed out of his hair for the Ghostly Gathering, having a strange pet around was a small price to pay. So, turning to Skulker, he stated simply, "Skulker … may I have the caged beast."

Turning around, put out, the armored ghost almost whined, "But I won it."

"And there will be more at the gathering that I'm sure you can catch without anyone noticing. If Daniel keeps his word to stay out of trouble, I find it to be a small price to pay," said Vlad as he put out his hand to take the shaking little thing. He hoped he didn't live to regret this.

Finally, cage in hand, he held it before Daniel but just out of reaching range as he added, "I'm holding you to your word. Stay in the living quarters, go to the hospital without a fuss, and don't even think of going to the Ghostly Gathering tonight. That is the price of this pet. Do you understand?"

Not knowing how to comment on that, Danny slowly nodded before taking the cage. He didn't waste a moment releasing Gibgit and allowing it to hide in his blanket burrito, petting his poor quivering head for a moment.

The billionaire watched this for a second, glad Danny was at least making a connection with something before he added, "I'll have your meals sent up today. Please stay in your room until the driver comes to get you. There are a lot of ghosts showing up that wouldn't mind taking advantage of you in your state."

Danny tightened, eyes going wide as if worried before Vlad added, "The ghost shield will still be up for the living quarters of the castle and with your tests this evening, I doubt it will even be a problem. Now, get some rest."

Patting his godson on the head, glad that the boy didn't pull away, the elder halfa turned to the two ghosts and stated simply, "Skulker, Walker, let's go prepare for this nightmare."

The teen said nothing as he watched them go. Only once he was sure the door was securely shut and that his overseers were gone, did Danny pull the strangely cuddly creature from his blanket burrito, "Congratulations, Gibgit. You're now my pet. I hope you like rabies shots. But what are you doing here anyway?"

The small creature looked around nervously, before meekly asking, "Are you sure the hunter is gone?"

"Positive," said Danny as he tripped out of his blanket burrito and towards his closet.

"Hey, I thought your godfather told you to rest, not rip the room apart," squeaked the poor eyeball as he watched the boy dig through a set of drawers.

"What he doesn't know can't hurt him. Now, help me out, will you? I need you to go to Vlad's secret lab and grab me a container of ectoplasmic goo," added Danny as he pulled out a pair of scissors and glanced over at the white curtains.

"What?! Why would you want that? It's icky and slimy, and I hate it down there," confessed Gibgit, not liking the gleam in the kid's eye. What was he up to?

"I need it to help me make a convincing ghost disguise. You can't go to the meeting without being a ghost or at least a partially convincing one," said Danny with a smirk when he noticed that Vlad had left a lot of raw materials in his closet. I wonder if I can cut up that uniform and get away with it?

"Why do you want to go there anyway? You promised Vlad you wouldn't and, if you want, I can easily tell you what happens," added Gibgit, though he couldn't help but love the spunk in the kid's heart. Then again, he was going to be in so much trouble if the boy got his way. He could just feel it.

"Technically, I'm not going as Danny. I'm going as some random ghost," defended the boy with a smile. Nobody kept him from the things he wanted. Not even Vlad.

"Now prepare to be amazed, my little eyeball, because no costume is complete without a few dangerously experimental items that can only be obtained through trickery," continued the teen, ignoring Gibgit.

This was going to be easier than he thought. All he had to do now was paint some armor a rusted white color and cover it with some goo. "I'll need a jet pack, a ghost rifle, and some other deadly toys that are all easily obtained in the house of Vlad Masters."

Danny stalled for a moment, realization hitting him, "Huh, I sound like Valerie. Oh, and before you go Gibgit, can you also get some bandages? I have a feeling that sewing isn't as easy as it looks on tv."

…

A few hours later, Smith silently watched Danny being dragged off by that Monroe woman. The half ghost was not at all happy to be at the hospital and had practically jumped out of the back seat of the car on the drive over.

Ready to head back to the car and then the gathering to watch in a secluded corner, Smith stalled when he noticed one of his pawns … watching Danny with a cold and calculating gaze. What was his name? Oh yes, Detective Gatzby.

Part of him wondered if he should stay and keep an eye on the boy, but then he saw something shift in the halfa's pocket. Ah yes, Daniel had dragged Gibgit along for his hospital visit.

"A CT scan? Why? I don't want to be stuck in that claustrophobic equipment," said Danny, his voice squeaking as he walked down the hospital's hall.

Monroe frowned, her eyes landing on Gatzby only to quickly look away as they passed him in the halls. "Don't you want to feel better? A scan may help us find out why you are still sick. And then you can go to school and make friends a lot quicker."

"And that will apparently take all night?" groused Danny, hiking up his backpack that contained his ghost disguise.

"Of course not. We were going to do some blood tests and a sleep test as well since these reoccurrences seem to happen only at night," added the doctor.

Danny frowned and turned, ready to stomp away when he noticed the gaze of Gatzby as well. It was a calculating and intent-filled stare. Danny immediately didn't like it and sank back slightly. Was this one of Vlad's babysitters?

So, knowing he likely had to give a stalker the slip, the teen turned back to his doctor, stating, "Fine, I'll take the scan. This hall is creeping me out anyway."

…

Ghosts were flocking in like flies and Vlad had taken to his Plasmius form for the night. He sat on the balcony watching the whole happening with a frown. Part of him was now painfully glad that Daniel was at the hospital for the night. There were just so many spirits that the shielding might have been overwhelmed. Also, given the turnout, it also showed how worried most spirits were about the failing state of the Ghost Zone and its cause.

The billionaire's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by none other than the Box Ghost. The most irritating spirit that Vlad had the misfortune of meeting.

"I am the Box Ghost. Ruler of all things square. Fear –"

"If you don't have anything important to say prepare to be blasted," growled the half-ghost as he watched spirits continue to flood in, though he didn't put much feeling into the threat. He was too worried about this demon and these rotten things gathering in the Ghost Zone. He didn't want his godchild to get involved in this and knowing Danny he would.

Finally, most of the spirits entered the castle. One of the last ones was a cloaked figure who threw a deadly glare up in Vlad's direction before the heavy doors slammed shut. Plasmius frowned at this and was about to go investigate, but the Box Ghost spoke again, "Oh, um … the scary hunter told me to come and get you."

Plasmius merely nodded and flung his cloak over his shoulder before phasing into the castle. He was ready to get this over with.

Unfortunately, no longer there to serve as a sentry to his territory, two sinisters slowly exited the woods near the mansion. The beasts sniffed the air before one pointed to where Plasmius had been situated moments ago. Their objective was painfully obvious, drool dripping down their maws. How hungry they were tonight.

So very hungry.

…

Danny tried not to pick at the sensors he was hooked up to … at least not yet. He wanted to wait a few good minutes before he turned off the machines monitoring him and slinked back to the castle with the jetpack he had Gibgit borrow from Vlad's lab.

Said eyeball, currently burrowing out of the bag, merely stared at the halfa tiredly before squeaking, "How are you supposed to sleep with all those wires? Wouldn't you get tangled in them? This sleep test has surely killed more mortals than helped."

Rolling his eyes, Danny grumbled, "I don't know, Gibgit. I just want to scratch all these sensors off and turn off the machine so we can sneak out of here."

A few minutes later, the teenager found himself doing just that as he wandered to one of the small bathrooms in the hospital's abandoned sector. It was the most private place he could find. Not surprising, what with its aged décor and peeling paint. The light overhead was even buzzing and whining as it threatened to flicker its last.

"This bathroom is probably haunted," squeaked the small winged eye as it floated from dingy stall to stall. "They're probably in the u-bend just waiting to pop up when you are most vulnerable."

"Obviously, it's haunted," jested Danny softly as he stood before the cracked bathroom mirror, a smile gripping his face. "I mean … you are in here."

Giving the boy an ill amused look, the eye did what had to be a shrug and stated, "True. Also, you need more paint Young Master. That hood won't hide all of your face from the undead."

Danny cringed at the title 'Young Master' and took some more silvery-white paint mixed with ectoplasm. He spread it thicker over his face like concealer, turning his head left and then right to see if he missed anything.

Letting it dry for a second, he pulled a green wig out of his backpack as well as a pair of goggles. His wig went on first and then his goggles. The two items hid his eyes and most of his face, finishing up his ghostly look. He still couldn't believe that driver let him take a quick side trip to the mall.

Smiling, the teen turned to his ghostly companion showing off his ripped hooded-lab coat, charred shirt, gloves, and strategically placed bandages that hid his thin form perfectly in case any of his costume malfunctioned. It was a ragged look and yet kind of techno-geek like he was a scientist that had died while testing his own equipment.

Clicking his boots together to activate his jet-pack, he spun around while asking, "Well, do I look dead enough to crash a party?"

"Well, if all goes as planned, you certainly aren't going to be the life of it," jested the eyeball as he flew around the hovering boy, looking for any issues.

"Let's hurry then," said the teenager, stuffing his medical gown and slippers into his backpack before slipping it under one of the sinks. No one obviously used this bathroom so he wasn't too worried about it being happened upon. A second later, he was prying the small window open and shimming out, his jetpack activating and thrusting him out into the night.

Gatzby, having listened to the boy talk apparently to himself before going quiet, slowly pushed open the bathroom door. He couldn't help but cringe as the hinges whined, the detective's shoes seeming loud as he stepped on the faded orange linoleum. Immediately, he noticed the empty stalls and the open window. The abandoned bag was also easy to spot.

Frowning, he leaned down and opened the suspicious bag.

He had been watching the boy all evening, trying to catch the kid alone so he could ask him some friendly questions before Master's lawyers built a wall around him. Danny was the boy who had lived if the news articles were to be believed. He also appeared to be the Burning Hand's first victim … but, seeing the room empty and a bag with clothes in it, Gatzby understood that not everything was what it appeared.

After all, why would a victim have to sneak out of a hospital in the middle of the night? Murders came in all shapes and sizes.

…

Danny swallowed as he stared at the huge castle which loomed before him, his jet pack hot on his back. He wanted to give the device a break after flying all the way back, but seeing the castle like this was terrifying. All the lights seemed to be off, even the ones that followed the driveway up were off, and yet there was an otherworldly light around the place: green and ghostly. With the full moon, the place looked like something out of a horror movie.

The teenager tried to shake off the feeling of foreboding, but it was like something was watching him. Danny turned his gaze over to the small grove to the north and lifted up his goggles to try and see what was in the darkness.

Were … those dogs?

Staring for a minute more, the timer on his wrist that helped regulate the jetpack started going off. The boy floundered for a moment as if expecting to fall out of the sky. Instead, he saw the time and cursed softly.

Telling himself to not be nervous, because some ghosts could smell fear, he quickly flew towards an open window where other ghosts were entering. He couldn't help but gasp when he got inside … no wonder the castle was glowing. There were ghosts everywhere! Spirits of every shape, size, and social standing. Danny was starting to silently agree with Vlad about him not going to the meeting. If he would have went as Danny Phantom he would have been torn apart.

Shaking off the thought, Danny quickly blended in with the other spirits. The conversations whispered between ghosts made his stomach sink. They were all talking about the decay of the Ghost Zone … and that something old had gotten out. A demon.

Was it the same being that haunted him? Had his family released this nightmare out onto the world and the ghost zone? Was that thing not satisfied with slaughtering his family? How much more blood and destruction did it need to be fulfilled?!

The teen felt that same unnamed rage rise in his chest. A fire in his heart that he just had to … Booom!

The halfling's fist slammed into the wall at his side sending licks of blue flame in all directions. Several spirits flinched away and a few others sank through the floor to ignore an altercation. Danny, in turn, just stood there watching the steam rise from his fist as he glared at the indent and scorch marks he had left on the wall. W-what was this? Was this the same power from the bridge?

"Hey! Plasmius said no damage to the house! If the paint job pisses you off that much, get out," came the barking reply of Skulker, the ghost floating up in Danny's direction.

Danny's mouth went dry, praying that his disguise would be enough to trick the hunter.

Yet, just as he watched the huntsman's eyes squint in something akin to recognition, the spirit turned away from him and barked, "And you! Give me one good reason not to crush you under foot! I will mount your pelt on my wall if you touch that painting one more time!"

Taking this as his sign to dodge out of here, the teenager didn't even get two feet before he smacked right into the ghost he was trying to sneak away from. Dang, Skulker was fast when he wanted to be. "And who are you, meat? I don't recognize you."

Danny wanted to sarcastically ask if Skulker knew every ghost in the Ghost Zone. Instead, he bristled at the meat comment and kept his head down, "None of your business, hunter. Now let me pass … before I make you."

Ughhh. Why did he say it like that? He was not in any position to pick a fight with Skulker. He hoped that he just came off as arrogant and not like a punk in need of a beating.

Skulker stared for a second as if trying to decide how he was going to skin the ghost before him when a voice echoed from the ballroom. Whomever it was, was demanding silence. It seemed the Ghostly Gathering was about to officially begin.

Throwing one more sideways glance at Danny and his disguise, the hunter growled, "I have bigger prey to deal with today."

Danny, releasing the breath he had been holding, would have laughed if all the ghosts in the immediate vicinity weren't looking at him. Making sure to walk casually, Danny all but fled from the hallway and into the ballroom. Really, the place was huge. What did Vlad need a ballroom this big for? On second thought, why did he need a ballroom at all?

…

"We have to do something about this fiend!" cried a spirit with flowing yellow hair. "Whatever he did is causing the Ghost Zone to rot and the creatures forming in that rot think us little more than food. We have to get something done! This contamination is spreading to more and more of the Ghost Zone as we speak."

Plasmius watched from above as the other spirits rallied with the complaint. Why has he volunteered for this again? Yes, he knew he had a reputation as a powerful spirit and could technically create ghost portals, but he wasn't on par with the Ghost King or anything.

"Do you think I don't understand that? We are looking for solutions and not complaints about the situation," said the halfa with a ringing voice. "What we need is more information about this unnamed nemesis, where he came from, and how he's changing the Ghost Zone. It is unwise to act until we have gathered some facts. Now, who has something useful to add?"

Sadly, Vlad's demand really didn't gather any traction in the following two hours. Instead, they had gone through at least three dozen different spirits and their accounts, yet they never seemed to get any further on how to deal with the problem.

Ember finally came up, who for some reason had Young Blood clinging to her side. She opened he mouth and told of their attack from the things in the rot.

Vlad, done with testimonies and in need of strategies, interrupted. "I'm sorry Ember, but I must cut you short. We already understand the demon's interruption in the natural order of things in the Ghost Zone. So, I must insist you let another speak if there's nothing useful you can add. At this point, I think only Skulker has gained valuable intel."

Smith, listening idly as he picked his nails, perked up. Everything that everyone had mentioned so far about his fiery friend and his escape from his eternal prison was expected. After all, things were bound to start falling apart when one of the tiers of the Ghost Zone disappeared. Smith had, in fact, set it up that way so that he could physically leave the Ghost Zone. If Pariah was still functioning, the duty could have fallen to him, but sometimes backup plans fall through ... and the regent certainly couldn't uphold the duty as he was.

"I doubt the hunter truly knows anything," suddenly came the whispered response of Gibgit as landed on his Master's shoulder. "Though I'm sure Clockwork is aware of some solutions."

"If he can identify the parties needed, perhaps," replied Smith as he titled his head to his servant. "And aren't you supposed to be with the boy?"

Seeming guilty, Gibgit slowly pointed a wing towards the boy.

Across the room, Danny's head finally shot up from picking at the faults in his costume. He had only listened to the first fifteen minutes and then fell into a boredom coma. This was worse than one of Mr. Lancer's assemblies, but by the look on Skulker's face, this was going to get more interesting.

Frowning, Skulker pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against and entered the center of the room. His gruff voice seemed to echo as he spoke, "Well since no one else has anything useful to say, I will relate an incident I had in the Ghost Zone while hunting. This was early on before the rot was really noticed. I had been flying passed the Floating Forest of Ways looking for a good hunt when I had a strange encounter with a traveling spirit ... one that said he was unable to pass on. Where he stood, the rot was forming."

A few gasps came from the crowd and Smith couldn't take his eyes off the hunter now.

Danny, meanwhile, looked around the room in a state of confusion. What was a traveling spirit?

"His name was Joed. He stated his body had been stolen and the choice to move on or stay was taken from him," continued Skulker, Vlad's eyes widening in surprise when he heard the name. Why hadn't Skulker said that name earlier?! That was the same name Danny had mentioned during an episode. It couldn't just be a coincidence. Did Danny know something about the decay of the Ghost Zone?

Wait. The timing was too perfect. Was the demon the one who… Sugar biscuits! This was why Danny needed to tell him things! The two problems had to be related.

Still listening, Danny felt his muscles tense up. No, this couldn't be happening. Joed the fry cook? That meant that he knew more about this escaped demon than anyone. It also meant that releasing that monster was having far-reaching consequences in the Ghost Zone. This … was all his fault. He had been too weak to stop it.

"He told me something rather horrific," continued Skulker, his voice echoing over the room. "He stated his killer was trying to destroy the balance between the living and dead planes … which everyone has already noticed with the decay of the Ghost Zone. But I believe that we may be able to bring a halt to this if we find the child before he does."

Clockwork, a silent observer for most of this, floated down from his perch over the entire gathering. "What exactly does a child have to do with this, hunter? Are they a pawn for the demon or are they fated for some other task? Because certain fates are written in time, unchangeable. If the warmonger tries to change a locked event … the damage would be irreparable."

A chorus of questions rang up after that and Skulker folded his arms over his chest because he had no idea how to answer that. In fact, it looked like this was the start of a riot. Ghosts were now screaming at each other about the end of the world and some cursed child. Someone had even started a fight in the back.

Seeing where this was going, Vlad quickly took control of the situation as the chorus of voices got louder and louder.

"ENOUGH! This is not a time to start killing each other!" barked Plasmius, ignoring a few random cackles from the room below. "We don't know anything other than the fact that there is a child involved and that 'a beast' is affecting the Ghost Zone ... likely through the entrapment of wandering spirits. Now quit destroying my furniture and let's elect a committee to find the child and deal with this interloper of the natural order of the Ghost Zone."

Smith smiled and slightly adjusted the blue mask over his face. Now there's a natural-born leader. He knew he chose well. All Vlad needed was a little shove.

Opening his mouth, Smith called out over the crowd, "Why don't you lead the committee, Plasmius? Are you not powerful enough to make others obey you? I'm sure you have some rather good spirits in mind for the rest of your committee as well. It's not like most spirits can deny you as this is your territory."

Vlad was taken aback by what the masked spirit had just said. Yes, this was his territory by ghostly standards, but he really didn't need more pressure in his life right now. Danny, Vladco, governing the ghosts in his territory, and now this? It didn't seem like he would get much of a choice though as a chorus of agreement rang throughout the room. Vlad tried to hold in a groan. In fact, he was about to reject the responsibility when Walker floated up to him, the spirit whispering in his ear as if he knew Vlad's thoughts.

"I know as a half-mortal you probably don't understand the importance of what is happening here Plasmius," said Walker with a stern yet soft tone. "But to deny this request while in your own territory means you are saying that you are weak. Ghosts will start challenging you for your territory immediately. And as much as I'd like to see that, we really don't have the time to deal with infighting while the Ghost Zone falls apart. I see several old souls down there that might even be able to defeat you just for the honor of leading a Ghostly Gathering. So speak carefully. Do you really want to risk losing your territory because this task is inconvenient?"

Frowning, knowing all too well that Walker was right, Plasmius shut his mouth. And if Skulker's stern gaze was any indication of the hunter's opinion, it spoke volumes of the importance of this moment. With ghosts flooding into the living world and Danny under his care, he didn't have the resources to risk losing territory. So, slowly he nodded, accepting the mantel that was being placed before him.

…

Danny rubbed his aching arm and glared up at the small group of ghosts above his head. Vlad, Skulker, Walker, and Clockwork were discussing who should be on the committee. Fright Night had already joined the group as well as a roman soldier ghost named Sparx.

This was all fine and dandy because it likely meant that more ghosts would be occupying the castle. It wasn't like Danny was having a bad enough time adapting to his new circumstances. Now there was going to be a gaggle of ghosts roaming the halls to make his life even more miserable.

His scarred arm stinging, Danny sighed. There was no point in hanging around anymore. He learned what he needed to know and it was best to get back to the hospital before someone called his handler.

Nodding in acceptance, the teenager clicked his heels together and jetted into the air. Maybe he could stop at the local burger joint or something and get some real food in town. Something covered in grease to soothe his pride. He was so out of here.

"Hey, meat?!" Danny stopped in his tracks and nearly groaned when someone called after him. It was Skulker.

Knowing better than to run, he slowly turned around to see the hunter gliding over to him accompanied by the Sparx guy. "Where are you going? The meeting's not over. They are still looking for spirits to assist in the hunt."

"I'm … not much of a hunter. Now if you excuse me," said Danny, trying to ignore the two spirits. He needed to get out of here before somebody recognized him or his makeup started sweating off. In fact, the teenager was about to fly out of the nearest window when he felt the flame guy tug at his arm.

"Where is your sense of honor?" questioned the spirit, the mane on his roman helmet flaming in obvious irritation. "You accepted the invite to Plasmius' territory and are obliged to serve if he or one of his lieutenants asks you to be part of the committee."

Frowning, glad that it was his left arm and not his right that had been grabbed, Danny tugged at his arm but the spirit didn't let go.

Glaring, Danny growled deeply, "Let go. I have no skills or power to offer to the Master of this territory … nor his lieutenants."

"No power? I saw the hole you put in the wall and the lurch of your ghost core earlier. Being newly dead and in need of discipline, you'd be perfect to serve a lieutenant of the committee. Preferably under me if you don't mind Skulker?" said Sparx, flames flickering from his helmet. He had lost his territory in the Ghost Zone and though he did not want to serve someone like Plasmius, he knew as one of his lieutenants he could at least gather some power and underlings.

Danny felt a familiar rage rise in him like someone was stepping on his toes, and if he had his powers he might have raised to the challenge, but that feeling quickly disappeared when he saw two shadowy figures bound across the grounds just outside the window. Then, the two figures were scaling a far wall and into a window. Why would any spirit scale a wall when they should be able to fly?

With the taste of ash in the back of his mouth, Danny couldn't help but ask, "Did you see that?"

Sparx frowned, used to troublesome recruits. "Nice try, but I will not fall for such a ploy. Come now, new-dead."

Danny tugged his arm again, noting the feeling of being crowded again … especially since he had gained the gaze of Plasmius and his forming committee. He had to get out of here. Now.

"You don't have to believe me, but I'm still leaving!" finally barked Danny as he broke free from the grip. He was about to fly away when he smacked his back into something metal. He tilted his head up and swallowed. Skulker had snuck behind him and was now looking down at him critically.

"Is that sweat?" finally escaped the hunter's mouth.

Danny swallowed and was about to make a run for it when Skulker grabbed him by his burned arm causing him to gasp. The hunter actually stalled as if shocked, but then he growled knowingly before he flipped the teenager to face him, ripping his goggles off.

The look of shock that covered Skulker's face might have been funny if it wasn't immediately followed up with, "Whelp! I knew you looked familiar. You are in so much trouble."

Opening his mouth, ready to beg Skulker not to tell, he cringed as Skulker called his godfather over, "Plasmius! I need you over here. Now."

Plasmius raised a brow and immediately noticed the angry look of his underling. He floated over without question only to stall.

The worst part was seeing that look on Plasmius's face. Seeing the shock and the betrayal take over his features was like a hard punch in the stomach. Danny wasn't to sink into the floor.

"… Daniel. W-what are you doing here and what are you wearing?" finally said Vlad, his face still covered in confusion.

Sparx was taken aback by the whole thing, looking between the two powerful spirits as he resisted the urge to grip the short-blade at his side. "Is this the halfa child I've heard of? Athena's grace. What is he doing here in disguise?"

"That's what I'd like to know?" growled Vlad as anger replaced his confusion, the older halfa grabbing Daniel's chin before the boy dared look away. "What are you doing here? You promised me."

The teen couldn't meet Plasmius' gaze, his tone barely a whisper, "I'm sorry … it's just. I … I don't know. I guess I just thought everyone was going to lie. And I want ... I wanted to know. Its …"

Vlad slapped him before he say another word. The teenager was taken aback, a hand going up to cup his cheek as he floated back into Skulker. He wanted to be angry, to shout, but all he could do was look away as he rubbed his cheek. He had probably deserved that one.

"I would lecture you how dangerous this place is for you, but this is hardly the time," said Plasmius in an angry whisper. "Now, let's get you out of here before any more spirits see you. Sparx, keep your mouth shut, and help pick the last members of the committee. Skulker, have Walker take Daniel to his room and watch him there. He's under house arrest and I can think of no one better for the job."

Vlad then floated next to his godson and threw his cape over him, hiding him from sight as a spirit the color of the night sky floated by. Only once the spirit was far enough away, did Vlad add, "I think it goes without saying, but keep him out of sight. I will be right back."

Yet, before anyone could move, a voice called out, "Oh, don't go. The life of the party just got here!"

The small group froze on the spot as a feeling of dread filled along with the scent of rot. Vlad felt Danny stiffen slightly under his cape, but before he could even dwell on it, something jumped out of the shadows and swiped at the older halfa. Immediately, he felt claws dig deep into his shoulder causing him to cry out and crash to the floor.

Plasmius, sliding across the marble floor as he pulled off a crash landing, kept Daniel cupped at his side as he brought up his pink shield. Just in time, in fact, as those same claws came down again and again in quick succession. The figure only stalled when Skulker shot him in the back, the impact causing the cloak that it wore to slide off its head and reveal its grotesque face.

The creature … had no eyes. They had been gorged out and it looked like it had had its face sewn back together with knitting needles. Its dog-like snout didn't help it in the looks department as drool dripped down its long fangs and pale gums.

Screams of, "the beast has come!" filled the room and suddenly weaker ghosts were all fleeing filling the room with chaos.

Skulker, as if knowing what was coming next, was suddenly between the stumbling Plasmius and those claws. Instead of digging into Vlad or the whelp's flesh, those dagger-like claws came down into Skulker's armor. Surprisingly those claws were sharp enough to actually dig into metal, sparks flying.

The hunter, not allowing his surprise to distract him, used the damaged arm almost like a shield as he raised his other arm and started firing away at his opponent's face. Green energy blasts erupted from his gun catching the dog-creature in the side of the face and upper chest. Blood spattered all over the floor yet the creature seemed to not be in pain as it ripped its claws free from the hunter's metal arm and tried to go after the two halfas behind him again.

Plasmius, having gotten to his feet, pushed Danny further behind him as he growled, "You dare come into my territory uninvited?! You'll beg for another death when I have finished with you."

He then raised his arm, a pink beam slamming right into the creature's chest and sending it further into the ballroom like a ragdoll. Plasmius didn't even miss a beat as he marched forward, not seeming to notice the blood now pooling down his arm from his shoulder. He only stalled long enough to eye Skulker quickly trying to rewire his damaged arm, his voice terse, "Get Daniel out of here. I'll deal with this."

Danny, standing there and shaking like a leaf as he cradled his scarred arm, couldn't look away from the creature in the ballroom. No. It couldn't be, but even with its deformed features … that thing … was Dr. Troy Willow, wasn't it? The empty eye sockets almost felt like an admission.

Suddenly feeling sick, Danny didn't fight Skulker as the hunter grabbed him by his good arm and basically dragged him out of the ballroom and down the nearest hall, spiriting the teenager around the corner and away from the battle. The movement seemed to pull him from his paralyzed mental state though and Danny slid to a halt in the hall, tugging at his arm as he spat, "Where are we going? We need to help the old cheese head. That thing could kill him!"

The hunter ignored Danny's pleas but when the teen kept dragging his feet, he merely picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. He didn't stop until he got to Vlad's office, flipping a painting to the side to reveal a panic button of some kind. Suddenly, metal sheets were slamming over all the windows and doors, glimmering a second later as a forcefield went up as well. Danny was unceremoniously dropped into a chair as Skulker headed back outside. "Stay here, whelp. You obviously are in no form to fight. I'll go help Plasmius."

"What?!" barked Danny as he pulled himself out of the chair. "I'm going too! I can help."

Skulker stalled for a moment in the open doorway, his face morphing into a strange expression before his words dug deeper than daggers, "What's wrong with you, pup? Have you no survival instincts? You and I both know that your powers aren't working properly. You would be dead if Plasmius hadn't taken the blow for the both of you. Now quit acting so proud and let your godfather protect you. Stay here until I or one of the lieutenants fetch you."

And with that, Skulker turned and left, unable to see Danny's horrified expression. He merely slammed the door shut, a metal plate sliding over it a second later and successfully locking the boy in the room.

Danny could only sit down and stare at his hands helplessly.

…

Plasmius grunted as the beast punch his plasma shield so hard that he was sent sliding across the ballroom floor. A dozen ghosts scattered towards the exits, which were quickly blocked by two more bloody sinisters. Walker, despite still being injured, jumped down from the railing above, landing with a slight limp onto the marble floor below.

"Not that I'm unthankful for the help Walker, but are you in any condition to fight?" asked the halfling as he stood up straight, readying himself for the next attack.

The warden cracked his neck, his gravelly voice rolling over the chaos as the spare sinisters slashed at the escapees, "I've been in plenty of brawls, Plasmius. I can hold my own."

Apparently taking that as a challenge, the second sinister charged forward and made a swipe at the warden. Walker jumped back and barely had time to go intangible as those claws nearly gutted him, slicing at his belly. Regardless, the warden gasped in pain as he drew his hand away from his stomach, his hand coated green with ectoplasm. It seemed that these things had some kind of ability to steal energy from the dead, easily damaging them.

His lip twitched in irritation, the warden cursed the rotten beast. He hadn't even got a hit in and was already bleeding.

Before Walker could rethink his strategy, Fright Night was stepping in front of him and swinging his sword in a powerful arc, digging into the creature's side. The beast meowled before it hopped away, leaving clumps of flesh and a small trail of blood droplets as it yanked the sword out.

Tilting his head backward, one could almost feel the knight smirking at the warden. "This is no place for damsels, warden. If you cannot fight, you best get off the battlefield."

...

Across the room, the third demon nodded its bulbous head as it eyed possible opponents. It was looking for an easy target as well as an easy meal. Ghost cores were a fine source of energy. Finally, it set its sights on Young Blood who was hiding behind a stone column and watching with wide eyes. The decay of the child spirit's territory in the Ghost Zone had been hard on the youthful spirit and he smelled of weakness. The demon almost smiled to itself as it started stalking forward like a great cat. Young Blood, seeing this, stiffened and immediately called out to Ember as the beast drew closer.

"I can't believe I'm saying this: but the party's over!" said Ember as she intercepted the creature with a strum of her guitar, having decided to assist with the sinister issue even though she hadn't been invited to the council for access to Plasmius's territory and ley lines. Her solo act quickly ended though when she heard Young Blood crying out behind her. The young-minded spirit had kind of attached to her and though motherly wasn't a word Ember would use to describe herself, she had taken care of the other spirit.

Turning her head, Ember only had time to watch a stray sinister snatch the youthful spirit in its claws and then open its mouth wide. Young Blood's cries died with the first snap of the creature's jaws and then the small figure was completely swallowed in the second snap. It took a moment to fully comprehend what had just happened before Ember went berserk, her mane flaring like an inferno.

"He was just a child! I'm going to kill you for that!" screeched the musician, nearly drowning out all the other chaos in the room as she threw herself forward, now wielding her guitar like a blunt weapon as she tried to bash the chuckling beast's head in.

Plasmius, floating above his opponent, was quickly distracted by the musician's screeched. He looked away for a second ... which was just enough time for the abomination to slide away from the corner it had been pinned in and launch itself at the flying halfa. The elder half-ghost cried out in pain as the large beast drug him out of the air and immediately pinned him to the floor, jaws mashing as it tried to eat Vlad's face.

Holding the beast back by its throat, the bachelor growled in annoyance. It was like whenever he managed to knock one of these things off of him, another would take its place. It was like they were specifically targeting him.

With a grunt of irritation, Vlad threw the thing off with a kick to its soft underbelly making it soar into the air and slam into the opposite wall with a wet smack. Sadly, the victory was short-lived as the eyeless dog creature jumped onto his back and plunged its long fangs into his shoulder. Plasmius yelped and tried to go intangible but quickly discovered the same thing Walker had. These creatures canceled such abilities by stealing ghostly energy.

Hissing at the realization, Vlad felt the teeth dig a little deeper. He could feel blood and plasma starting to pool down his chest and back. He knew that if he didn't get this thing off quickly, he was going to turn back into his human form and bleed to death!

Ember, having been slammed back onto the floor next to Plasmius, wiped the blood from her lip with a wince. Yet, when she reached for her guitar to continue the battle, there was an odd moment of her and Plasmius staring at each other.

"Help. Please," growled out Plasmius, hissing as the jaws latched down deeper.

Blinking like an idiot, the girl was quick to her feet and grabbed her guitar as she growled out, "Don't boss me around. This is my show."

Nonetheless, she started wailing on the creature latched onto the halfing's back. She didn't want to blast it. It might hit the master of this territory and she didn't have the strength to deal with that. Besides, it was more satisfying to beat it to death after what they did to Young Blood. "Time for the closing act!"

The sinister, teeth still latched on, lifted its muscular arm up catching the guitar in a clawed paw. Before Ember could even react, he was ripping it from the she-ghost's grasp, the instrument giving a mournful ting as a few of its strings broke.

So shocked by the destruction of her instrument, Ember didn't see another beast slink up behind her. Then, with the speed of a cobra, it plunged its wide jaw right onto her calf, immediately pulling and sending her to the floor with a smack. The singer barely had time to screech and dig her nails into the floor before the wolf-being started shaking her like a limp opossum.

Skulker, having reentered the fray, stalled as he watched the singer being yanked around like a chew toy. He'd never admit it ... but he really did like her singing and had dwelt on maybe ... asking her out.

Shaking that thought away, knowing he wouldn't have the chance to woo her if she was re-dead, the hunter slid both pistols into his hands, roaring as he shot a barrage of ectoplasmic ammo at the beast, casing hitting the floor with soft clicking noises. A few shots were true, a wet popping noise filling the room as the creature was forced to release its bounty and wobble to the left before it seemingly fell over dead.

Ember, a bruised and bloody mess with one eye already swollen shut, blinked up at him in surprise from her place on the floor. Skulker, immediately lovestruck by her gaze, smiled back like an idiot.

"Uh, thanks for the save," was all Ember could say as Skulker continued to stare at her, the girl watching the bullet-riddled creature somehow stumble back to its feet. "But ... it's not quite dead yet."

Pulled from his love-struck moment, Skulker frowned at the beast. What was with these things? It was like they couldn't die. In fact, it was like they were trapped between the living and the dead.

Growling, the sinister regained its composure and started rushing across the ballroom, leaving splatters of blood in its wake. It didn't even seem to slow down as Skulker lifted his pistols and started shooting again. Even when Skulker blasted off a part of its jaw, it kept coming.

"Shi-" was all Skulker could say before the grotesque form was pouncing at him. There was a shower of sparks as Skulker's metal form slid across the floor, a nearby curtain quickly catching on fire due to the sparks.

The monster, now on top of the hunter, tried to snap at his face. Luckily, Skulker was fast enough to capture the freak's remaining jaw in his hands. The creature yipped in shock while the armored ghost smirked. Slowly, the hunter started to pull the jaw farther and farther apart. The beast squirmed and yowled and tried to claw at the mental form beneath him. Then, making sure the monster knew what was about to happen, Skulker directed one of his shoulder rockets towards that gaping maw.

"Didn't you know it's rude to hit a lady," quipped Skulker before he launched his rocket into the beast's open jaw, the creature's eyes filling with horror before a blast sent chunks of meat all over the hunter and the room.

Skulker, sitting up with a disgusted look as he flicked dog meat off of his form, was surprised to see Ember was limping in his direction, her guitar being used as a makeshift walking stick. She ... had come to help him.

The hunter didn't even have time to be bashful as the singer pointed behind him, "Plasmius needs help, you idiot! Don't just sit there."

Eyes going wide, Skulker quickly rose to his feet and found the man still in the beast's jaws! By the look of the halfa, he had lost a lot of blood and was struggling just to keep his ghost form up with the way he was starting to flicker.

Cursing, the hunter grabbed a hunting knife out of one of his many compartments and threw it. His aim was true and the blade embedded itself in the upper back haunch of the creature with a wet thunk. The sinister barked in surprise and fell off of Plasmius, leaving a trail of blood as it scurried away.

Skulker, rushing forward, leaned down just in time to stop the bachelor from smacking his head on the stone floor, the man collapsing and losing control of his ghost form.

Pulling out another gun, Skulker dragged the limp man into a sitting position against his leg before he started to rapidly fire at the limping sinister. He only stalled when Fright Night slid in front of the creature's exit and took a swing at the beast. The hunter watched for a second before deciding the knight could hold his own as he turned his attention back to Vlad. The man was coming back around, a hand coming to his forehead because he likely had double vision at this point.

"Were you trying to play with that thing or be its chew toy? It wasn't an actual dog, you know," growled Skulker, pushing the man's shirt to the side to try and see the bloody wound better.

Vlad hissed in pain at the touch but still tried to lightly jest, "How was I to know it wasn't house trained? It seemed oh-so-friendly at first glance."

"Hilarious. Now remain still. You should be fine with a few hundred stitches and some duct tape," said the hunter as he looked around for help, but most spirits were either weaklings, in hysterics, or trying to fight those things. "Let's get you out of here. I'm sure the others can finish up this mess."

Lifting the man up into his arms, feeling blood drip down his metallic form, Skulker was barely out of the ballroom and into the hall when Danny came rushing around the corner.

"Is Vlad okay?!" cried the teen as he hurried up to the two, probably having picked his way out of the safe room.

"He's going to be better off than you once I figure out how you got out of that safe room," growled Skulker as he marched forward, trying to get to the lab's little medical bay. "Don't lag behind."

Nodding and following mostly because he had no idea what else to do, the small group barely got down the hall when a sinister slowly prowled around the corner like some great cat that had just been waiting there this whole time. It even smirked like the group was exactly where it wanted them.

Cursing as he stalled, Skulker shifted a nearly unconscious Vlad in his arms as he tried to formulate a plan, "These things are definitely targeting Plasmius, and I really don't have time for this. I need to stop the bleeding before Vlad's full-on dead."

Watching the blood drip off one of Skulker's metallic biceps, Vlad taking in a shallow breath as his eyes struggled to remain open, the teenager felt his superhero mentality kick in. He might not have any powers right now, but he wasn't helpless. Valerie and even his parents made do with nothing but ghost hunting gear, and so could he.

Glad that Skulker hadn't taken any of the components to his costume away, Danny released one of the plasma guns from the holster under his jacket and pointed it at the beast. The tool whined as it charged up. He wasn't the most comfortable with guns, but if it drew the creature away from Vlad, he'd do what he could, "I'll distract it while you help cheese-head."

The beast's glinting eyes turned to glare at Danny, probably thinking he was some no-name spirit. It even chuckled at him, its voice gravely and growling, "My, my. Does the little sprite think he can handle me? Run, run, little one. You are hardly more than a morsel to me. We came here only for this one: the big fish. My Master has no use for minnows."

Danny felt his muscles tense up at that mocking tone, raising his gun up a little higher in defiance.

"Whelp. Leave," ground out Skulker, the hunter adjusting the elder halfling as if he was trying to decide if he should flee or fight.

"No," said Danny as he readjusted his footing. "I won't leave and I will not run."

Then, before Skulker could make any more demands, he took a shot hitting the beast in the side of the face and nearly taking off its ear.

Skulker balked in surprise, saying something about Danny being a stupid boy, but the teen didn't stick around to listen to the full rant as he turned to run. Skulker barely had time to slam against the wall and out of the thing's way as it rushed after the boy.

"Danny!" shouted Skulker as he dwelled on giving chase, but a wet gasp from Vlad was enough to stall him and force him back to his original destination. The teenager would have to make due for now.

...

Panting, Danny tried to listen to the clicking claws behind him as he rushed forward, trying to gain some distance.

Okay, okay. He could do this. He just had to keep out of reach and get a few good shots in.

Sliding around a corner, the teen barely had time to bark in surprise and duck as another sinister's outstretched claws swiped at his head and dug into the plaster. Fortunately, he still had his head ... unfortunately, he was now blocked in by the two sinisters.

Making a dive for the legs of the sinister before him so he could squirm away, the sinister chasing him finally turned the corner and caught him by his good arm. Danny didn't even get to raise his gun up before it was slapped out of his hand, his back shoved against the wall as those claws dug into his arm.

Taking a panicked breath, figuring this was the end, the teen closed his eyes and waited for the sting of those claws.

It never came though as the eyeless sinister suddenly stepped in, snapping at the other beast, "Stop, you fool. Can you not smell it, or are you so easily fooled by a costume and white paint? It is the boy!"

The cat-like sinster tilted his head looking at the little white ghost in a new light. Its eyes widened in surprise, realizing what it had nearly done. It exchanged an uneasy glance with the other sinister, its ears falling back, "Forgive me. I did not notice and the paint threw off the boy's smell."

"Forgiveness! There would be none if you had finished that attack. Let us retreat. There will be no kill with the childe so near and ever so fragile," said the blinded sinister as he turned to leave. The other beast whined at the thought of retreating but followed quickly after.

Danny, opening his eyes, watched as the beasts rushed away leaving him mostly unscathed, a deeply unsettled feeling forming in his gut. If the demon and his minions didn't want him dead, then what did they want?

XXX

Paw07: Okay. Now let's see how many injuries Danny has gotten in the last three months … lots. I'm surprised no one has turned Vlad in for child abuse. And there's nothing like a good cliffhanger between life and death.

Edit: Oh god, I looked at this 16,000-word chapter and I was like, 'Why old me? Why isn't this broken into two chapters?' Anyway, I was really glad to rewrite the kitchen scene with Walker and Skulker. It was stupid in some aspects and pointlessly violent in others. I decided to throw a ghost-hierarchy thing in there to show why ghosts listen to Plasmius and Skulker. It's a territory thing. Also, I remember disliking Ember and Young Blood for some reason, and so killed both in this chapter. On reflection, I still dislike Young Blood, but Ember has grown on me, so no grisly death for her. ^.^;

Revised 08/2022