Hello all, another brief note. I had always assumed that Jake was older than both Randy and Danny but I appeared to have mislabeled my notes. In canon, Jake is the youngest (not factoring in the original airing dates of the shows). Though I had already drafted Jake's arch and plotlines surrounding him being the oldest and being shown up by the younger heroes. I also feel like making him older would be more appropriate to give the character more maturity and growth. Granted, he doesn't really show that off except around the adults or those he wishes to impress. Jake and Jazz being the oldest siblings of their families could lead to an interesting dynamic along the road as well as Jake's knowledge and 'interest' in ghost hunting creating more tension between Danny and his parents. That being said I'm trying to do my best to leave some stuff unspoiled for you, but safe to say I'm excited. ~ Cosmo


Friar-Tuck: Apparently, Randy has some sort of beef with the ninja, and he genuinely wanted to thank the phantom for saving his life. He seems like a good egg, and I can vouch for him. I think it would mean a lot to him.

Danny-Boy: Good Egg or not, Tucker, the ninja is still out there. I need to lay low.

Danny-Boy: Crap, not to mention that dragon. The dragon that can apparently see through the invisibility trick? Seriously? It's not like I had an easy time with Eudora. God, I need a break.

Friar-Tuck: I figured it was a long shot. I'll just deflect if he asks again.

Fenton scratched his chest sleepily while waiting for his turn for the shower. He managed to sleep through the whole night for once. He couldn't decide if it was a good or bad thing yet. Sleeping-in usually meant waking up when he was supposed to. He leaned in his rolling-chair, staring at the clear blue sky through his small window. Danny wiped at the sleep sand forming in the corners of his eyes. What a beautiful day to stay inside and ditch, he thought. Unfortunately, he needed to conduct a search to see which unstable person wanted it out for him, this time.

Friar-Tuck: So if the ninja is 800 years old. Could be a ghost?

The phantom almost scoffed. Aside from the technique having an extremely practiced precision, Danny never got the impression that he was fighting someone that old. Granted, his only idea of what 'old' looked like was his English teacher, Lancer.

Danny-Boy: Nah.

Friar-Tuck: Really?

Danny-Boy: My ghost sense hasn't gone off once while fighting him, so he's flesh and blood.

Friar-Tuck: Could be immortal? Or a vampire? Can you detect vampires?

Danny-Boy: Vampires don't exist.

Friar-Tuck: Yet to be confirmed, Daniel.

Now he couldn't think of anything other than Mr Lancer in a black catsuit- which will haunt him permanently. Thanks, brain.

Danny-Boy: Unrelated, what did you get on the poetry assignment?


There was a knock at the front door of Fentonworks. Jazz was already on the way out the door, car keys in hand. Automatically she assumed it must've been the usual suspects. She called up the stairs, "Hey Danny! Your friends are here to walk with you-"

Since the kids knew her routine, she just expected to barrel through them like a one-woman army. However, when she pulled back the door, she nearly walked chest first into a stranger.

Jasmine halted, "Oh-! I'm sorry, can I help you? Are you here for tutoring?"

The short boy glanced her up and down, "Uh-hah- Well, I came to see the Fentons, but I could use a brush up on my chemistry." He ran a hand through his gelled hair.

In a hurry, she used her book as a writing surface and scribbled down, "Chemi-stry… Say isn't that a little advanced for middle schoolers?"

"I'm… I'm sixteen," The boy said somewhat dejectedly. Did she not understand that was a line?

Jazz scanned him up and down, "Really?"

Suppose he deserved that. The dog around his ankles made a strangled noise. Jazz stooped down, "Aww, what a cute puppy, what breed is he?"

"A nuisance-" The boy said under his breath.

"Hm?"

The boy cleared his throat and said succinctly, "A shar-pei."

"Aw, he's so wrinkly." She patted the dog's head. Jazz stood back up and brushed her hair behind her ear, "Anyway, I'm Jasmine Fenton; you can call me Jazz." She handed him a scrap of paper he couldn't' decipher, "Here's my number."

Pocketing it quickly, he bowed in acknowledgment, "Thank you."

A loud thud could be heard from inside behind the door. The older Fenton spared the stranger from looking at her brother, splayed out on the stairs. She reminded her brother again, "Danny put on your shoes before coming down the stairs."

"I'll keep that in mind," The ghost grunted.

Jasmine then floated past the boy on her porch. The boy who wasn't sure if he was rebuffed or just in the way. He shoved the door further aside, "Excuse me, this is Fentonworks, right?"

Danny squinted from his spot on the stairs. He didn't want to expose his parents to another heckler. He rose, patting the side of his head, "Yeah, who's asking?"

"I'm interested in purchasing some ghost hunting equipment?" The boy held his arm awkwardly.

"That's not funny," Danny stated bluntly.

Then he didn't see the stranger change expression, "Oh my god, you're not kidding."

Seriously? His parents may not ever catch Danny, but them selling to more competent ghost hunters might actually be his undoing. On the other hand, he couldn't imagine anyone buying anything from his parents. Can his parents legally sell minors plasma weapons? Did he miss that family meeting?

"So do you stare at all your house guests, or am I special?" The boy inquired.

Descending the rest of the stairs, Danny waved his hand dismissively, "Er- Sorry, not many people around these parts actually take what my parents say seriously. I mean… I hardly do." He touched his chest before extending his hand forward, "I'm Danny Fenton."

Still, on the outside of the door, The boy offered his hand in return, "Jake Long."

Danny let go of the stranger's hand, "Have we met before?"

"Did you get that too?" Long asked, "I thought it was just me."

Before entering Fentonworks, Jake kicked off his shoes and then took them in his hand.

Danny raised his eyebrows, "You planning on moving in?"

Jake blinked- "Oh shoot, sorry- force of habit. I forgot you guys are weird about that."

"'You guys?'" Danny repeated.

"Uh- hah…" Jake chuckled, "Is it okay if my dog comes in with me?"

Danny blinked. If Randy was uncomfortable after sitting in a room with Danny's Dad for a few minutes, chances are Jake wouldn't last long either. Patting his legs, Fenton greeted the dog the same way Cujo liked, "I don't see why not."

The dog didn't seem particularly excited about a new environment. He wiped his paws on the mat before entering. Jake scratched the dog's head and praised, "Good boy…"

"Weirdly serious little thing, isn't he?" Danny queried.

Jake made a face as if he wasn't sure if Danny meant the dog or him.

Danny walked into the kitchen lab entrance, calling out, "Hey Dad, You got a visitor!"

"Good one, son!" His father replied, "Funnier every time!"

"No," The younger Fenton coaxed, "Dad, you really have a visitor! He wants to see the ghost equipment."

Without another word, Jack Fenton barreled up the stairs. With the rapidly approaching footsteps, Danny returned to Jake, "You might want to keep the shoes on, FYI. Ectoplasm stains don't come out of cotton."

"Uh sure," Jake wondered if these kids were this unapproachable he wasn't sure how he was going to fair against the adults, "don't even trip, bro."

Danny crossed his arms, "Right."

The two teens stared at each other. Nothing much to say. They didn't like each other; they didn't need the words to express that much. For whatever reason, Jake knew whatever Danny was going to say. Jake wasn't going to listen. Danny saw that and raised. Danny didn't necessarily need the approval of the dude who walked in from out of the blue, thinking himself a wannabe ghost hunter. All that was communicated with an awkward silence.

Danny's father nearly toppling over himself coming up the stairs, he landed in the kitchen, "So what's this I heard about an apprentice?"

"That would be me, sir." Jake raised his hand innocently enough," I'm interested in using some of your equipment."

Jack quickly took the young man's hand and began to shake him excitedly, "Pleasure to meet ya, the name's Jack Fenton. You've met my son, Danny-"

"Charmed," Danny remarked, getting his cereal bowl from the cabinet.

Jake gestured to the shar-pei, which appeared to be sniffing Danny's leg rather intensely, "I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind you brought my partner in here."

Mr Fenton was probably so overjoyed at the idea someone at all would willingly come over to humor him and his ramblings that he didn't notice a four-legged friend in his kitchen. Jack pointed to the mutt, "Your partner?"

"See, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Mr Fenton-" Jake began, "Er- My name's Jake- Jake Long, sir."

"And… well… I don't know if you're going to laugh at me for saying this…" Jake rather bashfully admitted, "but I can see ghosts."

Danny froze in place. His eyes shot open. What did Jake mean by that? Danny faced away from the young man. If he could see the expression on Danny's face, it would be further damning evidence. The story Jake was trying to spin wasn't registering. It wasn't connecting. All the pieces, as he knew it, were being upset. A train wreck of new information he'd have to process and figure out a way to maneuver himself around.

Danny found himself glaring down at the animal which was trying to inhale his pants. He wouldn't strike an animal, of course, but he nudged the dog's body away with his calf.

The young man introduced, "My dog, Fu, he helps me with my premonitions."

Certainly, Jack Fenton believed a lot of things, but this had to be it. This had to be the line. Danny thought that even this was a little too much to swallow.

"Fascinating," Mr Fenton elatedly mused, "I've heard of animals having a heightened spiritual sense, but I've yet to see anyone properly train a dog to be a spiritual aid."

Fu barked at his name, causing Danny to jump and his eye to twitch. The phantom did not want to go down like this. He did not want to go down to some meddling kid and his dumb dog. After scooting the dog away again, Fu sneezed before trotting out of the kitchen.

"I come from a line of esteemed cryptid-zoologists," Long said, "My family is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and study of rare and exotic creatures."

"A noble pursuit!" Mr Fenton praised, "If I hadn't been wrapped in theoretical physics of meta-dimensions, I probably would've minored in cryptid-zoology."

"You wouldn't happen to be the same Fenton who authored a dissertation on malicious spirits-" The young man rubbed his hands in thought, "Uh- through the lens of refractive domestic wormholes?"

"Yes!" The old man beamed, "that was m- my post-graduate paper. You've read my work?"

"My folklore teacher and me have had quite the debate over it."

Jack pulled out Danny's chair, inviting Jake to sit at the kitchen table. Taking a seat, Jake spun the chair around. Mr Fenton who barely came out of his lab unless it was to eat, grab coffee by the pot or watch football, now was the perfect host. He quickly pulled out two mugs and began to pull out sugar and milk. "How do you take your beans?" Mr Fenton offered.

"You wouldn't happen to have any tea? I typically drink tea in the morning with my grandfather."

Brushing his son aside to get into the cupboard, Mr Fenton nodded, "you know, I think we have English breakfast tea, there's a funny story there- my daughter Jasmine- She-"

Danny protested, "Dad."

"Danny, shouldn't you be heading to school soon?" Jack clapped, "Chop Chop! Let's see some hustle, son!"

The younger Fenton slammed down his empty cereal bowl on the counter, "Dad! You don't know if this kid is legit!" Danny riposted, "He just happened to waltz in here and said basically everything you've ever wanted to hear?"

Jack grasped the box of tea bags, furrowing his brow disappointedly. Meanwhile, the young man, the stranger, only pursed his lips in irritation.

He seethed, "I've seen you get like this only to get your hopes up," Danny pleaded, "Dad, just be smart."

"Danny, I cannot believe how rude you're being right now; we have company for Pete's sake!"

Feeling his face fall in utter disbelief, Danny balled his fist before snapping towards Jake, "Well, where's your proof, huh?"

"Daniel Allen Phillips Fenton! We do not badger our guests like this!"

Scratching the back of his neck, Jake long cautiously ventured, "I didn't wanna be the bearer of bad news, but your house is kinda haunted."

"Impossible," Danny laughed, "My dad's equipment would've gone off!"

"... My son, despite being way out of line, is correct," Mr Fenton was hesitant to agree, "my equipment is susceptible to ecto-energy, and I have many alarms tuned to the frequency."

Triumphantly Danny smirked. For once in a blue moon, he and his dad were on a similar page.

Out of nowhere, Jake gripped his head, covering his unusually pointy ears; he groaned, "You can't hear the wails?"

"Stop faking!" The younger Fenton berated. His ghost sense hadn't gone off all morning! This guy was totally full of it!

Fu could be heard barking and growling on the stairs. Both Father and son shot a look upward to the ceiling. The house began to tremble, and the lights began to blink rapidly. Danny gasped, a chill escaping his breath.

A voice rattled through the whole house, "FINALLY! THE BOX GHOST HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR A NEW REIGN OF CUBIC TERROR! THE LIKES OF WHICH THE LIVING WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN!"

There was a scream.

"MADDIE!" Jack cried

Danny shot a glare towards the stranger; he seethed- Somehow- he wasn't sure on the method, but Jake had tried to put Danny's mom in danger. Jake shot up and sprinted up the stairs, Mr Fenton following behind.

Cracking open the fridge, Danny grabbed the broken Fenton Thermos, hoping that maybe it could still be of some use to him. Though as he studied it for a brief moment, Danny could hear the defeated shriek of the Box Ghost echoed to the main floor.

Then silence.

Running in the same direction. The phantom rounded the corner, his show nearly catching on the rug. He entered his parents' bedroom. Mrs Fenton was no worse for wear, thankfully. Though she was clearly startled and shaken up, still armed with the Fenton Ghost Weasel. She had it aimed to where Danny could only assume the Box Ghost made his brief appearance.

"Sugar Honey Ice Tea!" Mrs Fenton exclaimed, taking another moment of recovery before lowering the vacuum, "That startled the dickens out of me."

"Mom!" "Lambchop!"

Maddie removed her goggles and assured, "I'm quite alright, boys." She joked, "Though let that be a lesson to those who interrupt my dusting."

She disengaged the machine. It whirred and hummed as the lights died. Madeline put her hands on her hips, "How on earth did a ghost get in here? Shouldn't the alarm have gone off?"

Jack was befuddled, "I- I couldn't tell you, sweetheart, but I'm glad you're okay." He patted Long on the back, "This boy had sensed the ghost and had attempted to warn me, but I-"

"I'm sorry ma'am," Jake touched his chest sincerely, "I've had said something earlier then maybe-"

"Think nothing of it, sweetie. Stranger things have happened, and I can handle myself," She jabbed, "despite what my husband thinks."

Maddie found her son, and his tense expression, "Is he another friend of yours, honey?"

Firing another suspicious glance at the young man, Danny answered, "No."