HeroVerse
Chapter 12
"Preparation"
Eon emerged from a swirling purple portal, followed by Drakken, Shego, and the Huntsman. They stood on a floating island in a dark green void. Many doors of various types and from many different times floated like stars in the sky.
"The Ghost Zone…it's as beautiful as I'd imagined." Eon said, a sense of wonder in his voice. His helmet de-pressurized as he lifted off his head.
His comrades winced at the sight of Eon's emaciated face. The cartilage of his nose was completely gone, and his eyes had sunken far into his head. He let out a ragged cough.
"Geez, now I see why you wear that fish bowl." Shego scoffed.
"Silence, child." Eon waved at her dismissively. He raised his hand, willing a portal to open. Several crates and machines seemed to drop down. A clouded containment tube held the silhouette of Dark Phantom, the most powerful ghost to ever walk the Earth. A second containment tube held an incredibly dense sphere of nanites suspended in mid-air. Connected to the two tubes was a third machine, though it was clearly unfinished. "Drakken, how long before you can have my machine fully functional?"
"Hmm, with help from some of the Huntsman's lackeys, it should take me only an hour." Drakken began.
"Very well, get to it." Eon waved a hand, opening another portal that dropped five Huntsclan ninjas. "You five, assist the blue scientist with whatever he requires of you."
"And what do you expect us to do while the little scientist and my men work on your machine?" The Huntsman asked, clearly annoyed.
"You and Shego, as well as the remainder of your men will take a defensive position about ten miles east of here. That's where Tennyson and his allies will appear." Eon pointed. "Tennyson must not be allowed to reach me before I ascend. If he does, all is lost. And if he does, I will personally destroy each and every one of you."
"Hmph, fine." Shego tossed her hair back with a scoff. "Bonehead, let's go." Shego spun on her heel and began walking in the direction Eon had told them.
Drakken mumbled to himself. "Order me around…" He growled under his breath. "Hey! Put that transmodifier over there!" He barked at one of the henchmen.
Eon shed his suit, until all he wore was a green and black jumpsuit that didn't go past his knees or elbows. An Omnitrix badge with green points and a white hourglass glowed, positioned where a belt buckle would be.
"Soon, I will never have to rely on another Ben Tennyson ever again." He let out a ragged breath. "And I can finally create the perfect world for my people…" Eon looked on at the endless void of the Ghost Zone.
A swirling portal opened up in the center of the Amity Park Mall, an outdoor network of various shops and restaurants. Danny emerged first, followed by the others. Judging from the sun and amount of people at the mall, Danny guessed it was about midday. After they were all through, the portal closed in on itself.
"Amity Park…" Danny took in a deep breath. "It's been so long."
"Yeah. This is where we first met, Danny." Ben said with a nostalgic smile.
"Where this whole crazy adventure began." Danny nodded, returning the smile.
"Hey look, it's Danny Phantom!" A passerby cried out.
A rabid group of fans began to rush towards Danny and the others, trapping them within the mob.
"Ugh, really Danny?" Kim groaned in annoyance. "We didn't have this problem in Ben's dimension."
"They're touching my goggles!" Rex said, his voice strained.
"Hey! Not the hair!" Jake snapped.
"Alright, enough of that!" Ben slammed down the Omnitrix. In a green flash of light, Ben reappeared as… "Humungousaur!" Humungousaur emerged from the crowd of rabid fans.
The crowd stopped what they were doing, taking a hesitant step back. Humungousaur reeled back, and then let out a mighty roar. The crowd let out screams of fear and ran off.
"Aww man, I'm gonna hear about that later." Danny sighed. "That's all you could think of, really Ben?"
Humungousaur let out a heavy sigh. "Hey, force of habit from when I was constantly dealing with the paparazzi back in the day." He lifted his large arms in a shrug. "It worked, didn't it?" His eyebrow ridge raised expectantly.
Kim nodded. "Unfortunately, not sure what else we could've done." Kim reassured Danny. "Plus, time is of the essence."
"I guess so." Danny nodded. "Come on, my house isn't too far from here." Danny waved for them to follow.
"Alright, ghost boy's got to have a rockin' crib, right?" Jake grinned, shooting finger guns at Danny.
"I don't think we'll have time for a casa tour, Jake." Rex laughed. "Maybe on our way out."
"Come on boys, no time to joke around." Kim motioned for them to follow. "Ben, lose the dino-muscle. You might give someone a heart attack."
"It's been awhile since I've felt like a scary alien." Humungousaur sighed. A green flash of light returned him to his human form. "Let's go." Ben said.
"I wouldn't be too worry about people being scared of Ben's aliens. They've seen a lot worse." Danny said as they walked.
"I'm not too sure if I should be insulted or not." Ben said questioningly.
The group quickly made their way to Fenton Works, a two story block-shaped house with a large artificial third story that acted as Danny's current base of operations for official hero business. "Wow, I didn't know when I'd see this place again."
"This is pretty cool! I'm so getting me a command center like that when I get home." Ben smiled.
"Don't you have free range on an entire military base?" Kim asked.
"Yeah but not at my house." Ben said, matter of factly.
Danny pulled out a ring of keys, fiddling with it until he found the right one. He jammed it in the lock and twisted it. The door clunked appreciatively and swayed inside. "Mom? Dad? I'm home!"
"Danny?!" An older woman's voice called out from their left, towards the kitchen.
Maddie Fenton emerged from the kitchen in a blur. She wore a navy blue jumpsuit with black accents around her neck, wrists, and ankles. Her ginger hair was cut very short, resembling a boy's messy hair. Mechanic's goggles hung around her neck. As soon as she'd caught sight of Danny, she rushed him, trapping him in a bear's hug.
"Young man it's been over a week since you've been home!" Maddie cursed at him through tears. "Where in the Ghost Zone have you been!?"
Danny could feel his bones popping from her maternal strength. "M-Mom, I promise I'll explain everything." Danny phased out of her grip. "I need you to get Dad and Jazz, there's a lot to talk about."
"What do you mean..?" She glanced over his shoulder, taking note of all the colorful youths.
"Just trust me and gather up the family. Too much to explain." Danny sighed. "Please."
Maddie pursed her lips, but nodded. "Alright dear." Maddie walked downstairs into the basement.
A few moments later, everyone was sitting down in the Fenton's small living room, sipping on fruit punch and munching on crackers. Jack Fenton's hair had not followed his wife's suit. It was much longer, reaching to the base of his neck. It had become much more grey-streaked than a few years back. A metallic eyepatch covered up his right eye. He wore an orange and black jumpsuit, and at some point in time, he'd lost his lower right leg, below the knee. It was replaced with a bionic leg, which glowed with green lights.
Jazz Fenton hadn't changed too drastically in the last few years. She was currently wearing a black jumpsuit with green circuitry crisscrossing all over her body. Danny's iconic DP logo was blazoned on her chest. Extra fabric from the suit hung loosely around her neck. Danny knew it was a mask that covered her eyes and wired her into FentonWorks. Jazz took a backseat when it came to ghost hunting nowadays. She oversaw directing Danny and his allies against multiple threats that popped up throughout the city.
"Ha! I knew there were more worlds than the Ghost Zone!" Jack held his hands up in triumph. "I told you, Maddie! Who's crazy, now!?"
Jazz sighed. "Come on dad, is that really all you're taking from this?"
"Jazz is right, Jack." Maddie shook her head. "If what Danny is telling us is true, this is like nothing we've ever faced."
"Good thing I just finished developing the Fenton Combustor!" Jack pulled a large silver and green blaster, seemingly out of nowhere. "Fries a ghost's atoms to nothing!"
"You're right, it's nothing you've ever faced." Ben nodded. "Or will ever. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to ask that you all stay behind."
"What? Why would we do that?" Maddie asked, a tone of anger touching her voice.
"Eon isn't a ghost we can just fry with a Fenton Blaster or put in the Fenton Thermos." Danny shook his head. "He's a time travelling alien who's going to use my evil future self and nanites to make himself all powerful. Fenton weapons won't have any effect."
"We're already fighting an uphill battle." Kim explained. "It's better not to have anyone else to worry about."
"Plus, if something happens to any of us," Rex began. "We want to make sure our worlds are protected."
"Man if you think about it though, if we all lose, it won't matter who's left behind." Jake put his hands up.
Kim elbowed the draconic youth in his side, subtly suggesting for him to cease speaking. "Ignore him, our point stands."
Jack growled, disappointed he wouldn't be able to blast a ghost in the face. "Alright Danny boy, what do you need from us?"
"Our working theory is that Eon is going to be in the Ghost Zone, hoping to further his powers there." Danny explained. "From there, he'll use his newfound godhood and the instability of the Ghost Zone to fix his universe and shred the rest of the multiverse."
"So the Ghost Portal then?" Maddie nodded. "That much we can do."
"I can provide support from our end." Jazz said. "At least let us do that much."
"I'm going to guess you'll just keep insisting if we don't?" Ben asked.
"Pretty much." Jazz smiled.
"Some eyes in the sky couldn't hurt." Rex smiled. "Especially since most of us don't even know how the Ghost Zone works."
"I can give you a rundown." Maddie said reassuringly. "Jack, dear, why don't you round up some basic ghost-fighting equipment for the kids? It might help keep away any unrelated nasties on their mission."
"I'm on it, Maddie!" Jack said, pointing his finger into the air before rushing in a blur to the lab in the basement.
"Maybe I should go help him." Danny rose from where he sat and followed his father to the basement.
Danny could hear the clanking of metal on metal as Jack gathered gadgets and gizmos for Danny and his allies. His father had really impressed him over the last few years, becoming a very active member in the ghost hunting scene. He'd helped Danny on more than one occasion to deal with some nasty ghosts ever since Danny's secret had been revealed. Danny only wished he could fight by his father's side in this battle as well.
"Hey, uh, dad?" Danny called as he walked down the last few steps.
"Danny, come to help your old man?" Jack said enthusiastically.
Danny nodded. "Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you. Since I've been gone awhile."
"Sure son, anything you want to talk about, my ears are wide open." Jack smiled. He walked to the other side of the lab. His footsteps alternating sounds as his metal leg clanked and his boot thudded softly.
"I've been fighting ghosts for six years now. I've fought meat monsters, plant monsters, bounty hunters, and the evil king of all ghosts." Danny said. "Hell, I've fought my evil future self on multiple occasions now. But I've never had to worry about the entire multiverse being in danger or time travelling terrorist aliens." Danny let out a heavy sigh. The weight of these events finally getting to him. "I've never fought against something this big, dad. I'm way out of my depth, and I just don't know if I can do this."
"Danny…" Jack put down a weapon near the ones he'd been gathering. "Son, in my wildest dreams, I never expected my own son to develop powers based on the very things I swore to destroy. But even before I knew your secret, I've seen you take on monsters far more powerful than you without batting an eye. And you were at a fraction of the power you have now." He placed his hands on Danny's shoulders, looking him in the eyes. "And you are not facing this alone, you've met and gathered a whole team of young superheroes. You are more than capable of doing this. And when you do, your family will be waiting here for you."
Danny teared up, but only slightly. He gave his father a tight hug that seemed to last forever. "Thank you, dad."
Jack smiled and nodded. "Now come on, help me pack the Specter Speeder." Jack pressed a button on a panel nearby. The floor opened up, and the Specter Speeder rose from a hidden compartment.
Danny and his father finished loading up the Specter Speeder, supplying it with plenty of weapons and gadgets that could assist them in navigating the unknown depths of the Ghost Zone. It's cabin had been updated and expanded to accommodate four passengers, who all had their own chair.
"Alright Danny, why don't you get your friends down here?" Jack said to his son.
Danny nodded and went upstairs to gather his teammates. When Danny arrived in the living room, Maddie and Jazz had just finished explaining the basics of ghosts and the Ghost Zone as a whole.
"Wow the Ghost Zone definitely sounds crazy." Kim said, crossing her arms in a thoughtful gesture. "I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to contend with any ghosts we might come across, especially since the rest of you have actual powers."
"Don't worry, Kim," Danny said reassuringly. "I packed a piece of equipment especially to help you out."
"Oh, okay sounds good." Kim smiled.
"So does that mean we're ready, Phan-dog?" Jake asked, an enthusiastic smile spreading across his face.
"Yeah, we are." Danny said. "Our transport is already to go. I'm going to have Kim pilot it while I fly alongside you guys."
"Alright team, let's get ready to go." Rex said, rallying the group.
Everyone, including Maddie and Jazz, headed downstairs. The Specter Speeder hovered above the ground slightly, facing the Ghost Portal. As they entered the basement, Jack flipped a switch on the wall, causing the Ghost Portal to ignite and open. Swirling green energy covered the room in a green tinted light.
"Wow, spooky." Jake said.
"Alright." Danny began. A white wave of light flashed over him, and soon he was in his Phantom form. "Kim, come over here and I'll show you the control basics."
"Right." Kim followed him.
"Okay team, this is it." Ben said, so everyone could hear him. "Eon is in there and is probably only moments away from attempting to achieve godhood. Once we go in, no fooling around. Look out for each other. Have each other's backs. Protect each other. But most importantly, I'm going to make sure each and every one of you makes it home. That's a promise."
"We're with you." Rex nodded, a faint smile on his face.
"Alright Ten-dawg, let's show this time travel freak what we can really do." Jake grinned.
"Danny, you guys ready?" Ben called.
"We're ready over here." Danny called back. "All of you get in."
The team, save for Danny, loaded into the Specter Speeder, the doors closing behind them. Danny approached his family one last time.
"Thank you for everything, Mom, Dad, Jazz…" Danny smiled. "I promise to make all of you proud."
"Oh, Danny, we already are." Maddie hugged her son tightly.
"Go show this alien freak what a Fenton can do." Jack punched Danny on the arm affectionately.
"I'll be piloting drones to offer support from here." Jazz said. "You won't be alone." As she spoke, she pulled her hood and goggles over her head, activating her suit. Several wires from around the lab connected to her suit and lifted her above the ground by a few feet. She took a sitting position, as if she was sitting on an invisible chair. Several holographic screens blipped into existence around her.
"Alright. Let's do this!" Danny flew into the Ghost Portal.
"Alright, one last battle guys." Ben nodded. "It's Hero Time!"
Kim pressed a button, and the Specter Speeder roared to life and raced after Danny, into the Ghost Portal.