Night Wind
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: Butch Hartman does; I don't.
East, West, Day, Night
When Phantom's fingers moved in the silent language of the phantoms, Vlad stopped Maddie from pulling the trigger on the ghost tranquilizer dart gun she carried. "No," he whispered to her. "He is using a form of sign language."
"How do you know this?" Maddie asked, shocked that ghosts were this far technologically advanced.
"I read," Vlad replied, shrugging his shoulder. In a louder voice, he called out to the Night Wind, who were poised to attack. "We come in peace and mean you no harm. We only wish to return two halfas back to the human world from which they came."
Sunset's eyes flickered over to the Night Lord. Phantom, what are they talking about? I do not understand.
There are no halfas within our world, Moon answered for him. The half ryu lies. I smell the blood of a thousand slain kindred wafting from their weak rotting flesh. These hunters are the same ones the Night Queen spoke of when she said they would use familial bonds to take you from us, Phantom.
The fact they are in league with the half-ryu speaks volumes of their deceit and treachery, Bell added, moving his fingers slightly. You would be merciful to kill the humans, but remember the Lady wants the halfling.
The rest of the phantoms watched as Phantom digested this. He sighed and ran one hand through his short raven hair and closed his eyes. So mote it be, he signed back to Moon. All three will be turned over to Queen of the Night Stars. Bind them.
Now, I recognize our Phantom, Twilight briefly signed to Dusk, as Phantom gave the command.
"Night Wind are notoriously prejudiced against Ryu," Vlad murmured, as Daniel debated with his brethren.
"What are they saying?" Jack wondered. "It's not in any of the ASL books I've seen."
"I'm surprised you even know what American Sign Language is, Jack," Vlad dryly commented. "And you won't. There is no rhyme, reason or common sense trying understanding the terminology used by these ghosts. I understand enough of a similar dialect to understand em either besides to know that I'm being called a liar by the older girl standing next to Danielle. Ah, I see...No, Maddie, don't shoot!"
Twilight and Dusk quickly sprang into action and caught their leader before he fell. A small feathered piece of wood and metal jutted out from his right leg. They saw a strange dark glint of fear in Phantom's eyes and glared at the hunters.
No mercy, Sunset signed, both fists glowing an eerie ember green.
"Vlad, what's going on?" Maddie whispered as two of the phantoms attended their fallen leader, while Sunset, Bell and Moon rose to their full heights, an aura of hate and anger surging around them.
"We're dead," Vlad hissed. "Thanks, Madeline, it was nice knowing you."
It was to Bell who was the first Jack turned to just before the glowing fist hit his temple. "Can't we just talk about this?"
Past time for that, hunter, Bell thought, as he wrapped the glowing ropes of ecto-energy around the large man's wrists.
"Danielle, dear, surely we can...Danielle!"
Maddie found herself cornered between two trees. Her only weapon, besides the ecto-tranquilizer lay half a foot from her current position. Hands on hips, she addressed the ghost girl glaring murderously at her. "You don't scare me," she defiantly challenged. "I want my son returned to me."
Moon did not reply, but placed a glowing hand over the huntress' heart.
"Moon, don't!"
All eyes turned towards the Phantom, who awkwardly moved towards the two combatants leaning against Twilight and Dusk for support, his right leg paralyzed from the dart. He'd reverted to his true form at the moment the dart pierced his foot. Emerald eyes fixed on the huntress and the sister who would kill her in a heartbeat if he asked.
Why not? Moon demanded. She's the one who did this to you, isn't it?
She is, Phantom agreed, but the ryu is subdued and the male hunter is knocked out. It is enough that she should join them. Our Lady ordered us to remove them from Night Wind territory and bring the half-ryu to her. Nothing more.
No, Moon signed, before jabbing him the chest. Your glory lies in ruins, you have no memory of our world or customs, and you want to allow this human to live. Phantom, you are unbelievable.
Have faith, came the rejoinder. Now bind her and let's go.