A/N: Thanks everyone for the follows and favorites! You keep me going.
Oh, and if you haven't noticed, I'm kind of straying away from the predetermined prompts. They gave me inspiration!
Star sits in her room that Wednesday night restless, antsy, and completely unable to slip into a comfortable sleep. She's been lying in bed for almost three hours now, and while she could hear the soft whirring of the shield generator underneath her bed and could feel the cool band of technology around her waist, she still couldn't keep her eyes closed, let alone fall asleep. Every time she closes her eyes she feels her entire world spin, and when she opens them it magically makes it better. Not to mention the dryness of her throat right now. Hmph. She should really pull out the humidifier.
She furrows her brow and turns on her bedside light. Squinting, she makes her way over to her desk to grab the book she's been meaning to finish, digging through the stack of papers and magazines she's also been meaning to go through after this whole mess calmed down. She sighs and runs a hand through her hair.
One little thing happens and it spins my entire world around. Figures.
She momentarily gives up on the book and instead heads downstairs to grab herself a glass of water for her parched throat. On her way back she double-checks the security system and, upon making sure it's armed, shuffles back upstairs.
I guess most people wouldn't call a near-death experience a 'little thing'. She looks into the glass of water as she sits back down at her desk, watching the ripples dance across the water as her hand trembles.
She'll likely blame that on the cooling months until the day she dies.
Star sighs again, her eyes sweeping back across the messier mess of her desk. She really didn't want to deal with that right now. Or ever. Ugh. When did dealing with a messy desk become so tiring?
She curls her legs up to her chest and uses her free hand to spin around in her desk chair. While it definitely doesn't help her vertigo situation, it distracts her from some of the more paranoia-induced thoughts that have been making periodic appearances in her mind lately.
She stops after a while and stares at a fixed point across the room to get her bearings again. She contemplates simply heading back into bed and just staring at her phone all night to distract her further, hopefully eventually becoming drowsy enough to pass out, but as it turns out she's staring directly at her book bag.
Which reminds her that she brought her book to class the other day to read during Study.
Jeez, how scatterbrained can I even get? Star stands up from her chair and grabs her backpack, tossing it up on the bed with her and burying herself back beneath the warm covers. She opens the largest pocket to resume the search for her book but another thing catches her eye before she can find it.
She pulls a slightly crumpled packet out from the bottom of her bag. She picks at the corners, weakly trying to flatten them out while staring at the one word printed on the cover sheet.
Halfas.
Star slides her backpack off of the bed without taking her eyes off of the packet. She had already read all of the files sent to her by Tucker, she made it a point to after being too confused for her liking during the meeting earlier in the day. If she was being honest with herself, she almost forgot that Danny even gave this to her, it feels like so long ago- even though not even a week has passed.
After you read this, burn it.
Do not make copies. Commit it to memory.
She hesitates but opens the packet up to its first page. She's greeted by a wall of text, and it really does look like a printout from Notepad, the monotype font giving the document a government-official feel despite the fact that it was likely created by a group of teens. If a piece of paper could be called intimidating, this would be it. All it needs is a big red stamp labeled 'CLASSIFIED' across the front, too.
She begins to read.
While Halfa physiology is almost visually identical to a human's, (explaining their easy ability to blend in with their populace) there are some fundamental differences that make them unique to any other being in existence, even ghosts. The largest and most notable difference from humans involves their physical functionality running entirely by ectoplasm. While a true human body requires various organ systems working in tandem with each other to keep them alive, a Halfa system supplements various 'missing' functionality (due to the natural body's death) with ectoplasmic energy created by their ghost core.
Star pauses at that, rereading the last bit over again.
Due to the natural body's death.
"Turns out, if you die by a surge of electrified ectoenergy, your ghost becomes bonded to your, um, human cells. Somehow."
"Star, I'm a ghost."
Right, she remembers that now. Danny hasn't… he didn't just get some cool ghost powers, he didn't just 'half' die. He died. He's dead. But still… He's still alive. Perhaps not in the traditional sense or in the way a doctor would declare it, but he lives life just the same as anyone else, and if he chose to not be Phantom, he'd be… well… normal.
She reads on, again pushing that thought to the far reaches of her mind. It isn't her life to be concerned with, after all.
For example, the respiratory system is almost entirely unneeded due to cellular energy being replaced with ectoplasmic, making the circulatory system equally inert sans its purpose in allowing active ectoplasm to flow in and out of the Halfa's core. These two systems' lack of functionality leads to all Halfas lacking both a heartbeat and (necessary) breathing, which continues to be the clearest tell of their true nature.
Although, due to their partial status as a human, the latter still comes instinctually, and long periods without breathing can cause mental instabilities such as anxiety, depression, and body dysphoria- to name a few. Somehow, speaking is still possible during this time. It is not known whether this instinctual behavior can be overridden without serious repercussions.
Star cringes a bit, knowing that the only way they could obtain this information is through pure experience. She thinks of Danny, or even Vlad, sitting for days on end, avoiding to take a single breath for the desire to understand the way their own body works.
And it likely wasn't just out of idle curiosity either. They needed to understand. For what they do, it's critical.
In addition to the respiratory and circulatory systems, the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and lymphatic systems also seem to be either entirely ran or heavily supplemented by ectoplasmic energy, leading to more durable bones, strengthened muscles, enhanced senses, and an impenetrable immune system, respectively. While the extent of impact to the other systems is not known, they all function in relative similarity to the average human's, leading current hypotheses to believe that some human 'parts' are still necessary, only requiring the ectoplasm to 'run' them to function the same as a normal human."
She allows herself to chuckle. Leave it to Danny for every word that comes out of his mouth to have a double meaning. 'More durable' indeed.
Star flips through the next few pages, most of them being a slew of tables putting the previously stated statistics to concrete numbers. Body temperature, weight, strength, speeds, and a number of miscellaneous graphs, it was all there in black and white. Statistics that the average paranormal scientist would drool over. Or kill over.
Although there were no names or identifying factors like ages or gender, Star could realize the danger of this falling into the wrong hands. Imagining the Fentons knowing Phantom's top speed, his body temperature, his ectoplasmic output- even she could figure out ways to catch him from those three statistics alone, let alone two genius inventors.
She keeps skipping ahead until she reaches a new chapter. Similar to the cover, it has a title page with a single word on it.
"Death"
She swallows and takes a long drink of water before turning the page, the weight of the situation gradually pressing down on her shoulders as if someone was standing behind her and doing so. She turns the page.
In respect to a Halfa's 'death', many factors are still a mystery due to the rarity of their existence, but a few things can be gathered from their current populace. They will be listed here.
It goes into an elaborate numbered list, she flips through a few pages and takes note of the additional graphs and tables after each point. She starts at the beginning.
1. During a Halfa's 'death', a large amount of active ectoplasm must be present and flowing within the subject's body for it to continue life-sustaining functionality. It is possible that the ectoplasm may need to be electrified, but this is unknown due to inconsistent circumstances.
- This is perhaps the most critical point of all Halfas, the one necessity to ensure their survival and continuation (the rebirth) after their body's death. Another possible hypothesis is that the electricity present in the Halfa's exposure to ectoplasm might somehow bind it to their cells, allowing them to work together seamlessly. This idea stems from the fact that when ectoplasm is typically introduced to human cells it results in their death and the deterioration of the entire mixture.
- As for the details about the change, not much is known. The subjects that have been created have both similar but different circumstances. All cite exposure to electrified ectoplasm, but all 'died' at different stages. For example, one during the exact event, and one several years later. All were infused with ectoplasm during the time of their death, which is what caused their rebirth.
As Star reads she wonders who wrote this entire thing. It's definitely a thick packet, but it's clearly trying to act as professional as possible. An image of Vlad flashes through her mind, but she dismisses that on account of the heavy usage of the "halfa" term he seems to dislike. She reads on.
2. During a Halfa's 'death', the subject needs a strong drive towards something or someone, this becoming their obsession during rebirth. Halfas skip the phase of deducing what their obsession is by trial and error as a normal ghost would. They know their purpose as soon as they're reborn.
- Without an obsession, the ectoplasmic core will begin to break down, the lack of energy sustaining it eventually leading to the deterioration of the body. While a non-sentient ghost can maintain a form without an obsession or a core, a Halfa cannot survive in the same way due to the drain that their human body's required functionality needs. These obsessions follow the same rules as any standard ghost's, although they will likely be more aggressive in their pursuit of it.
- Like a ghost's, these obsessions can change and evolve over time.
An obsession, the need for purpose, the drive to continue living after death, there was extensive info about that in the other files. Any ghost that has a complex form needs one as a source of energy.
She wonders what Danny's might be. Or Vlad's. Obsession sounds like such a negative term, but they both seemed at least mostly mentally stable. She knows better than to ask though, it's not something ghosts like to talk about, according to the files.
3. A Halfa's 'death' has a strong effect on the type of core created as well as the ghost's composition and weaknesses.
- While in most aspects, standard ghosts harness the cause of their death as a point of strength, (likely due to their refusal of death) Halfas typically find it as a point of weakness (likely due to their denial of death). Current subjects show an electrical death triggers a weakness to electricity, and a disease-related death triggers an increased susceptibility to (ghostly) disease.
Electricity. That would explain his great distaste for the Spectre Deflector. She cringes as she thinks back to the accidental shock she gave him before. To be reminded of your own death every time…
Now that she thought about it, Danny gets shocked a lot, doesn't he? She's seen Skulker use a few electric weapons, and the computer ghost, Technus, his entire arsenal consists of electricity based attacks. She knows she's seen more, too.
She thinks of Danny writing this, but it doesn't particularly feel right. Based on his mental struggling every time he mentions a ghostly part of him, he probably would prefer to not do this. It would be easy to be biased too, since you are your own subject.
That rules both him and Vlad out as the writers, likely.
4. Halfas can 'transform' from their human form to their ghostly form at will.
- This process is similar to intangibility, invisibility, and shapeshifting, and is a form of body modification that comes somewhat naturally at the Halfa's rebirth. The transformation process can vary (and expends an equally varied amount of energy, usually displayed in a ring of light) but each Halfa can easily transition to one of two forms, their natural human state (this is the default) or their 'birthed' ghost state. While the Halfa can access the majority of their ghostly abilities through their human state, some abilities can only be activated with the processes and energy provided by their ghostly cells. (Usually high-energy abilities such as complex core powers.) The ghost also raises in power level after the switch, since ectoplasm from the core flows more freely throughout and around their body, visible in each Halfa's ghostly aura.
Sam, Jazz, or Tucker, then. She thinks back to the day she spent with them and immediately rules out Sam. She likely wouldn't agree with Danny being a research subject or even recording this at all. She also displayed some discomfort, more than Danny, in talking about his more… unsettling ghostly tendencies. It was probably out of sympathy, she definitely knows it bothers Danny, so she probably avoids it to protect him.
Or she might be the one that's uncomfortable. Although that likelihood seems… low. They're both good friends to Danny, anyone could see that.
5. Halfas, when in their human state, are almost indiscernible from a human, visually.
- Their blood flows red, their skin is whatever color it originally was upon 'death', they grow, they age, they maintain personality traits, and they are physically solid. The only two factors that can visually discern them from a human are the slight iridescent sheen their blood gives off (the mimicry of blood, or any liquid really, by ectoplasm isn't perfect, it seems) and there is a possibility that age or appearance may be able to be manipulated by the Halfa themselves, their ghost core, or even by external forces, but not much is known about this yet.
- However, there are several other traits that can identify a Halfa. They're much cooler to the touch than a human, and they have several ghostly mannerisms. They sometimes stand eerily still, and move in a smooth (graceful or robotic, depending on the circumstances) manner. When they enter a room their presence is oftentimes not immediately felt, but when experiencing extreme emotion they can give off an aura of the appropriate type.
Due to the tone of the writing, it's hard to discern whether it was written by Tucker, Jazz, or even both of them working together. Tucker doesn't seem to shy away from anything regarding Danny's ghost side, even the more unsettling things, and Jazz is similar- as well as having this scientific curiosity about her.
6. A Halfa can be created in any stage of the life cycle, from conception to adulthood.
This one caused Star to pause. How… did they manage to figure that out? Her brain runs through a number of scenarios of varying appropriateness, but shakes them out (as well as a blush) and moves on. Probably something to do with Vlad, she figures. It's easy to forget that he's a 40-something-year-old halfa too- probably with much more experience.
Then again, she doesn't really know who the older ghost is, does she? Maybe that's something she's allowed to ask about.
7. All of these 'rules' can likely be broken.
Wait, so that… that's it?
She flips through the previous few pages, taking note that yes, she has indeed read through the bulk of the packet. The next chapter is titled "Additional Notes" but it only spans two or three more pages, and the amount of tables and statistics decreases drastically, only containing small secondary notations rather than entire in-depth analyses.
Star yawns and squints at the clock, rubbing her eyes as she asks herself where the time went. She reluctantly sets down the paper and her empty glass on her nightstand, hoping to at least try to get some sleep before tomorrow, but also debating if she should just stay home sick. She never did get a break after the attack, and the lack of sleep isn't doing her any favors either. She glances over at the packet again and shoves it back into her backpack where it was.
I'm much more comfortable with that inside the ghost shield and on my person than it being in the house unprotected.
Her backpack slides down the side of her bed and onto the floor, and she completely envelops herself in the blankets. She pulls her phone out from underneath her pillow and gives it one last glance before drifting off.
Pausing when she sees a message from Danny.
Huh.
Danny - text me when you wake up, i've got a job for you if you're free.
A job. Star contemplates this for a moment, but can't for the life of her figure out what he might mean by that. She starts to send a text back but remembers the time, and-
Did he really send this half an hour ago? Why-
Star - Why are you awake? But sure, what is it?
Well, she can always respond in the morning if she falls asleep. She sends it off and continues to rack her brain about what 'job' he might want her to do. It's not like she could fight ghosts, or confront Autumn, or go to the Ghost Zone. He wouldn't make her do anything dangerous, probably. Plus, Sam and Tucker are here, aren't they?
Her phone chimes, startling her. She didn't expect a reply this fast.
Danny - I don't sleep much lol, don't need to. just need you to go to my house and check something out, i'll call you after school tomorrow.
Star doesn't know how she's supposed to get into his house, it's not like she has a key, but Danny wouldn't ask her if he knew it was impossible.
More texts come in.
Danny - sorry I forgot to ask, are you busu?
Danny - busy*
Danny sam and tuck can't do it, they're doing something else. if you can't that's fine tho, not super important.
Star thinks for a moment, her parents are coming home tomorrow night, but she could find an excuse to make a detour.
Star - I'm not, unless it's going to take like the whole night. I can do it.
Danny - coolio, it should only take a little bit. call you tomorrow, get some sleep pls
Star laughs.
Star - I'm not the only one that needs to get sleep. You go to bed too.
Danny - ugh, fine. gn then
Star - Night, ttyl
Star plugs her phone back in and shoves it under her pillow, she really should get some sleep. Can't be letting her grades slip right at the start of a new semester, her parents would have her hide for that.
She falls asleep in minutes.
A/N: There may be some inconsistencies with earlier chapters, but treat these notes as the correct version. I'll be going back sometime soon and editing those to be consistent with this.
Let me know what you think of my ideas! Also… if you notice anything that doesn't make sense or have questions ;)