Johnny 13 searched on the request of his girlfriend, Kitty, as she gripped on tight as the motorcycle, having past through the Ghost Portal with ease, something Johnny guessed meant that Phantom was in the Zone right now and no one had closed the door before him, ripped across Amity's streets and roads as he asked. "Are you sure that Ember is still out here, she couldn't have gone too far, right babe?"
"I don't know, Johnny, she was weird when those talks started to flood into the Zone, something about experiments and ghost powers." Johnny nodded as his Shadow kept with them as well, the entire Ghost Zone was scared from rumors that someone was harnessing ghost powers and abilities, their fears being that they could be gearing to attack the Zone and nothing could stop them short as Johnny continued to ride with his eyes searching as people ran about or screamed at the coming ghosts, they didn't need to worry right now as they zoomed off to an isolated section of road and they took a breath as Johnny remained on his cycle while Kitty, getting off, shouted for her friend. "EMBER, ARE YOU THERE, EMBER!" Nothing but silence filled the air as Kitty's shoulder slumped and she groaned before heading back to the bike, both looking worse for wear from searching when a voice spoke.
"You shouldn't have followed me out here." Johnny didn't know how nor did he spot her, but as Kitty whipped about, a clocked figure stood on the other side of the road, but in brown rock gloves was a familiar guitar, but modified and having additional dials. Johnny extended an arm to stop Kitty as the figure continued. "Kitty and Johnny 13, I should have known that I was going to have some late comers following me."
"Ember, what happened, what are you doing here?" The figure hummed as if to find the words before deciding a simple set.
"It's not exactly your business, but I am currently... different. I have been changed and you may not like it." She made no attempt to strum as the trio looked at each in confusion. "Let's just say... those rumors were not too far-fetched than we actually guessed."
"But what's this got to do with the rumors?" Ember paused before lifting a hand to the hood and removing it, both ghosts gasping as Shadow looked dumbfounded as Ember looked actually alive, her skin no longer pale white, but like a normal teen, her rock makeup changed to a single patch over the left eye with violet staring back at them. Her hair didn't blaze as it was a bright red with a long strand of teal over the right eye. The shock shortly disappeared from Johnny as he whistled in surprise, leaning on the handlebars. "Man, I thought those rumors were jokes, but it's hard to tell that you are still Ember McLain here."
"Thanks... I guess I am also taking this in stride as well..." She ran a hand through her hair in her pause before she continued. "But, at the same time, I am currently in low profile, the guy from the rumors... he's looking into Phantom, a 'rare case' as he calls it." Both looked confused as Shadow loomed over Johnny.
"So..." Kitty spoke before turning back to Ember. "I've been looking for you all this time and you have been in deep cover with this guy to get at Phantom, are you...?" To answer Kitty, Ember closed her eyes before a familiar loop appeared around and she turned back into the Ember they all know, causing them to quickly draw back in shock once more as Kitty exclaimed. "But... how did this..."
"He somehow turned me into a halfa, but with that, I feel stronger, more stable, and so much more different then before, the strands are changed as well." Ember pulled toward the now-red hair and the pair looked at each other before Kitty spoke up after the moment of shock passed.
"Can you give us a moment, Ember, I think me and Johnny need to talk about this for a moment." She nodded, showing more restraint than what was formerly known and Kitty grabbed Johnny, getting off his bike with Shadow behind him, as they walked a short distance before Kitty started. "I think we should help her out."
"Kitty!" Johnny nearly shouted, but cupped his mouth and tried again with a lighter voice. "I don't know, babe, I know that this is Ember we're talking about, but I don't exactly want to entrust some guy to... you know, I admit I am a flirt, but I care too deeply for you to let you..." Kitty kissed him on the lips and rested his forehead on hers as she spoke.
"It's fine, he won't and, besides, we are a team together, we can do this together, Shadow is also a part of this, so let's just trust Ember's source and see where we can go from there." Johnny remained stunned until Shadow snapped and Johnny shook his head from the shock and nodded as Kitty returned to the road. "It's a start, Ember, but could we meet your contact?"
"Actually, sure you can, in fact, here he is now..." From the air beside Ember, Abram appeared like a cloak and pulled out a file from nowhere as he spoke with precise skill.
"Katerina O. Felix and Johnny T. Friday." Both drew back once more from the appearance, but also the use of full, human names. "You can be surprised all you wish, but I am Miss McLain's contact, and no, I am not a ghost, I just had ample time to study." The file closed as he looked up with his goggles. "I will have you all free to do as you wish, but you must understand that what I require for now is Phantom, you all are free to do what you wish as long as you keep your cover... or you do what you wish within risk, it is up to you both." After the pause, both nodded with Shadow giving a thumbs up and a smile before Abram smiled back. "Well then, follow me to my lab." The four headed to the great tree and soon entered the secret domain.
Kitty looked uneasy as she was strapped into place. "Uh... are you sure this is going to be safe?"
"Certainly." Abram said as he tampered with the controls and devices on the console and other terminals as the table leaned back. "It is simple electro application to convert a small portion of your genetic template into a human genome, it should not be too painful, but without pain, there is no gain for any of us, if it makes you feel better, don't clench your teeth, it makes the process a lot worse."
"Are you sure this quack is actually your guy, Ember?" Johnny asked with a raised brow, but before the rock star could say anything, Abram spoke instead.
"You are aware that I can still hear you in my own rant about the finer points of this operation and I am within judgement to subject you to worse, but I will not so do keep your comments to a minimal, Johnny." The biker closed his mouth as Kitty and Ember allowed a chuckle escape their lips before Abram finished. "Are you ready, Katerina?"
"Yeah... yeah, I can do this." He nodded as he started to process, electro-rods lowering down before coming inches from Kitty and activating. the Surge of power blasting through her body as her lungs forced out a short screech, but Johnny stopped himself as he watched, the skin of his girlfriend changed from its ghostly hue as it started to become the same color as Ember's, but the change continued upwards before he spotted the differences, not a strand of hair, but a series of leather armbands that formed on the right arm, removable, but the biggest one was a tattoo on her midriff spelling 'Johnny', his face lighting up as the change finished and her hair was changed to a brown and she caught her breath before looking to the side with glowing emerald eyes. "Am I...?"
"Beautiful, babe..." Johnny mumbled aloud before Ember slammed an elbow into his gut, Shadow chuckling as Abram spoke.
"Miss Amber, please help Miss Felix off the table."
"Sure thing, man." The attire didn't change in any sort of way which should be strange, but no one said a thing as Kitty was taken to behind the console before Johnny was guided to the table and strapped in as Ember spoke. "You know, I can take you out for shopping if you need some new threads."
"Sorry, Ember, but until Johnny is done, I am not leaving yet." They nodded to each other with Abram finishing as he spoke.
"Now then, Johnny, Shadow, brace yourselves for the operation, this may hurt a lot more than what you both have faced."
"I am born ready, let's do this!" Shadow returned as part of Johnny before the volts came, Johnny holding tight as change began, but Ember quickly asked as something was happening too.
"Abram, what's happening!?"
"Bone marrow and density is increasing, various sections of muscle mass is also increasing across the body, he is undergoing more than a transformation, his whole body is undergoing a change." It was true as Johnny's body started to bulge out from his arms, legs, and body, so much that his attire was starting to strain under the strength and power of the new form as the straps strained to keep him in place, his hair slightly extended out, giving him a tougher look before the process ended, he relaxing as the trio rushed over, releasing him as Abram started. "Sir Friday, how are you feeling?"
"Taller..." Johnny huffed with a masculine tone which swayed Kitty, but Abram cut the chat short before any could try.
"Before you both engage in your love affair, I need to run a basic test, to see if the process was completed properly." Ember nodded to the thought as she stepped back as Abram pulled out the orb and activated it, it hovering as both of them looked at it before BOTH exhaled a few visible volts, something that surprised all before Ember started.
"Well, that's new... I thought you said that you both had a dark core, Kitty."
"I did, Ember." Kitty said as Johnny waved a hand over his mouth and the volts came again. "I know for a fact that Johnny has a dark core, but I thought I was the same since we... care so much for each other." Abram rubbed his jaw before he spoke.
"Well, I can look into the results, but first..." Abram reached into his coat and pulled out three credit cards. "I am entrusting you three to cover up, you can't rely on your usual attire and look to keep a low cover, each of these contains a thousand dollars, don't ask, I deal in stocks." None questioned it as he handed the cards to them. "We will scatter, this will be your lodgings until I can either secure better ones or one of you finds a good place to call home."
"So, you were not kidding with the whole 'freedom' thing, you actually want us to wander about Amity... no restraints at all?" Ember inquired and Abram nodded as he continued.
"It is better that you are free to do what you wish, I am merely the man who experimented with ectoplasmic powers and abilities, it is better that you have your opinions and thoughts on the matter, going about in cover and avoiding a 'quack' like me." Johnny rubbed the back of his head in apology, but Abram shook his head. "Go, I will not stop you unless you have need of my service once again, just don't let a soul know." The trio nodded as Abram lead them out and into the daylight once more, Johnny's bike having disappeared, but he was not too grieved as he explained that with the new look, it was possible he needed a new bike as well and genuinely wanted to help Kitty with shopping, something the former full-ghost was gleeful for with Ember joining in, heading into to3n as Abram pulled out another file and started to read through it, the hatch closing as he started to analyze the results. "Hmmm... Such a abnormal reaction, could the tampered process have also changed Sir Friday on his newfound human to match this society of individuals...?" He rubbed his jaw under the cloak. "If so, his shadowy companion would have undergone the same effect, but these results are different... but why...?" He hummed in thought as he headed down to the lab... there must be a few more tests to see what the true cause is...
Danny was lucky that he had escaped his folks for the time being, they were working on a new device called the Phanto-Sensor, a portable radar system that would enable them to track ghosts down easily and what their current status was, he even more grateful that it spotted him, but was REALLY confused that it imploded in Jack's hands, both looked confused and disappointed that Danny couldn't help but arrange for a mall trip to ease his mind. Sam was stuck in her house on the grounds that she was needed for a party coming up and Tucker was looking into some new pieces of tech to update or replace some of the more older and worn things he's got, so it was only Danny Fenton to enter the mall and take a seat in the food court with all the bustle and hustle there. He rested his head a bit as he started to think about the recent ghosts and what they were up to.
He had bested them or a majority of them as a few were unaccounted for as Ember just simply disappeared off the radar, something that was completely unlike her 'rocking out' behavior and the duo of Johnny and Kitty just vanished into Amity without even looking to pick a fight, that was three ghosts out and, while Johnny and him was not on the 'friend' level, he was still good enough to talk to Danny about something or someone. He raised up and looked at the ceiling in a ponder.
"Why can't this be simple, beat them, take them, return them. It's like they are avoiding me for the time being." The young man sighed before looking about, spotting a number of people about when his breath sent out a chill, he glancing about to find the ghost, but no panic was going on, nothing as he looked some more, stopping quickly on a familiar face in the passing crowd, it was the Ember look-alike girl he met at the water park, dressed in a standard black t-shirt with the logo 'Rock Spirit' on it over a skull, shorts with a jacket tied around her waist, violet stockings, and black rocker boots, a guitar slung over her shoulder. One moment, she was there, but the next, she vanished and Danny quickly looked to see if she had moved through the crowd or headed into one of the store before a familiar voice whispered behind him.
"Remember me?" In his quick spin about, Danny toppled off the bench and rubbed his head as the girl just smiled and offered a hand. "My bad, I thought you would take it a bit better."
"Right..." Danny took the hand and was helped up, the grip real as both sat down on different sides of the table. "What are you doing here and what's with your..."
"Look?" He nodded as the girl chuckled. "Then I guess you already figured it out, though you were on to me from the get-go at the water park." Danny wanted to go ghost and kick Ember's butt, but he stopped himself and instead asked questions for answers that he needed very badly.
"What happened, Ember, why are you... human and why are you approaching me here?" Ember hummed before she grinned a little, resting a leg on her seat in facing Danny.
"Because, I am trying to get you in a corner and pick your brain over." She chuckled a little before she actually did answer. "I came out of the Ghost Zone on a mission, rebellion in the teen spirit, I guess. Word's been going around the Zone about someone on Earth who was experimenting with ghost abilities and powers, Walker has the whole place on high alert as everyone else was running around like headless chickens, but me..." She shrugged at the idea. "I wanted a piece of the guy, but he wasted me in seconds, like he destroyed my guitar in one punch and you know how hard it is for someone to touch my guitar."
"Very hard..." Danny hummed as he was... he stopped, he was conversing with one of his ghostly enemies, both human, in a mall and there was nowhere he could change without her following him to know, but both seemed to know right off the bat who the other was. Ember just smirked as Danny facepalmed. "I just revealed who I am, didn't I?"
"Chill, Stick, your secret is safe with me." Danny exhaled in relief as they continued to talk. "Now, this guy... I don't know what his plan is, but it involves you, that is for sure."
"He's not going to splice me into pieces, is he?" Ember looked away and Danny slightly raised his voice in concern. "Ember!"
"What, I am just saying..." The rockstar sighed before she spoke. "He just was looking for a pure-blood halfa, someone who was affected greatly by ecto powers and all his connections were pointing to you as the most likely guy for the task, he didn't seem like the 'mad scientist' type to dice you up."
"Oh, that is wonderful..." Danny rubbed his head as he paused, he was not in danger, as long as he didn't try anything, he was in the clear as he continued. "And what about Johnny and Kitty, are they...?"
"Halfas." Danny raised both brows in a 'what' look as Ember explained. "The guy wanted some allies to capture you, I do want to do that because of all the crap you put me through, but he didn't rely on us to be just ghosts, he turned us into halfas through some crazy method, but it worked nonetheless as the three of us can change before human and ghost without a single problem, or at least in theory, I have done it and survived, so you know." Danny couldn't believe what he was hearing, some of his enemies were now halfas and living among the populace without a single problem, though he expected it that some of them may try something out of the blue. "Kitty currently has Johnny shopping with her which gave me some time to see to you and, wouldn't you know, you were looking rather bored out of your mind."
"Oh, ha ha, very funny." Both allowed a bit of laughter to fill them before Danny spoke. "So do I have to worry about flying meat, boxes, or rockets any time soon?"
"Lunch Lady is serving her time in Walker's prison, free of course; Box Ghost is currently with her and helping with the supplies, really mellowed out some, that guy; and Shulker, well... he took a punch and his whole armor nearly shattered, the green blob himself was knocked out cold from what I heard."
"Well, that answers that question, but any moves from your 'boss'?" Ember didn't react to the comment as she thought about it and returned volley.
"He's currently checking out Johnny's results, because... well, you better see for yourself."
"What, did Johnny get beefed up or something?"
"Yeah, I guess 'beefed up' is the word for it." Danny quickly turned and found himself scared, Johnny was HUGE, he looked ripped with a muscle shirt, jeans, and boots, his exchange of jackets giving him a more imposing figure with the longer hair, but Kitty was a welcome sight as she dressed a bit more normal, still looking ready to ride a motorcycle, but looked more nicer than her ghost attire donned, longer shirt, a shorts under a short skirt, and a leather jacket without all the cuts and tears to it as they sat down at the same table. "Hey, guy, fancy seeing you here."
"Johnny..." Danny started speechless. "If Tucker ever finds you, he will drill you hard and maybe ask to do all your things, you are big, what happened to you!?"
"The same thing that happened to me and Ember, Danny." Kitty waved a hand as she continued, clearly pleased about it. "But the guy said that he would be checking it over to see what had changed, but I found one." Ember chuckled at the tone before she asked with a smile.
"And what is it, Kitty?"
"There's now a tattoo, in bold letters, of my name on his back, there is a difference right there."
"What, you are going to have to show me this before..." Danny stopped and shook his head, getting back to the question of the day. "Wait a minute, what are you three doing in the mall to start with?"
"Like I said, we came here to find you, but also find a place to set up shop... and see if we can get Johnny a new motorcycle since his old one... just disappeared on us." The trio nodded as Danny was still confused before he sighed.
"Well, I can't help you there, but I can offer temp housing at my place, I can't offer any other place sadly, so that's all I got."
"Don't tell me you just want us there to drill for more answers, are you?" Ember's question caught Danny off-guard, but she just shook her head. "Sorry, Stick, but we are on our own for the time being, still, it was a nice invite." She stood up and said farewell. "Catch you all later, I got somewhere I want to look at." With that, she left, but it didn't take long before Johnny spoke as well.
"We better go too, Kitty, I would like to see what rides I can get so we can see what else we can find."
"Sure thing, though I am surprised..." Both stood up and headed off. "I can't believe you weren't hitting on anyone at the stores, not even the cashier at that one place."
"Crazy, right..." Their voices faded as Danny was left alone once more in confusion before he opened his phone and left a voice message for his friends.
"Sam, Tucker, I found our missing ghosts, but I need more, if you find them, try to get more info from them. You can't miss them, They look human, but Ember has a teal streak in her red hair, Kitty has some tattoo on her stomach, and Johnny... is the big guy next to Kitty, be careful." He ended it and sent before relaxing in the mall, he had some time to chill for a bit, he had time to think of a plan... in case this guy came for him...