CHAPTER 5: MEANING OF LIFE, PART 1

Floating carelessly over the city of Amity Park, the flying fortress known as Fenton City continues on its constant work on trying to explore the unknown and uncharted territory of the world beyond life; to make the paranormal normal. Their mission is held by the scientific minds of the Fentons, but the majority of the brains and work is carried out by the mother of the family, Maddie Fenton.

In one of the many R&D laboratories in Fenton City, Maddie continued her hard work as usual, completing her latest anti-ghost invention. Despite not having a name for the invention, the blueprint and purpose all exist in her head at the forefront; superseding any use for names or popularity with the tool.

Jack Fenton, her goofy but kind-hearted husband, stayed at her side to assist her in her work, but his efforts are less than helpful. Instead paying attention to a small toaster oven repurposed to create his own invention, he eagerly awaited for the product of foodstuffs to come out, forsaking his promise to assist his wife.

"Jack, could you hand me the Ectoplasm Stabilizer to purify the Specter Deflector's lighting source?" Maddie asked.

"Sure, honey, here you go!" Jack replied.

Jack foolishly picked up a can of diet soda that he was drinking from, mistaking it for the similarly-shaped Ectoplasm Stabilizer, and handed it to Maddie.

"Thank you, Jack." Maddie replied.

Maddie placed the can of diet soda to the invention, not noticing her husband's mistake for selecting the wrong item. Believing the soda can to be the required hardware for her invention, Maddie powered it on, expecting a successful test run out of the new weapon.

Upon powering up, the invention began to sputter and flicker within the first few seconds, heating up to extreme temperatures. Maddie not expecting the dangerous reaction, immediately tossed the tool out of her hands and across the room, ensuring that it would not harm them.

Further damaged from the impact of the throw, the weapon overloaded and exploded, now bringing Jack's attention away from his oven. The explosion had shot several mechanical parts across across the lab, as well as diet soda, some of which landed on Maddie's face. Running her finger across the liquid it sprayed and tasting it, her suspicions regarding why the experiment had failed were confirmed.

"Jack, did you give me a diet soda again?" Maddie asked.

"Well, uh, could've sworn that can said 'Ectoplasm Alka-Seltzer' on it, guess my eyesight must be going these days now, too." Jack replied.

In the background of the laboratory was a television playing the news, its volume a moderate level to be heard without stealing too much attention. Previously had it gone unnoticed by the Fentons at work, but soon it had found their attention gained with a report of President Foley and his re-election bid gaining commentary from the reporter displayed on the screen.

"In recent news, President Tucker Foley's re-election campaign has been facing an interestingly unique snag. It's no surprise that economic issues are always an issue for first-term presidents and lead to many ratings disapprovals, but this has not been at the forefront of Americans' minds. Instead, the issue of policy regarding threats from the Ghost Zone is what has become the biggest concern to voters. Following his public appearance in Amity Park just yesterday, the attack on the president's life has not led to any raise in his approval ratings, but has seen him begin to dip in the polls with demographics all across the board. Though the president was thankfully unharmed from the attack thanks to the one and only Danny Phantom, who recently gave President Foley his political endorsement once again, the attack has led the American public to question whether or not his leadership has been effective enough to handle the issue at hand with the number of ghost attacks, which have now seen a 400% increase in spook central Amity Park alone. The newly-formed military branch of the Ecto Corps, founded by President Foley in his first day in office, has had reports of shoddy response time to threats, as well as a question of an overbearing amount of bureaucracy put on local law enforcement with considerable effects on the debt and deficit. Ellis Robertson, presidential candidate of the opposing party and projected opponent of President Foley in the 2028 election, has offered a more unorthodox resolution to the Ghost Zone Crisis on his platform. Here is his statement." The reporter said.

The video feed switched to a political rally held by the aforementioned Ellis Robertson, speaking to the crowd regarding the crisis and giving his thoughts.

"All across this country, we keep hearing questions like 'Where did mankind come from?', or 'When does life begin?', even though we've had answers to these questions for a long time. There's been even less debate now that we've seen the Ghost Zone for ourselves. Now that we know what happens after we die. But now it's time for the next question: When does life truly end? We know a fetus isn't the beginning of life until there's a nervous system fully developed, when there's a consciousness forming within, but what about when that consciousness still carries on? When they become ghosts? We're always talking about how we're going to deal with the Ghost Zone Crisis, but have we ever stopped to think why these ghosts are attacking? How is it justice that we can simply lock these people away just because they no longer have a body of flesh and blood? How is that any truly different from locking someone away simply because they have the 'wrong' skin color or sexual orientation? These were people that were once American citizens, and they still are American citizens, with the same rights as you and me. We need to start treating them like it again. We need to embrace life no matter what form it comes in!" Ellis Robertson said.

The camera feed switched back to the news reporter, commenting on the speech given by the presidential candidate.

"Ellis Robertson's comments and platform are certainly not without their controversy and debate, but his argument is slowly starting to pick up converts and winning over many voters from sitting President Foley. With a radical answer to the Ghost Zone Crisis and a president supposedly incapable of handling the matter at hand, polls and voters are still mostly undecided between the two candidates. Will President Foley's endorsement from Danny Phantom be enough to get him over the finish line for another 4 years, or will we be seeing a new America and a new look on the Ghost Zone with Ellis Roberston as the commander in chief? I'm Lucia Konietzko, and I've got no pity for the majority." The news reporter said.

The news channel then turned to a commercial, showing a doctor in a labcoat as the spokesman for the product being advertised. In the background behind the doctor were joggers and athletes running down a racetrack, competing with one another to race to the finish line.

"Do you feel like life has left you behind? Like everyone else has been sent on their way while you've been left in the dust?" The doctor asked.

As the commercial progressed, the doctor made his way to a man in a wheelchair, his face appearing distraught and defeated, with a leg noticeably missing.

"The loss of a limb can happen to anyone, and it is never an easy tragedy to accept. It can be hard to be left without all the luxuries of a full body to enjoy, and forced to rely on others just to get through life. But that can all change."

The man in the wheelchair looked to the doctor with a look of intrigue, watching him hold up a robotic leg in his arms, displaying it as the camera zoomed in to the limb.

"Introducing the Series 3 Gazelle by Membrane Laboratories. Carrying new improvements over the original like titanium shock absorbers, twice the battery life, and full waterproofing for nautical sports activities. Athletic options and upgrades also available on request ." The doctor said.

The commercial then cut to the man in the wheelchair no longer sulking in his mobile chair, but instead sprinting down the racetrack with the other joggers, now having the advantage of the limb to speed him along with the others. Watching on the run was the doctor, turning to the viewer with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Don't let life leave you behind. Get back in the game with the Series 3 Gazelle. Here's how to or-" The doctor began to say.

The TV was quickly shut off by Maddie Fenton, no longer able to stomach the commercial and watch it any longer.

"Hmph. Membrane Labs. Old man Membrane couldn't put two magnets together." Maddie said.

Jack Fenton held up his own artificial leg, his an older series of the artificial limb being advertised.

"I don't know, sweetie. I think that these Gazelle legs work really great! You'll never catch old battlin' Jack in a wheelchair, no, sir. I'm a man who's gotta keep his legs moving no matter what!" Jack said.

"You lost one leg because you wouldn't stop eating things covered in fudge." Maddie said.

A 'ding' noise was suddenly heard in the room, bringing an excited look to Jack Fenton's face and making it dart back to his toaster oven.

"Ooh! Speaking of fudge, the Fenton Fudge Pancakes are done! I can't wait to see how this batch turns out!" Jack said.

As Jack rushed to try his new food invention, Maddie sighed in annoyance at her husband's childishness, lamenting over having made no progress in her work.

"You stopped my work so you could make pancakes?" Maddie asked.

"Not just any pancakes. These are a perfect fusion of fudge and pancakes, keeping a perfect balance of both of their consistencies. And, oh my goodness, are they delicious!" Jack said.

During Maddie's irritation, Jazz stepped inside the laboratory, coming with her own concerns to bring up to the parents. Seeing the his daughter come into the laboratory, however, the only thing that Jack can concern himself with is trying to get her to try his new food invention.

"Jazz! You're just in time to try the new stack of Fenton Fudge Pancakes! I've got plenty for everyone, you've just got to try them! Soon, every kid on the block will be having Fenton Fudge Pancakes for breakfast alongside their families everyday, I know I sure will be!" Jack proclaimed.

Standing close to Jack as he spoke, Jazz was unfortunate enough to come into contact with him as he both loudly shouted and chewed at the same time. Feeling chunks of his beloved fudge pancakes fly on her face, she gave a disgusted look with her father's eating habits, wiping the salivated crumbs from her face.

"Er... Thanks, Dad, but I'll pass for now. Mom, how goes the new toy?" Jazz asked.

Maddie gave a heavy, annoyed sigh, still not pleased with Jack's carelessness costing her a new invention.

"Well, I was almost about to perfect the issue with the Spectral Light Emitter, but your father accidentally handed me diet soda again instead of the Ectoplasm Stabilizer, and it nearly killed both of us. All because he was making pancakes." Maddie replied.

"Mmm-mmm! These are going to sell like hotcakes! Wait a minute, these are hotcakes! I truly am a genius!" Jack said.

Maddie shook her head at her husband's obliviousness, growing tired and annoyed at his antics.

"Hey, go easy on Dad. He may goof off sometimes, but he's an old man now. We can't be too mad at him." Jazz said.

"You're right. Still, I wish he'd go easy on his sweets. It already cost him his leg, and if it wasn't for that diabetes vaccine that came out 2 years ago, he would've lost the other one." Maddie asked.

"Fair point. Listen, can I talk to you for a minute? I think I have some interesting things you might want to hear."

"Hey, anyone got any whipped cream?" Jack asked.

"I think it's in the fridge, Jack. Why don't you go enjoy your pancakes while we talk?" Maddie said.

"Oh, right, girl talk. Sure thing, honey! Have fun!"

As Jack Fenton walked off to continue enjoying his unhealthy concoction of sugary breakfast and dessert foods, Maddie remained with her daughter to converse with her regarding her concerns. Unaware of what was being brought to her attention, Maddie nonetheless remained receptive to Jazz, eagerly awaiting what important news was brought to her.

"So, what'd you want to talk about, sweetie?" Maddie asked.

"Some science stuff. I just spent the last 8 hours on a caffeine high and I wanted to try to get to more of the root problems of the Ghost Zone Crisis. All the discoveries we've made about ghosts over the years, I realized that we've never actually come up with where ghosts actually come from." Jazz said.

"And you think you've figured it out?"

"I think so. I wanted to talk it out and try to make sense of it."

Maddie became more interested in the conversation with her daughter's answer, investing herself further into her scientific discoveries.

"Jazz, honey, do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to find this out?! Tell me, please! I want to hear!" Maddie said.

"It was simple once I thought of it, really. I just had to go back to basics. Remember what the first law of thermodynamics is?" Jazz asked.

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed."

"Only altered in form. I found out that doesn't just stop at energy or matter. It extends to consciousness."

"How?"

"Consciousness is compromised of the thoughts and memories of a human being acquired over its lifespan. The human brain uses energy to transfer electrical signals across itself to process information it receives. All those processes result in memories and thoughts being formed. If energy cannot be destroyed, then the thoughts and memories that were created by that energy can't be destroyed, either."

"And a ghost is that same consciousness carried out."

"All that energy stored up in the brain has to go somewhere. Just as energy alters in form, so does the consciousness. But by that logic, virtually everyone should turn into a ghost at death. We've seen plenty of ghosts, but not enough to cover every human being that ever lived. That'd have to be hundreds of billions of ghosts all throughout the Ghost Zone, at least. Where would they all go?"

"Most of the ghosts we've seen had a specific purpose for existing; a goal they needed to carry out. Technus was a scientist, Ember was a musician, Walker was a sheriff, and so on. They each had a specific job or goal to accomplish when they were living. But none of them lived long enough to finish their goals, or maybe couldn't find them finished even with their lifespans."

"So those obsessions and goals are what brought them back. They still needed to accomplish their goals. How does that account for everyone else?"

"Exactly how many people had life goals that specific or intense? Most people are content enough with life simply to get by until the end, but there's always been people with higher goals that never got completed. Like a math equation that never got solved."

"And ghosts are just those people trying to 'solve the equation'. To finally find their peace because they couldn't find it in life. But why are there more now than ever? We've already come a long ways as a world, how have there been more people not finding their rest?"

"Hard to say. Still explains how other countries were able to get as far as they have creating ghosts."

"How? All they've been doing is killing themselves trying to turn into another Danny Phantom."

"They died with a purpose and goal in mind. That's how that scientist in Saudi Arabia came right back after he died. His goal was to try to incarnate himself as his god, like everyone else on the project. He came out the way he did because of what his beliefs were. Because he was Muslim."

"So beliefs can become reality after death. It still doesn't explain why those ghosts that attacked. Why would ghosts come to existence just to try to kill the president?"

"There's always been people disaffected with the current political party in power. Maybe it could be as simple as people wanting to achieve the goal of outing the president because of their own political beliefs. There are a lot of weird ones out there."

"But dying just so you can have a shot at taking out the president? That's still pretty extreme. And to have a lot trying for it is something else to look into. Things can't be bad enough to have people literally resorting to assassination attempts from the grave, can they?"

Before the question raised could find any answer, the two Fenton women were greeted by the incoming arrival of Danny Phantom, carrying in his arms Sam. Landing softly on the floor, he reverted from his ghost form back to his human form of Danny Fenton once again, holding Sam's hand after changing back.

"Danny! Think you could help me with this invention? I've almost got it finished." Maddie asked.

"And I made some new discoveries about ghosts you might want to hear. It might help explain some of what's happened recently." Jazz said.

"Sorry, guys, but I need him for a little bit longer. I promise we won't be long, and he'll be right back out to help you with the... whatever it is you're making this time." Sam said.

Continuing to hold Danny's arm, Sam pulled him with her out of the room, carrying him past the two needy Fenton women requesting his presence for other needs. Before making their way to their intended destination, they had run into Jack Fenton, heading their way to return back to the lab.

"Danny! Sam! You guys got back just in time. I've just made a breakthrough on a new foodstuff to sell: Fudge pancakes! They are just delicious! I'm about to make some more, you want some?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, no thanks, Dad. We just ate." Danny said.

"Yeah, you knock yourself out, hopefully not from another diabetic stroke." Sam joked.

As the two of them walked into another room, Jack shrugged off their departure, concerning himself only with his beloved fudge pancakes and proceeding to make more. Maddie began to grow confused by the sudden need for privacy from the two following their late rearrival, curious what their agenda was, but found her contemplation interrupted by the entry of Jack Fenton in the room again.

As Jack returned to making more of his pancakes, Jazz decided to take her leave from the room, excusing herself to continue her research.

"I'm gonna be off working some more then crash and fall asleep. Wake me if you need something." Jazz said.

Left with a preoccupied Jack and an absent Jazz, Maddie began to think again over the antics of her children once again.

"What could those two be up to, Jack?" Maddie asked.

"I don't know, kids these days, it could be anything." Jack replied.

"They're not kids, Jack. They're 24. And they're married. You and I were at their wedding. Remember? You drunkenly flirted with Sam's mother, thinking it was me?"

"24? Married? Last I remember, Danny was about as high as my knee. Well, you know what they say: They grow up so fast."

"Oh, Jack. I wonder what could be happening between those two. Sam's been acting moody lately, spending a lot of time alone with Danny..."

Using her woman's intuition, Maddie happily gasped, realizing what the reason behind Sam's eccentrics were.

"Jack, do you think that Sam's-" Maddie began to ask.

Before Maddie could finish her sentence, before she was able to say the key word that formed her question and realization, a loud explosion was heard, breaking her concentration once again. Trying to make more of his fudge pancakes, the device Jack was using to achieve his goal exploded in his face, consequently blowing soot all over the both of them.

"Blast! How are we supposed to get this thing working before our deadline? And why hasn't it finished the next batch of fudge pancakes? ...Wait a minute, this isn't the fudge pancake maker, I left it over by the..." Jack rambled.

As Jack continued his senile ramblings about his beloved fudge pancakes, Maddie shook her head in annoyance at her husband's foolishness.

Living with the rich millionaire of Vlad Masters following the death of his family, Danny Fenton has found an outlet to pain and anger that he feels which both offers him levity and Vlad personal gains of profit and money. It is a relationship that blurs the line between symbiotic and parasitic, but the gains it offer both is undeniable to either, and shows no signs of finding any breaking points.

But what it does find is a strain. Outlets of rage and anger might be cathartic to the suffering, but reliving in the long run it is not for the mentally wounded. For Danny Fenton, that rule is no exception: Carrying out duties of destruction and violence for his adoptive father, the chaos he causes is beginning to leave its mark on his mind.

Such is the case for his current mission of destroying a laboratory Vlad's main competitor of Membrane Labs, carrying out his task of corporate sabotage on a carnal level. Razing the area down with ectoplasmic blasts, he leaves no piece of technology standing or functional, making himself a one-man wrecking crew against everything in his sight.

Though he is invisible to the naked eye, scientists and staff flee from the source of destruction, or what they guess is the cause of destruction. Free to carry out his demolition without counterattacks or consequence, Danny does so with pleasure and joy as he wreaks ultimate havok.

Soon, he does not find any more contempt with destroying mere metal and wire. He begins to crave flesh and blood, and he looks to the fleeing scientists for his taste of death, not unlike a predator seeking out the weakest of a flock to find prey to hunt and feast upon.

Finding one scientist stumbling from his attempts to flee, falling to the ground, he has found his prey.

Making himself visible once again, Danny began to approach the downed scientist; his hands holding glowing green charges of ectoplasmic energy. Backed up by those charges are a bloodlust for the poor scientist's life, and a full intent to take it away from him.

Holding up a charged hand to the scientist, Danny let out a sinister cackle, ready to inflict his pain on the victim. The scientist closed his eyes and screamed, fearing the pain and suffering, short as it would be for him, that would put his life to an end. It is not the fact that he will die soon that is a terrifying thought to him. What is terrifying is this fact that runs though his mind:

He will die at the hands of someone meant to be a superhero; someone to be loved and admired.

"Why? Why?" The scientist asked.

Danny replied first with a smile, followed by words that contextualized the reason for his smile.

"Why? Because I can." Danny said.

Before Danny could follow through on his first murder, a hand grasped around his own, pulling it away from the downed scientist. He looked to the hand's owner to see the face of Vlad Plasmius looking to him with a look of anger and disapproval, sharing words that shared that displeased sentiment.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Vlad asked.

"I... I was..." Danny stammered.

"Damn it, we need to get out of here, now!"

Continuing to hold Danny by the arm, Vlad flew straight up from the building, carrying his fellow half-ghost accomplice with him. Phasing through the solid walls as if they never existed, the two specters flew off from the site without any trace of them left behind, save for the memory of the scientist who nearly lost his life at the hands of Danny Phantom himself.

And it is a memory that will leave him scarred for the rest of his life and beyond that.

The incident has not been left ignored or unaddressed; instead it is the first thing on the mind of Vlad Masters as he and his young ward returned from their mission. Taking Danny Fenton to the foyer of his mansion, he tries to offer him a lecture regarding his actions, but it comes out more akin to an angry berating.

"Jesus Christ, Danny, what the hell were you thinking out there?! Showing yourself? Trying to actually murder someone? Our goal is strictly corporate takeover, not murder! Have you lost your mind?" Vlad asked.

"You tell me, Vlad. I've lost everybody that matters to me, and I'm stuck with a man who was my worst enemy for most of my life. Now, the only thing I can really do with my life is help him get even more richer by destroying other science firms that outbid him in getting government contracts. Wouldn't that make you lose your mind?" Danny asked.

Vlad let out a deep breath, allowing himself time to calm himself and address the unstable Danny properly.

"Alright. This hasn't been your fault. It's mine. This was a bad idea." Vlad said.

"What do you mean, it was a bad idea? I finally get some way to take out my anger on people, and you're taking it from me?" Danny asked.

"Seeing as you're going so far as to try killing people, I am going to have to resort to that. I did not take you in to be a mass murder. I don't kill people. I am not a mindless monster."

"Is that what you think I am?"

Vlad hesitated before answering, thinking of the best way to word his answer.

"I think you're on the wrong track. I'm trying to make sure you don't go down the wrong path and become something bad." Vlad said.

"Says the guy who let me blow shit up so he could get richer." Danny said.

Unable to retort Danny's comment, Vlad once again paused before speaking again, trying to think of a response to give.

"I... tried to offer you a way to get better using what I had. I'm not the best of role models, I admit that, but I do want something better for you. I try my best to see you actually have a good life." Vlad said.

"You're not my father. He died in the blast with my real family." Danny said.

"So who else do you have?"

Finally having a moment of his own to reflect in silence, Danny turned away with a scowl, unable to answer Vlad's question.

"I am trying, Danny. I really am. It's the least I can do after all these years we've been fighting each other. After how I treated your parents. I need to pay that debt off somehow." Vlad said.

Danny began to look back up to Vlad, holding an apathetic look of death in his eyes as he looked back to him.

"You really want to pay me back for all that you've done?" Danny asked.

"Yes." Vlad said.

"You want to make my life better?"

"Absolutely."

"I think I have an idea on how you can help me."

"How?"

"I've been living with this pain for longer than I can take. The only way I can forget about it is when I'm destroying things or hurting someone else. But you won't let me do that. So I want you to take it out of me. Make me clean again."

"Take the... pain out of you? How do you expect me to do that?"

Danny's empty look began to find a smile, as if feeling a shot of relief from the very idea of the concept.

"I want you to take out my human half." Danny said.

Returning back from his own thoughts, the being calling itself Demon Phantom flew through the undead realm known as the Ghost Zone, accompanied by the undead black knight known only as the Fright Knight, coming under his command as his new horseman of Conquest.

Having acquired one accomplice of his goals, called one of his four horseman of the apocalypse, the two flew to a distant location in the Ghost Zone to locate the second horseman on his list; this one soon to be named Pestilence for his goals. Following the lead of the Fright Knight, Demon Phantom waited patiently until the time he would lay eyes on his new horseman.

Familiar as well with the intended horseman, the Fright Knight held his own skepticism on this particular recruit.

"Are you certain that this one will be useful to you, my liege?" Fright Knight asked.

"This one was a formidable foe in my days as Danny Phantom. She will serve quite useful against my counterpart. Why do you doubt my judgement here, Knight? Do you think me incompetent in my decisions?" Demon Phantom asked.

"My liege, you've not seen the Ghost Zone in this line of existence, nor the changes it has seen in 10 years. Many of us no longer haunt the land of the living, and, as such, many of us have gotten neglectful of ourselves. Times have changed, and so has she."

The Fright Knight pointed to Demon Phantom's point of interest; a small meteor that was home to what was once one of Danny Phantom's worst enemies. Upon reaching the home within the meteor, they entered the small, dingy home to find said enemy once again:

Ember McLain, the self-proclaimed rockstar who wanted to be loved.

What they saw was not the same villainess that posed a great threat to the living, but instead an overweight, intoxicated Ember McLain laying in her bed and drinking Ecto-Cooler, an popular alcoholic beverage for ghosts. Next to her was a radio playing loud hard rock and heavy metal, on a volume level that would deafen many untrained ears.

Seeing Ember in her miserable state, Demon Phantom looked to her with a scowl of disapproval.

"Hmm. I see the point you were trying to make." Demon Phantom said.

Ember laid on the bed, belching loudly after taking a drink of her Ecto-Cooler, taking at least several minutes before noticing the two figures standing in her doorway. Due to the large amounts of alcohol in her system, the figures only appeared to her as very vague blurs, not distinguishing them immediately.

"What? Who are you? What do you two want?" Ember asked.

After carefully focusing carefully on the two figures in her room, Ember mistook Demon Phantom as her archnemesis, Danny Phantom, and reacted appropriately.

"YOU?! What the hell do you want?!" Ember yelled.

"Ember McLain, the little girl who wanted the world to love her, but the boy known as Danny Phantom refused to let you have your way. How far you have fallen from your dreams." Demon Phantom said.

"Eat a dick, you asshole!"

Ember threw her empty can of Ecto-Cooler at Demon Phantom, hitting him square in the head with the metaphysical beverage. As the can struck him, Demon Phantom showed no reaction in response, acted like nothing had happened, not even flinching at the impact.

"Perhaps we should seek someone else, my liege?" Fright Knight asked.

"No, I can make use of her yet." Demon Phantom said.

Demon Phantom approached Ember McLain, standing alongside her bed to speak to her.

"So what are you doing here? You beat my ass every time I come back to Earth, and it's not enough you push me back in the Ghost Zone? Now I have to deal with you in my own home? What more do you want out of me, Danny?" Ember asked.

"You mistake me, child. I am not Danny Phantom. My name is Demon Phantom, a being from beyond your time." Demon Phantom said.

Demon Phantom's answer made Ember stop and think over the answer given, unsure how to receive the statement.

"And that means what to me, assuming I bought that?" Ember asked.

"I am gathering a group of powerful ghosts to be my horsemen to bring the apocalypse to Earth. To rule both living and dead. Seeing your hatred of Danny Phantom, you could serve me as a way to exact your revenge on him. Become my horseman, and you will have your revenge on the Phantom." Demon Phantom said.

Pulling another can of Ecto-Cooler from a small refrigerator by her bedside, she opened the can and sipped its contents, continuing to drink herself away.

"Look at me, pal. Do I look powerful to you? My vocal chords are gone and my guitar broke. I've been just sitting here for the past 10 years chugging Ecto-Cooler. I don't have anything else. I can't even get my revenge if I wanted." Ember said.

"Not as you are, no. But with me, you can have powers that you may have only ever dreamed of before. You can become greater than you are." Danny Phantom said.

"Get real, I can't get strong like I was in the old days. I gave up on trying to be loved a long time ago. Every time I'd head out into the real world again, I'd just get beaten back by Danny Phantom again. He's made it too hard for me to be me. That's why I've got nothing left. I'm just another burn-out rock star, just like when I died."

Ember proceeded to float away from her bed, leaving her home in hopes that her unwanted guests would leave eventually.

"I'm finished. Just leave me alone." Ember said.

As dedicated as she was to give 'no' for an answer, Demon Phantom was not one to accept it. He continued to pursue her, further insisting that she join him.

"I know for a fact that you are far from finished. I had finished you myself before when I took away your precious vocal chords; watching you sit and bloat like a pig over your lost talent. I know you're not finished because I haven't finished you. Not like before. The fact that you pretend like you're done is insulting to me. Let me show you what you still have... and how you can be useful to me this time around." Demon Phantom said.

Rushing to Ember, Demon Phantom phased his hand inside of Ember's body, reaching into her ectoplasmic form and beginning to change her spectral form on a molecular level. Her entire spectral form began to alter from the inside out, putting the powers of Demon Phantom further on display for the doubtful Ember McLain.

Ember, not prepared for this experience nor expecting it, screamed in immense pain as her body changed; barely able to handle the radical alterations it was going through. Trying to break free from Demon Phantom's hold, the attempt was in vain, leaving her with nothing to show for her attempts to escape.

"Stop it, man! What are you doing?!" Ember shouted.

"You doubt your own power, child. A common mistake. However, more importantly, you have made a mistake greater than that. You doubt my power." Demon Phantom said.

[Soundtrack Cue: L7 - Wargasm]

By the Demon's will, Ember McLain's body became transforming tremendously from its past form. With her molecules rearranging by Demon Phantom's abilities, Ember began to slim down and regress back to the days of her youth; her fat dwindling and redistributing to more acceptable areas.

Her hair began returning from years of receding and glowed more vibrantly, the fiery ponytail tied in the back flaming higher than it ever had before. Her attire transformed from oversized leisure wear into full punk-inspired clothing with spikes and leather, making her look ready to fight in any battle she could be thrown in.

Many of her molecules went towards a new object forming in her hands, soon materializing itself as a guitar. Feeling the musical instrument start to come into existence in her hand, Ember grabbed onto it and held it tight, trying to grip onto something to retain her sanity.

Soon, her transformation came to an end. At the end of her change, Demon Phantom released her, allowing her to catch her breath again. As Ember began to come back to her senses, she began to feel more energized and youthful again; a feeling she thought would never come in her life again.

"Wha... What did you do to me?" Ember asked.

Taking rock from a small meteorite nearby, Demon Phantom changed the ectoplasmic buildup of the rock into glass, forming a mirror in front of Ember.

"See for yourself, child." The Demon said.

Upon looking in the mirror, Ember found herself in a complete state of disbelief, shocked that the reflection she was looking at actually her. To her surprise and delight, she no longer looked like the overweight slob she had turned into, but instead looked just like she did 10 years ago; youthful, beautiful, and stronger than ever.

"Do you like what you see?" Demon Phantom asked.

Feeling a youthful perversion that she had not had for years, Ember felt herself unable to resist the temptation to feel her new body, focusing on her breasts and buttocks. Groping at her new curvature and reformed shape, she smiled with satisfaction with her new look.

"Oh, yeah. Very much. Now, uh, what was that you needed about getting back at Danny Phantom? Because I'm starting to get interested again." Ember said.

"I am gathering four followers to aid me in bringing about my rule over the living and the dead. Your rewards will be great and unmeasured, having your own domain over part of the living world for yourself." Demon Phantom said.

"Killing Danny Phantom and sending his ghost half to oblivion is enough for me, but being my own little ruler sounds pretty good. Now, if I'm gonna kill him, I've gotta make sure this new axe works good. I don't settle for subpar equipment when I put on a show."

"It's far from subpar. Test it for yourself. You are, of course, an artist, and every artist needs her instrument."

Ember immediately played a power chord with her new guitar, causing it to shatter several meteorites both nearby and far away in the Ghost Zone. Never having ever experienced this much power before, Ember gained excitement from the new tool provided to her, and found herself more than willing to serve her new master without complaint.

Turning back to Demon Phantom, she thanked him for his efforts with a smile.

[Soundtrack Cue End]

"I'm in." Ember said.

"You, my dear, shall now be known as Famine, my new horsewoman." Demon Phantom said.

"Sounds cool, boss. So, where do we get started?"

"We still need more to achieve our goals. It is time for us to collect the most important two horsemen of all: War and Death." Demon Phantom said.