It's been a while since I updated this story. I have a lot going on right now.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the read!

Doc seemed surprisingly okay with what he had told him, until we mentioned Doyle had been here. Apparently, he and Doyle weren't on good terms because he'd been grumbling 'Every time he stops by, he makes a mess' as he stormed out of the room.

Doc stopped at the door and turned to Zak. "This is coming out of your allowance."

"But dad, it was –"

I tackled Zak and put my hand over his mouth. No way was Zak telling him it was all my fault.

Right as he said that, there was a thud on the ceiling, followed by a slightly lighter thud.

Zak licked my hand to get it off of his mouth. "Uh, dad? Someone's knocking on the… ceiling," commented Zak, observant as ever.

"Eww, cryptid spit!"

The thudding stopped, and another cryptid dropped down from the newly installed ceiling doors. Something told me he wasn't a delivery boy. It looked like what bigfoot would look like, except armed with a bow and arrow.

A hunter? Is this the cryptid version of Skulker?

I wasn't going to let him hurt anyone. I charged up another ghost ray.

"Danny, no!"

Doc's warning was too late. I blasted him through the door.

"Danny, that's Tsul 'Kalu," reiterated Zak for Doc.

"Is that name supposed to mean something to me?" Then it hit me. I looked down at the bamboo…sword…thing in my hand: more specifically the paw part. The Hand of Tsul 'Kalu.

I looked back up at the creature, which was staring into my soul, waiting for me to make a move. If this thing has Doc all shaken up… I grinned. My heartrate skyrocketed. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through me, followed by ectoplasm as I charged my fists up for an energy strike. Zak's Claw, which was still clenched in my right hand, reacted to me, and started glowing green, as well. It'd been a long time since I could go all out.

Zak got in the way, again. "Danny, stop! Tsul 'Kalu is an ally. He must have sensed someone besides me used the Claw, and thought I was in danger."

Zak's words fell on deaf ears. "I don't care. If Tsul 'Kalu is as tough as you guys make him out to be, then bring it on. I've got a lot of pent up anger I'd like to let out."

The cryptid accepted my declaration of war, got up, and went into a have-at-me stance ninjas do in the movies.

I raised my arm, palm facing the towel I'd used earlier, and poltergeisted it into Tsul 'Kalu's face. I was hoping it would cover his face long enough for me to strike, but he just sliced the towel in half with an arrow. Luckily, that was still enough of a distraction to let me gain on him. I imagined he was Tucker and landed a punch. That felt awesome!

Tsul 'Kalu took it well. I'd tell you how I extended a helping hand for the beat-up cryptid, but I'd be lying. I kicked him. He went flying down the hallway and landed outside Saturday HQ. That's for Kwan stealing my best friend from me!

Again, Tsul 'Kalu quickly regained his composure and pulled out a flute.

I was having so much fun my thoughts started getting cocky. What's he gonna do, lullaby me to sleep?

He blew into it, and it let out a disarming high-pitched melody which brought me down my knees, head swelling with pain.

Oh.

It too most of my energy to stand back up again. My legs felt like they could fail any moment now, and I once again had a terrible headache. "I think I liked the cryptid mix better."

The cryptid started charging towards me.

I imagined Dan Phantom was standing in front of me, clenched my fists, and took a deep breath.

"Here's a melody of my own!" I let out my Ghostly Wail. I forgot I was still holding the Claw, which amplified the sonic waves and tossed Tsul 'Kalu like he was a skipping stone.

The Wail only made the headache worse. The pain felt physical, so I made a crystal and angled it so I could see if any part of my face was broken. The bags under my eyes had receded a little. My eyes were still glowing green, so that Ghostly Wail must've been all the Claw, and none of my own strength, which was good for me. Up until then, if the Wail didn't end the fight, I was screwed.

"Dude. You've got some serious anger management issues."

I wasn't sure if Zak was commenting on the Ghostly Wail, or the heavy puffing I was doing after letting out all my frustration. The two of us walked up to the cryptid lying 10 feet ahead of us.

Tsul' Kalu raised his hand, which I'm guessing was warrior for 'I surrender'. I extended that helping hand and propped the hunter up to his feet.

Doc came running up to us. Doyle had called about Ellef Ringnes.

"You boys need to return those glasses, now. The storms on Ellef Ringnes are getting worse by the minute."

"You want a jacket? It'll be pretty cold," Zak offered me almost mockingly.

I wasn't giving in to his ridicule. "I have freezing powers. I think I'll be fine."