WoM- You guys really responded to last chapter… Was that cliffie really that mean? 'giggles' Well, if you really though it was, you're going to hate me for this chapter. Yeah, I'm updating this one again two days after the last chapter. Obi-Quiet and I are working on a fan comic together, and for every page she finishes, I update a story of her choice as 'pay.' Guess which one she chose? 'smirking' And here she actually thought I wouldn't make it…
Vlad: (While doing so) Please, Daniel, must I actually defeat you with one hand behind my back?
Into Thin Air
The boy in front of him said nothing, going even paler at the name as soon as it left Mr. Lancer's lips. He fell away with wide eyes, looking less and less like a powerful ghost and more like a terrified child caught in the act of an unspeakable crime. His mind was blank, and all that Lancer got from him through his powers was an overwhelming sense of fear.
Then, like a dam breaking loose, a tidal wave of thoughts flashed through the teen's head, one after another. So many, moving so fast that Mr. Lancer only managed to catch a few.
He knows…
This can't be happening! Maybe this is just another bad dream!
He'll tell my parents, the town… everyone!
He knows…
Maybe I can still convince him he's wrong or something!
All that I've been trying to hide… all the fighting and the lies… I can't let all of that be wasted!
I'm gonna end up a lab rat for the Guys in White!
He knows!
"Danny!" Mr. Lancer called out loudly, trying to drown out the confusion of thoughts. "Danny, Calm down and tell me—!"
"No!" Danny croaked out at last, his eyes going even wider as he took to the air again, shooting off at a breakneck speed. Mr. Lancer called out for the boy again, but he was either ignored or unheard as Danny made no move to slow down and speak to him.
Still a little stunned, Mr. Lancer watched until Danny was nothing but a speck in the distance, still trying to come to terms with this new discovery. His student was a half ghost? Clumsy, shy, awkward Danny Fenton was the controversial Danny Phantom that had half the town scratching their heads?
Feeling a little numb, Mr. Lancer sat down on the curb, trying desperately to sort everything out. While he wasn't in the same sort of primal survival mind frame Danny was currently in, He'd definitely taken a shock to his system with this new discovery. And yet…
How did I not see it earlier? It made sense in some twisted way, now that he thought about it. All the absences, all the times he asked to be excused from class, the constant bruises, the fact that he was always tired…
How did he miss all of those signs?
They hid them. Mr. Lancer realized, recalling all the lies he'd been fed by Danny, Sam, Tucker… even Jazz on occasions, though she seemed a little less involved then the three younger teens. They did everything in their power to make themselves appear as uninteresting as possible, drawing suspicion away from the blue eyed boy…
That was why none of them protested the title of invisibles. They made themselves that way on purpose.
Groaning, Mr. Lancer buried his head in his hands, realizing that in order to face this current problem, he was going to have to face all four of the teens as early as possible, so they didn't have time to prepare any more of the lies they were becoming far too good at telling.
Unfortunately, the earliest that would be was the Monday they got back in school…
Not to mention the fact that all of them now knew he could read minds, and where he got the power from. Though he'd like to think that he still had the upper hand due to the fact that they were just four teenagers and he was the most renowned scholar in Amity, Mr. Lancer had a strong feeling that that wasn't the case with these four.
What am I supposed to do? The teacher wondered to himself. How do I approach this situation with them?
He'd never been put in this spot before, after all. Here he was, a vice principal neck deep in ghosts, half ghosts and the increasingly complicated life of one of his students.
He was almost starting to wish he'd never asked for these powers…
The reminder that a wish granting ghost was still lurking around somewhere had the teacher keeping that thought to himself as he stood up and started back to his car, feeling that it was best to head home before anything else attacked him. He had a feeling he wasn't going to get any sleep that night, but hopefully he could figure something out in the comfort of his home.
As he started up his car and pulled a U-turn to head back to his house, Mr. Lancer drummed his fingers nervously on the steering wheel as he headed down familiar streets with his mind a million miles away and one question running through his mind…
Now what?
Surprisingly enough, the teacher did in fact fall asleep that night. After he'd gotten home and mulled everything over for a while longer upon reaching his house, the events of the day finally caught up with him and before he knew what'd happened, Mr. Lancer was dead to the world while still in his favorite armchair.
But naturally, even his dreams would not let him find peace from the secret he'd uncovered.
In his dreams, he found himself floating, intangible and invisible, in the middle of the Fenton's living room. He recognized the home instantly from the two or three times he'd visited due to the mischiefs of Danny and his friends. In front of him, Maddie Fenton was pacing the length of the living room with a dark frown on her face while her husband tinkered with a new monstrosity of a gun from his place on the sofa.
Curled up in an armchair and absorbed in a book titled Ectoplasmic Healing; Advancements in Modern Medicine through Ghost Energy was Jazz Fenton, completely ignoring her parent's actions.
Finally, Maddie Fenton stopped pacing to glance at the clock, her frown darkening as she moved over to the window to glance anxiously out to the street. Frustrated, the woman huffed irritably as she resumed her pacing.
"Where could he be?" she demanded of her husband and daughter. "He was supposed to be back from Tucker's two hours ago!"
"Relax, mom." Jazz said, shutting her book. "Danny probably just got caught up talking with Tucker about what happened today. I mean, it's not every day Tucker ends up in the Ghost Zone."
Usually, he's only there one or two times a week She added in her head. More or less, when necessary. Danny's the one who's in there every other day…
"I still don't like him being out this late!" Maddie exclaimed in a cross tone. "Especially as hurt as he is!"
"It's just a little scratch on the arm, mom." Jazz sighed heavily. "Danny already said he was fine."
"I'd still feel more comfortable if we at least took him to the hospital…" Maddie huffed. "Why he refuses to go is beyond me."
"He just doesn't want to go, mom!" Jazz said stubbornly. "And forcing a child of his age into redundant situations could end up causing scarring to their personalities that could haunt them well into their adult life!"
That, and we're still not completely sure if the ghost thing will show up in medical tests, be they standard or advanced. she added in her head. Better safe then sorry… Mr. Lancer frowned at that. It was a good point to wonder about, after all. How much had Danny changed physically due to this ghost business?
There were a lot of things the teacher didn't understand, many questions he had for his young pupils. How long had this charade been going on? What started it? How many people were involved? Had anyone ever been seriously hurt because of this ghost fiasco?
And why on earth did they not say anything to anyone sooner?
Mr. Lancer's thoughtful frown softened a bit at that last one, remembering the boy's reaction to being discovered, and the thoughts that ran through his head.
Why hasn't he said anything to his parents? Mr. Lancer wondered to himself. Though the adult Fentons could sometimes be exasperating and downright obsessive when it came to ghosts, he had no doubt that they were both fit parents who cared deeply about their children. Even if they knew Danny's secret, they would still love him just as much as they always did. So why did he remain so tight-lipped about it?
Continuing down that line of though, Mr. Lancer turned to the brief mention of the Guys in White and his face darkened. He had no lost love for the emotionally devoid government agents, who harassed him endlessly about Phantom and (for some strange reason) Danny Fenton's report on the Purple back—
…Oh.
Now that he thought about it, maybe it did make sense that the conversation could've consisted of both those elements. And perhaps those Guys in White were better then he gave them credit for…
That doesn't matter now. Mr. Lancer decided with a sigh. I already don't trust those Feds, there's no way I'd ever willingly hand over one of my students for them to dissect like some kind of toad.
Before Mr. Lancer could mull this over any more, though, the front door opened and a haggard-looking Danny Fenton entered the house, a little battered and very tired but otherwise no worse for the wear.
"Danny!" Maddie exclaimed, hugging the boy even as she scolded him. "What on earth were you thinking? You should've come straight home, young man! You're hurt, for goodness sake! What if you got caught in the middle of a ghost attack?"
"Sorry, mom." Danny sighed absently. "I just got caught up thinking. I'm fine." Pulling away slightly, Maddie studied the boy thoughtfully for a moment.
"Are you sure…?" She pressed hesitantly. "It's not too late to drive you to the hospital, you know."
"I'm fine, mom." Danny insisted again. "And I don't need to go to the hospital. Besides, Our insurance probably can't afford it after that mess Dad got into with the evil ectoplasmic mashed potatoes last Thursday."
"Hey!" Jack protested. "It wasn't that bad! Just a couple minor skull fractures! Besides, we've almost cracked down on the process for cooking with ectoplasmic energies!"
"Maybe it's time to put that one to bed, dad." Jazz said dryly. "Danny and I really don't want to have to face another meal that tries to eat us back."
Yeah. I still have nightmares about those evil hot dogs…
Can't blame them. Mr. Lancer thought with a barely suppressed shudder at the thought.
"Speaking of bed." Maddie spoke up in a stern tone. "That's where I want you until you feel better, young man. Tucker and Sam can visit, but you three are not to leave that room under any circumstance! Am I making myself clear?"
"Yeah, yeah…" Danny sighed, starting up the stairs. It was them Mr. Lancer noticed he was limping slightly, and he was far from the only one to see it.
"Hey, Danny!" Jack Fenton called out in concern. "What happened to your leg, kid?"
Aww, Crud….
He did NOT go ghost fighting tonight. Jazz thought in a dark tone. He said he wasn't going to! Hepromised he'd wait until he was better!
"Oh, uh… nothing!" Danny laughed nervously. "I just tripped over my own fat feet walking home from Sam's house."
"Are you alright?" Maddie asked, starting towards he son yet again until a hand gesture from him stopped her.
"I'm fine, mom!" He repeated himself firmly. "I just wanna get to bed right now."
"Well, if you're really okay, honey…" Maddie said reluctantly.
"Come on, Danny." Jazz said, jumping up from her spot to help her little brother up the stairs. "I'll help you get settled in."
Mr. Lancer was about to follow them when a soft sigh from Maddie made him stop, turning back to Danny and Jazz's parents with a questioning look.
"Maddie…" Jack started, a knowing look on his face.
"I know, I know." The brunette said glumly as she sat down next to him. "It's just… I'm still getting that feeling that they're hiding something from us."
"They're teenagers, Maddie." Jack said with a chuckle. "What, you forgot all the sneaking around we did as kids? Especially with your dad…"
"It's… it's not like that…" Maddie admitted in a pained tone. "Danny's getting hurt so much lately. He's moodier, he's constantly hiding out at Sam's or Tucker's, he's doing worse and worse at school… I just don't know what to do with him!" Looking a little more depressed, she added. "I just wish he's trust us enough to let us in his life…"
"Hey, now…" Jack said softly, hugging his wife to him. "Come on, Maddie, don't start talking like that. Next thing you'll say is that we should take Vladdy up on that boarding school thing he was trying to talk us to sending Danny to in Wisconsin." Maddie snorted dryly at that.
"That one's desperate measures only." The mother said dryly, "And by desperate measures, I mean felony charges."
"Danny's been keeping some stuff from us, yeah, but that's normal." Jack continued. "He's a good kid, Maddie, even at his moodiest. Remember when he gave up his ice cream for those kids at the beach? Or that one time he helped clean up that one shop after that ghost attack and the store owner gave us free coupons for a month?" Maddie smiled at that, silently confirming the memories. "He's just going through a rough patch, but he'll come around. How couldn't he, with as great a mom as you've been?"
"Oh, Jack!" Maddie said, sounding genuinely touched as she drew the man close enough to peck him on the cheek affectionately. Mr. Lancer blinked. He never realized that Jack Fenton could sound so… fatherly.
"Wait a minute…" Jack said with a frown. "Aww, Man! If Danny's gotta stay in his room, I've gotta do his chores! Again!"
Well, at least he sounds like himself again… Shaking his head, Mr. Lancer made his way upstairs, where he could hear his students deep in discussion.
"You're sure he knew it was you? Maybe you made a mistake…"
I mean, how much could he have heard? Desiree's only been loose for four or five days…
"Jazz, he looked right at me and said 'Danny Fenton!'"
"Well, what did you say?"
"Nothing, I just ran away."
Which probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, now that I think about it. Way to go, Fenton, you did all the hard work for him!
"Did you think anything incriminating?"
"I dunno… I just kinda freaked…"
It's all kinda a blur right now, though…
"Maybe we can still convince him he's wrong, then…"
"It's too late." Danny said glumly. "He's probably calling up the Guys in White to come and take me away for lots and lots of painful experiments right this very second!"
And knowing my luck, Freakshow would probably be my cellmate.
"That's not true, Danny!" Jazz insisted firmly. "I mean, even if he did figure parts of it out, he'd probably want to know everything before he did anything like that.
"Thanks, Jazz. Big help." The sarcasm dripping from her brother's tone made Jazz sigh heavily.
Okay, wrong angle. Let's try a new one, then.
"Danny, relax. Everything's gonna be okay."
"No it's not!" Danny burst out. "It's not gonna be okay, Jazz, it's never gonna be okay!" The boy hesitated here for a moment. "…Why does all of this junk happen to me, anyways? I mean, that whole thing with Freakshow showed me the world wasn't ready to know I was Danny Phantom. Maybe Spectra's right about me being a freak…" Mr. Lancer winced at that was the boy became lost in pained memories of the deranged psychologist.
"You're not a freak, Danny!" Jazz protested harshly before sighing. "You're a hero, Danny. Most kids couldn't do half the stuff you do."
"Some hero." Danny snorted out. "What kind of hero always ends up screwing up the lives of everyone he cares about, huh?"
"Danny, you can't solve every problem in the world with your ghost powers." Jazz pointed out firmly.
Got that right. thought Danny bitterly. I can't even solve my own problems with them without it blowing up in my face… sometimes even literally.
"Look, some things don't work out the way they're supposed to, but that's okay, Danny. After all, no matter how bad things get, we always find a way to make it right before long. You've never given up, Danny. Not even when all of Amity Park thought you were evil. And look how far you've come in such a short time! As for the Guys in White… even if they show up again, you won't ever have to worry about them. Not if Sam, Tucker and I have anything to say about it! We've been here for you through it all, Danny, and we're not going to leave you now."
Yeah… that's true… Danny thought, a strong feeling of affection coursing through him.
"Thanks, Jazz." He said out loud in a soft tone.
"What are big sisters for, huh?" Jazz asked sweetly, making Danny laugh. "Now get some sleep, Danny. You need the rest."
"Yeah…" Danny sighed. "'Night. Jazz."
"Goodnight, Danny." Jazz responded. "And don't worry about Mr. Lancer. We'll fix this someway, just like everything else."
I hope…
Keeping that last thought to herself, Jazz opened the door, revealing the room to Mr. Lancer at last.
The teachers eyes widened when he saw the large gash on his leg the boy was in the middle of bandaging. Especially when he saw the gauze half hidden by Danny's sleeve and the bruises he'd been hiding on his way to his room. Unable to restrain himself, Mr. Lancer gasped as he saw how much abuse the boy took fighting ghosts. Danny looked up sharply at the sound, his eyes— green eyes— piercing holes into the teacher…
Yelping, Mr. Lancer shot straight up from his armchair, falling to the floor before he realized what'd happened. One hand against his heart, the teacher tried to steady his breathing again after the strange… vision? It was too vivid to be a dream…
Thinking back to what he'd seen, what he'd heard, Mr. Lancer frowned as soon as his breathing returned to normal.
Well… He thought to himself. At least now I know what to do…
WoM- I was planning on dragging this chapter on a little more, but it's long enough already, and I'm at my deadline. More from me later, people!
Thanks to;
xheartkreuzx, epobbp, Invader Johnny, dPhantoMfreak, Miss Selarne, pippy32388, AnimeWerewolf, DSK, dramaqueen07, Phantom of a Rose, Boongdaba, Golden Lunar Eclipse, Fey Phantom, The Sole Survivor, phantomshadowdragon, Emria, Silent Elegy, BJA Fan, Meiriona, Lilios, Sasia, Balkoth, Kradeiz, Zilleniose, angel4u185, Sqweakie the Wonder Mouse, SquirrelGirl13, Firefury, Shenhua Phantom, Queen S of Randomness 016, Missmeliss4251, Kazzy103, Serena the Hikari of Love, AkoyaMizuno, Writer's-BlockDP, Zarz, kat92foryou, Anomaly25, hammy ham ham, werewulf, Jenna Dax, Shadow wolf thief, dl-sPirit, Celestial Maiden Sukira, Ghostboy814, purrbaby101, ghostlover15, Gmasangel, Harm Marie, rowdy-redhead, Samantha-Girl Scout, Itallia, SilverstarsEbonyskies, Wingg-ed Wolf, Terra89, Esme Kali Phantom, Shi Rurouni of the Aphrodesiac, RemembertheLegacy, Lumias, ilikedan, XxEvilDivaxX, Tazzel Quickbow, zombie-rodeo-frog, Serena, Firehedgehog, conan98002, Jimmy the Gothic Egg, pwykersotz, Sparky the Wonder Weasel, dAnnYsGiRl777, Truth91920, BratCat, Kirstyn.T, DragonSword35d, Zuzanny, himegimiofdoragons, animeobsessed3191, Zarmina, Hunter097, ChicaDeDanny, soaring-bright-flame, Jessica01, X-Roosterrelli-X, HKPMKEJQSGQLV, blindyourears, NNF, LokiWaterDraca, kennyk12, Petitio Principii, KittyKiChi