Fang: Sorry for the late update, real life intrudes once again. *looks at Velya and laughs*
Velya: It's not funny.
Fang: Yes it is you're purple. Now, do the disclaimer.
Velya: *Snarls under her breath*
Fang: What now?
Velya: Shadowed Fang and her splinter personalities don't own Danny Phantom.
My sudden appearance through the wall interrupts Skulker's nervous pacing. Even through my weariness my power is sufficient to make the shadows in the room flicker and dance eerily with dark intent. "Skulker." I greet flatly, intentionally ensuring that my voice carries no inflection.
"Plasmius." He returns the greeting just as flatly, his shoulders tensing and his posture stiffening as he examines my stance and energy.
"Tell me," I begin softly, tilting my head to the side slightly "what was the agreement that we made about Daniel?"
His stance remains tense as he answers. "We agreed that I could continue hunting him as long as I did not maim or kill him; if I ever managed to capture him, he was to be turned over to you."
"Your carelessness nearly got Daniel killed Skulker." Seeing that he was about to object I interrupt before he can say anything in his defense. "It is extremely fortunate for you that I require your services to ensure that the current situation does not get out of hand."
Skulker's stance loosens as we fall back into the patterns that were established when we began working together. "With all due respect, what are you planning?"
I bare my fangs in a parody of a grin and allow my aura to flare, fully aware of the unease that particular expression causes my employee. "For now, I only intend to deliver a message. Anything more will have to be very carefully arranged."
Skulker frowns at my less than forthwith reply, but he knows better than to press further at the moment. Satisfied that the specter is not going to challenge me, I stride over to a hidden phase-proof safe and allow it to take my ecto-signature before opening it. The safe contains several volatile and sensitive items, but the only ones I am currently interested in are the data stick and the explosives in their sleek casings.
Skulker's eyes light up in interest when he sees the items that I have withdrawn from the vault. It isn't a secret to anyone in the Ghost Zone that Skulker is perhaps overly fond of explosives of all types.
"There are three explosive devices here. I've modified each so that the radius, strength, and timing of the blast can be adjusted. They are extremely radioactive on the spectral scale so you will want to be well out of the area before they go off, though the radiation shall be fairly harmless to humans. The data stick contains an extremely virulent computer virus to wipe the Fenton's computer banks. I want all of the Fenton's data on hybrids gone. I don't care how much damage you have to cause, just destroy all of the samples and any data in their computers, I shall consider it a bonus if their lab and portal are destroyed in the process."
Skulker's face twists into a feral grin. "What of the rest of the Fentons? Should they get caught in the unfortunate blast as well?"
"No. I shall deal with them personally. I claim Blood Debt on Daniel's behalf. Once you return to the Ghost Zone make the Debt known to the others. I'm also going to issue a ban on harming Daniel. I want no mistakes Skulker. It would be in your best interest not to fail me in this."
Skulker's fists clench but he shakes his head. "You know that the order will never hold Plasmius. They would never go along with it long term.
"I realize this. Three months should more than suffice to get Daniel back on his feet; that shall be the time limit on the ban. Make it known however that once the ban ends he shall still be under my protection, that should limit the number of spirits willing to go after him."
Skulker comes forward to claim the items that he requires to fulfill his orders. The slightly insane light is back in his eyes as he puts the explosives in a compartment in his suit. "I shall do what I can to carry out your orders; I make no promises however on whether or not the whelp's other enemies will obey them as well."
"Simply make my commands clear, their actions shall be on their own heads."
As Skulker turns to go through the wall to access my portal I turn deadly serious and the shadows in the room once again dance and flicker as I allow my aura to flare. "Skulker, touch the boy again and I shall see to it that you cease to exist." I say it softly, but the threat in it is clear.
Skulker shudders but phases through the floor without a word. I have spent many years establishing myself in the Ghost Zone. He is fully aware that I can make good on my promise. It's only after he leaves that I allow the true extent of my weariness to show through. I unwillingly turn human and run my hands down my face. Now that those imbeciles the Fentons know that I am Plasmius they will undoubtedly come here in an attempt to reclaim Daniel.
It is unfortunate that Daniel would probably never forgive me if I killed his parents even after what they did to him. However, I am NOT going to let them take him back. Besides, death would be too good for Jack at this point. I know better than anyone that soul wounds strike deeper than any physical torture possibly could. They were kind enough to stab themselves for me; all I have to do is twist the knife a bit. My dark smile persists as I check on Daniel before heading to bed.
Fang: I'm still trying to figure out whether or not that was a cliffhanger, and whether or not it's a good or bad thing that I can understand Vlad so well. Does this mean I'm fruitloopy too? Anyway, I'm sorry that I can't tell you why Velya is temporarily purple, she threatened to kill the story if I told. Thank you to all of the people that reviewed. I can't tell you how much it means to me.