Don't own. Na-da.
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Danny squinted as a ray of light shone into his eye. Sitting up he saw the curtain peeled slightly open, letting the moon rays shine through. Frowning he stalked over to the window and pulled it open. The stars shone around his room giving it an eerie glow. And Danny couldn't help but name the constellations in his head.
Sighing he rested his elbows on the windowsill, gazing at the slowly drifting snowflakes.
"Where are you guys…" He breathed, gazing up at the sky. He wondered if they could see him from up there, watching him from the stars or the moon. And he wondered…
"When can I join you…?"
His small body is submerged in the lukewarm water. Neck deep in scented bubbles.
The large tub is more than enough room for a full grown man, yet, Danny's crouched in the corner. Head pressed against his bare knees.
The water makes small waves as he shifts in the bath, the over filled tub spilling over the edge. A glass bottle bobs in the soap filled water in arms reach. Liquid slowly seeping out of the tub.
Danny slowly, mechanically, rubs his arms down with a cloth. Bubbles spreading down his pale arms. The wash rag glides across his chest, down his legs, up his arms. Mopping up the -filth!
Cleaning away the -hurt!
Scrubbing away the -memories!
He drops the rag. He looks up at the still running faucet, adding the the waterfall raining onto the tiles.
He lays back in the bath and presses his feet against the cool white porcelain. His head hanging over the bath's rim.
The bottle clanks as it hits the edge and bobs back around the tub. Danny turns his head as the glass floats across his chest. The label facing him.
Gin.
The alcohol infested water which he lay in. The nearly empty bottle becoming water-logged. The grief filled mind becoming hazed.
He could scrub away the filth which is his skin. He could submerge his head and fill the hate filled lungs. He could take the bottle and have a sip, erase the pain laced memories.
But he does not. He simply lays there, and cries.
He can feel the cool tears cascading down his face and into the concoction of a bath. Danny is surprised to find the water turning black.
Black streaks his face, black drips down his lips, black floating in the water. Ink comes from his dull eyes. Dark veins lace his arms and run up his legs. All too familiar. He stares in wide-eyed horror as his skin tinges blue and his hair grows warm.
A familiar ghost reflects him on the water's surface.
He screams.
Danny keeps screaming as the water turns hot, as the tears race down his cheeks, and the soap bubbles turn stained. He wails as his head submerged underwater and water and gin race into his body.
Danny is still screaming when he wakes up.
…
His skin sticks uncomfortably on his clothes and his hair is a bit too greasy for his liking. The idea of washing up made him cringe, he'd rather suffer through the day. Hopefully the shower would look less menacing before night fell, and he could take a decent wash.
"Daniel! Could you grab my folders?"
And then there was Vlad. Danny didn't think he'd even seen the man so flustered. The billionaire had a briefcase in both hand while juggling papers with his arms. Danny had to stifle a laugh.
"Uh, sure thing." He replied and jogged down to the man's office. Danny was quick to grab the papers and get back to Vlad. Believe it or not Danny couldn't wait until the man left for work. A few moments to just breath was all he needed.
"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Vlad asked for the umpteenth time that morning.
Danny gave a grin. One he hoped was convincing enough. "Sure, I will." At Vlad's still hesitant look Danny tried once again. "It's only for a few hours. I'll call if I need to."
Vlad took a deep breath, grabbing the folders from Danny. "Alright. Make sure to call if you need anything. I'll be back after noon." He headed for the door.
"And Daniel?"
Danny turned back to face him.
Vlad hesitated a moment. "Behave, yes?"
Danny forced out a chuckle and waved the man on. "Of course!" He felt like he was going to be sick with all the fake enthusiasm he was belting out. But he kept going.
Vlad was almost out the door. "Really Vlad. I'll. Be. Fine." And with that Danny closed the door on the man, sliding his back down the door. The facade finally cracked and he let his head fall in his hands.
That was a bit harder than he imagined. But it was over.
He was alone. About time.
He around the mansion with greedy eyes. In this huge place, by himself. A smaller part of him, an old part, wondered what fun he could find in his house. But a much bigger, much shattered, part of him knew what he had to do.
What he had to find. And what he needed to do.
It took only a matter of minutes for Danny to find Vlad's private study. And only a few moments to open up his lab. He didn't quite like the way his footstep echoed in the empty room.
Danny kept his gaze forward and made sure his eyes didn't linger. He was there for one reason only. He could not afford to be distracted or discouraged. They sat on the far table surrounded by smaller contraptions. And Danny almost lost it.
The gauntlets sat high and mighty, practically buzzing with power. He had one chance to get this right.
Danny glanced over his shoulder to assure he was alone. He cursed his paranoia.
He was quick to call forth his energy into his hands, like green electricity. He could already feel his powers faltering, so this had to be done now. He took a step toward the weapons and raised his hand, eyes narrowed and burning.
It only took one shot. One shot and they were gone, one shot and he went down with them. Danny sat on the ground next the their remains, the ash still falling around him. Only once the gloves were in pieces did something finally register.
Vlad was going to be furious.
And that thought alone almost drove him off the edge. "Oh, damn," he muttered.
Suddenly there was a weight back on his shoulders, and he knew he messed up. What was it they say? Go big or go home? Well, alright.
And he smashed some vials. He threw his energy as the walls, he kicked the tables, he yelled at the air. He had a one sided battle, with himself. And he didn't stop until he'd made a mess. He couldn't stop.
Danny sat there in the middle of the room. Two flipped tables worth's of creations destroyed by his hands. His filthy, shameful hands.
"Well well. Someone had a meltdown."
Danny's head shot up. "Who's there!" He yelled.
A throaty chuckle. "Calm down child. It is clear you had enough for one morning, am I right?"
"Don't tease me! Who are you!"
By then he was on his feet and glaring at the air. Clenching his fists. "This isn't funny!"
Another cackle sounded behind him. "Then tell me child, is this?" The young halfa found himself throws against the wall, held up by an unseen force.
Invisible hands gripped his shirt, and the voice was much too close for his liking.
"Was it funny to disgrace my title? I bet it was hilarious to humiliate me in front of my men!" Spittle landed on his face, and then the figure was visible.
"How funny is it not Ghost Kid!?" The ghost sneered, his white gloves fisted on Danny's clothes.
"W-Walker! I-I don-"
"Save it ghost punk. A little birdie told me you were up to no good, and how true that is!"
Walker smiled a tooth filled smile. "You, Ghost Boy, are under arrest by the Ghost Counsel. You have the right to remain screaming."
All color in Danny's face drained as he struggled to loosen the hold. It was his luck that his powers then decided to drain out. "Wait! Arrest me for what?"
Walker chuckled once again, a sound Danny never wanted to hear again, and pulled his arms behind his back. Walker's soldiers were quick to fly through the opened door or Vlad's study, and then he notice the open portal door. Well, crap.
"You really are a daft one aren't you? Why, arrest you for murder, Phantom."
And Danny was pushed into the portal. His freedom closing up behind him.
A/N: Well, that was fun.
Please review, Loves.
~Champ3