I do not own DP, only the plot, thank you very much.
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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.
To say that Vlad was furious would be an understatement. He was livid, practically steaming.
From returning to an empty mansion, to finding his work area in shambles, it was clear his night was going downhill. He search high and low, even going as far as searching the block, to find the same result.
No Daniel.
Vlad tried to push a darker thoughts from his mind, surely the boy couldn't get into too much trouble with a few hours alone. Then again, he had a reputation for disaster. With his mind swimming with the worst cesionarios he called in his most trusted employee.
Skulker, it had been a while since his last, rather chaotic, visit. They had flown the perimeter of the mansion and retraced their tracks, still no Daniel. It was then, as Vlad was nearly desperate, that Skulker suggested the Ghost Zone. It was a long shot but it was a chance, a chance Vlad sure as hell wasn't going to give up.
Vlad took one last glance at his messy lab and followed the ghost into the portal. His first instinct was to check the Fenton portal entrance, then he dismissed the thought. The government made sure that all ghostly connections had been cut off from the Fenton residence, even going as far as confiscating everything in their lab. Which included the portal, or, what was left of the dissected machine. It made Vlad glad that he'd copied multiple of their blueprints and inventions, he was no fool; he knew how brilliant their work was and how well structured their designing is—no, was.
Vlad shook his head and concentrated on the vast green space ahead of him, he could not afford to get side tracked, especially now. "What do you have on your readings?"
Skulker shrugged his bulky shoulders. "Still no trace of his signature," he replied, "which is rather new, and odd. The kid's trail always ended up out here, either chasing ghosts or being chased."
Vlad felt another piece of hope dwindle out of him. There was so much space, and so many portals were Daniel could have ended up. If he was even in the ghost zone to begin with.
"Blast it, we're going to be here for hours. And for all we know he could be hanging my his thumbs in some sadistic ghost's lair!" he growled.
"I see you've grown quite attached to the young halfa, looks like you're losing your edge, Plasmius."
Vlad narrowed his eyes at the back of his head. "He is my responsibility, as you know. I'd rather not leave him for dead when he could be so much more useful in my hands."
The ghost chuckled and waved a metal hand. "Whatever you say Plasmius. I know a strong bond when I see one." Vlad remained quiet.
He let the old ghost think what he wanted. Vlad knew, he truly knew, that he was doing things for his own gain. That's how it worked for so long, he was manipulative, he was deceiving, and he lived up to the title. No, there was no connection, no sympathy, and certainly no love toward the younger halfa. At least, thats what he told himself. Because in reality, deep inside his mind, he knew there was more feeling for the boy than he planned.
And no way on Earth was he letting his charge go without a fight, for his own gain or for the boy's need
"Plasmius."
Vlad was shaken out of his thought by Skulker and his ever beeping machines. He came to a stop next to the ghost, floating in a deeper part of the zone that he knew little of.
"I've got readings not far from here. But you're not going to like this."
"Skulker," Vlad warned, impatience in his tone.
"His signature is tracing toward the east, too close to the spirit's realm." Vlad pinched the bridge of his nose. From where they floated he could easily see the darker green sky off toward the east, where it was home to many powerful ghost and rumored spirits. It was a no entrance zone to minor ghosts, the thicker and more powerful ectoplasm disintegrating their forms in seconds.
It was only luck that Vlad had visited before, and could very well tolerate the atmosphere.
"Alright," he said, "alright. We'll make it quick, Skulker. I do not know how long he can hold form in that realm, nor how much will be left when we leave."
His confidence was quickly deflating as he pictured the worst of Daniel. There were many strong enemies that lurked in that realm, many enemies that should have no connection to the boy whatsoever.
"You got it, boss." And Skulker lead the way. It was a short journey to the invisible line separating the two parts of the Zone.
Vlad saw the ghost visibly shudder as he passed over and was not too fond of the tingling sensation it brought him. There were many lairs and landmarks floating around the new realm, too many to count. They made a hasty decision and started off at the first door, hopefully leading to Danielr.
The first thing he saw were the floating orbs above his head. Their green glow casting around the room.
The throbbing in his head only increased as he sat up off the— floor? He looked around the concrete room and frowned at the small window way out of his reach. He sat next to an empty bunk, meaning he was thrown in here without a thought.
He could remember coming down the hallways and through random doors, his sight tinged with darkness. He must have passed out, or been knocked out, at some point. Danny felt the weird tingling sensation on his fingers and toes, the feeling slowing becoming uncomfortable and it climbed to his hands and feet.
Danny stood, swaying slightly, and looked out the bars of his door. The walls glowed green and were empty of any ghosts. He felt relief knowing that he wouldn't be bothered. He walked over and sat on his bunk, feeling the hard metal springs underneath him. The faint glowing of his hands told his that he was in his ghost form, when he changed he didn't know.
And why he couldn't change back, well, that was another mystery.
The air felt strangely heavy and he was relieved that he needed not to breathe. If he listened closely he could hear the other creatures moaning and groaning in their cells, only confirming where he was at.
He only visited the prison once, well, visit may be the wrong word. The whole battle felt wrong, the Zone looked wrong, it all felt wrong. And now he was trapped, trapped in an all too wrong place.
Well, Vlad would be pissed right about now. Danny wondered if he even knew he was missing, or if he even cared.
"Alright punk."
Danny jumped as keys rattled and the door was thrown open. "You're next."
Next?
Danny was hauled to his feet by a pair of strong arms and the guards dragged him down the hall. He stumbled into a familiar room and his arms were held behind his back, by no other than Bullet, Walker's head guard.
Walked sat at his meticulously organized desk, hands clasped on his chin. A wicked smile plastered on his face.
"Well, if it isn't the Ghost Boy. I've been meaning to properly meet you."
Danny narrowed his eyes. "What do you want from me?"
"Ah ah, watch that temper of yours, boy. Though, you're quite amusing when you're throwing a hissy fit." He laughed and leaned forward.
"But, that's not what we're discussing today. You know my job, everyone knows my job. And everyone know the rules, but—" He pointed a gloved finger at him. "Not everyone follows the rules, and you, boy, are a prime example."
"What do you—?" He was cut off due to a harsh tug on his arms.
"I'm the one doing to interrogation here, Phantom." Walked warned, he cleared his throat. "I hear that you've been busy out there, with moving out of state and all. I can only wonder why you made such drastic changes to your, oh so perfect, life. Mmm, but I can guess."
Danny stiffened as he continued speaking.
"Tell me boy, who have you hurt this time?"
Danny's eyes narrowed some more as his eyes burned. He knew what Walker wanted, he wanted a confession, or at least, some twisted up lie. He needed a reason to lock his favorite enemy up behind bars and toss him away.
He wasn't going to let him have that privilege.
"How have your friends been, Phantom. We haven't all meet in a long while, Bullet here is getting tired of all these lousy fights. You guys packed a real punch you know, and its quite a shame we have to meet like this everytime."
Danny's fists tightened.
"Haven't hear the guards complaining 'bout that old Specter Speeder of yours, in fact, I haven't heard a word about any new inventions. You know, a lot of talk goes around here, always something to stew up around the Fenton portal."
Danny's core burned.
"But as I told you, I have a little birdy around here. And that certain someone told me all I need to know. All I need is a few words, ghost punk. And all this could be over, plain and simple."
Walker stood and leaned over him, Danny's reflection in his glasses.
"Tell me why you killed them."
And Danny couldn't take it. His muscles flexed and his veins burned. His core thrummed an angry beat and his eyes brightened. He took a breath, and he screamed.
Angry green rings flew from his mouth and threw Walker backwards. Bullet lost his grip as power surged through the boy's body. The attack itself wasn't long but it had the desired effect.
Walker lay dumbfounded in the ruins of his desk while Danny fell to his knees.
"Never," he whispered as he heard guards shouting down the halls. His arms were grabbed and cuffs were locked on his wrists. He felt the draining powers from the handcuffs sap his remaining energy, it was a wonder why he was still in ghost form.
"That was all the confession I needed, ghost punk." Walker spat.
And with that Danny was whisked down the hall and thrown back into his dark cell.
He curled up into a ball, and cried.
Vlad was getting real tired of doors, lairs, and the whole Ghost Zone in general.
They must have searched over fifty lairs with no luck and a few scratches. The ghost that inhabited this area were far from weak, that much was true. Skulkers reading numbers fluctuated every few minutes to a random part of the Zone, throwing their route off trail. Leaving it up to them to find the boy and hopefully not run into anything too deadly.
Vlad was severely lagging behind Skulker as they made it to a new round of doors and islands. This trip reminded him of his first adventure in the Zone, very much confusing and aggravating.
"Plasmius, we may want to head north. We're nearing Desiree's domain, and I have doubt in your ability to not infuriate a woman."
"Very clever Skulker, but if we must we can head north. It is getting rather eerie around these parts." he replied. And they made their turn.
It must have been only a few minutes of silence before a roar penetrated the knowing the two have flown off course over an island, and island holding a rather impressive looking castle and smaller buildings. Vlad thought fast and threw up a shield as a wave of fire knocked them back.
Skulker readied his weapons and shot two missile, both hitting the creature square in the face. The creature screeched a threw it's head back.
"How dare you attack me in my kingdom!" He roared, his wings flaring behind him.
Vlad narrowed his eyes at the attacking dragon and his gaze settled on the royal necklace. He quickly put down his shield and motioned for Skulker to do the same.
"Now," he said, "it would be rather daft of me to attack a prince in his place of ruling, wouldn't it?"
The dragon shifted its gaze towards Vlad and his red eyes burned into his. "I do not appreciate trespassers. Especially ones who are as vile as you," he spat, "human."
"Not quite," Vlad said. "We are merely passing by, my apologizes if your pea sized brain can't comprehend. I do not suggest setting a fight so close to your kingdom, and it would be much wiser to look where you aim."
All three looked down at the buildings in flames, ghosts fleeing for the castle walls. He roared in rage and dove toward the pair. Skulker shot three more missles, each hitting their target and setting the dragon back.
"If I heard correctly, you must be Aragon. Correct me if I'm wrong, you can only trust so many sources."
Aragon bowed his threateningly. "Who speaks of my name, peasant."
Vlad smirked. "Why, only those who lack common sense wonder who you and your kingdom are. It is very obvious where you stand, Aragon."
Aragon's eyes turned cocky, rather used to being praised for his ruling.
"You stand under your sister's shadow, if I'm correct. I heard she is next in line for the throne, but that may well be a rumor."
Skulker gave Vlad a look, even he knew better than to mock the royals. And he floated back a bit as fire built up in the back of the dragon's throat.
"Oh yes," Vlad continued with his ever present smirk. "I even heard Vortex mentioning your family's fortune, and your, well, misfortune."
"I am very well respected!" Aragon roared. "My family is nothing without my ruling!"
Vlad knew then that he had won, his manipulation playing off once again. "By all means set your image straight, Aragon. I bet the Observers would just adore your input."
Aragon thought about that for a while, seeming to forget about his trespassers. He nodded after a minute and looked their way.
"Yes, I will set my image right. I will show them, I will prove that I am a worthy ruler! By taking my well deserved prize."
Before They could blink Aragon had them in his grip, claws digging into their backs. Aragon teleported his large form farther into the kingdom, where he dropped his prizes. Vlad and Skulker ungracefully landed inside the kingdom's walls, surrounded by guards of many sizes.
Aragon shrunk back to his smaller form and walked up to them, a smirk playing on his face.
"I know how to play this game too, mutt." And before anyone could say anything the Vlad and Skulker were on their knees, ghost tasers in the guard's hands. Glowing green cuffs were strapped onto their wrists and gags around their mouths, each looking livid.
"Take them downstairs, and don't be gentle. I have won this fair and square."
And with that the guards dragged them into the castle walls, each helpless in the hands of the enemies.
A/N: Okay, before I'm killed let me explain. I stink. There, that's it. I've had a major hard time writing as of late, and my motivation is in the toilet. I really missed all of you wonderful readers. I cannot promise when the next update will come, so be patient please? I can't promise which story will be posted on next either.
I've been in a rut, a pretty deep hole, and I'm trying to get back in the game. You know how life just loves to mess with you. I would love to hear what you thought, all your messages are so sweet!
Until next time, Champ3