Yes! Chapter 4! Thanks to all you who have reviewed!
Chapter 4- Shock
"Euyyaaahhh," yawned Danny as he sat up in bed.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Why? What time is it?
Noon.
Great.
Get up, then go get clothes and food.
Hmmm?
Like I said, I'm not a memo pad.
He got out of bed, slowly showered, and dressed in the same clothes as the previous day.
Gross.
What, the clothes?
No, I was referring to the fact that you took a shower. Of course I'm talking about the clothes.
Well, one- I'm a guy, and we tend not to care about such things. And two- I really have no choice.
He ran down the stairs, skipping the last three like he did when he was 14. He checked; the money was still in his pants pocket.
I think I'll walk today.
Whatever.
--
Danny was whistling absentmindedly as he walked in the front door, laden with heavy bags. The majority held food. He left the two containing clothes by the stairs, and carted the rest off into the kitchen.
He unpacked the flimsy plastic bags. He had bought the basics for a single guy, living alone: a couple boxes of corn flakes, a sack of sugar, eggs, three bags of lime and vinegar potato chips, bread, four two liter bottles of soda, a carton of orange juice, and so on.
Sure you got enough junk food?
Not completely.
He picked up the eggs and moved to fridge, but, opening the door, set the eggs back down on the counter. He had some cleaning to do.
Look at all that crap.
I hate this. I hate this a lot.
Get used to it.
Danny sighed and went to get the bleach.
--
Four garbage bags and three hours later, Danny had a fridge, freezer, and cabinets clean enough to set food in. Reminded by Wraith, he had used his cryogenic powers to keep the cold items at the right temperature. He set all of the new food where it had to go, then turned to the bags of trash.
He lifted the first two bags and took them out back, where the garbage cans were. He went back in, grabbed the other two, and tossed them into the cans.
He looked up at the evening sky, it seemed redder than usual.
No, he told himself. It's just the sunset. You're seeing things.
Are you so sure?
He had turned around to go inside when-
"Good evening, Daniel."
Danny froze. His eyes narrowed. He then whirled around, transforming in an instant.
Black to silver; blue to green; normal clothes to tight-fitting hazmat.
He spoke menacingly. "Hello, Vlad. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be taking care of your lonely-guy cat?"
"It died a few years ago," Vlad replied.
Danny cocked his head.
Vlad looks… older.
Well, duh, it's been what, a decade since you last saw him?
No, not just that.
It was true. Vlad's cape was ragged, his normally bright red eyes duller, his hair less sharp, his voice rougher, harsher, haggard.
Vlad continued, "It seems as though the prodigal son has returned. And what does he find? Nothing but a shadow of his old life. What are you doing here, you ask? I should be asking you the same, Daniel."
"I asked you a question, fruit loop," Danny repeated.
"Ah, well it seems that, as of yet, I will be getting nothing out of you, but lets see how it goes when I'm finished with you," Vlad drawled.
Danny stood his ground, taking a fighting stance.
Without warning, Vlad attacked, sending a beam of purple light towards Danny. Danny set up a green shield, bouncing the ray back to Vlad, who dodged.
While Vlad was preoccupied with dodging the many ghost rays Danny had fired, Danny hurled a great ball of ice in his direction. Vlad, looking up too late to see it coming, was hit, sending him hurdling to the ground.
With Vlad on the ground, Danny began a steady stream of martial arts; a swift kick to the ribs, a punch to the gut, another kick behind the knees; all of which were blocked, and countered by Vlad.
They weren't quite equally matched; Danny younger, swifter, was lighter on his feet and wasn't tiring quickly; while Vlad was older, but wiser, and had more experience.
It was impossible to see who would win; the upper hand seemed to go from Danny to Vlad, back to Danny, Vlad.
Danny, quick to optimize his surroundings, picked up a pipe, and, charging it with ecto-energy, swung it at Vlad. It caught him unwary, and hit Vlad in the arm.
With a sickening crack, it broke Vlad's arm, and Vlad fell to the ground, chest heaving. Danny, also panting, reached down and placed his finger on Vlad's forehead. A brief look of concentration flashed across his face, then was gone.
Shock crossed Vlad's face as he realized that he had transformed back.
"What- What did you to me?" He asked.
Danny looked down at him, saying, "I shorted out your powers for a few hours. Kind of like what you used to do to me with the Plasmius Maximus. Just a little trick I picked up in my wanderings."
Unable to keep his ghost form, Danny also reverted back to human.
Silver gave way to black, as green lost its battle with blue.
Nice.
Gee, thanks.
No, seriously.
"I'll ask you again, Masters. What were you doing here?"
Vlad sighed, defeated. "I was sent. I had no choice."
Danny was dumbfounded. "Someone sent you?"
"Of course, boy, that's what I said."
Danny gathered himself. "Who would be powerful enough to send you?"
When Vlad gave no answer, Danny asked more. "Fine. If you won't tell me who, when what did they want you to do with me?"
"I was to capture you, question you, then bring you to him."
"Who is him?" Danny almost shouted, frustrated.
"Pariah Dark."
At that name, Danny's blood ran cold. "Him?" He whispered. "Again?"
"Yes, again," Vlad said, "and he wants revenge. He's already had his on me, but for you? It is worse than you can imagine."
Danny shuddered. "How… how did he get out?"
"That, I don't know, Daniel, but whoever did it is either a fool or a genius with a master plan."
Danny had heard enough. "As soon as your powers come back, go. Tell him… To be careful who he's messing with."
Vlad was surprised. "I wouldn't do that, my boy. Pariah is not one to be trifled with."
It was Danny's next statement that shocked him even more.
"I know. Just go and tell him what I said. This time, I will not come that close to dying."
Mwahahaha! And the plot thickens... (I hope!)
Thanks for reading!
-Flaming Water