"You know he'd accept your help."
"True, but I'd want to do this properly, even if I didn't need to. Since he is the main realm holder, and is bound to give me permission, there's no point in not asking, right?" Val pointed out. Besides with how the Red Hunter was viewed without knowing about Val or her less important hunts, she would only cause panic. It was time to face the music.
Clockwork nods. "And I Suppose you want Damon to accompany him?"
"If possible of course I want my Dad to come. But he might not be able to make it. See what you can do. I plan to have a long talk with Daniel. A very long and private talk. We really need to sort things out." There was one question Valerie would really like to ask Phantom, but knew that she could not. It was time to send a messenger to bring them back.
Ember stroppily stated "I am not going. I hate being the messenger boy. Not this time."
Clockwork smiled. "What made you think I was going to send you? I'm going to send someone he trusts far more than you. Someone who I am keeping an eye on since he requested I did. His clone."
"A clone?" Val stated. "There's no way that would work, certainly not as intended, anyway. If done here the clone wouldn't be human enough, and if in my world," Valerie winced at the inadvertent reminder of her loss.. "They wouldn't be ghostly enough."
"Not the only thing that was wrong. Hormone and ecto mix were off as well. So well.."
"Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Yep. She's a girl."
Valerie's lips turn up into a smirk, before she explodes into laughter. "This is too funny. The only thing funnier would be if it was Dash Baxter." Once Val has recovered. "Right Ember you're staying here with me."
"Why on Earth are you insisting on that?" Ember whinges before realising. "Nuts. With you and the Dipstick here, I'd be pretty nearly unopposed. No wonder Clockwork wasn't going to send me. I'm still going, and the only way you'll stop me is if you..." Ember gets cut off as a red beam shoots out from Val's weapons. "Shoot you? You obviously don't realise that I am both willing and able to do so if it becomes necessary. Part of me liked Phantom, and I still shot at him. And I meant Phantom there, not Fenton."
Ember got up groggily. That shot had rather taken the wind out of her sails. This was something she hadn't realised. Note: listen to Skulker when he makes an offhand comment. He might not leak as badly as Technus, but the times he does are always as important. Doubly so since it is a far rarer occasion. "Forgot how ruthless you were. Still, a darn good trait in a protector if not allowed to dominate."
Amity
Dani flew carefully toward the Fentonworks. There was no way she wanted Danny's friends to see her, they hadn't entirely trusted her before she had betrayed him to Vlad and while she doubted he had mentioned it no point in risking that. Still she actually had a cleaner reputation from Danny having only taken down dangerous ghosts with little if any property damage. Still there he was floating about quite happily, especially since the Red Huntress wasn't around.
"Danny."
"Dani! What are you doing here?"
"Wish I could say coming to see you, but The Red Hunter has extended an invitation to you. Wonder why?"
"Val's invited me? I know she was planning to but I wasn't expecting this for another week. Oh, me and Damon only? Business not pleasure. I can;t make it too busy here."
"Don't worry Clockwork's made deals with most. Beside your parents are competent enough. Only the rare and powerful ghosts are really any danger. And they're too interested in the Red Hunter for some reason."
Danny sighs. That part of its true. He can come since most of the powerful ghost are interested in Val's choice. Of course there was one ghost who would know exactly what was going on and could take this opportunity. "What about Ember?"
"I'm sure the Red Hunter will keep her on a tight leash."
Danny nodded. Val would do so even if part of her respected or liked the ghost. Still time to move and call in on Damon but first time to tell Sam and Tucker. "They can't come you know."
"I know."
Danny flew down and changed back into his human form. He looked at Sam and Tucker and stated, "The Red Hunter has invited my to visit her realm. It's mostly business but Clockwork says I should do this."
Sam wondered why her jealousy built up from at the mention of Danny being alone with the Red Hunter. Why was she so jealous of a ghost who was always armoured? It made more sense to be jealous of Ember than a ghost so permanently encased in armour. Then she squashed any idea that she was jealous after all she wasn't in love with Danny.
Danny sighed. Here he was heading to the ghost zone. What was so important that Val had called him and her Dad here? There was the door.
"Hey this is cool."
"Val's potentially faster, but couldn't go at her full speed before now."
"Why not?"
"Not a ghost at that time. I "float" for want of a better word, she flies. Similar effects but different ways of achieving it. And while I could go through things, she'd run smack dab into them. Not a good position to be in. Here we are Val's realm. She should have spruced it up a bit."
Danny opened the door only to find it as bare as ever. He blinked. This was weird. It should be better than this. Ember nodded imperceptibly to Damon in answer to a questioning look he gave her. They both moved off to one side talking quietly to each other. "Inherited our combined stubbornness I see." "Just not willing to admit she's part-spirit." "Typical, but partially Danny's fault."
Val spoke carefully. "Phantom I have invited you here mainly out of business. I wish to become a spirit of protection."
"What's that got to do with me?"
"Because you're occupying the slot at the moment. If I get permission I will act a a protector to Spirits from the worst excesses of themselves and mortals. I will be both your ally and your enemy."
"So no real change then?"
"I'll cut down the work in this zone. And some of the more dangerous ghosts I can attack before they get to you. You should find a small drop in your workload, Fenton."
Danny's mouth dropped open at that and stuttered out. "Fenton?"