Danny moved to the rear and Val jumped off the Specter Speeder and continued firing into thin air. Danny and Tucker looked at each other. Val had always been borderline, but she had never been this insane. Then Jazz got it. "Youngblood. We three like to act as gown-ups, or what we believe to be grown ups. Thus he can become invisible to us. Val's suit makes up for her and Danny's ghostly form does it for him." As soon as Jazz said that she could see the bratty kid ghost. She put the fact that Val had called Youngblood her Uncle to one side, and opened fire, striking Youngblood and causing him to become visible.
Val swooped in and picked up a now sulking Youngblood. "Well that's the first mission done, Danny. Now can you get rid of your tagalongs, please?"
Danny winced, not that he entirely blamed Val. It was the best way to describe them at the moment, even though it reminded him of what Val had once been like. Still it might be better to do this the other way. "It might be easier to take them to your realm with us."
"Hold on I'd better check the Observants' rules." Val tilted her head to one side as if she was listening to something that only she could hear. "It's legal, despite Walker's beliefs, and as long as we don't enter his realm, we'll be okay. Tell them to follow me."
(Val's realm.)
The Specter Speeder came to a full stop above the desert, and the crew alighted. Sam and Valerie both moved unconsciously closer to Danny, making him feel a bit claustrophobic. Obviously Val had partially forgiven him, though he expected it would take a long time for her to completely do so - if she ever did. The fact that Val's suit was still up spoke volumes especially since he had turned back into his human form. Val and Sam were both in battle positions and neither was going to back down. And worse both were expecting him to come in on their side. There was only one thing to do. "Jazz, could you talk to the girls?"
Valerie switched her armour off and Sam's stance got extremely stiff. Both knew enough about Jazz to know anything was better than a lecture from her. They hoped they had backed down enough to prevent it. Unfortunately, they had not and Jazz started off on one of her lectures. Sam cursed how clueless Danny was, while Valerie cursed how underhanded that ghost was. Neither of course knew what the other was thinking. But both came away with a different impression due to his actions. Val decided that Danny knew about Sam's crush whilst Sam believed, now more firmly than ever that Danny had no clue.
Tucker looked at Danny. "I think that's enough punishment don't you? Perhaps you ought to explain what's going on. This ghost realm is Valerie's? It doesn't make sense to me."
"It's a long story, and I'm not certain I'm allowed to tell you. Hell Val's not certain she is, and even if I can't, she might be able to. But basically Val's been allowed to act as the ghost zones hunter. Basically a policemen/security guard for ghosts. However she needed my permission to do so since I'm also attached to the conceptual realm of protection."
"Okay. But security guard for ghosts? Why would that be needed?"
"Suppose Ember didn't try to take over the world, or hypnotise people, she'd be able to live there and be a great pop star. She's always worse at this age though. Once she grows up and calms down, she'll fit in well. She's done it many times before." Val stated. "At least once in Wisconsin. And that's all I can say."
Sam winced, considering what ghost hunters tended to be like, the ghosts that didn't cause trouble would need a bodyguard. Jack and Val were actually two of the more progressive hunters, willing to work with ghosts and even then they had had an unhealthy dislike for the spectral. Even Danny had held attitudes like that at one point, but he soon realised that it would be hypocritical of him.
"If you see Wulf before we do put in a good word for me. I think I may be able to use him as a freelance agent. Now get on board the Speeder would you. I've never done this consciously before."
"Wait. Does Val always grow in power as you do Danny?""
"Seems to. She's taught me a lot these past two days, and I think she's going to teach me some more. So far we've covered basic fighting, and has explained why Dad always beats Plasmius. I think she's going to cover the ghostly side next."
Val concentrates and a whirlwind appears around the Speeder which gets dropped out right above Axion Labs. The crew on board look at each other. They sigh. This rescue had turned out to be a real let down. Sam was still red. How dare Val force them away from her Danny.
(Val's realm: some time later)
"Okay how do you tend to avoid shots? While you can pull up a shield, I doubt that's you favourite. You shift out the way. Your form's fairly flexible, and I bet you're not using that power to its fullest extent. You're a trickster ghost, Danny. A decent one, but that's what you are. I think you're probably a shape-shifter."
"Shape-shifter?" Danny asked before realising that ability of Dark Dan's was probably not from Vlad. It was almost certainly like the ghostly wail, something implicit in him, as he was now. However his human form probably acted as an anchor, stopping him from ever drifting too far from his default. Dan Phantom's anchor however was far looser.
"Make sense, but since I'm part human..."
An alarm rings and Val curses. She was going to have to do the rest of the arrangements now, and this first arrangement meant dealing with a really nasty ghost, though everyone stated that he was a necessary evil. "Danny you'd better leave now, especially since your coming to the end of the safe-conduct. Also if you see Wulf, give him my apologies as well as a request. Walker's finally coming to see his new boss."
"And I definitely don't want to be around when my safe-conduct runs out, else you'll have to arrest me. By Val, see you sometime." Danny entered his ghost form and flew out of Val's realm.
"Sooner than you think Danny, sooner than you think."