HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Sorry, I know it's kinda late at night, but I had to work a TEN hour shift today at work. It was soooo hectic. You wouldn't believe how busy donuts shops actually are on Valentine's day. Not only is there a million and one people walking in to get dozens upon dozen of donuts, but there were also like a hundred different pre-orders for an billion donuts each. And me and TWO other people were the only bakers that work at the shop so you can imagine how crazy it was. Im glad it's over is all I can say.

Anyways I hope you guys appreciateanother Vlad POV chapter. I swear I love writing as him. It's so fun to act all sophisticated and smarty.


Vlad POV:

I fumed as I stormed down the hallway. Skulker?! THAT bumbling idiot had done this to my little badger? I tuned into one of the smaller dens that were littered about my house. (A den is like a living room but often not used as frequently or off the the side of the house rather than right in the middle like a living room.) Of course he would pay. I had told him time and time again that if he were to actually hurt the boy I would use his little green blob of a body as an ecto-dart board.

I flipped up the head of a small statue and pushed the button located underneath. A painting moved aside, giving way to a long, dark staircase going down. It lead to my lab. As I began to descend it the painting closed behind me, and my mind drifted to Daniel's parents.

I had always know that Daniel would not be accepted. I have known them for much longer than Daniel had. Almost three times as much, and I knew that their hatred for ghost was so ingrained into them that, to try and take it away, would be like throwing away a piece of your soul. It was impossible. But I at least had thought that they would let Daniel go, or perhaps make him go is a better way of putting it. I had hoped that their love for their son would cancel out at least a portion of their hatred. It appears not.

As much as I had loved Mady, this was unforgivable. How could a woman, a mother, do this to her own child? Jack might not have seen it when Daniel was hiding it, but he was not stupid. He should have seen the similarities. But Mady. She should have known much longer. She was a genius. There were times in college where she could surprise anyone, including the professors with her knowledge and observation skills. So she must have seen the similarities, and connected them with the strange behavior of Daniel since he became a ghost.

Yes she knew. She must have known long ago, but played ignorant. I had figured, with her intellect, that she had know for a while, but since she played ignorant, I was willing to as well. So I did not say anything to Daniel. I let the fear of his secret being revealed stay, so that I could use it as blackmail and so that he would not tell them of my own ghost form. But now, I'm not so sure if it was worth it.

I stepped into my lab, the lights turning on automatically as I strode in. I created a duplicate and he wandered over to the computers while I made my way to a communication station located next to the portal.

I needed to summon Skulker, but I also needed to find out whether or not Daniel's secret was out. It's a good thing I could do two things at once. On one hand I needed information about what the Fentons where doing and whether or not they had revealed Daniel's secret to the world in their hope of catching him.

And Skulker needed to be dealt with. Now.

Reaching the station I immediately sent out a frequency to Skulker's lair. Interdimensional communication was almost impossible, therefore, I could only figure out how to send in a frequency to let a ghost know they were being summoned to me. Or if the ghost wanted to let me know they were coming. I'm not a scientist after all.

I bet Mady could figure it out if she was willing to put aside her prejudice and work toward something good for the ghosts. But alas, it was not to be.

I got a confirmation frequency a minute or two later letting me know he was on the way. I sneered at the screen that showed his confirmation. Skulker would know the extent of my wrath if even half of Daniel's pain was because of him.

I wandered over to the computers and looked over my duplicates shoulder. I saw him sort through a few news articles that were local to Amity Park. I skimmed the open documents noticing a few key words such as Fentons and Phantom. I growled lowly deciding not to worry myself about it until I merged with my duplicate later.

A ding sounded through the house. It was the 'doorbell' from my portal. I tuned and made my way over to the entranced and waited at the doors opened and Skulker flew through. To say he looked rough didn't do the sight justice. His suit was in pieces hanging by mere wires. My hands that had been clenched in anger slacked slightly in surprise. What in cheese doodles was wrong with his suit?

The face of Skulker's suit opened and a small green blob floated out. He looked like his suit. Beaten and worn.

"What is it Vlad?" The little blob asked. "I'm a little busy rebuilding my suit." He gestured to the hunk of metal behind him. "Not to mention I've just been through hell and back. The ghost boy's parents are merciless."

"So they got your hands on you as well?" I said in contemplation. Were they captured together?

"As well? What do you mean as well?" Skulker asked.

"I mean." I sneered at him." That Daniel showed up on my doorstep yesterday, half dead and asking ME for help." Skulkers eyes were wide and his mouth dropped open.

"The welp came here?"

"Yes he did." I confirmed.

"I'm surprised he made it that far. He was in horrible shape when the welp's sister helped him escape." Hm I must make sure I reward Jasmine for her part in getting Daniel away from his parents.

"Yes, I myself am impressed judging by the extent of his injuries." I said placing my hands behind my back. "Speaking of injuries." I lit my hand aflame with pink ghostly power. "I have reason to believe that YOU played a part in them." Skulkers eyes went wide and he brought his arms up to protect his face and head from the blast I sent at him.

Skulker flew back hitting the portal doors behind him. I floated above him holding my hand, still alite with power, out at him threateningly.

"Would you care to explain WHY, you decided to hurt Daniel beyond what we agreed allowable?" I said as I got closer, only stopping when my hand were dangerously close to him. He was backed up against the wall straining to get farther away from me.

"I-it's not like that Vlad." He stammered out.

"Then explain to me what it's 'like.'" I gritted out.

"A-all I did, were the few gashes of his back. They weren't deep, and no where near life threatening." I glared at him.

"How?" I asked.

"A net." He said turning his face away from my palm as the air around him began to grow even hotter. "The weights on my net hit him at to close range. I-I would have taken care of it when I got him back to my lair." I growled at him but let my arm fall to my side, dispelling the ghostly fire.

"How did you both get caught?" I asked him floating back slightly so that he could get up.

"His parents closed the portal and waited for us to pass by. They saw us fighting in the child's room earlier and set a trap." They were getting better. I'll have to be sure to bring equipment to disable any weapons they will try to use on me when I go 'visit' the Fentons. Another thought occured to me.

"This still doesn't explain why he came to me rather than one of his dear friends. They already know his secret and accepted him either way." I said. Skulker chuckled.

"The welp's friend's left him to me." He said in explanation. I raised an eyebrow commanding him to explain. "Me, Technus, and Ember worked together to make a new weapon. One that would make the child sick and weak. Again nothing life threatening. Although Ember only helped with tuning the frequencies. I had used it on the child and he tried to escape to his friends, not being strong enough to face me alone." Skulker smiled widely. "But they turned away saying they didn't want ghosts to be apart of their lives any longer, and that he would have to get away on his own."

I scowled. Friends. There was no such thing. Only those willing to use you for their own entertainment or gain. Sometimes the kinder ones would help you out of pity or to make themselves feel like a better person. But in the end, when they were done, they would drop you like you were nothing. The only ones that you could trust were the ones that truly loved you unconditionally. And there were very few like that.

Even parent's love wasn't unconditional. Me and Daniel could now both atest to that first hand.

With a sigh I let the information sit. I understood now, and my heart went out to my little badger. He had gone through every bad thing that could have happened to him, happened all at once.

"Keep your eyes on the Fentons." I told Skulker in dismissal. "And inform me if anything important develops." He nodded and suited back up into his half-destroyed mech, then flew back out into the now open portal doors.


Thanks for reading guys and remember to follow if you want to know when I update next. And Let me know your thoughts on the chapter or even what you think is going to happen next. It's always fun to hear your guys' theories on stuff.

~Dragon~