Special

"Trying to do geometry, I see."

There was no answer. Typical. He watched with amusement as the black haired boy chewed his pencil, probably hoping that he would go away in order to solve number twenty four. After a while of course, curiosity was too great to resist. The fourteen year old peeked over his shoulder. Phantom waved cheekily.

Next came the denial.

"It isn't real. It isn't real. It's just an illusion."
The ghost snorted. "Keep telling yourself that kiddo. Maybe one day you'll actually believe it." Finally Danny sighed.
"What do you want, Phantom?"

The ghost shrugged, lazily blowing white strands of hair out of his glowing eyes. "Nothing' really. Is it so wrong for me to visit?"
"Yes. My homework is less annoying then you. So go away. No one wants you here."
"I didn't know you felt that way Danny." The ghost deflated to the ground, sniffling. "That hurts."
Danny continued his math assignment.

"Fine then! I'm leaving." The room dimmed significantly. After a moment, the boy glanced back. No one was there. Good riddance.
He turned back to his homework and instead met green eyes.
"Boo."

Blue eyes widened dramatically as the teen fell off of his chair, sending textbooks and pencils crashing to the floor. Phantom's laughing grew greater when the parents came in a minute later, observing their fallen son.
"Danny, are you okay?"
"What happened son?"
Phantom smirked. "Yes Danny, what happened? Please do tell."

He knew that the boy couldn't tell the truth. His parents were scientists, anything without fact was laughing matter. So what could he say? Oh I'm okay dad, it was Phantom that startled me. You know, that ghost that's floating in front of mom's face right now? Good luck with that.

"I'm fine," Danny smile and rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just fell out of my chair when I nodded off. My bad."
It was a terrible lie; too many books were scattered around, and the chair was at least halfway across the room. However Mr. and Mrs. Fenton let it fly, sharing quick glances to each other afterwards.

"Aww, look at that. They don't believe you." He flew close to Danny's ear. "And they never will."
"Shut it ghost." The boy growled, jerking away.
"What?" Danny froze, remembering too late that his parents were still present.

"I-I mean, wow. I must be really tired. Sorry for the scare." He laughs, a little to shrill for the ears. I think I'll just take a nap for a while. Is that fine?"
"O-okay sweetie. Just...don't forget to take your medicines. We're going now. There's pizza in the fridge and Jazz won't be back till late."

"Kay." Danny fakes a yawn and waves them off. They stand there for awhile, watching him shaking, before leaving the room. Already they discuss moving the appointment for their son a few days early.
As soon as his parents left, the boy turned to his oppressor.

"You," Danny lunged at the ghost. "You did this!"
"Me?" Phantom asked, feigning mock surprise. "What did I do?" He turned intangible, letting the teen fall on the dresser. Glass and models shattered to the floor. Danny staggered up, red dots emerging on his side.
"You made my family think I'm crazy! You took away my friends! You ruined my life!"

"Did I? Your family hasn't even tried to listen, they just want your grades back up. Your friends abandoned you the moment they could. They don't believe you, trust you." Danny threw items at the ghost, tears streaming down his face.
"Shut up!"
"They don't love you."

"I said shut up! They do! They will come back! They will come back and you'll go away and will you just leave. Me. ALONE!!"

With a gasp, Phantom was blown back, a blinding light smashing him to the wall. Then as quickly as it came, the halo vanished. Despite the pain, Phantom couldn't help but grin giddily. He looked to his prize. Already the glow was dimming as Danny's huddled form slid weakly down the wall.

"Why?" The teen whimpered, broken eyes pleading. "Why is this happening to me?"

Phantom tilted the boy's head upward, forcing the dilating pupils to focus on him. He gently wiped away the tears and blood.

"Because you're special. You have a great power that many wished they have. But they can never have it. And because of it, people will abandoned you, hate you, hunt you down.

I'm not here to ruin your life Danny. I'm trying to save it. Humans fear what they don't understand. You see what your "loved ones" are doing, and if they act like this now, who knows what they will do when they discover the truth?

"But I know you don't deserve that. I know what you have is a gift, a beautiful and extraordinary blessing. You are a blessing, and those humans are too stupid to notice. I'm here to give you a better life. A life that you rightly deserve. We're you don't have to hide and can be free."

"R-really?" There was a glimmer of hope.

Phantom smiled. "Undoubtedly. All you need to do is one thing."
The eagerness was certain. "What?"

He pulled out the rope, gently lacing the noose around the boy's neck. Danny stiffened.
" N-no!"
Phantom clasped his hands.

"Yes. It's the only way. Besides, this life has nothing to offer you. And when the humans find out, they will do far worse things than death." He let go, leaving the end of the rope in trembling hands.

"It's your choice. Farewell Danny."
"Wait! Please!"
The ghost paused, turning to desperate teen below. He smiled sadly.

"You'll find me under the willow tree, ready to take you home. Choice wisely brother. Your family is waiting."

"I'm home!" Phantom landed in the castle's hallway, waving to each guard he past. A little while later, a girl almost identical, minus the hair length and feminine features, flew into his open arms.
" Phantom! Where did you go?"

"To the human world." The girl gasped.

"Without telling me or Vlad? You could have been hurt!" He rubbed his hair sheepishly.
"Sorry. But I had to. I found a lost brother there."
She squealed excitedly, understanding now and why he looked different.
" Ooh! Is that what he looks like brother? He almost looks like me!"
Phantom nodded. "You're right sis. Even his name is similar. Daniel. What do you think? Daniel and Danielle; the best little siblings one could ask for." Danielle giggled.
"Dani and Danny. I like that."

"Was it successful?"
Phantom grinned at the red eyes above him, beckoning the vampiric ghost out of the shadows. Blue skin and white clothing soon emerged.
"Very much brother. He'll be with us shortly."
The girl hugged them happily. "I'm so glad you're saving him from that terrible world, Phantom. You're a hero!"
Phantom laughed and hugged them closer. "And both of you are the best family ever! I love you guys. Please don't leave me."
"Never in all eternity."

He'd be so happy here. Lost, confused, no memories at all, Danny would go with him with open arms. They all did. And they would never betrayed him, just like he won't betray him. Phantom changed back to his true form, but his deathday items remained the same. Fixed his paper crown on his head. Looked down at the golden star dangling from his neck, the fading "Birthday Star!" still lingering memories.

Phantom gripped the star tighter. No, he wasn't going to be betrayed again; his obsession wouldn't allow it. Defeating Pariah Dark wasn't enough. Becoming King of the Ghost Zone wasn't either. He needed loyal friends to be his army. A powerful, loving family guarding his side. And Danny was going to be a part of that family.
His sister was right. He was a hero, a savior, a protector. Right now Danny needs a hero, needs to be saved. And tonight he would be saved. No matter what his choice was.