Hey look, a slightly longer chapter, and for some reason I'm pretty proud of this one. It's officially the longest DP thing I've written (which is pretty pitiful becuase it's not even that long). Anyway, just a note about the AU: I honestly think Sam would have changed her appearence to be more 'goth' ages ago so if you see something about her having a radical haircut or havingher hair different colors in future chapters, just know it's part of the AU. Some other character appearence changes also might occur but nothing too drastic.
Disclaimer: Don't own DP or the original AU idea
"I am the box ghost! Beware!"
Danny groaned, he'd had enough of this guy in the last five minutes to last a lifetime. And he'd thought his ghost powers were annoying and inconveniencing everyone. A couple lights flickering and some spooky howling was nothing compared to a stupid mantra and a ghost janitor. If only Tucker and Sam would hurry up with the Fenton Thermos. His parents had finally reached a final design and, despite the fact that it could have been so much cooler, they still made it into a thermos. A thermos with anti-ghost shielding and a nasty ecto-alarm that meant all ghost captures were up to Sam and Tucker getting to the scene on time.
That hadn't been a problem when it had only been Danny whose powers were causing trouble, but now that ghosts came into the real world by the dozens it was getting kinda hard to stay on top of things. Especially when you have three papers due by Monday and a box-obsessed specter breathing down your neck.
Danny's only job was to keep the self-proclaimed Box Ghost in the warehouse until his friends arrived. Easier said than done. So far he'd been sucker-punched by four crates, two plastic baskets, and three cardboard boxes. He'd also had to listen to the Box Ghost repeatedly say "Beware" and shout his name at the top of his lungs (do ghosts even have lungs?). Not fun, not fun at all.
Danny grabbed a nearby wooden plank off the floor, "I got a package for you!" He tossed the plank at the other ghost's head, "Arrived by express mail!" Express mail, Danny, really? That's the best you could do?
Despite the bad banter the Box Ghost received his package just fine and he went spiraling out of control. Unfortunately, he phased through the ceiling faster than Danny could catch him. Great, just great. You finally have the ghost and then you lose him.
If they could just figure out how to turn the ghost protection off then this never would have happened. Currently Tucker was saddled with the job, but soon it would be Danny's turn. Danny didn't know how they expected him to turn off anti-ghost software as a ghost, but they were running out of ideas. Sure he could always ask his parents but then they'd ask why he needed to know and that conversation was not something he was ready for. Ever.
Danny chased the Box Ghost through the roof and out into the cold night. At least, he assumed it was cold as the cold didn't really register for him since the accident. Sam guessed this was because ghosts' natural temperatures are well below what's healthy, what with being dead and all, so it would only be natural to assume that a half-ghost or whatever he was would have a lowered body temperature as well making the cold feel normal. Danny chose to believe that; it made a lot more sense that "just because".
The Box Ghost was still going on about how he could "control all cardboard materials and their associates" and he was "going to rule the world with my cubical creations of doom". Danny made a full circle around him, trying to coral him in place so that he could call Sam and Tucker and tell them to head to the roof. The other ghost was too distracted to notice that he was being fenced is; Danny took advantage of this and whipped out his phone, "Sam, where are you guys? I've been standing by for the past twenty minutes."
"Maybe we would have gotten there faster if Tucker hadn't stopped by his house for a sandwich." Danny heard Tucker protest loudly in the background, but Sam chose to ignore it in favor of sighing heavily, "Anyway we're almost there. Has the ghost moved?"
"Yeah, we're on the roof right now. Or floating above the roof actually."
"Any way for us to join you? I don't think this thing covers long distances."
"Yeah, there's a staircase and a door leading to the roof on the left wall. How much longer do you think you two are gonna take? Box Ghost is almost done boasting and telling me to beware. Looks like he's gonna bolt soon."
"Walking in the building right now. I see that staircase you were talking about. Be there in less than a minute."
She hung up before Danny could say anything else and, true to her word, Sam's familiar black and purple hair came into view, "Stuff this in your boxes, you-!"
"Whoa Sam, do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Might want to watch it," Tucker smirked.
Same rolled her eyes and opened up the thermos. The Box Ghost let out a final "Beware!" before his body stretched and warped until he was sucked into the soup container. Danny let out a triumphant hoot, "Finally! If I had to hear the word 'beware' one more time I thought I was gonna lose it."
"Not bad for my first time, huh Danny?" Same smirked and twirled the thermos around in her hand.
"Yeah, at least you caught the ghost you were supposed to," he looked pointedly at Tucker.
"Hey man that thing had a mind of its own. It was aiming for you all by itself."
"Somehow, I don't believe that a metal electronic thermos can have a mind of its own, but nice try."
"All I'm saying is that artificial intelligence does exist and your parents have made some crazy crap so…"
"Tucker, my parents have never made-."
"As much as I hate to interrupt this lovely conversation, this Fenton Ghost Finder says there's another ghost out here."
Danny pointed to himself, "Yes, the ghost is right here."
"Not you, Danny," Sam rolled her eyes, "I meant another ghost; it's over by the movie theater. I think we should head over there…" she trailer off, staring wide-eyed at the ghost tracker, "Guys you're not gonna believe this but four ghosts just showed up."
"Wait, four? Are you sure?"
"Wait, never mind, there are seven now."
"Seven!"
"Ten and counting. Danny, we need to do something about all these ghosts coming through. How are they getting out so fast?"
"Might have something to do with Danny messing up the electrical grid when he sneezed on our way out," Tucker said.
"I think it has more to do with you hitting the button with your elbow after tripping in the dark when the lights went out."
"That's not the point, Sam. And it would still be Danny's fault since he knocked the power out in the first place."
"I don't see how your lack of coordination is Danny's fault."
"Just because some of us aren't Olympic gymnasts-."
"Now is not the time for arguing, guys, we've got to get rid of all these ghosts. Preferably before the sun comes up."
"We've gotta catch them all? That's a lot of ghosts, Danny. Shouldn't we leave that to your highly-acclaimed professional ghost hunting parents?"
"It's my fault the portal's open, not theirs. It's my responsibility to clean up my own mess."
"And we're going to help you clean; right, Tucker?"
"I actually did all my chores this week so-," Sam elbowed him in the stomach, "Ow! Yes, of course we'll help. Friends forever and all that."
Danny smiled, "Glad you guys are so willing."
"Hey, what are friends for, besides being super cool ghost hunting partners?" Tucker smiled back at Danny.
"Or dark and mysterious bad influences," Sam added.
"Or freaky part-ghost sons of acclaimed paranormal scientists," Danny chuckled, enjoying the moment as it lasted.
The three best friends stood there smiling at each other until a beep from the ghost tracker interrupted the comfortable silence. "GHOST COUNT OVER CAPACITY."
"That doesn't sound good."
"Thank you, Tucker, for that useless comment," Sam replied dryly.
"Guys, no more arguing. Sam, where's the closest ghost to us?"
"Just down the street by the abandoned farmhouse, Tuck and I can be there in five minutes tops."
"Great, I'll see you there." Danny waved to them as he flew towards the shadowy farmhouse, "Try to go a bit faster this time!" He called down to them.
Sam just gave a thumbs up, grabbed Tucker's arm, and ran through the door with a fumbling Tucker in tow. Danny smiled to himself as he flew over Amity Park. Maybe ghost hunting wouldn't be as bad as it seemed.
(Did you see what I did there with the theme song? I couldn't resist)