OHMYGOSH! SORRY! I forgot to update over the weekend. So, I'm taking some time out today to update. Feel special. I honestly am really surprised at the number of reviews and favorites and follows. I didn't expect it to get so many. Thanks, you guys! Now I feel special! (yay!) Reviewers:

Inviso-Al: All shall be revealed.

Y. Necrolys: Thank you, thank you very much. *bows*

Oblitus Angeli: Yeah, only one way to find out. Maybe that will happen. Maybe it won't. This is sounding like Clockwork. *waves and disappears*

Clockwork's Apprentice: Thanks for the tip; I'll try to keep an eye on the pacing of the story. I'm really glad you like it.

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Chapter 5

Phantom

(Spidey POV)

"I think after this we can label Phantom in the villain category," said Fury after I told him what happened.

"I don't think Phantom hit me on purpose. He was extremely mad at the other floating guy and was shooting randomly," I said back.

"A real hero should have watched for something like that. What if he had hit a civilian with one of those rays you described?" challenged Fury.

"No sane person would just stand there while two very powerful, by the looks of it, beings battled. Not to mention one being extremely angry," I said.

"You just described exactly what you did during that fight," said Fury with a slight smirk visible on his face. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"Well yeah, but-" I started to say before Fury continued as if I hadn't said anything at all.

"Now that that's cleared up, go to training. You do remember the last time you didn't go to training, yes?"

I didn't reply as I walked off to the training room. The last thing I needed was another lecture on that incident. Jeez, a guy skips training for one day and apparently all havoc breaks loose because of it?

That night, after a particularly tiring training session, I decided to swing around the city for a bit. Danny was asleep downstairs so I didn't have to worry about him. Changing into my costume, I shot a web out of my window and started heading towards the Daily Bugle. As annoying as Jameson was, the top of the building really was a nice place to sit. When I got there, I was surprised to find the roof already occupied by Phantom.

I wondered what he was doing there. Usually at this time he would be making more ghost sightings (it wasn't hard to piece together that this guy was all the ghost sightings- his name was even Phantom, for heaven's sake!).

"Shouldn't you be out scaring someone with a paranormal experience?" I asked, sitting down next to him.

Phantom didn't bat an eyelid at my sudden appearance.

"Hey, Spider Man," replied Phantom casually, like we had been buddies for years. "Didn't feel like causing paranormal stuff tonight. Just figured I would chill out here. With company, apparently."

"So you're not going to send me off angrily or something?" I asked, raising an eyebrow behind my mask.

"No. Why would I? You didn't do anything," he replied.

"Finally! Everyone thinks I'm a menace around here! Finally, someone who believes me!" I said flailing my arms around in victory.

"I have no reason to think you're a menace. The 'evidence' that Jameson guy goes on about is just a bunch of shallow hunches and false accusations. You haven't done a thing wrong. All you've done is heroic stuff."

"You know, I like you. Everyone believes Jameson, just like that. They ignore all the hero stuff I do, and as soon as some opportunity comes up, they blame it on me."

"Been there. So, how's your life?"

"You've been there? So you're a hero? I knew it! Just wait till I tell Fury-"

"Was. Was a hero."

"Well you're not a villain, are you?"

"Of course not! I'm not him!"

"Him?"

"Nothing. Do all superheroes dress in skin tight stuff?"

"For the most part, yeah. Why? Wouldn't you know, since you said you were a hero?"

"I thought it was just me. And they told me I dressed strangely!"

I laughed at this and listened to his rambling for a minute until it stopped. Now was the time for more serious questions.

"Where did you come from anyway?" I asked.

"Well," Phantom said, pausing. "It's called the Ghost Zone."

"The Ghost Zone? So, that where all ghosts live?" I asked.

"Yes, and I'm surprised you're not freaked out about the fact that I'm dead," said Phantom.

"It's not that hard to figure out. Ghost sightings, floating, blasts, glowing eyes, glowing body, white hair, and your name is Phantom. Seriously. It couldn't be more obvious."

"I suppose you have a point. So you're not going to, oh I don't know, hunt me?"

"Um, no."

Phantom visibly relaxed.

"Do you know a kid named Danny Fenton?" I asked.

About five minutes of silence followed afterwards.

"I take that as a yes?"

"I've heard of him."

"Is he connected to your sudden appearance?"

"…No."

"I have trouble believing that. You're a terrible liar."

I heard him mutter some thing about his 'stupid hero complex.' I decided I would tackle the issue of where he came from later.

"What do you look like?" I asked.

"Um, I'm not invisible. For now, anyway. All my fabulousness right here for the viewing."

I snickered a little at his comment despite the serious atmosphere. I was really starting to like this guy.

"No, I mean under your hood," I said.

"Sorry, my face is too handsome for eyes to see," he said, clearly smirking from the look in his eyes.

"You need to convince Fury and the team you're not evil. They-"

I was cut off by my phone.

I picked it up to hear frantic yelling on the other end.

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Wow, I'm surprised at myself. I didn't use Danny's POV at all. That is so unlike me. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter, and I'll try to remember to update again this weekend. I needed this to happen for stuff in later chapters planned. For now,

TIME OUT.