Chapter 4: Enter Phantom Thief Kid
Danny, Sam, and Tucker came to the museum once school ended. Despite the fact that the entire student body as well as the faculty was positive that the ghost thief was going to fail miserably, there was charged atmosphere that none of them could explain. Everyone was talking about it, whether how the ghost was going to be defeated or what he looked like or even what his powers were. It was a sort of anticipated excitement and captivating suspense that one does not typically experience. Regardless of the obvious outcome, it seemed like everyone was going to attend.
Upon entering the museum, all three of them stopped and gasped, "Whoa!" The entire museum looked as if it were being completely remodeled. People were running around bringing random pieces of machinery or other high-tech security components. Anti-ghost machines and other gadgets were everywhere with people either installing them or testing them. It was more so a science lab than a museum.
At the center of the chaos were Danny's parents, directing the flow of security installment. Seeing them, his parents called them over, with the biggest smiles on their faces.
"So, what do you think?" Jack asked them, eagerly.
"I don't think even an ant could get in here if they wanted to," Tucker replied, still looking around in awe of all the technology.
Maddie nodded vigorously, "That's right! No ghost is going to be able to get in here, especially not one of those of Freakshow's".
"That's good," Sam responded, relieved.
Mr. Dankman, nervous as ever, and the ever stoic Mr. Collers came over, Mr. Dankman asking, "So, is everything ready?"
"Of course it is!" Jack shouted proudly, "Even if one of those ghosts manages to get in here, they won't be able to take anything or escape. Watch," he turned around and pressed a button on a control pad, "Bonzai!" From out of nowhere, cages surrounded with green electricity covered every artifact. Around each of the displays were rings of green lasers and a number of anti-ghost guns came out of the walls ready to fire. Behind them, all of the exits were blocked off by iron doors with the same green electricity. Everyone stared in amazement at the tight protection.
Mr. Dankman, though still nervous, looked pleased. "I see you did a thorough job, thank you. Did you by chance put extra protection around the artifact mention in Kid's note?"
"You mean the bracelet of Palati, the rod of Ralphi, and the pendant of Lady Isis?" Maddie asked. Mr. Dankman nodded. "Of course we did," she point to the artifacts, "there is a second rind of lasers around them, but crisscrossed and immediate capture mechanism inside the cages."
Mr. Dankman gave a huge sigh of relief. "That guy sure is worried about that thief guy," Danny commented.
"We all are," said a voice behind him. Turning around, they all saw a young man with orange moppy hair and a thousand freckles, dressed in the museum uniform.
"Jesse, are the artifacts still in good condition?" Mr. Collers asked sternly. Slightly nervous, Jesse nodded, "Yes, their condition remains perfect."
"Everyone, this is Jesse Mccole. His father was among many scholars, archeologists and anthropologists that helped to deduce the artifacts' authenticity. He's helping to supervise the exhibit," Mr. Dankman introduced.
After assuring the safety of the artifacts, Danny and his friends mused around the museum as the final preparations were made. While they examined the artifacts, they also doubled checked the security. After an half an hour, the trio met in a closed room outside the exhibit hall.
"So, everything you guys found good?" Danny asked. They nodded.
"Well, I'm sure somehow Freakshow will manage to get in here, but he's going to have a hard time getting his hands on one of those artifacts."
"You're right. Your parents did a good job," Tucker praised.
"It wasn't just them," Sam interrupted, "Vlad made a donation to the museum and gave extra security to them."
Despite his absolute hatred for the man, Danny couldn't help but be thankful for the fruit loop's help. With his top of the line systems, no one, ghost or human could lay their hands on the treasures.
"Still, I think it would be a good idea to stay here," Danny reasoned, "Even if he doesn't get one of them, he's still dangerous, especially if Lydia can get in."
"Yeah, and you can show that ghost thief what happens when you deal with Danny Phantom," Tucker said confidently.
Satisfied with their plan, they walked out of the room, unaware that a man stood by the door with a smile on his face.
By ten o'clock, the museum was packed. Everyone, whether they liked history or not, came to look at the artifacts and mostly watch the showdown between their hero Danny Phantom and the mysterious ghost thief. Like at the school, there was an atmosphere full of anticipation. Seemingly against their own will, people were eager to meet the ghost thief and see what he was like. There were numbers of speculations, from being a demon-like creature to a spirit of an old man, that were talked happily amongst the attendees. In the corner, Star and Paulina were still arguing with a crowd of on lookers laughing at them.
After ten ten, the crowds became a little wary. Danny himself was becoming rather nervous, but not for the thief ghost. He was worried. At any time, Freakshow could show up, and who knows what could happen. He kept his eyes vigilant on the crowd, knowing that Sam and Tucker were doing the same thing. Freakshow was going to appear any minute.
At ten twenty, Danny's suspicions were confirmed; a hysterical laugher rang through the museum. Everyone turned their heads, looking for its source. Danny and the others were on edge; they knew that insane laughter anywhere. Sure enough, a whirlwind of green energy and there stood Freakshow and Lydia in the middle of the exhibit. Gasps of fear accompanied the entrance of duo. A mad gleam was in Freakshow's eyes as he laughed again. "Welcome, everyone, welcome. I hope you are all enjoying the exhibit…because it won't be here for much longer.
Before Freakshow could attempt to take a single artifact, a beam of green energy blasted him into the wall. Furious, he got up from the ground to see none other than Danny Phantom.
"Don't even think about it, Freakshow," Danny said curtly.
Freakshow only laughed, "Well, if isn't it the annoying ghost child. Don't think that you're going to stop me this time." He motioned for Lydia, who sent a barrage of ghostly tattoos at Danny.
Danny put up a shield, blocking all of the tattoos. Lydia rush at him, but was stopped by a close miss blast. Jack had shot at Lydia and tried again to shoot at the floating ghosts. Maddie started the ghost shield, locking down the entire museum with anti-ghost systems.
Danny, while easily dodging his father's shots, grabbed Lydia and threw her across the room into the wall. She got up quickly and tried to kick him, but missed and was blasted across the room again. Again, she got up and continued the fight.
While the fight was going on, the entire room was cheering. Paulina practically screamed urging on Danny to beat the ghost girl. Pity that she didn't cheer for him in his human form, Danny thought. Everyone was grateful that Danny was there, or else that madman would be causing all sorts of havoc. Everyone was so absorbed in the fight in front of them, that they didn't pay attention to anything else.
During the fight one of the tattoos attempted to take one of the artifacts. Heading to the cage which contained the bracelet of Palati, the tattoo shrieked in pain as it came in contact with the ghost proof electricity.
"Blast! They're all ghost-proof," Freakshow muttered. He reached out at a cage a felt the cold steel bars. The electricity only harmed ghosts. Thinking fast, Freakshow began to fiddle with the bars, trying to unlock the cage.
"Not so fast, Freakshow!" Danny roared, throwing a green energy ball at him. But before it could hit him, Lydia blocked the shot.
There was a brief standstill where nobody moved. As the silence began to build tension, a soft, handsome laugh echoed through the room.
"Well, isn't this interesting?"
Everyone turned to the mysterious voice. Sitting on the railing against the wall casually, swinging the bracelet of Palati around his finger, was a young gentleman dressed in a white suit, a white cape, a white silk hat, and a monocle. No one knew where he came from and was asking among themselves to who was this guy. Danny was very confused, he'd never seen this guy before, and was positive that he'd remembered anyone in that getup. And he definitely remembered no seeing him in the crowd.
The man stood up, perfectly balanced on the railing, and jumped on top of one of the cages. The electricity didn't kick in. Just who is this guy, Danny thought to himself, bewildered.
"I see that you have received my note, Mr. Dankman. I must thank you for making the preparations," the mysterious man said, head slightly inclined towards the nearly fainting Mr. Dankman. Note? Danny mentally took notice, an idea dawning on him. Turning back to the crowd, hand placed over his chest, the man said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the magician gentleman thief, Phantom Thief Kid," and he bowed gracefully.
Finally chapter four is up. So, chaos is happening in the museum and Kid finally appears! Yay! However, so does Freakshow.
I hope you pick up the subtle hints that point to what's going to happen next. The wheels in Danny's head are starting to turn. But not quite fast enough yet if you noticed. ;)
Disclaimer – I don't own either show
Hope you enjoy and please review.