AN: Hang on, what's this? Weeks of not activity, then two updates in a quick sucession? What can I say, I'm in the zone you guys! (the writing zone, not the ghost zone). Oh, and thanks Above the Winter Moonlight and Inviso-Al for reviews on chapter 8 already! And welcome new readers and followers. Enjoy this little update :)

Chapter 9

Down in the Fenton basement/lab, Jack was waving around a device resembling a cross between radar gun and tablet computer. "It's called the Fenton Ecto Exposer. It detects anything in the room with a distinct ectosignature!" He proclaimed proudly.

"Uh, how is that different than the Fenton Finder?" asked Danny, trying to mask his apprehension with sarcasm and forced indifference.

"Well, uh," Jack bumbled a bit, then recovered, "this one isn't broken!" Danny just rolled his eyes. "And, it tells you the classification of the ecto-scum." At that last remark, Danny and Val's interest were piqued.

"Uh, what do you mean, classification?" asked Danny, hesitantly.

At this, Maddie stepped in. "Every ghost has a unique ectosignature. Sort of a cross between a fingerprint and a pheromone that every ecto-based creature exudes."

"That's why this new invention is so great!" Added Jack. "It can pick up a ghost's ectosignature and tell us the threat level of the ghost. With enough data, it'll even be able to tell us which particular ghosts are around!"

"Hehe, yeah, great. So mom, dad, eh, there's something I've been meaning to tell you…"

"Now, let's start this baby up!" Jack yelled as he slammed his fist onto a large red button on the device. "Boo Yah!"

The device began to whir and blink, causing all four teens to cautiously step away. Valerie glanced at Danny, who'd gone pale, then back at the whirring, blinking machine as it began to speak in a robotic voice.

Scanning…

Scanning…

Two ectosignatures detected...

Classification: Ghost. Level: Seven…

Classification: Unknown. Level: Unknown…

"GHOSTS!" Shouted Jack and Maddie simultaneously as they ran towards a stack of weapons in the back of the room. "Kids, quick, grab some weapons, there's a couple of spooks in the house!" added Jack. No duh, thought Valerie. How Danny's secret had survived so long amidst all his parents ghost equipment was beyond her.

"Uh, Mr. Fenton, I don't see anything," said Tucker, hoping to diffuse the situation.

"Yeah, I think the device must be broken. No ghosts here that I can tell," added Sam.

"Nonsense, they're probably invisible, biding their time. C'mon ghosty, face me like a man, er, ghost, er whatever. Show yourself!" Jack spun around, pointing his Fenton bazooka at various corners of the room.

Good thing Danielle is still in the bathroom upstairs, thought Valerie. Danny's parents are even more trigger happy than me, and that's saying something.

Maddie lowered her weapon. "Jack, the kids might be right. I'm not seeing anything. Maybe we need to look at the blueprints again." Maddie began tucking away the ecto-pistol she had grabbed earlier.

Taking a deep breath, Danny squared his shoulders, "Actually, mom, dad, it's not…"

Scanning…

Third ectosignature detected...

Everyone turned as the Ecto Exposer that had been discarded during the earlier chaos suddenly hummed to life again.

Classification: Ghost. Level: Six.

"Uh oh."

"Ah, if it isn't the whelp and his helpers." The group turned at the sound of the voice to see none other than Skulker lurking at the entrance of the ghost portal. Scanning the room, the ghost frowned. "Hmm, it seems my prey is missing." Before anyone could react, Skulker drew a very large gun and aimed it at Danny. Valerie gasped, a noise duplicated by the elder Fentons.

"Where's the whelpette, child?"

A/N: Dun Dun Dun. Did anyone see that coming?! Skulker's back and he's still after Dani! Will Skulker be defeated once again? Will Danny ever get a chance to tell his parents who he is? WIll we get answers about Dani? Will Tucker ever upgrade from a PDA to a smartphone? Stay tuned!