Jeez, how long has it been since I updated? I lost track. Blame school, not me!

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Jake glared at the window, where snow was steadily falling down. "This is so unfair," he whispered to Tori, who was sitting next to him. "Because of that idiot Vortex, our summer's going to be ruined."

"Like we'll let that happen. The next chance we get, I'll fly in with you and we'll both kick his butt." Jake smiled at his friend's assurance, but it didn't last long. Tori had placed a hand on his shoulder and was shocked in turn. "Ow!" She held her hand. "I forgot you were still the king of static electricity. When do you think that'll wear off?"

Jake looked glum. "Days, maybe. I'm not supposed to touch anyone until then. Especially not in human form."

Tori looked sympathetic. She might have said something encouraging, but a strong gust of wind blew, bringing more snow with it and taking out the window.

"Redwood, everyone get out!" Mr. Taylors yelled. No one needed to be told twice. Every occupant rushed into the halls, meeting with students from other classes that had their windows blown out.

"Attention," a voice called over the PA system, "due to the storm, all students and teachers are required to report to the storm cellar. You will wait there for further instruction."

Jake twitched away from people trying to pass him. "Great," he groaned. "Hours on end in a cramped space with tons of other people and a tendency to shock anyone I touch. Just kill me now."

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Everyone huddled down in the storm cellar. Jake leaned against the wall in a corner, far away from anyone else. Mr. Taylors used an amplifier to speak above the crowd. "Alright everyone, you have been ordered to stay down here until the storm stops. No one leaves the cellar. Until then, try to behave yourselves. We are doing the best we can." Whispers started up the moment he stopped.

Jake sighed, tilting his head down. Matt and Tori were standing a few feet away, unwilling to touch him. Jake looked up at them, giving a sad smile. "Go ahead guys, join the rest of the group. It's too cold for you over here."

"Sorry, you aren't getting rid of us that easily," Matt responded humorously. However, at that moment, he shivered, giving himself away. Tori looked at her freezing friend before glancing back at the half-ghost.

"We're not letting you freeze alone," she stated.

Another dim smile. "I'll be fine. Half-ghost, remember? I don't get cold as easily anymore. Now go."

She looked sad as she grabbed Matt's arm and dragged him toward the crowd. Just because Jake was right, didn't mean they had to like it. And they certainly didn't.

"Jake?" Abby asked, noticing how her brother was staying away from everyone else. She walked over, but kept at enough of a distance that she didn't get shocked. "Aren't you freezing?"

"Not really."

"You always did like the cold," she muttered to herself. Then, talking to her twin again, she asked, "Why aren't you at least with Matt and Tori?"

He shrugged. "I…like it better over here."

She approached with her hand out, held near his forehead. "Are you sure you're okay?"

He winced away before she could touch him. "Yeah, fine. Just go back to your friends."

She looked confused and concerned, but did what he said. The boy's muscles relaxed. "That was a close one." He looked down at one hand and watched as a spark jumped from one finger to the next. "I'll have to be more careful."

Over in another corner, Abby and her friends were in their own little meeting.

"I can't believe it!" D.J. cried. "The party's totally off now!"

"Which, considering there's an evil weather ghost running rampant, is really our first concern," Abby snapped. It took a moment for her demeanor to soften. "It is a bummer though."

"Hey, you never know," Tiffany cut in optimistically. "Maybe he'll come back and you'll beat him and change everything back to normal before school's out." The other three teens gave her a sour look. Her cheeriness failed. "Alright, we're doomed."

Erik leaned against a wall and sighed, looking especially downcast.

"What's wrong with him?" Abby asked. "I've never seen him look so disappointed.

"Probably sad because now he doesn't get to dance with…" D.J. started before Tiffany jabbed him with her elbow. "Ow!"

"You know," the red-head restarted. "He put so much work into helping D.J. set up, it must be a major let-down to see all of the hard work to go to waste. Right, D.J.?" She glared at the tan boy near the end.

"Huh? Oh, yeah," shakily agreed the teen.

Abby looked confused at her friends' strange behavior. "O…kay. Anyway, I can't wait for Vortex to come back just so I can give him the beating of his afterlife."

Erik smiled, straightening up at the subject change. "That might be fun to watch."

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Danny Phantom landed in front of the school, snow covering his shoulders and hair. The building looked worn and beaten what with the destroyed windows and missing chunks. He shook his head. "I guess it's time to get Abby. I don't think Amity Park can take much more of this." The man phased through the 

building. Moments later, he melted through the ceiling and landed in the storm cellar. His appearance caught the room's attention.

"Dad?" Abby blurted, running up to her father. "What's up?"

"We're going to go after Vortex," he replied flatly.

"We are?" she questioned. "But you told me to never chase ghosts above level 8!"

"I think you're old enough to handle it. Besides, Amity Park's all but in ruins and I'll be with you the whole time."

"Okay," she agreed firmly, transforming into her ghost form. She turned quickly to her friends. "See ya later, guys!" The girl followed her Dad up and through the ceiling.

Jake watched for a minute. He looked around the room. It was square. "Darn, no place to go ghost." The words had barely left his mouth when Matt and Tori walked up. The girl was smirking with arms crossed.

"Wanna follow them?"

"Forget it," he said sharply. "There's no way I'm going to let you go after Vortex."

"Oh, but it's okay for you?" she chided.

"I don't use a jet sled that could easily be knocked out from under me with the right amount of force."

She scowled.

"He does have a point," Matt agreed. His female friend sent him a sharp glare. A nervous expression took over as he cringed away. "Um, I mean; how about neither of you go?" That ceased Tori's glare.

"Sorry, guys," Jake apologized, "but I can't just wait here when my family could be getting hurt. And I won't put you at risk by dragging you into this."

"Your Dad's strong enough to beat Vortex," Tori argued. "And with Abby, they can't lose."

"I know," Jake snapped. "It doesn't mean I still don't worry."

The girl's face softened as she finally gave in. "Fine, just be quick." The boy gave her a little smile and nodded. He ducked down behind his two friends and disappeared a moment later.

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Um, I don't really have much to say. The situation with my infrequent updating is pretty much the same. Sorry. I'm trying, though. I guess I just don't have my heart and soul in it right now, either, so it's not as much fun to write.