Thank you so much for all the reviews, favorites and follows! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, because this is just the tip of the iceberg of Danny and Tadashi- the start of the storm so to say.
~CWA
CHAPTER THREE
Danny Fenton
I'm practically thrilled to get to work at the lab. The fact that I got to the lab before even Wasabi (whose made it clear he sets his alarm to go off at five in the morning to get ready) speaks volumes of how excited I am. I'm shaking as I enter the lab, my arms full of bundles of blueprints, electronics and notebooks. Everything I need for my lab and experiments. Of course it helps that since I wasn't able to get to sleep last night, I called up Callaghan and he was able to bring me some more needed metal pieces. I can see said pieces laid up against the wall back in the area in my little space.
Man. The lab seems so empty without anyone here. Just… empty. Open. It's hard to believe that in a few hours this place will start filling up with people as they try their best to create their inventions of science. Shaking my head slightly, I don't waste any more time as I head straight toward my section of the lab. I set all the things I'm carrying and set them on the table. It seems like everything is here. Blueprints for the portal and other side inventions that won't take priority but are still needed. Tools. Notebooks. Stray metal. A small case that has vials of pure ectoplasm as well as other chemical components that will be needed for the various experiments and projects. A small case made of reinforced glass that holds the Blood Blossoms seeds. I make a note to get to work on a safe greenhouse for them. Though I wear my HAZMAT suit under my clothes for safety reasons- not just for the Blood Blossoms either.
The large slabs of metal laying against the wall would normally require some sort of equipment to even move from their sheer weight, but with my ghostly strength I don't have any doubts that I can move them easily. Not to mention that if I concentrate my blasts, I will be able to wield the meld to form the shape of the portal. 'Course I do have the tools to wield metal for whenever the others are here in order to avoid suspicion.
Taking off my leather jacket and shirt, the pitch black HAZMAT suit is revealed as I get ready to work. Thankfully I was at least able to get that DP symbol off of it so no one sees it and makes any connections. I wear the gloves as well and instead of my regular shoes, I wear the boots to complete the outfit. But there's no way in hell I'm taking off my pants. It's officially my second day and I do not want to be made fun of so early in my time year for wearing the skin-tight-full-body-'spandex.'
Putting my palm against the wall, I send a small jolt of electricity to the cameras, taking them all out for now so I don't have to worry about getting caught on camera. With that taken care of, I get a devious smirk on my face as I start to work on putting the portal's shape up first. It will take the most time to do so I may as well get it done now. The ectoplasm blast forms easily in one hand as I use the other to hold the metal in place. I'm thinking of doing the classic hexagon shape like my parents did before me. Though I'm not going to put the whole Fenton Ghost Portal sign on it. That'd just open a whole can of worms for teasing. Not that bullies really bother me, but I have a feeling that Wasabi and his friends would tease me mercilessly.
I only left for five minutes. Ten minutes top. Just before everyone got to the lab, I had left to get breakfast. I shouldn't have been gone long, but yet by the time I get back, I can see everyone whispering and pointing to the 'strange metal contraption' in 'that new kid's lab.' It does look a bit strange I guess. I got 1/3 of the hexagon finished and the other pieces are either shaped and laying on the floor or laying against the wall untouched. Not to mention all of the other scraps of medal that are scattered in my area on and on my table.
Wasabi, Honey Lemon, GoGo, Fred, and Tadashi are the only ones brave enough to at least observe it from across the yellow-black stripped line surrounding my area. After all, for all they know, it couldn't be safe to enter the area. They mutter to themselves and I catch small snips of stuff like what's he up to? Do you know anything about this? Just what is this supposed to be? Whatever Tadashi said earned him a few gentle hits on the shoulder from Wasabi as the whispering gets more and more frantic. It's almost comical. Tadashi, Honey Lemon, and Wasabi seem skeptical of whatever it is I'm doing and I can see their skeptic looks from here. Gogo seems vaguely interested, but it's Fred whose screaming to himself as he bounces up and down in excitement, going on and on about 'an obvious portal'.
Finishing off the last bit of my breakfast, I walk calmly up behind them still sipping at the coffee in my hands. Not even Gogo notices that I'm standing just inches behind them, peering over their shoulders mockingly as I look them all over,
"Whatcha all looking at?"
My words startle them all. Wasabi lets out a slightly girly screech as he retreats backwards, Tadashi jumps but remains calm for the most part, but Fred is clutching to Honey Lemon with his life. His eyes are wide as he points a finger at me accusingly, though I can see the excitement still sparkling in his eyes,
"Casper! That's it! That's your new nickname! Because you are a freaking ghost man. How else would we not hear you?"
I quirk an eyebrow in amusement, but don't disagree with him even if it means everyone is going to be calling me Casper from now on. Anything is better than Invsio-Bill. I swear that name will haunt me. Pft. Haunt me. Haha. I snort slightly and just shake my head, walking past them and into my little lab causing them to share slightly confused looks as they eye my 'new' outfit. After all, it's not exactly something you see everyday- something that Dad and Mom used to go on rants about since it's 'practical' and 'fashionable.'
Now that I think about it, if I'm going to be spending a lot of time here in the lab working on this, that means wearing the HAZMAT almost on a daily basis. That's almost 24/7. Oh God. I'm becoming my parents. I'm wearing the HAZMAT, working on a Ghost Portal, and… I feel old. Next thing I know I'm going to be going on rants about fudge.
"What's with the spandex," GoGo asks bluntly, popping her bubble gum.
I set down my coffee and open up the case containing some of the glowing vials of pure ectoplasm. I hold up one such vial up and lightly tap its side,
"It's not spandex. It's a HAZMAT suit. Lots of this stuff, such as this, is toxic and dangerous to be exposed to direct skin. Could cause all sorts of things- mutations, diseases, etc."
Just to freak them out, I act as if I'm going to drop the vial, causing Wasabi to scream again as Tadashi looks at me with wide eyes. But as soon as they realize that I'm joking, all of their eyes are narrowed at me (aside from Fred whose laughing his ass off). I laugh a bit myself and just give them a goofy grin as I put the vial back in its place,
"Relax. Yes the stuff is dangerous, but I'm not stupid. And I see that look on your face Fred, you are not going to touch any of these, got it?"
Fred grumbles under his breath a bit with his arms crossed, clearly not pleased that I won't let him touch the dangerous vials. Which can be very dangerous if used wrongly. I glance toward the others briefly. Wasabi is still confused. Honey Lemon is eying the vials and I can see the gears in her head turning as she mentally tries to guess what they are. GoGo looks a bit more uninterested, but curious. Tadashi's eyes are still pretty narrowed and his arms are crossed in a way that reminds me of Jazz and her 'stern talks.' I bet he's an older sibling. Only older siblings, especially protective ones, can pull off that just what are you doing you dumbass look like that. It's almost as bad as the I'm disappointed in you look that only a parent/parent figure can pull.
I roll my eyes at him, not very concerned at what he's thinking as I turn my attention to my lab. Sadly, they apparently aren't done with their 'interrogation.' Which sucks. Not that I don't mind the occasional question, but really, if they get me started on what I'm doing, I'm never going to shut up and I'm just going to be rambling about ghosts for the rest of the day when I really just want to work on this portal. Guess I get the whole ghost rant thing from Dad.
"So just what requires you to use all of that dangerous chemicals," Tadashi asks, a bit too condescendingly in tone for me to really think he's genuinely curious, "Because I don't really think we're allowed to use such chemicals. It's pretty dangerous. Not just for you, but for everyone in the lab."
I turn on my heels, clicking my tongue slightly as I wave my finger at him,
"Ah-ha, but such things are perfectly legal and allowed because Callaghan himself said I can use this stuff. Apparently, my thesis and papers on dimensional theory alone were enough for him to want me to do anything it takes to succeed in making a portal to a different dimension. The ghost dimension actually. I call it the Zone, but most just say Ghost Zone or maybe even Limbo."
I gesture a bit with an ehhh motion, a bit unsure of what word to use to refer to the Ghost Zone. But it's clear that any of those words would have grabbed their attention. Now they're all staring at me. The whole lab is. Not just Wasabi and the gang. Every. Single. Person. All their eyes are focused on me, blinking in uncertainty as if no one is sure that they really heard what just came from my mouth. I flush a bit, not really enjoying being the center of attention, and it's pretty clear a majority of them are laughing at me. I take a hesitant step back, my fists clenching and clenching at my sides as I try to control my breathing. A bit of me is a bit angered that they laugh at me, mock me, but another part of me knows that anger won't really solve anything.
Though Fred's expression calms me down a bit. The guy's down right hilarious as he stares at me with so much adoration as he shakes in excitement. I can practically see the stars in his eyes as he tries his best to contain himself. He's a time bomb though. And a ticking one at that. I give him about ten minutes before he explodes with everything he's clearly dying to say. Though I have a feeling I just made his day. Possibly his year.
"I… Guess it's possible," Honey Lemon finally speaks up, her voice a bit strained as she tries her best to keep positive, "I don't personally believe in them, but I guess it's possible… Right?"
Well. At least one person, aside from Fred who is still staring at me all star-eyed in adoration, is on my side. I guess that counts for something. GoGo doesn't seem as convinced as she just rolls her eyes, popping her bubble gum.
"Sure," GoGo scoffs, "I guess. Doesn't really matter to me either way."
I… I really shouldn't be surprised that GoGo is pretty indifferent about the whole thing. Though Wasabi is the one who seems geninuely freaked out as he waves his hands around, frantically putting his hands together in a time out gesture,
"Whoa-whoa, hang on. Time out! Ghosts," Wasabi questions, his voice wavering, "As in undead ghosts? As in haunting/demonic/possession-type ghosts? And you're trying to make a portal to go to this…. Other world?"
His voice is cracking a bit and he's shaking a bit to himself, clearing frightened by the idea of ghosts and my face softens in sympathy. Putting my hand on his shoulder, I try my best to make him feel better. I mean, it's pretty clear Wasabi is easily shaken up. I'd hate to scare off my roommate just like a day or two after meeting him.
"If it makes you feel better, not all ghosts are bad," I try to reassure him, "I mean, my parents were ghost hunters so I actually had a lot of run in with ghosts. Are there bad ones? Yes. But not all of them. Most just want some company or friends, promise."
He still looks a bit shaken up and he doesn't really believe all of my words, but either way, what I say does comfort him a bit as he just mutters to himself and shakes his head. Thankfully Honey Lemon helps Wasabi calm down a bit away from us, whispering to him frantically and even I can't hear what they're saying.
"Don't worry Wasabi," Tadashi finally speaks up, his eyes firmly on me, "Ghosts don't exist. There's no scientific proof to prove them."
Oh. Oh boy. He does not want to go there. He really does not want to open that can of worms. There is no holding me back now because if there is one thing in this world I am passionate about, aside from my daughter, it is this. Ghosts. Ghost hunting. And debates like this are things I've grown up with- after all until the portal worked, Mom and Dad were always arguing with the neighbors and other scientists about it. I have prepared myself for debates like this. Maybe it's the gleam in my eyes or the way I stand up straight up with my arms crossed, but either way, GoGo and Honey Lemon seem to know that something is about to go down as they share slightly oh boy looks before backing away a bit with Wasabi. Honey Lemon has to drag Fred away out of the battle zone.
I can practically hear the announcer's voice scream TONIGHT ON SMACK DOWN as I stare down Tadashi. My eyes are narrowed into thin slits. It's so easy for him to look down on me since I took after Mom's more petite size (Jazz, however, took after Dad's towering height). But I know for a fact that I seem a lot bigger than I am as I stare him down, never wavering.
"Alright Tadashi," my voice is steel, "I'll bite. My whole town was haunted and I grew up with ghosts and ghost weaponry. Hell, I'm not just making this portal but also some anti-ghost weapons myself. But why are you so against them?"
I don't stand down. I don't waver. Instead I watch as he falters slightly before letting out a slightly frustrated groan,
"Because there's no proof. Scientifically, there is no reason for ghosts to exist."
I click my tongue a bit. Suddenly, he's not as cute as before. Granted, he's still pretty cute, but he's not that cute. Actually he seems more like an ass now.
"I disagree. As a scientist, it's our job to pursue that which has not been pursued before. After all, what good are we if we already accept all there without questioning anything? And technically speaking, there's plenty of evidence to back up the belief of ghosts- Duncan MacDougall even 'weighed' souls. By weighing a body just before death and right after death, he found that each person lost roughly 21 grams when they died. For people to lose that, that means something had to have been lost right? Which suggests that that weight is a soul leaving a body. If that was back in, roughly, the early 1900s, imagine what we can find out now if we only go after it. I mean, we have hover boards, nanobots, and so much more. Why is ghosts such a stretch from that?"
The passion leaks in my voice, but my tone is simply factual and not pleading. It's not my job to convince him of ghosts- though being as pissed as I am, I'm likely to haunt him myself. But I will not let someone just knock me down or mock me. I will stand my ground. Just like my parents did before me, I will defend my belief to the very end.
"That could be anything though," Tadashi argues, "I mean, what's to say that's not just gas leaving the body instead of a soul? Why does it have to be a soul?"
My argument cannot be tossed away that easily. That's just the tip of the iceberg. I stand a bit straighter, grinding my teeth ever so slightly.
"If energy cannot be created nor destroyed, then what happens to us when we die? Our souls are energy, are they not? So what happens? Acknowledging that they ascend or descend also acknowledges the possibility that they don't go anywhere, that they live in our realm. Or rather they live in a realm parallel to our own- after all, energy can be transferred and if there's such a lack of activity in our realm then they must go somewhere else."
Tadashi lets out another frustrated sigh and our oral argument continues. Our comments go back and forth, some in calmer tones, but with others our voices are raised. There's practically sparks of hatred forming between us. Either way, I can feel my anger raising steadily in a way that I'm sure my eyes are faintly glowing an eerie green by now. Though every is too focused on the argument to notice. But thankfully, before our 'discussion' can continue, Wasabi steps in to try to calm us down,
"Tadashi, man, chill down on the new guy. Danny, you've made your point so just back down."
He stands between us, his hands raised to keep Tadashi and I apart. Funny. Until now I didn't notice we had even stepped closer and closer, practically inches away from each other. For a moment, we just continue to stare each other down, neither of us wavering as my fists clench at my sides. Eventually, Tadashi is the first to move away with a small huff, turning away from me to head back to his own area which cause the others to sigh in relief that we aren't going to start a fist fight.
But even with his back to me, my eyes are still glaring daggers in his back. Because now Tadashi is officially my first 'enemy' here at the college. At least it's not long until everyone seems to forget the little spat and return to their own work. Well. Everyone that is except Fred. He's still lingering around me with an excited expression, clasping his hands together,
"Ghost weapons make Freddy very happy," he cheers, "Please let me help you! This is just so cool! Actual ghost weapons! Actual ghosts! It's like you're a superhero!"
I back away a bit from him, slightly unnerved. He's getting a bit too close to the truth for my liking and he's not even trying to find out my secret superhero identity. Yet. But here is right on track. I glance toward Wasabi and Honey Lemon as if they can help me, but they just shrug and mouth that it's my problem now.
Great.
First Tadashi- my first enemy on campus- and now my first fan. Not just any fan, which would have been 'fine', but a fanboy.
Just freaking fantastic.
That night, I end up using skype to call up Jazz and Ellie like I have before. Though Ellie isn't on at first because apparently she's playing with another ghost and Cujo so it just leaves Jazz and I to talk a bit in private before Wasabi gets back. I'm sure he'll be coming into the room any time now that diner in the cafeteria is finishing up.
"I'm tell you Jazz," I continue my story about the day, "He is just so insufferable! I mean, I used to think he was a pretty decent looking guy but then he opened his mouth and it just poof- nothing. I swear I'm going to haunt his ass myself."
Jazz rolls her eyes,
"Danny, you can't just use your powers to get someone to agree with you….. Pretty decent looking, huh?"
She gives me a sly smile. A type only a sister can give. I flush a bit and huff, crossing my arms over my chest. I know what she's thinking and it's nothing like that. It's just my second day here. I can't already have a crush on someone. Nevertheless some asshat by the name Tadashi.
"It's not like that Jazz," I stick my tongue out at her, "But if you don't mind, I would love to talk to my beautiful daughter before the night's done so..."
I trail off, but she just huffs, giving me a quick we'll talk about this later, you're not getting out of this conversation so easily before she gets up to leave. As she's gone getting Ellie, I notice Wasabi walk in. At the sight of me in the bed with the headphones and my phone up, he quirks an eyebrow causing me to mouth skype call. He nods a bit,
"Ah. Sorry. I'll be quiet then."
"Pft, it's fine," I wave off any of his concern, "No one's there right now because she left to get someone for me. But- Oh wait, they're back. Talk later, Wasabi."
He barely even manages to get out an okay before my attention is solemnly on the screen in front of me. God Ellie is just so cute. Has she gotten cuter since last night? I instantly brighten up at the sight of her, giving a chipper hey babygirl. Ellie is over the moon that I'm calling. I eagerly wave at her and coo a bit, causing her to giggle as she starts to eagerly babble about her day. Apparently Box Lunch and her are friends now- which is good, I guess, considering Box Ghost made me Box Lunch's Godfather. As to why he did that, I'm still not sure. Especially since we've never been necessarily close. But he was my ally in the war against Vlad so I suppose that can make anyone closer. As surprising as it is, Box Ghost is actually a pretty good fighter now that he's buffed out. Even if the eerie similarities between him and the him I saw when I fought Dan all those years are still throwing me for a loop.
I see Wasabi give me a small who are you talking to look as he glances over in my direction from his side of the room. Thankfully with the headphones on to keep the conversation only one sided on my part, it's a bit more private. I just wave him off, giving him a small maybe later before turning back to my daughter. I'm sure that my happy attitude is throwing Wasabi off considering how angry I was earlier today (or maybe it's just because I said hey babygirl to whomever I'm talking to which no doubt got his attention).
To be honest, I'm still not over that. It's not that Tadashi just disagrees with me, I can live with that. But the fact that he had a sort of mocking, laughing tone a bit rubbed me the wrong way. Not to mention that he didn't even consider my side of the argument. At least I acknowledged some of his points and countered them. In the end, his argument was a bit one sided and bias, even if it was clear that most of the people in the lab (with the exception of Fred) seemed to think he had good point.
But all my anger is gone since I'm talking to my girl.
"Goodnight," I finally speak up as she finishes up her little tale, "Love you, Princess."
"Night Daddy!"
She giggles a bit before the skype call comes to an end. I can't help but smile a bit myself. Seeing her does at least make me feel better about today. I'm smiling a bit goofy as I take off my headphones and set my phone down beside me. I feel a bit giddy now after seeing my daughter. Knowing that she's doing okay and having a good time with Jazz is just always amazing.
"So...Who was that," Wasabi speaks up, his voice laced with confusion and a bit of speculation.
Glancing at him, I see a thoughtful, musing look on his face causing me to laugh a bit as I just grin at him,
"Well, obviously it was the love of my life."
I could have said it was a girlfriend (which is a huge lie). I could have even told him the truth and face whatever consequences that would have. But saying it was the love of my life isn't really a lie….. And personally, it's just fun making his head spin.
