Warning: This story contains adult content, violence, language and mpreg. Please be advised.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.
Chapter Three: Down
Before I left town, I decided to stop by Vlad's mansion. I knew he wouldn't be there. I just wanted to visit his home one last time. I phased into his living room but to my surprise, everything was just as it was. The lights were out but nothing was missing. What did he take with him? I floated above the floor, just in case there was a security system. Even if there was a scanner in the area, my ghost body doesn't have any mass to it. Only if I focus on touching something will I make some kind of impact.
I floated upstairs, phasing through the ceiling of the main floor. The house looked still lived in and I couldn't tell anything had been removed. I floated into his and Blue's bedroom, looking around. Everything was still in its place. What is going on?
I flew to Vlad's office and phased my hand in his desk. I pulled out Vlad's contact book, opening it up and flipping through. I could not remember Vlad's lawyer's name but I knew it would be in this book. Finally, the name Oscar Yeager popped out at me. He was stationed in Madison, Wisconsin. Finally, on the end of his name, I noticed the letters "Esq" following his name. He's a lawyer.
I grabbed a pen and piece of paper, writing down his number. I phased the book back in the desk and flew out of Vlad's mansion. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed the number Vlad listed as the lawyer's. It rang three times before he answered.
"Hello, my name is Danny Fenton. Is one of your client's named Vlad Masters," I asked after his greeting.
"Daniel Fenton from Amity Park, Illinois," he asked, a slight accent in his voice.
"Yes," I said, furrowing my brows together. Well, it's not that unusual. Vlad introduced me to everyone, even if I wasn't there for the introduction. Froot Loop.
"Mr. Fenton," he said slowly, his accent drawn out in a proper fashion. "Mr. Masters has completed his work with me but I do have some business with you. I have tried to get in touch with you but your mother told me you were out of town. May I schedule an appointment with you? I may come to you."
"You're in Wisconsin, right," I asked like I didn't already know. "Madison?"
"Yes, sir," the lawyer replied. That deep draw of his was driving me nuts. I wished he'd talk like normal.
"I'm in town," I lied. "Can you tell me how to find you?"
"Of course, sir," he drawled out. I rolled my eyes. He gave me directions to his law office and I wrote them down on the piece of paper I stole.
(04)
"Mr. Fenton, Oscar will see you now," the receptionist informed me. I stood up and allowed myself into the office. The walls were painted a dark blue and many expensive accents decorated the room. A large hickory desk sat towards the back, a large window looking over the skyline. The capital was a few blocks away and we were on a small strip of land between two large bodies of water. Strangely, I have never been in the city. Vlad's old mansion was on the outskirts of the town, practically in the country. The city wasn't that large… not for my expectations, at least.
"Mr. Fenton, thank you for stopping by," announced the man behind the desk. He was an old man. His skin was wrinkled and age spots covered his face. He wore an expensive suit and had on a wrist watch that I thought for sure would break his weak and feeble wrist. His hair was short, gray in color. He wasn't wearing glasses, though. Either he's wearing contact or he can't see shit.
"My pleasure," I said, taking a seat from across his desk. "What is this about, though? Where is Vlad?"
"Mr. Masters called on me August fourteenth and that was the last time I saw him. Mr. Masters has dissolved the ties to his assets and now you are the proprietor, Mr. Fenton."
"I'm sorry," I said, my eyes wide. "What did you say?"
"Mr. Masters has left you his empire, sir," the lawyer replied. Everything in my body went numb. "You are now the owner of Vlad, Co. and the company DALV."
"There must be some kind of mistake," I said, my voice rising. "What about Vlad? What is he doing?"
"There is no mistake, Mr. Fenton. Mr. Masters has left everything in your name. I was there when he signed the affidavit and he was of sound body and mind. Mr. Masters has turned everything in his account over to you, sir, for you to do what you will."
"Who has been taking care of his company," I screeched. My head was spinning. Vlad walked away from his company—leaving it to me, the big dope—and no one has been around to take care of his company.
"No one, sir," Oscar replied. "I've been trying to get a hold of you."
"He didn't leave anyone in charge," I said, holding my head. I slouched over in the chair, resting my elbow on the leather armchair. This was a mess. Vlad has thousands of employees. His stocks—I mean, if any of them tanked, his company may be broke! It's been a month and a half since I was named his-his successor (what the hell was he thinking?) and no one was there to take care of the company.
"What do I need to do," I asked, swallowing. Vlad left this to me. This is our children's future. I have to take care of this and that means I have to get my head in the game.
"Go through this paperwork, sir, and then it's out of my hands. You will need to get with the company, though. I can help you reach the corporate bosses."
"Are you DALV's lawyer," I asked.
"Yes, sir," he nodded. "I was the only lawyer Mr. Master's dealt with."
"I'll keep you on the payroll," I nodded. "I need someone who has dealt with Vlad before."
"Of course," he nodded. What am I going to do? I don't know the first thing about running a company. I know how to run a ghost hunting organization but I do not know how to deal with lawyers or shareholders or any of that. Why on Earth would Vlad leave this in my name? His employees deserve better than what I can give them!
I sighed. I didn't know how to be a ghost in the beginning either. I figured it out, though. I have to look at this differently. When I first began protecting my town, I viewed this like I was a hero. That wasn't the way, though. I have to put the people first—not the job. Instead of being a hero, I wanted to save lives. Well, now I don't want to make money. I want to improve lives and invest in the future. If I wanted to make money, it'd be the same as when I was using my powers for myself. I wasn't my best until I put others above myself.
I have to do this. Vlad entrusted his company to me and I have to do my best. No matter what it takes; whether I wanted it or not is irreverent. Vlad left this to me, it's mine, and I have to take care of it. It's my responsibility because it will one day go to my girls.
I started the paperwork. I won't be starting my investigation until later. I have people to take care of.
(04)
The next few days were hectic. I met with the shareholders, the corporates and then with all the employees. The shareholders weren't that upset—the stocks stayed level and no one lost any money, thank God. The corporates were really upset. They couldn't even go into DALV and Vlad just abandoned them without a word's notice. A few walked out on me but after promising a big bonus and a raise, most stayed onboard. The employees were dealt with in person. I met them grouped together, most already employed with someone else. I offered their jobs back with a bonus, a pay increase and better benefits. Many came back just because I offered their jobs back, but a small minority changed their minds with my offers. An even smaller minority walked away, some citing my age and others disappointed in the way they were treated. I promised them that they'd get their paychecks and bonuses for the inconvenience.
Then came the lawsuits. I met with many lawyers and many labor unions, trying to sort through so much. It was one big headache. I was in the news and the spotlight for nearly a week before I could finally leave. I made sure my employees were set up and ready to do their jobs before I left. I bought a second cell phone just for DALV and I had a video conference room set up to meet with the team whenever they needed me. The corporates weren't happy that I was leaving again but I promised them that it would be like I wasn't even leaving.
I collapsed on my couch once the tent was pitched. I was so aggravated with Vlad that I could bite his head off if I ever saw him again. Gauis sat down beside of me, handing me a beer. The party doesn't hide in the shadows anymore. There's no reason to. If someone gets this close to us and I've not invited them in, we're all fighting. They only went invisible so that anyone targeting my girls wouldn't know about them.
"Thanks," I sighed, popping the top off. I took a drink, exhaling as I felt the buzz run through me. It never lasts long and it's certainly not equal to the buzz it gives a human, but I love that feeling. Even my party gets that feeling.
"You did well, sir," Gauis replied.
"Thanks," I sighed. I took another drink from the longneck. "I felt bad. They depended on that paycheck and they couldn't even get paid for the hours they worked. How could Vlad just walk away like that? I know he was desperate but doesn't doing the right thing mean anything to him?"
"Plasmius is who he is, sire. Plasmius will always be selfish and self-centered. To expect anything else from him is expecting too much. Be satisfied with the progress you made, my king. Plasmius will never kill again."
"Thank you," I smiled. I put the bottle to my lips but didn't drink. I just couldn't get over it. I thought Vlad respected humans now. He regretted hurting Danielle. It pained him to know he hurt Blue. He'd been working hard to keep the Division up to date and helping ease the takeover. Vlad always enforced the road closures when I issued them. For crying out loud, when Vortex got too out of hand, he regretted it! How could he just walk away without knowing his people were taken care of? Was getting Blue back that important to him? I love Sam but I would never put her above a life. There's only two people I would put above anyone else and that's my children. If I thought for even a minute their needs wouldn't be met by Sam, I wouldn't be doing this.
How could Vlad say he values people but abandon them for something as trivial as a relationship? Vlad hasn't changed at all, has he? He's stopped killing and he's stopped raping but he's still self-centered and he will never view humans as anything more than a nuance. There's two things I overlooked in my earlier observation. One, Vlad felt bad about hurting a fellow halfa. Two, Vlad was doing everything else for me. Vlad regretted hurting Dani and Blue because they're halfas. To Vlad, halfa's are the superior race. Vlad didn't want to hurt anyone and worked so hard to keep things calm because that's what I wanted. Vlad has always held me above everything except for our children. It's what kept Sam alive. He never wanted to hurt us and Sam and Tucker aren't halfas yet to Vlad.
I removed the bottle from my lips and set it back on the table. I lifted my right leg and hugged it to my chest as the thoughts ran through my head. What did this mean for Blue and Vlad? Vlad isn't the man I imagined. He isn't like me. He's not even a diluted version of me. I have seen Vlad as having my values but it's not true. The worst part: Vlad never pretended to be this version of himself. He's always told me he'd go better, not good. I never got the meaning of that. I heard Vlad saying his definition of good (saving people), renouncing that lifestyle for himself and thought Vlad was making a point. He was making a point but I missed it. Vlad never wanted to be moral; he just wanted to improve the way he lived his life.
So it begs the question. If Vlad isn't moral and still does things for selfish reasons, what keeps Blue with him? I would never stand for this. Vlad would have to change or I'd leave. I couldn't stand for someone to put themselves above others. I couldn't stand Sam saying she and the life she lives is more important than the populous. That's what got me in trouble with Mom. She and Dad deemed me more important than that girl. I get why she felt that way (no one would come before my children) but I still can't stand the thought. So how can Blue live knowing Vlad would rather a hundred innocents die instead of Blue? How can Blue stay with a man (or anyone) who would be that selfish?
To get this answer, I have to go back to my basics. Vlad and I were together when I didn't have a clue. I still imagined the worst that could happen was the Ghost King conquering our world. The only thing that comes close to how bad the future we face really is is Dan. I wasn't concerned about that future because I controlled the future. It was in my hands so there was no one else to interfere. I had the choice: to be a man or be a monster. I chose to be a man. Well, that was still before 'I' became Blue. So I had a choice when I chose Vlad instead of my family.
I swallowed hard. I changed who I was. I didn't want to deal with the heartbreak of Lilly's death so I cut it out of my life. Once I made the decision to walk away from protecting innocents, though, I had to change who I was. I couldn't ignore a cry for help so I had to harden my heart. I became selfish. I became Vlad, the improved version. I wouldn't kill, but I wouldn't save either. Blue even said it himself. He didn't call for Vlad to be good, he called for Vlad to go better. To him, he wasn't good anymore. He's not, either. Ignoring a cry for help accounts you for that innocent's murder the same as the one who killed them. How could anyone put their lives above the lives of others? How could someone with my DNA ignore someone crying for help?
"Sire, are you okay," Gauis asked.
I swallowed again, trying to prevent myself from throwing up. "Could you ever do it, Gauis? Could you ever put your life above another?"
"No, sire," Gauis remarked, his voice solid. He knew what I was talking about. "Not everyone is like you and I, though. There are different kinds of people, my king. They are the reason we serve. If everyone was like us, there'd be no reason for anyone to die."
I nodded slowly, agreeing. "I just don't understand Blue, though." I swallowed again. "I don't get how I could turn my back on anyone, no matter what."
"The Duke is justified, sir," Gauis replied. I glanced at him. "He acted as you would in that case. Think back to that time, sire. What did you have during that era? Even Duke Tucker and Duchess Sam weren't your partners. They did not know the real you. You have to realize much has changed since that time. Your team is closer and you have more shoulders to lean on. You turned to the only person you could at that difficult time. Duke Blue is justified."
I nodded, thinking back. Who did I turn to when Dan happened? I hid it from Sam and Tucker and ignored Jazz's pleas to help. I avoided Vlad but once he pushed, I caved. If Vlad hadn't told me Dan came to him, I would have relied on him heavily. Then there was my near miscarriage. I nearly went crazy through that. I knew I was under stress and my relationship with Vlad wasn't healthy so I asked him to go away. I didn't rely on Sam and Tucker. What did I do, though? I made big mistakes.
I put my leg down, grabbing my beer again. I sat, hunched over as I took a drink. As soon as I was on my feet, Ecto-Acne happened. How did I deal with that? I tried to erase Plasmius. Brilliant! The next thing that happened… oh, yeah. Gregor. I handled that so well. That was the end of May so the last thing that happened was Valerie. That's how I went from making Tucker jealous to liking Valerie. I leaned on her. I had cut off my family so I relied on my future sister-in-law. Fine mess that was. And let's not forget the terrific event the Reality Gauntlet was. I didn't fuck that up, did I?
"You're right," I said, shaking my head. I never realized it. I was struggling with my emotions so I kept screwing up. I finally got my shit together when I told Sam and Tucker about Vlad and me two weeks after Freakshow attacked. We worked together to take care of Vlad when he started that crap after he assumed the office of mayor. Sam, Tucker and I worked together to get the Infi-map back and to defeat Vortex. I screwed up when I didn't get their help with Amorpho but as soon as they had my back, it was easy enough. Again, when I was fighting Skulker without Dad, I couldn't even take his head off but once Dad got involved, it was over. I didn't help, though. I was trying not to be swallowed by a beast.
When the GIW bought Fentonworks, I ignored Sam and Tucker's warnings and got in more trouble than I was worth. I paired up with Frostbite and figured out how to defeat Undergrowth. I tried to deal with my pregnancy alone and lost Lilly. Yet again, I went through a life-changing event on my own. Even after I told Sam and Tucker the truth, I didn't share in my heartbreak. Disasteroid. I'm no different than Blue. Instead of giving up, I fought for the wrong reason. I picked the wrong battles. I fought to pretend to be normal. I should have rallied the troops and fought Vlad.
"Marcellus, Serguis, Valentinus, please come here," I spoke softly.
"Sire," Gauis asked, wrinkling his brow.
I pulled myself up, holding my hand out. "I need to talk to you all."
The remaining of my party arrived, bowing. "Sire," they said in unison.
"I think I've learned my lesson," I spoke up, getting in King-mode. He was kin to Radar. "United we stand, divided we fall. I need someone to stand by me. I know you will stand by me. I've stated that you are to hang around the background, nothing more than a last defense. That's going to change. You're not my party anymore. I don't need a party. My girls needed a party. I need a team. Will you accept this responsibility?"
"Of course, sire," Gauis bowed.
Marcellus bowed as well. "We accepted this fact before we left, sire. We would not allow you to stand alone."
"I serve my kingdom. I stand by my friend. I'll die for the king, my friend," Serguis stated, bowing.
Valentinus also went to one knee. "We stand by thee, my king."
"Then stand with me now," I said, raising my right hand. "You're no longer my servants. You will not be my guards. You are my brothers. Brothers don't bow to each other."
A small smile went to Marcellus's lips as he pulled himself up. His rich brown hair swayed as he rectified himself. "You have my full support, sir."
Gauis came to his feet, his stony features unmoved. His electric ocean-blue eyes burned in desire. "I will do as you ask, my lord."
The cockiness that defines Valentinus vanished as he nodded, standing up. "I will accept these duties."
Serguis also stood, tall and proud, giving us a cocky smile. "The enemy will quake at our name as they did in the land of my father."
"There's one thing you must know," I said, looking to each one individually. "I don't rule. I am not going to give out commands. I keep us together but I also expect you to knock me down to size when I'm wrong. I know this will be difficult because I am also your king but I'm asking you not to look at me as your king. If I go too far, can you take control?"
Gauis held his head high. "I will respect you, but I will put the mission first, Danny."
I smiled. "As you wish, my king. You are our leader but our responsibilities come first, Danny."
Serguis and Valentinus followed Gauis and Marcellus's lead, each one calling me Danny as they accepted the conditions. I have faith that they will put lives above my sovereignty.
(04)
The south was quieter than the north. It was a good sign. The north was heavily populated; more opportunities for feeding. The south had many small towns, which they liked to frequent, but they were spaced far apart. It appears that the ghosts liked having the close-knit communities opposed to the small far-spaced towns. I found six ghosts in two weeks and it was looking good.
I finished packing up the last of our belongings before we shipped out as I heard the dong of my email account. I still had my laptop set up on the floor with the wifi working. I put the book bag down and walked over to the laptop, holding it in one hand. I accessed my email with my second hand.
To whom it may concern,
Your ad said you addressed "weird and unexplainable occurrences" and you said you dealt with things big and small. I live in Stark, Arizona but I have family on both sides of the border. People have been disappearing. Others have reported escaping barely with their lives. A few have died. Please, I beg of you, look into this location. I have talked to others you have helped. You never make an appearance but the trouble always goes away. We have small children in this town. I don't want the next person to be a child.
Sincerely,
Ernesto Martinez
I was near that location, I realized as I looked up Stark, Arizona. One last job.
I pulled out my GPS and searched my location. I knew I was along the Mexico border but I couldn't tell if I was already in Arizona or if I was in New Mexico. There's no road signs in the air, after all. Animas, New Mexico. Okay, I'm heading west. I typed in Stark, Arizona and completed packing. Then we're heading south.
(04)
It was greener in New Mexico, would you believe it? I thought New Mexico was dead and isolate. Arizona was almost entirely sand. Once we passed the mountain range, the ground got deader. I didn't think it was possible. We pitched the tent but I was surprised anyone lived here at all. There were a lot of old buildings, decaying from exposure, but I couldn't see any residences. Well, Mr. Martinez did say he had family on both sides of the border and Arizona has a huge immigration problem. I have a few friends from Region Five and most of them say they've never seen a ghost but they've seen lots of aliens.
Right away, I set up the scanner. Nothing showed up on screen. It wouldn't be the first time the ghosts took a while to register and it probably won't be the last, so I left it up while I took a flight around the region. Everything was dead. I couldn't even see a wild animal on the ground. If there are ghosts here, it's no wonder. They used to be residents.
I'd estimate we were thirty to forty miles from the New Mexico border but no more than five miles from the Mexico border. I circled the area, crossing into Mexico to check out that side of the line. There was nothing for miles. It's one thing not to see ghosts but I don't even see any humans. If there's no humans, it's unlikely the ghosts would target this place.
Follow the drugs, Ricky had told me once. Illegals and naturals alike are always around the drugs. Find one, and you'll find the other. This was his territory. He was the Youth Director of Region Five until two years ago. That's when he graduated. We hadn't spoken since.
I pulled out my cell phone and pulled up the internet. The headquarters was in a place called Bisbee, about ten miles from here. I decided to go check out the local Sheriff's office.
My GPS took me directly to the sheriff's office and I powered down. I walked into the complex, the sheriff's office not very active. I looked around the room, finding the place to be quiet considering what was going on. When I was free to see the receptionist, I approached the window.
"I was wondering if I could see the sheriff, please," I asked.
"Do you have an appointment," she asked.
"No, ma'am," I answered. I pulled out my wallet and slid it in the small deposit hole identification side up. "Daniel Fenton, DHS."
The entire room stopped, looking at me in shock. They were surprised to see someone from the Department of Homeland Security. If people were disappearing, why would this be a shock?
"Right away, sir," she spoke, standing up. She rushed back as I retrieved my wallet. Just as I finished slipping my wallet back in my jeans, the woman came out of the booth and started walking quickly down a hall. "Follow me."
"Take your time," I said as I followed her. "You won't get in trouble."
"Yes, sir," she replied. I have no idea why she's so freaked out. It's like she didn't intend on any feds showing up. This makes no sense.
She led me down the hallway and towards a large office. She opened the door, stepping in and allowed me to enter. As I walked in, she closed the door behind me. I looked back, surprised. What is wrong with these people? People are being reported missing and she's freaking out over a DHS agent.
"Special Agent Fenton, how may I help you," a tall man behind the desk asked. He was an older gentleman with a cowboy hat on and he wore a traditional western lawmen suit. I walked over to his desk, holding my hand out.
"Nice to meet you, Sheriff. I was wondering if we could have a word if you aren't busy."
"My pleasure, son. Anything you need, I can help ya with."
"I got an email this morning from one of your residents," I said, sitting down. The sheriff relaxed in his chair and I became even more confused. Isn't he one bit concerned about what's going on in his county? "He told me that there were some disappearances, abductions and murders going on here. I'd like to look into it."
"I'm sorry, special agent. There isn't anything unusual going on in my county. Nothing outside those damn illegals."
"Are you sure, sheriff," I asked. "It'll only be me."
"A single federal agent," he asked, raising his eyebrow. "May I see some identification, son?"
"Of course," I replied, lifting myself up to remove my wallet again. I passed him my identification and credentials. "I've been looking into some strange reporting's across the country. This isn't on official business."
"Well, the law states that I have to invite you into my county for you to get involved and there just isn't any reason for you to be here, Agent Fenton. I'm sorry to waste your time." He passed me my wallet back.
"That law doesn't apply to me," I said firmly, letting him know I wouldn't be pushed out of here. "If you don't cooperate with me, Sheriff, I will be contacting state law enforcement."
He furrowed his brow. "What do you mean that law doesn't apply to you? This is my county!"
"I don't want any trouble, Sheriff. I have a job to do, though, and nothing will get in my way. I would hope you'd cooperate with me."
"Just because you have a big title doesn't mean you can run the show around here," he said, putting his fist on his desk. He sat straight up. "There are no murder sprees going on in my county, Agent Fenton. I don't know where you got your information, but it isn't accurate. Please leave my office."
I sat up, pulling out a card. This one was human made, though. Since I went on the road, I've had to give out a few of these. I don't want hundreds of ectoplasmic business cards unaccounted for. "If you hear anything, Sheriff, please get in touch with me. I'll be in touch with you." I nodded as he took my card, hardening his stare in my direction. I dismissed myself, still cool and collected. I found it funny when the little people tried to act big and tough around me. I wouldn't cause any fuss, though, unless he caused it first.
I will get to the bottom of this. Either he's with me… or he's against me.
(04)
Returning to my tent wasn't as much of a relief as I thought it would be. The sight of that small tent reminded me what wasn't inside. I didn't want to go in there. I didn't want to go inside that thing and hear… silence. I should hear my girls either laughing or fighting. I should hear Dom scolding remarks or Gage's pleas of diplomacy. I heaved a sigh and turned around. I wouldn't go in there right away. I wanted to avoid that reality for as long as possible. Days without my girls were as normal as nights without my girls but not seeing them during any time of the day was world shattering. I couldn't deal with that.
It's been three weeks since I left Amity Park. I used to enjoy the silence but now it is just crushing. I was so busy in Wisconsin that it took a while for their absence to set in. Then I was actually enjoying the sound of tranquility. However, I've come to miss the noise. If I can stay away, I can take my mind off it but every time I'm in that tent, I'm reminded. I don't want to be reminded right now. I miss them so much.
Outside wasn't that much better either. Silence everywhere. I constantly stayed in the countryside so the noise pollution was nonexistent. Before, I would have found it enjoyable. Now, I find it miserable. I walked along the dusty, sandy ground, my tennis shoes scuffing the loose material and kicking it in the air. No birds chirping, no insects buzzing, not even a rodent running through underground tunnels; just dead silence. It was so bizarre. I've heard of ghost towns before, but this one takes the cake.
I walked that barren land for who knows how long. I found it interesting to watch my skin being damaged by the sun and heal moments later. I guess I got so wrapped up in my observation that I didn't notice the road I'd stumbled upon. I nearly tripped from the change from level ground. I caught myself in the last minute, though, looking down at the ground in shock. It was a dirt road but it was patted down nicely. I've never seen a dirt road so maintained.
"Okay," I said, looking down the path. I looked behind me and the road stretched as far as I could see in that direction, too. Something wasn't right about this. I hadn't seen anyone in this area. I couldn't have traveled to the next community—that's ten or so miles away! Oh, shit. I've found the drugs.
I heard the sound of a soft engine and wheels rolling down the road. I turned in the direction of the vehicle—from behind—but I couldn't see anything. I went invisible.
About two minutes later, I saw the truck rolling down the road. It was an old busted up truck with the top open. Two men sat in the front, the passenger gripping a riffle in his hands. It took the truck a long time to finally pass me. They were in no hurry; they were looking for intruders.
I flew behind them, following them back to their camp. It took us five minutes going down that dirt road to finally reach civilization. I had no doubt in my mind that I was in Mexico now. There was no wall and I didn't see any border patrol officers. These thugs were free to cross over into Mexico and no wonder. There was desert as far as the eye could see—except in this little mud community.
The community was impressive. There were little wooden cottages and a big community gathering place. The entire place was dirt and it was so well maintained it was impressive. The only thing that stood out was these huge buildings, five in a row, that were completely domed in. I could hear air conditions humming from them when the rest of the community didn't even have electricity. The truck came to a stop and the two men climbed out, the driver pulling the keys out of the ignition as he stepped out of the truck.
The citizens in the community seemed to work harder when the men showed up. There were men, women and children all buzzing about this mud community, each one doing a specific job. Some were carrying these large baskets of leaves to and from the large community building and I recognized the leaves going in the building as marijuana. Other citizens were heading in a different direction, heading west away from the village. The last job being performed was happening from behind the community building. I saw five to seven vans sitting behind the building and citizens were loading boxes on those vans.
Those were the citizens that had a specific task they were doing: carrying baskets, carting buckets and toting boxes. There were also citizens that didn't seem to have a job to do. They were going in and out of the buildings. They were few, though, and I only seen three people so far enter a building without anything in their hands.
The two hired hands stopped in the middle of the dirt lot, gripping their pistols in their hands. A little boy, no older than eight, was carrying an empty basket back to the odd buildings (the groweries). He was moving the slowest of the citizens, his feet scuffing the dirt. "Hey, you," one of the men, a tall, muscled fellow with blonde-brown hair and a chiseled chin, called out. "Keep moving!"
The other citizens looked up reluctantly, a look of despair in their eyes. I looked back to the men and then back to the others and got a sinking feeling. The citizens were Mexicans while the men were Americans.
"Pick it up," I heard one woman cry out. "Do as they ask, Antonio!"
"Get back to work and stop talking your gibberish," the second man announced. He had shorter hair than his partner, black in color. He was also more rounded than muscled. Unlike his partner, though, he wasn't clean shaven. He had a scruffy beard while the muscled, medium length haired man was clean as a whistle.
"I'm so tired, mama," the boy called back, stopping in the middle of the lot. The person behind him didn't see him stop, though, and hit him full force. The boy fell to the ground, crying out more in exhaustion than in pain. Three others fell over in the collision.
The two men acted immediately and the men who had fallen over scrambled away from the boy. The woman who had called the boy Antonio cried out, "No!" She ran into the lot, as fast as she could.
The muscled, dusty blonde haired man made it to the boy first as the woman sobbed. The black haired man grabbed her, forcing his arms around her roughly. "Please," she sobbed, a heavy Mexican accent covering her voice, "he's just a boy. Please, don't take my son!"
"He has a job to do," Dusty spat. "He's no good to us causing trouble."
"Please," she cried out, fighting with Cowboy. "Please don't take my son away from me."
"You should have done a better job," Dusty replied. He grabbed the boy's hand, heaving him in the air. The kid didn't even fight back, just hanging limply in the air as the man held him out like a dead rodent. He dropped the kid halfway to the ground, dragging him across the dirt towards the truck. The kid cried out but couldn't fight back.
I'd had enough.
I flew towards the jerk, causing my energy to surround me. When I flew through him, my energy sent a jolt through him, causing Dusty to jump and let go of the kid. Dusty spun around, expecting to find someone attacking him.
"What is it, Peter," Cowboy asked.
"Who did that," the one Cowboy called Peter asked.
"Who did what," Cowboy asked, looking at his friend.
"Someone hit me," Peter declared, his voice hard.
"No one was around you, Peter," Cowboy remarked.
"I know what I felt," he barked back.
"And I know what I saw. Get rid of the kid."
I landed on the ground and bent down to the kid before Peter could reach him. I phased my hand in his back, restoring his energy. The kid's eyes snapped open, a sharp exhale escaping his lungs. He jumped up, frightened.
"Antonio," his mother cried out.
"Shut up, bitch," Cowboy ordered. I took aim at him, doing the same thing I did to Peter. Cowboy released the mother, screaming as he scrambled away from the woman. He fell on his butt, unable to do it gently.
"What," Peter demanded.
"Fuck, man, I felt something, too!"
"I told you," Peter retorted as the mother ran to her son. She picked Antonio up as soon as she was around him but she didn't stop until she was back on the porch of the community center. However, no one came around her. They sat back, trying to alienate themselves from her.
"Let's get the fuck out of here," Cowboy declared. The two men ran back to their trucks and took off down the road.
"Maria," an elderly man called out. From the doorway of the community center came an older man and the crowd part as he passed. "Are you all right, my daughter?"
"Daddy, they were going to take Antonio like they took Hector," Maria sobbed. She hugged her son to her chest, crying. The boy just looked dazed and confused.
"Are you okay, Antonio," the old man asked.
"Angels," the boy spoke. "An angel was watching over me."
"What do you mean, Antonio," Maria asked.
"I'm healed," Antonio replied. "My bones were broken but now they are whole. An angel healed me."
"The spirits are always watching us, protecting us, guiding us," the grandfather replied. "Your guardian angel may have been with you today, my grandson."
"I told you, father," Maria replied, tears in her brown eyes. Her entire angelic face was aglow in happiness. "You were about to lose faith but our Father has answered our prayers. He will deliver us from this devil."
"I'm just glad you are safe, my grandson," the old man said, putting his hand on his head. "Now," he said, turning to the group. "We each have a job to do. If we do not meet our quota, the white devils will come back. Let us work." And just like that, they went back to working.
I helped myself into the community center to see more citizens. Most were women and they were working with the leaves in one area. Across the room was another set of tables and they were working with many items. Some was pills, others were powder and even some was injection serum. In the back of the room, the doors were open and more people were carrying boxes out to the trucks from each part of the room.
There must have been a hundred tables in this large building but there was more to the building than the one room. I flew above the workers in the tables and past the set-up packing supplies on the back tables and went through the open doorway. No door separated from the room with the tables from the back room but I did notice the room was long but not very wide. I looked around the room and it was some kind of kitchen. It wasn't a traditional kitchen, though. It was just full of counters and cabinets.
Along the counters were bowls of vegetables and slabs of meat. I put my hand on one of the cabinets beneath the counter and it was full of canned items… and I'm not talking about the cans you buy at grocery stores. These people were forced to feed themselves and they didn't have the proper tools to do it. I think I know what I was called in for. It's not a ghost attack; these people are slaves to drive the drug trade.
I touched the cabinet above the counter and this one was full of plates. That's what it was. It was where the workers prepared their meals. A creak brought my attention to my left. A door sat open that I had completely missed and a man brought in another basket of vegetables. He placed the vegetables on the counter and began emptying the basket into the bowls. Once his bucket was empty, he left the room. I was alone again.
I looked around the room again, noticing how the room was darker than it should be. The sun was starting to go down and the late hour was plunging shadows into the small room. The open door was the largest source of light but once it got to the wall, all it did was travel to the celling and vanish. About eight tiny slot windows sat in a pattern, between the counter and the cabinet. It didn't provide much light either.
Less than two minutes had passed before the shadow of a person cut through the light at the door. This time a woman carried a heavy basket of vegetables in and started to unload them in the bowls. She wiped her forehead as she picked up the empty bucket and headed back out into the heat. Another woman, this one a young teenager, came in just after her but instead of a wooden barrel, she had a tin tub—huge for her size. She put the barrel on the counter and picked up the bowl beside her, emptying the carrots, celery and cucumbers into the tub.
The teen was breathing hard, sharp intakes of breath trying to supply oxygen to her brain. She was dripping in sweat, her dress soaked all the way through. She lifted up the skirt of her dress, wiping her face with the hem. I looked away, not wanting to violate her privacy like this. She dropped the end of her dress, releasing a deep sigh. She looked at the tub with reluctance, wrapping her arms around her waist. She let out a soft whimper, the dread evident in her voice. She was tired and she didn't know if she could carry that thing again.
I floated next to her, phasing my hand in her shoulder. I saw the relief flood her body as the strain of the day was taken from her. However, she wasn't foolish. She looked around, surprised about the sudden rejuvenation she received.
"Hello," she called. Her eyes scanned the tiny room, looking for the slightest sign of life. She finally closed her eyes, though, and released a breath. "Thank you, my guardian angel."
She picked up the tub and went back outside, only stopping to let the next worker in to unload the vegetables.
I followed her, eager to know what she did. She carried the tub out to the fields but in the opposite direction the wooden barrel workers were coming from. As we traveled along, she started to hum to herself. She was younger than I was, around fourteen. Her rich brown locks were dripping with sweat and debris littered her hair. The locks drifted below her waist but they were maddened and tangled. She'd look beautiful once she had a shower and cleaned up. Now, she just looked sad and broken.
"Mercedes," a woman with the same facial features but shorter hair reprimanded. "What took you so long?"
"I'm sorry, mama," the girl remarked. "I had a hard time picking up the tub."
"Do not dottle, my love," her mother scolded. "You know what the white men do when you slack!"
"The white men aren't here," Mercedes defended.
"But you never know who will turn on us," her mother retorted. "Your father works hard to keep us safe. Don't you jeopardize his hard work because you're lazy!"
"I'm sorry, mother," Mercedes replied. She kneelt by this long metal shoot filled with water. It looked like one of those things that miners use to mine for gold in river beds. Mercedes picked up a handful of carrots and ran them under the water. They were getting this water from somewhere and this is how they clean their food.
I flew higher in the air, trying to determine where the water was coming from. The shoot seemed to go on for miles. I glanced around but my heart sank. Surrounding the water line was dozens of more communities. This was more than a few dozen people. There were hundreds here in slavery.
Every community was like the last. However, not every community was free of 'white men'. I saw a few trucks like the two men who were here earlier but I saw a few in jeeps and even a couple in single-cab pickup trucks. I turned around to the north-west and saw a huge garden. Dozens of people were in the fields with wooden buckets, picking, packing and carrying the load.
This is a lot bigger than I ever imagined.
(04)
I had to come up with a plan. I didn't know how many bosses there were and the mother said something about the citizens betraying each other. I couldn't risk screwing this up or I'd lose everything. I was in Mexico now so these people were technically not illegal aliens. I knew they were conspiring to get across the border though. I imagine that's how they got caught. Just as the shadows consumed the place, I heard a cry from one of the villages below. I flew in that direction to see a woman weeping in the arms of an older woman. Dust was kicked into the air. I chased the dust.
Before they got to the first community, I had caught up to the vehicle causing the dust. A man was slumped over the back, his wrist cuffed above his head. He was around the same age as the weeping woman so I assumed he was her husband. He was bloodied and bruised and the injuries were fresh. I followed the truck until it was away from prying eyes.
I sent out a little ecto-blast, destroying the cuffs. The man was shocked but he didn't say anything; he only looked to the sky. I summoned more ectoplasm but this time I shot it at the engine of the vehicle. The slave seemed to expect what was about to happen because he leapt out of the car before the explosion. The force of the blast sent the two men flying into the air, screaming in terror. The truck rolled several times. The man was in pain, wincing from the fall but he was all right.
The two men lay motionless on the ground as I landed. I made myself visible but I didn't hear the man react. I phased my hands in the two men, pulling them to their feet as I released them and gripped their shirts. "These are my people," I hissed, doing my best to sound like a pissed off spirit and not an angry ghost. The men recoiled. "Leave here and never come back!"
The men screamed, running down the dirt path.
"Angel," the man called, collapsing to his knees. "I am not worthy."
I phased my hand in his shoulder, healing his injuries. "Rise. Go back to your people. Tell them that I have decreed your freedom. You will be slaves no longer."
"Thank you, angel," he said, bowing his head. He ran back to the community.
I chuckled softly to myself. "You're going to Hell, Fenton, if it exists. Pretending to be an angel!"
I turned invisible, flying into the air.
(04)
I watched over the communities that night. I watched how the two men I attacked rode back with another truck and they evacuated the remaining guards. I watched the citizens cook dinner and sit by a campfire outside. They bathed in masses by collecting the water they used in large tubs but it would be cool water. It was probably refreshing, honestly, considering the heat outside.
That night, as they slept, I traveled through the communities, phasing my hand in their shoulders. They slept well that night. I planned to start tomorrow with helping them. There was too many of them to just do it all at once. I'd take my time, helping them.
However, before nine, dozens of trucks rolled in the compound. Shrieks of terror rang through the villages as the scared citizens hid. The ones not running looked defeated.
Everyone looked defeated except for a small minority, that is. I noticed them, and recognized a few: Antonio, Maria and the grandfather; Mercedes, her mother and who I assumed was her father; and finally, the two women and the man from late last night. More surrounded them but it was them that stood the tallest. This is your fault, Fenton. They have faith that their 'angel' will protect them. I won't let them down.
A man stepped off the truck, his boots clunking the ground heavily. "This is the only time I will say this," he broadcasted, his voice rising and falling in rhythm. He had dirty blonde hair, like Dusty/Peter did yesterday but it fell in ringlets around his face, to his chin. "Either get back to work or face the consequences!"
I started to summon power. It was rare for me to get so powerful that it messed with the weather but it's happened before. I'd rather them think they're witnessing a miracle than a ghost attack. The first sign that it was working was a small dust tornado kicked up. To my left, I saw dusk pick up and push forwards fifty feet. In an instant, it reversed directions and forced all the dirt in the opposite direction. I hit peak power.
The wind kicked pounds of dust into the air, suffocating the air in dirt. Dark clouds, lighting flashing, started to surround the sky. I pumped more energy into my core, overloading the magnetic field of this location. Whispers filled the compound as the citizens were witnessing the 'miracle'.
"Get back to work," the long haired man ordered. I turned in his direction and just my stare sent him flying. I lifted my hand and before he hit the ground, he was suspended in mid-air.
"Leave these people alone," I moaned and my voice came out ten shades of spooky. Thunder rocked the ground as it rumbled between the two large mountain ranges way off in the south and the east.
The man flinched, releasing a startled gasp. I forced him higher in the sky and down towards the ground at full force. He screamed as he thought he'd crash into the ground with enough force to kill him but I laid him down gentle as a feather. I opened my palm though and he skid in the dirt. I turned to the vehicles and targeted the ones away from people. The engines blew up in eight of them, in successive order.
"Let's get out of here," one of the guards from last night shrieked. Several started running for the vehicles. When the others saw their co-workers making a break for it, the rest followed. The long-haired man barely grabbed a hold of the bar in the back of a jeep before they were taking off. He climbed on, looking over the masses.
In surprising numbers, the citizens fell to their feet, praising God. Their hands reached for the sky and it was a touching sight. How these people, abused and mistreated beyond compare, could have such strong faith is beyond me. I smiled though, happy that I could save these people.
(04)
I was back at my tent, talking with my party about how to get these people what they need when I felt it. We all rose to our feet when we felt the earth quake and the huge source of power that followed. "Let's go," I ordered, phasing through the tent and transforming. I led us to the compound to see the people running as the first's community building laid in ruin. Debris still fell from the sky. I looked around, half expecting to see a tank but already knowing I'd screwed up. Tanks don't let out energy like I felt.
From behind the smoke, the shape resembling a human appeared. A girl with black hair and glowing hazel eyes had her hand stretched out in the direction of the destroyed community building. "I don't care what stands in your way," she announced in a deep voice. "Remember there is always something more terrifying!"
Her body twitched slightly to the left and I was on the move. A mother toting a toddler behind her was in her path and she'd either have to abandon the child or die with it. Not if I could help it. The ghost released the blue blast as I pulled up what was supposed to be a blue shield. Purple surrounded me and I jumped as her blue was dissolved long before it hit my shield. I have the third ectoplasmic blast!
I narrowed my eyes, though, focusing on the battle. I appeared, showing her what interfered. "Wrong!" I shot a beam, thrills going through me as the purple left my gloved hand. I can't believe it! Purple!
"Who are you," she demanded. The blast hit her shield but cut through it like a hot knife through butter. She grunted, hitting the ground.
"I'm Danny Phantom," I declared, "but you can call me your worst nightmare."
Serguis arrived by my side. "Gauis, Marcellus and Valentinus are attending to the humans, Danny. I've got your back!"
"Thanks," I said, looking to her. "But I think I've got this!" I blasted off, swooping down to hit her but she slid through the ground, forcing me to chase her. She didn't run too far, just far enough to escape the disadvantage she was in. She blocked my first three punches but when I went to throw my fourth one, energy erupted from her fists and threw both of us back.
Serguis flew at the girl who recovered before I did. She was strong, I'll give her that. I think she's either a high eight or a low nine. Serguis sent a blast out that snaked behind her when she expected it to hit her. He continued to fight her hand to hand as the blast turned around and aimed to hit her right in the back. I thought he'd get her when she spun around, a blast already in her hand. However, the blast liquefied as it passed through her and Serguis grabbed it in his hand, the blast taking shape like a ball bat, swiping her feet with it. She went down but phased through the ground as Serguis impaled the beam right where her head was.
I take it back, she is very good.
I flew back to where Serguis was, blocking her from hitting him in the back with a blast. I sensed Serguis disappear from behind me to see him rise from the ground behind her. As he prepared to wrap his arms around her to trap her, she released a short burst of power, throwing both of us back. She is damn good!
I flew off the ground, coming in to attack her as Serguis phased through the ground. The girl formed ectoplasm around her, forcing me back briefly. I powered up the purple blast in my hand, cutting through her shield and hitting her. Before she hit the ground, she did a hard pull-up, taking aim at me. I pulled up a shield to deflect her when Serguis came up from right below her, sending her flying. I took off, following the fight.
Dozens of blasts rained down on her as Serguis came in from behind and we prepared to tackle her. She turned intangible and I nearly hit Serguis until he pulled up at the last second. I sensed for the girl again, flying at full speeds. A blue blast snaked around the girl but as she sent out a blast to destroy Serguis' attack, he did what he does best. The blast reduced in size, gripping her legs instead of her torso and she fell through. Her upper body started to phase through the ground when Serguis grew his energy, wrapping her like a mummy.
"Well done, Serguis," I called, landing on the ground. I looked to him, nodding. Serguis added electricity to his attack, weakening her. Her shrieks filled the air. He dissipated the attack but she didn't go anywhere. She was done. "I've got it," I said as I summed the thermos. I sucked her inside.
"She was a tough one, Danny," Serguis replied. "Well played."
"You too," I nodded. We flew to the remaining members of our team. The civilians were crying, shaking in fear and grief. Marcellus laid the body of a ten year old girl on the ground, a dozen people surrounding her. I looked to Marcellus. "How many?"
"Fifteen, sir," Marcellus replied, his head downcast. "The female attacked where many had gathered. Most were injured but we've healed them, sir. It was too late for these souls."
I growled, gripping the thermos in my hand. This was my fault. I thought it was a normal problem. I let my guard down and allowed these people to die.
"God has sent angels to protect us," the husband from last night cried. "Praise be to God!"
"I'm not an angel," I said, looking down to the ground. Tears burned in my eyes and rage burned in my veins. "I am so sorry. I thought I was dealing with humans. I never imagined a ghost was involved."
"It is true," the grandfather replied as he stepped forward. I saw his daughter, Maria, and her son Antonio and was relieved. I didn't see Mercedes, though, and my heart broke. I was terrified of seeing her in the body pile. "You are the person from the website I wrote to. This is your specialty."
"Are you Martinez," I asked, furrowing my brow.
"Yes, sir, I am," he replied. "They have electricity in the tents and I found a computer. I found your website after my son-in-law was taken. I prayed someone could save us."
"I'm so sorry," I said, shaking my head. Tears leaked out of my eyes. I felt the grief but more than that, I felt the rage. I was angry at myself but I was pissed at that female ghost. How dare she kill because someone interrupted her plans? How many people has she killed because they stopped working? "How many people disappeared," I asked. I didn't know if I wanted to know that answer or not.
"Dozens, sir," he replied. "Anyone who slows down, defies or stops being productive is taken away. Maria's husband was injured in the fields. He fell in a sink hole and twisted his ankle. He couldn't work that fast but he tried. It wasn't fast enough for them, though, and they took him away. I can only fear the worst."
"I'm so sorry," I said, shaking my head. I dropped my head, tears falling from my eyes. I was seventy miles away from here. The worst that was going on in New Mexico was feedings. These people were losing their lives. "I am so very sorry."
"Danny," Gauis spoke softly. He had his hand on my shoulder when I looked to him. "You had no way of knowing. Don't torture yourself."
"She will not get away with this," I said, whimpering. That rage burned in me and I gripped the thermos tighter. "I promise you, she will not get away with this!"
"Thank you, sir," Martinez's grandson, Antonio said. His grandfather wrapped an arm around the boy. "You saved my life yesterday."
"You will be repaid for your hardships," I said. The people in the crowd crying was so hard to look at so I glanced away. "I will take care of you."
"Like how," Maria, the mother asked.
"You were trying to get to America, right," I asked.
"Aren't we in America," Martinez asked. "Stark?"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "They have you on the other side of the border. They sell the drugs in Arizona."
Martinez cursed as he turned away. "I knew they were shipping things to Stark. I thought that's where we were. I'm sorry, sir."
"No," I said, shaking my head. "You have no reason to be sorry. You saved these people. If you hadn't wrote to me, I would have never found out about what was going on here. These people owe you their lives."
"I was doing what I could. I knew if they took my son-in-law, then my grandson would be next. Thank you for saving him, sir."
I nodded shyly but turned to my team. I heard Antonio's tiny voice speaking, "Grandpa, he speaks great Spanish, don't you think?"
"Yes, Antonio, I noticed too," his grandfather whispered back to him. The moment they targeted Antonio popped in my mind: babble. She spoke Spanish to Antonio and they couldn't understand her. I chuckled as I looked back to my team.
"I need to get a hold of Samuels," I replied. Please, get these people something to eat and a place to rest. I'll be back soon."
"Yes, sir," Gauis bowed. I nudged him with my elbow and he let out a small laugh. "I mean, of course, Danny. I'll take care of it."
"That's better," I smirked. I flew into the air, heading back to the camp.
(04)
Samuels was on his way down and these people would all get the chance to get visas and apply for citizenship. The Division would help them get jobs but they wouldn't be ghost hunters. There was no reason to make them ghost hunters, after all. We had a lot of pull, though, so we could help them get real jobs and help them create a good life for themselves.
It was the middle of the night when Valentinus woke me up. "Danny, wake up. We've got problems."
"What," I asked, sitting up. They each had their own tent—the tent that Mom gave me was amazing. Gauis and Marcellus shared one tent while Serguis and Valentinus shared the second one but there was the area we lived in and three separate tents for bedrooms. Mom didn't know about Serguis or Valentinus after all.
"The village," he spoke. "It's being attacked. The rest are already down there."
I pulled myself out of my bed, powering up. I grabbed my thermos and we flew to the village. My team dragged the groweries to the center of the village and cleaned out the drugs last night as I was calling Samuels. That's where they all were. They had access to running water and Serguis had created an ice chest to keep their food healthy. When we made it down to the village, I was shocked. The place was surrounded by border patrol agents and amongst them were the county sheriff deputies.
"What's going on," I demanded. Valentinus and I were walking now, not wanting to expose that we were ghosts. However, as soon as those lights went out, we were sunk. It was pitch black out here and only the spotlights from the vehicles drowned out our glows.
"Who are you," a border patrol agent asked.
Shit. I don't have an ID for Phantom. I registered him as a ghost hunter but I made him out to be a mascot. Samuels figured out why the name Danny Phantom sounded familiar when the camp opened up. He thought Phantom was a dog when I created the ghost hunter form.
"I-I'm Danny," I said, struggling to come up with something to say. I can't say I'm a DHS agent. The sheriff was here and he'd remember if a seventeen year old boy with white hair visited him. "I've been watching these people."
"Can I see a passport," he asked me, crossing his arms. Crap!
"There is a good explanation for all of this," I started to say. I spoke slowly, trying to give myself some time. Samuels wouldn't be here until tomorrow. I'd hate for him to have to bail me out.
"Well," he asked.
"I'm working with a DHS agent," I said, swallowing hard. "His name is Danny Fenton." Maybe I shouldn't have said my name was Danny. "He got an email from one of these people and came to investigate."
"These illegals were growing marijuana. I found pounds of it out back."
"That's not true," Gauis objected. "There was no marijuana left. After we took care of the growers, we disposed of it. These people are innocent."
"The Sheriff is a rat," Marcellus spat. "He set these people up." He looked to me. "It was the Sheriff. He was the one in league with the grower."
"I beg your pardon," the Sheriff spoke, his voice displaying his offense. "I found these illegals sneaking into the country. I did my civic duty."
"That's why you didn't want any help," I hissed. "This was your doing!"
"Enough," the border patrol agent barked. "This is Mexico, none of you have a passport or ID and you aren't going anywhere until I get some answers."
Danny, now would be a good time for you to duplicate, Valentinus's voice came through my head. They are going to deport these people and arrest us if you don't step in.
I'll try, I said swallowing hard. I focused my power in another location, duplicating out. I was scared about doing this, though. If I get exposed here, this could be bad.
"Special Agent Fenton will be here soon," Phantom said, crossing his arms. "He'll straighten this out."
"I'll arrest him like I'm going to arrest you," the agent spoke. "He's not above the law."
I swallowed, terrified. This was not good. This attack was worse than the girl attacking. At least I can fight her. I have to get my team and Phantom out of here. I can be arrested as long as I'm in human form but this could be bad if I'm taken to Mexico. I might not be able to call Samuels… and I die after three days in ghost form. Not good.
We won't go down without a fight, Danny, Valentinus replied. We're not just ghosts. We were once soldiers. We can fight.
I committed to bringing Fenton into this and had him run into the compound. He looked around in shock. "What's going on?"
"Are you Danny Fenton," the agent asked.
"I am," I had the duplicate say. I started to focus on the human more than Phantom. "I was doing an investigation. My supervisor is coming down here tomorrow to help with the legalities."
"Do you have permission to cross into Mexico," he asked me.
"I have an active passport," I replied. "I have the jurisdiction to cross state and nation lines and perform investigations in any district at any time." I glanced at the Sheriff, so mad I could bite nails. "If you'd allow me, I'll show you my credentials and my documentation."
"What you have just explained is illegal," he barked. "No one has that kind of authority."
"I do," I said, not wavering. "I can prove it. If you'll allow it."
"You are trespassing," he declared, lifting his head. "And I don't care what kind of paperwork you have, I'm taking you in."
Danny, Valentinus spoke. We're going to take them. Make sure you disappear. We don't want you arrested.
No way, I said, narrowing my eyes. Phantom is going to slip away but Fenton is fighting with you.
What if we're captured, sir? Your boss may not find out where we are.
I can take care of that, I replied. If we are arrested, then I won't have to worry about suffocating to death and I can duplicate out to call Samuels. I'm not letting these bozos get away with this, though. I want them to try to explain to Samuels why I'm in a Mexican jail cell. For once, I was excited to see him pull a gun.
I glanced to Gauis, Marcellus and Serguis to see them steel their facial features. Marcellus balled his hand into a fist. I looked to the citizens to find Martinez. "Don't run," I spoke softly. "I can get you out of this and give you the future I promised if you stay here. If you run, I may never find you again."
"I'll take care of it," he nodded. I focused on the group. I had to find a way to slip away and dissolve so I could stop using my powers. It doesn't help to be both a human and a ghost at the same time. I'd wear out my powers and become one before too long but if I did make it three days, I'd die. I looked to the Sheriff. If I could hit him once, either form, I'd be happy no matter what happens.
The border patrol agent put his hand on his gun, eyeing us suspiciously. That panicked me a little to be honest. It couldn't hurt any of us but when I heal after being shot and the bullets don't even hit my team, there's bound to be questions.
"Don't try anything stupid. I will shoot," the agent spoke.
"If you try to arrest us, it'll be you who done something stupid," Fenton said, crossing his arms.
"I'm taking you in," he said, stepping forward. Instantly, my team surrounded both of my forms.
"Take another step," Marcellus challenged, lowering his head. "I dare you."
"Don't threaten a patrol agent," he ordered. "That's not the best way to get off this."
"You're not going to allow us to get off this," Gauis spoke, clenching his fist. "You've made that evident."
"We did nothing wrong so we aren't going to allow you to push over us," Serguis replied. "These people are innocent, though. You deal with us. Not them!"
"Arrest them," the agent replied.
"You'll regret this," Fenton spoke, clenching his fist. I looked back to camp. There was a lot of open space with nowhere to hide. This wouldn't be easy.
"Put your hands up and surrender," the agent replied, pulling out handcuffs.
"Get Samuels," I had Fenton demand, turning to look at Phantom. He turned back to the police. "We'll keep them off your tail!" It might be sad, but I didn't want to look like a coward. I'm only afraid of dying. Mom will kill me again!
Gauis was the first to act and it made me apprehensive. He charged the agent, tackling him to the ground. There were fifteen to twenty cops here but the dangerous part was finding a place to dissolve. My team had to watch me carefully because I had to focus on running. No matter how good I get at duplication, I will never be good at being two people at the same time. I certainly could never be like Vlad.
I spun around, running as fast as I could towards camp. I didn't care if my speeds were amazing, I didn't want to endanger my team by pretending to be normal.
"Oh, no you don't," I heard one of the cops declare. I had Fenton look for me and one of the sheriff deputies was chasing me. I laughed, finding his attempt cute. There's no way a human could catch up to me!
Fenton was watching the cop chasing me as I glanced over my shoulder. I watched from both forms the deputy vanish before our eyes. In an instant, he was grabbing me by my waist and tackling me—from in front of me.
"They're ghost's," I declared. I dissolved Fenton, no longer worried about exposure. Now that my energy was concentrated in one form again, I was stronger. I kicked the deputy off me, jumping up. "They may be overshadowed! Don't hurt them!"
This made the fight a lot more even and a lot more unfair at the same time. At least we didn't have to pretend to be normal—no wonder they had so much lighting—but we also had potential humans to worry about. I was so grateful I grabbed my thermos because I pointed it at the human. I was about to suck him inside when a memory flashed in my mind from a long, long time ago.
In my first dream about Vlad, Mom and Dad sucked him inside without knowing he was half-ghost. The thermoses can hold humans!
That made this job that much harder.
I powered up my fist, enabling me to push the ghost out if this was an overshadowing. A male ghost was forced from behind the deputy as he swayed from the effects of being overshadowed.
"They're humans," I cried out to my team. I sucked the ghost in the thermos, flying back to my team. When I made it back, I noticed the vehicles smoking from a blast. Someone destroyed these guys' rides. However, pushed up against the back of his smoking SUV was the border patrol agents. The supervisor's eyes were wide and he was whimpering, very much afraid.
"He's not overshadowed," Gauis replied. "He had no idea what was going on."
"Crap," I declared when I realized he was innocent. Damnit, I wanted to hit him, too! "Then I'll just take it out on you," I declared as I shot the Sheriff. My energy was absorbed in the Sheriff as he started laughing.
"Puny child! Ignorant soul," he laughed. We stared at him in shock as his full power became known. "You have taken on too much with this. There is no way you can beat me! Surrender to my will and you shall live. Fight me and you all shall die."
"Dream on," Marcellus retorted. He flew to stand beside me. "You have no idea who you are dealing with, infantile."
"You call me an infantile," he laughed. "It is you who has no idea who you are dealing with. I will destroy you all."
Gauis snorted as he pushed another ghost out of a deputy. "I think not. Not many ghosts are as old as us."
"Gauis, Danny," Valentinus spoke hesitantly. "I think we should speak carefully."
"Why," Marcellus asked.
"He's from the eighth century," Valentinus said, looking to each of us and then back to the ghost.
"It doesn't matter what century he's from," I replied. "If we stand together, he can't win."
"You are so naïve, child," the ghost laughed. "You are not even a century old. You're not even half a decade old!"
"It doesn't matter," I smirked. "I've been around."
"We'll need to work together to defeat the leader," Serguis replied. "Heads up, Danny!" Every deputy there was hit by a blast, knocking the ghosts out. I sucked them in the thermos and returned it to my human form.
"Okay," I said, steeling myself. "Watch each other's back and let's do this!"
AN: Okay, that's another one. This story is really about to take off! I have to warn you, this story takes the ghosts to a really dark place. You've already had a taste of it.
Btw, when Danny creates that interference with the magnetic field, I based that upon the first episode when the lights started flickering and a supernatural wind blew through the halls of Casper High. To me, that was Lunch Lady getting so mad that her core was super charged.
Any reviews would be appreciated!