Warning: Okay, this chapter references a character death. They will not die presently, though (it's a dream). Also, it contains revelations. Yes, people, this is the chapter we've all been waiting for. It also contains mpreg and adult content.
Disclaimer: I'm not Butch Hartman. I don't own Danny Phantom. (Too bad, too)
Chapter 14: Conclusion of an Old Book
I had a difficult time sleeping that night. I didn't want to impose on Lilly's dreams again so I didn't bring out the machine but I kept looking over at her. I kept watching for the signs that she was dreaming. Despite suffering from insomnia, though, I did eventually fall asleep. At school, we talked over what Lilly had told us. Tucker didn't quite believe us about the little woman that came out in her but he did believe Sam about me being pregnant. Of course he believes that.
I caught a nap during the hour and a half lunch break and spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about the network. I didn't know a lot of anything I could really do but I knew that I had to wipe out any supporters of the Forbidden Zone. When we made it home, I forced myself to be friendly to my children and then set out to do some digging. This yo-yoing between being okay and having this tightness in my chest is driving me crazy. I wished I could wave a wand and be over this illness already.
I spent the afternoon and into the night in the lab, going over maps and data we collected from South America. Sam came down after dinner, bringing me a plate. I was planning a little trip into the Ghost Zone.
"First you're going to eat," Sam announced as she pointed to the plate of lasagna and salad. "Danny, I know right now you don't want to consider it and I'm totally fine with you ignoring the signs but you are going to start eating well. It isn't healthy!"
"Look, I know Lilly seems to believe Doc was Vlad's but maybe he isn't, okay. Maybe we adopt him or maybe he's yours and she just thinks he's her full brother because he has a lower power level."
"Deny it all you want," Sam said, shaking her head. "But you are going to start eating well. That's why he was sick, Danny. You have been under stress, not eating well and been through hell and back in South America. Doc was weak because his development wasn't nurtured!"
"If I was three months pregnant, Sam, I would have already lost the baby," I objected.
"Don't give me that crap," Sam said, crossing her arms. "You and Vlad are full half ghosts. That's why a single fall down the stairs cost me William. He only had one parent that was a full half ghost. The first four months are the hardest on a hybrid baby like William and Sammy. Doc, though, has better chances. He's protected by two different sets of ghost DNA. That doesn't mean he isn't affected, though. Under normal circumstances, you would have lost the baby from stress!"
"Fine, I'll eat but I'm not convinced I'm pregnant," I grumbled. "I haven't had any cravings and I haven't had any nausea. Who knows? Maybe he's Vlad's baby and they pawned him off on us."
"Deny it all you want," Sam shrugged. She pushed the plate towards me and I grabbed it, cutting into the lasagna. Sam turned around, leaving the basement.
I can't be pregnant, I thought, putting the fork down. I looked to my stomach, rubbing my hand down the flat surface. I tried sensing for any sign of life but nothing came to me. I shook my head, grabbing the fork again. It's not right. I don't know who Doc is but he's not mine and Vlad's son. I mean, Vlad and I didn't even have sex that night.
After I finished eating, I finished gathering supplies and went into the Ghost Zone. I asked some questions and began putting a suspect list together. Around five in the morning, I went to the castle to make some plans. I wrote up a new Ghost Zone-wide law that banned activity with the Forbidden Zone and listed anyone associating with them as a terrorist group. After setting up my army to do the work I needed done, I swallowed my pride and flew to the one place I never thought I'd visit on my own free will.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the young punk Ghost King, Danny Phantom," Walker said, giving me a sardonic smile from his desk. "What can I do for you, my liege?"
"I'm not a fan of your rules, Walker, but I admire your ability to administer law and order," I said, crossing my arms. "Granted, it's more order than law but that's beside the point. I want to go over your rule book and turn your prison into a real GZ prison."
"What are you talking about, punk," Walker said, lowering his voice. "This is a real prison."
"No, this is a holding chamber," I said, repositioning my arms in their cross position. "I want a full report of all the prisoners here and a list of all laws to do with what I will. If you comply, I will deputize you for real. If not," I smirked. "I raid your prison and throw the book at you!"
"Don't threaten me, punk. I'm still the law around here," Walker growled.
"Actually, you are not. You have no jurisdiction in the Ghost Zone, whatsoever. What you do is illegal. You're a whiny ghost who likes to play cops and robbers. That book of yours has as much authority in this place as a pig in a slaughter house. Now, if you don't agree to these terms, my army will storm these walls and you all will be under arrest for unlawful containment. I'm offering you a bargain, Walker. Take it."
"Who are you to come into my prison and make demands," he sneered.
"I am the King of the Ghost Zone," I said, uncrossing my arms. "And I demand you to treat me as such!"
"Of course, my lord," Walker said, dropping to his knees. The move startled me. I don't even know why I said that. I looked back to see Walker on the ground, at my feet.
"Get up," I demanded, trying not to reveal the insecurity in my voice. I hate that feeling I get when I try to take command. I don't want to be his King. I was just trying to say he doesn't scare me. I would never demand Walker to bow down before me.
Walker stood up, a look of fear on his face. "Allow me to show you around the place?"
"Just get a copy of the prisoner list with their crimes and a copy of the rule book on my desk by Monday morning," I demanded. "And next time I make a command, you'd better not challenge me Walker. This is still my world." I shook that feeling again. I turned around, trying not to reveal my awkwardness. I left the jail, flying to Skulker's island.
"Well, whelp, what a pleasant surprise," Skulker said, smiling a robotic smile.
"Make this quick, Dipstick. We were doing something," Ember retorted, crossing her arms. I shivered visually.
"Don't want to know," I said, holding my hands up. "Skulker, you are the ambassador to the rest of the Zone. Can you spread the word about the new laws? You know the news in this place can be slow."
"What new laws is this," Ember asked.
"Pertaining the Forbidden Zone," I remarked. "I have declared them an enemy of the castle and anyone associating with them is guilty of treason. I will not take this threat lightly. I've added a few laws to the books, including terror laws. If you leave the Ghost Zone to do any damage in the real world, I will identify you as a terrorist. If you go out there to hunt or play a concert or feed, I won't do anything through the castle. You two know the laws in my world though. But if someone kills, causes excessive damage or does any kind of harm to the peace between our worlds, my kingdom will respond."
"Do you fear the Forbidden Zone escaping," Skulker asked. "They're a threat to our world more than yours."
"They are a threat to both of our worlds," I said. I looked between Skulker and Ember. "They're coming. They will bring death and destruction to both worlds. I'm going to do my best to protect both worlds but I need to know who's with me and who's against me. We don't have to be great friends, guys, but we've played on the same team before. If the Forbidden Zone gets strong, both of our worlds will crumble. Spread the word. Let anyone know that association with these outlaws will not be tolerated. The Ghost Zone is about to split," I focused on Skulker. "I need to know who's going to fight with me."
"Come on, baby pop. The Forbidden Zone is locked away. There's no way they can escape. This is just speculation you're hearing. We'd all be toast if they escaped."
"Believe what you will, Ember, but I know what is coming. Prepare for it, guys. We're still a few years away but it will hit the Ghost Zone before it hits my world. I have another four or five years. Who knows how long we keep them at bay here?"
"I will spread the word, Phantom," Skulker nodded. "I hope you hold up your end of the bargain. Because if the Forbidden Zone escapes, we're going to need all the help we can get."
I nodded.
I made it home in time to get something to eat—which Sam forced on me again—and head to school for the last day of the week. I had more work to do but it would have to wait. This is my new mission. I am going to get a jump on things. I'm not just going to be stronger so I can handle the threat when it comes. I'm going to stop the threat before it's a problem.
(04)
Sam was on the cell phone when I arrived at the picnic table during our last class of the day. She was the first one there. I dumped my bag by the table and hopped beside Sam. Sam gave me a smile as she nodded on the phone. "I appreciate it, Grandma. I really don't want to see them but I need it. I'll stop by after school. It'll be really great to see you again."
I smiled softly. "Oh, you know me, deary. I'll do anything to help," Sam's grandma replied.
"I love you, Grandma. I look forward to see you."
"The same to you, Sammy."
"See you in a bit," Sam said goodbye.
"Goodbye, Love," Ida also said goodbye.
Sam hung up. "Hey. You survive teacher's aid." She snickered.
"Barely," I smiled back. "Nah. Mr. Lancer's cool." I stopped, blinking rapidly. "Oh, boy, hell must have frozen over somewhere."
Sam laughed. "I get what you mean. Cool as in all right. Not cool as in he always knows what to say." She snickered.
"Yes. That's exactly what I mean." I had teacher's aid during third block so I didn't get to see anyone during my third block. You can't exactly do that work online. Mostly, I run errands for the man.
"I'm going to spend the afternoon with my grandma. She got my parents out of the house so we have the place to ourselves."
"That's great," I smiled. "Are you bringing the kids with you? It'd be a good time to introduce the kids to her."
"No. I'm not saying anything until after we're married. Besides, she doesn't know you have ghost powers."
"You don't have to tell her I'm Danny Phantom to let her know you are a mother, Sam," I replied.
Sam gave me a tired look. "Do you honestly believe they could keep their powers to themselves for any length of time? Maybe Lilly but I know they hate acting like normal babies. I'll just wait until after we're married."
"Okay. No big deal. I hope you have fun, sweetheart."
"I just really miss her. I haven't had time to see her since we got engaged. She called me a lot through the week of your death but I was just shut down. I need to see her and let her know I'm okay."
"She knows I'm alive again, right? Amity Park Angle doesn't exactly have a revived column." Sam started laughing. "Well, they don't!"
"Yes. Granny knows you're alive again. Anyone who read it in the paper knows. The Foley's made a correction."
"Wow," I said, raising an eyebrow. "'Please excuse the obituary. He's alive again. Thank you'." I shook my head.
"Close. I think the only thing you missed was 'this is Amity Park. You've seen weirder'."
"Very true," I said. Brit was the next to join us. "Hey, Baby Doll."
"Howdy," Brit said, hopping up on the table. "What are you two lovebirds up to?"
"We're not lovebirds," Sam and I declared at the same time.
"Just because we're a couple," Sam added.
"Doesn't mean we're a bunch of birds," I completed.
"Whatever," Brit rolled her eyes. She smirked.
"Speaking of couples, when are you going to talk to Mikey?"
"Jeez. It took the two of you three years to make a move. Can I take a couple weeks for him to warm up to me?"
"It didn't take me three years," I objected. "I didn't even know I liked Sam until Ember's spell."
"I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, ghost boy. You've liked her since you first laid eyes on her!"
"Still. You've been in town for how long now? It's time you make a move."
"Her make a move," Sam said, mockery in her voice. "But she's just a girl. How could she possibly make the move? A delicate little flower like Piggy Tails?"
"Honey, I'm a changed man," I said, taking Sam's hand. "You made the first move in our relationship and it made me realize that the man may wear the pants but it's not about who wears the pants, it's who wears the skirt."
"Notice, a complete absence of a skirt on me," Brit said, holding out her pant leg.
"You wore a dress once," Sam pointed out teasingly.
"What is this? Gang up on Danny day?"
"We want to join," Valerie added, joining our group.
"Yeah. Why weren't we notified?"
"Very funny," I grumbled. "What are you guys doing out here?"
"What? We can't come outside. Is this a members only club," Brit asked.
"Usually, only Sam and I stay out here," I said, crossing my arms.
"You're not the only half ghost," Tucker pointed out.
"No, but we're the only ones. Val and Brit don't have element protection."
"True," Brit replied. "But I'm warm. I don't know about Valerie."
Valerie tugged on her sleeve. "I'm okay."
"Are we going to do any work," Sam asked. "It makes me wonder. If we blow off school while we're together, what is everyone else doing?"
"That's a good question," I said, hunching forward on the table. "I don't care. You can do whatever you want during this hour and twenty minutes. The only thing that matters is completing your work before it's due. Usually midnight." At least that was the deadline we suggested. As far as I know, they could have deadlines before the end of class. That's something Mr. Fuluka would do. "Maybe we need to check the walls."
"Yeah, that short bastard would pull something like that," Tucker grumbled. Tucker pulled out his laptop as I grabbed mine. I checked the walls of Sam's classes first and then checked my own. The assignments for the most part were due before class began the next day. "Oh, man," Tucker grumbled. "I haven't done any of my work. I bet I got a lot of Fs."
"This is a try run," I said, sighing. I haven't really done anything either. "I didn't expect it to improve overnight. If the teachers are being realistic, they won't either."
"We need to make an example," Brit replied. "Because you know if we aren't doing it, no one else will either."
"This stinks," Valerie grumbled. "I can't wait to graduate."
"Me too but we still have work to do," I replied.
"Well, there's only one thing to do when you have work to do," Sam said, reaching for her bag. "Roll up your sleeves."
(04)
I felt better when I arrived home. I took the kids outside and we played until dinner. I was able to interact with the kids and didn't even need any deep breaths or moments of silence. It was a great evening. We put the kids to bed that night after Sam spent the evening with her Grandma and Sam and I actually watched a movie together. Sam and I went to bed about one o'clock but we just went to sleep. I held her as she pressed her back to me. I was in a great mood when I felt sleep overtake me.
I was standing in the hallway of the castle. There was Sam, Tucker, Jazz, Danielle and Courtney with me. It was only us six, though. Courtney looked to be her mid-to-maybe-late twenties, but she was isolated from the group, her arms crossed against her chest.
It was several minutes before anything happened. The silence was deafening but my future self wasn't even thinking. Everything was just so quiet. I heard footsteps as the first sign of activity. My future self looked to Tucker. Sam took my hand, squeezing it. Tucker was looking to Courtney but she refused to look to him.
I first saw Sammy. She had black hair still, not like the two face as I've dreamed of in the future, and she was walking down the hall. Behind Sammy, though, was Valerie. Why is Valerie with Sammy? Then I saw the glow. My world seemed to slow down. No. Not Valerie.
"Val," Tucker reacted. He darted to her, taking her in his arms. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry."
"You did what you were supposed to," Valerie said, rubbing Tucker's cheek. "I told you to protect Courtney. I knew what I was doing."
"But why," Courtney retorted. "Why did you give that order, Mom? Dad could have saved you. I could have handled myself!"
"Courtney, sweetheart," Valerie said softly, "I know you must be confused and sad…"
"I'm not sad," Courtney retorted. "I'm madder than hell. Dad made that choice. He could have saved your life or protected me. He abandoned you when I was fine!"
"Courtney," Tucker said gently.
"No," Courtney declared. "You chose me over Mom. Why would you do that?"
"Because you are my daughter," Tucker retorted. "I saw what Sammy's death did to Danny and Sam and I'll be damned if we lose you. It wouldn't have mattered. I would have lost her or you but you have your entire life ahead of you!"
"You just think I'm helpless," Courtney retorted. "I'm not good enough for you! You do link me to Sammy. Impure. Amalgamate!"
"Courtney," Valerie declared. "No. We see you as our baby…"
"I'm not a baby, though," Courtney retorted. "I'm a grown woman. I have ghost powers of my own. You didn't have to come after me tonight! I wished you hadn't!"
"Courtney Nicole," Tucker retorted.
"Don't talk to me," Courtney jabbed back. "I don't ever want to see you again, Dad. I hate you!" A flash of light came around Courtney's waist and she transformed into a black jumpsuit. It wasn't traditional—not by a long shot. There were holes around her sides and shoulders. The jumpsuit was solid black, with her emblem on the front. A giant N was laid out in white.
"Courtney," Valerie cried. Courtney flew away.
Sam and I put a hand on Tucker's shoulder while Danielle and Jazz flanked around him. Tucker looked at me with tears in his eyes. "I didn't make the wrong choice. She's my daughter. It was my job to protect her."
"It's the same thing either one of would have done," Sam replied. I looked to Sammy. "Planned to do."
"I'm sorry, Dad," Sammy said, looking down. "I wished there was something I could do."
"There's nothing anyone can do," Valerie replied. "It'll take her some time to get over this. It's not you that she hates, Tuck. She's angry because she blames herself."
"And you two need to talk to her," Jazz said softly. I saw Tucker's jaw set. "Val is right. She needs this time now but eventually, you'll have to sit her down and make her realize this wasn't her fault."
"Why isn't this her fault," Tucker retorted. "She didn't have to go out there alone! And what did she do it for? Some hotshot ghost hunter who thought she was cool. Was it really worth it in the end? Was impressing a boy that important to her?"
"Tucker," I said gently. "Blaming Courtney isn't going to help. I know how bitter one can get after these things happen but you can't let it control you. Courtney made her decision, the same way you did when you went to Courtney. Courtney is only processing this."
"How does it feel," Sam asked, looking to Valerie.
"Weird," Valerie sighed. She put her hand to her chest. "I-I can't catch a breath, sighing doesn't do anything, there's no pause in my thinking. It just feels… weird."
Danielle looked to the ground, tears flowing. The two of them were so close. My future self just knew Danielle couldn't respond. Not yet anyway.
"D-did you try to-to hold on," Tucker asked reluctantly.
"Yeah," Valerie said quietly. "I remember waking up in this tunnel. I-I looked between both of them but the right tunnel was so appealing. The left one was full of hurt and regret. I just couldn't stand it. I knew my life was back that way from all the stories Danny has told but every time I went that way, it hurt. I went into the right tunnel."
"I remember a time I died and the right one looked more appealing," I said, looking down. "I don't know if you made the right choice, Val, but you saved yourself a lot of hurt. It takes longer when it's repulsive. I saw more than three scenes. Each step was like being mulled alive. I hope this is better."
"It can't be better," Valerie said, stroking Tucker's face. Her hand went through him and both Tucker and Valerie made miserable gasps. "God, Tucker, I'm so sorry."
Tucker's eyes filled with tears. "No, I'm sorry. I wished I was stronger. I wished I could have been enough to protect Courtney and you."
"Don't you dare blame yourself, Match Stick. I told you what I wanted. I wanted my daughter to grow old. I don't care if I have to die a thousand deaths, I will protect my baby."
"Valerie," I said softly. "You can't die anymore deaths. The next one is your last one." My future self took a deep breath, a distant memory trying to resurface. Sam took his hand and he looked down, overcome with emotion.
"If I have to sacrifice my existence to make sure my baby lives a full life, I'll do it Danny," Valerie retorted. "My life doesn't mean half as much as Courtney's life."
"I get it, okay," I declared. "We have four ghosts and seven humans as kids, Valerie. I would die a thousand deaths to protect them but I still have lives to give."
"What if you didn't," Valerie accused. "Are you telling me you wouldn't sacrifice your ghost existence for any of your children?"
"Of course I would but there are other ways to do it. This is your last shot, Val. What happens the next time Courtney gets in trouble? Who's going to protect her then?"
"Would it make a difference," Valerie asked. "I mean, if I ignore her to save my existence and she dies, what difference would it make?"
I looked down, knowing I had felt the same way before. For my entire life, I've felt this way. Not with just my children but it especially became stronger when I had those lives dependent upon me. I never felt anger until a ghost targeted my children. I never felt power until that energy was needed to protect my children. I never felt control until my children needed me focused to protect them. And I never felt despair until I saw my daughter as a ghost. I looked to Sammy.
"It would mean a big difference to Courtney," Sammy replied. "I don't jeopardize my existence. That's the last thing I'll give up. I don't mess with situations that would destroy me and you shouldn't either. Now, I get it and I will go out there to protect my family every time they need me but getting myself obliterated isn't worth it."
"You've never been in that situation before, Sammy," Sam said softly. "We don't know how you'll react. If one of us was at a risk of dying and you had to make that choice, I don't see you walking away. We didn't raise you to be like that, sweetheart. I don't think you could."
"Which is why I wish you'd stay in the Ghost Zone," I declared. "This is the last chance either of you get. There are no do overs. The Gauntlet cannot reverse oblivion. Not as far as we can see. That's why I'll go down the left tunnel no matter what so long as that's an option. I don't care. At ninety-two, I will go down the left tunnel. What it will do I don't know but I'm not giving up until I can't do anymore."
"Me either," Sam replied.
"I'll fight to the end," Tucker added.
"You're making me feel bad," Valerie joked.
"You might not have had a choice, Valerie," I said. "We don't know what happens when it's our time."
"You were able to ignore the right tunnel when it was singing your song," Valerie said, shrugging. "I might have given up too soon."
"Or you might have made the best choice," Sam replied. "We don't know what this world has in store for us. All we can do is play the game and hope for the best."
"I still think I made the right choice," Tucker said. "I wished I could have saved you, Valerie, but I know without a doubt the alternative would have been worse."
"Absolutely. I told you what I wanted from you and you did exactly as I wanted. I can't ask for anything more than that, Tucker. Just protect her, baby. With everything you've got. Even your life."
"I promise," Tucker said.
"We can't protect everyone but we can do our best," Sam replied. "I'm not saying for you ever to ignore your children because I couldn't do it either but think about the cost. Consider the others involved. Don't act in haste."
"When it comes to my baby, haste is the only way to go," Tucker replied.
"What are you going to do about Courtney," I asked.
"I'll let her cool off for a while," Tucker said, his head downcast. "She is hurting and running after her isn't going to do a thing. The best I can hope for is given time, she'll forgive me."
"Of course she will," Jazz nodded. Jazz wasn't getting much in here word wise but she was with us through it all. Danielle was in the room, but she wasn't with us. She was still in mourning. The only ones capable of feeling as she did were Tucker and Courtney. Tucker knew what he was giving up but Danielle isn't alive because Valerie sacrificed herself.
"Just know you did nothing wrong, Tucker," Sam said softly. "You know had you protected Valerie, it would have hurt a lot worse. I love Danny more than anything but I've chosen our children over him." She sucked in a breath. "It just hasn't cost me anything yet."
I wrapped my arm around Sam. "Should that day come, know I have no regrets, sweetheart. I've died before, lots of times, and never once did I think I made the wrong choice."
"I don't regret my choice either, Dad. I knew what was at stake that day. Had I stayed home, it could have been someone else. I wasn't making a difference in my old life. I'm sorry you thought I was."
"I don't care about statistics, Samantha," I said, looking to her. "You were my baby. We put a lot of energy into protecting you. We had plans for that day but none of them panned out. You should have stayed out of it. You knew the cost. You still went running there—and for what? To die! We didn't see this coming! I knew we lost Valerie eventually but I had no indication of a day. I had the fucking date of your death in my hand and so did you!" Sam pulled on my arm as my eyes became blurry. "Sammy, I love you with all my heart and I am proud of the woman you became but you chose wrong that day. Ghost or human, I didn't care. You were my butterfly. I don't see any difference your death made."
"Well, I do," Sam said, looking to Sammy. "You made that choice, Sammy. You didn't include anyone and you didn't think about your consequences. This is exactly what we were talking about earlier. You saw yourself get stronger and that's the very opposite of what we taught you. You made a difference in your human life, sweetheart. I was proud to call you my daughter the same way I was proud of Lilly, Megan, and Pammy. I didn't care about pureness in the blood or power level. You still kept the fundamentals of what we taught you. If you needed saving every day and never contributed to the cause, it wouldn't have mattered to me. You don't have to be half ghost to contribute."
"Mom, I'm sorry I caused you two so much turmoil. I'm satisfied with the result, though. Lilly was right. I am so much more powerful and I can do a lot more."
"What about Doc," I asked. "He's in the same boat as you are. Do you think he should become a full ghost to contribute more?"
"Come on, Dad, that's not fair," Sammy declared. "You never freaked out over Doc. Not like you did with me at least. You never saw, Daddy. You didn't see how you treated me differently. And it wasn't just the ghosts! You allowed my future to interfere with the present. If anything, you made me like this. I didn't want to see the day when you sacrificed one of my siblings for me. That's what it came down to, Dad, and I don't believe you would have hesitated."
"Well, it sure as hell won't stop," I shot back. "If anything, I'm tenfold more determined to protect you. And you're wrong. I did freak over Doc. You were natural. Your mother wasn't a complete half ghost when you were conceived. Doc was my fault. I made a lot of stupid mistakes when I was pregnant and he paid for it. Don't you dare lecture me about singling out my children. There wasn't one of you I wouldn't sacrifice for the other. There are some I would protect more because they can't do it themselves but I don't care if it's D.J. that is in trouble. You bet your damn ass I would be there for him. I wrestled with the kids accusing me of singling you out. I protected you, Sammy. Just because you got in more trouble than the rest doesn't mean I loved you more. I was terrified of losing you and every precaution we made didn't matter in the end. And why? Because you thought you'd mean more to me dead than alive."
"Dad, I…"
"Enough, Sammy," I said, turning away. Tears blurred his vision. "You guys can stay if you want. I'm going home to see the kids."
"Don't be so hard on Sammy, Danny," Sam said softly.
"I will be as hard on her as necessary," I replied. I turned back to look at Sammy again. "Because I will die again and again and again—even if it's oblivion—to make sure you don't die again." I flew out of the castle.
The location of the portal wasn't where it is in my time. When he flew through the swirling vortex, I saw why. This portal opened to our home at the Manson mansion. My future self entered the Real World, flashing back to a human. He entered the house in a lab of some sort. There were tables, counters, monitors and samples everywhere. Along the ceiling was a bookshelf consisting of three tiers, going all around the room. He exited the room, walking down a corridor.
"Dad," a young woman, Megan I presumed, stood up. Her hair was pinned on her head so I couldn't really tell who she was. Megan and Pammy looked so much alike.
"Yes, Megan," I said softly. At least I can tell my kids apart.
"Had she crossed over," Lilly asked. Her hair was shorter but still long. She had it pulled in a ponytail.
"I'm afraid so," I answered. "Valerie is now at the castle."
"Did you see Sammy," a girl very much resembling Megan asked. Her hair was braided, swooping down her side.
"Yeah," I said, my jaw tight. "Sammy was with her. I think she was showing her around."
"Is something wrong, Dad," a boy younger than Megan but older than Pammy asked. His hair was super short, almost shaven.
"No, Doc. Everything's fine. I'm just… very sad."
A second boy stepped forward and I saw the twins behind him. They were already grown so I knew it had to have been at least ten years since Sammy died. "Dad, how is Uncle Tucker and Courtney?"
"They're dealing," I said, looking to my sons in the background. "Courtney is angry and Tucker is devastated. We know how it is."
"How are you," my white haired twin son asked. He looked to his brother.
"I'm dealing, too. It's never easy when you lose one of your own." He released a breath. "You kids need to know you can come to me about anything. Anything you need at all, your mother and I are here."
"Where is Mom," Lilly asked.
"She's still at the castle. I wanted to check on you guys. It-it got to be too much."
"It's going to be all right, Dad," Megan replied. "We'll get through this like we got through everything else."
"I know we will," I said, looking down. I didn't want my children to share my sense of hopelessness. I looked at my children. Lilly, Megan, Doc, Pammy, D.J., Donnie and Jay. They were my world but yet, the world rested on their shoulders. It wasn't fair. I wanted to keep them away from the fight but my future self had a different opinion. He was looking at Lilly and Megan. He saw three small children and I thought I felt my heart explode. Megan has a daughter and Lilly has a son and a daughter. Doc was dating a woman and I knew it was serious. Pammy, Donnie and Jay both were dating but it wasn't looking serious but D.J. was already married. He took after his old man in that regard, marrying his high school sweetheart. He had two sons. I couldn't believe it.
I took a seat and the rest of my children followed suit. My future self was so numb, not knowing what to do or say. There was no point in pretending everything would be okay and no one would ever lose anyone again. He knew it would be a lie. It was just the beginning. The entire world was at war and the human race was on the losing side. The battle was long and hard and there would be more casualties. He feared one day his own grandchildren.
(04)
I came awake, sitting up in a jolt. My heart beat fast but it was shattered in little pieces. It wasn't Courtney Tucker lost… but in a way, it was. I was wrong, though. It happened after Sammy's death, not before.
I sat up on the side of the bed, hutching forward. I said I was pregnant with Doc. That can't be right. I mean, how could that happen? I can't be pregnant. It was a mistake. It had to be. I didn't know what to do, though. It's been so long since I had a dream, that I didn't wear the helmet. I didn't capture any of this. If I told Sam and Tucker—oh, God, Tucker—about this dream, they'll want to see it. Then they'll kick my ass for ignoring the helmet.
I checked on my girls, making sure they were okay and then I went downstairs. The microwave clock displayed just after three when I entered the kitchen. The lights were still on, though, and I found that odd. Please don't tell me Mom is still awake. I phased through the lab door as to not make a sound and crept down the stairs. The changing room door was open as I suspected. I turned invisible.
Mom was sitting at a workstation, a large box sitting on the top. Surprisingly, Dad was standing beside her, looking over her work. On the plasma played a scene and I had to focus on the screen for a second to determine what they were watching. It was in night vision.
It was a ghost fight with my ghost form but I could tell it wasn't from three years ago. Don't tell me they still spy on me after everything we've been through. I thought we were good. Why would my parents want to spy on Phantom? Mom is constantly defending me from Dad. It makes no sense why they'd continue the investigation into my afterlife.
"Mads, I am usually all over your theories but this is a bit much," Dad said gently.
"Look, I know it's crazy and I'm praying it's wrong as much as you are but the pieces fit," Mom declared.
"How does this make sense," Dad asked. "We have no proof anything like this could exist."
"I have examined every possible connection and every one hasn't panned out. Now, I'm praying that this proves to be wrong too because… oh," she released a breath. "Danny would be absolutely right. I can't-I can't imagine what this discovery would do."
"It's not, okay," Dad said, taking Mom in his arms. "Listen to me, Maddie. Danny is a tough kid but this… it's crazy."
Mom looked to the screen and I saw tears in her eyes. "What would this mean? All this time, I-I thought he was safe. Jack, he's not safe if this is true."
I swallowed.
"Maddie, you need to step back, okay, baby. I'm not even convinced Danny and the kids have been altered, much less that. There has to be another explanation."
"He's not a human with ghost powers," Mom replied. "He would have to inherit it from a family member and we don't have that kind of history. If he were to be the beginning, he wouldn't have the powers himself. The origin only begins the line, he doesn't share the abilities. It takes generations to do this, too. He can't be half ghost. Neither one of us are ghosts so that's out of the question. Danny told me it happened the day of the accident. Jack, that has enough force to do this."
"But Danny wasn't even inside and it didn't last long. The amount of energy that would need… Danny wasn't exposed to that kind of energy."
Mom hunched forward, taking her head in her hand. "I know. That's the only thing we have going for us. Provided nothing changes, this could be a farfetched theory and I hope it stays that way."
"It will," Dad said, kissing her head. "I mean, how could this theory involve Sam and Tucker? Sam and Tucker weren't involved in that accident three years ago. And it's unlikely something like that could happen twice."
"Twice," Mom repeated, furrowing her brow.
"What now," Dad asked.
"Remember when Danny and Sam were eating and the magnetism kicked up again," Mom asked.
"Must not. I was probably still sleeping," Dad nodded.
"Well, Sam and Danny had sex the night before and they were eating breakfast before school. The two of them shared a look and that freaky stuff started happening again. Sam asked why it was doing it again and Danny said that it was probably his because he had vowed to go back to Vlad and never leave again, quote, 'so many times'. Wouldn't that imply that Vlad and Danny had magnetism?"
"When we first found out about Danny and Vlad, Danny did mention that there was something bonding him to Vlad but it wasn't what I was thinking. The kids were talking in code word. Could he have meant magnetism?"
"I think he was," Mom said, standing up. "If our theory is right, this is rare. If Danny's small exposure were enough to do this to him, what would Vlad's exposure have done? Vlad's was ten times more devastating than a shock."
"And I think I know who he is," Dad said, his teeth clenched. "You remember when we did that investigation in the unfinished business ghosts? Remember how the Wisconsin ghost and Sam were reacting."
"I do," Mom said, turning to Dad. "It was just like how Sam and Vlad were acting."
"Exactly," Dad replied. "The kids would know. That was during the height of the feud." Dad shook his head, though. "But don't think just because we may be right about Vlad that we could be right about Danny. Danny's was nothing like the exposure Vlad had."
"That's true," Mom sighed. "But what about Sam and Tucker? If Vlad's exposure could have that kind of impact, do you think Sam and Tucker could have been mutated with the ecto-acne?" Mom walked to a cabinet, pulling out a stack of books. She started flipping through it. Her face went pale. "May fifteenth."
"May 15, 2010," Dad repeated. "There's no way that's a coincidence."
"Five years, though," Mom declared. "Why on earth would it take them that long to complete the mutation?"
"It was a small dose," Dad replied. "Think about it. It's enough energy to make the transformation but it doesn't have enough strength to make a sweeping change."
"But Danny's did," Mom declared. "We are missing something Jack and I can't stand it!"
Dad turned away from Mom, his face going pale. "Mads," he whispered.
"What," Mom asked.
"What are the odds of Danny lying to us," Dad asked.
"Very high, why," Mom asked.
"Because I think I found out what the missing piece is," Dad said. He walked over to the station, picking up a sample. "Okay, we know a human has to be pure to go in there. Anything exposed with ectoplasm just deteriorates."
Mom nodded. "Yeah. So?"
Dad walked to the portal and my pulse began to spike. "What if he wasn't outside the portal?" Dad put his thumb to the control panel and shut the portal down.
"Jack! What are you doing," Mom cried.
"Praying I'm wrong," Dad said, still in that monotone voice.
"What," Mom declared, confused.
"Danny takes Sam and Tucker downstairs. We have chords everywhere—we know what happened when we showed him the portal in the beginning."
"He trips," Mom said, coming to stand by Dad. "So what? He pulls the cord and that's where he gets his exposure?"
"No, Maddie," Dad replied. He walked inside the portal. "He falls in the portal! He stands up," Dad's hand hovers above the button as he puts the sample on the ground. My erratic heart beat finally slowed as Dad exited the portal. "He puts his hand on the wall but he doesn't know there's a button there. The cords are hooked up because of the first run; he hits the power up button." Dad hit the external power button from the control panel. "The portal activates." The ectoplasm targets the blood sample immediately and the electricity lights the entire basement up. I see Mom cover her mouth as she and Dad watch in horror the makings of my accident.
"This can't be—no, Jack, this would kill him," Mom declared.
"We'll find out," Dad replied. He pulled Mom close and my parents watch the converting of the sample. I never did it in the portal. I tried it with ectoplasm, blood and an ordinary wire. I have no idea how this experiment will turn out.
Two minutes pass and Mom and Dad are starting to get antsy. "Why is it still going? Should we turn it off?"
"I don't think so," Dad answered her. "I imagine the portal would eventually overheat with such a large foreign object."
"But the sample doesn't have the same density as Danny would," Mom replied.
"We'll wait ten minutes. We were only gone fifteen minutes when the kids called us. I can't imagine it taking that long."
Mom looked to the clock. "I can't imagine Danny being in that for this long."
"I don't want to imagine it," Dad whispered. "God, I couldn't imagine what he must have went through. It would turn his life upside down."
"And being mutated with ectoplasm wouldn't do the same thing," Mom asked, looking to Dad. "Think back to the months after the portal opened, Jack. He was so scared and then Vlad rapes him. Son of a bitch. How could he do that to a kid going through a life changing event in the first place?"
"It's how we lost him, Mads," Dad said, hanging his head. "Danny couldn't fight back. Vlad had been this way for twenty years. Danny had just started out. I swear if I ever see that son of a bitch again, I'll kill him with my bare hands."
"Not if I get to him first," Mom said, balling her hands into fists. "How could he do it? What in the hell was so important that Vlad had to hurt Danny that way while he was dealing with his own disasters?"
"I don't know," Dad said, hanging his head. "I think back to the day we did that investigation. Maddie, I'm terrified. We've put him through hell and back."
"No, Jack. We can't allow that to cloud our vision. Look, I know we've done a lot of horrible things to him in the past but the truth is we've accepted him for what he is. We know he isn't that kind of ghost. Now to think he's not a ghost at all."
"What is he, then," Dad asked. "I mean… he's so powerful. I can't imagine a mutant having that kind of power."
"Look at Plasmius," Mom declared. "He wasn't exactly weak. It's this mutation. They're different. They aren't impacted by one or two powers, they aren't born from a ghost and a human; they are biologically engineered. It's perfect. It takes the best of the human race and the best of the ghost species and combines them into one. I just can't figure it out. How long did it take Danny to make the change? Vlad was fine for months. We would have known!"
"That's my theory," Dad sighed. "If this proves to be accurate, then Danny's was the worst. Vlad's accident could have taken months to complete the mutation but Sam and Tucker won't complete theirs until another two years. Danny could have completed his mutation within days, maybe a week." Ha! Oh, man. This is so not good. Are they seriously considering I might be Phantom?
Mom looked back to the portal, her eyes filling with tears. "'We were in the same room but we were alone'," Mom said. "That's what he said to me the other day. I can't imagine being anymore alone. Trapped inside that portal, looking out. Was he conscious? Could he scream for help? Did he think he was going to die? Then imagine Sam and Tucker. They're trapped on the outside, watching this with their best friend inside. They can't shut down the portal, they can't help him; they're just forced to watch as their friend died. Three minutes this has been going on." Mom shuddered a breath. "They learned a lot of life lessons in this time."
"Oh, my God," Dad declared. He looked to Mom. "'The day we were born'!"
"This is it," Mom huffed. "This is the birthday they were talking about. It makes perfect sense. They would learn so much from this. It would tie them together, merging them into one. Just how those three are. They were close before but they became inseparable after the portal opened."
"But how? How could this happen to our son and we never know it? There should have been signs, Maddie."
"There were signs," Mom said, hanging her head. "Danny walking around like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, Sam and Tucker sticking their necks out for Danny, every time he came home late, the low grades, Vlad. Jack, the signs were there, we chose to ignore them."
Dad looked away from the portal, looking to the screen. "My boy, a hero. I have never seen Phantom in this light before. He didn't have to do these things. Why did he?"
"We raised him that way," Mom said, turning to look at the screen as well. "Jack," Mom broke down and Dad held her. "He's risking his life, Jack! Oh, God, how do we let him go knowing he'll die to protect this town?"
"We have to, Mads. He's already erased our memories once because of how we acted."
"I know," Mom whimpered. "It's just—I got through it by saying it was Phantom who had the most dangerous job. How do I deal knowing my son is Phantom?"
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it," Dad sighed. "We've seen the two of them in the same room. How?"
"Danny can duplicate," Mom said, her voice pitchy. Mom walked away from Dad, rubbing the monitor. "I think we've solved one piece of the puzzle. Now, we need to figure out the kids."
Dad turned back to the portal. "Four minutes. Do you really think he stayed in the portal that long?"
"No," Mom answered. "It would have killed him. The sample is too small. It doesn't have the mass to overheat the portal. Let's turn it off."
"The sample should be done," Dad replied.
"Oh, yeah. I just hope it hasn't destroyed it already."
"I wouldn't do that," I spoke up.
"What," Dad asked, looking around. I wanted to just turn visible and let them see me in my human form but old habits die hard. I powered up as my feet hit the floor.
I appeared. "It took five minutes. Any less and you won't get what you're looking for." I looked to Mom and her eyes filled with tears. "Hey… Mom."
Mom rushed to me but stopped just short of being on top of me. She reached her hand out shakily and I took it in my gloved hand. Mom studied me, looking over every inch of me.
"Is that really you, Danny," Dad asked, taking a shallow breath.
I looked to Dad. "Yeah. It's me. It always has been." I looked down. "I didn't want to hurt you. It was too much for you to bear."
"Let me see," Mom said, her voice breaking. "I want to see how you become this version of yourself."
"It'll be in reverse," I replied. I triggered the rings and my parents watched in amazement as my black hazmat suit with white trim turned into my pajamas. "It's still me," I said weakly.
"How did this happen," Dad asked.
"Your theory was almost right," I replied. "I tripped but I didn't quite fall. As I skipped in the portal, my hand hit the button. You really frightened me when I thought you were going to hit the button." I heard a pop and I turned to the portal. The portal kicked on and the sample flew out. In my human form, I flew after it, catching it and flying back to my parents. "Here you are."
"Impressive," Dad declared.
"You should see me change a boy's diaper," I smirked.
I held out the blob, green ectoplasm with mixture of red blood. He stood up on my palm. "Amazing," Mom declared, snatching him off my hand.
"Easy," I declared. "Don't hurt him!"
"I'm going to experiment on him," Mom declared, making me wince. The blob didn't like it either because he flew away. "Hey!"
"Wow," I said, shocked. "They have a lot more power when it's done in the portal."
Mom grabbed a thermos, pointing it at the blob. The blob fought the vortex of the thermos but it eventually turned red with green intermixed and Mom captured it. Poor thing, it got tired.
"You've done this before," Dad asked.
"For every second I was in that portal," I replied. "Every one died except for the last one."
"Why didn't you tell us in the beginning," Mom asked, putting the thermos down.
"A number of reasons," I said, hanging my head. "I guess we have a lot to discuss, huh?"
"If you feel like it," Mom said gently.
"I was up anyway. I had another prophetic dream and I'm trying to sort through it."
"Did you record it," Dad asked.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "I haven't had one in six months. I've been under a lot of stress."
"Well, what was it about," Mom asked me.
"My illness has me running scared about losing the kids. It dates back to the Battle of Amity Park when I dream of my daughter dying in the attack. I told myself so long as I never lost anyone, I could change that future. When I went on my travels, I lost innocents. That promise I made myself didn't hold any weight anymore."
"Oh, my God," Mom said, covering her mouth. "You did say that Phantom lost a daughter at the Battle. I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
"She's Sam's and my first child," I said, hanging my head. "Sam completes the transformation just days after Sammy is born so she's the only child we have that's not pure. Sammy grows up feeling left out. When Sammy is older, she confronts Lilly about what she knows. Lilly tells her the only thing she does know: Sammy is destined to die at the battle. To cheer her up, Lilly begins to tell Sammy about her increase in power. Sammy hatches a plan. When the battle happens, Sammy knows what she's walking into and she goes there for that purpose. Sam and I said in my dream that we had plans but they didn't help. I don't know what those plans are. Sammy dies and then becomes a Superior, a twenty-two. I dreamed of ten or so years after that. Valerie was killed when Courtney, her and Tucker's daughter, got into trouble. It was either save Courtney or save Valerie and Val ordered Tucker to go to their daughter. Tucker and I were going through the same thing. Our kids made bad choices and it screwed up our family. Sammy had the choice to stay away but she thought her human life wasn't valuable enough to save. She died so she could be more powerful, the opposite of what we taught our children."
"I'm so sorry, baby," Mom said, touching my shoulder. "The future isn't set in stone. None of this has to happen."
"Sam keeps telling me this and I want to believe it but the dream was so clear. The clearer the picture, the more likelihood it will come true. That dream Lilly had the other day wasn't clear. There's a chance it won't happen."
"Do you mind telling me what that dream was about," Mom asked. "I wanted to know but I thought it might be asking too much."
"Lilly and Megan went against our orders and went on a search rescue when I was kidnapped. The kids were trying to figure out the difference between Lilly, Megan and Doc from Sammy, Pammy and D.J."
"Who's Doc," Mom asked.
"I'm not completely sure," I said, putting my hand on my stomach. "He's younger than Megan, about the same age as Joey and they say he's our son."
"Not another one," Mom groaned.
"Tell me about it," I muttered under my breath. "I don't want to be pregnant no more than you want to have another kid in this house."
"Uh, Danny," Dad asked. I looked up, surprised.
"I didn't mean for you to hear that," I said sheepishly.
"Pregnant," Mom asked, furrowing her brow. "What are you talking about?"
"Hehe," I chuckled nervously. Way to go, Fenton. That's a great way to tell them! "Ghosts are A-Sexual. Okay, I know that's not entirely true but I can't think of the word Sam used. Both male and female ghosts can get pregnant is the short version. Vlad impregnated me when he first raped me. That's where Lilly came from. The mystery illness, how I got so fat, all the signs. I was pregnant." I released a big breath. I hate telling this story. "Megan came from the fact that Vlad wants to save the halfa race. That's what we call ourselves. Halfas. Half a boy, half a ghost."
"But you're not half," Mom said, tilting her head. I know the pregnancy thing was a lot for her to take in. She'll start with the less confusing one.
"Actually, I am. I'm half at all times. Like right now. I can summon enough ghost to be like a ghost but look like Fenton. I've done it countless times."
"Hold on a minute," Dad declared. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around pregnant! How on earth did you deliver?"
"I sort of have that thing," I said, blushing. "Fuck it," I grumbled. "I probably resemble a woman more than I do a man now because I'm pregnant." Saying the word, the anger I felt to Vlad dissolved as my hands went to my stomach. "Oh, my God, I'm pregnant." My world seemed to slow down, everything fuzzy.
"Danny," Mom cried. "Honey, what's wrong?"
With one hand to my stomach, I covered my mouth with the other. "I'm three months pregnant and-and I've-I've—." Suddenly, I got very sick. I ran to the bathroom, throwing up.
"Three months pregnant? But wouldn't he be bigger," Dad asked.
"I think that's what's wrong," Mom declared. "Danny," Mom cried as she rushed in the bathroom. I was throwing up in the bowl, sicker than a dog. I've been pregnant for the last three months, not eating, not sleeping, traveling around the world, drinking, doing fear hits. Oh, my God. This is all my fault.
"What am I going to do," I cried, putting my head on the seat. All of it came crushing down on me and I thought I'd crumble.
"Baby," Mom declared. "You need to get a hold of yourself. Now come on, let me look you over."
"Doc," I muttered miserably. "My future self was right. Sammy was natural but Doc was my fault. I haven't taken care of him."
"Shh," Mom said, rubbing my back. She led me back to the lab.
(04)
By morning, Mom had deployed the medical tent. She had given me a pregnancy test, which had proven positive. An ultrasound had shown my son was really weak. Mom had me on fluids and bed rest. For once, I wasn't against the idea of bed rest. Mom couldn't find the heartbeat and Doc wasn't moving. She wasn't willing to say it, but I could read between the lines. Mom didn't think my son would survive.
"Mrs. Fenton. Mr. Fenton," Sam had announced. Her hair was in a bun, and she was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a black dress shirt. "Are you down here? I'm looking for Danny."
"Sam," I said gently. "Honey, I need to speak to you."
Sam stopped when she saw the tent deployed. "Danny, what is going on? Are you okay?"
I took a breath, "No Sam, everything is not all right. We need to talk."
"Who's doing this," Sam asked, looking around. "It can't be your parents."
"I had another dream last night," I began. Sam's eyes widened. "I came downstairs to work through it and I discovered the light on in the kitchen. I went downstairs, thinking Mom was doing more research. Turns out, she and Dad were downstairs and they were going over some data. They figured it out, Sam. I haven't returned their memories yet, but they know the truth."
"They haven't forced you into experiments, have they? So help me…" Sam seethed. I've never seen her look angrier.
"No, no, no," I began quickly. Even though I was on the verge of a mental breakdown, I started laughing. "They're great, Sam," and to prove my mental instability, I broke down in tears. "You were right, Sam; you and Tucker were right. I was pregnant."
"Oh, honey," Sam was right by me in a flash. She took me in her arms, holding me tight. I was in no condition to pretend I was holding it together. I was terrified, heartbroken, and angry. I hated to admit it, but I really needed her. I didn't know if I could do this at all, but I certainly couldn't do it alone. "I didn't want to be right. We're going to get through this, like we always have." I watched Sam's eyes widen. "Was pregnant? You didn't lose it, did you?"
I took a shuddering breath, "I'm still pregnant, but it's not looking good." I took several shallow breaths, trying to remain in control.
"Listen to me," Sam said firmly, "Doc is going to be fine. We know he's weak. We're going to get through this, Danny. You just can't give up."
"I'm not giving up, Sam. I'm just so scared."
"Use that fear; do not let it control you. You're good to no one, especially not Doc, paralyzed by fear."
"I'm so sorry, Sam. I have put you through so much, I don't even know why you put up with it. My affair with Vlad, me running away from home, taking the girls from you, then just dumping them on you…"
"Stop, right now. This is my family. I accept you the way you are, for better, for worse. There are just as many questionable things that I do that you put up with."
I snorted. "You are perfect, Sam. I couldn't ask for anyone better."
Sam gave me one of her teasing smiles, "I didn't say you could find anyone better." Sam held me at arm's length by my shoulders, rubbing them up and down. "We're going to get through this, Danny."
I nodded my head, Sam already building my confidence.
Mom stepped around the corner, stopping when she saw Sam. Sam and I looked to her but I could feel the fear threatening to consume me. Mom began walking again, coming to the bed. "Okay, I did some tests. What does Sam know?"
"I've filled her in," I said, rubbing my fingers over the palm of my hand. Sam took my right hand, rubbing her fingers over the top of my hand.
"Well, the baby is alive. I done a scan to see if any brain waves were being radiated and he's still got that going for him. I don't know why his pulse isn't being detected or why he won't respond to any actions, but he's alive."
I closed my eyes, tears leaking out. "We need to rebuild his strength," Sam said. "That's what's wrong with him. This isn't Danny's first complicated pregnancy. Lilly was small in the beginning because Danny wasn't taking care of himself. Doc is small because Danny hasn't been taking care of either one of them." Sam rubbed my hand as I looked down. "With Lilly, Danny was able to keep her healthy because his powers provided nutrients to her but he was suffering because there was nothing left for him. Right now, Danny doesn't have anything for either of them and his powers are protecting him. If we restore Danny to health, the baby should recover too. We just need to limit stress and increase nutrients."
"I have him on fluids right now," Mom replied. "But I like your theory. Danny is healthy. I've ran all the tests on him and while I think his vitals are way too high, Danny says they are normal. So right now, his powers are protecting him. We need to boost his powers." Mom stood up, walking away from us. "If it's his powers that need the boost, I can handle that. An energy booster shouldn't harm the baby."
I released a slow breath. "I'm so sorry, Sam. This is all my fault."
"Hush," Sam said, rubbing my face. "You made some mistakes. Everyone does now and again. You can't change the past. You have to work on making the future better."
"Tucker's not here, is he," I asked. Sam shook her head. "I don't want to use any of my powers so I was hoping if he was around, you could sense him."
"Tucker's… home. Yeah. He's still at his house."
"My dream last night was about ten years after Sammy died. I don't know what date it was but the twins were grown. It wasn't Courtney that died, Sam. It was Valerie." Sam's eyes widened. "I didn't see the battle. I know that Tucker, Valerie and Courtney were there and I think they were the only ones. Courtney got into trouble and Tucker and Valerie went to save her. Something happened and Tucker had to choose between Valerie or Courtney. Val ordered Tuck to protect Courtney and Valerie died."
Sam visibly swallowed. "What do we do?"
"How am I supposed to know," I sighed, throwing my head back. "I don't have a date and the only thing I do have is a generalization. The twins were grown but I couldn't pinpoint their age."
"Did you see the kids," Sam asked.
"Yeah," I nodded. "Sammy and I got in an argument and I had to leave. I went back and apparently we were checking to see if she crossed over." I released a breath. "That's another thing. Apparently, one time when I die, the right tunnel looks appealing. Valerie said she was in the tunnel but she couldn't ignore the right one. I told her it's hell when the right one is the one you want to take but you go down the left. I linked it to being mulled alive."
"I don't like the idea of you dying so many times you go running down any tunnel," Sam grumbled. "But what do you mean you and Sammy got in an argument? About what?"
"That's how I knew I was pregnant," I sighed. "Sammy accused me of favoring her and even said I'd probably sacrifice one of her siblings for her. I brought up Doc and Sammy accused me of being more protective of her than Doc but they were alike. I disagreed because Doc was my fault while she was natural. Apparently, she knows I gave birth to Lilly, Megan and Doc because I said I made a lot of mistakes when I was pregnant and she didn't react."
Sam nodded. "Well, we wouldn't keep this from them forever. Lilly was twelve. We wouldn't want to confuse them." Sam looked down for a few seconds and then looked back to me. "I guess Sammy did go there to die."
"Yeah," I said, hanging my head. "She wanted to be stronger and even said her human life wasn't worth saving. You were trying to make Valerie see that sometimes you have to make decisions based on everyone else. Valerie said she'd die a final time to keep Courtney alive. Sammy said she never jeopardizes her ghost existence but you said Sammy had never faced that before. You were trying to make the point that we loved her, even if she wasn't as strong as the rest. You did a much better job of dealing with her than I did."
"Of course I did," Sam said, rubbing my shoulder. I heard Mom coming back in the room. "You spent so much energy trying to keep Sammy alive. You saw how you reacted when you woke up. I don't have these dreams. I can't feel what you feel but you live this alternate version. Maybe you did favor Sammy, I don't know, but would you sacrifice anyone else for her, hell no."
"What are you talking about," Mom asked, giving me a cup. "Every last drop."
"Okay," I nodded. I took a drink and the thing tasted horrible. "Gaw!"
"Every bit of it," Mom instructed.
"This is going to be a nightmare," I grimaced, looking in the cup. There was about twelve ounces of this green, nasty junk. "But I'll do it, for Doc." I took another drink, shuttering in disgust.
"We're talking about his dream," Sam answered. "I imagine it was hard on him. He spent so much energy protecting Sammy and she proves to be her greatest enemy. How do we protect Sammy from herself?"
I shuttered after another drink. "Fenton Stockades sounds good."
Mom gave me a sad smirk. "So your daughter goes to this battle to die. Why would she do that? Why is she weaker? Why is the son?"
I looked down. "Well, first it's gestational issues," Sam said softly. "But Lilly told us he was injured in an attack when he's four years old. I have no idea what kind of attack this is but it really weakens him and Doc doesn't fight ghosts like the rest of his family." She gave me a soft smile. "That's what we meant. He takes after his father is code word for he's lazy like Vlad."
I laughed. "No. It means he uses his brains more than brawn. I loved Vlad to death but that man couldn't fight to save his life."
Sam looked to Mom. "Does Mrs. Fenton know?"
"She and Dad were theorizing," I nodded. "I haven't told them but they already know."
"Vlad is Plasmius. We realized it when we thought back to the Unfinished Business Ghosts. You two were bickering back and forth. The ghost said he wanted a bus to drop on Sam."
"Yeah," Sam growled. "That's the only way he could defeat me."
"Did you really steal Danny from Vlad," Mom asked.
"What," I declared. I put the cup to my mouth but changed my mind. "Vlad and I broke up after he kidnapped me in June. Sam and I got together after the Disasteroid in September. No, Mom. Vlad was only jealous because I've always had feelings for Sam. Our wedding was the second dream I had."
"We talked about this," Mom nodded. She put her hand on the bottom of the cup, pushing it towards my mouth. I groaned, taking another drink. "Phantom knew he was going to marry his wife but he had children with someone else. Of course, you never told me this someone else was a man and Phantom delivered them."
"Yeah, well I hate being pregnant," I grumbled. "I love my children but I will skin Vlad if I ever see him again."
"How does… I mean, how does Vlad get you pregnant?" Mom closed her eyes, shaking her head softly. "Jack and Vlad have said that Vlad can't conceive."
"He can't by human means," I answered. "You see, for two females to get pregnant, they have to have a penis. Notice, there's no penis. So oral sex will do. Vlad… you know, there." I started blushing hard, looking away.
"He sucks your anus," Mom asked, raising an eyebrow. Sam started laughing while I went invisible.
"No," I cried.
"Male ghosts have a vagina, Mrs. Fenton," Sam answered, laughing. "It's okay, honey." She laughed again. "Vlad sucked Danny's vagina."
"Sensitive spot," I declared. "This is just embarrassing!"
"Okay," Mom sighed. "It's okay, baby. You can let me see you again."
"I don't think I can show you my face again," I muttered miserably.
"Danny, using powers can't be helping Doc," Sam said softly. "You need to stop using your powers."
I sighed, knowing she was right. I turned visible but covered my face with the blanket.
"I'm sorry, honey. I'm just so confused about this ghost reproduction." Mom looked to Sam. "Danny says you called it something. He calls it A-Sexual."
"It's not A-Sexual. He still needs a partner to reproduce, but it could be either sex. Ghosts are hermaphrodites."
"That's the word," I said, holding up my finger.
"So ghosts have box sex organs. Males have vaginas and females have penises."
"Not exactly," Sam replied. "Females have testicles. The tongue serves as the penis."
"Are they full sized?"
"No," Sam said, balling her fists together. "That's why Lilly's birth was potentially fatal to Danny. Vlad raped Danny in his vagina and it was small. It's only like this," Sam replied, holding up her index and middle finger. Her other index finger touched the knuckle of the middle finger. "It's really tiny and it would have hurt, too. Every time Vlad raped Danny there, it would have hurt. Just sucking him would have hurt because it's against his will."
"Why would Vlad hurt you like that," Mom asked, looking to me.
"You have to realize that Vlad made a lot of mistakes, Mom, and he regretted it. I've forgiven him so I won't bring it back up."
"Vlad wanted to break Danny. Vlad said in a memory that Danny let us see that he liked his vagina and that it tasted a lot better. Let me tell you, it doesn't taste as good…"
"Ut," I called, appalled. "Sam, not in front of Mom."
"What? I'm just sharing biology."
"Yeah, I'm all for biology but I don't want to know that, sweetie," Mom said, her eyes wide.
"Okay," Sam said, hanging her head. "Maybe I did get carried away."
"But what about this memory," Mom asked. "You can tell me how Danny shared a memory with you."
"I can do that," Sam smiled. The embarrassment stopped as we talked about my powers. I drank the nasty stuff, telling Mom about the past three years of my life.
AN: The next chapter will start the final plot point of Danny's Story. This is the last segment detailing Danny's teenage years. Chapter fifteen takes place in 2012. Warning, there will be multiple jumps in the timeline from the next chapter until the end. It's going to be a wild ride!
Okay, two points I want to point out but the story wouldn't flow with the breaks. One, Danny is eating lasagna made with cheese sauce. Why do I feel the need to say this? Danny is allergic to tomatoes, that's why. Secondly, the footage Maddie and Jack are watching are from before this installment of the story. Danny Phantom hasn't made an appearance in Amity Park yet. Danielle is taking care of the ghosts but there really isn't anything coming out. I was supposed mention the absence of the ghosts but it just wouldn't fit. The castle is keeping the ghosts from entering the real world, just like they did when Danny, Sam and Tucker went to summer camp. I hope me being unable to put those two details in the story didn't detract from the plot. There was just a lot going on in these past few chapters. :/
Any reviews would be appreciated. Please, send in any requests for oneshots. I have a story detailing Danielle's pregnancy with the twins and Dan's thoughts when he became the dominate persona of Dan Phantom. Thank you to PrincessBetty01 and Toothless20 for the ideas. Be sure to send your ideas in! Also, Thursday, I will be publishing my first story unrelated to Danny's Story. It is in Sam's POV and it's her and Danny's wedding. It's a small story, almost 22K words and it has six chapters. Please be on the lookout for that, titled Eternity!
Thanks so much for reading!
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