Warning: Time lapse – by four years. Also, adult content, mpreg, violence and character death.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom.
Chapter 15: Opening of a New Book
It was the scariest time of my life. I spent three days in bed, recuperating, and eventually my son got a heartbeat. I came so close to losing him but I thanked my lucky stars for a dream that told me about the present and not about the future. We did eventually return everyone's memories: Mom, Dad, Mom and Dad Numbers Two and Three, Samuels, Grandma and Grandpa. Our theory was correct that Grandma had discovered Eddie and Jacob's parentage but she had also found out that I was Danny Phantom. She and Grandpa moved out so Grandpa wouldn't reveal it to Mom without my permission. The months after my return were hectic. I made a lot of sacrifices for my son but I didn't regret a one of them.
Jazz gave birth to a son on February fifteenth. Joey was a healthy baby; seven pounds, twenty-one inches long with a head full of rusty red hair. Jazz and Joseph never told a soul he wasn't Joseph's son. When the OBGYN asked for his father, Joseph proudly accepted that calling card. With Jazz and Joseph living in town, the extra baby didn't cause any issues. My two and Danielle's two, did, however, when they found out another baby was coming into the world.
Danielle recovered quickly. She hit the ground running with the boys, stepping into the role as mother as if she had just given birth. She was even able to take the kids out as Mom was able to produce a power control bracelet with my help. Without the fear of the boys exposing their powers, Danielle was able to show them off. The boys were naturals at being the center of attention.
Mom and Dad didn't have that many challenges with my powers yet. With me in a complicated pregnancy, I was parlaying my responsibilities to everyone and not complaining. I was really nervous about getting back into the ghost hunting game once Doc was born. The night before I erased their memories stayed fresh in my memory and there would be a month between Doc being born and graduation. I hoped I could keep the perils I faced a secret until I left the house.
While Sam and I anticipated the birth of our son, we also began planning our wedding. We decided we wanted our wedding at night so we began thinking of locations. We both decided the lights sparkling off a body of water would be perfect. Somehow, the news of our wedding leaked and the A-List barged right in the planning. Paulina started dreaming of a beachfront wedding but Sam and I already knew we wanted it to be close. We decided to house it at the Lakefront Park at Lake Summerset. There was a boathouse there that could accommodate the reception which we planned to be held the same night as the wedding.
The dream we watched of Lilly's weighed heavily on my mind and I kept thinking about the Manson's. I knew I wanted Sam to repair that bridge because I wanted our children to know their grandparents but I didn't imagine it until after we were married. With the dream I had about Valerie, I began to see it from a different perceptive. I imagined their positions and tried to imagine me being excluded from one of my children's wedding. I wrote a note to Mr. Manson without anyone knowing, requesting a get-together.
As we planned our wedding and the honeymoon, which we planned to take the kids with us, I began to think about Sam's family. I knew her parents and her grandmother was going to be there, because I had invited them, but I felt bad that none of their family traditions were going to make it in the wedding. Sam and I had planned on having a secular wedding for three reasons. One, I was becoming more atheist than religious, two, Sam has distanced herself from her Jewish church (whatever they're called) and finally, we had planned on having a unique wedding. With the bride in black, the bridesmaids in neon green, the alter covered in odd-colored roses, we knew the odds of getting a priest to officiate was unlikely.
I wanted something more, though. Sam and I were already getting what we wanted. We didn't care about the service, we just wanted it official. The entire fiasco was for our family (Sam considers my family hers too), so the first two points seemed moot. I just had to find someone to overlook the spooky element. As I started looking up priests, my mind kept going back to Jewish ceremonies. I finally looked it up online and decided to go with it. The week before Doc was born, I announced I wanted an interfaith wedding and I already had a Rabbi and a Priest agreeing to do it.
On April 11, 2008, I gave birth to Doc. Throughout my known pregnancy, I had wanted to name him Vladimir but I couldn't think of a good middle name to go with it. One night, I had a dream of when I was pregnant with Lilly. It was an ordinary dream but I remembered Vlad telling me the name he wanted to give a son. Vlad was against 'cursing' a child with his name but he wanted to name one after me. I was really against that idea because I already have a Daniel—D.J. However, Sam had come up with a solution. Daniel Reginald's initials would be DR—Doc.
Doc was a handful. While Megan didn't display any powers for six months either, Doc had health issues on top of that. Doc was born at thirty-five weeks, hardly premature, but he acted that way. He was really small and he had breathing issues. I couldn't always get him attached to my nipple (you should have seen my parents' reaction to that) and he was either sleeping too much or not enough. More than once I'd sit up all night to make sure he continued to breathe.
When our acceptance letters came back from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, our group unanimously agreed not to register. I couldn't see any way I could leave with Doc so sick. I was the only one who really needed to postpone my education but no one else wanted to leave either. We hadn't told anyone yet but it was decided. My son needed me and in all honesty, Sam was a miracle worker when it came to putting him to sleep. If he was insomniac, Sam could lure him to sleep just by holding him.
The kids had issues with all the time Doc took up. As I began to recognize what was causing these insecurities in me, I was able to address them clearly and recuperate faster than scheduled. It didn't matter, much, though, because my time was consumed by the pregnancy and then by Doc. If I did get a day to spend with the kids, it usually ended sooner than planned because of Doc. Sam would try to give me as much time as possible but he was my son and I was needed.
A week before mine and Sam's wedding date, as to keep with Jewish tradition, had the bride and groom separating. I was going to leave but Sam said she would go to Headquarters. I had wanted Sam to go to her parents' house but I didn't even bring it up. I knew it was a lost cause and if I kept the invitation I sent to them a secret, there was less chance of it blowing up in my face. Before school ended, though, Paulina had learned of Sam's plan to stay by herself and offered her home as a possible choice. Everyone feared for Paulina's life when Sam accepted to shut her up.
Two days after Sam moved in with Paulina (and Star to mediate) was graduation. If I thought Jazz's graduation was horrible with only Skulker showing up, my entire first year ghosts made it a complete nightmare. There was an entire section for ghosts and I nearly went invisible when everyone stood up and cheered when I crossed the stage. Sam and I avoided each other to keep tradition but I could tell she missed us terribly. I gave Star a framed picture of the day Doc was born to give to Sam to help ease the homesickness.
Five days later, Sam and I were married. After Sam and I were declared man and wife, Sam's core swelled with energy. It scared me to death but Sam wasn't concerned. Sam changed outfits four times throughout the night, her last one a white (yes, white) dress. While Sam wasn't happy that her parents were invited behind her back, the Manson's didn't start anything and they actually accepted our children. Mom and Dad had changed one part of the plan and that was that Sam and I were going to have a day to ourselves.
We decided to travel Europe, the Middle East and Asia before meeting at Halfa Island. The plan was to begin in Rome, travel to Turkey, visit Jerusalem (I mean, we did have a Jewish wedding), stop in India, move on to Hong Kong and then see the city lights of Tokyo before ending it at Vlad's island. With Mom's new order, Sam and I added Barcelona, Spain to the trip so we could keep the pace. It actually made the experience better though there wasn't much enjoyment in the trip without our kids. We were so happy to see them in Rome the next day.
We spent a day in each of the cities until we flew to New Guinea. From there, I flew our three kids, Sam and I to the island. It was about three hundred miles away, over open water. We met our family on Halfa Island and they were enjoying the pampered life. We spent a week on the island and then went back to life.
The Division and the castle began a working relationship. Any ghosts charged with terroristic acts were deported back to the Ghost Zone and there Walker handled their incarceration. The Division was allowed to take any prisoner it so wished but they were prisoners of the Ghost Zone. Samuels also got Mom to work with me about finding a way to deal with the natural portals. With our knowledge on the subject and Mom and Dad's expertise, we were able to have the sporadic portals under control in two years.
The biggest change of my life happened right after we returned from our honeymoon, though. When Sam and I went to the castle for the first time after our wedding, the entire castle had met us in the hall. It turns out that the energy I felt from Sam was actually her ascending to the throne as Queen of All Ghosts. I had felt the same thing a week later when we were in Hong Kong. That was my birthday. When we made it to the castle, we were honored as not the King and Queen of Pariah's (or Phantom's) Keep, but of the entire Ghost Zone.
We did end up going to college. When Mom found out our plan, she had stepped in. Of course, her point was iron clad. If we didn't do it now, we'd never get it done. I had my parties to back me up so we were able to do it. Sam, Tucker and Valerie stuck to the plan and only got Associates degrees. I buckled down and got my Bachelor's degree in Education, understudy Science, in three years. Sammy was born May 6, 2010. Nine days later, Sam and Tucker transformed. They wore their suits (for the first time) the night of the transformation.
After I got my degree May 2011, Sam and I moved into the Manson mansion. The Manson's had moved to Chicago after Sam found out she was pregnant with Sammy. Pamela was with her when she found out and had told her it wasn't too late for an abortion. Pamela hadn't meant anything by it—she's been great—but she thought a fourth child would be too much on us. If she had said that about anyone else, Sam could have taken it. Knowing Sammy's potential fate, Sam couldn't forgive her mother's insensitive remark. To keep the peace, Pamela and Jeremy moved to Chicago and Sam inherited the house. The Manson's visit frequently and we're friendly with each other—so long as no one mentions the event.
My nephew and niece were born February 23, 2011 and Jazz went in the portal two days later. No one saw it coming. I really thought Jazz didn't want to become half ghost but apparently she did. Mom nearly killed Jazz for her act of impulse. I had known Jazz became half ghost but I really thought that part had changed. She really surprised me. It took Jazz the longest to adjust to her powers but the hardest part was her marriage to Joseph. Joseph supposedly approved of it beforehand but Joseph wasn't a halfa. It will be a continual battle to keep their marriage running but Danielle is able to do it so Jazz should be able, too.
Danielle was sneaky. I knew she was friends with the Johnson twins, Lester and Nathan, but what I didn't know was she was leading a double life. Danielle Fenton was dating Nathan (who gave up on Valerie) while Dani Phantom was seeing Lester. Eventually, it had to come out. After Dani graduated, she told the twins. She lost them both at first but eventually Lester came back, saying that really Dani and Danielle were two people. Nathan eventually forgave her as well and the three have a separate threesome. Lester never sleeps with Danielle Fenton and Nathan never sleeps with Dani Phantom. Samuels informed Danielle that he would not permit her to marry both of them but the 'two' couples doesn't want to be married. Jacky and Jamie call both Nathan and Lester Dad. It was quite the scheme.
Now it's twenty-twelve. I know the portals are destined to open anytime in 2012 or 2013 but I have no idea when. I return home April 11, 2012, extremely anxious. Lilly is six years old, Megan is five… and today is Doc's fourth birthday. According to Lilly, today is the second day I die and Doc is somehow affected. I'm nervous about continuing my tradition, obviously.
I kiss a two month pregnant Sam on the cheek. Sam gives me a pleading look but I nod my head. "Danny, you can't—," Sam whispered.
"I have to, Sam," I said, looking to her. "Listen, baby, it's going to be okay. I done a scout and there are no ghosts that are super powerful. If we do come across one, Lilly and Megan are strong and I'm not exactly weak. Mom and Dad are on high alert and everything is going to be okay."
"Sweetheart, this isn't just about you," Sam said, looking to the door of the kitchen. "Doc is weak enough! What if he—?"
"If I deny him this passage, he'll claim it's because he's weak," I said softly. "We are raising fighters, Sam. I will not teach my son to hide every time something scares him."
"Then I'm coming with you," Sam announced.
"Not two months pregnant," I denied.
"I'm two months," Sam declared.
"And I'm supposed to get killed in this attack," I said under my breath. "You just have to trust me, sweetheart."
Tears filled Sam's eyes. "I'm scared, Danny. For Doc, for the girls, for you."
"I know," I said, rubbing the tears out of her eyes. "I'll be here to see Pammy's birth and to conceive D.J., Donnie and Jay. Don't worry. And so will our kids."
"Be careful, Danny. If you die again, I will kill you a third time."
"I love you too," I smiled. I kissed her, Sam wrapping her arms around my head. I could taste her on my lips and I felt her feathery hands touch my neck. There has been four half ghosts with me for more than a year now. Numbness is no longer an issue.
"Daddy," Sammy squealed. She acted like Joey, Teresa and Philip more than Lilly, Megan, Jacky, Jamie or Doc. I broke the kiss, putting on a wide smile for my two year old.
"Hey, baby," I smiled, walking over to Sammy.
"Dada," Sammy laughed. "You be funny!"
"Why am I funny," I asked, kneeling in front of her high chair. I picked up her overturned plate, the bites of banana on the linoleum.
"Do Mama like that," Sammy replied. She reached for her sippy cup, putting it to her mouth. She sucked some of the water out.
"That's what mommies and daddies do," I said, picking up the banana pieces. I dropped the banana pieces in the trash, washing out her bowl. "Do you want some Cheerios, Sammy?"
"Yeah," Sammy declared.
I used the heat in my core to dry the bowl and grabbed the Cheerio box. While I had an ice core, I discovered I could also do as Vlad did when he dried off. It was still easier for me to turn intangible than it was to heat my skin but that was only because my hot core was dwarfed by my ice core. Vlad's hot core was enormous.
I put the bowl in front of Sammy and poured some Cheerios in. Sammy grabbed a fist full of Cheerios and started to snack. I rubbed her black hair, "My little Butterfly."
"Dad," Lilly declared from behind me. I turned around to see my eldest in the doorway. She was turned towards the living room. "Dad's home!" She turned back to me, a wide smile on her childish face. "Are we going out today?"
"Today's Doc's birthday, right," I asked. I forced the insecurity out of my appearance as I picked up Lilly. "How are you, Lilly Bear?"
"I was wondering if we'd really go out," Lilly said. She hung around my neck. Her hair had never been cut. Megan had cut her hair multiple times but Lilly's was really long.
"I was just checking the area. I did the same thing with you girls and I'll do it with the others."
Megan bounced in the room, her hair cropped as it was in Lilly's dream. "Are we really going out, Daddy?"
"If Doc feels up to it," I asked. Doc was thin, his black hair tame and he wore a pair of tan pants and a blue checkered sweater.
"I can't wait," Doc declared. I smiled but I was terrified.
"Well, you kids listen to your father and look out for each other."
"Yes, Mom.
"You got it, Mommy," Megan replied.
"Don't worry, Mama," Doc smiled. "We're Phantoms!"
I smiled but I couldn't shake the desire to cancel. I pulled away from that idea, reminding myself that I checked the area, I have guards all around us and my parents have the sig-ar programed for any eights or above. Should one come in Amity Park, the evening is canceled. It actually happened on Megan's first time out so there's no way Doc could use that against me.
We ate dinner early today as we do every fourth birthday and I sent a message to Fentonworks telling Mom and Dad we were going out. Sam was carrying Sammy on her hip as we stepped out on the roof of our home. I flashed into my ghost form and watched Lilly and Megan do it as well. Lilly's ghost form wore a suit almost identical to Danielle's except hers didn't have the mid-drift. On her chest was a script L.
Megan had a traditional black hazmat suit with the meteorological sign for wind. Megan chose the name Gale because she had inherited my Ghostly Wail and it was her favorite power. While Jacky also has the Ghostly Wail (not Jamie, though), he didn't use it that often. He preferred the Ghost Stinger like me while Megan found it crude. She liked the sheer power of the Ghostly Wail and can perform it as well as I can.
Doc has practiced his ghost form all week so he was able to transform. "Okay, Doc, you know the conditions. This is your last chance to change your hazmat suit. You pick a style today."
"I already know, Daddy," Doc replied. Doc triggered his rings and his jumpsuit covered his clothes. The jumpsuit was black with a white strip running down the arms and legs. On the front of his suit was the words "the Rook" with a castle chess piece beneath the words. "Rook Phantom."
"Why," I asked, smiling. I asked Lilly and Megan the same question.
"The Rook is the most valuable piece. Just the Queen and the Rook can win a game. Mommy and I are the thinkers in the game!"
I smiled. "Yes, you are, little man." Doc has always been smart. He couldn't do a lot of things growing up so he spent a lot of time with first my parents and then Sam. He's young but he's smart.
"Sorry, Doc, but I'm going to be the first one," Megan said, giving Doc a firm look. "More like the Rooky Phantom." She started laughing.
Lilly pushed Megan. "Shut up," she said playfully. "I think it's fitting. Doc is going to be a vital part to the upcoming war."
"Be careful and have fun, kids," Sam said.
"Bye-bye," Sammy waved.
"Let's go," I smiled. I lifted in the air and my three kids followed me.
(04)
It was fifteen to five when it happened. We had been out for forty-five minutes and would have cut it off at five. When the ghost showed up, I thought nothing of him. He was a five for crying out loud. He should not have been a problem. What I hadn't anticipated was the type of ghost he was.
I hadn't ever seen one except for Invincible. I thought they were extinct. Here he was, though, able to manipulate Ectoranium. I called out the distress signal but there wasn't time and my army couldn't get near the Ectoranium. I had tried three different times to open a portal to get my children through but he had slashed through the portals and they folded in on themselves. It was me and my children against this ghost until my team arrived.
The best I could hope for was to keep my kids out of the line of fire and keep him busy. I brought up a fire twister, blocking the sword he brought down on me. He wasn't exactly like Invincible. He couldn't turn his hands into weapons. He literally used Ectoranium like ectoplasm. I could see the sword pulsing even though it should have been solid. Twenty seconds since I called it in.
He threw his hand out and the sword popped out of existence. I dived, doing a summersault to escape the newly formed sword from coming down on my head. I sent out a blast of ice, freezing the sword to the ground. Twenty-one seconds.
"Daddy," Lilly screamed. She, Megan and Dawn had made a fort out of anything they could find in the warehouse district and were hiding behind it. My parents had designed inventions that could shield us from Ectoranium but we had never had a need for them yet. Now I wish I had brought the armor with me. The ghost phased his hand out of my ice, pointing his hands in my direction. Just as if it were ectoplasm, he shot Ectoranium at me.
I formed a shield, "Go Ghost Stinger!" My shield took a beating but it protected me.
"Behind you," Megan screamed. I didn't know if I had time, but I pulled up a second shield. I felt his duplicate's attack assault my shield and it popped in a second. The Ectoranium hit me and I flew back. I should have listened to Sam. I screamed out as my body was assaulted not by fragments but by energy made out of it. My entire spectral body was assaulted and my core's energy dropped significantly. I couldn't hold the form and powered down.
"Daddy," Lilly declared. I looked up weakly to see her jumping out of the makeshift shelter she and her siblings had fashioned.
"No," I screamed. "Get back, Lilly."
"It's you I want anyway," the ghost spoke. He turned on my daughter and I forced myself to my feet. I tackled Lilly, delivering us from his attack just in the nick of time.
"Daddy, Lilly," Megan cried. Twenty-five seconds. I looked back to see Megan leaving. Doc's alone.
"No!"
"Too easy," he said. He held his hand up, a sword materializing. He went to cut Lilly when I flipped over from my back to be lying on top of Lilly, my chest up. I felt the sword cut deep in my chest but my daughter was safe.
"Lilly," I gasped. "Protect Megan and Doc."
"But Dad," Lilly cried, her eyes watering.
"That's an order," I said. I pulled myself to my feet, my head swimming. I dived for the ghost, tackling him away from my vulnerable son. I caught a glimpse of Doc and he was convulsing. There were no more half ghosts there to take the Ectoranium from him. He was getting it in the full dose. The ghost threw me off and I shot purple ectoplasm around his waist. I pulled him in, adding fire. I pulled him further away from my son. I used ectoplasm and fire to pull him until I could grab his shirt. I accessed my cold core.
I exhaled cold air from my nose, summoning more and more cold air. I felt my body becoming colder as I chilled us both down. The ghost tried to form a knife but one look at the knife had it freezing as if the temperature was absolute zero. The ceiling, the floor, the walls and our bodies became crystalized, jagged ice shards covering us. More cold air exited my nose as the room dropped ten degrees per second. Finally, I pushed every bit of heat out of my core, leaving nothing but artic cold. The heat pushed any warmth from us out, and the cold returned.
A blast of blue light came from my core and a block of ice surrounded us. I began to melt the ice around me, freeing myself. By the time I was free, my team had arrived. "The kids," I asked, breathing hard.
"They're fine," Sam said. She reached her hand out.
"No," I declared. "You can't use your purifier. It'll endanger Pammy."
"But you need healing!"
"Take me to Mo-Mom and Dad," I siad. I swayed, leaning my hand on the frozen ghost. Sam and Tucker flanked me, holding me up. I looked my wife and brother over, noticing they weren't wearing the armor. "You-you guys can't be here," I said weakly.
"Try to get rid of us," Tucker said, sucking the frozen ghost in a thermos. Sam and Tucker carried me out of the warehouse, taking to my parents. I was convinced I just needed some time to heal. Mom removed the glass that lodged in me but it didn't bring the relief the same thing seven years ago did.
Mom set me up in the medical tent, hooking me up. My vitals were normal but considering they used to be everytime I got around that stuff, I wasn't too concerned. Doc had a siezure but he was doing better. Mom doesn't think he had any irreversal damage and was more concerned with me. I survived the night.
The next day, my condition actually worsened. Sam kept threatening to use her purfifyer but I didn't want her to endanger Pammy. I just needed the time. By nine o'clock, though, breathing became difficult. Mom put me on oxygen but it didn't help. It still felt like I couldn't breathe.
Mom pushed everyone out as I fought to get a breath. I desperately gulped at the air but nothing helped. I tried to access my ghost breath but it didn't change anything either. She punctured my airway but still no change. I felt blackness creeping on my sight and I couldn't believe it.
Mom, I said softly.
"No, don't you dare," Mom retorted. "You're-you're going to be okay."
I'm not, Mom, I said, accepting this. I'll be back. Sam and I knew about this. I thought I changed it. I'm so sorry.
"Baby," Mom whimpered, tearing up. "Please, don't give up on me here."
I'm so sorry, I repeated. My vision was disappearing as the seconds ticked by. I'll be back. Use the Guantlet. Look after my family, Mom. I love you.
The last I saw, Mom grabbed my hand, bringing it to her head and kneeling over my body. I felt the life slip out of my body for the second time. I woke up in the tunnel.
"Oh, crap. I was hoping to not see you again so soon," I grumbled. I made the decision to stay but I couldn't move. "What the hell?" I tried to command my legs to walk towards the left tunnel but I stayed rooted to the ground. "Oh, no! I'm going back home!"
The right tunnel had the soft glow and the feeling of belonging. I ignored it, focusing on my precious left tunnel. That way is home. That way is my family. I'm too young to die! The Forbidden Zone hasn't even escaped into my world yet! I have a butterfly to protect!
"We are here to honor the life of Daniel James Fenton," a voice announced in the left tunnel. Yep, that's the one. I want to stick around. "A soul departed too soon." My children sat in the front seat, surrounding their mother. Sam sat there, vacant eyed. She was lost again. Oh, yeah, that's enough. Take me home!
I was finally able to move and I darted. I was frozen mid-step. "Oh, come on!"
I felt the call of the right tunnel but I ignored it. I didn't even turn to it and soon the next scene began to play.
I saw Lilly, fifteen years old, fighting a ghost. The ghost must have been a Forbidden Zone ghost or at least a follower. He was ruthless. He went to hit Lilly with an ectoplasmic blunt item but Lilly brought up a shield, dissolving his weapon. "It's a shame, huh, child? Daddy dies and leaves everything to you."
"It's my pleasure," Lilly retorted. She elbowed him, showering him in blue blasts. "But know my dad would do the honor if he could!"
She sucked the ghost in the thermos.
I was able to take the second step and the third scene played. I was antsy as I watched half my family wiped out in the battle of Amity Park. Finally! I took the final step and felt the wretched feeling of being forced in a no-man's land. Now I have to wait for my powers to restore.
(04)
It felt weird when I could finally function. I remember the last time I died, I felt weightless. Even in my ghost form, I had some weight, but when I was an unfinished business ghost, it felt like the air was heavier than I was. Now, I had a heavy feeling. I appeared in Fentonworks to see Mom coming up the steps. Sam, Tucker, Valerie, Jazz, Joseph, Danielle, Nathan, Lester, Brit, Mikey, my remaining parents, Grandma, Grandpa, and Ida sat around the kitchen table.
Sam came to her feet, closely followed by Tucker. Sam reached Mom but Mom shook her head, hanging it as she cried. Sam covered her face, breaking down in tears. Tucker was by Sam's side, holding her up. "Come on, Sam, it's not the end. He'll be back," Tucker whispered.
"I told him not to do this," Sam cried. "Did he say anything?"
"He talked to me telepathically," Mom answered, sucking in a calming breath. Dad wrapped his arm around Mom's shoulder. I looked back to the table, seeing Danielle being comforted by Nathan, Lester with his arm around Dani's shoulder as if he were only a friend, Joseph holding Jazz and Mikey and Brit comforting each other. Mom Number Three stood up.
"What do we do? Can we revive him now?"
"We have to wait until his spirit is recharged," Tucker answered, releasing a shaky breath. "The tunnel depletes his energy. He's probably still there."
"What do I tell the kids," Sam cried. Tucker rubbed her back.
"You need to calm down, Sam. This is not the end. Just imagine Danny going away for a while. He'll be back. This stress can't be good for Pammy."
"Oh, God," Sam cried. "She'll never meet her father."
"Nonsense," Tucker said gently. "Come on, Sam, you know Danny will be back."
"We don't know," Sam retorted. "Not until we see him! I know you feel comfortable but my husband is dead! Until I see him, I don't know he'll be back."
I held my hand out, stroking Sam's hair. Sam snapped her head up. "Danny," Sam asked.
"What," Tucker asked.
Sam put her hand where I touched her. "I swore I felt Danny."
"Could he already be out," Tucker asked. "D, are you there?"
"I'm here," I raised my voice. I wanted them to know it would be okay.
"Danny," Sam broke out in a smile.
"Was that Danny," Tucker asked.
"What are you talking about," Jazz demanded. "I don't see anything."
"I can't see him either," Sam declared, "but I could hear him. Danny, honey, are you okay?"
"Can you hear me," I asked, my voice normal.
"Yes, honey, I can hear you," Sam laughed.
"Danny, I can hear something but it's really weak. It's thoughts."
"This is mine and Sam's connection," I replied. Sam nodded. "We can hear each other because we're connected."
"Never have I been so grateful for the connection," Sam sighed happily. "Daniel James Fenton, you are in big trouble when you are alive again!"
"I'm so sorry, honey. That ghost was only a five and every time my army tried to intervene, the Ectoranium would make them weak. Is Doc okay?"
"Doc's fine. He's resting. Lilly and Megan are fine, too." I closed my eyes, thankful. They were my next thoughts. "I don't know what I'm going to tell them."
"They're smart kids, Sam. They'll figure it out on their own if you don't tell them," I replied.
"It took you a week last time," Sam sighed. "This is going to be the most miserable week of my life."
"No, honey. You're going to be okay. Stay with my parents. You don't need to be alone."
"I have to act like everything is okay. That's what's going to make it so miserable. I have to go to work, I have to keep up the house; I have to do everything as if nothing is wrong. That's the only way the kids are going to believe nothing is wrong."
"Ask him what we're going to do about his job," Danielle asked. "School starts up Monday. I doubt he'll be back before Spring Break is over."
"I have no idea," I groaned. "Call in for a substitute."
"He says to call for a substitute. I guess make everyone think he's sick."
"No," Mom announced. "Danielle, you're going to take care of his class."
"What," Danielle asked. "Okay, I'm his clone but nothing like Blue! How am I supposed to pass as Danny?"
"You're powers," Tucker replied. "You have the power to look just like Danny. You're going to pretend to be Danny."
"What," Dani cried, horrified. "Oh, come on, that's unfair!"
"It's the only way we are going to pull this off," Mom replied. "We can't let anyone know Danny died. We have to cover our tracks."
"But why me," Dani whined. "Jazz, Tucker and Sam have the same power!"
"Jazz, Tucker and Sam have jobs," Mom replied. "You help me in the lab. I hardly call that a difficult position to get out of."
"This sucks," Dani grumbled.
"Tell her I'll owe her one," I told Sam.
"He says he'll owe you one," Sam laughed.
"Yeah. A week of babysitting!"
"Deal," I laughed. Sam repeated what I said.
"I guess we need to sit the kids down," Jazz said, standing up.
"Oh, man," Danielle sighed. She looked to Nathan. "You hold Jamie."
"I've got Jacky," Lester replied.
Those two have come a long way in the time I've known them. They don't mess with ghosts but they work with my parents. Nathan has a degree in biology, Lester has a degree in mechanics and Danielle has a degree in Chemestry and the three of them help my parents with Fentonworks. Dani, Nathan, Lester, Jacky and Jamie live on the outskirts of town, near Hilltop. Jazz and Joseph still live in the same house they lived in when we graduated high school. It's located ten minutes from here, towards Clearmont. Tucker and Valerie live near the Foley's in a small townhouse. They haven't gotten married yet but they live together. Brit and Mikey live together in Jefferson but they haven't gotten married either. It took Brit until Prom to finally ask Mikey out.
"You need to tell Star, Kwan and Dash," I told Sam.
"Yeah," Sam sighed. "I'll stop by."
"Thanks," I smiled. I rubbed Sam's arm and she used her free hand to touch the area. "I love you, Sam."
"I love you so much, Danny. Rebuild your strength, honey. I need you home."
"I'll be back as soon as I can," I replied.
Tucker began to speak at the same time as me, "I guess it's time we talk to the kids."
Sam closed her eyes, releasing a slow breath. "I'm here, sweetheart. I will be with you as much as I can."
"But didn't you say you couldn't control where you went and you couldn't remember the entire week," Sam said. She shuttered. "I don't know how I'm going to get through this."
"You aren't alone," Joseph replied. "You know you have our support."
"Rely on them, Sam," I replied.
"Just take it day to day," Mom replied. She looked around the room. "That's the only thing any of us can do."
Sam walked to the living room, her head high. I could tell it was a façade. I wrapped my arm around the small of her back and I saw some of the tension release. Sam went upstairs to our old bedroom, pushing open the door. One of the old cots Sam and Tucker used to sleep on were pulled down and Doc was asleep on it. Megan was playing a video game but her focus wasn't on target. Megan was a pro gamer, like her old man if I don't say so myself, but she wasn't hitting the high score. Lilly had her legs curled up on the couch, reading a book. I could see tear streaks on her face.
Jamie, Jacky and Joey were sitting in a corner, pushing toy cars around but they too were distracted. My little butterfly was playing happily, though, her building an advanced tower while Teresa and Philip had small constructions. Sammy was two years old while Jazz's twins turned one in February.
"Sammy," Sam said, walking over to Teresa and Philip. "Can you do me a favor, baby?"
"What, Mama," Sammy asked.
"Can you take your cousins and show them the aquarium room," Sam asked. The aquarium room was in Jacky and Jamie's old nursery. It was Sammy and Doc's favorite room, the entire room turned into something like Sea World. Sammy loved going into the aquarium room and seeing all the exotic fish and marine life. It didn't have gold fish, let me tell you that.
"Okay, Mama," Sammy smiled, excited. "Come, babies." She stood up from her block set but teetered as she stopped abruptly. "Mama, where Dada?"
"Tell her I had business with Samuels," I replied.
"You remember Uncle Samuels, right," Sam asked. Sammy nodded. "Dada had business with him. He'll be gone for a while."
"He no say bye-bye," Sammy said, cocking her head to the side.
"It was last minute," Sam said, stroking her hair. "Daddy told me to tell you that he loves you and he'll bring you back a gift when he comes home."
"Okay," Sammy smiled. Sammy took Philip and Teresa's hands. "We go see fishies!"
Sam watched Sammy lead the babies out and as soon as she left the room, Lilly flew off the couch, landing in front of Sam, the book long forgotten. "Daddy didn't go with Samuels, did he, Mom?"
"Come here," Sam said, kneeling down. Joey, Jacky, Jamie, Megan and Doc gathered around Sam. "Daddy is going to be gone for a while but he's coming back. I can talk to him but where he's at, no one else can see him."
"Why," Megan asked. "Where's Daddy at?"
Sam rubbed Megan's hair and I saw tears fill her eyes. "Daddy got really sick this morning. Grandma tried everything but it wasn't enough. Now, Daddy's going to be back. We've done this before. But it's going to be a few days and we can't let anyone else know what happened."
Megan was the first to forget Vlad. She was three years old when we first realized she didn't know who he was. Megan came across a picture of Vlad and asked me who this man was. I thought she was kidding at first but she said that he looked familiar but she couldn't pinpoint where she had seen him. When she turned four, Vlad just kind of vanished from our thought processes. I don't think even Lilly remembers him anymore. Lilly asked me about her birth when Sammy was born and she acted like I witnessed it, not that I was the one who had her. I'm not sure when it happened, but as they get older, the memories from their baby years start to vanish. Sam and I will tell the kids that Sam isn't their biological mother but we decided to go with the plan we had for Megan.
"No," Lilly whispered. "No," she screamed. "Daddy," she ran out of the room.
"Lilly," Tucker cried. He sunk through the floor, going after my daughter.
"What did you do with his body," Sam asked.
"She can't get to it," Mom answered. "I put him under lock and key."
"What about anti-ghost technology," Jazz asked. "That girl can phase."
"I hope Tucker can talk her down," Mom sighed. "She can get to him that way."
"What's wrong with Sissy," Megan asked.
"Sweetheart, what I'm trying to say is that while it's only temporarily, Daddy didn't make it." Megan's brow bunched up. "Daddy died, honey."
"What," Jacky asked, his eyes tearing up.
"But how," Jamie asked.
"Uncle Danny," Joey asked.
"Danny's going to be okay, boys. We have the Reality Gauntlet and he's an unfinished business ghost. You will see him soon enough."
"Is Daddy okay," Megan asked.
"Yeah," Sam nodded, a smile on her face. "He's here with us. He can't be seen because he's sleepy. You know how you get when you use your powers a lot."
"So Daddy is just sleepy," Megan asked. She nodded. "Okay. Sleep well, Daddy."
"Tell her I love her," I replied.
"Daddy told me to tell you that the loves you very much," Sam replied, rubbing her hair. Sam turned to the boys. "You too, kids."
"Love you, Uncle Danny," Joey called. Jazz laughed sadly. She bent down, taking Joey's hand. "What, Mama?"
"I think we need to go home, Joey. You ready to say bye-bye."
"Bye-bye, Jacky and Jamie. Come by and see me," Joey waved.
"Bye-bye," Jamie waved.
"We will," Jacky replied. Jazz picked up Joey.
"Let's go get your twins and my baby," Sam said, walking towards Joseph.
"She won't be for long," Joseph teased.
"Oh, goodness," Sam sighed. "I try not to think about it."
"Sammy will always be my baby," I replied.
"We can't single her out, remember," Sam replied. "We can't give her any indication that she is any less than her siblings. If that means she has to get hit a few more times, then so be it. It's better than her thinking she's better a Superior than a human."
"I know," I sighed. "It just frightens me. You know I freak over Doc. I can't imagine how I'm going to react to Sammy."
"But we have to do it," Sam replied. Sam stopped outside the aquarium room. "It's for the best."
"I know." Sam opened the door. The blue hue of the water danced over Sam's hair, creating a blue glow around her. Sammy was standing on the observation deck. "Samantha Claire Fenton," Sam declared, causing me to laugh. "How many times do I have to tell you not to fly your cousins?"
"But Mama," Sammy protested. "They no climb!"
Sam floated up, picking up the twins. "Sweetheart, I know you like coming up here and I have no problem with you flying yourself up here, by yourself, but if you drop your cousins, they can't do like you and I can."
"Why," Sammy asked.
"Don't answer her, Sam," I warned. Sammy's in the 'why' phase.
"Come on, butterfly," Sam said, rolling her eyes. "Your father's child if there ever was one."
"That's my girl," I smiled.
Sam landed on the floor and passed the twins to Joseph. "Here you go. I have to go talk to Lilly."
Sammy landed on the ground, her hands going behind her back. "Is Sis-sis okay?"
"She's fine, Sammy," Sam said. She bent down, picking up Sammy. "We're going home soon, butterfly."
"Will Dada call," Sammy asked.
"I don't know, baby. He and Samuels have to go look at another portal."
"Oh," Sammy replied. Sammy wrapped her arms around Sam's neck and Sam followed Joseph out.
"I guess I'll see you guys later," Danielle remarked.
"Bye," Jacky called, waving.
"Love you, turtle bug," Mom waved. "Bye-bye, peanut."
"Bye-bye, grandma," Jamie waved too. Danielle, Lester, Nathan and the twins started down the steps. Jazz stepped out of my old room with Joey on her hip.
"There you are," Jazz smiled.
"Ready," Joseph smirked.
"Yep."
They exited. "Okay, butterfly," Sam replied, putting Sammy down. "I'm going to go talk to your sister and then we'll be ready to go. Go help Megan put the toys away."
"Okay, Mama," Sammy said, running inside. She and Megan began to put the toys away as Sam walked down the stairs. Tucker had Lilly in the kitchen, sitting on the counter.
"Come on, Lilly Bear. You know your dad wouldn't want you like this," Tucker said.
"What difference does it make? He's dead," Lilly said, turning her face from Tucker.
"But he's coming back," Sam said, walking up to the counter. Sam took Lilly's hand, rubbing it between her fingers. "Look, Lilly, I know it can be difficult to understand, but he's here. We can't see him, and you can't hear him, but I know he's here."
"You just mean that in the spirit context. Daddy isn't really here."
I smiled. "Sam, I want you to repeat everything I say. You can react after I say it." I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh. "Two months ago, you were getting upset. Doc had caught pneumonia, and had took up the biggest part of my time for three days, Megan had a Valentine's Day dance and I was helping her set that up. That didn't leave much time for your dad and you, right?" Sam repeated what I said, and I watched Lilly's eyes widen. "Mommy was at work, Doc was with Mommy, and Megan had a sleepover. You were supposed to go to Grandma's, but you and I had a little fight. You said I didn't have time for you anymore, and I must not love you as much as Megan and Doc. So without anyone knowing, you and I went on patrol and I told grandma that I wasn't going out that night."
Lilly's eyes filled with tears after Sam repeated what I said, although the frustration in Sam's voice was evident. "Daddy?"
"Tell her yes, it's me."
"Oh, no, Daniel Fenton. First we're going to have a little conversation!"
I laughed, "Come on, Sam. Nothing happened. She didn't leave my side once. We were fine."
"You mean like everything was going to be fine today? You should have canceled patrol and done something else with her. Ghost hunting, alone, with a six-year-old? What were you thinking?"
Tucker started laughing, "See how much he loves you? He's risking life and limb, even dead, to prove to you that he still here and he's coming back."
"What's the difference between taking a four-year-old by herself and taking the same girl when she's six years old? Lilly and I were fine. It was a fun evening."
"Fun? Daniel Fenton, when I get my hands on you, you're going to think fun!"
"Mom, calm down. I didn't really even do anything. I just tagged along."
"This is not over, you two. When your dad gets back, we will discuss this further." Sam rested her hands on her hips, the frustration evident in her posture.
"Okay honey," I said, touching her shoulder. I could tell Sam felt it. "Just don't punish Lilly. She did nothing wrong."
Sam turned to Lilly. "Are you ready to go home, Lilly Bear?"
Lilly's eyes filled with tears again. "How do we go home without Daddy, Mom? Is there anything we can do to bring him home faster?"
Sam picked up Lilly, cradling her to her chest. "No, sweetheart. Daddy is really tired. It's going to take him a few days to rest up. We've just got to be patient."
"I am going to miss him so much, Mommy."
Sam pressed Lilly against her cheek. I saw tears come to Sam's eyes. "I know, me too, baby."
"I'll be here as much as I can, Sweetheart. Tell Lilly that I am going to watch over her until I'm back to her. You guys are my world."
Sam rubbed her eyes. "Daddy says he'll watch over us. He's going to be with you every minute."
I saw a small little spark come alive in Lilly. "Well, not every minute." Tucker, Sam and I laughed.
"That's my girl," Tucker smiled.
(04)
The kids waited in Sam's old car while she ran into Dash's apartment. Dash was included in the secret six months ago. As tradition goes, there was a new King of the a list selected last year. When school started up in the fall, Dash lost the only thing he really cared about. Star had told Kwan when they got married, so he was one of us. When Kwan saw Dash spiraling out of control, he called me to see if I could boost his spirits. Dash and I were good friends so I went over there in my human form to see what was going on. Dash had taken to drinking and he wasn't looking so good. I knew what it was like to have problems and turn to something. Mine was human emotions and Dash's was the bottle.
Dash was really upset about losing the highest title in the land. He felt he had nothing to live for and would waste away. I tried to talk him down, make him see he had his whole life ahead of him. He had a great job with Team Raven and we at the Division had even offered him a full time job at headquarters but he wouldn't see that as something worth living for. Dash, skunk drunk, started turning on me. He demanded what I knew about what he was going through. I had a wife, great kids, a job, and money galore. Dash thought I didn't know a thing about loss and heartbreak.
I knew Dash could handle my secret and I knew he wouldn't tell anyone so I powered up in front of him. I asked him not to tell Paulina and he joined Star and Kwan with us at Team Phantom.
I stayed with the kids, seeing Doc sleeping in his booster seat, Sammy playing with her doll in hers and Megan squished between the two. Lilly sat in the front seat, her elbow propped up on the door. We were going to buy a new car in a few weeks because it was becoming unpractical for one of us to fly while the other drove the car. When it was just the three, this car was practical but now that we have Sammy and we're expecting Pammy, this car is turning more into a bother than beneficial. It was rare for all of us to go out at the same time because I usually flew the kids to school in the mornings but Sam is wanting me to drive them.
"Lilly," Megan asked.
"Yeah," Lilly replied, looking in the back.
"Do you believe them when they say Daddy is coming back," Megan asked. I looked to Sammy but she was ignoring them.
"Yeah," Lilly nodded. "Mommy can hear him. She repeated something that no one else knew. I believe them."
"Do you think he'll forgive us," Megan asked.
I furrowed my brow. "I don't know, Megan," Lilly said, rubbing her eyes. "Daddy didn't seem mad." Why would I need to forgive them? They did nothing wrong.
"We should have been stronger," Megan said, looking out her window. "We should not have been overrun like that."
"I don't think Dad would be mad at us for not being able to handle the ghost. Dad had his hands full, too. He was a different kind of ghost and that stuff was painful. I'm afraid he'll be mad at us for exposing Doc." Lilly put her tiny hand on the back of the seat, pulling her torso to look at her brother. "It was our responsibility to protect him and now he's sick again."
"Grandma said he's okay," Megan replied. She too looked at Doc. "He's only resting. That stuff that ghost could use made him tired."
"But he was fine when we were together. I think as long as we were together, that stuff didn't hurt us that bad. But when we separated, we were all three exposed to it equally. That's why Doc relapsed. We weren't doing our job." Lilly sighed as she released the seat, settling down. "That Daddy did seem upset about at the time. He ordered me to protect you and Doc. I didn't do it."
"Come on, Sis. You can't blame yourself. So what that you're older. You're still just a kid."
"I'm different, though," Lilly sighed. "My dreams tell me that much."
"Has the war changed at all," Megan asked.
"No," Lilly sighed. "I still see the world falling and I am terrified. We can't allow the world to fall. Not on our watch."
"Daddy will be able to handle it," Megan replied, smiling. "Daddy and Mommy are the King and Queen of the Ghost Zone. That makes us the princesses."
"Wait until we turn eighteen," Lilly smiled. "We becomes duchesses. We'll get our own kingdoms."
"Cool," Megan smiled. "I hope Daddy comes home soon. I miss him."
"I miss him, too," Lilly said sadly. "It won't be the same without Dad."
The door opened and I completely missed Sam coming out of Dash's apartment. "Hey, kids," Sam said, settling in the car. "Let's go home."
"Okay," Lilly said, looking back out the window.
"How did Dash take it," I asked.
"He said he'd be by later and he'd look after us," Sam answered. "He told me to tell you that you had nothing to worry about."
"I appreciate it," I said, sighing.
"Wait," Lilly cried. "Daddy didn't go inside with you?"
"No, why," Sam asked.
"Tell her that I'm not mad," I replied. "Tell them both I'm proud of what they did and I know they done everything possible."
"Your dad said that he's proud of you. Are you kids worried that he wouldn't be," Sam asked.
"It's just… we should have been able to do more," Megan replied. She looked down.
"Girls, when we get home, I'm going to talk to you, okay. I haven't really had time to explain what happened yesterday. Once I get Doc in bed and Sammy bathed, we're going to talk girls."
"Okay, Mom," Lilly replied.
"Meet me at the house, Danny," Sam replied. She buckled up, made sure the kids were still secured and headed for home. I flew to the house. On the way there, though, I kept thinking something was different this time. I had no idea what it was but something was different.
(04)
Sam talked with the girls about Ectoranium and skated some of what we knew. She didn't tell them that Lilly was the one who warned us about what happened yesterday but she did mention that we knew and we've made some changes to prepare. Sam told the girls that according to the first timeline, Doc was supposed to get hurt as well and that seemed to put Lilly's mind to ease. The girls were put to bed and Sam done some work as I watched over her. As the evening turned into early morning, I watched everyone sleep. When Sammy was the first one up, I realized what was bugging me.
The first time I died, I had no control over what I did. I never used my powers to go where I wanted to go and most times, I'd wisp there instead of moving physically (or even spiritually). I flew everywhere I wanted to go yesterday, even across great distances. Shouldn't I have wisped home instead of being forced to fly there? Also, last time I would miss large chunks of time. I didn't spend much time conscious the first time I appeared out of the tunnel. Here, I've spend hours in this period of consciousness. What is going on?
I noticed for the first time I was exhausted. The events of the previous two days has finally weighed on me and now I'm exhausted. That is why I can't be seen, though; I need to recuperate my strength to have enough energy to be seen. If I can't sleep and I'm not having these moments of unconsciousness, then how will my spirit recharge?
When Sam woke up, she began to get ready for the day. "Sweetheart," I spoke hesitantly.
"Danny," Sam said, startled. "I thought you wouldn't be here when I woke up."
"That's what I need to talk to you about," I said, heaving a sigh. I felt the air exit my lungs but it didn't give me any relief. "I need you to talk to my parents. I think I'm stuck here."
"What," Sam asked, pausing in her dressing.
"I'm exhausted but I can't go into a period of unconsciousness. I don't know why but we need to figure it out."
"Okay," Sam nodded. She finished dressing quickly. "Dom, Gage," Sam called, her voice panicked.
"My Queen," Gage appeared.
"I need you to look after the kids," Sam replied. "I need to run to Fentonworks."
"Of course, mi lady," Gage replied.
"Call me if you need me," Sam replied, powering up. She phased through the roof, flying to Fentonworks. I followed her.
(04)
It only got worse after that. My parents tried to find any answers but unfinished business ghosts wasn't their specialty. After two days, my energy nosedived so much that Sam couldn't hear me anymore. At first, they thought I had went to rest but I found out I was able to affect the real world. Before, I could have never touched something. This time, I was able to shatter a vase. Four days after my death, I was finally able to communicate with Sam. This gave us a rough timeline but it was nowhere near accurate. We theorized it would take me twice as long to recuperate. It took me nearly a month. Every time I got so weak I lost the ability to communicate, it would take me two days to recuperate from that. I would gain ground to lose it and then gain it again. I could not keep my energy levels up and finally Mom ordered me to stay put.
I stopped using my powers and only talked to Sam during emergencies. That allowed me to keep my energy up but I was still so weak. When I finally did appear, they said my spirit looked watery and it looked like I would just vanish. We didn't take any chances, and Mom used the Reality Gauntlet. I woke up in the cooler Mom had stored my body in. That was three weeks since my death but I still felt so weak. For the entire week since my reviving, I did nothing but sleep. I just couldn't stay awake.
We spent the next week searching for answers. Every book we found said that the Unfinished Business ghost is supposed to go into periods of unconsciousness, something they call crossing boundaries. We were trying to find a reason why I didn't but no book could explain it. I tried balancing finding answers and spending time with my family but the voice in the back of my head wouldn't stop bugging me. I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep anymore.
I wrote a note, telling Sam where I was going and flew to Fentonworks to go in the Ghost Zone. I searched the library one more time but we've read all the books. Finally, I allowed my instincts to take me where I thought I needed to go. I picked a book off the shelf, Ghost Zone Lore.
(04)
"In the event of a collapse between the worlds," I read from the book later that morning, "every realm would theoretically collapse. The realms are intertwined, one dependent upon another. If one fails, they all fail." I closed the book, putting it on the table. "Think back to our Ghost Zone exploration. The vortex in the middle of the Ghost Zone. Imagine if that was what interlinked the worlds. We've been wondering where the Forbidden Zone is in the Ghost Zone. What if it's not in the Ghost zone? What if it's another dimension?"
"If this is true," Mom replied, "then that could explain it. You couldn't cross over to the other side and rest. No unfinished business ghost can. According to your dreams, the portals bust open sometime in the next year, year and a half. Common sense tells us that the Forbidden Zone should have escaped by now."
"I'm thinking the Forbidden Zone is the furthest dimension away from us. So if they are breaking down that barrier, it would spread. The Unfinished Business Ghost realm would feel the effects but the destruction hasn't reached us yet. As soon as the Forbidden Zone completely breaks down the barriers, that's when they'll be able to escape. That's when they'll come into the real world."
"So the Forbidden Zone ghosts may not escape into the Ghost Zone until after the portals open," Danielle asked.
"That's what I'm thinking now," I replied. Sam nodded, with me. "The portals is the sign of the collapse. It's not the collapse, per se, it's the sign. These worlds were never meant to continually overlap."
"Which means this is our fault," Mom sighed.
"We don't know that," Tucker replied. "You might have been able to open the portal because it was possible. We're not sure what created this."
"We need to prepare everyone," Jazz replied. "This is coming and it's going to happen fast. We need to prepare the Division, the ghosts, the town and the kids."
I looked to Sam. "We can't continue to hide the kids from this. We've told them about the war, now it's time to prepare them for the fight."
Sam nodded but I knew she was scared. "It's best to prepare them than to have them overwhelmed."
"I know, sweetheart. I wished they had longer to be children, too, but this is happening." I wrapped her in my arms. "I told you this after Sammy and now I'll say it again."
"No," Sam denied. I released a breath. "I'm having my children. I am not putting my life on halt for anything. We were destined to have eleven kids. We're having eleven kids."
"It's up to you, sweetheart. You can go on birth control. I won't hold it against you."
"I'd hold it against me," Sam said, hanging her head. "Besides, I love being a mom. D.J. isn't born for another three years. The portals will be open and I won't have to worry."
I kissed her on the cheek. "Just know that it's an option. I love you, Sam."
"You might live the life of your future self when you dream but I see the kids, too, Danny. You're not the only one who has become attached."
I smirked, loving the way she knew me so well. "Okay, Sam."
(04)
We spent the next few months preparing everyone for the onslaught. Sam and I sat our children down and we began training them, even three year old Sammy. Sam delivered Pammy October 24, 2012 and we had five kids now. Pammy was identical to Lilly, Megan and Doc. She was fast paced and she hit the milestones months before she should have. By Jacky and Jamie's sixth birthday, Pammy was already running. Doc hit his milestones early but nothing like the rest of my kids. It really impressed my family to see them so advanced.
Sam came into bed after putting Pammy in her bassinet and curled into my arms. "How are you feeling," I asked.
"Tired," Sam sighed. "Pammy kept me up all night last night."
"Well, I'll be home tonight," I replied, kissing her hair. I had patrol last night so Sam was alone with the kids.
"That's great news," Sam smiled. She looked to the television and I got embarrassed. "Mayans? Really."
"Hey," I smiled, joking with her. "The world is supposed to end tomorrow, remember."
"We have real issues to deal with, not superstitions."
I laughed, because I believed her. "They're covering a special on it," I rolled my eyes. It was completely stupid. They were announcing this on national television as if it was actual news. We had other problems to deal with, like the Republicans trying to deadlock congress again. The Fiscal Cliff was ahead and I was really nervous about Boehner getting the spending cuts he wanted. We needed those funds to protect this country. Another recession will be the least of our problems if our funding is stripped. Protecting the world isn't cheap; higher taxes is the only solution to keeping this country running.
"Is that on CNN," Sam asked.
"Yeah," I rolled my eyes. "It's the end of the calendar. Oh, no, the horror."
Sam laughed. "Of course it's the end of the calendar. What did you expect them to do, keep going?"
I turned off the television, snuggling down in bed with Sam.
The next morning, I was making breakfast as Sam was preparing to go out Christmas shopping. I had the Divisional feed up (kind of like Facebook but reserved for Divisional agents only). Sam grabbed the coffee, filling up her travel mug, as I looked at the screen.
All agents report to HQ.
"What," I asked, turning off the stove. I wiped my hands, going to the computer. Just as I was about to click on the comment, the phone rang.
"I got it," Sam replied. She picked up the cordless, putting it to her ear. "Yeah?"
"We need you guys here immediately," the voice announced over the phone.
"Why? What's going on," Sam asked.
"Just come in. This might take a while. Cancel all plans. And bring your kids."
Sam disconnected the phone. "That was weird. I can usually get answers."
"The feed is overly busy," I replied, looking up. "There are hundreds of messages posting a minute." The screen froze on the feed and then the page went down. "What the hell?"
"Oh, no," Sam snickered. "Tucker's going to be furious."
"Sam, this is serious," I said, furrowing my brow. "Tucker designed that feed. Do you know how many people would have to be flooding that thing for this to happen?"
"Well, we'll figure it out," Sam replied. I dumped the food in the trash, turning off everything. Sam got the kids and we went to HQ. The kids went to the cafeteria while Sammy and Pammy stayed with us.
"What's going on," I asked as we settled in the conference room. The headquarters was full.
"We've had five hundred portals open worldwide, at least," Samuels replied, his voice shaky. "That's just how many are being reported. We're trying to control the exposure but it's happening in populated areas, now."
The room erupted in noise as I looked to Sam. This is it. This is it? "Hold up," Sam called out. "Are we seriously considering this to be the date?"
"It's been eight years since the portal opened," Samuels replied. "Do you have a problem with it?"
"Yeah," I remarked. "This is the last day of the Mayan Calendar."
"What," Samuels asked incredulously.
"We were watching this on the news last night," Sam replied. "The Mayan Calendar ends today and this is the day the portals open. Are we supposed to believe this?"
"Five hundred in major cities," Samuels replied. "Do you have a better answer?"
"What are we going to do to keep this away from the public," I asked, resigning. I guess it doesn't matter that the Mayan's long count calendar and the date the portals bust open overlap. There's no way it's connected.
"Every checkpoint has two thousand generators. As soon as we are notified, we will respond and deploy the shield. Anyone witnessing the portal or the agents will be bigfooted."
"Do we have people doing scouts," I asked.
"Yeah," Samuels nodded. "I also have port-ars scanning too." I nodded. The sig-ar was the radar for signatures and it was used solely to track ghosts. The port-ar was the radar used to track solely portals.
I looked out into the hallway, imaging the hunters in the meeting room. We'd have to get them up to speed and put them on the streets. We think our world is the last one so if the boundaries have been broken in our world, the ghosts will be here soon.
(04)
My pulse would have jumped out of my skin when the beep sounded. Every divisional agent had a beeper and when one of us were in trouble, it sounded. There was no ghosts around me and I just called in the eightieth portal, just from the ones I'd reported. There were thousands of portals in Amity Park alone and we had already deployed the major shield. We passed two thousand after noon. There were so many portals that they were overlapping each other. The sky above my head was more green than black and the glow casting down from the night caused me to be on edge before I heard the alarm.
I hit the button, programming it into a hummer. I flew to the agent in distress. Tucker was already onsite because he's the fastest of us all. I saw a ghost, black, fighting Tucker. I looked for the hunter, knowing it wasn't Tucker. He was fine.
I heard a gurgling sound and I turned. A hunter was crumpled on the ground, choking on his own blood. I ran to him, turning intangible just before I reached him. I jumped in him, healing him. His back was broke, along with most of the bones in his body, but his throat was slit. He healed as soon as I entered him. I exited.
"Are you okay," I asked, pulling him to his feet. He was breathing hard.
"I didn't think he was a ghost," he said, his eyes wide. "I-I just told him he needed to get to safety. I didn't know he was a ghost."
I looked up at the sky and the portals cast a glow all over the place. I looked back to Tucker. "You're okay," I said, looking back. "Stay out of this. Techno and I will handle it."
I flew to Tucker, shooting a blast at the ghost. "He's resisting my mind control," Tucker declared. That's why it was taking him so long. There was no tech and his other special power was being ignored. Tucker is having to overpower him.
"It's okay," I remarked. "We'll get him."
"You two are in for a big surprise," he laughed. "I'm only the beginning," he said slowly. He started laughing manically.
I opened fire on him, sending the ghost flying back. My beeper went off again. I looked to Tucker. "He's just the beginning."
"Alert them, Techno," I declared. Tucker nodded. The hunters needed to know that it's hard to tell a ghost from a human. I flew after the ghost, freezing him to the ground. I sucked him in the thermos just as my communicator beeped. I had a message but I knew what it said.
The beeps continued throughout the night and every ghost we faced was ruthless and powerful. There wasn't one that was below an eight. By the time morning came, I had an infirmary full of hunters hurt last night. Sam, Tucker, Jazz, Danielle and I spent hours healing hunters and civilians alike.
(04)
"Okay," I announced in front of the entire town. We had called an emergency town meeting and the new King of the A-List had complied. "The ballgame has changed, guys. This isn't the same ballpark. The sky is stuck this way. That means that while you used to be able to identify a ghost from a human, you can't anymore. Humans glow now because of the portals. I want everyone to stay off the streets if possible. It's best to stay home than to be mistaken for a ghost. My guys have enough to worry about."
"We can't hide forever, though," one of the civilians remarked. "What are we supposed to do? Let them run the place."
"Until I can come up with a game plan, yes, that's exactly what you're going to do. I had two hundred agents hurt last night and the ghosts in my team spent hours going post to post, region to region healing those they could." Thankfully, the ghosts hadn't been exposed worldwide. It came close. We had portals in rural areas that were harder to get to so by the time agents arrived, the ghosts were coming out. No one died but I had several paralyzed, amputated and broken. One hunter in Texas had his arm ripped off from the ball joint and we had to reattach his arm and then overshadow him. It took twenty minutes for everything to repair.
"This is for your own good," Samuels announced. "With the sky casting glows on everything, our people will not know if you are a human or a ghost. That puts everyone at risk. We are asking everyone to stay home unless you are instructed otherwise. If you need anything, we will provide services. We have set up an emergency hotline."
I exited off the stage, joining my team. Samuels and I were the only ones on the stage. Mom rubbed my shoulder as I picked up Sammy, putting her on my hip. Sam was holding Pammy. "It's going to be okay," Mom said softly. "We're going to win this thing."
"I'm so scared, Mom," I said, swallowing. I seriously had my doubts now. Sam and I had decided to involve the kids at an early age but what if it only got them killed sooner. Maybe we didn't think this through.
"You just need to calm down," Mom said. She ruffled Sammy's curls. "We're going to be okay. Everything is going to turn out all right."
"It's just the beginning, though," I said, looking down. "Last night is nothing compared to what we're going to face."
"I know, baby, but you can't lose faith. I know you and Sam will make the right choices. You two are wonderful parents, great teachers and you are raising awesome kids."
"Daddy," Megan asked, tugging on my pant leg. "Are you okay?"
Sammy rested her head on my shoulder, rubbing her eyes. "I'm fine," I said, bending down to Megan's size. "Let's go home and get some sleep. It's been a long night."
"I'm sleepy," Sammy moaned, rubbing her eyes.
"We're going," Sam replied. I picked up Megan and she climbed around my neck, hanging on my back. I picked up Doc as Sam picked up Lilly. "Get some sleep everyone. We'll regroup later."
"Be careful going home," Tucker said.
"We will," I replied. "You guys be careful, too."
"Don't worry about us," Jazz smiled. She was closest to Sam so she rubbed Lilly's long black hair, kissing her nose. "Love you, Lilly Bear." Pammy was asleep in Sam's arms but Jazz gently placed a kiss on her head. Jazz kissed Sam on the cheek then moved beside of me. "I love you, little brother." She kissed me, Megan, Doc and then Sammy. "Get some sleep, babies."
"Love you, Aunt Jazz," Megan called above my head.
"I love you, too, Lady Bug."
Sam started out of the auditorium and I followed her. We put the kids in the van, Sammy having drifted off to sleep. I sat behind the wheel, buckling up. I put my head back on the headrest, closing my eyes. "Everything is going to turn out all right, Danny," Sam said. I took her hand, my eyes still closed. The feeling of her hand in mine gave me a boost of courage. I opened my eyes, looking into hers. "We're going to get through this."
"It's not going to be easy," I said, swallowing. "But yeah, we're going to do it. We have to start training the kids, though. And I don't mean the small stuff we've been doing lately. Really train."
"I know," Sam nodded. "But it's for the best, honey. We can't let that future come true. I know they're young and I wished they could be kids… but this isn't a child's world. If we want our kids to grow up and grow old," I saw her eyes fall on Sammy. I nodded as she looked back to me, "We have to prepare them."
"And we will," I nodded. "This world is changing. If our kids don't take charge, we will be the last generation that knew childhood. I don't want that reality."
"Me either," Sam said. She rubbed my hand with her fingers and I started the ignition. It was terrifying but it was the reality we faced. It was out of our hands. We wouldn't win this war. Sam and I were only twenty-two but anything we could do in this war would only boost our children. This war will last for several decades. The real fight doesn't even begin for another twenty-two years. I hope to stop that part of the war but I know that's the point of no return.
"Our children will make the difference," I remarked. Sam nodded her head, holding her chin to her chest. "We're going to be all right, Sam. All of us."
AN: Well? Did I go too far or was it okay? Feedback welcomed.
Please check out my new story Eternity, up tomorrow!
Have a great weekend everyone!
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