"Well then, tell me how it did happen," Maddie demanded. "And it had better be good."
There was a loud rumble. It seemed to shake the ground, making small rocks break off and fall into the water below. The crowd gasped as the sky lit up with energy once more.
Phantom turned to face his friends. "It's using my power to get stronger. I don't know how to fight it."
"Dude," Tucker glanced nervously at Sam, hoping for her to back him up. "We think that- maybe- that… you're the one who made the storm. I mean, it makes sense."
"So, really, all you have to do is hold on to your energy- that way he won't have anything to survive on," Sam interjected, a smile beginning to appear on her face.
Phantom sighed and cradled his head tiredly. "It's not that simple."
Another flash of light lit up the sky, turning the black clouds white for less than a second. The energy crackled and grew, until it finally aimed downwards and touched the water's surface. All of the terrified bystanders went silent as the creature laughed triumphantly.
"What are you four conspiring about?" It asked, mocking them by leaning forward, as if to listen. It's gaze raked over the ghost boy and his friends, before resting on the ghost hunter.
"Ah, Maddie," it said, drawing out her name. "Still unable to find the truth, I see."
"I'm fine," Maddie ground out through gritted teeth, raising her voice for the creature to hear. "It's you that should be worried."
"Worried?" It laughed. "Why should I be afraid of you? As my friend Valerie explained: 'you couldn't catch a ghost if it was living under your own roof.'"
Maddie frowned and raised a hand to her head in confusion. "Valerie?"
"She's not your friend," Phantom stated, glaring coldly at the water monstrosity. "You're not really me."
"Danny," Sam placed a hand on his shoulder for attention, ignoring the disapproving look that Maddie shot her. "Listen to me- to us."
Tucker stepped forward until he was level with Sam. "Yeah, we have an idea."
DPDPDPDP
How is this ever going to work? Danny thought in resignation. There was really nothing else that he could do; this was their only plan, and it had better work.
Feeling heavier than usual, Phantom floated high above the road, keeping a steady eye on his opponent. The cut in his side ached. It was taking far too long to heal, making him more nervous about the upcoming fight than he would be normally. Sure, the monster was huge, and growing rapidly, but it didn't seem to have that many powers. All that Danny had seen it do was absorb energy and control the water, but he wasn't about to let his guard down. Unlike the Box Ghost, Skulker, and various others that he had encountered several times, this ghost was new and unpredictable. Danny felt a tingle of uncertainty run down his spine, making him shudder and drop a few feet.
Come on, Fenton, he urged himself. You can do this.
Squaring his shoulders determinedly, the ghost boy glared up at the creature and flew until they were at the same height.
The water monster watched Danny expectantly, with a hint of humour. "Back for more, are we?"
Phantom didn't reply. He was taking deep breaths, trying to steady himself for the task ahead.
"I hope this works," he murmured, then closed his eyes tight and stuck his hands out in front of him, as if preparing a large ecto-blast. For a few tense seconds, nothing moved apart from the constant flow of the water. The crowd then started to mutter nervously, taking their worries and spreading them; causing each other to become more and more agitated.
DPDPDPDP
Tucker's hands were tingling from the force of Sam's grip. It was actually starting to hurt, but neither wanted to loosen their hold on one another. If this plan of theirs didn't work, there stood the chance that a great friend could be lost. Tucker didn't want to lose either, but there was nothing he could do for Danny but hope.
Phantom's glowing form was small against the daunting backdrop of the storm, being buffeted slightly by the wind. The techno-geek found that he was squeezing Sam's fingers even harder than before, taking out his frustration the only way he could at the moment. He almost let out a small scream as something large and heavy landed on his shoulder. Whipping around sharply, Tucker was relieved to see that it was only Jack. The familiar orange jumpsuit was comforting; a bright spot in the darkness that covered the entire area.
"That your friend up there?" Jack asked. His voice was serious, but his eyes shone with concern.
Tucker nodded, unable to speak. Sam, having been pulled around when Tucker moved, simply watched the elderly ghost hunter, as if making note of his reaction.
She doesn't miss much, the techno-geek thought. His gaze was once-again pulled skywards, to where Danny appeared to have stopped. Although…
Jack's hand slipped off of Tucker to hang loosely by his side. "That's dangerous- to befriend a ghost. Especially that one."
It was times like these that made it hard to keep Danny's secret. Tucker wanted so badly just to tell the Fenton's everything, but there was no way of knowing what could result from that. In the best-case scenario, the half-ghost would be accepted. The worst just wasn't worth thinking about.
Phantom's sudden movement almost made Tucker jump again. His arms were held straight before him, hands splayed towards his rival as the plan suggested he do. Eventually, Tucker had to take a breath.
Sam was watching the events unfold from beside him, with worry clouding her amethyst eyes. "Do you think he's okay?"
"I'm sure," Tucker nodded, though all the doubts he had been pushing from his mind were creeping back in. The hero always won, right?
Right?
AN:
Hey! pale-blue11 here!
I kinda planned for the fight to be over by now... I hope I'm not boring people with how long it is! D:
So, I decided not to make it a reveal, but I'm hoping to write a one-shot or something about that. Like, another chapter 15. Anyone interested in reading that?
-_- Wednesdays are exhausting. I hate Wednesdays. Stupid sports.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited and/or followed last chapter! :D 7 reviews! :D Almost at 50!
And... please review, favourite and/or follow this chapter!
And maybe, if you have time, check out my YouTube video? My friends are teasing me about it :'(
Have a nice week!
pale-blue11