My shortest chapter since chapter 6. :D Fairly proud that this is following my longest chapter.
So, not a whole lot goes on in this chapter. It's Valerie centric and we learn what she does. Yay! This chapter takes place the morning of last chapter's events. In the long run, this chapter should have come first BUT, I felt it far more necessary to post it after.
And thank goodness that I edited this. I forgot something until I started typing up these little notes. It would have caused a major plot hole on my part to not have Val realize something.
I forgot to say this last chapter: AJ, at this point in time, in DNC, no there will not be any serious DxS in here. In the next two fic that wrap up this trilogy, I don't doubt there will be some. I am not one to write about two characters really being in a relationship, I like writing about the journey to it.
Anyway, enjoy~!
Summary: Samantha Manson, or Sam, has many things to deal with; her parent's disappointment, she knows all of the police force by name and face (and not because she wants to), moving to a new city, her grandmother's slowly dying, her Necromancy is getting stronger, she has no instructor to teach her, and she's not exactly the most popular girl in school. As she learns about this new city, she learns of its mysterious secrets and as to why so many haunts happen there. While trying to find out how to help this city, she finding that she slowly crushing on a kind of cute geeky boy whose parents hunt supernatural things. AU. She eyed the yellow tape, daring it to keep her from the school grounds. After a moment, she decided to ignore the forbidding warning of the black DO NOT CROSS letters.
Disclaimer: I do not hold any legal rights to Danny Phantom or to any of the characters you are going to read about. This story, however, is my own original idea, with a nod to Meg Cabbot's Mediator series and Kelly Armstrong's Darkest Powers trilogy for inspiring me somewhat.
Do Not Cross
Chapter 20
Phial
"In each of us lie good and bad, light and dark, art and pain, choice and regret, cruelty and sacrifice. We're each of us our own chiaroscuro, our own bit of illusion fighting to emerge into something solid, something real. We've got to forgive ourselves that. I must remember to forgive myself. Because there is a lot of grey to work with. No one can live in the light all the time." Libba Bray
She felt like vomiting, and she had a good reason.
Valerie had to somehow sneak into Fenton Works, go down to the lab, slip through the portal, and get into the ghost world to find the sword of Katherine Magnusson and the ampulla.
"It's like I'm a character in a book or a movie." she said. "Or a fanfic."
She kicked off her covers and listened for her father. He must have still been asleep. The hours he worked were long, hard, and made his sleep schedule completely wonky in her opinion.
She padded out of her room as quietly as she could, wincing when she felt her muscles really move for the first time that morning. It would be best to stretch them before she did anything else.
When she was limber enough, she ate a quick breakfast and dressed. Normally, the only time she would wear pants was at night during the winter and when she attended lessons at the local dojo. That day she deemed it viable.
With her backpack in hand, loaded to the brim with weapons given to her, she opened the door. On the ground, balancing on the edge of the welcome mat, was a box.
Cocking a brow, she picked up the note taped to it. She blinked at the words scrawled across the paper.
"Some last minute equipment. Please use it with care, it's one of a kind. It should protect you from the effects of the Ghost Zone. Good luck!"
Looking down at the box, she decided it was safe. Those freaky government people probably hadn't had it ready for her last night when they loaded her up with guns.
She picked up the box and brought it inside, setting it down on the kitchen table with her backpack. Grabbing a pair of meat shears, she cut the tape that was holding the top together.
Inside, there was one thing. It was a flat board with jets at what she supposed was the back. It looked like something from the future. She rand her fingers over it, wondering what it was capable of.
Valerie yelped when it started in her hands. She dropped it. It floated a few inches off the ground — which, she had to admit, was pretty cool.
She walked around it, trying to figure out if it was safe or not. It was she decided.
"I wonder what would happen if…" she said, stepping onto it.
At first the object dipped, brushing the tile flooring before it raised itself back up. It was just like a skateboard… that could float. It clicked and vibrated beneath her feet.
She was worried that she might have activated a bomb for a moment. It wasn't until a red blob of fabric slipped out from underneath did she realize that the device was probably just opening a door.
She stepped off and picked up the fabric. It was shiny and stretchy. And it was a jumpsuit, not just a pile of cloth like she thought. It reminded her of Danny's parents and their wacky attire.
"Weird." she said, slipping the jumpsuit into her backpack. Looking at the board, she wondered if it could somehow shrink to fit in there with the rest of it.
Before her very eyes, the board folded in on itself and transformed itself into a watch. She picked it up and attached it to her wrist. It looked fairly stylish.
If her father ever saw her with it, she decided to say it was one of the Fentons' inventions that they were testing out. She only hoped that he would buy it when she used it.
Grabbing the box and stuffing the note in her pocket, she gathered up her backpack again and set out. She disposed of the box down the recycling shoot and left her building.
She stopped at the Starbucks, feeling in the mood for some coffee and proud that she had saved quite a bit. She wasn't in a particular rush that morning. She had to ditch school in order to go through with her plan.
She felt giddy at the thought of missing school for a day. She could feign not feeling well and, as everyone knew her father worked late, the necessary call to the main office was not really needed for her case.
Smiling, she ordered the largest cup she could get of her favorite drink. She drank it happily as she walked in the direction of Fenton Works. She polished off the beverage on her walk, disposing of it in someone's trashcan as she passed.
She reached her destination within a matter in twenty or so minutes. Gnawing her lip, she realized that she should have thought of a way to get in beforehand.
"Maybe I can get in through the backdoor." she said, recalling in her previous visit how she had seen a door that lead out to a patchy green lawn.
Valerie easily found the alley way behind the building. It was really quite fortunate that the Fentons lived on a corner. It meant she wouldn't have to hunt for the house.
She noted the state of the fence surrounding the yard. While the side facing the street was relatively nice, the side facing the alleyway was in need of repairs. She was grateful for that.
She slipped through a part that particularly need to be fixed and she sidled along to the door. She pressed her ear against the wood and listened. There was people talking within. She swore she heard two voices say their adieus. A few minutes later, the front door closed again and a vehicle engine revved.
Valerie grinned and she tried the doorknob. What luck! It was unlocked.
Carefully, she slid inside. She found herself in a small room with the washer and dryer, along with multiple cleaning supplies… most of which look like they had been altered in some way by Mr. and Mrs. Fenton.
She strained her ears for any sound and she closed the door, which thankfully did not creak like she expected it to. It was only when she was positively sure that no one was home that she started to breathe normally.
She tiptoed through the kitchen and looked around as she opened the lab door. Didn't the Fentons ever lock any of their doors? A burglar could break in, take something, and they would never be any the wiser.
She carefully made her way down, using her cell phone's flashlight app. to light her way. It was a good thing she did. Several inventions laid haphazardly on the ground, waiting to be tripped over.
She found the Fenton Ghost Portal without any mishaps, though finding the open button was one within itself. Were all of those switches really necessary? She was surprised to find that the one she was looking for was right in front of her the entire time. She felt like kicking herself for not noticing sooner.
Valerie pushed the button and watched as the door slid open, revealing a swirling mass of green goop. She couldn't help but wonder what was beyond it. She trailed a finger in the stuff, scowling when she brought it back with some of the gunk on it.
She wiped her finger off on her pants.
"It's now or never." she said, taking the jumpsuit out. She slipped it on over her clothes and zipped it up. Even with the hood on, she felt comfortable. Maybe those government guys weren't half bad.
She looked over the watch and pressed several buttons, hoping for a positive response. The correct one must have been pushed because the watch started to unfold and form the board.
She smirked and stepped on it.
"It can't be too hard." she said. "Just step back and…"
She pressed her foot down and the jets at the back started up, propelling her forward. She yelped as she headed towards the wall. She tipped backwards and fell back, landing on her rear.
"That was stupid." she said, rubbing the sore muscle.
She looked at the board. It had stopped right before it could crash. It had sensed that its rider had fallen and swooped back to her.
"Just as loyal as a dog. Well, are you ready to go? …Why am I talking to an inanimate object?"
She got back on and swiveled around to face the portal. Taking a breath, she stepped back and down, starting the jets.
She shot through the portal, coming out on the other end completely unharmed.
"Now, to find that stuff…"
.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.
After several hours of searching, and still unsure of what she was supposed to be looking for, Valerie decided that it would be best to stop and ask for directions. The thing was, finding someone to ask.
The ghost world was eerily empty of anyone. She wondered if it was usual for the time of day or if something was going on.
She stopped at one of the floating islands and looked around. There was no one in sight. Smiling, she ventured further, picking the board up as she walked.
The island as a lonely looking place with a single tower and gears. She swore that she could hear a soft ticking along with the soft steps of her feet.
"Hello?" she said, hoping someone would hear her. "Anyone… home?"
The door to the tower creaked open, startling her. A soft, blue glow beckoned her to enter. She took tentative steps towards it.
"It's perfectly safe to enter." a voice from inside said. "No one with ill intent may come inside without my permission, and you, my dear, are hardly one to harm me."
She peeked inside and saw the freakiest ghost she had ever seen. It — he, she supposed — shifted from one age to another at a ridiculous rate. It was nauseating to watch him.
"Hello, Miss Valerie Gray." the ghost said. "My name is Clockwork. I believe you are here for something."
"Yes, but how did you —" she said, being cut off by him.
"— know? I am the ghost of time. I know all that there was, all that there is, all that there will be, and that may never come in your lifetime."
"So, your basically like a Time Lord. Like from that British show."
He chuckled.
"I am much more powerful and much more real, though that doesn't mean he does not exist in a few timelines."
She gaped at him. That was all she could do. Was he serious? He had to be joking… right? TV show characters didn't exist outside of the TV. It wasn't possible. It just wasn't! Or… or was it? Strange things had been happening in Amity Park, after all.
"Right." she said. "I need the ampulla or else my dad can't get his job back."
"Ah, you're from that time stream." he said, floating to another room. The door in front of him unlocked itself and opened. Maybe he was that powerful.
She followed after him, watching as he perused through the many items on the shelves. The room seemed to bend all logic. She couldn't see the far wall and she sincerely doubted there was one.
He muttered as he looked, pausing and telling her what something was from or when it would be picked up. He stopped before an object that reminded her of the thermos that Danny, Tucker, and Sam carried around with them. It was one of the Fentons' inventions, if she remembered correctly. It sucked ghosts in or something.
"No, we don't need that." he said. "Hmm… I'm trying to remember. Is this one from a different timeline or from your future. No, another timeline. I'm quite sure. You don't need to worry about it right now.
"Ah, here we go."
Clockwork plucked a small phial off one of the shelves. He held it up for her to see. It had a bulbous bottom and a skinny spout. An eye, along with a few other symbols, was carved into it. The thing could fit in her hand easily.
"That's the ampulla?" she said, cocking a brow.
"You were expecting something larger?" he said.
"Well, yeah."
"Trust me, this is the one you need. Now, you had best be off, I'm expecting other guests soon, go out this window, there you go."
She was surprised by the window, allowing him to gently guide her through it. She tried to remember it being there beforehand but she couldn't. He closed the curtains for that window behind him.
Being quick on her feet, she mounted her board and swung around the building to a window that would allow her to see inside. She gaped at the familiar figures below.
What were they doing here?
Deciding that it was best to leave before she was noticed, she started back in the direction she swore lead to the Fentons' portal. She landed just outside of the swirling ectoplasm and realized something.
She forgot the sword.
Originally, I was going to have Val spy on Clockwork to see what was going on. I figured against it. It works, either way.
So, guys, no one new has signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo. Do you guys not want a chance to chat with several writers from the Phandom? I think you'd recognize many of them immediately. Really, guys, the offer is still up. Everyone is welcome. All you do is sign up for NaNoWriMo, leave a message at the DP Circle thread, and then sign in at the Camp site (heh). It's simple, if I can do it, so can you! Join us! We offer, double chocolate chip muffins, cookies, cakes, pies, s'mores, and other delicious foods. I know you're tempted.
If you're too shy, just message me and I'll help you get all hooked up. If you're curious, just let me know. I'll let you know who's in our group and if you want to, feel free.
This entire thing costs no money! Only valuable time. That could be used to make money. XD
Now that I'm done with that… check out the poll on my profile. I want to know something and I want to see how many people would be interested. I'll still write it, I just want to get a good idea of something.
So… have a great day, join me and several others for Camp, and have a muffin. I baked 'em fresh this morning!