Danny teleported to Burgess. He had retained his ghost powers after he became the Spirit of Fear. Something he was grateful for. His spirit powers of being able to sense fear and talk telepathically with kids he touched wouldn't be any help if he couldn't get around. Since dying he'd learnt how to teleport and Danny loved the ability to vanish from sight and reappear somewhere else instantly. He only did it when he had to travel long distances though. It often gave him a light head. For short distances, he just flew. He jumped into the air and flew up high above the town and swept his gaze over the dark town illuminated by street lights. He smiled as he spotted the hospital. Lit up like a Christmas tree.
Danny shot off through the night sky, faster than a bullet. He phased through the front door and landed in the reception. He walked over to the front desk and phased behind it. He glanced at a number of files and noticed Diana's name. He carefully pushed the file on top of Diana's to one side and flipped it open when no one was watching. He scanned the page and memorised the room number and ward the girl was in. He flipped the file closed and stepped over to a map on the wall. He swept his gaze over it and found the floor Diana's ward was on.
Danny jumped up into the air and phased through the floors above him and quickly found Diana's room. He noticed Jamie sitting in a chair in the corner, working through a page of homework. Danny smiled at the boy. He was a good friend. Diana was asleep, probably sedated Danny guessed. He felt a wave of fear from Diana and he felt a little around Jamie too. Danny crouched down in front of Jamie. The boy was Danny's height when standing, but he was sitting so Danny had to crouch to face the boy. Danny placed a gentle hand on Jamie's shoulder.
"Jamie, I can feel your fear, what's wrong?" Danny muttered.
"What if Diana doesn't get better? What if Pitch attacks and the guardians can't stop him? What if Pitch attacks my little sister while I'm here?" Jamie confided in him telepathically. Danny blinked in surprise before giving Jamie a reassuring smile, despite the boy not seeing him.
"Jamie, Diana will get better. She's going to get the help she needs and deserves. How could she not? You're a great friend for her. And secondly, Pitch will be stopped. I promise you that. It may not sound much, but he's not getting away with this," Danny assured him. Jamie glanced up from his work at Diana and gave a small smile.
"Don't worry Di, I'm here for you no matter what. You'll be fine. I know it," Jamie whispered to the sleeping girl.
Danny nodded approvingly and removed his hand and turned to Diana. He sat down beside the injured girl and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Diana, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you last night. Tell me what happened," Danny apologised.
"I had to go home after school. I didn't feel brave enough to ask Jamie for bus money so I was late again. My mom got really angry. She started to shout at me for being late. I told her that I didn't have any money for the bus and she got angrier," Diana began telepathically. As the girl recalled the incident, fear began to radiate off her. Her relaxed features had contorted into a terrified expression. Jamie looked over and noticed the change in his friend.
"It's alright Diana. Keep going," Danny prompted. Diana nodded slightly.
"She told me to get her another bottle of vodka for her but there were none left. She threw the bottle in her hand at me. It broke and sliced up my side. I ran. I tried to fix it by myself but I don't know first aid. I hid in my room all night. Mom tried to apologise later and offered to order pizza or something but… but I was too scared to answer her. Then at school, I passed out for some reason. I woke up in hospital a few hours ago but the doctors told me that they were going to sedate me until tomorrow. I think it's so I don't freak out or something," Diana continued telepathically. Danny nodded.
"But you're still afraid. Tell me why so I can help," Danny urged.
Diana took a deep frightened breath. Jamie got up from his seat.
"Di, are you awake? Is something wrong?" Jamie questioned. Danny glanced at the boy.
"My mom is in trouble isn't she? It was my fault she got so angry. They're going to separate us. I don't want to be alone! Mom is going to be angry at me," Diana began to panic telepathically and her breathing reflected her panic. Danny squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.
"Diana, listen to me. You are not alone. Jamie is here right now. He cares about you and he's not going to leave you. And you don't know if your mother is in so much trouble that you have to be removed from her care. She may just legally have to get help for her drinking problem. And most importantly, you are not to blame. Your mother should never have put you in such a situation. You are going to get the help you need and support. Everything is going to be alright," Danny quickly told her. Diana nodded slightly and her breathing returned to normal.
"Also, I'm going to help you through this as much as I can," Danny added. Diana smiled slightly. Danny smiled with relief. He released the girl's shoulder and she fell into a peaceful sleep.
Danny stood up and watched for any signs of worry or fear but there were none. Diana had calmed down and no longer radiated terror. At least she wasn't yet. Danny knew that the fear would return once she woke up the next day and had to face doctors asking questions. Suddenly the hospital room darkened. Jamie cried out in surprise. Danny turned around as he felt a presence of fear as Pitch emerged from a shadow. Jamie's fear sky rocketed. Danny glanced at the boy.
"What do you think you're doing?" Pitch demanded in a furious but quiet voice. Danny scowled.
"I told you. If a single child got hurt, I'd be back and I'd make you pay," Danny reminded him. Pitch snarled at him. Jamie backed away into his chair and stared in confusion as Pitch Black had a one sided conversation with no one.
"What are you talking about?" Pitch growled.
"Diana got hurt because I wasn't here. So the deal is off," Danny pointed out. Pitch shook his head.
"Not that. You said that Danny Phantom was feared in the Ghost Zone, not you. I was under the impression that you were pacifist," Pitch recalled. Danny glared at Pitch.
"Pacifist. That's a joke right?" Danny retorted. Pitch glowered at him.
Jamie pressed back into his seat fearfully. Pitch made a show of smelling the air.
"You feel that too, yes? Delectable fear," Pitch grinned and turned to Jamie. Jamie whimpered. Danny quickly stepped in the way.
"You come any closer Pitch, you'll regret it. Believe me," Danny warned. Pitch laughed.
"Out of my way," Pitch growled and stepped forward. Danny charged his right fist with green energy and blasted Pitch backwards. Jamie stared in shock. There was someone in the room he realised. And they were protecting him from Pitch!
"How? What?" Pitch spluttered. Danny smirked cockily.
"This is going to be a lot better than statues," he commented and lunged at Pitch and phased him out of the building.
So, the magical beings are going to have to figure out who Danny was, especially Pitch if they want to keep up. But let me know what you guys think.
Until the next chapter.