Edit: 5/30/18: Next wave of grammar fixes and wording tweaks or some scenes altered to avoid cliches. Took out AN question and answer sections.
This is the last chapter before the Field Trip chapters… or Saga… or section… eh whatever you want to call it, begins.
For the record (this pertains to the Field Trip) I've decided, through my research, to place Amity park at the very very northern left tip of Indiana (since the wiki says Amity has palm trees... and a lake is water... eh). There are a lot of inconsistencies regarding where Amity Park could actually be, mostly having to do with how many hours/days the characters say they take to get to certain locations or states (Wisconsin, Utah, etc.). So really, I can't make everything work, so I went with what the Wiki says "Somewhere in the Midwest, the Northwestern testing referring to the college and not the Northwestern U.S." Check the wiki to see what I mean. So yeah, because they were able to get to Lake Eerie, lol, by school bus. I choose Indiana.
I hope that's okay. :) Enjoy!
zzz- normal separation
ooo- dream or vision separation
Mental thoughts or distant speaking
"There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections." ~ Ziad K. Abdelnour.
zzz
It was the very end of January now. Dani had been doing well in school and had become pretty close friends with Ash and Ash's friend, Jace. Jace was a very well privileged young man, though unlike Sam, he didn't necessarily try to hide it from everyone. He had impeccable manners, a bit of a stone-faced persona, he was a marvel at using musical instruments of all kinds, and already had been educated in advanced home school classes before coming to Casper Junior high. He had brown hair that was almost always slicked back, hazel almost gold eyes, often wore a blue polo with long khakis and brown loafers. Both Ash and Jace had started hanging out with Danny and his friends as well. They even learned that Brandon and Jace knew each other from band class so all in all the growing group was quite comfortable with each other when they all hung out.
Besides school, Danny hadn't seen Vlad recently at all which was a bit worrisome. Dani had started to get even colder recently as well, needing to wear thicker coats. Normally, like Danny had, she most likely wouldn't have noticed it since it hadn't gotten to the point of turning her blue, but Danny was able to see the signs; her ice powers were coming in soon. Because of this, Danny started to train her more closely.
zzz
FentonWorks Lab.
Danny and Dani were in the lab that Saturday morning. They were planning to go hang out with Tucker, Sam and Valerie after a while and also work on de-icing the town, but first they were training.
"So… how do I do this?" Dani asked once they were in the middle of the large room and in Phantom form.
"It not as hard as it seems. You feel the power inside and then you let it all out." Danny smiled and formed a snowball in his hand. He then demonstrated a more complex technique and formed a glittering sword.
"That's it?"
"You'll learn more finesse later, but yeah. I know you can do it Dani! I mean you're me and well I did… That's the right logic, right?"
Dani giggled. "Yeah yeah, whatever. Dork."
"You've been hanging out with Sam too much."
"Sam's awesome."
Danny smiled a little goofily. "Yeah she is."
"Danny and Sam sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage-"
"Aw come on Dani, quit it!" Danny growled and stuck out his tongue in annoyance. "How about you try focusing more?"
Dani stuck out her tongue in response as well. "Fine." She closed her eyes and focused hard; she pulled in her arms as she strained. "Grrrrrrrrrr…"
"That's it…"
"Rrrrrr…"
"You're getting there."
"RrrrrrAAaaah!" Dani shouted and pushed out the energy. Ice formed, but that's where order ended and chaos began. Instead of a wave of energy which Danny was ready to block with a hot core heated ecto dome, a few dozen ice spears shot out from the younger Phantom's form and started flying everywhere. Some crashed into the ground and shattered, some ricocheted off tables and broke beakers, many knocked some devices over, and the rest continued to rebound off surfaces, walls, and the like. Dani yelped and started to dodge her own creations.
"Dani, over here!"
Dani glanced up and saw Danny surrounded in a shield. She watched as one of the spears struck his shield and pretty much melted on contact. She yelped after dodging one more stray ice piece and dove into the shield. She could feel the heat radiating off her brother once she was this close to him. He bent and held her close while the rest of the spears darted around and finally halted. As Danny took down his shield, his parents ran in, eyes wide.
"Kids, what happened?" Maddie asked hurriedly.
Jack looked around, saw the broken beakers and knocked over inventions and nodded. "Whelp the lab seems fine."
Maddie, Danny, and Dani glanced at each other a rose a brow in confusion. Then again, Jack almost never could tell when the lab looked like a mess.
Danny finally decided to speak up. "Oh well you see. I was trying to teach Dani about using her ice powers. It kinda went nuts. We'll clean up after we're done." Danny smiled and glanced down at Dani and saw she was frowning and still clutching his suit front.
"Oh well okay then. Be careful you two. It's about twelve o' clock, by the way. I know you two were wanting to meet with the others." Maddie nodded and turned to walk back up the steps. Jack grinned and followed her.
"Mads, can I have a cookie?"
"Of course, dear."
Danny watched them leave and then looked down again at Dani. "Dani, you okay?"
She let out a disappointed sigh. "Naw… I mean."
"Dani… I think you inherited my inability to lie well, from me."
Dani pouted. "It's worked for you."
"But not on me. Spill."
Dani sighed. "My ice powers are crazy. I'll never get them under control like you have."
Danny frowned and kneeled a bit to look at his sister. "Dani…" She looked into Danny's eyes as he continued. "Don't worry. You will get the hang of it. I promise!"
"How can you promise?"
"Because I'm your brother."
Dani frowned again. "Everything about me is messed up." She gasped when he snatched her chin in his gloved hand, to make her look at him again.
"I don't ever want to hear you say that again, okay? That's not true. You're Dani, not Danny. You're your own person and news flash, every existing thing is different from the next. Dani… you like everyone else, are perfectly imperfect."
Dani was in silent awe until Danny dropped his hand. "Danny…"
"Yeah?"
"You really mean that?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Dani smiled brightly and threw her arms around her brother's neck, standing on her tip toes to do so. "Thank you."
Danny smiled contently and rubbed her back. "Let's clean up and go meet with the others, okay? I bet I can clean my side of the lab quicker!"
Dani grinned wickedly and jumped back from her brother. "You're on!"
zzz
Amity Park Streets.
Sam, Tucker and Valerie were on the sidewalk, talking as they watched Danny and Dani melt the snow and ice around town. It was quite suddenly that some of the last bits of ice on the street, broke apart and a tree grew up from beneath the earth. This started happening in several other places down the street and straight through a few buildings.
A stranger that had been watching happily as the Phantoms cleaned up their ice and snow, frowned a bit in surprise and shouted.
"Hey, not to be picky Mr. Phantom, but we don't need trees in the street!" The middle-aged man didn't seem angry however.
Phantom gulped and looked around as a blue mist escaped from his and Dani's mouths. "Uh, that's not me and my cousin's doing."
The other bystanders on the street looked nervously around.
"Ghost Child!"
Danny flinched at the loud roar as Undergrowth burst through the concrete on the street in front of the two Phantoms. A wicked grin split his face. His head glowed a bit as he took a breath and blew yellow sleep spores out of his mouth and into a large storm on the street. Danny and Dani were caught off guard and lost consciousness, plummeting out of the sky while everyone else in the vicinity, collapsed to the ground in slumber.
zzz
She could feel something pulsing and winding around her wrists and ankles… and voices… several voices. After a moment, Dani opened her eyes tiredly and groaned.
"Whoa! Dani Phantom's awake!"
Dani finally looked around and saw everyone that had been near the area where Undergrowth had appeared, tied to many large trees by vines. She was on her own smaller one, with ecto-neutralizing flytraps on her legs and arms.
"This isn't good," Dani spoke and blinked at the others.
One man's face went deadpan at her declaration. Sam sighed and glanced around at everyone only to notice someone was missing.
"Wait, where's Danny!?" Sam asked.
Dani gasped and looked around herself. "Danny? CUZ! Danny!"
"He was with us… I wonder why…" A young woman mused.
Dani struggled and struggled for a bit before she sagged. "I can't break free and I can't use my ectoblasts."
"I guess we'll have to wait and see if Danny escaped," Valerie spoke up.
Dani frowned and looked around one more time.
zzz
FentonWorks Lab.
Maddie and Jack had been working down in the lab that afternoon. They had seen Danny and Dani off when they said they were going to meet up with Sam, Tucker, and Valerie to start cleaning up the ice and snow Danny had made. Jack was working on the Ghost Gabber and trying to do to it what Danny had suggested. Maddie on the other hand was working on something a bit different. She'd been reading through all of Danny's ghost files and data he'd collected with Sam and Tucker over the years and had learned about Blood Blossoms; the idea… terrified the mother in her.
Blood Blossoms: An ancient natural ghost weapon. This plant is similar to a rose with purple stems and thorns and red blossoms. The effects they have on ghosts are instantaneous. Physical contact is NOT required to cause damage. Even the vapor can cause severe pain, physical contact hasn't been tested (And hopefully never will). We preformed one test were we (Or more Sam and Tuck. I stayed far away.) placed a petal in a sample of my blood. The tiny flecks of ectoplasm there turned black and Tucker observed that as soon as all the ectoplasm in the blood was gone, my blood cells started to break down. It seems that it even has effect on other parts of my hybrid body, perhaps because my DNA is saturated in ectoplasm molecules. One final note, if a hybrid is exposed to this deadly plant, they are unable to access their core and thus can't transform to escape the pain. In human form, a hybrid can approach the flowers but begins to get light headed after prolonged exposure to the vapor.
Maddie finished reading her son's notes and internally sighed. Those plants could hurt her son, badly. All sorts of ideas had popped into her mind against her will and various ways he might come in contact with the horticultural horror. It was like making sure your child didn't come near peanut butter if they were allergic to peanuts. The terror of wondering if those cookies happened to have peanuts in them and someone had forgotten to mention…
She could see him wailing on the ground right that moment. Screeching, pleading for help, groaning. She shook her head and the torturous vision was gone. She needed… no. She HAD to make something that could help flush his system if something like that happened. The only problem was that she knew a blood transfusion worked for humans and she knew how to do the same for ectoplasm, but there were a few complications with doing the same for a blood AND ectoplasm mixture. It wasn't like there were many donors either. Dani would be the best bet, but that only worked if Danny was the only one harmed.
Darn it, she had to get back on that mind set. Dani… shrieking crunched in a ball… even destabilizing… She and Jack had been trying to make sure she was stable. All signs pointed to the fact she was, but Maddie still worried.
"Mads, you okay?"
Maddie flinched at the touch of a black gloved hand on her shoulder. She looked to the side to see Jack's face there.
"Of course, dear… I was just…" She decided to give her husband a hint about her emotions. Jack could be pretty oblivious, but when it really mattered, he could be very observant. "Have you read Danny's notes about Blood Blossoms?"
Jack's eyebrows rose and then fell in thought. "Yeah, sounds…"
"Horrible?"
"Yeah, pretty gruesome." Jack looked at his wife and saw she was glancing down at the said file. "You want to brainstorm together on a way to keep that from being as much of a threat?"
Maddie couldn't help but smile slightly at Jack's offer. "I think that would be perfect."
Jack grinned and kissed Maddie on the cheek. "Perfect! I'll get the data and we can start trying to figure out if there's some other way to flush out his system without a donor of some kind. Danny-boy said that he's used pure ectoplasm before as a pick me up, so perhaps ectoplasm isn't as picky on the donor matching aspect."
"We don't know for certain though on a larger scale. A 'snack' per say is one thing. A transfusion is another."
They didn't get to talk much more before they heard a blare from their alarm systems.
"Jack! It's the Ecto-Exodus alarm! It must be some large amount of ecto-energy around town!"
Jack furrowed his brows in determination. "Let's go!" Maddie pulled down her hood after turning on the house's ghost shield and ran off towards the weapons vault. Jack ran off behind her and out the door of the lab, but not before popping back in a snatching the last piece of fudge he'd had on the table.
Almost as soon as they'd grabbed their weapons and opened the front door, they saw the greenery growing over the city.
"Undergrowth." Maddie assessed quickly. "We need to find Danny and the other kids. Undergrowth can regenerate himself, so normal weapons won't do much."
The two parents leapt into the Fenton RV and drove off, their buzz saw attachment carving a way through the urban jungle as they went.
zzz
Casper High.
The alarms were blaring at the school. Several nearby families had gathered at Casper to escape the growing vines and foliage that had strung up in Amity. Even some of the faculty had left their homes to hide there, mostly because Casper had a small ghost shield near the outside lunch area. It was a similar size to the one the Fenton RV used. At the moment, Mr. Lancer was noting who was present. Dash and his family, Kwan and his family and Mikey and his family were present that Mr. Lancer was familiar with, everyone else were either caring for elementary aged children or no child at all. It was a small group thankfully since the ghost shield was too small for any more people. Also, anyone that had lived too far away couldn't get to the school in time. No one had seen any sign of another citizen, save themselves, for a while and the plants kept growing and closing in. Sometimes one would touch the shield and be destroyed, but a few minutes later it would grow back at a saver distance.
"What on earth are we going to do? I sure hope those Fentons are doing something useful," Dash's father spoke up.
"I'm wondering where Phantom is," A young woman added and almost everyone nodded at her.
"All we can really do is sit and wait for assistance of some kind." Lancer pointed out and then glanced around once more at the growing jungle.
It was a few moments later that a large creature formed from some of the plants around the school. Undergrowth towered before them, glaring at the shield as its occupants screamed in surprise and fear.
"So, trying to shield yourselves from my children? I must say, under normal circumstances… You would be safe until you flesh walkers needed sustenance."
Lancer was feeling brave for some reason. "And what do you mean by normal circumstances?" Lancer somewhat demanded.
"Oh, just my new son. I'm… persuading him to join me, you could say. He shall be the perfect caretaker."
Undergrowth caused a pod to rise up from the ground, then it opened and the small group gasped. Inside, Danny, in Phantom form, was tied up with vines and was unconscious.
"I shall give you all the privilege of watching me claim my new son."
"Wait, what!?" Dash blurted.
Undergrowth didn't answer but instead formed a mind vine and in one swift movement, thrust it into the base of Danny's skull. Immediately Danny's green eyes snapped open and a scream tore from his throat.
"Don't struggle, ghost boy. It'll only make the process more painful."
The small group gasped or stood gapping while their town hero thrashed in his bindings, trying to fight the influence of the mind vine.
"Phantom!" Mikey yelped in alarm.
Danny screamed at and even higher pitch after a moment.
"Stop resisting you stubborn child! This time you will not hinder me with your ice core!"
Ice started to coat the pod Danny was in and Undergrowth hissed in pain. He roared and his eyes glowed a more fierce red. Danny let out a final short cut off cry of pain before he stilled.
"Phantom?" A stranger within the group asked. Most everyone present was suddenly quite worried for their hero. Many would admit that they'd become a bit more attached to Phantom's person, not just his heroics, but his personality as well. He may be a ghost in their eyes, but it was hard for many in Amity not to feel concern. Some had been turned off by his rage fueled display against the GiW some time ago, but many saw it as proof that ghosts had emotion and could reversely have self-control.
"My son, rise."
They saw Danny's foot twitch before he opened his chlorophyll-filled eyes. He drew himself up to his knees since his arms were still bound with vines. He glanced up at Undergrowth and blinked once.
"Father…"
Undergrowth smiled and cast off the vines from his child. "My son… thy first command is this. Destroy that barrier!"
Danny turned and floated into the air before moving forward a bit. He took a deep breath.
The people in the shield knew what was about to happen since they'd seen and heard about Phantom's Wail before. Some thought they were about to die but all they could do was cover their ears and clutch their loved ones when the powerful and haunting sound waves crashed against the ghost shield making it crack and then shatter to pieces like glass.
zzz
Axion Labs.
Sirens were blaring, lights were flashing, people were running. Damon was in battle mode. He was manning the main security outlet and shouting out commands to the other employees. Their defenses were holding, but only barely. This ghost was powerful.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Many of the people in the command center glanced up and saw a vine smash through a window and grab a man by his waist before yanking him out of sight. His screams faded.
"Ecto missile! Launch!" Damon shouted in increasing worry. Some of the other scientist typed rapidly on their computers causing a missile to come up out of the floor and aim out the window. It shot out and blasted something that screeched. It was quiet.
"Mr. Gray, sir? You think it left?" A random scientist asked.
Damon frowned for a moment and went to speak but paused when he heard a car's motor. In a flash, the Fenton RV was partially driven in the side of the building, mostly blocking up the hole the vine had made. Maddie and Jack climbed out of the vehicle.
"Jack dear, I told you to go around and remember, hun. The break is the larger pedal."
"Heh yeah, I knew that."
Damon stepped forward with a sigh. "Jack, Maddie, I'm so glad to see you. Did you see the ghost outside? Is it gone?"
Maddie looked up and shook her head. "There were several large plants and vines outside but the culprit behind this isn't here. The city's overrun with his spawn."
Damon gasped. "The rest of the city!?"
"Undergrowth is the name of the ghost. He's a very powerful and ancient ghost that uses plants. Most weapons won't harm him permanently since he can regenerate. We ran out of power in most of our weapons while scouting the city for anyone. The only place we haven't checked in near City Hall."
"So, you came here hoping to find some weapons at least."
"That's right!" Jack added jovially.
Damon nodded and looked at everyone. "I'm going to take the Fentons to the stock room. Watch all the monitors, everyone."
After many nervous nods from the scientists and other employees, Damon walked off with Maddie and Jack. After a few minutes they reached the vault and opened it.
"Some ecto-grenades, ecto-refillable canisters… These will do nicely. Do you happen to have anything similar to a freeze ray?" Maddie asked, "You know, ecto-ice components?"
Damon shook his head. "It never occurred to us to make that kind of weapon."
"Perhaps after this is over we could work together on making some new weaponry."
"How do you know the name of this ghost?" Damon asked suddenly.
Jack and Maddie exchanged a nervous glance. Maddie regained her calm quickly, while Jack did the first thing that came to his mind, speak.
"Oh uh… Danny told us."
Damon paused and rose a brow at the now sweating Jack.
"He means, Phantom, Danny Phantom?" Maddie replied hastily. Damon relaxed and nodded, excepting the excuse.
"Ah I see. So, has he really been sharing secrets about his enemies with you? Perhaps he thinks that we could weaken his competition before he got to take over Amity."
Maddie's mouth tugged itself into a frown and a twinge of guilt wrapped around both Fentons' hearts. They knew part of that image of their son's alter ego had come from them.
"Perhaps…" Maddie murmured, keeping up the charade.
Damon shut the door to the vault just as the alarms started to blare again and all three of them heard many screams coming from the laboratory. They started in that direction only to see waves of vines racing through the hall. They turned and bolted the other way.
"Damn it! We've been breached! How'd that happen so quick?"
"Undergrowth wasn't nearby, plants closer to him have more intellect than ones further away."
They had no choice but to run out the back of the entire complex to escape. Only then did they come to a screeching halt to face a surprising figure.
"Danny!" Jack shouted in surprise. Neither Maddie nor Damon spoke to correct him. Danny Phantom was floating in front of them and scanning them with his cold green and empty eyes.
"You will be good nutrients for the children."
They didn't even get to run before the vines had them.
zzz
Everyone had been captured and drug to the center of town. They were tied to trees and had yet to see Danny again after his attacks. It was getting quiet and Dani had gotten panicky and twitchy when she'd learned that Danny was under the influence of the mind vine.
"So, wait, let me get this straight. You're saying Mr. Miracle Grow has Phantom under his control?" A man asked staring at the Fentons, who were tied to a tree close to Sam, Tucker and Valerie. Their various families were also close by.
"It's the mind vine. The ghost Undergrowth has the ability to manipulate the minds of people and ghosts." Maddie spoke up, rambling what she could remember from Danny's Ghost Files.
"You mean Phantom's being mind-controlled through that vine in the back of his head?" Damon Grey asked.
"Exactly, Damon," Jack nodded. "He can't be freed either unless that vine attached to his head is removed."
"I saw it! Phantom screamed like it hurt to." Dash squirmed.
"It seemed as though Phantom was trying to fight his influence but was overcome." Lancer added.
It grew quiet again. The citizens eventually ended up turning, looking at Dani and blinking. A grumpy older man spoke up. "Well? Aren't you going to save us or something, ghost girl?"
Dani frowned. "I already said I can't move."
The man paused at the upset and somewhat lost look on the girl's face.
"Hey, Sam, Tucker, where's Danny, uh Danny Fenton?" Brandon asked from afar.
"And the other Dani?" Ash asked in worry. Dani glanced at him in slight confusion due to his worry, though she knew her two friends didn't know her secret like Danny's knew.
Jack spoke up. "If I know my kids, they didn't get tricked by any ghost and went to find help for Amity."
"Yeah, sounds like Fenton, running away." Dash rolled his eyes.
Sam growled and Tucker mumbled something under his breath.
"Uh, Dani, can't you just use your snowy powers like your cousin?" A young child asked. "Momma says that plants don't like the cold."
Dani perked up. "Yeah!" and then she glanced at the ground in shame. "Except, I haven't learned how from him yet. I'm still practicing, but… I guess I'll try." Dani was just about to start trying to concentrate, when they heard a voice that sounded very familiar.
"I could still teach you more interesting attacks instead."
Everyone but Dani gasped when they saw the figure behind Dani. It was Danny Phantom only with his reappearance, his look had become very different. Vines with spikes wrapped around his chest in an X-shape manner, blocking the view of his famous logo; they snaked up around his throat like a choker and also wrapped around his legs down to his ankles in a simple spiral. Lastly, he had a laurel wreath on his head which was a glowing greenish gold and a medium length cape of green leaves. His fully green eyes blinked at the humans and halfa present.
"Well, cousin? Do you want to join me and father and learn about the children? Father says the ice has no use and harms the earth's greens. Come, join us Dani."
Dani growled. "Danny! What's wrong with you!? You've got to snap out of it!"
Suddenly Undergrowth formed amongst them, making many gasp or scream shortly.
"What do you think of my Prince?"
Danny's eyes flashed. "Quemadmodum et pater, mundi et reget imperia." (I shall rule the Worlds and do as father commands.)
"I was shocked when I discovered that he can use the universal language. He isn't like most ghosts, so it was somewhat assumed he couldn't… Regardless, with the only being here with ice powers out of the way, you will all be used as fertilizer. I'm going to tear down your city in your place because you humans take too long to even do that and Phantom, my son, will help me."
Dani growled and tried to pull her arms and legs from their restraints. "Leave my cousin alone! We already have some crazy ghost wanting us as his children, we don't need another! You're not Danny's father and you never will be!"
"I think I already am, dear girl, I would've used you as well… but I cannot have a genetic curse among my garden, an accident. You are not suited for survival of the fittest. Your genes are not desirable enough."
Dani froze and if some of the citizens had been looking, they would've noticed the angered or sad looks on Sam, Tucker, Jack, Maddie, and Valerie's faces. Dani was looking at the ground at first in hurt, her eyes clinched and tears threatening to fall. The citizens watched in sorrow and some worry as they heard her trembling voice.
"I'm… I'm not a mistake. I'm… not an imperfection."
"And why would you believe that? Of course, you are, you copy."
Many didn't understand what was going on with their traded words.
"Because Danny said so."
Undergrowth paused and then laughed. "So, you believe yourself to be equal just because Phantom-"
"Believes in me!" Dani growled, interrupting Undergrowth.
The large plant ghost hissed. "It doesn't matter if he does."
"Yeah it does! He's loved and cared for me when no one else would! He's trained me and given me a reason to exist! I would be nothing without him!" Dani yelled back, thrashing again against the vines.
"Whatever." Undergrowth backed up and looked over at Danny. "Phantom, start spreading my kingdom. This is your next command."
Danny glanced over at Undergrowth. "Etiam pater." (Yes father.) Danny then started to move away with vines following after him across the ground.
Dani became panicked and yelled. "No! Danny! Stop!"
ooo
Dani frowned again. "Everything about me is messed up." She gasped when he snatched her chin in his gloved hand, to make her look at him again.
"I don't ever want to hear you say that again, okay? That's not true. You're Dani, not Danny. You're your own person and news flash, every existing thing is different from the next. Dani… you like everyone else, are perfectly imperfect."
Dani was in silent awe until Danny dropped his hand. "Danny…"
"Yeah?"
"You really mean that?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Dani smiled brightly and threw her arms around her brother's neck, standing on her tip toes to do so. "Thank you."
Thank you...
ooo
Dani yelled again as her memories from the morning's training session she had with Danny ended. Suddenly, ice cracked and formed around the vines holding her down and traveled far along their length. The vines exploded into shards of ice after that. Undergrowth hissed again and commanded Danny. "Get her!"
Danny growled and shot towards Dani like a rocket. She yelped as he slammed vines into her form, sending her crashing into the ground.
"She can use the ice. We must put her in a pod to prepare her… She shall rest eternally."
Danny nodded and floated towards the ground to capture Dani. She was laying on the ground, still as a stone. "Eius finis." (Her end comes.) He took one more step towards her form. Before he could command the vines to grab her, Dani jumped up suddenly and placed her hands on his chest.
"Sorry, Danny!" The ice energy thudded against Danny's chest and ice then coated his front, arms and legs, making him partially immobile. Dani quickly reached around back and yanked hard on the mind vine. It snapped and dissolved in her hand. She then saw the partially frozen Danny fall backwards and strike the ground, seemingly out cold.
"You wretched weed! You despicable defect! I'll end you!" Undergrowth whipped vines in Dani's direction and she dodged upwards and fired a stream of ice out of her hands, freezing part of Undergrowth's base.
She smiled brightly. "Cool!" She blinked. "I even got to make a pun!"
"GRRRRAAaaahH!" Undergrowth roared and slapped Dani back towards the ground with his hand. She crashed into the street a second time and she tiredly raised her head to glance over at where Danny was. Only to see, he wasn't there.
"Need a hand?"
She gasped and looked in front of her to see Danny smiling, clean of his foliage-made costume and extending his hand. She blanched when she saw a mind vine dart towards Danny once more.
"Danny!" She gapped when the vine touched some kind of invisible barrier and caught fire before coming near Danny. He turned from her and glared at Undergrowth. "You caught me off guard once, not again."
Undergrowth snarled as Dani rose herself from the ground. Danny turned to her and nodded. "Ready?"
Dani nodded back. "Ready."
Her brother's form was soon coated with flames that popped and sizzled. His eyes were gleaming orange. Dani called on her ice core as blue filled her eyes and covered her fists.
"Dani! You learned Cyrokinesis!"
"Yep, thanks to your advice."
Danny frowned. "Ready to stop talking and kick some butt?"
"Uh, DUH!"
Danny and Dani then shot forward, Dani with her new ice powers and Danny still blazing like a comet.
I'll distract him up here and you go underground and freeze his roots.
Okay!
Danny stopped his communication and started circling around the plant ghost, blasting him with balls of ghost fire. He roared as he felt the ice start to freeze him beneath and shrink him. Dani appeared back up next to Danny. Undergrowth growled as he started to shrink further. "Let's retry this." He took in a breath and Danny's eyes widened. What could get rid of the spores?
"Danny?" Dani asked with nervousness as Undergrowth finally exhaled the spores.
Danny growled and pulled back his arm on instinct; hoping to cast a wave of hot air, he instead got something different. When he waved his arm in front of them, a ripple of invisible energy distorted their view before glowing green and forcing a wind of energy to twist and swirl into the spores and disperse and neutralize them. The wind toppled Undergrowth onto his side. Dani then blasted him with ice while Danny concentrated to form a weapon from ice after switching to his cold core. A staff of ice slowly started to glitter and form in his hand. Once it got far enough away from his hand on one end, it stopped at a spike; then a blade formed from the side and curved. Danny was now holding a scythe made of ecto ice in his hand.
"Time to cut you down to size!" Danny bantered before swinging a wide arc with the weapon, slicing Undergrowth in half. Dani fired more ice and soon, Undergrowth was a mere weed.
"You Phantoms will pay for this!" Undergrowth shouted with a squeaking voice.
Danny smirked and picked Undergrowth up and then froze the small weed solid. "I think the Observants would be happy to have you back." The scythe melted in his other hand and he placed Undergrowth on the ground again. Danny turned to see Dani starting to help get people out of the vines. Danny formed claws made of ecto ice and floated up before slicing through the binds while Dani caught and helped everyone down to the ground. The trees and most everything else started to shrink, no longer being powered by Undergrowth.
Danny floated over to Dani and lifted her into the air from behind. "You did it, Dani! You saved us."
Dani gasped and shook her head. "No, I didn't. We both did."
Danny let go and chuckled in her face once she'd turned around. "Uh, I was the one with the mind vine. You set me free. So, you saved us."
Dani blushed slightly and kicked at the ground.
"And you learned your ice powers! Uh, can you say BONUS!?" Danny exclaimed.
Dani looked up at him with a big smile. "Thanks for believing in me, Danny."
He paused and rubbed the back of his neck with confusion. Dani giggled and looked back at the crowd and winked.
"Anytime."
zzz
The people of Amity started to clean the streets from left over plant matter, trying to repair their city after Undergrowth's attack.
Back at Fentonworks, Team Phantom and Danny's family were gathered in the living room waiting for Danny's return from the Observants in the Ghost Zone. Dani was in her human form with a new brown beanie on when her ghost sense activated. Everyone in the room tensed.
"Don't worry its just Danny. I always know his… sense?"
"Huh, how do you do that?" Everyone jumped slightly when Danny's head popped through the floor intangibly.
"Jeez Danny don't do that," Valerie sighed and placed a hand on her heart. Tucker, Sam and Valerie had practically jumped through hoops to convince their parents that they would be safe at the Fentons for the rest of the day, but they were here and that's what mattered.
Danny laughed nervously. "Oops, sorry." He floated up through the floor and changed into Fenton before sitting beside Sam on the couch.
"I don't know. I've always been able to sense certain ghosts, mostly you and Vlad," Dani answered Danny's previous question.
"Huh, maybe it has something to do with how you were made, though that wouldn't explain Vlad. Maybe you can try and teach me sometime."
The short talk was interrupted by Mrs. Fenton.
"Danny we were wondering how you created that wind. Has that always been one of your powers?" Maddie asked.
Danny rubbed his neck nervously. "Uh actually, it was an accident. It was supposed to be a wave of fire or something like that. It felt different though."
Sam hummed. "From what we've gathered. I theorize that that attack didn't use either core, like your normal ectoblasts don't. I wonder if you can use it in any other ways?"
Tucker grinned. "Maybe it's your Psychic powers getting stronger! You used Telekensis to move the air. Maybe you could even use it in other ways, like displacing the air around you to run or fly faster?"
Maddie hummed. "That is an idea. Perhaps some kind of psychic manipulation of the area around you?"
Danny grinned and snapped his fingers. "That makes since."
Dani perked up. "It does?"
"If you force it outwards slightly, like I did, then the aura or psychic aura could be used to displace the air around us. Technically the healing abilities we have would be psychic in nature following that theory. We will our bodies to heal faster because we control the process more than normal humans."
The whole group hurried after Danny when he stated he wanted to try something. Danny transformed into Phantom and flew down into the lab, with Dani right behind him.
They found Dani watching Danny as he closed his eyes and willed a pale greenish aura to form around him. He then flew forward, fast. Tucker gasped and fumbled with his PDA to try and clock Danny's speed but the halfa met the wall before anyone could do anything. He crashed face first into the opposite side of the lab and slid to the ground transforming back into Fenton.
"Ow."
"Danny! You went so fast!" Sam yelped and ran over. "Are you okay?"
Danny groaned. "Well yeah I guess. That's going to take some practice. It drains me really quick to force my aura out. That and being able to control myself when going so fast is also hard."
"That was so awesome!" Dani squealed.
"Then I guess I need to start practicing," Danny replied with a grin.
zzz
Mansion on the Outskirts of Amity. One week later.
"Undergrowth… such a vile ghost. Couldn't he at least clean up after himself?" Vlad grumbled as he picked up a shriveled-up vine from his armchair. He tossed it in a garbage can. Vlad had left for the Ghost Zone while Undergrowth had attacked Amity. Concerning the facts Vlad believed to be true he'd figured there was no way for the over-grown weed to overcome his destined son. Daniel had grown strong. He'd been a tad surprised to learn that Dani had been the one to actually save the town since Daniel had been controlled. Vlad wasn't sure what to think of that really, so he banished the thoughts entirely.
Vlad walked over and looked down at his monitors now that he'd rebooted them. He sat in his armchair and began strumming his fingers against its armrest as he watched the Fenton family moving about their home. But of course, he'd been spying on them since practically day one. Regardless, he was getting angrier and angrier at what he had been seeing. He had had the somewhat small hope that Daniel's parents would've abandoned him as soon as they found out what he was but alas dear Maddie was too kind. In fact, things had been getting easier for Daniel, which was not helpful and the family also knew of Vlad's other half.
Nothing was going his way. Vlad needed proof that his way was better and Daniel having his parents accept him, help him with ghosts, and now even allowing Danielle into their family, was making things too easy for him. It was giving the little badger the idea that he'd been right all along. Vlad knew he needed to think ahead once again.
Vlad sighed. "Oh Maddie… Daniel… why do you seek to torture me with your distance?"
Vlad desperately wanted their company… their love. He could feel his core burn in his chest at just the thought. It ached even more now that Daniel had revealed himself to them. How foolish he'd been to try and clone Daniel; it would never replace the real thing. How he wanted them to smile at him… Then though, the thought of the one who'd taken that all away from him… Jack. His core heated up even more and his had to let out a hiss.
Vlad shook his head and tried to tame the emotions bubbling up due to his ghostly obsession. He wouldn't be able to keep a cool head if he let his emotions take control… he'd suffered from that more times than he'd like to admit.
Vlad glanced over at another screen to distract him from his previous thoughts and saw the Crown of Fire flickering behind a shield. If only he could figure out a way to get into the Observant's vault and retrieve the Ring of Rage. He knew that as soon as he did that, he could rule the Ghost Zone. He needed time to plan how to accomplish this, but if Daniel wasn't under his command or at the very least, distracted, then he'd never get away with it. Daniel was actually becoming quite powerful, even Vlad was having to admit it. He wasn't sure why Daniel seemed to be getting stronger, but the boy was.
It was during this time that Vlad noticed Daniel talking with Maddie. He listened closely and froze when he heard what his love said to Daniel after he'd told her or explained to her some sort story about one of Vlad's past schemes.
"That scoundrel! I can't believe he was our friend!"
"He let his obsession get the better of him."
"I… Right now, I can only see him as a malicious ghost. When I find him, if I find him, I…"
"Mom."
"I'm sorry Danny, it's just. I never thought I'd hate Vlad. Yes, he was odd sometimes, but he was a good friend long ago."
"I'm sorry you had to learn about his other self."
"Don't be sorry. Sometimes it's important to learn what are the true monsters among us. I think you for helping me learn, Danny."
Vlad growled as his eyes flashed a dangerous red briefly. He then jumped back from the screens and out of his chair before starting to pace. He grit his teeth and roared before slamming his fist into his bookshelf, making the shelf fall and the books scatter about the room. He stayed that way for a moment, hand resting on the wall and torso leaning that way too for support. Quiet… empty… silence. His mansions were full of it… even the meowing of a cat wasn't enough.
"Maddie thinks… I'm… a monster."
Heated tears bubbled at the corners of his eyes before he transformed into Plasmius. Those two single, now glowing, tears vanished after the transformation as Vlad flew towards his portal in his lab to enter the Zone. He had some places to go and things to do. The only thing he knew for certain though was that he would make Daniel pay for turning his love against him. He would prove he was the hero in all of this. He would save them from their mistakes.
What did he have to lose now? Nothing. The Fentons, Daniel, or his little friends could rat him out at any time and everything he had would be taken from him. Play time was over; the only way he'd pull out a win was if he made the first move.
zzz
Amity Mall.
"I've got to say, it's amazing."
"Thanks Sam."
Danny and Sam were walking down the road towards Mr. Fundoo's Art Gallery to drop off a new sculpture that Danny had made. Danny had left home an hour or so ago and met up with Sam. The sculpture was of Undergrowth.
"It's also pretty big, so who knows how much you'll get for it. That and TheEidolon's fame will bolster the price."
Danny smiled a bit. "That's cool, I guess."
As they approached the Gallery, they saw people all camping out in front of the store. They snuck to the back as Mr. Fundoo yanked them both inside.
"Uh, and you are?" Mr. Fundoo asked and glanced up and down at Danny in his ratty Humpty Dumpty t-shirt and jeans.
"Uh…"
"He's my friend," Sam replied swiftly and pulled out the sculpture of Undergrowth.
Mr. Fundoo's eyes sparkled. "Aaahh... Another amazing piece by TheEidolon. People somehow found out a new one was coming in. You think he could make several of these?"
Sam glanced mostly invisibly at Danny who gave a brief nod.
"Yes, he can."
"Excellent! Thank you for bringing it by, Sam." Mr. Fundoo glanced at Danny and frowned. "Maybe you could teach your other friends to be interested in the Arts like your friend TheEidolon."
Danny frowned and grumbled to himself.
Sam said goodbye and once the two were outside, she grabbed Danny's hand.
"Man… I really get underestimated by people, huh?" Danny murmured.
Sam frowned and squeezed his hand softly. "It's just people with their dumb stereotypes. People aren't willing to get to know you. It's their fault not yours."
"So, do I not look approachable?"
Sam smirked and spun him slightly by grabbing his elbow, before leaning into him. "I'd say." She then kissed him, deeply.
They heard one or two people nearby grumble about their PDA so they wandered into an alleyway to have a smudge of privacy. Sam linked her hands behind his head and started to push harder into a kiss they'd started. Danny reached for her curvy waist and she took one hand to reassure him and guide him there. They had their chests pressed against each other as they kissed long and tenderly. Eventually Danny flipped them so he was pushing her up against the wall.
"Thank you."
"Thank you too."
Danny laughed and leaned his forehead forward to rest on hers.
Sam sighed. "I'm just glad you didn't keep after Paulina." Sam had to hold back a laugh when a slightly disturbed look crossed Danny's face.
"I should've listened to you in the beginning. She has a weird physical obsession with Phantom and she thinks that Phantom will come crawling back to her at some point… It's like she sees a different world or something."
Sam nodded. "Yeah."
"How about we no longer mention any A-listers while making out, hm?" Danny smirked.
Sam smirked back. "I do believe you're on to something."
They learned in and went back to kissing when Sam's eyes shot open. A cold breath of icy fog was set free in her mouth and Danny jerked back quickly.
"Sorry, ghost sense."
Sam placed a hand to her mouth and laughed a bit awkwardly. "That was… actually, I don't know what to say about that."
Danny smirked before turning away from her and looking around. The white crackling rings of light traveled up and down Danny's body, turning him into Phantom. After what they'd been doing, Sam felt a blush rise to her cheeks seeing him in his skin-tight HAZMAT suit. She fought away her blush as she saw Danny shoot into the sky and look around before flying back down to her.
"I don't hear anyone screaming yet and I didn't see anything."
"Maybe it's a subtler ghost, like Spectra or Youngblood or even Vlad."
"Hmm… Stay close to me. I don't want to be caught off guard by anythi-"
"Ruff! Ruff-ruff!"
Danny and Sam looked over and saw a dog fumble into their line of sight on the other end of the alleyway. It had an old crusty boot over its head and was growling as if enjoying some play. What was different about this dog compared to most however, was its particular green fur and greenish aura. It was none other than Cujo, the ghost dog.
"Cujo…" Danny warned.
Cujo perked up and turned intangible so the boot could fall from his head. His ears turned towards Danny and he lolled out his tongue. The dog bolted right at Danny and grabbed his 'master's ankle before running off.
"CUJOOOOH!"
Sam laughed into her hand and ran out of the alleyway to see where the ghost dog had taken her boyfriend. People who were walking down the street turned and stared at Danny as he was drug down the street by the ankle by the small dog.
"Cujo! Cujo, down boy! No! No!" The dog drug Danny through the bushes and into the park. Once there, he let go and grabbed a stick before getting into a pounce position and wagging his tail in front of Danny. He chuckled and shook his head. "Wait did you want to play fetch or something?"
"Ruff! Ruff ruff!"
"Okay, okay fine. Five tosses, okay?"
"Ruff!"
"Geez, okay six tosses and a belly rub."
"Ruff!"
"Good, give it here." Danny picked up the stick and tossed it really far. Cujo barked happily before dashing off after it. This was repeated five times and then Cujo laid down in front of Phantom on his back as his stomach was rubbed.
"You be good, okay Cujo? No scaring people."
"Ruff!"
Danny looked about after saying goodbye and flew off to transform, before finding Sam at the entrance to the park.
"He give you enough trouble?"
Danny laughed a bit. "He just wanted some attention… I think."
The two turned and walked off, heading down the road towards FentonWorks. They were at the door when Cujo ran from behind them as if he'd been trailing them and through the Fentons' front door.
"GHOST!"
Danny gave a quick look to Sam before they both ran inside. "Dad, wait!"
Jack was pointing a Fenton bazooka at Cujo, who'd transformed into his larger form. Danny ran over and got between them. "Just put the bazooka down slowly. You scared him."
Jack glanced up at Cujo before looking at Danny. He nodded and slowly pulled the weapon out of sight. Danny spoke soothingly to Cujo before he shrunk into puppy size.
"So, he really likes ya, huh Danno?" Jack asked.
Danny laughed sheepishly. "Well yeah. I got his squeaky toy back for him. It's weird. Most ghosts that fulfill their obsession in some way move on, but Cujo's still here."
Sam smiled and put her hands on her hips. "Unless they find a new obsession, like protecting their master."
Danny seemed surprised and looked down at Cujo. "Is that true?"
"Ruff!"
Jack seemed contemplative for a moment before he smiled. "Well your mother's out, but she'll be home soon. What do you want for supper?"
Danny shrugged.
"Do you mind if I stay for dinner?" Sam asked.
Danny rolled his eyes. "You don't even have to ask."
Jack chuckled and moved into the kitchen to look around while Danny and Sam went to guide Cujo to the portal.
"Did someone say dinner? Valerie was busy so I thought hey, why not go and eat the Fentons out of house and home?" Danny and Sam turned and looked at the door to see Tucker's head popping through. He had a grin on his face.
Danny laughed. "Always man."
zzz
Valentine's Day. Casper High.
"Ugh, too much pink. I'm going to be sick."
"Come on Sam, it's just one day."
"She can't stand it though, Danny. Look at her, look at her!" Tucker joshed before Sam elbowed him hard.
The three friends were walking through the halls of Capser High on Valentine's day. Hearts and decorations lined the walls and Danny was certain he'd seen Sam gag twice since they'd arrived.
"Come on Sam, it's not that bad." Danny tried to assure her.
Sam frowned a bit but squeezed his hand in return. "Okay okay, I'll try to bare it a bit longer." She growled a bit under her breath. Danny only smiled back.
"Oop! I'll catch you two lovebirds later!" Tucker snapped out with a cheeky grin before running over towards Valerie, who was at her locker. The other girl waved at Sam and Danny before walking away with Tucker at her side.
"And he always teased us." Sam grumbled. Danny smirked and turned to walk towards History class, which he and Sam both shared. They noticed several people talking in pairs in the halls and trading notes to each other.
"I guess it's endearing... in a grossly overly emotional sense." Sam murmured.
"That's the spirit," Danny replied. He then blushed and glanced at the ground. "Hey uh. I have a surprise for you ya know."
Sam perked up and looked at Danny. "You do? Danny! I didn't get anything for you!"
Danny smiled. "Well I suppose you could call it a late gift."
"For what?"
"Your birthday."
Danny reached down into his backpack pocket and pulled out something shimmering. He placed it carefully in Sam's hand. It was the pedant of ecto ice with a ghostly flame burning inside which was to be added to her necklace she had received for her birthday.
"How'd you do it!?" Sam gasped and held it carefully.
"I finally figured out that I could duplicate, use cold core for one and hot core for the other, then separate them with a little ectoplasm. I hope that's not weird… I had to use my uh… blood? Just a little, to keep the fire from melting the ice. You can't really see it. I would've used my ray but it was too volatile. If you just wanna normal piece without the blood thing then-" He was halted by a quick kiss to his cheek.
"It's perfect, beyond perfect. Before we got really close and we were still strictly friends, I had always wanted to switch vile of blood necklaces with my future boyfriend, but that usually weirded people out. This is fine though… I think it's a perfect balance."
Danny chuckled and then smiled. "Glad you like it."
Sam slipped the piece into a safe pocket before they entered the room for History class. Mrs. Lawrence, their History teacher started class and told everyone that they would be having a vote for the most loved girl and boy in school. Then they went on with their lesson.
zzz
At lunch, Danny, Sam, Valerie, Tucker, Dani, Ash, and Jace all sat together. Danny learned that Dani had received valentines from both of her friends and she'd given one to both of them. Jace kept asking Ash in a very obvious way if he was feeling hot since he looked flushed. Dani didn't understand or notice Ash's blushing or Jace's hints, though Jace and Tucker seemed to share an exasperated look. Danny gave both of Dani's friends a dangerous glare before Sam could scold him for bothering them or Dani could get embarrassed by her big brother.
From afar they could hear Paulina and Dash talking about how obvious is was that they would be voted for most beloved girl and boy in the Highschool's vote.
zzz
The last class of the day was Mr. Lancer's English class. He pulled a chair up to sit in front of everyone, which wasn't normal.
"Everyone, today we will be discussing the annual Senior Class Trip."
A bunch of cheers from the class rose up and Lancer quieted them with a hand.
"It will take place over Spring Break and we will be traveling to the Ozarks Mountains in Arkansas. Mrs. Testlaff and myself will again be the chaperones. The Bus ride will be roughly eleven hours in length, so make sure to bring a few snacks if you want. We'll stop for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. We will be camping in the wilderness and not cabins so you will need to provide your own sleeping bags, tents, and equipment. It will be a week-long trip into the unknown! So here are you slips for parental consent if you want to join us."
Sam's eyes got wide and she tugged on Danny and Tucker's sleeves. "We gotta go."
"Awwwww…. but no TV? No internet if I get no bars?" Tucker whined softly.
Danny shrugged. "If you guys want to."
"Sounds like fun to me," Valerie responded.
The class quieted a bit when the principal's assistant walked into the room and passed Lancer two envelopes. He spoke up as she left.
"Well, it seems that both of the winners for the Valentine's voting are in our classroom."
Dash grinned and high fived Kwan while Paulina lifted her head high with pride. Danny, Sam, Valerie and Tucker weren't paying attention and Lancer stood.
"The girl chosen as most beloved in Casper High is Paulina Sanchez."
Paulina got up as most of the girls and boys in class applauded her. She walked to the front and received a nice little heart card that had lace and decorations on it.
Lancer pulled out the second slip of paper. "And the boy that won most loved is-"
Dash went to stand with a bright toothy smile on his face and then-
"Daniel Fenton."
The room was silent.
"We should bring those tents that can link together."
"Sounds wicked. How big do you think we could make our clan of tents?" Tucker joked.
"Who knows, depends if anyone else we know has the same kind," Danny replied.
"I could order some." Sam offered.
"That could be an idea." Tucker grinned.
"Oh yeah forgot you had like an army of people at your beck and call." Valerie smirked at the smiling Sam.
"Daniel?"
Danny perked his head up and looked about the room to see everyone staring at him. "Uh, yeah?"
"You're the winner."
Dash was still have hanging over his seat in shock but then he ground his teeth. "There's no way Fenturd is the winner! I'm the most beloved guy in the school!"
"Wait, what!? Me?" Danny asked and scratched the back of his head.
"There's difference between douche and most beloved guy, Dash." Some random student sneered.
"Who said that!" Dash growled.
"Enough!" Lancer shouted and turned to Danny. "Mr. Fenton?"
Danny sweated nervously and chuckled. "Uh, okay." He got up and walked up to the front of class with his hands in his pockets. He reached out with one hand and took his card for winning. "Uh thanks I guess?" Danny smiled and shifted nervously in front with Paulina next to him. Paulina grumbled something and looked away.
"Alright then." Lancer spoke up as the two started back towards their seats. "We have ten minutes, let's try to get some class time in."
Danny sat down and shrugged to his friends. Tucker was smirking, Valerie was smiling from her new closer seat near them and Sam was looking at him in amusement, before a wisp of blue escaped Danny's mouth. He rose his hand. "May I go to the restroom?"
Lancer nodded and then sighed at the predictable scenario. "Very well."
Danny ran out of the classroom in a hurry. It seemed that a ghost was just outside the range of the School's ghost alarms.
-BBBRRRRRIIINNNGGG!-
Never mind.
"The Age of Innocence! Why must ghosts interrupt my class!?" Lancer shouted as the students started to evacuate according to protocol. An even more interesting thought entered Lancer's mind though. Ever since the alarms had been installed... Daniel always seemed to use the bathroom before they rang. He'd usually reappear after the ghost was gone too. He was snapped out of his thoughts when the alarms stopped.
"I heard the alarms go off. Is the ghost gone?"
Lancer turned and saw Danny walking down the hall towards him and his class, hair a bit tangled and a cut barely showing near his shirt collar.
"Yeah, it's gone. The alarms would be still ringing otherwise," Tucker spoke up and continued playing the game of Alien Invader on his PDA he'd started. Then the final bell rang and the rest of the class ran off. Lancer stood watching Danny, Sam, Tucker, and Valerie walk away only to merge with Danny's young sister, Dani, and her friends Ash and Jace. Dani's ponytail looked a bit untidy, like she'd wrestled with something. Jace halted them all and licked his thumb and finger before smoothing out a few stray hairs on Dani's head. Ash mentioned something about Jace being a perfectionist and by then the rest of the group's talk was lost as they walked further away from Lancer.
"Yes... gone. The ghost is gone, Mr. Fenton." Lancer frowned in worry. Was Daniel fighting ghosts on the side? He needed to figure things out now more than ever. The trip... Yes, the trip. If Danny and his friends went then maybe outside of the school environment, he could come to understand the four students a bit more.
Hoped you liked it!
~NoSignal