Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, The Marvel Comics The Fantastic Four or The Flash, MASH or Grease.
AN: This story contains rape and male sex.
Chapter 15: The Game Changer
I stared at the substitute that had taken over music class, watching as she had no clue what she was teaching. Being a substitute for the regular subjects was easy, they're something that you deal with day in and day out. But being a substitute for an elective, like music, is quite difficult. The poor woman didn't know a thing about woodwind instruments, making that two of us. Actually, it might be more like fifteen of us.
The woman was glancing down in the book every two seconds, making sure she was telling us the right terms and keeping facts straight. I propped my head on my hand, missing Sam and Tucker terribly. They had art this period and I hated that they weren't by my side. The only comfort I took from this was if a ghost did attack, I'm sure to sense it in time. However, the downside was I may be sleeping when I get it.
I yawned, really feeling the weight of a full night with Vlad. I dreaded tonight and I dreaded when he got a place near here. I'll never get anymore sleep! I yawned again, this time another ghost sense slipping out of my mouth. Oh, for crying out loud it hasn't been ten minutes since the wolves! I raised my hand to be excused when my books went flying, a small tan puppy landing in the place.
"Cujo," I called happily, scratching his ears. "What are you doing, boy?"
"Is that your dog, young man," the substitute asked me, narrowing her eyes.
"No, ma'am," I replied. My mom would never let me have a dog though I'd love to have this one.
"Then where did he come from," the substitute asked me.
"I don't know," I remarked. I hoped she didn't remember me calling him by a name. "May I be excused to take him outside. I'll find out who he belongs to after school." As long as the lights were still on, no one would know he was a ghost. No one knew he was one when he attacked the first time. He was just the size of a small house and it scared the crap out of the kids. Can't blame them. He frightened me for a moment the first time. A massive mastiff indeed.
"Go ahead," Mrs. Stone, I believe her name was, agreed. "You probably won't be back anyway," she added under her breath. It was true. This was one of the few classes I skipped after the ghost was handled. I hated music.
XXX
I walked outside with Cujo securely attached to an ecto-leash, him walking happily beside me. Cujo acted so much like a regular dog. He rarely flew, he never used powers except to maybe go intangible and he only grew to his full size when he was angry. Cujo always sought me out when he wanted to play and his visits always put a smile on my face. Deciding to give up on music, I checked my surroundings and transformed. Now that I was a ghost, Cujo began to act more ghostly, floating around my knees.
"Wanna play fetch, boy," I asked him in a baby voice. Cujo yapped, wanting to play. I formed energy in my hand, imagining a stick. I threw it, Cujo happily fetching it. I loved that dog and I wished I could keep him. I mean, how perfect would it be? My dreams tell me I do adopt him, convincing Sam it would be the perfect pet because he doesn't eat, drink, discreet waste (unless he wants to) and he'll never die.
Right as the bell was about to ring, I noticed Vlad's limo from this morning pull up. I groaned as Vlad Masters stepped out.
"What are you doing here," I asked him, my voice unable to hide my disappointment.
"What are you doing out of class, as Phantom with a dog no less," Vlad asked me. "Who is that mutt?"
"He's not a mutt," I defended, "His name is Cujo… well, at least that's what I call him. He had a serial number when he was alive. Axion Labs gave an order to execute all their guard dogs when they upgraded their security systems."
"That's the event that started this between the C-crew and you and your friends," Vlad asked me. I hadn't told him anything about that but he'd seen it enough in my head.
"Yes," I replied. "When I found Cujo, I was curious as to why this cute little puppy was dead. I done some investigating and discovered 481 dogs missing with no trace of their whereabouts. Tucker done some digging in their systems and discovered the order to dispose of them."
"My word," Vlad replied. "Nearly five hundred."
"They bred them. Their female dogs were half dead to begin with. It was like a puppy mill, except they done it for their own purposes," I remarked. "Sam, Tuck and I lead the investigation that lead to the convictions of twelve responsible persons and now their children are picking fights with us. The way this town works, though, is if you mess with one you mess with them all. There's only three 'dweebs'," I said, air quoting the name of our group, "and the C-crew is a large classification. It didn't help that three kids lead this either, considering the C-crew is leading the coup against the town."
"Well, since you have already skipped school, come on. Let's go pick out an apartment."
"Vlad," I said, hesitantly.
"No," Vlad retorted. "You can find out what's causing the outpouring of the ghosts this evening. I will give you the night off."
"But Vlad, I really need to do this," I objected.
"And I don't," Vlad retorted. "I need to buy real estate, Daniel. Come on!"
"You already own an island and a cabin in Colorado. Why don't you stay there?"
"One, I do not own an island. I found an island that no one knows about which brings about two, I don't anyone finding that island and three, my cabin in Colorado is not for any real purpose. I do odd projects out there. Like what I was planning when I invited your mother."
"Don't remind me," I said, narrowing my eyes. "That truce is over, just so you know. I'm no longer obligated from keeping your secret!"
"And neither am I," Vlad replied, reaching for my arm. His hand went right through, clasping thin air. "Turn human!"
"Okay," I grumbled. I dissolved Cujo's leash and powered down, allowing for him to grab me this time, pulling me into the limo. The bell rang as the limo kicked into gear.
"How do you stand that bell," Vlad asked me. "I couldn't imagine being inside the building."
"It's not easy," I remarked. "But it's not like I have a choice."
"Speaking of school," Vlad remarked. My stomach twisted in knots. "I hired you a tutor. You will meet him tomorrow evening."
I didn't reply, just sank back in the cushion. I was so hoping he'd forgotten about that.
XXX
I sat in the chair of a local real estate agent's office, listening to Vlad drabble on and on about what his requirements were. The agent's co-worker sat in her desk, ignored by Vlad because of her sex. I stood from the chair, softly walking over to the woman's desk.
"Are you busy," I asked her, whispering practically. I don't know why I bothered. As soon as I spoke, Vlad looked in my direction.
"Daniel," Vlad said, his voice having an edge to it. It was nothing like that first week, but there was still a detection of that suspicion.
"I'm just right here," I told him.
"No, sweetheart, I'm not busy. Are you wanting to check out the properties your Dad is checking out," she asked.
I thought about saying he wasn't my father but I thought that might bring up some questions so I ignored the burn in my gut. "Actually, I was wanting to look up something else. Dad," I grunted out, probably sounding like I was punched in the gut, "Isn't taking everything into consideration."
"Okay," she replied a little weary. "What kind of property are you looking for?"
"Well, I'd like something that is isolated, a single floor home, in the price range of sixty to eighty thousand. I'd like for it to be in Elemerton."
"Well, that is quite the difference than what your father is looking for," she replied, but continued. She brought up the results, showing them to me on my monitor. I glanced through them and knew that none of them would satisfy Vlad. However, the last one was perfect.
"Can I see the last property please. 866 Burnwell road."
"Sure thing, sweetheart," she replied. She brought it up, showing me everything.
"Schedule me in for eleven-fifteen tomorrow, please," I replied.
"You want to view the property," she asked me, surprised. "Don't you want to ask your Dad?"
"It's not for him," I replied. "I have a separate company."
"But don't you need," she began.
"No. Please, will you book me or not. I'll pay you if you'll just take this without question," I replied, panicked. I did not want Vlad to know this. I'm hoping he's not reading my mind.
"Daniel," Vlad replied and I nearly jumped.
"Yes, Vlad," I asked him. The woman looked at me, puzzled. "It's business. He's Vlad on business. Dad every time else," I said, trying to cover it up. I laughed weakly.
"I have a scheduled appointment tomorrow at five o'clock. You are to join me," Vlad replied.
"Of course," I said, my voice soft. I looked back at the woman. "I have a small window. Eleven–fifteen is the only time I can do this."
"Don't you have school or something," the woman asked me, a little concerned.
"I'm home tutored," I lied. She seemed to buy it.
"Come on, Daniel," Vlad said, walking towards me. "Stop flirting."
"I'm not flirting, Dad," I said, seething the word. I can't wait until he tries something so I can blast him for this. Before he reached me, I pocketed the appointment card.
XXX
I got dressed as the limo approached my house. Vlad was redressing as well but I didn't want to think about him. The unit in my anus for trying to hide the fact I have an appointment tomorrow has made me a little sore towards him. As the limo came to a stop, I stood up to exit. Vlad grabbed my hand, forcing me to look at him.
"You cancel that appointment, am I clear," Vlad said, anger in his eyes. I don't know why he has got so worked up about this but what I did has gotten under his skin. I nodded my head, not saying a work. I walked out of the limo, carrying my backpack up the stairs. Mr. Lancer is going to kill me for missing detention.
The minute I walked through the doors, Sam and Tucker tackled me. I stumbled back, trying to catch myself. I did not want to land on my bottom.
"What in the world," I asked, steadying myself with my two friends pushing against me.
"What happened," Tucker asked me, fear in his eyes.
"What are you talking about? Is everything all right," I asked. Was there another ghost attack?
"You missed detention," Tucker asked me. "You never miss detention."
"Sorry," I replied. "Cujo came by last period and I took him for a walk. I must have lost track of time."
"Come on, Danny. This isn't the first time you've blown off music but it is the first time you've missed detention. What happened?"
"Vlad called," I sighed, giving in. "I had to get rid of him."
"What," both of my friends roared.
"Nothing happened," I lied, the unit reminding me that in fact something happened. "He just came by and I had to take care of business."
"I don't want you facing him alone," Sam said, her eyes shining. "Danny, he's got you under his thumb."
"He doesn't have me anywhere," I tried to put her mind at ease. "Nothing happened, okay. I'm fine and I'll take another day of detention to compensate for this one."
"Danny," I heard my mom's furious roar. "Come to the kitchen immediately!"
"You guys go home. Finish up your work. I'll pick you up for patrol at six. Go on," I said gently, walking towards the kitchen. Sam and Tucker sat down on the couch, bringing out their homework. I groaned as I passed through the entrance. "Yes, Mom?"
"I just got off the phone with Mr. Lancer," Mom said, her arms crossed. Dad was working on some kind of new invention.
"I forgot," I said, starting to explain. "I was going to call him as soon as I got home but I ran into Sam and Tucker. I had to explain it to them first."
"Danny, you know you're in enough trouble," Mom said, upset. "Why do you keep piling it on yourself, honey?"
"Because trouble loves me and follows me around everywhere I go," I replied, picking up the phone on the wall. I dialed Mr. Lancer's office phone.
"Casper High School, vice-principal Lancer's office. Mr. Lancer speaking, how may I help you," Mr. Lancer answered. I guess with him just getting off the phone with Mom, he was still nearby. At least that problem's solved.
"Mr. Lancer, it's Danny Fenton," I answered.
"Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer remarked, surprised. "I didn't expect you to call."
"How are you," I asked after a moment.
"I went to the hospital like you suggested. They released me, clear bill of health," Mr. Lancer remarked. I sighed. "You know, I never asked your parents about that."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention it," I said, my voice barely a whisper as I got closer to the receiver. "I didn't tell them about that. I didn't want to worry them. So if you could keep that between us, I'd appreciate it."
"Don't you think your parents should know about a lapse in your memory," Mr. Lancer remarked.
"It's no big deal," I said, still low. "I just don't want them to worry. They worry enough as it is. But, Mr. Lancer, if I could get you to not do anything about that missed detention, I'd really owe you one."
"Mr. Fenton, I came back to school so I could talk to you. I'm not really upset about the detention, I just wanted to talk to you. Maybe you could schedule me in for lunch detention," Mr. Lancer asked, his voice hopeful.
"Um," I hesitated. "Actually, I have plans during that time. I'm usually busy through lunch. How about before school tomorrow?"
"I'll be here," Mr. Lancer remarked. "I have bus duty. Dress appropriately."
"Okay, see you then," I replied. "Good evening, Mr. Lancer."
"Good evening," Mr. Lancer remarked. I heard the line click but I remained on the line for an additional minute.
"He really cares for the other students," I replied to really no one but my parents heard.
"Of course he cares," Mom replied. "He's a teacher."
"Yeah, but," I hesitated, trying to find the right words, "he always takes the sides of the A-list. He's easily persuaded with the idea of a bonus. I've always saw him as shallow but I think he's deeper than I first thought."
"Did he let you off," Dad asked me, looking up from his project.
"If I talk to him tomorrow," I answered. "I'll be heading out early tomorrow to chat with him."
"Yeah, that'll be the day," Mom replied. "You barely get out the door as it is."
"I'll just have to stay up all night," I replied quietly, walking out the door.
I heard Mom turn to Dad, "What did he say?"
"I don't know," Dad said. "I don't think that was human!"
I chuckled as I walked into the living room. Halfa language! "Hey, guys, you can go home you know. I'm not going to explode or anything."
"We're fine," Sam replied.
"We are home," Tucker remarked. I shook my head, bringing out my own homework.
XXX
I made it home from the real estate agent's office at 3:45 and before it was five, we decided it might be a good idea to hit the streets. Every fifteen minutes my ghost sense went off. I was starting to get worried. When we hit the streets, the attack sights were spread out. Maybe ten ghosts were at the mall but three were around the Nasty Burger. There was one ghost at the school, interrupting basketball practice.
By the time ten o'clock came around, Sam, Tuck and I were still handling the ghosts. Staring at a level six ghost, I spoke up, "Tuck!"
"Yeah, Danny," Tucker said, breathing hard.
"I'm entrusting you to get Sam home safely. If one hair is out of place, you're responsible," I said, powering up my blast.
"But, Danny, you need us," Sam objected.
"Tucker," I shot. "Get her home!"
"Danny, I'm inclined—," Tucker began.
"Tucker Martin Foley, now," I yelled, taking my eyes off the ghost. "Get her home!"
Tucker backed away, taking Sam by the hands.
"No," Sam fought but she didn't have the strength. They were both exhausted, having pushed their bodies to their limits. I trained my eyes on the ghost, ready to finish this.
XXX
I walked into my house limping, collapsing on the couch. It was six-forty-five and I needed to be getting to school to talk to Mr. Lancer but I was just too tired. I closed my eyes, breathing hard when I heard my mom's voice: "Danny," she spoke softly.
"Mom," I puffed out, surprised I hadn't noticed her before now. "Have you been up all night?"
"The question is, have you," Mom asked me.
"I-I went to Tucker's," I said, trying to cover it up.
"No you didn't," Mom snapped. My eyes widened, surprised at her outburst. "Where have you been, Danny?"
"I have to get to school. I need to talk to Mr. Lancer," I replied quickly, standing up. I put weight on my sore leg and winced at the pain it caused me. I know the only reason I'm hurt is because I'm exhausted. I've been spending a few days with Vlad and I've been slashed by Ectoranium twice. I'm a little susceptible to pain.
"Are you okay," Mom asked me, worriedly.
"I'm fine," I hissed, biting back the pain. "Nothing a few hours of rest won't cure. I'll just have to wait for tonight to do it."
"What," Mom asked me. I looked up. Crap, I spoke that aloud!
"It's nothing. I've got to be going," I said, heading up the stairs. I knew I was doing a poor job because Mom's eyes trailed me all the way up the stairs.
I walked in my room, startled to discover Sam and Tucker sleeping on my bed. I felt my anger bubble. Didn't I tell him to get Sam home safely?
I sighed disappointedly but decided not to push the issue. "Tucker, Sam," I said, opening my closet. "Come on, guys, it's time for school."
"Danny," Sam shot up followed by a groggy Tucker.
"Danny," Tucker copied her reaction. They climbed out of my bed, rushing over to me.
"I'm fine," I said, pulling out my clothes.
"The hell you are," Tucker objected. "You look like hell!"
"I feel like it too," I remarked dryly. "They never stopped coming last night. I'm actually hurt!"
"What," they called, worried.
"It's just because I'm too weak on power," I tried to put their minds at ease. Of course, I couldn't because what I see as good news they view as terrible news. I'm hurt and to me, that's wonderful news. To them, though, they're worrying themselves to death. "Don't worry, guys. It'll heal soon."
"Are you sure it's exhaustion," Tucker asked me. "It's not that Ectoranium stuff is it?"
"No," I remarked. "It's just a cut down my leg. I'll show you guys when I go to bandage it."
"How'd you get cut," Sam asked me, worried.
"Oh, it was just another nighttime ghost. They're always bad news. They're older… more sinister."
"Did you discover anything about why they're coming out more frequently," Tucker asked me.
I took a shaky breath, "Yeah and it's not good. This will be normal. It's taken this long for the news to reach the back flats. Those ghosts don't really travel to the parts we've visited. Now that the word is spread, we'll be dealing with a hell of a lot more ghosts."
"So last night," Tucker said, his eyes wide, "will be normal."
I nodded my head, searching for my clothes still. I was so tired I could barely stand. Finally, I pulled out a pair of blue jeans, a sweater and an undershirt. Now, to get this mud, dirt, blood and goo off of me.
XXX
I landed at the school and sent Sam and Tucker to the cafeteria with my book bag so I could talk to Mr. Lancer. They haven't had breakfast so I packed some meals for breakfast in the invention. They took off one way while I walked to the back. It was now six-fifty-five.
"Mr. Lancer," I called, walking over to him. The pain in my leg wasn't as obvious now, it just still refused to heal properly. I could handle that. It's the sudden jab of pain when I walk that was worrying me.
"Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer greeted me. "I didn't think you got up this early!"
No, I'd been up five minutes, I thought to myself but didn't say anything. "I'm really sorry about missing detention yesterday," I replied. "I'll make it up."
"How," Mr. Lancer asked, "Are you planning on coming to the high school after college?"
I didn't laugh. It was a real possibility. "Mr. Lancer, I don't know what answers I can give you but I'll try. I just want your word that you won't tell my parents. Mom worries so easily."
"Just as long as you give me some answers, Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer remarked. Oh, boy, Fenton, what have you got yourself into?
"It started Thursday night," I began. "I was out pretty late doing some business when I spotted these four ghosts robbing 24K Jewelry. Now my parents would probably lock me away and throw away the key if they ever found out I've been doing this, but I walk the streets at night and check for any places that might be experiencing a haunting. So when I came across these four ghosts robbing the store, I went to work.
"I never engage with the ghosts because once a hunter starts a hunt, he must complete it or wait to be relieved. I only have one choice if my parents ever show up: stay and get busted. I don't want that to happen because what I'm doing can save lives. The people of this town have no idea how you're supposed to act around a ghost. In times of panic, people make critical mistakes. All I want to do is make sure the people are evacuating on time.
"However, I think that night I got caught. Those ghosts were being controlled to do those things and I believe the man responsible forced me to help him. Every time I saw that staff of his, I would black out. When I woke up, I was doing something wrong. At Sam's house, I apparently scared her parents. When I skipped school, apparently I announced to the entire group what Sam and I had done. Then I was in detention. I remember watching Tucker's podcast on his PDA and then… nothing!"
"Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer said, his heart stuck in his throat. "How did you get away from the control?"
I put my hand behind my neck, "That I don't know. I remember waking up on top of a train, surrounded by the ghosts, the man, and my friends. I think Sam and Tucker were so caught up in what happened that they didn't notice you were locked in that closet. They would never endanger someone else to get out of anything. They didn't even know that you had been trapped in the closet all weekend."
"It makes what happened to me seem small," Mr. Lancer said, swallowing hard. "You should really tell your parents but it's your choice. I won't betray your trust."
"Thank you, Mr. Lancer. And I'd also appreciate it if you didn't mention my side job to anyone. I'd hate to be identified as anything other than a dweeb. This school would flip if they knew how involved I was with Ghost Hunting."
"How involved are you," Mr. Lancer asked, his eyes squinting.
"I'm third command in the country," I remarked, holding my hand behind my neck. "In terms of Ghost Hunting, I have more authority than the highest ranking officer in the FBI. I hold more power than Homeland Security even. You know, typical fourteen year old stuff."
"Oh, yeah," Mr. Lancer said, his eyes wide, "I was the fourth most powerful person in the world at your age too."
"Third," I said, ducking my head to sit ashamedly against my chest. "The President of the United States is number four."
Mr. Lancer's eyes widened, his breathing stopping in his throat.
"I'll catch you later," I said, shuffling off. Stupid! Why did you tell him that? He didn't need to know those kind of details. If this gets out, you'll be known as the freak that you are!
Nice to hear from you again! You know, I miss being completely sane. I was starting to forget I was insane.
Oh, can it, Fenton. It's not like you don't have enough problems going off in your life. Now you have to watch out for Lancer. Why didn't you just tell him we were the most powerful person in the world, or at least the third because Vlad and Invincible's beat our asses, or at least fucked it!
You're the one who wanted to practically crawl to the bastard.
I was trying to protect us but all you want to do is get us in more shit than we're already in.
Who the hell are you anyway? I'm tired of you mouthing off, pretending to be me. I would never say the things you say!
Because I know what I must do to survive. If it had been up to you, we'd died in that damn portal. All you wanted to do was curl in a ball and die!
I wanted to live! I didn't even hear you back then! How could you possibly say that you saved my life the day of the accident?
Because that's the day I was born, stupid. Somebody had to be the hero! Do you remember thinking that? Do you remember telling yourself that no one was going to rescue you so you had to save yourself? You were too damn scared to do it, so you created me!
No way. It can't be.
Yes, you idiot. I'm Phantom! You weren't the one raped that day, I was! You were lucky. You had the opportunity to know what was happening to you when he kissed you. I went for weeks without knowing what happened! That's the reason I left! The minute I needed a hero, you bailed on me like I was nothing but yesterday's news. Damn it, I'm half human too!
Phantom…
Save it, Fenton. I shouldn't have said anything.
You got me through the first two months of this ride. You're right, I should have stuck by your side. I should have been there for you.
If you could have seen through your own grief, then maybe you would have. You were spared. I kept my promise and I absorbed as much of that as I could… but there was only so much I could take. That's the reason Christmas was so much worse. It had a lot to do with the fact he was ghost while you were human, but I swear to you, ghost sex is unimaginable. I hope you never have to experience it.
I walked into the cafeteria, watching my friends eating breakfast. I didn't know what to say back to Phantom. I've always known we've had two separate identities, one strong while the other was reserved, but I had no idea he was real. I never imagined the voice of reason I always heard was Phantom. I should have, though, Phantom has always been the better half of me.
I sat down beside Tucker, something that is completely unlike me. While I'm closer to Tucker, I usually sit beside Sam because she's the girl. Of course, if Sam knew that was the reason, Tuck would probably be the only guy. They looked at me weirdly as I plopped down beside Tucker, laying my head on the table.
"Are you okay," Sam asked me.
"Not really," I said, my words slurred. "I'm ten kinds of tired!"
"Do you want to go home," Tucker asked me.
"No," I remarked though it was a flat out lie. I want my bed. Hell, I want Dad's teddy!
"Come on, Danny, just go home," Sam remarked. "We'll collect your work and…"
"Can you handle the ghosts too," I asked, sarcastically.
I should have seen this coming. "Yes!"
"Just wake me when the bell rings," I remarked, closing my eyes. Fifteen minutes could do wonders for a half-ghost freak.
XXX
"Danny," Sam's voice woke me up. "Again, not an alarm."
"Damn it," I groaned, sitting up. I stretched, hoping I wouldn't bend like Mr. Fantastic. I finally rectified myself. "Sorry, guys."
"We're the ones sorry," Tucker said, picking up my backpack. "We wish you could have kept sleeping."
"Unless you invented school, don't apologize," I replied, taking my backpack from Tucker before he could carry off with it. "I should carry your books."
"We're not the heroes," Sam snorted.
"Well I sure as hell aren't one either so I can carry my own bag," I retorted. They know how I hate being called a hero. I say it once and they cart it off. I was my own hero once and now I'm learning it was Phantom who filled that role.
We walked to class, Sam and Tucker smiling at each other. I swear them two are something else. I walked into science class, ready to get this over.
I glanced up towards the front once we three had taken our seats and nearly fell over from surprise. "Do you guys see that," I asked, my voice shrunken.
"Uh huh," Tucker replied, his voice mirroring mine.
"Mr. Fuluka in two classes," Sam seethed, her eyes nearly flashing. I imagined them turning orange but shook it from my memory. They might not have the patients, but I have the patience of Job when it comes to my friends becoming half ghost.
"Good morning, class," the man in his nasally voice announced. "I will be completing the lessons Mr. Highman marked out. This class will remain as it is but any of you with my third period class, Daniel, will be joining me in here. Okay, remove your books."
"Oh," Sam fumed, "You need…"
"Sam," I shot up, pulling her back from climbing over her desk. "Down, girl!"
"That man is getting on my nerves, Danny," Sam said loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm about to do something he's not going to like!"
"Sam, all things come to pass," I remarked but added mentally, except half ghost powers. "You just need to calm down."
"I'll calm down when he stops signaling you out," Sam seethed.
"Come on, Sam," Tucker said, reaching over to put his hand on hers. "We know what's important. Humiliating a little man is not important."
"Will you two cut it out, now," I said, looking between my two friends. "This is my fight and no one else's, understood!"
"Has Mr. Fuluka been harassing you, Danny," Dash asked me.
"What do you care," I asked. "It's none of your business."
"Mr. Baxter, I'll have you know that he snuck out of my classroom and tried to sneak back in without getting caught," Mr. Fuluka remarked, trying to get me in trouble with the King of the A-List. Oh, please!
"And what did you do about it," Dash asked him.
"I ended up letting him off the hook because his parents threatened to call the school board. But I wanted to suspend you," Mr. Fuluka said, looking in my direction.
"You're lucky you dealt with my parents and not my boss," I remarked, looking at him. "My boss is friends with every high ranking official in this country, I mean down to litter commissioners, and he's got this kind of obsession with my education. You might have lost your job if you'd done that."
"That's what your parents were threatening to do," Mr. Fuluka shot back, completely unprofessional, "What's the difference?"
"The difference," I said, my voice calm, "my parents would have got you transferred or on administrate leave. Samuels would have you banned from every teaching job on this planet and, if he could, this universe. Samuels might have even had your identity cleaned like they do to burned spies if you gave me more than one day."
"Your boss seems pretty important," Mr. Fuluka said sarcastically.
"One last thing, then begin teaching: ask anyone you know in the Department of Education about Homeland Security, Division G and see what reaction they give you. Then you'll understand how lucky you are you dealt with my parents. They hold a high regard to the educational system."
XXX
About half way through class, I felt the sudden chill of a ghost sense. You have got to be kidding me, I groaned. I really need to learn how to duplicate! I raised my hand, how bored I was probably showing on my face.
"Are you needing excused, Danny," Mr. Fuluka asked me, his voice sarcastic.
"You've got it," I replied, bored. "This is going to be hell for the rest of my life!" I stood up, handing Tuck my book bag, "If I'm not back, get my books for English!"
"You want us to tag along," Tucker asked me as he took my bag.
"No. And don't come looking for me. I'll get in contact with you if I need you."
"Okay," Sam said, sliding down in her desk. As I ran out the door, I caught sight of her tapping her pencil's eraser against her science book. I'm not even out of her sight yet and she's already worried.
I hurried into an empty classroom and transformed into my ghost half. Let's get to work, I heard a distant voice. Now I was the subordinate half.
Good to have you back, Phantom.
Good to be back!
It felt so weird to be doing this again. I had forgot how in ghost mode I always felt like someone else was leading, calling the shots. After the reunion, I had felt so lost and weak. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I had forgot how Phantom always seemed to take control when I went ghost. Of course, back then I didn't know it was Phantom. I always contributed it as my ability to set myself apart, to see the fight from a distance. Now I know better; after the reunion, Phantom had backed away. He let me lead the way but I felt so lost without him, I didn't know which way was up.
Hey, Phantom, I asked him.
Yes, Danny.
Was it you who pulled me out of that man's control?
Phantom was quiet for a while as we tried to locate the ghost on the school grounds. Finally, he spoke up. Yeah, it was me, Danny. When that staff took over you, it reawakened me despite that I didn't want to be woken up. You could say it was my alarm. But I still wasn't strong enough. I would fight with it, determined to gain control of ourselves again. You helped too… but mostly, it was Sam.
Seeing her falling… hey, do you sense that?
I sure do, bro.
It's a five… no, lower. It's a four.
Definitely. And it's not in the high school. It's at the elementary.
We've got to go! The hooligans are over there!
On it!
We rocketed towards the elementary, finding an entire classroom surrounding a small black ghost wearing blue overalls and playing with boxes. We both groaned. It's a five!
"Boxy," I called, catching his attention.
"I am the Box Ghost," Boxy called, trying to wail. "You will fear me and my cardboard fury!"
A loud shriek of joy filled my ears, causing me to wince. Maybe I should worry about the children. They're more of a threat. "Ghost boy," they shrieked, running over to me.
"Uh, hi," I said as one little girl kept trying to hug me. She kept falling through me. "What are you doing?"
"You're intangible," she cried. "But you're not blue!"
"Blue," I asked confused. "And I'm not intangible. Ghosts just can't touch or be touched by objects in this world unless we allow it. Are you wanting to hug me?"
"Well, duh," she retorted, much too old for her actual age. "You are our hero!"
"I'm Public Ghost Enemy Number One," I remarked, in shock. "Nobody likes me!"
"That's only because of that thing with the mayor," another young girl remarked.
"Hello," Laura walked over to me.
I forgot what form I was at first, answering, "Hey, L—Little girl," I corrected myself.
"Hey, I was wondering," Laura said. I listened intently, "Do you want to go by Invisiobill or Danny Phantom?"
My eyes widened, "How do you know that name?"
"Well, that's what the name of the series is and that's what your name is on the show so I'm thinking that's what you want to go by…"
I swear I think I fainted. I was still standing so I couldn't have but I could feel my world crashing around me. "You watch the show?"
"All the time," the little girl trying to hug me earlier remarked. "Can I get that hug now or am I going havta play mean!"
I focused on picking her up, lifting her into my arms. "So if you watch the show, you think that I have a human form."
"We don't think, silly," Laura replied. "We know!"
Courtney's words swirled in my mind, I know he's super and all, Dan, but geez, can you treat him human. They've known. That's why they've been coming around and hanging around me. Oh, man, I need to sit down.
"Are you okay, Danny," Laura remarked. "Or, Invisiobill. Please tell me it's Danny Phantom. That is much cooler."
"It's Danny Phantom," I said slowly, trying to calm myself down. "Does everyone here know?"
I glanced at all their faces, each one nodding. Oh, God. Phantom, forgive me. I triggered the rings, returning to be the dominate of us two. I sucked in a deep breath, trying desperately not to pass out now that I could from lack of air. In. Out. In. Out.
"Cool," the kids shrieked.
Innnnnn.
Breathe out, Danny.
Outttttt.
Breathe in, Danny.
Make your mind up! They know. They know. An entire school knows my secret. Innnnnn.
Out.
Outttttt.
"How long have you guys known," I asked, completely surprised.
"Well, most of us have been watching since the beginning but we didn't realize it was real until Splitting Images real day. Bully Week."
"Oh, my God that was back in October!"
"It has always been really weird but that's when we said it was real!"
"Oh, my God. That was back in October!"
You've already said that.
Give me a break! Your entire identity is Phantom! I'm the one who has to deal with the exposure.
Hey, I'm the one hiding that I'm the wimpy Danny Fenton, he kidded with me.
This is not funny!
"Danny," Laura said, taking my hand into hers. "Are you okay?"
"How many people know of my secret," I asked her, trying desperately to control the breaths I took. Not too many, not too few.
"Most of the grade school knows but all of the middle school knows," Laura remarked. "There are some of the younger kids who think it's too scary to watch but Courtney got all the middle school to watch, even the ones who have stopped watching cartoons."
"The entire middle school," I asked, my eyes widening. "Meaning next year a class at the high school will know… oh, my God, does anyone in the high school know?"
"No," another little girl scoffed, "'It's a cartoon. I'm not watching that with you. That's for babies'," she mocked.
"I get the same thing," a boy groaned. "No one wants to watch a cartoon even though it's real! They won't even listen to us!"
"What about your parents," I asked them.
"Mommy and Daddy don't care what I watch," another child remarked. "They've never even asked about what I watch."
"Anyone else," I asked, starting to calm down.
All the kids remained quiet and I took that as none of their parents knew. Most of these kids had siblings in the high school and my parents were probably connected to three-quarters of their parents. If one of their siblings or parents watched that show, my secret would be blasted out of the water.
Don't worry so much. I mean, think of it this way: thousands of people know your secret but what they don't know is you're real!
Not helping!
We'll be fine.
"Okay, Boxy, time to go back to the Ghost Zone. You can go willingly or I can suck you in the thermos. What'll it be?"
"You cannot contain me in a cylindrical container, ghost child, for I…"
I caught him in said cylindrical container, "Am the box ghost. Yada, yada, yada!"
"It's a real thermos," one of the kids cried, ripping it out of my hands. "How do the ghosts fit in there?"
"I have no idea," I remarked. "My parents are brilliant inventors. I actually wondered the same thing when Mom caught me in the Fenton Weasel."
Another little girl looked at me strangely. "When did you get captured by the Fenton Weasel? I don't remember that happening on 'Attack of the Killer Garage Sale.'"
"Good name," I said, laughing. "But that's because it didn't happen there. I was captured in the Fenton Weasel two weeks ago."
"So it hasn't aired yet," an older girl, probably fifth grade, said.
"Yeah," I said, relaxing. "We're finally ahead of the show. For the longest time, we were behind it."
"How," Laura declared in shock.
"You'd have to ask Butch… or the producers about that," I commented. Then my eyes widened, "Actually, never talk to anyone from the show. I'm not sure how this is possible but I don't want them to know this is real!"
"How do you know they don't know it's real," Laura asked me.
"Because I had a dream of it," I remarked. "Butch Hartman showed up on my doorstep and told me to get back inside his head… and apologized to my father."
"Why would he need to apologize to your father," another child asked.
"Well," I remarked. "This is the last question. You guys can come over after school if you want to talk some more. We all have to get back to class. Anyway, Dad isn't that large. Dad is tall, I mean really tall. He's six foot three. Also, Dad on the cartoon has two inch legs. Dad's legs are incredibly long. Also, Dad appears heavy set in his hazmat suit but the show exaggerates that. They've really cartooned him."
"Do you have to go, Danny," Laura asked me, tugging on my blue jeans and looking up at me with those deep blue orbs.
"Yes," I smiled down at her soft blonde curls. "I'm in enough trouble for skipping classes!"
"Okay," Laura said, her eyes shining slightly. "I'll see you after school!"
"Okay," I said, tossing her hair. I disappeared from their sights, flying back to the high school invisible.
I returned to science class with five minutes to spare. Just enough time to copy down any notes on the board. Sam and Tucker both released breaths of relief when I walked through the door, Mr. Fuluka casting a glare in my direction but not saying anything. I took my seat, Tucker handing me my bag. I dug out paper and pen, jotting down the notes on the board. I finished the notes, returning my belongings to my backpack. The bell trolled, releasing us from our prison.
"Hey," Sam said, catching up to me. I slowed down, realizing I was walking like Flash from Marvel comics.
"Hey," I said.
"Who was it," Sam asked me.
"Box Ghost," I simply replied. "He was at the elementary school."
"You went to the grade school," Sam asked, her eyes widening.
"Yeah," I commented, not seeing the big deal. "Why?"
"I mean…" Sam paused as she tried to find the right words, "It's at least 200 meters away. How did you know to go there?"
"My ghost sense has a pretty wide area," I replied. "I sought out the ghost's ecto-signature and it took me to the elementary."
"Ecto-signature," Sam asked, surprised. "What's that?"
"Oh, right," I declared, "I forgot I hadn't told you about that. You guys have seen my ectoplasm of course but where humans have DNA strands, ghosts have ecto-signatures. Every one is different, just like DNA strands."
"How did you learn that," Tucker asked me.
"It's common knowledge in the ghost hunting community. You wouldn't find that in the theory book. It's not a theory. Just like how the power levels aren't in the book, that wouldn't be either. It's common belief."
"Are you sure it's true," Sam asked me. "I mean, they do have you listed as a fifteen when you're only an eleven."
"Yeah, the ecto-signature is true. Otherwise, all ghosts would mirror themselves. The ecto-signatures give them individuality the same way DNA give us our genetics."
"That's probably what it is," Tucker commented. "We could do a comparison of your ecto-signature and your DNA to confirm."
"That sounds like a good idea," I commented. "Sam, what do you say?"
"I love sticking needles in you," Sam said, her smile teasingly.
"I know you do," I commented, stopping at Tucker's locker. I opened the metal rectangle, removing Tuck's and my book, putting our science books inside. I closed the door, dropping the book in my pack. We proceeded to Sam's locker.
XXX
"Good morning, class. I would like to apologize for my absence yesterday and the substitute's behavior. She will not be allowed back at Casper High," Mr. Lancer remarked.
"I tried to get the witch fired," Dash remarked. "Someone went over the Governor's head."
I smiled softly, sinking in my seat. Sam and Tucker grinned at me. At least I could help her out a bit. It wasn't fair. She didn't know.
"What happened to you, Lancer," Chris asked him.
"I had to be gone for personal reasons," Mr. Lancer remarked, looking to me. I sunk deeper into my chair, wishing to be able to escape his gaze. Oh, it's worse when you want to vanish but can't because of other reasons other than it's impossible.
"Everything turn out okay," Star replied, cocking her head to the side.
"Everything's fine, Miss Adkins. I promise I won't miss another day if it's possible," Mr. Lancer remarked.
"It's just that it's not like you," Dash replied. "You have never missed a day as far as I can remember."
"Not in a while," Mr. Lancer replied sorrowfully. I sunk further. Sam grabbed the back of my disappearing shirt and lifted me up.
"You're about to go under," Sam retorted.
"I feel like a sinking ship," I whispered.
"I was accidently trapped in the supply closet," Mr. Lancer said slowly. "I was a little sick for being locked in there for so many days."
"What," Dash roared. "How come the janitor didn't find you?"
That's a good question. I hadn't even thought of that. "He did," Mr. Lancer remarked, his voice displaying his annoyance. "He even told me he'd see me Monday!"
Dash stood up, sending his desk a few feet back into a few chairs.
"Mr. Baxter, don't do anything," Mr. Lancer remarked.
"You don't want me to do anything," Dash asked, incredulous. "He left you to endure without food or water for two days in a building with no heat!"
"Go get the petition," Paulina remarked. "We're not taking any more prisoners."
"The A-List is called that because we are number one," Ashley retorted. "We won't be allowing any more coups!"
"If only they knew about the biggest one in history of the wall," Tucker spoke barely above whisper.
"It's none of our business," I whispered back to him. Inside, I was burning as well. That stupid janitor left him knowing he was trapped. I don't care! In my book, that's attempted murder.
Dash walked out of the classroom and Mr. Lancer lowered his head. I looked up and was surprised to know we locked eyes. Mr. Lancer sent me a warm smile. At least he doesn't have any hard feelings.
XXX
Second period had ten minutes left when I felt the chill. I grunted out loud, beyond frustrated. Stupid ghosts!
"Mr. Fenton, is there a problem," Mr. Lancer asked me.
"May I be excused," I asked, my anger clearly visible in my voice.
"There's only ten minutes left of class," Mr. Lancer pointed out.
"I know that," I groaned. "But duty calls!"
"Danny," Sam hissed in a low voice.
"I think it's Skulker," I whispered back. "I'm starting to pick up the differences."
"Why don't you wait the ten minutes," Mr. Lancer remarked, returning to his work. My eyes widened.
"You're saying no," I asked stupidly.
"Yes," Mr. Lancer remarked. "There's only ten minutes."
"Ten minutes is plenty of time," I cried out. Okay, Fenton, calm down. He doesn't know it's a ghost sense. He thinks it's my 'overactive bladder.'
"Exactly," Mr. Lancer remarked. "Now, please, be quiet."
Oh, boy, it won't be quiet in thirty seconds.
"Danny," Sam whispered to me. "What are you going to do?"
"What choice do I have," I shot to her. "Normally, I wouldn't mind but I locked him in a closet Friday. I'm on thin ice!"
Tucker picked up his backpack, "I'm not!"
"Tucker," I called out as I noticed him getting out of his desk. "Tuck, no!"
"I'll take care of it," Tucker remarked. My heart jumped in my throat and I noticed Sam's own panicked expression. I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder.
"Mr. Foley, where do you think you're going," Mr. Lancer asked harshly.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Tucker called, opening the door.
"Tucker," I called, running out the door.
"Mr. Fenton—Miss Manson! Animal Farm, people, what's going on!"
"Tucker," Sam cried out. "I know you're good at that thing but he has cannons!"
"That can hit humans," I cried, closing the gap between us. I caught his arm, stopping his procession. "Tucker, you can't go up against him… it might not even be Skulker. I could be mistaking the signature!"
"You three," Mr. Lancer cried angrily. "Stop this instant!"
"Hello, ghost child," I heard the familiar voice. I spun around, surprised I hadn't picked up on him sooner. "Are you ready for your pelt to hang over my fireplace yet?"
"Um," I said, crouching, "Not exactly. I kind of enjoying keeping it to myself."
"So not amusing," Sam said, removing her spider backpack. "Are you ready to be fished with?"
I laughed out, losing focus for a minute. Sam wants to fish with Skulker. Wow, that's an odd thing for her to want to do. I noticed my hair move from out of my eyes and then I crashed into the wall. "Shoot!" I cried. "You'll pay for that!"
"Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer cried. I froze.
"Mr. Lancer," I stuttered. "What are you still doing here?"
"My students are starting to exchange witty banter with a ghost, Mr. Fenton," Mr. Lancer remarked. "I could hardly leave!"
"Tucker, shut that suit down. I want to study his upgrades," I called, coming to my feet. "Mr. Lancer, run. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"What about you three," Mr. Lancer asked me, startled.
"We can take care of ourselves. He's not a really powerful ghost… he just has an incredibly powerful suit. Tuck can shut it down though. Go!"
I charged at Skulker, knowing it would be so much easier to defeat him in human form. With the way ghosts and humans are from different dimensions, every time I try to hit his suit in ghost form, I have to focus. If I lose concentration, Skulker can use it to his advantage however in human form, we'll be from the same dimensions… well, at least his suit will be from my dimension. Skulker himself isn't even from this planet originally.
Just before I would come into contact with Skulker, I done a back spring, blasting him with a powerful kick. Skulker was sent caroling away while I managed to land on my side. I came to my feet immediately, seeking Skulker out with my eyes. I took in his busted up form, a large hole in the wall where he laid, covered in debris. Skulker's animated eyes scanned the area, taking in his surroundings. Skulker's jetpacks rocketed to life, hurling him towards me. I slid out of the way, crouching down until one hand on the floor balanced me.
"Surrender, child! I am the Ghost Zone's greatest hunter," Skulker ranted. I wonder if he advertises in the Ghost Zone.
"Yeah," I asked, my cockiness rearing itself. "Well, you aren't in the Ghost Zone! You're on Earth and here, I'm the best!"
A rocket launcher popped up from one of his various weaponry containment units, the unit whining as it came to life. I lifted up from my crouch but still remained connected to the fight. As the launcher released its blast, I took off to the right. The missile trained on my ecto-signature, following my diversion. I turned back around, holding perfectly still.
As the missile nearly rammed into me, I done a backflip through the air, causing it to run below me. I landed facing the opposite direction, summoning ghost energy in my hand as the missile returned. I shot the energy, the missile exploding immediately. I brought out another ectoplasmic shield, capturing the fragments.
"I see you're learning from Plasmius," Skulker remarked. "He has shown interest in you, ghost child."
"Of course," Tucker remarked, looking up from his PDA, "It's best to be the right hand of the devil than stand in its path!" Skulker's suit whined to a stop, his green automated eyes fizzling to a lifeless form.
"Nice work, Tuck," I said, my voice soft.
"Something wrong," Sam asked me.
"I just wonder how much Plasmius has told Skulker," I wondered aloud softly.
"How much should he know," Sam asked me as Tucker came to stand by us.
"I hope nothing," I replied.
"I mean, does he really have connections to him or is it all rumor."
"Oh, no, he has connections to him. The night of the reunion, Skulker attacked me. That was one of the closest times I ever came to losing."
"You never told us you faced Skulker that night," Tucker asked me. "How did you beat him? That was before the first day of the new year."
"I didn't beat him," I commented. "Skulker caught me, Plasmius revealed to me his plan, began the assault and if it hadn't been for the Dairy King, Dad probably would have died that night."
"What do you mean he caught you," Sam asked me. "How?"
"Skulker designed this object that once activated expands around me until I'm trapped in this cube. Once inside it, I can't use my powers and Skulker used it to power me down. I think that's how he designed the Plasmius Maxmius. How he figured out how to extend the time to three hours I don't know, though."
"Who's the Dairy King," Tucker asked me.
"A bold face liar," I grumbled. "That Gouda was so not fresh!"
"Uh…"
"He's the original owner of Vlad's castle… which blew up. Oh, wow, I bet he's not happy. He's a ghost who hangs around Vlad's castle and he freed me from the box."
"Vlad's castle blew up," Tucker strangled out.
"Haven't you heard that on the news," Sam asked, then turned to me, "They say it was a gas leak. What was it really?"
"You remember that horrible beeping noise through that time I had the bounty on me," I asked her.
Her brow furrowed, "Yeah…"
"It was an ecto-filtrator warning. If it's not changed every six months, the portal blows up from negative energy. Vlad wasn't as lucky as we were," I cracked a smile.
"Okay," Tucker commented, clearly not getting how close we came to losing everything that day. That's okay. They don't need to know everything. It doesn't include them anymore.
"Well, you need to get back to class. I need to take care of Mr. Lancer. Clean up that mess," I commented.
Tucker looked wildly around the hallway, "Did he see?"
"No," Sam commented. "He tried to be brave but when Skulker released that missile, the man ran out of here like grease lightning."
I chuckled at Sam. "Well, anyway, I still need to erase the fact we were hunting a ghost from his mind. It was only one person so I can do that. Unfortunately, Walker's stupid invasion was too large to erase."
"Can we watch," Tucker asked, excited like a small child.
Sam was excited but not to the extent of Tuck, "Yeah! I've always wanted to see that maneuver!"
"Sure," I smiled at them. "I've always wanted to show you guys that too!"
XXX
After a few minutes on Tuck's cell phone, I received the proper paperwork from the government. We didn't return to class since I allowed Sam and Tucker to observe. Only one Divisional Agent is supposed to initiate the erasing but I saw no problem in training them. Around ten minutes later, five minutes into third period, six soldiers walked in.
"Special Agent Radar," one of the marines addressed me, saluting.
I returned the salute, "We have a breech in code and need to initiate Operation Big Foot. Have you brought the proper equipment?"
"Yes, sir," the marine announced. "We are prepared to initiate Operation Big Foot on your orders, sir."
"Follow me," I announced, turning to walk down the hallway. I sent my mind out to the grounds, searching for terror. I tasted the chicken immediately, the smell overpowering. I followed the sense, suppressing a gag reflex. It lead me straight to an empty classroom where Mr. Lancer was huddled. I stepped aside, "This is the subject."
"We will proceed immediately if you wish, sir," the marine said.
"What's going on," Mr. Lancer sat up. "Who are these soldiers?"
"Initiate Operation Big Foot," I ordered. The marines retrieved the proper equipment, setting up.
"Mr. Lancer," I began, "You have observed key information regarding National Security and have been sentenced to undergoing Operation Big Foot. You may not object to this ruling and soon after, you will not be able to recall the event of which you observed. You will be free to go as soon as the order has been satisfied. Do you understand these rules?"
"No," Mr. lancer cried. "What do you mean I'll forget?"
They never do, "Begin process."
"Yes sir," the marines all honored as they began the process. I sat back, allowing my men to complete the task. Soon, Mr. Lancer was sound asleep.
"Mr. Lancer," I asked to the sleeping teacher. "Do you remember observing the fight in the hall way?"
"Yes," Mr. Lancer replied in a trance state.
"That never happened," I began, my voice going softer. "You stepped out of your classroom to follow Sam, Tucker and Danny but they were gone. You went to the office to write up the detention form but when you arrived, Danny was there. Danny gave you a slip of paper excusing the action and you dropped the detention. You will return to your class with no recollection of the fight and with no intentions of punishing Sam, Tucker and Danny. Am I clear?"
"Return to class. Sam, Tucker and Danny are not in trouble. Actions excused. I understand."
I looked to the marines, "Proceed to next step."
"You will awaken to the screech of the mysterious big foot and proceed to follow your orders. As soon as you feel the pop, you will completely awaken and follow the orders given to your earlier." The marine placed a small green ball in Mr. Lancer's pocket. It was my parent s' invention that was controlled by a remote control. As soon as we were ready for him to awaken, we would explode the ball and Mr. Lancer would experience a small pain. To him, it would feel like his heart was racing. The scream and the panic… that's how the big foot rumor got as big as it did.
XXX
"That was so cool," Sam declared. "Why is it called Big Foot?"
"That operation was created at the same time as the Guys in White. The Director at that time was really big into fables and supposedly top secret agencies. The Big Foot rumor had been thrumming through the area so he thought 'why not use that as a way to protect the citizens from knowing ghosts exists'. Most of the people who 'see' big foot, have seen a ghost actually and when they awaken from Operation Big Foot, they remember the scream and their hearts race. Thus, they imagine what the sound was and that's why so many people report seeing a Big Foot. Ever notice how they all resemble each other?"
"That is so cool," Tucker commented, his smile obvious from space. "It was so much cooler than I even thought it was!"
"I have to admit," Sam smiled at me, "That was impressive." She snickered, "Special Agent Radar. How did you get that nickname?"
I laughed, "You remember when I took up a fascination with MASH? Well, Samuels called me Radar one day and I asked him what it meant and he said it was a character from the show. As soon as I watched it, I saw it. I was just like Radar… finishing Samuels' sentences, producing documents before he asked for them, knowing more about things than even he did. That's how I got that nickname. I'm Samuels's Radar."
Sam and Tucker chuckled. They've seen that in action before but never connected it. I can't explain it. I can be so lost but when I become 'Radar', it's like I know everything. If Samuels calls the house, normally I pick up the phone. That's the reason I relaxed in the limo Sunday. Mom and Dad would perfectly understand how I knew Samuels was coming to get me and get dressed appropriately. I was worried before but as soon as Vlad told me that they were 'seeing' Samuels, I stopped worrying. It was a perfect excuse. The froot loop got something right.
XXX
We walked into the science classroom where Mr. Fuluka's classes were just before the first ten minutes had elapsed. Sam and Tucker proceeded to their seats while I commented, "There will be an excuse in your mailbox at the end of school. If you want to mark it as unexcused truancy, you can but as soon as school is over, it will be excused."
I continued to my seat without another word, pulling my desk over to Sam and Tucker's. How much time would pass before I got another ghost sense? This is getting ridiculous! How am I supposed to get anything done if I'm running out of every class to go fight a ghost? And don't get me started on the nighttime's from now out. I'll never get anymore sleep. How is a half ghost supposed to get by on this?
I brought my math book out on my desk and quickly began class. Sam and Tucker had already began to follow Mr. Fuluka's teachings but my mind was elsewhere. I have to get a game plan together. I can't go chasing down ghosts every period… yet, I can't ignore the ghosts either. It is my responsibility. But so is passing high school. How do I juggle my responsibilities… then I can't forget my home life and Vlad. How am I supposed to go chasing down the late night ghosts if I'm with Vlad? He won't just allow me to leave. He'll try to get me to forget about it.
Oh, what am I going to do? I thought I was finally getting my life on track again. I thought I was on the right path for success then this came flying at me. The ghost thing is becoming a hassle. I won't be able to keep this up for much longer. This is the second night I've gone without sleep. I can take many more but soon the effects will begin to appear on my human half. If I give Mom and Dad anymore causes of concern, I'm screwed. That cover story about helping the kids escape can only float so far on this tide. What happens when the tide destroys my raft?
"Mr. Fenton, would you please complete the next puzzle," Mr. Fuluka spoke up, cutting off my thoughts. I looked up at him, his face smug as he knew I didn't have a clue as to what he's talking about. I haven't been following along and I don't even know what page we're on.
Because I was the last to my seat, Sam and Tucker were sitting side by side and I was sitting next to Sam. Sam flipped my book open to our current location and pointed to the puzzle he was talking about. "It's inequalities. It gives you the answer but you must write it correctly using the correct signs."
"I believe Mr. Fenton knows how to do the problem. He was here, after all," Mr. Fuluka remarked.
Dude, I heard in the back of my mind. I don't know if you can read this… or even if I can do this but the answer is a is less than 5m and 5m is less than b. I hope you can hear me.
I looked down at the book, looking at the puzzle:
On a number line, 5m is between a and b, and b is greater than a.
Okay, that kinda makes sense. Thanks, Tuck, I sent out to him.
"Is it a is less than 5m and 5m is less than b?"
"a less than 5m less than b is correct," Mr. Fuluka said, his brow furrowing. "Very good." It didn't take a rocket scientist to know he wanted me to fail.
XXX
Just as we were entering the twenty minutes of class, I felt the familiar chill. I groaned again, climbing over my desk. I wasn't even going to ask for permission. I handed my bag to Tucker without speaking a word.
"Want any help," Sam asked.
"No," I said quickly. "I'll be back… hopefully."
"Mr. Fenton," Mr. Fuluka called angrily.
"Shove off," I retorted before I caught myself. Oh, boy, what a way to make a bad situation worse.
XXX
"Hey," a tall teenaged ghost called me. He looked like someone from either the eighties or nineties, the typical leather jacket and slicked back black hair. Now that I think about it, he's probably from the eighties. "Are you that ghost punk?"
"I don't know," I said, observing his three accompanists. "I go by many names."
"What did Robbie call him," the ghost asked me. "Something about half. Oh, yeah, a halfa. Are you him?"
"Who wants to know," I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"I'm Matt, kid," the boy said, his voice mirroring John Travolta's from Grease. "These are my company: Josh, Nikki, and Jen. We're just looking for some fun and a couple of friends of ours suggested you'd be able to entertain us."
"Well, I'm not exactly in a good position to entertain right now," I said, putting the threat in simple to understand words. "Maybe you could come back later or better yet, get out of my town!"
"Relax, kid," Matt said, holding up his hands. "We're not conquering ghosts and we're definitely not from the flats. We're just here for some fun. If you're busy, we can seek you out later, alright? When's a better time?"
I stared at him in disbelief, "Actually, there's not really a good time. Just, please, go."
"So no matter when we mights come back, you'll still be busy," Josh remarked.
"Pretty much," I said, preparing for battle. They weren't too powerful. They were around six.
"Kid, we've been locked in that Ghost Zone for nearly twenty years," one of the girls spoke up. "We don't really care about your little problems."
"Then let's get this thing started," I remarked, spotting which one would attack first. Strangely, the other girl would. She rocketed from her floater spot, her rich brown curls dancing as she spun around me. I glanced at the rest but they stayed still, watching the girl and me fight. She engaged me in hand-to-hand combat, me blocking every one of her offenses. I grew excited. I love hand-to-hand combat!
"I'm Nikki," she remarked as we fought. Her words were perfect as she spoke, absolutely no sign of wear. Her glow remained up, signaling that in fact she wasn't tired. "I just want you to know the name of the girl who's about to beat you!"
"Well, I'm Danny," I said, sending my leg to side sweep her. She caught herself with her powers before she fell. "Pretty good moves!"
"I'm the best," she remarked, sending me a smile. "But you're a worthy opponent!"
"Thanks," I remarked, blocking her kick. "So are you."
Nikki sent another kick, catching me off guard. I flew backwards, sliding through the floor and heading for the basement. I caught myself, lifting into the air. "I can't quite get the hang of that," I commented, getting back into our battle. "I still fall through things all the time!"
"How long has it been since you became a ghost," Nikki asked, blocking my throw.
"Five months," I commented. "But I'm not a full ghost."
"Really," Nikki replied, dropping to the floor to try to knock my legs out from under me. I jumped over her legs, using my foot to pull her all the way down. "Good job, kid. So, how are you not a full ghost?"
"I'm a halfa," I commented, allowing her to come to her feet. "It means I'm half ghost, half human."
"Are you really an eleven," Nikki asked me, her eyes shining as she floated above the floor.
"Yeah," I commented, "but I don't know half of the stuff I should."
"Thank goodness," Nikki remarked. "You'd be wiping the floor with me. I'm don't have many good powers. That's why I'm an excellent combat artist."
"I prefer hand-to-hand combat. It's something too many ghosts ignore. Just because you can rocket fire from your hands doesn't mean it makes old fashioned fighting obsolete."
"Very true," she commented. She threw her next punch which I blocked easily. I sent a kick her way but she caught my leg. She spun me around, causing me to laugh/scream at the same time. She tossed me and I flew through a wall before I stopped the procession. I flew back, laughing.
"Very good," I laughed. "I hadn't expected you to do that!"
"Expect the unexpected," Nikki smiled at me, trying to cover her own laugh.
"Well, if I could expect it, it wouldn't be unexpected anymore, would it," I flashed her a smile.
Nikki's glow turned a pale white, flaring as she cast her eyes down. I caught it immediately. Nikki was blushing.
"All right, punk," Josh called, upset. "Nikki, it's my turn."
"That's all right," Nikki said. "I forfeit. You are quite the fighter, Danny. I hope to have a rematch some time."
"Anytime."
She giggled, floating back to her previous spot.
"I won't be so easy on you, punk. That's my girlfriend," Josh called out, his aura puffed out and becoming discolored. He was angry.
"If you call that easy, I'll have to up my game. Nikki is an amazing fighter."
"I don't do human things anymore. I'm a ghost," Josh retorted.
"It don't matter what you call it," I commented. "I'll still beat you. Just give me a minute," I commented. I brought out my thermos, checking the inside. Nothing inside. Skulker was still in his suit being delivered to my house. Tucker had put a lock on his control access so no one could access the activation button, not even Skulker himself. "Okay, now we can begin."
"What is that stupid thing," Josh asked me. "Are you hungry?"
"This," I held up my thermos, "is what you'll be calling home until the end of the day. Maybe with you gone, Nikki and I can continue what we were doing before you interrupted us."
That pissed him off, the reaction I wanted. I didn't want to engage this fight, I wanted to end it. Josh started throwing ecto-blasts at me haphazardly, his target completely off. I brought up my ecto-shield, dissolving them instantly. I reattached my thermos to my belt but I couldn't help but think it would be wasted energy. I'd have the ghost inside before you could say 'Jealous much?'. I watched Matt's expression and he knew that Josh had went off the deep end. He was watching our fight with disappointment in his eyes.
As soon as I let Josh have his fit, I sent a blast at him, catching him in the pit of his stomach. I removed my thermos (told you) and sucked him in before he could go through the wall. "Next?"
Matt looked to the other girl, "You want to go next, Jen?"
"I suppose," the girl, Jen, remarked. She walked over to me with boredom. "I guess you won't start the fight."
I was startled, "I'm not a conquering ghost, either. I don't want to start fights but I'll finish them once their initiated. I know the other ghost call me a conquering ghost, but…"
"Kid, I just asked a question. I didn't need a monologue," she remarked. "I don't mind starting fights. It's something to do."
"Sorry," I commented, "I don't usually do the long-winded speech thing."
"Are we going to talk or fight," Jen asked me.
"You're move," I gave her the leeway.
"Thank you," she commented. Then I felt it. A blast of power came off of her that hit me like a ton of bricks, or as the saying goes. A gush of artificial wind blew through the hallways, blowing papers around wildly. The lights started to flick. She was suppressing her power before. She's an eight.
"How did you learn to do that," I asked in surprise.
"What," she asked me, "wrap my powers up? I just pretend to be weaker just like you do. Mine's just different because it's raw power."
She threw the first kick, smacking me in the shoulder and sending me flying. I caught myself before I flew through the wall albeit a bit messy. I flew back over to her, starting the fight. She blocked each throw and kick I could send her but every time she threw a throw at me, she hit me. Okay, Fenton, it's time to get serious.
She's released her power. Isn't it time you released ours?
Phantom?
Who else?
I scoffed. That's a really stupid question. I decided to drop the issue, asking what I really had on my mind. What do you mean, release our power? Isn't it released.
No. You're holding back. You need to put your mind and your body into your attacks. If you don't end this now, by the time she gets serious, you'll be finished.
Okay, I think I know what you're talking about.
I'd hope so. I was based off of you, after all.
I stopped watching the other two and focused on Jen. When I finally landed my first kick on her, she put a hand to the spot. Her look of shock turned to one of excitement.
"About time you got around to fighting me," Jen commented. "I was starting to think you were still having sex with my sister."
"What," I asked, completely surprised. She caught me off guard, kicking me in the head. I fell through the floor but floated back up. "I'm not having sex with anyone!"
"Well, could have fooled me," Jen remarked, forming ectoplasm in her hands. It turned to blue and then to purple. "The way you two were playing before was ridiculous."
"Nikki's your sister," I asked, watching her turn her ectoplasm into these two sticks. They were about six-to-eight inches long.
"For all intents and purposes," she remarked. "We have been together for twenty years."
"Okay," I commented. "You won't get another one on me like that!"
"Don't be so sure," Jen commented. "I didn't get the sucky powers."
Jen charged at me, using the sticks to add bite to her punches. I formed a baton but as soon as her energy came into contact with mine, it evaporated. Finally, I got an idea. She came down with her sticks, ready to hit me again when I grabbed them, being momentarily shocked. I focused, using the energy in her sticks to power my attack, "Go Ghost Stinger!"
The purple sticks transformed into white in color. Before Jen could drop them, the shock reached her, causing her to scream. She retracted her hands from the stick, them falling to the ground. The sticks began to break down the molecules in the floor, the linoleum melting where the sticks lay. I cut the ghost stinger, causing the sticks to dissolve away. The ghost stinger had already eaten that away and was just maintaining the shape.
"You have the ghost stinger," Jen asked me, her eyes wide. "I-I can't compete with that!"
"What are you talking about," I asked. "The ghost stinger is the most useless power in the world. I have to have a power source to use it. It just makes a good 'take what comes your way' power!"
"I forfeit," Jen said, putting her hands up. "He could obliterate me!"
"I guess that just leaves you and me, kid," Matt commented.
"Matt, be careful," Jen cried. "He doesn't even know how to use it! That makes it worse!" Is there more to the ghost stinger than I originally thought?
"Don't worry, babe. I'll know what he's planning long before he does."
Oh, crap. "You read minds."
"You got it," Matt said. "You're telling me things you couldn't even begin to comprehend you're thinking about. You are right, you do have your hands full."
"Stay out of my head," I cried, angry as hell.
"Oh, touchy," Matt replied. "Has this Vlad touched a nerve?"
I screamed at him, losing my control. I started throwing punches, making my mark every time. Matt's eyes widened as I slammed my boot into his chest. I sent him flying, powering up a large blast. The blast hit him, his power dropping significantly. I retrieved the thermos, sucking him inside. "Stay out of my head!"
"Danny," Nikki replied. "It's all right. Matt's a jerk like that. Just let me take my friends and we'll go."
"They'll be back tonight," I remarked, still seething. "Unless you want to join them, I suggest you leave. I'm out of control right now."
"Promise you'll return them," Jen asked, her glow barely showing.
"Go," I screamed, collapsing to the floor. I felt the rings form over my body, returning me to Danny Fenton. The two girls ran but they kept looking over their shoulders. They finally saw my true age. I pulled my knees to my chest, putting my head on my knees. I hugged my knees, sobbing once again.
XXX
When the bell releasing the hordes of students rang, I sunk through the floor, hiding in the basement. I couldn't face my life right now. I was starting to get better. I was finally coming to terms and now, I'm broken again. What is wrong with me? Why am I acting this way again? If I do this at home, I won't be able to keep it hidden. How can I convince Sam and Tucker there's nothing wrong with me or at least convince them that I don't remember being raped by Vlad if I act like this? I'll lose everything I've come to build over the last two months.
I looked at my watch. "Half way through History. I'd better get to class." I stood up, stretching my muscles. First, I'll run to the restroom to make sure I don't have red, puffy eyes. I cannot make them worry any more than they already do. I at least owe Sam and Tucker that much.
AN: Check out the chapter companions and drop me a line. Just two more chapters until the conclusion!