Danny landed softly on the ground and Lilith saw him. She scrambled to her feet and ran over to him and hugged him. He could tell that she was relieved to see him and that she understood that he wouldn't be there unless he had defeated Dan. He gently broke the hug and Lilith looked up at him. She looked close to tears. He smiled softly at her and nudged her towards Tucker and Valerie who were watching with slight smiles on their faces. They were glad to see Danny but were concerned that Vlad was so close. Lilith understood and wordlessly walked back to Tucker. Danny gave them a nod in greeting and thanks. They waved back.
Danny then walked purposefully walked over to Danielle, Jazz and Sam surrounding Vlad. Vlad didn't look good. He was paler than ever and was lying in a slowly growing puddle of ectoplasm. Danny knew that Vlad was struggling to stay in his ghost form. Vlad and Danny understood that the moment Vlad changed to his human self, he would die. The wound wasn't fatal to ghosts but it certainly was to humans. He put a hand on Danielle's shoulder. She turned to him and hugged him. He could see she was struggling with the sudden appearance of Vlad and his possible death. He hugged her back and tried to calm her down. He feel her shaking with anger or suppressed tears, he wasn't certain. "It's alright Dani, let me deal with Vlad. Go over to Tucker and I'll come over when… when I'm finished here alright?" Danny suggested gently. Danielle nodded into his shoulder. Too numb from the overwhelming emotions to really take in everything about the situation.
Danny knelt down beside Sam and put an arm around her shoulders. Her hair was messily tucked behind her ears and her hands were stained green from dried ectoplasm. She looked up at him and gave him a quick smile. "Hi Danny, so Dan's gone?" She asked softly. Danny watched Vlad as he nodded. He couldn't believe that the man that had caused so much trouble in his teen years was laying in front of him. "How's it looking Jazz?" Danny inquired, trying to put on his serious voice that he used while he was working. Jazz looked at her little brother and shook her head. "I can't do anything. He's going to bleed out or whatever the ghost equivalent is," Jazz whispered desperately. She hated being so helpless. Vlad heard Danny's voice and opened his eyes. He had been resting until now. He wanted to see and hopefully get the chance to talk to Danny before he lost too much energy and reverted to his human half.
"Daniel… Dan?" Vlad gasped weakly. Danny wordlessly showed Vlad the thermos. "Dan's in here. I'll deal with him properly later," Danny answered, trying to keep his voice as level as possible. "He knew… knew you right?" Vlad replied. Danny bit his lip. Vlad deserved the truth. "Yeah, he is an alternative me. An evil ghost. He was the result of ripping mine and your ghost and human halves and the ghost halves merging. It's a long story," Danny explained softly. He wasn't sure how Vlad would react. "That explains why… why he had some of my powers… and looked like you then. Daniel… I want to apologise… to you and your parents. I know that I don't have… have much time. I'm getting weaker by the minute. Daniel… I want to tell you… that you were right. I didn't deserve the life I had… I stole everything. I stole my wealth by using my powers… for the wrong reasons. I tried to steal your mother… to get the love I wanted. I tried to… take over the world… to steal the recognition… I wanted. I know… I ridiculed you… for helping people… when we first… met. But you were right. I'm sorry for… everything I did or… tried to do. Thank you for… caring for Danielle. I know… I can't… expect you… to forgive… me for what… I've done. But perhaps… you could… see me as a… person that lost… their way… because of their… ghost powers. I felt untouchable. I felt that… I was better. I know… now that… I'm not. I'm simply… blessed to see… the Ghost Zone… from a very… unique… point of view. Please… Daniel… accept my… apology… and… forgive…-" Vlad stammered between breaths and reverted to his human half and sighed his last breath. His eyes became dull and his head rolled to the side as he died.
Sam and Jazz turned away from Vlad and stood. Danny licked his lips and felt the prickle of tears. He bent over and closed Vlad's eyes and stood. "I forgive you Vlad," He whispered to the corpse. Sam wound her arm around Danny's waist and together the three adults walked over to Tucker, Valerie, Lilith and Danielle. Sam left Danny's side to hug her daughter. Jazz sat next to Tucker and Valerie and explained to them in hushed tones what had happened. Danny sat next to Danielle and put an arm around her. She looked at him. "I'm sorry Dani, Vlad's gone. I know he was only your dad because he created you but if you need to talk, I'm here for you," Danny murmured to her so no one but Danielle could hear what he told her. Danielle smiled weakly and nodded. After a moment of silence, she stood up. "Danny, I… I need to be alone for a little while. I'll see you around," Danielle croaked to Danny and without another word flew off over Amity Park and disappeared into the distance. Danny watched her go, wondering if he should let her leave so soon. He took a deep breath and looked down at the thermos still in his hand.
"I need to take care of Dan. Valerie you should get that ankle looked at. I'll catch up with you guys later. Sam, would you mind talking to Stan and updating him on the situation. Lilith, we'll talk when I get back alright," Danny informed the others and smiled at his daughter. With that he rose off the ground and flew over to the ghosts.
Yep, I killed off Vlad. He is gone and not coming back.
So next how Danny is going to deal with Dan and of course he has to deal with the fact Lilith has ghost powers.
Until the next chapter.