Chapter 14: Betrayal
"Yourself? What do you mean?" Jazz asked.
"Jazz, Danny's not the only one without powers right now. The ghosts in this world are connected. The same machine that took away Danny's powers also messed up mine. I may look like a ghost now, but I can't use my powers or change back without the ectoplasm-sample."
"So why'd you manipulate me and get me to help you rather than just tell me the truth?"
"Isn't it obvious Jazz? I'm evil. This is what bad guys do. Besides..." Vlad held the ecto-sample tighter. "If I take this you won't know how to get the right sample. Neither you, nor Danny, nor Valerie knows enough about ectoplasm to be able to match Danny's type. And your parents... They invented ghost fighting weapons while I studied ectoplasm. Even if you asked for their help they wouldn't have a clue how to return Danny to normal."
"Well Valerie has your sample doesn't she?"
Vlad shook his head. "She has never encountered my ghost-half. Sure she may have other samples that match Danny's but if you make a mistake and get Danny to try the wrong one, he will die." Vlad opened the jar of ectoplasm. Jazz charged at Vlad, but he kicked her to the ground and drank the sample. Instantly he changed back into his normal self and smiled wide. "I feel so alive!" He shouted.
"You're a creep!" Jazz said.
"Maybe," Vlad replied with a smile. "But I'm a creep with power! In fact, I'm the biggest baddest creep there is...! On second thought, I take that back. That sounds weird."
"You're not going to get away with this!" Jazz snapped. "Danny will stop you!"
"Without any powers? I'd like to see him try." Vlad transformed back into a ghost and flew off leaving Jazz behind.
What was she going to do now? What could she do? She had to tell Danny; there was no question about it. Only he would know what to do (If anything was still possible for that matter). Jazz thought about this more on the way home. She really envied her brother. He wouldn't have made a mistake like trusting Vlad. He always stopped this kind of mess and when Jazz tried to do well, she always made it worse. How was Danny going to forgive her? Would he even understand?
Jazz pulled into the driveway and entered the house. As she entered the house, she could hear her parents working in the basement. Danny was probably studying in his room. With a deep breath, Jazz knocked on the door.
"Come in." Her brother said from the other side.
"Danny, I've got something I have to." Jazz said. She entered the room and sat on the edge of her brother's bed. Danny was leaning back in a chair and reading from his Science text book.
"Alright, but you have to hurry." Danny said. "Mr. Lancer is having a test tomorrow and I've got to ace this test if I can even have a sliver of a chance at passing his class."
Jazz sighed. "I'll try to make it as quick as possible. You know that Vlad Masters guy right?"
"Yeah, what about him?" Danny asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Um... Well... Let me start at the beginning! Danny, I know who you are-... or rather, what you are... No, that's not quite right either. I know what you were!"
"What are you talking about?"
"You were a ghost! But you aren't anymore!"
"Jazz, that's preposterous! And even if I was a ghost-..."
"Danny, save it! Look, I really messed up and I need your help!"
"Oh, so because you messed up I'm expected to-..."
"I was trying to get your powers back!"
"What? Why?"
"I don't know. I care about you, okay? But that's not it. I ended up teaming up with Vlad."
"Vlad? Why him? Don't you know he's my mortal enemy?"
"Apparently not! He promised to help you get your powers back. How was I to know he wasn't to be trusted?"
"Hello, you should have checked with me first! Now I'm powerless, Vlad's back, and I have no idea what to do!"
"I get it, I made things worse, but Danny you could be nicer!"
Danny sighed. "Alright Jazz, I'm sorry. It's just... it's a lot harder than I thought. I'm not sure I'm ready to live a normal life again. Or even a semi-normal life for that matter."
"It's difficult but you're not alone. Me, mom, dad, and your friends are all here beside you. We'll try our best not to let you mess up too badly."
Danny smiled slightly. "Thanks." He said.
"No problem bro." Jazz replied, smiling back. She took Danny's hand and ran with him out of the room. "Come on! I think I just thought of a way to defeat Vlad! It's so simple! I can't believe it was right under our noses this whole time!"
~ phantom130 5 (December 2013)