Chapter 15: The Solution

Sorry for taking such a long break. I was having trouble writing this chapter because I wasn't really sure what direction I wanted this story to take, but I've finally got a plan that I really like so I hope you enjoy. :D

Danny's life had never been ordinary. A few months ago he would have traded almost anything for a life that was slightly more normal than the one he had. Now that Danny didn't have any powers and was stuck putting faith into his sister's mysterious solution, Danny found himself wanting his ghost powers back more than ever.

"Jazz, let go of me." Danny said and pulled his hand away from his sister's grasp. "What's your plan?"

"Okay, you're going to think it's a bad idea."

"I don't like where this is going."

"But please just trust me when I say I think we should tell mom and dad."

"Mom and dad, why them? Do you really think they will know how to bring back my powers?"

"It doesn't matter much what I think. I just know that if anybody can fight Vlad it would have to be mom, dad, or us with their weapons."

"Yeah, but you never said..." Danny started but his voice trailed off. "Do you think they know how to get my powers back?"

"Honestly no. But think about it, do you really need your powers back? You're getting along so well without them, in fact maybe even better since dad started helping with ghost fighting. Doesn't it feel good to have no more secrets? You can finally lay your old life to rest and let your two worlds become one."

"I don't know." Danny confessed. "I've really grown attached to my powers and you weren't there the last time I saw Phantom. He seemed so upset."

"Danny, you're Phantom. Everything I saw him do up to this point was really you. Don't you see; Phantom lives on through you?"

Danny looked surprised. He hadn't expected his sister to be so insightful. She was right though, Phantom had never died; he had only disappeared, like most ghosts do. Danny Phantom was still alive. They could take away his powers, but nobody, not even Vlad could take away his will to fight.

"Let's do this." Danny said, smiling at his sister. "We've got to tell mom and dad everything."

Jack and Maddie weren't sure at first how to take the news. At first they were skeptical.

"It's impossible! Who has heard of a half-human, half-ghost?" Jack asked. "Although, if such a thing really exists then that would be so cool!" Maddie shot Jack an annoyed glance.

"Ok then how come you never saw the ghost boy and Danny together?" Jazz asked.

"Yeah, and also why do all the ghost trackers always say that I'm a ghost?" Danny asked.

"Our son has a point." Maddie admitted. "But maybe you just think you're a ghost because of a bad dream or something."

"And besides, those ghost trackers never worked! They always say Vlad's a ghost too!" Jack added.

"The inventions do work!" Danny urged. "What can I do to have you believe me?"

Jack shrugged. "I don't know. Bark like a dog or something."

"...I'm not barking like a dog."

"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Jazz said, earning her a look from Danny and Maddie alike. "What? It was worth a try."

"I for one am completely convinced now!" Jack said.

Maddie sighed. "Ok... Assuming what you said is true, you were alright though, right? Our invention didn't hurt you did it?"

"Well I'm still here aren't I?" Danny asked. "Sure it was a little painful, but I was able to stand back up without any serious injuries."

Jack smiled wide. "Did you hear that Maddie? We're geniuses! We invented the first device that can turn humans into ghosts!"

"Half-ghost actually." Danny corrected.

"If we market this we'll be rich!" Jack continued.

"You can't sell that!" Jazz said. "If the city becomes over-populated with half-ghosts then Danny won't know who to fight!"

"Our daughter's right, dear." Maddie said. "...Assuming any of this is really true."

"Awe; and I wanted ghost powers!" Jack whined.

Danny continued to explain the predicament. His parents had taken the news about Danny's ghost powers surprisingly well, but how would they react when they found out that their parent's closest friend was really an evil half-ghost too? Unsettling thoughts like this one kept Danny from saying Vlad's name at first. Instead he referred to him as a friend of Jazz's that was also half-ghost.

"Who's the friend?" Maddie asked after the story was told.

"I bet it's Tucker!" Jack declared. "You can't trust the nerds! Sure they'll do your Math homework but all the while they're secretly using their big brains to plot world domination!"

"It's actually not Tucker." Danny said.

"Well who is it then?" Maddie asked.

"Vlad Masters,"

"Vladdy?" Jack repeated in surprise. "He wouldn't hurt a fly!"

"Oh, I'm sure he has hurt several flies." Jazz said.

"And me a few times while he was at it." Danny added. "Just face it, Vlad's not the same man you know from college. He's all... evil now!"

"I don't believe it!" Jack said stubbornly. "You're making things up!"

"Jack, they are our kids." Maddie said.

"Yeah, but Vlad?"

"I don't want to believe it either but they wouldn't lie to us with something like this."

"Wait, but just a second ago you were saying..." Jack started.

"I believe they might not have known what they saw. But too many things are beginning to add up. I'm finding it harder to keep believing this is all coincidence."

Jack sighed. "I guess that's true. I'll help you guys fight Vlad, but you better not let me regret this."

~ phantom130 5 (March 2014)