Chapter 16: The Hunt
"Vlad, open the door this instant!" Jack yelled while pounding loudly on Vlad's front door. "Come out you coward!"
Maddie moved beside her husband. "Hold on, let me try something." She said. Jack stepped back and Maddie pushed on the door bell.
Vlad opened the door. He was back in his human form, dressed in his usual attire. He gave an obviously fake enthusiastic smile. "Oh, Fenton family, it's good to see you."
"Cut the act Vlad, they know." Jazz said sternly.
"We all know." Danny clarified.
No, I'm honestly glad you guys came to visit me." He turned his attention to Danny's mother. "Especially you Maddie." He whispered in her ear. "Why don't all of you come in? There's something I want to show you."
"I think it's a trap." Jack said.
"What was your first hint?" Danny asked with an eye roll. "Anyways, we're not going in no matter what you say."
"So what are you here for?" Vlad scoffed. "Are you here to fight me? How will you last without your powers?"
"We've got weapons." Danny said. He looked to his father. "Where's the ghost gun? It will blast away your ghost half."
"I thought you brought it." Jack said with a shrug.
"Did anyone here actually bring it?" Danny asked.
"Nope," Jazz said.
"Me neither." Maddie replied.
Vlad gave an evil laugh. "How can you... Just how can you guys be so clueless? This is why I live alone. (Also it's because I can't find a girlfriend, but that's irrelevant.) You guys aren't even worth my time." Vlad walked back toward the house.
"Where are you going?" Danny demanded.
"Where do you think? Daniel, you were a threat once, but what's the point of fighting you now when I know I'll win?"
"Coward!" Danny snapped, nobody in his family argued.
"Oh, don't worry. You'll still get your fight, but I won't be the one to fight you."
Danny was going to ask Vlad what he meant, but he knew it before Vlad could say another word. Or at least, he heard it. Four figures stepped out of Vlad's house and into the light. Among the group was none other than the Box Ghost, Skulker, Ember McLain, and Technus. Danny remembered encountering all these foes in the past, but something seemed different right now. They looked paler than before (with the exception of Skulker, whose body was made of metal) and when they saw Danny and his family their usual will to fight was gone.
Vlad either didn't notice these differences or didn't care because he was as cheerful as ever. "These ghosts were affected by the virus as well. I told them if they do everything I say then I might help them get their powers back." Vlad explained. "Now guys defeat the Fentons and I'll bring your powers back for sure!"
~ phantom130 5 (March 2014)