Chapter 07_Fentons in Wonder… Uhm, Ghostland
− Duck! − Danny suddenly ordered as a cold breath on Jack's neck made him shiver. Was it the "ghost-radar" going off?
− Duck where? − Maddie gestured wildly with her free hand around at the desolation of the path. They were in the middle of an open route and the latest boulder was several feet behind.
− Inside the path, here in the Ghost Zone real world objects are the "ghosts"! − the boy tugged at his father's sleeve.
− But how? − Jack asked bewildered.
− No time for the scientifical explanation, just do like this! − Jazz urged, jumping a bit then the drop made her go through the rock. The parents yelped as Maddie was dragged along, making both women vanish under the surface.
− You too dad, it's coming near! − Danny insisted.
− But what I have to do? Jumping isn't sufficient! − the man protested.
− Imagine to jump in a pool, the intention is enough to make things work!
Tightening the hold on his son, the hunter made "a leapt of fate" and effectively dived into the rock, as if it really was water but without getting wet. More amazing though was how they were still able to breath despite being submerged in a solid object, probably it was because of the different planar of existence they belonged to.
The only downside was the darkness: while in the Zone the peculiar space gave off a greenish light, obviously inside the matter it was pitch black. Wait, how will we know that it is safe enough to go out? Jack realized while similar thoughts were shared by Maddie.
A whisper near his ear made the man almost squeak if a hand on his mouth hadn't avoided it.
− Dad, can you lift me up a bit so I can check? − his offspring asked, squirming a bit. The father muffled a protest (as Danny still hadn't removed his hand), but the boy managed to understand because he continued − I won't be noticed, don't worry. I'm pretty good in this.
Even if reluctant to let his son be in danger, it was still the only solution because Jack would have stood out like a sore thumb if he would have tried to do the same. So slowly the man lifted his charge up and waited for pained shouts.
Silence reigned for several moments till a voice that echoed* like a boom made all of them jump.
− Coast is clear, you can climb out. − the adults shot up from the rock like penguins from the Antarctic Ocean, dragging with them their children. Nobody was there apart from them, then why that voice had sounded like...?
− Did you see who was? − Jazz asked, oblivious to their parents confusion. Danny shrugged.
− Just Ember, she was coming from Skulker's lair. Probably they quarreled again. − the younger teen scratched his head. − This would make passing by there more harder.
− Why would it be? − Maddie asked curious. She remembered the female ghost from the men-vanishing incident, but that didn't mean she knew everything about her.
− Ember and Skulker are together. Usually after their squabble she would say he's a "lousy hunter" so he would try and demonstrate he's not. − Danny explained. − Everything that moves is a good target, but the more unusual or rare the better. We should still move anyway.
The group obliged, but the matter wasn't dropped.
− How do you know this much gossip? − Jack wondered. The boy seemed to flinch slightly.
− Apart from how they already shout it aloud sometimes, if you ask them they answer... And also it's not difficult to hear them during their battles with Phantom. − he added in a afterthought.
− Have you heard anything else? − even if he wouldn't ever admit it aloud, Jack was a gossip man. The boy in his arms hummed, thinking.
− The dog which trashed the Axiom facility it's actually pretty docile, but he went in rampage because he left a plushie ball where he was put down. − he decided to share.
− And the place was the Axiom? − Maddie deduced. It made sense.
− Yup. When they passed to electronic security, the head honchos decided that the organic one was obsolete, so they got rid of it. It's understandable that Cujo has anger issues. − Danny nodded to himself.
− Cujo? − the woman asked disbelieving before starting laughing.
− It fits actually pretty well, thank you very much. − the raven haired teen attempted to cross his arms, but with one still encased in the blanket it was pretty difficult.
− I can see that! And I presume that Phantom just played the Dog-catcher part after all. − Maddie continued and both teens nodded. After the truce she really was conceding the benefit of doubt to the ghost-kid. − Uh, next time I see him I really have to apologize then. − the woman mused.
− Oh, about him, do you know any more gossip? He's always sighted around your school after all! − Jack pressed. Danny seemed to squirm in discomfort, so the man toned down the volume.
− Ohhh, in this case I take over! − Jazz smirked in superior knowledge, making her brother groan. Did this mean that her gossip would be psycho-babbles?
− Right. Before you mentioned the Major incident and we pretty much solved the Axiom one. What about the theft? − now Maddie was curious, if the two of main events were misunderstandings, maybe even the rest were.
− I don't know if you remember Circus Gothica... − the girl trailed. Outraged strangled growls were the right answer because she continued. − So I believe you saw how he had all those valuable goods on his train.
− Of course we did! − Jack exclaimed, this time minding Danny's ear near him.
− Wait, it was all what Phantom and the other ghosts stole! ...But he doesn't obey anything or anyone. − the huntress added confused.
− The last statement is a bit unfair, he follows the rules if he doesn't mess up. − Jazz protested and her brother snorted in amusement. Apart from that, he was oddly quiet. − But back to the topic: the creepy guy had a scepter with a glowing red orb that forced ghosts to do whatever he wanted. D- Phantom was no exception, even if I believe I heard he managed to shake the control off twice when one of his human friend was in mortal danger.
Oh. So the former Inviso-Bill had a righteous (non-beating) heart. This chat was really being helpful (other than made to pass the time) after all. But...
− What about the Christmas flop? − Jack suddenly remembered and promptly Danny winced. Still too loud?
− That... That was a sabotage from another ghost that was upset about Phantom's resentment towards Christmas which had been caused by his parents when he was still human. − What a strange but sensible way to say that someone was dead.
− What do you mean? − Maddie tilted her head to look better at her daughter. She opened her mouth to answer, but Danny anticipated her.
− We have to turn left. − he pointed at the crossroads they hadn't noticed during the conversation.
− Okay, thanks. Jazz you were saying? − Mads prompted while they followed the direction.
− His parents were like you and dad, always bickering about Santa and the Christmas spirit. So the holiday itself became traumatizing for him and when this... Ghostwriter, was it?, encountered him, they fought. Afterwards he decided that Phantom needed a lesson, so it was like Christmas was literally revolting against him. − she explained. − While his Christmas was already ruined, he didn't really wanted to spoil everyone else's, but... You saw the results.
− Yeah, the were-trees invasion wasn't pretty. − Jack agreed.
− Luckily he managed to defeat the Writer with the help of his enemies... − the parents looked at her disbelieving. − Yeah, I know, but during Christmas Day there's an official truce in the Zone and the Writer fighting Phantom broke it. That's why they even helped him fixing all.
− Uh, nice to know that even ghosts respect the holiest holiday. − murmured the man. He felt a little guilty knowing that with somebody like them for parents the ghost-boy had turned bitter against his favorite holiday. Would be Jazz and Danny be the same because of them? − Wait, do you hate Christmas too because of us? − he dreaded.
− I somaticize better your quarrels, being the older one and knowing you, so not so much. − Jazz shrugged.
− Danny? − Mads asked when the other teen stayed silent. The raven head sighed.
− I used to... but after that incident I guess it's not that bad. − he avoided uncomfortably their gazes. − We're already near Skulker's lair, we have to...
His change of topic was abruptly stopped by an out of nowhere net that wrapped all around them, squeezing them one against the other.
D ~O¤O~ Jz
Conscious that the relatives were panicking about the situation, Danny let out a very frustrated groan. I've just started to say it and I've already jinxed us?!
− What the hell...? − his father exclaimed too near his ear. Superior hearing here wasn't a blessing.
− Skulker − he answered and soon after his Ghost Sense went off. Okay, I have to stop speaking at all.
− He's also coming right? − Jazz guessed, grunting in pain. He nodded.
− Then we have to phase away like before! − the huntress exclaimed, but soon her determination turned into frustration. − Why doesn't it work?
− Even if we're human, Skulker's nets work on everything. − the halfa answered, thinking about a plan. Maybe... − Okay, I got an idea, sorry in advance for the cold.
Moving around the palm expertly, the cryokinetic created a frost layer on the net, effectively encasing them, but also making impossible on the outside to see who they were.
The halfa made a shushing motion to the rest of the net occupants as they waited their captor. Their patience was awarded few second later.
− Well, what do we have here? − the smug voice of the tin-can sounded muffled through the frost. It was the ideal condition.
Well then, let the curtain rise... Danny inhaled a large gulp of air, then wailed with a high-pitched voice. − Would you be my friend? − the other Fentons jumped, but the boy knew for certain that Jazz would soon smirk.
− Klemper?! What!? − the metal hunter exclaimed.
− Let me out of here and hug you, friend! − Danny added, wailing pitifully.
− No, no, no! You stay there and begone! − Skulker swore and by the sound of it he flew away with extreme speed thanks to his jetpack. The four waited a few minutes to release a relieved breath.
− He's gone. Mom, do you have the lipstick ready or should I use an icicle? − Danny asked while defrosting their cocoon. The woman squirmed, probably checking.
− It was in my pocket. − the huntress began blasting an opening with the weapon and soon they were freed.
− Hey, lil' bro, that was genius! − Jazz high-fived Danny, who now was sat on the path to let their father stretch a bit.
− Well, thank you! − he mock-bowed in response, finally freeing both arms.
− Who's this Klemper guy? − their mother asked, lending Jazz the canteen out of motherly concern.
− A ghost with cryokinesis like me. − Danny offered, while his sister drank, resting. − He has also a pathological need of friends but... nobody stands him. − he shrugged and took his turn to drink.
− We are lucky to have you then. − the hunter joked, picking up his son again. Unconsciously the raven teen blushed at the affection display, making the parents chuckle.
− Down there, there should be the Fenton Portal, we should go. − the halfa changed the subject again.
− You're right, I almost see it! − Jazz got pumped up by the revelation: a decent cast and above all a soft couch/bed awaited her. That sentence seemed to revive the adults, because they picked up the peace and in few minutes they reached the limit of the purple path.
It stood a dozen of feet from the portal, though that wasn't the main problem.
− Jazz... − Danny asked uncertainly. − You still have with you the remote to call off the Total Lock Down, right?
* The reverberation of the sound waves here it's due to the difference of density between air and rock, making the voice seem echo-y. However Danny did use the invisibility to stay hidden in plain sight.
A/N. Did you expect this? è_é
If you're wondering, Danny's winces were both because of the volume of his father's voice and (above all) the Phantom (and general ghosts) references. Thankfully Jack mistook all of them for the former. xD
And Danny's relationship with the Murphy Laws really amuse me... like (my) intentionally insertion of Danny's (unintentional) ambiguous statement made about the likeness between him and Klemper. Maybe the parents will remember it or not at all... I'm cruel I know, but I like the mystery. xP
Anyway, how will the Fentons resolve the situation next time? Only Clockwork knows!
Thanks for all the Follows, Favorites and Reviews, I usually stay up late the day of the publication in order to refresh the page and see the first ones! =^ w ^=
Enjoy and type ya next weekend!