AN: It was hard getting from one point in the story to another, but I got through it! I also think I didn't do all that shabby, if I do say so myself. Hope you enjoy! Remember, reviews make me smile!
Disclaimer: No matter how much I wis-… want it to be true, I do not own Danny Phantom.
Recap: Danny realized he left his textbook at the Ghost Zone library. He takes the math test he studied for, and finishes it on time. We left off with him packing up his things for P.E. class with Sam and Tucker
When the bell rang for class to be over, he picked up his things, and walked through the halls. He stayed close to the walls, trying to avoid being the center of attention. The last thing he needed right now was for Dash and his cronies to worsen his injuries, even if he did heal quickly. He made it to the gym locker room without incident and began to change into his P.E. uniform. Tucker came over to him, struggling like everyday to get his shirt over his head without taking off his glasses. "Hey, man. So, how'd it go?"
Danny smiled, helping Tucker with his shirt. "Skulker interrupted us, but I still finished on time. I feel like I aced this one, ya know? It was just a calculations test."
His friend nodded, "Yeah, those are normally easy. Well good for you, buddy. When was the last time you aced a test?"
He genuinely thought about it, "I... I think it was when Lancer helped me study, so... a couple years ago?"
Tucker hissed, "Yikes. I'm surprised your parents haven't grounded you forever."
They jogged out into the gym, meeting up with Sam. "Hey, I miss anything?"
Tucker quickly caught her up, "Danny thinks he aced a test. Oh yeah, and apparently Skulker attacked."
She lightly punched his arm, giving him a smile, "So, all that late night studying really payed off, huh?"
He nodded as they waited on Tetslaff to start class. "Yeah, and I'm going to have to do it a lot more. Finals are only in a couple weeks. And I have to get that book back. Should be no problem." He paused, going over what he had just said. "I jinxed it, didn't I?" His two friends nodded, and their conversation was effectively cut off by the tweet of a whistle, signaling the start of class.
Danny was walking on his block two hours later. He looked up at the brick building with the neon sign advertising his home and family. He used to be embarrassed by it, but the glowing arrow always helped him find his way back during late night patrol. He checked the street for passersby and phased through the door. He called out to the rest of the house, "Hey Mom, hey Dad, love you!"
He ran up the stairs, and into his bedroom, setting down his backpack. Closing his bedroom door, he transformed into his ghostly alter ego, and lost visibility. He flew down to his basement, opening the portal doors. He zoomed in, and went to where he thought the library was. Realising he had gotten turned around at Skulker's island, he backtracked. Turning the opposite way upon getting to the landmark, he grinned at having, eventually, found the Writer's lair by himself.
He knocked on the door and, similar to the previous two times, the door opened and he was given a feeling of contentment when he stepped in. Raising a curious eyebrow, he looked on either side of the doors, and didn't see anyone who could've opened it. It didn't occur to him that someone may have been invisible when he thought, What, did they open on their own? He didn't expect a reply, much less in the way of something that sounded like the amused scratching of - not quite a pencil, maybe a pen? No... a quill? And since when could the sound of writing be described as amused? I must be crazy.
The door behind him began to slam closed, until it paused, as though remembering it was in a library, and gently shut, a small click the only sound it made. The scratching came again, although faster, and heavier, as though the instrument - he had decided it was definitely a quill, somehow - was being pressed into the paper with vigor. It was how people sounded when they were writing furiously. Okay, okay, jeez. Not crazy. He shook his head, looking around near him. He couldn't see anyone writing. So, then, where was the sound coming from? Pondering his thoughts for only a moment more, he began walking further into the library. He wasn't sure exactly where he was going, but he needed to find the Ghost Writer to get his textbook back. His legs were walking of their own accord, but the path was one he was unfamiliar with. It felt like some invisible force was nudging him towards the back of the library.
Next to a work counter, there was an open door. He didn't want to invade the ghost's personal space, but he really needed that book. He peeked his head through, and saw Ghost Writer typing at a computer, looking up at the giant screen. His eyes seemed almost glazed over, but he wasn't completely out of it. Danny observed when a mistake was made, he'd back space and keep typing as if it hadn't happened. How he had enough ideas to write this much, the half-ghost wouldn't know. He bit his lip, trying to decide whether or not to interrupt him. He was sure if he did, he'd be on the receiving end of some anger for "interrupting his writing process," or whatever. He was used to stuff like that from Jazz, and didn't want to see what would happen if he did it to a ghost whose obsession seemed to be writing.
He heard a small voice cough behind him. Turning around, he saw a stack of books being carried by someone in a blue dress and blue shoes. The stack was moved to the left of the person. "Hey, you gonna stand there all day, or what?" A girl with black, straight hair which was barely shoulder length moved past him. "Hey, GW, you got a- Oh for the love of…" She sighed, putting the books down and tossing her purple scarf around her neck, "How long's he been like this?" He shrugged, having only been there a few minutes. She rose a grey hand and snapped her fingers in front of his face.
He shook his head, "Hm, what? Oh, hello, Inkling. My apologies, I was simply-"
She interrupted, raising an eyebrow, "Skipping out on a night of sleep to write your story?"
Danny watched their interaction with slight fascination. He hopped out of the way when the two began to exit the room. Instead of the girl - Inkling was her name, it seemed - carrying all the books she had, her pile seemed to have been cut down by half, and he saw that Ghost Writer had a stack of books in his own arms. He looked over, "Oh, Phantom. I didn't expect to see you here."
He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah, um, listen. Did you happen to find a math textbook laying around last night? I think I forgot mine here."
He received a nod, and smiled, "Yes, I put it on my kitchen counter, wait just a moment, please." The man floated through the door he had just been through, coming out a few moments later, an annoyed expression, "Inkling, did you find any books on my kitchen counter?"
She nodded, floating up and sitting on the work counter, "Yeah, I did. I think it was a math book. I put it somewhere in the math section. Why?"
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Because it's not part of our library. You've been here how long and can't tell the difference?"
She glared, green eyes glaring into green, "It looked like a library book! It had a library barcode, and everything! So, lay off, would ya?!"
Danny interrupted the feud, coughing, "Um, I don't mean to interrupt, or anything, but are you two, like, siblings, or something?"
The two looked from him, to the other, both exclaiming, "No way! He's a jerk!"
"I am not related to that brat, thank heavens!"
He covered his mouth, snickering. While they may not be related, they acted like it. He was reminded of how him and Jazz acted towards each other when they were younger. "Sorry, I mean, you look like you're related, and you both act how me and Jazz act to each other! Not my fault."
The writer shook his head, "No, Phantom. We are not by any means related, and if you suggest such a thing again, I will be happy to trap you in another poem. Are we clear?"
He gulped, nodding, "Crystal," then processed what the little ghost had said, "Wait, you reshelved my textbook?!"
She winced, "I, uh, I guess so… But don't worry! It should be really easy to find! It's in the math section!" All three flew to the section she pointed out, and stopped. Three ceiling-height bookshelves, with two sides each, were labeled as 'Mathematics.' She let out a nervous giggle, "Um, oops?"
Ghost Writer sighed, rubbing his forehead, "We certainly have our work cut out for us."
Danny nodded, then gave him a curious look, "We?"
"Well, it is a book that's lost in my library. I would hate to see my reputation fall because of it."
They all went back to the counter, where Writer stationed himself in case anyone wanted to check out any books. There was a lull in conversation, and Inkling blurted out, "Alex?"
This drew a sigh from the older ghost, and he shook his head. "No, Inkling, give it up. You won't get it." He paused, then looked at Danny, "I never properly introduced you two, did I? Inkling, this is Danny Phantom, Danny Phantom, this is Inkling, a girl who likes to make a pest of herself in my library."
"Hey!" She indignantly stuck her tongue out at him, "And it's Inky, not Inkling! Get this through your bookworm head!" Her eyes lit up, "Wait, you're, like, the Danny Phantom?! Aw, sweet!"
He rubbed the back of his neck, blushing a slight green, "Heh, yeah. I am. Hey, why'd you say Alex, earlier?" He asked, partially because he was curious, but also to get the attention off of himself.
"Oh, because I made a bet with him. A couple months ago, I bet him that I could guess his real name within 6 months! I just have four more to go. The thing that really blows is that I can only guess one a day. I'm narrowing it down! If I win, he has to stop calling me Inkling, and he has to call me Inky!" Danny rose an eyebrow. Interesting terms, but if it was important to her, then it made sense.
He chuckled, "Yes, but don't forget what happens if I win."
Her shoulders drooped, "If he wins, I can't check out any books for two months."
His eyes widened, "Woah, that is pretty harsh." Hey got a gleam in his eye. He turned to her with a wicked grin, "Hey, Inky, can I talk to you alone for a minute about my book?" She furrowed her eyebrows, before her eyes widened, and she gave a small 'Oh' of realisation. He led her about a yard away from Ghostwriter, and lowered his voice, "Care to up the wagers a bit?"
She smiled, "What do you have in mind?"
He gestured, "If I can figure out his name before you, then you do one thing that I tell you to do after the bet. And to make sure I'm very exact, I will say 'Inky, you will…'"
"Alright, and if I figure out his name first, then you have to check out whatever books I tell you to for a month!" Her eyes lit up with a passion, as soon as she said the word 'books.'
He quirked an eyebrow. He didn't expect her to go along so easily with this. Most people hated placing bets. He struck a hand out, "Then it's a deal?"
She eagerly took it, and they shook, "Deal!"
They walked back to where Ghost Writer was watching them, "What were you two talking about?"
Danny shrugged, "I was just making sure she was willing to help look for my book, and thanking her."
He rose an eyebrow, "Why am I suspicious of your true motives?"
Danny gave mock offense, "Suspicious? Of me? You shouldn't be, I'm a hero!"
He snorted, "Yes, well, heroes can be very devious. What were you two talking about over there?"
He smirked, and lied with ease, "I was just making sure Inky was willing to help look for my book. He looked at the watch on his wrist hidden under his glove. "Crap, I really should go, before anyone realizes I'm gone. See ya tomorrow!" Not giving the writer a chance to interrogate him any more, he flew out of the library, and back to his own portal.