Chapter Seventy-Eight: Samuel

"Alright, bring that over here and make sure it's attached properly!" Valerie said as she oversaw reconstruction of Amity Park. In the two years since HE had left, they'd managed to get quite a bit done and she and her father were relieved for it. For once, they had people living without fear being of relentlessly attacked by a vengeful ghost that was hell-bent on destroying them.

"Let's take a break! Half-hour!" She called, then flew off from the area.

She landed outside the newly-repaired FentonWorks building and started to walk inside, but a chilling voice stopped her.

"Hello, Valerie."

She gasped and turned around, aiming her gun at the ghost behind her. "You! You're back?!"

"Sort of." Dark replied. "I gained permission to come and visit, seeing as I've been on my best behavior while being confined."

"How did you—oh, you!" She blinked, lowering her gun as Dan poked his head out from behind Dark. "The other Phantom!"

"Yeah, hi." He grinned. 'Don't worry; he's not going to destroy anything. He's actually been very nice!"

She eyed Dark suspiciously. "Why did you come back?"

"Do you want me to be frank?" Dark asked.

"Be honest." Valerie nodded.

"I came back to see my son." Dark said firmly. "You can't keep me from that."

"You didn't care before!" She scoffed.

"I did care. I told you before I wanted to see him and you shot me." Dark reminded her.

She scowled. "I didn't want him to meet you."

"Valerie." Dan stepped between them. "Will it hurt to meet him…just once? He's probably not ever coming back after this."

She frowned, gripping her gun tightly. "…Fine. But you're staying with him at all times." She got back on her hover-board. "Follow me." She took off; the two ghosts following close behind.

They flew to a dome building and she got off, going inside. "He's in here."

"Is this a laboratory?" Dark asked darkly as they entered. The men in lab-coats cried out in fear, but Valerie held up a reassuring hand and nodded, leading them through.

"Why are you keeping him in a lab?" Dan asked.

"Because he can't control his powers, and it's safer for him in here. They're just observing him." She opened a door and walked inside.

It looked like an apartment, with a living room area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. "Samuel!" Valerie called.

"You called him 'Samuel'?" Dark frowned. "As in…'Sam'?"

At her call, a boy that looked like a young Danny Phantom with black hair poked his head out from the kitchen. "Hi, mom!" He greeted, then flew over and landed in front her. "You're back from construction already? I thought—" He froze, seeing Dark behind her. "Uhm…mom…?"

"It's okay." Valerie glanced at Dark. "He's not going to hurt us."

Dark knelt before the boy and extended a hand silently, his gaze calm and focused. At Valerie's nod, the boy slowly took his hand and then moved closer, hugging him.

"Wow, he's a hugger." Dan smiled.

Dark wasn't sure how to react to this and patted his back lightly in response. "Uh…hi, kid."

"Mom said I would never meet you, 'cause you were dangerous!" He looked up at him. "Why did you hurt those people, daddy?"

He glanced away. "…Because I was hurt. Repeatedly. I had so much rage and hate that it just blew up. I'm no longer…that dangerous, though."

"Are you going to live with me and mommy, then?" Samuel asked.

Dark shook his head. "I can't. I'm only here because my warden let me visit, but I don't know if I'll ever come back after this."

The kid's expression turned downcast. "Why?" He looked up at Dan, who he must've assumed was his "warden".

Dan sighed. "Because…he hurt a lot of people. So, he can't ever come back. I'm sorry."

Samuel clung to Dark. "But I just met you! It's not fair!"

Dark glanced away. "Life isn't fair, kid. Maybe if I'm really good I'll be allowed to visit again, but I don't make the rules."

Samuel clung tighter. "Then, you gotta be extra-extra-good, so I can see you again! Promise!" He cried.

Dan blinked and looked at Dark.

"…Promises…aren't a surety, but I will do my best to get on my warden's good side." Dark said, to both Valerie's and Dan's surprise. He then rubbed the kid's head and stood up. "Your mother has to get back to work, so I should get going."

Samuel hugged him tightly. "Visit again soon, daddy!"

Dark gently returned the hug and then watched him fly off. "Vlad…should still be alive."

"Huh?" Valerie blinked.

"In Wisconsin." Dark looked at Dan. "Right?"

"Yeah." Dan nodded. "He's still alive, so…if anyone can help him control his powers, Vlad can."

"Why?" Valerie demanded.

"Because he used to be Plasmius. The Wisconsin Ghost?" Dark looked at her. "Until I ripped Plasmius out of him after he tore me from Danny, that is."

"…And what happened to Plasmius then?" Valerie asked.

"I tried to possess him, he tried to possess me, we clashed badly and I became what I am now." Dark said flatly. "Most of the sadism is from Plasmius. I was just angry and violent."

"So…" She pursed her lips. "Wisconsin?"

"I could give you the address." Dan offered. "I'm currently living there in my timeline."

She nodded. "Yeah. I think I should talk to Mr. Masters about…" She gestured towards the kitchen, where they heard what must be Samuel playing with cooking supplies and making himself a snack.

"Alright." Dan nodded. "Got a pen and paper?"

She walked over to a shelf and picked up a notepad and pen, handing them to him. "Here."

Dan nodded and wrote down the address. "He won't be much use for showing him his powers, but he can at least give him tips." He handed the notepad back. "He also…might need some help with reconstruction. Help him get his life back on-track?"

Valerie nodded. "Thank you." She then turned to Dark. "…Phantom, you really do seem to have changed. That doesn't change what you did in the past, though."

"I know." Dark nodded. "I think the anger and depression is finally dying after twelve years. Maybe my one-year stay in the thermos helped cool my head." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Should've shoved you in one sooner, then." She huffed. "Anyways, I have to go. You should leave now."

"I'll try to get Clockwork to let him come back." Dan smiled. "For the kid's sake."

Dark took off his amulet and vanished, Dan following suit.

Clockwork looked over as the two reappeared in his tower. "Well, that was pleasant." He remarked.

Dark headed for his room, while Dan went to hang up the amulets. "Hey, kid." Dark said, turning to Dan.

"Yeah?" Dan looked at him.

"…Thanks." Dark nodded and walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

Dan smiled and then turned to Clockwork. "Thanks for trusting us, Clockwork."

Clockwork smiled. "I knew it would be fine. You should go home now."

Dan nodded and flew out, Clockwork watching him go. As he left his view, Clockwork looked towards Dark's room. "'Promises aren't a surety'…that's for sure." He looked towards the orbs, seeing something in the future that made him purse his lips. "Promises…"