- Vlad. – Danny said. – Right now, is not a good moment, so I would deeply appreciate you get the hell out of my house.
- Leave? – He closed the distance between them. – I'm not going anywhere until I get what I want. So, tell me Daniel… why did you destroyed my lab?!
In his outburst of fury, Vlad grabbed Danny by his jacket and pulled him closer. Danny immediately shoved him out, putting distance between them again.
- I don't know what are you talking about! – He replied. – Now, leave.
Vlad just smiled.
- You're not a child anymore, Daniel. You should know that your actions now have consequences.
- I don't know what are you talking about! – Danny yelled in frustration. – God knows how bad I want to punch you, but I haven't done anything to you and honestly, right now I wouldn't waste my time in you, even if I had it.
- You think that destroying private property from the mayor of this town would go unpunished, Daniel? - He grabbed his left wrist tightly and his eyes began to glow red. - I'm going to make your life a living hell, until you beg me to stop...
- Let go of me… - Danny threatened as his eyes glowed with an intense green.
They knew that this was not going to end well, because they could feel how the temperature in the room began to drop rapidly. Tucker and Sam had their fingers on the triggers of both guns. Jazz's anger had turned to concern. Dan should be his only concern at the moment, but Vlad's appearance complicated things.
- Who's there?!
Jack Fenton's scream broke all the tension between the two half-ghosts, causing Vlad to let go of Danny's wrist and adjust his suit. Danny rubbed his wrist and crossed his arms. Jack and Maddie hurried downstairs.
- What's going…?
- Vladdie! – Jack shouted in joy, interrupting his wife.
- Vlad Masters? – Maddie said, lowering the gun she carried.
- Jack! My old and fat friend. – Vlad faked a smile and got closer to Jack. – Maddie. - He smiled at her and she answered him by pointing her gun at him.
Danny smiled at that last gesture.
- What brings the best mayor this town has ever had to my house? – Jack asked.
- Well, you know me, Jack. I came to inspect your lab to see if you had any new inventions worth stealing.
After a few seconds in silence, they both burst out laughing.
- Oh. I still have the touch. – Vlad said wiping a tear.
- Why are you here and why did Jazz yell? – Maddie said with a hostile tone, narrowing her eyes.
- Nothing more than a misunderstanding, Maddie dear. – He feigned innocence. – You see, a great opportunity arose in the mayor's office and I thought that Daniel would be perfect for that job. And I took the trouble to make time in my very busy schedule to come personally and give him the news.
- And Jazz? - She asked not very convinced of the answer.
- Jasmine was only a victim of my enthusiasm. - He smiled. – When she opened the door, I got carried away and started looking for Daniel.
- Come on Maddie. It's just Vlad. – Jack defended him.
Maddie crossed her arms and looked at her daughter. Jazz just closed her eyes and sighed.
- Yes, that's what happened. – She said monotonously.
Maddie relaxed for a moment, which didn't last long as she looked at the mess in the lab.
- What did you do to the lab?! She - She said looking at her children.
Everyone present looked back. The portal was closed and he had the Fenton Ghost Catcher in front of it. A few meters ahead, on a table, there were 5 Fenton thermoses tied with tape pointing directly at the center of the portal and the ghost catcher. The Fenton Harpoon was mounted on the ghost ship, lashed with all the line from the Ghost Fishing Rod. Many weapons hung from the ceiling, and there were others that were in the process of being assembled. There were others that were mounted on makeshift bases. What they all had in common: they pointed toward the portal.
Beyond the disorder, Vlad was intrigued by the entire assembly of that defense, it seemed as if... "They were preparing for something to go through the portal." He shifted his gaze to Daniel and was able to notice things he hadn't seen before, like the slight bruises and small cuts on his face. "Will it be possible?"
- The lab? – Jack looked around. – Looks fine to me. – He shrugged.
Maddie ignored her husband and waited for an answer.
- Well… - Danny looked at the others, waiting for an excuse.
- We were… - Sam said without ideas.
- Experimenting? – Tucker said.
- But we promise to leave everything in order once we're done! – Jazz rushed to say.
- You better. – Maddie said looking at her children.
- And don't worry about me. – Vlad added. – I just need an alone moment with Daniel and then I'll leave.
- Don't rush it, buddy. – Jack said. – You can stay as long as you want. Now, if you excuse us… we have some improvements to do.
Jack turned and took Maddie upstairs.
- But Jack...
- Don't worry, dear. - He smiled at her. - They'll be fine. It's just Vlad.
Maddie looked behind her and everyone was watching them go upstairs. She surrendered and just sighed. Vlad's gaze remained fixed on the stairs until he heard the sound of the door closing. The smile he had been faking faded and he took on a serious face. He looked at Danny and the others, who were again pointing guns at him.
- Get out.
- Go ghost.
They spoke at the same time. Danny was puzzled by Vlad's request, but he wasn't in the mood nor had the time to deal with him.
- I really don't have time for this, so just…
- You want me to leave? Transform. – He replied serious.
Danny looked at his friends and they looked at him with the same confusion in their eyes. Jazz's shoulders shrugged and Danny turned to face him.
- Fine. – Two white rings formed around his waist, transforming him into his alter ego.
Vlad inspected Daniel's suit and it was just as he remembered it: black, white, and with some green details. He was not who he was looking for.
- Hmn. – Vlad adjusted his suit. – Looks like I was wrong.
Vlad turned around and walked towards the stairs, adding to the confusion of the young people.
- Just that? – Tucker whispered.
- Why were you blaming me for destroying your lab? – Danny asked.
- Like I said… I was wrong. – Vlad spoke but didn't stop walking.
Danny returned to his human form and was about to let him go, until Sam spoke.
- You were looking for someone with a cape, don't you?
Vlad stopped on the second step and turned to see her, serious. Sam came out from behind Danny to approach the older man.
- Fangs, flaming white hair, red eyes…
- I assume you know him. – He walked back until he was standing in front of her.
- Know him? – Jazz snorted.
- Why did he attack you? – Danny asked serious.
- You won't get anything from me until you speak, Daniel. How do you know him?
- He left his business card in Danny's face. – Tucker said.
- What did he want from you? – Danny asked again.
- Who is he? – Vlad asked.
- He's the reason we're doing this. – Sam said.
- Now tell me why he attacked you. What did he want?
Danny's mind was running through possible scenarios as to why he would do that. Last time, he had just fought him. He never tried to look for Vlad.
- That tells me nothing. – Vlad spoke. – Tell me everything and then, maybe, I'll tell you.
- I got a better idea. - Tucker's voice made Vlad look at him, only to see an ectoplasm weapon on his forehead.
- You don't want to do that, boy. – Vlad threatened him.
- Actually…
He felt another weapon in his nape and other in his chest.
- We kind of want to. – Sam concluded.
Operative A observed the cleaning being done at the facilities. In a matter of hours, the place would be ready for Operative Alpha's inspection and the opening of the portal. The next day was the day that would mark history, that would establish humanity's dominance over the ectoplasm beings. And what filled him with pride was that he had been a key player in that event. He smiled thinking of the new level of authority that he would receive by the end of the experiment. They would probably assign him a new investigative division. Or perhaps he would lead expeditions through the Ghost Zone. The world of possibilities that would open up before him made him smile. But for that to happen, the next day had to be perfect. Which brought him to the pair of idiots currently in front of him.
- … came out negative.
Operative K's words brought him back to reality.
- Fantastic. – He said hoping his comment made sense.
- Emm… sir? – K said. – Those are bad news.
A removed his glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
- Operatives. – He put the glasses back. – Your mission was to capture an entity to test our newest weapon.
- But sir, the ghost activity has dwindled in recent years. – K said.
- Not to mention the proliferation of associations and individuals dedicated to ghost hunting. – O said. – Many times, they usually arrive before us to the sighting areas.
- And what about the ghost boy?
- There have been no sightings of him for three days.
- I thought he had a fight yesterday. – He remembered yesterday's report.
- Nobody saw him, but we could infer that he was involved. – O answered.
- So, you're not sure?
K and O looked at each other curiously.
- Sir, we just told you...
He knew he should have paid attention. But it was too late. He sighed in frustration and walked to the door, opening it and waving them out.
- Out. Both. Now.
The operatives did as they were asked. On their way out, they turned around to try to talk to his superior, but A raised his hand to silence them.
- I'm not going to repeat it, so listen well. – He lowered his hand. – Do not return, do not speak to me or even think about approaching these facilities unless you have a ghost in custody. I don't care which one, just bring one. Understood?
- Yes sir. – They said together.
Without any other word, he shut the door in their faces.
Dan grabbed the ghost by the leg and smashed him against the pillars that supported the roof of the castle entrance. He tried to get on his feet, but was met by two ectoplasm beams directly into his chest. The combination of heat and cold damaged his armor. He fixed his eyes on the figure who was walking towards him with a smile that showed his fangs.
- Who are you? – He managed to ask.
Dan grabbed him by the chest, pulling him to his feet and leaning him against the wall, only to punch him through the wall.
He was barely able to kneel, when he saw that he was charging at him again. He reached out his hand and his sword flew towards him, and when he secured it, he swung it with the intent to decapitate that ghost. Dan easily dodged the sword's attacks and took advantage of his rival's weakness to capture his hand as he was about to attack again. He began to exert more pressure on the wrist grip, causing that ghost to drop the sword.
With his free hand, he grabbed his neck and flung him to the ground. He released him and began to crush his chest with his left foot, driving his victim several inches into the ground.
- What… do you want?
Dan just smiled and knelt on the ghost's chest, who grunted in pain.
- You served me once… - He looked at him in the eyes. – You'll do it again.
- Never. – He lifted his head.
Dan shifted all his weight onto the leg that was holding him down and rose to his feet.
- You talk as if you had a choice. –He walked to pick up the sword and put it on his chest. – I need you to send a message. For now.
- And… why don't you do it? – He said with difficulty.
- I… I have something more important to do. – He smiled.
He closed his eyes and resigned, spoke again.
- What message?
He got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He walked up to the sink mirror and began his routine. He applied moisturizer all over his torso and arms, then used a special one for his face. He took the comb and began to brush his still damp hair. When he was satisfied with the result, he picked up his toothbrush and began brushing his teeth. When he finished, he contemplated his reflection in the mirror for a few seconds before leaving in the direction of his closet.
He got rid of the towel and began to dress: shirt, pants, socks, shoes, belt, and vest. He opened a drawer where he took out his favorite watch and placed it on his left wrist. He walked over to the bed and picked up his suit. In front of the mirror, he buttoned up the suit and looked at his watch when he finished his routine.
6:50 a.m.
"Just in time". He thought and turned to leave the room. He walked to the kitchen and pushed the button on a small device that rested on the counter. He turned around and began to look among the pots and pans for something that he could use to prepare breakfast. The small device projected a hologram.
- Good morning sweetie. – Maddie's digital voice said.
- Reach out to my assistant. – He took out things from the fridge. – Tell her I'll be arriving late to the office today.
- At any specific hour?
- Noon. – He said while breaking an egg and pouring the content into a bowl. – Prepare the lab. I need to do some things.
- As you wish, dear. – After this, the hologram disappeared.
Vlad made his omelette and ate it in silence. When he finished, he dumped all the dirty dishes into the sink and rinsed his hands. After brushing his teeth, he turned into a ghost and phased through the floor to the basement of his house, where the monitors were already on and the central computer was just waiting for him to enter his biometric security key to display all the necessary information. He floated up to the small retinal reader embedded in the wall and zoomed in on his eye. Seconds later, all the machines started working.
He returned to his human form and Maddie's hologram reappeared next to him.
- What would you like to see first, handsome?
- Show me the surveillance report on Danielle. - He crossed his arms behind his back.
Multiple surveillance clips from the living room of Danielle's apartment appeared on the main screen, and in the center, a transcript of all the recorded audio. He went to the keyboard and began cross-referencing the words he used to look up: "Danny", "Valerie", "discover", "Clockwork" … anything in their conversations that might be of his interest. His attention was drawn when in the upper right corner of the screen, a clip appeared of her talking to someone at the door of her house. A boy.
He enlarged the video and paid attention to the audio, to dismiss it seconds later when he discovered that it was only one of the girl's neighbors. When he found nothing in those files, he sighed and rubbed his chin.
- What do we have on Valerie? – He asked aloud and the computer changed the search results, but only a short video appeared on the screen. - Why don't we have information from the microphone in her helmet yet?
- Everything seems to indicate that she did not repair the damage to her suit after her last encounter with Spectra. - Maddie said.
- I gave her new equipment. Why doesn't she wear it? – He whispered.
-The latest reports indicate that she used the new equipment as spare parts for the one that was damaged. Maybe she avoided touching that area on purpose.
- Then she must suspect something. – He concluded.
Vlad had a suspicion that both Valerie and Danielle were working in tandem. It was a theory that he began to develop 2 years ago when he obtained evidence of their collaboration in ghost hunting, but he hadn't found any kind of evidence that linked them personally. There were only connections between Dani Phantom and the Red Huntress, not between Danielle Masters and Valerie Gray.
He had to admit that if there was any collaboration between the two of them, they were very good at hiding it.
- What about Daniel?
The computer showed reports of the sighting of Danny Phantom fighting the box ghost in the park a few days ago, but that was the most recent entry. The rest were from 3 years ago.
- Cross references with information from the Guys in White. Look for words like… "ghost boy". – Vlad paused when a notification appeared in the center of his monitor. - What's going on?
- The ghost radar detected a presence near the portal.
- Give me visuals. – He ordered.
The computer showed the radar reading, where a static blob could be seen in front of the portal.
- What is it?
- It seems that the target is immobile. – The hologram answered.
- Probably a ghost that is wandering. – He concluded. - Close the portal and continue the search.
The metallic hatch of the portal closed and the screen displayed a transcript of a report from the Guys in White. However, before he could read it, the alarm flashed back on the screen.
- Ugh! Now what?
- Danger! Imminent colis...
The portal hatch shot forward, crashing into Vlad's control console and destroying all the computer equipment. Using his powers, he managed to avoid being hit by the metal door and quickly transformed.
- What the hell?!
At that moment, a figure emerged from the portal. The legs and the chest were the first thing that became visible, before leaving the portal completely behind. No more doubts, it was a ghost: pale skin, fangs, red eyes, cape, an impressive physique… It reminded him very much of someone. Someone with style.
- It's different from how I remembered it. – He heard him say while he looked in all directions.
Vlad straightened up and became serious. No one could break into his house like this and not suffer the consequences. It was there that he noticed the symbol on the chest of that ghost. Black and white suit, with the initials DP right between his pecs. He knew that ghost.
- Daniel. - He called out to him with the intention of distracting him, while sending intangible duplicates to surround him. – I would be lying if I said that it is a pleasure to see you. Although I must admit that you look… - He paused. - … different. I see your going old school now. – He said pointing to his outfit.
- Save it, cheese head. – He said bored, making eye contact with him. - Give me what I'm looking for and I'll leave you alone.
- Well… you'll have to be more specific than that. – He crossed his hands behind his waist. - For example. If what you are looking for is a beating… - He smiled. – … it's right here.
Two clones grabbed the intruder by the arms and pinned him against the wall, while the original fired high-intensity beams into the ghost's chest. Hearing him growl, he increased the force of his attack, until a bubble of energy enveloped him and expanded, causing a small explosion. Vlad ended up crashing into a wall, while the latest clone he had created engaged the intruder in a fist fight. He scurried to a drawer near the floor, from where he pulled out a pair of ghost gloves. He put them on and charged at him, hitting him in the face multiple times.
- I'm going to teach you a lesson that you will never forget, child! – He yelled at him as he sent him flying against a shelf.
Vlad lunged at him again, but before reaching him, the ghost shot white beams from his eyes. The attack hit him in the chest and sent him crashing into another shelf. He watched the ghost rise to its feet, white smoke billowing from its eye sockets.
- I… - He smiled. - … am not a child.
Vlad reacted in time to step aside when he saw him use the same attack again. He circled around the lab, white beams following him and destroying everything they touched. Splitting an ectoplasm cannon in two, the ammunition caused an explosion that affected both of them; Plasmius took the opportunity to become intangible and enter the ground, taking his enemy by the legs and leaving him half a body under the ground. He reappeared on the surface and managed to kick him hard in the face; but when he tried to do it again, his foot went through the ghost.
Grabbing him by the support leg with one hand, he pulled him closer and shot him in the abdomen with the other. Plasmius crashed into the wall and fell to the ground; but before he could react, his enemy grabbed him by the neck and glued him back against the wall.
- Where is it?
- I d-don't know what you're talking about… - He managed to say.
- Where is it?!
Taking advantage of the proximity, Vlad brought both hands to his assailant's face and blasted him, causing him to let go. Quickly, he circled him and flew to the ceiling of the lab, where a dissecting ray dangled. He fired at him repeatedly, but didn't hit any as he generated holes for the rays to go through his body without touching him. He shot through his eyes again and destroyed Vlad's weapon.
The explosion made Vlad fall to the ground face down, and his enemy took advantage of it: he wrapped Vlad's cape around his neck and began to pull it, while with one foot he pushed him to the ground. He struggled to free himself from his grasp, but his efforts were in vain. As he sensed that he was about to faint, he felt his grip loosen and then a kick to the abdomen sent him across the dissecting table, destroying it as he went through it.
After that, everything went dark...
- When I regained consciousness, my lab was torn apart, the portal was destroyed and he was gone. – He turned around to face the 4 young adults looking at him with attention.
- You're spying Danielle? – Danny said getting angrier.
- And Valerie? – Tucker added.
- Was that the only thing you care about from everything I just said? – Vlad raised an eyebrow.
- We'll talk about that later. – Jazz said. – For now, let's focus on him.
- Did you notice if there was something missing in your lab when you woke up? – Sam asked.
- Oh, of course… not! – He yelled at her, making her roll her eyes and lean back in her chair. – It's hard to tell there's something missing… when all that's left is rubble!
- Don't yell at her! – Danny ordered him.
- Calm down everyone! - Jazz ordered. When Danny sat back down and Vlad adjusted his suit, she continued. - At least we found out something now.
- What? - Vlad asked.
- He's looking for something. - Jazz answered.
- Brilliant as always, Jasmine. – Vlad ironized.
- If our theory is correct and he is afraid of Danny… he must be talking about some weapon capable of defeating him. He needs power. – Tucker walked until he was next to the mayor.
- But why go to Vlad instead of going with the Guys in White? - Sam asked.
- Because they are idiots. – Vlad and Danny answered at the same time.
- Their knowledge about ghosts is very limited. - Danny said.
-Besides that, their inventions are rarely useful or innovative. – Vlad concluded.
- So… - Jazz stood next to Vlad. - Have you created any weapon to destroy Danny?
- Of course. All of them. – He rolled his eyes. – But I send them to Valerie for her to test them.
A silence fell around the group.
- So… - Tucker spoke. – We're back at square one.
- I already did my part. – Vlad said. - Now it's your turn.
They all looked at Danny expectantly, while he just sighed. He organized all his ideas and memories to give him a brief but concrete explanation of the origin of that monster.
- We call him Dan… Dan Phantom. – He looked at the man.
- Phantom? - Vlad asked. - So…?
- He is me. From another time line. - He said seriously.
Vlad watched the young men for any indication that it was a joke and burst out laughing.
- Of all the excuses you could use, you really want to go with that one?
- I'm telling the truth. – Danny replied.
- And why should I believe that fairy tale?
- Because… he's also you. – Danny's words erased the smirk Vlad had.
Danny proceeded to tell Dan's story to Vlad. His initial plan to not to tell him the whole truth went down the drain when he started asking questions, and it was there that he had to tell the whole story that the Vlad of that timeline had told him. Those were things that not even Jazz knew about, so everyone was attentive to the blue-eyed narrative.
When he finished speaking, Sam walked over to him and gave him a hug. Danny smiled back at her and held her close to him. Tucker and Jazz just looked at him with a sad smile. Vlad had turned around and started pacing the lab, processing all the information. He stopped in front of the table on which rested all the thermos.
- So, all of this… - He pointed to the lab. – … is your plan to capture him?
- Yes. – Tucker replied.
Vlad stayed in silence a few more seconds.
- It won't work. – He said.
- Why…?
- He's not stupid. – He turned to face them. – He'll know it's a trap.
- It's the best plan we have. – Sam said.
Vlad shook his head and walked until he joined them.
- There's something you didn't consider.
- What? – Jazz asked.
- Clockwork.
Vlad and Danny looked into each other's eyes and the blue-eyed man could see in the older man the same feeling of uneasiness that he had.
- If Dan managed to escape, we have to assume that Clockwork… it's out of the game. – Tucker said.
- Clockwork would protect time no matter what… leaving a monster like that on the loose it's not his style. – Vlad replied.
- Someone must know something. – Danny whispered.
- But it is too dangerous to venture inside the ghost zone now. – Vlad said. – Who knows what things he has done there in all this time.
- What if it's not there? - Tucker said.
They all turned to see him.
- Think about it: if he destroyed Vlad's portal, this one is the only access to the ghost zone left. But thanks to Jazz, it's impossible for him to have used it.
- Maybe he destroyed Vlad's after entering the ghost zone. - Jazz said.
- In that case… this would be his only way out. – Sam separated from Danny. - Then our plan could work.
Vlad just laughed.
- Yeah, right. – He crossed his arms. – I'm sure he locked himself in the ghost zone without realizing there was only one way out.
When they understood Vlad's words, they growled in frustration. They had wasted the whole morning on a meaningless plan.
- He knew that we would bombard the portal as soon as he left. – Jazz said annoyed.
- We got everything wrong. - Danny spoke. – He didn't destroy all his exits, he… he destroyed all our entrances. – He said walking towards the portal.
- Why? – Tucker asked.
- For the same reason he attacked Vlad. – Danny turned to see him.
- Would you mind explaining yourself? – Vlad asked.
- He went after you under the pretext of looking for something, but he didn't take anything...
- That we know about. - Sam interrupted.
- Whatever. – He resumed speaking. – He knew you would come here thinking it was me who attacked you. And here you are.
- And? - Sam said, not knowing where Danny was going with that.
- And now he has us all together. – He observed everyone. - Here. – He pointed to the portal. - At his reach.
They all looked at Danny in silence.
- That doesn't make sense, boy. – Vlad spoke.
- Well, that's all I have! – He yelled frustrated.
- Compared to what you said, your friends' plan sounds great.
- Hey! At least we are doing something.
- Hey…
- It wouldn't matter if they didn't do anything.
- Hey!
- What?! – They all yelled at Tucker.
- The radar.
Everyone's sight fell on the radar of the ghost zone to one side of the portal. There was a presence detected that was slowly approaching the portal.
- That's what happened to me. – Vlad whispered.
- It worked. – Sam muttered. – The plan worked.
- To your positions. – Danny said. – Now!
Vlad watched as the boys ran around the lab to take on a specific role. The techno-geek had stood in a far corner from the portal and was typing some things on his tablet, and all the weapons there moved to point at the portal. The goth girl had stood behind the table with the thermoses, ready to activate them with a bazooka slung across her back. Jasmine had started the ship and, leaving the door open, had climbed onto the roof to take the harpoon and aim at the portal. Danny had transformed and taken the ghost catcher in his hands, opening the gate of the portal and taking a few steps back.
Vlad stayed in the background, waiting for what was about to happen. For prevention, he chose to transform as well.
The seconds seemed like hours, waiting for that presence to cross the portal and hell would break loose. Keeping his eyes on the radar, Danny tightened his grip on the device in his hands. Tucker wiped the sweat from his hands on his pants before returning to his position, ready to activate the weapons. Sam adjusted the gun and placed her finger on the button that would activate all the thermoses, ready to press it. Jazz tried to steady her breathing, exhaling through her mouth, and closed one eye to aim the harpoon at the first thing to cross the big green blur.
And then, someone came through the portal, falling face down on the floor.
- Wait!
Danny's scream prevented his friends from activating the weapons in their hands.
- What is it? – Vlad asked from behind.
- Is not him. – Jazz said, lowering her weapon.
Tucker and Sam sighed, trying to relax their nerves. Danny lowered the ghost catcher and approached the body that had collapsed on the lab floor. Jazz jumped down from the ship and walked over to Sam.
- It is… the Fright Knight. – Danny said, stopping a meter away from the body.
The rest of the team Phantom closed in on Danny, aiming the laser wristbands they had on the ghost. Danny squatted in front of the ghost and turned him around. The sound of the metallic armor against the ground was the only thing that could be heard at that moment.
- He's unconscious. – Sam observed.
- Dude, look at his chest. – Tucker said.
And so, they all did. Danny's features hardened when he saw his symbol, the letters "DP" carved into the dark armor.
- Dan did this. – Said the blue-eyed boy, standing up.
Tucker and Jazz followed suit, but Sam moved even closer to the ghost. She closely scrutinized the damage the armor had taken, running a hand over it.
- His armor… looks melted. – She said looking up to Danny.
- It probably happened when Dan carved his initials on his chest. - Tucker commented.
- Why would Dan go after him? – Jazz asked Danny.
- In his timeline, Dan attacked many ghosts: Ember, Spectra, the box ghost; but he… - Danny pointed to the ghost on the ground. – He was his herald. His servant.
- Maybe he refused to serve him again. – Sam said standing up.
- But... why go after him?
The four stared at the Fright Knight's body, trying to figure out the motive behind the attack. Danny opened his mouth to say something, but Vlad beat him to it.
- Daniel! We have to go!
When the aforementioned turned around, Vlad was already next to him, he took his arm and began to pull him towards the portal.
- Wow! Easy there. – Tucker said.
- Let me go. – Danny said freeing himself from the grip.
- There's no time for this! We have to go now!
- Go where? – Jazz asked. – The ghost zone?
- What do you know? – Sam asked him.
- You still don't get it, Daniel? – Vlad grabbed him by the shoulders. – He wants power!
Vlad glanced at the unconscious ghost and Danny followed suit. It took him a second to understand what Vlad was hinting at.
- He wouldn't dare… - Danny muttered.
- I had the key. – Vlad whispered in his ear.
Completely terrified, Danny turned and flew quickly to a table, where he picked up an earpiece. He put it on and returned to Vlad.
- Jazz, close the portal behind us...
- Danny, what's going on? – Sam asked alarmed.
- ... and do not open it unless I ask you to.
- Let's go! - Vlad yelled at him.
- Danny!
Jazz yelled, but still couldn't do anything to stop him. They both entered the portal and left the three behind, who turned to see each other in confusion.
He felt fury consuming him. How dared that insolent ghost do this to him? And worse yet, how dare he wear his crown? Removing the rubble he had on top of him, Pariah Dark rose to his feet and immediately his gaze fell on the symbol on his chest.
- I know you.
Dan fixed his gaze on the ring the king wore on his left hand.
- Not yet. – He answered. - But you're about to.