Chapter IX:

Hopes and Dreams

It was dark again.

Back floating in the dark void, he was calm. The calmest he had been in over a year.

Was he dead?

Like fully this time?

"No. Not fully. Not yet."

Saying the random voice surprised him would be the understatement of the century.

Wait what? I'm not dead?

"It is not your time."

He wanted to huff. Could've fooled me.

"I must apologize."

Huh?

"I didn't think it would go that far. I overlooked that path and jeopardized a lot more than just your well-being. A foolish mistake on my part."

Huh. He wasn't expecting any form of apologies. Was this voice sure he wasn't dead?

"I'm sure."

Okay, how-

The voice went on. "I will intervene just this once." There was a ticking noise as a green light appeared. "I can not erase the past much without being noticed by them. But you do need to live, otherwise the future will be less than ideal for both realms."

Both realms? Why would his death cause the future to do anything?

There was a chuckle. "You have far more work to do, young prince. I'll show myself once more when the time comes. For now-"

The light drifted closer, catching his attention as the voice trailed off. He unconsciously reached his hand out towards the light. Waiting for it to get closer before he closed his fist around it.

— — — — —

Danny's eyes shot open. His fist raised up to the ceiling, breathing heavy as he blinked repeatedly. It took a few seconds before he lowered his arm. His mind immediately went to the dream. (Did that count as a dream?) Whose voice was that? It felt familiar, but-

His brows furrowed as he sat up. Noting he was back in the bed. He took the time to take a quick look around the bedroom. A small smile made its way onto his face. It was just how he remembered it. Especially with his duplicate's memories of it. Except instead of Dani being on the bed, it was him. DNA doesn't lie.. or whatever.

Danny shook his head and turned his attention back to his fist. He almost forgot it was still shut tight. When he opened it, he gasped slightly to see an emerald green ring. The red eyes, that was on the green skull, seemed to glow. Like it was staring at him. Thousands of questions running through his head. Why did he have this? When did it get here? Did it come from his dream? Was he still dreaming? The last one gave him the urge to groan. Maybe he was going crazy.

Danny blinked as his focus went back to his hand. His bare hand. His eyes widened as he turned to look at the back of it before raising his other. No gloves. His gaze went down his arms. Sleeves. He looked down to see his NASA hoodie. The same hoodie he wore the day he was- He turned back? When did he turn back? How did he turn back?

The sound of a door opening quickly got him out of his head. Danny's guard had gone up as he turned to the open door. But it quickly settled down when he saw who was at the door.

There, standing at the doorway, was Valerie. No longer in her ghost-hunting suit. Instead, she wore a sleeveless white cropped tank top along with red and white accented yoga pants. A beige towel hanging around her shoulders. Her curly hair was up in a ponytail. From the sweat that was dripping down her face, he could tell she had just finished working out. He silently watched her wipe the sweat away with the towel. Should he say something? What would he say? What could he say?

He didn't have time to think it over. Because soon Valerie's head turned and her eyes met his. The girl seemed to freeze for a moment before turning away with a sigh.

"Of course you wake up now of all times," she muttered as she used the towel to cover her face.

Danny blinked. "Uhh.. sorry?" They both seemed to wince at the hoarseness of his voice. One was more surprised while the other cringed.

"Water?"

Danny nodded, an unconscious hand going up to his throat. Only to wince in pain at the touch. But it didn't leave his neck. Instead, his fingers traced around what felt like a mark. Looking for something. Then it clicked. The shock collar was gone. He wasn't dreaming (going off the pain he had just felt).

So focused on the rediscovery, he missed when Valerie left the room. Coming to when something cold pressed against his cheek.

"Don't touch it." Danny looked over to see Valerie frowning at him, a glass of water in her hand. "It's still healing. Here.. drink this."

Danny reluctantly took the glass with his now unoccupied hand. His eyes flickering to the girl as she sat in a chair that was next to the bed. He took a cautious sip of the water. To his delight (and relief), it was a regular glass of cold water. With the confirmation he was quick to chug it down. Once he finished the glass, a sense of relief washed over him with a contempt sigh. He never knew why he got so thirsty after being electrocuted, probably something he missed in science.

"Better?"

Danny nodded. "Yeah.." He cleared his throat. "Thanks."

Valerie simply nodded and took the empty glass from his hands. She placed it on the dresser next to her before getting back up. Danny watched her actions cautiously, then proceeded to stare at her as she walked to the other side of the room. While his gaze was intent to watch her every movement, there was an eventual curiosity.

Valerie, noticing the staring, turned to Danny. "Is something wrong?"

'Yes!' Danny screamed in his head. On the outside, he shrugged. "I'm just.. confused, I guess?" He wasn't sure why it sounded like a question, but it fit.

"What are you confused about?" Valerie asked, walking back to the bed.

Danny stared at her before sighing. "I don't know. Everything?"

"Well, What's the biggest thing you're confused about right now?"

Danny thought for a moment. He did have a major question, but he was bothered by something else. "Do you know?"

Valerie raised an eyebrow, for a moment, but seemed to know what he was talking about. Because her eyebrows rose up in realization. "Oh! Yeah, I figured it out months ago." She sat back down with a small smile. "With Phantom and Danny missing at the same time, it was easy to piece together."

"And you're not going to-..I mean you still-" Danny paused. "You're not upset about it?"

"I am." The quick response made Danny flinch. He had opened his mouth to speak. "But," Valerie quickly added. "I understand. I kept big secrets from you too."

Danny looked at her with a blank stare. There were a lot of mix feelings bubbling up, but he was evidently relieved by the answer. Plus it wasn't like she was wrong. Though, he should've known his (both as himself and as a ghost) disappearance would be strange to most. But another Ghost Hunter knowing his biggest secret made him feel.. uneasy at best. Eventually, he nodded his head with an okay. He can get over that feeling for now. He needed answers.

"Then moving on to the bigger question: how am I here? I thought I was," Danny trailed off. "You know."

Valerie stared at him incredulously. "You don't know?"

Danny shook his head. "Should I?"

"We thought you would've.."

Danny furrowed his eyebrows. ''We?'' He echoed. It took a second before it dawned on him. There were two other figures in air along with Valerie. "Dani and Jazz," he breathed out. "Where are they?"

"On the way." The answer was swift, making the boy raise an eyebrow. "I kinda texted Jazz as soon as you woke up the first time, she was hanging out with Ellie. And that was an hour ago, so they should be close- Oh don't look at me like that!" She practically hissed at Danny's questioning stare. "It's been days! They were stressing out already."

That caught Danny by surprise. Days? He gulped down air before asking his final question. "How long was I asleep?"

Valerie's face turned grim.

"Two weeks."

What's this? Two chapters in one day?! How delightful! (hopefully)

But i thought two chapters are deserved since i didn't post last week and these chapters are pretty short.

I'm back! And hopefully better than ever?

This fic already has more attention than my other longfics- Which is kinda surprising cuz i didn't think I'd get more than 5 favorites. But i blink and i have 18 favorites here and 40 kudos on Ao3. So, a quick thanks to everyone thats liking the story so far! Now I'm anxious on if carsick me made the right choice with these next few chapters lol

Anyways since this chapter is kind of short, i'll review some reviews on the last two chapters!

Chapter 6:

InvaderJohnny: Danny definitely didn't deserve what he went through, especially with a reason like that.

Danifan3000: 1: Valerie's reaction to what happened to Danny will be entertaining. but her interaction with Sam afterwards may or may not be satisfying

2: Without spoiling too much, i can only say that everyone involved will pay their debt with karma.. eventually.

Chapter 7:

InvaderJohnny: It's fun at what trauma can do, isn't it? :D No but seriously, loving how you're picking stuff like that up. And yeah, as much as he hated it, Danny's feelings for his parents and fomer friends have gone bye-bye.. about time imo

Danifan3000: Yeah, that was honestly supposed to be revealed earlier on, but i thought it would be more impactful to do it here. Glad you love that type of relationship with Danny and Dani. I'm the same way! It genuinely surprised me on how little fics there were with them having a father/daughter relationship. i mean, like you said, she has his DNA. It's a little weird.

Logical-Tadkins: So glad you're enjoying it! I hope you stick around 3

—

Moving on..

If you guys like these types of chapters, please let me know. It will help me determine how many chapters this will have a lot faster. Because I'm seriously debating on if the one's i planned has a good route or not.

Hate being so indecisive..

Anyways.. i don't really have much to say this time-

Hope you guys enjoyed. Remember to eat and stay hydrated! Until next week! Have a wonderful day/night 3

Next up: Danny contemplates; Enter Jazz and Danielle