Chapter 30: What you are, I was;
Once the shock wore off Danny sprang into action. He charged forward to pass through the ice- only to slam into it with a painful thud. Hissing he tried moving his hands through, but they remained flat on the freezing surface.
"Wonderful. It's infused with ectoplasm." In the tight space, the others attempted to smash through with punches and kicks. But it did nothing to the smooth, curved ice. " Look's like I'm not phasing us out of here anytime soon."
Tucker sent a strong kick, wincing when the force bounced his leg backwards. With a shaky breath, he stared nervously at them. " Is no one else here worried that he said should melt?"
Frowning Danny built an emerald flame in his palms, pushing them up against the ice. It glowed underneath his hands, making an eerie light around their prison. But it didn't melt, something about the ghost-created ice made his flames useless. " I think my ectoplasm's not hot enough to melt it. Whatever this ice is it's not normal. Something's preventing my powers affecting it. Like…" Danny's mind recalled the time his arm had been encased, unable to phase through it. This stuff was the same, yet far stronger.
"Then let's see if this works!" Sam pulled out her blaster, charging it directly towards the wall. Seeing the danger Tucker lunged at her hand, pushing it away as Danny took the weapon from her grasp.
"Don't Sam! Not a good idea!" Tucker relaxed when he saw she didn't have the blaster anymore, ignoring Sam's death glare.
Danny disarmed the charge, handing it back to her. "It might ricochet off the surface. The last thing we need is for it to bounce back and hit us. Or more accurately, hit me."
For a moment they stopped, silently pondering their situation. Danny felt a dread settle in his stomach, knowing that the others felt it too. The idea his future could still turn bad stunned him more than expected. How on earth could such a thing even happen!? He'd sworn that no matter what he wouldn't ever become that future. So then what had gone wrong? Even then there was so much that he didn't know, fearing whatever was going to happen at the mall could be far worse.
Tucker slid down the wall to sit. " Danny, don't worry about Dan for the moment. He… well, we don't actually know all the facts. Maybe he isn't completely evil. Just… knows you're rusty after getting beat up by Plasmius and thinks you'll get yourself killed."
Danny made a face. "Thanks." It earned him a cringed back. Standing in the middle Sam was studying the dome, trying to find a weakness. " Maybe that is the reason. As Dan said, he can't tell us because it might change the future. What if he can't tell us because he's stopping your own death?"
Pondering it, Danny shook his head. " I'm not… so sure about that Sam. Both Tam and Lucrezia said they need me alive. I doubt they would kill me unless there's a good reason too. It would make more sense that they come to kidnap me and Dan is trying to stop that from happening. Because if they do, it will change Dan's future. But why he suddenly wants to destroy them, I don't know where that angle's coming from. It's likely something else will happen. Like-"
"-Like your parents getting hurt." Tucker bit his nail. " It would explain why Dan's being so serious. You… would do anything to protect them from danger."
Unease filled Danny, a cool chill that had nothing to do with the ice. But he sighed. "Even if they're in danger I can't do anything while stuck here. Dan's trapped us good… Unless I figure out how to control my uncontrollable-life-threatening ice powers in a few minutes, I'm not getting us out of here anytime soon. Hopefully, it melts before we run out of air."
"Air! " Sam abruptly jumped, looking above their heads. "Danny! Up there!"
Curious he floated up, noticing what she'd seen. There was a small hole, wide enough for him to fit his arm through. From below it was hard to see, but it appeared to run completely through the dome. Removing his arm Danny looked down, forcing a smirk. " Great, we have oxygen. But we're not fitting through that."
Tucker inhaled sharply. "We can't… but you can!" Eyes widening Danny realised he was right. Looking back at the hole he judged it. Never before had he manipulated his ghost form to that extreme, but it was no bigger than the tiny container of a Fenton thermos.
" I might… it might work. I've never tried a space that small. But what about you two?"
Sam waved his question away. " It doesn't matter. You can come back to get us once the threat's over. The main thing is getting your parents away from that mall!" Looking at Tucker she frowned. " Would your PDA be able to get the GIW off Danny's back?"
Digging out the device, Tucker hummed. " I can try to send a bunch of false reports to get them on a goose chase. At least it will buy you some time."
"Got it." Carefully Danny unclipped his tool belt, lowering it down to Sam. Then he returned his attention to the tunnel and the next challenge. Slowly he focused on the task, morphing his legs together into one. He'd stretched and pulled his body before to dodge attacks, bent himself into angles that would normally be impossible. This was just a more… extreme version of those times. Concentrating Danny closed his eyes, thinking of the space in his mind. Slowly he exhaled all his breath, emptying all air from his body until there was nothing. An odd lightness and numbness crossed through his ghost form. Then he let himself drift into the tunnel.
When he opened his eyes again he was through, shuddering as his limps regained feeling. Shaking the fogginess in his head he let the last of his spectral tail through, re-forming his legs. Immediately he felt like he'd just come out of a thermos, a tingling pain of pins and needles running through his limbs.
"Are you okay Danny!?"
"Yes… Yeah, I'm through!" Moving back to the hole he watched them give a thumbs up. Peering around the room there were no signs of Dan, and Danny placed his hands onto the sphere.
"Let me see if I can crack it or something-"
"-Danny! Don't worry about us, we're fine! Get moving! And remember to punch him for me!" Sam's yell was muffled by the ice, but her urgency caused him to spring into action. There might not be much time left, if he had any left at all. Bolting off into the sky he paused to get his bearings. He was just outside of Amity Park, the decaying hospital sprawled out beneath him. Making his tail he flew off towards the mall as fast as he could muster.
As he did a horrible thought hit him, reverting his torso just enough to grab his phone. Swiftly he rang Jazz's number, waiting to hear her voice snap at him from distracting her study. But her phone went to messages, and a second attempt resulted in the same.
Biting the inside of his cheek Danny stuffed it back into his pocket, trying to tell himself that meant nothing…
###
Danny hung back against the wall, using a vending machine to block himself from view. Learning from the last time he'd transformed back a few blocks away, jogging back to the mall on foot. There was a risk his ghost form would be sensed. And judging from Dan's first reaction, he wouldn't be pleased to see him again. As he quickly strolled through the parking lot he was upset to see his parents were still in the area, the RV in the same spot. But entering the mall he was greeted by a normal, non-terrified crowd. Nothing had happened yet.
Peering around the corner of the machine he watched Jack and Maddie. They were gleefully waving their scanners about, oblivious to the weird looks they got. Their behaviour told him they hadn't found their ghost yet, but it was still lurking in the area. And then things would become complex quickly.
He debated his next course of action. One obvious one was to turn into Phantom and lure them away as bait. But then he would alert the others he was here. And Danny knew deep down he couldn't handle Dan. He was on a whole different level, his ability to use his powers far more experienced than himself-
-Suddenly a firm grip grabbed the scruff of his neck, yanking him deeper into his cover. Danny let out a silent gasp, feeling his shirt tug painfully around his neck as it was pulled above him. He froze when Dan's enrage face came close to his, green flecks in his gaze. Swallowing he realised that Dan wasn't in his ghost form, probably also hoping for the element of surprise.
"What the hell are you doing!?"
Danny found himself momentarily stunned, lost for words. Then he snapped out of it, scowling. " What did you do with Vlad's thermos!?"
His demand made Dan scoff, and with a roll of his eyes roughly shove Danny back to the floor. "Unbelievable! If you're that worried he's fine. I put the thermos in his lab. I'm sure one of his allies will free him one day."
Stepping away and relieving his throat from the fabric Danny regained his ground. " Wouldn't it be better to get his help with this-"
"Help? Ha! No. Vlad won't help, all he'll do is get in my way." Glaring down at him he pulled out the little bag, cupping it in his palm. " It's best to keep him out of all this. If he were here, all Plasmius would do is destroy all of time! He can't help himself. Meddling with things he doesn't understand… Not that he ever listened to me to understand it in the first place…" Leaning down he poked Danny in the chest. " Just as you don't seem to understand that you shouldn't be here!"
Danny held back his desire to poke him back, scowling. " I want to help! After dealing with those two I know they mean trouble. Don't you see I can help you defeat them! I might not be as strong as you, but I still fight them. Instead of keeping me in the dark tell me what's going on! If my family's in danger I need to know!"
Despite his request Dan groaned, almost slapping himself with the bag. "Great. First, it was with Vlad and now you're doing it! I forgot how stubborn we used to be…"
"What?" Thinking back the footage of the lab flashed in his mind. " Is that what you two were talking about in the lab-"
Suddenly Dan grabbed his shoulders, hissing through his teeth. "Look; I don't need help. This has to be done by myself, and only me. You don't realise that if this fails then everything you know will disappear forever! If you want to help me Danny, then stay out of my way!"
Just as he was about to snap back, Danny jumped when his ghost sense exploded from his mouth. He watched as the same happened to the other, both tensing at the arrival. For a moment Danny listened, waiting to see the aftermath of their ghost sense, listening for the sounds of an approaching fight. For a moment there was nothing, the hum of voices from the crowded mall ringing around them. Then-
"GHOST!"
Danny knew it was Jack, cringing as he peered around their cover. Jack was beaming like Christmas had come early, waving his finger up high into the air. Around them, the residents of Amity Park paused, some in panic and others in annoyance. But up near the glass ceiling was Luna, appearing as her invisibility dropped.
" Damn," Danny jumped as Dan's grip on his shoulder tightened, glaring up at the threat above. There were still too many people around to transform, and thanks to the ghost their vending machine was quickly joined by others smarter to know getting involved in a ghost fight wasn't a good idea.
While his parents started their usual taunts of painful Ecto-experiments Luna watched silently, making no shields despite the weapons pointed at her. Her gaze searched around the floor, before locking onto where they hid. It was then that Danny noticed that her eyes were purple, two pinpricks in pools of black.
" It's Lucrezia…" Even as he spoke Danny searched around them. Tam was missing. And since he wasn't in control, he was lurking elsewhere.
Dan gave a huff of frustration through his teeth, watching the scene unfold with obvious plans running through his head. The grip didn't leave his shoulder and for a horrid moment, Danny wondered whether he was about to teleport him away again.
"What's your next move, kiddo?"
Whirling around Tam strolled over from the opposite side, face grim holding his wand tight. Dan instantly moved, shoving Danny behind his back as if to block any spells that might be coming their way. The people around them equally looked confused, sensing that something different was happening.
There was the sound of a blaster shooting off, followed by the hollow ring of it hitting a ghost shield.
"Depends on what you do." His voice came out almost in a whisper. Then to everyone's shock, Dan summoned his rings and the blinding light caused those around to step back. As he did he also shifted his form in a blur, so that other than the rings parting nothing else changed about his appearance. It kept his secret hidden from their spectators. Still, most people back off to retreat elsewhere, knowing from the frequent ghost attacks anything paranormal was best avoided at all costs.
"Bold," Tam smirked, raising his wand. " But I've afraid this change isn't going to be enough-"
Suddenly a red flash bolted out from behind Tam, a figure shoving into the back. Danny was speechless as Jazz pushed hard into Tam, causing the wizard to stumble forward. With a furious yell, Jazz attempted to grab his wand. As Tam wobbled to regain control Dan charged forward, hand digging into the magical bag. Like before he drew out the awesome blade, raising it to strike the wizard down. Tam saw this and with Jazz still holding onto his waist disappeared with a crack, both him and Jazz gone. In seconds Dan also teleported, green mist fading as he chased after them.
Immediately Danny panicked, reaching out his senses to try and figure out where they'd gone. Around him, some of the crowd had started to rush to the exits, but others had decided to hide, annoyingly in clear view of him. He madly thought of where and was coming up with too many blanks. He needed to do something! Quickly Danny thought of a place to transform - until a strong grip wrapped around his shoulders. The cold chill of a ghost washed over him, knowing at once that this must be Lucrezia. Her coils of dark hair seemed to envelop them, and Danny fought the desire to transform.
"DANNY!?" His parent's fearful yells brought his focus back to the situation, realising he was stuck with all these eyes staring at him. Lucrezia was expressionless, violet gaze peering into his.
"She is alright." Her soft voice rang out around him and instantly knew she was speaking of Jazz. Still, the idea that he was in the grip of a time-travelling ghost didn't ease his thoughts either.
" Let go of my son, you evil blob of spook!" Jack thundered as he sprinted up to them, the Fenton bazooka held high on his shoulder. Joining him was Maddie, who while wielding her staff looked both enraged and worried.
"Don't worry Sweetie! Just remain calm, it won't hurt you with us around!"
It was hard to remain calm in this environment. Instead, he looked back at the ghost, trying to stop his eyes from flashing green. " What are you both planning?"
Above him, she sighed but didn't answer. Both his parents were edging closer, weapons drawn as they worked out the best way to stop the spook without hurting their son. But just as they were about to strike a loud bang boomed around the mall and Tam reappeared. He had teleported mid-air, thudding heavily to the ground. Jazz fell with him, fall softening as she landed on his back. She looked ill, sickly pale like she was about to hurl. Tam rolled her off, wincing as he rose to his feet.
"JAZZ!?" Spotted their daughter his parent's panic shifted over to her. Then Danny's ghost sense exploded from his mouth, Lucrezia surrounding them both in a dome of purple. There was an ear-splitting clang, and above was Dan. He had smashed the sword hard against her defence. The shield cracked immediately, the sharp blade amazingly pushing through her barrier like it was nothing. However, Lucrezia didn't wait. She grabbed Danny and suddenly the world was spinning, breath trapped as his chest felt like it was being squeezed. Then he was beside Jazz, the ghost letting him go to drift to Tam's side.
Danny reached down for his sister, quickly checking that she wasn't hurt. Jazz gave him a thin smile, but her arms were tight around her stomach. But then he was drawn back to the bigger issue on hand, his dad's strong grip pulling him and Jazz away to the wall. " Don't worry kids, I got you!"
Leaning against the wall he was aware Jack had moved them to a place surrounded by others hiding, some underneath tables or waiting low to the floor for the threat to pass. Too many to transform, and now Jack's firm grip was locked tight to his arm.
Before Danny could work out a plan to escape, a new danger was starting. Dan ripped out the blade from the crumbling shield, stalking over towards where Lucrezia and Tam waited. He looked furious, glaring over to Danny to check if he was still there, and wasn't happy to see he was. But as he walked past he paused, now staring at Maddie.
It was then that Danny realised his mom was staring at him, her staff now loose in her hands. Slowly Maddie studied him, confusion creeping up her brow. " It can't be…"
Lowering the sword Dan looked away, though his face had a tinge of sadness etched onto it. His reaction caused Maddie to step closer, trying to peer at his turned face. " It is you… But… That can't be right…"
Next to him and Jazz, Jack inhaled sharply, his eyes widening in recognition. Danny felt a sinking, foreboding settle in his gut. A dreadful worry that there was no way that his parents would know who this guy was. It wasn't possible that they did.
Stopping in her approach Maddie seemed to realise something, returning to her fighter's stance. "Who are you?"
Dan was silent, staring at the blade in his hand. After a time, he finally looked back at her. " Like I said; I'm nobody, Maddie." Without waiting for an answer he raised the blade, ruby gems flashing in the light as Dan moved towards Tam and Lucrezia.
Both hadn't moved from their spot, as if waiting themselves for whatever was coming next. Tam raised his wand again, stepping in front of his ghost partner. " Come on now, are you sure you want to begin this fight?"
"I made an unbreakable vow." All the seriousness in his tone returned, the temperature of the space starting to drop as the glass above began to frost. " Two for one… I think that's more than fair."
His response wasn't what Tam wanted to hear, jabbing his wand towards him. " A vow you know you can't keep! You know that it won't end that way! Nor will I-"
"Stupefy!"
Without warning a red bolt shot towards Tam, hitting a purple barrier instead. Everyone who remained in the mall searched for the source, confused why it hadn't come from the spook. Danny was shocked that it had come from a wirily older man dressed in a faded, tattered green suit. He was pointing a thin wand their way, cheeks deep red as he nervously tugged at a tie around his neck. Below a younger woman was trying to tug him back to the floor, staring in horror at his wand. " You… I-It's forbidden to show… that to No-Maj! T-the law-"
"-You think," With his tone level Tam removed his glasses, pocketing them slowly. "That I care anymore?" His glowing amber eyes locked onto the wizard who instantly gulped, a visible shudder running through him.
"Enough!" Dan abruptly snapped, eyes blazing bright blue. Suddenly he stomped his leg hard into the floor. As he did smooth, glossy ice spread over the surface. There was a collective chorus of yells as everyone lost their footing, objects surrounding them gliding away from the force. Jack himself lost his footing on the glassy surface, pulling them down painfully as Maddie wobbled to keep her balance.
Tam almost fell, shoes slipping on the surface. But Lucrezia gripped his arm and steadied him. Dan didn't wait, bolting towards them with the sword prepared to strike. She matched him, her purple barriers blocking his progress. As Dan moved to dash around Tam teleported away, reappearing behind him, sliding on the ice. Wand raise sparks flew out the end of it, but Dan created his own shield to block them.
"Danny," he was jerked away from the fight when Jazz brought his attention to her with a whisper. " That guy, he's-"
"I know. We're already met. Are you okay? You look… sick." Thankfully she nodded, shallowing as she steadied herself on the ice.
" I'm okay… just feel like I've been squeezed through a pipe… But Danny, how are you going to…" She stopped, both looking at Jack. He was just staring in astonishment at the fight, oblivious to their conversation. But he was still holding them tightly. Danny knew he needed to get away to transform. But with how worried his dad was, phasing out was going to be hard. Jazz's frown spoke that she knew it too.
A flash of green returned him to the battle and watching Danny momentarily forgot about going ghost. As Lucrezia continued with her defence Dan was on the offensive. One swing of the ruby blade and her shield shattered, her thick barriers somehow useless against the magic sword. The closer he got the more panicked she became, drifting back to keep their distance. Dan closed the gap with a speed Danny didn't think was possible, the blade rushing to run her through.
" Expelliarmus!" A burst of blue light rocketed from Tam's wand, hitting Dan's hand. Immediately the sword was torn from his grip, spinning away to embed itself into the ground. At the loss he turned his focus onto the wizard, rage crossing his face as his eyes blazed blue. Tam yelped, struggling to run away as the ice under his feet shot up into tall razor-thin spikes, threatening to impale him.
"No staff to protect you now, is there Tam-" His words were cut short as Lucrezia side-tackled him, sending them both crashing to the floor. She pulled up, purple flames charged into her palm. But Dan struck quicker, his green ray crashing into her shoulder. With the tables turned, Dan lashed out to grab the front of her shirt, ectoplasm-covered fist raised to strike as he pushed her backwards.
Suddenly Tam collapsed, crumbling to the floor like a rag doll. And as Dan's fist was about to connect it was caught, Lucrezia's eyes became solid amber. The change didn't stop the half ghost, the two snarling as they struggled in an aggressive punching match.
On the floor the wizard rose to his knees, eyes now glowing purple as Lucrezia took control. "Tam!" She sounded furious, but her outcry didn't cause the other two to stop. Luna built up a ball of ectoplasm, blasting it towards Dan's head. But he easily dodged and putting two hands together sent off a powerful green ray. The shield Luna made to stop it cracked under the strain and the ghost was sent crashing into the wall hard enough to make it crack.
Lucrezia stood, wand waving in a grand arch, "Protego!" As the half ghost rushed to attack he slammed into a thin, rippling barrier, halting him at once. Turning Dan sent a glare at her, blast building in his palm as he floated cautiously towards her.
"Danny!" He whipped around when Luna drifted into view, fangs bared as the ghost drifted away from them all. " Focus on me, not her! Fight me!"
"Thomas! Don't you dare!" Lucrezia pointed Tam's wand at them, preparing another spell. Flicking his gaze between the two, Dan was conflicted, torn with something. His gaze fell on the ruby sword, sending the discarded blade an angry scowl. Then abruptly he took a deep, giant breath.
Danny almost went ghost right then and there, forgetting Jack's grip, forgetting the people surrounding him. No way would he dare use his Ghostly Wail with so many people around!? But as Dan leant back and released, no booming wail came out. Instead, a great plume of thick fog, the same as the mist of his ghost sense exploded out into the air. It acted as cover, the two ghosts disappearing inside it so Lucrezia couldn't aim her spell.
Next to him, Jack was muttering under his breath, studying the fight with narrow eyes. "…Are they all possessed?"
Immediately Danny knew he needed to get his family somewhere safe. Quickly he shook his arm to get Jack's attention. " D-Dad! We should get out of here and- Mom!"
All three of them gasped when Maddie rushed forward towards Tam's body, using the slippery ice to increase her speed. Throwing her staff aside she moved with her fighting prowess, unlatching the belt at her waist. Lucrezia twisted around, trying to cast a spell to stop her. But Maddie was far too quick and latched the deflector around his waist.
The effect was instant. Lucrezia screamed as the device turned on, shocking her overshadowed body at once. Eyes widening from the deflector the wizard's body abruptly collapsed to the floor, Tam coughing in pain as his eyes returned to their usual amber, dimming.
Before Maddie could say a word, Lucrezia appeared in a puff of purple mist. She reached out to grab the ghost hunter, pure wild fury pulling on her face. Maddie rushed to defend herself from the attack - until she was grabbed, Dan snatching her away from danger just in time. He carried her away in his arms as Lucrezia clawed at empty air, sliding to a stop by digging into his ice.
Once stopped Dan went rigid, slowly peering down at her. Maddie's gaze grew wide, mouth slacking. "Danny… No, wait…Phantom!?"
He winced, briefly his form flickering as his emotions broke his illusion, giving her a view of his ghost side. "Maddie, I-"
"How dare you…"
They froze and turned back to Lucrezia, as everyone else in the mall did. She seemed to be changing, her aura flaring as her hands balled into a fist. Danny could sense the sudden power spike, the aura of the mall swiftly darkening. Abruptly the ghost seemed to swell, hair flaring out in wiping cords.
"How dare you!?" Shrieking Lucrezia raised her hands, and the entire building seemed to explode. From the walls and floors pipes smashed out of concrete, vast volumes of water roaring from them. It came from all sides, thick rivers rushing around the corners and over the heads of the terrified citizens. The streams ran around the ghost, building as she was ready to send likely all of Amity Park's plumbing thundering their way.
Then there was a heavy thud, everything seeming to groan and rumble. Everyone froze, cracks from the exposed pipes spreading throughout the walls. Lucrezia's rage vanished instantly into horror, gasping as everyone else realised at the same time. She had weakened the building's structure, and it was about to come crashing down on top of them.
"Mads!" Jack jumped up, just as the glass roof shattered and fell. Dan already had his hand raised to try to stop the danger. But Danny lost all reason, seeing only that his family was in grave danger. He pushed past his father, ignored Jazz's scream of warning, and went ghost. His rings parted, raising his hands to create the strongest, largest shield dome he could muster. It covered him and the people around them just in time, hearing the sound of stone and glass smashing into it. Digging his fingers into his shield he grunted from the pressure, but thankfully his protection held.
Letting the last of the building slide off his dome, Danny let the shield fade. He gasped from the effort, feeling his arms ache from the use. As the dust settled he inhaled sharply as he saw that there was now ice everywhere, tall pillars attempting to strengthen the structure so that it wouldn't fall in to flatten them. Even the part that had fallen near Danny could have been worse if not for the smooth, branching tree of ice that supported parts of the wall.
Then Danny froze. A horrid chill shivered down his spine, twisting around only to immediately spot Jack. His dad was staring in utter shock at him, jaw hanging so wide open that he would have burst out laughing any other time. But from Jazz's hand abruptly covering her mouth, to the speechless hazes of the others peering from their hiding spots, Danny felt his jaw drop.
He'd just revealed his secret. Not only to his father but to others in Amity Park. He'd just shown them he was a half ghost, Phantom!? Danny couldn't move, trying to speak to explain but nothing was coming out. The pure dread that his most important secret, his worst nightmare coming true rooted him in place. All he could do is stare at Jack, waiting to see when he would start shooting his weapon at him.
Jazz broke out of the shock first, quickly rushing in front of their dad " Wait! Don't freak out! We can explain it, Dad! Danny's a-
"Hasta Locomotor!" Somewhere Tam's voice thundered out, Danny flinching as he turned to spot what was happening. But before he could Dan teleported in front of him, a green shield surrounding them both. He grasped towards Danny, fingers inches from touching just as the gemmed sword soared through the air at high speed. It pierced into Dan's shield, shattering it at once. Danny could only watch in horror as it shot forward and plunged out of the half ghost's chest. Dan grunted from the impact, leaning down so the tip didn't cut Danny also.
His daze of what was going on snapped, instating freaking at what was before him. But without a word, Dan summoned his ice, the walls of it encasing them in a rough dome as he'd done before. Once the protection stilled Dan fell to his knees, his illusion vanishing to shift him back to Phantom. Danny quickly rush to his side, reaching over to pull the weapon from the hilt so that he could start healing.
However, Dan shoved him away hard, snarling. "DON'T TOUCH IT!"
Danny retreated, sliding down the curved surface. Seeing his fear Dan sighed, his anger fading as he gripped the tip of the blade. "It's too late anyway."
"W-what?"
"Highly lethal, remember? Even to us half ghosts." With a rueful smile, he removed his hand, and Danny saw that his suit seemed to melt around the edges of the seeping wound, the emerald ectoplasm turning black. Wincing he looked at Danny, smile softening. "Ah… I thought talking to you would change this outcome… I never got to meet myself until this very moment. I didn't know… about all this until I figured it out a few days later. Here was me thinking revealing myself in advance would stop you from coming… Guess I should have known that you would ignore my warnings. It's… maybe I did forget how stubborn I was…"
Before Danny could ask Dan leaned over, grabbing his shoulder with a firm grip. He sighed again, taking a deep, shuddering breath. " Now, listen to me, Danny. This… is important that you do exactly what I say. Exactly. Okay?" As he spoke he dug his other hand into his suit collar, tugging at the chain hanging there. But Danny was more focused on the growing, melting wound of the blade, the implications of what was this all meant slowly coming to him.
" First, you need to get to Albus. Even if it seems like the stupidest… most crazy way to do so. Do it! You have to get to him! He is your ally; without him… you'll never make it that far. Tell him everything. About the timeline, Clockwork, our future, everything. Trust him! Always trust his judgement. Then… then try and figure out a new path, try something different. "
"Wait, what?" Suddenly Danny was aware of what he was being told and at the same time noticed Dan had dropped the Time medallion around his own neck. The other half ghost ignored him, fiddling with the hourglass in the centre.
"It… will be difficult. I d-dont… know how much I dare say. He didn't tell me much. But… you must find a way to save Harry. If you save him… you will… stop this." As he spoke his rings flickered around his waist, his eyes dimming as he struggled to focus on the medallion. Spotting Danny's dawning horror, he smirked. "Sorry… in advance, for this. I know I'm being cruel and… maybe… maybe a little selfish, but… I don't want everything I did… to be for nothing. Remember; save Harry. And… I'm sorry."
The rings burst fully, parting around his waist. As they did Danny heard the unmistakable sound of the ice around them crumbling, the pillars losing strength at the same time as their creator. As Dan reverted to normal, the full weight of the poisonous wound seemed to overcome him. And as he collapsed to the floor, his fingers slipped from the pendant.
At once the Time medallion began to spin, and Danny watched in fascinated terror as the world started to move backwards. It was like watching a tape rewinding, the world blurring as everything started moving faster and faster, a thundering ticking reverberating in his head. Danny couldn't move, the world violently spinning by so fast he feared he was about to be sick. It kept going, never-ending and he squeezed his eyes shut in the hope to ease the sickness coursing through him.
Then at once, everything was still, and the ticking stopped. Danny gasped deeply as the world jolted sickly to a halt. He fell onto his hands onto the smooth titles of the mall, taking deep, shuddering breaths as his pulse thudded in his temple. Quickly he lost control of his ghost form, transforming back only leaving him clammy, struggling to stop heaving.
Click! Danny jumped at the sharp sound, opening his eyes to see the Time medallion fall to the ground as the chain broke, bouncing away. It rolled, vibrating as the pearly white hue vanished. Then with one final shiver, it crumbled apart, breaking into nothing.
AN: ...And there it is! Why this story has "woe" in the title- in all seriousness, I've been waiting a long time for this chapter! It's weird seeing it out of my head.
Thank you for reading, and your reviews follow and favs. They always make me think that I must be doing something right!