Language advisory because as a teen I can safely say that most of us swear like sailors and I'm not sure where the f-bomb falls under the rating category so… *shrug*. Editing note: This chapter is surprisingly long all things considered.
Disclaimer- I DO NOT own Danny Phantom or its character but I do own the stories plot and some characters. And I do not own any character name that you see in my story that you see in others just to cover that as well.
Danny tossed and turned in his bed, shaking his head from side to side. Images flash quickly through his mind. Sam with silver eyes and green hair smiling gently up at something although she was covered in blood. Tucker, sitting at a large multi-screen computer with a headset on barking orders into it furiously. Dani smiling up at him with big blue eyes looking way younger than she ought to be. Selina crying and screaming in the arms of her nanny trying and failing to reach her sister. Tisha Foley and Ida Manson arguing with the Fenton's and many other adults in front of city hall. Maurice Foley standing in front of an audience delivering a speech. Him yelling at Clockwork who has a grim expression on his face. Pandora watching wide-eyed as he takes on someone much larger than him. Skulker bowing to him. Ember and Kitty helping him fight off an attacker. Dora in her dragon form flying over a field of ghosts dressed in armor ready to fight. Frostbite sadly telling him something he needed to hear. Him, Sam, and Tucker dressed in business attire at a party surrounded by adults. Pamela Manson hastily ushering herself into a car as someone comes after her. Him riding on a motorcycle through the streets of Amity then suddenly riding through the Zone. His classmates watching as the portal to the Ghost Zone opens.
"Danny! Danny! Where are you?" Sam pleads her eyes sparkling with tears.
"Great One, no matter what anyone says, you must always strive to find out the truth." Frostbite informs him solemnly as he hands him a book.
"You have to let her go Halfling; she must learn on her own." An unknown ghost dressed in a pale robe tells him lightly looking out over the horizon.
"Ah, young halfling, you are as powerful as they say. What a shame you will never live long enough to live up to your true potential." A hulking tall figure growls at him as they trade blow for blow. "I thank you for taking care of what rightfully belongs to me."
A crown of fire
A ring of fury
A powerful being keeps him weary
The one by his side, the Other shall take
But make no mistake, she will not stay
Acid green hair and violet eyes
Powerful being that he hides
Connected by a thread of blood red
Her power the Other dreads
Fear for when they discover who they are
For the one with white hair harbors the infinite power of the stars
If she falls; he will slay all
Give him the crown before the Other awakens
If not, all of humanity will be taken
Fear not what the True King might do
But the Other will make a fool of those who do not obey his rule
"There is only so much I can tell you young Phantom, be vigilant for the enemy is far closer than you think."
**********Line Break*********
"Danny!" Sam calls lightly as she steps into his room. She notices that there are random objects floating in the air and that the room has a light layer of ice over some of the surfaces. Danny, himself, seems to be thrashing vigorously against an invisible foe. She steps further into the room taking cautious steps to stand beside his bed. She plucks a pen out of the air and pokes him lightly in one of his muscular arms. His hand snaps out quick as a viper to snatch the object out of her hand. He stops moving lying still on his bed. The floating objects fall to the floor and the frost retreats back to its source.
Danny opens his eyes observing the object in his hand. He stares at it confusedly. He turns his head to the side and notices Sam for the first time. He looks between her and the pen and grunts throwing the pen away and laying an arm over his eyes.
"Things are about to get a whole lot worse," he groans out.
"You're telling me, "She scoffs. She leans over him, showing him the underside of her black hair, "When I got up this morning, I found this in my hair," a small but slightly noticeable streak of her hair was neon green. "It's not really a problem because it's only a small streak and since it's on the underside of my hair."
Danny regards the streak with curious eyes. It was the colour of his eyes and compared to Sam's inky black tresses with purple streaks it stood out. "I wouldn't be so sure about that Sam; I think it's pretty noticeable." He scoots over to the left side of his bed allowing Sam to take his place.
"You'd only notice if I were to put my hair a certain way, it's like one of those hidden rainbow hairstyles, ya know?"
"This show has been...eventful. We can start disappearing more into the background now. So far, it's been going exactly how I predicted it to go. With the new students coming in, maybe we can get transferred out for being boring." He laughs softly at the disbelieving scoff he receives in reply, "Hopeful wishing, right?"
"Danny," Sam called softly, his name barely leaving her lips, "what were you dreaming about?"
'There is it,' he thinks closing his eyes. "I got... one of those dreams again. I'll talk about it more later when Tucker is up."
Sam nods and a calm silence envelops the room. The two lie here together till the sounds of alarms ring throughout the house. Danny sits up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He stretches grabbing a t-shirt as he goes to the door. He makes his way from the 2nd floor to the ground floor using the trap door. He lands in the living room and makes his way from there to the kitchen. Tucker ambles his way downstairs with Selina behind him. Tisha was already at the stove making breakfast.
The three take a seat at the table as she lays out food. She smacks Tucker's hand when he reaches for something to eat before everyone has gotten to the table. Sam seems to appear out of thin air as Maurice makes his way to the table dressed in a grey suit.
"Now, you may eat." Tisha says looking at her son with amused eyes.
She sits to the right of Maurice who is sitting at the head of the table. Next to Tisha is Sam, then Danny who sits at the other end of the table, Selina sits across from Sam and Tucker sits across from his mom.
"Plans for today kids?" Maurice asks taking a bite out of his eggs.
"I gotta go home, spend a few days there. I have a few things to take care of." Danny informs them lightly, taking a bite out of a strawberry.
"That talk show with Vickie Vale is today," Tucker shrugs, grabbing a few more strips of bacon. "I hear Vlad's gonna be there."
"Well," Sam pipes up reaching for the vegan friendly eggs, "he hasn't really done anything lately. But once a Fruitloop always a Fruitloop."
"I have to spend the weekend with my nanny," Selina says, making puppy dog eyes at her older sister.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm trying to get you this weekend since last weekend was the Games." Sam mock glares at her
"Selina, that's not a today thing," Maurice chuckles.
"It could be, if Sam convinces her today."
"I'll see what I can do, Lina." Sam sighs.
"But Danny, why are you going home? It's not like they called you or something, right?" Tisha askes concerned.
"No, but there's something wrong with the Zone and I need to go there to figure it out. Maybe Jack just finally figured out that the button wasn't a fudge dispenser." He says hopefully. Looking around the table he sees looks of doubt, "You're right that probably will never happen. Anyway, I'll spend the rest of the week there starting this afternoon."
"Whatever man," Tucker nods standing up to give Danny a handshake that ended in a hug, "do what you gotta do. I'm gonna get dressed for school."
The family disperse with the adults saying on the ground floor and the teens going to the 2nd floor. Although the teens floor does have its own kitchen and laundry room, they often go down to the parent's floor just to see them and eat with them.
Tucker appears from his room wearing a yellow button up with brown suspenders and brown pants with red sneakers. Over it he has a red jacket with secret pockets to store his tech. Danny appears soon after him wearing semi-tight jeans, a white long sleeve T-shirt with a blue phoenix outlined with black, a dark blue flannel with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow, and blue, black, and white high-top sneakers. His messy nape length hair could be pulled back into a small ponytail, which he was sporting.
"Dude, are you gonna keep that ponytail in?" Tucker asked amusedly.
"Psh," Danny laughed, "hell no. I'm just keeping it like this 'til we leave."
Tucker nods as Selina makes her way to the living room, happily skipping with her blonde hair in pigtails. She had a white shirt with a brown bear in the lower right corner, blue jean capris, and converse. She does a little twirl in front of the boys and continues on her way to go downstairs. Sam appears after her sister with a scowl on her face. She wore a black lace up halter neck top with an off the shoulder bell sleeve crop top under it along with tight ripped black jeans and black heeled combat boots.
"That woman wants me to shove my combat boots up her ass." She growled stomping to stand in front of them.
"What did Ms. Asmund say this time?" Tucker asked amused.
"'Your parents entrusted me with their little problem, not you. If you want to spend time with the little rug muncher then go ahead, I'll get paid either way.' She makes me want to cause her pain," Sam glares. Her eyes flair silver for a second causing Tucker to jump. Danny raised an amused brow moving one foot back slightly.
"We really have to hurry up with this research so we can know what we're getting into when we make Sam angry." Tucker whispered looking at Sam apprehensively.
"I can hear you," the girl hisses at him.
Danny laughs going to the trap door opening it and disappearing through the entrance.
"Why can't he just use the stairs like a normal person?" Tucker whines. "He thinks he's so cool cause he can make sudden entrances." The two teens share a look then make their way to the stairs to go down to the first floor.
***********Line Break*********
The School
Danny leaned his back against his locker listening to Tucker explain how he knew who was getting transferred into their class. The other boy explained that supposedly the more "interesting" people from the other classes would be moving in. To Danny it just meant more people he could use to take the attention off of him. To Tucker it meant more chaos and drama.
Across the hall Sam was talking to April and Michelle. They had a project to do for Literature class about a series of short films and the meanings behind them, then they had to create a short film with the same feeling as the examples that they were given. April looked bored wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Buttercup the Power Puff Girl on it, tights, and green converse.
"I mean, all the examples were pretty straightforward but with English there never is just one answer so…" the girl trails off looking at Michelle for agreement.
"You're right," Sam agrees with an amused smirk, "I'm just glad that we don't have to record or make our short films, just make a script."
Michelle stays silent as she rifles through her bag looking for something. She pushes her glasses up with one hand and uses that same hair to push a lock of her red hair behind her ear. She gives up her search and checks her locker. She still couldn't find them. Her notebook had been missing since yesterday.
"April, have you seen my notebook?" She sighs out exasperatedly.
"Which notebook?"
"The one with the doodle of Spark on it." Spark was her robot that was the size of a baby.
"No, actually. What about you S-" April turned to ask the girl only to find her gone. She looked across the hall and discovered that the males of the trio were no longer there. "Could've at least said she was leaving."
"I don't blame her, I heard that Danny knows." Michelle leaned in to whisper to her best friend.
"Danny knows? But like he seemed so chill during the games."
"Everyone knows that Fenton is good at finding stuff out."
"True," April nods checking her phone. "It's 12:12 we have two more minutes till 5th starts."
"Come on, let's go ahead and go to class."
*********Line Break*********
5th period Science Class, Mr. Ranium
"Now students you are aware that our quaint little hell hole has an exceeding amount of ghosts, correct?"
"Well, yeah." Dash answers scratching his head.
"That was a rhetorical question, Mr. Baxter. Anyway, you are also aware that the Summer is long gone and Fall is here, unlike in Kentucky where it feels as if Summer stretches on forever and Fall and Winter are basically the same thing. I'm telling you it's like you blink and it's Winter but the leaves are just a different colour." The tall lanky man informs the students amusedly. "Ah, I do miss that place. Moving on, we see the ghost on a daily basis and we hear them, but what is a ghost?"
Hands shot into the air.
"Mr. Hanlon."
"A ghost is an entity that was once living but has leftover emotion from their past life that caused them to manifest in a certain way." He answered pushing his glasses up.
"Very good definition, but not quite what I'm looking for."
"The scum of the Earth, they are ectoplasmic entities that have no regard for the life of humans or other species. They are violent and will kill you with no hesitation." Valerie spoke up.
"Oh...kay. Thank you for that, Ms. Gray." The teacher says giving her a hesitant, stiff smile.
"I say that ghosts are not inherently good or evil, they have been existing for a long time. I believe that ghosts are the projections of people who had a traumatic experience, like Ember McLain. She died in a fire after getting stood up. Or they are a manifestation of being who felt an emotion so strongly they lived on to protect it. Or they could just be the metaphysical manifestation of thought like time, sleep, or weather." Abigail Greenwald said thoughtfully.
"Well thank you, Ms. Greenwald. That was a lovely insight on your thoughts of ghosts. Mr. Fenton, anything to add?"
Danny looks up from his notebook and gives the brunette man a dry look. "I think it's cut and dry really. A ghost is a ghost if it fits certain characteristics. If they break those characteristics then what is it? There is no set explanation or example of a ghost because they don't all act the same." He finishes dryly sweeping eraser shavings away with his hand.
"And now we have four perspectives. Would anyone care to give me one more? Ah, Ms. Manson, I do hope you have the answer I'm looking for."
"I'm only saying this because it's what you need," she tells him, turning her gaze away from the window. "Ghosts balance out the equilibrium. For every human there is a ghost. They provide the world with balance. They help with the weather, sleep, and nature. They are helpful and good for the world." she says the last sentence robotically as if it were rehearsed.
The teacher gives her a megawatt smile and applauds her lightly. "Now we have five perspectives. The scientist, the open-minded, the good, the neutral, and the bad. Why are all of these responses correct, Ms. Sanchez?"
"Because, like, they answered your questions." The Hispanic girl says flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Mr. Ranium takes a breath lifting a finger, "No," he points out with a droll look. "Ms. Danvers, perhaps you could help?"
She shoots him a disgusted look, "Because you said they are."
"No," he says groaning softly to himself. "Ms. Sander?"
"Because they're all opinions. While one might be necessarily right one could also be necessarily wrong. It's human nature to have conflicting opinions and viewpoints."
"Exactly, some teachers like to say there is only one answer. The correct one but I like to say there are multiple ways to come about finding the truth. That is why I like math. There may be a set equation to get a problem done but if you think differently than others, then there are multiple ways to get it done. Now-" he saw Megan's hand go up, "Yes Ms. Buewller?"
"Why are you talking about Math when this is Science class?" She says rudely.
"Science involves math, bird brain." Kelly McLauren seethes unamused.
"No one asked you anything, Kelly," Megan said turning her nose up at the other girl.
"Ladies, please? Let's not do this today." Mr. Ranium interrupts. "Science does in fact involve Math, Ms. Buewller and I was trying to make a point but the moment is lost. Back to what I was saying about the ghosts everyone has a different viewpoint regarding them. In these next few weeks, we will be learning a little about ghosts and what they truly are. Then after that, we will be learning about plants. Then we will move on to the moon and tides. Then the weather process. Any questions?"
"When the cameras are filming will we do interesting stuff?" Kiyanah Harris asks popping her gum.
"No," he deadpans, "and no gum in the lab." The bell rings for D-lunch. "You are dismissed."
5th period was when the bulk of the students had lunch. The 1st two lunches were freshman and the rest after that were upperclassmen. D-lunch was a block lunch meaning they went to class to lunch then back to class.
The trio walked down the hall at a leisurely pace sticking to the outskirts of the herd of walking students. April, Michelle, and Mikey were a few paces ahead of them. The A-listers were leading the pack of course while the regulars and nerds were behind them.
"I mean what is so bad about seeing ghosts as a positive influence on society?" Sam questions offhandedly.
"Nothing other than the fact that people are bigoted and only listen to themselves. Any other opinion besides the most commonly accepted one is wrong," April chimed in shooting the goth a charming smile.
"I'm just ready for this talk show to happen so I can get the rest of my week in order." Danny mumbled looking down at his watch. "We should pick up the pace a little."
The trio started walking faster ducking and weaving their way through the crowd of slowly moving teens. Knowing that a ghost might interrupt their lunch period they had to get there quickly so they at least made an attempt to eat before the ghosts decided to attack.
"You ever get the feeling that you really don't know anyone that well?" Mikey asked his sister as the trio made their way past them.
"I think everyone has that feeling when it comes to them." Michelle replied shaking her head.
*********Line Break**********
Science Class
"Now students we don't have much time left in this class period, so let's play a little game," Mr. Ranium offered. Noting the students' intrigued faces he smiles, "I'm sure you all remember Science Court, yes?" The students share a few scattered hesitant nods. "Essentially there are two people who either disagree about something or are mistakenly accused of something. They go to science court to settle the dispute."
Abby Greenwald raises her hand, "So, we're going to be holding a court hearing but for science?"
"Exactly! Now what is the subject for the disagreement, the reason?"
"I vote it should be about how the media impacts the town negatively," Kelly spoke up justly.
"Wrong," Paulina scoffs filing her nails.
"It's not exactly Science," Mr. Ranium trails off looking unsure, "but it'll do."
"I'll come up with the scenario," Abby says excitedly. "Paulina was walking around town flourishing in the attention that the cameras gave her but Kelly got fed up and forced them to go away. Paulina notices this and goes up to the other girl demanding why she would ever do such a thing. Kelly bursting with anger complains that the cameras are hurting the town and ruining lives. Paulina disagrees saying that they are giving the town new opportunities and helping the town. Kiyanah disrupts the argument telling the two to take it to court. Kelly gets up-and-coming attorney Sam Manson to defend her while Paulina gets top attorney Valerie Gray."
"Um," Kelly says confusedly inching away from the girl, "what?"
"Very…. interesting Ms. Greenwald. Ms. Manson, Ms. Gray, do you accept your jobs?"
"Without a doubt." Valerie boasted.
Sam made a hesitant face before her resolve sharpened, "I accept."
"Great, great now we need a judge, let's say Ms. Hanlon?"
"Sure Mr. Ranium."
"Ms. Sander shall be the stenographer. Mr. Hanlon will be the clerk. We shall do this as quickly as possible, yes?"
The students used the teachers' desk as the judge stand and placed a student desk on either side for the witnesses and the stenographer. Valerie and Paulina were sat in front of the teachers' desk to the right while Sam and Kelly were sat to the left. The rest of the students were clustered around the lab stations on the left side of the classroom as the jury.
"Court is now in session, all rise for the honorable Judge Hanlon, all be seated."
"We are here today to settle the dispute between Ms. Sanchez and Ms. McLauren about whether or not the cameras are bad for the town. Opening statements?" Michelle directed at the two lawyers.
"My client and I wholeheartedly agree that these cameras are good for the town because they boost the economy." Valerie stated determinedly.
"My client and I are here to prove that these cameras are hurting the town and its citizens." Sam stated objectively
"Ms. Gray first witness."
"I call Ms. Star Danvers to the stand. Now, Star, I'm sorry, Ms. Danvers, is it true that your father is a budget analyst?"
"Yes." Star said boredly.
"Is it also true that your father has stated that the town's overall economy has gone up since the presence of the cameras?" Valerie asked.
"Yes." Star answered plainly
"No further questions." Valerie said going back to her seat beside Paulina from where she had been pacing in front of Star.
"Ms. Danvers, is it true that our town is home to many small shops, such as Deborah's Glass, Jordans' Furniture and so forth?" Sam started off lightly.
"Yes."
"And is it also true that with the improvement of the shopping mall these businesses will go out of, well, business?" Sam pressed slightly.
"Yes."
"Furthermore, is it true that a new hotel or apartment complex that is being built supposedly right on top of where a few of the aforementioned small shops are located?" Sam drove home.
"Objection your honor, that is a speculation!" Valerie interrupted.
"Overruled." Michelle dismissed
"Yes, that is true." Star answered thoughtfully, seemingly just now thinking about the repercussions of Sam's question
"No further questions." Sam said sitting down in her chair.
"I call Mr. Tucker Foley to the stand."
Tucker looked up from his PDA confused, "Why?"
"Get to the stand Mr. Foley," Michelle ordered, "please," she added as an afterthought.
"Mr. Foley," Valerie stated coming to a stop in front of him, "Is it true that only certain people are being shown on camera?"
"No."
"No," Valerie said slightly annoyed, "what do you mean, no."
"They pretty much record whoever they please, but there is a list of names that have to be shown."
"Mr. Foley," Michelle interrupted, "you are aware that you have just contradicted yourself, correct?"
"It appears so," he muses. "So, yes the cameras film certain people."
"And who are these people?" Valerie probes.
"Anyone with a high following of people not in our town, famous families, strange occupations as in the Fenton's."
"Would you say that the camera's focusing on them is allowing them to make money?"
"Yes, in some cases, no in others."
"Elaborate please."
"No in regards to the Fenton's because, well, they are technically scientists and the only people who really buy their merchandise are ghost hunters and the government, yes in regards to social media for some people because they are getting more followers and more money."
"Thank you, Mr. Foley. No further questions."
"I call Ms. Felicity Taylor to the stand." Sam said proudly. "Ms. Taylor would you say that you find the cameras that follow you around uncomfortable?"
"Yes."
"Is it because they don't necessarily have your permission, that you have no idea what they are focused on, where they could be recording, or that you don't want to be on camera?" Her question had the audience murmuring to each other.
"Everyone wants to be on camera, Manson," Paulina sneers.
"Cease the undertone. Thank you." Michelle calls out.
"I would say the general uncomfortableness of it all."
"Would you also say that many townspeople also feel this way?"
"Without a doubt."
"Now, Ms. Taylor, would it be wrong of me to assume that not as many people are seen out of their houses as much?"
"You are correct."
"Would you say it is because of the cameras or the weather changing?"
"I would say the cameras."
"Thank you Ms. Taylor no further questions."
Valerie steps up next to question the girl. Logically, she knew that she should have called Sam out for leading the witness but at the time she was more so focused on getting her argument together.
"Ms. Taylor," Valerie politely addresses the teen, "would you say that although the townspeople are uncomfortable with the cameras that they are more connected and friendly?"
"I guess, I mean the people in our town are friendly anyway."
"Yes, thank you, Ms. Taylor. It would also be correct to note that it was the cameras that made them this way. With the sudden influx of all these well, uninformed, people have got our town happy to oblige and answer any of their questions, correct?"
"Um, yes."
"So, would you say that because of these people coming in ad asking the people of our town questions about, well," she chuckles looking at the jury, "our town that they would ask questions about what they could buy to eat, or sleep, or wear or any of those things, correct?"
"Objection, she's badgering the witness."
"Warning Ms. Gray. Overruled."
"Yes."
"So, with all this taken into account, would you say that, in a way, the cameras are helping the town and the economy?"
"When you take all of that into account, yes. Yes, they are helping the town."
"No further questions. I call Mr. Danny Fenton to the stand."
Danny shuffles his way to the front of the room with the air of someone who does not want to be where he is.
"Mr. Fenton, might I say, you look very nice today. Almost more good looking than usual." Many of the females in the class make sounds of agreement.
"Objection: relevance?"
"Sustained, get on with it Ms. Gray." Michelle tells the girl annoyed.
"Oh, don't get peeved Manson, I'm just appreciating what's in front of me." Valerie smirks looking Sam in the eye.
Danny rolls his eyes leaning back in the chair reserved for the witness, "Can we please start ladies?"
"Excuse me?" Sam asked in disbelief, narrowing her eyes at her best friend.
"Mr. Fenton, would you say your parents are making money off of these people coming into town?"
Danny breathed out an annoyed sigh, "Yeah, I guess."
"Would you say that the town is prospering from all of these new people?"
"Look," Danny said running a hand through his hair, "I don't like strangers. I also don't like to be followed around by strangers. And I definitely don't like my personal space, say my bedroom, invaded by strangers."
"Mr. Fenton was that a yes or a, no?"
"I would say that the town is getting a little more excitement than usual. Because of these cameras our usual way of life is being interrupted. Because of these cameras more people are coming to settle their businesses and families here. Their new businesses are knocking out the old locally run businesses. Because we are having to accommodate all these new people some old buildings and local treasures have to go so that we can make room for all these people. And lastly, the bell is ringing in about," he looks down at his watch, "a minute or so. This argument has no clear winner or right answer thus being irrelevant because it is a matter of opinion. With that being said, can I leave?" He directs the question to the science teacher who looks wholly amused.
"Why, yes Mr. Fenton thank you for using my lesson from earlier to get out of the situation. But you do know that you won't be able to do that in court?"
"Yea," Danny says standing up to fetch his backpack. "But this was Science Court where we use logical answers to solve a solution. I rendered both their arguments open ended and Valerie only had one point to fall back on while Sam had quite a few. Bye." Danny called over his shoulder leaving the room.
"Did he just, I, what?" April asks confused looking up from the computer she was using to type out the responses.
The bell goes off startling the class out of their stupors.
"And that would be the bell, you are all dismissed." Mr. Ranium told his students happily.
"We didn't even decide a verdict!" Valerie says moodily.
"Oh please, he only went with that argument because we really didn't have time to come up with a really good one." Kiyanah scoffs rolling her eyes and popping her gum. "Plus," she blows a bubble then pops it, "Fenton seemed grumpy and you guys and this whole situation didn't help."
**********Line Break***********
"Pardon the interruption, at the end of 6th period will Mr. Lancer's homeroom report to his classroom. I repeat, at the end of 6th period will Mr. Lancers' homeroom report to his class. That will be all, thank you."
"Seems a little unnecessary if ya ask me, but eh." Tucker jokes to Sam as they were hunting down Danny.
"They just want to make sure that we all show up to this shit show at the same time," Sam says crossly crossing her arms over her chest.
"I think it'll be fun," Tucker cackles happily. Seeing the girls inquiring eyebrow raise he simply answers, "Danny's testy."
"Clockwork help us all."
*********Line Break********
[Cameras are now filming]
[The screen shows an empty stage with various couches and chairs arranged to fit a medium sized group of people. In between two couches an arm chair sits facing the audience. The couches angled so that one side is turned inward to the chair while the other side is pushed back far enough for the audience to be able to see.]
[A brunette woman wearing a billowy blouse and grey dress pants with white heels appears on the stage with notecards in her hand. She took a seat in the brown leather armchair and smiled at the audience.]
"Hi! I'm Vickie Vale and I'm gonna be your host for this first ever viewing of," she takes a dramatic pause throwing her arms out wide. "Amity Gossip! Good name, I know," she says earning laughs from the audience, "but we're still working on it! Hopefully by the end of the season we'll have a better name. Finger crossed," she winks at the camera jokingly. "Today is as I said the first ever viewing of this show and our first guests are the students from Mr. Lancer's homeroom class! Come on out kids!"
[The audience makes a standing ovation as the teens make their way out onto the stage. Some students revel in, but others are cautious, looking vaguely uncomfortable.]
"I'm sure you can arrange the seating yourselves?" She asks them amusedly.
[Paulina, Star, Megan, and Valerie sat on the couch to the right of the chair while Danny, Sam, April, and Michelle with Danny being closest to the audience on the couch on the left side of the chair. In the four chairs set up behind each couch were the remaining classmates. Tucker was behind Danny, Kira was behind Sam, Nathan was behind April, and Mikey was behind his sister. Dash was behind Paulina who sat closest to the host, Kwan was behind Star, Dylan was behind Megan, and Gilian was behind Valerie.]
"Now that all that's in order, please introduce yourselves! Do you guys have, like, a class leader or something?" She receives blank looks, "I'm sorry is that not what your school does?"
"Oh, I mean technically we do," Kira speaks up eyeing the woman with unmasked disinterest, "He puts certain people in charge when he has to leave the class."
"Who is that person?"
"Dash," the class answers with various emotions in their voices.
"Can you tell that we don't all agree with that," Kira asks the audience drolly. The audience laughs in reply.
[The students were given three mics for each side of the stage. They were to pass them to the person who wished to speak.]
[Dash glares at Kira who raises a sardonic eyebrow in turn.]
"My, you kids are a riot!"
"Who says riot?" Megan says giving the host a disdainful smile.
"Who talks like that in general?" Dylan snorts.
[The audience laughs at their passive aggressive comments. Vickie looks into the camera with a barely masked look of annoyance causing the audience to laugh more.]
"Please introduce yourselves."
"Alright, well first of all we're Mr. Lancer's homeroom class, we're sophomores and that's about it for the general stuff. I'm Dash Baxter, son of Derek Baxter, I play on the Varsity football team at my school and I'm captain of the Junior Varsity football team." The audience applauds, "Thanks! I'm gonna pass my mic down instead of across so here you go-" Paulina quickly snatches the mic from him.
"Hola, my Paulina Sanchez daughter of Romano and Vanessa Sanchez, I'm on the cheer team, my bad," she giggles, "I mean captain of the cheer team. I have a YouTube channel where I do makeup and model." The audience whistles and hoots at the girl, "Oh, stop it," she tells them playfully.
[Paulina passes the mic to Star.]
"Hey, my name is Star Danvers and I'm co-captain of the cheerleading team. I take dance and gymnastics as hobbies so I'm like super flexible," she winks at the audience.
[Kwan gets the mic from Dylan and greets the audience with a wide beaming smile.]
"Hi! I'm Kwam, I play football and I love animals!"
Megan sighs rolling her eyes, "I'm Megan and I'm the captain of the dance team-" she was interrupted by a scoff, "problem Fowler?" She addresses Kira.
"Oh no, please keep going," she tells her drolly gesturing for the girl to do so with a lackluster gesture.
"Whatever." She rolls her eyes gesturing for someone else to go.
"Yo, whatsup, I'm Dylan!"
"Why did I expect him to say, 'it's ya boy Dylan,' after that whatsup. I am wholly disappointed." April said with false sadness.
"And we all know I hate to disappoint! Yo, whatsup, it's ya boy, Dylan!" A thunderous applause sounded throughout the building. "Thank you, thank you. I play basketball for the school and I'm," he pauses for dramatic effect, "the class clown!"
"I'm Valerie Gray and my dad is the head of Axion Labs."
"I love you, Valerie!" Nathan yelled at the dark-skinned girl.
[The audience laughed as the girl visibly shivered.]
"Hey, I'm Gilian my sister Sarah also goes here but she's in a different class."
[The introductions then went to the other side of the stage where a brief argument broke out about who would go first. The trio were pleasantly ignoring everyone and seemed to be in a bubble all their own. Sam was talking to Tucker and Danny was leaned back with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. As the disagreement got worse Danny opened his eyes with an annoyed scowl. He leaned forward and glanced at the occupants at the other side of the couch. Mikey quickly took the mic with no complaints.]
"Jeepers, sorry about that. We're not usually like this." Mikey says giving the audience a hesitant smile.
"Why are you lying?" Kira asked him playfully.
"Anyway, I'm Mikey the smartest kid in our school except for Jazz Fenton. I'm in multiple clubs and now I shall pass the mic to my twin sister Michelle."
"I'm Michelle, Mikey's sister," the girl said timidly, "I'm on the Media club that keeps track of the sports and all their events. I'm the co-captain while my best friend April is the captain."
"That's me, I'm April," said girl interjects good naturedly.
"And that's about it." Michelle finishes.
"I'm April and I'm gonna be frank," she pauses looking at the host thoughtfully, "can I cuss?"
"Yes, I guess," Vickie says intrigued.
"Oh ok, yes as I was saying my name is April and I'm a bitch. As Mich said I'm the captain of the Media club and trust me," she smiles at the audience, "when you get to know us more, you won't like us."
"Hi! I'm Nathan and I believe aliens exist because if ghosts can why can't they? I'm in love with Valerie and I'm in the band."
[Valerie shuddered again looking at the audience desperately for help only to receive laughter in return.]
"Yes, that's all nice and dandy," Kira laughs falsely, "I'm Kira and I actually don't wanna be here but alas, here I am."
[The audience laughs at her honesty noting that she was being serious.]
[A disgruntled Sam took the mic from April with a blank face.]
"I'm Sam and I'm an ultra-recyclo vegetarian." She said straight-faced.
"She doesn't eat anything with a face Danny and Tucker supply to get rid of the giant question mark that was hanging in the air.
"And my best friends are Danny and Tucker."
"Yo, yo, yo how you guys doing tonight? The names TF as in Too Fine Tucker Foley-,"
"Gotta love that confidence," Sam commented dryly.
"Shut-up Sam," Tucker says without any bite, "I'm in the robotics club and the computing club. And I'm the nicest out of the three of us," he finishes gesturing between Sam, Danny and himself.
"Danny Fenton," the boy says running a hand through his hair. "Yes, Maddie and Jack Fenton are my parents, yes they are ghost hunters, no I don't hunt ghosts, yes ghosts are real, yes Jazz Fenton is my sister, and no I will not help you meet the ghost boy."
Vickie blinked looking soundly confused, "What an interesting introduction. Let's give the class a hand folks!"
[The audience gives them hearty applause and cheers.]
"Now onto the show! Many people are curious about your talents and who you are. So, we're gonna play a little game that'll get you guys acquainted more with the audience. I'm gonna name a trait and you guys have to respond with that person's name and why it's them," she tells the class. "Got it? Great! Let's start! The friendliest?"
[The class seemed to collectively observe each other before deciding on an answer.]
"Kwan, he's like a giant puppy," April answered.
"Interesting! Do the rest of you agree?"
"More or less, yeah."
"Most talkative?"
"Paulina or Star."
"Oh, really? Why is that?"
"They just talk...a lot. All the time. Constantly," Kira answered with a tight smile.
"Biggest gossip?"
"The A-List as a whole," April answered ignoring the offended crys the group gave out.
"The...A list?" Vickie questioned.
"That's what we call the popular crowd at our school. They have membership cards and everything," Michelle tells her lightly.
"Most argumentative."
"Definitely, Gothica." Paulina nodded to herself.
"Gothica?" The host questioned.
"Manson," Paulina said instead.
"Manson?"
"For fucks sake," Dylan burst out, "she meant Sam. Gosh!"
"Oh. Any particular reason why?"
"She argues with everyone, even me. Her and Foley have a meat vs veggie war at least once a day. They both prepared a rally in less than 15 hours. I'm still not sure how they did that actually," Megan says in wonder. "But that's besides the point she argues for animal rights and nature rights and all that good stuff."
"Oh, so Sam, are you an activist?" Vickie asks excitedly.
"Yes, but I've toned it down lately." Sam answers briefly.
"The laziest?"
[The class had unsure looks glancing between each other.]
"Danny," Sam said shortly. "He never turns his homework in."
"Aw, Sam," Danny whines at the girl, "way to throw me under the bus."
"It's not throwing you if you put yourself in the way." Sam replies back giving him a bored look.
"Alright, most annoying?"
"Tucker," the females in the class say.
"Aw how you guys wound me," he says sagely.
"Oh my," Vickie says to the audience, "it seems that there is some history there."
"He flirts with every female in the school," April tells the audience.
Tucker raises his brows turning to look at the girl, "I don't flirt with you."
"It's 'cause you know better," April tells him with a shark-like grin.
[The audience laughs at the exchange. The next segment comes up.]
"Now we're gonna spill some in-class secrets! Who wants to go first?" Vickie asks. "Let's not all talk at once," she chuckles as the class sits silent.
"I hung out with Sam and Tucker for a while when I got kicked out of the A-List," Kwan offers like a puppy eager to please their owner.
"Really? And why were you kicked out?"
"Danny was dating Paulina."
"Really!" Vickie says intrigued.
"Yeah, so he joined and I left."
"Paulins any words?"
"Look it didn't even last that long and he got let back in so…" the Latina girl trails off.
"But you dated him like twice?" Michelle asked slightly confused.
"Barely," she scoffed, "the only person who really dated him was Valerie."
"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?" She questions offended.
"Cause it's Fenton," Dash snickers.
"Who was cool enough to join the A-listers at least three times last year," Valerie defended.
"Girls got a point," Gilian shrugged.
"Danny," Vickie addresses the black-haired teen, "any input?"
He gives her a slow deliberate blink, "No." He sets his jaw and looks at her daring for her to argue.
"Ok moving on," Vickie smiled thinly. "We were told by the school that your class has the best relationship with each other and that you get along splendidly."
"Who told you that bullshit lie?" April and Kira asked in tandem.
"I'm just reading my note cards," The woman assures them. "And we have some clips that we want to roll that highlight how well you guys know and care for each other."
[A projector screen comes down from the ceiling. It starts to countdown from three and the clip starts.]
[The screen shows the girls of Lancer's class seated in a square made by the desk. There was an opening on one side of the square for someone to stand in the middle where there was open space.]
[Paulina is irritably checking her phone, glaring at nothing in general.]
"Where is she? This is like the fourth time since the school year started."
"You do know that she barely likes us," Kira said looking done with the Latina girl, "right?"
"But that doesn't give her the excuse to skip out!" Paulina says annoyed.
[The door opens and a curtain of black hair appears through the door. Wearing a purple dress and looking justifiably annoyed.]
"I just came to say that I actually came to a meeting. And now, I'm leaving."
"Then why even bother coming if you're just gonna leave," Megan huffed.
"So, you would stop complaining and whining. I have stuff to do that's way more important than some little circle." Sam told her turning on her heel and leaving.
"I agree with Sam," April nodded, "I'm supposed to be spending time with my family from out of state today. But no," her voice dragged out, "I'm here. Because if you don't get your way you find a way for us to get in trouble."
"Stop lying."
[The screen faded to black and went back up into the ceiling.]
"What was that ladies?" Vickie asks.
"A disappointment." Michelle says softly not realizing the mic picked it up.
"Come again, Michelle?" Paulina asks threateningly.
"I said it was a waste of time and none of us besides you, Star, Megan, and Valerie wanted to be there. Half the girls didn't even show up for Pete's sake! We just came because if we didn't, we would get detention." She ranted at the girl.
"Oh please," Star scoffed, "you could've missed one meeting or four like Manson but you came to every. Single. One."
"But did she or did she not get detention for not coming?" Michelle asked the girl with narrowed eyes.
"The detentions were just a coincidence, Hanlon female." Star said mockingly.
"Actually," Tucker spoke up, "she did get detention for skipping out on those meetings. The teachers just covered it up really well."
"Are you saying," Vickie spoke up eyes alight with mischief, "that all the cohesiveness is just for show?"
"What cohesiveness!" Nathan yells out. "We all hate each other; except the trio they pretty much just tolerate us all."
"Untrue," Tucker objected, "we like some of you."
"They're lying," Paulina said sweetly.
"Yeah, we don't hate each other it's more of a very strong, mutual disliking," Kira said bluntly.
"We argue way more in real life," Michelle assures the host.
"But some people," Mikey says adjusting his glasses, "play up how we interact with one another."
"Stop lying nerd," Dash hisses through a clinched jaw.
"Naw, bruh," Dylan pacified, "they right. Y'all playing everything up for the cam."
"Shutup Dylan!" The A-listers yell at the boy.
"Don't yell at me 'cause I'm right! Why don't you yell at Manson or Fenton who have been quiet virtually the whole show."
"Wouldn't recommend." Tucker voiced.
"You're just jealous cause you're not in the A-list." Dash said crossing his arms.
Dylan furrowed his brow, "Why would I wanna be in your stupid ass club? People actually like me," he voiced mockingly.
[The group surrounding him turned to him with fiery eyes.]
"Don't jump him cause he's right!" Kira said
"Oh please, you're just saying that cause you like him!" Megan spit out harshly.
Dylan raised a brow, "And? Is that a problem for you Megan? Cause the whole class knows you're trying to knock Paulina off her throne and get with Dash."
"That's not true!" She yells out.
[The studio erupts into an argument with Dylan on the side of everyone but the A-list.]
[Danny looks between his best friends with a bored expression on his face.]
"If we're done here," Danny interrupts his smooth tenor voice floating above the voices of the others. "I have other things to do."
"What could you possibly," Paulina says the words dripping with anger, "have to do?"
[Danny doesn't rise to the bait he just stands up, mock bows and strides right off the stage. The audience who had been cheering and egging on the students, went silent. Sam looks up from her phone, taking an earphone out of her ear. She gives the stage a once over then puts her headphone back in.]
"He can't just leave!" Paulina screeches.
"Apparently, yes he can." Vickie tells the girl amusedly.
"He's right ya' know," Gilian speaks for the first time since the introduction, "some of us got shit to do. So, if we're done with this little show, can we go?"
"Sure, why not," Vickie shrugs turning to the audience and raising her cue cards. "This was Amity Gossip with the sophomore class of 2018 at Casper High, specifically Mr. Lancer's homeroom class. We have learned that behind the camera not all is as it seems and that there seems to be quite a few popular boys when it comes to the dating scene. I'm your host Vickie Vale and you have been watching-. What?" She touched her right ear leaning slightly to the side. "Fine. Okay. Well, it seems that we, and by we I mean the studio that films the show, has a surprise for the kids. Starting next week there will be quite a few fresh faces in the class including but not limited to: Abigail Greenwald, Kelly McLauren, Kiyanah Harris, Jake Smith, and Jonathan Knox. How many kids do you guys have in your class?"
"Approximately 16," Mikey answered her.
"Well next time we see our favorite class they'll have a few fresh faces. Thanks for coming out today folks! This has been Vickie Vale on Amity Gossip! Stay alert and remember to watch out for the ghosts!" She finishes with a wink.
"And that's a wrap! Good work folks!"
[The show ended with the sound of applause and a close up of a picture of the class taken for the yearbook.]
[Camera no longer filming]
Backstage of the Event
"That went better than expected," noted Principal Ishiyama.
"Indeed," Lancer agreed.
"I am worried about young Mr. Fenton and his friends though; they seem to not want to be a part of the show. Should we take them out of your class?"
"No," Lancer assures her, "they make things...interesting, even if it's just by them actually being in class." He pauses rubbing his chin, "Young Mr. Fenton's parents play an important role in this show. It would be a pity to take the only normal one in that family out of the show, he provides great comedy. When he wants too."
That's a wrap for this chapter. Danny might seem a bit Out of Character (OOC) but we can chalk it up to him being annoyed with the things going on around him.
Yes, the trio have a whole floor to themselves at the Foley house and they still go downstairs for family time. Danny, Sam, and Selina do spend most of their time at the Foley residence rather than at home.
Danny's going home this weekend and into the Zone. I wonder what he'll find out? (*Evil grin*) When will the trio talk about Danny's dream, does Tucker even know yet? What was that dream about and who was that prophecy about? Just who is the Other? Why is Sam's hair turning green on the underside of it? And why are Sam's eyes still flashing sliver? When will I remember that Nathan and Mikey exist?
What did you think about the talk show? Let me know in the comments!
Lots
Of
Love,
LJ
Stay safe, healthy, and strong