The Life We Fight For

Chapter 36: Borrowed Time

Sam would consider herself to be a strong young woman.

I mean, why wouldn't she? Every week she faced off against some of the Ghost Zone's biggest and baddest. She was confident in herself and her friends. They were a well-oiled machine, and as far as she was concerned, nothing could faze them.

That is of course, until Vlad Masters came along. The only other half-ghost in existence, and proof that Danny was not the first to suffer for his parents' scientific pursuits.

Danny didn't talk much about meeting Vlad, but over time Sam had put the pieces together. Jack, Maddie and Vlad all attended college together, and the cheesehead had a total crush on Danny's mom.

The prototype portal accident had left Vlad hospitalized and alone, and as a result the guy had a huge chip on his shoulder. Usually the size of a well-aimed ectoblast in her direction.

Sam was fine with all of that, (Just add it to the list of their daily problems) but now her whole world has changed and not for the better.

Vlad was now an ally, but not really. He had his motives and schemes; things about him she couldn't truly trust. This made her concerned for every second he was with Danny in that mansion.

Danny was strong and didn't complain, but she could tell from their recent conversations that something between the halfas had changed. She could only hope that her dear friend would come back to her in one piece.

Sam worried about Danny constantly, not that she'd ever admit it. Even the bullies at school had begun to stomp up to her and probe for information on his whereabouts. Lying was coming all too easily to her nowadays.

'Danny's sick- no, he's visiting family'.

'Never mind; he's the mayor's ward now. Celebrity life, you know how it is.'

Tucker helped, but he was just as much a wreck as her, maybe worse. It was all they could do to keep the everyday ghosts at bay. Two humans- even with all their ecto-infused tech- could only do so much against superpowered beings.

So as she collapsed onto the dark silk sheets of her bed, she sighed thinking about how exhausted she was. Is this how Danny had felt everyday? The lunch lady had made an appearance just after school let out, leaving Sam and Tucker nearly collapsing by the end of it all.

It was nearing sundown, and Sam hadn't heard from her ghostly friend all day. Danny had told them that there was something important going on tonight, but never elaborated on the details. She wondered if she should head to the mansion, but surely he would contact her if she was needed, right?

Her violet eyes rolled dramatically. What a sight she must be, stressed out over a super-powered ghost boy, wondering if he needed her. The last thing the halfas needed was help from the Team Phantom side kicks.

Her phone went off. A soft ding that ended up sounding like an airhorn in the large, silent room. Sam scrambled to grab it. She read the contact name.

It was Tucker- of course it was. Probably a ghost attack needing dealt with. She shook her head once in a vain attempt to clear the disappointment from it. As she read down the message however, it slowly turned to relief.

'Shouldn't we go to the mansion tonight...? Danny would want us there, right?'

"Tucker, my friend, you read my mind. " Said Sam aloud as she pressed the call button.

A wreck.

That's all that would be left of the ol' Danny Phantom- a sloppy, emotional, anxious wreck. Forget waiting till sunrise- the halfa was ready to expire were he lay, right atop a steel table in the heart of Plasmius' lab.

It wasn't even midnight yet. 10:57PM, last he'd checked. How was he supposed to wait this out when he already felt like diving through the portal after only an hour of sitting around?

He knew he couldn't get through the fruitloop's portal in his own strength- he'd checked the security systems once Vlad had gone, of course. Old habits, and all that.

But if he really wanted, he could wait until his mother passed through the FentonWorks portal and follow suit. Vlad couldn't stop him from using his own parent's gate to the Ghost Zone, could he? Surely not.

He pulled back the cuff of his left sleeve to glance at the watch on his wrist. 11:01pm.

"I can't do this!" Danny cried out to no one in particular. He dug the heels of his palms into his watering eyes, shut much too tight. The sound bounced off the metal walls and back at him, and he cringed a bit hearing the echoed tone of his voice. Vlad hated when he whined.

Vlad, the battle, his mother-

And off he went again, spiraling. It was going to be a long night.

Moments, seconds, or maybe minutes later the lab doors opened with a soft creak that had Danny jumping into the air. He pouted at the intruder as he hovered by his perch.

'"Geez, Jazz," he said, "you could knock, you know."

"This your room now? The spooky ghost lab?" Jazz said, amused.

That was about all the normalcy they could muster before both brother and sister fell into a sad silence. Danny dropped back down to rest atop a metal table and Jazz took her time approaching him. Her expression had fallen significantly, but she still smiled at him through furrowed brows and solemn eyes.

"They're gonna be okay, you know that right?" She asked. Danny rolled his eyes.

"Vlad tried that already," he said, "You can't fool me with empty promises. Sorry Jazz, I'm going to be a worried wreck through this whole ordeal whether you like it or not."

Jazz sighed. Of course, she knew that, but still she had to try. Danny was too hot-headed to see that though.

How she wished she could just get him to talk, really talk about what was going on in his head, maybe then she could help. Danny hated when she analyzed him though, so for tonight she wouldn't push. Saying he was feeling anxious was all she was going to get out of him anyway and she knew it.

In a way, she was jealous of Vlad in that regard. Somehow the man had figured out how Danny's brain worked, and managed on more than one occasion to get her brother's walls down. If only he didn't sometimes use that power for manipulation, then maybe she'd admire the feat. For now, she'd settle for being envious that Danny seemed to share more of his worries to Vlad than anyone else these days.

"I don't think you're a wreck, little brother," she said gently. "We're all hoping tonight goes well, too."

"But I'm stuck here, Jazz, when I should be in there, helping." Said Danny, staring at the locked portal entrance.

"I get it," She replied.

After a moment Danny felt a faint twinge in his throat, like a cold brush ticking his esophagus. Not enough to make him gasp, but just enough to alert him someone was near.

"What?" Asked Jazz, scrutinizing his body language. He shook his head.

"Godfrey's coming down, that's all. Sorry I'm so on edge." Danny pulled his knees up to his chest.

"Don't apologize for that..." Jazz told him as the doors once again opened.

"Please excuse the intrusion, however, you have visitors young sir." Said the old ghost, smiling kindly as he walked in, Sam and Tucker in tow.

Danny's eyes brightened immediately. The thought of going through tonight with his friends sounded much better than just his sister and himself alone.

"Dude!" Tucker called as he walked over. "You didn't think we'd let you guys stay up all night alone, did'ya?"

"Hey guys," Danny greeted softly. He put a hand on his still churning stomach, not quite feeling better yet but still happy to see his friends.

"It's Fenton night," said Sam with a smirk. "Whatever you crazy kids want to do, we'll be here the whole night through with you."

"You guys are awesome," said Jazz. She turned to Danny and reached over to give his arm a squeeze. Just tight enough to be grounding.

"I'm going to the library. Now that you have company, I'd like to stew in my own thoughts for a bit."

Danny frowned but didn't argue. He'd respect her wishes as she had his- the sudden lack of psycho-analysis in their last conversation was not lost on him.

Godfrey escorted her out and before he knew it- Tucker's arms were wrapping tightly around his jumpsuit-clad form. Tucker leaned his upper body over the table he'd perchedo on to squish him as best he could. Danny let out a small grunt from the force of it before smiling.

"What's with you? I'm fine guys, really," Danny insisted.

"Well you look stressed to the max, and hugs fix that." Tucker said, matter-of-factly. "That or meat, of course. And Sam wasn't gonna give you either of those things- she's too shy- for the hug I mean, not cuz she's vegatar-ow!"

"Enough outta you, geek," said the goth, elbow buried deep in his side.

Danny wished with all his might that he could bring himself to laugh right now- especially after Tucker muttered a correcting 'techno-geek'under his breath. Just a giggle or two at their antics, to reassure them.

But if he did anything, it would probably be floating up and hiding away. He was in a delicate state, and it wasn't fair that everyone around him was so focused on keeping him calm that even Jazz had been ready to sacrifice her own need for space for his comfort. He must be getting used to Vlad spoiling him after all.

He appreciated how the man listened; how whenever they weren't trading ectoblasts, Danny actually felt heardfor once. His problems were addressed and taken care of, usually within minutes. Through it all he'd surely lost some of the mental strength he'd built up living at FentonWorks; he's certain of it.

"I really appreciate you both, like, a lot," Danny said, uncurling and trying to loosen his posture a bit from within his friend's embrace. "I'm sorry I don't say it enough."

"You don't have to," said Sam. "We know you would do the same for us. That's what friends are for."

"Of course, buddy," Tucker added, turning to pull out his PDA. "Besides, it's only 11:15. Your overthinking self has gotta get through the night somehow."

Danny paled. "It's only been ten minutes?"

"Midnight is approaching rapidly Plasmius."

Vlad turned his gaze from the map in his hands to Walker.

The ghost was decked out in gear. Head to toe, something was either glowing or whirring softly, a hum of ectoenergy that promised pain. Skulker had done a fine job outfitting the guards for tonight.

"I'm aware," Vlad said, looking around at the bright green expanse of the ghost zone around them.

They were just minutes away from the Dragon's territory; the kingdom that would soon be a battleground. Skulker and Walker's men had arrived already, camping out until Vlad gave them the go ahead to ambush.

"No movement from the FentonWorks portal yet," Vlad continued. "We will have plenty of time to take down the beast before the main event."

"Confidence, or cockiness...?" Walker mumbled. "Hard to tell with you, you know?"

Vlad simply smirked and went back to studying the parchment in his hands. Dora had spent hours detailing every corridor of the castle for him, each hall and entrance that might be of use in locating Prince Aragon.

There were three main halls in the castle, and each was plenty big enough to hold a dragon. Given the prince was still in his beast form, they had three spots to scope out for an attack.

That meant one for each of them. Skulker to the main hall, with the bulk of their army, Walker to the east, with a team of elite guards, and Vlad to the west, alone. They didn't expect resistance from the residents or castle staff so straight through the front gates they would go. They only had one target after all. That is until 1:00am, when Maddie and Ivix would come through the portal and discover them.

As was his usual method, however, Vlad had many a trick up his sleeve for tonight. Skulker and Walker were positioned perfectly, and thus none the wiser to any self-indulgent extra steps Vlad might take. His subordinates had hardly even blinked when Vlad said he'd be taking the West Wing alone.

The castle was in view now, distant but still somewhat intimidating. Foreboding, almost. It was as if the energy of the whole kingdom had changed without Dora. It wouldn't surprise Vlad if that were exactly the case, either. The Ghost Zone was unique in that way.

Skulker flew to greet them once they'd been spotted, a gleeful grin pulling at his metal plate of a face. Walker smirked at him, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Looking like a kid on Christmas mornin', hunter," said the warden. Skulker laughed.

"And I feel it, too," he agreed. "The itch- anticipation for a good hunt- it's killing me!"

"I hardly think that equates to children with toys, Skulker," Vlad rolled his eyes.

The hunter flew up till his nose was inches from Vlad's. "You would know, wouldn't you, new daddy Plasmius? How's the whelp by the way, called you crying yet?"

Vlad's eyes burned bright like boiling blood. Skulker either didn't notice, or didn't care.

"Ah, but it won't matter soon enough, the boy will have his parents back... I'm curious, where does that leave you, hm?" Skulker teased.

Vlad jerked forward, gloved hands going for steel jugular- but he was grabbed at the last second. Walker pulled him sideways by his cape, an annoyed look twisted into his skull-face.

"He's just itching to fight. Why don't we give it to him, sir?" Walker said. "Time's a-wastin'."

Vlad dusted imaginary debris from his shoulders as he straightened. It wouldn't do to get riled up now. There was too much on the line. Too much at stake for emotions to run wild this early.

"Skulker first," said Vlad, "Walker, find your men and follow suit after five minutes. If neither of you find the monster, meet me in the west hall."

Skulker saluted and soon the sky above them was filled with armed ghosts en-route to the castle gates. Vlad squashed down any hint of nervousness as Walker gave him a final nod before his team followed.

Daniel was safe and soon, Maddie would be as well. He just had to focus and do this right. Execute his plan perfectly, use the pawns on the board to his best advantage. Vlad pulled out a device from his suit.

A dead line on the screen. No entry or exit from the FentonWorks portal in hours. Soon though, he expected that to change.

The Kingdom erupted into chaotic screams. Vlad flew up into the sky and scanned the castle. No dragon in sight yet, just the very confused castle guards struggling against Skulker's group at the gate. He'd ordered they be left alive, but whether they were injured or not by the brute force of Skulker's unit was up to the castle guards. Loyalty was difficult to break, Vlad understood that now.

Vlad dove down, the large roof over the West Wing in his sights. The hall was easy to find, and, with any luck, there would be a dragon there, too.

The large fortress did little to muffle the sounds of battle once Vlad was inside. It was almost eerie, flying through corridors without a single ghost in sight. Dora had told them the West Wing was where the family stayed, and was mostly private, but it was still jarring.

The hall was empty. Vlad dropped down into the huge, brightly lit room and looked around. Tapestries dropped the beams and intricate details were carved into the stone flooring. There was not much else besides the thrones at the northern point of the room, but Vlad remained optimistic.

The fires were lit in every chandelier, every sconce, every candlestick. They were prepared for company.

But if Aragon wasn't here already, then he must be inbound. Unless-

A piercing, long roar echoed through the castle. The stones trembled and thrones wobbled. Aragon. And if his senses hadn't failed him, it was coming from Walker's zone, furthest from his own.

Just as Plasmius turned to head east, he felt vibrations from his suit. He retrieved his device and let out a frustrated cry.

Either Maddie was early, or they'd taken too long finding the beast. Either way, ghost and captive were through the portal. It wouldn't take long for them to reach the dragon's realm, so Vlad had to act quick.

He tossed aside the device in favor of another, almost identical to his cellphone. Except of course, this one worked in the Ghost Zone.

He dialed and raised the speaker to his ear. After a single ring, Vlad was cringing and pulling away from the device as a boisterous voice hollered at him from the other end.

"Vladdie!"

"J-Jack," Vlad said, clearing his throat. "You're awake after all."

"Well I was asleep, but when I heard your special ringtone I knew it had to be important. You never call me- hey, what's up with that?"

"Listen old friend," said Vlad, "I've called you about something very important, it's imperative that you pay atten-"

"I get it, pal," Jack called out quickly. "No worries."

"Y-you do?" Vlad sputtered.

Crashes and clanging could be heard in the distance. He was running out of time. His forces needed him. As good as Walker and Skulker might be, they were no match for a ghostly dragon.

"Of course, this is about Danny-boy, isn't it?" Asked Jack. "Look I know it's hard to get him out of his shell when we're not around, but you're a great guy, he'll warm up to 'ya!"

"No, no, Daniel is-" Vlad swallowed. He looked at the exit of the hall. "Well, what do you mean by that? 'When you're not around...'?"

"Oh it's just how he is," Jack said, as if talking about the weather. "My boy, as long as Maddie and I remember to be there for him when he needs it he doesn't really need much else. Anyone else, you know? I mean he's only got those two friends of his, and Jazzy-pants of course."

'My boy, my boy...' Vlad's mind echoed mockingly. He shook his head clear of thoughts and focused.

"Right..." Vlad's hand came up to rub at the back of neck. "Jack I'm not calling about that. Actually, have you seen Maddie?"

Jack went silent for a bit. "Well, no...she went downstairs for water and I guess I must've fallen asleep. Why?"

"I just have a bad feeling is all," Vlad said, his voice soft. The ground beneath his feet was rumbling slightly. And was it getting warmer? "You wouldn't mind just checking the portal, making sure she didn't go through it?"

"Well why would she do that?" Jack asked. Vlad flew out to exit the West Wing.

"I can't explain it to you, but you trust me, right?" He didn't wait for a response. "If I send you coordinates that Maddie might be at, in the Ghost Zone, you'll come and protect.her won't you?"

"I- well of course!" Jack exclaimed. "But V-man, I really don't understand..."

Vlad could smell smoke in the air. Burning, of wood, metal, and something more horrid he didn't want to think about.

"I don't have time Jack, please," Vlad said. "Check the cameras. Once you believe me, come to those coordinates."

"I'll always believe you, you're my friend. But okay Vlad, I'll check." Jack said.

Plasmius sent the coordinates and tossed the communicator aside. He threw his head back and yelled out an angry roar into the emptiness of the corridors.

Why did he suddenly feel rejected? Jack was just rambling again, but why had it struck a nerve?

Daniel wouldn't open up to him as long as Maddie and Jack were there as back-up? But hadn't these last months reufuted that?

Had Daniel played him this whole time?

No, the boy was sincere. He knew it. Daniel was a bad liar, and he wouldn't manipulate for help when he could dive into danger head-first himself. He'd been vulnerable plenty of times with Vlad now.

So why was he still riddled with this infernal feeling of jealously? Still pining for Maddie's love, and still hating the way Jack talked about Daniel so casually. So familiarly, as if he truly knew anything about the child.

Doubt was replaced by rage. Jack Fenton would get his soon enough. No one would ever doubt his place in Daniel's life ever again. He would make sure of it.

The origin of the smokey scent was in his view now. His allies were getting pummeled by dragon talons left and right. As Skulker dived to avoid the beast's tail swinging at him, Aragon spread his jaws, showing his sharp teeth, and went for him.

Vlad's hand lit up pink and he blasted the dark scales between the dragon's eyes before he could snap his mouth shut. With a roar, Aragon leapt back, swiping at Walker and his men below as Vlad yanked Skulker back.

"Thank you, but I had it," Skulker puffed. "Finally, you decided to join us after all."

"Wouldn't miss it," Vlad said. His eyes narrowed at Aragon, who now had his slitted pupils on him.

"Are you... are you alright, Plasmius?" Skulker wondered, poking his tense bicep.

"Just ready to channel my anger into something productive," said Vlad. "Now come, we have a dragon to slay."

Next Chapter: Everything has led to this point. Endgame is upon us and lives are on the line. Trust, heartbreak, and sorrow seem imminent, but hope remains. The battle has just begun.