Truth rewrite

So, I mucked up a bit. I could have sworn that one of the girls in Erma's friend group was called Teresa, but apparently it's Sylvia. Sorry for that, I'm fixing that asap, on the topic of names there are a few difficulties, two sets of characters have the same bloody name. The first does not really Mather much as both Pamelas are background characters, but the Sams are at least frequently in the story (Wait Oh Hades throne THEY BOTH HAVE A MOM CALLED PAMELA!) to keep this somewhat manageable I'm going to write out the full name of the OLDEST person with the same name if they appear in the same scene. So if both Pamela Manson and Pamela Williams are in the same scene, Pam will be Pamela Manson while Pamela will be Pamela Williams. Simuraly Sam will be the town goth while Samuel is Erma's dad. (I originally wrote Pam is Sam's mom and then went Hold up a minute…)

"I am so sorry for scaring you." Danny started now very aware of how he looked. His shirt was thorn scars were visible, both old and new. And he had become slightly more muscular over the past months, Danny believed he would have been properly muscular had it not been for a lack of food. He was also taller than his mother now.

"No son, we are sorry for, well, everything. ugh, the things we discussed doing to you right where you stood." Jack said his voice was unsteady as he saw his son, all the weight that had been pressed on the young man's shoulder now evident. How much harder had they made it for him?

"Sweetheart. I don't know what to say. And the questions, I don't know where to start." Maddie's eyes watered as she scanned the young man's body, it was like every injury was magnified for her. She racked her brain, had Danny shown any injuries in the past two years? Aching muscles, limp walks, burns. She had taught them minor injuries, PE and school lab accidents. But all this time he was fighting ghosts. Did his powers hurt him? She had seen movies and scanned some comics briefly, they all seemed so silly at the time. yet here was her own son. Altered in a lab accident, given abilities that were beyond human. Suddenly, all the silly fiction became so hauntingly real.

I know you have questions and I Promise I will answer them the best I can. But I will do it tomorrow. There are more people who have questions and need answers. And there are people I would like you to meet two people."

Maddie burst out laughing, at the look on her boy's face. whoever these people were, they were obviously important to him. "I can't believe this, First time you are about to introduce us to a girl and the answer to how did you meet was. Oh! We saved the town together." she suddenly went quiet. "My gosh, that must have been a sour topic for you."

Jack frowned, "Half the girls in town would probably throw themselves at your hero persona and yet, you kept it secret." he sighed, seeing his son sway on his legs. Poor boy was fighting sleep just standing there. "Son, Tell us one thing, did we kill you?"

"I don't know, honestly no clue my human side is alive but, I remember when my ghost manifested I…I did face death there, but I don't know if I truly died."

The three were silent, the only sound the clock on the wall ticking away, there were no right words as the invisible specter of the young man's death hung between them as a fog. And there was No soft consoling, and it was not your fault. There were no apologies, and we didn't mean it. There was fault, there was negligent and youthful stupidity. There had been intent to hurt and there had been secrets. But just the same There had also been intent to do good, greatly misinformed as it was, with almost deadly consequences. Daring heroics and, admittedly, on Danny's part a lot of property and some personal damage in the form of Valerie Gray. The young hero was well aware that the fact that his secret was kept as well as it was, had probably to do with more luck than wisdom. Danny gave them a smile, as he turned into his ghost form and floated up.

"If there is one thing I do know, I am not going anywhere anytime soon, unless it's bed I'm beat. see you guys tomorrow."

"Good night son"

"Sleep well."

When he was gone, the two parents fell into each other's arms, neither could tell what they cried for and if it was gladness or grief.

Danny floated up to his room, turned back and let himself fall on the bed. He picked up his phone and made a call. There was a person he needed to be there tomorrow, and telling them was probably something that would either help him greatly or put himself in a lot of danger. After the call was done, he was about to stop his fight as he saw a message from an unknown number.

"Hey I'm awake."

Erma woke up as a warm tongue on her cheek, she opened her eyes and petted Sirius, her undead dog, on his head. The small dog jumped happily as his master got up, apparently adamant on not letting her disappear again. Erma smiled happily at her dog's loyalty as she looked into the mirror and facepalmed she had used the pc in her room to get home and landed on her bed just after Dani had texted her. However, she had severely misjudged the power it took her and how tired she was, she had fallen asleep as soon as she felt the soft pillow and mattress. This all meant 2 things, one her mom and dad did not know about her returning home safely, and she had slept in her sweaty dirty armor as it had been the choice between that or the hospital gown. And considering the lack of a backside to the latter. She opened her closet and grabbed some clothes before dumping them in the bathroom. And walking downstairs, hoping her parents would be too happy to see her to ground her. Suddenly, she was wrapped in her mother's silky hair and shoved into a chair

"Erma Williams Yuriemoto, Where in all the realms were you the past months?" Emiko was glaring at her with such power that the shadows on the wall seemed to flair up.

"The ghost zone."

"The Infinite realms? How did you get there?"

"Look, this is going to take me a while and there are more people who want a piece of me. I asked them to come to the diner of Silvia's parents, we talk there. I promise I explain everything there."

Emiko felt her husband's hand on her shoulder as her gaze softened.

"Fine, but you better hope that you have a satisfying explanation young lady, cause if I find out this was some teenage prank you will not have a youth left."

Erma got up and gave the two one of her telling looks that said I missed you as well. Both teens went to take a shower, the warm water temporary banishing any worries as it washed away the sweat and blood out of the healing wounds and the stinging skin. The concern could wait for five minutes.

Jazz looked at her brother as he ate like no tomorrow and finally realized something.

"I can't believe this, I'm the big sister, you can't be taller than me already!"

The halfa smiled, "Cant stay a boy wonder forever, Jazz."

Jazz sat down at the table and looked at the plate in the middle. Then raised an eye.

"Salmon wraps?"

Danny gained a serious look in his eyes. "I have been slacking. And it almost cost me…someone dear to me. Eating healthier is a first step."

"Danny, who?" Jazz asked, seeing the pain in her brother's eyes.

Danny looked at the floor. Before turning to his sister.

"That is her story to tell. Not mine. Hey, do you like your name?"

Jazz raised an eyebrow. "My name? I guess I do. Especially since…." Jazz stopped, not sure what her brother would think

Since what?

Jazz looked at him and sighed. "When you disappeared, I kind of took a habit of praying before I went to sleep."

I thought you were an atheist.

I was. it's just, I didn't believe in ghosts for a good bit as well. but well, here we are. Which kind of proves there is an afterlife, or at least more than just this life. I don't believe in something all loving I don't intend to join any one religion but, Whatever is out there that started this world it gave me you. And I have been praying that it will keep you safe. My name means gift from God, which I believe my life to be. what or whoever that "God" might be. I'm grateful we are still here, you know."

Danny pulled Jazz close, he never really thought about any spiritualism. Maybe he didn't feel ready to confront that, in a way, he had passed the line of mortality. The specter of his own death was not something he was able to face yet, nor what if any entity that looked over him. But he did agree this simple moment of peace was a blessing, a reason to keep fighting. Neighter noticed the eyes watching from the shadows.

The Fentons walked up towards the cross road when a Black and Purple blur raced towards The halfa and tackled him.

"Daniel James Fenton, Don't ever scare me like that again, you hear me!"

Sam was teary-eyed as she tried to look Stern at her friend and was pained to see that they both had started growing up these past few months, and they had missed it. She had become more feminine in both dress and build, she was not tall by any means, but she was taller her usual crop top and skirt were gone. Now she sported a black and green shirt that left one of her shoulders bare and still showed her stomach and black jeans with a skull shaped buckle and spiked knees. a silver chain held a now empty holster. She still had her trusty boots, a purple streak adorned her ebony hair that was bound back in a ponytail held by a bronze spider."I'm so happy you are back"

"Oh damn, did clockwork give you a time skip? You. bulked up since I last saw you, dude." Tucker had not changed all that much outside of being taller. Topping out just above Sam herself. He still wore his barre but had changed his yellow sweater for a blue shirt and black jacket.

Jack and Maddy smiled as their son greeted his friends, they had no words for the debt they felt they had to the two. where they, his own parents, had made him hide his heroics, they had been there right next to him. They saw the Mansons and the Foleys walk up. Jack was nervous. They had told the two families Danny was missing. How could they not? The Folleys knew him since diapers and even if the Mansons did not see eye to eye with the Fentons at the best of times, the families had agreed on one thing. If the kids are in real trouble, you call.

Pamela and Jeremy felt similar, they did not necessary agree with Samantha's choice in friends. However, they had been worried when they heard the news, how could they not. The boy had been in their lives for years now, and no parent worth that title would wish harm on a child. The Folyes didn't feel any hesitation and hugged the boy.

"Danny, oh it's so good to see you again and look at you." Angela Foley said, smiling brightly as she looked the boy she had seen as a toddler had become a fine young man.

"Where did you disappear to a gym?" Maurice Foley said as he clapped Danny on the shoulder. Sam looked at Danny, "Did you call Valerie as well?"

Danny shook his head, "I Don't think it will end well if I did, she has an itchy trigger finger. And I'm not going to be the only ghost there, I think I might be better off talking to her in person."

Sam nodded, and winked at him. "Okay, so let's feed our now suddenly big boy."

The group walked further, eventually making it to the Dinner, where they were welcomed by Sylvia. "Wait that's you? Man, the hair and eye color change works better than I expected as a disguise. Come on in, pancakes are on the house."

The Dinner was packed with Erma's friends and family, which Danny now realized must have including her Aunt uncles cousins and grandmother on her father's side. They must have driven all night to get here at this time. A blonde man walked over and reached out a hand.

"You must be Danny, I want to thank you for getting my little girl home safe."

"Danny Fenton sir, and Erma does not need my help to get home safe."

The man smiled, looking quite pleased with Danny's words.

"Erma can take care of herself, but still Having someone to watch your back is rarely a bad ting."

Sam stared at the man and suddenly spoke up. "Excuse me sir, But you are not Samuel Williams right?"

The man smiled at his namesake. "I am at your service, miss?."

"Samantha Manson sir, I'm a great fan of your work." the goth said unusually shy. Which made her father look surprised. "You know this man, Sammykins." To the surprise of both her daughter and husband, Pamela answered.

"He is a writer, dear. A rather talented one at that."

Sam looked at her mother in shock, "Mom You read his books? You hate horror."

Pam looked sheepish. "I'm trying to show some interest in your hobbies, dear, Daniel's disappearance made me overthink some things. And I have to say Mister Williams certainly has a certain flair in his writing."

Samuel smiled, happy to see that his work had an impact on the two, Jeremy looked at him and sighed.

"Do you have anything to ease me into the terror."

Angela raised her eyebrow," you live in the most haunted town in the USA that has just fused with, from what I have heard from our new neighbors, a town that is not unfamiliar with strange happening themselves. And you think you are going to lose sleep from reading a book?"

A blonde waved from one of the tables, "Don't underestimate Mr Williams' writing. He once helped Erma write a piece for our elementary school's theater group, and we managed to get an M rating. And a handwritten letter telling him that he was banned from doing it again."

Samuel's family laughed at The writer's embarrassed face. Terry looked up, "So where is spooky? I had half expected her to be floating around already"

Cindy looked up, "She's in the room. I think she is just invisible, Miss Williams as well, if I'm right."

"Now those are some instincts you have, Cindy," The voice of a woman cut through the ether. As a tall, elegant ghost materialized.

Jack and Maddy looked at her son, "Danny is she, Like you?"

The bell rang and Danny sighed in relief, You are just in time.

The newest guest was a large bald man. Tucker looked at his friend confused, "you invited Lancer?"

Danny nodded. "I can't keep going like I did until now, Tuck. If lancer knows, it will give me more breathing room. I have to keep my school up if I want to live this double life. Especially now I…." he looked to the corner, a flash of green eyes blinked from the shadows, and he nodded at them.

The adults took their seats as the two teens now had the floor, Erma squeezed Danny's hand, reassuring him she would be right there as Danny spoke up. "Going ghost." the two silver rings stripped away his secrets, leaving him in his black hazmat suit, his raven hair now silver and his blue eyes ectoplasmic green.

Emiko looked at the young man and then at her daughter with a look of approval. "Have to say, it's quite a rare sight to see a Lares nowadays. Especially here in the USA."

Erma's friends and family looked at Danny with looks of wonder and curiosity, meanwhile his own circle of people looked at him with faces of shock, some even had to fight the tears.

Angela eventually asked a chocked question. "Danny, say it's not... Please tell me you are not dead?"

Danny shook his head, "I'm fine if I'm alive or death and in which measurements is something I don't really get myself, but I'm fine with how I am now."

Mr. Lancer pinched the bridge of his nose. "This explains quite a bit. I can only imagine the pain from your wounds, the stress of frequent ghost attacks, the pressure to keep your secret, and living in the lion's den, assuming your parents did not know."

Maddy shook her head, "We didn't, and before you all start, there is no one as pissed at us as we are ourselves." she assured the others.

Jack nodded. "Ugh, the things we discussed doing to our own son as he sat at the dinner table."

Maurice was the next to speak up. So, we know what has been going on, so next up is the how?

Danny smiled sheepishly, "Chalk that one up to youthful stupidity, as well as an unorthodox design." Danny looked at his Father. "So dad, why did you put the portal's on and off switch on the inside?"

The room went silent, but the large man blinked and turned to his wife, who looked horrified. "Note to self, no more all-nighter designs, it almost cost me my son."

"On and off switch?!" Erma's voice was clear and cold like a mountain stream, and yet it had a haunting feeling behind it, as if the power of her mother's bloodline had crept into her voice. "You are telling me that one of the most powerful ghosts around got that way because of an oddly placed switch?" The mostly quiet girl was so shocked that she actually spoke out loud.

Jazz's jaw was halfway to the floor as she gaped at her brother. "You are telling me that you, Mr spaceman. Went into what is essentially a wormhole generator. Not only that, you did so knowing full well that our parents inventions are prone to malfunction to the point of exploding. And you two." She turned to Sam and Tucker with a stern face. "You two let him? What the hell, guys, what happened to friends don't let friends do stupid things?!"

Surprisingly, Tucker glared right back, his eyes steely and his voice low. The marks of the past few years showing on his face. "Don't you think we haven't kicked ourselves over it ms therapist? I dragged him out of their guy was cold as the grave." The young man looked down in pain, "Four minutes. I thought I had killed my best friend for four long minutes." Danny looked at his best friend, he had never said this before.

Sam placed a hand on Tuckers shoulder. "We both did, and it only became harder after. We helped as much as we could, but." She looked at Danny hwe voice faltering. "Every time he went to fight, we knew we were out. When the heavy hitters entered the ring, we knew he would have to take the blows himself." the guilty look turned into internal anger. "Worse of all, more than one of his enemies have turned us against him or our own words." the guilt melted away and there was a fire in those violet eyes. "And yet here we are, I'm not leaving his side as long as I can keep up with him, that's my way of owing up."

There was a look of respect from the spookytiers and Erma, Amy spoke up, "I think we are going to get along just fine."

Terry nodded. "We still have a movie night to catch up on, you guys in?"

Sam looked over. "What movie?"

Terry grinned. "Conner show her the goods."

The boy flashed her the inside of his backpack that was filled with DVD cases. Sam smiled excitedly.

"I saw the original A Nightmare on Elm street, and Army of darkness. Im in." she looked at her parents. "I'm reserving the home theater."

Jeremy, however, was still frowning at Danny, "Daniel, as terrifying your Accident and the events that followed must have been, I must ask why did you attack the mayor."

Danny shook his head, prepared for the question, as it was something he knew would come up. "One of my enemy's a ghost warden named Walker. He is obsessed with enforcing laws, sadly, he makes them up on the spot to satisfy his obsession."

Emiko rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, you quote end quote broke the law and got away. So, he decided to make sure your reputation would be shattered."

Danny nodded. "In short, yes, I was imprisoned, staged a break-out leaving his prison wreaked, and he overshadowed the mayor."

Overshadowed? Maurice asked.

"It's what ghosts say when they mean possessing someone." Sam answered.

Maddy nodded understanding. "I was wondering what had come over you. Now it makes sense, you attacked thinking we were possessed. And tried to free the mayor, but.."

Jeremy finished. "He played victim to villainize you."

Once more Danny nodded, "And my arch enemy played into it," he threw his father an apologetic look. "Mom, Dad, I'm not the first halfa that had a lab accident."

The room went quite as Danny retold the rest of his sorry, when he finished, Jack jelled in frustration and punched the table. "Dear god, how many lives have I ruined my son and my best friend." he looked at his wife who looked just as shocked. "He did all of that, he tried to…Oh, Vlad what have you become." the two suddenly felt little hands on their knees and from the eater appeared a little girl with striking blue eyes and wild waste long hair black as night with white tips. Smiling gently at them. Jazz gasped. "That's who you were talking about, Vlad cloned you?!"

The girl nodded before he joined the other halfas.

Danny looked at the girl and asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the final battle. "That word you called me, did you mean it?"

Dani looked at her original and nodded shyly. "I don't want him to show up in my head when I use that word. Are you mad?"

Danny kneeled next to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Of all the things that have come from my fights with Vlad, you are the one thing I would never give up." Dani threw her arms around her originals neck. "Daddy."

Erma joined the conversation once more, letting her clear voice fill the room. "Dani, when you were hurt, you know you were.. Erma struggled to find the words that would not diminish the girl as a mistake or dysfunctional. "That Vlad didn't do his homework all that well."

Dani nodded, "I was unstable."

Erma nodded. "Well, when you were hurt, the doctors needed some stuff your dad couldn't help with. Another half of DNA."

Danny's eyes went wide, "You gave me…."

Erma went silent and opened her arms as the girl buried her head in her shirt. "Mama".

Erma whispered to her. "Remember that you told me you would like a different name to be more than a copy, your dad agreed go ahead introduce yourself."

The girl smiled and turned around. "Hey everyone, I'm Sara," She looked at Danny who nodded and winked, "Sara Jasmin Fenton."

Cindy, ever the tough girl, tried to sniff away her tears looking at the touching scene. "Sylvia's dad must be chopping unions, right, Amy?" The blonde handed her a napkin, pinking away a tear of her own. "Oh no, I'm definitely crying." suddenly there was a blur of brown as Erma's cousin Emily ran up and bear hugged her first cousin once removed.

"Awww she is so CUUUUUUTE" the overly exited girl squealed to the panic of Erma who knew how Emily could get. Luckily, Sara turned Intangible and escaped her clutches and hid at the Fentons who all looked at her with wide eyes.

"I…I'm a grandma?" the woman slumped in the booth, not knowing how she should be feeling. Jack looked out into space, the sheer amount of data the man had been processing had been shocking. Jazz just looked at Sara warmly. "That's why he wanted to know if I liked my name."

Pamela caught. "As touching as this is, I do think we still miss one piece of the puzzle, namely the past 6 months and what you two, or three I guess, had to do with how the towns got in this situation."

"That story is a bit more complicated, Danny said as he started to recall the events."