Chapter 27
That night Danny brought the stone to Vlad, as requested. He flew down to the library, where Vlad was waiting in a large armchair, facing away from the fireplace.
Danny rolled his eyes, before tossing the stone on the ground. "Here's your precious rock."
Vlad grinned as he stood and picked up the stone. He looked rejuvenated – he must've felt the same feeling of energy that came over Danny when he held it. "Ah yes. The Stone of Power."
Danny shrugged and turned around, about to take off, when Vlad said, "One more thing I need from you."
He grimaced before turning around, eyes glowing furiously green. "Let's get something straight. I don't work for you, and I'm not one of your cronies doing your dirty work!"
"Now that's where you're wrong, Daniel. Because our deal still stands: if you do what I want, I won't hurt your friends and family."
Danny crossed his arms. "What do you want?"
"A trinket. Locked away in the Ghost Zone."
"The…Ghost Zone?" Danny stammered.
"Yes. You have been to the Ghost Zone before, haven't you?"
"Um…I mean," he looked at Vlad who was just smirking, and rolled his eyes. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I have!" He lied.
"Good. Then you'll know where the palace is."
"There's a palace in the Ghost Zone?"
"Yes. Pariah's Keep. Somewhere in those walls is a scepter. I need you to steal it for me."
"Wait a minute. You want me to break into some ancient castle in the Ghost Zone and steal a precious artifact?!"
"Calm down, little badger. You've proven yourself to be quite the nuisance so it shouldn't be too difficult for you."
"Um, thanks?"
"Get it to me by the end of next week. Ta ta!"
Danny groaned before flying away.
The next morning, Danny walked into the lab. He held his breath as he stared at the ghost portal. The last time he had stepped inside was the day his whole life changed. Of course, he knew that going inside now wouldn't have the same effect as it did that day, but it was still a strange realization. He opened the doors and gulped at the bright green swirly abyss in front of him.
Luckily, his parents had built a vehicle specifically designed to explore the Ghost Zone, but they hadn't tested it yet: The Specter Speeder. He hopped inside and turned on the engine. He pulled forward into the portal.
He gazed around the tunnel to the other side in awe. Ectoplasm as far as the eye could see surrounding him. Finally, he made it through to the Zone itself. He gasped, looking up at the sky. It was green and black and appeared infinite. Doors, buildings, and even landscapes floated all around. It would be easy to get lost here. Danny began jotting down landmarks to keep track of where he was.
"In hindsight, I probably should've just asked Vlad for a map," he muttered to himself.
This place made his hair stand on end. It was so creepy and dark and dreary. More than anything, he felt like he was in a black hole with no chance of escape.
Out of nowhere, a yeti-like ghost was waving at the Specter Speeder. Danny furrowed his brows as he began to brake. It looked like the ghost was…smiling? He wasn't sure what to make of it. When the ghost approached, his heart sank. Then he realized he was Danny Fenton. He changed in order to make himself appear more of a threat.
The yeti nodded. He bowed slightly. "Greetings. I suppose my suspicions are correct then."
Danny crossed his arms. "What suspicions?"
"My apologies. My name is Frostbite, leader of the Far Frozen. You are Danny Phantom, correct? The halfa?"
"Yes," Danny said hesitantly.
"I see you are confused. That seems the natural response. I have grave concerns and need to speak with you. Please, come to the Far Frozen," he said, gesturing to a floating arctic tundra.
Danny looked skeptical but agreed to it.
He flew the Specter Speeder down and a large group of yeti ghosts were there.
"These are my advisors," Frostbite told him.
They all bowed slightly.
Danny bowed slightly too because he figured it might be some sort of custom. "Nice to meet you," he said.
Frostbite gestured for Danny to sit with them around a campfire. That's when Danny noticed the ghost's ice arm. You could see the bone through the ice. His eyebrows raised.
"An old wound. Please, sit," he said.
Once everyone was seated, Danny felt all eyes on him. They were all staring at him like he had two heads. He rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"I'm glad we've caught you now, before having to travel to Earth ourselves. We don't like to mess around with humans."
"Right," Danny said, scratching his head.
"It's not that we don't like them!" Frostbite said. "We think they are a great race. But, well, if anyone saw a 300-pound yeti that could talk, they'd probably be frightened!" He laughed and the others joined in.
Danny chuckled a little, but truthfully, he was a bit on edge. He was ready to bolt at a moment's notice. After a moment, Frostbite got serious again.
"Now, it's come to our attention that the ghost known as Vlad Plasmius has stolen the Stone of Power." The other ghosts looked down grimly, and the mood of the kumbaya campfire changed in an instant.
Danny gulped. "Oh?"
"Please, Phantom, do not pretend you didn't know this. We are aware you had to do what you had to do. We are not angry, but we do need your help."
"What exactly does it do?"
"Essentially, it gives its user untethered power, as the name suggests."
Danny's eyes widened. "What would that mean?"
"Its user could destroy the world as we know it. And when one world goes, so does the other."
"Destroy the world? Why would Vlad want to do that?"
"It doesn't really matter what he would want to do. But the power within the stone – when used to its maximum potential – has the capabilities of a nuclear bomb."
"Oh my God…You mean I gave a nuclear bomb to a psycho?!"
"In a manner of speaking, I suppose so. It doesn't work like a nuclear bomb, per se. It tears the fabric of the universe. The longer the user has said object, the stronger it – and he – gets."
"How long does it take for that to happen?"
"A few weeks."
"Okay, so I just need to get it from him before that."
"Yes. Then we are on the same page?"
Danny nodded.
"It's paramount you don't let him get the trinket it goes with. When paired with Pariah Dark's scepter, he would be unstoppable. The jewel within the scepter can influence people's minds. It isn't exactly mind control unless used on a small number of people, but more so the power of persuasion."
"So essentially, Vlad wants world domination," Danny speculated.
"My people and I believe so, yes. You need to get that scepter and bring it here. He won't know that we have it here."
"How do I know I can trust you?"
Frostbite smiled. "You don't. And you shouldn't trust anyone, especially here in the Ghost Zone," he warned, handing Danny a scroll. "Here is a map so you can find your way around."
Danny opened the map and gawked at the size. He hadn't realized the Zone was so large.
"If anyone can prevent Plasmius from destroying the world, it's you, young halfa," Frostbite said, as he stood.
Danny stood up with him. The other yetis nodded agreement with proud looks on their faces. Danny gulped. "Um, why me though? Why do you have such faith in me? You don't even know me."
"You – you don't know about the proph –?" One of the other ghosts started.
Frostbite glared at him, and the ghost went silent before Danny looked back at him. "Know about what?"
"Worry not, Phantom. You have allies in us."