Chapter 32

Jazz gulped as she strapped Danny into the Specter Speeder. He looked pale as a ghost. She guessed he literally was a ghost, but still – he didn't look good. His forehead was burning up, and he was in a daze. It was a miracle they had even gotten down to the lab. He basically stumbled his way all the way down here – besides the fact that he was stuck in ghost form and couldn't use his powers.

She swallowed hard as she opened the Ghost Zone map. Immediately spotting an icy tundra on the map, she breathed a sigh of relief. She pressed it, and it began a sort of GPS system to it.

Zooming into the Ghost Zone, Jazz's heart felt like it would beat out of her chest. She felt immense pressure – fully aware that if she didn't make it to the Far Frozen in time, Danny might not –

"No. He's going to be fine," she told herself.

Then she thought back to Danny saving their dad. Maybe this was how he felt when he was saving him.

"Come on. Come on," she muttered as she accelerated. "Agh!" She yelled, nearly hitting some floating door.

Focus, Jazz.

She looked over at Danny. Even though he seemed to be asleep, he was writhing in pain. The gash on his arm was glowing even brighter. Ecto-goo was oozing out of his arm.

When she spotted the floating icy region of the Far Frozen, she breathed a sigh of relief. As she landed next to a cave entrance, she could see several yeti-like creatures walking toward them. She gulped.

"I hope this is the right place," she said, putting the vehicle into park. She opened the door.

One of the yeti-ghosts came forward and bowed.

"Hello, young Earthling, my name is Frostbite, leader of the Far Frozen."

"Um, hi. I'm Jazz and – well, my bro – I mean, Phantom got injured."

There were murmurs from the crowd of yetis. Jazz pursed her lips, fearful of their intentions.

"Jasmine Fenton?" Frostbite asked as he extended a hand to her.

She nodded before hesitantly taking his hand and stepping onto the snowy ground.

"He said to take him here. I didn't know who else to turn to –"

"You did the right thing," he told her, as two yetis lifted Danny out of the Specter Speeder. "We have great healers here."

Jazz rubbed her arms with her hands, starting to get cold.

"Come," he said.

She followed him into a large tent. He gave her a blanket and a warm mug of hot chocolate and sat with her.

"Thanks."

"You're very welcome. Your brother – he's a very important being here in the Ghost Zone."

"Really?" Jazz raised a brow. "But he's just a kid."

Frostbite chuckled. "That may be. Still important, nonetheless."

"What are they going to do? His arm…it looked really bad."

"The Stone of Power did that, no doubt. It is a weapon of mass destruction. Against ghosts, it is almost as harmful as it is to humans. As a halfa, Danny has accelerated healing, but even he is susceptible to the Stone. With our medical team, he is in good hands."

Jazz nodded thankfully before another yeti-ghost came in. "Frostbite, you're needed."

"Hmm, very well. Good to meet you, Jasmine. I will be just a moment."

Once he walked out of the tent, Jazz looked around the tent. She snooped through a bunch of papers on Frostbite's main desk, and something caught her eye. It was an actual picture of Danny – in ghost form. He was fighting a ghost with black hair, pointed on the sides and with a white cape.

"Plasmius," she read. Then she saw some notes on the side of the picture. "Danny Phantom shows great promise and skill. Even as a new ghost, he holds his own against formidable foes. It seems he is the one who has been prophesied to heal the very fabric of the Ghost Zone. In time, he will surely be the most powerful ghost in the Zone. Perhaps even more powerful than Pariah Dark…" She flipped around. "Who's Pariah Dark?"

"The King of all ghosts," Frostbite said, as he reentered the tent.

Jazz swiveled around and gulped. "Uh – I was just…"

"I read that you are very curious. It's quite alright. But I hope you understand and appreciate that Danny cannot know of this."

She nodded slowly. "If the prophecy is true – and that's a very big if – how do you know it's him?"

"There are many factors. I shouldn't go into it…Clockwork would have a – what is it, you humans say? A cow! If he knew you now know about this. And knowing him, he probably already does know…"

"Who?"

"I've already said too much. You'll keep this a secret?"

"Of course."

The same yeti as before popped his head in. "Frostbite, sir, you're needed again."

Several hours passed before they came to get Jazz. She was nervously awaiting any news about Danny, alone with her thoughts and a few books on the history of the Ghost Zone. She dreaded these situations now, what with her father's long hospital stay.

When one of the yetis came into the tent, Jazz stood up immediately. "Jasmine Fenton?"

She nodded. "Yes?"

The yeti smiled. "Your brother is in the infirmary recovering now."

Jazz breathed out a sigh of relief and followed them to the infirmary tents.

When she stepped inside, she saw that Danny was in human form now, sitting up and drinking hot cocoa.

"Thank God!" She rushed to hug him.

He winced a little as she made contact. "Hey."

She checked his arm – it was bandaged up in some sort of frozen bandage. "How do you feel?"

"Pretty good, all things considered. They said if you hadn't taken me here…"

"It's okay. You're safe now, little brother." After another squeeze, she eased up and pulled away. "So Danny Phantom, ready to answer more questions?"

He chuckled a little. "Ask away."

"So –"

"Sorry to interrupt. Danny Phantom," a yeti-ghost bowed slightly. "Frostbite wants to speak with you. It's urgent."

He nodded. Jazz helped him to his feet, and they walked out of the tent together. "Aren't you cold?" She asked Danny.

"I don't really get cold anymore," he shrugged.

She raised a brow as they made their way into Frostbite's tent.

"Danny Phantom! Up and at it, I see," Frostbite said, jovially.

"Eh, getting there," Danny said, as he rubbed his neck. "I could use a good night's sleep."

"Hmm…then you won't like what I'm about to ask of you."

He knew what he was going to say.

"You want me to get the scepter," Danny said.

"Yes. If Vlad Plasmius gets that priceless relic in his hands, there is no telling what power he will possess."

"Okay. I can do it."

"Is Danny really up to the task though? I mean, you guys just operated on his arm," Jazz pointed out.

"It is a good point you make, Jasmine. However, with Danny's accelerated healing, he should not need much longer to be fully healed. And once in ghost form, he'll be as good as new."

One of Frostbite's advisors came, and they went to chat by the fire while Danny reassured his sister.

"He's right, Jazz," Danny told her. "Every minute, I feel myself regenerating. I can't really explain it, but I can do this." He then sighed. "But if I am going to do this, then you should go home. It's getting late, and I'm not sure how long this will take. Plus, Mom and Dad'll be worried."

Jazz nodded and smiled slightly. "Good luck. And be careful," she said, before hugging him.

She pulled away and was getting ready to board the Specter Speeder.

"Wait, Jazz."

"Yeah?"

"I – well, I hadn't gotten a chance to say thanks. Not just for saving my life, but also for being there for me when I needed you the most. I've felt so isolated lately…it's good to have someone there who you can count on."

Jazz smiled. "I'm just happy to have my little brother back."

Danny smiled and nodded before Jazz got in the vehicle and zoomed away.

"Are you ready?" Frostbite asked, as he approached Danny's side again.

"I think so. I'm feeling more and more energized. The pain on my arm is almost completely gone."

"Very good. Whenever you're ready."

Danny nodded to him then looked forward and closed his eyes. When he transformed, it seemed to heal whatever residual pain and scarring was left.

He opened his green eyes and looked up at Frostbite. "I'm ready."

"Remember, Pariah Dark has many skeleton guards. You should not have to face the ghost king as he is in a long sleep. The Fright Knight should also not be a problem at this hour. The skeleton guards are numerous, but do not be intimidated by their numbers. Never doubt the power within you."

Danny was unconvinced. Despite that feeling, he took off into the sky and towards Pariah's Keep.