Chapter Ten: Danny's Requiem

"As long as I don't have to move any part of my body or say anything with my mouth." - Bluey

Frostbite

Needless to say, the Great One receives a plethora of visitors.

His immediate human family is here every day, and his other human allies come with them if they can. Danny's half-ghost cousin has also made a few appearances. I have not seen that dark-skinned human female since the first day, however. I am told that there was some trouble with her father that was keeping her away. I did not push for details, though I do hope that the man is alright.

Danny's imprinted parents, Master Reaper and Eileen Merryweather, are also here each day, as is Danny's beloved, Mira Scott. Sometimes the two ladies arrive alongside the humans, and sometimes they come on their own. Or, in Mira's case, with her human parents.

Another daily visitor, unfortunately, is Vlad Plasmius. We allow this because Jack and Mira assured us that the man was not a threat, but we do keep a close watch whenever he appears.

We received some unexpected assistance with this on the fourth day of Danny's comatose state. I had just finished checking in with another patient when Permafrost came to me and informed me that a dog had somehow made its way into the Great One's room. Upon inspection, I had deduced that this was the "Cujo" Danny had told me about. Animals are not my area of expertise, but I know that dogs as a species are renowned for their loyalty and protectiveness. Because of this, we knew that even if we got Cujo out of there, he would just come back. No matter. He is Danny Phantom's dog, so we knew he would be well-behaved. Plus, he is very small and stays out of our way when we do our work.

And, as it turns out, he is an excellent guard dog. Plasmius arrived a short time after Cujo did. I was in the process of swapping out Danny's IV bag and nearly dropped it in shock when I heard a loud, low, monstrous bark. I was even more shocked when I realized it was coming from that tiny, adorable mutt who had been sitting in the corner and calmly watching me work! Cujo had come out of the corner and was barking with elongated teeth and eyes that were now entirely red.

Vlad Plasmius, meanwhile, had cracked the door open and was now cowering behind it. "E-easy, boy," he stammered in fear. "I-I'm just going to sit with your master if that's alright…"

He barely got his foot in the room before shrinking back when Cujo unleashed a mighty roar that couldn't possibly have come from a creature his size!

"Okay! Okay!" Completely ignoring me, Plasmius pointed a stern finger at Danny. "Just for the record, Daniel, I did come see you today."

Cujo leaped up and snapped his jaws.

Plasmius jerked his hand back in time and slammed the door with a cry of, "I'm leaving now!"

Cujo then returned to his spot in the corner and acted as if nothing happened.

Once the shock wore off, I laughed whole-heartedly. "I can see why the Great One keeps you around!"

After finishing up with Danny, I gave Cujo a good scratch behind the ears and made sure to find him a nice bone to chew on.

Cujo would not be the only canine to appear. The next day, I had been patrolling with Snowstorm and Icicle when we came across a hulking wolf-like demon who looked a little lost. Upon engaging in some Esperanto with him - When was the last time I used that language? - I learned that his name was Wulf and he wanted to check on Danny. I sent my comrades on ahead so that I could escort this fellow to our medical ward.

As we made the trek, I engaged the demon in conversation. "Pray tell, Wulf," I said, sticking with his preferred tongue, "How do you know Danny Phantom?"

"I was once enslaved by a cruel man." Wulf tapped a furry black finger to his neck. "He put a collar on me that would electrocute me if I did not do his bidding. Danny and his friends freed me from my prison and protected me when the man and his soldiers sought to recapture me."

When we neared Danny's patient room, we saw Vlad Plasmius standing at the door, tapping his chin with a thoughtful look.

"Maybe if I…" he muttered.

Two black rings of light appeared around his waist and spread up and down his body. Now in human-form, he was able to phase his head through the door.

A fury of loud, deep-throated barking followed. Plasmius's human head shot back into the hallway. "Oh, cherry tarts!" he cried in frustration. "This is why I'm a cat person! Dogs are all annoying, flea-ridden-"

Wulf growled a warning and flexed his long green claws, and I wondered if I would have to break up a fight.

Plasmius went pale when he finally noticed us. Specifically, when he noticed Wulf. "But, not wolves!" Plasmius backtracked with a panicked grin. He clasped his hands together. "Wolves are majestic creatures!"

Wulf was just pacified enough to retract his claws.

Plasmius breathed out in relief and switched back to ghost-form while jabbing a finger at my chest. "Tell Daniel I tried to see him." He then stomped past us, muttering to himself.

I swallowed a laugh. "In case it wasn't clear," I said to Wulf, "you will find your fellow canine inside, and he is fiercely protective of Danny."

Wulf nodded, and I opened the door for him.

Cujo lifted his head from where he was lying next to Danny's legs. Wulf and Cujo exchanged words in canine language, then Wulf circled a few times and curled up in front of the bed. Wulf asked if he too could stand guard, but given that he was almost as large as me and my people, that would be much more inconvenient for us doctors. He was disappointed but understood my reasoning.

Wulf would not be the only visitor who met Danny when he saved them from hardship. The next day, a young spirit and her infant daughter arrived on this land, seeming equally as lost as Wulf had been. The mother, Amelia, claimed that she had once been a wanderer: a soul trapped in limbo, no longer alive but incapable of passing on. Seeing as only an angel would have been able to even detect her, let alone free her, she and her daughter were essentially frozen in time until the Great One and his father came along.

"I was expecting when I died," Amelia said with a fond look at the flaming-haired babe who floated at her side. "That's why I named my daughter 'Phantina.' In honor of Danny."

Truly, the Great One's good deeds are endless, and he is still so young!

And, of course, my own people have been to see our Great One. Several have left him small ice sculptures as tribute. Unfortunately, they started to take up too much space after a few days. Thankfully, his human family was willing to take them to their home for temporary storage. After being assured that they wouldn't melt. I often forget how delicate ice is in the human realm.

Danny's imprinted child also comes around often. Bub left his favorite stuffed toy with Danny in hopes that it would "help him sleep." We've tried explaining to him how comas work - as gently as possible, of course - but I'm not sure if he truly grasps the concept. He keeps saying that his "grandper," meaning Master Reaper, assured him that Danny would wake up in time. It is unclear whether Master Reaper was simply trying to keep Bub from panicking…or if the Ancient knows more than they are letting on.

On the sixth day, I was present for the sight of Plasmius's ghost-form pushing Danny's human parents down the hallway, demanding, "Will you please tell that mangy mutt that I mean no harm?"

"We did tell him," Jack assured.

"Well, he didn't listen!" Plasmius whined in response.

Naturally, I had to see where this was going.

Maddie stepped into the room first and said to Cujo, "You can let Vlad in, Cujo. He's not going to hurt Danny."

Jack followed her in, adding, "Maddie's right, Cujo. Vlad's on our side now. No need to worry."

With that, Plasmius took a deep breath and entered the room.

He rushed back out and slammed the door behind him. A flurry of monstrous barking and Jack's stern call of, "No! Bad dog, Cujo! You let Vlad in!" could be heard from inside.

The barking didn't stop. I turned away but not quickly enough to avoid being caught fighting my laughter.

"Will you stop enjoying this?!" Plasmius yelled as I walked away.

Plasmius hasn't stopped trying to visit Danny. Cujo hasn't stopped driving him away. I haven't stopped enjoying it.

Speaking of driving people away, there was an issue in regards to one of the Great One's enemies. At one point, Cujo was barreling down the hall, barking ferociously with those wholly red eyes. I and a few others followed, knowing that such a loyal creature would not leave his master's side without reason.

He shot out of the medical ward and took a hard left. A feminine voice cried out in shock. When we caught up to Cujo, we found him crouched on top of an inky black woman who was lying on her back in the snow.

"Get off of me!" the woman snapped.

She swatted Cujo away. He rolled to his feet, hackles raised and a low growl in his throat.

"State your name, stranger," I commanded.

The woman rose, hovering just above ground. "Penelope Spectra," she said, dusting herself off. "I was minding my own business," she glared at Cujo, "when that stupid dog came at me out of nowhere!"

Now on high alert, I formed a long spear of ice in my hands and pointed it at the newcomer, who shrank when the others followed my cue and formed their own weapons. "The Great One has told us of your animosity toward him and your Obsession with the suffering of others, Penelope Spectra. If you are here to siphon off of our or anyone else's concern for him, we will have to ask you to leave."

Spectra hesitated a moment too long. "Uh, I-I'm just here for a friendly visit."

Like the rest of us, Cujo didn't believe her, and he showed it by doing something I'd never him do before.

His body grew and grew until he was larger than the cave beside us. His puppy fat hardened into muscle, and his nails and teeth sharpened into long, deadly points. His already deep growl lowered further, and there was raw menace in his eyes.

"Did you know he could do that?" Snowflake whispered to me in awe.

"I did not," I replied, quite stunned myself. But, I returned to the matter at hand by saying to Spectra, "I am giving you the chance to go in peace, Spectra." I smirked. "Unless you wish to take on all of us?"

She did not. Cujo received another bone that day.

Alas, Spectra would not be the last of the Great One's adversaries to make an appearance. The good news is that all of the others wanted a genuine visit with him, which was a pleasant surprise.

The first was the Box Ghost, who claimed that he and Danny had become friends. I did recall Danny mentioning that in passing, so we let him in without argument.

Then came a trio who called themselves Johnny, Kitty, and Shadow. According to Danny, they were also enemies-turned-friends. Kitty even stated that Danny was the best man at her and Johnny's wedding. So, of course, they were allowed in as well.

Danny's other foes received a bit more questioning, but all were allowed inside. Except for Skulker, despite his claim that, "I would never hunt someone who couldn't fight back. That's just rude."

I wasn't there when Ember arrived, but when I went in to check on Danny, she was sitting at his bedside, playing a gentle melody on her guitar. "I read somewhere that coma patients can hear things," she said. "Figured he should hear something good."

"It's Ember, right?" I asked. She nodded. "May I be blunt with you, Ember?"

"Shoot," she replied.

"To my knowledge, you and Danny are sworn enemies. And yet, here you are, playing him music instead of taking advantage of his weakness."

Ember scoffed and rolled her eyes. She didn't stop playing. "Look, man. I'll never be one of his little fans-with-a-P-H," I still do not know what that means, "but I wouldn't wish this on him. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who does. Real talk, most people who claim they hate Danny Phantom actually really respect him. Even if he's not someone we'd hang with. Know what I'm saying?"

Her statement rang true.

The next foe to appear was named Technus. I know this because after he gave us a pleasant greeting, he bellowed, "I am Technus! Master of all things mechanical and beeping! And, I-" Snowflake cut him off by raising a sword of ice to his throat. Technus shrunk back and said at a normal volume, "-am here to see my nemesis. But, if that's not allowed, I understand." We let him in after he promised to be quiet.

Another time, I caught Walker, the prison warden who is as feared as he is respected, exiting Danny's room. He spotted me and said, "Pardon me, sir, but can I ask you something?"

"Of course," I replied.

"Rumor has it that Phantom conked out after fixing Master Reaper's core. That true?"

I nodded. "Indeed."

"That figures. Kid's always biting off more than he can chew." Yet, Walker's eyes were sad as he glanced at the door and shook his head. He turned back to me with a stern, "You folks better be taking care of him. Angels are hard to come by." He walked past me then, muttering, "Just my luck he'd be one of them."

And, those are just the "enemies" I was present for! It is remarkable how much respect the Great One commands! Why, even all four of the Ancients have been here to see him at least once.

Today is Master Clockwork's first visit, though it certainly is a confusing one.

"Forgive me, Master of Time," I say as we stand (well, I stand and he floats) just outside of the medical ward. "But, why should I remove Cujo from the premises? He makes for an excellent guardian to the Great One."

Master Clockwork had arrived in the form of a child and now shifts into that of a middle-aged man. "Yes, but his hatred of Vlad Plasmius runs deep. It is imperative that Plasmius is the first person Danny sees when he awakens."

Hope flares in my chest at his words. "Are you saying…that Danny will awaken very soon?"

Master Clockwork smiles warmly. "Very soon." His form changes into that of an old man as he regains his serious demeanor. "But, Plasmius has to be the first one he sees when the time comes. Get Cujo out of there. Plasmius will be here in two hours, and he'll be in a bit of a frenzy when he arrives. Leave him be. And, don't let anyone into Danny's room until Plasmius comes out of it."

I should have more questions, but sheer joy is clouding my mind.

For nine days, the Great One has been unresponsive despite the improvements we'd seen. At long last, the wait is almost over!

Vlad

I toss and turn in bed before giving up on sleep. My digital clock reads "10:08." I was so exhausted that I went to bed early, but apparently I'm not exhausted enough.

How does Daniel do this "hero" thing day in and day out? While the ghouls I've faced are problematic, it's the civilians that annoy me the most. They should be grateful that I am taking time out of my day to keep watch over them, no matter how utterly boring patrolling is.

There was a nasty car wreck this morning, and people were flagging me down, calling for help. Why me? My temporary job is to protect them from ghost problems, not human problems. And, it wasn't as if anyone died in that wreck. I think.

And a few hours ago, when those ectopi were cavorting all over town and I rounded them up? I had assumed people were appreciative until I saw the dirty looks they gave me as I flew away. So what if some civilians got in the way and ended up with burns or broken bones? Again, no one died! And this time, I'm fairly certain of it!

But, I will continue to protect them until my services are no longer needed. Because Daniel's love for Amity Park and its residents goes beyond his Obsession. Angels have been known to latch on to familiar areas and defend them with their lives. To the surprise of no one, Daniel ended up with the town he was born and raised in.

Thinking of Daniel only makes my heart and core ache worse. It's been nine days since he fell comatose. Six since I paid him a proper visit.

How I hate that dog, hate that the dog seems to hate me even more. When I do brave stepping into Daniel's room, I am tackled or bitten or flung out the door like the mutt's favorite chew toy! It's frustrating and humiliating, and I have to restrain myself from annihilating the little pest!

Daniel's love for the dog is the only thing stopping me.

Well, maybe not the only thing. After all, I can hardly blame the creature for despising me. I have done countless horrible things to Daniel and his loved ones. Cujo was only present for one of them, yet he behaves as though he has seen every evil act. Animals, especially ghost animals, are highly intuitive, so is it any wonder why Cujo won't let me near his precious owner?

"Meow."

Speaking of animals.

I roll to my other side when I feel the mattress shift with my fluffy Persian's little paw steps. "I'm sorry, Maddie," I say as I run my hand over her gorgeous white fur. "I didn't mean to keep you up. I just can't sleep."

Maddie settles down with her paws tucked underneath her and a purr rumbling in her throat.

You won't get this brand of kindness from a dog. Dogs just slobber all over you. Cats are gentle in their comfort and so much more intelligent.

But, when it comes to protection, I muse reluctantly, dogs do have their moments.

At least I can say that I tried to see Daniel. For the first few days after my accident back in college, I would hear Jack and Maddie calling to me as the doctors turned them away. Simply knowing that they came, that they were thinking about me, had been enough to get me through the day.

Now I know how it felt from their end.

But, this is different. Jack and Maddie had always been good to me. Their own safety was the sole reason they weren't allowed to see me. It isn't like that here. Cujo is keeping me out for Daniel's safety.

Memories flood my mind, the bad mixing with the good.

"I would rather chew off my own foot than be the son of a two-faced dickwad like you!"

"Uncle Vlad, I learned a long time ago that sometimes all a person needs is a second chance. And, I'm willing to give that to you. Just don't let me regret it."

"Dude, you are one seriously crazed up fruit loop."

"Um, Mr. Masters? Do you need any help with dinner?"

"Shouldn't you be getting home to the love of your life? Oh, that's right! Dad married the love of your life. You're bitter and alone!"

"I told you that there's good in you. Thank you for proving me right, Uncle Vlad."

"Did you know that Daniel forgave me?" I say to Maddie. "Mira implied it, and Danielle confirmed it. I wish he would have told me, but I guess I can understand why he didn't. After everything… He probably thinks I don't deserve it, but his tender heart won't let him not forgive me." The lump in my throat is impossible to swallow, but I keep talking, spilling my soul out to a creature who has only a marginal grasp of the English language if any. "If that is the case, then I can't really be angry, can I?" Tears well in my eyes. I blink them away because I have no right to them. "I'll never be a good person, but I don't want to be a bad one anymore. It's all because of that sweet, stupid child. Helping with my fixation. Saving me from the Guys in White. Comforting me at my grave. I never gave him a single reason to like me, yet he continuously insisted there was good in me. Why is he…is he so…"

Just as the first sob is about to burst from my throat, Maddie yowls and leaps over me. I roll over and see her standing erect with her bushy tail lashing from side to side. Her yellow gaze is focused on my nightstand.

"What are you-" I cut myself off when I take second glance at the nightstand. "Where did this come from?"

I sit up and grab the object that definitely wasn't there before. It's a lined paper that's slightly crinkled and has three holes down one side. The edge of that side is jagged, implying that the paper had been torn out of a notebook. The light switch is on the other end of the room and my night vision is better in ghost-form, so I channel some ecto-energy into one hand to read the note. It's written in black ink, which the writer must have regretted doing, as several parts are too scribbled out to read. The writer also wrote the whole thing in cursive, which is notable considering how few people use cursive nowadays.

My breathing hitches when I recognize Daniel Fenton's handwriting. Maddie sits on her haunches, her tail curled around her paws as she watches me read the note that is bathed in my hand's pink glow.

The day I met you, when we were cooking together and talking about this and that, I thought you were pretty cool. As cool as an adult can be to a 14-year-old boy, that is. *scribbled out* When I learned the truth about you, about your plans regarding the reunion, I wasn't just angry. I was hurt, betrayed. I liked you a lot, and I thought you liked me too.

*entire paragraph scribbled out, notable legible words include "thought you were my friend," "monster," and "from crazed up fruit loop to FUCKED up fruit loop"*

This past year has been *scribbled out, the words "good for you" can be read despite it* difficult for both of us. *at least one whole sentence scribbled out* But, this isn't about me. I know how much you've suffered. What with your fixation and the Guys in White and your involvement with my reckoning. *scribbled out, the words "I hate how much I hurt you" are barely legible* I hate how much I hurt you that day, physically and emotionally, but I'll always be grateful for your help. And, I'm not just talking about keeping me occupied during my rampage.

*scribbled out* I wish you changing didn't mean you had to suffer. *the rest of the paragraph is scribbled out, notable legible words include "future" and "ghost-half"*

I hated seeing you suffer, but I loved seeing you change for the better. I know you're still working on it, and I'm going to keep cheering you on. I forgive you *long portion scribbled out* FOR EVERYTHING, and I'm not crossing it out this time! If I'm going to have the guts to say it to your face, I need to admit it to myself first. So, yes, Vlad, I forgive you for everything. Maybe once I've gotten my thoughts in order, I can tell you that instead of jotting it down in my math notebook instead of doing my homework. I should probably do my homework.

No one gives me any trouble when I barrel down the hallway to Daniel's room. I should be suspicious of the Frozeners' lack of effort to stop me. I should question why Cujo isn't here to chase me out.

But, why should I care about such details when I can finally, finally pay Daniel a proper visit.

I don't know how that note got into my house when the writer is still comatose, but I'll ponder it later.

My body shifts to human-form without my mind's knowledge. I'm still in my silk pajamas and my hair is surely a wild mass of bedhead, but it doesn't matter. Daniel has seen me in far worse shape than this.

I bite down on my lip, hoping to stave off a fresh wave of emotion. Daniel is terribly thin, his skin is nearly as pale as that of his old ghost-form, and he is due for a shave. He looks so…fragile. That is not a word I ever thought I would use to describe him.

I have to swallow a few times before I can speak. I don't recognize my own voice. "I…I read your note. I get the feeling you didn't want me to see it, and if that's true, then I'm sorry. I didn't even know how much I wanted your forgiveness until-until Danielle brought it up." A smile pushes through my quivering lips. "For you of all people to…to find me worthy of forgiveness. That's… Danny, that's huge." I swipe my finger under my eyes before my tears can spill over. A small sob leaves me as I stare down at my lap. "I put you and your family through so much. I caused you so much pain."

"S'okay."

My head shoots upward. The voice was so quiet that I at first think I imagined it.

Then I see a pair of light blue eyes looking at me through slitted eyelids. That quiet, slurred voice says to me, "M'not mad."

My core sings as I throw myself out of the chair and drop to my knees at this beautiful child's bedside. "Daniel!" I sob as I take his hand in both of my trembling ones. "Oh, Danny!"

Everything bursts out of me, and the feeling of Daniel reaching up with his free hand to stroke my hair only makes me cry harder.

My little badger is weak and groggy, but he is also awake and talking. A miracle just happened right before my eyes. I want to pull him into my arms, but I'm terrified of messing up the tubes and wires attached to him. So, I settle for holding his hand to my forehead as nine days of guilt and grief pour out of me.

"Tha's it," Daniel slurs softly as he continues petting me. "You c'n cry now. S'all over."

Yes. It is.

"He can't hurt you an'more. Clockwork locked him outta time."

What?

"You don't have to hide b'hind the big football an'more."

A watery laugh escapes me. I sniffle and wipe away my tears. "My boy, you are positively delirious." I release his hand, and he watches with a drunken smile as I rise to my feet. "Why don't I go fetch a doctor for you?"

"Wait!"

Slender fingers curl around my wrist with a strength I hadn't anticipated. Daniel gazes at me with such intensity that I immediately kneel at his side once more. "What is it?"

Daniel blinks a few times then remembers what he was going to say. "Come with me. Back to 2005. You c'n start over." As if I'm not concerned enough, Daniel shifts closer to me, grabs my head, and pulls it to his chest. "There's still a world there. 'N, I will never, ever be like him. I promise I won't. Pl's come with me, Vlad."

I break from my stupor and shoot to my feet. "I would love to!" I say with a forced grin. "But, first I'm going to get a doctor in here."

My panic dissipates when I remember something I read about severe core injuries: the healing process always includes a period of delirium. Despite evidence to the contrary, it is the final stage of the core's recovery. This is the only reason I can stay relatively calm as I seek out a doctor.