Town Hall

This was probably one of the most foolish things she had ever done. And she had a long list of things to compare it to.

Unfortunately, much like the rest of the items on her list of foolish things, it was the only thing she could think of.

Vlad Masters was a cutthroat businessman, a gazillionaire, a thief, an inventor, and a politician. And he had done all of this while keeping his powers hidden.

For all their mockery of him, Vlad was extremely intelligent, powerful, and well practiced with his abilities. Easily one of Danny's most dangerous enemies.

Danny had once told them that he believed the only reason he wasn't truly 'dead' was because Vlad wanted him as an apprentice.

Or son. Or both.

So, Sam was going to attempt to outsmart the smartest man she knew of (next to her father obviously).

Thankfully, for all his strong points, Vlad had a couple of pretty big buttons she could push, and she planned on using them.

As she made her way to the Town Hall, where Vlad would no doubt be, she collected groups of resistance that she swiftly enslaved, as well as bringing others that had already been enslaved. She needed them for her plan to properly work.

By the time she arrived, she had gathered a small army of people with mind-vines, a mass of plants trailing behind her.

Town Hall looked like a scene from an apocalypse movie - Cars abandoned in the streets leading up to the government building, crude barricades erected a small distance from the building, where it appeared a refugee camp had been set up.

The entire area was devoid of plants, the land itself burned to the dirt with flamethrowers that the people had armed themselves with. In addition to multiple sprinkler systems that seemed to be spraying a light mist of… Something. No doubt harmful to plants.

It was all very impressive for the short amount of time they had to actually put it together.

It was also absolutely worthless.

If either her (or her Father, but that went without saying) decided to, they could smash through the barricades with ease. They could send roots deep underground, coming up underneath any defenses to annihilate them. Or they could just toss small objects, like cars, at the building.

So, worthless.

Honestly, Sam felt a little insulted. Did they actually think any of that would do anything to stop her?

The moment she was in sight, she began hearing cries of panic from past the barricades. Seeing the tips of weaponry peek out, she slid back into the mindless throng she had gathered.

As she suspected, nobody shot.

Instead of moving in to attack, Sam had the entire group wait in perfect view of the barricades and waited.

A minute passed. Then several. After ten, she could practically see their confusion as to her actions.

Her Father had come in swiftly and without mercy. Her actions right now were undoubtedly counter to what they had experienced thus far. Not that she cared what they thought - she only needed the attention of one.

And after several minutes of waiting, that person walked out from the 'protection' of the barricades and directly towards her.

In turn, she walked out from the wall of meat shields and up to him.

Vlad looked none the worse for wear despite all the chaos. Not a hair out of place in either ponytail or goatee. Like every other time she had seen him he was wearing an impeccable black suit and tie that just screamed money.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist," Sam purred with an evil grin. "The brave leader, going out by himself to negotiate with the evil forces besieging his city… It's the sort of show people love, isn't it?"

"Samantha." Vlad drawled in response, looking her up and down as if judging her. "What a… Fascinating new look. All natural I assume?"

"And you look the same as ever." Sam sneered back. "The epitome of a businessman that hasn't done a single honest day's work in his life."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Vlad actually did look like she had complimented him. "Now then, I am talking to Undergrowth right now I assume?"

"My father is busy right now." Sam dismissed casually. "Dealing with weeds falls under the duty of the Gardner, and it is a duty I take most seriously."

Vlad lifted an eyebrow before letting out a light chuckle. "I don't know what Undergrowth did precisely, but if you truly believe you can take me on then you've clearly lost a few memories my dear."

"All my father has done is shown me the proper ways." She shot back at the perceived slight against her father. "As for who would win? In view of all of these humans?" She asked innocently, gesturing to the barricades in front of Town Hall where dozens of people could be seen peeking out. "I think I might stand a chance unless you wish to reveal yourself."

So much of what Vlad had accomplished was due to him keeping secrets. To reveal those secrets would hurt him greatly.

They stared at each other intently for several moments before Sam leaned back and folded her arms with a sigh, "assuming, of course, that you are the real Vlad and not a duplicate."

She actually gave it even odds. Vlad was certainly arrogant enough to come out in person, but it was the safer play to send a duplicate in his place.

To his credit, Vlad didn't confirm or deny anything, and just gave her an infuriating smirk. "So if you aren't here to fight… ?" He trailed off leadingly.

She shrugged with forced nonchalance. "As the closest threat to my fathers goals, I thought it appropriate to see what you were up to myself." She gestured to the barricades that her plants could rip apart in seconds. "I can't say I'm impressed."

"Yes, well, it gives the masses something to do." He replied dryly, not seeming bothered in the least. "And the 'closest' threat? Not that I disagree, but even under thrall I would expect you to have more faith in young Daniel's abilities."

Ok, here it goes. Plan A.

"Oh, but Danny was captured by my father early this morning." She stated bluntly, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I suppose he might have put up more of a fight had he not succumbed to an unknown condition. As it is, he is being taken care of."

Well, as much care as she could give anyways.

"So, Daniel finally got caught did he?" Vlad sniffed disapprovingly, though she thought she saw a hint of worry. "I suppose it was inevitable with his foolish tendency to play 'hero'."

"And I suppose becoming a villain like you is any better?" She shot back.

Honestly, several of the more powerful enemies Danny had to face in the past was because Vlad and his 'meddling'.

Vlad just shrugged, "To be a 'villain' is merely a matter of perspective." He replied loftily. "But I digress. You mentioned Daniel had some sort of 'condition'?"

Sam forced a nonchalant shrug, "Father stated it had something to do with a core. All day today he had been cold, and before he went unconscious he was constantly freezing, turning everything around him and himself into ice."

That seemed to spark a reaction.

Vlad's eyes widened in shock, his mouth actually dropping open for a moment before he composed himself. "I see… Well that is rather unusual. Very well, how much do you want for him?"

The question took her off guard, and she looked at him blankly.

"Oh come now Samantha," he gave her a condescending look that made her want to throttle him. "Why else would you tell me this if not to trade for something? So, what is it?"

"You… You think I would trade Danny away?" Sam hissed incredulously. "To you?!"

"He's hardly worth anything to you right now, is he?" Vlad asked, as if ye were being completely reasonable. "Now, name your price. How many people in return for one slightly used ghosty boy?"

He dared… Vlad thought she came to sell the one she loved?! And for something so trifling as that?!

Sam felt her lips curl up into a snarl, "Danny," she hissed, furious beyond anything, "is not for sale! I am well aware what experiments you perform! I know all about what you've done to Dani! And you think I would give Danny to you?! Never!"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, "If that isn't why you've come, then why are you here?"

Dang it, she misstepped. She had hoped to keep how much Danny meant to her from him.

"You are the only other half-ghost I know." She growled. "As you so often claim, you have twenty more years of experience and knowledge. I want you to tell me how to fix him."

Vlad didn't say anything for a moment and just stared at her.

"I find it most curious that Undergrowth doesn't fix young Daniel himself." Vlad noted eventually, rubbing his chin. "I would think it would be well within his capabilities."

She glared at him, "it is not to me to question my father." She growled, not appreciating the reminder that her father had indeed refused to help Daniel, regardless of his reasons.

Vlad rolled his eyes, "Of course not." He noted pensively. "And yet why would he have you ask me to help when he could do so himself? Unless," an evil grin appeared on his face, "you aren't here on his orders."

The ground trembled at her anger, small sprouts coming up from the ground in preparation while shouts could be heard from the barricade.

Yet Vlad looked unconcerned amidst it all.

This was why she didn't want to talk to Vlad - he was actually intelligent. But she had no choice. "Tell me how to help Danny." She ordered.

He tapped his chin in mock thought, "hmmm, I think not." He declared with a sneer, not at all bothered by her implied threats. "Counteroffer though - give Daniel to me, and I'll fix him for you. I'll even avoid telling Undergrowth you are currently going behind his back. What do you say to that?"

Sam's vision turned red, and it took everything she had to not attack.

There was no way she'd permit that.

Vlad was too dangerous, too smart, and too unpredictable.

No matter what he said, she couldn't trust any plan of his.

Instead, she directed her plants to go with plan B.

"Here's a counter-counter offer." Sam snarled as the crowd of zombie civilians parted.

"Tell me how to help Danny…"

Vlad tensed as a female came forward.

"… And I'll give you Maddie Fenton."

Sam smirked as Vlad stared at the woman he obsessed over. She did feel a bit bad, subjecting Maddie to this. But once Danny was healed, she and him could come and rescue his mother and return her to The Growth.

They could make it their first official date.

For now though, she had Maddie slide back into the throng of zombie citizens and gave Vlad a smirk of her own.

"So, 'what do you say to that'?" She asked mockingly.

Vlad stared between the throng and herself, and she could practically see the thoughts going through his head.

"If you attempt to free her yourself, I will notify my father." Sam warned the older halfa.

Even if she couldn't take on Vlad, her father no doubt could.

"I see…" she could see a bit of anger in his eyes now. "And if I threaten to tell your 'father' what you are doing?"

"And cause Danny's death yourself?" She didn't fully understand Vlad. He had no issue in hurting Danny, yet claimed he wanted the younger halfa to be his son.

If nothing else, he would want to make sure he had the corpse to make a clone, which wouldn't happen if Undergrowth killed him.

Sam knew she would have to tell Undergrowth eventually, but hopefully not until she had something to show for her efforts. He would be upset with her, but he would understand in the end.

He loved her after all.

Vlad was thinking about it. She could practically see the moment he made a decision.

"Very well. Maddie for my knowledge on ghost cores." He declared, looking at her expectantly.

They stayed like that for several seconds before Sam raised an eyebrow, "Well?" She prompted.

He sighed, "I don't suppose you'd be willing to release Maddie first?"

She couldn't resist the scoff, "One of us has a reputation for backstabbing others, and it isn't me."

"I thought not." Vlad shrugged in resignation. "Very well. A ghost core is, as it sounds, the center of a ghost's existence. In terms even you would understand, it is their heart, brain, spirit, all combined into one. The very essence of their being. With no core, there is no ghost."

Ok, fascinating… And absolutely worthless to her so far.

"An important aspect of the core,". Vlad continued after smirking at her expression, "is that it consists of the ghost's will and drive, often being the motivation behind their obsession and, if strong enough, influences their power set. Much like the Box Ghost and his incessant obsession with boxes."

Sam couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. "But Danny doesn't have powers relating to ice." She said skeptically.

"Doesn't he?" Vlad smirked at her. "Are you sure?"

Sam glared at him. If he was going to be continuously smug about this…

Vlad sighed. "The way he senses ghosts is via exhalation of cold mist perhaps?" He suggested. "That's not exactly standard ghost behavior."

Ok, he had her there.

"It's possible that the presence of ectoplasmic entities stimulates Danny's core, however marginally, resulting in his ghost sense." Vlad mused to himself. "Time and constant exposure could have caused it to mature."

Sam frowned at the explanation, but couldn't think of any way to disprove it. "So how do I fix it?"

Vlad raised an eyebrow, "That depends - without actually being there, it makes it rather difficult to diagnose. The core itself might be overcompensating, perhaps reacting badly to his human side, or perhaps it's malformed. If you can bring him here- "

"No."

Undergrowth might sense Danny if she removed him. And even if he didn't…

"Then if you can bring me to -"

"No."

… There was no way she could trust Vlad in any capacity around Danny while he was vulnerable.

Vlad frowned at her, "without access to him or any tools, it makes it rather difficult to help, don't you understand, foolish girl?" He asked testily.

"I understand perfectly," she replied absently, her mind already spinning. "If you don't mind me asking, what is your ghost core?"

Sam smirked as his expression tightened at the sudden change in topic. "I fail to see how that is relevant." He replied stiffly.

"You have a much better grasp on all of your powers," she continued thoughtfully, smirking internally at his disgruntled expression. "but I don't recall you ever doing anything 'different' or truly unique. They're all either things that Danny's been able to replicate, or it was due to some technological device or other."

"Your point being?" Vlad looked down at her with an unpleasant look.

Sam turned it over in her mind. "Either you've been holding yourself back significantly… Or you don't have a ghost core." She concluded with a smirk. "Or perhaps it's not powerful enough. Which means you haven't experienced what Danny is currently going through."

Vlad scowled, "Even if that were true, which I deny," he bit out, "My knowledge of ghosts and their anatomy is unparalleled, and my equipment gives me the best chance Daniel has to fix himself."

"Perhaps," she murmured.

Or, perhaps not.

"There is no 'perhaps' about it, young lady." Vlad rejected haughtily, unaware of her thought process. "Is this truly how little you care for Daniel? Willing to get him killed for your own pride?"

Just like that, her expression switched to rage. Several vines laying in preparation burst through the ground, thorns sharp and ready to attack while her eyes burned green.

"Don't ever say that." She snarled. "After all that you've done to Danny, you don't get to accuse anybody of that!"

Vlad's muscles tightened, his stance shifting slightly in preparation, but he held himself back from doing anything else. Instead, he brushed imaginary dust off of his suit, ignoring her threat. "I only hope you realize your folly before it is too late." He replied loftily. "But if you insist, then I'm afraid we have nothing else to talk about. Now, for your end of the bargain?"

Sam took several deep breaths, calming herself marginally. "Very well."

There was silence for several moments, and Vlad's frown grew bigger as her own smirk increased.

Sam had promised to free Maddie Fenton. And she would. However -

"Great gobs of ghost goo! Where am I… Maddie! Get away from my wife, you horticartial plant menace!"

Vlad gave her a sharp look, to which she just gave an innocent smile.

Sam hadn't said anything about not releasing anybody else.

"Vladdy, you're here too?! Don't worry, I got you!" An instant later, the large figure of Jack Fenton barreled past the throng with an unconscious Maddie Fenton over his shoulder.

Never breaking stride, he slammed into Vlad and threw him over his shoulder as he ran towards the City Hall.

Sam had to hand it to Jack. The elder Fenton recovered surprisingly quickly from the effects of the mind vine.

Sam gave a small wave to Vlad as he was carried away.

Had she given only Maddie to Vlad, she was sure he would convince everybody that he had done something heroic, saving somebody. Now though - in the eyes of everybody watching - it looked as if Jack had brushed off the mind vine and saved his wife by himself. No, not only himself, but with the way she had been in a threatening position, it looked as if Jack had saved Vlad.

It probably didn't matter. In the end all would belong to her father after all; the opinions of weeds hardly mattered.

But it made her feel better.

And now she had a potential clue to chase down. Vlad had admitted that a 'core' was something every ghost had.

Ergo, it meant it wasn't unique to half-ghosts.

With that, she directed the mindless horde back to the central hive to continue planting, while she made her way back to Fenton Works.

Fenton Works

Sam felt a presence following her, just at the edge of her senses.

It was probably Vlad. Or a duplicate of his, as she doubted he'd be able to get away from Jack very easily. Most likely hoping to figure out where she hid Danny.

Too bad for him, she wasn't going there yet.

Instead, Sam made her way to Fenton Works, easily going down to the Ghost Portal.

It was still overgrown, the vines and various other plants seemed to be enjoying the ectoplasmic energy from the Portal itself, yet she ignored all that.

Gearing up the Specter Speeder was a familiar process. Even if she was doing it alone, it just meant that it took her a bit longer.

Sam eventually slowed down and looked at the Portal nervously.

She was connected to her father. Not tightly, but she could sense him, currently amongst the roots deep underground. And she was sure he could feel her the same way.

That connection, logically, must have limits. And she had a feeling that walking through a tear in the fabric of reality might be that limit.

But, if she was correct, her father would have to actively look for her to notice she was missing. If he did, then there would be no hiding that she had gone. Without permission no less.

A deep, integral part of her raged at the thought of needing permission, but it was easily ignored.

Lying about Danny was one thing. Did she truly want to compound on her sins?

Yes.

Sam shuddered at the ease the answer seemed to come to her, but… If the other option was that Danny would die, she would do that and more.

Vines gathered inside the Spectre. Thin branches wrapped delicately around her arms as several flowers bloomed around her waist and wrists, curling through her hair.

Her father would be upset, but hopefully he would understand?

Maybe he wouldn't even notice her absence?

Her father was busy establishing The Growth. If Sam was fast enough, she might be back before he realized she was gone.

She let out a shaky breath and started the Speedster, her expression filled with determination.

Sam would accept rebuke, would weather any criticism. But in this, she would not be stopped. There was no other path for her.

With that, she entered the world of the dead.

Author's Note:

Just as a quick warning, you can't expect regular updates from me. I'm highly inconsistent - traditionally, I post something once at the beginning of each month (not necessarily to this story though - I have many, many stories, and only a couple get updated I'm afraid), but this little chapter really wanted to get finished up. So, I really hope everybody enjoys it.

As usual, I'd like to thank those who are currently supporting me on pa tr eon; I'm super grateful for the support they provide. This isn't necessary - everything I post there will eventually be posted here as well, which is why it means so much to me. For anybody that is interested or would like to support me, the link to that page is P a treon . com (slash) shdowstep. (remove the spaces).