DDanny Fenton spends a lot of time in his room, according to his parents- yet in all honesty he often flies out the window to attend to other ghostly matters. If he wasn't busy fighting ghosts, he was busy catching up with school work, or talking to his best friends over the phone or computer. Nonetheless, this past week consisted of Danny spending smaller amounts of time doing his normal everyday routine, and instead spending time with a certain Winchester.
It reminded Danny of all things he missed about having his friends around to physically interact with. He had gotten so used to eating lunch alone, and spending all of his time consumed with other things, it was nice to have new things to do. To have someone spend hours doing absolutely nothing with but enjoying each others company nonetheless was a refreshing break from his usually chaotic life.
"Wait, so Sam believes in Phantom even if he hasn't seen him?"
'Maybe Sam has added a bit of complication to his life,' Danny thought, it was odd but not totally unwelcomed.'
"I don't know, maybe, Tuck. Something Mikey said to him a few days ago brought this interest out." Danny sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair. "He's spent some time doing research in the library."
"But every piece of evidence is gone right?" Manson asked, her attention being pulled from the black makeup she was applying, her back facing her computer screen so that the boys could see her face in the reflection of the large mirror in front of her. "I mean, everything with backing, damning evidence that could prove that Phantom isn't much more than a fable now."
"Well yeah, but we already know that some people believe the fairy tale stories still in the library." Tucker cut in before his raven-haired friend could respond. "We've got nothing to worry about Danny, it's like bigfoot, no one has hard proof- and any 'proof' is easily debunked."
"I guess you guys are right." Danny nodded, not able to shake the looming feeling that things wouldn't be that easy- nothing in his life ever truly was. "Anyways, how about we focus on the fact our Sammy has gotten a date."
"Ooooooh, that's what the make up is about? Must be a lucky girl." Tucker grinned, placing his chin on one palm, "Spill the beans, who is this chick."
"You're so lucky I'm hours away and you're safe from my boots right now." Sam glared, before continuing. "Her names Aino, and she transferred here a few months back. She's the one from the super glue incident in art class."
"I like her." Tucker stated, matter-of-fact. "You have my blessing."
"Well thank you dad, not that I asked." Sam rolled her amethyst eyes, leaning out of frame to fix her eyeliner, using a smaller mirror to help with precision.
"I like her name." Danny added, smiling at the groan it got from Sam, "Besides, anyone who can somehow sneak thirty pounds of super glue into a school is perfect for you in my book."
"She's actually planning to do something similar with pudding in a few weeks actually."
"Nooooooo!" Tucker dragged, pressing a hand to his chest. "Sam you have got to marry this girl, or I will."
"I'm sorry Tuck, but she's not into guys who have already been married to their PDAs." Sam shot back in a heartbeat, pulling a laugh from her friends. Moving back, she turned to the computer. "How'd I look?" Sam had changed some since she left Amity, if only to become more… Sam- that was the best way to explain it. Her short black hair only got shorter, before the left sided became shaved down to spite her parents, a few new piercing decorated her left ear lobe, and a brow piercing rested on her right brow. Her outfit was a simple black tank top, grey shorts, fishnets and an oversize army green jacket over it all, finished off with none other than her favorite pair of chained combat boots.
"Perfect."
"Goth, and intimidating."
"Just what I wanted." Sam grinned, running a hand through her hair.
"So, when do we meet this lucky lady?" Danny laughed at the glare Sam flashed the camera.
"This is our first date." Sam deadpanned, unblinking, already done with her friends shenanigans.
"Dude, that's not the right question." Tucker chastised, tapping the camera. "What you meant was when is the wedding."
"I'm gonna go now." Sam hissed, her camera going black before signing off.
"How much do you want to bet we meet Aino in a week." Tucker laughed along with Danny.
"I bet in three days." Danny grinned, glancing over at the time before sighing. "I have to go on patrol soon."
"Don't fret dude." Tucker sighed. "I've got to finish a last minute robotics paper. It's a pain."
"Good Luck." Danny smiled, before the two bid their goodbyes. With a sigh, the halfa pulled himself out of his computer chair and made his way to his window. Time for another night filled with flying around the town for hours.
It was two in the morning when Danny found himself wandering around the park as Fenton. He did this occasionally when he couldn't sleep even if it served best to try to sleep anyways. By this time the park was often completely deserted so it was interesting to find someone swinging nonchalantly on the swings bathed only in the moonlight... and their own glow.
The shiver that raked down his spine, and puff of soft blue air was enough to confirm this was a spirit. Based on the softness of the glow and the much more human-like skin was also a large indicator that this spirit had yet to fully manifest.
"Hey?" Danny called out softly, making his way over to the swings. His only response was a glance. Danny was able to make out the light pink eyes, and scarred cheek. "Wanna tell me why your here at this time of night in a park?" Danny asked, settling himself next to the spirit.
"Where else will I go?" The ghost asked, kicking his legs softly.
"Maybe to the Zone." Danny offered softly, swinging slightly as well. The confused look he got confirmed his suspicions. "You don't know what that is, do you?"
"Is it like Heaven?" The voice wavered and echoed softly, like it wasn't all there, which matched the ghost's appearance perfectly in an eerie way.
"Not quite. You can make your own little paradise though in the Zone." Danny smiled, looking up to the moon. "A hunter has his own hunting grounds, a scientist his own lab, a singer her own studio, whatever you want. Your imagination is your limit."
"What's your name?" The ghost whispered, staring at their feet.
"Danny, though most ghosts know me as Phantom or the 'Ghost Child'."
"Wait, you're Phantom?!" The spirit looked over shocked. "You aren't as mean as I heard you would be."
"Depends who you talk to." Danny chuckled. "But for the most part, I just try to keep the peace."
"What's your name?" Danny asked after a lull in the conversation.
"Ekon." The ghost, now identified, responded. "I'm not sure how long I've been a ghost if I'm being honest."
"It happens." Danny explained calmly. This ghost used to be a human and it was obviously nervous and unsure- being harsh would do nothing except possibly permanently scar the ghost for the rest of their eternity in the afterlife. "Some ghosts could be dead for years before their consciousness manifests."
"How can I go to the Zone?" Ekon asked suddenly, turning coral pink eyes to Danny.
"Just have to go through a portal." Danny offered a smile. "Lucky for you, I happen to have one in my basement."
"You're a lot nicer then I expected." Ekon spoke, a twinkle in his eyes. "When can you take me?"
Danny paused, running a quick mental check over how he was feeling. He was all caught up on his homework, and he doesn't feel tired…
"I can take you now." The spark of hope that filled the spirits face was worth missing sleep tonight.
Danny needs to stop missing sleep. After so many all-nighters, and the caffeine filled drinks that he often times consumed allowed his body to grow a tolerance against the heavenly beverages, not allowing him to take advantage of their effects anymore. The plus side was he forgot it was a weekend, and was able to sleep an extra two hours before his internal clock woke him. That and the smell of bacon.
"Morning honey, how did you sleep?" Maddie greeted her son with a kiss to the top of his hair, setting down a plate of waffles and bacon in front of him.
"Thanks mom." Danny smiled, just now realizing how hungry he was. That most likely had to do with the hours he spent in ghost form inside the Zone, settling Ekon in and creating an amiable friendship between the new ghost and Klemper. "I slept alright, you?"
"Not very much." Maddie admitted, sipping on a cup of coffee. "Your father's catching up on sleep, but we're one step away from a giant break through."
"Really? What about?" Danny stifled a yawn, popping a piece of bacon into his mouth and dousing a heaping serving of syrup on top of his waffles.
"Your father and I think we narrowed down to the exact component in ectoplasm that give ghosts their abilities." Maddie explained. "If we can separate that component, we could very well apply those abilities to absolutely anything."
"That would explain the ecto-dogs in the fridge." Danny supplied around a mouthful of waffle, pulling a laugh from his mother.
"Swallow first, then speak." Maddie reminded, getting a sheepish smile in response. "And yes, it even opens the possibility of humans being able to use such abilities."
"What-" Danny choked, coughing slightly before continuing. "Wouldn't that turn them into a ghost?"
"Not quite." Maddie shook her head, pausing slightly to put her thoughts in order. "The healing factors found in these specters can do wonders in medical advancement if we can place the exact component."
"Ah..." Danny trailed, eyes trained on his half eaten waffles. His mind mulling over the information he learned and wondering if it was a threat or not.
"Well, I'm off to join your dad in his nap." Maddie stood, dropping her mug in the sink. She continued after dropping another peck on her son. "I left a bit of cash on the coffee table in case you plan on going out."
"Sleep well mom, love you." Danny waited until he heard the faint 'I love you' before standing to leave. He did plan to meet with Sam Winchester at the nasty burger in a few hours. It didn't mean he had to stay in his house until then- he could walk around Amity for a bit before making his way over.
"Hey Sam." Danny greeted with a smile, sliding into the booth across from the taller teen. "Sorry I'm late, my dad dragged me into one of his experiments." Danny offered an apologetic smile. In reality Danny felt bad for lying to Sam, on his way there he was stopped by Cujo who was dragging around a scared Ghostwriter. That had been quite a chase.
"You're good, I actually hadn't noticed." Sam returned with a sheepish smile, closing his laptop.
"What's the distraction this time?" Danny asked, settling in his seat and stealing a fry from Sam's tray.
"Creative writing." Sam sighed, laying a hand on top of his computer. "Mr. Leedee comes back from leave tomorrow, and I complete forgot about his project. Given we are just coming up with an idea list, we get partners tomorrow."
"Ouch, projects are never fun. Throwing in partners? That just makes it worse." Danny responded. "What's the topic?"
"We're supposed to write a story based on a fable, or fairy-tale, or urban legend we know about."
"That shouldn't be too hard. There's tons to choose from." Danny offered, receiving a sheepish smile back.
"That's the point, there are so many." Danny couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him.
"What are your choices?" Danny asked, accepting the laptop as it was slid over to him. The raven haired teen's eyebrows furrowed at the list; the Winchester had only listened one fairy-tale while the rest seemed to be urban legends. "I'd say Hansel and Gretel. Less morbid then the rest." Danny deduced, sliding the laptop close.
"Well, let's hope my partner is fine with that." Sam offered back, before relaxing. A small silence passed between the two, the two teens taking in the food before them before conversation rose again. "Anything new?"
"Not really, I'm still waiting to hear about Sam's date with Aino."
"Sam had a date?" The youngest Winchester looked shocked.
"I didn't tell you?!"
"I never thought Sam would find someone to date in high school, especially with how you described her- nothing against her though anyways."
"Honestly, neither did Tuck and I." Danny laughed along with Sam, happy to see his new friend take an interest in his best friends. "So get this, Aino was the girl from this incident..."
AN: Umpf, so it's been a while... I am hoping that once school starts up and I'm back in public schooling and have a straight forward schedule.
I don't have much to say in this author's note besides I'm going to try to get my life in order and continue this story because it is one story that I'm excited for.
Anyways, MASSIVE Thanks to RangerHorseTug for being the beta for this story!
Also a thanks to anyone who leaves a review and letting me know what they thought of today's chapter, Hasta Luego!