I apologized for any delays and I hope you all been patient for this. As I said, before, life keeps me busy, especially when you're an adult. Here's chapter three!
Disclaimer: I don't own Danny Phantom characters except my OC's.
mikaela2015 - Hope you've been patient, my friend. For I bring you future new chapters on the way.
Enjoy!
How to Befriend your Ghost
Chapter 3: First Day of Training
Today's the day for our future Ghost hunters: the day they start their long-waited ghost training. The weather was cloudy, gray, and gloomy, yet clear enough to undergo any activity. It may not be a bright, sunny day that everyone hopes for, but the lack of sun will not deter the teenagers to begin their training. Lancer eagerly led his new students to the gates of the training dome.
"Welcome to Ghost Hunting Training!" The teacher announced with a smile as he opened the gates.
Following behind were Dash, Tucker, Luna, Chinook, and Sam in the lead. "No turning back," Sam declared, not letting herself show any nervousness, fear, or excitement as she and the others entered inside the building. Inside was a massive arena with enough room for half an army to fight and enough space for ghosts to fly around. Surrounding the arena were many seating spaces for an audience to watch which is also protected by viewable anti-ghost windows, strong, durable walls that are able to withstand most ecto power from the ghosts, and a clear dome-sphered roof that revealed the sky above.
The teens marveled the training grounds and each brough their own weapons: Sam brought her trusted axe, Dash with his mallet, Luna has her sword, Chinook has a mace and a clawed glove, and Tucker bought a small laser shooter, though he rarely uses it. Despite the dangers and risks the training will bring to them, the only thing that mattered to them was the chance to follow in their family's footsteps in becoming warriors and ghost hunters so they can protect their home and loved ones. It is their heritage, blood, and destiny.
"I hope I don't get seriously burned!" Tucker hoped.
"Are you kidding? Getting battle scars are a hunter's dream. They tell stories of what we've been though, survived it, and come back stronger," Luna commented. "But I'm hoping to get mine on my shoulder or maybe on the lower back."
"I wonder if I get a mauling or a big one across my face," Chinook added. "I bet I'll look awesome!"
"Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it," Sam agreed.
"Yeah, no kidding, right?" Everyone turned to see the last student to arrive and the one person they weren't thrilled to be stuck with: Danny. He walked in with the Fenton bazooka in hand with an unenthusiastic face. "Pain. Love it."
"Wait, he's also taking this class? Who allowed him in?" Luna was unsure of Danny joining the class based on the experiences.
"My guess? His father. He is the leader's son," Chinook added.
"Let's get started!" Lancer shouted to the group. "The recruit who does best will win the honor of killing his or her first ghost in front of the entire village."
"Fenturd already killed a Halfa, so, does that disqualify him or what?" Dash teased, making some of the group laugh, except Sam and Tucker.
"Wonder if I can transfer to the class with the cool or mature students," Luna muttered.
Danny sighed dejectedly. He knew his reputation would make him a laughingstock once he made his appearance in school. Though he gotten used to it over the years, it still hurts inside. All he wanted was just to be like them and make a name for himself.
"Don't worry, Danny," Lancer patted his shoulder, consoling him, though his efforts aren't the best. "Look on the bright side, you're small and thin. That'll make you less of a target. They'll see you as sickly and weak and go after the healthier, fit teens instead."
He led Danny to the group, forming a row that face several barricaded doors. The teens notice the doors being bashed on the inside. Growls and snarls were heard behind them, realizing there are captured ghosts on the other side, preparing to escape, fight, or kill as soon as they're released. Lancer then began his teachings as he walked between the students and the locked doors.
Lancer then began his teachings as he walked between the students and the locked doors while naming the ghosts' species they'll face. "Now, behind these doors are just a few of the many species you will learn to fight! Like the Ferocious Draco!"
"Speed: 10, armor: 18," Tucker muttered the ghost's attributes.
"The Cunning Enforcer."
"Tactics: 13. Stealth 7 times three."
"The Angry Storm Bringer."
"Weatherpower: 20."
"The Dangerous Wildfang."
"Jaw Strength: 9."
"The Nasty Ghoul."
"Attack: 8, slime: 12."
"Can you stop that, Foley?!" Lancer shouted, fed up with his annoying chatter. "And the Hostile Hacker." He grinned while placing his hand on the lever which serves as the door lock.
"Technokinesis: 11," Tucker whispered to Danny.
Dash noticed the teacher's look and realized his plan. "Whoa, whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach us first?" He nervously hoped not to face a ghost so soon.
"I believe in learning on the job," Lancer simply said. He lowered the lever, releasing the lock and out bursts the Hacker. The ghost was a tall, green-skinned, male with white hair pointed upward, red eyes covered by black sunglasses, jagged teeth, and a wispy ghostly tail. He wore a white collared shirt, black tie, white lab coat with a green belt, and green gloves. The one strange feature is that this ghost had a gag in his mouth.
"Um, why is it gagged?" Luna pointed out.
"Because that ghost wouldn't stop talking!" Lancer answered. "Especially when he was knocked unconscious!"
"Shame we don't have a spare gag for Tucker," Sam added.
"Hey, I heard that!" Tucker exclaimed.
The ghost then charged at the group, causing them to scatter away fearfully.
"Listen up! Today's lesson is about survival! If you get blasted or hit, you're dead!" Lancer instructed. The Hacker clumsily hit the wall and then began to charge up his powers. "Quick! What's the first thing you're going to need?"
"A paramedic?" Danny asked.
"Plus 5 speed?" Tucker guessed.
"A shield!" Sam answered.
"Correct. Shield, go!" The students then raced towards the shield racks, each grabbing a shield of their own. Danny struggled to lift his shield, but Lancer assisted in adjusting his shield before sending him off to battle. "The most important piece of equipment is your shield. If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield, take the shield!"
Luna and Chinook then both grabbed the same shield with a wolf pattern. "Hey, that's my shield!" Chinook shouted as they played tug of war with the shield.
"Your shield? I've grabbed it first!" Luna argued.
"Well, I saw it first."
"Well, I was born first. And ladies go first. Plus, there's a bunch of shields around. Pick any shield!"
"As you wish," Chinook smirkingly lets the shield go when his sister pulled away, making her fall on her back. "Besides, now this shield has your cooties."
Suddenly, their shield was blasted away by the ghost's electric blast, causing the siblings to fall down. "Luna, Chinook, you're out! There's no room for your sibling rivalry in battle." Lancer scolded. He then continued instructing the remaining recruits. "Those shields are good for another reason: Noise and plenty of it! Use it to through off a ghost's aim!"
Soon enough, Sam, Tucker, Dash, and Dash began banging their shields with their weapons. The noise from the clashing of metals resulted in the Hacker's disorientation due to their sensitive hearing. The noise also affected their vision which halted his attack.
"All ghosts have a limited number of shots! How many does a Hacker have?"
"Four?" Dash guessed.
"No, six!" Tucker answered.
"Correct, six. That's one for each of you!" Lancer declared.
Unfortunately for Tucker, the distraction was noticed by the ghost and took his shot at Tucker's shield, blasting it away.
"Tucker, out!" Lancer stated. Knowing he's out, Tucker took his chance and ran away in terror. "Danny, get in there!"
Danny tried to participate, but he was nearly hit by the ghost's attack and retreated back to cover.
Sam and Dash then faced the Hacker together. While Sam is focused on the battle, Dash then began to talk to her, despite the situation they're in. "So, I'm moving to my parent's basement soon. You think I should invite Luna to come by sometime to work out? Or maybe you? You look like you work out." Sam rolled away to dodge the attack, but Dash got hit by the blast. Luckily, he was unharmed since the blast hit his shield.
"Dash, you're done!"
Sam then joined Danny and was pleased that they're both the last ones standing. "So, I guess it's just you and me, huh?"
"Nope, just you," Sam said, leaving him behind with the ghost.
Danny then lost his shield to the blast. "One shot left," he heard Lancer announced. Danny then chased the rolling shield, not noticing the Hacker heading towards him for the kill.
"Danny!" Lancer shouted.
Danny then fell backwards toward the wall and was trapped by the Hacker. The ghost glared at the frightened teen and charged his final shot. The teen looked away fearfully, waiting for the pain to come, but the shot never came. Lancer grabbed the ghost's arm at the last minute, causing the final shot to be fired at the wall instead.
"That's six, buddy," Lancer declared, knowing the ghost had reached his limit. "Now, back to detention, you short-circuited virus!" He dragged the ghost back to its cage and locked the door. The class had ended for the day and the teens were out of breath from the practice. "You'll get another chance. Don't you worry, all of you. Remember, a ghost will always, always go for the kill."
Danny was then pulled up by his teacher, taking in his words that their enemy won't hesitate to take them out just because they're young or helpless. He then looked at the scorch marks next to him from the blast, thinking that he would have been killed if Lancer had not interfered. But then he remembered that one ghost did not go for the kill: the Halfa. He then realized that if ghosts always attack to kill, why was he spared by the Halfa?
"So, why didn't you?"
Danny had returned to the woods at the same spot where he released the halfa. He analyzed the pieces of the bolas, wondering why the Halfa didn't kill him. Everyone in the villagers already considered the ghosts their sworn enemies since they attacked, never having the chance to study or even talk to them. His experience with the Halfa never left his head, amazed that he even spoke to him, despite being a threat.
Seeking answers, he followed the path the ghost flew until he came a across a small dark tunnel. Using the walls to navigate, he walked towards the light and discovered a deep cove. The cove was surrounded by tall, steep, rocky walls, almost shaping the area like a deep bowl. Green plants, grass, and foliage covered the clifftops with several trees and rocks around them. And in the center was a deep pond used as a water and food source. The area formed as a peaceful oasis with the only fauna were the flying birds and splashing fish in the water.
Danny was amazed by the beautiful discovered, yet disappointed that his search for the ghost was fruitless. "Well, this was stupid. What was I thinking?" He was about to turn away, but then he noticed a piece of the black cloak the Halfa wore on the ground. He picked it up, pondering if the halfa went this way, where was he?
Suddenly, the Halfa appeared in the air, scaring Danny back. He peered through the tunnel's exit, seeing the Halfa struggling to grip the steep walls until he lost his grip and flew down.
Danny carefully jumps down to a boulder, hiding his presence from the ghost. He watched the ghost taking off, but his flight was sloppy and unbalanced that he couldn't stay in the air for more than a few seconds.
"Come on!" The Halfa growled with frustration after his failed attempt to fly away.
Danny took this chance to get his notebook and began to sketch the ghost from his spot. He drew every detail down from his snowy hair to the feet unveiled from the cloak. Once he finished, the teen pondered of the ghost's current state.
"Why don't you just fly away?"
The ghost fire an ecto beam to the ground and fell down to the ground. The fall pushed the cloak away from the ghost's legs, one of them has a wrapped bandage made from the tattered cloak. The halfa then checked his injured leg, revealing serious burns, bruises, and cuts that were caused from the combination of the ecto-bolas shot from Danny and the fall that happened as a result before his release.
Danny then drew a circle around the drawn leg to locate the problem of the ghost's flight pattern.
The ghost then tried once again to fly but abruptly fell down due to the pain of his leg. "It's hopeless. I'm good as dead if I'm discovered like this." He then crawled to the pond's edge, seeing the fish swimming by. He tried to catch the fish with a sharp stick he found, but the fish swam away, leaving him feeling hungry and worthless.
Danny felt bad, feeling responsible for the poor ghost's current state. He sighed but gasped when he accidentally dropped his pencil down, which the Halfa saw from the other side of the pond.
He looked up and spotted Danny. Both youths locked eyes, not breaking contact. Despite threatening the teen not to seek him out, the halfa didn't show any anger in his eyes, only caution and curiosity. Danny shared the feeling and felt something he never thought to share with a ghost: Connection. It is not just their looks they've shared, they have no resentment or hatred for one another, even though they were supposed to be enemies by nature.
That night, a gentle sleet fell over the village and a drenched Danny arrived at the great hall. Once inside, he saw the rest of the teens joined together on a table as Lancer went over to what occurred during their class.
"So, where did Samantha go wrong in the ring today?"
"I mistimed my somersault dive. It was sloppy. It threw off my reverse tumble," Sam answered.
"Yeah, we've noticed," Chinook added.
"No, no, you were great, Sam," Tucker assured his friend. "No one could do better than you."
"Well, maybe except me or even Luna," Dash said while flirting with Luna.
Luna groaned in annoyance. "Please, I'd rather be burned by a Draco than take any compliment from you, Dash."
"Well, she's right. You have to be tough on yourselves. Motivation for improvement which leads to your survival," Lancer agreed with Sam.
Danny finally arrived the table and grabbed his dinner, but finding a seat was a challenge. Dash bullied Danny by shoving himself to all available seats and the others weren't thrilled in sharing the table with him, except for Tucker and Chinook. So, Danny didn't have much choice but to sit at the empty table next to them.
"And where did Daniel go wrong?" Lancer asked the students.
"He showed up," Dash teased.
"He didn't get eaten," Luna added. Secretly, Sam didn't wish to be insulting to Danny but given their training and the war against the ghosts at their door, relationships are off the table.
"He's never where he should be," Sam stated. Secretly, Sam didn't wish to be insulting to Danny but given their training and the war against the ghosts at their door, relationships are off the table.
"Thank you, Sam," Lancer said while he slapped behind Dash and Luna's heads for being rude to Danny. Even though Jack assigned him to look after Danny, he still willing to defend him from anything including bullies. "You need to live and breathe this knowledge. The Ghostly manual." He then pulled out a black book with green edges and a green ghost symbol in the middle. "Everything we know about every ghost we have ever encountered and know of." He then heard thunder from outside, cautiously listening in case there was something inside the storm. Thankfully, he sighed. "No attacks tonight. Study up. Knowledge is power, you know."
"Wait, you mean read? As in homework?" Chinook asked.
"While we're still young and alive?" Luna agreed, not thrilled to do quiet reading.
"Yeah, why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you stuff about?" Dash argued.
"Oh, I've read it, like seven times," Tucker admitted, eager to share his knowledge to the others. "There's this poisonous ghost that releases toxic mist that burns your skin and melts your face. And there's this other one that-"
"Ok, dude. That sounds great...if I want to take a nap," Chinook stated. "Besides, I don't even have time to read that."
"More like you don't care," Luna said."
"Oh, shut up, sis."
"Well, while you guys read like nerds, I'll go kill stuff and get all the glory," Dash stated, leaving the table and out the hall for the night. Luna, Chinook, and Tucker soon followed.
Danny then joined Sam at the table, hoping to have some time with her. "So, wanna share the book or-?"
"Sorry, Danny, but I read it already," Sam pushed the book to him, before standing up and leaving Danny alone.
"Thanks, all mine, then. Wow. So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Danny asked her, but his only response was the door slamming, making him sigh in defeat.
After a couple of hours had passed, the rest of the villagers went home for the night except for Danny. The whole hall was shrouded in pure darkness, making him light a couple of candles to help him see the manual. He sat down, open the book, and began his studies.
"Ghost classifications. Warrior class. Fear class. Mystery class," Danny read and turned the page. The book had sketches of the specified ghost with written descriptions, warnings, tips, and graphic pictures of the ghost's victims.
The first ghost was a skeletal ghost with a hooded cloak. "Banshee. This reclusive ghost inhabits dense forests, dark caves, and graveyards. When threatened, the Banshee produces a sonic, terrifying scream that temporarily petrifies his foes in fear and then attack them mercilessly. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight."
He then turned a few pages and came across a yeti-like ghost. "Blizzard Claw. This cold-hearted beast can freeze his victims just by looking at you and has razor sharp claws that can slice though ice. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight."
The next page revealed a ghost with smoky hair and smoke comes out of his wrists. "Tox Blights. Releases toxic mists at his victims. Extremely dangerous."
Danny then got started by a loud thunderclap from the outside. The lightning flash brightened through an open crack from the door. Once calmed down, Danny continued reading, coming across blob like ghosts. "Morphers. Even newly hatched ghosts can transform and attack when you least expect it. Kill on sight." He continued forward. "Hackers. Enforcers. Shades. Kitsunes. Reapers. Hypno Masters."
Each time he turned the pages, it reveals a different ghost, yet all have the same warning and instructions. "Burns his victims. Buries his victims. Strangles his victims. Turns his victims inside out, eeew by the way. Extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight. Kill on sight. Kill on sight."
He finally reached the last page, but it was completely blank except for the name and warning. It was the ghost that he was wanted to know the most. "Halfa. Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of darkness and death itself. Legend says it is born on the same day as its human twin, taking his facial appearances and will endlessly search for its twin. It is a symbol of your doom. Never engage this ghost. Your only hope: hide and pray it never finds you."
He then took out his notebook and placed his sketch of the Halfa over the page, symbolizing that he not only captured the only picture, but lived long enough to chronicle his encounter. After finishing reading, he began to analyze his knowledge. He deeply thought he was either lucky to survive the Halfa's encounter or blessed to have been mercifully spared. Still, despite all the specific details in the manual, none applied to what the Halfa had done to him. He also realized that since they shared the same face, could it be that the Halfa was born on the same day he was born? It would explain why the Halfa looked young and has his facial similarities. This began a new task to gain additional knowledge from the ghost. Perhaps something more that may help stop the war for both sides.
"Better get used to me, ghost, because I'm coming back for you."
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