Chapter 25: The Next Step
About three years have passed since Danny first met Stolas. For the teacher and student, Danny's 13th birthday had finally arrived.
The Fenton household buzzed with energy. A banner with Happy 13th Birthday, Danny! hung over the living room doorway. Maddie and Jazz flitted between tasks, adding final touches to the decorations, while Jack stood proudly in the kitchen, putting the finishing details on a space-themed cake. Though he initially wanted to make a ghost-themed masterpiece, Jack had pivoted to Danny's love of astronomy and included a fondant model of the prototype Specter Speeder on top of the cake.
Danny stood by the front door, his excitement tempered by a hint of nervousness. He had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Stolas and Octavia—his teacher and best friend for the last three years. When the sound of a car pulling up outside reached his ears, he peered through the window and called out, "They're here!"
Maddie popped her head out from the kitchen, dish towel in hand, and Jazz paused from taping up a loose streamer.
Both turned their attention to the door as Danny opened it. Stolas and Octavia stepped inside.
Jack bustled out from behind his half-frosted cake to greet them, big smile firmly in place. For a second, Stolas's gaze took in the polka-dot balloons and ghost-themed decorations, and the faintest trace of amusement crossed his features.
"Happy birthday, Danny," Stolas greeted warmly.
"Thanks. I'm glad you both could make it," Danny replied, his grin widening as he stepped aside to let them in.
"Please, come in!" Maddie called, her welcoming tone carrying from the kitchen. Jazz hovered nearby, her polite smile tinged with curiosity as she glanced between their guests. Jack bustled in from the kitchen, a smear of frosting on his sleeve and a grin plastered across his face.
"Welcome! Glad you could make it, Stolas!" Jack said, extending a hand. His hearty handshake didn't faze the demon, who returned it with a composed nod and a faint smile.
"Indeed," Stolas replied, his voice smooth and measured, though his eyes twinkled with amusement at the situation. "Thank you for having us."
Stolas and Octavia liked these smaller celebrations since Danny's 11th Birthday. Danny was always invited to hers, and it was a refreshing change in the atmosphere between them.
Danny ushered Stolas and Octavia into the living room, where chairs had been gathered around the coffee table, and Tucker called from the couch, "Dude, you coming? Let's have another race!"
Tucker and Danny had been locked in fierce video game battles before their guests arrived, but the allure of gifts now took precedence. Octavia handed Danny a small, neatly wrapped package in white paper, a quiet smile playing on her face.
"This is for you," she said. "I hope you like it."
Danny's grin widened as he accepted the gift. "Thanks, Octavia. You didn't have to."
"And I always say I wanted to," she replied smoothly. "But you ignore it every time, as expected."
Danny laughed. "What kind of best friend ignores a present? Not this guy."
Tucker rolled his eyes from his seat. "Come on, Danny, open it later. We've got a rematch waiting!"
Danny waved him off, turning back to Octavia. "Ignore him. Thanks again."
However it didn't take long for the teens to start up another game.
Danny, Tucker, Jazz, and Octavia were locked in an intense game of Mario Kart as they prepared for yet another race.
Danny leaned forward, his competitive streak in full swing. "Alright, Tuck, let's see if you can actually back up all that talk this time."
"You're going down this time, Danny," Tucker shot back. "I've got a red shell, and I'm not afraid to use it!"
Danny smirked as the first lap passed. "Yeah, well, you still have to hit me first, Tuck. I've got bananas. Let's see how that works out for you."
Beside them, Octavia was silent but focused. Having never played video games growing up, the concept had been foreign to her until Danny introduced her to Mario Kart. Now, though, she was a natural, her calculated moves and sharp reflexes quickly elevating her to a formidable opponent. Her kart zipped through the NPCs.
"You two are too loud," she said with a small smile, her amethyst eyes fixed on the screen. "It's making it easier to sneak up on you."
Her kart slipped into Tucker's draft, using the speed boost to overtake him and steal second place. She shot a quick glance at him, the faintest hint of amusement in her otherwise calm demeanor.
"Wait, what?" Tucker turned his head for just a second, and in that moment, Octavia's kart surged ahead.
"Got you," she said, her tone light but victorious.
"Are you serious?" Tucker groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "I've been playing this for years! How are you so good?"
"I observe," Octavia replied, her small smile unwavering. "And you both argue too much."
Jazz, sitting reluctantly at the end of the couch, furrowed her brow as her kart bumped into a wall for the third time. "Why does everyone keep leaving banana peels in the middle of the track? This game makes no sense."
"Jazz, you've got to turn when you see the peel!" Danny said, laughing as he swerved around another hazard. "You can't just drive straight."
Jazz glared at him without looking away from the screen. "I'm sorry, not all of us are video game prodigies. Some of us have lives."
As they entered the final lap, Danny and Tucker were locked in a fierce battle for the lead as they used every item. Octavia, however, maintained her position in third place, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Final lap!" Tucker shouted. "You're done, Danny. Red shell, coming at you!"
Danny swerved, narrowly avoiding the shell as it careened past him. "Missed me! Better luck next time."
Octavia seized the opportunity, using a mushroom boost to slip past them both. Tucker stared at the screen in disbelief as her kart crossed the finish line in first place.
"No way!" Tucker groaned, flopping onto his back dramatically. "How does she keep doing that?"
Danny laughed, setting his controller down. "Because she's not wasting time arguing with me. You've got to focus, man."
Octavia glanced at Tucker, a faint glint of humor in her eyes. "You're getting better at this. Maybe you'll win the next race."
Jazz sighed as her kart finally crossed the finish line in eighth place. "Can we play something less ridiculous now? Like chess? Or literally anything else?"
"Nope!" Danny said with a grin. "Next race, same teams."
#
By the time dinner rolled around, plates were piled high with a mix of dishes—Jack's famous chili (mild this time, at Maddie's insistence), a platter of sandwiches shaped like ghosts and rockets, bowls of chips and dip, and a large tray of cookies Jazz had baked and decorated with stars and moons to fit Danny's space-themed birthday. In the center of it all sat the towering, fondant-covered Specter Speeder cake.
Danny plopped into his chair, Tucker already beside him with a loaded plate. "Man, I'm starving. Beating Octavia works up an appetite," Tucker said, shoving a handful of chips into his mouth.
Sitting across from them, Octavia gracefully speared a piece of fruit with a fork. "You make it sound like I didn't let you win at least once," she said, her tone light.
"You let me win?" Tucker gawked, and Danny laughed so hard he nearly dropped his sandwich.
"Careful, Tucker," Danny teased. "You'll choke if you talk and eat at the same time."
Maddie came around with a pitcher of lemonade, pouring glasses for everyone. "I'm glad to see you all enjoying yourselves."
Danny couldn't help smiling as he dug into his food. Between bites of his sandwich, he gestured toward Octavia. "How's the food?"
"It's perfect," Octavia said quickly.
Jack reached for the chili, scooping a hefty portion into his bowl. "So, Stolas, what do you think of the food?"
Stolas took a careful bite and paused before nodding appreciatively. "Surprisingly flavorful. Much better than last time."
Jack beamed like he'd won a prize. "Ha! See, Maddie? I told you my chili was out of this world! I just had to dial back the spiciness!"
#
After dinner and a modest cake, it was time for presents. Danny was on the floor, surrounded by everyone. Their attention was fixed on the stack of presents on the coffee table. Danny couldn't help but grin.
Maddie handed him a brightly wrapped package with an overly taped bow. "Alright, Danny, this one's from Tucker."
Tucker leaned forward, practically bouncing in his seat. "Open it! You're gonna love it."
Danny enthusiastically tore into the paper, revealing a sleek black controller for his game console. His eyes lit up as he held it up for everyone to see. "Dude! The new controller! Thanks, man!"
Tucker puffed out his chest proudly. "Now you have no excuses when I beat you again. Ready for another match later?"
"Yeah, right. This is just gonna help me destroy you faster," Danny quipped, laughing as Tucker pretended to act offended.
Next, Jazz handed him a slim package wrapped perfectly. "I know you think I'm boring, but I thought you might like this."
Danny opened the package to find a custom planner with a space-themed cover. The pages were filled with sections for schedules and notes.
"I thought it might help you stay a little more organized," Jazz smirked. "You know, since you always forget when your homework's due."
Danny rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "This is pretty cool, Jazz. Thanks."
Next, Danny turned to Octavia's neatly wrapped package, her delicate handwriting visible on the card. He carefully unwrapped it, lifting the lid to find a handmade book of charcoal drawings. Each page featured intricate sketches of places she'd seen—her home in the Wrath Ring, quiet spots in Amity Park, and even her favorite tree from the local park.
As he turned to the last page, his breath caught. There, taped to the page, was a blue crystal pendant on a simple black cord. It gleamed softly in the light, the same vivid color as Danny's eyes.
"I hope you like it," Octavia said softly, her hands folded.
Danny traced his fingers over the pendant, his voice quieter now. "It's beautiful. Did you pick this out?"
Octavia nodded, a small, shy smile tugging at her lips. "I thought it might bring you some luck. And… I liked how it reminded me of you."
Danny felt his face heat up, but he smiled back earnestly. "Thanks, Octavia. It's perfect."
Maddie and Jack exchanged a proud glance, and Maddie leaned over to pat Danny's shoulder. "Alright, our turn!" Jack announced, placing a large box wrapped in bright orange paper with a lopsided ghost sticker on the top in Danny's lap.
Danny opened it to find a white and black jumpsuit, the unmistakable style of the Fenton family's ghost-hunting gear. It was clearly designed with him in mind, though it looked like it might be a size too big.
"It might be a size larger, but you'll grow into it," Maddie said with a smile.
Danny inwardly cringed but managed to laugh, remembering Jazz's similar moment years ago. "Thanks, Mom, Dad. It's… really thoughtful."
Finally, Stolas stood, his regal form commanding attention as he handed Danny a small, ornate book with a dark cover. It looked like Stolas's grimoire, the one Danny had seen him use countless times. Danny's heart raced as he opened it, but the pages were blank to his surprise.
Before he could ask, Stolas leaned in, his voice low and smooth. "We'll have the second part of your gift later tonight."
Danny's heart jumped in excitement. He glanced up at Stolas, whose knowing smile confirmed what Danny had hoped: tonight, he would finally start learning magic.
#
AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Ajax Roranson, trey, Asaf, DJC, Alex, nighnight, Roswell, SpeX, Giorgie Baramidze, Professor Xivass, AF360, Adam, yosief, Primordial, Author Of Purpose, VaneixusPrime, Dragondragon, Bowsmen, Jeremy, JamPoe81, Lord McDeath, Alex, Mystbornwolf, A Nameless Hobo, BigTyson, Andr, A Vlogs, V3Lithiun, Nezih, Giorgie, Mahomed, puggle!
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