A/N:Le Gasp! A chapter! THE Chapter actually, it's time for… Bitter Reunions. Hope everyone enjoys the chapter! Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments and reviews! I read every one, and if you have a question, I will answer it (unless it's a spoiler!). So for now, let's take a nice trip to the land of dairy: Wisconsin.
Danny laid down another card on the table he and Kim were sharing. Due to a desire for some family bonding, Jack and Maddie had invited Danny and Jazz to accompany them to their 20 year College Reunion. Since Ann Possible had also attended the same college she and her husband decided to accompany them, and bring Kim along as well while Jim and Tim stayed with a babysitter.
"So, you guys were in college together, do you have any fun stories?" Kim asked, trying to fill the void of the trip. It was only about a four hours drive from Silver County where Amity Park and Middleton sat to the outskirts of Madison, Wisconsin, which for midwesterners like everyone present were, wasn't a terribly long trip.
"Well, there was that one time that while I was studying for one of my anatomy exams, Maddie decided to help me by building a CT machine in our dorm. Then she had herself and Jack get in and get scanned, and had me see if I could recognize the parts of their brain." Ann said, reminiscing a bit. "I remember scoring well on that test, although our RA was really mad at us."
"Yeah, apparently it emitted 'harmful amounts of radiation' and was 'unsuitable to exist in such an enclosed space without proper lead shielding'. She was such a spoilsport." Maddie said, laughing a bit.
Danny shifted his gaze to Kim, apologizing with his eyes for his weird parents. Kim shrugged it off. "So, Vlad Masters went to school with you guys? Was he a billionaire then?" Kim asked. He had decided to host the reunion, which was taking place at his castle. How someone managed to own a castle near a major metropolitan area like Madison though was anyone's guess.
"Nope, Vladdie was a broke college student like the rest of us. His family was middle class, they made enough he could afford an apartment near campus so he didn't have to room with anyone, but not much more than that. He did work study like the rest of us for some extra spending money." Jack said, obviously happy to talk about his old friend.
"You guys knew him well?" Danny asked.
"Knew him well? Vladdie was my best friend! He used to help your mother and I with our ghost research. That was until he had an accident. We were showing off our ghost portal prototype when something went wrong. He got a big blast of it in his face and came down with a terrible case of ecto-acne. He spent months afterwards in the hospital as they tried to figure out how to handle it. Really messed up his social life, although from what I hear his grades never slipped. He said he'd never forgive me for the accident, but he sent us the invitation to this personally, so maybe he wants to be friends again. I wish he would, he would have been the best man at our wedding. Probably your and Jazz's godfather as well." Jack said, a smile on his face.
"Well, let's hope he's better than my old friend in college. He's a super villain now. Calls himself Dr. Dragon or something. Totally unearned, he didn't even finish his doctorate." James Possible said, looking back at Kim.
"It's Dr. Drakken, but yeah. He's my biggest enemy. Keeps coming back with crazy schemes." Kim said, rolling her eyes as she played another card.
"That's the guy Technus and I helped you save your dad from right?" Danny asked. He hadn't assisted with many of Kim's adventures as Danny or Phantom, but had helped out a bit. He's pretty sure he fought Drakken twice.
"Right on the money. Thanks for that again, you've been a big help." Kim said, smiling at her boyfriend. They would be doing something more befitting of a couple now, but Kim had not told her father about her relationship yet. She knew he wouldn't be happy that she had a boyfriend, even less so that she was sharing him with another girl.
Maddie turned back to look at Danny from her position in the passenger seat of the Fenton Family Assault Vehicle. "You helped on one of her missions? I didn't give you permission to do that."
"I know, sorry. I had initially just went with her to the observatory to talk to one of the astronomers there. You know how much I love that place so I just tagged along. After that I just had to help when her dad was kidnapped. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but it was important." Danny said, standing up for himself a bit.
James Possible stepped in. "Your boy was a very serious help. While I as a parent understand your concern about what happened, I feel terrified every time Kim goes off to do something dangerous, I also know that my little girl has the ability to help people, and from what I saw your son does as well. I'm proud that my kid is using her abilities to do good in the world."
Jack spoke up as well. "Maddie, we did teach Danny how to take care of himself. I'm proud that he saw a way he can help and stepped in. Although I am disappointed he didn't bring it up until now." Jack looked at Danny in the rearview, who at least had the decency to look a little ashamed.
Maddie softened a bit at their words. She knew there was a part of them that was totally correct. Danny had the skills to help people, she'd been training him in martial arts for years, and while he wasn't ready for a black belt, he was certainly well on his way. She also knew that Jack said Danny was a boxer who would probably be top of his weight class, and given her husband's history with the sport, chose to believe him. "Fine, No punishment. I guess if you intend to keep helping her, I can learn to be okay with it. No leaving the country though! I'm not having you get lost in the Amazon where I can't find you."
"Hear that Danny? You can join Ron and I on missions now. I'll be selective about which ones I bring him on Mrs. Fenton. Ron and I can handle most things on our own, we've managed so far. Danny will only come with if we could really use the extra hands." Kim said, giving Danny an out. She knew he needed to be in Amity Park in case more ghosts attacked, so couldn't come with her on missions all the time.
"I appreciate it Kim, and call me Maddie, I'm sure some day you may even call me mom." Maddie said with a wink.
Danny sunk into his chair bright red with a cry of "MOOOOM!" Causing the adults outside of James Possible to laugh.
"No girl of mine will be dating until she is 30, and even then it's a maybe!" Mr. Possible said, his tone firm.
"Come now dear, you know that's unreasonable. We were already married by 22." Ann said, kissing her husband on the cheek.
"Come on James, provided she's got a good boy it's not so bad. Jazz has brought a couple boys home, although none of them have stayed around for very long." Jack said. "I trust my daughter to find a good one."
"Daad! I was just tutoring those boys. There's not a single good guy at Casper High. Danny's as close as it gets, and he's my brother!" Jazz said, flustered.
"You know, I don't know whether to be offended because I'm still not even considered a 'good guy' or glad that I'm as close as it gets." Danny said.
"I'd go with glad. I know you're actually one of the few good guys, and Jazz just can't say it BECAUSE you're her brother." Kim said, laughing at her boyfriend's misfortune.
"You don't know him like I do. Did you know he likes Kiwi and Fudge smoothies?" Jazz said.
"What's wrong with Kiwi and Fudge?" Came the simultaneous question from Jack and Danny.
"So many things!" Jazz said, as the entire car laughed.
As the sun was beginning to set over the horizon, the Fenton Family Assault Vehicle pulled into the large driveway of the castle that was owned by one Vlad Masters. The group of visitors hopped out of the vehicle, ready to stretch their legs for a moment after the long drive. While for a vehicle the FAV was relatively roomy, allowing for you to stand up and walk within it, it was still a little cramped, especially with 7 people sharing space within it.
Jack made his way to the door, everyone else following, and rang the doorbell. A short jingle played, a classical piece Danny was familiar with, but couldn't name. Within a few moments, a man answered the door. He was average height, and a tad slim, but not overly so. His most defining feature was his hair, which was shock white and tied in the back as a low ponytail. His suit was well tailored, and everything about the man screamed 'money'.
"Ah! Maddie! Ann! Good to see you again after all of these years. This must be James Possible. I had heard you were married. And these must be your children. I take it the one in the green top is yours Ann? Her hair color is a bit closer to yours than Maddie."
"Um, Yes Vlad, you're correct. Her name is Kim." Ann said, noticing that Vlad wasn't acknowledging Jack at all. She supposed his bitterness hadn't quite faded as Jack had hoped.
"Yes Vladdie! These are Maddie and I's kids. Jazz here is our oldest, and Danny's our youngest. Glad for them to finally meet my best friend from college!" Jack said, seemingly oblivious to how Vlad had ignored him.
"A pleasure. I must ask, what are you all doing here? The reunion isn't until tomorrow night." Vlad said, still not directly addressing Jack.
"We know, but it is a bit of a drive, and since we wanted to bring the kids to meet some of our college friends, and maybe let them network a bit since they all have big dreams that could be helped by connections. We were hoping you would let us park our RV here? Or direct us somewhere nearby that we could hook it up for the night?" Maddie asked. Despite what many assumed, she was well aware of Vlad's feelings for her in college. She hoped maybe enough of that old flame was still there that he would let them hook everything up for the night.
Vlad smiled, before stating. "Nonsense, you all are more than welcome to simply stay here in the manor tonight. I have more than enough room, and this way the seven of you need not share such cramped space. I'm sure you'd much rather spend the night in an actual bed than in some cot in an RV."
"I don't know Vladdie, I'd hate to intrude." Jack said, trying to be nice to his friend. Jack could tell there was some tension between them, though he hoped by the end of this trip they could work everything out between them.
"Nonsense, I insist. If I recall the magazine I read a few weeks ago, you are still in the ghost hunting business. It is said that the Dairy King, the previous owner of this castle, still haunts the halls." Vlad said, in a tone that gave Danny pause. Was he… playing his father?
"I'll get our bags!" Jack yelled, running back to the FAV. Well, if Vlad WAS playing Jack, it worked.
"While Jack unloads, how about I give the rest of you a tour of the castle? I'm sure you'll find it very entertaining. It is after all, one of the most recent castles in the United States, and the only one in Wisconsin." Vlad said.
"Well, that could be nice." Ann said, looking interested.
"Let us be on with the tour then. I'll show you where your rooms will be as well." Vlad said, as he took them through.
In the large foyer where they entered, Vlad began. "This castle was completed in 1967, the final major expense of Sherb Noble, who along with the father and son duo of John and Alex McCullough founded the first Dairy King in a small town in Illinois. After his company made millions selling Soft-Serve Ice Cream which the McCulloughs invented, he elected to retire to the heart of America's Dairy industry here in Wisconsin. He embraced the title of cheese-head to the extreme, and when people began referring to him as THE Dairy King, he elected to have a crown and robe made to act as a pseudo-mascot. He would appear at public events in the get-up and enjoyed generally making people happy with his eccentricity." Vlad gestured to a portrait of the man, who true to Vlad's word, was wearing a crown with a cheese motif, with a royal cloak and scepter. "Following his death in 1991, ownership of this building was held by his estate. After some time, I managed to have them sell it to me 10 years ago, and I have been happily living inside ever since."
Vlad led them down a hallway, opening a door for them to step inside. "This room was once a museum dedicated to the history of the Dairy King brand. As part of my deal to purchase this building, those items were instead moved to their current headquarters in Minnesota. I elected to fill this space with a private museum to the thing I find the most enjoyment in, the Green Bay Packers." True to Vlad's word, the room was lined wall to wall with Packers memorabilia, with jerseys in several designs, to balls signed by the teams, to other eclectic merchandise. The centerpiece of the room was a statue of a quarterback, who was wearing an official Packers jersey, helmet, pants and cleats.
"Impressive, although if you have so much money, and love the Packers so much, why not just buy the team?" Jazz asked, looking around.
"The Packers are owned by the city of Green Bay, and they WON'T SELL THEM TO ME." Vlad said, his anger exploding at the end of the sentence, before he quickly regained his composure. "Apologies for the outburst. I simply care for the team quite a lot, and strongly wish the team would relinquish at least partial ownership to me."
"Couldn't you just run for mayor of Green Bay and technically have partial ownership that way?" Danny asked.
"I could, but that would mean leaving my beloved Madison. I left for college, because while the University of Wisconsin here in Madison is an excellent school, one I have provided significant funding for, I elected to attend the University of Upperton." Vlad said. "At the time, its engineering programs were more well respected than the University of Wisconsin's, and while I do carry a great deal of pride in where I am from, I would not allow myself to accept substandard education. I almost attended the Middleton Institute of Science and Technology where I am aware James graduated from, however Upperton's Biotechnology was viewed as superior,which was the field I intended to receive my degree in alongside my degree in mechanical engineering."
"Biotechnology and Mechanical Engineering? What were you hoping to do with that?" Kim asked, looking to Vlad.
"When I was a young boy, I was fascinated by the concept of cloning, I simply devoured every piece of science fiction that included it. I wanted nothing more than to further the study of cloning, such that perhaps someday we could cheat death forever, as should you ever find your body failing you, you could simply acquire a new younger one. Although, it seems life got in the way of that somewhat. Now I simply use my wealth to fund the future, in hopes that someone in the future can make the breakthrough I hoped for, and if I am even lucky, it will be done in the Vlad Master's Biomechanical Laboratory." Vlad said, a smile on his face.
"I remember you being really excited when we heard about Dolly being successfully cloned." Ann said, thinking back. "It must have been a big day for you."
"One of the happiest in my life. My dreams were a step closer to reality. We had definitive proof that mammals could be cloned. I was even lucky enough later in life to meet most of the team that was responsible. One of them was nice enough to gift me a strand of yarn from wool collected from Dolly. It is one of my prized possessions, one I don't even see fit to display here." Vlad said, a nostalgic smile on his face.
"I imagine you all must be rather bored of hearing me rant though, allow me to show you to your guest quarters. I hope they are to your liking. One of them is Packers themed, so if one of you is a sports fan, please let me know so I can put you in there." Vlad added.
Unfortunately, none of the party shared Vlad's particular love of football, so Danny was placed in that room. Kim and Jazz occupied the rooms either side of him, and their parents occupied the two rooms on the opposite side of the hall.
Jazz knocked on Danny's door, and he opened it for her, wearing his pajamas as he was getting ready for bed. "What's up Jazz?"
"Just want to talk for a second. You okay with that?" She asked, taking a look at the doors opposite them. Their parents had already gone to bed, tired from the long trip.
"Yeah, sure. As long as you aren't going to psychoanalyze me again." Danny said with a bit of a laugh, letting her into the room.
The room as a garish green and yellow monstrosity, filled with memorabilia and decorations dedicated to the football team from Green Bay. Jazz sat next to Danny on the bed. "So, when did you and Kim start dating?"
Danny paused for a second, internally freaking out? She could tell? Did she know about Star? Was she going to tell Mr. Possible? So many questions. Best to just deny it. "Kim and I are friends we're not-"
"No point lying to me Danny. I know. I'm not going to tell anyone if you aren't ready for it yet. I just want to be a supportive big sister here. You've never dated before, and you picked a hell of a first girlfriend." Jazz said.
"Fine, yeah, Kim and I are dating, but that's not the only thing." Danny said, sighing. Jazz was really too smart for her own good.
"You two haven't…. Y'know." Jazz said, as she made a motion where her index finger entered a circle made of her index and thumb on the other hand.
"No! No. I just. You know Star from school?" Danny asked.
"Yeah, used to be an A-List. You went to homecoming with her and she got kicked out of the A-List for it. Kinda figured if you were going to date anyone it'd be her. Or Sam." Jazz said, before noticing the scowl on Danny's face. "Ooh, something up with Sam?"
"Kinda. Look, I need you to be open minded about this okay?" Danny asked, looking to Jazz. His sister was sometimes overbearing, but she always listened to him.
"I'll do my best. You're not doing anything illegal are you?" Jazz asked, concerned.
"No… I'm… dating Star and Kim at the same time. No! I'm not cheating on them. They know, they actually approached me about it." Danny said, trying to cut off Jazz's response.
"Ah, and Sam's mad because she wasn't included? Did that cause a fight?" Jazz asked.
"Not really. What caused the fight was that she was spying on us when they asked me out. I didn't appreciate the invasion of privacy, especially since Star and Kim had asked for it to be done IN private." Danny said, before looking up at Jazz. "You're taking the whole two girlfriends thing surprisingly well."
"Polyamorous relationships are decently common, at least compared to how they used to be. Usually more common among people in LGBT groups. As long as everyone is aware and okay with the situation, I have no problems. Honestly, I'm more concerned about your fight with Sam. She's your best friend. I can't imagine she took the news well." Jazz stated matter of factly.
"Yeah… she said she had feelings for me. I never knew."
"Everyone else did. I hadn't said anything because I figured she'd blow up and tell you or get over it. She's seen everything that would have been a deal breaker with you and STILL had feelings, so I figured she was in for the long haul." Jazz said, speaking as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You really are clueless when it comes to girls' emotions, Danny."
"Tell me something I don't know." Danny said, which made Jazz laugh a bit.
"Everything will be fine Danny. I'll help you figure out how to tell Mom and Dad. Now, when do I get to meet them as your girlfriends?"
"Well, I guess we could go talk to Kim now. You can meet Star when we get home maybe." Danny suggested.
With a nod, the pair knocked on Kim's door, and the trio discussed how Kim, Star, and Danny's strange relationship came about. Jazz was considerate and understanding, and maintained an open mind. She brought up a few good points about things in their relationship they needed to consider, including one that gave Kim pause.
"What are your plans if Sam gets over herself and decides that she wants to join you? Or if some other girl miraculously finds Danny attractive?" Jazz asked, looking between the pair.
"Miraculously?" Danny asked, offended.
"I've seen you at your worst little brother, don't forget that." Jazz said, crossing her arms. "You've proven yourself open to sharing. That comes with its own risks, other girls might decide that they want a piece. Do you think you can be okay with that?"
Kim paused as she considered it. The arrangement with Star came out of a sense of necessity. Kim had created her own rival in Danny's affections, and was too nice to make her back out. Kim had allowed that relationship because she knew of the dangers that came with her job, and now of the danger's that came with Danny's work as well. Could she be okay with another girl wanting to enter that life? Thinking about it… she responded.
"I don't think I could let Sam in. I know she's Danny's best friend, but what she did, and how she's treated us… she'd need to make some serious changes in order for me to even think about it. Another girl though… maybe? We'd need to get along really well, and she'd have to REALLY like Danny."
"That's a good enough answer. I can't blame you for Sam. I've watched her and Danny for years. She's a lot of the reason Danny never had more friends, she didn't approve of them or was too bossy for them. I know there was another girl who was interested in Danny, she had asked me about him once but because of Sam she was too scared to even approach him. Sam had pretty much taken girlfriend exclusivity without actually being the girlfriend." Jazz said. She felt bad about it, but she had a number of problems with Sam. She was overbearing, bossy, and rude. Everything she got mad at her parents over. Jazz also knew that Sam cared for Danny deeply, as a friend and as more than that even if she had been too late to mention her feelings. Jazz would have been happy to put her feelings aside if Danny and Sam had gotten together, since she knew that Danny's influence would eventually make her see her flaws, but she was glad that she didn't have to deal with Sam as a potential sister-in-law at the moment.
Danny left the room following their conversation with both a newfound respect for Jazz at how well she handled their relationship, and an understanding of the trials that he, Star, and Kim may face in their relationship.
A chill ran down his spine though, as a blue mist emerged from his mouth. A ghost? Here? Was Vlad serious about the Dairy King? Danny watched as a trio of ghostly vultures began to fly down the hallway.
"Is this the whippersnapper we're supposed to deal with?" One of them asked, his voice seeming like a stereotypical old man.
"I'm not sure. He's got the black hair, but seems a bit scrawny." Another replied, his eyes narrowing at Danny.
"He's not the red-headed lady, I suppose that's good enough." The third replied, as it dove towards Danny.
Danny rolled out of the way, transforming and firing a beam at one of the vultures, knocking it down the hallway.
"Oh, you'll pay for that you rapscallion." One of the vultures said, as it flapped its wings and sent a barrage of feathers at Danny. Danny turned intangible, allowing the feathers to pass through him.
"Gotta admit, rapscallion is a new one!" Danny said, flying up and delivering a roundhouse kick to the second vulture knocking it to the ground.
Suddenly another ghost knocked Danny into the ground. Looking up, he saw a humanoid figure, wearing a white suit with a flowing cape. His skin was tinted blue, his eyes blood red, and his hair brought into two peaks.
"Cheap shot Count Von Dracula!" Danny said, firing a blast towards him. The Ghost conjured a shield in front of him, his pink energy absorbing the blast.
"I don't know what you are doing here child, but I will not have you ruin my plans." The ghost said, flying forward and slamming into Danny with an axe-kick that slammed him to the floor, knocking him unconscious. Danny returned to his normal form, surprising the ghost.
"Well… it seems Skulker was correct, there IS another half-ghost around. It seems Jack managed to turn his own son into one, although I doubt he knows. This could work out nicely." The ghost said, turning into Vlad Masters. "I shall return the little badger to his bed. We can discuss this tomorrow."
Danny awoke, startled about the dream he had. Looking around, he was in the Packers themed bedroom he had been assigned. Vlad opened the door, a look of concern on his face. "Are you alright Daniel? I happened to hear a scream as I walked by." Vlad said, his eyes scanning over Danny.
"Uh, yeah. I'm fine. Must have been a dream or something. Sorry for the scare." Danny said, his mind racing. The fight with those vultures felt real enough, as did his encounter with that weird vampire ghost… was it really a dream?
"No worries Daniel, what is a bit of a scare between friends. I recommend you try and get some more sleep, the party tomorrow will be… killer? As the youth say?" Vlad said.
Danny hadn't heard anyone describe anything as killer in a long time, but just assumed Vlad was out of touch. "Not sure anyone uses that word, but you do you Mr. Masters."
"No need for such formalities Daniel. You may call me Vlad." Vlad said with a grin. "Sleep tight Daniel. I shall speak with you tomorrow."
The following day, guests began to arrive in droves for the reunion. The graduating class of the University of Upperton was roughly 8000 members in total, and while only a small fraction of them would be able to attend, there ended up being nearly 300 guests at Vlad's party. Danny glanced around, wearing the dress shirt and slacks he had packed for the party, he eventually found Kim, who walked over to him. Her hair was done in a ponytail, and she was wearing a nice dress that came down just passed her knees. Danny thought she looked lovely. "There you are Kim, I've been trying to find someone I recognized. You look great in that dress by the way."
"Flatterer. Be careful about letting my dad hear you though, you know he's not going to be happy about us dating. I don't know where anyone else is though. This room is kind of packed. How about we head out towards one of the other rooms, maybe they're trying to avoid the dance floor?" Kim said, grabbing his hand and leading him to another side room. This room was showing footage from an old Packers game onto a large movie screen. Danny and Kim saw Jazz sitting, chewing on some popcorn.
"Jazz? Are you not going to go to the actual party?" Danny asked. There wasn't really anyone else in the room besides them.
"Why? Watch a bunch of old people try and do the Electric Slide? I'm not a sports fan, but I find this at least more interesting then that. Did you know the Packers won the first Superbowl?" Jazz asked, eating another handful of popcorn.
"Can't say I blame her, but I'm not exactly keen on watching old footage, although that popcorn smells good. Can I have a bite Jazz?" Kim asked, and Jazz moved the bag for her to grab a handful. "Thank you."
"I guess we should go find our parents, maybe stop my Dad from screaming about ghosts." Danny said.
"Good luck with that." Jazz said, turning her attention to the screen, which showed James Lofton being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
Moving on, Danny and Kim did eventually find their parents, who were talking with a woman they didn't recognize. She was of asian descent, with black hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing a greenish business suit. She looked a little better put together than many of the other adults at the party, one of whom was already wearing a lampshade as a hat and was bouncing around the room like a madman.
"Danny! Kim! Come, meet one of our old college friends. This is Harriet Chin, she's a reporter now for the Milwaukee Journal, but to us she'll just be old Harry. Harry Chin! Ha, that still cracks me up." Jack said, laughing boisterously. Ann and Maddie seemed to flush and look away, obviously embarrassed by the joke.
"Jack, she asked you to stop calling her that years ago. Multiple times." Maddie said. "I'm sorry Harriet."
"You married him, you should be. Anyway, so this is THE Kim Possible? Could I get an interview before you leave tonight? I'm sure our readers would love to know all about the Great Lakes Region's very own superhero." Harriet said, ignoring jack and focusing her attention on the young redhead.
"Uh. Sure, I'd be happy to give one, but I'm not the only Superhero in the area." Kim said, trying to push off some of the credit. "There's also Phantom from Amity Park, and I'm sure there are other heroes who just aren't as public facing as I am."
"You believe in the ghost nonsense?" Harriet asked, looking confused.
"Look, I've seen it for myself. My first week of high school was interrupted by a 30 ft. meat monster made by a ghost. My homecoming dance was wrecked by a ghost dragon. Just last week there was a ghost that turned our high school quarterback into a 20 ft tall behemoth. I was skeptical too, but I've seen it. Besides, my supervillains have made animal hybrids, Killer AI robots, and one of them was a mutated fish monster currently sitting in a superpowered prison. There has been some variation on this comic book weirdness since the 60s at least when my Nana was palling around with the Quests." Kim said, explaining herself.
"Yeah, I was a bit skeptical about the ghost stuff too before I saw one myself. I've even spoken to a few. Mr. Possible here met one himself." Danny said, gesturing to Kim's dad.
"Ah yes, that Technus fellow. Ghost of a professor of engineering at Leipzig University. Said his name in life was Dr. Nikolai Techmann. Eccentric fellow, but they say every scientist is a little mad." James Possible said with a laugh. "Dr. Chen and Ramesh from the Middleton observatory can confirm our statements as well if you're looking for external sources. I suppose Dr. Drakken as he's calling himself now could as well, but I don't know how much worth a supervillain's word is."
"Danny! You let James here meet Technus before I could?" Jack asked with a bit of a whine.
"Technus helped save us from those robots. Probably right when Danny first met him from what I have been told." James said, straightening his tie a bit.
"Well, if this is all true I'll have quite the scoop then. I suppose I'll start with the interview with Kim Possible before I look into this ghost story." Harriet said, jotting down a couple notes.
"You can catch me before you leave, for now, you should probably go enjoy the party." Kim said. "Hey Danny, let's go get some punch… and hope someone hasn't spiked it."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it, Vlad was never much of a drinker, couldn't stand the stuff unless it was wine." Jack said, reminiscing a bit. "Remember when we swapped out his cola with a beer that one time? The look on his face when he took a big drink was hysterical." The group did manage to laugh at that, showing that perhaps despite some bad blood between Jack and Harriet, they WERE actually friends once.
Walking over to the punch bowl, Danny poured himself a cup and took a drink. "Tastes normal, if there IS anything in it, it's either not a lot or being covered really well."
"Good enough for me I guess. I'll let you know if I start feeling anything, since I'll probably start feeling it before you will." Kim said, ladling out her own cup and taking a sip. "Yeah, tastes like normal punch. Kinda weird that a guy with money like Vlad would just get a normal punch bowl."
"It's mostly for the memory, this is the same brand that was sold on campus, so every party had a bowl of it." Vlad said, spooking the pair with his sudden appearance. "I must admit, I do also have a personal soft spot for it, a nice bit of extreme sweetness in an often bitter world."
"Woah, didn't see you there Vlad." Danny said, managing to reel himself in from his scare.
"No worries son. I've gotten very good at blending into the background as it were. A useful skill when you're someone who has to deal with the paparazzi as I do." Vlad said, a look of distaste on his face at the mention of the press.
"I imagine a mega-millionaire like yourself has a lot of problems with them." Kim said, staking a sip of her punch.
"Indeed, it makes it difficult to have any kind of private life. In fact, I was worried about inviting Ms. Chin over there, despite our friendship in school I worry she may put her job before my privacy. Thankfully she has yet to ask for an interview, although I have no doubt she'll be leaving here tonight with some article for her website." Vlad acknowledged, pouring himself some of the punch. "Daniel, I actually have a gift for your father, would you be so kind as to run down the hall to my lab and grab it for me? From here it's merely three doors down to the left, you should see a staircase that leads down. I want to show him my forgiveness for his role in my accident."
"Uh, sure Vlad, although you didn't have to get Dad anything, he was excited you even invited him. He talked about how he missed being your friend." Danny said, as he quickly finished his punch.
"Oh, but I insist. I do feel so bad about shoving him away all these years." Vlad said, looking wistful. "Run along now, I'll keep Ms. Possible company while you do so."
"Alright, I'll be back in a minute." Danny said, walking out the door and throwing his cup in the trash. Heading to the designated door he stepped down the stairs, coming into a lab that looked a lot like the one his parents had.
"Wonder what Vlad needs a lab for? Maybe just a place for him to live his old dreams. Mom and Dad said he helped develop their ghost tech… maybe he's still working on it." Danny said to himself as he walked in. The lab was nearly spotless, unlike the chaotic mess his parents' lab tended to become during projects. Danny walked up to a table, where a framed picture was. In it was Vlad, Maddie, and Ann in their college days, but there seemed to be a rip in the picture. Based on the massive hand in the orange jumpsuit that was wrapped around Maddie's shoulder, Danny could guess who it was. "Man, Vlad must have really held a grudge. At least he's trying to forgive."
Suddenly, a chill ran down Danny's spine, and he instinctively transformed. Two tentacles wrapped around his arms and dragged him into the air, as two Ectopusses attempted to restrain him. With a tug, Danny slammed them together, before knocking them into the floor. Causing them to disappear. "Ectopusses? I haven't seen them in months."
"That's not all whelp." Came a gravelly voice Danny recognized. Turning around, Danny locked eyes with the Ghost Zone's Greatest Hunter.
"Skulker!? How did you get your suit back?" Danny asked, dropping into a fighting stance.
"You won't live long enough to find out." Skulker said, firing a net from his wrist, capturing Danny inside.
Danny tried to phase through it, but found no success. "I've had some upgrades, including intangibility resistant netting. Most of my prey are usually too dumb to phase out, but you've been a challenge. Don't think I don't appreciate it." Skulker smirked.
"Let's see how you appreciate this!" Danny said, ripping through the net and delivering a solid punch to Skulker's face.
"Ha! Knew that wouldn't hold you long. Good thing I brought this." Skulker said, throwing a cube at Danny. The cube began to expand in size, covering his lower body to where only Danny's head was sticking out.
Danny struggled, trying to phase out, or break free, but nothing was working. "I.. can't phase out? It's like my powers are…"
"Ectoplasmic Suppression cube. A new design I worked on specifically for you. It can do more than suppress your powers though." Skulker smirked, pressing a button on his gauntlet.
Agony shot through Danny's body as the cube shocked him. He knew he had been forced out of his ghost form, but tried to suppress his reactions. This hurt. This hurt almost as much as his accident had, this agonizing electricity that shot through his body made him want to die. He wouldn't give Skulker the satisfaction though. He could take it. Maybe.
"A good show you're giving me, now…" A blade shot from Skulker's wrist, and he lined it up with Danny's neck. "Time to die."
"Skulker, stand down. I didn't hire you to kill the boy." Vlad said, as he entered the room.
"Fine. I'll leave him alive for now." Skulker said as he retracted the blade. A beeping caught his attention. "I have to go check out a book on the purpleback gorilla…. AGAIN." Skulker said, as his suit forced him to turn intangible and fly away.
"Vlad? What… what are you doing?" Danny asked.
"Imagine my surprise Daniel. I'm strolling through my castle at night and notice Amity Park's ghostly superhero in my own home, fighting against my servants. I send so many ghosts to Amity to test your father's skills, and instead I come to discover that his foolishness created a second half-ghost." Vlad said, monologuing at Danny.
"A second?" Danny asked.
Two bars of light formed around Vlad, revealing the vampiric figure he fought last night. "Yes, the second. The incident with the portal in college did more than give me ecto-acne, it infused me fully with ectoplasmic energy. My blood became partially ectoplasm, I imagine in many ways similar to what happened to you. I must admit child, you're doing well. From my estimations you've only had your powers for a few months, but I didn't have ecto-rays anywhere near that powerful until I had mine for over a year." Vlad said, taking steps to Danny.
"Let me out of here." Danny said, struggling within the box.
"Why? So you can continue to agonize over trivial things like curfews and test scores? You could be so much more than that Daniel. I could train you, teach you things you've never thought possible. I've had 20 years to develop my powers, to learn everything about them. All that knowledge, all of my wealth could be yours. You could have everything you've ever dreamed of." Vlad said, his tone smooth and calculated.
"This is the party where you give me the catch." Danny said, knowing it was coming.
"All I ask is you renounce your idiot father. You could be my son, the heir to my fortune. I would make sure there was a place for all you hold dear here. You and your sister would want for nothing. Jasmine could attend any school she wants, open her own psychology practice with an investment from her dear father Vlad. You would have access to the best tutors, the best engineers. Say the word and I could have you meet Buzz Aldrin before the month is over, send you on a trip to low orbit in a private craft. Anything your heart desires." Vlad said.
"All of this just for my mom? Really?" Danny asked.
"My love for Maddie aside, you represent something I missed out on. I'll never be able to have a family properly, despite my powers, age is catching up to me. I could have a child tomorrow and be too old to properly teach him by the time he is fully ready to take over for me. I"m fourty-five now, I would be sixty by the time a child I conceived today would be your age, seventy by the time he would graduate college. Eighty by the earliest point he could win the presidency. My time is finite Daniel, all of ours is. I want a legacy, something that lives on after me." Vlad said. "Despite your father, you are everything I could want in a son. You inherited your mother's intelligence, and even the mechanical ingenuity of your father, something even I cannot fault him for. You also have my ghost powers, something no other human has, and trust me, I've looked. There have been others in history, the ghost zone keeps good records, but none alive at this moment but you and me. Join me Danny, and I can teach you to control your powers, to learn new ones. I bet you haven't discovered this one yet." Vlad said, as he splits himself into four duplicates. "Renounce your father, and it is all yours."
"No Vlad. I love my dad, I won't give him up, not for all the money or power in the world." Danny said defiantly.
The Vlads formed back together. "We'll see how you feel after tonight, when your father is imprisoned for going on a rampage at his college reunion."
"Dad would never." Danny said, before realizing what Vlad's plan was. "You are one crazed fruit loop if you think this will make my mother love you."
"This doesn't need to, it just needs to make her hate him." Vlad said darkly, as he turned intangible and floated through the ceiling.
Kim was standing with Danny's parents and Harriet, waiting for him and Vlad to come back. It had taken him a minute, and Vlad had walked off to talk with some other guests. James and Ann had stepped out of the main party room when Kim told them about the popcorn in the projection room. Kim noticed as Jack suddenly stood up very straight, his body almost shaking like a chill had ran up his spine. "Are you okay Mr. Fenton?" Kim asked, looking at him.
"Yeah honey, are you alright?" Maddie asked, looking into her husband's eyes. She noticed something odd about them, but couldn't place what it was.
"Oh, I've never been better… How about we liven up this party?" Jack said, his tone and cadence… off. Kim didn't know Mr. Fenton that well, but even she could tell this wasn't right. Jack picked up a nearby attendee, one wearing a lampshade on his head and threw him into a wall, shocking the three women near him.
"Jack! What has gotten into you?" Maddie asked, shocked at her husband. Jack hated hurting people, he knew he was monstrously strong, he would never do that.
"Ah, didn't you realize this would happen Maddie? Didn't you realize I was this close to going crazy?" Jack said, before shutting his eyes. For a brief moment, his tone and cadence changed to normal, although strained. "Maddie… ghost… controlling me. RUN!" Jack's body lifted itself into the air, laughing maniacally.
"He's possessed? Here? Now? We're not even close to Amity Park." Kim said, dropping into a fighting stance, but immediately finding it restricted by her dress. "Uh, I swear every time I wear a dress I end up needing to fight and I can't."
"I don't know, but come on let's make for the RV, I've got some ghost gear in there." Maddie said, grabbing Harriet by the arm and pulling her down the hallway.
Pulling Harriet into the RV, with Kim hopping in behind, Harret pulled out her phone with a microphone attachment. "So Maddie, how does it feel knowing that your husband is a monster, and attacking his better looking, more successful, and better dressed peers?"
"What are you talking about? Jack is possessed and not in control of his actions. Also that jumpsuit is incredibly stylish." Maddie said, driving the RV into the manor.
In the basement, Danny struggled inside the cube, hearing the commotion going on upstairs. "Ugh, what I'd kill for Kim or someone to be here now."
"Looks like you're in a spot of bother there eh sonny?' Came a voice with a thick midwestern accent. A figure emerged, a portly king with a mustache, a crown made of cheese, and a staff with an ice cream on the top, barring the green skin and red eyes, a dead ringer for the Dairy King.
"Wait, Vlad wasn't lying about the ghost of the Dairy King?" Danny asked, shocked. "What are you going to do to me?"
The Dairy King raised his ice cream staff before tapping it against the off button, deactivating the cube. "I'll be freeing you doncha know. That Vlad fella's a nasty piece of work for doing this."
"Thanks, I was a bit worried you were going to be like most ghosts and attack me." Danny said, stretching his sore limbs.
"Not all ghosts are evil, some of us just wanna be left alone, or follow what passions keep us tethered here." The Dairy King said, smiling a bit.
"I know, I've met two that are like that, just more that aren't." Danny said, looking to the Dairy King. "Would you help me fight Vlad?"
"I'm glad you've seen that we're not all bad, but sorry sonny, I'd be no help against Plasmius, that's what he calls his ghost form by the by, I'm no fighter. I'm a king, we send soldiers to do our fighting for us!" The Dairy King said, flying up. "Go get him sonny boy, and try some genuine Wisconsin cheese while you're here, it's the best!"
Danny watched as the Dairy King flew away, before changing into his ghost form, turning intangible and flying through the ceiling.
In the party the possessed Jack is terrorizing the guests, when Danny flies through him intangibly, pulling Plasmius out of him and slamming him into the wall, bringing them both to the library.
"I don't know how you escaped, but I will not let this stand. I was in my moment of triumph here, ruining the image of the man who ruined me!" Plasmius said, anger apparent in his voice and expression.
"You're insane Vlad! You have everything any person could want: money, power, fame. Your obsession with ruining my dad is crazy!" Danny said, readying a blast in his hands.
"Is it? Is it crazy to want revenge on the man who ruined my life and took away the one thing I ever loved?" Plasmius said, readying his own ectoplasmic blasts.
"It was an accident! Dad's regretted it all of these years. All he wants is to be your friend again, he doesn't care about Vlad Masters the billionaire, or Vlad Plasmius the ghost. He just wants his college buddy back in his life." Danny said, firing his blast. Vlad deflects it with a wave of his hand, before firing his own. Danny, learning from their encounter earlier, focuses his ectoplasmic energy. Vlad could make an energy shield, that meant he could too! The blast hit the shield Danny made, absorbing into it as the shield fell.
"You're a quick study Phantom, get it from your mother I'm sure. I won't let you get in my way! You'll join me soon enough!" Vlad said, flying to capture Danny by the neck.
At that moment, the Fenton Family Assault Vehicle burst through the doors to the library, and Maddie leaned out of the side, pointing a bazooka at the pair. "I don't know which of you ectoplasmic entities was possessing my husband, but you are both going down!" Maddie fired, causing Danny and Vlad to break apart as the bazooka shot a hole in the wall.
"Yes, this will do nicely." Vlad said, flying over and grabbing Maddie, flying off through the new hole in the wall. Danny gave chase, while Jack ran behind, Kim figuring out how to drive the Fenton RV to catch up.
As they were about to fly into the forest, Danny fired a blast that hit Vlad in the back, causing him to drop Maddie. Jack managed to dive under her catching her before she hit the ground. "I'll deal with Plasmius, you two head to your RV and see if you can find a way to restrain him! A thermos or ectofilament!" Danny called out. It was the first time his parents had seen Phantom, and the first time they had heard his voice. He hoped they would listen.
"Listen to him! That's Phantom, the ghost who has been helping around town!" Kim said, backing up Danny. He could kiss her right now if he wasn't busy… not that he needed an excuse to want to.
Danny flew off towards Plasmius, knocking him to the ground. Plasmius got up, and lunged towards Danny, who caught him mid-push. Their hands locked together in a test of strength, each pushed as hard as they could, trying to gain the upper hand.
"How are you this strong? I'm older than you, more physically developed, while your ectoplasmic strength might have a higher potential due to your age, your physical characteristics shouldn't be on this level yet." Vlad asked enraged.
"Have you seen how strong Dad is? Fenton genetics are hard coded for enhanced strength. I benched more than some of the football team before I got my powers." Danny said mockingly. He was half-lying. Danny was much stronger than other guys his size before he got his powers, capable of keeping up with Dash in weightlifting before the latter started focusing his diet on muscle development. "Just another reason my Dad is greater than you think."
Vlad growled, frustrated at the notion. He knew there was truth to Danny's words. Jack was incredibly strong, Vlad could tell when he was possessing him. Throwing that person in Jack's body had been as easy as a child throwing a baseball. If Danny had inherited even some of that strength, on top of his ghostly powers… he would outpace him in no time.
"You could still join me Daniel. The offer is open. We could be the perfect family. Maddie, Jasmine, yourself and I, we could be happy. I could teach you, help you flourish and become whatever you want to be." Vlad bargained.
"I'm not giving up my dad, and I'm not going to become another you! I know you've had to have used your powers to make your deals, people questioned how you could be so persuasive. You overshadowed people didn't you?" Danny said, gritting his teeth as he pushed back against Vlad. Despite his enhanced strength from his genetics, Vlad was still a man who had fully developed, and one who was athletic. Danny's comparatively lacking physical fitness was starting to show itself, his muscles were tiring. Vlad was pushing at him with the force of a bulldozer, and it was all Danny could do to hold him back.
"So what if I did? Does it matter? Everything on the surface is legitimate, despite what many think, I do not deal in illegal goods. I have standards, everything is above board. All the research, all the development costs, paid for through honest business that may have been given to me through dishonest means. I have ruined no one, all those who I convinced to sign their businesses over to me left with the means to retire in luxury for the rest of their lives. I do not kill. I do not steal. I simply use my powers to my benefit." Vlad said angrily.
"You were going to kill my Dad!" Danny said, gaining an extra burst of strength at that memory.
"My one. The only one I would do. Renounce him and join me and I'll even let him live. We can convince your mother to leave him, to come with me. I'm sure I could even find a woman for him to love provided I have my happiness, my Maddie and my family, I can tolerate him existing in this world." Vlad said.
"I'll say it again, you are one twisted fruit loop." Danny said, as the Fenton Family Assault vehicle pulled up, with Jack, Maddie, and Kim all armed with ghost blasters and thermoses. "Give up Plasmius, it's 4 on one."
"Let it never be said I don't know when to retreat. You'll join me some day of your own volition Daniel, when you realize that I can give you everything." Vlad said, his body disappearing in a cloud of ectoplasmic mist.
Danny turned invisible, flying back into the chaotic building and reverting to his human form, before walking out of the building.
"Dad! Mom! Kim! Is everything alright?" Danny yelled, catching their attention.
Recognizing the situation as over, Kim dropped her blaster. "We're okay, although your dad keeps screaming that no one makes a meat puppet out of Jack Fenton."
"And they don't! Now, where did that Plasmius ghost go, and that Phantom one? I'll give Phantom a chance to explain himself since he's been helping out." Jack said, angrily looking around.
"I think they're gone Dad." Danny said.
"Well, I think I've found my story. Ghosts are real! Who knew?" Harriet Chin said, stepping out of the RV, her thumbs rapidly tapping against her phone screen.
"Everyone from Amity Park and half the people from Middleton." Kim said, rolling her eyes.
"Don't think I forgot about our interview, so Kim, how about we do that once I finish these notes. To think! I wasn't going to come to this party!" Harriet said, her eyes sparkling. Kim relented, and followed her into the manor, heading off to a side room to do their interview.
Jazz came out and surveyed the damages, seeing multiple holes in the wall of the castle. "I guess we're not getting invited back are we?" She says, grimacing a bit.
"Probably for the best. Hey, can we get into the RV for a second, I think there is something I need to tell you guys." Danny said, looking over to where he fought Vlad. Vlad had become that because he didn't have anyone, because he pushed everyone away, he was alone. Danny didn't want to push people away. It was time.
"Sure Danny, we need to put up these weapons anyway." Jack said, shuffling everyone into the RV.
After the weapons were stored away, Danny sighed, looking to his family and said. "I'm Danny, but… I'm also Phantom. That accident I had in the lab a few months ago? It… made me into a half-ghost. I'm not the only one… Vlad is too. He's the other ghost I fought."
"Ha! That's a good one son. You as Phantom. Humans can't become ghosts until they die!" Jack said with a boisterous laugh, as Maddie and Jazz just looked at him.
Danny transformed, letting the light rings cover his body, revealing his form.
"Wait.. this isn't a joke?" Jack asked, his voice softer as he saw his son.
"No… I wanted to tell you sooner. When I first developed my powers I was going to tell you… but we were unsure if I was going to live long enough for it to matter, I kept having accidents, phasing through things, going invisible when I didn't want to. After things started to stabilize, I was going to tell you again, but you had talked about wanting to dissect ghosts… so I needed to make that thought less appealing. Right around that time ghosts started coming through the portal, and I was putting them back in so they didn't attack people. I'm sorry, but I've been slowly easing you guys into the idea that all ghosts aren't bad for a while, hoping to make this conversation not end with you strapping me to a table and cutting me open." Danny said, as Jazz crushed him into a hug.
"I'd never let them do that Danny." Jazz said, crying into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this on your own."
"I haven't been on my own… Sam and Tucker were with me when the accident happened, and they've helped me learn to control my powers. Kim found out a while ago after seeing me run off to 'get help' when ghosts attack, and Star knows now too." Danny said, sighing.
"Didn't want to keep that secret huh?" Jazz said knowingly.
Maddie leaned forward and hugged him as well. "I'm so sorry you were worried we would do that to you. This explains so much of what's been happening… I'm sorry I wasn't there for you before Danny. Mommy's here now though. We'll figure this out."
Jack sat in silence for a bit, before looking at Danny. "I did this? To you and Vlad? Even unknowingly?"
"I would argue it's my fault I ended up like this. I decided to poke around in the portal, I played a stupid game, and almost won my stupid prize." Danny said. "I don't know much about being half-ghost. I found out that there had been others the other week, and Vlad confirmed today that he and I are the only two who currently exist. He has powers I can't comprehend yet… but he uses them for the wrong reasons. I want to use my powers to help people. I've been fighting the bad ghosts that come through the portal. I have these powers, it's my responsibility to use them for good."
"I guess I did buy you too many comic books." Jack said with a smile, crushing his entire family into a hug. "I understand that you were scared, son; but know that I would never hurt you. It'll take me a bit to get used to it… but I will. I'm so damn proud of you."
"While you're here Danny, might as well tell them the other thing." Jazz said, smiling at him.
"I suppose I can rip another band-aid off. Kim and I are dating. As are Star and I. They know and agreed to it, brought it up to me actually." Danny said, flushing a bit.
"Ha! He's got Fenton in him after all!" Jack said, clapping his son on the back. "Just like you and Ann huh Maddie?"
"You're not wrong sweetie." Maddie said smiling.
"Wait, what?" Danny asked, bewildered.
"Before Ann met James, she, Maddie and I were in the same arrangement. James came along though and those two have been in love ever since. No resentment, I'm happy as a clam for them." Jack said with a smile. "Back in those days it wasn't as… acceptable as it is now. We had to keep it secret. Why do you think your mother, Ann and I had so many study dates?"
"I'm not sure this is information I needed to know about mine and my girlfriend's parents." Danny said with a flush.
"Don't worry about it Danno… just know that we love you, and support you 100%. From now on, we Fentons are ghost fighting together!" Jack said. "We'll just have to give Jazzy something to help her fight… Ooh! I have an idea." Jack jotted something down, before setting it aside. "We'll talk more about it when we get home. For now… I love you all."
Danny smiled… he sure loved being a Fenton.