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The Gloaming - 07

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Chapter 7: The Wailing

I still don’t know how much longer it will take me to get to Plasmius’ portal. Even with the coordinates, it’s easy to get lost. I mean… this place is huge! Not to mention everything looks fairly alike. It almost feels like the time when Phantom and I fought in space, with nothing but stars ahead of us. The question now is, what exactly is ahead of me this time?

As I continue to fly on my sled, I can’t stop thinking about everything I found out on that profile. What if Vlad really is that wicked ghost Danny wrote about? If he gained his powers twenty years ago in that ludicrous accident, I might not stand a chance against him. An enemy with two decades of experience can be a bit intimidating when you’ve been a hunter for just barely a year.

Of course, that won’t stop me from trying. I have even considered some strategies already.

What I haven’t fully considered among those plans yet is Phantom’s intervention. There still is the tiny bit of possibility that he could be saying the truth about his friendship with Danny. So what if he’s there? What should I do about him? He’s still the same spook who altered my life and even tried to kill me. But, if by any chance he happens to be there to save Danny and the others (which I still highly doubt), what happens to our quarrel? What if I end up trusting him and he betrays me again? He’s more than capable of killing me if I let my guard down.

I shudder almost as soon as the thought crosses my mind. I don’t know if it’s because of the scenario mentioned or the freezing temperature. After a tired sigh, I decide to tune out any musing about the ghost kid; I’ll deal with him later. Instead, I try to focus more on my surroundings.

This place is creepier than I remembered. The wailing sounds fill my ears and send chills to my spine everywhere I go. I try not to pay any attention to the oozing doors floating around or the spooky lairs nearby, but it’s hard to ignore those constant disturbances.

Luckily, there haven’t been many ghosts near me throughout my flight. I have only encountered seven fiends so far, four of which barely acknowledged my presence while the other three were no match to my arsenal.

To be honest, I wasn’t feeling the usual thrill that invaded me whenever I hunted ghosts in the past, but these fights did help to change my mood. I needed to boost my self-assurance a bit, especially after my clumsy incident with Klemper and my failure in stopping Phantom from escaping.

Now, I feel more confident. After all, if I was able to defeat those three fiends in their own territory, this shouldn’t be as hard as I thought it would be.

“Maneuvering an unauthorized flying object merits a sentence of two-hundred years in my prison,” a deep voice exclaims and startles me. I immediately slow the pace and turn around to face the speaker, but no one’s there.

Yes, I know. If I hadn’t turned off my ghost tracker, I would’ve been prepared for the newcomer. Unfortunately, since this is the Ghost Zone, there’s only so much a stressed girl can tolerate when a gadget won’t stop beeping like mad. Besides, I already knew there would be specters around.

As I scan my surroundings, I notice some sort of fortress not far away, a clear indication that I’m probably trespassing someone’s territory. Trying to be cautious, I summon three cubes above me. These have proven to be helpful since their blast is fairly strong. Still, the problem with them is they often cause a lot of collateral damage.

But I’m not in Amity Park anymore. I don’t have any civilians, buildings, or other personal property to watch out for.

“I don’t have time for this, creep. Show yourself!” I demand to the still unseen ghost. The voice is silent but, before I turn around to continue my path, I already have the feeling that he’s right behind me.

“Threatening an authority and calling him names adds another two-hundred years to your sentence,” the ghost speaks once again, this time materializing behind my back, as I predicted. I study him briefly, noticing his skeleton-like face, the purple hat on his head, and his white suit, which seems to come from an old gangster movie. Seriously, these spooks have no sense of fashion.

“I don’t think so!” I yell as I fire the beams from the cubes summoned mere seconds ago. I really don’t have time for this.

The blasts collide against my enemy’s chest and the ghost is just thrown a couple of feet away. He recovers and gives me a hard glare with his green eyes. Meanwhile, I’m already fleeing the scene, only turning my head to see what happened to my opponent.

Sometimes, I do know when to choose my battles.

Since this guy seems tougher than the other three ghosts I blasted earlier (at least according to the readings from my visor), I can’t risk getting into a more serious fight. First of all, I would waste valuable time if I do and, secondly, I have to save my energy for a possible fight against Plasmius.

“Get her!” I hear the ghost growl his orders to someone else, though I don’t want to stay to meet his minion. Or minions. Knowing my luck, there’s probably more than one.

A figure flies towards the first ghost, followed by several other companions. “You heard Walker. Move!” the newcomer orders the ones behind him, who apparently came from the fortress I saw earlier or somewhere nearby. And just like that, I realize I’m being chased by at least eight ghosts.

At times like these, I hate it when I’m right.

Seven of them are dressed in some kind of police uniform; I think I even saw a glimpse of a badge and a weapon of some sort. The other one, who appears to be second-in-command, is wearing an outfit that includes a cape, an eye patch, and a bandana. There’s a comment about ghosts’ lacking a fashion sense somewhere, but my mind is rather busy screaming “get the heck out of here!”

A green blast flies above my head, followed by two more beams that barely miss my jet sled. The wailing sounds from before have now been replaced by yells from my attackers. They continue firing in my direction, viciously trying to eliminate me, but I avoid each beam intended for me as gracefully as possible. In part it’s thanks to my natural agility, but what’s really saving my neck right now is my suit’s protection system.

Offense has always been my best defense, so I never really used the defense mechanism before. It’s kinda hard to explain, but it’s as if the suit had some sort of awareness to its surroundings, melding that ‘knowledge’ with my own movements to elude every danger I come across. It’s a silly way to describe it, but I really don’t have time to ponder more about it. I have to focus in losing these ghosts.

“Don’t be foolish, girl,” the pirate guy yells as his companions continue shooting at me. “This is the Ghost Zone! You won’t be able to get away from us for long.”

I clench my fists in annoyance. Sure, I’m aware they have the advantage since this is their domain, but I’m more than capable of kicking his butt despite that. I pull an ecto-gun from my backpack and aim at the leader of the group. The blast hits him square in the chest and he collides against two cops behind him. “You were saying?” I exclaim in a sly tone, which obviously angers him more as he notices he’s been left behind.

While the dizzy trio involved in the small collision recovers, I turn completely around and aim two missiles to the five remaining cops. The projectiles successfully hit two of the ghosts and a pink smoke covers the whole area.

Perfect. If I fly faster, I’ll be free from those freaks.

Unfortunately, as I turn around one last time to look at the smoke-filled area, I notice that the other three ghosts are still following me.

Okay, time for plan B: accelerate the pace and find a hiding place to surprise these goons.

I don’t want to keep wasting my suit’s power in repetitive blasts. I need one effective attack to take them out for good. If not, they might even follow me into the portal and… no, I don’t even want to think about it.

So, a hiding place… the question now is, where? A door wouldn’t be such a bad idea, considering there are dozens of them floating around me. However, there’s the possibility of getting lost or ending up somewhere worse.

A nearby lair? No, I might get a not so warm welcome from its owner.

The small swamp located a couple of feet beneath me? No. There could be creepy ghost crocodiles or something.

How about the giant football ahead of me? Wait, a huge purple football? Who the heck would put something like that in here? Well, it might just work...

Accelerating the pace, I quickly throw a smoke grenade at the ones chasing me. My three enemies curse between coughs and I use the opportunity to hide behind the ridiculous football. I summon the cubes back into my suit and choose another weapon. This time, it’s a regular ecto-cannon, already prepared for the three foes heading towards my hideout.

“Stop,” I hear one of them say. “He’ll take care of her,” the ghost exclaims confidently after a pause.

He? Who is he talking about?

“But, Bullet... Walker told us to—ugh!” another one speaks but is cut mid-sentence. Intrigued, I peek from behind the football to find out what’s going on.

The ghost in the pirate-like getup is holding one of his companions from the collar of his suit, glaring at him with his only eye. “Tell me, who would you rather fight: Walker or Plasmius?” Bullet (or so he was called) asks.

Wait, Plasmius? Now I’m even more interested in this little quarrel...

Before the cop can even respond, Bullet continues. “If we fight her here, we’ll get into trouble with Plasmius and Walker. You know how the half ghost hates it when someone gets near his territory.”

Half-ghost…

So, it’s true. It wasn’t some delusional entry Danny came up with. I know part of me was convinced by that computer file, but there was still a tiny voice in my head trying to believe in Mr. Masters; trying to believe he really wasn’t some crazed-up fruit loop. To hear someone else confirm Danny’s story is like a slap across my face. I can’t believe how stupid I was...

“So what are we going to tell Walker?” the second cop questions, his voice not even showing the tiniest bit of fear or nervousness, as if lying to Walker had become a common part of his job.

Walker... they’ve mentioned him several times now. Why does it sound familiar?

I dismiss my current thoughts as Bullet releases the first cop from his grip and turns to face his other partner. “We’ll tell him the ghost kid got in the way. He’ll be so mad at the punk that he’ll forget all about the girl,” he replies with a sly grin.

The second cop smiles just as mischievously. “You know, I really want to be there if he ever captures that kid,” the ghost says with a hint of venom in his voice.

“Wouldn’t you lose the bet if that happens?” Bullet asks amused as he and the other spooks start flying away.

“Well, yes. But it’s definitely worth it if it means that the invincible Danny Phantom is subject to some kind of torture,” the other cop replies, followed by the laughter of both him and Bullet. The other neglected cop just follows silently behind them. In a matter of seconds, the sound of their cackling dies down as they disappear in the distance.

I sigh in relief though I’m rather intrigued by what just took place. Those ghosts hate Phantom? And they’re afraid of Plasmius? No… they said something else. Something about Plasmius’ territory...

Of course! They said we were near his territory! So it shouldn’t take me long to find…

“The portal!” I exclaim before I can help it and I gape at the swirling vortex that had been behind me all along.

Seriously, I should’ve paid more attention to my tracker instead of focusing on those lame ghost cops.

Okay, so this is it. I’m here. That’s the door between dimensions that will lead me to Plasmius and his hostages. I just have to fly through it, as simple as that. But what if he’s at the other side of the portal waiting for me?

Well, I know I had some strategies planned, but I have to focus on a single tactic now, taking into account that Mr. Masters doesn’t know I found out his secret. If I go through the portal and he happens to be there, I can use that to my advantage.

I revise the rest of my plan and take a deep breath.

“Here goes nothing.” And with that, I fly forward.

The first thing I notice as I reenter the human realm is that my benefactor is not present. The immense room happens to be a lab, a well-equipped one at that. Dozens of ongoing experiments cover the two main tables. Several screens showing DNA-related stats adorn the wall. Computers, advanced machinery, weapons, and other contraptions surround the rest of the room, reminding me a bit of Axion Labs.

No longer being necessary, I put my sled away and walk around the room. Just as I’m about to approach one of the computers, an eerie sound startles me. It’s similar to the wailing sounds that can be heard in the Ghost Zone, but yet completely different. For one, it sounds stronger but not as sorrowful as the others. In fact, I could almost bet it’s only one ghost behind it.

The wailing fades and there’s a brief silence. The void is soon replaced by a familiar voice. “Please... stop...” the young and raspy voice pleads. Was that Danny? He’s here?

“It will only stop if you tell me what I need to know,” an older voice exclaims. I recognize whom it belongs to: it’s Mr. Masters.

I swear, if he did anything to hurt Danny...

Calm down, Val. There’s no need to be rash. One tiny mistake and it could end up in a bigger mess. Just stick to the plan. Find Danny and the others, distract Plasmius, and get the heck out of here.

Well, the voices came from below, so there has to be an elevator or some stairs leading to a lower level, right?

I walk towards a small hall at the end of the room and notice the stairs I was looking for. At the same time, I can hear Danny clearer.

“No,” he replies with a more determined tone and I notice for the first time that there’s something different about his voice, though I can’t figure out what.

I take my first step downstairs, then the next, and so on in a silent attempt to take a look at the room below.

A heavy sigh is heard. “You’re always so stubborn, Daniel,” Mr. Masters says tiredly. A moment later, I can hear Danny yelling in pain before the sound turns into another eerie wail.

Something’s seriously wrong here.

With as much caution as possible, I stop at the corner of the wall and take a peek to whatever’s going on in that adjacent room. My eyes widen at the sight...

Right in the middle of the downstairs lab, there’s a huge containment chamber that occupies most of the room. Its walls appear to be made of some sort of glass or transparent plastic, while the frame is completely metallic (at least on the outside). Multiple wires and devices surround the prison, as if it were monitoring whatever’s in there.

It’s precisely the subject locked inside what surprises me. It’s Phantom. He’s the one who’s been releasing that supernatural wail, though he seems exhausted from the excessive waste of energy. However, he can’t break free. His wrists and ankles seem to be chained to the cage.

And, of course, his guardian is also somewhat of a shock. Plasmius. He’s actually here, looking like the same vampire-like ghost I remember from some months ago. He stands outside the chamber, his back facing me, and he presses a button on a console close to the cage’s entrance.

But where’s Danny? Where are the others? I clearly heard the name ‘Daniel’. Of course! Daniel Phantom, not Fenton. I guess I’m still not used to calling him something besides ‘Phantom’, among other not-so-formal names.

As Plasmius continues clicking on the console, the ghostly wail Phantom had been releasing stops. “I’m not asking much,” the older spook says. “I just need to know how you managed to obtain that power.”

The ghost kid glares. “It’s none of your business, Vlad,” he answers with the same raspy but determined tone he used before.

“Very well. If that’s your response...” Vlad moves his hand towards a button on the control panel but, just as he’s about to press it, he’s interrupted by the sound of an intercom.

“Sir, you have a call from your office,” a feminine voice speaks. “They say it’s urgent.”

Plasmius sighs in annoyance. “I’ll give you some time to think about it, Daniel,” he exclaims before he phases through the roof...

...giving me the opportunity to ask Phantom about Danny and the others.

I glance around the room before I come out of my hideout and confirm that no one else is around. The ghost kid’s busy trying to get out of his chains, so he doesn’t notice me as I approach his transparent prison.

“At least you won’t escape from me this time,” I exclaim, startling the white-haired spook.

“Valerie! What are you doing here?” he asks with his hoarse voice. The power he used is obviously affecting his vocal chords.

“I should be asking you the same thing, ghost,” I reply angrily. I still haven’t forgotten about all the things I’m going to make him pay for.

“We don’t have time for this. Plasmius will be back in no time!”

I hate it when he’s right.

I sigh. “Fine. Just tell me, where are Sam, Tucker, and the Fentons?”

“I... don’t know,” he answers softly as he hangs his head.

I raise an eyebrow at that as my irritation begins to build. “What do you mean you don’t know? Plasmius kidnapped them. I read the note! They have to be here, somewhere!”

Phantom turns to face me once more, his downcast expression changing immediately into one of confusion. “You followed me to FentonWorks?”

“Did you think I would let you go that easily?” I reply dryly.

The spook lightly shakes his head. “I’ve learned not to underestimate you. You’re an excellent hunter,” he exclaims softly.

Hold on... was that a compliment?

I raise an eyebrow at his comment, obviously not expecting it. Still, we’re getting out of the topic. “I’m not here to hear you state the obvious. Do you know anything about the others or not?” Though my words are not as cordial, I at least manage to sound less aggressive than usual.

“I don’t know where they are, but I know Plasmius didn’t bring them here. They were just bait,” the ghost explains.

“Bait? You mean... he just wanted you?” I ask baffled. “I came here for nothing?”

I can’t believe it... After all the things I went through, the dangers I faced in the Ghost Zone, the planning, the stress, the tears and frustration... all those troubles were just in vain?

Sure, it’s the perfect opportunity to confront Mr. Masters about his secret, but I don’t want it to be here, like this. If he’s really too dangerous, I don’t want to be alone with him. Besides, no one even knows I’m here!

I’m at the edge of a panic attack, but Phantom distracts me as he speaks once again, casting a pleading and worried look. “Maybe you didn’t come here for nothing. Valerie, I know it’s too much to ask, but... is there a chance you could get me out of here?”

My eyes widen and I take a step back. “What?

“Please... I know you don’t trust me and I know you want to rip me apart, but you have no idea what Plasmius is capable of. Heck, I don’t even know how much longer I’ll be able to stand this torture. It’s draining all my energy.” He sighs as I continue staring at him. “I just want to go home.”

That saddened look... it just looks so real. I know what he means. I want to go home, too. But I still don’t trust him. Besides, he’s not my problem right now. He can handle himself, right?

Still, I know in the back of my mind that I can’t just leave him here. He said it himself: Plasmius used the note as bait. If the ghost kid came here to play hero only to end up in this chamber, then maybe I should give him the benefit of doubt.

But why would a ghost want to help a bunch of humans? It still doesn’t make any sense. Not even a half-ghost like Plasmius can stop being mischievous.

Let’s think this through: the ghost kid knows more than he’s telling, he barely has energy left (or so he claims), and he seems to be the enemy of my enemies (Walker, Bullet, Skulker… Plasmius…). If I get him out of his cell, he won’t be able to attack me, he might be able to tell me the weakness of any ghost I might encounter on the flight back, and he might also provide valuable information about the missing people and their whereabouts.

I sigh in annoyance as I walk towards the control panel. “Don’t think I’m having second thoughts about you! If I’m going to help you, you’ll have to tell me everything you know about Danny and Plasmius,” I exclaim as I try to figure out what button to push.

“Deal,” he replies after a brief silence. “But you’ll have to let me go once we’re in Amity Park.”

I stare at him for a few seconds, trying to make my decision. My previous reasons to help him once again fill my head. I decide to take a risk. “Deal.”

“And who do you think you’re making deals with, Miss Gray?” an older voice questions, sending chills to my spine. As I slowly turn around to face the familiar newcomer, I manage to catch a glimpse of Phantom’s alarmed expression.

My eyes focus on the one standing by the stairs: Mr. Masters.
A very special thank you to for the absolutely awesome picture :love: :glomp: This was a part of a trade and you can see the original deviation here: [link]

----
[link] Prologue: The Hunting
[link] Chapter 1: The Calling
[link] Chapter 2: The Questioning
[link] Chapter 3: The Scheming
[link] Chapter 4: The Breaking
[link] Chapter 5: The Uncovering
[link] Chapter 6: The Seeking
[link] Chapter 7: The Wailing :pointr: Current :pointl:
[link] Chapter 8: The Turning
[link] Chapter 9: The Explaining
[link] Chapter 10: The Staggering
[link] Chapter 11: The Scolding
Coming Soon! - Epilogue: The Gloaming

Disclaimer: Danny Phantom (c) Butch Hartman / Nickelodeon
© 2006 - 2024 SummersSixEcho
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SoraLove's avatar
:wow: Awesome!!! =D *quickly goes to next chapter*:clap:This story rules!!! sorry I didn't comment all the chapters:blushes: