Playing with Ectoplasm

"This was a bad idea V, a bad idea…" Richie chanted.

"Lighten up man! We're on vacation remember!"

"Exactly what part of this even resembles vacation?! You know the definition of vacation?! A period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday, and guess what?! THIS ISN'T A SUSPENSION FROM WORK IF WE ARE WORKING!" Richie shouted, losing his cool. It was understandable though, as he was currently being held by two green ghosts, covered in police cop armor.

"Well…at least we're seeing some new faces!" Static offered, smiling with his eyebrows raised and an optimistic smile. Richie stared at him then looked at the sky.

"We're doomed! Doomed!" He whined softly.

"Put a cork in it!" The ghost holding him said, the other one nodding.

"Alright. Just answer me one thing."

"What?!" The guard snapped.

"Do those weapons of yours run on natural energy, or ectoplasmic energy that it sucks straight from your surrounding area, or is it connected directly to your home so it can operate without a single unit?" The guards stared at him for a long moment.

"Umm…you'd probably have to ask Walker about that one."

"Yeah…we just have to wave them around, not know their mechanics…geek."

"Sorry, it's a habit of his." Static apologized, also held by two other guards.

"Yeah, well, you need to get him fixed. I mean, come on, what's with the helmet, not to mention that weird metal turtle shell on his back."

"Actually, he has a name." Richie said. The guards raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, its actually STEAL-THE-BAR-5107-COMMAND-3553914" Richie said. The guards looked at him blankly.

"Also known as BACKPACK! ACTIVATE!" The machine instantly whirred to life, its claws extending to grab the two green bars on the ghosts' belts. On instinct, both went intangible, but the bars were left behind in Backpack's grip, who immediately threw them to Richie.

Richie pulled both of them out and shot them forward at the ghosts' holding Static, finding that they were both binded immediately.

"Nice shooting Rich!" Static said, high-fiving him.

"It's all in the aim. Kinda like the Wild-West simulation on my laptop." Richie twirled the bar and blew the ecto-steam of the top stylishly.

"Pardner." He finished. Virgil laughed and shook his head, patting him on the back.

"I really do need to get you fixed. I think we can leave the ghosts here for Danny Phantom." They were about to leave when the two other ghosts who had had Richie phased behind them.

"Watch out!" Both boys whirled around, only to have Danny Phantom land in front of them, ectoblasts already blasting the two ghosts away.

Danny reached for something in his belt, whipping it out and sucking both ghosts and the captive ones into it, capping it, and pushing it back into his belt as fast as possible.

"You guys did an awesome job with those ghosts. I'm really impressed!" Danny said, and his eyes showed his awe as he turned to them. Both boys were too busy gawking.

"Sorry I couldn't come earlier, Vl-Someone sent me a decoy. Hey you must be Gear!" Danny said, shaking the boy's limp hand. Richie stuttered.

"Ye-Yea-Yeah th-they call me G-Gegege-I mean Gea-What you said." Virgil smirked.

"Hey Danny!" Both guys high-fived.

"Wh-Why would they send you a decoy?" Virgil asked, eyes getting wide with realization.

"You don't mean-"

"Yeah. I do." Danny nodded grimly.

"The public is already aware you guys are here. I know you guys came here on vacation and everything (and this point Richie glared at Virgil, who shrugged innocently. How much did he know?) but…something's after you here. And if its ghosts…I'm pretty sure who." Richie's brow furrowed.

"But if its ghosts, wouldn't it just be themselves?"

"What you saw just now were lackeys. They're controlled by Walker, a dead prison ward who anointed himself head of the Prison in the ghost zone as well."

"So Walker is the one behind this?" Virgil asked. Danny shook his head.

"Not likely. Walker wouldn't come after me, let alone you guys unless I "broke the rules" or basically came into his part of the ghost zone. What would he want with two superheroes who never did him wrong? No, I'm pretty sure the one who's behind this is someone with more ties, more areas to control in the ghost zone." Richie bumped Virgil, then pointed with his eyes.

Virgil followed his line of vision and saw it. Danny's fists were clenched, and his eyes had narrowed. Something went sour in Virgil's stomach.

"Plasmius." Danny said firmly, turning to Virgil and Richie.

"Who?" Both chorused.

"Plasmius. He's my arch-enemy basically, someone who wants to exploit me for his own needs."

"We feel ya dude." Virgil said, sighing as he put his arm around Danny's shoulder. Danny looked at him quizzically.

"Definitely been there, definitely done that." Richie said, nodding.

Danny looked between them for a long time, then suddenly looked down.

"Phhft!" Both boys' head snapped up and looked at each other, alarmed. They looked down at Danny.

"Um…Danny? You okay?"

"HAHHAAHAHAH!" Both boys jumped, and looked closer. Danny was bent over. His hand covered his mouth as he unsuccessfully tried to stifle his laughter, eyes closed.

"So-sorry! I'm-I'm not laughing (HAHAH!) at you! I just-(HAha!), can't help-(HA!Ha!)!"

It took a while for Danny to get his composure back. Both Virgil and Richie felt their faces get red, regardless of his reassurance that he was truly, not laughing at them.

"Sorry about that, I was rude. It's just…not often I talk to other superheroes. It's really funny that we're relating over our arch-enemies plots." He chuckled a little.

It dawned on Richie and Virgil slowly, but surely. How often was it that this guy talked to anyone…who knew what it was like? They had each other, but how often did he get to socialize, share his adventures, just talk to other people, let alone heroes?!

"Anyway, you guys should head back to your hotel (Richie's head whipped around to stare in shock at Virgil, who innocently whistled again), and I'll see whether I can track him down." At that last sentence, Danny shrugged.

"Well…okay." Virgil conceded, Richie staring at him in shock. With a silencing glare from Static, Virgil and Richie both took off without complaints, Danny waving behind them.

As soon as they left, Danny crossed his arms, sombering immediately.

"You've been here the whole time, huh Vlad?" The black figure appeared, smirking behind the boy.

"You've gotten better Daniel. I'm duly impressed-" Vlad was still smirking when Danny pushed him into the brick wall, pinning him down at his shoulder.

"Leave them out of this!" Danny said. Vlad rolled his eyes.

"Quite to the point, aren't we? Well, of course they aren't my aim boy." Vlad said carelessly. However, his eyes narrowed and in under a few seconds, Danny was pinned against the brick wall, Vlad's smile now malicious.

"However, having them as a side trophy…isn't quite a bad deal now is it?" He hissed. Danny's eyes widened as Vlad let him go, walking away casually.

"You're still 20 years too early to be overpowering me Daniel, let alone outsmarting me! And let me tell you my dear boy, I do not intend on pulling a "Technus" as you so thoughtfully call it."

"Hey! I resent that!" A nerdy voice called out from the depths of the ghost zone.

"I don't need to know your plan to beat you Vlad. I've done it before, and I'll do it again."

Vlad's eyes narrowed.

"You will never truly beat me Daniel. After all, I'm still here aren't I?" Danny flinched.

"Besides, if you have no idea what I'm planning, how can you be prepared for when I attack, hmmm? How do you know you aren't walking into one of my little traps right now?" Vlad asked in a silky, conceited tone.

"Enough with the mind games. Vlad." Danny said, stepping back.

"Just remember this: Not even me, if you mess with Static and Gear, there will be others in Dakota coming after you. Word will get out." Danny said, glaring.

For a moment Vlad's smile faltered, then he was grinning with glint in his eyes once more.

"And who's to say I don't want that?"

"Leave them alone!" Danny said, once more, then he disappeared. Vlad made sure he was gone for good using his ghostly senses, then checked the area, changing back quickly. He walked over to a stretch limo operated by one of his ghostly employees, but not before grimacing and rubbing his shoulder.

"The boy is getting stronger." He admitted. He smirked down at his hand, where between his forefinger and thumb a small silver strand of hair lay.

"I'll just have to fix that, now won't I?"

---

"Hey Virg, why did we just leave?" Richie asked as they headed back for the alley behind their hotel.

"Did Danny seem…a little distracted to you?"

"No I don't think so…why?"

"I think there was someone else there. Danny seemed to want us out of there, and fast." Virgil said, swerving to the side so he didn't hit a street lamp.

"Really? Are you sure you aren't just imagining things?"

Virgil sighed.

"I don't know Rich. Recently I feel like I've been pretty paranoid, but something in my gut keeps telling me Danny's hiding something."

"Danny Phantom?"

"Well yeah, and…"

"V, Danny Fenton's a teenager like us, all teenagers have secrets!" Richie said, knowing where he was going.

"I know, I know, it's just…I don't know."

"Virgil, we're in a town where ghosts and nightmares can easily come true! If Danny is hiding a secret, maybe it's for a good reason! Why should we get involved anyway?" Richie asked, waving his arms. They landed in the alley.

"…Something's going on Rich. I don't know what, but I have a bad feeling that we're gonna find out."

"With Danny F, or Danny P?"

"…I don't know."

---

Danny landed inside his living room, currently uninhabited except for one older sister, who was lying on the sofa with a large book on Someone's or something's Doctrine.

Jazz looked up as Danny landed, pressed a corner down on her page and closed the book.

"Hey."

"Hey." Jazz raised an eyebrow at the flat voice.

"You okay?"

"Just…tired."

"Wanna talk about it?"

Danny sat down with a sigh on the couch as Jazz retracted her legs to make room.

"Have you ever felt like you were missing something?"

"Danny, we've been over this, if you like Sam, just tell her-"

"Jazz!" Danny broke in, blushing.

"I don't mean that." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. Jazz raised her eyebrows.

"Something must be really wrong. You're not denying your crush!"

Danny sighed. Jazz put her hand on his shoulder sympathetically.

"Like you were out of the loop, that's what I meant." Jazz scooted back, crossing her legs on the couch, and thought for a moment.

"Yeah, kinda like when I didn't know your secret. You and your friends would be off somewhere, doing something I never knew about…it almost made me feel a little lonely." She smiled softly at him.

"Why?" She asked, her eyes mildly curious.

"There're these two kids. They came here on vacation, and for some reason we seem to be running into each other a lot."

"…Well where are they from?"

"Mahota."

"My-whatta?"

"Mahota. A southern part of eastern New Mexico, or an eastern part of Southern, I don't know."

"Weird…I don't recall hearing of that place before."

"Yeah, neither have I."

"Well, what's wrong with meeting up with them?"

"They're ghost fanatics." Jazz's eyebrows shot up and she placed the book on the table, got up, and checked the basement door.

After doing that she sat down next to Danny, turned to face him and asked,

"How much so?"

"Enough…to be suspicious." Jazz looked at him in shock.

"Are you sure?"

"Pretty much."

"Well…then you'll just have to be careful around them."

"I was. In fact, I acted normally. I even got pounded by Dash!"

"What?!" Danny winced.

"I got punched in the stomach. That's it Jazz. But he was aiming for my head."

"And you ducked super-fast?"

"More like twisted around a little. Like I turned in fright and it hit my stomach."

"And then?"

"I doubled-over and gasped painfully."

"Well you aren't the best of actors…" Jazz trailed off speculatively. Danny grunted, and Jazz smiled sympathetically. She crossed her legs and patted her lap, and after a hesitant moment, Danny put his head down on it, laying the rest of his body across the couch. Jazz started to twirl his hair in a relaxing manner.

"If I'm not a good actor then the people in this town are morons…not counting you of course." He quickly amended.

"Well think about it. A lot of these people know you Danny. You have an image, as the gawky, teenage boy of the two self-proclaimed amazing ghost hunters. That's all they'll ever really see until you truly do something out of the ordinary…with someone around to witness it." Danny nodded, turning his head and glancing at her.

"Ignoring that you called me gawky, your point is…?"

"These two kids came from out of town. They don't know anything about you. So maybe when you do small things, like avoiding a punch or running very fast, that's how you build your personality around them. That's how they see you, because they don't know how else to. They don't know you stink at math, or you were never that athletic, or that you (at least used to) stink at ghost hunting."

"Mmm…" Jazz's brow furrowed.

"But that's not the entire problem, is it?" Danny shook his head, freeing her hands from his hair.

"Something's off with the both of them. I don't know what it is, but-"

"Danny you have no leads. They're two teenagers, and frankly, I think you have more to be worried about than that." Danny raised an eyebrow and looked up at her.

"Such as?" Jazz crossed her arms and fixed him with a look. She switched on the television where a news report was playing. On the box towards the top right there was a picture of an electric Static Shock and Danny Phantom signal.

"How about that?" Danny sighed, putting his arms behind his head.

"When did you plan on telling me? Did you meet Gear too? Why are they here? Are they okay with you? Did anything bad happen?" Danny listened respectively as she ranted.

"Finished?" He asked. She glared at him.

"I met him yesterday Jazz. I was going to tell you, I just got a little caught up with Virgil and Richie, the two boys I told you about."

"Well?"

Danny shook his head.

"They came here on a vacation, though I'm guessing to meet me too. They ended up helping me catch a few thugs and beat a few ghosts. And now Vlad's been added to the mix, apparently with another scheme to get me." Jazz stiffened.

"And his plan is…?"

"No idea. But I think it involves Static and Gear and I don't want anything to happen to them. I'm going to find them and get them out of here before it all blows up in my face."

"And if they refuse?" Danny sighed again. Jazz looked at her poor brother with eyes of sadness.

"They won't have a choice. I don't know Jazz, it's like this huge puzzle filled with a ton of dots all scrambled together. But I just don't know how and where to connect them." Jazz nodded.

"It's always been like that Danny. I guess you have to give it time."

"But when it's something I don't have?" He looked to his older sister for guidance. Jazz patted his head.

"Then you end up getting a big scribble. One you'll have to untangle. So follow what you do know. If Vlad's hatching a plot, catch him in the act. If two teenagers are acting weird, ask them about it. Find those lines and connect the dots that count." Danny groaned. He turned his head and grumbled against his sister's leg.

"This was supposed to be my summer break." Jazz grinned and ruffled his hair.

"I have a feeling whatever you're dreading is going to occur soon. And when it does, I'm sure you'll have enough prior notice to be prepared." Danny raised his head.

"But what or who will I understand first?"

"You mean with Static Shock or these Virgil and Richie persons?"

"…Yeah, one of them. But which…I don't know."

Long time coming, I know. But you guys may or may not (I hope so) be relieved to know I'm working out the kinks of the next chapter for Finding Danielle, and a few one-shots for Here's to the Hero as well! Ah, O Summer, dear time of working and jobs and making money and exhaustion and fanfic writing. O Summer dearest….don't leave me!!!

Artgirl4!