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Valerie's breath caught in her throat and squeezed at her lungs. Her heart pounded at an odd rhythm. Oh god, oh god.
Valerie had dropped by Mr Masters mansion to get some upgrades to her suit before she headed to college for the day. But when her suit pinged a massive amount of ghost energy in the area Valerie didn't wait for an invite and burst into the mansion. She then followed the energy and hoped that Mr Masters was safe.
But when Valerie reached the lab, she knew it was bad.
Even in the dim light, Valerie could see the carnage. The lights were blown and most of the light illuminating the lab came from the ghost portal at the far wall. Instruments were destroyed and scattered across the floor. The lab glowed faintly with splatters of ectoplasm which painted the lab in its unnatural horror. Valerie saw no traces of ghosts upstairs, so whatever it was it must have come out of the portal. There was no other way in. Unless the ghost somehow got past Mr Masters’ ghost shield.
Then Valerie saw it and instantly bile rose and she had to force back her gut wrenching gag.
There was blood on the floor, accompanied by chunks of something Valerie couldn't name. She wasn't even sure it was human. Until she saw the largest part. And those, those were definitely ribs. Fuck they were human ribs still connected to the spine, and some muscle. Whoever that was, they were completely torn apart.
Valerie took a shaky step towards it and god, oh god, there was a tie around the person's neck. She recognised that tie.
Valerie started shaking. That person who was scattered across the lab was Vlad Masters.
How was she going to tell Danny that Mr Masters was dead too?
Valerie took a step back and looked anywhere other than at what was left of Mr Masters.
That's when she spotted another light source, it looked like pale blue fire.
Her suit was beeping at her. A ghost was right in front of her. Valerie focused on the fire and saw the rest of the form. Valerie wasn't sure about the size of the ghost, they were hunched over something Valerie couldn't see. They had green skin and pointed ears.
Instincts took over steading her hands and calming her breaths, "Hands up ghost," Valerie spat as she raised her gun. That ghost had killed Mr Masters. She would avenge him.
The ghost stiffened then glanced over their shoulder.
Blood red eyes locked with hers and that sent chills straight through her spine.
The ghost turned back to whatever they were holding and started to gently brush it.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"I don't care," came a cracked whisper.
"You killed Vlad Masters and I'm going to get payback. Now stand up and face me!"
"He deserved it!" The ghost hissed his voice deep and unnatural. He clutched tighter to what was on his lap.
Then Valerie noticed the shoes sticking out from the ghost's lap. Dread filled her gut. She knew those shoes.
"Get the fuck away from them!" Valerie growled.
The ghost's gaze snapped to Valerie and it snarled, showing its fangs.
Valerie's gun whined as it powered up, "Get away from Dani you monster!"
The ghost slipped Dani from his lap and in one fluid motion spun to face Valerie with his feet planted on the ground between Dani and Valerie.
"You can't have her. I won't let you take her!" The ghost snarled.
Valerie shot and the ghost threw up a shield.
With the new light, Valerie got a better look at the ghost. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the familiar symbol, body shape and facial features. Phantom had gotten larger and more ghostly over the years. But the green skin and fire hair were new.
Valerie ran to the left and shot behind the shield, "You've gone too far this time Phantom!"
Phantom just snarled as he dropped the shield and lunged at her.
Valerie narrowly dodged his claws, "You killed Vlad Masters and you hurt Dani!"
"Vlad got what he deserved! He killed her! Dani's dead!" He roared as he started to swing again.
Valerie could barely think. Dani was dead?
Phantom stopped mid-swing, "Dani's dead," he said quietly, his eyes wide and unfocused, "she's dead, she's dead, she's dead."
Phantom lowered his hand and slowly turned back to Dani. He took a step towards Dani and Valerie raised her gun again.
"You stay away from her!"
Phantom just kept walking towards Dani like he was possessed. Before Valerie could shoot a ring of light slid over Phantom. When the light died Danny Fenton stepped out and walked towards Dani with the same lost look as Phantom.
Valerie couldn't, Phantom was Danny Fenton?
"I'm sorry Dani, I'm sorry Dani," said Danny as he dropped to his knees beside the unmoving Dani. "Why did you leave me? Why did you leave me alone? He killed all of them and now he's killed you. You were supposed to stay away. He only wanted me."
Danny gently gathered Dani into his arms, his voice breaking, "I'm sorry Dani. I'm sorry Dani. Please don't leave me."