Disclaimer: You know the routine: I don't own Danny Phantom and all related characters. (Sigh)
Yay, another fic- I, mean, oh no, another fic!
And just when I thought severe Writer's Block for three stories were bad enough…
Oh and by the way, for those of you still reading any of my three fics, they may be redone or at least the first few chapters will.
Chapter 1
"You're goin' down, ghost!" Valerie shouted. She raised a bazooka and fired at the pale ghost boy hovering in front of her. Half-heartedly, the ghost, also known as Danny Phantom, deflected it. Valerie had to steer her jetsled downward to avoid being hit by her own shot.
She'd been hunting ghosts for at least a year by now. Valerie had rid Amity Park of most of its most dangerous spectors, but the ghost boy seemed persistent. He would always reappear after every battle, and seemed to enjoy the next with immense pleasure. Valerie couldn't wait until the menace was banished from the town forever.
The two teens exchanged blasts, both green and pink. Valerie noticed today, though, that Phantom seemed to be slightly depressed. Once or twice Valerie could have sworn she heard him sigh dejectedly before forcing himself into the air again.
Half of Valerie was curious enough to want to find out what was causing the ghost boy so much emotional pain. Usually, during the battles he was actually playful, retorting comebacks, and smirking- a lot. Valerie scolded herself and tried to focus on the task at hand: destroying Phantom, but something was bothering Phantom, and she desperately wanted to know what it was.
Valerie was suddenly brought back to reality as she heard a pained moan. Turning, Valerie saw that one of her blasts had actually connected. Phantom lay crumpled on the ground, his breaths coming out in short gasps, even though ghosts didn't need to breathe.
Valerie descended to a hover and turned the dial on her bazooka to 'Obliterate' and took aim.
"Say goodbye, Phantom," Valerie retorted. She charged up her bazooka….
… but simply couldn't bring herself to Obliterate the ghost.
"Just do it,"
Valerie stared at the ghost boy. His head was down and his snowy white bangs covered his eyes. His face was set and emotionless, excluding a steady stream of tears trickling down his cheek.
"Valerie, dinner!"
Damon Grey's distant voice cut through the silence.
Valerie turned back to Phantom.
"Later for you, ghost," she scowled, knowing full well she was giving up the opportunity of a lifetime.
Phantom said nothing, but slowly faded out of sight. Valerie sighed and deactivated her black and red ghost hunting suit. The jetsled thinned and folded neatly into her sneakers. Without another word, she dashed back home, wondering why exactly the ghost boy was so depressed.
Valerie sighed for at least the millionth time. She needed some time to think, someone to talk to, someone she could trust.
The gate creaked open. Valerie silently stepped inside onto the overgrown wild grass. She passed various headstones as she walked by until she spotted a familiar one: Her mother's.
Valerie's mother had passed away while Valerie was still a toddler. The details were still foggy, but she vaguely remembered asking her father if her mother came home yet. By the age of nine, Valerie had learned of her mother's passing, and often came to the grave when she needed time alone.
Valerie kneeled onto the weedy grass. She silently stared at the weathered headstone.
"Ghost hunting's going great, Mom," Valerie started quietly. "I've gotten rid of some of the town's most hated ghosts, except that ghost kid. He seemed kinda sad today when I was fighting him. I wonder what's wrong with him. I really miss you a lot, Mom, I just wish you could be here." Valerie smiled slightlyand waited a moment beforestanding up and brushing the grass and dirt off her skirt. She froze suddenly, hearing a quiet noise.
It seemed to be coming from somewhere near the gnarled willow in the corner of the cemetery. Valerie crouched behind a wide headstone and strained her ears for another sound.
Slowly, she crept toward where she had last heard the noise. Soon it grew slightly more pronounced. It sounded like a stifled cry or sob. Valerie took a deep breath and snuck a peak behind the headstones.
It was the ghost boy.
Wow that was short (and shmalzy). Actually I cut about half of it off for chapter two. Stay tuned! Oh ya, R&R!
P.S. Guess what? I'm twelve now! W00T! grins