Chapter Text
Perhaps in another timeline he met Daniela under different circumstances. Perhaps he had time for her to meet her friends. Perhaps he was a little more wary, and perhaps he had time to escape...
In this timeline, he saw Daniela melting away in an alley, in a pool of ectoplasm that worried him. She seemed to be suffering, so he approached to help, like the foolish hero he was.
She gained his trust, especially when she revealed that she was half-ghost. He felt like an older brother; there was someone who needed his guidance, and that made him feel important. He lost sight of everything else and fulfilled her request.
She asked that no one know of her existence, and he could respect that. If he didn't want to tell his parents he was half-ghost, what right did he have to reveal the secret of another half-ghost?
Neither Sam, nor Tucker, nor Jazz heard from Daniela for several days. He focused on teaching him how to use his powers, and that's how she was able to set a trap for him.
They were training in a forest outside Amity Park; his friends thought they were in the Ghost Zone.
Vlad's arrival took him by surprise. He told Daniela to hide, and at some point, when he thought he had Vlad cornered, she attacked him from behind.
He was knocked unconscious, Vlad's laughter echoing in his mind.
And so we arrive at this point...
He had endured this torture for hours and wondered why his friends hadn't found him yet.
He felt like this was killing him again. Of course, these shocks weren't as powerful as the one he'd received from the portal when his ghost side was created, but that didn't make it any less painful.
The only breaks he had between shocks were when he lost consciousness or the machine malfunctioned. The latter had happened a couple of times, which he used to try to escape. On both occasions, he didn't get very far because of how weak he was.
The first time, he tried to convince Daniela that Vlad was only using her. Of course, it didn't work. The only thing he managed to do was get Vlad to put the girl in a capsule as a precaution, the man had said, and from that moment on she watched his torment in horror.
No matter how hard he struggled to free himself from the shackles that kept him trapped in this stupid machine, he couldn't break free. All he was doing was hurting himself. His wrists burned, and he felt something trickling down his feet. He was probably bleeding. The only good thing was that it healed quickly, but the pain never stopped.
— Hello, dear Daniel — Vlad appeared before him in his ghost form, a transformation he reverted once he'd confirmed Daniel was still in good hands. — Why are you doing this to yourself? I just want some DNA. If you'd cooperated, this would have been over a long time ago — the older ghost muttered, moving his buttons to begin his torture anew.
— You're... You're despicable — Daniel spat out in pain, as this was truly taking its toll. — My... my friends will come for me, and I'll beat the crap out of you when I'm free — he declared, glaring at Plasmius with what he hoped was pure hatred, a hatred that intensified with every second he spent in this place.
— If I were you, I wouldn't get my hopes up. I was very careful this time — Vlad smiled sadistically as he moved the device to activate it. — Get comfortable, Daniel, because this is just the beginning, hahaha.
He could only clench his teeth as the shock began. His stomach lurched, and the pain arrived like a familiar wave that frankly wanted to make him cry. He resisted as much as he could to keep from screaming, as he had been damaging his vocal cords for too long, and he didn't want to continue giving this madman the satisfaction of his pain.
From time to time she would let out moans, close her eyes tightly and clench her fists angrily as she felt the electric shock intensify; her body wanted to give in, wanted to surrender, wanted to transform into a ghost like never before.
In his desperation, in his pain and agony, for a moment he wanted to give Vlad what he wanted. It would all end if he did. He would be free. He could go home and lick his wounds, far from the indiscreet and satisfied gaze of this lunatic. It was then that the pain intensified to a new level that he reacted and finally screamed.
—AAAHHH!!!, ENOUGH!, ENOUGH!, AAAAHHH!!! — I screamed with rage.
— JUST GIVE ME WHAT I WANT, DANIEL! STOP RESISTING! — Vland demanded while he shouted as if his life depended on it.
Would that be how I would die? Could I even die? He thought desperately, opened his eyes searching for a way out, something that could help. His gaze met Daniela's; she was looking at him while biting her lip with a grimace of pain at hearing his screams, yet she did nothing to help him. And what could she do when she was also locked up?
He felt so betrayed, so hurt and tired. He thought he'd found someone who understood him. Vlad didn't count, even though he was just like them, because he was crazy, but... it felt good to be able to guide someone, to teach them. He still struggled to accept that it had all been a lie.
They flew together with the stars as their only company, they laughed and played. He let Sam and Tocker rest for a few days so he could hunt ghosts with her, and it was so much fun. Afterward, they'd go get something to eat and relax together. They played a few pranks, nothing serious. It was perfect.
That afternoon, he was convincing his to finally tell his friends. He swore they wouldn't look at her differently or be afraid of her, and it was all a lie. She wasn't alone, she wasn't running from anyone. She had tricked him.
Daniela's panicked expression was the last thing she registered before losing consciousness again.
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Vlad sighed in defeat as he opened the capsule where he kept Danny.
—Oh Daniel, this hurts me more than it hurts you— she affectionately stroked the boy's cheeks, wiping away the traces of tears; apparently, he had finally cried. —You have to blame your parents for this, you know? If Jack hadn't interfered, you would surely be legitimately mine, truly mine and Maddie's— she said dreamily.
— He's suffering, Dad, because... why don't you just let him go? — Daniela murmured behind him, Vlad turned around only to notice her guilty expression and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
— Without his DNA, I can't make you stable. Have you forgotten? — He said as he approached where he had her.
— He... he said that you were just using me.
— Of course not, my dear. I care about you and want you to live. I promise that once Daniel gives me what I want, I will let him go.
—Really?!— Daniela cheered up at that promise, leaving behind her worry and guilt for a moment.
— Sure, the next time he wakes up try to convince him, talk to him and tell him it's for the best, everything will be over once he gives us what we need, meanwhile I'll take care of what happens outside, okay?
— Yes, Father!... Are they already looking for him? — Daniela asked sadly.
— It's getting dark, so his friends are starting to worry because they haven't seen him all day.
— I... I'll convince him, Father. I'll convince Dany to leave here as soon as possible — the girl said with a confident smile.
— I'm counting on it, my dear... — Vlad transformed into Plasmius with a chilling smile accompanying him, turned his back on the girl so that she wouldn't witness it and left without saying anything else.
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The vastness of space was so immense and infinite. When he made his nightly rounds to ensure no ghost disturbed the peace of his home, he liked to admire the hundreds of stars above him.
He enjoyed admiring the night sky, feeling the cool breeze, and when nothing was amiss, that starry sky was the best last image he could have before going to sleep.
He flew more relaxed than during the day. At night, no one looked at him more than twice. His parents had long since returned home, and his friends...
Danny?...
Who was calling him?
He stopped admiring the sky and looked around, searching for the voice.
Danny?...
Everything in Amity was quiet. He flew cautiously past the buildings; all the homes were dark. So... where was that voice coming from?
He searched alleyways, parks, and schools. The voice kept calling him intermittently, and everything began to feel even stranger. Yes, there were fewer people around at night, but this level of loneliness was new.
Danny?
He stopped abruptly when he heard the voice closer, not like an echo. He turned to his left and saw a girl on the sidewalk...
She had short, black hair, and her outfit consisted of a black top and skirt with some green and purple details. She also wore combat boots and a pair of black bracelets around her wrists.
He floated toward her and observed her from head to toe. She was beautiful. Her eyes were so deep and a lovely color. She smiled gently at him.
— Who are you? He reached out toward the girl's face, and she just kept smiling while he felt increasingly sad for some reason.
Before he could touch her, he heard another voice calling behind him.
Danny?...
He gasped in fear, and as his vision cleared, the scene changed. He was no longer in Amity, it was no longer night, there were no stars, Sam was gone...
She was Sam, his friend, the girl who... she was his friend. How could he feel like he didn't know her?
His body trembled, and his heart pounded faster than normal in his chest. A different kind of anguish began to form within his soul.
Why didn't he recognize Sam's voice? Why couldn't he name her face? Had he forgotten her? How? Why?
He felt frightened by this strange dream and began to struggle again with his restraints, frantically looking around to see where Vlad was. When he didn't see him, he turned his attention to Daniella.
— How... How are you feeling? — the girl asked in a trembling voice.
— Wonderful — he replied sarcastically. — I love being electrocuted every five minutes — His breathing still hadn't calmed; he was afraid, anxious, and it surely showed on his face from the way Daniella looked at him. She seemed scared and worried.
— ...If you give Daddy the sample he wants, he'll let you go. He promised! — she said excitedly as he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
— He's lying! Why can't you see? As soon as he gets what he wants from me, he'll just put it inside that creepy copy next to you, and you'll most likely disappear!
— That's not true! Dad loves me!
— That's not true! — he cried, shuddering— He's lost his mind, he's trying to make a clone of me who will accept what I'll never give his! That's why he's doing this!
— You're suffering! If you'd just cooperate a little, he'd let you go, Danny, please...— Daniela pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.
— He won't! He won't! I don't know what he plans to do to me after he takes what he wants, and I'm not going to find out. When I get out of here, I'll kick his ass! He'll regret it!
— Your friends are looking for you. Don't you want to go back to them?
— Of course! I'll go back to them! he declared with a certainty he didn't feel. If you help me escape, I could find another way to keep you from disappearing. I keep my promises, please, Daniela...— he begged, his voice trembling slightly. He was fed up with this. If Toker and Sam hadn't found him, it meant something had happened. Maybe Vlad had hurt them. He couldn't understand how they hadn't found him yet.
— No... I won't help you. I trust my father, Danny — Daniela whispered, her face etched with pain. She avoided his gaze, which only fueled his frustration.
— He's not your father! — he shouted furiously as he struggled with his restraints — Why can't I free myself?!
— I modified the machine's capacity to withstand your power, Daniel — Vlad said, appearing before him.
He shuddered, so absorbed was he in trying to free himself or convince Dany that he hadn't noticed Vlad's arrival.
— I admit your strength impresses me, but you're still an amateur. If you would let me guide you, if you would accept what I'm offering, this wouldn't be happening.
— I'll never accept anything from you! Let me go! My parents will find out about this, I swear! — he threatened.
— And then what? If you could somehow get out of here, which you won't, how will you explain this? You'd have to admit to your parents that you're a ghost, dear Daniel, and I don't believe you're capable of that.— Vlad approached the machine and began to turn it on.
Danny watched in terror as the device came to life, the lights, the sounds returned, he tensed up immediately and his panic increased, he didn't want this anymore, not anymore.
Vlad's words echoed in his mind. Of course, he couldn't say anything. His parents wouldn't react well to the fact that it was something they hated. They would surely do something worse to him than what Vlad was doing to him right now. He struggled again against his restraints, and when he saw Vlad turn toward him, he froze and gritted his teeth. The pain wouldn't be long in coming.
— If you were my son — the capsule opened, but not his restraints, Vlad caressed his face with an expression of affection that disgusted him.
— You're not my father! I'm glad that's not the case! — He abruptly turned his head away, although it didn't do much good because Vlad took his cheeks in one of his hands and squeezed them tightly while making him look at him; in his eyes he could see the madness he was letting out.
— Your stupid father took away my chance to have a family with the woman I loved! This is all his fault, Daniel!
— It was an accident!, Why don't you understand?!
— If it had been an accident, the same thing wouldn't have happened to you.
— I brought this on myself, you big idiot! My parents told me to stay away from their things, to be careful! I'm the one who didn't listen!
— First of all, I think if they knew their machines were dangerous, they shouldn't have let you in, so what you are now is also their fault.— Vlad released him roughly. — I'm getting tired of this, Daniel. That's why I'm going to use full power this time. I'm sorry to tell you, but this is going to hurt a lot more than you're used to.
Danny felt his fear growing, and before he could say anything, Vlad began his torture, and a new level of pain appeared. He couldn't even suppress a scream for a few seconds.
The agony was so great that he was giving up; there was so much pain, so much burning. Why did he feel so much pain? What was he doing here?...
He felt his rings manifest and did everything he could to hold them back. They opened and closed around him... What was opening? What was closing?
No, he couldn't give in, not now, not here, not when he had already resisted for so long... What was he feeling?
His throat felt dry and sore, his cheeks wet, the tingling in his body was overwhelming. Why was this happening to him? Why was he hurting him so much? Wait...
Who was hurting him?
He didn't want to feel pain anymore. He wanted to go home, to be with his... family?
Did he have a family?... Yes, yes! Jazz, Sam, Tocker, Mom and Dad... He wanted to see them, he wanted them to save him.
— IT HURTS, IT HURTS, IT HURTS!! MAKE IT STOP!!
He screamed constantly, he heard a voice demanding his surrender but he couldn't open his eyes to see who it was coming from, he knew who was shouting at him... he knew... did he know?
He began to feel sweat, cramps, pain, burning, numbness. He shook his head from side to side while his limbs strained against whatever was holding him down. His heart pounded furiously... a pressure built up in his chest; he felt like he was running out of air.
What was happening?
Where was he?
Why wasn't it ending?
What was that trying to force its way around him?
His rings! I mustn't transform!
Why shouldn't I?
Why?
A smell of smoke reached his nose, was he burning? A strange screeching sound began to be heard above him, he also heard someone calling him, pleading, crying, or was it him who was crying?
He stopped his screams by clenching his teeth tightly. He opened his eyes a crack and...
There was smoke all around him. He saw shadows through it. Little by little, the feeling of being electrocuted subsided...
There was an explosion.
There were screams.
Everything stopped.
He closed his eyes and felt himself falling. He crashed powerless to the ground. Something lodged in his chest. He still felt pain, he trembled...
He felt himself being lifted up. In the mist that now filled his vision, a man appeared. He felt dazed, so he couldn't hear or understand what he was saying...
Vlad?... What was he doing here?
Who was Vlad?
Who was that man?
He tried to speak, but nothing came out. He felt a pressure in his chest and gasped for breath. His vision began to blur, and then he lost consciousness.
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The day was beautiful, the sky was clear, and the sun shone brightly, warming his body pleasantly.
There were other children running around him in a garden with swings and slides. The sound of their laughter filled him with nostalgia, and he felt strangely small.
He didn't know where to go or what to do. No one was paying attention to him. He stood in the middle of them all, frantically looking around for a place where he could fit in.
Someone bumped his shoulder, and he fell with a thud. He didn't hit his face because he put his hands out, but he scraped his knees and palms.
— Get out of the way, you fool!
the boy who had bumped him said. He just watched him walk away laughing with his friends. He sat there admiring his scrapes until a hand appeared in front of him.
A boy with glasses and a red cap smiled kindly at him.
— Are you okay?
Danny took her hesitant hand and stood up.
— Yes... — her voice was higher, was that how it was supposed to be? "Thank you... I'm... I'm... I'm Danny..."
— Hi, Danny! — The boy's smile widened. — My name is...!
He tilted his head, confused, as he watched the boy's lips move, but he didn't hear what he said. Had he gone deaf?