Chapter 30: The End or the Beginning

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A soft whistling echoed over the warehouse as if happy. The building looked like a huge graveyard with all that blood and ectoplasmic goo about from the 'games' Aries had played when he was in the driver's seat. There was nothing but whimpers just outside the room where all the ghosts were helping the wounded to their feet while others mourned their destroyed comrades. No one had gone near the boy who had dragged his shivering body into the shadows of one of the buildings so that his formed was consumed by the darkness. From time to time a few growls and angry whispers would come from the shivering child just outside, but nothing more. It was as if he were arguing with himself.

Not that anyone wanted to find out.

Everyone was ignoring that hole in the wall. As far as they were concerned, there was no one out there. Not that Smith agreed as he walked into the warehouse. The man was still humming, a soft happy smile on his face. He was still smiling even as he walked over to the grim covered Walker.

Walker didn't look up right away as he picked up Skulker's head. True, he didn't know much about the hunter, but he had felt a kind of kinship forming. If they were still alive Skulker would have been that guy who'd come over to his house to sit on the porch and drink his beer as they talked about hunting and the crime world.

"Oh, stop moping," said Smith as his shadow fell over the ghost. "He's playing dead because he's too embarrassed for people to see what his real ghost form is. I say you hold onto it until he comes out and laugh your ass off."

Walker's head shot up, expecting some type of spirit. He was surprised as a human looked down at him. For a moment, he was unsure of what to say, being that most humans only said one thing to him and that was usual 'ghost' followed by a ridiculous amount of screaming.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you running?" was the only comment the warden could come up with.

"I have a bad knee and I have a certain appointment with a certain human. Where is the ghost child?" asked Smith, looking about the room as if he were looking for a pet dog and not a human.

Despite the strange nature of the whole situation, Walker felt himself obeying and pointed towards the hole in the wall. It was as if this human was something more, that he was someone that he should know, that he was someone to be feared. Feared? Why the hell would he fear a hu-?

"Thanks, warden. Now I'll leave you to your dues and me to mine," said Smith as he head towards the hole in the wall, trying to not laugh. It was always fun to play with spirits. They usually would obey, being he was Hades: God of the dead. Yet they would always have that confused expression afterwards, not knowing why they had obeyed.

The lawyer in disguise quickly made his way to the newly created exit, his humming continued. If it were in any other setting he'd look like the happiest man alive, to bad his shoes were now covering various liquid. Those very shoes quickly were set down on a crunchy surface of glass and brick as Smith stepped out into the morning sun, yet his eyes did not travel to the rising morn but to the boy hiding from its rays.

The god stared for a moment, his eyes never traveling from the teenager who lay there shivering and shaking, whispering to himself. Or at least it looked like was whispering to himself. Hades knew better. He was talking to that pain in the ass nephew of his.

"Get out of my head," whispered Danny to the spirit still within him, grabbing at his ears. "Leave me alone. You killed my godfather. You took everyone. I'm not going to let you out. I'm never going to let you out … even if it kills me."

There was a moment of silence as if the boy were listening to someone.

"No, you're lying," whimpered the boy, shivering ever harder.

"Aries probably is," said Smith suddenly as he stepped into the shadows with the ghost child; a cold look plastered on his face. "Wars are built on lies and deceit. I wouldn't expect less of my sweet nephew."

Danny looked at the man before him for a moment before tears started rolling down his face.

"What do you want?" said Danny more than willing to take another death pact at this point.

Smith sat down on a crate, placing a yellow suitcase at his legs. For a moment he was silent, staring at nothing in particular before simply stating, "Well, it's not really a question of what I want … it's more a question of what you want."

Danny shivered, forcing the demon back into his mind as it tried to force itself the surface once again. It seemed nervous; this, more than self-want lead Danny to ask, "What is it that I want? The only thing that I want, you can't give me."

Smith tilted his head in knowing before continuing in a smiling tone, "Well, I can get rid of that nasty hitchhiker of yours."

"So," grumbled the boy, a cold sweat running down his chin. "I deserve this pain. I deserve this torment … after what happened to Vlad."

A chuckle escaped the god of death as he dropped down from his seat and sat beside the boy.

"Here, have a shoulder to cry on … and get over it."

Danny lashed out at the man, his voice deep and horrible like Aries, "You dare to mock me!"

The teenager quickly pulled away; putting a hand over his throat … Aries had almost gotten out. A whimper escaped the teenager, and he buried his head in his knees like a frightened child.

A sigh escaped the death god and he rubbed the boy's back. "Well … I can make you two deals."

"Like what, two souls for the price of one," hissed the boy into his knees.

"Generally, yes, but how about an equal trade. Hmm?" said the old spirit, a smile forming on his face. "How about … I give your uncle some more time, being I am the God of Death and all, while in return you will do a service for me."

For a moment Danny stared at his legs before bringing his head up. It was an offer to good to be true, to good.

"What is the service?" said the boy coldly, knowing he was going to accept it nonetheless.

"Well," said Smith, trying not to smile. "When your time comes and you die, you will not pass on. You will become a ghost be your business finished or not, and you will do a job for me."

Danny felt his chest tightening, with excitement or hate, he wasn't sure, but that didn't stop him from talking anyway, "How long?"

"Until you find someone more deserving."

Danny couldn't say 'yes' fast enough.

"Good," said Smith, his grin almost growing to the point of mischievous before he opened his yellow briefcase, pulling out … a gold box. "Now hold still. This will only hurt for a moment."

For the first time in Danny's life, pain was a welcomed thing.

XXX

Wars have been raged; lives have been lost and sacrificed in the most barbaric ways imagined; books have been written for it; and hate breeds over the question like bacteria in a bathroom. All for what one may ask? What question could be so exceedingly important that humans would slaughter each other like carnivorous cannibals? What simple sentence could be so outrageously important that we drive ourselves to near extinction for an answer to it? What could be so important … and is it even worth knowing?

In truth, it is a simple question, one that has been asked when men realized there was a death and that they must find an answer to their existence. The question was: what is after death? To afraid to wait for an answer, man began religion and thus began hate. It was the sad fate of man, a sad fate indeed. Yet, sitting there, watching the shifting red mists of the ghost zone slowly turn into a golden white, Vlad found he didn't care. All his hate, all that rage, his personal religions, and his pain was all seemingly being devoured by the mists that lay about him.

He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there, if there was time at all, but he knew that this grand door was supposed to open. No, it wasn't like the gates of Heaven, it seemed almost too … alive and to imperfect for what people called the stereotypical Heaven's gateway. This gate had vines, wood, earth, fur, and bones all eroded into the surface and coming together to form a single tree with its branches reaching out from the door, soft red fruit hanging from its limbs.

Vlad could merely stare upwards, eyes unable to look away from the branches and the fruit that it bared. For some reason, he wanted a piece, but he doubted it would give him knowledge. After all, what does a dead man need with knowledge? So they had to be for something else … but what? Yet, what did it matter … especially with the doors opening.

For a moment, the man stood there, bathed in light as if a giant star was in there. Yet, for some reason he didn't step forward to the ever growing gap in the doors, the shifting leaves whispering to him.

Vlad … Vlad? What are you doing standing out there? The parties in here, freedom's in here. Come on, I've been saving the last dance for you for ages. You can't tell me you don't want it anymore. If you don't hurry, I'll have to head back into life without you.

If he had a body to tremble with, he would have. "Maddie?"

Of course, Vlad old buddy! Now stop acting like a cheese log and get in here. The game has already started. I got the foam fingers ready and everything. Don't you want to catch up on old times?

"Jack."

Who else cheese head? Hey … how's that boy of mine do'in? He been good?

Little lights danced outward from the door as if they were seeds floating on the air, drifting into Vlad's void. His smoke form evaporating for a moment whenever the light came to close. Slowly, he reached out and tried to touch one of the orbs. It quickly dove forward as if kissing his fading form before quickly bursting away and floating around him once more.

"Yah," said Vlad with a tint of pain. "I don't ever remember being so happy. He was a pain … but I'm glad I had him. I know you didn't sign the papers," continued Vlad tears of mist falling from his face, "but I thank you nonetheless."

A soft laugh escaped the ball of light swinging around him. Maybe I didn't sign those papers, but fate is mysterious that way. She knew who I would have chosen, and I couldn't have been happier. I'm sorry I didn't see your need for love and companionship when I was alive Vlad, but I'm glad we were able to help you after our time. Now, let's be on our way. Said the ball, floating back into the doorway.

A sniffle escaped the man, "But shouldn't I be going to hell for all the misdeeds I've done."

Another soft laugh. Don't worry so much, evil is merely a human term. Now come. Everything will make sense once you step through the doors.

Yet, before he could take a step forward, something latched onto his shoulder and the spirit, about to reach peace with nature and life, looked over his shoulder. A cold reminder seemed to be staring back at him as he looked into Hade's eyes.

"And where do you think you're going."

The world that he had left behind suddenly slammed back into his mind and the godfather found himself suddenly turning and grasping onto the being's jacket, his smoke-like fingers able to hold onto the being strangely, but just barely.

"Don't worry, the light makes all souls forget. It only allows them the happy times," said Smith as he stood there, allowing the traveling spirit to cling to him.

"I-is Danny –"

"The demon has departed," said Smith simply, his eyes shifting to their ghostly yellow color before going back to his fake human eyes. "But that doesn't mean he'll survive."

Vlad's eyes got wide and if he would have had breath to capture, he would be holding it.

"W-what do you mean?" he nearly whimpered.

"Come now Vlad, you are a billionaire who has left all his money to a minor … an emotionally unstable minor. You'd have to be an idiot to think no one is going to take advantage of him."

Vlad clung to his support a little tighter, shutting his eyes. Why hadn't he found someone to leave Danny too? Why? He knew that they were in some major shit, but –but he was certain that he had the strength … he was sure he wasn't going to die. Now look at him.

"I was a pathetic excuse for a father," said Vlad as he turned back to the door, his head drug.

"Well, you could move on and prove yourself right … or you could stay here and become a mortal again. If you make a little deal with me," said Smith, a smile growing on his face.

Vlad stopped for a moment, his eyes becoming slits, already knowing he'd probably accept the contract nonetheless.

"What kind of deal?" said the man suspiciously.

"Oh, you'll see," said the death god as he reached upward and plucked one of the apples, offering it to the shifting spirit. "I want you to do a job for me … after you die that is."

"What kind of job?" said Vlad with a cold tint of hunger as he eyed the apple.

XXX

"Come out," said Walker dryly for what felt the sixteenth time as he stared down at Skulker's metallic head.

"I know your alive … I mean dead-ish alive, I promise I won't laugh," said Walker in his usual cold tone, his eyes becoming slits. He had had this problem before with prisoners, some refusing to leave there cells, and it had never bothered him. Now was this close to having a fit. Maybe it was because now they were the only ghosts in the warehouse, the others having departed … well, except the ghost child.

Ever since the strange character had asked him where the boy was, there hadn't been a sound from the child. At first, Walker had thought the man had strangled Danny and stood on the threshold of the hole in the wall to see. The boy mere sat there, covered in blood and soot, as if he were waiting for something. After that, Walker let him be, getting his subordinates out of the building just in case the demon was merely resting.

But after a few hours, noon long since pass, he found himself walking up to the boy, Skulker's head still under his arm.

"What are you waiting for demon … or has the child won the battle," said Walker.

Danny looked up, his eyes almost hollow before stating, "The demon's gone, and it's just me."

"Then what are you still doing here?" added the ghost, his eyes become slits. He hadn't heard a battle rage when the human had been there talking to the child so the demon might just be in a weak state, pulling a scam.

"Waiting for Vlad."

Walker hadn't been able to speak to the boy after that. There was no doubt in his mind that the child had somehow managed to get rid of the demon … there was no way that monster could act that kind of sorrow, that kind of pain. Danny was scarred for life … he was a ruined little boy.

"Please come out," said Walker his thoughts returning to the metal head in hand. "Danny defeated the demon … and he won't leave now because he's waiting for Vlad. You're better at talking to the boy than I."

A heavy sigh escaped the helmet.

"What guarantee do I have that you won't laugh," said a squeaky voice.

"He probably will … I sure know I sure the hell did," said a newcomer.

The bearer of the head looked up, ready for a battle, only to draw back in a small gasp when he saw who it was.

"It can't be," said Walker, unable to hide his surprise. "The demon said you had a time limit."

Vlad shrugged his shoulders before simply stating, "Where's my boy?"

Despite himself, Walker found himself instinctually pointing like beforehand when the man with the yellow suitcase had asked him the same thing. Vlad, despite his cloths being covered in holes and drenched in blood and soot, walked past the two spirits and outside in a hurried pace as if he had never been injured. Walker couldn't help but follow after.

For a moment, Vlad stood there, staring at his shivering son who had his head buried in his knees. He personally wanted to cry. He wanted to cry so hard, but he wanted to be able to touch his son first … he needed to know that this world was real or not. He wanted to know if this was just the happy dreams of a dead man in hell who was soon to be pulled from his slumber. Slowly, he got down on his shaking knees and remained there a moment. Then, with almost pained slowness his hand reached forward towards Danny's shoulder until he found his fingers meeting warmth. He was quickly greeted by endless blue eyes.

What followed after was one of the warmest embraces of his life. He had his family and he would want nothing else.

"What the hell's going on out there," finally grumbled Skulker popping out of his head. For a moment he stared, unable to look away from the two hugging beings … that is until a snicker came from over head. The ghost-frog slowly looked behind him to glare. "Oh shut up and go get the rest of my body.

XXX

There are truly no endings when it comes to the universe. There are just beginnings followed by another beginning. There is no death, there is no true separation. There are just beginnings. For Vlad and Danny, multiple times it seemed to be the end of their makeshift family. But, things can always surprise a person when they find out they had been at the beginning the whole time, their family slowly forming.

Skulker snickered as he sat at the edge of the pool, working on a new weapon. Vlad merely wiped the water out of his eyes, glaring at the ghost as he continued to keep his head just above the waters of the pool.

"Why don't you come in here and help me if you think this game is so easy," said the man dryly as he watched Danny swim towards the floating ball on the other side of the water net.

The ghost laughed again before stating, "Number one: I'm metal so I'm going to sink. Number two: I'm metal so I might rust. Also … I'm kind of scared of those white chicken legs of yours. When was the last time you got any sun Vladimir?"

The older half ghost's eyes became slits, and he was this close to transforming and 'drowning' the spirit when Danny called out –

"Incoming!"

- the ball hitting Vlad straight in the face as soon as he turned his head.

The wind blew over the fields carrying the laughter from the makeshift family, pulling that show of happiness far past Masters castle and far from the son and father's thoughts. Pass the gardens and football field until the winds fell silent to the form of the trees. There within those tree's branches were a pair of eyes flaring, the sinister barley revealing itself to the light of the early morn. Willow cocked his furry head and looked up at the shadowed figure in the trees, his new master. Her dress billowed in the wind and the leaves from the tree branches she was sitting in licked at her flesh in an almost loving way. "What now?"

Sam brushed her hands at the leave's touch and pushed the branch away, but her eye never parted from the boy dancing around with the plastic volleyball in hand as if it were a victory trophy, his godfather trying to chase him through the pool. She stared a moment more, sadness in her eyes. She wanted to walk over the grasses and warp her arm around him, planting a kiss upon his cheek, but she knew that was nothing more than a daydream. So, instead she licked her lips and blew a kiss to the unknowing boy, before jumping out of the tree and slowly walking in the opposite direction. "You will see … you will see in good time."

XXX

Paw07: Wow … it's done? (rubs eyes). Wow, my first baby's all grown up.

Anyway, I wanted to thank all my loyal readers who put up with my late updates and horrible proofreading. I wish I could state that I have a reward for all of you, for all your good will and tolerance, like a sequel maybe? Where I could maybe mention 'who really' led Pandora's box towards the Fenton's ghost portal, what Smith's deal really meant, and what is going to happen with Sam … Sadly, I will not be telling you. I will leave that to your own fresh minds. Besides, the time between updates is too long, and I hate being one of those types of updaters.

Furthermore, if I change my mind, I'll add a note to the story. Live long and prosper.