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DixieMame
Author of 49 Stories |
Holy crap, updating two days in a row! It's the end of the world!
Anyway, this yet another long one. Tried to get some charrie development with Jazz in there. Technus is so much fun to write for. I want to hug him.
Full title of this chapter is "This Is The Moment", from the musical of Jekyll and Hyde.
DP belongs to Butch Hartman.
There was shattered glass laying all over the floor, and several chips had been ripped out of their holding places. A bit of the wall had been ripped out, revealing a hidden miniature vault, which too had been opened, although with more relative ease.
"Here's what we've come up with so far, Mr. Foley." One policewoman addressed him, a slender Asian with a black ponytail donning sunglasses. "The perpetrator managed to override the security systems, for both human entries and ghost ones. Whoever was in here was only looking for one thing, and after moments of being unable to, the search became more furious and frustrated, which explains the mess. They wanted whatever was in the vault, because upon finding it, the mess stopped, and calmness was achieved."
Valerie looked to her benefactor quizzically. "If all they wanted was one chip, it must have been important…so what was it?"
Tucker rubbed his chin with one hand, and squeezed his elbow with the other, trying not to panic. "A hell of an important chip. Carnivorous Worm…it was designed to create viruses, and not just ones to freeze some online account…. viruses that have enough power to control or delete any and everything in sight. It was created only for emergency usage, if other countries or ghosts were using technology to attack us. Now that it's in their hands, all the supercomputers my family created are in danger."
Valerie frowned, cracking her knuckles to keep herself steady. "Not to mention all the bank accounts, government information, and all sorts of top-secret military stuff. I can't believe one little chip is going to cause so much hell."
"You can say that again." Tucker nodded, and then turned around, ready to walk away. "I'm going to try and get as much security as I can to all vulnerable computers throughout Amity." He rubbed his temples in a circular motion, groaning. "Now I wish I never made the darn thing."
Shocked, Valerie quickly walked up to his side. "You made that thing?"
Tucker looked over, a hint of a smile on his face. "My family and I aren't only the owners of Foley, we're also proud employees. You'd be surprised at how many popular technological devices in today's world was created by yours truly."
"Trust me, I am surprised, Tucker." Valerie replied, blinking in disbelief.
Tucker leaned in towards her, eyebrows wiggling. "You can just call me TF, for Too Fine."
Valerie gave him a bland look, and then walked ahead of him, making sure to step, hard, on one of his feet as she stepped. He howled, grabbing the injured foot and hopping in one place.
The mullet-wearing man got off of his knee, and stood up straight. He was in the grand castle, standing before the throne and his king, Pariah Dark.
"Did you acquire the chip?" Pariah asked, his voice low, and a tad wheezy.
Technus nodded. "Intact." He held out his hand. On his palm laid a see-through casing square, and inside was a small red chip, no bigger than a fingernail.
"Excellent work commended, Technus." Pariah closed his eyes, pausing before speaking again. "For this accomplishment, you will be assigned to the plan that goes with this delicate chip." He raised his left hand, beckoning the warrior to his right to come forward. This fighter was donned in black and purple armor, his face hidden but green eyes blazing. "The Fright Knight will thoroughly explain the task at hand."
Fright Knight gave a small bow to his lord, and then headed for a door to the southeast. Technus , realizing he was to follow, quickly jumbled around, and tried to catch up.
Pariah leaned back, sighing. How old he felt, how tired…sometimes it was just a struggle to complete a sentence. His head tilted his head back as far as it would go, and he moaned softly. I've done what you've asked…give back what's rightfully mine!
If he got a response, he didn't hear it, his body giving out to sweet slumber.
Jazz nodded, her eyes staring straight ahead. "Ember's attack made me realize I can't go anywhere until this is stopped. I can't leave my friends and my parents alone to fight these menaces."
"You're acting foolish." Sam barked, wagging a finger at her pal. "Ghosts have been here for years, and it's not going to stop in your lifetime. You're just throwing your life away!"
"You just don't understand." Jazz replied, her voice cutting with edge. Her limit was being tested. "I'd never be able to study to my full potential knowing you're all under attack. I have to be here. My parents need me."
"They'll be fine on their own!" Sam grabbed Jazz by the arm, trying to get the older teen to look at her. "They'll want you to go to college! They're always ready for anything! Your parents won't let anything happen while you're gone!"
Jazz suddenly whipped around, her eyes focusing in intense heat. "I have to stay here!" She screamed, making Sam step back. "I have to get stronger, and smarter! If my family is supposedly ready for anything, then explain how the hell we let Danny get slaughtered right before our very own eyes!"
Jazz then shoved Sam away, storming off to her home without another word. Sam swallowed, putting a hand to her chest. She had never realized how much blame Jazz had put on herself for her brother's death…such a fury looked ready to burn down a whole forest. Then, the second revelation came to Sam. Her eyes widened.
Danny?
Skulker had faced hundreds of deadly opponents, yet he could safely say that right now, he had never been more afraid. He ducked as another beer bottle just barely hit his noggin, and looked up to his 'enemy'. "Ember, I swear, I didn't know there was a plan behind…well, the first plan!"
"Bullshit!" Ember screamed, chucking another bottle at her so-called friend, who ducked again. "You and Technus were going on and on about how it was too easy, and now look where Technus is!"
"I had no idea!" Skulker protested, catching the next bottle Ember threw. "Just calm down - "
"You expect me to calm down!" The Prima Donna screeched, running out of ammo. Instead, she took out her guitar, brandishing it like a sword. "That was supposed to be my shining moment! Now I found out that no one respects me or my talent enough to trust the plan!" She raised her guitar, ready to smash it upon Skulker's head, but he caught it with both hands, dropping the bottle from before.
"For crying out loud, Ember, I'm not your foe!" Skulker snapped. "Ghosts have to stick together, or we'll become just as bad as the humans!" He gently eased the guitar down.
"If we're supposed to stick together, how come no one told me about the second part of this plan?" Ember huffed, letting go of the guitar and crossing her arms.
"If I knew, I'd tell you." Skulker assured her. "It was a shock to me as well." He took a heavy sigh, trying to sort things out. "Listen…why don't you just have a beer…if there's any left…" he put a hand on her shoulder, offering his condolences. Ember stared at the hand, so Skulker quickly removed it. He headed for the doorway, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I give up!"
Ember watched him leave, and then quietly sat down on a stool. She popped open a nearby beer bottle, but didn't drink. She merely stared at it, contemplating.
"I've pinpointed the most likely areas where the ghosts will try to use the chip." Tucker explained, pointing to red dots on the map. "We don't have to worry about the banks, as ghosts never seem to be concerned about money. However, they may try and come to these locations…Foley HQ, where our main supercomputer is held, will be guarded by Valerie, myself, and the family's other hired guards…Detainment Drive, a government-appointed building, Mrs. Fenton and Sam will watch over there…and finally, the Amityville Federal Association, the main police headquarters, which Mr. Fenton will protect."
"Wait a minute." Jazz interrupted, pointing to a section of the map at a north corner. "There are about six high mainframe computers in this warehouse. Who's protecting that?"
"That's the House of Records, Jazz." Maddie explained. "It holds the dates of peoples births and deaths and population numbers…I highly doubt anyone would go after that. It's useless data for the ghosts."
"But ghosts are unpredictable." Jazz countered. "I say we should guard that one too!"
Valerie rolled her eyes. "If you think it's going to be under attack, then you go guard it."
Jazz glared at her, but stepped back. "I will. You should never make expectations about a ghost, anyway."
"Well, with that settled…" Jack began piling devices and gadgets on the table. "Everyone grab a Fenton Phone – we've updated them with walkie-talkie features , so we'll be able to communicate with each other even at long distances – and the weapons of your choice."
As the others began to grab and choose, Maddie glanced over at Sam, worried. "You've been awfully quiet, Sam. Is something the matter?"
Sam forced herself to look up, and made a weak smile. "It's…it's nothing, really. Can I use your bathroom?"
Maddie smiled. "Of course…you know where it is."
Sam quietly excused herself from the room, but instead of heading for the bathroom, she walked into the living room. She saw a small bookshelf, and looked at each title, until she saw one labeled 'Fenton Family'. She slowly pulled it out…it was white and thick. She opened it, and flipped a few pages, back to two years. She stopped upon seeing what she came for. In this small picture, Jazz and Jack, and a teenaged boy seemed to be caught off guard by the camera. All three were in the kitchen, fumbling with eggs and flour, struggling to make some sort of baked good. Jack was laughing, Jazz looked disgusted, and the boy was sneaking a taste of the unfinished dough. Sam slowly traced an outline of the boy…there was no doubt about it.
Danny Fenton was the ghost she saw last night.
She closed the book with a loud snap. Could such a sweet boy have turned into a vicious ghost? She had never met Danny, but had heard wonderful things from him from the family. What was he doing on that building? Why had he saved her? Just who's side was he on? Sam closed her eyes, wrought with fear. Should she bring herself to tell the Fentons that their son was a ghost? She slowly slid the book back in place, and began to drag herself back to the meeting. Maybe she wouldn't tell them today…I just have to wait for the right time. Whenever that would be.
"Daniel, you should have perfected the Ghost Shield by now." The enemy tsked, floating down until he was standing on the floor. Vlad crossed his arms, shaking his head at his son. "You're not concentrating hard enough."
"Sorry, dad." Danny groaned, slowly getting to his feet. "I'm really trying my hardest…" which was a little white lie. He knew he wasn't concentrating as much as he should have. Ever since he had returned to the Ghost Zone, the incident with the raven-haired girl had not left his mind. In fact, it pestered him every minute, plucking and poking at his brain. Was this how he was going to react to seeing all humans? How annoying.
Vlad sighed. "You're going to have to train extra hard before the next mission is assigned to you. I know you're a lot stronger than this."
"Yeah, dad." Danny held back an urge to roll his eyes. He'd heard that line dozens of times, and it seemed to mock him more than encourage him. "Can we take a small break?"
Vlad frowned, but nodded. "Five minute break." Vlad exited the room, a large empty space filled with nothing but white.
Danny sat down, closed his eyes, crossed his legs Indian-style, positioned his fingers, and assumed the meditative pose. His father had told him meditation helped to clear one's mind, so why not give it a shot? However, it backfired on him. Instead of clearing away the girl, now she was intensified. He was studying her all over again, from her black boots to her itty-bitty ponytail at the top of her head. She had looked at him the same way…was she fascinated by him as well? He rather hoped so. His fingers trembled, remembering how soft her skin had felt as he caught her. He inhaled deeply, recalling how her warm breath had brushed by his cheek. How startling, this strange longing to repeat this incident all over again, yet the desire was also to make it as long as possible.
Vlad poked his head in. "Ready now, Daniel?"
Danny blinked. "…Actually, can I take a cold shower first?"
The armored one said nothing, however. In fact, he turned around and began to walk away.
Technus frowned. Sheesh, not even a 'goodbye' or a 'good luck'. He himself wasn't a very social creature, but it was often annoying how the knight would never speak unless it was absolutely necessary. He shrugged, and leapt into the portal.
Fright Knight returned to the palace, and didn't stop walking until he was in the throne room again. Pariah Dark looked down upon his servant…one had to wonder if the King had moved since he talked to Technus that morning. "So, everything is going according to plan?"
A humble nod in reply. The royal one forced himself to stand up, and turned to face his own throne. He flipped open one of the armrests, revealing dozens of small buttons. Pariah pressed three, and there was a slight rumbling noise. The throne slowly began to move to the right, revealing a long stairway that descended down into darkness. Pariah began to walk down these steps, the Fright Knight right behind him. When the two had vanished, the throne slid back into place.
The walk lasted for nearly a half-hour, until finally, light shone at the bottom. Pariah, exhausted, immediately fell to his hands knees after the last step. Fright Knight merely on one knee. Pariah, after catching his breath, began to speak. "Preparations are complete. Now…my ring…my real ring…"
In the shadows, away from the light which emanated from a small spot on the floor, there was a chuckle.
"Do you expect me to beg?" The bulky one growled, clenching his fists. "I've done everything you've asked of me, the real Ring Of Rage is the least you can give me!"
There was a pause, and then, without a warning, a blue blast struck out and smacked itself right into Pariah's face. He screamed in pain, clutching his mug in agony. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't make demands of you again!" he pleaded, hanging his head as a sign of submission. The Fright Knight said nothing, quiet as the moment he entered.
For one moment, the light glistened off of a grin full of sharp teeth in the shades.
Jazz shifted her shoulders, keeping the weapon in her hands steady. It was a large metal laser shooter, the Fenton Shocker, silver and green, which held to be held by two hands for support. It was good for thirty shots, but then had to be charged for an hour. While this wasn't exactly a prime weapon, Jazz wasn't worried, as she had snuck something else out. She looked down at her left pants pocket, smirking. I'm sure Tucker won't mind. With a confident air, she shouted into the empty space. "Just try it, ghosts!"
Unfortunately, she got a response. "As you wish."
Startled, Jazz turned around facing the middle computer in the threesome set. The blue screen was now sickly green, also revealing a grinning mouth, a pointed nose, and a pair of shades.
"Holy - " Jazz sputtered, staring hard. "How the hell did you get in there!"
"Oh please." The ghost scoffed. "It was child's play for…" he took a pause for, as Jazz assumed, drama. He then shouted at the top of his voice, resonating with authority. "NICOLAI TECHNUS! MASTER OF ALL TECHNOLOGY!"
Jazz blinked. "You've got to be kidding me."
The screen face laughed, and then vanished, as a blur of zero's and one's departed from the computer and took place a few feet behind Jazz. She turned around to see the blur take a solid form, as a man in a flowing white cape, a mullet, and the same face, now laughing manically. "That's correct! Tremble in fear! You are no match for my intelligence and power!"
"Oh, no, that wasn't it." Jazz said calmly, raising an eyebrow. "I just…um…was that your battle cry?" Her voice went up a tad, emphasizing her disbelief.
The laughter stopped. "Yes…so what if it was?"
"It's nothing." Jazz looked around, trying to hold back a few chuckles. "Except that has got to be the lamest villainous entrance I've ever heard."
"Hey!" Technus shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her. "I worked hard on that battle cry! It's informative and intimidating!"
Jazz finally let a few sniggers loose. "Okay, you just keep telling yourself that."
Furious, Technus whipped out the see-through casing. "That's why I can't stand mortals! They never show me any respect! Machines never laugh at you, they are always obedient!" He opened the casing. "If you don't want to get hurt, get away from here!"
"Strange, I was about to say the same to you." Jazz held up the laser gun. She tugged on the trigger, and thunderous yellow streak emitted from the gun. Technus leapt to his left, so Jazz continued to fire at him. After four more missed attempts, Technus lifted up the arm holding the chip.
"This game's over, child." The chip glowed green, and he threw it at the computer in the middle of the three. Jazz let go of the gun with her right hand, and flimsily tried to catch it. Unbelievably, it ducked and weaved out of her way, then zoomed until it carefully fit into one of the slots. "As you can see, all technological devices are mere toys in my hand. I can control them at will, including your little popgun!" He lifted his hands, and the Fenton Shocker was lifted out of her hands. He snapped his fingers, and the gun was tossed all the way to the other end of the warehouse.
The blue screen turned red, and a timer popped up in green numbers. "Installation processed." An emotionless voice responded. "Completion will take place in fifteen minutes." The timer clicked to show fifteen, and then began to work backwards.
Jazz's eyes widened in horror. How could this have happened? The green ghost began laughing once more, and Jazz clenched her fists. As with the concert the night before, she began to panic…she couldn't let the ones she cared about down again…she had to think…she breathed heavily, clutching her head. The last time she had let panic overcome her senses, her brother had departed their world…what would be the consequence this time? She thought and thought, while he laughed and laughed, and the frustration built, and the timer buzzed, and she still tried to think, and it was just…too…much…
Her mind suddenly brought up the strangest of images. Jazz, concentrating on a book, with a younger Danny shouting and talking to her.
"Do you see how pointless your fight is now, girl? The ghost side will always prevail!"
Danny tugged at her shirt, demanding attention, but then he was only five at the time. She quietly told him to go away, but he continued to persist.
"As soon as the timer ends, our grand king will lead us to victory! Your pathetic mortals will kiss our feet!"
Jazz's hands trembled as she held her book, trying so hard to be patient, but Danny refused to give up, still shouting and ignoring her request of silence.
"For now you see the true power of TECHNUS! MASTER OF ALL - "
"DANIEL FENTON, WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP!"
Absolute silence. Technus's mouth was gaped open, since he was interrupted. Jazz's eyes were open, and she realized whom she had called out. Her shoulders sagged, and she let her breath out. What am I doing? I keep thinking I'm going to let him down again…and that's why the ghosts keep winning. It was a wonderful epiphany. She had to stop thinking of what her family and friends thought, and of the past. She had to focus on herself, and the situation at hand. Her mouth curved into a small smile. "Say, o' 'master of technology', do you know who I am?" Without giving him a moment to respond, she shouted as hard and powerful as he had. "I am JAZZMINE FENTON, PROTECTOR OF THE HUMAN RACE!"
She then ran forward, arms spread out at her side, and tackled herself against him. The genius ghost let out a surprised cry as he went down, and soon several more, due to Jazz applying several punches. He grabbed her arms to try and make her stop, but she pulled him back, and smacked her forehead into his. He roared in pain, and threw off to a side. How could a mortal child be this powerful? His head began to swim, but he tried to think clearly.
Jazz wouldn't let him. She quickly got her feet, and leapt right up in front of him, applying a swift uppercut to his jaw. He stumbled back, so she stepped in to deliver punches to his chest. Technus tried to defend himself, holding up his arms and using them as a makeshift child. Machines he could handle…but physical fighting was not his strength. She had quickly found this weakness out, and was using it to every advantage. He had highly underestimated this girl. "It's too bad, child." He grunted, lifting a foot and swiping it into her legs, causing her to crumble to the floor. "Were your breath not full of life, you'd have made a worthy ally."
Jazz rolled on the floor until she was next to the Fenton Shocker. "I feel bad for you too. Bad enough you're stuck with a mullet, now you're going to disappoint your stupid king." She grabbed something out of her pocket, and slid it into the front of the gun. She held it up, and fired hard. It was entirely to Technus's right, and he laughed.
"You couldn't hit the broad side of a hard drive!" he mocked.
Jazz's smirk wiped his grin away completely. "Who says I was aiming for you?"
The blast of light hit right into one of the slots. The timer froze, and then vanished, the red turning back into blue. "Virus deleted. Have a nice day!" The machine spoke.
Technus turned around, and his jaw dropped in dismay. "What…how is this possible!"
Jazz got on one knee, still supporting the gun. "I snuck into the crime scene earlier, and snatched a chip of my own…Tucker's no idiot. He made the ultimate virus, and the ultimate virus killer!" Indeed, the area where she had shot revealed a purple chip slid into the niche.
Technus growled, raising a hand, and calling the red chip to him, where it slid easily between his fingers. "So...you've really think you've won, Jazzmine?"
Jazzmine now stood on both feet. "I should hope so. Besides, what with all the noise we've been making, the guards outside are sure to have gathered the police." She cupped a hand to her ear, and indeed, the sound of police sirens began to wail.
Technus inhaled deep, and then jumped up in the air, floating a few feet off of the ground. "This won't be the last you'll see of me…but it will be an honor to kill you, Jazzmine Fenton." His body went invisible, and he slid out into the night.
Jazz sighed, and smiled with pride. She had won a battle, and earned some respect as well. She headed for a door, but despite her delight, she had a nagging though in the back of her head. She had to admit, her mother was right. Why would ghosts want personal information for the people of Amity?
The bouncers easily let them in, but one of them stared hard at the black-haired maiden. She brushed her own red hair behind an ear, and smiled devilishly. Once the teenagers were inside, she looked to her far shorter companion. "Bertrand…let the King know I've selected my target."
Step two. Have Technus utilize the Carnivorous Worm in the House of Records.
Step three…well now, that'd be the most fun, wouldn't it?
He leaned back, smiling at his checklist. This was real power…and nothing, and no one, could stop him. Everything was going to plan. His lips trembled, and he couldn't stop himself. He leaned back, and began to laugh. It was just so funny. How easily these lives were to control. Oh, I must calm down. Can't have something go awry. He took a few breaths, but was still smiling, and finished the next step.
Step three. Eliminate Tucker Foley.
End of Chapter.
