-Yar, this be an actual story. Don’t act so surprised, I am capable of putting together something that may just resemble an actual story. Okay, don’t own DP, duh. Now, I made this up a couple of months ago, so its been stewed, frozen, and is being thawed out, so give it some time and it’ll get better.

Ice

Chapter 1: From Bad to Worse

Within seconds of the final bell, the hallways went from a bustling stampede, to an empty abyss. It was to be expected, what else were students supposed to do on a Friday, stay at school? Not even the chess club kids did that, because unless you had the misfortune of Friday detention, you were out of the school at speeds that made jets motion sick.

Save for one student.

His name was Danny Fenton, and quite frankly he didn’t have the will to move his body that quickly. So by the time he left his last period class, most of the school was empty. Going to his locker would be pointless, already having what he needed he just headed toward the main door, his footfalls barely making any sound as his sneakers rhythmically hit the floor.

He entered into the open air beyond the concrete and brick facility where much of his day was sadly, and fruitlessly spent. There was no relief from the forever trying force of the social populous anymore. His friends had long gone. Tucker Foley, longtime friend and techno geek had moved when his father found new work in a faraway city. Sam Manson on the other hand was not even on the continent anymore, but over in Europe where her parents had moved in hope of taming her wild nature.

He sighed. It was probably for the best anyway. Ghost hunting had become more severe in recent months, and they had to deal with events that should have been his burden, and yet still interfered with their lives.

Great, he was thinking himself into a stupor again. Whatever events he was unable to control weren’t his fault, and he couldn’t have possibly done anything to change it. Right?

Before he could confuse himself further, he was greeted by a cold wet torrent pouring down on his unsuspecting head.

He cried out in surprise and jumped backward, only now noticing the pouring rain that had drenched his hair. He growled to himself, he had been too focused on himself to even notice the weather. Which probably meant that Jazz had gone, leaving him to the good old shoe rubber and tarmac way for transportation.

Now prepared for the moisture, he stepped out of the shelter of the doorway and into the cool downpour. It actually felt good. It numbed his worried mind, clearing out the knots and twists that it had wound itself into during the busy school day, and cleaning it of the emotional clutter that came with his deep contemplation.

Now thoroughly soaked, he began to make his way home, taking a leisurely pace along the sidewalk.

Not far from the first street corner, a car pulled up next to him, which was increasingly odd because if it was parking, it had parked the wrong way on the wrong side of the street. Upon glancing at it out of the corner of his eye, he came to see it was a meticulously clean, jet black Bentley that was moving ever so slowly right alongside him.

To test a growing hunch, he stopped, dead in his tracks, yet still not facing the vehicle beside him. The vehicle, upon closer examination, had also stopped. He let out an exasperated sigh, and grudgingly turned to face the rich man’s car.

The back window rolled down, its tinted glass revealing the face of Vlad Masters, smug as ever.

Something in the back of his mind snarled at the recognition of his enemy, but the rest of his psyche managed to keep it from showing too much. Keeping the amount of venom in his voice as minimal as possible, he said in a cool tone, “What do you want now? My life’s bad enough as is, and the sight of you just made it a whole lot worse.”

“A little early to be throwing insults don’t you think Daniel? Besides, how do you know that what I have to say may not have some benefit to you?” the mayor calmly returned, his voice still emanating the confidence he believed he earned along with his stolen billions.

“Because it’s Vlad Masters talking,” he replied, perfectly serious. It was true after all, if Vlad Masters didn’t have some kind of benefit at the end, then he would have nothing to do with any plan or proposal.

He gave his classic chuckle, simultaneously sending a wave of slight nausea over the teen. That laugh seriously kreeped him out. It oozed superiority and power, power that could be used to destroy him or anyone else on a whim and be seen as an angelic act.

“Very good, on your toes as always. Maybe you’re losing some of your father’s stupidity after all. But then again you are Maddie’s son after all, so you are entitled to some intelligence I suppose. Perhaps in this next challenge you can prove your skills and finally rise above your faulty genetics,” the politician said smoothly, pretending to pick at something under his perfectly maintained fingernails.

Something about the way that he spoke made Danny’s lower intestines tie themselves in knots, ones that even sailors could be proud of. Vlad was talking about some kind of challenge, one that was meant for him to either pass or fail, meaning live or die. Any way you took it, it all lead to bad news.

“Well don’t stay out too long Daniel, we certainly don’t want you to catch cold now do we? Ta.” And with that the window was rolled back up, and the Bentley driven away down the wet street, leaving a wet, confused, and slightly nauseous teenager behind.

-Gah! It’s a real chapter! Of a real fic! (faints) Wow, well tell me how I did and I might continue. Trust me, it gets a lot better once you get a few chapters into it. Don’t know how long it’s going to be, but hopefully it’ll be good. R&R. l8r.

-dzd