Chapter 33: Catch-Up
Danny gestured awkwardly between the two girls. His brain felt slow. "Right. Sam. This is Octavia. She is another friend of ours." He looked at Octavia. "Octavia. This is Sam. She is in our history group."
Octavia gave a slow nod. Her gaze fixed on Sam. "Hello."
Sam narrowed her eyes slightly. "Hi."
Tucker beamed at the newcomer. "Sweet. Another brain. We can use the help. Pull up a chair, Via."
"I intend to." Octavia retrieved a chair from the corner of the dining room. She placed it beside Danny and sat with perfect posture. She surveyed the books and papers scattered across the table. Her eyes settled on the thick volume near Sam's hand.
Sam broke the silence. "So. Where are you from? I haven't seen you around Casper Intermediate." She set her pen down.
Octavia adjusted her skirt. "I live outside of town, actually. I'm homeschooled."
"By her dad," Tucker added. He didn't look up from his screen. "Mr. Stolas. Who is totally loaded by the way."
Octavia shrugged. "I guess. It is not something I care much about."
"That is how we met," Danny said. "Her dad started tutoring me a few years ago. We became friends after that."
Sam raised an eyebrow at the foreign name. She glanced at Octavia. The other girl didn't act like the wealthy girls at school who flaunted their status. Octavia appeared distinct. Genuine. Sam relaxed her shoulders.
Danny cleared his throat. "Okay. The Cold War. Where were we?"
"Singing fish on the moon." Tucker pointed at his screen. "Check this out. The CIA actually considered putting speakers inside catfish to spy on Soviet harbors. Project Acoustic Kitty."
Sam rolled her eyes. "Of course you focused on that."
"It is interesting," Tucker argued. "They spent millions before they realized cats do not take directions well."
Danny leaned over to look at the laptop. "We are supposed to cover the space race section. Did you find anything about the lunar missions?"
"Yeah. Got that too." Tucker scrolled down. "The Soviets had their Luna program. We had Apollo. Both sides scrambled to plant flags."
Octavia turned to Sam's book. "A People's History. Interesting choice."
Sam looked up. "It is more honest than the official narrative."
"Power structures are a constant," Octavia replied. "Things stay the same without a total change in government ideology." It wasn't much different in Hell.
Sam stared at her. "You have read Zinn?"
She shrugged. "I read it once. I dove into hum... world history recently." Octavia picked up one of the books. "Proxy fighting. It is similar to gang territories."
"Yup. Ms. Willis said we need primary sources." Sam tapped her pencil against her notebook. "Maybe we could check the library archives later this week."
"Or," Tucker suggested. "We could just finish the digital presentation part and call it good enough."
Sam glared at him. "Some of us actually care about grades, Tucker."
#
The group settled into the project. The earlier tension dissipated as they passed books and traded notes. Danny reached for his phone after an hour of steady progress. "Mind if I put on some music? It might help us focus."
No one objected. Danny queued up his playlist. Generic modern pop filled the room. Sam endured it for twenty minutes before she spoke up.
"Can I suggest something else?" She held out her hand for Danny's phone.
He passed it over. "Sure."
Sam scrolled through his music apps. She found what she wanted. Heavy guitar chords filled the room. Raw vocals followed the intro. Danny looked up from his textbook.
Octavia tilted her head. She listened intently. "This is different. I like it."
Danny bobbed his head to the beat. "Me too. Is this rock?"
Sam wobbled her hand. "Kinda. It is Alt-Rock."
"Who sings this?" Danny checked the screen. "My Chemical Romance? Never heard of them before."
"They are pretty well known outside of mainstream pop," Sam said. "That is 'I'm Not Okay'. What do you think?"
"I kinda want to hear what else they have." Danny nodded along to the beat.
Octavia's lips curved into a small smile. "It has a certain honesty."
Sam looked between them. She felt satisfied. Her music choice worked. "Just wait until you hear The Black Parade."
Later That Month
Sunlight entered through the tall windows of Stolas's Earth residence. Danny finished the final incantation of the day.
Stolas walked to the side table. A silver tea service waited there. "We have covered enough for today. The healing section is extensive. We only scratched the surface. But progress is progress." He gestured toward the seating area. "Shall we?"
Danny sat heavily in an armchair. He felt mentally exhausted despite his improved stamina.
Stolas handed Danny and Octavia their cups. "Tell me about your earthly studies. How is that history project?"
Danny smiled. "We got an A minus. It is not bad considering the start. Tucker handled the technical parts. Sam did the research. I took care of the presentation." He blew on his tea. It contained herbs from Stolas's garden to restore magical energy. "The teacher said our section on propaganda was strong."
"Sam? Is that the girl you mentioned?" Stolas sat in his chair.
"Yeah. She is interesting. She is really passionate about environmental stuff and animals." Danny took a sip. "She and Octavia got along well once they started talking about historical power structures."
Octavia nodded. "She is smart. She is aggressive in her opinions. But she isn't wrong about most things."
"And your other classes?" Stolas asked. His four eyes blinked in sequence. "Are they progressing satisfactorily?"
"They are fine." Danny shrugged. "English is boring but easy. Math is math. Science is cool this semester. We are studying astronomy."
Stolas set his cup down. "Speaking of your daily scholastic life. Octavia mentioned something interesting to me." His voice remained casual. Danny tensed immediately. "She tells me you incorporate subtle magics into your everyday routine."
Danny looked sharply at Octavia. "Via! You promised!"
Octavia raised her hands defensively. "Sorry. We were talking stories over dessert. It just slipped out." She shrugged. "Besides. You aren't summoning hellfire in the cafeteria."
"I am not disappointed, Daniel." Stolas leaned forward. "Practical application is an excellent way to hone skills. I am simply relieved you haven't attempted anything drastic."
Danny stared into his cup. "I almost did," he said quietly. "With Dash."
The room became quiet. Stolas waited for Danny to continue.
"He found my journal during lunch. He read parts of it out loud. I wrote some snide remarks about him." Danny tightened his fingers around his cup. "He threw the book at me and chased me afterward. I held my hand up. I waited to blast him."
"What stopped you?" Octavia asked.
"Pity? Guilt? Something like that." Danny sighed and slumped back. "It is tiring. I keep that frustration bottled up so I don't lash out. Sometimes I wonder if things would be easier if I just..." He trailed off and waved his hand vaguely.
Stolas leaned forward. "Daniel. If this Dash character causes you distress. I could arrange for a minor accident. Nothing fatal. Just enough to instill humility."
"Or I could talk to him," Octavia suggested. Her eyes looked dangerous. "I can explain certain concepts about respect. Very thoroughly."
Danny smiled. "Thanks, but no. I have seen where souls who torment others end up." He straightened. "I do not want to be like that. Even if Dash deserves it."
Stolas nodded. "That is a wise choice for your age. Restraint in the face of temptation shows true character." He refilled Danny's cup. "Though perhaps we should spend more time on defensive spells this week. Purely educational."
"Of course," Danny agreed. He exchanged a look with Octavia.
"And perhaps," Stolas added. "A minor lesson in memory manipulation. Again. For academic purposes only."
Danny laughed. The tension left his shoulders. "I think I would like that."
Octavia perked up at the mention of memory manipulation. "Speaking of academic purposes. Father. Is the Infernal Academy hosting that exhibition next month? The one where young practitioners showcase their progress?"
"Indeed they are," Stolas replied. His feathers ruffled with pride. "I planned to discuss that with Daniel today. You would be expected to attend as my apprentice. Though not necessarily participate."
Danny set his cup down. "The one where all the noble families will watch?"
"After three years. Most of the nobility accept you as my unusual protégé from the outer reaches of the Pride Ring. Even those who questioned initially have moved on to fresher gossip."
Danny ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I am just paranoid. Furfur stared at me last time. He looked suspicious."
"Lord Furfur stares at everyone like that," Stolas waved his hand. "It is his only social skill."
Danny shifted slightly. "How is Lady Stella? I haven't seen her around lately."
"She is attending social functions in the Pride Ring," Stolas replied. "She sends her acknowledgments."
Danny suppressed a smile. Over the years Stella's attitude toward him evolved. She went from open hostility to cool civility. She occasionally showed genuine politeness.
She actually complimented his presentation during a House Goetia event last time. It was high praise from the aristocratic demoness.
"I will take it," Danny said. "It is better than being called 'that stray child'."
"Mother is warming up to you," Octavia said. "She actually asked if you were coming to the Winter Solstice celebration this year."
"Really?" Danny raised his eyebrows. "Last year she told the servants to put me at the children's table."
"That worked out well for you," Octavia reminded him. "You avoided Lord Andrealphus talking about his latest collection."
Stolas chuckled. "Indeed. Though I believe her inquiry was about preparation rather than genuine concern for your attendance. The catering this year is extensive."
Danny stretched his arms above his head. "By the way. I am getting better at the drums. Mrs. Henderson says I have surprising rhythm for a beginner."
Stolas froze. His four eyes blinked rapidly. "You are learning the drums Daniel?"
"Yeah," Danny raised a brow. "It was one of the last good instruments in the class closet. Why?"
The owl demon set his teacup down with care. He conjured a gleaming violin from thin air. Its polished surface reflected the afternoon light. "I rather hoped to guide your musical education myself. The viola. Perhaps an underappreciated instrument with remarkable depth and character."
Danny glanced at Octavia. She hid her amusement behind her teacup. "I didn't know you played sir."
"For centuries," Stolas confirmed. He ran a finger along the strings. "Music is one of the great connections between realms. The mathematics of harmony transcends dimensional barriers."
"Dad has tried to get me to learn since I was five," Octavia whispered loudly. "I lasted two months before I accidentally dropped my viola into lava."
Stolas sighed. "A tragedy I have yet to recover from."
"I am not against learning," Danny clarified quickly. "But maybe after I finish my drum assignment? I would rather commit to one instrument at a time. I still have my end-of-semester performance."
The demon prince brightened. "A perfectly reasonable compromise! We shall begin your string education in the new year. I believe you will have an aptitude for it. You need excellent finger dexterity."
Octavia rolled her eyes. "Here we go."
"Setting that aside." Stolas reached inside his coat. He produced an envelope sealed with ornate red wax. It bore a flame symbol. "This arrived for you this morning Daniel."
Danny accepted the envelope. He recognized the seal of House Pyronis immediately. He broke the seal carefully and unfolded the letter. Octavia leaned over his shoulder to read.
"It is from Amara and Flamel!" Danny exclaimed. A wide grin spread across his face. "They want to know if we can visit next weekend. Apparently Flamel's dad acquired an ancient weapon collection. He wants to show it off."
"And Amara says she mastered a new transformation spell," Octavia added. She pointed to a paragraph in the elegant script.
Danny's eyes lit up. "It has been three months since we last saw them. Flamel has probably improved his swordplay even more."
"Undoubtedly," Stolas nodded. "Young Lord Pyronis is quite dedicated to his martial training."
Danny groaned. "I am still trying not to drop my sword when I parry."
"You have gotten much better," Octavia countered. "Remember when you nearly took out that priceless vase in the east corridor?"
"How could I forget? Your mother didn't speak to me for a month."
Octavia patted his shoulder. "You are doing pretty well for someone who only practices every few months. Flamel has combat training daily."
"You have made remarkable progress," Stolas assured him. "Lord Pyronis himself commented on your natural talent during your last visit."
Danny sighed. "Let us hope our next visit there is not so one-sided."
Chapter 34: Down Below
Later that Month
Hell
House Pyronis
Octavia and Amara lounged on a crimson couch at the edge of the training circle.
"Your stance is better." Flamel shifted positions. "But I can still see what you're planning."
Danny adjusted his grip. "I thought I was…"
Flamel struck without warning. Danny blocked the first attack but missed the second, the blunt wooden edge striking his ribs.
"Point," Amara called, drawing a glowing purple tally mark in the air. "That's five for Flamel, two for Danny."
Octavia winced. "You almost had him."
"Almost isn't enough," Flamel twirled his practice sword. "Another round?"
Danny nodded and rolled his shoulders. He still couldn't match Flamel's years of daily training.
They returned to the center of the circle.
"Begin!" Amara announced.
Once again, the two clashed.
Danny took the offensive this time. He launched a series of rapid strikes and forced Flamel back. Flamel sidestepped and hooked a foot behind Danny's ankle. Danny fell hard. The blunt tip of the wooden sword touched his throat.
"And that is six." Amara updated the glowing numbers floating in the air.
Danny accepted Flamel's hand and pulled himself up. Frustration showed in his eyes behind the griffon glamour.
"Don't look so gloomy." Flamel patted Danny's shoulder. "You have improved since your last visit. Most of us train daily from the moment we can walk. You do well for someone with such sporadic practice."
"Stolas says the same thing." Danny rubbed his neck. "Losing is still annoying." At school, he was starting to hold back in his gym classes. Now, he was pushing himself just to keep up.
"Let us go again." Flamel settled back into his stance.
Flamel attacked again. Danny anticipated the feint this time. He adjusted and cut inside the swing. His blade tapped Flamel's shoulder before the demon prince could reset. Flamel paused and grinned. This was the first time Danny had scored a point through technique rather than luck.
"Better." Flamel lowered his sword. "Much better. But I realized something."
"What?" Danny leaned on his practice sword.
Flamel looked curious. "Have you learned any combat spells?"
Danny hesitated. "Stolas showed me some defensive and offensive moves."
"Excellent!" Flamel grinned. "Then let us try again. You gotta your magic this time."
Danny glanced at Octavia for permission. She shrugged and sipped from a goblet.
"It should be fine in here." Amara's feathers shimmered between deep purple and midnight blue in the firelight. "Just keep the power low. Father would be displeased if you destroyed another training room." She looked at Flamel.
"That was one time." Flamel protested. "The others started it."
Danny laughed nervously. "I haven't actually practiced it in an actual spar."
"All the more reason to try," Flamel insisted. He rolled his shoulders. The red and gold feathers along his arms bristled. "I'm curious about Stolas's teaching methods. House Goetia is known for unique arcane arts."
"I wouldn't consider myself advanced just yet." Danny nodded after a moment. He tightened his grip on the wooden practice sword. "Alright. Don't complain if you get a little banged up."
"I would consider it a compliment to your ability." Flamel returned to his starting position. He lowered his center of gravity. "Ready?"
They squared off once more. The mana in the room thickened. Octavia and Amara leaned forward on the bench.
"Begin!" Amara called.
Flamel didn't wait. He launched an aggressive sequence of strikes. He closed the distance instantly. Danny stepped back. He muttered a syllable and touched the ground with his heel.
Ice coated the floor beneath Flamel's feet.
Flamel stumbled. He corrected his balance with a flap of his wings. He lunged to regain the initiative. Danny parried the strike. Sparks flew from the collision. A faint blue glow surrounded Danny's wooden blade.
"Reinforcement?" Flamel observed. He pressed his weight against the bind.
"Something like that," Danny replied.
Flamel broke the lock. He executed a fast sequence to overwhelm Danny's defense. He aimed for Danny's shoulder.
Danny dropped his guard and whispered. A sudden gust of wind slammed into his back. The force propelled him sideways out of the strike's path. He skidded to a halt five feet away.
"Nice use for evasion," Amara murmured to Octavia.
Octavia watched Danny's hands. "He picks it up fast."
Flamel turned and grinned. "Show me more."
The demon prince took to the air. He used his wings to gain height and speed. He dove towards Danny. The attack angle was steep.
Danny stood his ground. He waited until Flamel was nearly upon him. He thrust his left hand forward. A sphere of concentrated starlight erupted from his palm.
The flash blinded the room for a second.
Flamel squawked. He broke off his attack and shielded his eyes. Danny seized the opening. He stepped in and tagged Flamel's ribs with the practice sword.
Flamel retreated. He blinked tears from his eyes. "Cheap trick."
"Still effective," Danny corrected.
Flamel growled playfully. He abandoned his aerial tactics. He stayed low and used his superior reach. He employed a disarming maneuver. He hooked Danny's crossguard and twisted.
Danny's sword clattered across the floor.
Flamel raised his weapon for the winning point. Danny didn't panic. He extended his fingers toward his fallen blade. The wood vibrated. It flew through the air and slapped into his palm.
"A bound weapon?" Flamel sounded delighted.
"You said to use magic." Danny cast a refraction spell. The light bent around his body. Two illusory copies of himself appeared next to him. All three Dannys raised their swords in unison. "You get magic."
Flamel hesitated. His eyes darted between the three figures. He slashed at the figure on the left. His blade passed through empty air. The illusion dissolved into blue sparks.
The real Danny struck from the right. Flamel blocked at the last second. The impact jarred his arm.
The duel continued. Sweat poured down Danny's face. His breathing grew heavy. Maintaining multiple spells while fighting taxed his human reserves. He pressed on regardless. He refused to look weak after all of this.
Flamel grew frustrated with Danny's elusive defenses. He committed to a heavy overhead strike. He put his full strength behind the blow.
Danny sidestepped. He whispered a quick incantation. He tapped Flamel's armor with his free hand. Thick layers of frost flashed across the metal joints of the greaves and breastplate.
The demon prince froze under the sudden restriction. The gears of his movement seized. His balance failed him.
Danny swept his legs with a low kick mixed with an earth tremor. The floor buckled slightly. Flamel fell to his knees. The ice held him in place.
Danny leveled his wooden blade at Flamel's forehead.
"Yield," Danny gasped.
Flamel's eyes widened. Joy crinkled the corners of his eyes a moment later. "I yield! Magnificent!"
The training room erupted in applause. Amara updated the tally with a flourish. Octavia whistled.
"That was the most entertaining duel I have had in months," Flamel declared.
Danny snapped his fingers. The frost melted instantly from Flamel's armor and into steam.
Danny sat on the floor. His chest heaved. "It was exhausting. I don't know how you do this every day."
"You could say it's in the blood." Flamel stood up and offered a hand. He pulled Danny to his feet. "I held us back by limiting our matches to swordplay before today. Your magical training was a nice change of pace."
Amara and Octavia joined them. Amara conjured a pitcher of water and a set of goblets.
"I'm impressed." Amara handed Danny a goblet. "I was half expecting you to blow up the room in a fire."
Danny drank the water quickly. "Stolas says anyone can throw a fireball. Few can think beyond the obvious."
Flamel nodded. "My instructors like to focus on overwhelming force. Satan's philosophy."
"That sounds right," Octavia commented. "House Pyronis isn't known for subtlety when he holds events."
Danny's rubbed a sore spot on his arm. "I need to practice this more. My timing was sloppy."
"Next time you visit," Flamel proposed, "I expect you to get even better. Might actually get me to be serious overall."
"Assuming the room survives," Octavia muttered.
"Maybe we should take a break," Danny said. "Stolas let me raid his collection of Earth food again."
"Do you have the spicy crunchy things from last time?" Flamel asked.
Danny grinned. "Hot Cheetos. Yes. And some other stuff."
Elsewhere
The heavy double doors of the dining room clicked shut. Lilith stood alone in the corridor. The faint sounds of Lucifer laughing at his own joke and Charlie giggling faded away. Lilith maintained her posture until she rounded the corner. Then her shoulders slumped. The smile vanished from her face. Her expression became hollow and tired.
She walked to her private office at the end of the hall. She entered the room and locked the door behind her. The space was dark. She didn't light the lamps. She navigated to her mahogany desk by memory and sat down.
Her hand went to the bottom drawer. She pulled it open. Underneath a stack of tax reports lay a pristine white envelope. The paper was flawless. It bore the golden seal of Heaven. Lilith stared at it for a moment. She picked it up. It felt heavy in her hand.
She opened the flap and withdrew the letter. She smoothed the paper out on the desk surface. She knew the words by heart. The High Seraphim Sera wrote the proposal. The script was elegant and sharp. However, it was the second signature at the bottom that drew Lilith's eyes.
Adam.
Her ex-husband co-signed the document. Seeing his name scrawled alongside Sera's caused a sharp pain in her chest.
The letter detailed a potential agreement regarding the Exterminations. The yearly slaughters devastated her people. This document gave her an offer. It was tempting. Lilith scanned the terms again.
She looked toward the door. Lucifer was only a few rooms away. He remained ignorant of this correspondence. She found the letter on her vanity exactly one month ago. She hid it immediately. She intended to show him that first night. Then she hesitated.
Days passed. Then weeks. Now thirty days of silence stood between them. She feared his reaction.
Lilith looked down at the paper. The urge to reply grew stronger with every read.
Meanwhile
Heaven
The interior of Emily's office was a mess. Documents covered every inch of the floor. The focal point of the room was the north wall.
A massive corkboard spanned the width of the room. Red yarn crisscrossed in a chaotic web. It connected a map of the United States. In the center of the web sat a crude drawing of the Fenton Ghost Portal.
Emily stood in front of the board. Her hair was disheveled. Her halo tilted slightly to the left. She held a mug of cold ambrosia.
Emily stabbed a pushpin toward Nevada. "Maybe Area 51?"
The door to the office slid open. Sera stood in the doorway. She wore her usual pristine robes. She held a golden tablet in one hand. "Emily, The High Council is waiting for the quarterly virtue assessment." Sera stopped. She looked at the paper-strewn floor. She looked at the frantic red web on the wall. She looked at Emily.
Emily spun around. Her eyes were wide. She pointed a trembling finger at the map. "Sera!" Emily yelled. "I have almost got him!"
Sera took a slow, deep breath. She stepped into the room. She walked carefully around a pile of scrolls.
"Oh, Emily..." It was the tone a mother used when her child presented a mud pie as dinner. "You have been busy."
"It's not busywork!" Emily rushed to the board. She slapped her palm against a photo of a localized energy vacuum. "Someone from the mortal realm accessed Heaven. They stole Metatron's book, Sera!"
"That is very interesting, but I'm sure you just misplaced it," Sera didn't look at the board. She looked at the dark circles under Emily's eyes. "How long have you been awake?"
"Time is irrelevant!" Emily grabbed a laser pointer. She circled a large portion of North America. "I have narrowed the origin point to the Western Hemisphere. Specifically, the United States. I suspect the West Coast. Or maybe the Midwest."
"You need fresh air," Sera placed a hand gently on Emily's shoulder. "And perhaps a nap."
"I'm not tired!" Emily pulled away. She grabbed a stack of papers.
Sera smiled tightly. She gently took the papers from Emily's hands. She placed them on a shelf.
"We all have imaginations. It's good to be creative. But you're stressing yourself out over... this."
Emily stomped her foot. "It was a real human portal into Heaven!!"
"Of course they did," Sera began to steer Emily toward the door. "And I am sure the human is very sorry. Now let's go to the meeting."
Emily dug her heels into the carpet and pointed back at the wall. "I can explain everything!" Emily shouted. "I can prove that a human is conducting forbidden experiments!"
Sera continued to push Emily into the hallway. "We'll get you some tea. Chamomile. It helps with the... hysteria."
"I'm not hysterical!"
"You need a vacation. Maybe a spa day. We can get those nice cucumbers for your eyes."
Sera closed the office door.
"He's out there, Sera!" Emily's voice echoed down the pristine white hallway. "He has a portal! I'll find him!"
Sera sighed. She marked a box labeled "Psychological Evaluation" on her tablet. "I know, dear. I know."
Chapter 35: Turning Point
The Ghost Zone
Clockwork's Lair
In the Ghost Zone, Clockwork's lair existed outside of Time. The Clock Tower contained massive gears turning in impossible configurations, pendulums swinging in perfect rhythm, and hourglasses of every size measuring all moments.
A lone figure hovered in silence inside the lair's top chamber. A large circular screen dominated the center, showing moments across time.
Clockwork floated before his viewing portal, his form changing between child, adult, and elder. He held a time staff in his gray-gloved hand and occasionally adjusted the flow of images. The black gear brooch on his chest ticked in harmony with the countless timepieces on the walls.
"Interesting," he murmured as he studied the time stream. "Most interesting indeed."
The screen changed, displaying scenes from Daniel Fenton's timeline. Clockwork observed the boy's journey.
"Daniel's path changed significantly that night. In most timelines, his supernatural encounter would have come later." Clockwork watched a ten-year-old Daniel Fenton kneeling on his bedroom floor, drawing a summoning circle with chalk. The boy focused intently as he referenced an ancient tome propped against his bedside lamp.
"Such a simple moment," Clockwork noted, shifting to adult form. "Such profound consequences."
After a chant, crimson fire erupted. Stolas emerged from the flames. Young Danny fell backward, his eyes wide as Prince Stolas appeared in his bedroom.
Clockwork waved his staff. The scene moved forward. Danny and Stolas talked, with the demon prince clearly intrigued by the human child who had summoned him without training and showed interest in his knowledge.
"Not what either of you expected that night," Clockwork commented with a smile, his form changing to elderly. "The most significant paths often begin with unexpected turns. A child becomes apprentice to a demon prince."
The portal showed days later, when a small owlet peered from behind her father's leg at the human child.
The timeline advanced. Danny sat alone at the kitchen table. His parents were working late again. Danny paused at the top of the basement stairs. The clock on the wall showed 11:13 PM. "Third night this week," Danny muttered. He turned back toward his room with resignation on his face.
The viewing portal revealed Danny at his desk. He had his textbooks and his father's diagram for the Spectre Speeder.
A knock sounded on Danny's door. Jazz appeared in the doorway in the next image. She crossed her arms. She could see small bags under his eyes. "You look terrible." She placed a sandwich beside his books. "When did you last take a break?"
Danny shrugged.
"I can't help but feel you're taking on too much with this apprenticeship thing. Mom and Dad might not notice, but I do." She ruffled his hair. "Have fun, but still take care of yourself, little bro."
"Thanks…" Danny nodded but returned to his work after she left.
Clockwork moved his staff again. A chaotic morning in the Fenton household played next. The Fenton kitchen appeared on screen. Jack gesticulated wildly, ectoplasm flinging from his gloves onto the table and walls.
"The Fenton Ghost Grabber will revolutionize spectral containment," he boomed. "Once I solve the power coupling issue."
Maddie wiped ectoplasm from her notes as she made calculations. "The coupling works fine, dear. It's the containment field that fluctuates."
Jazz lowered her psychology textbook. "I would appreciate it if you kept your work at the lab and not the table."
All the while, Danny sat quietly, eating cereal. A beam of green light shot across the room. Danny ducked smoothly. He didn't look up from his cereal bowl. He was used to the madness.
Another wave of his staff displayed a sequence of events.
The viewing portal showed Danny's first birthday with Octavia. The boy stood in Stolas' mansion, disguised as a small griffin demon to hide his human nature from other guests at Octavia's celebration. Danny performed on a stage, putting on a musical number for her.
"Friendship forms in unexpected places," Clockwork mused.
More scenes unfolded. Danny and Octavia studied together in Stolas' library. The boy developed proficiency with magical arts. He met other demon nobles. The viewing portal displayed Danny sharing candy with the Avatar of Halloween, sitting at Thanksgiving dinner with the Goetia family, and his first sparring match with Flamel of House Pyronis.
The portal shifted to Stolas' private training grounds. The owl demon guided Danny's hands through intricate patterns. Sigils flared with blue energy as Danny completed the sequence perfectly.
"Excellent control, my little owlet," Stolas praised. "Your capacity for magical channeling exceeds most demons twice your age."
"The Observants were displeased when they discovered this development," Clockwork remarked to the empty chamber. "They believed a soon-to-be Ghost child with connections to infernal realms posed an unacceptable risk. One greater than the Prime Timeline."
The environment changed completely. The screen showed the training grounds.
Danny stood in a defensive stance. He held a training staff. Flamel lunged at him. The boy of House Pyronis struck hard with a wooden sword. Danny parried the blow.
A blast of magic came from the side. Amara stood there with dark plumage. She cast a binding spell. Danny rolled under the magical arc. He swept Flamel's legs out from under him. He regained his footing and raised a shield spell to block Amara's next attack.
The images moved faster, showing years of magical training, the growing friendship with Octavia, and Danny navigating both the human world and Hell with increasing confidence. The portal displayed Danny at thirteen, performing a complex ritual with Stolas.
Stolas sat on a plush bench. Danny sat on one side of him. Octavia sat on the other. The three of them looked up at the red sky. Stolas pointed out a specific alignment of the pentagrams above. Octavia rested her head on her father's shoulder. Danny leaned back and closed his eyes. Stolas extended his wing. He covered both children against the chill.
Clockwork tilted his head slightly, a faint smile appearing. "Ah, Daniel," he murmured, his voice blending childlike curiosity, adult wisdom, and elder gravity. "The threads of your life weave into something extraordinary."
The screen shifted to show Danny's parents working in their laboratory. They developed technology to combat ghosts, unaware of their son's supernatural connections.
His glowing staff tapped against the floor. The screen flickered. "Soon the time will come," he continued. "You will shape not only your path but countless others."
The lair grew quiet as Clockwork resumed watching. The hum of surrounding gears filled the silence. The guardian of eternity observed, knowing the weight of what approached.
Daniel Fenton's proverbial "Death" Day.
"The challenges ahead will test not only your powers but your heart."
He tapped his staff against the floor. The viewing portal went dark.
"But that," Clockwork concluded with a slight smile, "is a story for another time."
Later that Year
Fenton Household
The living room was quiet except for the television. Danny, Octavia, and Jazz sat on the couch. A baking show played at a low volume. Jazz held a book open. She had not turned a page in several minutes.
A loud clang came from the basement. Jack's voice rang through the house. "Kids. You have got to see this. Get down to the lab."
Maddie called a second later. "Danny. Jazz. Octavia. We are starting the first full power test. Now."
Danny set the popcorn bowl on the table. "Guess they're finally doing it."
Jazz closed her book. "Or they're about to blow another breaker."
Octavia stood and smoothed her skirt. "They're still working on that portal you told me about?"
"Yeah," Danny said. "They really think it will open a way into the supposed Ghost Zone."
Octavia hesitated. "I'm surprised that they still want that sort of thing. It sounds dangerous."
"You have met my parents," Danny said. "You tell me."
They went to the kitchen door. Danny opened it. "Come on."
They descended into the Fenton lab. Green industrial lights shone on the hulking shape of the completed portal frame. The metallic ring dominated the far wall.
Maddie crouched near the base with a welding torch. She wore a bright and sweaty smile.
Jack stood near the main console. A wide roll of paper spread across the metal surface. "You made it, kids. You are just in time to witness our greatest success."
Maddie tapped the side of the frame. "Final joints are sealed. Structural integrity is solid."
Jazz folded her arms. "So this is it. Years of late nights led up to this."
Jack placed his palm on the schematic. He looked at the kids with a serious expression. "This is more than just a machine. This is our legacy. Investigating the supernatural runs in this family. It goes all the way back to your ancestor, John Fentonightingale, hunting witches in Salem."
Octavia raised a brow, unsure if there were any humans that made contracts with demons at the time. The chance was non-zero.
Maddie stood and wiped her hands on her jumpsuit. "Your father is right. We have chased this dream for decades. Back at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jack and I built the first version."
"The proto-portal," Jack nodded solemnly. "We built it with Vlad Masters. He was our best friend back then."
"It failed." Maddie' smile faltered for a second. "The accident destroyed the lab. Vlad ended up in the hospital with ecto-acne. We drifted apart after that. But Jack 'The' Fenton and I never gave up."
Jack grinned again. "We knew the science was sound. Behold, the Fenton Spectral Portal. Once it's fully operational, it will create a permanent bridge between our world and the Ghost Zone."
"We have calculated for everything," Maddie added. Her tone held confidence. "This conduit will open a stable gateway between our dimension and the primary ectoplasmic plane."
Octavia walked closer toward the heavy frame. "Are you sure this is safe?"
Maddie smiled at her. "Of course. This is all built by our ingenuity and Fenton flair."
Danny looked from the portal to his parents. Their faces held the same look he saw whenever they talked about ghosts or dimensional physics. Hope. Pride. A stubborn joy.
After years with Stolas, Danny understood cosmic dimensions better than his parents realized. Their scientific method was unique. It was a brute force approach compared to the natural pathways Stolas described.
Jazz shifted her weight. "Or it will blow a fuse. You will be up all night re-soldering boards again."
Jack brushed her concern aside with a big hand. "You worry too much, Jazzy. This is going to work. And when it does, history books will mention the name Fenton."
"Assuming there aren't any safety violations," Jazz muttered.
Maddie moved to Jack's side. "System checks are green. Power couplings are stable. All right. Moment of truth."
Jack picked two heavy-duty extension cords and grinned at the kids. "Watch this. This is the start of a new era for ghost research."
He plugged them together.
For a breath, nothing happened. Then the portal frame crackled with sudden light. Green sparks flashed along the inner edge.
"Come on," Jack whispered. "Come on, baby. Open up."
Then it cut off.
The light vanished. The frame went dead. The lab fell silent.
Jack's smile faltered. "Huh." He dropped the cords on the floor.
Maddie checked the control panel. "Power is fine. No tripped breakers. What did we get wrong?"
Jazz exhaled. It was a long and tired sound. "Of course. Another failure."
"Now, honey." Jack's shoulders sagged. "First runs rarely go perfectly. Edison didn't get the light bulb on the first try."
Jazz shook her head. "You have been working on this for years. You missed so much of my life and Danny's. For what?"
Danny looked at her. This felt personal for everyone. Their parents sacrificed a piece of their lives for this far dream.
"Honey, you know that your father and I love you two very much." Maddie set the penlight down and turned to Jack. "We will review the design. There might be a flaw we overlooked. It isn't hopeless."
"Maybe not for you," Jazz said. "For me, it's exhausting. Let me know when you want to focus on something real." She turned away from the portal. "I'm going back upstairs. I have homework. I need a life that doesn't revolve around ghosts."
She left the lab. She shut the door with a solid thump.
Jack watched the staircase. The excitement drained from his face. "She doesn't understand."
Maddie rested a hand on his arm. "She isn't wrong. We knew this would not be easy on them."
He looked at the dark frame. "I really thought this time..."
"I know. We will go back through the schematics. Check everything. There has to be a missing piece."
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe we misaligned something."
"Possibly, But we are tired."
Jack hesitated. He gave a slow nod. "You are right. We can take a break. Grab something to eat. Maybe some fudge. We will come back fresh."
Jack patted the side of the machine. "We will get you working, big guy. Just you wait."
They climbed the stairs together.
Danny stood near the steps.
Octavia moved closer to the frame. "So this is how they plan to reach another dimension? I'm not very impressed."
Danny walked toward the portal. "They've been working on this since before I was born. It's their life's work. They stayed up so many nights I lost count."
Octavia watched him. "They looked so sure it would open."
"Yeah." Danny swallowed.
He saw his parents' faces again in his mind. The way their smiles faded. Jazz's frustration. He felt a distinct ache in his chest. "I hate seeing them so defeated."
Octavia glanced from him to the portal.
Danny stepped into the center of the ring. "They're so close. I can feel it." He looked up at the dark interior. "There has to be a way to help."
He stood inside the failed doorway. He tried to imagine it working. He wanted it for his parents. He wanted to justify the hours they poured into it. He wanted the future they saw when they talked about the Ghost Zone.
"I don't want this to be the end of it. I want to see it through." He wanted to help somehow. "Maybe there is something loose inside."
Chapter 36: Unaccompanied Minors
"So the portal's still busted?" Octavia asked.
Danny nodded. "Yeah. Dad's been tinkering with it, but nothing's happening."
They sat on the roof again, legs dangling over the edge. The night was clear enough to see stars.
Stolas tilted his head. "You know, there is a rather elegant solution to this."
"What?" Danny said.
"Use a bit of magic."
Danny blinked. "Where are you going with this?"
"The frame is already built. With the right enchantments, we could rework the device into a Hell portal."
Octavia glanced at her father. "And we would want to give his parents a portal to Hell because?"
Danny frowned. "I'd rather not have my parents get exposed to demons outside of you guys."
"Oh, relax. A few runes and sigils, perhaps a blood catalyst or two, we could make the portal to one of my warehouses in hell and do our thing. "
"Oh, god. What are you planning to show my parents?"
"We stage an incident. Hire a few lower demons to appear in the lab, cause a proper scene, nothing dangerous. Your parents panic, the portal 'malfunctions,' and suddenly they decide ghost research is far too risky to continue. They move on to other projects, and everyone wins."
Danny stared at him.
Octavia shifted slightly, watching Danny more than her father now.
"You want to fake a demon attack to scare my parents," Danny said slowly.
"A controlled one, yes."
Danny shook his head. "No."
Stolas raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"I'm not lying to them like that."
"Aren't we already lying about us, demons, and hell already?"
"We are, and I don't want to make that pile even larger," Danny said flatly. "And even if I wasn't, it wouldn't work. My parents don't scare easy. You've met them. They'd probably assume you were red ghosts, attack, and try to dissect whoever you sent down there."
"Hm…" Stolas considered that. "Fair point."
Danny's hands curled into fists. "It's their whole life's work. I'm not going to sabotage it just because I think they're wrong. They deserve to figure it out or fail themselves. That's the only way they would follow through with such a change."
Octavia's shoulders relaxed.
"You draw a very firm line," Stolas said finally.
"Yeah. I do."
Stolas hummed thoughtfully but didn't argue. "Very well. No theatrical interventions, then."
"Thanks."
"Though I still think the conversion idea has merit."
"Stolas..."
"I'm simply saying."
"Please drop it."
Stolas smiled faintly and let it go.
Octavia leaned back on her palms. "So what now? Just wait for your parents to fix it?"
"Pretty much." Danny shrugged. "I'll look up what I can, but I'm no expert in the metaphysical aspects." Danny was much better at hands-on mechanical and gearhead tinkering after working on various "Ghost" Research Vehicles and a few hand-held gadgets here and there.
Danny brightened. "Actually, speaking of that, my parents are going out of town this weekend. Some kind of paranormal convention in Chicago."
"So you'll have the house to yourself and Jazz?"
"Yeah." Danny glanced at Octavia. "I was wondering if, uh… if you wanted to come over. Just hang out. Watch movies or something."
Octavia blinked. "For the whole weekend?"
"If you want. I mean, you don't have to…"
"I want to."
Stolas looked between them. "A sleepover?"
"I guess, yeah."
Stolas nodded. "I don't see why not."
Octavia turned to him. "Really?"
"Of course. I trust Daniel completely." Stolas grinned. "He's never given me reason not to. And you're more than capable of handling yourself regardless."
Octavia's face flushed. "Dad."
"What? It's true."
"You don't have to say it like that."
Danny cleared his throat. "We're literally just going to watch movies and eat junk food. That's it."
"I know." Stolas gave him an approving look. "Which is why I'm not concerned."
Octavia covered her face with one hand. "Can we stop talking about this now?"
"Very well."
That Weekend
Danny's room had changed over the past few months. Posters covered most of the walls with bands Sam had introduced him to. His drum kit sat in the corner. Compared to another timeline, he had much more astronomy paraphernalia thanks to Stolas's tutelage.
Octavia sprawled across his bed, no longer bothering with her glamour. She looked more relaxed here than she ever did at the manor.
Danny tapped out the opening beat to Sugar, We're Goin Down for the fifth time in a row. The repetition helped him think. "I've been staring at those portal designs all week," Danny said between hits. "Everything looks right. Mechanically speaking, it should work."
"But it doesn't."
Danny let the cymbals ring out. "Maybe the problem is with the actual construction."
Octavia rolled onto her side, propping her head on one hand. "What if ghosts and the Ghost Zone just don't exist?"
Danny didn't answer right away.
"I mean, think about it," Octavia continued. "Your parents have been working on this for years and they've got nothing. Maybe there's nothing to find."
Danny turned to face her. "I've thought about that more than once, too, but science is about disproving claims. So far, people can't disprove God or the soul. That's something."
Octavia studied him. "You really admire them."
"They don't give up. Even when everyone thinks they're crazy, even when nothing works, they keep going. They deserve to figure the truth out on their own. Not because someone told them to quit."
Octavia's beak curved slightly in what might have been a smile. "You're stubborn."
"Runs in the family."
Danny picked up his sticks again. "So what's been going on in Hell lately? I could ask your dad, but he'd probably give me the boring political stuff."
"You want gossip?"
"I want whatever's actually interesting."
Octavia sat up and crossed her legs. "Princess Charlie started construction on her hotel."
Danny perked up. "Really? She's actually doing it?"
"Foundation's already laid. They're working on the main structure now. It's going to take a few years, but yeah, she's serious about it."
"That's awesome! Has she figured out how to actually redeem anyone yet? Like, the whole getting-sinners-into-Heaven part?"
Octavia shrugged. "Not that I've heard. She hasn't made any announcements about it. I think she's still working on the theory."
"Huh."
Danny thought about that for a moment. "After learning that Hell and Heaven were real, I figured God or someone else decided where souls go. Like a judge."
"There might be." Octavia tilted her head. "Dad says there are things nobody knows for sure."
"That kinda sucks."
Octavia stretched her arms slightly. "Oh, and Lilith's been MIA lately."
"Missing?"
"Sorta. She used to show up at events all the time. Meetings, galas, public appearances. At least once or twice a month. But lately it's just been Lucifer and Charlie."
Danny blinked. "Really? That's weird."
"Yeah."
"She seemed nice the few times I talked to her over the years." Danny frowned. "I hope she's okay."
Octavia shrugged again. "Dad thinks it's probably the sinners. They've been getting worse."
"So she's just… avoiding it?"
"Maybe. Or maybe she's dealing with it in her own way. I don't know." Octavia picked at a loose thread on Danny's blanket. "It's not like the royal family shares their problems with the rest of us."
Danny nodded. "Yeah. I get that."
He played through the beat one more time His phone buzzed on the desk. Danny set the sticks down and picked it up.
Tucker: yo can me and sam come over
Danny glanced at Octavia. "Tucker and Sam want to hang out. You cool with that?"
Octavia shrugged. "It's your house."
"Yeah, but you're here."
"I don't mind."
Sam had joined their little group since the history project. She showed up at lunch now, sat with them in study hall, and texted the group chat with album recommendations. Her taste in punk and alternative rock music had bled into both their playlists. She'd taken on the role of introducing them to bands, fashion, and a whole counterculture.
Octavia had latched onto it faster than he had. The demon had started incorporating darker clothing into her wardrobe along with her favorite magenta. Danny still wore his usual jeans and graphic tees, but he received a jacket from Sam and a long-sleeve shirt from Octavia..
Danny opened his messages and scrolled to Jazz's contact. She was currently doing errands and seeing some friends. She mentioned being back by dinner.
Danny: tucker and sam coming over later ok?
The reply came almost instantly.
Jazz: Fine. Just keep the house clean. I'm serious.
Danny: got it
He switched back to Tucker.
Danny: yeah come thru
Tucker: cool see you in 20
Octavia leaned back against the wall, her phone in hand again. "What are you guys planning to do when they get here?"
"Probably just hang out. Maybe play some games. Tucker's been trying to get me into this new MMO, but I haven't had time."
"Sounds boring if only you two are gonna play."
"You don't have to stay if you don't want to."
"I didn't say I was leaving."
Later
By the time the doorbell rang, Danny and Octavia were watching TV with the latter in her glamour again.
It turned out to be 30 minutes since the text that Danny answered the door. Tucker held a backpack stuffed with snacks, and Sam was carrying her usual messenger bag.
"Took you long enough," Danny said.
"Blame her." Tucker jerked a thumb at Sam. "She had to stop for batteries."
Sam pushed past both of them. "My camera died."
They filed into the living room and the casual rhythm of a weekend hangout took over. Danny pulled out the console and started flipping through his game collection.
"We're not playing another racing game," Sam said immediately.
"Why not?" Tucker asked.
"Because you cheat."
"I don't cheat. I'm just better than you."
"You literally unplugged my controller last time."
Danny held up two cases. "How about this one or this one?"
They argued for a few minutes before settling on a party game. As expected, an hour passed with fierce competition and betrayals in stars getting stolen. Tucker would swear revenger on Octavia.
It didn't take long for them to ditch the game and channel surf while music played in the background, cycling between punk tracks Sam queued up and whatever Tucker felt like adding to the mix.
Eventually, the game lost its shine. Tucker leaned back against the couch, controller resting on his stomach. "I'm bored."
"Already?" Danny said.
"We've been playing for like an hour."
Sam muted the TV and turned toward Danny. "Can I ask you something?"
Danny glanced at her. "Sure."
"Your parents are ghost hunters, right?"
Danny nodded. "Yeah."
"I've heard people at school talk about it. I didn't want to ask during the project because it felt rude, but..."
"Honestly, at this point, you're one of the few people who are polite to me about it. What's up?
"Is it real? Like, actually real?"
"I mean, my parents think ghosts are real. Me personally? It's 60-40."
"But they haven't proven it," Octavia added.
Sam's eyes flicked to her, then back to Danny. "So how do they plan to prove it?"
"They built a portal."
Tucker sat up. "A what?"
"A portal. To the Ghost Zone. That's what they call it." Danny gestured vaguely toward the floor. "It's a whole dimension, supposedly. Where ghosts live. Or exist. Whatever."
Tucker looked between them. "Hold on. You never told me your parents built a portal."
"I thought I did."
"You didn't. You just said they were ghost hunters, and I said, 'Cool.'"
"Oh… Well, now you know."
Sam leaned forward. "Wait, wait. Like an actual machine?"
"Yeah. It's in the basement."
Octavia crossed her arms. "Except it doesn't work. And I'm pretty sure ghosts don't exist."
Sam's expression lit up. She reached into her bag and pulled out her camera. "Can I see it?"
Danny blinked. "You want to see the portal?"
"Obviously."
Danny hesitated. He glanced at Octavia, who shrugged.
"It doesn't work," Danny said. "So there shouldn't be any harm..."
Tucker was already on his feet. "Yeah, come on. Don't hold out on us."
Danny sighed. "Fine. But don't touch anything."
"Got it."
"I'm serious. My parents have other stuff down there that could actually hurt you." Seeing that everyone was pretty interested in seeing the portal now, Danny led the way toward the basement. Tucker and Sam followed close behind, and Octavia trailed after them.