(One of my cats died today. So I wrote angst because I’m sad. Death tw, abuse tw, child murder tw, PTSD mentions tw, grief, mourning, murder, severe injury/body horror)
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Skulker and Ember sit on the edge of Skulker’s island, enjoying the view as Kitty and Johnny have another spat above them.
“They’re really never going to get their act together, huh?” Ember eats some ghostly popcorn.
“I doubt it,” Skulker says, “And I hope they don’t. This is the best show we’ve got here.”
Ember raises and eyebrow at him, reaching for her guitar. Skulker holds his hands up. “Except your shows, of course!”
Ember grins. “Darn right!”
As they watch, though, Skulker notices something in the distance. A small form, drifting closer. “Hmm, I thought everyone else cleared out to let the fight run it’s course.”
“Probably some new ghost,” Ember dismisses. “Look, it’s all slow and nervous.”
They ignore the approaching dot, until they see Johnny and Kitty stop fighting. They both gear up for a fight at first, but then drop the tension.
“Whoa.” Ember stands up. “What’s big enough to make themstop fighting?”
She and Skulker fly up. “What’s happening?” Skulker demands to know.
“I… I think that’s Danny,” Kitty says slowly.
“The whelp?” Skulker shakes his head. “He never comes here this leisurely.”
“He looks lost.”
“He has a map.”
“He looks hurt.”
“Why should we ca-”
“Excuse me?”
They break off their bickering. The ghost is now floating right in front of them. All of their eyes go wide.
It’s Danny, but not.His skin is pale blue, and there’s ectoplasm pouringout of his chest. he has his arms crossed over the wound, his hands shaking a little.
“Oh, kid.” Johnny doesn’t know what to think here. “What happened to you?”
Danny blinks. “I… I don’t know. I don’t… remember…” He shivers. “Where am I?”
Ember gives him a look.. “The Ghost Zone? Duh?”
Danny’s eyes widen now. “Ghost Zone? But… but that means I-” he pulls his hand away, staring at the ectoplasm. “No, no, no…”
Skulker floats closer. The wound in Danny’s chest is horrific.Something had ripped through his suit, burning the flesh underneath and sizzlingdown to the bone.Skulker can count every rib, gleaming green with ectoplasm. He can’t believe what he’s seeing. No-onehasevergotten a shot at Phantom like this.
Danny hugs himself again, covering the wound. “I died?” His voice squeaks.
“… Did you?” Kitty’s voice is soft.
“I… I don’t…” Danny shivers again. “I- I need help.”
All four ghosts share a glance. He’s Phantom.Theirgreatest enemy. Beaten all of them more times than they can count.
… But he’s also beaten ghosts far stronger than them. Ghosts they all feared. So if something could hurt himthis badly…
“Come with us, kid.” Johnny summons over his motorcycle. “Sit here, you need some rest.”
Danny gets on the bike, looking nervous. “Do… do I know you?” He asks it like he’s ashamed.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t… know you,” Danny says slowly.
All four older ghosts share terrified looks.
“Do you know me?” Ember asks. “My name?”
Danny shakes his head.
“What about me?” Skulker hopes for a different answer.
But it’s another shake.
“… Do you know yourname?” Kitty ventures.
Danny thinks. Thinks, thinks…
“I… I don’t.” His voice is a broken whisper. “I… I-I don’t know… who I am.” He clings to Johnny. “I don’t know who I am, I-I don’t- what’s happened, where-”
“You did die,” Kitty breathes out.
Skulker takes in Danny’s blue skin, his timid demeanor. The lack of memory, as well… not uncommon for when someone… first… forms…
Skulker can’t believe the words as they come out of his mouth. “You’re a full ghost.”
AHhhHHhh I loved getting to draw Adrien again!~ Honestly this lil ball of sunshine, too interested in ghosts for his own good is just too much fun! I hope yah don’t mind I threw in an Ember….and a bit more colour than I know I should’ve- but the thought of him going around trying to interview ghosts was something I just had to put onto metaphorical paper and Embers design is too pretty to not colour in- so of course I had to splash some onto Adrien too, else he’d look outta place!
