Ready as I'll Ever Be

Too Little, Too Late

Credit for the cover and video used in this fic goes to Loganne Digma so totally check out her channel. I'll link her video here, or least put in the URL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhSW7jZ_VWI

The skies of the ghost zone swirled ominously as if excited for the events to come.

The entire Infinite Realms was laced with the fervor of war.

Ghosts protecting their land and having the support of a long missing ally.

Dash Baxter was no genius, the athlete could say himself he was quite dense. After all what was more important than football?

Then again his living body came to mind as some ghosts forced him to kneel while they clamped chains at his wrists.

"Sure we can leave him like this?" asked one in a sandpaper voice.

"General still needs to collect his supplies, he'll be in good hands. Besides its just a human."

He tried to tell his trembling hands and thudding heart that whoever this overhyped general was, was no sweat. Hardly anything to be afraid of when Phantom was around.

Probably beating the Hell outta bad guys right now looking for this cache of sick weapons.

****************

Danny signed his name to the long list of warriors, agents, healers, and regiments. All hands who were willing and able would give their lives and ectoplasm to save the Zone from invaders.

The notorious ectophobes.

Ones he'd travelled among. A mark that would always stain his soul and taint his skin like blood.

Some prisoner had been put in the Eastern cache, a long, winding tower with a viranda big enough to accomodate a steed.

The halfa swung the heavy wooden door open.

Among the shining blades, glowing weapons and relics were a distinctly human pair of blue eyes shining with hope. Somewhat like his own.

Soon enough it realized what was in the room with him. But the tone it said his name with.

"Phantom?"

So incredulous and surprised, as if suddenly there was no use or sense in hoping.

He paid him no mind as he looked about and rifled the piles for some armor and definitely some human only weapons.

He tossed aside helmets and other face coverings.

He wanted them to see the face of their opponent.

"You-- you what are you doing? Get me out then we can bust out and rage this place together," the human said, "y'know just two strong heroes. Phantom?"

He halted. His memory tickled. Ugh Dash Baxter. Of all the humans to have been caught.

"Why would I do that?" he asked quite seriously but of course it began laughing.

"I get it, keep 'em guessing, fool your friends and all that but come on I won't tell."

It was so scared too, he could practically smell the fear radiating and seeping through the stone cracks.

His chains clanked as he stood on wobbling knees.

"Your mistaken," he said taking a look out to the green and purple expanse. A deep breath and he felt the raw energy resonate with his thrumming core. A cold spot just below his human heart pumping ghostly power into his bones and marrow. "I'm not laying down my life for zealots who would happily rip me to shreds, including you."