A bet (Gravity Falls x Danny Phantom crossover)

Chapter 18: Contemplation

A.N. So...it's been a year with this one. I really don't get what you people see in this story, but, if you are still following, here is your reward for waiting. A little tease for what may or may not eventually come (if I don't get sidetracked which is a distinct possibility). Depends on the reception, I guess. But I really would like to get it over with to move on with new projects.

Ford was unsure about what to think upon hearing Vlad's story. Looking at Danny, he really would not have been able to infer a twisted and even sorry story behind Danny's nature. Well, he was a ghost, and Vlad was aware about that fact. Still, the idea had somehow failed to leave a proper impression. Danny always appeared too...lively. He wasn't like any ghost Ford had encountered. He had a presence, as the old researcher would have put it, whilst normal ghosts always felt like they were there and simultaneously weren't. It was easy to see why Danny pretended to be alive, because of how simple it was for him to pass as a human. What was surprising to Ford was how Vlad seemed calm despite this whole situation. It was, however, very noble of Jack and Maddie's friend to wish to take care of their children.

Ford also wondered what made the older sibling so hateful towards the man. Vlad explained this as a series of misunderstandings coupled with ghostly tendency to lash out against anything that contradicted their beliefs. Of course, Vlad knew what he was saying and he knew it was a lie. As much as the billionaire respected his teacher's knowledge, it could not be denied that he and Fentons went far beyond in their research and knowledge of those otherworldly beings. They were far from being instinct-driven beasts with mere semblance of human thought. But Vlad knew more than well how to use Ford's limited knowledge in the area. He needed Ford on board with his idea, since the younger halfa and Danielle as well were staying at that house. Masters did not abandon his goal of bringing that boy under his roof, even if it meant convincing the house owner to kick Daniel out. Especially since the cloning project was ruined. And Vlad intended to learn how.

It was fairly simple for Vlad to get permission from Ford to come and visit the two kids. Ford was also curious as to how Vlad intended to defend himself if Danny chose to get violent, but once again the billionaire reassured him that it would not come to that. Thus, the sleazy businessman managed to slither into the house. He was, admittedly, interested about the place his soon-to-be son resided in. It did look like an ordinary house in a forest town, once you passed the obvious tourist trap of a shop/museum of oddities. Vlad also wondered what made Daniel move into this house of all places. For someone like them, privacy was key, and that lively and inhabited house was the opposite, especially with an active paranormal researcher living there.

What was Daniel's plan?

Eventually Vlad was seated in an armchair in a living room, already hearing voices coming from the kitchen. Obviously Daniel was there, alongside his flawed clone. Whatever it was what they were doing, Ford entered the kitchen and called the teen out. Obviously not suspecting a thing, but curious about who it might have been visiting him, Danny entered the room and immediately was called out.

"Well hello there, little badger."

Danny's head snapped in Vlad's direction, and with it a double blast from his eyes flew right at the man who lazily moved his head aside and dodged it. The blast, in the meantime, scorched the wall behind the chair.

"You still need to work on your aim," Vlad commented with a slight smirk.

"What in the world is going on here?" Ford demanded to know.

"What. Are you doing here?" Danny spoke with venom in his voice, not looking away from Vlad and ignoring Ford.

"Honestly, little badger, it's something I should be asking," responded Vlad. "Last time we conversed, you did not answer that question."