the auction

chapter 2

Sold! To Vlad Plasmius for one million!" The announcer's voice boomed in the silent room. Heated glares were all directed at Vlad, as were bitter grumbles, but the half ghost smirked smugly and flew towards his prize, ignoring everyone's reaction. His feet landed softly onto the stage as he stared down at his prize, kneeling before him.

Danny's stomach was doing nervous flips as he glared up at the older hybrid. There was no way in hell he would let Vlad get away with 'buying' him. This was humiliating. Of all the ghosts to 'win' him, why did it have to be this pompous jerk? What had he been doing here anyway? Danny had been so lost in his thoughts he didn't realize something cold and metal was suddenly clamped around his neck. Blinking, he glanced at the ghost who put it on him.

"Hey!" Danny cried out indignantly. "What did you just put on me? Take it off!"

A sly, malicious grin appeared on the announcer's face, almost equal to Vlad's own. "You don't give orders around, you little brat. This," he gestured to Vlad. "Is your owner now."

"Owner?" Danny chocked, laughing like he had just been told the greatest joke. It was a little hard to laugh with the collar pressed tightly on his neck, but he managed. "Yeah, okay. Real funny."

Vlad's expression didn't drop. Instead, he looked amused, only furthering the knots twisting in Danny's stomach. The teen could feel his heart picking up pace and a cold wash of anxiety rush through him. Why was the man looking so amused?!

"Come Daniel, we have much to discuss," Vlad ordered mockingly, the smug look on his face making Danny boil with rage. The bindings on his wrists and ankles suddenly melted away. With an annoyed growl, the teen got onto his feet and began to follow his arch-nemesis off the stage.

"Enjoy your prize!" The announcer shouted after them. "Now, up next!" Danny didn't hear the rest of what was being shouted because they were already exiting the bidding room and walking into a dark hallway.

He thought about just flying away, but he didn't know what the thing they put on his neck does. His gloved fingers traced around it to see what it was. It felt like a collar, one with three buttons on the side of it. One button felt a little bigger than the rest. He tried pressing onto them, but it didn't do anything. The collar was metallic and a bit heavy; not uncomfortably so, but it was noticeable. The walk in the hallway was longer than he anticipated it would be, but they finally reached a door. Vlad opened it and stepped out, Danny following suit.

They were back out in the ghost zone, but Danny was unfamiliar with the location. Glancing around, he felt like he was in some sort of forbidden area. It was empty, save for the giant tower he had apparently just been in. It was pointless to try and figure out where he was, and Vlad didn't seem to care enough to answer his inquisitive look.

"Daniel. Come along now." He walked to the edge of the island that held the tower afloat and looked over to the teen.

Scowling, Danny stubbornly crossed his arms. "No way, fruitloop. This isn't funny anymore. Get this stupid thing off of me and we can forget this ever happened."

Barking laughter came from the older hybrid, knowing it only irritated the teen. "Really Daniel, what makes you think you're calling the shots? Now come here." He pointed to a spot directly in front of him.

"No."

Danny could see irritation flash in those ruby eyes. "Don't make me tell you twice."

"I'm not moving." Danny's stubborn nature was shining through his fear.

This time, Vlad didn't bother to hide his anger and irritation. "You will do as I say." He gave a warning tone, but Danny ignored it.

"No," the halfa hissed angrily, his body already preparing for a fight. He wasn't sure what the collar would do, but he wasn't going to let Vlad think he could talk to him that way and get away with it.

Fangs glistened as an angry scowl reached Vlad's lips, but suddenly, the tenseness in his shoulders dropped and his calm demeanor was back. "Fine, have it your way then." Danny watched with narrowed eyes as the older half ghost reached into his pocket with a gloved hand and pulled out what appeared to be a remote. There were three buttons on the remote, just like there were on Danny's collar. One button was red, the other blue, and the final one was yellow. Vlad's thumb hovered over red. "Remember Daniel, you did this to yourself."

He pressed the button. Danny tensed and waited for something to happen. He heard a light 'beep' sound, but felt nothing. After waiting a few more heart stopping seconds, nothing else happened. Eyeing the remote in Vlad's hand warily, he gave a smug smirk. "What a piece of crap. Your stupid remote is busted."

"Is it?" Vlad asked with a malicious grin, sending chills down Danny's spine. "Why don't we test it out, hmm? Come here!" he ordered fiercely.

He didn't want to. Really, he didn't. He fought against the strong pull that was forcing him to try to move with every fiber of his being, but it was too strong. His feet, apparently having a mind of their own, took steps towards Vlad. It was a slow process, Danny was putting up a good fight, but eventually, he stood right on the spot Vlad wanted him to be at. The man's grin hadn't faltered and Danny could feel the smugness radiating off him like waves.

"Good boy," Vlad purred mockingly.

The teen's glare was full of hatred and anger. There was a hint of humiliation in them and fear, but he tried to suppress it to focus on what he needs to do: and that's get the remote away from Vlad, break off this stupid collar, beat the living day lights out him and go home. Thinking about it now, it wasn't a wonder that Sam and Tucker hadn't found him yet. Even Danny had no idea where he was standing.

"I'll get you for this, Plasmius," Danny promised darkly, his hands curling into fists.

"Oh really? We'll see about that. For now, you are to do whatever I say. You will not disobey a single order I give you. Not that you have a choice now." He showed Danny the remote, smirking at him. Danny's anger was causing his body to shake as his eyes glued to the remote. "If you're a very good boy and behave, perhaps I'll give you back some of your free will. That's only if you can behave. However, we all know how much trouble you have with that, don't we, little badger?"

"Fuck you, Plasmius! I'm not doing anything your fruitloop mind comes up with!"

The smirk fell and was replaced by an annoyed scowl. "Language, Daniel," he reprimanded. "And I believe another demonstration is in order to show you who your Master is." Danny did notlike the look in the man's eyes nor did the grin send any feelings of happiness through him. "Kiss me."

"W-What?" A fierce blush heated up Danny's cheeks. Already, his body was leaning him forward towards Vlad. "N-NO! No, I won't do it!" His body wasn't listening. As much as he fought with it, as much as he mentally pleaded, it did not comply. Every inch closer to Vlad felt dreadful to Danny. "No!" he protested one more time, but it was too late. His stomach dropped, fear was openly flowing through his body causing him to freeze in place and he could feel tears gathering in his closed eyes.

He kissed Vlad