DP: Betrayal & Corruption (Unrevised Version)

Ch. 6

For 2 hours straight, he searched every inch of the Ghost Zone, seeking for clues as to where Daniel was hidden. He thought that Walker captured him again for breaking a rule, but as he asked, Walker simply nodded that he wasn't in his jail, nor did he put him in for any reason. Speculation crossed him in each turn. He then tried asking some other ghosts about the situation, each one ending in a disappointing answer, except the fourth ghost, Klemper, telling him that he fought Danny before the catch.

Telling this to Skulker looked as if he was out of his mind, to think the whelp could be easily captured to someone by the likes of a black silhouette. Disappointment crossed his gray-ish face. He'd at least wanted to try out his new weapon on the boy for shooting the back of his head with an ecto-ray before he went missing. Bummer for Skulker.

They were headed next to Ember's place for part of the rescue mission. Her musical talent will help out in the escape part or if in a tight spot, distraction.

Vlad, noticing Skulker's output, placed his hand on his shoulder. "Look, I understand that you want to shoot him, but in a time like this, you have to wait your chance until bringing him back in order to do that."

Skulker nodded, turning his view in front of him and asked, "So, let me get this straight: That malevolent, evil-minded idiot had goons that did the dirty work into catching that whelp? I'm surprise that they knew him very well, let alone electrocute him until bleeding out, but what's this gotta do with me?"

"It's similar to a search-and-rescue mission. I needed your help in order to find him. God knows what he'll do to him."

The serious tone of the matter rose in speculation. As if someone can catch that boy without having difficulty, then he can do the same experience. That was part of the reason why Skulker joined him, to overcome the rival and take his spot as the hunter.

As for Vlad, he wasn't giving up for any matter. He wounldn't until he finds him safe and sound. Depending on whether to look again, a familiar voice spoke behind him, causing both the ghosts to turn quickly around. This time, there was another silhouette beside him, covered in the same color as the first within a black cloak with silver lining.

"You." Vlad growled through gritted teeth. The nerve of him to show up.

The figure grinned. "Back again, I see? I thought you would take a break since our last meeting?"

Narrowing his red eyes from a glare, Vlad snapped, "Meeting? You called that a 'meeting'? May I remind you that you stole one of my work projects just for own use! Not to mention blowing up part of my house?!"

He chuckled, meeting eye contact. "I know that, Vlad. It doesn't matter, anyway. There's always time to rebuild it. For now, I know you wish to see your nephew again. Don't worry, he's perfectly fine once he wakes up into his brand new self."

"What are you talking about, hoodlum?!"

"Don't you remember what I told you when we fought each other? Once you see, think twice of what you say. Otherwise, you're in deep trouble, along with the rest. Does that ring any bells?"

"Yes, I do remember, you miscreant. I think we should settle this once and for all."

"Indeed, mongrel." the spirit sneered, ready to beat the other.

Vlad flew straight forward, glowing dark red fists aimed at the target. The figure smirked and instantly went tangible, missing the blow and forming a black scythe with a silver edge blade in his hands. The other two ghosts stood out the way, one of them grabbing the rod from behind his back pocket and turning it on with a click of a button. Small spirits of electricity spurted out the tube as it became active as he faced Skulker.

Two rocket launchers sprung out of Skulker's shoulders, along with a ray gun, both aiming at the figure. "You are you then, boy? A clone or a goon?"

Drake grinned. "Goon, and might I say, that's a nice looking techno-suit you got there, Skulker. Some of that weaponry had gone out-of-style, anyway."

Skulker, a bit irritated, shot out a light blue beam, along with half of the small missiles from his right shoulder. With a quick dodge of the attack, Drake summoned a transparent black sword, the edge of it coated with the same silver line as from the scythe.

His voice went from normal to a low robotic tone, "Hit me if you can. I don't expect to go down easily from a lousy hunter like you!"

Growling through his teeth, Skulker shot six beams at Drake, each one dodged flawlessly at a precise time. Next were the missiles, directly locked-on Drake. Again, those were a complete failure to hit Drake, who smirked and pulled back his sword, the tip of it pointing up. In a flash, Drake wrapped his lower-self around Skulker, tightening his hold on him like a python with its prey. He chuckled a dark laugh as his mouth changed to a jagged informality. Even the slits of his eyes turned to look like a dragon's.

***

Angered by the fault of his hit, the billionaire turned again to meet a small slice in the chest. How did that manage to cut him? He yelped, covering the cut with one hand, then shot a beam at him. Like Drake, the shadow spirit dodged by doing front and back flips before swinging his scythe again, swiping a nick of cloth off Vlad's shoulder and leaving a clean cut.

"Let me hit you, for once!"

"No can do, pipsqueak!"

Ignoring both cuts, he dashed to the right, successfully dodging the incoming blade and punching the figure in the face. Finally, a hit on him! Opening his eyes while rubbing his cheek, the ghost chuckled and shot out two tendrils from his back. Without moving away from his position, the two tendrils undoubtedly coiled Plasmius, covering him from neck to legs.

"I do love to see an enemy thrash while angry. Gets me in a better mood!"

"That's part of your plan? To make your enemy rage until breaking point?" If he can do a facepalm, now would be that moment to do it. This enemy is annoying compared to Klemper, instead of wanting friends, he goes after a ghost or human's emotion. Such mediocre with a low altitude in the sky.

Sighing, two spots of pink from under the wrap glowed, hinting that a blast will erupt any second. Once it did, the blast exploded the both of them apart, smoke releasing from their bodies as they recover to fight again. Shaking his head and letting a small growl escape, the shadow rushed Vlad to wrap himself again, not letting go of his prey. Vlad smirked as he got ready to dodge to incoming assault. Time seemed to slow as he turned to miss.

One of the shadow's claws barely reached his side. His claw was sharp as a katana, easy to slice someone in one full swing. The dark phantom quickly circled himself around Vlad, coiling him again with an extraordinary bind. He snickered as he sees Vlad gasping for air, not able to struggle for his freedom. He looked over at Drake, holding his sword up to Skulker's neck with a savage smirk that reached from ear to ear.

"How should we end this, Drake? Make them go to sleep?"

Drake nodded, narrowing his blood red eyes. He wouldn't kill, of course, but his mind did like the idea of putting them to rest. Taking out a purple powdery mix, he blew it in Vlad's face, watching him as he became drowsy. The other did the same with Skulker.

As Vlad view his enemy before drifting off, he murmured, "I.. won't.. let you.. hurt him.."

"Oh, don't fret. I, Furor Sanies, won't make a scratch. Sweet dreams."