A bet (Gravity Falls x Danny Phantom crossover)

Chapter 12: A different approach

"So, I've been told you are good in dealing with ghosts, Danny."

Phantom froze upon hearing those words he had not expected Ford to utter. How did the old man learn about it? Then it dawned upon the teen that there were at least two people who just could not keep their mouths shut even when asked. Danny would have gotten angry, but he was exhausted. The strain of stress was weighing heavily on him, and he just couldn't bring himself to care right now. Thus, all Danny did was curtly nod, giving the old man a questioning look.

"So? What gives?"

"I just needed to take care of one particular ghost. He dwells in one of the caves out there. Would you..."

"I already got rid of him," Danny shrugged, putting hands in the pockets of his jeans, "The bugger just wanted to keep enjoying forest berries and cavern fungus in peace. I promised him the same afterlife without him making that much effort, he agreed and returned to the world where all ghosts belong with my help."

Ford stood dumbfounded. That...was making matters quite complicated. Not to mention the methods used to get rid of the spectre. He had never actually tried to CONVINCE a ghost to leave. After all, if the being had stood behind for so long, what would it take to make it pass on? Not to mention that the undead were incredibly easy to make angry shall you touch a sore spot. Hence the humans had tools that allowed for a much quicker path. It would probably take an advice...from a fellow dweller of the Purgatory.

"So, is that all? I need to pack my things."

"What for?"

Danny would have made a joke about paternity leave, but he was tired, "I have some matters to attend to, I'll leave tomorrow and be back shortly."

The old man flinched. Had he found out anything? Ghosts could turn invisible and go through the walls, the teen could easily eavesdrop if he wanted to. Now he was going to get as far as possible? No, that couldn't be allowed.

"Wait!" Ford exclaimed, making Danny stop and slowly turn around, "Are you sure he left?"

"Absolutely."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I have performed hundreds of such operations. I would know, Mr. Pines. Aren't you too prying?"

"A strange teen lives in my home, the one who hunts ghost, who had shown up out of nowhere. And from what I've seen this morning, not the most gentle one. Excuse me my concerns."

Danny yawned, "Listen, when the summer ends I'll be out of your hair. I do not trouble anyone, I either spend the time outside or in seclusion in my room. I like it here."

"You came here to hunt the ghosts, didn't you?"

"I do not 'hunt' them per say...I...help them move on. It's a good thing, is it not? But I have the means of defending myself if the situation escalates. They won't harm anyone."

"Says the one who berated me this morning for capturing a carnivorous beast."

"You kept doing your research on it. Who knew what it meant. I am not proud of what I did to that thing. But be it someone else I would have directed my misplaced aggression to a more proper person. Under normal circumstances I would have ended it quickly. But I would NEVER experiment on another being."

"I see...look, kid. Let's go, in and out, twenty minute adventure. It won't be that hard, and you are so pale that you need to spend more time among nature."

"What are you, a hippie?"

Ford rubbed his temples in annoyance. Was that kid a pain.

"If it gets you off my back for at least a time being, then alright, I am in, whatever it is you are doing."