As the Hulk in Danny Phantom/DC/Young Justice

The Fenton lab has never felt so crowded. Maddie runs her third set of ecto-contamination scans while Jack tinkers with the remains of the portable portal, muttering about power fluctuations.

Jazz observes from her perch on a workbench, psychology notebook open to a fresh page titled "Post-Traumatic Ghost Portal Stress Disorder?"

"Mom, I'm fine," Samael insists as another scanner beeps negative. "Really."

"You took a direct hit from an unstable ghost portal," Maddie responds, adjusting settings for a fourth scan. "The fact that you're walking around is miraculous enough - we need to understand why."

Danny hovers nearby, trying not to look too nervous about all the ghost-detecting equipment being aimed at his brother. "Maybe it's like Sam said - the Fenton genes make us naturally resistant?"

"Perhaps," Maddie muses, studying the readings. "Though these energy signatures are fascinating. Almost like..."

"Like the residual ecto-energy from the first portal accident!" Jack exclaims, looking up from the damaged device. "Remember, Maddie? How the whole lab had that unique signature for weeks?"

Samael and Danny exchange quick glances. They need to end this investigation before their parents notice any similarities to half-ghost energy patterns.

"Speaking of the first accident," Jazz interrupts smoothly, "my research suggests we should focus on psychological impact rather than just physical readings. How are you feeling about explosive devices now, Samael?"

"But the readings-" Jack starts enthusiastically.

"Are all within expected parameters based on the portal accident," Maddie finishes, comparing data on her screens.

"Similar energy signature to what we recorded after our portal's activation, just on a smaller scale. Though I'd feel better if you stayed home from school tomorrow, just like you did today, just in case."

"Mom, I can't miss-"

"Actually," Jazz chimes in, "a day of rest might be good. Process the trauma, reflect on the experience..."

"And give any residual ecto-energy time to fade," Danny adds quickly, catching on.

Their parents exchange looks before Maddie nods. "It's settled then. One day of observation, just to be safe. These readings match what we'd expect from that level of exposure."

"Great," Samael manages not to sound too relieved. "Then can we maybe stop with the scanning? Unless you want to check if I've developed ghost powers or something."

He delivers the joke casually, making Jack laugh and Maddie smile, while Danny nearly phases through his chair.

"Now that would be something!" Jack booms. "Though of course, prolonged ecto-exposure in humans is completely impossible without... serious... side effects..."

He trails off, a rare thoughtful expression crossing his face as he looks at the portal remains.

"Side effects?" Jazz prompts carefully, watching their father's unusual moment of scientific focus.

"Well," Jack picks up a piece of the damaged portal, "the last time we had an accident like this was in college, with Vlad. The ecto-acne was just the beginning of his symptoms..."

"But this is different," Maddie interjects quickly. "The energy signature is more stable, similar to our working portal's output. And Samael's showing no signs of contamination."

"Still," Jack's voice carries an edge of actual concern, "maybe we should run the cellular degradation scan, just to be safe."

Samael tenses slightly. That particular scan might pick up his altered DNA from the first portal accident.

"Dad," Danny steps forward, "didn't you want to analyze the portal's power coupling? You said something about interference?"

The distraction works - Jack's face lights up with renewed enthusiasm. "Right you are, Danny-boy! If we can figure out what caused the malfunction..."

"I'll help," Maddie offers, though she gives Samael one last concerned look. "But you're staying home tomorrow, young man. No arguments."

As their parents become absorbed in the damaged device, Jazz herds her brothers toward the stairs. "I think that's enough family lab time for one day. Besides, we need to discuss your 'heroic sacrifice' tendency, Samael."

In Danny's room, safely away from parental scanning devices, Jazz closes the door and turns to her brothers.

"Okay, Sammy, spill. What really happened at Vlad's?"

"Don't call me-" Samael starts automatically, then sighs. "Nothing much. Just prevented an accident."

"An accident that conveniently would have made Dad look bad," Danny adds, floating slightly in agitation before catching himself. "And instead of letting it happen, my crazy brother jumps in front of an exploding portal."

"Which," Jazz continues, scribbling in her notebook, "completely disrupted the psychological pattern I was mapping of Vlad's apparent vendetta against Dad. Though I have to say, Sammy, your protective instincts are getting a bit extreme."

"It was the right call," Samael insists. "You saw his face afterward - he wasn't expecting that."

"No one expects the guy they're plotting against to save them," Danny mutters. "Though I have to admit, it did seem to shake him up."

"That's what fascinates me," Jazz taps her pen against her notebook. "His entire behavior pattern shifted after the incident. The hostility toward Dad decreased, and he showed genuine concern about your well-being."

"Sometimes people just need to be reminded there's another way," Samael replies, carefully avoiding any hint that he might know more about Vlad's character than he should.

"Still," Danny floats down to sit beside his brother, "we need to be more careful. If Mom and Dad run the wrong scan..."

"They won't," Jazz assures them. "I've been cataloging their equipment's detection patterns. As long as Sammy here doesn't transform in the lab-"

"Jazz," Samael growls warningly at the nickname.

"-and Danny stays visible during testing, their current theories about 'residual ecto-energy' should keep them satisfied."

A crash from the lab below makes them all jump.

"GREAT GHOST OF EDISON!" Jack's voice booms up. "Maddie, look at these power readings from the coupling!"

"We should probably make sure they don't figure out what really happened to the portal," Danny suggests.

"Already on it," Jazz stands, straightening her headband. "I've prepared a detailed psychological analysis of how stress might affect mechanical precision. Should keep Dad distracted for hours."

"And I'll help Mom with the energy readings," Danny adds. "Make sure they stay focused on the device, not the victim."

"While I," Samael leans back, "apparently get to spend tomorrow 'resting' and 'processing trauma.'"

"Consider it a vacation, Sammy," Jazz grins, dodging the pillow he throws at her. "Though maybe work on those anger management exercises? You're still leaving dents in things."

Samael's phone buzzes - again. He pulls it out with a groan, seeing the group chat he keeps getting added back to despite leaving it repeatedly.

Paulina: GUYS! Samael's not at school! 😱

Star: I heard there was some accident at his dad's friend's place!

Dash: Probably another weird Fenton thing Paulina:

@Samael What happened??? Are you okay???

Paulina: Why aren't you answering???

Paulina: Someone said there was an explosion! 🤯

"Seriously?" Samael shows the stream of messages to his siblings. "I've left this chat six times already."

"Seven's a lucky number," Danny grins. "Though maybe Paulina's just concerned about her favorite mystery..."

"The timing's interesting," Jazz muses, reading the messages. "Her obsession with uncovering family secrets, and now a genuine Fenton-related incident..."

Another burst of messages appears:

Paulina: @Samael I know you're reading these!

Star: My cousin's friend's sister said there was green light involved! ✨

Dash: Like ghost stuff?

Paulina: @Samael ANSWER US

"Great," Samael mutters, feeling his temperature rise slightly. "Because this is exactly what I need right now."

"You could just block them," Danny suggests, reading over his shoulder as more messages flood in.

Kwan: Heard you got hit by some crazy invention! 💥

Paulina: Wait, WHAT?? @Samael is this true???

Star: OMG are you like, radioactive now? ☢️

Dash: That would explain the muscles...

Paulina: Everyone STOP! Let him answer!

Paulina: @Samael we're worried! 😤

"Worried about their latest gossip topic, maybe," Samael growls, the phone creaking slightly in his grip.

Jazz plucks the device from his hand before he can crush it. "Easy, Sammy. Let me handle this."

She types quickly:

Samael: This is Jazz. My brother's resting. Doctor's orders. Nothing serious - just a minor lab accident. He'll be back at school soon.

The response is immediate:

Paulina: @Jazz WHAT KIND of lab accident??? 🤔

Star: Was it like, ghost-related???

Paulina: Why isn't he answering himself???

Dash: Bet he's just skipping...

"And now they're interrogating you," Danny observes. "At least they're consistent in their nosiness."

The phone buzzes again with a private message from Paulina:

Paulina: I have theories about what really happened. We should talk. Alone. 👀

"Perfect," Samael mutters as Jazz shows him Paulina's private message. "Because she wasn't obsessed enough already."

"You know," Danny floats upside down thoughtfully, "maybe we should be more worried about Paulina than Vlad. At least he's not documenting our every move anymore."

The phone buzzes again:

Paulina: I know something weird happened at that castle. My dad does business with Vlad Masters.

Paulina: And I've been comparing notes with other people who've visited there... Paulina: Things always seem to "malfunction" around him. 🤔

"Well, that explains how she found out about the incident..." Samael mutters under his breath, annoyed.

"She's getting closer," Jazz frowns, her psychology training kicking in. "This isn't just typical popular girl curiosity anymore. She's actually investigating."

"Great," Samael closes his eyes, feeling a headache building. "So now we have a billionaire who might suspect something after I survived his trap, parents running ghost detection scans, AND a teenage detective who won't quit."

Another message pops up:

Paulina: I'll share what I know if you share what really happened. Deal? 😉

"Don't answer," all three siblings say simultaneously.

"We need a strategy," Jazz declares, slipping into crisis management mode. "Paulina's gathering actual evidence, not just random observations anymore."

"And connecting dots we really don't want connected," Danny adds, finally floating right-side up. "If she starts sharing her theories about us with Vlad..."

The phone lights up with another message:

Paulina: Silent treatment? Fine. But I have footage from school cameras showing some very interesting temperature changes around you, Samael. And witness accounts from the castle staff...

"She's bluffing," Samael states, though his rising temperature suggests he's not as calm as he sounds. "The castle staff wouldn't talk to a teenager."

"Unless," Jazz's eyes widen, "her father really does do business with Vlad. She might have actual access..."

Another buzz:

Paulina: Last chance. Meet me tomorrow to talk, or I start sharing my research. Your choice. 🤷‍♀️

"I could overshadow her?" Danny suggests half-heartedly. "Make her forget everything?"

"No," Samael shakes his head. " People forgetting a large part of their memories, will defenitely raise her alarms.

You'd need to erase the memories of everyone she discussed it with, which if one missed, would just prove something's going on.

Also, despite how much I dislike her actions, I don't think she deserves to think she's going crazy after the mind wipe. Besides..." He takes the phone back from Jazz, careful not to crush it, "maybe it's time for a different approach."

Samael types a response:

Samael: Fine. But not tomorrow. I'm actually under observation for the accident. Meet me Monday at lunch. Just you - no cameras, no phones, no recordings.

"Are you crazy?" Danny phases through the bed in surprise. "You're actually going to meet with her?"

"Think about it," Samael explains, watching Paulina's immediate response of multiple excited emojis. "She's not going to stop. The more we avoid her, the more she digs. But if we give her something..."

"A controlled narrative," Jazz catches on, already writing in her notebook. "Direct her investigation away from the truth by giving her just enough to satisfy her curiosity!"

The phone buzzes again:

Paulina: Deal! 🤝 But I have conditions too. You have to actually answer questions, not just deflect like usual.

"This is either brilliant or terrible," Danny mutters. "Probably both."

Samael sends back:

Samael: One hour. One conversation. Then you drop this investigation. Deal?

Paulina: We'll see how convincing your answers are... 😏

"You know she's not really going to stop," Jazz warns.

"No," Samael agrees, finally allowing himself a small smile. "But at least this way, we control what she thinks she's discovering."