#only dp

“Oh, he’s …” Danny looked around, as if surprised that his responsible adult wasn’t right next to him. “Actually, if you’ll excuse me,” he said, still turned away. He didn’t really have anywhere to go, though, with the whole party being in a single open space. Maybe he should go back inside and turn invisible so he could continue browsing the food without risking any more awkward conversations. 

He got about halfway back to the house before feeling a tap on one shoulder.

A broad man wearing all black and an obvious earpiece stood behind him. His shirt didn’t actually say “security” in a bold white font, but it may as well have.

Well, crap. Danny probably should have given them more credit. He quickly scanned the crowd, wondering what had given him away. Maybe his age; he didn't see any other teenagers in the immediate vicinity.

Turning fully to face the guard, Danny channelled his inner rich asshole. “Do you need something?” he sneered.

“What’s your name?” The security guard’s tone suggested that he had already decided Danny wasn’t supposed to be here, but protocol didn’t allow him to drag the teen away just yet. 

“Benson, first name Andrew. I’m on the list.” Danny crossed his arms impatiently.

“Andrew Benson,” the guard said into his earpiece. After a few moments of silence, he said, “You sure the Hell aren’t.” 

“Oh, that’s ridiculous. Who is in charge of this list? I want their first and last name. And for that matter -” 

“There you are!”

Danny and the security guard both turned toward the voice. A tall man with long silver hair was striding purposefully in their direction.

“Mr. Masters?” The security guard sounded slightly cowed, now that he was faced with an actual rich asshole. “You know this boy?”

“I was just telling them,” Danny started quickly, hoping he’d read the man’s intentions correctly, “they said there’s no Andrew Benson on the list, and I was just saying -” The man, Mr. Masters, held up a hand to silence him. 

“What’s this about Andrew not being on the guest list? He’s my plus-one.”

The guard spoke into his earpiece again, looking apologetic. “Does Masters have a plus-one?” After another few moments he said, “I’m sorry sir, you don’t have a plus-one listed. And, if I may be so bold -” Mr. Master’s glare suggested that the guard did not, in fact, have his permission to be so bold, but he continued regardless, “- I checked everyone in personally. I don’t remember seeing this young man with you, or at all.” 

“That’s ridiculous. Are you implying that I not only failed to inform Mr. Marra about my guest, but also somehow lost track of said guest before we even got through the gates?”

“I don’t mean to imply anything, sir, I’m just -”

“Just doing your job, I’m sure. Well, then, how about you run and tell your boss that you think a teenager got past your security team, and I can tell him that you were harassing one of his guests, and then he can decide which story he likes better and what to do about it. Does that sound reasonable?” 

The guard looked uncomfortable, but he didn’t back down. Danny had to respect that, even if it was inconvenient for him. “I will have to make a report, Mr. Masters.”

“Please do. If more accurate reports had been kept in the first place, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. In the meantime, however, I’d ask that you leave myself and young Andrew to enjoy the party in peace, hm?” 

The security guard looked to Danny, then Mr. Masters, and finally nodded. “Of course sir; I apologise for the disruption.”

Before walking away, he threw one last narrow-eyed look at Danny, leaving no doubt in Danny’s mind that, whatever this random rich guy had to say about it, security would be keeping a close eye on him from now on. Annoying, but not a disaster. He’d gotten away clean from worse situations than this. 

Running through possible escape scenarios, Danny allowed Mr. Masters to lead him to the edge of the treeline. A handful of people followed the duo with their eyes, no doubt having been eavesdropping on their encounter with security. 

“I trust you understand what just happened,” Mr. Masters said when they stopped, his voice low but stern. “I’ve vouched for you, which means, from this point forward, your actions reflect on me. Behave yourself, or you will regret it. Is that clear?”

Danny wondered if this guy was a dad. If so, he felt bad for his kids. 

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes or do a mock-salute, Danny simply said “Yes, sir.” He figured someone like this probably wouldn’t accept being called much less than “sir” by the likes of him, and now probably wasn’t the best moment to offend him. Later, maybe … 

“Good.” He straightened his already-straight, perfectly-pressed suit and scanned the crowd. Idly, almost as if to himself, he asked, “What do you enjoy?”

“... I’m sorry?” 

“Enjoy,” he repeated, eyes still on the other guests. “What interests you? Art, mathematics, technology, … video games, I don’t know.” When Danny still didn’t answer after a few seconds, he added, “These sorts of events are about networking as much as anything; everyone will expect me to introduce you to people, especially people who work in fields you may be interested in. I’m trying to figure out who you can talk to without making an ass of yourself.” 

“Oh. Uhm …” He could lie, but why bother? It wasn’t like his desire to be an astronaut was some kind of identifying characteristic. And anyway, it would be a lot easier to keep up his cover if he wasn’t also trying to improvise his way through conversations about subjects he didn’t know anything about. 

Of course, it would be even easier to just say he had to go to the bathroom and then disappear … But he’d barely even tasted the food, and it could be fun to talk to people who worked in astronautics, assuming anyone here actually did. 

“Space travel, and astrophysics, that kind of thing.” 

Mr. Masters looked at him then, maybe trying to figure out if he was lying, or maybe just surprised by the answer. His expression was hard to read.

Danny suddenly wondered whether the expensive suit he was wearing was expensive enough, or maybe too expensive. Could rich people tell how much a suit cost just by looking at it? Did Mr. Masters suspect that it was stolen? Come to think of it, why hadn’t he asked any questions? And, for that matter, why hadn’t Danny?

Mr. Masters’ gaze had returned to the people milling about the yard - some of whom, Danny noted, were still throwing occasional glances their way.

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful … sir. But why are you covering for me at all?” 

He didn’t turn or otherwise acknowledge Danny’s question, though Danny didn’t doubt he’d heard. He spoke after a moment, still looking away. That seemed to be a habit of his.

“Our host’s name is Edward Marra. He owns the parent company of many of the big names in cobalt mining and processing. This party is to celebrate his recent acquisition of what was previously his biggest rival company in the Asian market. I’ll point him out when I see him. You won’t really be expected to know who anyone else is, but you will be expected to act duly impressed whenever they mention what they do, and to remember names. Can you handle that?”

Acting impressed, probably. Remembering names, probably not. 

“Sure.” 

“Good. And do wipe the cream cheese off your sleeve.” 

Danny frowned as he inspected both sleeves. There was a tiny bit of something white on one of the hems; it must have been from when he was reaching across the table of tiny sandwiches. Danny wiped it off with his finger and then tasted it, confirming that it was, in fact, cream cheese. How had Mr. Masters known that? 

The man was already walking away, and Danny hurried to catch up. 

No one did work in astronautics, it turned out, but Danny met several people who’s companies had contracts with NASA, and others who simply had a personal interest in space exploration. One woman who couldn’t have been older than thirty spoke with passion about the need to create human-livable environments off-planet, before Earth itself became inhospitable. A man who couldn’t have been older than twenty-five spoke with passion about the vast potential for resource-extraction in asteroids. 

Mr. Masters always introduced Danny as Andrew Benson, the son of some old college friends of his. Danny always corrected this with a polite “my friends call me Andy.” 

It took what felt like an hour at least, and probably more than fifty introductions, for Danny to learn that Mr. Masters’ first name was Vlad. Though he always addressed people by first name, it seemed few were willing to be so informal in return. Was he much richer than most of the people here then? Or more powerful in some other way? A politician, maybe?

Vlad Masters. It sounded vaguely familiar. Then again, Danny had heard so many names in the last hour that they were all starting to sound alike. 

Vlad had just exchanged a few pleasantries with a husband-and-wife duo of scientists - two of the few people in attendance who seemed to have gotten rich off their own work, rather than collecting salaries as executives of profitable companies - when something caught his eye. “Ah, there’s Edward. I wondered where he’d gotten to. If you’ll excuse us …” 

Danny was glad for the distraction. Though the two scientists bore no physical resemblance to his parents, they reminded him of them in spirit, and it was not a welcome reminder. 

Following Vlad, he tried to remember if he was supposed to know who ‘Edward’ was. Oh, right - the host. He worked in … mining? Diamond mining? No, that wasn’t it. And what was his last name? 

The man they were approaching was distinctly middle-aged, but wearing it well. His shortish hair was a mix of blond and grey, and his face bore deep laugh lines. He noticed the pair coming and grinned, throwing his arms out by way of greeting. Danny wondered if he was a hugger. 

“Vlad Masters,” he called while they were still several yards away. His voice was loud, projected like an actor’s, and seemed to fill the space despite them being outside. “They told me you were around here somewhere.” When they were close enough, Edward reached out both hands to shake Vlad’s enthusiastically. 

“Edward,” Vlad said with a warm smile, “a pleasure as always. And may I be the, oh, three-hundredth, I’m sure, to congratulate you on your masterful acquisition.” 

Edward grinned, somehow, even wider. “It means more coming from you than from the other three hundred combined.” Was that because Vlad was a good friend? Danny wondered, or because he was so much more important or powerful than all the others? He kicked himself again for not asking more questions while they had some privacy. Who was this stranger he was following? 

Then Edward looked down at Danny and shook his hand with just as much energy. His grip was firm but not hard, and his smile seemed genuine - but you could never be sure with these types. 

“And this is our ghost, I presume.”

Danny froze.

He couldn't have guessed, could he? Would he be smiling like that if he had? Would he have taken Danny's hand so carelessly if he thought Danny was a dangerous monster? Surely not. Probably, this man didn't even believe in ghosts. Most people didn't.

But some people did.

Unpleasant memories prickled at the back of Danny's neck, and he worked to keep his attention in the present moment. 

“Edward, this is Andrew Benson, the son of some old college friends. Andrew, this is our gracious host, Edward Marra.”

“My friends call me Andy,” Danny recited, not quite managing the smile and friendly laugh that were supposed to accompany the line. 

“Andy,” Edward said warmly, like they really were friends. Danny did not think about his parents. He tugged his hand back, and Edward surrendered it easily. “There's no need to be nervous; you're not in trouble. I'm just fascinated that no one seems to remember you coming in, or even have any record of your RSVP. And yet, here you are. Like you've appeared out of thin air.”

“Like a ghost.” Danny managed a small smile at that. Of course he'd meant it metaphorically. Danny dropped his shoulders and noted, pleasantly surprised, that his hands weren’t clenched into fists. He was fine. 

“Spooky, isn't it?”

“But no real harm done, in the end,” Vlad added, possibly as a way to get away from the topic. Would Vlad face any consequences if someone found out he was covering for a party crasher? A few whispers and odd looks, maybe. Danny doubted someone like him had much experience with real consequences.

“No, heaven's no, of course not.” Edward waved a hand dismissively. “The important thing is that you're here now and enjoying the party.”

“Very much so, sir.” 

“Then I've done my job. So tell me, Andy, what is it you want to do after school?”

“I want to be an astronaut.”

“An astronaut!” Again, Edward’s voice boomed out, probably audible even at the far end of the yard. “Well, there's a lofty goal, eh?” It took Danny a second to realise Edward was making a pun, so his laugh was late. Edward seemed to take no notice of this as he continued without missing a beat. “Shoot for the moon, that's what I always say. It's rare for someone to take that advice so literally.” He laughed at his own joke, and his laughter boomed too. Maybe this was why the party was held outside.

Despite himself, Danny was put at ease by Edward's joyful demeanour. It reminded him - no. It was just nice to talk to someone so unreservedly happy. 

“To be completely honest, sir," Danny said with a wry smile, "I think the moon is a bit played out. I'm actually aiming for the stars.”

Edward boomed out another laugh, as Danny had expected he would. 

“I think you’ve got a little disrupter on your hands, Vlad.” Edward winked conspiratorially at Danny. “That’s a compliment.” 

Danny wasn’t quite sure what to say next, so he was relieved when Vlad took the attention off him again. Vlad and Edward made small talk about stock prices or something for a few minutes before Vlad pulled a “I don’t want to take up too much of your time” to end the conversation.  

“Of course, of course, I have plenty more hands to shake. You two enjoy the rest of your evening. But keep an eye on this one, eh?” Edward gestured to Danny. “You never know when he might disappear again.” 

“I’ll be sure to do that.” Though Vlad said this with a laugh, Danny sensed a conviction behind the words. It sounded a little like walking into a room and then hearing the door lock behind you.

This time when they walked away, Vlad didn’t lead Danny to yet another group of people, but instead was heading toward a nearly-empty food table with no one around it. 

“He seemed pleasant,” Danny volunteered, keeping his tone light. He'd just ask to go to the restroom now. Vlad couldn't exactly say no to that, could he?

Vlad responded, predictably, without looking at him. “Edward Marra would destroy you and everyone you’ve ever loved to save himself a penny.” He said it casually, like this fact was as interesting as the man’s birthday or shoe size. “And, just in case it wasn't clear, he absolutely knows you aren’t supposed to be here.”

What Danny heard was, ‘I am currently the only thing standing between you and the man you’ve slighted who has no qualms with murder.’

Though it sounded like a figure of speech, Danny suspected the description of Edward's character was more or less accurate. Danny remembered one of Sam’s rants about the diamond industry, and then reminded himself not to think about Sam. The point was, if Edward Marra ran a diamond mine or something close to that, he probably had, indeed, sacrificed lives for his fortune. 

Was Vlad threatening him, then? Implying that, if Danny didn’t behave as he wished, he’d turn him over to Edward? Or suggesting that Danny owed him something now, since he had stepped in and put himself at risk to protect Danny?

Except, of course, Vlad didn’t seem remotely concerned for himself. All evidence suggested that, whatever Edward Marra might be capable of, Vlad Masters had nothing to fear from him. 

“Who are you?”

Vlad finally turned toward Danny, wearing a hurt expression. “You mean you haven’t heard of me? Vlad Masters?" Danny shrugged. "Owner of Mastersoft?” 

Wait. He had heard that name.

Danny couldn’t keep the dawning realisation off his face, though he schooled his expression as soon as he saw Vlad’s satisfied smile. 

Vlad Masters wasn’t just a rich guy. He wasn't even just a billionaire. He was one of the richest people in the world.

“What are you doing here?” Danny wasn’t exactly knowledgeable about the financial elite, but he didn’t think anyone else at this party was a multi-billionaire. 

“Networking, as I said.” 

“Why would you need to network?” 

“Everyone needs to network,” Vlad said with a solemnity that suggested either a deeply-held belief or a very dry joke. 

“Right,” Danny muttered. “Well … Thank you for helping me tonight. I think I’m pretty much partied-out, so I’ll probably just hit the restroom and then take off.” 

Vlad nodded. “Indeed, I think I’ve had about all the small talk I can handle for the month. Shall we peruse the dessert table before we go?”

Vlad turned so they were side-by-side and simultaneously reached a hand behind Danny's back, like he was going to physically push him in his intended direction. Danny stepped away and turned so he was facing Vlad again. Unfazed, Vlad smoothly moved his hands behind his own back, striking a pose that should have seemed silly but looked natural for him.

“I didn’t mean that you had to leave just because I am,” Danny clarified. 

“What, am I to stay and mingle without you? What would people say? ‘Where’s that charming young man that was with you earlier? Lost track of him again, have you?’ I’d have no answer.” 

No, Danny supposed that would be kind of a bad look. Not that that was his problem. “Okay. I’ll go to the restroom while you say your goodbyes, then we’ll meet at the gate.”

“So you can disappear on me? I think not.”

Well, he wasn't stupid; Danny had to give him that.

“Where would I go? There are security guards and a huge fence.”

“Just as there were when you came in.”

Danny huffed, slightly frustrated with himself. It would have been simpler to leave as soon as security had clocked him. 

 “Fine. We walk out together, then go our own ways. If you think I’m getting in a car with you, you’re nuttier than a can of snakes.” Vlad raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask. 

“It will be a bit difficult to explain why I’m getting into the car without you.”

“I leave it to your vastly superior intellect to think of something.” 

Vlad inclined his head, allowing that. 

They did, in fact, hit the dessert table before they left. It was hard for Danny to limit himself to one plate, but without a more stable container, and knowing he’d be flying soon, he didn’t have much choice. He did, however, stack and interlock as much as he possibly could, grateful that the plates were sturdy ceramic instead of paper. He didn’t expect anyone to stop him from walking out with one of the plates - though he certainly wasn’t supposed to, he was also with Vlad Masters - and no one did. 

When Vlad’s driver arrived in a twelve-foot long limo, Vlad explained that he’d decided to enjoy the night air for a little bit longer, telling the driver to wait a mile or so up the road. 

“Very good sir,” the driver said, like he was trying to sound like every stereotypical butler in every movie, except that his accent was less British and more New Jersey. Vlad didn't acknowledge the random teenager beside him, and the driver followed suit. 

“I see you went with one of your more modest limos,” Danny deadpanned as they started down the long driveway. 

“Naturally, I didn't want to upstage the host.” 

They walked along the side of the road that bordered the property, marked by the tall fence that ran as far as Danny could see from his current vantage. The other side of the road was the edge of the forest. Danny only needed to go a few yards in to be confident he was hidden, and then he’d be free to go ghost and fly back to his temporary home. 

“You know,” Vlad began, interrupting Danny considering whether to split off now or wait until Vlad and his driver were gone, “I’m not actually planning to kidnap you. If there’s somewhere you’d like a ride to …” 

“Thanks, but no thanks. I found my way here; I can find my way back.”

“And how did you find your way here? You obviously didn't drive. There aren't any buses. We’re not within walking distance of anything, or even reasonable cycling distance." 

Shoot, had he given away too much? No, Vlad would have been wondering that anyway; at worst Danny had called attention to what was already a suspicious detail. And anyway, there were plenty of non-ghost-related possibilities. 

He shrugged. “I have my ways.” 

Vlad smiled slightly and nodded, probably having expected a response like that. Why would Danny answer honestly, after all? Most likely, Vlad had only asked to let Danny know that he was suspicious. Maybe it was another subtle threat, implying that he was curious about Danny and would be looking for answers. Or maybe Danny was being paranoid. Or maybe one of the most powerful people in the world - someone who could probably get some security camera footage and access to a police database if he really wanted to - had taken an undue interest in Danny, and Danny should get as far away from him as he could as soon as possible. 

“I’m going to leave now,” Danny said, not seeing much point in tact. “I’m going to cross the street and walk into the forest and you’re not going to see me again after that.”

“Watch out for wolves,” was all Vlad said in reply. So Danny crossed the street, glancing behind him constantly. Vlad never broke his stride and showed no sign of even remembering that Danny was there. 

What had the past hour and a half been to him? A brief distraction from the monotony of yet another boring “party”? A good deed for a clearly troubled youth? Or the beginnings of a puzzle he intended to solve? 

A few times in his life, Danny had been truly lost, with no idea how to even begin searching for familiar territory. When it happened, he never felt himself becoming lost; he firmly believed that the way back was clear, until he tried to take it. Then he would realise that he had, in fact, been going the wrong way for hours. 

Danny had a sense like that now - looking back on the evening, trying to figure out exactly where he had turned right when he should have turned left. Should he have run from the security guard? Should he have just stayed invisible from the start? At what point had this outcome become inevitable?

***

In the Fenton house, kitchen. Jack is tinkering with a vaguely gun-shaped device while absentmindedly eating a piece of toast. Danny, Jazz, and Maddie are moving around, making breakfast, coffee, etc. 

Danny: What does that do?

Jack: It’s incredible! When I fired it at a couple of ghosts, bam! There was only one ghost left. 

Danny: It obliterated a ghost with one shot?

Jack: Well, I’m not sure. When I tried it again on the one ghost, it didn’t do anything. But still, if it can get rid of half of all ghosts, I say that’s a good start.

Jazz: Dad, isn’t it kind of dangerous to be going around shooting a weapon when you don’t even know how it works? 

Jack: Nonsense. It’s not like I could hurt a human with it. … Not that I’ve tested that … But I’m sure it’s fine. 

Maddie: Still, we really should do some more testing. 

Danny: Uh, yeah. Hey, is it ok if I go to Sam’s house after school? 

Maddie: Oh sure sweetie, just be back by curfew.

Danny: Sure thing. 

***

At school, in the cafeteria. Sam, Tucker, and Danny are sitting at a table, eating lunch. 

Tucker: Did you ever find Youngblood and his crew last night?

Danny: Ugh, no. After I got away from Valerie, there was no more sign of them anywhere. I’m so sick of her being around all the time. Doesn’t she know she’s making it harder for me to protect people? And as if it wasn’t bad enough that she’s hunting me, she also puts herself in danger so I have to watch her back at the same time as I’m watching her guns. 

Sam: Should you really be trying to protect someone who wants you dead?

Tucker: Even more dead than usual, that is. 

Danny: She may be terrible to me, but she doesn’t deserve to get hurt. She’s just a teenager in way over her head playing at being a hero. 

Sam: Kind of like someone else we know?

Danny: Yeah, but I have superpowers.

Tucker: And she has technology. What’s the difference, really?

Valerie walks by and has a bandage on her elbow. 

Sam: Hey, Valerie. What happened?

Valerie: Ugh, some jerk distracted me while I was … skateboarding. And I fell.

Danny: Maybe next time you shouldn’t be skateboarding in the same place as that guy.

Valerie: Or maybe that guy shouldn’t be skateboarding at all. Maybe he’s just a poser who wants everyone to think he’s so good at skateboarding when I actually put the work in but he’s the one who gets all the praise for some reason … 

The trio are staring at her.

Valerie: Whatever, you wouldn’t understand. *walks away*

Danny: Putting a bunch of work in only to be treated like you don’t belong? Oh yeah, I have no idea what that’s like. 

***

Amity Park, outside, daytime. 

Danny is walking alone down the sidewalk in a commercial district when he hears shouting nearby. He looks around then ducks between two buildings. 

Danny: I’m going ghost!

He flies up above the buildings to see Youngblood and his crew raiding an electronics store. 

Danny: These guys again? What’re they up to? Well, they probably won’t really hurt anyone, so maybe I can just keep quiet and see what - 

Valerie: (from offscreen) Hey, ghosts!

Valerie flies in, guns blazing. Danny facepalms, then flies after her. He and Valerie both try to drive off the other ghosts, but they keep getting in each other’s way, running into one another and deflecting one another’s projectiles. They’re both visibly frustrated. 

Danny: What are the odds I can convince you to go home and leave this to someone who knows what they’re doing? 

Valerie: About the same as the odds that I don’t kick your butt. 

Danny: So pretty good then. 

Valerie: Come over here and let’s find out. 

Danny opens his mouth to retort, but is distracted by the Fenton Ghost Assault Vehicle pulling up on the street. He and Valerie both groan. Jack and Maddie jump out and both level weapons, Maddie dual-wielding small lasers and Jack holding the mysterious new gun. 

Youngblood: You lot, distract them while we finish up here.

Several of Youngblood’s crew rush toward the Fentons. One of them knocks Jack’s arm just as he fires the new gun, redirecting the beam toward Danny and Valerie. Close-up on Danny’s face, eyes wide. 

Jack and Maddie are being swarmed. One of the ghosts wrenches away Jack’s gun and crushes it before tossing it aside. Maddie is shooting one at a time, but it’s not enough. Just as the two of them are totally hidden under a pile of ghosts, the ghosts are suddenly blasted away in all directions. Maddie has a grenade pin between her teeth and an unused grenade in one hand. She looks around, holding the grenade ready, but all the ghosts are fleeing. Youngblood and some others leave carrying boxes from the store. 

Maddie: *spits out pin* That’s right! You better run! *sees Danny Phantom, who’s looking confused* And you … 

Madie takes aim with the grenade, but Danny quickly turns invisible and flies around a corner. After checking to make sure Maddie and Jack aren’t following, Danny looks around. 

Danny (Danny): Valerie? 

Danny (Valerie): I’m right here. Where are you? Stop being invisible so I can shoot you. *looks at his hands* Wait - where’s my gun? Where’s my …  *looks down at himself* body? Ok, what the heck. 

Danny (Danny): Well, that’s better than being obliterated, I guess. That weird gun my d- uh, that ghost hunter was using, I think it merged our bodies into one. 

Danny (Valerie): Oh no. No no no. I am not gonna be stuck as some freaky ghost. We need to fix this.

Danny (Danny): It's fine. We'll just get that gun from the Fentons and use the reverse switch. There's always a reverse switch. 

Danny turns invisible and flies toward the Fentons. They're looking at the merging gun, broken and smoking. 

Jack: Dang it Mads, I just built this thing, and some ghost has to go and break it. Even the reverse switch isn't working. 

Maddie: Why does it have a reverse switch?

Jack: There's always a reverse switch. *frowns* Except when it's broken. 

Robotic voice from the RV: Ghost proximity alert.

Danny (Danny): Uh oh. 

The Fentons pull out weapons and point them in various directions. Danny flies away, still invisible, back to the alley. 

Danny (Valerie): Hey, I wanna talk to them. 

Danny (Danny): They don't talk to ghosts.

Danny (Valerie): I'm not a ghost.

Danny (Danny): You are right now. Trust me, they're not gonna give you a chance to explain before they start shooting. Or dissecting, depending on their mood. 

Danny (Valerie): So what's your bright idea?

Danny (Danny): We wait for them to fix that thing. Unless you're secretly a genius engineer, there's nothing else we can do. 

Danny (Valerie): What about school, and work? Unlike some undead creatures I could name, I actually have a life. 

Danny (Danny): Hey, I have a life. … You know what I mean. 

Danny (Valerie): Really? Where do you need to be right now? Got a meeting with your evil ghost friends to discuss your plans for world domination? 

Danny (Danny): Wow, you really have a warped idea of what I do in my spare time. 

Danny (Valerie): So what do you do in your spare time? ... That's what I thought. 

Danny (Danny): Just because I don't want to tell you doesn’t mean it’s evil. Sue me for wanting some privacy. 

Danny (Valerie): Well newsflash, I don’t think either of us is getting any of that until the Fentons fix this. 

Close up on Danny’s face, worried.

Danny (Danny): No … we’re not. 

***

At the fenton house, kitchen. Maddie is stirring something on the stove when Jazz walks in. The broken merging gun is sitting on the table, along with some blueprints. 

Jazz: Isn’t that the new weapon you guys were talking about this morning?

Maddie: It was. 

Jazz: Did you figure out how it works?

Maddie: We did, actually. It takes two ghosts and combines them into a single body. I know that doesn’t really sound useful, but when you’re fighting a lot of ghosts at once it could be quite an advantage. We tried using it earlier today when there were all these ghosts at this electronics store, but you know how Jack’s aim is. I think he hit Danny Phantom once, but there were no other ghosts near him at the time, just that ghost hunter on the hoverboard. 

Jazz: Oh. But she wasn’t affected, right?

Maddie: Oh, I’m sure she’s fine. It was hard to see with everything happening, but she’s a human - she couldn't have been merged with a ghost. There’s no way something could be a ghost and a human at the same time.

Jazz: Right, right. And you saw her after that? And Danny Phantom? Separately? 

Maddie: Well no, but I’m sure she just went chasing after the other ghosts that went running as soon as we showed up. 

Jazz: Sure, probably. And, theoretically, if you had accidentally merged two people - or ghosts - you could undo it, right?

Maddie: If this thing wasn’t destroyed, sure.  

Jazz: I’m sure you and dad can fix it. You’re like the greatest inventors of our generation.

Maddie: Aw, sweetie. You’re absolutely correct. 

***

Above the city, day. Danny is flying and looking around. 

Danny (Valerie): What are you doing? 

Danny (Danny): Patrolling. 

Danny (Valerie): What, like a security guard? 

Danny (Danny): More or less. 

Danny (Valerie): I'm not buying it, you know. 

Danny (Danny): I’m not trying to sell you anything. I’m looking for people in trouble. 

Danny (Valerie): More like you’re looking for an opportunity to look good in front of cameras. 

Danny (Danny): Believe it or not, I usually deal with ghost attacks long before the news stations have even heard about them. I don’t care about my image, I’m just trying to do the right thing. 

At the sound of screams, Danny flies down to see Youngblood and his crew raiding a theatre (live, not movie), with a news crew filming it.

Danny (Danny): ... This proves nothing. 

Danny flies down and tries to stop them, but Valerie is trying to control his body at the same time, causing him to get twisted up and fly into walls and such. 

Danny (Danny): Stop it!

Danny (Valerie): You’re doing it wrong, let me fight them!

Danny (Danny): You don’t even know how to use my powers!

Danny (Valerie): Apparently, neither do you!

Youngblood’s crew take advantage of their bickering and inability to commit to a course of action, coming at them from all angles to confuse them and then throwing them through the floor into a storage area. The crew quickly flee, carrying a bunch of historical costumes. In the basement, Danny tries to fly up through the ceiling while Valerie tries to fly toward the stairs, resulting in them going through the wall, into solid ground. They fly straight up into the alley beside the building, and then up above. There’s no sign of Youngblood’s crew. They land in the alley. 

Danny (Danny): Perfect, now they’re gone and we still have no idea what they were up to. 

Danny (Valerie): If we were in my body this wouldn’t have happened.

Danny (Danny): If we were in your body you probably would have collapsed the building.

Danny (Valerie): Uh, isn’t destroying other people’s stuff your thing? 

Danny (Danny): No, my thing is protecting humans, your thing is mindlessly attacking ghosts with no regard for anyone’s safety, including your own.

Danny (Valerie): Oh, sure, you’re just worried about my safety, I’m sure that’s why - 

Harriet: (from offscreen) Danny Phantom! 

Danny turns to see Harriet Chin running toward him with a microphone, a camera person behind her. 

Harriet: Danny, do you have a minute?

Danny (Danny): No -

Danny (Valerie): - problem, of course I have a minute.

Harriet: What happened in there? 

Danny (Valerie): Obviously, I let the ghosts get away because I’m incompetent. 

Danny (Danny): Hey! 

Harriet: I’m sorry? 

Danny (Valerie): Oh, and also evil and tricking you all into - 

Danny claps his hands over his mouth. Harriet looks surprised and confused. She turns to her camera operator, who shrugs. 

Danny (Danny): *mumbling through his fingers* I’ve gotta go. 

Danny flies away, landing on a nearby rooftop. 

Danny (Danny): Thanks a lot. 

Danny (Valerie): Just trying to let the people of Amity know who their hero really is. 

Danny (Danny): Has it ever occurred to you to pay attention to what’s actually happening instead of just assuming you already know?

Danny (Valerie): You mean let you manipulate me? Hm, let me think. I’m good, thanks.

Danny (Danny): You’re never going to listen to me, are you?

Danny (Valerie): Nope. … Then again, if you want to earn some trust, there is something you could do for me. 

Danny (Danny): What’s that?

***

Fenton house, exterior, evening. Sam and Tucker ring the doorbell and Maddie answers. 

Sam: Hey, Mrs. Fenton. We were just wondering if Danny was home.

Maddie: I thought he was with you.

Sam: He was! He just had to go run an errand, and … now that I’m thinking about it, he said he would meet us back at Tucker’s house. Silly me, I don’t know why I thought we needed to come here. We should get back - 

Jazz: (from offscreen) Is that Sam and Tucker? *walks up behind Maddie* Hey, can I talk to you guys for a second? 

Maddie gets out of the way, and Jazz steps outside and closes the door behind her.

Sam: What’s up? You know where Danny is?

Jazz: Where he is, no. But I think I know who he’s with. And by “with” I mean my parents made some kind of gun that can merge two people into one body, and then accidentally hit Danny and Valerie with it.

Tucker: Valerie? As in ghost hunter Valerie?

Sam: Well that can’t be good. 

Jazz: No. They’re fixing the gun right now, and once they do we need to find Danny. And Valerie. Danny-slash-Valerie. 

Tucker: Danlerie

Sam: No. 

Jazz: We need to find them and separate them, without giving away Danny’s identity. 

Tucker: Sounds like a plan. 

Sam: We’re in, whatever you need. 

***

Valerie’s apartment building, interior hallway. Danny Phantom is walking toward Valerie’s door.

Danny (Danny): Are you sure this is a good idea? He won’t just shoot us on sight? 

Danny (Valerie): Dad doesn’t carry anti-ghost weapons. Even though I keep telling him to. Anyway, I can’t just not tell him where I am - he’ll be worried sick. Not to mention I’ll be even more grounded than usual. 

Danny (Danny): Why don’t we just leave a note? 

Danny (Valerie): A note can be forged. He won’t know I'm safe unless he actually talks to me. 

Danny (Danny): Unfortunately, his only option right now is talking to me. 

Danny (Valerie): Didn’t you say that thing combined our bodies? 

Danny (Danny): Yeah, why? 

Danny (Valerie): So then my body should still be in here, right? 

Danny (Danny): Uh … I don’t know. … *flinches* What are you doing? 

Danny (Valerie): Shut up, I’m concentrating. 

Danny closes his eyes. After a couple of seconds, the rings wash over him. Danny Phantom disappears and Valerie Gray is standing in his place, her hoverboard under her feet. She looks down at her body.

Valerie (Valerie): Oh yeah, now we’re talking. 

Valerie (Danny): What the - how did you do that? 

Valerie (Valerie): Who cares? 

As they’re talking, Vlaerie collapses her hoverboard, takes off her suit, and stores everything in her bag. 

Valerie (Valerie): I got my body back which means I got my life back.

Valerie (Danny): Uh, good for you, but I'm still stuck in here. 

Valerie (Valerie): Deal with it, ghost. It’s your fault we’re in this mess in the first place. 

Valerie (Danny): My fault? You shouldn’t have even been there. 

Valerie (Valerie): You ghosts are the ones who shouldn’t be here. I was just doing my job.

Valerie (Danny): No, you were doing *my* job, badly. 

The apartment door opens to reveal a surprised Damon Gray

Damon: Valerie? 

Valerie (Valerie): Daddy! 

Valerie (Danny): Mr. Gray! 

Damon: What? 

Valerie (Valerie): Nothing. I didn’t say anything, daddy. 

Damon: Valerie, where have you been? 

Valerie (Valerie): Uh, I …  fell asleep studying at the library? 

Damon: Uh huh. I suppose you won’t mind doing the rest of your homework at the kitchen table where I can see you. For the next week. 

Valerie (Valerie): *laughs weakly through a forced smile*

***

Valerie’s room, night. 

Valerie (Valerie): *calling through the doorway* Goodnight daddy. *closes door*

Valerie (Danny): Man, and I thought *doing* homework was boring. Watching someone else do it is so much worse.

Valerie (Valerie): Why would a ghost be doing homework?

Valerie (Danny): Uh, I mean, from what I remember. When I had to do homework. 

Valerie puts on her suit.

Valerie (Danny): What are you doing?

Valerie (Valerie): Don’t worry about it. 

Valerie opens the window and climbs out, activating her hoverboard. 

Valerie (Danny): You’re sneaking out? What happened to your dad being worried sick? 

Valerie (Valerie): What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him. And I’ve got stuff to do. 

Valerie (Danny): Like what?

Valerie (Valerie): Like be quiet and you’ll find out. 

Valerie flies over the city, eventually landing in the yard of a military compound. 

Valerie (Danny): A military base? 

Valerie (Valerie): Don’t worry, it’s semi-abandoned. They use it to store some weapons and stuff, but there’s no one here except a few security guards. They won’t see us out here. 

Valerie (Danny): And what exactly are we doing here? 

Valerie (Valerie): *I* am training. Maybe you could learn a thing or two. 

Valerie goes through a stereotypical boot camp obstacle course - running through tires, crawling under barbed wire, climbing walls, etc. Eventually she pauses to catch her breath. 

Valerie (Danny): You do this every night? 

Valerie (Valerie): Of course not. I do this Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are for hoverboard and weapons practice. Sundays I rest, unless I’m fighting ghosts. 

Valerie (Danny): Wow. Busy schedule. 

Valerie (Valerie): It has to be. If I don't stay sharp, I could get hurt. Or worse, get someone else hurt. I won’t let that happen. No matter how hard you try to stop me. 

Valerie (Danny): I never tried to stop … well, okay, maybe I - 

An alarm goes off in one of the compound’s buildings. Valerie quickly hops on her hoverboard to go check it out. They find Youngblood and his crew raiding a warehouse full of explosives. 

Youngblood: Oooh, this one looks cool. Grab this. 

Valerie (Valerie): Oh, I don’t think so. 

Valerie levels a gun at Youngblood.

Valerie (Danny): Wait, this place is full of explosives! You can’t fire - 

Valerie fires a blob of goo at the large bomb next to Youngblood, sticking it to the ground. 

Valerie (Danny): - goo. Huh. 

Valerie (Valerie): I know what I’m doing. 

Valerie engages Youngblood and his crew, keeping them away from the weapons or knocking things out of their hands, deftly catching them before they hit the ground. Danny isn’t interfering - she moves smoothly. When the ghosts fly through a wall, Valerie makes for the door to follow them. But as she passes through, a weighted metal net drops over her and security guards are waiting just outside, pointing guns at the apparent intruder. Valerie raises her hands in surrender.

Valerie (Danny): *whispering* I have an idea. Do you trust me?

Valerie (Valerie): *whispering* Not really 

Valerie (Danny): *whispering* Right. Well, sorry if this feels weird. 

Valerie turns intangible, passing through the net, and invisible as she flies away from the guards.

Valerie (Valerie): How are you doing that? 

Valerie (Danny): It’s like you said, my body is in here too. And my body can turn intangible and invisible. But nevermind about that, we need to go after Youngblood. 

Valerie (Valerie): Sounds good to me. 

Cut to the guards, looking at each other confused.

Guard 1: Was that girl a ghost?

Guard 2: Don’t be ridiculous. Probably just a hologram, designed to test our security protocols. 

Guard 1: Oh, yeah, of course. 

Cut to the Valerie, above the base. 

Valerie (Danny): If we switch back to my body, I can try to find them with my ghost sense.  

Valerie (Valerie): No need. I have a few tricks of my own. 

Valerie opens a mini-computer on her wrist, which has a radar-like screen showing a collection of dots moving away from them. 

Valerie (Danny): Wow. I am both grateful and terrified that you have that. 

Valerie (Valerie): You should be. 

Valerie (Danny): Grateful or terrified?

Valerie (Valerie): Yes. Now let’s go hunt some ghosts. 

They fly into the night. 

***

Fentonworks lab. Maddie and Jack are welding something on the merging gun. Jazz comes down holding two glasses of lemonade, and they both stop and lift their helmets. 

Jazz: Hey mom, dad. Just wanted to bring you something to drink since you’ve been working so hard.

Maddie: Oh Jazz, how sweet of you. 

Maddie and Jack both put their tools down to take a glass. 

Jazz: How’s it going, by the way?

Maddie: Actually, I think we’re just about done. 

Maddie inspects an open panel on the merging gun, blows dust off the wires, then closes the panel. 

Jazz: Wow, really? You guys really are great engineers.

Maddie: Well, we don’t like to brag … 

Jack: Yes we do. 

Maddie: Yes, we do. We’re the best. 

Jazz: Why don’t you come upstairs and take a break? 

Maddie: Oh, we don’t need a break.

Jazz: There’s still some fudge - 

Jack: Come on Mads, I think we could use a break. 

Cut to Jazz, Jack, and Maddie sitting at the kitchen table, eating fudge. Tucker, wearing an all-black outfit like a spy, comes in from offscreen and sneaks behind Jack and Maddie and down into the lab. 

Jazz: Hey, what was it you were telling me the other day about, uhm … ghosts?

Maddie: You mean about how they’re actually more closely related to bacteria than humans? 

Jazz: Yes, that was it. I’m so curious about … ectobiology. 

Maddie: Oh, that’s wonderful! I’m happy you’re finally taking an interest in our work.

Jack: Way more interesting than that boring psychology stuff. 

Jazz: Well, they can both - whatever. 

Maddie: So, based on our current hypothesis, the makeup of a ghost’s body is really -

While she’s talking, Tucker comes back into the kitchen holding the merging gun, then sneaks back behind the Fenton parents and offscreen. 

Jazz: Wow, that’s super interesting. You should write a paper about it. Speaking of papers, I just remembered I have to write one tonight. For homework. See you later. *stands up*

Jack: Where are you going?

Jazz: Uh … the library.

Maddie: Isn’t it closed?

Jazz: They’ll open it for me. 

Maddie: *squints, confused*

Jack: Good for you. Don’t stay out too late, though. 

Jazz: Sure thing, see you later, bye. *runs offscreen*

Jazz joins Tucker and Sam outside, all three with bikes. 

Jazz: Do we know where we’re going?

Tucker: I think so. Valerie controls her hoverboard wirelessly, which means it puts out a signal I can track. It was quiet for a while, but I picked it up earlier tonight.

Jazz: How is she using her hoverboard if she’s in Danny’s body?

Sam: I guess we’ll find out when we get there. Ready?

Jazz: Yep. Lead the way, Tuck. 

They ride off, Tucker in the lead, watching his PDA. 

***

Valarie arrives at the empty lot from the cold open, now set up with cameras and various ghosts in costumes. Youngblood, wearing a mismatched pirate-cowboy-in-space sort of costume, turns around when he hears her, initially looking excited, but then his face falls. 

Youngblood: Oh, it’s just you. I don’t suppose you’ve seen Danny Phantom? 

Valerie (Valerie): Sorry squirt, just me today. 

Youngblood: Man, where is he? I can’t finish my movie without Danny Phantom. Blowing him up was gonna be the grand finale.

Valerie (Valerie): Movie? 

Valerie (Danny):  Blowing him up?

Youngblood: See, I play the heroic loner who has to fight all sorts of bad guys, saving the day and then moving on. My final and most menacing foe is the wicked Danny Phantom, Hater of Fun and Ruiner of Good Times. 

Valerie (Danny): Ok, ouch. 

Valerie (Valerie): You really don’t get along with Phantom, do you? 

Youngblood: Of course not - he always messes up my plans, even the ones that aren’t really hurting anyone. 

Valerie (Valerie): Huh. 

Youngblood: Except today, apparently. Leave it to him to ruin things by not showing up to ruin things. 

Valerie (Valerie): Guess I’ll just have to stop you instead. 

Youngblood: Hmm … That could work. 

Valerie (Valerie): Get ready to  - wait what?

Youngblood: You’re right. Who needs Danny Phantom? *yelling to his crew* Lights! 

Floodlights turn on, illuminating the lot.

Valerie (Valerie): That’s not exactly what I -  

Youngblood: Camera! 

Several ghosts operating cameras turn them toward Valerie and Youngblood.

Valerie (Danny): I do not like where this is going.

Youngblood: Action! 

Youngblood attacks. Valerie dodges blasts and shoots at Youngblood, keeping him at bay. When a large rock is hurled at her from a giant slingshot on the ground, she turns intangible to avoid it. Throughout the fight, several ghosts are tracking both of them with cameras. Youngblood lassoes Valerie’s hoverboard, yanking it away from her. She screams as she falls into a large bush. But just as she’s about to land, there’s a ring of light and then Danny Phantom flies up to face Youngblood. 

Youngblood: Huh? Where did - oh, nevermind. *yelling to his crew* Ready the bomb!

Danny (Danny): Oh yeah, almost forgot about that. 

Danny (Valerie): You have a short attention span.

Danny (Danny): Rude! But fair. 

Youngblood throws his lasso around Danny. Danny turns intangible, but the lasso goes around him anyway and then zaps him. Danny screams. Youngblood swings Danny around in a circle, then leaves him dangling. Danny groans, dizzy. 

Danny (Valerie): What’s going on? What is this thing made of?

Danny (Danny): I don’t know, but I can’t use my ghost powers. *He struggles against the rope and kicks his legs.* I can’t even fly. 

Youngblood flies, dragging Danny, over to a wooden structure with a bullseye painted on the front, which he quickly ties Danny to. He then lands on the ground nearby, next to a rocket launcher. Danny struggles against the rope again, to no avail. The ring of light appears around his waist.

Danny (Danny): What are you doing?

Danny (Valerie): No time. Do you trust me? 

Danny (Danny): … Yes. 

Danny transforms into Valerie, who starts to operate a device on her wrist. Youngblood looks up, surprised and then confused. 

Youngblood: You again? What is happening right now?

Valerie (Valerie): I’ll explain when you’re older. 

Youngblood: Grr. Whatever, I will get my grand finale, and I don’t care who I have to blow up to do it!

Valerie (Danny): Hey, I don’t suppose you’re planning to, you know, get us down from here?

Valerie (Valerie): Nope.

Valerie (Danny): What?

Youngblood aims the rocket launcher and pushes the button, launching a rocket toward Valerie. Before it gets very far, Valerie’s hoverboard flies in from offscreen, ramming into the rocket and diverting it upward. Valerie pulls a gun from her suit and tracks the rocket, waiting until it’s high enough and then firing at it. The rocket explodes in the air, causing a fireball and scattered debris. Valerie then uses a laser to cut the lasso and drops down, landing on her feet on her hoverboard. 

Youngblood: *stamping his foot* That’s not fair! 

Valerie (Valerie): No, *pointing behind him* that’s not fair.

Youngblood: *turns around* What?

Valerie (Valerie): *shoots him with a net gun, capturing him* That. 

Youngblood: You-! *yelling to his crew* Get her! 

Valerie gets into a fighting pose, ready for the ghosts flying at her. 

Jazz: (from offscreen) Valerie!

Valerie looks over. Jazz has the merging gun pointed at her and fires it before Valerie has time to react. There’s a flash of light and suddenly Danny Phantom is floating next to her. 

Valerie: Huh? How did - 

Danny: Less questioning, more fighting.

Valerie: Right. 

Danny and Valerie fight side-by side, sometimes back-to-back, covering each other as Valerie captures ghosts with nets and such while Danny captures them with the thermos. Youngblood breaks out of the net and gets a couple shots off before being trapped in a blob of goo. A few times Danny or Valerie calls out “duck” or “eight o’clock”, and the other immediately responds. They’re completely working in tandem. Jazz also helps by shooting some of the attackers with the merging gun. Eventually all of the ghosts except Youngblood have been captured in the thermos. 

Youngblood: This bites. I would have done things so differently if I'd known you had a friend with you. 

Danny: We’re not - I mean - 

Valerie: Just because we’re both your enemy, doesn’t mean we’re friends. 

Youngblood: Isn’t that the saying? The enemy of my enemy - 

Valerie: It’s a stupid saying. Bye now. 

Valerie grabs the thermos from Danny and uses it to capture Youngblood. Danny quickly takes it back to put the lid on, and as he does, Jazz, Sam, and Tucker run over.

Jazz: Are you ok? Uh, ghost hunter I’ve never met before?

Valerie: I’m … *glances at Danny* … Good. What are you doing here?

Jazz: My parents told me about the fight, when they hit you with this thing. I realised what happened and came to separate the two of you before they figured it out and decided to start experimenting on you. 

Danny: Told you. 

Valerie: How did you find me?

Tucker: I tracked the wireless signal from your suit. 

Valerie: I don’t know if I should be grateful or terrified that you can do that.

Tucker: Probably. 

Valrie: Well, thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to not be a ghost. 

Danny: I’m glad to be myself again too. But you know, it wasn’t all bad. I think we both learned some important lessons. 

Valerie: Yeah, when the Fentons point a gun at you, get away. 

Danny: Well, yes. But I meant more along the lines of respecting and trusting each other. 

Valerie: Hmm. No, that doesn’t sound right. In fact … *pulls out a gun and points it at Danny*

Danny: Oh come on! *flies away*

Sam: He really is just trying to help people, you know. Including you. 

Valerie: I happen to know from personal experience that he’s ruined people’s lives. 

Tucker: Whatever he did, I’m sure it was an accident.

Valerie: Well, I’m sure I’d be happier if I never saw him again. But I should probably stop assuming all ghosts are the exact same kind of evil. Apparently Phantom has ghost enemies too. 

Sam: Yeah, because he’s protecting humans from them.

Valerie: Whatever the reason, it’s something to keep in mind. Might be useful later. 

Tucker: I don’t like the sound of that. 

Valerie: Thanks again for your help. *flies away* 

Jazz, Sam, and Tucker all look at each other, frowning. 

Again, it looked like Danny was trying to control his reaction, holding his posture too rigidly as he stared at Wes. He seemed … angry? Or just annoyed? Though he was evidently trying to hold a poker face, his lips pressed together slightly, and his hand on the empty cup twitched. 

“I don’t know if that’s a great idea, Wes. You know you shouldn’t be messing with that stuff. Ghosts can be dangerous.” His words were stiff, like he was reading them off a script. 

“Aren’t you always saying that not all ghosts are bad, though?” Wes’ voice was cocky, like this was some kind of gotcha. Sebastian didn’t understand why Danny didn’t just walk away. Sebastian felt like walking away. But he was too curious for his own good. 

“Yeah, but-”

“And if it does turn out to be a bad ghost,” Wes interrupted, his pitch raising slightly, “all the more reason to have a ghost hunter with us.” Sebastian was reminded of the tone teachers sometimes used with kindergartners. 

Danny wasn’t trying to hide his annoyance anymore. 

“He’s kind of got a point,” Sebastian said. He probably shouldn’t have. Probably it would be best if Danny could convince Wes not to do the seance at all. But if it was going to happen regardless, and Wes did seem pretty determined … “It would be helpful to have a ghost expert there. You know, just in case.” 

Danny continued glaring at Wes, like he’d spoken instead of Sebastian. Again, Sebastian couldn’t see any evidence that Danny was breathing. He must have excellent muscle control to stay so completely still. 

Then Danny let out a breath, and Sebastian felt his own shoulders drop as if in sympathy. “Fine, I guess I wasn’t doing anything else.” 

With that, Wes turned, grinning wider than seemed warranted. He pushed past Sebastian and Sukhdeep, who were both still watching Danny. He followed Wes, frowning like he’d just been roped into a boring volunteer position. Maybe it felt like that to him - babysitting the ghost newbs. 

They made their way back through the house and across the expansive lawn, out of the halo of illumination that shone through the windows, and approached the chalk-drawn pentacle (not a pentagram, Wes had corrected them earlier - a pentagram isn’t inscribed in a circle) where they’d left their teammates sitting in the grass. 

“Danny, I think you’ve met Zeke and Jiang,” Wes said. Each of them nodded in turn, and Danny raised one hand by way of greeting. “Well, then, shall we?” 

Wes sat on the ground at one of the points of the star, and everyone joined him around the circle. Danny sat directly across from Wes. The others sat at the rest of the points of the star, Sebastian ending up between Danny and Zeke. The arrangement left the circle unbalanced, a little too much space between people on one side and not enough on the other. Would that matter? 

Wes opened his velvet bag and pulled out several dark-coloured candles, tossing them to the others. “So, this is normally done on a flat surface, but -” he paused while he shoved one of the candles into the ground, just at the tip of the chalk point in front of him, “they should stand up if you kind of push them into the soil.” 

Indeed, the candle remained standing when he took his hand away, though it was a bit crooked. The others followed his lead, placing their candles into the points in front of them. Danny didn’t get a candle.

Next, Wes took out a barbecue lighter. He lit his own candle then passed the lighter to Zeke. 

Once the first candle was lit, the energy of the space changed. Or perhaps it was more like the circle *became* a space unto itself, where previously it had just been a few kids sitting on a lawn. The rest of the party seemed very far away, and Sebastian wasn’t entirely sure he could stand up and leave if he wanted to. 

Zeke scooted backward after he lit his candle. Maybe he felt the same way Sebastian did, or maybe he was just avoiding the heat as a light breeze billowed the flame toward him. 

Sebastian didn’t really want to light his candle, but he took the lighter almost by instinct and pushed the trigger. As apprehensive as he was, *not* lighting the candle, interrupting whatever ritual had started, seemed more risky than following the instructions. 

When the tiny flame surrounding the wick had doubled in size, Sebastian let go of the trigger and passed the lighter in front of Danny to Sukhdeep. Danny was leaning backward uncomfortably. Did he recognize the ritual? Did he know that it wouldn’t work? Surely if he believed it was dangerous, he would say something. 

Once all the candles were lit and the lighter safely stowed, Wes took a brass bowl out of his bag and placed it on the ground next to him. Sebastian glanced back at Danny, who was blinking rapidly, though what little smoke rose from the candles wasn’t blowing toward him. 

“When you do a seance, you need some kind of anchor, a point of contact for the ghost,” Wes was saying matter-of-factly. “If you just want to communicate with the ghost, you have a few options. The most common ones are a spirit board or a medium - someone to be overshadowed by the ghost.” Wes paused dramatically, taking a moment to look each person around the circle in the eyes.

Everyone seemed a bit uncomfortable now. Sebastian and Zeke were both fidgeting nervously, Sukhdeep was looking toward the house, and Jiang was looking at Danny, perhaps waiting for him to interject with his own ghost knowledge. 

Danny was staring straight ahead, still blinking. Sebastian couldn’t tell if he was looking at Wes or just gazing into nothing. He looked like he was about to cry. Before Sebastian could figure out what to say, Wes continued.

“But if you want to actually see the ghost, to summon it physically, you have to work a little harder.” Wes pulled a little leather purse from his bag, which he opened and then upended over the brass bowl. A white powder poured out. “You have to mix a little bit of science with your supernatural.” Wes then pulled from the bag a vial of something green and glowing. Sebastian didn’t know a lot about ghosts, but he’d be willing to bet that was ectoplasm. 

“Wes, what the fuck is that?” Danny was clearly angry, but he didn’t seem afraid. More like someone walking in on their sibling reading their diary than someone witnessing an experiment that was about to go dangerously wrong.

Wes raised an eyebrow while he unstoppered the vial.

“What does it look like, Fenton? You’re supposed to be the ghost expert.”

“It looks like a dangerous, radioactive substance that you shouldn’t be playing with.” Well, shit. 

Jiang looked worriedly at Wes. “Hey, man, maybe Danny has a point. Is this safe?”

“Of course it is. Guys, I did my research, ok?” He lifted the vial demonstratively. “This amount of ectoplasm,” he poured it into the bowl, “mixed with the stuff in this bowl -” 

“Which you haven’t -,” Danny started, but his voice broke and he seemed to have trouble finding it again. Maybe he *was* about to cry. That was definitely a bad sign. 

Wes didn’t acknowledge Danny’s comments or the other boys’ leaning away, some pulling their knees up to their chests, as he stood and carried the bowl to the centre of the pentacle. Sebastian was struck again, more strongly, with the sense that something was stopping him from standing up. The others must have felt it too. Was it just fear? Sebastian eyed the candle in front of him. The wax was melting unevenly, and the melted portions had a grainy texture. 

“- this far away from us” Wes finally continued as he placed the bowl on the ground, “is totally safe.” 

Sebastian blinked rapidly, trying to adjust his focus. It wasn’t until he looked away from Wes that he realised his eyes were fine. Outside the circle, everything looked normal. Inside the circle, there was something strange about the air, making everything seem too sharp, too bright. The chalk lines stood out starkly against the grass, so white they almost seemed to glow. 

Danny was coughing. 

“Oh, I should clarify.” Wes’ casual tone was starting to piss Sebastian off. “None of this is harmful to humans.” Danny was glaring at Wes with open hatred now, and Wes met the glare with his own. Wes’ expression was weaker, Sebastian thought absently as the implication sank in. “It’s a different story for ghosts.” 

Sukhdeep’s eyes widened and he quickly backed away from Danny, fumbling over himself as he tried to create distance and get to his feet at the same time. Sebastian realised then that it *was* only fear keeping him in place, and he scrambled to follow suit. Jiang and Zeke did the same. 

Sebastian decided after he’d moved back that he wasn’t trying to get away from Danny so much as whatever chemicals Wes was filling the air with. 

“Especially the ghost whose ectoplasm I used in the ritual,” Wes finished, crossing his arms. He never looked away from Danny. He might not have even noticed that his teammates were all standing several feet away now. Danny’s glare, too, had stayed locked on Wes, even through a stream of tears. But it faltered then, collapsing, briefly, into a look of terror. 

“H-how-” Danny choked out before he was overcome by coughing again.

“How what? How did I get your ectoplasm? How did I get the blood blossoms to make the candles?” The what blossoms? That definitely sounded toxic. “How did I bind you inside the circle? All good questions, but they shouldn’t be your top priority right now.” 

Danny took a few shallow breaths between wracking coughs. The eerie feeling from before was almost completely gone now, and Sebastian’s rational side was regaining control. Danny was clearly in pain, maybe having an anaphylactic response, and someone needed to do something about it.

But Sebastian hesitated - if the smoke from the candles was that toxic, he didn’t want to get any closer. 

Danny was doubled over now, and his breaths seemed far too short and infrequent. 

“Transform and I swear I’ll stop this. Show them what you are, and then you can walk away.” 

Danny didn’t respond. 

Jiang did. He ran into the circle and grabbed Wes by the shoulder. 

“What the fuck are you doing to him? Stop!” 

“It, it has to be the candles,” Sebastian stuttered, frozen in place, torn between helping Danny and protecting himself. “Put out the candles!” 

Jiang, fortunately, was not so paralyzed. He immediately turned and kicked over the closest candle, which was extinguished by the motion.

“No!” Wes was angry. More than angry. He looked horrified. “Stop that!” Jiang managed to kick over a second candle before Wes grabbed him, and the two struggled for a few seconds. Zeke recovered his senses then and ran forward to pull Wes off of Jiang. Wes was yelling something about Danny, Jiang was yelling at Wes to let go of him, and Zeke was yelling at Wes to calm down. 

Sukhdeep knelt next to Danny - now frightened *for* rather than *of* him. “Hey, are you ok?” Danny wasn’t coughing anymore. 

A third candle had been snuffed in the commotion, but two were still burning. Sebatian kicked them both over in quick succession, stomping on the last when it didn’t go out immediately.

Sukhdeep was asking “Can you breathe?” when Danny audibly inhaled and uncurled his body. 

“This is fucking -” Wes’ voice was strangled with rage. Jiang and Zeke had him pinned to the ground. “But you all saw what happened, right? He’s a ghost! Humans don’t react to blood blossoms like that!”

“That’s -” Sukhdeep started to argue, but then he hesitated, looking around the yard as if another witness might appear and offer a more objective account. None did. He started again, speaking slowly. “Danny almost died. And you knew that was going to happen.”

“Because he’s a ghost!” 

Sebastian felt as conflicted as Sukhdeep looked, unwilling to either accept or deny that explanation. He was remembering Danny’s face when Wes had said he had Danny’s ectoplasm. He was remembering the circle getting brighter right before Danny started coughing. Had Danny been glowing too? 

Still, he knew that Wes was in the wrong here. 

“Even if that were true,” Sebastian began, and then wished he hadn’t given Wes that much, “that’s not … you can’t just try to kill someone because you think they’re a ghost.” 

Wes was clearly about to object again, but Zeke said, “shut up,” and Wes did. 

Sebastian glanced at Danny, giving an apologetic half-smile-half-grimace that he hoped would communicate that he was just trying to talk Wes down and not seriously implying that Danny might be a ghost. He didn’t look like a ghost. He looked like a teenager who had just been crying.

“I have my car,” Sebastian offered, “if you want me to drive you home.” If he were Danny, he probably wouldn’t want to stay here a minute longer. 

Danny nodded and stood up. Sukhdeep stood with him, hands out to steady him if necessary, but Danny was fine. He took a step toward Sebastian, but then stopped and turned toward Wes. “Hey, let him up.” Jiang and Zeke looked at Danny with confusion, and then at Wes with distrust. “It’s ok. I don’t think he wants to fight me with his hands.” 

Wes huffed and rolled his eyes, then spat, bitterly, “He’s right.” After a long moment, Jiang and Zeke nodded and let go of Wes, though they didn’t back away from him. All three stood in unison. Wes ignored his bodyguards and brushed himself off, trying to maintain an air of dignity. 

“Why don’t you guys stand over there,” Danny suggested, nodding in the direction of the house. “I wanna talk to him alone.” 

Jiang shook his head. “Absolutely not, man. I don’t trust him.” 

Sebastian and the others all nodded their agreement. Danny considered for a second - Sebastian couldn’t imagine why - but decided not to argue. 

“Ok, fine. Wes.” Wes had been looking vaguely toward Danny’s feet, but met his gaze now. “You crossed a line tonight. I could have died.” He sounded more like he was reminding someone of an upcoming math test than accusing them of murder. 

“You wouldn’t have died if you’d turned into Phantom,” Wes retorted petulantly. Danny’s eyes narrowed.  

“First of all, that doesn’t even make sense.” His tone was still even, but he was speaking a little more quickly now. “If blood blossoms are that dangerous to ghosts, turning into a ghost is the last thing anyone in their right mind would do. Second, Sebastian was right - whatever you think I am, you don’t get to kill me over it. What do you think would have happened if I had suffocated? Do you think the police would care about your ghost theory? Or would they just see a poisoned kid and a murderer?” 

Wes wasn’t giving Danny anything. He continued to glare, possibly too angry to speak. 

Sebastian was processing the possibility that, if things had gone differently, he might have been an accessory to murder. Though Danny had just agreed with him, though Sebastian had helped as soon as he was over his shock and had defended Danny, he felt sick about what he’s just participated in. 

“Look, Wes, you don’t know as much as you think you do. And if you keep fucking around with things you don’t understand, someone is going to die. So cut it out.” 

Evidently that was Danny’s final word on the matter. He turned and nodded to Sebastian, who remembered then that he had offered Danny a ride. Without another glance at Wes, they both headed to the car.

Neither of them spoke except Sebastian asking for directions and Danny providing them. 

Danny still seemed tense, but Sebastian didn’t think it was a lingering effect of his apparent near-death-experience. If anything, he’d gotten over that remarkably quickly. Maybe he was more angry than he’d sounded when talking to Wes. Maybe he was worried about what Sebastian was thinking, wondering whether the night’s events had convinced him of Wes’ absurd theory. The frequent sideways glances Danny was throwing his way seemed to support that explanation.

Sebastian still didn’t know what to think. He didn’t want to believe what Wes had said, had been saying for months. It made far more sense that Danny had an allergic reaction or something of the sort. But he wasn’t acting like someone who had just had a severe allergic reaction. Wouldn’t he have wanted to go to the hospital? And would an allergic reaction have stopped the second that last candle had been extinguished? 

The last few minutes of the drive were silent, Sebastian needing no directions to find the Fentonworks building that towered above the rest of the neighbourhood. He was driving slower than was strictly necessary with so few other cars on the dark suburban roads.

He had never talked to Danny before tonight, and he didn’t expect that he would do so again any time soon. Even if he had the opportunity, would he be brave enough to broach this topic? He wasn’t sure that he could even now.

But when he parked the car and Danny moved to get out, Sebastian, without consciously deciding to do so, said, “Hey.”

Danny looked at him, openly wary.

“So, that was pretty weird. With the blood blossoms and the ectoplasm and everything.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened. What was he saying?

Danny’s expression barely changed, apart from one eyebrow lifting slightly. “Tell me about it.” 

Sebastian shifted his gaze to the dashboard. He felt terrible. After months of harassment, after almost dying less than an hour ago, Danny didn’t deserve to be interrogated again. But Sebastian couldn’t bear to let him get out of the car without some kind of explanation. He wasn’t sure he even wanted the truth at this point. Just something that would let him sleep at night. 

“I mean, if Wes was right about what blood blossoms do, then, you know, it’s weird that it affected you and not anyone else.” The only answer from Danny was the sound of a seatbelt being unbuckled. But then, Sebastian hadn’t actually asked a question. 

“I guess what I’m wondering is …” Sebastian knew he was being a dick, but before he lost his nerve, he said, “Are you a ghost?” 

Danny sighed. He didn’t sound annoyed, or frustrated. Just tired. Sebastian kicked himself. Is that what you wanted? To make this poor kid’s night worse than it already was? He knew he should apologise, but he didn’t know how to do so without taking the question back. He couldn’t bring himself to pretend that he was kidding or that he didn’t care either way. 

Sebastian jumped at the sound of the passenger door opening. He watched Danny step onto the sidewalk. He didn’t expect an answer, and knew he didn’t deserve one. 

But after standing there for a moment, still facing away from the car, Danny spoke. His voice was quiet and uninflected. 

“Don’t be ridiculous, Sebastian.” 

Then he closed the door and walked away.

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A/N: I wrote this story in 2019 for Phanniemay. Around the last few paragraphs, I realised I'd written from the wrong POV. But I didn't have time to fix it before midnight, and it was important to me to post it on the right day.

Eventually I went back and rewrote it just for my own satisfaction, not specifically intending to post the updated version anywhere.

But then, whadaya know, the prompt "seance" came up again for the event now called Dannymay.