Disclaimer—I do not own Danny Phantom, Sky High, or any of their related properties. Fo reezy.
A/N—So I only recently got into both of these fandoms, and maybe that's why I was in the crossover mood. Either way, yippers. And the [slash] in the summary is there for a reason. OBEY THE [SLASH].
Chapter, The First
The Crazed-up Set-up
America is a young nation in the way as such things are measured. Compared to the countries where most of its current population originated, the United States had a relatively modern structure. The indigenous people of the Americas had a rich history that was as varied and complex as anything from the old world, but thanks to colonialism, modern day American teens don't have to learn any of it, and much of it had been obliterated.
For people in other portions of the world, history surrounds them, in their streets, their hills and their architecture. Buildings that existed for centuries may stand in the middle of a city next to an art museum built only a year ago. A manor house that has been in place for 800 years can be right around the corner from McDonalds. In Europe, or Asia, the past and the present live side by side, and sometimes right next to the future. In America, it's a bit different. Sure, there is a sense of history, but buildings are only a couple centuries old at the most, and certain structures seen in the rest of the world are distinctly absent.
The most famous sort of old building is the castle, the archetype structure that kids all over the world fantasize about playing in and ruling from, and, as an example, there are no real castles in America. Sure, there are a few here and there, all of them imported or constructed far after their time, but they aren't real castles, and they tend to look a bit funny.
For example, there is a castle in Wisconsin, a giant stone monstrosity that used to hold royalty. Albeit, that royalty was the Cheese King and the castle was built more like a Disney version of a castle rather than a fortress that could repel much larger invading forces, with gruesome defenses and a history of violent bloodshed within and without its massive walls. The castle was, to put it mildly, out of place, it stuck out like a giant sore thumb that had begun to rot and turn a violently wretched green with an odor that could make a dog's eyes water.
Stones the size of small cars formed its foundations, towers stretched up to meet the sky, gargoyles leered down from its roofs, and in general it appeared to be very castle-like, while at the same time not being anything at all like a castle. In other words, it had been Americanized, for it fairly shouted out its existence and importance, how different it was from every other house or mansion within a hundred or even five hundred miles. The owner liked it that way, as he wanted—no needed—to distinguish himself from the people around him.
Vlad Masters had spent years amassing his fortune, and he wanted everyone to know it, and to appreciate it. He just didn't want anyone to know how he had done so. Except…
It had become common knowledge in certain circles that there was a super-hero in Amity Park, the town that his former unrequited love and her moronic husband lived in. What was not common knowledge was the identity of the city's protector. Daniel Fenton, the son of Vlad's greatest enemy, and his greatest love, was Danny Phantom, the guardian of thousands of ungrateful humans. And he was half-ghost, something else not commonly known.
Vlad sneered as he sat in his study. He could not fathom for the life of him why the boy wasted his time with the heroics and a secret identity. He had told, even shown, Daniel how true power was gained. The boy had seen the fruit of Vlad's labors, the immense success that one could get from properly utilizing one's powers. Why the boy was repulsed didn't make sense to Vlad. If one had power one ought to use it. He could even understand, if he tried, that Danny had some sort of base altruism that motivated him, but the boy wasn't the least bit hungry for fame or acclaim, so far as Vlad could tell, and that made no sense.
He'd tried to bring the boy around to his way of thinking, but each plan seemed to upset itself more and more, pushing the boy away, even while he was being drawn inexorably to Vlad's way of thinking. Vlad knew he would one day succeed and that the boy would be his, and his beautiful mother too. He and Daniel were bound together, by their very nature, they were the only two people who could possibly understand one another, and only he could train the boy to use his powers, to groom him as his heir. Why couldn't the boy see that, and see what he was offering?
Vlad closed his eyes, swirling a brandy snifter in his hand. He had to bring Danny around to his side, Danny was the key. But the boy wasn't trained enough. Fenton had the power, Vlad knew that first hand, unfortunately, he just didn't have the training.
Time was running out, Clockwork had been rather explicit about that. Although what the eternal Ghost of Time considered running out was a little different from Vlad's perspective. Vlad sipped at his brandy and silently cursed said Ghost of Time. Why he'd decided to warn Vlad and not young Daniel was obvious: Daniel didn't have the spine to take the actions necessary to preserve humanity. But now Vlad was expected to be some sort of hero, or something, and that was just not in his nature.
It was clear, though, that Clockwork also expected Daniel to assume the mantle of Ghost King, and to hold the Shadow Gate closed. The Elder Ghosts would soon discover that with Pariah Dark dethroned they would have a chance to return to the Ghost Zone, and then whatever lived in out beyond them, in the Shadow, would also be unchecked. Vlad already had a few ideas he wanted to implement before that occurred; Clockwork's plan for Daniel had merits, to be sure, but Vlad was not about to rest his continued existence on the shoulders of one fairly immature teenage boy.
Still, time was running out, and he couldn't continue in this vein with Daniel. He had to find a way to train the boy, to make him ready for what was coming, while at the same time giving himself complete access and control of the ghost zone. He had to at once neutralize Daniel's position against him, and enable the boy. Vlad was the only person qualified to really train him, just as Daniel was the only one capable of foiling his plans, but there were other options. And the most outrageous one, actually seemed the most likely to succeed. If he played his cards right, it would give him the greatest edge he could imagine. All the treasures and power of the Elder Ghosts, his for the taking…
Vlad's eyes came completely open and he went intangible, floating down into his lab. With a gesture, the lab came alight and the computer turned on.
"Hello Vlad, my love, how may I serve you?" Vlad smiled at his computer's voice. Maddie Fenton would be his someday, but until then he had to take his happiness where he could get it.
"I want a detailed report and summary on all meta-human activity in the country, focusing on super hero couples who are likely to have had children. Then, review based on the likelihood they have a child Daniel's age." Vlad waited as the computer processed his request. The idea was almost cemented, and Vlad smiled slightly at the elegance of it.
"Most viable couple is the Commander and Jetstream. Data indicates that Jetstream most likely had a child fifteen years ago, and that the family would be based somewhere near Maxville." Vlad's smirk became decidedly more pronounced. The hard part was done. Because once Vlad Masters had a plan, nothing could stand in his way.
The sun was shining, the air was warm, and Danny Fenton was in a particularly good mood. For a teenage boy, in the summertime, this was not wholly unusual. In point of fact, it could be said to be quite usual. The unusual bit was that Danny was happy because he hadn't had to fight any ghosts that day. Another unusual bit was that his two best friends were happy for the same reason. It was unusual, because that implied that ghost attacks were—well, things that occurred. And everyone "knew" that ghosts didn't exist.
In Danny's opinion, it was entirely unfair that ghosts weren't aware of that.
"So, you guys ready for me to beat you down in Street Brawler 2?" Samantha Manson was exactly one-half of Danny's social circle, and his best friend. He didn't know what he'd do without her.
"Just because Goths are supposed to be good at old video games doesn't mean we can't play new ones," groused the other half of Danny's social circle. His best friend, Tucker Foley, had been through the thick and the thin with Danny. He knew what he'd do without Tucker, he'd be utterly miserable, all the time. Sam was awesome, and he couldn't imagine life without her, but a guy needed a best guy-friend.
The trio happily argued their way to the Fenton house, one of the more unusual looking houses in Amity Park. It was when they were just about to walk up the stoop that Danny froze, because his breath had just turned blue.
"A ghost? But today was going so well," Danny whined. Sam rolled her eyes and Tucker felt around his ever present backpack for a Fenton thermos.
"Now, now, Daniel, you're starting to sound like your grumpy little friend," said a voice that was calm, cultured and reeked of arrogance. Danny looked up as his arch-enemy floated down in front of him, in broad daylight no less.
Vlad "Plasmius" Masters was in his customary tuxedo, with his elegantly groomed hair perfectly in place and not in the least ruffled. Danny clenched his fists and moved slightly in front of Sam and Tucker.
"What do you want, Vlad," the boy almost growled. Vlad sighed.
"Actually, Daniel, I've come here because I have something to tell you. I've encountered some problems in the Ghost Zone that promise to take up a great deal of my time, and I don't plan on being around for a while," Vlad said. "And I'm worried that your education won't continue to progress if I'm not present to oversee it." Danny snorted.
"Right, I'm sure. This has to be the weakest attempt to trick me you've ever made," Danny looked at Vlad contemptuously. The other man gritted his teeth.
"Daniel, I am being serious. I'm here because I'm going to be too busy to continue your education, and you need to keep learning about your ghost powers." The three teens looked at the older man with blatant disbelief.
"Education? What education? You're Danny's arch-enemy, what are you babbling on about?" Sam's voice was rich with the sort of indignation that only an offended Goth teen can muster at will. Vlad hoped he didn't ruin the caps on his teeth with grinding.
"I can see this will not be easy, very well," Vlad said. "We need to talk Daniel, man to man. If it puts you at ease, I, Vlad Plasmius Masters, promise not to enact any villainous plots, or to ruin your father's life in any manner." Danny paused and eyed Vlad curiously. Something about the man seemed oddly sincere, and frankly Danny enjoyed being called a 'man' even if it was by his worst enemy.
"You swear?" Danny could feel Sam staring at his back, aghast.
"Yes, Daniel, I may be a villain but I do keep my word," Vlad replied smoothly. Sam leaned towards Danny.
"Danny, I don't trust him," she whispered. Danny rolled his eyes, a trick he had learned from Sam, actually.
"Oh, like I do? But he obviously has something to say, and I might as well listen," Danny said, and then pointed a finger at Vlad. "But Sam and Tucker come with us."
"Of course, Daniel, I wouldn't dream of leaving them out." Vlad smiled like a shark and Danny felt his stomach twist into knots. No matter what Vlad had said, Danny knew this would end badly. The four walked into the Fenton household. Vlad headed for the kitchen and the teens followed him.
The billionaire sat down at the table and gestured at the refrigerator. A bottle of juice—made intangible—floated out and began to pour itself into a glass. The blatant use of ghost-telekinesis made Danny angry. It was really unfair that he, as the good guy, wasn't as good with his powers as his enemy was.
"Spit it out Vlad, what do you want?" Danny snapped.
"Not just yet Daniel. First, I must ask. How are you coming along with your powers these days?" Danny felt his face grow hot and angry. Of course the older man was flaunting his abilities to enrage him. Sam poked him in the back and he took a deep breath.
"Want a demonstration?" he asked nastily and Vlad chuckled. Tucker had grabbed a glass and sat at the table. The apple juice poured into Tucker's glass.
"Wow, telekinesis. Man, that is cool. You should totally learn how to do this, Danny," Tucker said. Danny's eyes and hands began to glow.
"Temper, temper, my boy. I already promised to be good," Vlad said mildly. "But, no, a demonstration is unnecessary. I happen to know for a fact, Daniel, that while you have progressed a great deal since we first met, you have a lot to learn about 'our' powers." Vlad emphasized the word very clearly.
"Oh okay, so you're gonna teach me, right? Is that your big plan, because it's getting old. I'm not going to betray my father for you, I won't help you to win my mother over, and—" Vlad held up a hand.
"Daniel, it is painfully obvious to me that you haven't learned enough from the lessons I've been giving you," Danny, Tucker and Sam all looked shell-shocked.
"Lessons? You call multiple attempts on my life, on my friends and family, LESSONS?" Danny spluttered.
"Well, you learned didn't you?" Vlad's voice was so matter-of-fact that he could have been discussing the weather.
"Learned that you a seriously crazed-up fruit-loop who apparently thinks being my arch-nemesis is the same as teaching me to use my powers. I do not know what you've been smoking, but you can get out of here if you're going to just spew crazy." Sam and Tucker nodded behind him.
"Seriously, man, why do you think Danny would fall for this?" Sam sounded curious in spite of herself. Vlad did what he always did when presented with a problem he couldn't deal with, he ignored her.
"Daniel… I'm sorry you feel that way. I had hoped not to have to do this—oh who am I kidding, I'm a super-villain, I hoped for it," Vlad laughed and Danny immediately slipped into Phantom mode. But Vlad didn't transform, he just smiled wider.
"You see, Daniel, you have to learn, your education is of paramount concern to me," Vlad placed a hand over his heart.
"Oh yeah, I'm sure Danny's wellbeing is of utmost concern to you," Sam snorted, crossing her arms and glaring at the halfa. Vlad looked down his nose at her, quite a feat for someone sitting talking to someone standing.
"Hush, girl, the adult is talking." Tucker and Danny both inched away from Sam slightly.
"The adult who is still pining for a married woman with no interest in him whatsoever? The adult who threatens one if not both of my best friends on an almost weekly basis? The adult who has demonstrated a complete lack of human decency time, after time, after time? Excuse me if I don't think too highly of your opinion," Sam sneered. Vlad took a deep breath and counted to 10, twice.
"I'm going to ignore that, for your sake," he said darkly. Danny's eyes narrowed and he leant forward, putting a hand on the table.
"You're pushing your luck, Vlad. Spit it out." Vlad sighed and leant back in his chair. He steepled his fingers and his eyelids closed slightly with speculation.
"Fine, Daniel, I have decided to enroll you in a secret school for super-heroes." Danny, Tucker, and Sam all looked completely, and utterly, baffled.
"What?" Danny said weakly.
"Oh, it's a wonderful little institution, as I understand it, they call it Sky High," Vlad began to gesture about as he talked. "It's a high school for the super-powered teen set, they train you to be a super-hero and all about how to 'save' people, and other nonsense. I'd like to send you there."
"Dude, that sounds awesome," Tucker breathed and Danny privately had to agree. Sam, being the more level-headed of the two, had other ideas.
"Okay, aside from the fact that idea of such a school is completely ludicrous, why on earth should we believe that you want Danny to go there? He'd just become better at stopping you than he already is."
"Girl, you truly are a delight, aren't you?" Vlad sneered. "I don't particularly care what you think, but ponder this, if your little adolescent brain can manage it. I am far more powerful than your dear friend here, and if I had wanted to, I could have killed Jack Fenton a long time ago. I could have done any number of decidedly more evil things, but I didn't. I am not truly evil, children, I'm just unafraid to take what I want. So you can believe what you want, or what you must to keep your child-like illusions about the world being black and white, but I am going to win back Maddie Fenton and make Daniel heir to my power, all of it. And the sweetest bit of all will be when they do it of their own free will."
"Danny, you are so right about the crazed-up fruit-loop bit," Tucker whispered.
"Dude, my mom never liked you in the first place, you can't win her back, she was never yours! And I don't know what your plot is this time, Plasmius, but I can assure you I'm not going to go along with it." Danny powered up again and glared defiantly at Vlad.
"Actually, Daniel, you will."
"Oh, and how are you going to make me do that? Tell my parents?" Danny's face morphed into a terrified expression. "Did you tell my parents? I swear, if you told them anything I'll—"
"Daniel, do shut up," Vlad waved his hand at the boy. "Of course I wouldn't tell your parents, we do have that little bargain, don't we? But there was someone who already knew, who was only too supportive of the idea, once I finished explaining it to her." Danny felt the pit of his stomach drop into a black hole of raw fear.
"You really are a super-villain," Sam breathed, her face filled with a terrible awe.
"What took you so long to realize it? JASMINE! We're in the kitchen now," Vlad yelled.