Author's Note: To be perfectly honest with you, this idea came to me in a dream. Yeah, you heard me, a dream. I decided it was a good idea and I decided to type it up; it's my first story to take place only a few days after TUE. And yeah, I know I've started a lot of stories but this idea would not leave me alone. I also changed a few little things; since it's in first person POV, I changed it so that Danny's parents will be referred to as mom and dad when they're talking. I hope that you enjoy it and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, I never have, I never will and I am only saying this once so I will not repeat it in later chapters

Nightfall

Chapter One

My sleep is haunted by nightmares. I barely close my eyes before I am witnessing it again; the explosion, the debris flying in all directions, the knowledge that the lives of my friends and family have been torn from me. I wake up covered in a cold sweat a scream escaping my lips before I can stop it.

I know that it was prevented. Clockwork's timely arrival stopped it from happening and my friends and family were safe but my night's are still haunted by the memory. I just want to forget it ever happened and yet I know that I never will. Clockwork left me with the memories of what happened. When I asked him why I couldn't just forget, he told me it was so that I would always know and understand what happened.

I didn't get what he said then and I still don't but then that's Clockwork for you.

My scream must have woken someone in the house because the door opens and light spills into the room. I am sitting up on my bed trying to calm myself, taking deep breaths when I feel the bed sink as someone sits on it.

"Danny?" My sister, Jazz, says concern in her voice.

I try to tell my sister that I'm all right but nothing comes out. Instead, I remain silent. Besides, I know that she won't believe me if I do tell her I'm all right. She is an up and coming psychologist and she knows exactly what happened only two days ago. She knows that what happened is not something I can overcome instantly.

She stretches out a hand and places it on mine. "Was it another nightmare?" she asks.

I know that she won't leave until I give her something so I say, "Yeah."

"Same one?"

I nod.

"Oh Danny, have you talked to anyone about these nightmares?" Jazz asks.

I just shake my head. "I don't want them to worry. It was prevented," I say.

"But you're still dealing with it, Danny. You should talk to someone about it. You know I will listen to you," Jazz says.

"I don't want to talk about it," I snap and instantly regret it when my sister flinches. "I'm sorry, I just…I'm not ready."

Jazz sighs and changes the subject. "Do you still want to go on the trip?" she asks.

The trip Jazz is talking about is a weeklong trip to France where a ghost-hunting convention is taking place. My parents were invited to go but I learned later that it was being funded by Vlad Masters, my archnemesis. However, my parents decided to go and, since it took place during the week of spring break, my sister and I get to go too.

My parents also told me that Vlad would be traveling to the convention with us, much to my displeasure. I'm not looking forward to that so I asked my parents if I could invite Sam and Tucker. It took some convincing but, eventually, my parents agreed. It would have been perfect if Vlad hadn't invited Valerie to go with us as well.

Valerie Gray, the girl I've been crushing on since the Pariah Dark incident, the girl who also has a grudge against my ghost-half. I am unsure of what to think about Valerie being invited to attend the ghost convention. As far as I know, no one but me, Sam and Tucker know about Valerie being the Red Huntress. But Vlad has been spying on me so I wonder if Vlad knows Valerie's the Red Huntress and that's why she was invited.

Either way, I managed to get Sam and Tucker to come with. The biggest trouble I had here was convincing Sam's parents; her grandma ended up being the one who convinced them to let her go by saying that it would be a learning experience for her and that she could use a break from Amity Park. I got to hand it to Grandma Manson; she's good. She managed to convince Sam's parents in all of ten minutes.

I don't know if Valerie is going though.

Anyway, I do want to get out of Amity Park even if it means traveling with Vlad; maybe getting out of the city will help me with my nightmares.

"I still wanna go, Jazz," I say.

"Are you sure?" Jazz asks.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I think it might help to get out of the city for a while," I say.

Jazz is silent for a long moment before she squeezes my hand. "While I agree this trip might help you, I just wanted to make sure since Mr. Masters is coming and you don't seem to like him that much," she says.

"I'll have Sam and Tucker, Jazz," I say.

"All right. You should probably get some sleep. It's three in the morning and we're leaving early," Jazz said.

I yawn. "I'll try," I say. That is all I really can do. My nights have been almost entirely sleepless for the past two days since it happened.

Jazz nods before she gets up and I watch as she leaves the room leaving the door slightly ajar. I don't know why she did that but I'm not going to argue.

I lie back down and close my eyes but my sleep is not as dreamless as I want it to be.

I wake up tired beyond belief to the shrill ringing of my alarm.

Slamming my hand on the snooze button, I yawn and sit up before I groggily get out of bed. I really don't know how I'm going to make it through the nine hour trip to Paris. Especially not when I'm in the company of someone I loathe and someone who loathes half of me, that is supposing Valerie decides to come with.

I manage to take a shower and change into the clothing I always wear before I, still tired, grab the backpack, duffle bag and suitcase I packed the day before. The hot shower did nothing to wake me up so I'm still half-asleep.

I make my way downstairs, somehow without tripping despite not paying much attention—ghost hunting really is helping me with my natural clumsiness and the fact that I don't pay attention sometimes—before I stop by the door to put my stuff with Jazz's and my parents' since they are already awake. I walk into the kitchen and slide into the closest empty chair I can find, which is beside Jazz, before I yawn.

Jazz looks at me. "You look like you didn't sleep at all, Danny," she says.

I just grunt. I'm not a morning person as it is but when I have no sleep, I'm even worse.

Jazz knows that so she says nothing.

My parents know that to but that doesn't stop them from talking to me.

"Good morning, Danny," my mom, Maddie, says. She hands me a glass of orange juice and a plate of bacon and eggs. I accept both mumbling a "good morning" and a "thanks".

"This is gonna be fun, Danny-boy," my dad, Jack, says with a grin where he is eating his breakfast. "This is gonna be your first ghost convention."

I grunt and sip at my orange juice.

"You don't seem too excited," Dad says sounding disappointed.

"He didn't get much sleep last night," Jazz says. She doesn't tell my dad that I didn't get any sleep last night, for which I'm thankful. The last thing I want is for my parents to become concerned or think I'm an insomniac. In a way, I am but not because I can't sleep; it's more the stupid ghosts who attack in the early hours of the morning won't let me sleep.

"I'm sure he is really excited though, dad," Jazz adds.

Dad grins. "I know I am," he says.

The doorbell rings and Mom makes her way into the living room. "Oh hello Vlad, come in," I hear her say. "We're just finishing breakfast. Would you like anything?"

"No thank you, my dear," Vlad's voice says. "Maddie, this is Valerie Gray, the young woman I invited to come with us to the convention."

So Valerie did decide to come to the convention. I wonder how she convinced her dad to let her go.

I finish eating and make my way into the living room. Valerie is standing beside Vlad with her duffle bag, suitcase and backpack that I know contains her ghost-hunting equipment in her hands. She smiles when she sees me and I manage a small tired smile in response.

Mom finishes greeting Valerie before saying, "Danny's friends Sam and Tucker are coming as well. I hope that won't be a problem?"

Valerie looks uncertain at the mention of my best friends' names and I know that is only because Sam and Tucker don't trust her and she doesn't know why they treat her with such hostility at times. I know; it is because she wants to waste half of me.

"Not at all," Vlad says smoothly, his expression unreadable. If he really does mind, he hides it well as usual.

"Hey Vladdie!" Dad says as he makes his way into the living room and gives Vlad a big bear hug.

"Hello…Jack…I kind of…need to breathe," Vlad says forcing himself to sound breathless though I know he is faking it. Why? Because half-ghosts don't need to breath and he is a half-ghost just like me. Of course, my parents don't know that.

"Oh sorry," Dad says releasing him.

Vlad straightens out his suit. "The plane will be leaving in an hour," he says. "Will everyone be here by then?"

"I can call and tell Sam and Tucker," Jazz offers.

I blink gratefully at her as I yawn, once again wishing Clockwork had just erased the memory of what happened or at least told me the real reason why he wants me to remember rather than giving me that cryptic answer. But then, I am talking about Clockwork.

Jazz walks into the kitchen while Valerie moves to my side. "Didn't get much sleep last night?" she asks conversationally.

I yawn again. "No," I admit.

"And why is that, little badger?" Vlad asks.

I glare at him. "Don't call me that," I growl not answering his question.

Vlad simply smirks.

Jazz walks into the living room. "Sam and Tucker are on their way," she says hanging up her cell phone.

About ten minutes later, I'm talking to Valerie when the doorbell rings. My mom opens the door and Sam and Tucker, dragging their suitcases behind them, walk into the townhome. Sam stops when she spots Valerie though and she narrows her eyes. "So you decided to come with?" she says to Valerie.

Valerie nods. "It took a lot to convince my dad but he finally agreed to let me go," she says. "I think he's just glad I'm getting out of Amity Park for a while."

I feel that it's probably more that her father is glad that this trip will get her away from ghost-hunting for a while. That is what this trip will be for me; a break from ghost-hunting. Of course, if I spot a ghost then I will not hesitate to go after it and I'm pretty sure the same goes for Valerie.

"I'm just glad my parents let me go," Sam says.

"Gotta love your grandma," Tucker says with a grin before he looks at me and frowns. "Hey, dude, you all right? You look like you haven't slept in a long time."

I yawn again and shrug. "Didn't get much sleep last night," I say.

Sam's eyes fill with concern but she says nothing. She doesn't know the real reason why I haven't been getting much sleep, if any, the last couple of days though I won't be surprised if she figures it out. She does know what happened two days ago. She just doesn't know about the nightmares and I'm not ready to tell anyone about them.

"You can always sleep on the plane," Dad says. "We are going on Vladdie's private jet, right?"

"I told you that a week ago," Vlad says.

"Just wanted to be sure." Dad is grinning ear to ear and he walks over to the collection of suitcases, duffle bags and backpacks. "Let's get going."

The airport is crowded, so crowded that I wish I could just walk through everyone to get to the terminal without revealing my secret. As usual, that is just wishful thinking and I'm thankful that Desiree can't grant wishes unless they are said out loud.

I'm walking between Valerie and Sam with Tucker on Sam's other side. Dad is talking loudly with Vlad standing between him and Mom.

"I'm still trying to fix the Boooo-merang," Dad is saying. "It keeps targeting Danny for some reason. We've tried to get it to stop doing that but it won't."

I rub my head. The ridiculously named boomerang has hit me more times than I can count since it was made. While the name can be better and I hate that it keeps tracking me, I don't mind what it does entirely; it is because of the boomerang that Jazz was able to get her message to me two days ago.

Valerie looks at me. "Are you okay?" she asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say hoping I sound convincing.

We reach the terminal and Vlad leads us to his sleek, white private jet. I drop to the rear of the group and Vlad joins me. I look toward him. "So what's the big plan this time, Plasmius?" I can't help but ask keeping my voice low so that no one can hear me. Sam and Tucker are in front of me but they already know Vlad's secret.

"Why must you always assume there is a plan, dear boy?" Vlad asks.

"I know you."

"I am simply being a good friend and giving your parents a ride to a ghost convention. Is it so hard to believe that this is all I am doing?" Vlad asks.

I pretend to think about it for a moment though I already know my answer to that. "When it comes to you, yes," I say.

Vlad simply gazes at me with that impassive mask of his. "Believe what you wish, little badger," he says before he makes his way into the jet.

I scowl and follow him.

Despite the fact that I really should have expected this, the interior of the jet takes me by surprise. Comfortable looking chairs occupy half of the cabin with the other half looking like a lounge; there are two couches situated across from each other and a table around which are chairs; all of which are bolted to the floor of the cabin. There is also a big TV hanging from the wall in the corner next to the door leading into the cockpit of the jet.

"Make yourselves at home," Vlad says.

My parents take the table and immediately began looking over their notes, their blueprints and the inventions they brought with them to show at the ghost-hunting convention. I join Sam and Tucker on one of the couches; Tucker is already raiding Vlad's mini-fridge. Valerie is seated on the couch across from us and Vlad joins my parents at the table

I look over at Valerie as I accept the can of coke that Tucker tosses at me. "Hey, Val, you can join us if you want," I say deciding that I don't want Valerie to feel like she's being left out. She may hate Phantom but she and Fenton are friends; at least, I hope that we are.

"Want anything to drink, Val?" Tucker asks. His head is still in the mini-fridge but he pulls his head out in order to toss a bottle of water at Sam. She catches it and begins looking at the label probably to see if it was recyclable or not.

"Just a coke is fine," Valerie says as she, looking uncertain, walks across the cabin floor to join us. I shift a little to give her some room on the couch and she sits down beside me catching the coke that Tucker tosses at her. She waits for it to calm down so that it doesn't explode on her before she opens it.

"This is your pilot speaking, please strap yourselves in. We are beginning takeoff," a voice sounds over the intercom.

I put my coke in one of the cup holders and stand up before I walk over to the seats making sure to sit as far from Vlad as possible. As it is two to a row, Sam sits next to me while Tucker and Valerie sit in front of me. Vlad, Jazz and my parents are in the first two rows.

I turn my gaze to the window and watch as the jet glides forward and it isn't long until we are in the air and the pilot tells us that we may move around the cabin.

Mom stops me as I'm making my way back to the couch though. "Danny, why don't you try to get some sleep? You still look tired," she says.

"I'm fine, mom," I say. I'm not as tired as I was earlier.

"Danny, go get at least a few hours of sleep," Mom says firmly; she obviously doesn't believe me.

"But…"

"Now Danny."

"Your mother's right, Daniel. You look like you need rest," Vlad says.

Do I care what you think? I think.

"Both of 'em are right," Dad says.

Great, three against one.

"All right, I'll try and get a few hours of sleep," I say.

Key word there; try.

I don't know why every time I close my eyes, I see something that's associated with that day. The explosion, Dan, the devastation in the future, older Valerie getting attacked; sometimes it's only one thing, sometimes it's more than one, all times it has me waking up covered in a cold sweat and unable to go back to sleep.

As I expect, I can't go to sleep. As soon as I lie down and close my eyes, I see it again. I see my parents, my sister, Sam and Tucker and Mr. Lancer tied to the vat of condiments that are overheating. I see the ectoplasm that keeps them pinned to the vat and keeps them from screaming for help. I see Dan laughing as he is sucked into the thermos.

"To weak to escape—and you're too late to save them," Dan says just before he vanishes into the thermos.

And then the vat explodes.

"No!" I scream.

"Danny!"

Someone is shaking my shoulders and I open my eyes to find my sister gazing worriedly at me. She removes her hands when she notices I'm awake and I notice that my parents are standing off to the side unable to get to my side because Jazz is in the way. Behind them stand Sam, Tucker and Valerie; all of whom have a mix of concern and confusion in their eyes. The only one who doesn't seem overly concerned is Vlad but I'm positive I see a spark of concern in his eyes.

It might have been a trick of the light though.

"Danny?" Jazz says.

I shake my head. "Why do I keep having these nightmares, Jazz?" I whisper. Why must I keep reliving that moment in my life every time I close my eyes? That question remains unasked but that is only because my parents and Valerie are in earshot.

Jazz smiles gently and, too softly for anyone else to hear, she says, "I think it is just your mind's way of telling you that you need to talk about what happened, everything that happened, with someone but it could also be your mind's way of coming to terms with what happened."

I don't respond to that. I know I'm not ready to talk about everything that happened, not with Jazz, not with Sam and Tucker, not with anyone. They know quite a bit of what happened but they don't know everything. The only one I can talk about what happened with is Clockwork and that is only because he already knows everything that happened.

"Danny, are you okay?" Mom asks gazing at me with concern in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine, it was just a bad dream," I say softly and wince at the looks Sam and Tucker are giving me. I'm positive they don't believe me.

Mom doesn't look convinced either but, before she can say anything, Jazz says, "Why don't you rest? You don't have to sleep. Just rest."

I think I can do that. I nod and Jazz stands up before looking at my parents. "If Danny wants to talk about his dream later then he can but, for now, let's leave him be," she says.

I blink gratefully at my sister. I know that Sam and Tucker want to know the real reason why I woke up screaming but I'm just not ready to tell them. Maybe someday I will be but, for now, I'm not.

I refuse to close my eyes so I simply gaze at the ceiling of the cabin. I try to rest but I find that I can't. You know those feelings you sometimes get when something bad is about to happen? Well, that is the feeling I'm getting right now and I don't know why. I don't know if it is leftover from my nightmare or if it is something else entirely. All I do know is that it is there and it is getting stronger.

A/n what do you think?

Blaze: as I said in the author's note, this takes place only two days after the end of TUE and I just don't see Danny as getting over what happened quickly. And like I also said, I fixed a few mistakes I made 'cause I forgot about which POV I was in.

Darth: yeah, neither do I, and okay. And?

Blaze: and I fixed the inconsistencies in tense that I found

Darth: cool

Blaze: so I hope that you enjoyed the first chapter of my new story (the title may change by the way) and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.