I should mention that even though it's set after PP Danny never revealed his powers...but I'm sure you all noticed that, ehehe.

Vlad was no one's fool. He did not lose. He did not fail. Needless to say he couldn't completely grasp the concept that he has failed but the truth of the matter was he had. Undoubtedly. Completely. Humiliatingly. It was driving him near mad, how had he lost to some pip-squeak child with not grasp of anything save for his own self-righteous values? Well, perhaps he was being a bit harsh on his favorite nuisance but he simply could not wrap himself around the fact that, in truth, he had not been defeated by Daniel and his luck but by a—a rock!

Though that was not the only factor, to top it off in a rare mode of panic he had begged—begged—Jack Fenton—the man he loathed- of all people for help! How he had let the simple structure of the asteroids make slip out of his plans…he could not fathom. And then Jack had left him. It hurt his pride and crushed the last of something in him. Even Jack had abandoned him.

And then in yet another rarity he had allowed himself to fall into a bout of self-pity. Self-loathing, really, and he had determined he would stay in space for the rest of his days, surrounded by darkness that matched his soul, to drift away from earth and everything he had lost and—where in the name of butter biscuits was this coming from?

But that was precisely what he had done; it appalled him to think on it too often. Too think he had allowed himself to fall so far from…himself! Gritting his teeth he paused himself forward more, Earth was still huge but it never seemed as if he was getting close, a year he had spent in exile but no more! He was going back.

And what he would do when he got? Well, he already had many ideas forming but he had already fallen from grace—so to speak—far enough and he would reach the bridge when he crossed it. As far as he was concerned he had to rebuild everything from scratch.

"You're kidding me." Jasmine's laughter only held a hint of true mirth, she was honestly worried about Danny flunking out of school but in all honesty now that things with the ghosts were calming down he would calm down too. It was only natural.

Danny, unfortunately, did not see the humor. "This isn't funny, Jazz. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't make up three classes with only half a semester left!"

"Danny no one would blame you if you repeated a year."

"I am not going to repeat a year!"

"Okay, okay, how about this…I tutor you?"

At his blank stare she burst into giggled once more, but she did have a point, she was the only one who had Lancer's class before and that would be the hardest one besides math. Damn. He didn't have much of a choice.

"Seriously though Danny, everyone's more than willing to help you out. It'll be fine. I promise."

Seeing that he had reluctantly agreed in not so many words she patted his shoulder affectionately before walking out of the kitchen. "Oh and hurry up, if you have tutoring we can't be late!"

"Fenton!" His head slammed against the lockers while both his supposed friends laughed. He threw an annoyed look in their direction but it did not to stop their chuckles. Ever since Dash had found out he had been at a cross between wanting to punch Danny and wanting to worship him. It usually ended with both more than a little irritated. But at least he'd kept the secret.

"Dash…"

"So, Fentoni, I hear your failing math." He grit his teeth, Lancer had a big mouth, well he hadn't been punched yet, so maybe… "Figures you would be."

"Yea, and what's your excuse?" He knew exactly what Dash was alluding too. It seemed like everyone wanted him to slow down on the ghosts but look what happened last time! Dash glared at him, his fist landing neatly in the locker beside his head.

"Shut it. I only meant you could study with me."

"…and how does us both failing help?" He spoke carefully, eyeing the meaty fist that was much too close to his temple but honestly, it felt no different than yesterday. It was almost as if when Dash didn't insult or bother him his day was not complete. Perfect.

"I figured you'd get help from the dweeb," His head jerked in Tucker's direction.

"Hey!"

"And we can both pass."

"Tucker?" Danny was almost counting on Tucker to get him out of what would be a seriously annoying position but one glare and growl from Vlad and Tucker was nodding his head fiercely.

"Sure thing, dude.

Danny's head once more collided with the locker, some things never changed.

It seemed he arrived faster than he had originally thought he would. Dusting off the non-imaginary dirt—not that it helped—off his worn out suit Vlad carefully took in his surroundings. His mind was already sliding back into old habits, wanting to plot in his lab but that was no more. He would have to rebuild his kingdom.

Closing his eyes he could not stop the tired sigh that escaped his lips nor the surge of anger both at himself and another certain half-ghost. The world knew what he was. But people were easily swayed, he'd simply tell them he was possessed and a bit of over-shadowing…it was almost too easy.

And then what?

His own consciousness seemed to mock him, he could not go back to what once was. His perfect failure had made sure of that. A deep scowl marred his face and he paced the empty expanse of land he had landed in.

Revenge? Petty it may be but it would not be unfathomable. The question was how to exact it? He would need more time, he had too have been gone awhile, he needed to place himself in an environment where he would remain unknown until he unveiled himself.

And if he didn't want revenge?

He squashed the thought before it could truly form and straightened his shoulders, he was Vlad Masters and he was not going to allow one small failure to stop him. Besides, he took a small amount of victory in the fact that after the stunt with the asteroid he had actual made Daniel question himself, doing it again would be simple really.

Striding-with more confidence than should be possible for a broke man in a ragged suit—forward Vlad headed in the direction of the nearest house. Time to find out where he was.

It was official, math was invented as a form of torture, he was seriously contemplating asking Clockwork if he could go back and make the inventor…disappear. Hell, even Dash was doing considerably better if Tucker's constant snickering was anything to go by.

"Wr—"

"Tucker, if you finish that word I will shove my pizza in your face."

"Tense much Fenturd?"

Slamming his book shut he was nearly ready to storm out, he had a raging headache and he was seriously done with math, so what if he failed? Repeating a year couldn't be that bad, even Dash—Okay, so maybe it could be that bad. Sighing heavily he flipped open the book, studiously ignoring Dash's jibes.

"Dude, if you need help just ask…and I can ask Dash to leave, if , ya know you can't focus with him here."

A little late for that, "It's fine. Just solve this for me."

Sams hand slapped the back of his head as she returned with more pizza, "That's cheating, Danny."

"Yes, mother."

"Oh, ha-ha. At least you mother isn't failing."

"…shut up Sam." Smirking she leaned against him casually began helping him, Tucker took the hint and slipped away to help Dash, desperately hoping he would not be punched for telling the boy he had gotten the majority wrong. Yet, he was still beating Danny. Chuckling he shook his head and positioned himself with enough to run if the bigger boy flipped.

"This one's wrong…and this one…and this one—"

"I agree with Fenton, shut up."

"Y-you!"

A smirked crossed his features, his ego boosting at the man's horror, obviously he was not easily forgotten. "Vlad Master's at your service."

He gave a low sweeping bow and a dark chuckle as he slipped into his more ghostly form and overshadowed the man.

Dudes, I just had to link this, I laughed so hard, seriously some people take themselves way to seriously. Chill out, breathe and it will all be okayXD I expect some of you to be outraged as for us calmer fans, feel free to laugh you're a** off, I did:P And don't forget to review and thank you for all the story alerts so far ^.^

http:/raidpirate52. Deviantart . com/art/No-more-yaoi-129864259?q=boost%3Apopular%20dannyxvlad&qo=167 Remove the spaces...obviously;P