Danny was in a particularly good mood today. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the Box Ghost was safely tucked away inside the Fenton Thermos. He was on his way home to drop off his school bag and head over to Tucker's place for a fun filled weekend of video games and junk food. Reaching for the doorknob, the light breeze ruffling his hair made him smile, nothing could ruin this day. His Ghost sense went off, Danny forgot about Murphy's Law.

—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—oooooooooo—

Tearing open the door, expecting the worst he comes face to face with none other than Vlad Masters. It's far worse than what he was expecting. Several emotions passed through him, confusion, disbelief, anger, suspicion, dread, exasperation. He decides to stick with anger, anger is easy when it comes to Vlad. Mustering up his best death glare he marches up to where his parents and Vlad are sitting in the living room.

"What is HE doing here"

Danny angrily says while pointing at Vlad, all the while glaring at the man with enough intensity to curdle milk.

"Danny-boy! Vladdy here dropped by to say hello!"

Jack responds jubilantly and unaware of the uncomfortable tension in the room. Maddie, on the other hand, was scowling just as hard as Danny. They made eye contact and agreed that this was very suspicious.

"Hello Daniel, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd pop in on my best friend"

Every smooth word dripping with sarcasm and the smugness of a man who's victory is assured. Grinning he continued, all the while looking Danny directly in the eyes.

"I just came up with a new ghost theory and I just had to come share it with the best ghost hunters in all of Amity Park."

Feeling pleased with himself he grins even wider at the brief unease that passes over the teen's expression. Danny schools his features and just as he is about to say something witty the Fenton Ghost Alarm goes off.

"GHOST!"

Jack yells as he grabs a Fenton Bazooka and sprints out the door. Maddie looking torn between following Jack and staying to keep an eye on Vlad. In the end, she knows Jack can't do it alone.

"Vlad, you stay here and keep an eye on Danny for me."

She says as she grabs a Fenton Anti-Ecto Net zooming towards the door. Stopping only long enough to whisper to Danny

"Don't let him out of your sight, and don't let him in the lab"

Danny nods, satisfied with the determination in his eyes, she jumps out. The moment the door clicks into place a bright light erupts, Danny Phantom taking a defensive stance.

"Alright Fruit-Loop, what do you really want"

Vlad sneers at the nickname, stands up and brushes imaginary dust off his already immaculate suit.

"Nothing really Little Badger, just thought of stopping by and checking up on you and your mother"

Danny crosses his arms and looks about ready to puke

"First of all EWW and second, we both know you live off of ulterior motives, so out with it"

"Quite perspective of you Daniel, I'm extremely impressed"

He sighs, the exasperated expression on his face only adds to his already "holier than thou" attitude.

"I did actually have a new ghost theory, one that you will find absolutely fascinating"

Trying his best to hide the dread creeping up on him, Danny lights his hands with an ectoplasmic green glow in preparation for the inevitable battle. Vlad crosses his arms behind his back.

"Did you know about Ghost Cores Daniel?"

At the recognition in the teen's eyes, he grinned like the cat who ate the canary. Check Mate.

"I have been studying them and their properties, and I have uncovered a very interesting piece of information that will change the way we think about ghosts"

"And by studying you mean secretly gathering data by spying on me?"

Danny quips sarcastically with a scowl and a level of done-ness that only a teenager could achieve.

"Details Daniel, anyway, you have an ice core which is what allows you to utilize your ice powers. This is the reason your ghost sense presents itself in the form of an icy breath from deep within your lungs. However, there are different cores unique to each Ghost…"

"Why are you telling me this, I doubt that it's to help me understand my own powers"

Vlad continues as if he never heard Danny.

"…Some have neutral cores, without any special ability, others have electro cores…."

Suddenly looking Danny directly in the eyes. An almost manic grin threatening to split his face in half. He slides over real close with the speed that only a ghost could achieve. Danny, startled by the abrupt movement, stumbles back a few steps and falls on his back.

"And some ghosts…"

He lifts his hands so they are within Danny's line of sight. Then they spontaneously burst into flames.

"…have fire cores"

Danny's eyes grow comically wide, taking in Vlad's flaming hands, hungrily absorbing the oxygen in the air. However, Danny just stares as he slowly floats back up into a standing position. Dumbfounded and unable to decide what to do or say.

"Quite impressive don't you think?"

"…Actually, yeah, that's really cool. Good for you V-man"

"Thank you Daniel, I told you would like my findings"