Spectral Secret Santa

Landing in the alley behind his house, Danny Phantom changed back to normal, everyday Danny Fenton. The only things that didn't change with his transformation were the list and sack that made him look like he was late for Santa Claus tryouts. Checking that there was no one around to ask what he'd been doing in the alley behind his house, he climbed the steps and let himself in the front door.

"Mom! Dad! Jazz! I'm home!" Danny shrugged when he was met with silence. "Guess they're still out shopping. Oh well." Getting a pack of chips and a Coke from the fridge, he sat down at the table with the list and a pen. "Okay…Onyx bracelet for Sam, don't see how she needs another one, but she asked…Plasma Blaster VI for Tucker, surprisingly hard to find; I had to fly two towns over…Kaplahn's Ghost Compendium for Dad…Everette's Guide to Child Psychology for Jazz, who wants a textbook for Christmas…Groundhog Day for Mom, classic…new football jersey for Dash, if it wasn't Christmas I wouldn't waste the money…jersey for Chang…the new Taylor Swift CD for Valerie…and, last but definitely not least, that sweater Pauline was eyeing in the mall…well, that's everyone. Now I have to get all this wrapped up and…" Danny's ears pricked up. After a moment he heard it again: footsteps from upstairs. But there wasn't supposed to be anyone else home.

"Mom?" No answer.

"Dad?" Nothing again. Danny got up and started slowly walking towards the stairs.

"Jazz?" Silence. Slowly, carefully, barely breathing, Danny went up the stairs, hopefully prepared for whatever was waiting for him. It's probably just the Box Ghost again; that spaz thinks Christmas was made for him. If he'd heard right, the sound had been coming from his room. With ninja-like silence he crept to the door, grasped the knob, and flung it open, ready for anything.

Well, almost anything.

"Danielle?!" Danny looked slack-jawed at the teenage girl, a couple of years younger than him (physically at least), sitting on his bed.

"Geez Danny," the girl laughed. "You look like you just saw a ghost!"

"Huh…buh…what are you doing here?!"

"And a Merry Christmas to you too," she said sarcastically. "I came to visit for the holidays."

"Seriously?" Danny sat down in his desk chair.

"Well, you guys are the closest thing to family I've got other than Vlad, and there's no way I'm going back to him. Come on, I know your parents won't mind."

"Of course. You're welcome to stay as long as you want. As long as Mom and Dad don't kick you out."

"Great. So…what's going on? I saw something downtown on my way over."

"Oh, that's the town Christmas party. Just about everyone's gonna be there tonight."

"Sounds fun. Are we going?"

"That's the plan. I'm gonna meet up with Sam and Tucker…that reminds me, I've gotta get everyone's presents wrapped."

"Need a hand?"

"Thanks. And we can catch up. How long's it been?" Danny got up and headed out the door.

"Eight months," Danni replied, following him out. "Give or take."

"Geez."

OO

"So Danielle," Sam asked, sitting on a park bench. "When did you get back?"

"Just flew in this afternoon, and boy are my arms tired!"

"Wow, Danny," the goth girl shook her head. "I guess your sense of humor is genetic."

"Yeah, yeah, very funny," Danny shot back. "Where's Tuck? He's late."

"Late to be early?" Tucker asked, strolling up to the trio at the table. "That's a new one. Hey Sam, Danny, uh…Danni?"

"She's visiting for the holidays," Danny explained. "I thought my parents were gonna freak, but they're fine with it. They'll be here later with Jazz to finish setting things up…" a wisp of fog floated out of Danny's mouth. "Oh come on," he grumbled, looking around. "Guys…"

"Go on…" Sam sighed. "Just try not to make too much of a mess."

"Tell them that."

"Goin' Ghost!" Danny and Danielle shifted into their ghost forms and took off.

"You got any idea who it is?" Danni asked.

"Nope; I've got a lot of enemies for some reason."

"Is he one of them?"

"Huh?" Danny looked where his clone was indicating. "Yeah, he is."

"Hello, Danny," the Skulker flew up and stopped in front of the pair. "And who's this?"

"The name's Danielle," she responded. "And don't I know you from somewhere?"

"Skulker," Danny explained. "This is my cousin. Danni, this is Skulker, Ghost Zone's Greatest Hunter and recurring pain in my neck."

"Nice to meet you Danielle," Skulker bowed.

"Look," Danny said, checking his watch. "Not to be rude or anything, but we've kind of got plans tonight, so can we get on with the fight?"

"I'm not here to fight you, child."

"You're not?"

"Of course not! Did you forget? It's Christmas!"

Danny paused for a moment, thinking. "Oh yeah, I forgot about the truce. I was wondering why it had been so quiet lately."

"Truce?" Danni asked.

"There's a treaty among all ghosts that, on Christmas Eve and Christmas, all feuds and conflicts are put aside," Skulker explained.

"In other words," Vlad Plasmius appeared behind Skulker. "Today and tomorrow there will be no attacks, no plots, and no tricks. We're just going to enjoy the holiday."

"So then why are you guys here?" Danny asked.

"Well," Skulker began. "It is Christmas." He reached into his pocket and pulled out three slips of paper that he handed to Danny. "Sorry I didn't have time to wrap them."

"Whoa!" Danny looked wide-eyed at the tickets in his hand. "These are for the Three Doors Down New Year's concert! How'd you get them?"

"Does it really matter?" the armored ghost asked. "I have some friends in the right places. Merry Christmas, chil—uh, Danny."

"And I have something for your father, Daniel," Vlad produced a football and handed it to Danny. "I'm sure you can understand my reluctance to deliver it in person."

"Autographed by Brett Favre?"

"That's right. No chance of getting one of those anywhere else. Oh, and this is for your mother. Bought honestly, I assure you." The vampire look-alike took a small jewelery case from his pocket.

"Geez," Danny shook his head. "I feel like a jerk: I don't have anything for you guys."

"Think nothing of it, young Daniel. Just keep my secret from your parents."

"And promise me that no one else will take you out before I can."

"Deal. Hey, you guys gonna be at the party tonight?"

"Actually," Skulker replied, "we had our own plans for the evening. Thanks though."

"Well, I guess we'll let you get to that then. Merry Christmas guys!"

"Merry Christmas!" Danielle chimed in.

The pair returned to find Sam and Tucker holding gifts of their own.

"So did you guys have a weird visit too?" Danni asked.

"Ember and Technus," Sam replied, still looking at the electric guitar in her hands. "They said they weren't here to fight, just wanted to give us these."

"Yeah," Tucker broke in, waving a CD case around. "It was weird not having to dive for cover or anything when a ghost showed up. And check this out! This game isn't even out yet!"

"This is great and all," Sam said, "but people are starting to show up; let's go help set up."

OO

That evening, Amity Park was filled with the chill of winter, the sound of Christmas carols and laughter, and the warmth of the holiday spirit. Gifts had been exchanged, songs sung, families reunited, and enough food to feed a small country had been disposed of. Danny sat with his mother, father, sister, and Danielle at a park table, drinking hot chocolate and watching his friends and their families celebrating.

Looking over to his clone, he frowned. "Sorry, Danni: I didn't get you anything for Christmas."

"I'm with my friends and family for the holiday," she smiled, hugging her 'cousin'. "That's the best gift there is. Christmas is about being with the ones you love, not about stuff from a mall."

"That's darn right, little miss," Jack said, scooping both teens into his arms.

"Merry Christmas everyone," Maddie added, joining the group hug.

"Just one thing I don't understand though," Jack mused. "Why did Vladdie sent our gifts to Danny?"

"I dunno," Danny answered, winking at his cousin. "I guess he wanted to make sure it was a surprise."

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Merry Christmas to family, friends, and foes.