Okay, this is just demeaning.

In case some of you out there don't know, two of the new season three Danny Phantom eppis have now been aired...In Latin America! Not that I begrudge latin phans their entertainment, but...this is just sad. The show is produced in English. It takes time to review the english show, figure out a Spanish dub that fits everything, re-record, process, and then deliver those edited eppis. So really, if everything were being showed asap, we would have seen these MONTHS ago. If Nick was trying to be fair internationally and show them at the same time, I could respect that, but to show the dubbed versions FIRST...

My theory, Nick execs are trying to make us all so frustrated with the show that its viewership will be basically zero by the end. That way they can totally justify its premature death. Brilliant strategy, because I AM pretty annoyed with them right now. Not that I won't watch when these FINALLY air in America. For those of you who understand Spanish, these highly entertaining new eppis can be found on YouTube. If you can't, you can still see one eppi early, after 'FrightMare' airs next weekend in CANADA. Not kidding.

On a more cheerful note, my personal Writer's Block monster has once again been shoved into the tiny FunBox I keep in the back of my brain. Hopefully it will stay there for a few weeks...months...years. Whatever. Anywho, here's the third (fourth...fifth?) rewrite of this chapter. I'm actually pretty happy with it now. I DO know where I'm going with this, but it was hard for me to make some critical transitions without being either corny or crude. Thankfully, I think I made it safely. You will now find out what, if anything, Granny Manson knows (She will be 'Rebecca' for these fics. Thanks for all who posted 'Ida'. That was my bad.), what Writer/Ember/Wulf's big 'plan' is, get more Vlad evilness, and hopefully clear up any dark angsty mushy gunk. We'll see how things go.

My next update will probably come before Saturday. Beyond that, I don't know. This is going to be a very bad week for me, so if I sail through it successfully, my post will probably come sooner. I'm going to get REALLY busy in another week or so, so I'll try to finish up as much of the story as I can now.

Also, although I've planned Amity Park's ultimate future from my first draft of the Danny/Clockwork moment at the end of 'Exceptions', some of the finer details of all that may yet come to pass were inspired by Esme Kali Phantom's Spirit stories. Just to throw that out there. Thanks, Esme.

Love to Reviewers! Thank you viciousberries, Meagainsttheworld, 'Quacked Lurker', bluename, acosta perez jose ramiro, cordria, Data-Dog, Diamond Raider, Epona Harper, hermie-the-frog, Pieling, Unrealistic, Sasia93, purpledog100, The Fluff Ghost, cariadiorarua, Esme Kali Phantom, egyptianqueen777, 'Linda', Adran06, Nikki Phantom of the Opera, Kyasarin-Maarukeehii1, Chaos Dragon, Writer's-BlockDP, AirGirl Phantom, Nonasuki-chan, Queen S of Randomness 016, Warrior of winds, and kitain9. You are teh awesomeness.

o.O Right, after all of THAT, here's the chapter.

HiddenAuthor

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A New Morning

"It's time."

Ember nodded. They'd waited long enough. Bullet and his team would have worked past the cemetery by now; if they waited any longer they'd risk a repeat search. The two floated up towards the secret door in the back wall of the vast library. Writer paused a moment, looking back at his collected works. Ember rested a hand on his arm, gently pulling him towards the ramp.

"Come on." Writer broke free from her grip and flew across the way. A minute later, he was back by her side, clutching two books.

"First editions." He explained. "We can go now." Arm in arm, the two walked into the darkness. After a long moment, the hidden door snapped shut behind them.

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Danny's eyes flared bright green, betraying his agitation. In human form they had at least remained blue, but over the last several hours he had totally lost anything that he could call control over their color. He was happy, they glowed, he was sad, they glowed, whatever, they glowed. Not that he didn't have an excuse to freak out a little. It had been a long night, in every sense of the word.

None of the Fentons had been able to sleep. Both of his parents had explained to him that since the end of his 'cold' had marked the all but complete takeover of his body by these new 'hybrid' cells, there was nothing they could do to prevent what was happening. All they could do was watch, and wait, and see what happened. Danny's case was absolutely, completely unique. He had no idea what would happen. And he was scared out of his mind.

Around midnight his parents had suggested he get some sleep, and Danny had almost laughed at the idea. He just couldn't bring himself to close his eyes as a still almost-normal looking human if there was a chance he'd wake up as something completely different. That he might have to walk around in disguise for the rest of his life just to avoid being captured and dissected. His parents didn't even know if he'd stay human at all!

The ghost boy shivered as the thought crossed his mind, his eyes glowing more brightly. He blinked hard in irritation. At least none of his other powers seemed to be moving beyond his control. Not yet, anyway…

And the list went on.

Though he hoped he wouldn't find out soon, he was pretty sure all of his hair was white, except maybe his eyebrows. His ghost form had black eyebrows, so that was reason to hope. Not that he'd know until the dye he'd used wore off. Still, better safe than sorry.

His average temperature had dropped again. Doctor visits had been awkward before; now they might be downright dangerous. Even a routine checkup would probably book him an overnight stay for hypothermia. Though his body still seemed to be working fine. His parents were working on a theory for that one, too, though Danny suspected they were just trying to keep busy.

And of course, the best part. After all that, he still had no idea if he was done. Which is why he was sitting down. On the lab table. Hooked up to testing equipment. Again.

"Ugh…" He groaned at the sight of yet another long and pointy needle. At this rate, he'd hate hospitals more than Tucker!

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"And that's it." Sam finished, somewhat lamely. Her grandmother sat back, blinking in her chair, and took another long sip of tea. Wulf was in the other corner, looking sheepish. He'd apparently had no idea that her grandmother didn't know. And despite herself, Sam could believe it. The older woman was probably the best con she'd ever met.

"Grandma." She broke in, giving the old woman a piercing gaze. "Fess up. Did you know all along?" The flustered woman stared for a second, then actually managed a chuckle.

"Sammy, how on earth was I supposed to figure something like that out? Yes, I saw they looked so much alike. Yes, I saw everything that happened between Danny and that…Masters person. And I know you've been fighting with Phantom for years. But this?" She shook her head. "Too bizarre." She really did seem shaken up.

"Are you okay?" She asked, grabbing her grandmother's arm. Bec gave her a one-eyed glare.

"Don't you dare try and think I'm frail, Sam." She said shortly, but with a small smile to soften the rebuke. "I'm not just some old woman, you know." Sam smiled. Wulf stepped forward nervously.

"Sorry about this. I…" He stopped, sniffing the air. A huge grin crossed his face. "I must go now." A second later, and he vanished. Bec cocked an eyebrow.

"Crazy life, huh?" Sam nodded. Her grandmother's face fell. "That poor boy. All of that trouble, so young. Can't say I don't respect him, but it really isn't fair."

"It's not all bad." Sam argued, though to be honest she mostly agreed. "How much would you give to be able to just fly around whenever you wanted?" That managed to coax a hesitant smile.

"Take you flying a lot, dear?" She asked. Sam blushed. "It does sound nice." Sighing, Rebecca wheeled back towards the elevator. "Come on back to my room, dear. I'll make us more tea, and we can talk some more. It will be nice to get to know my favorite granddaughter again." Sam cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm your only granddaughter."

"Easy choice then." Rolling her eyes, Sam followed her grandmother down. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

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Ember and Writer rushed out of the Fenton Portal, gasping for breath.

"We made it!" Ember said happily, hugging the ghostly author tight. He smiled.

"Yeah." He was grinning like an idiot. "I don't think anybody saw us, either. This might all work out after all!" Then, the two froze as they saw that the Fenton Lab wasn't empty. Jack, Maddie, and Dani were staring at the two intruders with varying expressions of shock and anger. Yelling loudly, Jack whipped out a large bazooka and pointed it at the pair.

"Get out of my town, ghosts!" He shouted, his weapon giving off a loud whine as it charged. Dani jumped in front of the glowing barrel.

"No! Ember's nice!" She shouted fast, then cast an uncertain look back. "And the other one is…who are you?" She asked flustered. At her confusion, Maddie quickly lifted a weapon of her own, but seemed more curious than angry.

"The GhostWriter." He answered quickly. "I fought Danny two years ago and…" Now every weapon the two older Fentons had were aimed right at his head, glowing deadly green.

"Smooth." Ember muttered under her breath. "Want to try some more 'explaining'? Maybe you can get them to blow me up too." Writer shot her a quick glare, and stepped to the side slowly, raising his hands.

Just in time for Wulf to fly through the ceiling on the other side of the room.

"It's an ambush!" Jack shouted, turning his gun on the surprised wolf ghost. Maddie quickly pushed his arm down.

"No, Jack! He was with Danny, remember?" Wulf nodded quickly. Jack nodded and turned back to pointing his death ray at Writer.

"Okay, ghost. I haven't slept in two days, my son might be mutating, melting, or blowing up right now, and I'm in a room full of ghosts. You have ten seconds to convince me not to shoot you."

"I'm with him!" Writer shouted quickly, pointing at Wulf. "Danny's helping us with something!" He paused, and turned towards Wulf, cocking an eyebrow. "He is helping us, right?" Wulf nodded. "Oh, good." He turned back towards Jack. "There you go. I'm sure Danny will vouch for me." Jack nodded, and motioned for Maddie to go get him.

"We'll see." He said shortly, and didn't lower the bazooka.

"So what did you mean, 'mutating'?"

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Danny stared at the card incredulously for several long moments. His bedroom filled with tense, nervous silence. Tucker cleared his throat.

"You like it? I know it's kind of lame, but…" His best friend seemed to be fighting some impossible inner force for several long moments. Then, eyes flaring green, he cracked up, falling back onto his bed, his chest heaving with gasping laughter. The card slowly fell from his shaking hand.

'Sorry you're mutating into a freaky goop monster. Get well soon.'

"I hope you don't mind that it's home-made." Tucker jokingly apologized, barely managing not to join him. "HallSign didn't have any." Finally, he couldn't help it, and leaned forward in his chair, clutching his sides. Valerie stared at the two of them for several long moments.

"H-how, d-did you find out?" Danny asked, slowly regaining some self control as his eyes returned to their usual blue.

"Sam called me last night." Tucker said. "I told her on the way over." He threw in, pointing at Val.

"You can't tell its dye." She said lamely, completely at a loss for something nice to say. How Tucker came up with funny, cheerful things to say in the weirdest situations, she'd never understand. Danny sobered up pretty quick after that. Valerie winced. Yeah, that was a dumb thing to say. Tucker stared for a second.

"It is? All of it?" Danny nodded slowly. "Oh." He seemed at a loss.

"Where's Dani?" Danny asked at last. Val pointed down.

"Talking to your parents. I think she's worried this will happen to her, too."

"It could." He said grimly. "But…I guess it's not too bad. I still look normal, with hair dye. For now, anyway." Tucker's eyes widened.

"But what about when you change into a ghost? The dye…" Danny froze, then smacked his forehead.

"Oh man." He groaned. Finally, he looked up. "We'll have to figure something out. Let's just hope the ghosts stay away for a while. I mean, some still get invited sometimes, but it's been a lot quieter. Maybe we'll be lucky." There was a knock on the door.

"Um, Danny? Two ghosts just showed up downstairs. They said they're here with that hairy wolf ghost." Danny groaned, and fell back on his mattress.

"I'll be right down." He said tiredly. "Tell dad not to kill them." Nodding, Maddie turned around and ran to stop her husband from making her son more enemies.

"Okay." He said finally as he quickly transformed and started down through the floor. "Let's hope no more ghosts show up." Val turned to glance tiredly at her boyfriend.

"How long before the next invasion?"

"Since Danny just asked for quiet? I give it five hours tops."

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Vlad stared at the flickering screen in his private Amity home for several long moments before bursting into maniacal laughter. Grinning at the footage of Wulf and company in the FentonWorks Basement, the ex-ghost quickly went over to a pink-rimmed cube and pressed a switch. A green vulture ghost flew out of the cramped space and glared balefully at the smiling man.

"You've got a lot of nerve locking up a ghost with no powers of your own, Vladdie." He growled. Vlad flashed him a feral smile.

"True. But if you want your two friends back, you'll do me a favor first." The ancient bird spirit seemed to deflate slightly.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"Just send Walker a message." He said lightly. "He gives me what I asked him for, and I give him Wulf."

"And you'll release my friends?" The Vulture asked.

"One of them." Vlad answered simply. The spirit glared furiously. "For the other, I think you could do me a second favor."

"Which is?" It spat through its beak.

"I'll tell you when I know."

Screaming in incoherent rage, the winged ghost flew off at top speed to do its master's bidding. Vlad looked back at the screen and cracked up again, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Here I thought I'd never get my plan off the ground, and Daniel's practically dropping it in my lap." He chuckled. "Oh the sweet irony."

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Ember stared incredulously as the ghost boy floated down through the ceiling.

"Hey, dipstick." She said, blinking. Danny grimaced distastefully.

"If I'm going to help you, you'll have to drop the insult." She cocked an eyebrow.

"You look it, though. What's with the hair?" His hair was still pitch black. Danny rolled his eyes.

"Just one more problem." He conceded as he landed lightly in front of his two guests. "So how are you going to pull this off?"

"Ember and I look human enough." Writer answered, giving Danny an appraising look. "There's a store downtown up for sale, including the apartment above it. Perfect for us."

"And what, Wulf's your pet?" Danny asked dryly. Said ghost sent a glare at his back. Ember caught the look and smiled.

"He's our link to the Ghost Zone." Writer answered. "We need him if this is going to work."

"Excuse me." Jack and Maddie finally interrupted, pushing forward. "If what is going to work?" Danny shot them an apologetic smile and crossed his legs to hover in midair. He quickly waved for Wulf to join them, and the group formed a small circle.

"These guys are going to set up a shop in town." He explained. "They want to spend more time with humans."

"And maybe turn a profit." Writer threw in. "The Ghost Zone is full of strange and unique stuff. We can do a solid business here. We already made enough start-up money." Jack and Maddie seemed taken aback.

"We've never heard of ghosts doing something like that!" Maddie exclaimed. Wulf grinned.

"None have, before. Or not for a very long time. But people in Amity are less afraid of ghosts. We will have to hide at first, but in time, this may be a good place for such things. And we will be the first." Dani grinned.

"This sounds awesome!" The adults seemed a bit concerned, though.

"This could be bad." Jack said nervously. "What if you get caught? Amity might be swarmed by the government, or attacked by angry ghosts!"

"We think it's worth the risk." Ember answered.

"But who gave you the right to take that risk?" He shot back.

"I did." Danny said. Both of his parents turned to stare at him. Writer cleared his throat.

"Under ghost law, Amity Park does technically belong to him."

"Humans wouldn't like that idea very much." Maddie said sternly. Danny flushed, but didn't back down.

"It is what it is." He said firmly. "Besides," he added, waving a free hand through his hair, "considering what's going on, getting people used to ghosts might be a good idea." His mother winced, but nodded. Jack nodded as well.

"Good." Writer said briskly. "I'm glad that's settled. Now we should probably take off quickly, in case some strange ghost decides to pop in and sees us." He turned towards Danny. "Lead the way?" Danny nodded, and headed off for the far wall. Dani transformed and moved to follow.

"I'll be back later." He called over to his parents. "Keep an eye on the portal for a bit?" The two of them nodded absently and went back to work on Damon's lasers.

Shortly after the ghostly troupe had vanished, Val and Tucker came thudding down the lab stairs. The two pairs locked eyes for a few seconds, both wondering what the other was up to. Thus distracted, neither group noticed a small green ghost soar through the swirling green portal at the end of the room.

"What we miss?" Tucker asked, gasping. Jack and Maddie shook their heads, absently offering the two some tools and un-built weapons.

"A lot."