Danny stood in the lab and chewed his lip as he stared at the thermos in his hand. He'd been home for a few days now. Danielle had exhausted herself fighting ghosts almost non-stop while he had been studying and taking exams. So, now he was back for a few weeks, he had offered to take over so she could catch up on sleep and homework. But it was hard. Doing this alone meant he had to respond to every ghost sense. In fact, without this draining trick he had yet to tell anyone about, he would have burnt out by now. His family were worried about him. But he was able to convince them that he was fine. He lied and told them he was getting sleep and he made sure to eat at least one meal in front of his parents a day. He knew it would be easier to just admit what he had discovered but a part of him felt that they wouldn't understand. They'd stop him. He needed these energy boosts.
With a soft sigh, he emptied the thermos into the Ghost Zone and snapped open the panel. He hesitated a moment. Should he really be depending on these power units? He wasn't busy right now. He could go have a nap now and drain a power unit when he woke up. He bit his lip. What if he didn't have a chance to drain a unit before he was needed? He nervously glanced at the door to the kitchen. Should he be doing this behind everyone's back? He shook his head. He was fine! There was nothing to worry about. When this ghost activity calmed down, he could stop. He could stop! He wasn't dependent at all. It was just easier to keep draining these power units. And safer! For everyone. He was more alert so he wasn't getting hurt in fights. He was able to protect everyone better because he was alert. He was already awake too which meant he could respond quicker to the ghost attack.
With a determined nod, he plucked out a power unit and drained it. With a frown he noticed that it hadn't been enough to completely quench his tiredness. He bit his lip worriedly. Alright, maybe he should go have a nap. It was one thing to drain one unit… but he wasn't sure about draining another. What if he had only been alright because it had only been one unit? Could he overdose on power units? What would happen if he did overdose? He wasn't needed urgently. Ghost activity was easing up, at least a little. He was about to put the panel back on when his ghost sense triggered. Danny froze and stared at the innocent green power units in the gloom.
That changed everything. He was tired. But he could probably manage without draining a second power unit. Maybe. He should probably stop draining ghost energy. But even the thought of stopping filled him with concern. What would happen when his exhaustion finally caught up with him?! Would he just collapse? He might fall into a coma! And Amity Park needed Danny Phantom. He couldn't afford for that to happen. Had he doomed himself to always need power units? Danny flinched as he heard a crash outside the house. He needed to go after that ghost. But… should he drain a second power unit? He was tired but he had fought ghosts while tired in the past. But then again… he tended to get injured like that. If he got hurt then his family and Sam would force him to take a few days at least to heal and recover. Danielle couldn't take over right now. She was struggling to catch up in school.
With a second determined scowl, Danny pulled out a second power unit. He frowned at it. He was not going to let ghosts ruin Danielle's high school years like they had to him. They were his responsibility. If he doomed himself to a life of dependency on these power units, then so be it. He would protect Danielle. He would protect his family and friends. And most of all, he would protect Amity Park. If he made sure he was always ready for a fight, then he would always be able to protect everyone. It was another block in his journey towards becoming that alternate evil version of himself. He drained the power unit.
He blinked away the feeling of peace and power before he quickly put the thermos in his hand on charge before grabbing a second one. With a concerned frown, he snapped open the thermos and scowled at the half-charged power units. Maybe he should stop draining thermoses. They were essential to ghost fights and if he drained them all then he wouldn't have one. And charging a thermos defeated the purpose of draining one for energy. With a shrug, Danny clicked the panel back in place before jumping into the air and zooming off towards the crash. He didn't notice how his ghostly aura was slightly brighter than normal as he chased down Johnny 13 and his shadow.
So that's why Danny didn't try to quit after the exams. Ghost activity is still high and he feels he needs the extra energy.
Next chapter there will be a time skip of a couple of weeks. Also it's from Sam's point of view.
Let me know what you think so far.
Until the next chapter.