DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN DANNY PHANTOM

Predator and Prey

A cloaked figure slowly made his way through the city streets of Amity Park. Despite his strange appearance no one paid him any mind. As he wandered around he witness a little girl trying to balance herself on top of a wall. "Stupid kid," the stranger said to himself. He's seen enough people like her to know that her balance was off. In fact he's already begun mentally counting down to her inevitable fall. Suddenly she went into a crane stance. He gasped as he recognized the form she was using and quickly positioned himself right under her. As expected the girl lost her balance and fell off the wall. Luck for her the stranger caught her before she hit the ground!

"Thank you sir," the girl said.

"Your welcome," the stranger responded. "That was an interest stunt you did there."

"Thanks my friend taught me that," the girl said proudly.

"Yes, but you lean too much to the right, that is why you lost your balance." the stranger pointed out.

"How do you know that?" the girl asked suspiciously.

"Oh I know a lot of thing, but first could you introduce me to you friend, the one who taught you that stance?" the stranger asked.

The girl gulped, there's something about this guy that she didn't like. Sure he saved her life but he looked rather suspiciously creepy, so naturally she didn't trust him. Plus she didn't want this freak anywhere near Val. "You'll have to catch me first!" Dani declared as ran off.

The strange smiled as he observed the girl twirling to dodge obstacles and doing flips as she jumped confirming his suspicions. "Very well child but be warned, I so do enjoy a good hunt."

Later after losing that weirdo Dani quickly made way to the stables where she found Danny and Val playing another round of pulling the leg out and put it back in. "Danny, Val!" she called out. "There's some strange freak and he's looking for you!" she said pointing at Val.

"Who would be looking for me?" Val wondered.

"That would be me," the stranger announced.

"Master!" Val cried running up the cloaked man.

"Master?" both Danny and Dani said at the same time in confusion.

"Yes, he taught me everything I know," Val said.

"You may call me Janus," the stranger introduced himself. "Well apprentice, I got your message about booking a performance here," Janus said. "Well done."

"Thank you sir," Val said with a huge grin.

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir, I'm sorry about earlier and I must say it is great to meet you and..." Dani spouted while shaking his hand.

"Quite understandable little one," Janus said trying frantically to get the girl to let go. "Anyway we must be off. We have a lot of preparation to make," Janus instructed.

"Yes master," Val said. "Sorry Danny we have to cut our session short."

"No problem here," Danny said massaging his leg to ease the pain from her treatment.

"Hey before you go can you show as me...uh us a little something?" Dani begged.

"Very well," Janus said grabbing Val with his good arm and tossing her ten feet into the air. While in mid-flight, she did a series of aerial acrobatic flips before landing on one foot on Janus extended hand. After that performance the horses began neighing and stomping on the ground almost as if applauding. Dani and Danny as well applauded. "And that was just a prelude," Janus said giving a bow.

"That was amazing," Dani cheered almost hyperventilating.

"Easy girl, breath," Val laughed. "Well see you two at the show."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Dani promised as she waved goodbye as they left. "Bye Val!"

"Val, as in Valerie?" Skulker said rather amused. "Interesting choice, it's quite rare for a hunter to use their original name. Especially as an alias."

"It just felt right this time Master," Val said softly worried that she just did something wrong.

"You know that when we become hunters we leave our past behind us. Including our names." Skulker lectured. "When we do use our true names, usually something life changing happens."

"What sort of something?" Val asked nervously.

"Some of us obtain fame, others find love, while a few die. The last time I used my true name, I found you my apprentice." Skulker smiled. "Perhaps you did as well."

"I don't know about that, but must say I wasn't expecting you so soon Master," Val smiled as well. "I almost didn't recognize you without your joints puffing steam."

"Yes, these are the latest model from Sanctuary," Skulker said showing her his new arm. "Now as for why I'm here. The situation is more complicated than we thought. So we really need to hurry and compare notes." Skulker frowned as they approached the Axion Inn. Making sure that the room was secure Skulker turned to his apprentice. "The ruins you found, are you certain that the Relic is gone?"

"It there were any Relics in there it's long gone master," Val answered. "Wait so you mean that there really was a Relic there?"

"Yes, it is probably the reason the Dragon Kingdom keeps invading." Skulker groaned. "Even worst, this Relic is different from the others."

"Different, how?" Val asked.

"According to Technus, the Relic that was hidden in Amity Park is the key to controlling all the Relics." Skulker answered.

"What does that mean?" Val gulped.

"We're not sure yet. Technus and his team are still reseaching it." Skulker answered. "But one thing is certain. We must secure this Relic before anyone finds out about it!"

"I've already contacted The X-tremes..."

"King Aragon is planning a major offensive in two days. This may be our best chance to hunt them!" Skulker continued ignoring what was about to Val saying.

"But Master if they really do have a Relic, it may be more than we can handle on our own," Val argued. "We're going to need back-up!"

"That is why I went to gather this," Skulker said pulling out a giant sword from the hidden wall.

Val stared in aw at the sight of the magnificent blade, but her expression changed after tapping on the metal. "Really? You're joking right?" Val eyed him cynically.

"What?" he asked sightly amused.

"Master, I'm no expert on metallurgy but even I can tell that sword wouldn't cut through carrot." Val said.

"Not in it's current state." Skulker smiled. "But if I use it with this..." Skulker brought out a new mechanical arm that Val has never seen before and plugged one of his steam lines into it. He then turned a dial on the arm and gently placed the sword onto the hand. Val stood amazement as the blade started to glow. Skulker extended his blade out of his prosthetics arm and swung at the giant sword. To her surprise the giant sword sliced right through the other blade like butter.

"What how? Yours is one of the most powerful blades in the entire guild!" Val gasped picking up the fallen blade.

"You see my apprentice, this is no ordinary metal. It fell from the sky off of the constellation Apollo. It has a rather unique property. Unlike natural earth metals which goes soft and melts when heated, this one works in reverse," Skulker explained.

"You mean," Val stuttered not believing what she was hearing.

"At room temperatures it is soft like aluminum, but give it enough heat and it will grow stronger. The hotter it gets the more powerful." Skulker laughed.

"And that new arm heats it up," Val figured. "But how?"

"This arm uses a new technology that Technus just created," Skulker explained. "He calls it ticity or something like that. I didn't really understand it, but he tells me that it is even more powerful than steam!"

"Impossible!" Val said in disbelief. "Nothing is more powerful than steam!"

"Ticity is," Skulker reassured her. "For it is the power of lighting itself!" Sparks began to fly out of the heater arm as he said that.

Val was taken back by what she just heard. Even among wizards lightning spells is the pinnacle magic, almost a godlike level. If what Skulker and Technus says is true then Sanctuary may have just closed the gap between human and wizards forever! "But Master, the Paladin hasn't shown himself in past few days. I'm not sure if he'll turn up anytime soon."

"Not to worry, I have leaked enough information to bait the Paladin. He'll show." Skulker promised.


The next day Dani sighed sadly as she watched another carrier pigeon flying towards the castle. She has pretty much given up on trying to get Danny back into the heroes game. Val told her the other day that sometimes men can be stubborn so it's best to give them space. Called it 'reverse psychology' or something like that. Still Dani missed the action and...

"Dani, hurry and come inside!" Danny ordered. "Didn't you see that pigeon? They need us!"

"Wow this reverse psychology really works," Dani whispered in amazement as she dropped what she was doing and hurried into the stables. "So what made you change your mind?" Dani asked as soon as she reached Danny.

"Just want to make sure that Val still had a place to perform," Danny joked.

"Figures it's because of a girl," Dani laughed. After making sure that the horses were secured in their stalls, Danny and Dani prepared to transform when Tucker came crashing in!

"Danny, it an emergency!" he panted as he collapsed.

"Tucker, what's wrong?" Danny asked as he helped his friend to a chair.

"We just got word that the Dragoons are leading this charge!" Tucker informed them.

"Who are the dragoons?" Dani asked.

"King Aragon's honor guard," Danny answered. "According to rumor he magically transformed his best warriors into grotesque human/dragon hybrids!"

"Some say that they are more beast than man now," Tucker trembled.

"Sick," Dani gagged.

"Yeah so if there's any time we needed the Paladin it is now!" Tucker pleaded.

"Don't fret were just about to leave," Dani smiled pulling her crown out of her hat.

"Oh, well that's great," Tucker said with a sour face. While he's glad that Danny was going, he is miffed that he ran all the way here for nothing. He watched as Danny placed his ring on his finger and with a sudden flash he became the Paladin. At the same time Dani burst into green flames transforming into the Phantom. The Phantom then set the gate to Fort Casper and the two trasported out. "Good luck you two," Tucker whispered after they left.


Skulker and Red Huntress stood patiently observing the battle from a safe distance. Up until now the defenders of Amity Park were doing a decent job holding their own, but that quickly changed when the Dragoons came onto the battlefield! Right off the bat the magically enhanced warriors began mowing down the poor knights. Forcing the Amity Park forces to retreat.

"Things aren't looking good for them. If he's going to come, he better do it soon or else there will be nothing to save." Huntress said as she double checked her gear. Along with another piece of equipment.

"He'll show," Skulker said sound impatient. "What are you doing?"

"Just prepping your combat arm," Huntress answered showing him his usual arm.

"I told you that I would not be using that this time," Skulker said showing her the heater arm that he now has attached.

"But Master is it wise to use an untested weapon in this situation?" she asked with great concern. Huntress knows that Skulker is a great hunter, but he relies a lot on the weapons and gadgets installed in what he likes to call his combat arm. While the new Meteor Sword is impressive, the heater arm only has the ticity generator with no other accessory tools. So she can't help but worry that her master might not be able to survive this without his trusty combat arm.

"Consider this to be the test," Skulker smiled but could see that she concern. "Don't worry about it too much. For now just keep an eye out for the Paladin. He could show up at any minute." Right on cue the Paladin and the Phantom appeared and engaged the Dragoons.

"Uh Master, shouldn't we head out now?" Huntress asked.

"No, let him deal with the Dragoons first," Skulker smiled. "I don't want any distractions or interference when we hunt."

The Paladin grunted as he swung wildly at the Dragoons severely wound two of them, but still the others kept charging at him! It would seem that the rumors about them weren't exaggerated. They were definitely a lot stronger, faster, and far more skilled fighters than the regular troopers. But that's not the worst thing about them. No, the most frightening thing about the Dragoons was the fact that they fight almost like rabid dogs! There's almost no ration thinking in their actions, just primal impulse without any survival instinct. Not even Dani's fire magic seems to deter them. Of course being half dragon their scales are fireproof, but you'd think they'd still react to it.

"Man King Aragon really messed these guys up," Phantom commented as she threw another fireball at them.

It's a shame really, these guys might have been honorable warriors at one time," Paladin said sadly. "But we still need to take the guys out! Phantom, Boost Me Up!" he ordered holding up his sword.

"You got it!" Dani said blasting a stream of fire at the sword. In a previous battle they accidentally discovered that the Paladin's armor and weapons could absorb magic and use it to enhance his powers. So they came up with a strategy of using the Phantom's powers on Paladin, Dani named this technique 'Boost Up'. After receiving the Phantom's powers the Paladin swung at the incoming Dragoons releasing a massive energy wave, knocking them out if not killing them.

"Alright that takes care of the Dragoons," the Paladin huffed. Using Boost Up tends to drain him after discharging the power.

"Yep, now we just need to take care of the small fry," Phantom said. As they were about to join the main battle two figures appeared before them. One was a tall man with a mechanical arm and legs wearing a metallic skull mask. The other, a girl in a red ninja suit.

"I'm afraid we can't allow you to go just yet," Skulker said drawing out his sword and activating his heater arm. As the generator began to hum, Skulker felt his right side go numb. Fortunately the feeling came back quickly.

"Who are you clowns!" Phantom demanded.

"I am Skulker the worlds greatest Sorcerer Hunter," he introduced himself. "And this is my apprentice the Red Huntress."

"And we've been hired to hunt you," Red Huntress finished pulling out a collapsible bo.

"Hey we're not wizards!" Phantom argued.

"Says the duo throwing fireballs and using a magical armor," Huntress pointed out.

"Ah...Uh...er...yes well...I've got nothing," Phantom conceded. The Huntress threw some buzz saw discs at the little girl. "Hey!" Phantom protested after barely dodging the blades.

"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Paladin demanded as he charged at the two hunters.

Skulker raised his sword and blocked the Paladin's attack using only one arm. "You know for one who defeated the Dragoons, I would've thought that you'd be tougher than this." he taunted pushing Paladin back. The Paladin growled as he continued his attack. Skulker smiled as he continued to fence against the Paladin one handed style.

The Phantom flew above their heads and threw several fire balls at the Huntress. "Ha, got you!" Phantom gloated as she floated down to where the Huntress laid. All of a sudden the Huntress jumped up and punched her in the face. "What the...How?" she asked rubbing her nose.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but my suit is made from a special fireproof material!" Huntress explained.

"Fireproof huh," Phantom sneered as she flew back up into the air. "We'll just see about that!" she said preparing the largest fireball she ever made. Huntress said nothing as she tossed a stick of dynamite into the fireball!

*BOOM!*

"AAAahhhh!" Phantom screamed as the explosion blew her back to the ground. Quickly recovering she saw that the Huntress was slowly making her way towards her. "Get away from me!" Phantom cried firing a fire blast at the incoming foe! The Huntress simply leaned back limbo style effectively avoiding the flames. Phantom continued to fire only to have the Huntress either dodge the attack or block it with her bo staff.

"Not bad kid, but you're making this way to easy." Huntress said as she got close enough to hit the Phantom in the face with her staff.

"How are you able to dodge my attacks?" Phantom asked hoping to distract her while she prepared another fireball.

"Simple, by reading your tells," Huntress explained as she dodge another fireball. "Even now you're body is telling me your intentions!"

"Oh yeah, then read this!" Phantom yelled throwing a fireball at the ground creating a large dust cloud.

"Clever, using this dust cloud for cover," Huntress said pulling out a bolas. Carefully studying the environment she then... "There!" she yelled throwing her bolas! A second later she heard the Phantom scream. As the dust settled she found the Phantom tangled up, struggling to get out.

"How did you do that?" Phantom asked.

"Like I said, I can anticipate your whole strategy," Huntress laughed. "Oh and don't bother to burn your way out. Those cords are made from the same fireproof material as my suit." Ignoring her advice the Phantom still tried to burn her way out. Releasing more fire magic than she has ever done before, finally burning the cords. But before she could enjoy her minor victory, the Huntress began spraying her with some weird foam.

"AAAAhhhh! What is this stuff?" Phantom cried.

"Fire fighting foam, we use it for putting out fires," Huntress explained as she pulled out another spray can. "And this is a hardening agent," she said spraying that on Phantom as well. "It will make the foam as hard as rock. A nice fireproof rock. Keeping you all nice and wrapped up for delivery to our client." Phantom struggled to break free but just as the Huntress said she couldn't. The foam was too hard for her to break and no matter how hot she made her flame it didn't do even warm it up. Satisfied that Phantom was secured, Huntress turned to see how Skulker was doing against Paladin.

Phantom struggled for awhile before stopping. She then noticed that the Huntress had her back towards her. "So you can read my intention eh, well let's see if you can anticipate this!" Phantom whispered. Inhaling deeply she prepared to spit out a fireball at the Huntress's back!

"Spit that me and I'll spray your mouth shut!" Huntress warned without even turning around. Phantom groaned in frustration spitting a tiny spark off to the sides. "Good girl," Huntress laughed. "So now why don't you relax and watch the show." she said pointing to Skulker and Paladin still fighting.

"No!" Phantom screamed as she witness Skulker slicing Paladin's chest!

"You know you are quite lucky there whelp. Having a magical regenerating armor like that!" Skulker spat.

"Yeah well...nice arm!" Paladin shot back. Yeah it sounded stupid even to him but it was the best he could come up with on a fly.

"You like it, I'll introduce you to the man who made mine after I cut yours off!" Skulker promised, increasing the power of his heater. The two combatants continued to clash for what seemed like hours. The Paladin concerned for safety of his little cousin was using all his might to finish off Skulker quickly. Skulker on the other hand was carefully leading the Paladin along. "Why don't you just surrender child. It's clear that you are no match for me." Skulker taunted as slashed at Paladins leg!

Paladin hated to admit it but Skulker has indeed earned his reputation as the greatest hunter. All the scratches and dents on his armor proves it. If he wasn't wearing a magical suit then he might have been killed by now. But that doesn't mean that he's just going to give up! Not when people like his cousin are depending on him. At that point Paladin noticed that the Huntress was just standing still, watching them. Right behind her Phantom encased in some kind of...he has no idea what. Seeing her like this filled him with fear, confusion, concern, but mostly rage! For the first time since putting on the ring Danny allowed the rage to take over, and the ring responding to his anger began releasing a massive amount of energy. Repairing his armor almost instantly and doubling the size of his sword!

Skulker wasn't sure what was going on but he knew that this wasn't good. Technus warned him that the heater is still in the testing stage so under no circumstance should he ever use it at full power! Ignoring the warning Skulker turned the dial to full. The hum from the generator started sounding like breaking glass and the sword began to glow bright red color accompanied with small electrical discharges! Meanwhile the mystical energy the ring was emitting started to collect on the Paladin's sword and was soon glowing with an eerie green light!

Then without warning the two combatants charged each other swing their swords with all of their might! As the two colossal blades collided with each other they both shattered. The Paladin discarded his broken sword and threw a punch straight at Skulker's face. Responding in kind, Skulker dropped what was left of his sword and counterpunched. "MASTER NO!" Huntress cried, but her warning came too late. Skulker's combat arm was reenforced for situations like this, but the heater arm had no such protection in order to reduce weight. So as the two fists met; Skulker's artificial arm was crushed under the seer force of Paladin's punch! Even worst the backlash of electricity from the generator sent a shock to Skulker's nervous system temporarily paralyzing him!

As Paladin moved in for the kill, several disk blades came flying towards him! After the disks bounced harmlessly off his armor he turned just in time to see the Huntress spin kick him at the face. Not wanting to give him a chance to recover, Huntress relentlessly attacked him with her bo staff until it broke. She then began throwing whatever knives and explosives she had left. But the Paladin did not back off! He was going completely berserk, relentlessly attacking her. Huntress knew she would be trouble if didn't do some to end this! But first she need something that can penetrate his accursed armor, suddenly she came up with a plan. After nearly exhausting her arsenal, she quickly picked up Skulker's broken sword and poured the powder from her last stick of dynamite onto what was left of the blade. Igniting the powder, the heat from the flame strengthen the blade! "I sure hope this works," Huntress prayed as she waited for her chance. Carefully waiting for the Paladin to strike, quickly dodging his attack, she ran in close practically right up to his face, and swung at his neck! Huntress silently cheered seeing the Paladin's helmet flying off, picturing his head still inside! But then as the Paladin's body fell backwards, he reached out and grabbed her mask! Tearing half of it off! Huntress stared in horror as the Paladin got back up. Only to be shock as she got a good look at his face.

Paladin shook the fuzziness out of his head as he got back up. While going berserk like that gave him powers unimaginable, the loss of control is something he wouldn't want to do again soon. Or ever for that matter, but that's something he's going to have to deal with later. Right now he has more pressing matters. The Huntress is almost as good as Skulker but that won't stop him from saving Dani! As he turned to his opponent he noticed that half of her mask was gone and he got a hazy view of her eye and hair.

"Danny?"Valerie?" they both whispered at the same time. While they only knew each other for a few days, they couldn't help but see the resemblance.

Before either one of them could respond, Skulker grabbed the Huntress. "Next time whelp!" Skulker promised as he activated a pair of wings and flew off.

"Cool," Paladin whistled with admiration before almost forgetting about Phantom. Hurrying over to where she was still encased, he freed her with one punch.

"Thanks," Phantom said as she brushed off the harden foam from her body.

Paladin was relieved to see that she was alright, but still worried for her. "Come on we're leaving!" he ordered whistling for Specter his horse.

"But what about the battle?" she asked. Paladin didn't even bother to respond and simply picked her up and carried her off on his horse.

-Back at the Stables-

"But what about the battle?" Phantom repeated for like the dozen time.

"The Dragoons have been taken care of. All that's left is the small fries. Our own forces should be able to handle them without us." Paladin reassured her as he took off his ring.

Phantom pouted as she took off her crown, she hated leaving a fight especially against small fries. "Fine but don't come crying to me when Val has to cancel her show because we've been conquered!"

Danny felt his heart sink at the mention of Val's name. While he didn't really get a good look at her face, the Huntress's eyes and hair stood out. Looking back; her strength, her abilities, her knowledge, her interest in the Paladin. Not to mention her master Janus is about as tall and as strong as Skulker. There were too many coincidences. 'Is Val the Huntress, does she know that he and Dani are the Paladin and Phantom? Are the items really Relics and are they as dangerous as Val said? Will she still be our friend when this is over or was she ever truly our friend to begin with? And will she still fix my leg?' These questions and more continued to plague his mind.

Danny wasn't the only one feeling conflicted and traumatized by this encounter. On the other side of the city Valerie was carrying Skulker back to Axion Inn. "Master you shouldn't have used your flying wings," she grunted adjusting Skulker position. "You know how much steam that uses! And how heavy you are."

"I needed to get you out of there," Skulker said staring at the broken sword and heater arm. "You were right. My arrogance nearly costed us everything. Next time I will follow your plan."

"Really," Val asked. This is the first time that he is placing her in charge of a hunt.

"Of course, if you are to have your own apprentice, you're going to need some experience taking the lead." he winked.

"Thanks master," Val said nervously. Skulker unwittingly reminded her of the one subject she was trying to avoid. During that battle she saw the Paladin's face. His hair and eyes were different but he had the same goofy face as Danny. Looking back he and his cousin knew about the ruins. They knew in about the battles the Paladin fought in with great detail. Now that she thought about it the Phantom did resemble Dani. Not just in her appearance but attitude as well. Could they really be Paladin and Phantom? Val shook all thoughts about this out of her head. She really didn't want to suspect that her new friends might be her prey. Besides she had more important things to deal with right now. "We're here Master," Val reported pointing to the Inn. "They should have the tools we need to repair your equipment."

"Of course," Skulker agreed as they entered the Inn. "By the way what about the hunters you requested?"

"That would be us," this boy announced standing in the lobby accompanied with four others.

"Oh no not these guys. Anyone but them!" Skulker groaned at looking at the one group of hunter he can't stand! The five man hotshot hunter daredevil team, the X-tremes.