And an excellent morning to you, Ms. Frumple. Again, it was the look on her face that made his entire day. She stopped short and blinked up at him. How is my day shaping up?
It's Sunday, sir, she replied slowly. You have one meeting and the local broadcast tonight on Amity Park crime rates that are not ghost related.
Slow as usual... she eyed him warily. Are you feeling alright, sir?
Vlad grinned. I can honestly say I haven't felt this good in years. He meant it too. He hadn't felt this elated since college.
and even then it hadn't been this early in the day. I was wondering if that invitation to your Sunday services is still open?
The face she made at that was better than the first.
*****
Danny had just finished his English paper and proudly printed it off, imagining the look on Mr. Lancer's face when he turned the paper in on time for once, when Jazz walked in the room. He instantly knew that his night had suddenly been taken from the look on her face. He sighed sadly, having hoped to surf the net before going to bed early. Maybe even getting in some Doomed 2 .
Danny, she said slowly, you may want to come see this. He looked at her curiously. Honestly, he'd expected something more along the lines of her handing him the thermos and pointing him in the general direction of whatever trouble had cropped up.
Uh, he blinked, okay... He followed her as she moved down the hall, then the stairs and into the living room where the TV had been left on.
Jazz pointed at the television screen, where a news cast had been broadcasting.
Wait, he said, isn't that the meeting Plasmius was supposed to be on tonight? Danny asked.
Jazz nodded, looking very pale.
Danny returned his attention to the television. There seemed to be a lot of general chaos going on, people running around and a frightened camera man (who had obviously taken some sort of cover) taping--
Ghost trouble, Danny said firmly and stood up, preparing to go ghost, when he felt Jazz's hand on his arm. He glanced over at her questioningly.
Keep watching.
Again, noting the tone in her voice, he turned his attention back to the flashing screen. Then it changed to the television studio, focusing on a young woman with strawberry-blond hair.
This is Tiffany Snow, and that is the latest footage we have on the events currently taking place in the Amity Conference Center, where Mayor Vlad Masters had started a broadcast everyone had hoped would not be related to ghosts.
For those of you just joining us, we'll take you to Lance Thunder, who is now standing outside the Conference Center for an update. Lance?
The screen switched to a very angry looking, middle-aged man on the steps of a large building. I'm sick of this! he was saying to someone off-screen. I'm sending a resume to Calif-- he looked over and noticed the camera on. For a second his eyes went wide, and then his face broke into a fake grin.
Tiffany! This is Lance Thunder reporting. As you know, not twenty minutes ago, during the meeting of local crime rates, Mayor Masters started yelling at an unknown entity. Here is the footage taken: The screen switched to a conference where Vlad looked to be taking questions, when he looked up suddenly.
--and I... he faded off and his look darkened considerably. I don't know who you are, but I suggest you leave. Now. Everyone looked curiously at each other before realizing he hadn't been speaking to them. The camera man turned in a dizzying motion, and focused on what Danny instantly knew was the ghost. It looked to be...
Is that a green...duck? he asked Jazz, his jaw going slack. He'd never had to fight that ghost before.
He didn't take his eyes off of the screen, and Jazz didn't answer, so he brushed it off and watched as the Duck smacked it's eyes like a human being, and then stepped forward.
I am the Ectoplasmic Entity that quacks in your head. I am the feathered nightmare that goes beyond spooky! I am-- he suddenly cut off as a pink, ectoplasmic energy blast hit him in the stomach (or whatever ghost ducks had in place of stomachs) and sent him into the wall of the conference room with a very audible thud.
Suddenly Vlad Plasmius floated before him...or at least Danny thought it was Vlad Plasmius. He wouldn't have known if he hadn't already seen his arch-nemesis' new suit.
Is that...what did he do to his hair?! The typical devilish spikes that Plasmius normally favored had been split into several different spikes in an attempt at a more modern hair-style. And where did he get the gel to hold it?
Just keep watching, Jazz said from beside him.
Plasmius folded his arms. You are going to leave.
The duck shook off the daze and looked up with a hurt expression. Ow! Why did you have to do that?
Ghosts don't attack Vlad Plasmius's town!
Danny blinked for a second, taken aback, his what?!
The duck blinked at the other ghost for a second before the words seemed to finally sink in. Wait a second, you're Vlad Plasmius? You look...different. And what are you doing here?
Vlad's eyes narrowed. That is not your concern, or business.
Right, the duck rolled his eyes (which looked more than a little strange). Well, I was hoping to find Danny Phantom, but hey. You'll do.
With that he launched himself at Vlad, green feathers flying everywhere. He moved surprisingly fast for what Danny had passed off as a weak ghost. He attacked Vlad, sending him sprawling into the wall right beside...Vlad.
Vlad Masters still stood firmly on the stage, looking more than a bit surprised at the Duck's attack, glancing between the duck, and Plasmius.
Vlad Plasmius groaned and stood from the indented wall with a shake of his head. It seems I will have to apply more effort to rid this town of you as quickly as possible. With that, Vlad Masters ducked behind a curtain, and suddenly, there were two Plasmius'. They joined into one while the duck watched on in fascination.
Then, Vlad attacked, and the screen cut back to Lance Thunder (who was telling someone that he most certainly was going to turn in an application elsewhere before he saw the camera on).
Yes, folks, that is what happened. It seems that Danny Phantom has a new ally in saving the town, or (according to some) a new enemy.
Danny stood with his jaw hanging down to his chest, suddenly realizing why Jazz had seemed to be in such a stupor. Yeah, he said slowly, as if the announcer could hear him, and that's what worries me.
*****
Wow, the duck croaked from where he'd splatted on the roof-top. It didn't take long for Vlad to realize he'd been taped, and he had suddenly (for some unexplainable reason) felt a little nervous. After that, he'd lured the duck to the roof, and proceeded to kick his feathered behind. You really are Vlad Plasmius.
Vlad scoffed. Please don't tell me you were foolish enough to not believe me. Who would be stupid enough to claim to be me? The duck raised his eyebrows and nodded, conceding the point. Now, Vlad continued, I will escourt you back to the ghost zone.
But, the duck struggled to look up at him, I don't want to go back without facing the ghost boy!
In your condition? Vlad sighed and rolled his eyes, you wouldn't last two minutes.
The duck blinked at the half-ghost for several seconds, before deflating and waving a wing in submission. Very well, he muttered. With a nod, Vlad reached down and picked up the fallen bird by the back of his neck. The duck winced in slight pain, and Vlad subconsciously loosened his grip slightly.
Then he turned them both invisible, and headed towards Fenton Works.
*****
Aren't they going to give an update? Do they even know where they went? Danny growled at the woman on the television. He'd been pacing a hole in the floor since his previous catch up . Jazz sighed from where she sat on the couch with her legs curled under her.
Danny, you need to calm down.
Danny turned and opened his mouth to say something, but saw her look and shut it again. Then, with a sigh, he plopped on the sofa next to his sister. You're right, Jazz. It's not like I can do anything to help if I don't even know where they are. Jazz smiled and nodded, turning her attention back to the television screen, where Tiffany Snow was reporting that the mayor was no where to be found, and wondering if another ghost had decided to attack this one too.
That's when Danny's ghost sense went off...followed by a rather loud crash from the basement.
Of course, Danny sighed and stood up, throwing his fists into the air with a sudden enthusiasm that took Jazz by surprise almost every time. I'm goin' ghost!
I'll be right down, if you need me, Jazz nodded to Danny, who returned the gesture and dived through the floor.
When he phased into the lab, he quickly scanned the room, and his jaw dropped when he saw Vlad Plasmius holding a squirming duck in one hand non-chalantly while trying to open the genetic lock Jack had recently reinstalled.
Danny heard him sigh, I guess I'll have to get Daniel.
Uh...Pl--Vlad, what are you doing? Danny asked as he landed on the ground. Vlad looked over with a slight smile.
Ah, Daniel. Would you mind opening this door for me?
Danny blinked away his surprise. Why?
So I can put this...duck, he raised an eyebrow at the green creature still in his hand, back where he belongs.
Uh...sure? Danny shook his head as if trying to clear it, and walked slowly past the older half-ghost and placed his thumb on the button.
A mechanical voice came over the near-by speaker. Ghost portal to open, it said, Have a nice day, Mr. Fenton.
Without saying a word, Vlad walked over to the opening portal, and quite literally launched a now screaming duck (yelling something about how they hadn't seen the last of him) into the swirling green vortex.
Wow, Danny blinked, I didn't know you had that kind of an arm.
A small smile formed on the older man's face. That's how I got into sports. After a while, I just got to where I liked football better. I appreciate the plays and the strategy more.
Oh, er...right, Danny muttered, suddenly feeling like he didn't know his arch nemesis at all.
I must get back before they start worrying about me, Vlad said suddenly. With that, he brushed something off of his suit, and then flew through the ceiling with a farewell, Daniel .
Danny turned to the stairwell where Jazz stood, a mirrored expression of his own still confused and surprised feelings on her face.
Okay, he said to her, this is just getting weird.
***********************************
Ding-dong booooooooo!
Jazz sighed and got up from the table, wiping her face as she went. Dad s been messing with the doorbell again.
If it s a door-to-door salesman, let me know so I can scare him off, Danny called.
Danny! Jazz and Sam said at the same time, while Tucker grinned and shot him a thumbs up.
They continued to eat the spaghetti for a few minutes, making slight conversation here and there until, Sam turned to look at the kitchen door.
She s been gone a long time, she said, her lips pursing slightly. Maybe we should go check on her.
I will, Danny said. I want to know if she has seconds anyway. Be right back. He left the kitchen, and strode into the front room where he froze immediately. Jazz stood in the entryway quietly talking with the last person he wanted to see at the moment.
They both looked up at him, and their newest guest grinned at him over a very bright pink shirt. Daniel. Just the person I wanted to see.
This cannot be good, Danny muttered to himself and continued to watch the other two warily. And that is so wrong, he added with a shake of his head.
Vlad cocked his head. What was that, my boy? I couldn t hear you.
Uh, nothing, Danny sighed. What do you want?
Er Danny? Jazz spoke up, but Vlad cut her off, stepping forward
I was actually wondering if I could join you when you search for ghosts in town tonight.
Danny felt his face pale and his mind go blank. Uhhh.... What was he going to do now?
