I don't own Danny Phantom or any of the characters. They are doing a life sentence to their original owners without the chance of parole. Enjoy part 7 of how I met my dancing flame.
Flash back Fenton works basement 1 day prior
Sweat and perspiration ran off of Danny's face as he continued doing his week's worth of nonstop drills. While the Fenton training course at its peak level was slightly more intense than some of his battles, after what he heard from Ember, Kitty, and Spectra he knew he was going to need it. As wave after wave of spectral paralysis darts, huggie's (AN: pillows loaded with ectoplasmic goop) and other dangerous projectiles flew towards him Danny quickly fired energy blasts at each of the incoming objects in an attempt to increase his firing and reaction speed.
'Darn it, even with all this practice I can only hit 75 out of 100 moving targets. Lucky for me mom and dad aren't the brightest of parents, and fall for the high scores I put with their names with each run.' Danny thought as the next part of the training session came up.
Soon several pop ups of fake ghosts, and civilians showed. While Danny set the program up with a randomizing effect it did very little to slow down his quick draw shots at the correct targets. After about another 20 minutes running on the machines highest difficultly the program timed itself out and went to on cool down.
"12,256,257 a new high school please enter your initials please." The computer said as Danny changed back into his human form feeling slightly winded due to the intense session.
'So no one will get suspicious I will put my mother's initials in seeing as between her and dad it would be more believable that she has said high score.' Danny thought to himself as he once gain typed in MF the exact same way his mother would.
No sooner did Danny put in the high score, and the drill center went back to being hidden Danny heard footsteps. Quickly Danny hit the blue button on the computer, and within 15 seconds the other function of the basement came out. Upon the set up finally coming up Danny watched as his mother came downstairs.
"Don't mind me mom, I was just leaving after getting in my workout." Danny replied only for Maddie to grab his hand.
"Danny why are you down here using the Fenton training field without supervision? In fact why are you using it at all? It was made for the purpose of training to become a better ghost hunter not a workout regime!" Maddie asked in a stern tone.
"While I know it is my fault I am not in school and can't leave the house, I was down here trying to get myself in shape for that fitness test coming up as well as boost my gym grade." Danny replied only for Maddie look at him funny. "Why are you looking at me like that? Weren't you the one who told me to it is important to use every situation you get to in life to your advantage?" Danny asked using his mothers own words against her.
"While I am glad you are actually using this time to improve yourself I don't want you using the Fenton training equipment for a workout. It is very dangerous, and…"
"You yourself showed me how to work every last piece of equipment in our house just like dad did with Jazz. Plus between the two of you we both know you are the better teacher no offense to dad." Danny explained working the flattery card.
'Well at least this time at home has improved him somewhat. But still I wished he would apply those smarts towards his studies.' Maddie thought as Danny walked up the steps leaving her by herself.
End flashback Casper high lunch hall next day
"Dude how did you manage to get solid A's on each of your homework assignments? Normally you get C's C-'s or at best C+'s." Tucker asked astonished as the drastic improvement.
"I did get that A- on my English test I was made to retake, and to answer your question it was because I actually had free time without distractions. It is further proof that if I wasn't hunting ghosts all the time I would have much better grades." Danny explained calmly.
"Well that isn't an opinion for you Danny, especially since there is no one else who can do what you do." Sam added not liking where this conversation could be heading.
"Yeah I know that Sam. But it still doesn't change the fact that if I could focus on my homework and studies without interruption I would have a much better average than a C average. I still want to be an astronaut, and you know what the chances are of me achieving that with a C average." Danny explained.
"All the more reason for you to master duplicating your form Danny. You can have your copies study for you, and you can still protect…"
"Well well well look who we got here. If it isn't our one and only punching bag Danny Fenton." Dash said in a smug tone. "I hope you enjoyed your week off because from now on we are no longer messing with anyone else. We are now focusing all of our attention on you!" Dash said cutting Tucker off much to team Phantom's annoyance.
"Dash you yourself experienced first-hand what my best friend did you last time. Are you seriously trying to have a repeat performance of what happened before?" Tucker asked causing Sam to elbow him.
"There won't be any repeat performances because Danny won't be fighting Dash." Sam explained before turning to Dash. "As for you shouldn't you be putting your efforts into wooing that shallow puddle of a queen b? It is obvious that you want her, and since her crush flat our rejected her she is ripe for the plucking."
"Tried it, and she still doesn't... Wait a minute. Why am I even explaining this to a geek? Besides what happened last week was a one time fluke. That won't be happening again!" Dash said while cracking his knuckles.
"I would have to agree with Tucker. Most people after getting the butt handed to them would think twice about going up against the person who handed it to them. But then again it is obvious that you aren't like most people. So I have to ask Dash are you in anyway a masochist?" Danny asked throwing Dash for a complete loop while shocking both Sam and Tucker.
"Danny if you do this you are going to get suspended again! Besides if you really care about your chances of being an astronaut, then you will reconsider fighting this failure!" Sam screamed only for Dash to laugh.
"Well he doesn't need to worry, because his dream of becoming an astronaut will be coming true today." Dash said before turning to Danny. "Get ready Fenton because when I am through with you, because you are going to be taking a one way trip to the exosphere!" Dash bragged as he threw a sloppy hay maker.
Seeing the attack coming Danny quickly got out of the line of fire leaving the blond Jock wide open for attack. However, before he could get in his counterattack a familiar blue mist came out of Danny's mouth surprisingly earning a smile from Sam.
'I never thought I would say this but thank you whoever you are for showing up. Hopefully you will be able to get rid of our blond failure and get things somewhat back to normal.' Sam thought to herself.
Within seconds of Sam thinking this several mini megaton missiles exploded right in the spot where both Danny and Dash was fighting. Fortunately for Dash Danny saw the incoming projectiles and with his quick reflexes managed to tackle the blond Jock just in time to get the two of them out of the line of fire before they exploded. Unfortunately this seemed the very well displease the being who launched the missiles.
"Damn it, and I was so close to taking that whelp's head off along with the rest of him!" Skulker said in a disappointed tone earning several screams of panic.
'Skulker I should have known that only he would use hi powered explosives. Well guess what? It is payback time for what you did to my dancing flame!' Danny thought to himself as everyone around him began to panic.
"Run everyone it is a ghost!" Kwan screamed while running towards the nearest exit.
"Let's get out of here before he kills us! Oh and Fenton I don't care if you saved my life this isn't over!" Dash screamed as he and just about everyone else ran towards the different exits in the cafeteria.
Upon seeing that everyone was out of the lunch room Danny wordlessly transformed into his alter ego, and without warning slugged the cyber armor wearing ghost in the face. However, even with the quick offensive attack Skulker rubbed his metal cheek slightly and laughed.
"If that is the best you can do whelp you might as well give…" Skulker never got the chance to finish his sentence as Danny once again attacked the cyber armor wearing ghost without warning.
However, unlike the first time Danny added some ecto energy to his punch making it strong enough to send Skulker flying into a wall. Upon pulling himself out of the imprint of his body Skulker instantly knew something was off with his opponent.
'Damn it I need to be careful with the amount energy I used. Even with the training I did for this day that is still very taxing.' Danny thought to himself.
"What is with you today whelp? Normally you aren't this aggressive, and you would be making lame puns that are barely witty at best." Skulker said while putting up his suit's shield to deflect Danny's energy beam into a wall.
"Sorry funny, joke around Danny isn't here today. He has gone on vacation and will never be back!" Danny answered just before sinking underneath the floor.
'Funny joke around Danny is never coming back? That can't be good.' Tucker thought to himself waiting for Danny to make his next move.
Skulker not wanting to be taken by surprised again activated his ecto scanners programmed them to follow Danny's ecto signature. However, upon detecting it Skulker was shocked to find out that there were 4 matching signatures. Hoping to still have the element of surprise Danny made his ordered his clones to stay hidden while he quickly came from underneath Skulker sending him flying through the ceiling.
"Tucker we need to follow Danny and Skulker now before something bad happens!"
"You mean like Skulker actually beating Danny, and making him a pelt on his mantle?" Tucker asked causing Sam to cringe at the thought.
"While that would be horrible as well, that is not what I am most worried about. You heard what Danny said to Skulker. It seems his new bad attitude isn't just for show with his human self. I am worried decide to cross a line he should never cross." Sam said as she and Tucker ran out the back door.
Outside Casper high
"I don't know what your issue is with me whelp, but you need a major attitude adjustment. Lucky for you I am… Ahhhhh!" Skulker screamed as Danny continued using good amounts of ectoplasmic energy as he fought with the stronger Skulker.
Danny seeing he had Skulker on the ropes effortlessly continued to pour on the steam. A ferocious barrage of punches kicks all laced with ecto energy connected with the cyber armor wearing ghost. The end result of this was Danny causing a decent amount of damage to Skulker before once again sending him into a crater.
Seeing his opponent was about to wail on him some more Skulker in a last ditch effort to protect himself fired up his ghost shield causing Danny latest attack to bounce right off.
'I can't believe the whelp has me on the defensive. No matter my shield is still stronger than anything he can throw at me. All I have to do is let him wear himself out and then he will be mine.' Skulker thought to himself calmly.
'So he thinks that barrier will protect him? Let's see if the fruits of my training and online research can crack this egg.' Danny thought to himself as he snapped his fingers.
Within seconds the three copies he had made earlier reappeared, and without the need to even voice it each copy fired a supercharged energy beam at the exact same point.
"Nice try whelp, but you will have to do better than that if you want to break through my…"
"Warning barrier integrity fading. Warning barrier integrity fading." Skulker's computer said to him earning a frown Skulker.
'This is not how I envisioned my day going. I was supposed to head to his school, get his attention, battle with them catching him off guard with my updates, then take my beaten prize home and hang him on my mantle. Even my…" Skulker never got the chance to finish his thought as the clones energy beams finally caused the shield to collapse while effectively making destroying a part of his suit.
Fortunately for Skulker not only did these beams miss his head which in turn saved him, but the overuse of ghost energy from Danny's clones caused them to fade from existence leaving only a slightly weaker real deal for him to deal with. Unfortunately for Skulker, the blasts of energy that came from Danny's clones completely fried the majority of the suits controls making it just a hunk of junk leaving him the mercy of his prey.
"Are you crazy using an attack like that? If that had been my head you would have killed me!" Skulker said just before ditching his now useless armor in an attempt to get away.
Danny seeing the escape attempt the real Skulker was attempting quickly grabbed the little him and began to put the squeeze on him.
"Then it is a real shame I didn't just aim for your head instead of your chest isn't it?" Danny answered in a dark tone. "So tell me Skulker how does it feel being at the complete mercy of what you considered prey?" Danny asked sending chills down Skulker's nonexistent spine.
"Yeah whatever, now just get your little thermos out and suck me into it so I can get on with my… AHHHHH!" Skulker screamed as Danny sent another charge of ecto energy into his hand. "You weren't kidding with what you said earlier were you?" Skulker asked causing the young halfa to nod his head.
"It is time for you to pay the pied piper Skulker, and his price is your afterlife." Danny explained causing Skulker to nearly pee himself.
"You can't do that, you are the good guy, a hero, and good guys don't kill!" Skulker pleaded earning an eye roll from Danny.
"You need to get the wax out of your ears Skulker, because I remember mentioning to you before, funny joke around Danny wasn't here. Now any last words before I send you on your final adventure?" Danny asked just before a whirlwind of flames to appear.
Upon seeing what he saw, Skulker even though he knew what he did to them actually felt a slight wave of relief. While he knew he was on bad terms with the three women he wronged he also knew that they were on even worse terms with Danny.
"Ember, thank god you are here. I don't know what is going on, but the whelp here is trying to kill me instead of just capturing me and throwing me into the ghost zone! Help me out of this and I will be forever in your debt!" Skulker pleaded only for it her to laugh at him.
"Didn't I told you that you would pay for what you did to us? Well it looks like karma came to you in the form of baby pop here." Ember explained before turning to Danny. "Normally I would kick your ass for messing with my ex-boyfriend, but seeing as he abused us prior I am willing to make an exception." Ember said with a smile on her face.
"You get no argument from me Danny he needs to pay for what he did to us that day!" Kitty added agreeing with Ember.
"Do me a favor and make his punishment extra painful. Even if he isn't a teen I want to feel his misery and suffering for what he has done to us!" Spectra added earning a dark smile from Danny.
"So you have wished it so shall it be." Was Danny's answer as he added a stronger charge of ectoplasmic energy into his hand causing Skulker to scream in agony once again.
"Don't listen to them whelp, think about what your Goth friend would say if she saw you doing this. What would she say to you if AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Skulker screamed as Danny applied even more energy.
"You will say anything to save your stinking behind won't you Skulker?" Danny said extremely annoyed. Well guess what? Not only is it not working, but I am done playing with you Skulker. Any last words before you pay your debt to the pied piper in full?" Danny asked ready to give the fatal blow.
After finishing his sentence several blasts from the Fenton lipstick flew past his and triple threat heads. Danny looking out of the corner of his eye saw his two human friends looking at him with different expressions on their faces. Tucker's was a look of fear due to hearing enough of Skulker's and his conversation to know Danny was going to end him. For Sam however, it was far worse. Not only were her best friend actions heavily going against her pro-life or in this case pro-existing beliefs, but like Tucker Danny had gotten to the point where she didn't even recognize who he was.
"Danny let him go now! I don't know what has happened to you that has changed your attitude but it ends now! You are a hero and heroes don't kill!" Sam screamed trying to get through to Danny.
"Please spare me, and I promise I won't ever hunt you ever again if you let me go!" Skulker continued to plead.
"You are right Skulker, you won't ever bother me again because your time in this realm and the ghost zone is up." Danny said as he tossed the seriously injured Skulker into the air while charging ecto energy into his hand.
Fortunately for Sam and Tucker before Danny could fire the fatal blow Skulker simply vanished out of this plan of existence thanks to a certain cyan skinned biker girl blowing a kiss. Seeing Skulker vanish but not by Danny's hand made the two best friend take a breath they didn't know they were holding.
'That was a close one. If it wasn't for Kitty doing what she just done Danny was really going made him dead, dead.' Sam thought to her only to watch triple threat surround him and a triangle type formation.
"Get away from him now or so help me I will…"
"Relax dipstick we aren't going to harm baby pop. My dipstick ex-boyfriend worked me and my friends over some time ago, and Baby pop here unintentionally did us a favor." Ember explained before turning to Danny. "Besides we are the types who repay our debts so we are going to wipe the slate clean."
Before Tucker or Sam could ask how exactly they were going to do so both Kitty and Spectra were already kissing one of Danny's cheeks, while Ember herself wrapped her arms around Danny and proceeded to do a reenactment of what happened on stage much to Sam's dismay.
"Consider that a thank you for unintentionally avenging the three of us baby pop, however the next time we meet it is game on." Ember said just before she, grabbed Kitty and Spectra before vanishing into a whirlwind of flames.
Stage out
Sorry for the lack of update but writers block and school are the culprits. Any thoughts, comments, concerns? Send them in a PM or leave them in your reviews. R and R.
