Ember's realm

Valerie cursed. She was getting bored. The time she had spent away from here, combined with the erasure of her memory, meant she had no idea what to do. If she known she was going to stay this long, she'd probably have brought some books, though they were not likely to be favourite's here. Though if Ember had acted as a Hunter herself, there might be some books written from a spirit's perspective on ghost hunting. They'd probably be hidden somewhere, but where?

The door bell rang, and someone had vanished from where they were standing. Typical kid pranksters. What Val didn't notice since her suit was off was a very puzzled young ghost wondering what a human was doing in Ember's realm. In fact he was so puzzled, that Val was able to close the door before he had recovered enough presence of mind to prank the trespassing human.

The door bell rang again. And Val kicked herself. Ghosts could be invisible, so she set up her armour just in case he was one of those ghosts that had to be invisible. This time she noticed him. A small kid was outside. Ah yes.

"Okay, sorry about that, couldn't see you without my spirit armour."

Youngblood now re-entered the puzzled state he had just left. This was the Red Hunter, who shot first and asked questions never? And she was apologising to him? If Youngblood had been human he would have pinched himself. Perhaps this was a new Ecto-servant of Ember's? No - Ember would have assumed that he was still mad at her and wouldn't let him in. And if Youngblood wasn't so worried about Ember's encounter with the Red Hunter, he would have been mad.

"You killed Ember and took her realm. Prepare to be punished."

"Look, brat, last I knew Ember was still around. She's been sent on a mission by Clockwork, that's all. She's gone to talk to my Dad and Phantom."

"You're still trespassing! Humans aren't allowed in the ghost zone."

"Can't I visit my mother?"

Youngblood looked at Valerie as if she was insane. A human being the daughter of a ghost? That was impossible. It couldn't happen. There was no way any true spirit would fall in love with a human, even if offspring where possible.

"It's true. I'm at the centre of a True Ghost Trial. It's bound to be on every news channel."

Youngblood's parrot spoke. "Hello, this ghost's a kid, Val. Do you really think he'll watch the news? And yes she is telling the truth, she is your niece. And no, that doesn't give you any authority over her!"

"Okay so she has a right to be here."

"Ember is big on entertainment, but I can't see anything suitable to just pass the time. No doubt she'll bring stuff from home, but I haven't been here since I was smaller than you. So..."

Youngblood shook his head. The rules of the realm still held, so Ember was still alive, and if he was right there was the remote control. He quickly turned on the TV, and hoped this weird human would leave soon. He handed the remote to Val.

"Thanks' kid. What's your name?"

"Youngblood."

Valerie turned on the TV and started flicking through the channels.

Danny barely dodged his elder alternate's blasts. This was not good. The last time he had only one because of something unexpected he did. But now, his elder self was undoubtedly ready for the ghostly wail, and unlike for his elder self, his wail was a last resort, and if he used it he would become truly vulnerable.

"You can't stop me, this time, I am more powerful than you are. I will kill you and take your place thus guaranteeing my existence in time proper. Nothing can stop me. Nothing can stop me. Ah good it's I think it's about now." The younger Danny was wearing down. Suddenly two rings surrounded him and he retuned to his human form. Dan Phantom continued. "The only way you beat me was by doing the unexpected last time, this time there are no surprises."

Indeed the elder Danny would have been right; if not for the fact Valerie had been watching this. The two ghosts, explained the two different attitudes of Phantom, and the continual disappearances of Danny were also sorted out. This meant Phantom was as he said a good guy, where the elder ghost who could disguise himself as the younger was the person who had ruined her life. Now she knew which ghost to go for, and despite her anger at Danny's dishonesty, she wished she could get there in time to save him.

Val's suit whirled round her but did not attach instead forming a portal she fell through quickly, while back in the human world a whirlwind appeared near the two Danny's.
Dan immediately dismissed the whirlwind believing it to be Ember's, however Danny's mind finally clicked why he though he had seen that Ember's whirlwind elsewhere - Val's new suit.

"You ruined my life!" Val stated towards the elder Dan, and opened fire at him, upon which Danny shivered and Dan laughed, both knowing how poor her aim was. Then they were surprised as all five beams from her suit, hit Dan and hit him hard. The distraction enabled Danny to re-enter his ghostly form. He didn't think the otherwise occupied Val had seen him do so though. Then rather than continue on the board she jumped off it at let it head on it own towards the elder Dan, its electricity automatically firing upon the Elder Ghost. Val turned her head to Danny. "Ghost kid, are you going to help or are you just standing there with your mouth open?"

Danny concentrated hard and let loose with powerful ectoblasts, as Val continued pouring on the fire, hard as it was to see any real effects. Danny quickly took up the Thermos and gathered the Elder Dan in. Suddenly the Thermos vanished, as Clockwork arrived.

"That was not a good idea, Val."

"Took me by surprise too, I never expected that I could teleport. But if it's a choice between losing both of us and just losing me, then losing me is the right decision. Still I don't entirely trust Phantom, though I suppose his hearts in the right place."

Clockwork looked askance at Valerie. So she wasn't going to tell Danny that she knew. That was very interesting. Very, interesting indeed. Had Val truly accepted that in some ways she was mistaken? Or was this just a way to observe him until he slipped up?

Later that night Danny was talking to his friends and stated that it didn't matter what they thought it was way past time he told Valerie Grey of his double life. His friends looked at him as if he was insane, which was nothing unusual and asked one question that shocked Danny beyond all measure. "Who on earth is Valerie Grey?"

To be continued...