A/N This one came out fast didn't it? I don't normally write these out as quickly as this, but this chapter wrote itself. I really like when that happens. So enjoy this chapter and please review.

A/N Update: Sorry for the double update. I had posted early took 10 steps away from computer before an idea to change this chapter hit and I had to make the changes. Sorry for any confusion.

Danny Phantom: Confessions of an A-Lister

Chapter 9: Confession of a Lunatic Hunter.

Skulker couldn't keep the smile off his face. He had captured Desiree, taken Ember's guitar, and left Ember in a puddle of her own ectoplasm dying. "Maybe I should have taken her head," said Skulker to his prisoner. "It would have made a fine trophy after all."

Desiree looked up sullenly. Skulker had put a collar around her neck that blocked her powers and connected a chain from the collar to his belt. She couldn't run and the few times she had tried, she had been violently pulled back. Bruises were forming around her neck. Skulker heard a beep from his suit and called up a screen. Skulker read the text message that had appeared and smiled. "Seems we get to take a detour," he said. He leered at Desiree. "We may even run into some of your remaining friends."

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Necropolis," replied Skulker. "Technus in his stupidity has taken something I want."

Desiree felt hope surge in her. If enough of her friends were there and they heard what Skulker had done to her and Ember, then they would attack Skulker. Between all of them they should be able to beat the hunter and free her.

It wasn't long before they came to the bar and Skulker walked in. At first they only got a glance then everyone in the bar did a double take when they saw Skulker drag Desiree in by the neck. Skulker walked to the stage and stood on it holding Ember's guitar above his head. "I have come for Technus," he said "Where is he?"

Johnny stood up and walked to the stage and confronted Skulker. "Doesn't matter where he is," he said. "I'm more interested in why you have Dez tied up and you're waving Ember's guitar."

Skulker grinned. "I've capture Desiree and taken Ember's guitar for my own reasons," he said.

"Ember would never have let someone like you have her guitar," yelled Kitty from the floor.

Skulker's grin got wider. "She would if I killed her first," he said raising a bloody sword.

The room got silent as they processed what Skulker had said. "It's true," yelled Desiree. "He killed Ember and he's going to do worse to me. I need help!"

Skulker laughed and jerked Desiree around. "No one here is going to help you Wench," he said.

"Guess I'm no one," said Johnny rearing back and punching Skulker in the face.

Skulker didn't even flinch as Johnny's punch hit him in the chin. Johnny looked at Skulker, surprised that his punch didn't do anything. "Good," said Skulker taking Desiree's chain from his waist and connecting it to a pole on stage. Skulker walked over to Johnny cracking his knuckles. "I was hoping all of you would put up a fight.

Skulker slugged Johnny in the gut then pushed him off stage. Other ghosts charged and attacked. Skulker dodged the ecto blasts and started firing his gatling gun. Most of the ghosts put up a shield, but a few were to slow and were struck in various places and went down in heaps clutching at bleeding wounds.

Wulf leaped at Skulker and bit into Skulker's arm. Skulker grabbed Wulf by the scruff of the neck and flung him into the floor. Wulf's face hit the ground and everyone could hear the crack of his snout breaking. Skulker picked him up and backhanded him in the face before kicking him away in the gut. Wulf landed on his feet and charged again. Skulker raised his gun and fired at Wulf hitting him in the arm and breaking the bone. "Down boy," said Skulker pointing the gun at Wulf's head.

Before he could fire, Poindexter snuck up on Skulker and tried to grab Skulker's gun. "You need to stop you bully," he said.

"I think not," said Skulker pulling out his blade and cutting Poindexter's arm off. "But I'd like to give you a hand for your bravery." He said tossing the severed limb at Poindexter.

Skulker suddenly found himself pelted by boxes. "Beware," yelled the Box Ghost. "For killing Ember I will place you in a cubed prison that you will…AHHHHH."

Skulker cut Box Ghost's arm off then grabbed him by the collar. "Not if I box you first." Skulker head-butted Box Ghost in the face multiple times with such force that it knocked out one of Box Ghost's eyes. He then pulled out a cage and shoved Box Ghost into it.

Suddenly Skulker felt himself be thrown back buy a cannon ball. "Avast ye scurvy naïve," yelled Youngblood standing next to a cannon. "Ye better get your hands of fair maiden."

Skulker shook his head and glared at Youngblood in time to see him fire another cannonball at him. Skulker dodged right into the tentacles of Technus. "I hear that you want I, Technus," he said. "Well here I am." Skulker struggled against Technus's hold. "My that is a hip battle suit you have," said the tech Ghost. "Mind if I have a look inside?"

Skulker stopped struggling as Technus extended a probe and connected it to an USB port on Skulker's gauntlets. As soon as he made contact Technus smiled. "Advance technology, high tech weapons, and a coffee maker," he said. "I could get use to owning this…Erahhh!" An electric charge arched from Skulker to Technus causing Technus to spasm and release Skulker. As Technus lay twitching, Skulker quickly searched him and pulled out the processor he had stolen from the fair. "I'll take this," he said. "Next time you had better not try to hack someone's systems." Skulker stood up and raised his foot and stomped down hard on Technus chest crushing it. Technus coughed up blood and lay still. Skulker laughed. "Then again there won't be a next time for you."

The sound of metal on metal caused Skulker to look up from Technus and see Kitty trying to untie Desiree. While Skulker was distracted, Youngblood fired another cannon ball, but Skulker caught it this time and then threw it a Kitty hitting her in the arm breaking it. Kitty screamed. Johnny finally got to his feet and ran to her side. Skulker dodged as another cannonball flew past his head. "Enough of this," he yelled and pointed his gun at Youngblood and fired. Youngblood's mouth opened in a silent scream as the bullet tore through his chest.

Johnny looked up from Kitty and pointed his hand at Skulker. "Shadow, ATTACK."

A black oily shadow leaped from Johnny and slashed Skulker's back with its claws. Skulker turned and punched at Shadow but it just formed a hole where Skulker's hand was going then wrapped around his arm trying to crack the armor with pressure. Skulker grabbed the shadow and ripped it off his arm then grabbed the other end and ripped Shadow in half. Skulker heard a roar of anger and turned and got punched in the face and gut multiple times by and enraged Johnny 13. "You'll pay for all of this Skulker," he yelled. "For Shadow, for Youngblood, and all the rest."

Skulker grabbed Johnny by the throat. "I think not fool," he said. Skulker slammed Johnny into the floor. Skulker saw a piece of wood sticking up and grabbed it and stabbed Johnny through the chest. "Get the point."

Johnny tried to pull the wooden spear out of his chest but couldn't get a grip because of all the blood. Skulker gave the spear a twist causing Johnny to cry out in pain then pass out.

Skulker looked around and saw no one left willing or able to fight. He grabbed Desiree's chain as she looked at the carnage in shock. Never did she think Skulker was capable of this. "I have what I came for," he said. "I have only one more thing to collect and then I deliver you to Vlad. Now move, it is a long way to the Source!"

Skulker roughly pushed Desiree in front of him. Desiree turned and saw Kitty rush over to Johnny's side and knell. Desiree mouthed I'm sorry to her, but Kitty just stared down at Johnny. Not since she had been alive had Desiree felt so alone and full of despair. Kitty looked up from Johnny, for a moment their eyes met and Desiree saw the same look in Kitty's eyes she was sure that was in hers, fear.

DESIREE'S REALM

Ember groaned as she lifted herself from the floor slowly. It took her a moment to clear her head as she looked around unfamiliar settings. "Where am…" she muttered. She had been laying in something wet and sticky and Ember looked down at her hand to see what it was. It was blood…her blood. Ember's eyes suddenly snapped opened and she looked around. "Desiree!" Ember remembered the attack…Skulker. Ember felt her chest for the hole she was sure that still there from Skulker's blade and felt nothing. Looking down she saw a fresh red scar under her sternum where the blade had gone in. "How am I still alive?" she asked. Ember got to her feet and looked around the remains of Desiree's home. She could see the massive imprints of Skulker's boots in the floor and damaged debris everywhere. The footprints lead to a gaping hole in the wall and Ember knew that Skulker had taken Desiree. The only question was why. Ember looked around for guitar but didn't see it anywhere. "Bastard probably took it as a trophy," she said to herself. "Along with Desiree."

Ember shook her head. A dull ach was dancing around in her head and her new scar itched like crazy. Opening a portal, Ember flew through it and landed in front of Necropolis hoping to find help…or what was left of it. "Oh no," whispered Ember.

Ember ran to the half destroyed building and walked into disaster zone. Ghosts were all over the place putting out fires while others were tending to the wounded on makeshift hospital beds made out of the few remaining tables. The Lunch Lady was wrapping the stub of the arm of Poindexter and Spectra was helping to put a cast on Wulf's broken arm. There were several tables being uses a beds and Ember could see several ghosts laying on them some were moaning in pain while others were unconscious. A few tables had bodies with sheets over them and Ember felt a wave of grief at seeing a sheet with a small body under it. On top of the sheet was a pirate hat. Next to it was a longer sheet that had a pair of broken sunglasses laying on it. Ember spotted Kitty sitting on a table her arm in a sling with Johnny's head in her lap. Ember walked over and saw a massive blood stained bandage on his chest and the normally pale ghost looked even worse. For a moment Ember thought he was dead, but the ragged shallow breathing told her otherwise.

Kitty looked up from Johnny in surprise at Ember. "Ember you're alive?" Kitty gently laid Johnny's head on a pillow and hugged Ember. "Thank goodness. Skulker said you were dead, he said he had killed you."

Ember nodded. "He almost did," she said. "What happened here?"

Kitty looked down at Johnny with tears in her eyes. "Skulker happened," she said. "He came into the bar with Desiree chained to him like a dog and was waving your guitar around yelling that he had killed you." Kitty looked around the room. "At first we didn't believe him, but when he showed us the bloody knife he used and your guitar we all thought you were dead." Kitty looked back at Johnny. "When Skulker started jerking poor Desiree around like a puppet, Johnny and some of the others tried to rescue her."

Ember glanced at Johnny. "All of them?"

Kitty nodded. "Skulker was brutal. He just kept shooting and stabbing anyone who got near. He beat Wulf to a bloody pulp and he was about to kill him when Poindexter over there tried to stop him and Skulker cut Poindexter's arm off. Box Ghost tried to help, but Skulker cut off his arm too then stuffed poor Box Ghost into a cage." Kitty glanced at the sheet that hid Youngblood's body. "He even killed Youngblood and Technus. Youngblood was just a kid and Skulker shot him in the chest after he stomped Technus's chest in and took some piece of computer thingy that he had with him." Kitty closed her eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Skulker is crazy. The whole time we were fighting him he was laughing." Kitty looked at Ember. "He was enjoying the fighting and the killing. He speared Johnny and ripped his shadow in half."

Johnny let out a ragged cough and Kitty ran to his side and started wiping away the spittle with a cloth. Ember couldn't hold back the feeling this was all her fault. "I should have killed him," she said. "I had a chance to end his life, but I didn't."

Kitty shook her head. "No Ember," she said. "You had no idea this was going to happen and even if you did, you're not like him. You're not a killer, Ember."

Ember just stood silently for a moment thinking about what Kitty had said. Sure she had fought many different enemies including Danny and other ghosts, but never had they ever tried to kill each other. Ember looked at Youngblood's body. Kitty was wrong. Skulker had gone nuts and it was her fault that this happened. Ember clinched her fist. "I swear Kitty," she said. "I will make Skulker pay for what he did today."

Kitty didn't say anything. She just looked down at Johnny as he continued to fight for his afterlife. The doors to the bar opened and Walker walked and surveyed the situation and started ordering his Police Officers to gather take statements as several ghosts in medical garb started helping the wounded. He spied Ember. "We're taking all of the wounded to a hospital," he said looking at the bodies of those Ghosts who had died. "And the others will be given a proper burial."

"It was Skulker who did this," said Ember. "We need to go after him. He still has Desiree."

Walker turned his attention to Ember. "I know that and I know that you're supposed to be dead if Skulker is to be believed," he said. "Good to see that he lied."

Ember crossed her arms. "I Didn't think you of all people would be happy to see me alive."

"I don't care," said Walker. "What I do care about is finding Skulker and bringing him to justice for his crimes." Walker put his finger in Ember's face. "I know that he hurt your friends, but I don't want you getting in the way of police work. You stay out of this and let me handle it."

Ember swatted Walker's finger away. "I'm going to find him dipstick and he will pay for hurting and killing my friends and me."

Kitty looked up from Johnny as a doctor started working on him. "Don't do it Ember," she said. "This isn't the Skulker we used to know. He has changed into a vicious killing machine and he is too powerful for you to take out and you don't even have your guitar. You wouldn't stand a chance."

Walker gave Ember a hard look. "Listen to your friend," he said. "I order you to stay out of this. I swear Skulker will answer for his crimes."

"Sorry warden," she said crossing her arms and smirking. "I was never any good at taking orders."

Walker scowled. "Last warning," he said. "I find you fighting Skulker, you're both going to jail for a long time."

Walker stormed off. Kitty watched as two nurses lifted Johnny's stretcher. "You're going to go after Skulker aren't you?" asked Kitty. "You're going to try to save Desiree."

"I have to Kitty," said Ember. "All of this is because of me. I'm the one who sent Skulker into a tizzy by questioning his hunting skills, I'm the one who shot him into the abyss, and I'm the one who let him live when I should have killed him. I will find him and rescue Desiree. I just need some sort of clue on where to look."

Kitty thought for a moment. "I heard Skulker say something going to the Source," she said.

Ember frowned. "The Source," she said. "Skulker must really be nuts to go to that place."

Kitty nodded. "That's what I heard," she said.

Ember shrugged. "Then I guess I'm going after them to the Source."

Kitty gave Ember a worried look. "Ember you can't go to the Source," said Kitty. "It's too dangerous and even if you do catch up to them, without your guitar you can't hope to beat him." Kitty looked over to were Johnny had been carried out. "Ember, please don't get yourself killed," she said. "I've lost enough friends and seen other ones get hurt. If you die I don't know what I'll do"

Ember gave Kitty a light hug. "Don't worry dipstick," she said. "I'm not going it alone. I'm going to claim a favor from someone who owes me and he has already beaten Skulker."

Kitty thought for a moment. Who was powerful enough to fight Skulker and beat him? Realization suddenly dawned on Kitty. "You mean Danny Phantom. You're going to ask Danny Phantom for help?"

Ember nodded. "He owes me for helping find his girlfriend and he beat Skulker once already since he got his new attitude," she explained. "If anyone can beat Skulker, Danny will."

Kitty squirmed as a nurse started looking at her damaged arm then left to get some supplies. "Do you think he will help?" she said. "You two aren't on the best of terms under normal circumstances and then theirs your unrequited feelings..."

Ember put her hands on Kitty's mouth. "Don't say that out loud." Ember looked around but no one heard them. "He will," she said. Ember gave Kitty a hug and opened a portal up. "Danny is a hero and that's what I need at the moment. I'm going to the living world and I'm going to find Danny and make him lend help to us. You be careful while I'm gone and get better."

Kitty nodded and watched as Ember went through the portal. "Good luck," said Kitty. Ember turned back and smiled before vanishing in a fiery spiral.

THE SOURCE:

Skulker was having the time of his afterlife. His recent beating at the hands of Ember had been avenged. He had put all the other ghosts in their place, captured the wishing ghost, and now he was going to be the first Ghost in known history to take some of the Source. As he sat and rested for a moment he reflected on everything that had happened recently. "It's good to be back on top," he said. Skulker looked down at Desiree. "Wouldn't you agree, Wench?"

Desiree just glared at Skulker but her hate filled stare did nothing but make Skulker laugh. "You pig," she said. "You will pay for what you have done."

Skulker jerked Desiree up until she was face to face with him. "I highly doubt that," he said. "I've beaten all of the most powerful ghost that reside in the Zone, I've killed my ex-girlfriend, and with my new upgrades I will regain my rightful place as the greatest hunter in the Ghost Zone by hanging the pelt of that Whelp on my wall. It is a pity that you will most likely not be alive to see it." Desiree spat in Skulker's eyes and with a roar he flung her face first into the ground. "Vlad wants you alive," he said. "But he didn't specify the amount of damage that I'm allowed to inflect upon you. Try my patience again and I will administer a beating like you have never experienced before."

Desiree struggled to get up. A dark green bruise was forming on her cheek but she did say anything. Skulker jerked her up again. "Let's get moving," he said. "And remember what I told you."

"Where are we going anyway?" asked Desiree. "You said Vlad wanted me so why not just teleport us over to him?"

"Because I still need one more thing before my mission is complete," he said. "I need a drop of the Source."

Skulker felt the chain tug and he turned and saw Desiree standing still in shock. "You are really going to the Source?" asked Desiree. "Why would Vlad want me and the Source?"

"I don't know what his plan is," said Skulker. "All I need is a drop of the Source, Ember's guitar, that computer chip I took off of Technus's still bleeding corpse, and you."

Skulker tugged at the chain and made Desiree start moving again. "You really plan to go to the Source?" she whispered. "That's insane."

"Only to those who are weak," said Skulker. "I plan to get some of the Source and deliver it to Plasmius."

"You can't do that," she said. "It's too dangerous, it's too unstable."

Skulker looked at her. "What do you know about it?"

Desiree crossed her arms. "I'm one of the oldest ghosts in the Zone," she said. "I know plenty about it and I'm not in the mood to share."

Skulker pulled Desiree to him and held her up by the collar around her neck. "I suggest that you start to share or I will rip the information out of you."

Desiree clawed at the collar around her neck. "Ok ok," she said. "I'll tell."

Skulker didn't loosen his grip. "Tell me then."

"It's the place where ghost go when they die a second time," she said struggling. "It's said that any ghost that dies returns to the Source and is reborn as a human."

Skulker thought for a moment. "Is that all it does?"

Desiree shook her head. "No," she said. "They also say that if a ghost is exposed to any of it, their power is greatly increased at the cost of your life and no reincarnation."

"It kills you?" asked Skulker.

"Jump in the pool and find out," said Desiree. "If you start to drown I'll jump in and save you."

Skulker dropped her and started walking. "It doesn't matter," said Skulker. "I'm the most powerful ghost without the Source and whatever Plasmius does with it is none of my concern."

Desiree felt the tug and the two ghosts continued walking through what was becoming a dense dark jungle. Every once and a while a strange yell or scream would pierce the air causing Desiree to jump. Skulker merely laughed at her fear. After what seemed like hours, they came to a clearing and in the middle of the clearing was a small pool of green water. Around the pool were four statues of what looked like monks with their hoods up standing around the pool facing it their heads bowed as if in prayer. Skulker slowly approached the pool. As he stepped into the clearing the nearest statue's head turned sharply and faced Skulker with glowing yellow eyes. Skulker took a step back and the statues head returned to its original position. "Some sort of defense," mused Skulker. Skulker bent down and threw a rock into the clearing. Nothing happened. "Interesting," he said. Skulker pulled out a small cube and pressed the button on top. The cube expanded into a cage that held several ghosts. Skulker pulled out a small gopher ghost and tossed it into the clearing. Immediately the statues turned their heads and the nearest one's eyes flashed and hit the gopher ghost. Skulker expected it to incinerate the gopher, but nothing happened. The light played over the ghost then the heads turned back to their original position. "It must be set to detect intruders who pose a threat," he said. "If anyone steps into the clearing that could harm the Source, the statues will attack."

Desiree gave Skulker a go ahead gesture. "Why don't you take a walk and test that idea?" she said. "I'll wait right here and promise not to go anywhere."

Skulker tugged her chains. "If not the need for your afterlife to be spared, I would toss you out there," he said. Suddenly Skulker's eyes narrowed and a malicious smile grew on Skulker's face. "In fact that doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Desiree started to panic, but instead of tossing her, Skulker took out another cube and brought out the cage. To Desiree's shock, a wounded Box Ghost was laying in the bottom of the cage groaning and holding a bloody stump of his arm. "Box Ghost?" whispered Desiree.

The Box Ghost opened his blacken eyes and Desiree tried not to wince when she saw one eye missing. The Box Ghost focused his gaze on Desiree. "Beware," he gasped before his eyes closed

Desiree reached out for the Box Ghost but before she could make contact, Skulker kicked her arm away. "How touching," he said. "But I wouldn't worry about the Box Ghost, he won't be in that cage for long."

Desiree looked up at Skulker in realization. "You wouldn't," she said. Skulker didn't smile or comment. He opened the cage and grabbed the Box Ghost by the collar our and held him up. "Skulker don't do this," she pleaded as Skulker turned to the clearing. "He was your friend for pity sake."

Skulker turned back to Desiree. "Friends," he said. "I have no friends."

Skulker turned back and tossed the Box Ghost into the clearing. The Box Ghost landed with a dull thud as Desiree watched helplessly. The box Ghost tried to get to his feet as the four statues turned and scanned him again. The eyes of the nearest statue turned red and pulled a large sword from beneath its robes. "Box Ghost!" yelled Desiree. "RUN!"

The Box Ghost stood shakily on his feet but it was too late. The statue walked up behind the Box Ghost and stabbed him in the chest with the sword. Desiree screamed as the statue lifted the Box Ghost off his feet with the sword still sticking out of his chest. The Box Ghost screamed until the statue twisted the sword. Box Ghost's body convulsed once the sagged. The statue flung the body back in Desiree and Skulker's direction where in rolled to a rest at Desiree's feet. Desiree could do nothing but stare into the now lifeless eye of the Box Ghost. "Pathetic," said Skulker. "He could have at least put up some resistance so I could see what defenses they had."

Desiree screamed "YOU BASTARD!" and using the chains holding her wrists as a club, slugged Skulker in the chin sending him spinning down to the ground. Desiree hesitated for a moment before breaking away from Skulker and running into the jungle. She didn't get far before she was pulled off her feet by the chain that was still around her wrists. Struggling she was dragged back inch by inch to Skulker.

Skulker pulled her off her feet by the neck and held her close. "That was a really good shot," he said rubbing his jaw. "You caught me completely by surprise." Desiree felt her throat burning has Skulker squeezed her throat. "That will not happen again." Skulker sat Desiree back down then viciously backhanded her to the ground. "Never again Wench."

Skulker turned his attention back to the clearing. The statue that had killed the Box Ghost was back in its original position. Skulker knew that the statues had to be capable of more, but either way he needed to chance going to the Source. Skulker looked down at Desiree who was staring at the Box Ghost's remains with tears in her eyes. They watched as a wisp of green smoke flowed out of the Box Ghost's mouth and floated into the pool. "I guess you were right," said Skulker. Skulker tied the end of the chain to a tree then handed Desiree a small foldable shovel. "Don't let it be said I'm completely heartless," he said. "Bury that useless waste of ecto meat while I deal with these things."

Desiree took the shovel. "You have no heart," she said bitterly. "I wish that those things would kill you."

Skulker studied her for a moment. "You may get that wish," he said.

Skulker stepped out of the woods and into the clearing. At once the statues turned to him and scanned him. At once all four of the statues got up and pulled out swords. Skulker pulled out his chain gun and fired. All four of the statues blocked the bullets with their swords sending sparks into the air. Skulker switched to a grenade launcher and fired it into the middle of the four statues. All of them rolled away from the explosion and the nearest one charged Skulker dragging his sword into the dirt and flinging it into Skulker's eyes. Skulker was blinded for a moment before his optics cleaned the dirt out in time for him to barely dodge a stab that was meant to hit him between the eyes. With a roar Skulker punched the statue in its face and was rewarded by it shattering into pieces. Skulker smiled. "You're not so tough," he said.

Skulker started to step over the destroyed statue when the shattered pieces started to move. They rolled into the bigger pieces and before Skulker could process what had happened, the statue he had destroyed was good as new. All four statues surrounded Skulker swords raised to strike as they walked in a circle around him. Skulker waited until one of them charged him blade arching downwards to split him in two. Skulker extended his own blade and blocked the strike. As he held back the statue's sword, he pulled out a blaster and fired multiple times into the statues chest putting multiple holes in its chest and forcing it back. Skulker watched as the holes sealed themselves and grimaced. This was going to be a hard fight and he was already short on ordinance because of his fight back at the Necropolis. The statue he had shot charged again and feinted a stab to Skulker's right before spinning and slicing to Skulker's left in a horizontal slash. Skulker felt the blade cut through his armor and into the interior of the suit itself. Blue and black fluids leaked out as the statue pulled its blade back for another strike. Skulker moved to block the blow as a second statue leaped into the air attempted to cut Skulker down from above. Skulker rolled out of the way and watched as the statue that had attempted to strike him from above crashed its sword down on to the statue that had injured him cutting it neatly in two. Skulker climbed to his feet and pointed his nearly depleted gatling gun at the statues, hoping to buy some time for his auto-repair systems to fix the damage but the statue did not move.

The statue that had been cut in two did not move to reform. Skulker smiled he knew how to beat them. The other two statue that had not attacked seemed to hesitate and the one that had destroyed it's comrade seemed to be in shock. Acting quickly, Skulker rushed to were the destroyed statue had dropped its sword and picked it up and stabbed the statue that had not moved. The statue cracked in half and like the one before it did not move. Skulker studied the sword for a moment before turning to the other two statues. Both of them charged at Skulker swords raised. Skulker blocked one sword with the one he had and kicked the other statue away from him. Skulker pushed off with his sword, spun and slashed the statue he had kicked across the middle cutting it in half. The remaining statue recovered long enough to strike Skulker in back, but Skulker's armor held. With a battle cry Skulker spun again and cut the head off the last statue.

Skulker fell to one knee and used the sword to stay upright. The fight had damaged his internal systems but he could feel them returning the full operational status. He turned and saw Desiree watching him with amazement and fear in her eyes. He walked over and saw that she had buried the Box Ghost's remains. Skulker untied the chain and connected it back to his belt. "Come one Wench," he said. "Time to get what I came for."

Skulker put the sword on his back and walked over to the pool. Desiree tried to stay as far away from it as she could. "You shouldn't be doing this," she said. "No one has ever taken anything from the Source before. There is no telling what might happen."

"Quiet Wench," said Skulker. "This is dangerous and one false move will end us both." Skulker took the device that Plasmius had given him and pulled out the collector. It looked like a small dropper with a black suction device and a clear tube. Carefully Skulker reached over the pool and put the collector in. Gently squeezing the top, a small bead of green liquid was pulled into the dropper. Moving slowly, Skulker placed the dropped back into the containment unit and sealed it shut.

Skulker released a breath he didn't know he was holding and stood up and turned to Desiree and gave her a grin that chilled her. "I have all that I need," he said. "Now to deliver you to Plasmius."

Desiree felt dread creeping down her spine. "Please don't do this," she said. "You don't have to do any of this."

Skulker opened a portal and grabbed Desiree's chain. "Oh but I want to," he said. Skulker grabbed Desiree by the neck. "All this is for the honor of getting to claim the biggest prize of them all. As soon as Vlad is done with you, I will kill Danny Phantom."

AMITY PARK

For the most part the Founder's Day was going well. Sure Technus had gotten away with that processor that Valerie's dad had been showing off before Danny could get to him, but at least Technus hadn't done any damage. Tucker and Valerie's dad both lamented the loss of the processor, but Valerie's dad revealed that he had another one. After the Ghost attack however, the Fenton's had seen a huge uptake in interested people. Dozens of people were sitting in chairs and even on the ground listening to Maddie's lecture and Jack had even gotten to set up target practice with a blaster…under close supervision.

"I tell you what Danny," said Jack beaming as an elderly woman aimed a blaster down range. "This had been the best founder's day ever." The elderly woman pulled the trigger of the gun sending a beam downrange to hit the bulls eye and sending her the opposite direction because of the kick.

Danny ran over to her to help her up. "Are you okay?" he asked.

The old woman grinned up at him. "Am I ok?" she said. "Sonny, I'm fantastic." She looked over at Jack. "Where can I buy me one of these peashooters?" she asked twirling the blaster around like a professional gunfighter then blowing across the tip of the barrel.

Jack and Danny stood shocked at the old lady before Jack smiled and smacked Danny on the back and pointed. "Now there is someone who can shoot," he said walking over to the old lady. "Tell me where did you learn to shoot like that?"

Danny shook his head as his dad and the old woman traded shooting tips. Danny walked over to where Star was helping sign people up for a ghost neighborhood watch. "How is it going?" he asked.

Star looked up. "So far so good," she said. "We have had about three dozen people sign up." Star flexed her writing hand. "My hand is starting cramp from all the names and address I've written down."

Danny smiled and took Star's hand and started to massage it. "Does that make it feel better?" asked Danny.

Star's eyes closed as Danny continued to rub her hands from the tips of her fingers to the wrists. It felt like paradise. Star opened her eyes and smiled. "I love you," she said leaning in for a kiss.

"I love you more," said Danny.

The two of them kissed softly until Danny felt the familiar cold wisp of air escape his lips. Star pulled back when she felt the cold air. "A ghost?"

Danny nodded and looked around. He didn't see anything but he knew someone was there. "Somewhere," said Danny. "But whoever it is isn't attacking." Danny turned back to Star. "I better go have a look."

Star nodded. "I'll come with you," she said. "I want to see who it is this time."

Danny gave her an uncertain look. "I'd rather not…" Danny paused from the stern look that Star gave him. The look that said there was no point in arguing with her. Danny sighed. "Just run if I tell you to," he said.

Star smiled. "Don't worry about me," she said pulling a Fenton Ghost Peeler from her purse. "I'm covered."

Danny looked at the gun in surprise. "When did you get that?"

Star gave Danny a wink. "Around," she said. "Your sister Jazz gave it to me and said that if Danny ever gets in trouble to use this."

Danny grinned. "I hope that never happens."

Star nodded. "If it does you can count on me to bail you out," said Star saluting. "Now let's go find that ghost."

The two of them started looking around for anything that was out of the ordinary. Danny didn't see the usual signs that a ghost was around. The was nothing blowing up, no people screaming in terror, his mom and dad running around yelling ghost and issuing threats to tear a Ghost apart molecule by molecule.

The two of them left the crowed and Danny's Ghost sense led him in the direction of an old building that sold music. They walked in and found that only a single clerk was lazily staring at the screen of a computer and one patron at the back sitting down in a chair with her arms crossed, Ember.

Danny and Star walked over to her. "What do you want Ember?" asked Danny.

Ember stood up. Danny noticed that she didn't have her guitar and looked nervous. "Dipstick…Danny," she said but paused as if struggling. Danny didn't know what to expect. Ember had never used his name before. He tried to think what Ember might want when Ember took a deep breath and said the one thing Danny didn't think she would say. "Danny, I need your help."

A/N: That was fun. Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter of Confessions of an A-lister. I'll try to write the next one as fast as I did this one. Don't know when it will be finished, but I have a rough outline.