Chapter Fourteen

Danny didn't waste any time. Invisible, he phased through the wall and flew quickly down the street. Thoughts raced through his mind as he rounded street corners, his body moving hypnotically through Amity Park.

When he reached the familiar building, all of the windows in the house were dark and blocked with blinds. Danny knew by memory which window belonged to Tucker, and he didn't hesitate. With agile speed, he raced towards the window. Suddenly, Danny slammed head long into an invisible force field. The invisible ghost shield. From outside, he had no way to deactivate the obstacle, and had no way to get their attention through the closed window. At least, not without making a scene and that was the last thing he wanted with his mom out on patrol. 'There's no time,' Danny thought. Desperately, he began ramming it and fired ghost rays that were absorbed into thin air.

"Tucker?" Sam whispered loudly. She rose from the floor and shook him lightly. "Tucker!" she said in a hushed tone. Tucker finally stirred as Sam cautiously approached the window.

"Wha…?" he yawned. "Sam…? Sam, it's not even two in the morning. What–?"

"Shhh," she shushed. "Don't you hear that? There's something outside." She yanked the cord on the blinds, and outside, Danny Phantom relentlessly attacked the invisible Ghost Shield. "Danny?!" she asked, opening the window.

"Sam!" Danny stopped attacking the Ghost Shield. "Tell Tucker to lower the Ghost Shield—I need to get in!"

"Okay," Tucker half-yawned as he reached for the PDA.

"No, Tucker!" Sam protested. "Don't! It could be a trap!"

"What?!" Danny replied. "Sam—it's me, Danny! Please, you have to let me in!"

"But how do I know that?" she answered. "Maybe you're Daniel just posing as Danny."

"What?!" Danny said, shocked. She had a valid point, but there was no time for an argument. "Sam—it is me! You have to trust me!"

"If you are really Danny," Sam began, "You'd be able to get in easily…without lowering the shield."

"Um, Sam," Danny said. "I'm a ghost. I can't really go through a Ghost Shield."

"He has a point," Tucker interjected.

"But Danny is only half ghost," Sam responded. "Danny can just turn human and go right through the shield." Danny thought for a moment, and slammed his palm against his forehead. He drifted downward until his feet touched the sidewalk, and changed forms. Human again, he stepped through the Ghost Shield and went ghost again so that he could get up to the window. Sam smiled as she moved aside to let him in.

"Sorry," Sam apologized as Danny landed beside her. "I just…I had to be sure…"

"I know—it's okay," Danny said. "I understand. But…there's something you need to know."

"…Okay," Sam replied unsurely. There was a hesitant silence as Danny tried to find the words. "…Well?"

"Anna…Daniel is…I mean…" Danny began.

"Dude, just spit it out," Tucker said, still half under the blankets.

"You were right," he finally managed to say through pants of heavy breaths.

"What?" Sam asked. "What are you talking abo—?"

"Anna," Danny said, looking away. "You were right about her, Sam. She is Daniel."

"What?!" Sam and Tucker gasped simultaneously.

"Are you sure?" Sam asked.

Danny nodded. "I'm so sorry, Sam…"

"But…then how…?" Tucker began confusedly. "But he attacked me and Anna—how could he…?"

"I don't know," Danny replied. "But…somehow he did. That's why it was only a copy."

"He must've been trying to make me trust Anna," Sam said. "How'd you find out?"

"The Disguise Breaker," Danny replied. "I just happened to think about it…and…" He sighed as he sat on the corner of the bed. "What should I do?"

"Nothing," Tucker replied, yawning. "Get some sleep and we'll think of a plan tomorrow."

"…You're joking, right?" Danny said. "The homicidal ghost that's killed three people is sleeping in my house in my sister's bed—the sister that he killed—and you want me to pretend like I don't know and sleep?!"

"Danny, calm down," Sam replied. "Tucker has a point. If you're gone too long, he may catch on that you know something. We should wait until tomorrow and try to figure something out."

"Exactly," Tucker said. "And if you act like you don't know anything, he won't suspect anything—we'll have the advantage of a surprise attack!"

"…You want me to pretend like I don't know anything?!" Danny replied. "But I can't just—!"

"Danny, you're just going to have to let it go," Sam said. "I know it's hard, but you just have to. Go home; try to get some rest. We'll figure out something tomorrow."

Danny sighed, defeated. "Fine…I'll see you tomorrow…"

"It'll be fine, Danny," Sam said as Tucker lowered the Ghost Shield. "I promise." Danny gave a weak, half-hearted smile as he flew out the window and back towards his house. Remembering that the ghost shield stayed activated up, he landed on the sidewalk near by his house and changed forms. He knew the front door would be locked, so he changed back and phased through.

The house was dark, and Danny could barely make out the faint shadows of the chairs. Suddenly, he heard a gasp from the living room.

"Sorry, Vlad—it's me," Danny whispered.

"Danny?" Vlad said softly. "What are you doing up at this hour?"

"It's…a long story," he replied, deciding he shouldn't tell Vlad just yet. Maybe tomorrow, but not now—not when Daniel could easily be listening. "Sorry I woke you up."

"It's alright," Vlad replied suspiciously. Before he could ask anything, Danny headed up to his room. He silently changed forms before lying back on his bed underneath his wadded covers. Danny let out an exhausted sigh full of worry as he stared at the ceiling. Weary lids closed over blue eyes, but no sleep came as he lay there for the next several hours. Eventually, he gave up the futile attempt as the sun began peeking through the blinds, leaving creases of sunlight across his face. It wasn't long before a quiet knock broke the silence. After a moment, the door silently slid open.

"Danny?" Maddie said softly. "Danny? Breakfast is ready." She quietly walked over to his bed. Danny lay on his back, eyes staring at the ceiling above. He didn't acknowledge her as she approached. "Sweetie, are you alright?"

Without looking her way, Danny responded. "Yeah…fine…" he lied.

"Breakfast is ready," she repeated. She pushed his always-messy hair back from his face. "If you're hungry," she added with a comforting smile.

"Yeah…I'll be down in a minute, Mom," he replied, still not looking her way. With a small, disappointed sigh, she left the room, closing the door silently behind her. Danny sat up from the lumpy bed, yawning widely. Sluggishly, he drug his feet down the hallway and to the kitchen, plopping down in a chair by the table. Behind him, Vlad and Maddie exchanged worried looks.

"Danny," Maddie said, placing a plate in front of him. "Would you like to see if Anna wants any breakfast?"

"If she wants it, she can come get it," Danny snarled. Maddie didn't say anything as she set out the rest of the four plates and helped Vlad finish breakfast. They had just begun eating when Danny's Ghost Sense went off. He didn't have to look at Vlad to see if his did as well, and he didn't have to guess why.

"Good morning, Anna," Danny said. "You're in a good mood."

"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?" Anna replied, pouring herself a glass of orange juice; Danny wasn't sure if her face was a smile or just a sly smirk. He decided probably the latter as the glass tipped to her lips and she swished it down.

"No," he said after a moment. "It's a nice day." She turned, satisfied, and headed into the living room. Anna picked up her back pack from the couch.

"See you later," she said.

"Leaving so soon?" Danny said.

"Don't worry, Danny. I'll be back," she replied as she opened the door. "I just have to go to the library." She left without another word, closing the door behind her.

"I guess I couldn't get too lucky," he mumbled to himself. Vlad caught his eye as he and Maddie exchanged another concerned expression. Eyes focusing on his eggs, Danny picked at his food for another moment before placing the fork beside the untouched meal.

"I'll be back," Danny said. "I just…need to use the bathroom." Before either could question, his loud footsteps pounded upstairs. Maddie stared after him for a moment before her concerned eyes landed on Vlad.

"I'll go talk to him," Vlad said as he rose from his seat.

"What makes you think he'll talk to you if he won't talk to me?" Maddie replied, clearly offended.

"Just…trust me on this one, Maddie," he replied. She sighed, but didn't argue as Vlad quietly went upstairs. He heard a loud thud from the room on the end of the hall—Danny's room. Cautiously, he approached, lightly pushing the cracked door open. Inside, Danny stood with his head against the wall, fist propped in an indention in the drywall.

"What do you want?" Danny asked, without looking at him.

"Simply to know what's wrong," Vlad answered. "You've been acting rather strange lately."

"I wonder why," Danny said sarcastically. "Take a look around, Vlad. Jazz, my dad, Dash—all of them died because of me!"

"You mustn't blame yourself, Danny," Vlad insisted.

"Why?" Danny almost yelled.

"Not you, Danny," Vlad corrected. "You and he…you aren't the same. He said that he exists without you—as a new being. I think what he's said is possible, and—"

"Oh, how would you know, Vlad?" Danny interrupted.

"We've been through this, Danny, he told me—" Vlad replied.

"That doesn't matter anymore," Danny said. "None of it. He is me—regardless of what happens. And he's been toying with me the whole time because…he knows there's nothing I can do to stop him."

"Danny, I think you may be the only one that can stop him," Vlad said. "And besides, I don't think he's 'toying' anymore."

"He's been hiding right under my nose the whole time," Danny sighed. "He knew that I would never suspect her, and…he was right. He knows there's nothing I can do!"

"What do you mean, hiding under your nose?"

"He is Anna!" Danny said, almost shouting.

"He…he is?" Vlad replied with slight awe.

"He knew that once he got close to me, I would never suspect a thing…and I fell for it!"

"Danny, you can't blame yourself—no one could've possibly—"

"Sam kept telling me that something wasn't right…that she was bad news. And even after she was attacked and told me that Anna was really him, I didn't believe her. But she was right," Danny sighed, feeling the anger well up into tears. His teeth gritted, and he forced them back. "And now he's got me right where he wants me—I can't do anything to stop him!"

"That's not true, Danny," Vlad argued. "Listen to me, Danny. If anyone can beat him, you can."

"No, I can't," Danny said. "He's too powerful, and he knows all of my weaknesses because he is me. I don't stand a chance against him."

"Well, if he is you, then you should know his weaknesses as well."

"If only it were that simple," Danny replied.

"Isn't it?" Vlad said. "Think about it, Danny: his weaknesses are your weaknesses. You know your limits, your disadvantages—use them against him. It shouldn't be—"

"You're forgetting one very important detail," Danny interrupted. "I'm half human—he's not. My friends are my weakness; the ones I care about are my disadvantage. He killed them for his own fun and amusement—he doesn't care about them or anyone! And my powers have more limits than his because he's me ten years in the future. Even if I do know my limits, his are different." Vlad was silent. "I told you, I can't beat him, even if I want to."

"Are you telling me you don't want to defeat him?" Vlad asked. Their eyes met as Danny turned to face him.

"I…" Danny replied, turned away. "What's the point? I'll fight, get my butt kicked, and then watch helplessly as he kills someone else and frames me for it. What's the use in even trying?" Vlad stared at Danny, lost for words. He turned and walked towards the door.

"I used to envy you," Vlad finally said as he placed a hand on the door frame. "Your strong heart, your stubborn determination, your utter disdain for defeat…I used to find myself annoyed—distraught, even—because of it. But, deep down…I admired you for that unbreakable and unwavering will." Danny turned slightly too look at Vlad, whose back still faced him. Vlad sighed. "I guess…I was wrong about you." Without another word, Vlad walked away, closing the door silently behind him. Danny watched after him, his stare lingering in the doorway even after Vlad was gone.

Danny sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, Vlad was right.

He took in a deep breath before re-entering the kitchen. He noticed the table had been cleaned off, except for his plate. Vlad and Maddie stood by the sink doing dishes and chatting quietly about something. He walked to the table unnoticed, and stared at his cold plate of breakfast. He caught a few words and phrases of their conversation. It really didn't make sense, but part of him really didn't care whatthey were talking about.

"…doesn't want me to know…but I don't want…" Maddie muttered over the dishwater.

"Maddie," Vlad started. "…knows what he's doing. Trust me."

"But I don't want him to get hurt, I mean…"

"He'll be fine, Maddie…watch over…" Vlad suddenly sensed Danny's presence in the room and looked over his shoulder. Maddie, too, looked behind her at Danny.

"Oh, Danny," Maddie said. "I didn't know if you were going to eat…"

"Nah…I'm not really all that hungry," he replied picking up the plate and dumping its contents into the garbage. "Why don't you let me finish these up?"

"Are you sure, sweetie?" she replied.

"Yeah," he smiled lightly. Maddie kissed his forehead and headed down to the basement. Running water and the clanks of dishes filled the silence between the two.

"Danny, listen," Vlad began as he dried a dish, "I shouldn't have been so hard on you. I know how stressful this must be for you. I shouldn't have said what I did."

"No," Danny replied, handing him another. "I'm glad you did. Because of that, I realized…you were right. You…Sam and Tucker…you've been right this whole time. I know I shouldn't blame myself – he isn't me. But…part of me can't help but feel responsible. Either way, I forgot that…I fight ghosts; I don't give up because one knocks me down a few times. I get up and fight anyway. I still have to fight. If I don't, this will never end." There was a silence between them.

"You said that Clockwork said you had to beat him," Vlad said. "He didn't say you had to fight him alone."

"No offense, but I don't think the two of us could handle him," Danny replied.

"What about Valerie?" Vlad suggested. "She has excellent aim and state-of-the-art equipment. And Maddie—"

"I don't want to get Valerie involved," Danny said. "I mean, last time I tried to get her help, she was attacked. And Mom…she doesn't know – about any of this. Not to mention she thinks I killed Dad – she wants to destroy me."

"But surely if you were to explain the situation—"

"You know I can't do that, Vlad," he interrupted. "I don't know what she'd think. I mean – she thinks Danny Phantom killed Dad – if I tell her I'm Danny Phantom…"

"…Then she'll know you didn't," he replied. "Your mother knows you would never hurt anyone – especially not your own father. Maddie will believe you, Danny."

"…I don't know…" Danny said. "I mean…what if…"

"She won't think ill of you, Danny. She'll understand. Trust me."

"I…" he began, "…I'll think about it. For now, I could use the training while Daniel isn't around."

"We'll have to wait until night time and sneak out once 'Anna' is asleep," Vlad suggested.

"And if he's inside when the Ghost Shield goes up…"

"…He can't get out."

"Exactly," Danny replied. "Sam and Tucker are meeting me later to try to come up with a plan. I'll let you know what we figure out."

"Alright," Vlad agreed. "If I think of anything that can be of use, I won't hesitate to let you know."

"Sounds like a plan," Danny said, shutting the water off as Vlad dried the last dish. "Gotta run – I'm meeting them in a few minutes. I'm leaving a note for Mom, but let her know that I'm with them if she asks."

"Good luck, Danny."

*~*~*0*~*~*

"Okay, so what do we know?" Tucker asked as he opened something on his PDA and began typing.

"Well," Sam began, "We know that Daniel exists outside of time and claims that Danny's fate is meaningless to his existence; that he will do virtually anything he wants regardless of the impact on, well, anything; and that he is or is posing as Anna to stay close to us and especially Danny."

"Clockwork said that I was the only one that could beat him. He also said that, whether Daniel realizes it or not, we will always be a part of one another…so no matter what happens, I'm a part of him," Danny elaborated.

"Do you think he has a plan?" Tucker asked, still typing.

"I'm not sure…" Danny replied. "I know he has an objective and maybe a basic layout of a plan, but…part of me thinks he's just making it up as he goes."

"I don't know, Danny," Sam said. "I mean, his plan…well, it seems to be about coming between you and your family and friends. Think about it: he killed Jazz which made you distance yourself and lie to everyone; then he killed Dash to keep Valerie somewhat against you; next was your dad – since then, you've said you and your mom have been growing apart; his last attack was me. Anna was meant to come between you and your friends – me and Tucker. He tried to kill me, and I'm sure Tucker was just a matter of time. It seems too organized to be improvised."

"Maybe his basic plan is to come between Danny and us but he is improvising how to do it," Tucker suggested.

"But why?" Danny interrupted. "The whole reason I became him was because I tragically lost all of the people I cared about. If that created him, why would he want to distance me from that?" A silence fell between them.

"Okay…so we don't know what or how he's planning," Sam finally concluded. "But how can we stop him?"

"We don't," Danny replied. "I'm the only one that can."

"But that doesn't mean we can't help, Danny," Sam said. "Clockwork never said you couldn't have help before the final blow. Besides – you know you can't beat him alone."

"I know…but…" Danny sighed. The room grew silent once again.

"…I think I might have an idea," Sam finally said.

*~*~*0*~*~*

Nine thirty approached. Danny sat anxiously in the den, waiting for the door to quietly creak open. Vlad sat with him, but a silence had fallen between them. Having Vlad present was reassuring…but Danny couldn't help but dread the inevitable conversation that approached. Finally, the sound of Maddie's keys could be heard jingling on the doorstep, and the door unlocked. It opened quietly, and she stepped inside.

"How is everything?" she asked casually, placing her ghost hunting equipment in the corner. She stepped into the kitchen and fixed a glass of water before sitting down in the chair across from them.

"Just fine," Vlad answered when Danny didn't speak. Danny swallowed hard at the lump that caught in his throat, and Vlad gave him a reassuring nudge. Again, he didn't speak. "Actually, Danny had something he wanted to tell you." Vlad's eyes met hers and she understood the silent message.

"Oh really?" she leaned forward, intrigued, and smiled warmly. Danny looked at her and then up to Vlad who gave him an optimistic nod.

"Okay, here goes," he sighed heavily. "Well…I'm not really…exactly sure how to tell you this, Mom… Uh…I'm – uh…I mean… When you and Dad first made the Ghost Portal, and it didn't work…I…well, I kinda went inside it and… Well, it's kind of fuzzy but…" He let out a sigh and swallowed again. His tongue clung to dryly to the roof of his mouth and he felt as though the room had gotten hotter. Shaky fingers ruffled through his hair, and cobalt eyes stared at the floor.

"Danny, if you aren't ready to tell me –" she began.

"No," he interrupted. Their eyes met, and he smiled. "It's time you knew the truth." He closed his eyes, and a bright pale blue light flooded the den. When it dissipated, he stood before her in his ghost form – as Danny Phantom. She stared, wide-eyed and surprised. "When I came out of the Ghost Portal, I was…like this. Part ghost. I always hid it from you and Dad – and Jazz, until she figured it out. For a while, Sam and Tucker were the only ones that knew. I guess…I was just afraid that…that you would think of me as, well…a science experiment." When Maddie said nothing, Danny allowed himself to continue. "Once I got these powers, I started fighting ghosts and protecting Amity Park. I know…you probably think badly of me…because of Dash and…what happened to Dad…"

"Of course I don't think badly of you, sweetie!" Maddie said. She stood suddenly, tears in her eyes, and wrapped her arms around him. "Honey, I know you would never hurt anyone – especially your father. I'm so sorry that I blamed you."

"No, don't apologize, Mom," he replied, changing back. "I mean…I know how it looked…and…I know…I know who killed him." A silence fell over them and she studied his weary face intently.

"Who?" she asked urgently.

Vlad cleared his throat. "While we are putting all of the cards on the table," he said. "You should know, Danny, that your mother knows of my identity already."

"You do?" he turned to his mother, somewhat surprised. She nodded.

"Well, when your mother and I fought, she shorted my powers," Vlad explained.

"Good," Danny nodded. "Then…Mom…we need your help…" Danny took in a heavy breath. "You see, the ghost…the one that killed Dad…well…he…he is me."

"What?!" she exclaimed.

"Well…sort of," he continued, a little more tentative than before. He stepped away, and walked over to the window. "He's me from the future…or at least, he was. A year ago, I beat him and managed to trap him in the Ghost Zone, but now he's escaped and says that he exists outside of time. And…if we don't stop him…" A warm hand rubbed his shoulder, and he let his head hang. "I don't want him to hurt anyone else."

"And he won't, Danny," she replied, letting her arms wrap around him. "We'll stop him." Danny smiled and turned, returning his mother's warmth.

"There's…something else you should know," Danny sighed. She dropped the embrace and their eyes met. "This ghost…he…he's the one that killed Jazz." The warmth left her face, and he knew she was trying to hide her anger. But tight lips and stone skin revealed how she felt, and Danny let his head hang with shame. "I'm sorry, Mom…"

"It…it isn't your fault, Danny," she assured. "But we will take this ghost down. Do you two have a plan yet?"

"Well, Sam came up with something, and I think it might work," Danny replied. Vlad leaned forward with interest and Maddie sat beside him. "Or at least catch him off guard."