DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN DANNY PHANTOM
Mercury Rising
Location Unknown
"It seems that the mother has been 'rescued' my lord."
"Yes, and what about the boy?"
"He is in trouble; it's quite possible he might not survive."
"Let us have faith in the boy. He has overcome difficulties in the past."
Ghost Zone Hidden Castle
-Bridge of Youngblood's Ship-
Youngblood watched in amusement as the White Whale attacked Danny. "Oh this is too good to pass up," Youngblood grinned insanely. "All cannons aim for the do-gooder Danny Phantom!"
"May I remind you that technically we still have a truce with the ghost boy," the Beagle reminded him. "So unless you are willing to risk his wrath, I suggest you reframe from this attack."
Youngblood weighed the pros and cons of this situation. No matter how he looked at it; it wasn't worth evoking Inviso-Bill's rage, but perhaps there is another way. "You, come here," he called out to a sheet clone. "Here's what I want you to do," Youngblood whispered to the clone. The clone then nodded and flew off, Youngblood then turned to his intercom, "All cannons target the human ship and FIRE!"
-Bridge of the White Whale-
BOOM
"What was that? What's going on out there?"
"We're under attack Sir! That ghost ship is hitting us with everything they've got!"
"Sir, look at this." One of the crew pointed out the window towards the ghost ship. Everyone the bridge gasp at the sight of DP flag flying on the top mast.
"I knew it that ghost boy is collaborating with them. Return fire, all available agents capture Danny Phantom DEAD OR UN-ALIVE!"
Jazz screamed out in terror as the blast from the White Whale rained down on Danny. She tried to reach her brother but froze at the sight of his armor being blown apart and his skyboard exploding. After the Whale cease firing, several agents closed in on Danny. "NOOO!" Jazz flew in between her brother and the agents. "Ms. Fenton, if you do not move out of the way you will be charged with treason!" one of the agents threatened. Jazz shook her head and refused to move. "Fine, take her as…What is that?" Something big and fast jumped the agents taking them down; and the last thing Jazz saw was a large set of teeth heading right towards her.
"Aaahhhh….!" Jazz woke up screaming. Frantically looking around; she noticed that she was no longer in the ghost zone, but what seems to be a hospital.
"Jazz, you're awake are you alright!" her parents broke into the room and began to smother her.
"Mom, Dad, I'm O.K. but confused," Jazz tried to break out of her parents hug. "What happened? How did I get here? Where's Danny?"
Her parents looked each other with concerned expression. "Jazz, this will be difficult to say but, you've been asleep for three days." Maddie held back her tears, "and Danny, no one has seen or heard from him since."
"No," Jazz couldn't believe what she just heard. "What about Valerie? Did we manage to rescue her?"
"She and Dani made it back fine," Tucker walked in. "Sorry for intruding this family moment, but I have urgent news." Tucker paused, "Dani has been arrested!"
The Fentons gasped, "When? Why?" a flood of questions just kept coming.
Tucker just waited patiently for them to calm down before continuing. "Dani, Vale, and Wulf then appeared in a top secret weapons research where they were apprehended."
"Where are they now?" Jazz asked.
"The good news is I manage to pull some strings and found out where they are. The bad news, Bill Masters is detaining them."
-Masters' Secret Cloning Lab-
Bill was sitting at the head table patiently drinking his tea waiting for the last members of his secret cabinet to arrive; after he place his cup down, the doors flung open and two individuals entered. "Welcome back Youngblood, Fright Knight. First, I must commend you on a job well done." Bill said directing them to their seats.
"What do you mean job well done!" complained Youngblood. "I could have taken them if you hadn't recalled me!"
-FLASHBACK-
"Looks like we have them on the ropes Sir," the Beagle said.
"Yes, my best plan yet: destroy enemy ship and frame that spoil sport in the process." Youngblood gloated.
"An excellent plan indeed," Bill's voice came from the vid-screen, "setting up Danny without violating my truce, brilliant Admiral. I just might make you my second in command."
"Thanks Masters," Youngblood said with pride. "Shall I finish them off?"
"No you've done enough," Bill said, "withdraw now and report back after you retrieve Fright Knight."
"But!"
"In case you haven't noticed Danny is gone. If you were to retreat now it would look like you've rescued him, and besides there are some technology on that ship I'm interested in."
"What about the Advisors? You said I could have my revenge on them!" Youngblood started to throw a fit.
"Again haven't you noticed that there are no more skeletons attacking? This means that they have already abandoned that castle, or this was always the decoy. Either way, we no longer have an objective here. Don't worry if my hypothesis is correct we may yet have another chance." The screen shut off.
Youngblood grumbled as he hit the retreat signal.
-FLASHBACK END-
"Now that we're all here let's get this meeting started," Bill called his secret cabinet to order. "First order of business; Mother, how are things in the human world?"
Harriet Chin rose up, "Well, thanks to an 'anonymous' tape of the battle in the ghost zone, questions are being asked about Danny Phantom's loyalty. However because of concern about public's reaction to seeing their hero turned bad, the network decided to hold off on airing it." Harriet sat down after she finished.
"That's to be expected," Bill smiled, "but they will have no choice but to report it after check the tape's authenticity and any evidence of doctoring, especially when other networks start getting that anonymous tape." Bill then turned to Prince Aragon, "How are things at your end?"
The Dragon Prince stood up, "Thanks to your army, I managed to secure my old kingdom again, but my sister escaped." Aragon hissed the last sentence, "And three more territories had also fallen to me. However there is an increasing rebellion against us and without more leaders to direct the clones I fear it's we won't be able to expand more than this." Aragon sat back down.
"Yes, we need more generals. Fright Knight, take command of the outer territories. I'll see about recruiting more help." Bill then turned to Spectra, "Speaking of which, how's our clone production?"
Spectra gulped before getting up, "Well Sir, not too good. We're running low on Danny's DNA. Unless we get a fresh supply of genetic material, the best I can do is 55 more clones, 76 if the samples don't get contaminated." Spectra sat down trying to hide her face.
Bill pondered for a minute, "Why not just make clones out of random individuals and give them ghost powers, like how you made your body?"
"While that is possible, I still need a stabilizing gene in order for the bodies to develop ghost powers. And the only people who are known to have the gene are Danny, Valerie, and Vlad Masters." Spectra answered.
"What about their parents won't they have gene?" Bill suggested.
Spectra thought about it, then remembered that it was Jack's tissue sample that stabilized her (Completely forgetting that it also turned her into a mucus monster). "It is possible; but since none of them are halfas, some if not most of the clones may not develop any ghost powers."
"We'll chance it, if anything the non-halfas can be used for cheap labor. Go begin collective the necessary material," Bill turned to the smallest member, "take Youngblood with you and while you're at it try to find Danny Phantom. I'm sure he's somewhere in the human world."
"Hey, why do I have to go?" Youngblood complained.
"Your ability to hide from adult eyes would make it easier to steal genetic samples," Bill explained. Youngblood sulked but nodded.
"Excuse me but, how can you be sure the whelp is in the human world," Fright Knight asked.
"Simple, after going through the recording of the battle, I noticed it was all too easy," Bill stated.
"You think that was easy!"
"Anyway," Bill coughs, "I believe that the Advisors intended Daniel to rescue Ms. Grey all along. After all an imprisoned princess and heroic knight, all the classic elements for a cheap romance wouldn't you say?"
"You mean this was a ruse to get them together, why?"
"They believe that Daniel and Valerie child is supposed to be the next ghost king," Bill paused to study their reactions. "So what better way to get them together than a dramatic rescue?" No one in the room move or said anything, they just stood there in utter shock. The tension was broken when Bertrand barged into the room and fell on the floor.
"You better have a good excuse for interrupting this meeting," Bill's eyes glowed bright red as he stared at the short ghost.
"Well Sir, you told me you wanted to be informed the moment she got there," Bertrand sweated as he tried to back away.
"She has arrived huh, well that definitely qualify as a good excuse," Bill's eyes stopped glowing. "Meeting adjourned; you all know what you have to do."
Everyone got up and left. Bill smiled and headed towards the lounge. "It's so nice of you to visit Samantha."
"You may dispense with the pleasantries I'm here to ask about Danny." Sam stood cross armed.
Bill walk to the walked to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup, "Now Samantha, whatever gives you the idea I know anything about Daniel's whereabouts?"
"Please, spying on us is your favorite hobby," Sam pointed out.
Bill laughed in amusement, "So true, but unfortunately he seemed to have disappeared during the battle. So either he's been captured or he's hiding somewhere. Fortunately I have acquired a clue to finding him."
-Few Days Later Masters' Mansion-
Bill Masters, boy billionaire and secret leader of the ghost army, waited patiently for his guests to arrive. Normally he would wait inside for Bertrand or one of his servants to inform him, but for these people he sat on his front porch. Then he heard the sound of and engine, looking down the road he spied a vehicle that looked like a cross between Van and a Tank. "That must be them," Bill said to himself. As he figured the Fentons, Tucker, Sam, and Damon Grey exited the RV. "Welcome to my humble home," Bill greeted his guest. "I trust you had a pleasant trip?"
"Sorry if I sound rude but; WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER?" Damon demanded, Jack and Maddie holding him back.
"She's, well it's probably better if I just showed you." Bill led them into his mansion.
As they followed Bill towards his ghost lab Jazz ask, "Excuse me Mr. Masters but why did you agree to let us see them?"
"Simple really, I figured the interrogation will go a lot smoother if you all questioned them," Bill said. Ignoring the glares he received, Bill opened the door to his containment room. "DANI, VALE!" everyone cried as they rushed towards the cells.
"I demand you let them out now!" Damon yelled as he watched his daughter sitting in the corner of her cell.
"Yeah, let us out here you creep!" Dani agreed.
"Sorry sis, but I'm under orders to keep you detained until the government decides what to do with you," Bill said. "However if you promise to behave and not try to run the moment I unlock your cells."
"Alright," Dani grumbled. Wulf growled but nodded. Vale didn't move she didn't even look at her father. Bill called his security team, who everyone recognized as the former 'Master Blasters', and positioned them near the cells. After Bill was sure that everything was secure he opened the cell doors. The moment the doors opened Damon rushed in and hugged his daughter, the Fentons gathered around Dani, Sam and Tucker stayed out of it saying that this is a family moment (Truthfully they still can't stand either girl).
"While I hate to break up this tender family reunion, I'm afraid we have to get to back business," Bill gestured them to follow him. Bill led them to the main hall where servants prepared an assortment of sandwiches and other snacks. Bill poured himself a cup of tea and helped himself to a couple sandwiches. Seeing that he wasn't going to say anything at the moment everyone else started to eat as well. "Now then," Bill wiped his mouth, "I'm sure you all can guess my first question. Where is Danny Phantom?" Everyone stopped and stared at him for a few seconds, then turned to Vale and Dani.
"You mean he's not back yet?" Dani asked.
"What do you mean 'yet'?"
"The plan was; Danny creates a diversion, I get Vale out and Wulf here gets us back to the human world," Dani explained.
"Wait, you mean you just abandoned Danny in the ghost zone, surrounded by ghosts who want to kill him?" Sam eye twitched as she spoke to the little clone.
"He said that saving Vale was more important, and besides he had Cujo with him," Dani noticed that everyone was confused. "Cujo is this ghost dog, Danny said he can sniff out ghost portals and dig his way through them."
"Oh, you mean that giant mutt that got Vale's dad fired in the first place," Tucker remembered. Damon flinched after hearing that, 'no wonder Valerie became a ghost hunter.'
"Really, so that's why he said Cujo owed her one," Dani said.
"So his plan was for you to escape with Ms. Grey and then use this dog to find another portal?" Bill pondered, "A bold plan, foolish and stupid."
"HEY!" everyone shouted. Bill ignored them and looked at Valerie, "you've been awfully quiet Ms. Grey, how about you tell us the real plan?"
"HUH?" everyone looked in confusion.
"Didn't any of you notice that there was something off about her and this strategy too simplistic to actually work," Bill noted. "So for you to have successfully escaped, means that this Valerie is a fake!" Everyone gasped as Vale melted and reshaped into a faceless ghost wearing an old fashion trench coat, "I guess the jig is up."
"Hello, I'm Amorpho," the ghost introduced himself. Before he could say another word, Dani change into her ghost mode and tackled him. Jack and Maddie drew their blasters and jumped right next to him. "Well that was a bit rude."
"Why were you impersonating my daughter," Damon demanded.
"Don't blame me, this was all Danny's plan," Amorpho said, "would you mind letting me up?" Dani looked at Maddie who in turn looked at Jack, afterwards they both nodded. Dani got off of Amorpho and helped him up. "Thank you, now what was I saying oh right. Like I said this is Danny's plan. I first got wind of it when I was going to prank Poindexter. You see he has quite a rep for being one of the few ghosts that actually defeated Danny Phantom."
"Hey, he's never beaten Danny!" argued Sam.
"Well there were several witnesses that say he did so please no more interruptions." Amorpho continued, "Anyway I overheard Danny asking Poindexter about the Advisors. After hearing what was going on, I immediately volunteered to help. The plan we came up with was a simple one; I infiltrate the castle using my shape shifting powers to find and bring Valerie to the rendezvous point, then after you bring her to the human world, Danny and I (disguised as Vale) were going to act as decoys."
"If that was the plan why are you here?" asked Jazz.
"Well you see Danny was afraid that the Advisors would see through this plan and so he altered a bit. I would go with the rescue party disguised as Vale and Danny escapes with the real Vale. The Advisors would assume that he's just using a decoy and try to find the real Valerie." Amorpho explained.
"That sound stupid," Sam said not liking the idea of Danny and Vale alone together for about a week. "I mean you're in the Advisors castle you really think you can pull off a switcheroo without them noticing?"
"That's what Poindexter said, but Danny sent me to Princess Dora's for some talismans that could block their ecto-signatures." Amorpho brought up his walking stick and showed them the glowing sphere inside the skull. "I placed these all over the storage area, and once activated no one will be able to sense them. So the only way you can find her is with the GPS I placed next to her."
'If that thing works like he says it does hum,' Bill thought to himself. "So basically Danny has fallen into their trap."
"HUH!" everyone gasped.
"The Advisors overall goal is this new ghost king, who is supposed to be the child of two halfas, and now both halfas are missing and most likely alone somewhere. Even if this wasn't their plan, the end results are what they wanted." Everyone in the room including the security team stood in shock over this revelation. Bill was about to pour himself some more tea when Bertrand came crashing into the room. "Again, is this going to be a continuous problem with you?" Bill was upset that he spilled his tea.
"Sorry Sir, but you really need to see what's on the news," Bertrand hurried to turn on the television.
"This better be good," Bill warned only to be pleased by what he saw. On the screen was the President giving a speech about the recent ghost attack and showing footage of the battle at the Hidden Castle (mainly those of Danny crashing into GiW agents and blasting the White Whale).
"Wait, that's not what happened!" Jazz jumped in, "The board was being hacked and that attack was a ricochet!"
"And because of his actions in the ghost zone I have no choice but to declare Danny Phantom a traitor and enemy of the living." Everyone was so focused on the news that the GiW crashing into the house took then completely by surprise. "Jasmine Fenton, I have a warrant for your arrest."
"What, why are you after my daughter?" demanded Jack.
"She and her Brother attacked us during the battle. So the chief is keeping his promise to lock her with her traitorous brother," The GiW agent quoted.
"Danny is not a traitor!" Jazz screamed.
"Your right, he's a stinking ghost. You're the traitor! Take her away." the GiW agents approached Jazz.
"STOP!" Jack jumped in front of the agents. "I'm not going to just let you take my daughter!"
"Mr. Fenton if you don't move out of the way, I then I will place you under arrest as well." The agent threatened. Jazz conceded defeat and agreed to go peacefully if they let her dad go.
"Well this is an interesting turn of events," Bill started to plan his next scheme. "Security, escort these ghosts back to their cell." The former Master Blasters grabbed hold of Dani, Wulf, and Amorpho and led them off. "So sorry to cut your visit a little short, but if I get anything about Danny I'll be sure to call." The Fentons and others got up without arguing and headed for the front door.
-Meanwhile-
Danny awoke screaming in pain, a cold chill up his spine gave him a bad feeling that something was wrong. Changing into his ghost form he hurried to the next room. Phasing his head through the door he was relieved to find Vale sleeping peacefully, and Cujo also sleeping at the foot of her bed. Danny returned to his room and checked his watch it read 2:30 am. Danny was in too much pain to go back to sleep so he decided to step outside. Sitting on the roof Danny watched the stars hovering over the Rockies and remembered a time when he used to do this with Sam and Tucker.
To Be Continued
Next Time…Working Vacation
Danny and Vale enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. All sides trying to find them. A new sinister plot is revealed.