Chapter 21:
The next few days passed in a blur to Danny. Between organizing his coronation, school and increasing monster attacks, Danny was almost constantly busy. If it weren't for his friends help, he would have collapsed from exhaustion. They were currently at school and lunchtime had just begun. Percy and Annabeth had just run out to take care of a monster that had appeared nearby while Sam and Tucker had headed for the cafeteria to get food for everyone. Danny had to stay behind in class for a few extra minutes to be scolded by his teacher and was now on his way to the cafeteria to meet up with everyone.
As Danny walked down the hallway, he felt his ghost sense ghost followed by something grabbing his ankle. He was pulled off his feet and up through the ceiling before he could even react. As the ghost continued to pull Danny away from the school, Danny transformed into his ghost half and twisted around to get a look at his kidnapper.
"Vlad!" Danny growled once he could see him. No sooner had Danny said his name than Vlad threw him into a secluded clearing below. Danny crashed roughly into the ground, digging a small trench as he slid to a stop.
"Now that we're alone and away from your meddling friends," Vlad said as he floated above Danny. "Why don't you and I have a little chat."
"I'm not surprised Plasmius," Danny replied as he stood up, tossing his cape back behind him and brushing off the dirt. "I would have thought you would have come back a lot sooner than this, but I guess my friends and I really did a number on you last time."
"I just wasn't expecting you to have demigods on your side is all," Vlad waved off dismissively. "I won't be underestimating them again. But enough about them, this discussion is between us."
"I don't think we have anything to discuss," Danny scoffed, summoning his sword and getting into a defensive stance. "You want me to give you the throne which is never going to happen. So you should just give up now and let be get back to school."
"I thought you knew me better than that," Vlad sighed, shaking his head slightly in disappointment. "I don't take no for an answer."
Vlad fired several ecto blasts at Danny, who deflected them with his sword. Once there was an opening, Danny shot forward and slashed at Vlad. Vlad dodged the blow and made a sword for himself out of his own energy. Gripping the sword in both hands, Vlad swung at Danny. Danny managed to block the sword with his own and the two pushed against each other, each trying to overpower the other.
"This is pointless Daniel," Vlad said as they broke apart. "You lack the maturity and strength to even hope to rule a realm like the Ghost Zone. Surrender the crown to me and take your place as my son. Together we can rule not only the Ghost Zone but the world as well."
"I thought you knew me better than that," Danny mocked, dashing forward and continuing their sword fight. "I'm never going to be your son. I never wanted to rule, but I've accepted that it's want's needed for the good of both worlds. I'm never going to surrender the crown to you. I'd rather die then let the world fall under your evil rule."
"Then so be it,". Vlad replied coldly, blasting Danny back. "I had hoped to convince you and spare your life, but now you've left me no choice. If you go through with you naïve ideals and take the crown, I'll lead an army and wipe you, this city, and any who foolishly stands by your side. Are you still willing to die for the crown?"
"I'm not going to give in to you," Danny boldly declared. "And I'm not going to die either. If you have an army than I'll just have to defeat it as well."
"Then you've sealed your fate," Vlad sneered. "Next time we meet, it'll be on the battlefield."
After that declaration, Vlad disappeared once again in a puff of smoke. Once he was gone, Danny let his sword disappear and his confidence drop. Despite his brave attitude, Danny was really worried and scared about Vlad's threat. He knew Vlad wasn't bluffing and truly intended to do whatever it took to take the throne and would destroy anyone in his way. With a heavy heart, Danny flew back towards the school. He had to tell the others about this.
(Time Skip)
"So either take the throne and have to fight a huge battle or surrender and be ruled by Vlad," Tucker summarized after hearing Danny's story, taking a bite out of his sandwich. "Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place."
"This isn't a joke Tucker!" Sam scolded. "Vlad's planning to kill us all. We have to figure out how to stop him."
"Could we get everyone from camp to come and help?" Percy suggested, looking to Annabeth for an answer.
"It won't work," Annabeth replied with a shake of her head. "Almost everyone is scattered going to school in their own hometowns. Even if they were all at camp, the coronation is tomorrow afternoon. We'd never be able to get organize them and get them here in time."
"The ghosts will fight," Nico spoke up. "If you tell them what's going on and that their lives are in danger, they'll fight to defend themselves. Especially with you leading them as their king."
"That's a great idea," Sam agreed. "We've already seen that the ghosts prefer to have you as their ruler. That means they'll definitely be against Vlad attempting to overthrow you."
"I'd hate to ask them to fight for me, but it is the best option to ensure everyone survives," Danny nodded. "But I'm still worried about Amity Park. In all likelihood, the battle. Is going to take place here."
"Why no the Ghost Zone?" Tucker wondered.
"Because the majority of Vlad's army is going to monsters," Annabeth informed. "I've noticed that they've been more organized and I'm positive Vlad is the one organizing them."
"Plus there aren't enough ghost decenters for Vlad to hope to overpower you and your allies," Nico added. "The only way for him to be so confident is if he recruited the monsters that want you dead anyway."
"We need to evacuate the city," Sam concluded. "But the question is how to convince everyone that an evacuation is necessary."
"Will they listen to your ghost half?" Percy asked.
"Not if I'm alone going against the word of the mayor." Danny shook his head. "I need to have someone else backing me up. Someone that people have followed before in a time of crisis before. I need to get my parents on my side. I need to tell them the truth. I need to tell them I'm Danny Phantom."