Chapter 18: The Ghost Blasters

or

Danny Meets His Girlfriend

Agent Rick Dicker was visiting Amity Park's jail with Jack, Maddie, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. "Maddie?" Vlad asked with a smile upon seeing his loved one.

"Hello, V-Man!" Jack greeted, unknowingly making the arrested Mayor frown. "Guess what? The National Super Agency thinks one of your fellow inmates is a criminal with ghost powers!"

"Actually, Mr. Fenton, Mayor Masters here is our suspected ghost criminal." Rick explained.

"Impossible!" Jack exclaimed. "V-Man doesn't need to be a criminal! He's rich."

Maddie then approached his cell. "You wouldn't lie to me. Would you, Vlad?"

Vlad approached her. "Of course not, Ma…" He screamed in pain upon touching her. "What happened?"

"The deflector, Vlad." She answered with a frown while pointing to her belt. "It gives shocks to ghosts and, as it seems, to humans with ghost powers."

"Vladdie?" Jack asked. "How?"

"It was your fault, you oaf." Vlad ranted. "You and that blasted proto-portal infused me with ectoplasm back in the Eighties, sending me to the hospital and allowing you to steal my Maddie."

"What?" Jack asked in shock.

"Jack never stole me, you creep." Maddie said while pointing a finger at him. "I love him and I never loved you!"

Vlad became so furious he went ghost in front of them. "Wisconsin Ghost?" Jack asked.

"The name is Vlad Plasmius, you oaf." Vlad corrected his former friend while phasing through the bars. He didn't have time to say anything else because Maddie grabbed him, making her deflector belt hurt him even more.

With a sad expression, Jack sucked Plasmius into a Fenton Ghost Weasel. "What?" Vlad figured out what happened. "Jack. Get me out of here! You wouldn't keep an old friend in captivity like that. Would you?"

"An old friend? No." Jack replied with a frown. "You? Yes."

"Actually, Mr. Fenton, we need him contained in a way people can see it's him when he's being tried." Rick explained. "Speaking of that, can Masters really hear us while he's in there and we're out here?"

"Yes, Agent Dicker." Jack answered.

"Mr. Masters, you're now being charged with bank robbery and the National Super Agency is going to contact entrepreneurs you bought companies from to see if they're willing to have their transactions voided on grounds of coercion." Rick told the fruitloop.

"Coercion?" Maddie asked.

Rick produced photographs of people appearing next to Vlad when the latter bought companies from them. "Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, do you see anything familiar on the eyes of those people with Mr. Masters?"

"Overshadowing?" They asked.

"People didn't know how to recognize the sign back then." Rick stated. "Now things are different."

"I knew it!" Jack exclaimed in triumph. "All those bank managers called me crazy when I asked to search for ectoplasm samples but now…" He then remembered about Vlad and became sad again.

"Mr. Fenton, Mr. Deavor knows what's like after what happened to his sister." Elastigirl commented.

"Thank you, Elastigirl, but I'd rather receive comfort from my family." Jack replied.

Unbeknownst to them, Danny was observing it all while invisible and intangible. 'Yes! The fruitloop is gone!'

"I wonder who will rule Amity Park now." Maddie commented.

Flashback from the day Vlad was arrested.

At City Hall, the Acting Mayor was looking for a way to solve an important problem: how to make sure he'll win an eventual recall election. While looking through Vlad's files, he noticed something promising. "Masters' Blasters?" He asked himself. "Nothing bad but it needs some adjustments."

Flashback ends.

That afternoon, Danny and Jazz were celebrating the news with Tucker and Sam. "Is Vlad really gone?" Sam asked. "I know what I watched on the news but I need confirmation. Were you really there spying on them?"

"Yes." Danny happily replied. He didn't feel like that even since that brief time between him retaliating on Dash and Poindexter teaching him a lesson for that.

"Are you sure your parents didn't need your help?" Tucker asked. "I know you said Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl were there but they have no experience with ghosts."

"Absolutely, Tucker." Danny answered. "And do you know what the best part is?"

"No." Jazz, Tucker and Sam replied.

"With that seriously crazed up fruitloop out of the way, I'll have more time for my studies and my girlfriend." Danny said as he showed a letter from Alex. "Her school's soccer team is going to play a match in Greendale and I could meet her there."

"Sure." Sam sarcastically commented. "Watching some guys play soccer. What a date."

"Actually, it's the girls' team and she's one of the players." Danny explained. "It's my chance to see if she's the queen of sports her profile name says she is."

"May I go with you?" Tucker eagerly asked.

"Danny, I don't think you should go." Sam suggested. "Even without Vlad around, who knows how many ghosts will take advantage of your absence?"

In Danny's opinion, the worst part was that Sam's logic was too well-reasoned for him to dismiss it as a mere desire on her part to keep him away from Alex. "I guess that's what they say about the masquerade ruining your dating life." He sadly commented.

"You could tell her you're Danny Phantom." Tucker suggested and Sam elbowed him for it.

"Tucker, we don't know her well enough to be sure we can trust her." Sam scolded Tucker.

Out of respect for other people's secrets (for as long as the others weren't paranormal investigators), Danny wouldn't tell them the real reason he wouldn't tell Alex. Would he be so afraid he'd never tell her until their future children developed ghost powers?

"Kids, come here!" Jack called from the living room.

They answered the call and Jack and Maddie showed him the Acting Mayor on TV. The Acting Mayor was announcing his newest anti-ghost initiative: The Ghost Blasters. At the point, the team consisted and two boys (Download and Trash) and a girl (Vid). "Ghost Blasters stop disasters!" The three shouted.

"I guess someone is trying to win a recall election." Sam commented with disdain.

"Even so, I'm glad to see more heroes willing to protect Amity Park from ghosts." Jack commented. "And if Danny Phantom really is the hero most people think he is, he's likely just as glad. Human with ghost powers or actual ghost, he'll probably enjoy the extra free time to live whatever life he lives when not hunting ghosts."

"Mr. Fenton, are you for real?" Sam asked.

"Sam, I know there was a time Maddie and I deemed it impossible for humans to have ghost powers but that was before I learned about Vlad Masters." Jack explained, assuming that was the reason behind the goth's obsession.

"Who wants cookies?" Maddie asked and Jack quickly helped himself to some. "Jack, the kids might want cookies as well." She scolded her husband.

"Sorry, dear." Jack replied.

"Mom, Dad, Alex invited me to watch her school's soccer team play in Greendale." Danny said and showed her letter. "May I go?"

"Keep up with your studies and we'll talk, Danny." Maddie replied. "Let's get back to the lab, Jack. Our weapons need maintenance."

The kids then returned to Danny's room. "Danny, what do you think about what your Dad said?" Sam asked.

"I think he figured out I'm Danny Phantom and is advising me to let those Blasters take over." Danny answered. "It does sound like a good idea. I only agreed to become a hero because Amity Park needs one. If the Ghost Blasters are up to it, I'll enjoy the extra time meeting Alex. I just hope there's no awkward meeting with Sabrina."

"Who?" Sam asked.

"My Greendale date." Danny explained.

"I'm sorry I asked." Sam grumbled.

"Danny, if it's because they have a cool rhyme, I can come up with something that rhymes with Phantom." Tucker suggested.

"No offence, but I don't think your Dad is that clever." Sam commented.

"Sam, didn't your parents tell you to report to the mall for a job at a new restaurant they opened in place of their Bueno Nacho spot?" Tucker asked.

"Ugh, don't remind me." Sam said. "Gotta go. Bye."

"Tucker, I'm going for a patrol." Danny said after Sam left. "Do you think Sam's right about my Dad not knowing?"

"He never suspected before." Tucker answered. "What would have changed now?"

Meanwhile, at the lab, Jack and Maddie were talking. "Jack, are you sure our son is Danny Phantom?" Maddie asked.

"Now that I see Phantom's actions during that attack under a new light and know humans can have ghost powers, I'm starting to suspect." Jack answered. "It'd explain our devices affecting him. And to think I once suspected Jazz."

During his patrol, Danny felt his ghost sense and saw Johnny 13 and Kitty causing havoc. Before he could do anything, the Ghost Blasters sucked them away. "Ghost Blasters stop disasters!" The new heroes shouted.

"Good work." Danny commented.

"Thanks." Vid replied.

"Shouldn't we capture him?" Download asked.

"Remember what our current Mayor said." Vid reminded him. "Danny Phantom is off-limits until we catch him doing something illegal. Do you want to damage our reputation and decrease our merchandise's value?"

'I guess Sam was right about the political intentions behind the Blasters.' Danny thought.

The next day, Danny saw the Blasters protecting people from a ghost blob. "Ghost Blasters stop disasters!"

At school, Danny had a test but, thanks to the Blasters, he had enough time to study and got a good grade. "The Ghost Blasters are the best thing to ever happen." Danny commented to his friends as he showed his friends his grade.

"Danny Phantom is the best think to ever happen, Danny." Sam argued.

"True but Thrash and Download aren't bad-looking either." Paulina commented as she overheard them. "There's a certain charm with a man in a uniform."

"Paulina, I'd be with them but it seems they missed my recruitment forms…"

"No chance, Foley." Paulina replied and then approached Danny. "Fenton, I'm no longer the head cheerleader and it's your fault."

"How come it's my fault?" Danny asked with a frown. "You were suspended for trying to sabotage my date with Alex and you returned to the cheerleading squad."

"Yeah but Star took advantage of my suspension to trick the other cheerleaders with a new routine." Paulina argued.

"Everyone was already tired of yours." Star counter-argued. "Mine's even better."

"And how." Tucker added while remembering the first time he watched it.

"FENTON!" Dash shouted as he interrupted the conversation. "You'll pay for my F!"

"No, he won't." Mr. Lancer intervened. "Mr. Baxter, we've been keeping an eye on you and Ms. Sanchez after that spectacle and not just because some parents insisted on it for their children's safety."

"Danny, the Blasters are only trying to sell their merchandise." Sam argued after Mr. Lancer took the two bullies away.

"They're still doing enough of a good work to make me feel safer." Danny replied.

"Don't worry, Danny." Tucker reassured his friend. "I'll have a rhyme for Phantom by the time you return from Greendale." Danny rolled his eyes.

"By the way, Sam, did your parents get you a new job?" Danny asked.

"They opened a Yak in the Box restaurant." Sam grumbled. "That chain already has so many restaurants I doubt Ustinkistan has enough yaks. The owners must be buying more from places like Zoravia."

"Ustinkistan?" Danny asked.

"Yak in the Box was founded by immigrants who came from that country, Danny." Sam explained.

"And why would they expect to find yaks anywhere in Illinois, Sam?" Danny asked.

"I'm not talking about the town formerly known as Fountain Park, Danny." Sam explained. "I'm talking about the Eastern European kingdom they're ripping off."

"Okay." Danny said.

After school ended, Danny returned home to share the good news. On the way, he noticed some robbers raiding a jewelry store and decided to stop them. "Help!" One of them shouted. "A ghost!"

"Ghost bla…" The Ghost Blasters started shouting until they saw the situation. "Wait." Vid told the others. "That's Danny Phantom stopping robbers. Good job, Phantom." The others nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Blasters." Danny replied. After delivering the robbers to the police, he returned home for good and showed his test.

"Congratulations, son." Jack commented. "I suppose you may go to Greendale to meet Alex. I'll drive." He then noticed Danny staring in fear. "Fine. I'll buy a bus pass. Happy now?"

"Yes, Dad." Danny answered.

"In that case, son, you'd better call your girlfriend to tell her the good news." Jack replied.

Accepting his father's suggestion, Danny went to his room and phoned Alex. "Danny?" She asked.

"Good news, Alex." Danny replied. "I'm going to Greendale to meet you."

"Fantastic!" She exclaimed. "My teammates and I are going there tonight. What about you?"

"I'm going the day of the game." He answered.

"So, now that you told me the good news, is there anything else you'd like to say?" Alex asked.

"No." Danny said. "What about you?"

"I don't have anything to say either but bye, Danny." Alex said.

"Bye, Alex." Danny replied and the both of them ended the call.

Meanwhile, Tucker Foley was at the mall eating a yak meal. "The yak-tion figure is kinda lame but the meat is worth it." He commented while taking another bite. "No wonder the founders became so rich. Don't you think, Sam?"

"It's against company policy to have personal interactions with customers, Sir." Sam answered while struggling to call Tucker 'Sir'.

Tucker's cell phone then rang. "Danny?"

"Mikey, I'm taking my fifteen-minute break now." Sam announced and then snatched Tucker's phone. "Danny?"

"Sam?" Danny asked in confusion.

"Tucker and I are at Yak in the Box, Danny." She explained. "I heard of how Danny Phantom stopped some robbers earlier today. I'm glad to know he's still a hero."

"Sam, this isn't what I'm calling about." Danny said. "Will you please place the phone in a way both you and Tucker can hear me?"

"Ready." She replied.

"Guys, I'm going to Greendale to meet Alex." Danny announced.

"Congratulations." Tucker replied. "Too bad my parents won't let me go."

"I can't go either because of my new job." Sam added with fake sadness.

"Is there anything you'd like as souvenirs?" Danny asked.

"Her teammates' phone numbers!" Tucker eagerly answered. Sam rolled her eyes. "Surprise us, Danny." She said.

"Alright, guys." Danny said. "Bye."

"Now excuse me, Tucker, but I need my break for something urgent." She said and went to a place no man was allowed to.

End chapter.

Author's Note: Yak in the Box and Ustinkistan are a business and a location featured in a cartoon one of Danny's dates comes from.

Author's Note 2: The Kingdom of Zoravia and the city of Fountain Park are locations featured in "Princess Natasha".

Author's Note 3: The use of a fifteen-minute-break for a loophole is an idea I took from "Big City Greens" episode "Parade Day".

Answers to Leonardo (guest):

De nada.

Obrigado.

Não confirmarei nem negarei coisa alguma.