From 500 to over 2K, it happens
Danny rose from the insistent ringing that was coming from his phone. Getting dressed was a little bit of a hassle as he stumbled out of bed. He met up with a perky Adrien who lead him down to breakfast. The table was long and empty, accept for Nathalie who stood next to the chairs that had a small portion of food. His eye twitched at this, knowing how much calories he burns from ghost fighting, and if Vlad decides to make another late night appearance, he'll be exhausted in a matter of days.
While they ate, Nathalie read off the schedule and how Danny will fit into it, then gave off more rules that left him wanting to snark back. Jazz's reminder kept his mouth shut.
As they rode to school, Adrien questions what his school was like.
"Casper High is not a good place. If you're rich, a part of the football team, or a cheerleader only then are you popular. Sam, Tucker, and I follow low on the social ladder. We get picked on, bullied, threatened, and the teachers down really do anything about it because they're the star athletes." which is also better for Phantom to save the town when Fenton isn't watched. Danny added in his brain.
"Francoise-Dupont isn't like that. It's much accepting of different people."
"The only thing that gets e the most is when people lie because of ulterior motives." they arrive at the school gates.
Adrien startles at the dark look that Danny got as he stares out into the front seat, as if he could make it burn to the crisp.
They got out only to meet up with one green eyed, brown haired girl. "Adrien!"
Danny heard her call, he watched as the girl gripped Adrien in a tight embrace which he could see the model did not like.
The girl turned to Danny, "Who are you? Are you a model as well?"
"Lila-" Adrien was stopped by Lila's finger against his lips.
"No, I'm not. I'll be staying with the Agrestes for the summer." Danny immediately stated. She's worse than Paulina. He decided to keep his distance from the girl as much as he could.
"What's your name?" she asked sweetly.
"Danny Fenton."
Lila released her hold on Adrien and targeted Danny. He kept her arms from wrapping around him. "I did not express permission for you to touch me. A handshake would be fine." Danny took her hand and shook it before letting go, as he walked pass her, catching the annoyed look.
Adrien watched the event from front, impressed how he handled the situation. "Is it that easy?" he whispered.
Danny heard the question as he got closer because of his enhanced hearing, he decided not to bring it up. "Who was that anyway?"
"Lila Rossi, her mother is a diplomat. She lies about everything. Even to the point of turning our class against Marinette."
"Have you or her said anything to the principal?"
"Everyone believes them, no one listens."
Danny nearly growled. He could feel his core expanding, telling him, urging him to protect this girl from the bully. "Marinette? Can I meet her?"
"She usually won't show up till later."
Danny nodded as they met up with a red haired teacher standing outside the door of a classroom.
"I've already been emailed by both Nathalie and Vlad." she smiled but then looked down at her seating chart. "However, there's a bit of a problem concerning where to put you."
"As long as I'm in the class, I'll be fine." Danny stated, turning to Adrien who nodded.
"Very well, you'll sin in the back with Marinette." she marked it down, "In the mean time, Adrien can show you around till class starts." They placed their bags at their seats, before walking for the lockers where a number of people surrounded a single person.
"…he saved me! The ghost boy even gave me a bouquet for my beauty."
"What?" Danny stalled and turned to her, shocked that had never happened.
"Oh, Danny, the Ghost Boy from a small down in the United States saved me."
"The saving I can see. What town was this?"
"Amity Park." she smiled, drawing the people in.
"Okay, and what did he do afterwards?"
"Gave me a bouquet, saying that it matches my beauty." many people agreed in this.
Danny just gave her a disbelief look. "Do you really think it's wise to release that you have met the 'Ghost Boy'."
"Of course, it's completely safe."
"He has hundreds of enemies both ghost and human. A government agency trying to track him down, normal ghost hunters, and almost a whole town that believes he's evil. They're all trying to-in my dad's words-rip him apart 'molecule by molecule'" Danny crossed his arms. "Logically you really not say anything to help protect him if you're on his side."
Lila's eyes darted around the people who began to whisper. "Of course, everyone here can keep a secret." she smiled at them as they agreed.
"Okay, as long as you're not spouting lies that you're dating him, the government, ghosts, and humans should leave you alone."
"Should?" she asked as Adrien motioned him away from the crown.
Adrien looked to him, "there's a government that…"
"They believe that all ghosts are evil and plan to eradicate them and their home. They don't care for human safety, only the ghosts and keeping their uniforms clean."
"They have a home?"
"The Ghost Zone. It's the flipside of the human realm, but they ae intertwined. You destroy one side, the other is destroyed too."
"The government don't care?"
"They only have one mission, destroy the ghosts."
They come across a large door, which opened, "Adrien, shouldn't you be in class?"
"Mr. Damocles, I was showing Danny around."
The man turned to him, "Danny Fenton, I presume?"
"Hi?"
"Please, come into my office." Danny shrugged and followed. "You may return to class." he told Adrien.
Danny sat in the chair as Damocles brought up a file. "What do you need me for?"
"Your grades are atrocious, Vlad Masters called about giving you assignments. The better you do, the quicker you go home."
"That's fair." Danny thought about the liar from earlier. "I have a question about Lila Rossi."
"We are well aware of Lila's…problem." the man couldn't meet Danny in the eye.
"You're aware of the lying, then?"
"Not all of it. It was only recently brought to my attention, which it should've been done sooner."
"And you haven't done anything?"
He took a deep, steadying breath. "She's gotten away with too much that doing anything now won't help. The teachers have begun an evidence report. Miss Rossi only does so when no one but her target his around.
"Marinette?"
"Quite so."
"Why not just get her mother?"
"She's busy and getting to reach her has been difficult."
"Okay." Danny stood up.
"Danny, don't do anything rash."
"I'm just protecting a victim of bullying."
Danny left the room and looked around forgetting where he was. Beginning to retrace his steps from earlier, he heard a cry, instead he decided to follow the sound. In an alcove of two walls was a girl with black hair in twin ponytails softly crying. Something red caught his eye by the girl's purse only to disappear when he began to walk closer.
"Her." his call out to the girl startled her as blue eyes met his baby blues. "Sorry. Stupid question, but are you okay?"
The girl began to stand, but Danny could tell she wasn't ready yet so he sat down in front of her. "It's okay, we can stay here."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Danny Fenton. I'm here shadowing Adrien Agreste for the summer."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Mr. Damocles wanted to speak with me, got lost on the way back to class."
"Oh, well, I'm okay. I can take you back." Marinette stood up, Danny followed.
"Was it Lila?" he asked, tactless. Her wince gave him the answer. "Then you must be Marinette." she began to back away, distancing from the potential hurt. "I know about her lies, Adrien told me when we got her."
"She could use that against you."
"She could try." he rolled his eyes. "I'm not that easy to back down."
Marinette smiled at him, "Thank you." she blanched at the time, "We need to get to class."
Once returning to the door, Danny witnessed her take a calming breath before opening it. The class turned towards them.
"Marinette, nice of you to join us." the teacher commented.
"Sorry, that was my fault." Danny came up to her. "I got lost on the way and found her walking in. Guess I took longer than I thought asking questions."
"That's okay, please take your seats."
Throughout the lesson, which he payed attention to, he could see Lila make a big deal out of everything. He made a mental note to contact Sam and Tucker about this.
It wasn't too much longer when it came to lunch, Marinette escaped to home while Danny and Adrien got taken to a photo shoot.
Danny was beyond bored, he took his phone out to see a message from Sam.
Skulker is hunting you again. Vlad might reveal your location.
Of course he will, it's Vlad. Oh, Plasmius told me he's gonna kidnap Adrien and hold him for ransom.
Kidnapping you, I see. A random kid is low, even for him.
If he does, Phantom is going after him.
Till then, are you laying low?
Currently sitting in a chair.
Smart as.
Need to talk to you and Tuck later
?
A Lila Rossi is spreading lies to bully a student
Your core?
Yeah.
I'll get Tucker up to speed
"Danny, time to get back to school." Nathalie said from behind him. Turning around he saw Adrien waiting by the car. Nathalie sent the picture of the messages that Danny had to Gabriel. Soon afterward an explosion rocked the ground.*
"Who were you talking to?" Adrien eyed the phone still in his hand.
"Sam." Danny looked down at the messages as Sam and Tucker answered one another. "She's going to help with the Lila problem."
"Sam knows people, part of her being rich. Her parents know even more than her. She's going to try to see if Lila's stories add up. Tucker hacks, if it's on the internet he'll find it."
"You're doing this because of Lila?"
"No, doing this for Marinette. Just because she's not being physically bullies doesn't mean that she's not being emotionally hurt."
Adrien startled at that, but Danny was right. "How can I help?"
"Try and get Lila's lies on video, if not then audio, write down everything she said." Danny noticed the time exchange on his phone and responded, letting them know that Adrien is going to be there. "Sam and Tucker is going to cross reference a few things with facts. My sister can help with the psychology side."
A large explosion in front of them had seat belt digging into their shoulders. In front of them, was what appeared to be pieces of rubble floating in the air. The Gorilla pulled away to the curb and ushered the two to hide. Adrien tried to get away from Danny, but was pulled back by the arm. A large piece of rubble forced them to separate and when Danny looked back, he was gone.
Almost getting himself worked up, he chose an alleyway and transformed into Phantom. Flying high he witnessed Paris' heroes taking on the flying think while he dropped lower in search of Adrien. Staying invisible, he came across the battlefield and watched the two work together nearly seamlessly. Within another explosion or two, the rubble turned into a person and with Ladybug's cry, fixed. Everything. Back. To. Normal. "Lucky." Danny said underneath his breath, feeling a little bit of envy at their powers.
Despite the fail that the last akuma produced, a stronger feeling came across Hawkmoth. Jealousy and envy at a miraculous power to fix any damage. He sent another akuma out and focused on the teen he sensed. By the time that the black butterfly got to the target, it was confused by not seeing anyone there. Hawkmoth was further confused when one moment his akuma was there and next moment it wasn't . He just lost the location of the thing. Thinking of his son and guest, he immediately called Nathalie on their well being. She got word from the gorilla that they just arrived at school.
I can't see Danny just ignoring Marinette being bullied.
I'm trying to swear without swearing, the Smart as was intentional.