I'm back with more.

Please read Part 1 and 2 first. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Juukka belongs to my good friend JH24. Miss you, my friend!

Compromise Part 3

High on the roof of the OPS Center and in ghost form, Danny sighed with frustration when his call to Vlad did not go through—that, or the man had declined it. The teen had been left feeling uneasy since last night when Vlad called him to tell him about Skulker.

But it wasn't the news about Skulker's return or his having the Soul Shredder that had him anxious…

It was the older hybrid.

The man had felt off last night. He felt distant, yet the teen could sense he had been reaching out to him. Like… he needed him. It was why Danny had asked Vlad if he wanted him to go to Wisconsin. And he would have if the man had said 'yes'… He still wanted to even when the man had declined his assistance.

After so many months of not physically seeing the older hybrid, their constant connection had gotten easier to carry. The weight of it had become as normal as the watch he put on every morning. It was just there.

But that steady feeling had been disrupted last night. And it had hit him full force. Even before the man had called him, that disruption had jolted him enough to wake him up.

And now, it was the next day… But it had not gotten any better. Instead, it had gotten worse.

Danny felt anxious, and he wanted to understand why!

What was going on with Vlad that had the man so… unstable?

He was also a bit nervous about the fact that he could tell something was wrong. Sure, he knew their bond came with a certain ability of sensing each other's wellbeing. But this… this was stronger than what he had experienced before. It almost scared him to be reminded just how little he knew about this supernatural bond he had with the other half-ghost…

Danny exhaled once more before glancing in the direction of his school. He should be heading to class. But for the first time in a while, he was considering skipping it all together. He would not be able to focus like this. Worse, what if his powers went out of control? They had a knack of getting unstable when his emotions were elevated… Now, he had to add Vlad's instability on top of it.

That was just asking for trouble.

"I should go to Wisconsin…," Danny muttered, passing a hand through his hair. But something stopped him from acting out on his desire…

The teen hesitated this time before he brought up his watch and tried to connect with the other half-ghost.

The connection didn't even have a chance to attempt to go through. It had been instantly rejected this time.

And Danny winced in sudden pain as he pressed a hand against his chest.

Okay, even his core had felt that this time.

Vlad was so upset he was trying to push away or suppress their supernatural bond. The teen wasn't sure if the man was doing it on purpose and if he realized his attempt physically hurt the teen.

Danny looked down at his hand, and let his energy appear in a small sphere. It was his natural green colored energy. But he soon steadied himself enough to briefly create blue energy. At least his own stability was not too badly compromised right now since he at least could still wield the softer power.

But he was interested in another form of energy right now.

Eyebrows furrowing, he focused on letting his connection with the other half-ghost swell in his core, he winced again as he hit a barrier once more, and realized… he couldn't create gold energy right now.

Danny released his energy with a frown before he brought his watch back up. This time, he connected to another ghost—specifically, one of his newest allies.

Danny smiled as he heard soft chirps answer him almost immediately on the other end.

"Hey, Juukka…. Are you nearby?"

The creature chirped again, and the teen had talked with the ghost enough times in the past months to understand what he was saying.

"On my way…"

"Thanks," Danny answered before he disconnected. He looked back towards his school before he decided he really wasn't going to school. He was sure his parents would not be very happy; but he would explain later.

He took off in the sky with another destination in mind. Considering it was the start of November, the air was already cool and crisp. But the sun was brightly shinning down. So, overall, the day was pleasant. Too bad he couldn't enjoy it right now.

It was a bit of a flight to finally get to Lake Eerie. Instantly, he felt the presence of his own energy signature grow stronger around him. It didn't surprise him, though. His mark was in this place; and from here, his energy expanded across his territory. So, naturally, his signature felt strongest here.

There was one other thing of importance here, though… a natural-forming portal. The largest one in Amity, and it was underwater.

Danny had never gone through it. But right now, he was really considering doing some exploring…

Maybe… Maybe it opened closer to Wisconsin. If it did, he could more easily swing by to check on the other half-ghost… even if the man clearly did not want him to.

Danny bit his lip nervously as he weighed his options. Unfortunately—or fortunately—he did not get to decide.

Right then, his ghost sense went off.

Danny gasped and looked around for the intruder. It was not any of his allies or any ghost he knew, like the Box Ghost.

No, this energy was different… and powerful.

To his sudden surprise, he noted movement in his peripheral vision, and his eyes darted towards the lake.

"Skulker?" Danny muttered when he saw the ghost fly out of the lake, clearly having used the natural portal to enter his territory.

But… he didn't feel like Skulker….

He also didn't look like Skulker…. Well, not completely. His eyes were still green, but his flaming beard and hair was now a dark purple, almost black color. His armor also had more black than silver now with some glowing blue accents—though it was still Skulker's suit. Overall, the ghost appeared more intimating than usual…

And his energy was all wrong.

The hunter was clearly focused on something because he didn't even see Danny yards away from him.

But the teen—against his better judgment and ignoring his mentor's warning from last night—went after the ghost.

"Skulker!" he called out.

The hunter quickly jolted to stop and whirled around. His eyes widened with brief surprise but it soon melded into annoyance. "You…"

"Geesh, a few months away and you already forgot my name?" Danny quipped crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

Skulker narrowed his eyes further. "If only I could be so lucky…"

"Ouch… It must be 'reject Danny day' or something…," the teen said with a shake of his head.

"Get lost, ghost child. I am not here for you… yet," Skulker snapped before resuming his flight.

But Danny quickly followed after, saying, "Hey, wait! I need to ask you some questions! Like, how did you get out of the Realm of Nightmares? And why are you dressed as the Fright Knight and carrying around his sword?"

Well, technically, he wasn't carrying it. But the teen could see it strapped on his back.

Skulker sneered at him. "I am not going to warn you a third time, whelp! I said, get lost!"

"Uh, I don't think so. If you haven't noticed, you are in my territory. In other words, you're trespassing, dude!"

That got Skulker's attention.

The hunter came to stop and stared at the young hybrid with slight curiosity before he focused on the feel around him. He had been in such a hurry he had not even noticed it. But now that he was, he could clearly feel the young hybrid's energy all around him.

Skulker scoffed. "Oh, well, look at you… Becoming a ghost man."

Danny made a face at him.

"Or, rather… is it that you simply now have friends in higher places?" he asked bitterly.

The teen hesitated but replied, "If you're referring to Vlad… Yeah, we're friends now. Um… well, more like we have this supernatural bond and he turned out to be my guardian…" He blushed. "Too much information?"

In Danny's defense, he figured the ghost would have already known all that since he was sure at least Skulker had spoken with Fright Knight in the time they spent together in the Realm of Nightmares.

The hunter shook his head before replying soberly, "Let me give you a piece of advice, whelp… Don't let Plasmius fool you. He doesn't have your back. He is not your friend. He is no one's ally. And he can only be your guardian if you accept it… Don't. Get away from him while you still can."

Danny blinked in surprise with the ghost's words. And then he watched the ghost fly off again.

But the teen soon frowned as he felt an odd stirring in his chest…

"Hey, wait a minute!" Danny exclaimed defensively as he rushed forward, and this time, cut off the hunter's path by moving in front of him.

"That's not true! Vlad isn't like that anymore! And I happen to have gladly accepted his guardianship!"

Skulker rolled his eyes.

"Hey, I'm serious!" Danny snapped, annoyed. "Look, I get why you're mad at him. He did mess things up before; but he fixed it! And all he's been doing since then is trying to make amends for his wrongdoing! At least I know for a fact he has not stopped trying to find a way to help you and Fright Knight!"

"Help us?" Skulker hissed angrily. "Like he helped us when he put the knight and I in such a dangerous situation? Like he helps everyone when he is set on gaining whatever he wants without considering the consequences to others? Face it, ghost child! What happened is his fault! I told him not to tamper with the Order's Crystal. And I told him not to seek out the Spirit of Time! He did not listen! He released that abominable creature! He was the cause of Fright Knight being force to serve that evil spirit! And how we both ended up in the Realm of Nightmares!"

"But it wasn't Plasmius who put either of you there! It was that evil Phantom!"

Skulker scoffed. "Amazing… I am gone for a few months, and here you are… finally brainwashed by him. Guess he got what he wanted from you, after all… He's good at that, isn't he? Making you think it benefits you to create an alliance with him? That you are both equal when, in reality, you are just a tool for his own use."

Danny's narrowed his eyes. "Watch it, Skulker… You have no idea what you're talking about."

"I know exactly what I am talking about, because I have been there, too," Skulker replied angrily. But narrowing his eyes further, he added, "But you are right about one thing, ghost child…. It was not Plasmius' fault that otherworldly spirit decided to imprison the knight and I within the Realm of Nightmare…Or, should I say, it was not just his fault… it was yours, too!"

Skulker abruptly pulled out a gun from his shoulder and fired it at the teen's chest.

Not expecting it, Danny yelped as he was thrown back in the air. But he quickly came to his senses and stopped his uncontrolled flight.

With a hiss, Danny looked back at the hunter while gripping at his smoking chest. It took everything in the teen to not pummel the ghost to the ground.

"You're a fool, whelp," Skulker said with a dark smirk as he flew over to the stunned teen with his gun still ready. "I would think you would know better than to venture this close to an enemy who has always wanted your pelt on his wall. And now… I have all the more motivation to get it!"

Danny fisted his hands on his side but made no move to attack. "… I don't want to fight you, Skulker."

"No? Why is that?" Skulker challenged, gun humming.

The teen's eyebrows creased. "Because you are still Vlad's friend…"

Skulker scowled. "Wrong, whelp…." He fired again.

But this time, Danny was ready and he teleported away from the blast's direct path. The teen's hands began to glow with green energy. "I said I don't want to fight…. But I will kick your butt if you keep pushing me!"

"Then, let me shove you over the edge!" Skulker answered darkly as he fired several blasts this time.

Danny raised a shield as the energy attacks struck. But they did nothing more than shove him back a bit.

"You know the benefit of no longer having an alliance with Plasmius?" Skulker asked as he switched to a missile launcher. "I no longer have to hold back with you… I might look different, but I am still the Ghost World's Greatest Hunter! And I am still going to mount your head on my wall… Yours and your new guardian's as soon as I get the chance!"

Danny growled back and abruptly fired two energy blasts at the hunter.

But to his surprise, Skulker vanished in a puff of smoke… and reappeared right behind him.

The teen jolted as he barely managed to dodge the sharp blade that made a slash at his neck.

Danny flew up; and with a flash of blue from his eyes, he released an icy beam at the hunter.

However, Skulker immediately launched his missile.

Danny's eyes widened when the missile shatter his ice attack and came right at him. He jolted out of the way but the missile followed his moves.

"Oh crud!" he exclaimed as he dove, and the attack moved with him.

He teleported above it and quickly fired a strong beam at the incoming missile. It exploded, sending him flying back from the force.

Danny groaned as he gripped his head after he stopped his flight again. But this time, he had no time to react, and he gasped when he realized there were now two missiles coming at him

However, to his surprise and Skulker's own, a green energy shield suddenly appeared around the missiles, and they exploded harmlessly.

"Back off, Hunter!" came the threatening voice within the hunter's mind.

Skulker's eyes darted towards the third ghost now a few feet from him and Danny.

"Juukka," the teen muttered.

The hunter frowned deeply. "Interesting to see you around these parts… Guardian. What? Are you the whelp's bodyguard now?"

"Call it what you like… He is off limits to you. Touch him, and you will not only incite my wrath… but his father's wrath."

"Father?" Danny asked, confused, now also hearing the wolf ghost's telepathic voice within his own mind.

"I am not afraid of Plasmius… especially now," Skulker replied before reaching back and pointing the Soul Shredder at Juukka. "Believe me, it is you and him who do not want to incite my wrath!"

Juukkka growled back as his body began to glow blue in preparation to fight.

"Stop!" Danny demanded. "I said, I don't want to fight!" The teen then frowned sadly before he added, "Skulker, please, just listen, okay? It's not just about Vlad… You and Fright Knight helped me stop that other Phantom in some way or another. I owe you guys, too. I'm not asking you to like me… Just… Can we call a truce? I can help you... You and the knight if you give me the chance."

"I do not want your help. I do not want the help of any half-ghost," Skulker replied bitterly. "There will be no truce. So, consider this your only warning, whelp: get in my way and not your new friend here or your new ghost father is going to save you from me."

Before Danny could say anything else, Skulker abruptly vanished in puff of purple smoke.

Danny sighed before glancing at Juukka. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course, my pup… It seems Skulker came to seek you sooner than Plasmius predicted…"

"You have talked to Vlad?" Danny immediately asked.

Juukka nodded. "Yes, but briefly this morning. He just contacted me to warn me of the possible danger."

"I'm worried, Juukka. I can feel something's wrong with Vlad. I wish he'd let me help him…," Danny muttered sadly.

Juukka's ears pressed back in sympathy before he said, "Do you remember the story of how your guardian and I met…?"

Danny nodded and smiled a bit. "Yeah, he wanted to capture you… You almost wasted him."

"Do you know why I did not destroy him? Why I held back?"

Danny shook his head.

"Juukka knows guardians… I know the core of one…. When Juukka met Plasmius, he knew Plasmius would be a guardian someday. I could feel it in his core. I knew then Plasmius had a purpose. A reason to do good in this world someday…. You were the reason I let him live."

Juukka purred as he moved closer and added, "Do not be afraid for him, pup. As long as you both share a bond, he will keep trying. But change takes time. Humans and ghosts change and mature differently. He is unique in that he must learn to evolve and find balance within both his sides… I can only imagine how hard that must be for him—and for you. But in time, he will learn. You both will… He might be older than you. But in Juukka's eyes and to many other ghosts, he is still a pup like you. Still much to learn."

Danny chuckled. "He'd probably love hearing you say that… " But shaking his head, and added more soberly, "Thanks, Juukka. I just hope he knows I'm here if needs me."

Juukka chirped. "He does… But you can always remind him."

Danny's eyebrows creased in confusion. "How? He does not even want to talk to me right now."

Juukka reached out and placed a hand on his chest. "No words needed. Use your bond with him."

Danny placed a hand on his own chest. "I… I don't really know how to control it…I mean, besides tapping into it to elevate my core and powers…"

The wolf-like ghost chirped. "Your bond is not just for battles, young one… It can do much more…"

"Like what?" the teen asked, curious. He had forgotten this ghost was very old and knew quite a bit about things—things most ghosts had not even heard of.

"Healing…," Juukka answered. "Energy transfers… Some can even exchange core types or even see what their counterpart can see and vice versa. Many endless possibilities."

"Whoa… Does Vlad know that?"

Juukka barked a laugh. "He knows what he reads in his many books. And supernatural bonds are not something you can learn about in books… Not to their full extent, at least. You see, each bond is unique. Manifests in different ways. But they all have one thing in common: The connection can be made tangible whenever needed. You know this to be true. After all, you already tap into this unseen connection and create something visible when you use synchronized energy or use your bond to elevate your core."

Danny thought about that for a moment before he said, unsure, "So…. You're saying I can use my connection with Vlad to 'speak' to him without really speaking to him?"

"Yes… Not exactly telepathy, but it runs deeper… In your subconscious and core, you both can communicate… transfer thoughts and emotions, as easily as sharing energies."

Danny sighed. "That sounds interesting and all; but right now, I can't even make gold energy….He's been blocking me since last night… Whatever that even means."

"You have more control than you think… I will show you," Juukka answered before he abruptly grabbed the teen by an arm and teleported them.

Danny jolted but soon relaxed when he found himself sitting on the ground next to the lake and with Juukka sitting on his back legs in front of him.

"Close your eyes, pup. Juukka will teach," the wolf-ghost eagerly said.

The ghost was oddly excited, judging by his wagging tail.

Danny chuckled but still closed his eyes.

"Focus on your connection."

"I already tried. It hurts," Danny answered, unsure.

"Supernatural bonds do not hurt. What hurts is when something disrupts that connection…. Visualize your guardian… Imagine it is he who is with you and not me. Find him. You can do it, Danny Phantom."

Danny winced as he was met with the same resistance… But he still focused on it no matter how uncomfortable… and like a revolving door he just went through.

He soon realized, what he felt was not resistance… It was sorrow, anger, and… bitterness. Not his own… But Vlad's. It wasn't that the man was blocking him, but rather, he was so conflicted his emotions were engulfing him, suffocating even their own bond.

But Danny knew these emotions… They came with a certain darkness. The man had used them many times before to protect himself from pain.

"He's in the Ghost Zone… Plasmius is…."

Danny trailed off. He rarely called Vlad by his ghost name anymore. For so long, 'Plasmius' had been his enemy. 'Plasmius' had been evil… 'Plasmius' had been the part of his guardian that caused him pain.

And right now, it was all he felt.

Not Vlad. Or Masters. Or even his guardian. Just… Plasmius. Vlad's ghost energy was through the roof. His mindset and emotions were raw… like a ghost…. Like Plasmius.

It didn't feel right. It felt like his guardian was a jig-saw puzzle and someone had thrown the pieces all over the place. The distinction between the many parts that made up Vlad were that messy at the moment. But why?

It took a moment, but Danny soon realized why the man was so…unbalanced. Why he was leaning so much into Plasmius.

"He thinks he's weak…," Danny said out loud, both confused and worried.

"As I said, pup… You know better than anyone the struggle of trying to balance two sides of you… a ghost and a human… How does one compromise without losing one or the other? … Juukka cannot answer this. But perhaps, you can…"

Danny didn't reply as he thought back to his own struggle with this... Yes, he knew what that was like. He struggled with it since he was fourteen and became half-ghost. At one point, he had been terrified of his ghost half. Afraid if he let it grow stronger, he would lose his humanity… He would grow weaker. But it wasn't true. It was the opposite.

Didn't Vlad remember that?

After all, the man had taught him how important both sides of him were. He taught him not to be afraid to embrace his ghost side. So, why was Vlad now afraid of simply embracing his humanity? Plasmius wasn't growing weaker just because he was changing as a person…

No, Vlad couldn't give up now. He couldn't go backwards. Danny needed him to move forward for both their sakes.

The teen just wished he could help him remember… If he could just tell him.

As if reading his thoughts, the telepathic ghost said, "You might be young and inexperienced compared to your guardian, Danny Phantom… But even the most ancient of ghosts and spirits can still learn and be taught. You have proven that… So, teach him, my pup. Teach your guardian how to compromise…Remind him of what he once taught you."

"How?"

Juukka purred. "As I said…Energy is not the only thing you both can exchange, young one. Instead of speaking or thinking what you want to give, pass it down into your core and towards that connection… Give him what he needs."

Danny smiled as he realized what that meant.

How many times before had his guardian somehow encouraged him and somehow gave him the strength from within to keep going? Even before they knew of their bond, Vlad would somehow know when Danny needed him. He somehow pushed him on from within—and at times without saying a word. Vlad had stabilized the teen's powers when they had gone haywire; he had given him confidence when he had felt paralyzed by fear.

The teen had learned a while ago that the only reason he had learned blue stabilized energy was because of Vlad—because the man's presence balanced him.

Yes, that's it… They balanced each other.

Sure, Vlad was both Masters and Plasmius. They were one in the same. But Vlad didn't need to lean on Plasmius like he used to…

Not anymore.

Maybe it was time to teach Vlad how to lean on him. On their bond…

After all, Danny had learned to lean on his guardian even before he knew that was who Vlad was…

And their bond bent both ways…

Focusing carefully, the young hybrid let his supernatural bond with his guardian submerse him… And for the first time since last night, his ghostly hue turned a soft gold….