Danny's parent had gone out for the evening, which meant he was free to use the lab undisturbed. Cujo was circling his feet while dragging the newly made Fenton Leash, which was just the line from the Fenton Ghost Fisher with a spring clasp tied at one end and a cloth handle tied to the other. Danny was busy checking his equipment and Jazz was nearby looking disapproving.

"I'm just saying I don't think this is a good idea."

"You always think my ideas are bad," Danny pointed out.

"Not always, just most of them."

"Well, this one might be bad, but I don't have a lot of options."

"You could just ask Frostbite or even Clockwork. I'm sure they both know enough about ghosts, to answer your questions, you know, seeing as they are ghosts."

"Yes, but I need to know about ghost animals and training them. Skulker is my best bet. That or Vlad, but between the two of them I like my chances with Skulker better."

"…if you're sure."

"Come on Jazz, I've beaten Skulker plenty of times. He's not even a threat anymore."

"But this time you're not looking for a fight. You'll have to be diplomatic, and if you make him too angry he might not even listen."

"Ok, true, but I have a plan."

"You do?" Jazz sounded genuinely surprised. "Wait, your plan isn't to just overpower him so he doesn't want to fight, is it? Because I'm pretty sure that would make him angry enough to not want to help."

"Also true, but if I can fight him to a draw he might be less angry and still willing to listen. At least that's how it's work before."

"I still think it's a bad idea."

"And I agree, but it has to be done."

"Fine, just be back before nine. Mom and Dad will be home by then and I only have so many unused excuses."

"I promise to do my best to be back by nine."

Danny grabbed the end of the leash as Cujo ran by.

"Come on, boy. Let's go for a walk."

At the word, 'walk' Cujo yipped and started jumping up and down and pulling towards the ghost portal.

Jazz pressed her thumb to the Fenton Genetic Lock and the portal doors swung open with a hiss, revealing the swirling green ecto-energy inside.

Danny barely had time to wave goodbye before Cujo sprang into the portal, dragging Danny with him. Even when small he was still strong.

Once on the other side, Danny had to forcefully haul on the leash to get Cujo to change direction.

"We're going this way."

At first, Cujo was willing to listen but every now and then he'd catch a scent and Danny had to fight to get him back on track. By the time they actually got to Skulker's layer he was already exhausted.

"I really hope he's not in a fighting mood today."

Cujo's ears suddenly perked up and he turned around, growling at something behind them. Danny's previous hopes were immediately dashed when a gleefully deep voice spoke.

"Greetings, ghost child, I see you have come to me today. This will make hunting you much easier."

Danny turned to find Skulker floating several feet above and behind him, a large cannon already trained on his location.

Cujo's fur stood on end and as his growl deepened his size grew until he was nearly eye to eye with Skulker.

Skulker couldn't hide his surprise and actually dropped his weapon slightly.

"I…see you got a dog."

"Actually, that's why I'm here."

Skulker's surprise turned to anger. "I see. You wish to sick this beast on me as revenge for all the times I hunted you. Very well, bring it on. I can hang his pelt beside yours."

"No! That's not…I wanted to ask you about training."

Again Skulker looked shocked, but also a bit flattered, though he quickly tried to hide it with arrogance.

"Of course you would come to me. As the ghost zone's greatest hunter I am an expert on all its beasts…So you really aren't here to fight?"

"Sorry, not this time."

"Not even a little, it has been awhile."

Danny hurried to come up with an excuse not to fight. "True, but two on one wouldn't be very sporting. If I fought you then Cujo would try and jump in. It'd be better for us to fight one on one, you know, like men." Danny tried to puff out his chest but his small frame made it hard to tell.

Skulker nodded solemnly. "That is true, I admire your spirit of fair play. We shall fight on another day then. One on one, as it should be."

Danny had to suppress a sigh of relief. He was honestly surprised that worked.

"Come, ghost child. I shall show you what I know of training beasts."

Skulker flew towards his layer and Danny followed.

"Come on Cujo."

"You named the beast Cujo?"

"Uh…yes."

"…I like it."