Casper High was a place of learning and culture that all through Amity Park came to accept, but today was just the same as the doors from one of the rooms was slammed opened to Danny screaming before he booked it out of there with Dash Baxter in pursuit, roaring with a roll of paper in hand before taking off as well as Danny huffed in fear, secretly wishing that Poindexter could help him out, but remembered that Poindexter was elsewhere in the Zone, his nightmare over and his home a quaint condo. "Moving... Gotta keep moving!" He gasped with a look behind as Dash yelled.
"That's it, Fen-ton! Run! But I'm taking this D I got on our spelling test out of your hide!"
"Every time he fails, he comes after me!" Dash roared as, ahead of them, three of the populars were talking to each other as Paulina commented to the new look of Valerie Gray.
"Hey, Valerie. Like, I so much love that top!" She took a sip from the coffee cup she had as Valerie started.
"Isn't it Swe-e-et? Five hundred and seventy-nine dollars and worth every one of my dad's pennies." She stopped in surprise as Danny rounded the corner, looking back back before looking forward and yelling as he tried to come to a stop, but he slammed into Paulina and splashed Valerie with coffee, causing her to screech at the ruined top and event before she directed her rage to Kwan for a simple reason. "Please hit the unpopular boy for me!"
"Hey, accidents happen." But Valerie didn't accepted as she growled with pulling him down to her level and he quickly agreed. "Alright, Alright." The pair glanced to Danny as he got back up with a sentence.
"I'm so sorry and I would apologize for the mess, but I got Dash on my butt, so maybe later!" He booked it as Kwan yelled his name of 'FENTON!' on Valerie's request and started to chase him, Dash coming from one end and Kwan on the other before Danny realized something. "Wait a minute! I have ghost Powers." He smiled as he turned intangible and dove into the tile, leaving the pair of jocks to slam into each other as he came out at the parking lot and took a few seconds to breathe. "Man, that was close." His breath then released in a blue mist and he glanced behind him to find the ghost before a small green dog approached him and he he picked it up with a smile, taking note of the dog tag it had of a 'A' and what must be four electrons on it as it started to lick him as he spoke. "It's like Dash, but with better breath. Now this I can handle." He put the dog down and nearly had a plan before the dog expanded into a huge beast of a dog and Danny grimaced as it glared at him. "...Or not." He changed forms and took flight as the dog plowed downtown to a large and fancy-looking lab...
Touring the Axion Labs, Damon Gray, Valerie's father spoke of all the things the lab had to keep any intruder out as Valerie followed behind with two burly guards behind her. "Digital surveillance, retinal scanning access portals, titanium doors, laser deterrents. As promised, this is the most secure facility in the United States." The door slammed shut behind them as the head of the labs remarked.
"Well done, Damon. You can feel free to bill me for the remainder of your fee."
"Which means, I can replace this top." Valerie mused with glee as the boss continued in his praise.
"It's good to know those smelly security dogs are a thing of the past." Suddenly barking echoed behind them and they looked back just as the last door suffered severe pounding from something before bursting open and Danny Phantom crashing in front of them before Valerie exclaimed.
"What are you?!"
"Not the time and NOT your average teen." A stomp drew everyone's attention to the monster of a dog that glowed green as Danny continued. "...And THAT is not your average bloodhound!" It shook its head and flung saliva everywhere, getting Valerie as Danny took the time to get up and comment. "Also I'll tell you what I'm not: Coated with dog saliva." Valerie screamed in rage, but Danny quickly tackled her out of the way of the ghost beast leaping over them and Danny calling out as he got back up. "Bad dog! No! Get back here!" The two of them phased through the door as the dog tore through the room before Danny exclaimed once more. "Come on!" He leapt and got a hold on the dog collar, but it was impossible as he yelled from holding on. "Slow down!" The entrance opened as the guards that were escorting the trio shouted to the rampaging behemoth.
"Halt! Halt!" They fired at the pair, but ended up destroying more of the lab as Danny exclaimed.
"Cut it out, you stupid mutt! Why won't you listen at all! I thought dogs were man's best friend!" The damages from the shots finally brought down a catwalk as Damon exclaimed, none of them hearing what Danny had just told them.
"Stand back everybody. This state-of-the-art security system can stop anything." He activated the security system, but no one even saw the pair get hurt or touched, like they were ghosts or something as the pair went intangible to the dog's will and even slipped past a fired net before escaping outside, the boss focusing on the fact that the system didn't work as intended.
"Except a pasty-faced teenager and his dog."
"I'm fired, aren't I?"
"You're not just fired, you're ruined." Damon and Valerie looked at each other on how their lives just changed so severely...
Later that day, the four friends arrived to the Gray house to find everything on sale for a yard sale, Cedric having a license for his custom-made, open-top jeep as Talia sat in the front before Sam remarked from the back seat, standing up from the back. "Whoa! Talk about rock bottom! They're selling everything they own at a yard sale." She wasn't sure how the jeep moved, but it was sure effective and not as toxic as conventional fuels as Danny joined in looking as the Jeep stopped in front of the house, blocking all of the things from getting messy if someone were to drive by on a pond of water or something as Danny leaned on the side in remorse as he spoke, the trio getting out as they stayed with the jeep while the two in the front just observed.
"I feel bad. If I could have stopped that ghost dog, none of this would have happened." Damon came out and put down a box of family photos before heading back in as Tucker commented.
"She's having a hard week." He brightened up as both Cedric and Talia just face-palmed at how 'God's Gift' had returned to make a mess. "Which means I can catch get her on the rebound! Sweet!" They shook their heads as Valerie came out with a box of her clothes to which Tucker rushed over to help as he spoke. "Hey, Val. I heard what happened."
"Oh, great. Word's already moved down to the bottom of the social grapevine." Valerie hissed as Cedric got out and Talia just relaxed as Danny came over with a remark.
"Hey, come on. I know you're upset. But he just wants to help. We all do."
"I don't..." Sam answered as Danny frowned at her before she exclaimed. "I'm a GOTH, we are morbid people, okay!?" Danny turned back with a smile as Tucker added to it.
"Most of us do. More than two-thirds." Valerie didn't really trust that as she mused.
"Thanks, but I'll pass." Suddenly, a blue vapor slipped out of Danny's mouth and Valerie near-jumped. "What the...?" Danny quickly spoke.
"I'm gonna have to pass too." He booked it down the sidewalk, the trio surprised with his sudden speed, much faster than when the jocks were chasing him before the ground rumbled and Cedric checked his wrist with a exclaim.
"Um, you might want to get back." They did so as the ground erupted with ghost dog in tow as things went everywhere, Talia looking up before gasping as Cedric got over and questioned. "Sorry, I should have installed that roof."
"I am more dismayed with her choice of material." Talia replied as the clothes that were Valerie's were in the jeep now. "Have you ever heard of ACTUAL silk or just cotton?" Valerie gave a confused look as the giant dog... started to sniff the ground as Talia spoke. "What the...?"
"It's looking for something... but what...?" Cedric shared a glance with Talia as Danny arrived as Phantom and exclaimed as he turned tangible.
"How'd you get out of the Ghost Zone?" The beast tilted its head before growling at Danny to which he scratched his chin, bring it to a calm as it panted and turned back into the small dog as Danny floated over and commented. "Ghost dogs are more entertaining than regular dogs." He landed with a 'swish' and he grimaced as he lifted his booted foot. "Great. Invisible dog do." Valerie stomped over as she yelled at the pair in front of her home.
"Whatever you are, get out of here! You and your stupid dog have done enough!" The dog, on the other hand, was not done as he bit into Danny's lifted leg and started to pull him all over the place as Valerie exclaimed. "How the heck...?"
"Don't question it too hard, we are still trying to figure it out ourselves." Cedric answered with a look of deadpan remark as Danny called out.
"Come on, boy! Not again!" The moving van door closed as Danny tried to keep the damage minimized, but it was in vain as the five of them watched as bulges appeared in the van before Danny lifted off, flying in the air to Valerie's disbelief as he voiced. "Oh, that's not good, but I got nothing to fix, so I will just toss this dog back into where it belongs and hopefully stays." He bolted as the door opened to Damon looking into the van in confusion.
"What's going on here?" The whole stockpile of things was ruined, but that made Valerie more suspicious as she exclaimed.
"I don't know. But I'm gonna find out." At the Fenton Works, Danny approached the metal doors of the Ghost Portal as they opened before he exclaimed with the dog in hand.
"Okay, Cujo! In you go!" The toss flew true as the green suck in the dog with a few yips and the doors closed as Danny continued with green drool dripping form his hands as he spoke. "Yuck! That's it, I'm getting a hamster." He headed out, but no sooner did he than the ghost dog he named Cujo suddenly pop right back in and took flight out of there while back at school, things changed permanently for Valerie. The popular kids table discussing as Paulina lead off, all three of them wearing black shirts for the band 'Dumpty-Humpty'.
"Oh my gosh! Wait till you see what I'm wearing to the concert. I'm gonna look better than ever!"
"Man, I've been waiting weeks for this! Dumpty-Humpty rocks!" Dash made to do an air-guitar before Valerie arrived with a brown bag in hand, the trio glancing to her as Kwan started.
"Hey, Val! We're down for the concert, right?"
"Sorry guys. I had to sell my tickets online to help pay for the moving truck." She huffed with the brown bag in hand. "Things are kind of tight now, you know."
"No."
"Nuh-uh."
"Not really." She made to sit down, but Dash blocked her as she spoke.
"Speaking of tight...!" He glanced over to the other table where Danny and Tucker were stuffing their faces with a disgusted Sam in the middle as Valerie gasped before she grumbled.
"I get it."
"Hey, Valerie. Did you at least sell your tickets to somebody cool? We don't want to have to sit next to any losers at the concert!" Paulina remarked and Valerie was defeated in shame before all stopped with a crack in the air, the popular kids slowly turning their heads, even Valerie, as the glare that Cedric gave COULD kill as he spoke from the archway, Talia behind him with a frown as well as he made his way over to the trio.
"Is that right, you three?" They straightened up as Cedric continued with a stare before glancing to Talia. "Talia, escort Miss Gray to a nice table, one where she will NOT be mocked for her status, I will join you both shortly." Talia nodded and took Valerie by the shoulders as she stammered.
"Wha...?"
"He's in a mood, has everything to do with a feral dog running around these parts nowadays." She was sat back by the window as Talia talked to her as Tucker mused, gulping his food down.
"Whoa, brutal!"
"Did you see that?" Danny didn't care to glance in the trio of popular kids' direction as it was apparent that Cedric was a one-man army in both power and lines. "Valerie just got scorched by her friends."
"Maybe she needs better friends." Sam answered with narrowed eyes as Cedric finished and headed over, joining the conversation as Tucker quickly agreed.
"My thoughts exactly!" He rushed over as Cedric and Talia stopped short on something with frowns before Valerie bowed her head in humiliation.
"What do you want?"
"I, Uh... I was wondering if you would join me—us—for lunch, I mean, since you're..." He trailed off as the beast of the dog arrived at the window and phased through as Valerie directed her attention to Tucker in scolding.
"I'm already aware of my sudden outcast status. But thanks for reminding me."
"But—!"
"Can you please just leave me alone?! I wanna enjoy my bag lunch in peace!"
"THEN LEAN AWAY!" Both Talia and Cedric shouted as she did so on instinct, just as the bag was shredded by the ghostly monster before Valerie screamed as the beast leapt over and started to rampage and causing panic in the cafeteria as Sam commented as the dog passed the pair of them still at the table.
"You're not much of a dogcatcher."
"Yeah, no kidding. Who let the dogs in!" Danny smiled at the pun, but Sam was not amused as Danny made to explain it out. "You see, the song is 'Who let the dogs out' but I said 'Who let the dogs in'." Still nothing as he continued with his task. "I'll be right back."
"Bring some new jokes." Sam answered as Danny ducked under the table and transformed as the dog looked about before snatching the lunch lady who hurled a glop of something at the dog before Danny arrived as he talked the creature down.
"Nice pooch! Easy. That lady isn't edible. And neither is anything she cooks." The dog dropped the lady in joy of Danny as he exclaimed as the beast came barreling for him. "And neither am I!" The dog propelled the both of them through the wall as the Lunch Lady pulled off a gunk-filled tray from her behind and mused.
"Oooh, it's still good! Who wants seconds!" Standing off to the side was Cedric, Talia, Valerie, and Tucker as Tucker mused.
"Ghosts, heh." He shrugged as he continued. "Whaddya gonna do, huh?" Both Talia and Cedric face-palmed as Valerie angrily questioned.
"Ghosts?" The moment was dragged on before she exclaimed again with panic in her features. "Oh my gosh! GHOSTS!"
"Likelihood of she actually developing a grudge against the one TRYING to stop that behemoth of a dog?"
"Very likely, if we cannot find out WHAT it is looking for in the first place." Cedric pointed out as Valerie heard that, questioning why that was said and how could they be so calm about this?
Later at home, now in the developing grounds of Elmerton, Valerie sat on the couch as her father spoke. "Great news, Sweetheart!" Damon spoke as he opened the window and turned to her. "I'm getting one last chance. I convinced them to let my guard what's left of the lab while they rebuild."
"Oh that's great! How many of your employees can you put on it?"
"I don't have any more employees. I have to guard myself. At night. In that." Valerie glanced to the postman uniform and grimaced.
"Nice, And if things get worse, you can use that outfit to deliver packages." She voiced halfheartedly as Damon continued.
"Which reminds me." He darted off to Valerie's surprise before returning with a package, her brow narrowing to the address that was her's as he spoke. "This arrived while you were at school today. From Wisconsin." The watch beeped as Damon exclaimed. "Oh! Don't want to be late. 'bye, Sweetie!" Handing the package over to her, kissed her temple and headed out the door as Valerie looked at it before opening it, still looking skeptic as to what could have been sent before plucking a note out from all the packaging.
"Heard about your recent ghost troubles. Hope this will help. -Vlad." She raised her brow as a vampiric ghost leered into the house before disappearing in a green swirl as Valerie remarked, digging through the stuff before pulling out a odd pistol. "Don't know who you are, 'Vlad', but if this thing does what I think it does, I can't say that I care!" The pistol discharged to her surprise and broke something as Damon called up to the sound.
"Valerie?!"
"I'm OK!" She smirked as she geared up with the new things while Sam and Danny conversed on a hill about the dog that just can't stay put with a book on dog obedience in hand.
"I'm telling you this is one bad dog. Every time I throw him into the ghost zone, he tunnels out through the portal and comes looking for me."
"Well, you're the only other ghost in the area. So train him. Ghost dog or not, he's still a dog... I think. Good luck!" She started to head off as Danny asked.
"Where are you going?" Sam paused to explain it.
"Hello! I can't be seen with the ghost kid." She lifted the book before tossing it with a 'here', the book passing through him as his body remained the same, except getting clipped apart a bit before he picked it up to read.
"Okay, let's get to it." He read aloud on the directions to get the dog to obey, if possible. "'A dog's hearing is much more acute than a human's.' Which means..." Heedless, he was getting scoped out as he whistled and the dog came toward him as Danny read once more. "'Hand signals along with vocal commands can be a powerful combination.'" With that, he put it to use as he called out. "Stop!" Cujo came to a sliding stop on its butt before Danny as he commented. "That's weird... This dog is already trained." The dog then tackled Danny down the hill before Danny remarked to the licking face with a chuckle. "Sort of." Sam watched from a distance with binoculars as she commented.
"A boy and his dog. Somehow it's not supposed to be this freaky." Suddenly, a missile flew past Sam and Danny spotted the weapon before jumping away with Cujo as the projectile erupted in pink energy, a scowl taking his face as he put Cujo down with a command.
"Stay!" He soared over to the now-crater to find no apparent enemy as he exclaimed. "What the heck was that?!" To the sound of a jet turbine, Danny looked up to the figure that descended and... nearly toppled over, red suit made for a female on a hi-tech hoverboard as Danny frowned. "Definitely not part of Cedric's collection..." The mask engaged targeting reticles on Danny before launching another missile to which Danny dodged and pulled the new-blood into a chase around the park, dodging the missiles and additional blasts, nearly toppling her over with a turn, before phasing through a tree and forcing them to steeply adjust upward, flinging them off and leaving her to the ground if the board didn't speak with some A.I.
"Rider Absent. Corrective Piloting Program initiated." The board dived and caught her just in time from hitting the ground as she cheered.
"Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about!" The pair faced off as the huntress threw a trio of small pink buzz-saws, but her aim lacked as one embedded into the tree, another bounced off a rock, while one hit a bird fountain and plopped into the water as Danny commented.
"Wow. Nice aim. First day with the new weapons?" The one that bounced came down and slashed his wrist as he yelped. "Hey! That hurt!" He paused as he realized, that HURT in ghost form, meaning they were ecto-weapons. "Wait a minute... that hurt?"
"Oh, don't worry, ghost kid. It won't hurt long. Because you are going down!" The huntress yelled as she pointed the double-barreled weapon at Danny, who was starting to regret making a mockery of weapons that COULD end him. She charged before firing, launching herself off the board, just as Cujo, in its big dog form, snatched Danny and hauled out of there as the huntress yelled with the board catching her. "Come back!" She fired a barrage at the escaping pair, but couldn't get a hit in before she slammed into a tree, feeling that one as Cujo came to a stop by Sam with Danny as Sam exclaimed.
"Who was that? That's an awesome outfit!"
"Don't know. Don't care. See the ball, boy?" Danny exclaimed to Cujo's excitement before throwing the ball that formed in his palm with a call. "Fetch!" The dog chased after it out of sight, but that didn't save Danny as the sound of a turbine came close as he spoke. "Oh, man! She's coming! Sam! Hide!"
"No time!" Sam exclaimed as she tackled Danny into the bushes as the huntress came to a skidding stop as she exclaimed.
"No escapin' me now, ghost boy!" She aimed the weapon, but lowered it as there was no sign of the 'ghost boy', just Sam kissing Danny in the bushes before both exclaimed, Sam shouting at the interruption.
"Do you MIND!"
"Oh, gross! Loser love! I always knew you two geeks would end up together." She took off as Sam mused in pondering.
"That sounded like Valerie." She paused as Danny looked lost in a happy daze before she spoke up. "Danny... Danny?" He looked to her as she tried to dissuade the notion. "You didn't think it was a real kiss, did you?"
"No! Why?! D-did you?" Sam looked just as uncomfortable about it as they split up and headed to Casper where they told the small group of the possible threat of Valerie to which Tucker questioned with a smirk.
"Wait. You guys kissed?"
"NO! It was a fake-out make-out!" Danny and Sam exclaimed as Talia chuckled while Cedric rolled his eyes before both spoke.
"Strange that it is a 'fake-out make-out' when there is still signs of a smear on Sam's lips." A hand quickly slapped over Sam's mouth while Cedric added.
"Indeed, there is still a violet lipstick mark on Danny's own mouth." A second hand slapped over Danny's mouth as Tucker pointed it out himself.
"But that still has the word 'make' and 'out' in it, right? Maybe I should try that out on-" Anymore was lost when Tucker slammed into Valerie, dropping several books to the floor, as he exclaimed. "Valerie! Hi!" He bent down to grab her books as he spoke to the pair in denial. "Okay, guys, see yah!" Sam and Danny headed out with angry looks as Cedric and Talia just sighed and turned to Tucker.
"Thanks, Foley, you just made them leave before giving us their 'great story' to us."
"You have little tact, I am surprised you are letting him this close, Miss Gray." Valerie just shrugged as Tucker stood up with books in hand before questioning it.
"Ghost Hunter's Almanac? Ghost killing for Dimwits? When did you get so interested in ghosts?"
"When they ruined my life!" She hissed as she snatched the books from Tucker as he continued.
"You know I happen to know a thing or two about ghosts."
"Please, I'm broke, I'm not stupid." Valerie answered as she headed off with Tucker following, Talia and Cedric looking at each other before holding hands and following as Tucker spoke.
"But seriously, did you know Danny's parents are professional ghost hunters?" This stopped Valerie in her tracks as she spoke.
"No, I didn't know that." With that, she sweetened her voice and with a big smile. "Hey, Tucker. You wanna carry my books for me." In Tuckervision, sparkles around her face with fluttering eyelashes, making him smile as Danny and Sam looked on, surprised that Talia and Cedric just acted like a close couple as they followed, both trusting them to at least get Valerie to listen, but still Tucker's desires were trouble as Danny spoke.
"Great! My best friend has a crush on a ghost hunter."
"That's life! Well, your life, anyway." They headed out to the gym where Casper was playing basketball against another school with the four of Danny, Sam, Cedric, and Taila watching as Danny glanced about in concern. "Danny, will you relax?"
"How can I? That stupid ghost dog could be anywhere, not to mention, I have no idea how Valerie became a ghost hunter." They didn't linger long before Tucker spoke up, Valerie by his side.
"Hey guys, can we join you?" Sam and Danny answered with the same answer.
"NO!" Both of the other people sighed before bopping Danny and Sam's heads before Talia answered with a smile.
"Please, more company is valued..."
"And we are not going to kick you out for being from a different rank in the past, come sit down." Danny and Sam sighed at the willingness of Talia and Cedric to just let the ghost huntress Valerie to sit by them, but Danny learned that what Cedric did had reason and Sam accepted that, if they were to be better, they needed more hands on deck to help as Valerie spoke.
"So, Tucker tells me your parents hunt ghosts?" Danny answered with an explanation.
"Ghost hunting is currently too high for them right now, but I do know that many of their inventions have been very effective." Danny leaned forward as he kept his eye on Valerie in his explanation. "Now, if you really want to be a better 'ghost huntress', then I think you would actually benefit a lot from us, we have actually been close to each ghost fight and have fought them off within reason." Valerie was confused with Tucker and Sam as Cedric filled it in with some input along with Talia.
"That being said, Danny, we NEED to figure out what that ghost dog is searching for." Talia nodded as Valerie listened with interest with the other friends.
"I have never seen that sort of hound before, even in the Zone, it must be a recent spirit and is in search of something important to it for its past life." Cedric rubbed his jaw as he continued the thought.
"Now, what are the connection that we can link to this ghost dog's behaviors?" Danny nodded as he pondered it himself before he spoke up, the game still going on.
"It's collar has a dog-tag in an icon of an 'A' and four electrons on it, but I don't know any more than that, beside that it was partially trained."
"And so far, it has appeared around Valerie and her father." Cedric pointed out as Valerie thought about it herself, that rage with a grudge slipping away as Cedric continued. "It clearly was looking for something around them, but what...?" The four thought about it before Valerie questioned.
"The kennels...?" The group looked to the African-American female as she continued with meeting their gaze. "Before my dad installed the system that 'was' meant to keep any intruders out of Axion Labs, we had been employing guard dogs for years before it soon came too costly to maintain them anymore."
"I am hoping that you were wise in sending the dogs away, because if you say the other course..." Talia hummed as Valerie shook her head as she spoke.
"I don't know, the boss of the labs said that they 'did away with the dogs', but I guess I didn't think too deeply about it." They shared looks before Valerie paused with a fear. "N-No, you mean that..."
"That dog is after something still in the labs, yes." Danny answered as he took on a serious look. "So we need..." Anymore was lost as Dash made to make a free throw before a loud series of barks came, throwing Dash off with a scowl before the ghost dog appeared and barked at the whole gym and causing everyone to panic, except three as Cedric, Valerie, and Danny took off to change as the dog phased behind the bleachers and Danny phased up to find that the dog was actually trying to dig the floorboards before sinking down, Danny landing with a crouch as he inquired to the continued mention. "You're looking for something? What are you looking for? Sam was right. Ghost dog or not, you're still a dog, and you're looking for something." Valerie arrived and was surprised just the same as she flew down.
"Okay, yeah, it looks like it IS looking for something, but what...?" The two glanced at the other before back to the dog. "So how exactly are we going to figure this out, I mean, if I was still angry, I would be picking a fight, but seeing that... dog just digging is making me curious as to what we could find."
"Do you think that there could be something left behind at Axion then?" The Iron Exorcist floated down and crossed his arms as the dog just continued to sniff and dig.
"We need to check it out, but first we need to go about the school day, we need to be in the free time zone before we can move on it." They nodded just as quickly before shattering, the dog getting away for the moment as Tucker held a grudge himself when they reached the chemistry lab with Danny commenting.
"Tucker, you can't still like her!"
"Why not? For once a girl who likes me likes me back. Why can't you just roll with that. Not everyone has to like you, Danny. Don't you trust me?" Tucker asked as Danny pointed out.
"You I trust. It's your hormones I worry about." Valerie waved over and Tucker waved back when suddenly, the ghost sense went off and a loud bark echoed through the school, Valerie and Danny shooting their hands up as they exclaimed.
"May I be excused?" Valerie pursued to be sure about it while Danny just soared beside the dog to see what it could be up to as he mused to himself, though no ecto-blasts being fired as they instead worked to corral the dog.
"Three hundred seventy-nine girls at our school, and he's got to have a crush on the one with the weapons and the lingering grudge." They slowly came to a halt as Danny grimaced with Valerie hearing him out. "All this is my fault. I suppose I should do something to help you, Valerie. After I figure out what to do with you." Cujo panted as he shrink back down and Danny pulled out the book before Valerie took it and exclaimed.
"Does this stuff even work?"
"It seems to, the dog listens to it, I just call it 'Cujo' for a better name." Valerie nodded before Danny exclaimed. "Go on boy, go get it!" The dog blinked at the pair of them both before Danny tried once more. "I mean..." He pointed as he called out. "FETCH!" That, Cujo obeyed as he took off and the pair followed him on the trail before it ended at Axion Labs during the night, after they dealt with the school work, as Danny questioned, Valerie giving up the board to keep a low profile. "The lab? What you're looking for is in there?" The sound of something opening got them on guard as Danny whispered. "Somebody's coming!" They flattened against the wall and Danny turned them all invisible while Valerie swiftly got her hand over Cujo's mouth to keep it quiet as Damon and the boss walked down the way.
"I really appreciate you giving me a second chance."
"As long as nothing else happens, we'll see about re-instating your contract. I knew we should never have gotten rid of those guard dogs."
"My dad? Oh, great!" Valerie detached from the wall as she spoke. "I've got to slip under, I can't let my dad find out about this yet."
"Get going, we will meet up inside the lab, I hope." She nodded as she took off with Danny's help before the team formed up later at night before Sam questioned.
"We're here. Where's man's best friend?" Danny whistled and Cujo burst from the ground and growled at the four of the unfamiliar faces as Tucker exclaimed.
"Relax, I'm on your side!"
"Yeah, so he says."
"Hey, I'm the one who knocked out the security camera, remember?" Tucker answered with his PDA brandished as Danny explained the situation.
"Okay. Good news, there's only one guard. Bad news, it's Valerie's dad."
"Ouch." Was the sentiment of the group as Danny continued as he went ghost.
"So I think it's safer if I go down there by myself. This Fenton Fisher should make a good leash." He tied the line to the collar before tying it to the tree as he spoke. "You guys watch the dog." He took flight as Sam and Tucker had an answer for him as they had scaled a tree.
"We will..."
"...From way up here." They drew away from the barking behemoth while Talia and Cedric just kept a lookout while Valerie listened to her dad as he mused.
"Think I'll go out and pick us up a little late-night snack." He turned to Valerie who was working on some homework before being addressed by her dad. "Will you be okay, Honey, you got stuff to do?"
"I'll be fine, Daddy. I've got everything I need, right here." She mused before something clearly discharged and she frowned at her pack before assuming her innocent routine as Damon came back in surprise.
"Valerie?!"
"I'm OK!" She beamed as Damon left before she checked her pack. "Oh, there goes the next lunch bag, great..." Elsewhere, Danny phased in before he questioned.
"I wish I knew what I was looking for." He hopefully wanted Talia's wishing power to kick in so he would know where to look before a blast hit him and he crashed back into the wall he came in from.
"Back to the scene of the..." Valerie stopped from her entrance and gasped. "Oh shoot, I am so sorry, I thought..."
"No harm done..." Danny got up and straightened, both flinching as a crack came before Danny answered. "Okay... some pain..." He huffed as he rolled his neck. "So let's start looking for what could be missing for a little, yapping dog."
"Little... you're joking right?"
"Sarcasm at its finest then." Danny mused as Valerie lead the way to the old kennels and they peered about as Valerie landed and looked as well. "It would be so much easier if we just knew what we were looking for before Cujo decides to charge on in."
"How would you even keep such a beast on a lease?"
"Fenton Ghost Fisher, unbreakable line, tied to a tree and watched over by trusted friends." Valerie shrugged as they searched once more and Danny groaned. "What even..."
"I don't know, we could be wrong and..." Valerie leaned on one of the padded walls and suddenly, a squeak came, both jumping before she turned to the wall. "What was..."
"...That?" Valerie reached into the walling and made to find what made the squeak before pulling it out, Danny looking at well as he mused. "Well, that's not something that should have been left behind." Valerie rolled the squeaky bear toy in hand before she ran a hand over it.
"Cujo... this toy..." She groaned as she spoke. "Of course, out of all the dogs, it had to be the worst." Danny raised a brow as Valerie explained. "There was one dog out of the whole batch that was a tough enforcer, but he was a playful guy, so gentle and sweet, but he was also the most dangerous, the trainers thought that he was diagnosed with some sort of rabies that could switch his gentle to rage within seconds."
"That could explain the whole shifting thing."
"In any case..." Valerie dropped the toy in Danny's hands and spoke again. "I got to get back before my dad flips out, I'm not even suppose to be in here."
"Well then... mind if I get you back?" Valerie looked at the hand and shook as Danny took her back to the office and left her there to give the toy to Cujo, the mission a success as Cujo panted in joy as he caught the toy in his mouth, shrinking back down before dissipating away as Taila mused.
"He has passed fully into the Zone, this has been a bold task."
"Yeah." Danny turned back as he mused. "Now I just have to worry about Valerie catching notice of my powers."
"Oh Danny..." Cedric answered as he slung his arm over Danny's shoulder. "You need help, training, and who better than a huntress in red, besides, she can learn on the job and we can help her." But the smile sent chills down their spines as Danny moaned.
"Oh, please, not again..."
Another free period passed for Casper High as the trio spoke amongst themselves for lunch as Tucker asked. "Know where the dog went?"
"Nope." Was Danny's answer as Sam added to it.
"Going to play it a little safer now that Valerie the 'Ghost Slayer' is around?"
"Hmm... Possibly..." Sam nodded before she froze and questioned.
"Wait, where is Valerie?" They looked at each other before exclaiming.
"CEDRIC!" Eating fast, they rushed away to the lab where Cedric was likely to be and slammed through as they called out. "STOP!"
"You barely made it, you three. Jazz has already gotten down to her brass taxes while Valerie..."
"WHY WOULD YOU SHOW ME SUCH A HORRIBLE THING!?" Valerie called out and hid under a desk in the far corner in terror as the trio glared at Cedric as he spoke.
"What? I am just trying to get everyone prepared and sometimes..."
"Your methods are... bar... bar..." Sam stammered as the trio took in the very skeletal structure of Danny Phantom on the board, Jazz pausing from her studies with several books to look at the friends.
"Believe it or not, this is actually very detailed and helpful for when you get severely hurt and what to use to fully heal it."
"I... I have no words..." Danny hung his head as he wandered over to Valerie and spoke. "You okay there?"
"No... No, I am not okay..." Valerie spoke as she slowly took Danny's hand and was helped out of the small alcove by the friends as she held herself. "I just wanted to learn more about ghosts and Cedric is VERY detailed with his own studies, did you know that ghosts have lower than a hundred bones in their own body and all of them are structurally sound by ghost standards, but often considered bird-like density if allowed to linger in the Real World for too long?"
"Did he also invoke the..."
"LA LA LA LA LA!" Valerie yelled as she covered her ears. "I'm not listening, I'M NOT LISTENING!" Danny sighed as it took them awhile to get her back and help her out with food before Sam spoke up.
"By the way, Valerie, I don't often do this, but hey..." Valerie looked up as Sam pulled out two hundred dollar bills from her wallet and handed them to her. "A tip for the tickets."
"Tickets?" Her eyes suddenly flashed wide as she stumbled. "N-No way... You...!?"
"Yep." With that moment, Valerie hugged Sam and spoke.
"Give them HELL..."
"Oh, we excel at that..." Later on, the concert was in full swing as Danny, Sam, and Tucker rocked out with Dumpty-Humpty as she exclaimed. "I can't believe we're sitting next to those losers!" Sadly, that is what Dash, Paulina, and Kwan were facing as the trio just had fun, rocking out with Valerie's permission, though no one else knew that...
Cedric tilted the new box in hand before looking at the note that came with. "...There is only one Vlad that we know of that would be behind this, and I dare say he has some credible respect from us..."
"But who...?" Valerie asked as they pulled out the additional weapons and gadgets inside. "Who would go this far, just to make me a huntress?"
"To keep Danny on his toes, more or less." Talia nodded to the thought as Cedric continued to catalog the new gear in the lab after-hours, giving Valerie plenty of time to get some assignments completed, just like Danny who managed to get his own grades back up to a B- with the additional time with the group and Jazz's own tutoring which helped as she worked her part. "A rival is better than any opponent, a rival grows with you and develops new skills and powers against you to test their own resolve, they become both the friend that can see you to the end and the foe that will keep you going when the odds are at their worse." Cedric breathed as he finished. "I am guessing Masters is behind this, but I have to see him or recognize his handiwork before I can be sure; Still, Winconsin only has so many Vlads to be honest." Valerie shrugged as she just worked to get the gear together, getting a bit suspicious as, not once among the party, did they mention where Cedric actually lived at and that perked Valerie's curiosity...
...As to why he was so good and yet so hidden from the eyes of everyone...
