Chapter 3: Danny's Discovery

As Danny went inside the secret CABNUS base, he noticed there were a lot of armed guards as he floated by while invisible. As he went from room to room, he finally came to the room where Joan was along with Superman, Batman and Hawkgirl.

"So, what was the result?" asked Batman to Joan.

"CABNUS is analyzing the data we have acquired from the so-called robbery" replied Joan, "it appears we have found some ghost-like goo on some of the equipment."

"And what about the family of ghost-hunters?" asked Superman.

"I have already offered the father of that family a job" replied Joan, "but if he refuses, I already have hired somebody else as a backup."

"Like who?" asked Hawkgirl, "Who else would have technology that would hunt these ghosts?"

Suddenly a door opened and a man in white hair entered the room.

"Vlad Masters!" shouted Batman, Superman and Hawkgirl.

"Surprise?" asked Vlad, "Of course not. Jack Fenton and I go way back. Back in our college days, Joan here just looked at my files along with his and decided to recruit us both."

"This is not a good sign" said Danny softly to himself.

Suddenly Superman turned around Vlad and Joan.

"Something wrong with the man of steal?" asked Vlad.

"I sense we're not alone here" replied Superman as he looked around the room.

"Could it possibly be a ghost?" asked Batman.

"Don't know" replied Superman, "my x-ray vision can't detect them."

"Excuse me for a moment" said Vlad as he walked back into the other room.

As Vlad was about to change into his ghost mode, Danny Phantom appeared in front of Vlad.

"Just what the heck are you doing here?" asked Danny as he floated in front of him.

"Daniel" replied Vlad, "you shouldn't see me as a threat. At least for now."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Danny.

"You see one of my clients Technius was acting strangely" replied Vlad as he walked around Danny, "and Walker contacted me. When one of the members of CABNUS showed up at my door, I immediately took it. So you should see me as your ally for now."

"Why should I even believe you?" asked Danny.

"You don't believe me?" replied Vlad, "You poor young boy. If you don't believe me, then I strongly suggest that you head into the Ghost Zone and see Walker himself. Here's a pass card so that Walker won't take you in prison."

"Thanks" said Danny as he took it from Vlad.

"Ta, ta" said Vlad as Danny disappeared and raced off back to his house.

"Are you finished yet?" asked Joan as she poked her head around the door.

"Yes" replied Vlad.

"Now let's see what we can do to stop Brainiac from re-emerging" said Joan.

As Danny made his way back to his house, he changed back into his normal self and called Sam and Tucker.

"It's four in the mourning" said Tucker as he was waking up from his bed and getting the phone next to him.

"Look, this is important" said Danny, "I found that although I defeated Technius once, there is something strange going on."

"Can we talk about this like around eight or so?" asked Tucker as he was going back to sleep.

"Fine" replied Danny.

As a few hours passed, Danny was waiting in the basement for Sam and Tucker to arrive. Jack and Maddie went right down to the basement.

"Danny, I have just received a job offering from the government" said Jack.

"And we're going to take it" said Maddie.

"Now we're going to get paid for fighting ghosts" said Jack.

"Yes, it's our dream come true!" shouted Maddie.

"So, you want to come along with Jazz and see how we show the government to hunt ghosts?" asked Jack.

"No thanks" replied Danny.

"Fine, more fun for us" said Maddie.

As they left, Sam and Tucker came to the house and into the basement.

"So what's the big deal?" asked Sam.

"I think a government group that goes by the name of CABNUS has hired my worst enemy Vlad Plasmius" said Danny.

"And is there anymore bad news?" asked Tucker.

"They just hired my parents as well" replied Danny.

"So why does Vlad want to join this secret government group?" asked Sam.

"He said there was something wrong with his client Technius" replied Danny.

"Well, then it looks like we're going into the Ghost Zone" said Tucker.

"I think I should be the one that's going in" said Danny, "Vlad gave me a pass card so that Walker won't bust me again."

As Sam opened the portal to the Ghost Zone, Danny changed into his ghost mode and went inside the Ghost Zone. As he searched the Ghost Zone, he finally came across Walker's prison along with the deputy warden and a few elite soldiers watching guard. Danny then flew in front of them and presented the pass card Vlad had given him.

"I'm here to see Walker about Technius' behavior" said Danny as he showed the deputy warden the pass card.

"Hmm" said the deputy warden as he studied the pass card, "seems okay to me. Go right in, Walker has been expecting you."

As Walker's guards allowed Danny inside the prison, Walker was in the main room ready to greet Danny along with a few of his guards.

"How did you know that Vlad told you I was coming?" asked Danny to Walker.

"Technius has been acting strangely" replied Walker, "and too strange even for Vlad."

"So where is Technius now?" asked Danny.

"He was in solitary confinement" replied Walker, "for hearing voices. But then the voices stopped and Technius started to act sane again. Come and observe the prisoners and Technius. I am sure you would find something strange about him."

As Walker and his guards were leaving the room, Sam contacted Danny on the communicator.

"Danny, are you in?" asked Sam.

"Yes" replied Danny, "I think there is something strange going on here. Walker is bent on putting me back in his prison, yet when I entered his prison he didn't place chains on me."

"And what's the matter with Technius?" asked Sam.

"Don't know, but I'll find out" replied Danny.

Danny then followed Walker to a secret room where Walker observed his prisoners.

"Why don't you go down there and see things for yourself?" asked Walker, "You can keep in contact with this."

Walker then handed Danny another communicator. Danny then went to the cafeteria where the other prisoners were to observe their behavior with Technius.

"You again!" shouted Skulcker as he grabbed Danny's neck.

"Look, Skulcker, I am not here to hurt you" replied Danny, "I am here to investigate Technius' strange behavior."

"Hmm, Technius" said Skulcker as he let go of Danny's neck, "sure I have seen him in solitary confinement. Yet I believe Technius might be planning a prison break."

Danny then turned away from Skulcker.

"Walker, did you hear that?" whispered Danny to the communicator Walker gave him.

"Yes" replied Walker, "we already know those rumors from the prisoners, so when will he try to make a prison break?"

"Don't know" replied Danny.

"Why don't you ask himself!" shouted Technius as he walked toward Danny.

Technius then gave a strong punch at Danny, sending him crashing into a wall and breaking it down. Danny then raced toward Technius and gave another punch at him and a kick, sending Technius crashing into some tables and having the other prisoners scrambling to safety. Technius then powered up his ghost beam and fired a large hole in the prison wall and made his escape.

"What are you waiting for?" asked Walker, "Go get him!"

"Don't worry" replied Danny, "I have beaten Technius before."

But as Danny raced off to try to stop Technius from getting out of the Ghost Zone, Danny wouldn't expect what would happen next.