Hi, people! I am EXTREMELY sorry for the long wait; I have basically been losing interest with writing this fic. But I found time over the Thanksgiving weekend and started writing.

Here we go! Chapter 4 is here!

Ghostly Competition

Chapter Four: The Challenge

Danny and Steve just stood there, staring at each other in complete awe, as well as Sam and Tucker.

Danny and Steve got up to their feet and walked toward each other, never taking their eyes off each other; they weren't even blinking.

Shaking his head, Danny said, "I can't believe it."

Also shaking his head, Steve responded, "Neither can I."

A few seconds passed. Then Steve softly muttered to himself, "Danny Fenton. Danny Phantom." Then he slapped his forehead, "Man, I'm stupid. How could I not figure it out? Also, same hairstyle, same structure, same voice."

Danny replied, "I often wonder how others don't recognize me either. At least you have a ghost name that isn't so close to your human name."

Steve then said, "Danny, do you remember what I said yesterday?"

"About what?"

"About me taking over the town-saving duties."

"Yeah?" Danny hoped Steve would apologize and take back what he said.

"It still applies. I'm the best."

Danny glared at him in disbelief, "What? No way!"

Steve folded his arms, "Yes way. I'm better."

"How long have you had your powers?"

"Exactly three weeks."

Danny laughed, "Well, there you go. I've had them for nine months now. I have more experience."

Steve raised an eyebrow, "You think so?" Then he fired a ghost ray at Danny, still in human mode. It struck Danny with his guard down and knocked him backward.

Danny got up and said, "Whoa. It took me a few months before I could fire a ghost ray in human mode. How do you know how to do that already?"

"I'd tell you if I wanted to, but it's really none of your business. Nor is this town's protection.

Danny growled, and then fired his own ghost ray at Steve. This one hit Steve and knocked him down.

Scowling, Steve got up. He said, "Well, you are pretty good. But not at my level."

"You want to prove that?" Danny yelled.

Steve narrowed his eyes, "Is that a challenge?"

"You bet."

Steve smiled, "Very well. We meet at 7:00 this evening at the big tree in the park, and we battle. Whoever wins becomes the unofficial protector of Amity Park. The loser forfeits all superhero activities. Agree?"

Tucker said, "You don't have to do this, Danny."

Sam added, "There's no need to prove to this guy how good you are."

Danny listened to their words and sighed, "Maybe not, but I still have to prove it to myself. Steve, I agree."

"Good. See you tonight, Fenton."

And without another word, Steve turned around and walked out of the room.

It was 6:30 later that day, and our favorite trio sat in Danny's living room, thinking about the upcoming battle.

Sam asked him, "Danny, are you sure you want to go through with this? You're taking a chance here."

Tucker said, "Yeah, what if you lose?"

Danny sighed, "You both heard what he said as well as I. And there's no point in backing out. I already said I'd go."

Sam responded, "But Danny…"

Danny interrupted, "Look Sam, you guys were both right yesterday. I'm sorry I snapped at you, by the way. I saw Steve in action, and he was pretty good, even if it was just the Box Ghost. And he wasn't that bad against Vlad either. I just have to prove to myself if I'm better than Steve. If I am, then great. I know that I'm pretty good. But if not, then that's life."

Tucker and Sam looked at each other, and then back at Danny. Tucker said, "Look, dude. We both understand you might be making a mistake going along with this."

Sam picked up, "But the fact is that we're your friends. And we're always here to support you. We wish you nothing but luck."

Danny smiled, "Thanks, guys. That means a lot to me."

Tucker looked at his PDA and said, "Oooh. Danny, it's twenty of seven. We better get going."

"Alright," said Danny as he stood up, "You guys gonna come?"

"You bet," said Tucker.

"Without a doubt," added Sam.

With that, Danny and his loyal friends walked out of his house.

Arriving at the big tree at the park fifteen minutes later, the trio looked around and noticed that no one was around.

Sam checked her own watch and said, "He's still got five minutes."

Danny sat down at the base of the tree and waited. Sam and Tucker did the same.

As the minutes past, Danny's fingers, which lie on the ground, started shaking a little bit.

Noticing this, Sam asked Danny, "Are you nervous?"

Danny responded, "What? What makes you say that? Come on, Sam. Of course I'm not nervous."

Sam chuckled and shook her head, "Same old Danny."

Looking at his PDA, Tucker said, "You may not have anything to be nervous about. It's now 7:03 and our newest ghost is nowhere in sight."

A voice rang out, "That's because I am somewhere out of sight."

Danny's ghost sense went off as Steve Spirit phased up through the ground in front of him.

Folding his arms, Steve said, "Glad to see you could make it, Fenton."

Danny got up and replied, "You're late, Reynolds. Where were you?"

"None of your business," Steve replied coolly, "Ready to fight?"

"Listen, Steve. I've been thinking. How about instead of proving who the best is, we team up?"

Steve raised an eyebrow, "Team up?"

"Sure. Two powerful ghosts like us, we could be a threat to any ghost we see."

Steve chuckled and said, "Yeah, that's funny. Look, Fenton. Here are two reasons why that's not gonna happen. One, I work alone. And two, fighting beside a weaker hybrid like you would just bring me down."

Danny growled, "After that crack, now I want to fight you!" With that, he transformed into Danny Phantom. After he did, he turned to Tucker and Sam and said, "You guys better watch from a distance. Don't want you getting hurt."

Sam raised her hand, "Could I officially begin the battle?"

Steve sighed, "Fine. Go ahead."

Sam ran over between the two ghosts and said loudly, "This is a one-on-one battle between Danny Fenton and Steve Reynolds, a.k.a. Danny Phantom and Steve Spirit with no time limit. Winner becomes the unofficial protector of Amity Park while the loser forfeits all superhero duties. The winner will be decided when the other is declared by me as unable to battle. Everybody agree?"

Steve nodded, "I agree."

Danny nodded as well, "Let's do this."

"Okay," Sam said, "Begin the battle!"

We're gonna leave it there for now! Sorry if this is going a little fast and undeveloped, but I actually want to get it done soon. It'll get better, I promise. Anyway, Danny and Steve's battle is about to begin! Who will come out on top? Danny or Steve? Find out in Chapter 5!