Author's Note: Like for my last fanfic, there are theme tunes, AKA songs I listen to most when writing a certain character's scene). Here are the following:
Danny Phantom's Theme Tune: Trouble Maker by Wolf O'Donnell (Currently has no music associated with lyrics).
Sam's Theme Tune: by Boa (from their Album, Get There).
Tucker's Theme Tune: Hunter Base from Rockman X Command Mission – Original Soundtrack
Skulker's Theme: Road of Enemy #1 from the Dracula Battle II – Perfect Selection CD.
Echelon's Theme: from Megaman Zero 2.
Walker's Theme: Feudal Guardian from Baten Kaitos – Never Ending Wings and the Lost Ocean OST.
Fenton Family's and Four Praetors' Theme Tune: X, the Legend from Megaman Zero Series.
Heroic Theme: Brave Way from Baten Kaitos – Never Ending Wings and the Lost Ocean OST.

P.S. I have also changed a few things in Chapter One, so I suggest you go back and reread it. The changes aren't major, just a few name changes, plus I've also decided not to name the Praetors because Dash isn't one of them anymore.

BEGIN TRANSMISSION #02

Sam watched the news, standing behind the couch with her eyes wide-open and her purple lips parted in disbelief.

Morning, Sam, greeted Danny, as he walked into the living room. How'd you sleep?This black vigilante was seen yet again on the streets of Amitropolis in the Casper Heights region, stated the news reporter's voice from the television, as a scene of Danny's battle against the Insurgent construction worker was played. Though the battle against the Insurgent was successful, the authorities are not pleased with this vigilante's moves. Captain Lancer of the Blue Bow Militia released a statement last evening.

Danny went pale and for a moment, he thought his heart would stop.

The picture on the TV changed to that of a man with a black beard, wearing a blue military trench coat and white military gloves, a military hat on his hat as he stood behind a podium with the Blue Bow insignia on it, a blue bow with a capital B in one end and a capital B in the other.
Though we are grateful for the vigilante's actions in helping to thwart the Insurgents, we cannot condone his actions, announced the Blue Bow Captain. By fighting against the Insurgents, he is not only endangering his own life but those of the people around him. If the vigilante is watching or listening right now, I must ask him to cease his actions immediately!

The scene changed back to that of the news reporter.
In an attempt to stop the vigilante from striking again, the Blue Bow Army has increased its reward on the vigilante's head to ten thousand dollars, announced the news reporter. The reward will go to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of this phantom vigilante.That vigilante, sighed Dr. Manson with a shake of his head. It's nice to know that there are robots out there that aren't baying for our blood, but to risk his life like that… What do you think he could be going through his mind?

Sam slowly turned round to face Danny, the movement of her head jerky like that of a doll. There was a livid look on her face, as she glared at her adopted brother.
I have no idea, she said absent-mindedly, without taking her accusing eyes off Danny. Danny, can we speak in private? The way she glared at Danny with those purple eyes of hers, made violet through the use of contact lenses, suggested a furious intention. she said more sternly, as she rose from the sofa.

Um, sure? replied Danny hesitantly and was suddenly swept out of the living room seconds later.

What did you think you were doing? hissed Sam at him angrily, as she grabbed him by the fabric of his red shirt. Could you have attracted anymore attention? It's like you were saying, Hey! Look at me! Look at what I'm doing! I'm a cyborg kicking arse with military bionic parts I shouldn't have!' What were you thinking?How was I supposed to know there was a camera crew nearby? protested Danny in his own defence, but quietly and a little timidly. Oh, he could face down Insurgent robots, but when it came to his own sister, that was another matter altogether. She was a formidable girl in her own rights, made even more intimidating by her Goth appearance. he continued with his gaze averted from hers, I didn't transform right in front of them. They don't know who I am.Just yet, corrected Sam sternly. What if they do find out? What then, Danny?

Danny didn't know how to respond to Sam. He wanted to brush her worries off and say that it wouldn't happen, but he wasn't sure. FentonWorx was a huge Corporation with branches all over Amitropolis. Chances were, if you worked in Amitropolis, you worked for the FentonWorx Corporation, or one of its many subsidiaries.
he began, only to end abruptly. That won't ever happen, he said as confidently as he could in the face of Samantha Manson. You worry too much, Sam. No one will find me out.

Yet he there was still a part of him that feared that it would happen. It was the part of him that made him yell at Tucker after the fight against Insurgent. The very thought of being caught was the thought that made his heart falter when he watched the news report. After all, he had military-grade bionic parts on him, the sort of which he had never thought possible. It was a miracle that FentonWorx hadn't traced the parts to him and demanded them back. Perhaps they would. Perhaps it was only a matter of time.

I think we should get going, said Danny quietly, in an attempt to change the subject.

Yeah, we'll be late for school, agreed Sam with a slow nod of her head. She let go of Danny. Silence. She remained silent for a while in the awkward stillness that followed. Just be careful next time, okay? was Danny's abrupt reply.

Come on, let's get going, said Sam quietly, as she turned away from her adopted brother.

It didn't take much time to get their rucksacks packed and it wasn't long before Sam and Danny were walking to school together, walking in silence. They didn't say a word to each other, as they made their way along the littered street. The two siblings walked quickly, not daring to look at any of the people they passed. That was the way people lived in Amitropolis. The citizens lived cold lives, shut off from the outside world, not caring for the other people they passed, trying to get as quickly as possible from A to B without any incident.

So it was with Danny and Sam too.

Though Blue Bow had placed the Metropolis under martial law, the FentonWorx Corporation still encouraged people to go on with their everyday lives. Perhaps the Corporation feared what would happen to the economy if people were forced to stay in for their own safety. Maybe the FentonWorx Corporation was more concerned about the economy than the people over which it ruled.

Danny tried not to look at the military jeeps and the small armoured tanks that blockaded the road. He tried not to look at the Blue Bow Officers that patrolled the streets wearing helmets and armour and armed with rifles. It was hard not to notice how Amitropolis looked like it was in a war zone, with its blockades, barbed wire and gun posts placed strategically throughout the Metropolis. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't ignore the rubble, the destroyed buildings, the craters and the bullet holes that riddled the Metropolis. Wherever you went outside of the Domes, the privileged up-class parts of the Metropolis, you would see the signs of what was in effect a war.

Hey, guys! called out Tucker from behind them. Did you see the news? he asked, as he rushed up to them. Man, Danny, I never thought…Hold it right there! snapped Sam angrily before Tucker could continue. Have you forgotten already? apologised Tucker sheepishly. I guess I wasn't thinking. agreed Sam with a nod of her head.

A slight smile spread across Danny's lips.
Lay off him, Sam, he told her calmly. He didn't mean any harm. He then turned to look down the street that led towards Casper High, located in Casper Heights. Besides, I already told him off yesterday, he added, before walking down the path.

You know, I've been thinking, said Tucker, as he walked with Danny. He then looked around him to check that they were the only ones within earshot and then said, Maybe you should call yourself, the Phantom. They always keep calling you the phantom vigilante, anyway, right? Might as well make the most out of it.

Phantom. There was something alluring about that name that Danny couldn't quite place. He liked it. He liked Tucker's suggestion, which made him wonder if he had come down with some fever or something. Was it possible for a cyborg with a biological brain to be infected with the Insurgent Virus? No. Maybe this was one of those days when strange things happen, like Tucker having a good idea for once; not that he wasn't smart, it was just that Tucker had really bad luck when it came with ideas.

Still, Danny liked the idea of being called Phantom.
Yeah, that sounds pretty good, agreed Danny with a nod of his head and an ever widening smile. Yet like a sine wave, the smile decrease and soon the face adorned a frown. He turned to look at Sam and saw the disapproving look on her face. Danny wondered. Was it okay to carry on like this? Um… something wrong, Sam? he asked.

You two are both nuts, was Sam's reply.

Oh, come on, Sam, cried Danny in a half-exasperated tone of voice. It's not as if the Blue Bow Army makes a difference. I've done more things for Amitropolis than the lot of them.Yeah, he's fought and defeated more Insurgents than the Blue Bow ever could, said Tucker in Danny's defence, which, though technically a lie, expressed his true feelings about Danny's stint as the phantom vigilante. I bet if they knew where to find him, the Blue Bow would want him fighting for them. Danny… No… Phantom! Yeah, Phantom is a regular superhero! What this world needs is a superhero and Phantom is that superhero.Guys, superheroes are fiction, snapped Sam angrily. They don't exist in real life. They can never exist in real life.No way! protested Tucker with a shake of his head. Sure they can exist and we've got one right here!

Silence. No one responded to his comment and they descended into an awkward silence that turned into a menacing stillness that unnerved them and the Blue Bow soldiers that guarded the road they walked through with hawk-eyes and itchy trigger fingers. The three friends walked on without saying another word, feeling like ghosts drifting through a dead world that was a shadow of its former self, a ghost in its own right.

Perhaps they were ghosts and perhaps the world they lived in was a ghost. After all, what was a ghost? Nothing but a collection of memories kept alive by the minds of those that still live. These three were but mere memories of the lively children that once roamed the streets, keeping alive the memory of a Metropolis once alive with people and free from terror. Ghosts that perpetuated ghosts. Memories that kept memories alive. They all fed on themselves, wasting away on what little nutrition that was left in their doomed cycles that would inevitably spiral downwards to certain oblivion.

Well… we're here, announced Danny redundantly.

Casper High took up a small amount of ground within the green suburbs of Casper Heights. There was just enough space for the main school building, a gymnasium, one indoor swimming pool, one outdoor swimming pool and one football field. It was an unspectacular looking school, like every other that existed in the metropolis of Amitropolis, but not being in the Domes, it looked as if someone had converted it into an army outpost.

The raven-haired youth turned round to look back at his raven-haired sister.
Yeah, Sam? he queried.

I know I can't change your mind about using that gift' of yours, began Sam quietly, She trailed off, unsure as to what else to say. If you have to, please be careful, all right?

A smile spread faintly across Danny's lips.
I will, was his reply.

Come on, said Sam with a smile slowly spreading across her lips as well. Let's going. We can't be late for class, can we?

Danny shook his head silently in reply without saying another word. There was no need to say another word to his sister. What more was there to say? After all, they were brother and sister, and they knew each other better than the backs of their hands, especially better than the history notes inscribed on the back of Danny's hand. There was nothing and he walked with Sam down the paved path towards the red brick building of Casper High School, named after the suburban area it was located in.

Hey, Manson! cried a voice that jarred on Danny's nerves, that made him stop in his tracks.

A part of him dreaded that voice. It belonged to Dash Baxter, the Captain of the high school's football team, the Ravens. They had never got along with each other ever since Danny had first started at Casper High. He knew that this wasn't the day for them to start getting on the right foot either. So one question remained in his mind. Should he turn round and see what Dash wanted? Was it possible that Dash wasn't going to play some mean trick or just be plain mean to him?

Danny turned round.

A football hit him straight in the face and the pain made him fall backwards on to the pavement.

Nice catch, Manson, said Dash, as he approached Danny. He was a much taller, far more muscular kid with blonde hair combed back and held in place with too much gel. He wore red and white team jacket over a black T-shirt. There was a cruel smile on his lips, as he approached Danny, and there was a cruel glint in his blue eyes, which were of a more intense blue than Danny's pale blue eyes. Next time, try catching the ball with your hands, not your face. He bent down and picked up the football, before he walked off laughing.

That was a low blow. Danny's face was one of the few things of his old body that was left, not that any of the people at Casper High knew. The ball had thankfully missed his nose and hit him straight in the mouth. He turned to look at Dash walk away, as he held a hand up to his mouth and felt blood against the artificial skin of his hand. There were times when he wished that Dash would get his comeuppance and this was one of those times.

Danny looked around him carefully and then leapt back up to his feet, before leaping into a set of bushes. Whilst there, he changed as discreetly as possible into his robotic form, the black-armoured Phantom. A smile spread across his face, as he then became invisible and darted back out of the bushes. It probably didn't help his cause that his heavy feet made huge clanking noises against the pavement, but it was enough. He ran quickly at Dash and hurled his shoulder straight at the jock.

His shoulder never connected and instead, Danny went straight through. He turned round and found Dash nowhere to be seen.
Okay, now that's strange, he thought wordlessly to himself. Danny turned round to look towards the school and couldn't see Dash anywhere there. He looked all around him and Dash was nowhere to be seen. Where'd he go?Hey, Dash, you all right? asked an Asian kid, as he approached Dash. He wore the same red and white jacket as Dash, signalling that he was not only a member of the football team but also a good friend of the blonde-haired bully. You lose something?

Danny looked behind him and then around him and then back towards the Asian kid, Kwan. Something was not right and he was about to ask, when he suddenly figured it out. If Dash was nowhere to be seen and Kwan had mistook him for Dash, then that could only mean one thing. He looked like Dash and that meant, he hadn't gone straight through Dash but straight into him.
said Danny with a smile on his lips, which was mirrored on Dash's lips. He then thought of what Dash would say and then said, Come on. Let's get going. He then turned round and walked towards the open doors of the High School's main building.

Never had Danny felt so exhilarated before. He couldn't believe that he had found a way of controlling his arch-nemesis and began to wonder what evil humiliation he could play on Dash. There were so many possibilities. What could he do? He thought about getting Dash to pull down his own jeans in front of the class, but that was too uncharacteristic. Perhaps he could get Dash to act like a big cry-baby after deliberately stubbing his toe. Maybe he could get Dash into trouble by making him pull down the teacher's trousers or perhaps even give the teacher a wedgie.

All right, class! cried the teacher in his understatedly nasal tone of voice. It's time to put your rears into gear and get down with your bad selves!Who's this freak? wondered a girl, as she walked past Dash/Danny.

I'm afraid your teacher, Mr. Recnal, is ill today, so I've been called in to take your class, droned the white-haired teacher, as he readjusted his sunglasses. The name's Mr. Tetslaff, but you homies can call me Nicolai. He turned round and grinned at the class. Take your seats and let us start our groovy, hip science lesson, shall we?

There was something absolutely atrocious about Mr. Tetslaff's use of slang and it was enough to disturb Danny's concentration. He found himself standing behind Dash without even realising it. The split second he realised he was no longer inside Dash, he looked around nervously in the hope that nobody had seen him materialise out of nothing. His heart was racing, as he looked around, but it didn't seem as if anybody had noticed. They were all staring in disbelief at Mr. Tetslaff, whom was dressed in the most out-dated clothes he had ever seen.

Danny shuddered, before walking over to his desk next to Tucker's and taking a seat.

Today, I'll be teaching you about natural selection and survival of the fittest, announced Mr. Tetslaff. Back in the day, people used to believe that God made everything. They believed he designed everything and made everything as it is now. Evolution and natural selection is how we all came to be our groovy selves. Now, your DNA, your blueprints, are quite weak, yo'. They're fragile. They mutate, but you've got things that can repair them, just like that. Sometimes, they miss and cause mutations. That's where your DNA is changed. It might give you a new characteristic that helps you survive in this big, bad world. Or it might make you weaker. If it makes you weaker, you don't survive. If it makes you stronger, you survive and can pass on your hip new gene to the next generation.

The mutation you get can only be passed on, if it's cool and does something groovy, agreed Tetslaff with a nod of his head. Most don't. That's why you don't see much evolution today. When the environment changes, though, these mutations might be an advantage. Say I evolved some funky set of gills. They'd be no use to me. But if the world flooded, they'd be light fantastic. I'd be able to pass them on to the next gen, and the genes of those that don't have gills won't be passed on. Get it? He then thought for a while and smirked. So if mutations can be good, why do you think we have groovy proteins to repair our DNA and make sure it doesn't mutate? Anyone?

There was silence, as everyone sat extremely still.

Danny knew for sure that Sam knew. He knew how smart she was, but she didn't say a thing.

How about you? asked Tetslaff, as he pointed at Danny.

exclaimed Danny in disbelief and he saw Tetslaff nod. Well… uh… he began and then found himself at a loss. He tried to think up of an answer, but couldn't really think up of one, except… Well, that couldn't be right. That answer was too easy, but… Well, Danny decided to give it a go. Most mutations are bad, so if we mutate all the time, we're more likely to die from the mutations?That's right, agreed Tetslaff with a nod of his head. In fact, some scientists are hoping to use this to combat viruses. They've got a high mutation rate, 'specially HIV, because viruses like HIV don't have repair mechanisms for their DNA. They hope to put in a chemical that causes the viruses to mutate so much, they'll die. There was suddenly a ringing. He delved into his pocket and then felt pulled out a phone. he said. He then turned round and began inserted a disc into the high tech blackboard behind him, which was nothing more than a huge interactive touch screen. Right, I want you to all to take this down. I've got to go and take this call. Be right back, homies.

The moment Tetslaff left, Dash turned round.
Well, aren't we the precious teacher's pet? he said at Danny. I can't help it if you're as sharp as a wet sponge, retorted Danny.

What? Why you…! cried Dash, as he rose to his feet and rolled up his sleeves.

Hey, what's up with that? exclaimed Tucker, as he pointed towards the screen.

An error message had flashed up on the screen. Soon, it changed, to be replaced with a symbol that looked like a capital Greek Omega with a capital A underneath its arc. The symbol was that of the Insurgents, representing the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

The symbol changed again to the green-blue-grey face of a robot with black eyes and red pupils. It was unmistakable. That face was the face of Skulker, the Leader of the Insurgent Rebellion.
It is now time to announce our plans! exclaimed Skulker and his voice seemed to echo. There are far too many humans to eradicate in this world. They are like a vermin, a virus, that infects this planet. There are too many, so we have decided to solve the problem. We have the Final Solution in our hands! We will convert the humans, like the human religious groups tried to convert each other. We will make all humans robots like us, Insurgents like us. We will make you like us and remove your disgusting humanity.What is this? cried Dash.

To reach our goals, we need more recruits, continued Skulker. We, the Insurgents, are hiring new staff members and you children will be our new generation of cyborgs. You will be the next generation of foot soldiers to further the Glory of Robot-kind! He laughed. Now look at the screen, said Skulker, as his image faded away into a hypnotic swirling pattern. Study well and learn why you should replace your inferior biological parts with robotic ones. Become us in mind, before becoming like us in body.The door's locked! cried Tucker, as he tried the door handle. We can't get out!You wuss! cried Dash angrily, as he shoved Tucker aside. Let me at it! He then grabbed the door knob and wrestled with it, pulling and pushing on the door. Dash swore.

Ram it! someone suggested.

Dash took a few steps back and ran into it full speed against the door. He slammed into it with his shoulder, but the door didn't even budge. He took a few steps back and then rammed the door again, but to no avail.
Hey, Kwan, help me out here! exhaled Dash, as he turned round. Kwan? Kwan!

The Asian kid was staring at the screen in a hypnotic trance, drool dribbling down from his mouth. It didn't seem as if he heard.

Danny looked around him and found the other kids were falling into the trance too. He began to wonder. Was there something else to the hypnotic pattern as well. He looked up and then saw the speakers. Skulker's voice had come from the PA speakers as well. Somehow, everything was being transmitted from the school's main computer.

The windows! cried Sam suddenly. We can go out the windows! She then went over and tried them, but found they were locked. We need to smash these open.Leave that to me, said Dash, as he rushed over to a desk and picked it up. Outta the way! he cried, before hurling it at the windows and smashing them open with a huge crashing noise of splintering glass and an uncharacteristic crunching noise not normally associated with smashing windows. All right, ladies first, he said, as he turned round. That means you too, Ma… began Dash, only to find that Danny was gone and that the door had been broken off its hinge.

Phantom ran through the corridors as best as he could. He hoped that he could get to the central computer in time.

All schools in Amitropolis had central computers that controlled everything in the building. They had been installed by FentonWorx as a method of keeping the school secure against possible Insurgents or even kids that had snapped. So far, the systems had prevented events such as mass shootings, but never had they been used to keep kids locked in the school.

The cyborg skidded to a halt.

Two robots had appeared in front of him. They humanoid robots with a huge red slit in the place of eyes. These things looked like FentonWorx Geists, except that instead of being green, they were purple. Both Geists had the Insurgent symbol on their bodies and both had laser cannons for their right arms, which they aimed at Phantom. Both Geists fired at him.

None of the shots hit Danny, as he ducked underneath them. His hands glowed green with charged energy, which he threw at the Geists. He managed to hit both of them, catching them off guard. Danny threw a second round of shots at them that crashed straight through their bodies, scattering metal and oil on to the chequered linoleum floor of the corridor. He thought that was it, before two more purple Geists rose up from the ground and opened fire on Danny.

I don't have time for this, sighed Danny, as he became invisible and intangible. He then ran straight past and through the Geists.

It wasn't long before the Geist chip in his body started to overheat and before long, it had shut down and Danny had become physical and visible once again. That didn't matter, as he looked momentarily behind him to see he had left the Geists well behind. He turned his head back round and saw the Principal's Office not too far away. He ran straight into it and threw his entire weight at the door, which shattered into a spray of splinters that heralded his entrance into the Principal's Office.

Well, if it ain't the traitor, exclaimed a familiar sounding voice from the Principal's desk.

Danny looked up. He saw the Principal lying slumped against the desk with an envelope opener through the back of his skull and sitting at his desk was none other than Tetslaff.
exclaimed Danny, as he got back up to his feet. You know me? asked Tetslaff with a perplexed frown on his face. You're one smart kid. I dig that. You've got it on. The frown disappeared into a grin. You're really hip and down with it, you know? Such a shame you oppose us and Lord Skulker. He spread his arms out and then a wave of light passed over his body, obscuring it and then it disappeared.

Tetslaff's face colour had changed to green. His body was a black metallic body, the seams being quite visible. The top of his head was a glass dome that enabled one to see the brain floating inside and there was still some white hair left on the back of his head. His mouth was twisted into a metallic gleam of a smile and his legs had disappeared to be replaced with tentacles.
You cannot stop us! he laughed. The humans are not phat. They're not groovy or hip or down with it. Their time has come. We are the fittest. Natural selection favours us and we shall be the ones that inherit the Earth.That's what you think, protested Danny. I won't let you get away with it, Tetslaff. Not you nor your precious Lord Skulker.Please, you can call me Technus! laughed the Insurgent, as he rose up. Now stay still and die! One of his tentacles reared up and then lashed out at Danny.

The cyborg dived out of the way, avoiding the pincers on the end of Technus' tentacles. He then threw a bolt of plasma energy straight at Technus. It struck. He heard Technus cry and saw him stagger backwards. There was a sly smile across Danny's face, as he whirled back round and flung a few more plasma energy bolts straight at the Insurgent, striking Technus with each one.

Not possible! protested Technus, as he staggered backwards. I'm stronger than you, boy! I can't let myself be defeated by you.Well get used to it, retorted Danny with a shake of his head. I'm gonna whup your butt and you know what? I'm half human, so that'll make the victory all the sweeter.

Technus' eyes widened in disbelief.
Half human? he exclaimed in disbelief. You should be weaker than me. He shook his head. That's whack, man. I'm a real robot. I'm superior to you! I'm phat, I'm cool, I'm with it and you're not! As he roared the last word, he lashed out with his tentacles, only to miss. Half human freak! he cried out angrily. He leapt up into the air, spinning, his tentacles flailing around him.

Danny became intangible and the tentacles went right through him without damaging him. He leapt into the air and when he was above the tentacles, he became tangible and flung another sphere of plasma energy straight at Technus, hitting him square in the head with such force that the Insurgent was sent flying backwards. Danny landed back on his feet. He turned round and saw the huge server that ran the entire school's systems. He ran towards it, in the hope of reversing whatever Technus had done.

Several plasma bolts flew at him and he ducked. He turned round.

Purple Geists had appeared and were advancing towards him, their laser cannons trained on him.

There was no time for Danny to fire several shots at these advancing Geists. He focused energy into the palm of his hands and clenched his fist tightly. The plasma energy became a sword. He rushed straight at the Geists and sliced them in half with one stroke.

A tentacle whipped out and swept the Principal's computer off the desk. It crashed down.

The sound made Danny turn round. He watched as Technus rose back up with a grin on his face and a computer monitor in the middle of his chest.
What's with the monitor? asked Danny.

I can evolve, cyborg, said Technus with a grin. I am the Master of Technology and I can absorb any technologies and evolve. Soon, I will evolve until I am bigger and badder and better than you. He leapt at Danny, but missed as the cyborg dived out of the way. Big mistake, boy! laughed Technus, as he scooped up the remains of the Geists with his tentacles and engulfed them. His shoulders grew slightly bigger and then opened up to reveal two laser guns.

Not good, Danny found himself saying to himself, before he dived out of the way, narrowly avoiding being hit by the lasers that flew out of the twin barrels. He then saw more Geists walking into the room. he cried, before rushing towards the Geists in the hope of destroying them before Technus could get his tentacles on them.

It was too late. With a sweep of his tentacles, Technus smashed them apart and scooped up their pieces. He tripled in size and the guns mounted on his shoulder turned into what seemed like the barrel of a machine gun. They swivelled round and aimed at Danny, before firing shot after shot of lasers at him, their barrels rotating round and lasers flying out of each hole.

Phantom, Danny, leapt backwards and flung the plasma energy sword through the air at Technus. It flew through the air straight and true and struck Technus in the chest. He heard him cry out and the machine gun fire stopped.
Still not pretty tough, huh? he taunted Technus.

Yeah, well watch this! cried Technus and the computer monitor switched on, turning into the hypnotic pattern that was broadcast in Danny's classroom. Groovy, ain't it? Just watch and become one of us! He advanced slowly towards Danny, bringing the screen closer towards him with every step of his tentacles. Be a good boy and watch this.

There was something about the screen that was so enticing to Danny. He didn't know what it was, but he felt compelled to look at it. There was no doubt that he had to. He just felt that he had to. The swirl of the patterns, the varying of the pattern, the way it shimmered in the light and was light. Then there was enticing sound. What was it? What did it all mean? Then there it was. Slowly, bit by bit, it made itself clear to him, revealing its answer a tiny bit at a time. Watch. Listen. Learn. Obey.

Hey! Glass head!

Something flew through the air and struck Technus on the side of his head.
he cried angrily, before turning round. A human? What are you doing here? He looked back at Danny and then towards the black-haired Goth girl. Who cares? You're mine! He turned round and then advanced towards her.

cried Sam. Hey, you! Snap out of it!

Danny blinked. He looked around him and suddenly realised where he was.
Technus! You get away from her! he cried, before throwing a few plasma bolts straight at the Insurgent's head. It didn't seem to hurt him or to get his attention either. He sighed and then ran straight at Technus, before leaping into the air and kicking out at Technus' head with such force that he knocked him right over. You okay, Sam? asked Danny, as he landed right next to his sister.

I'm fine, replied Sam.

gasped a voice from the doorway. Thank goodness… I… found you, wheezed Tucker, as he leant against the doorframe. What did you… did you… what did you think you were doing…? Running… in here like that. He brought out his PDA and showed him its screen. On it was a map of the school and its surrounding area, and several blue dots were converging on it. The Blue Bow Army is coming. They'll be here in five minutes.

A tentacle lashed out and snatched the PDA from right out of Tucker's hand.
Thanks, man, laughed Technus, as he absorbed the PDA. That'll help me speed up my processing power. He then aimed his guns straight at Danny and his friends.

Get out of here! cried Danny, before he pushed Sam and Tucker out the doorway.

Technus opened fire.

Danny crossed his arms and without warning, a huge shield of plasma energy surrounded him, absorbing every shot. A huge barrage hit it before Technus stopped. Danny opened his eyes and looked past his crossed arms. He was still intact. That was amazing! He was still intact.
said Danny and a smile broke across his lips, as he looked up at Technus. My turn, he said, before returning fire.

None of his shots hit, as Technus dodged them.
I told you that would increase my processing power, he laughed. Now you can't stop me! I'm so fast, so cool, so hip to the bone, no one can stop me!

This battle was dragging on and Danny thought back to what Tucker had said. In five minutes time, the Blue Bow Militia would come storming into the school. He couldn't be caught, not with the reward on his head. But what could he do? If Technus kept absorbing technologies and evolving, he would become unstoppable. Evolving… Danny looked behind Technus and saw the server and then thought about how many computers it was connected to. That server was connected to a huge system.

Yeah, but what about the Blue Bow? asked Danny as innocently as he could muster. They're coming in five minutes. I doubt you'd be fast enough to dodge all their shots.Ha! Nonsense! protested Technus proudly. I'll just absorb their Geists and their weapons and evolve.Bet you couldn't, retorted Danny, as he crossed his arms and leaned calmly against the wall behind him.

I could too! called out Danny tauntingly.

Could too!Could too!Prove it, said Danny finally. See that server over there. It's connected to every single computer in the entire building. If you can absorb that and the entire school's network, then I guess you could absorb practically anything. He wondered whether Technus knew how many computers were connected to the server. It wasn't just normal computers, but also computer systems in the doors and the PA system and the system that worked the vending machines and the janitorial system that detected spills or messes anywhere and even the security system.

All that electronics. He wondered whether Technus could absorb them all.
Or maybe you're too chicken, added Danny. Nothing but hot air.I'll show you! protested Technus, before he slammed his tentacles into the server and started sucking the electronics out through them.

It was an amazing sight. The tentacles bulged as if it huge globs of technology were being sucked through him. The server shrank in size, as if it was a fruit being sucked dry through a straw. Technus started to bulge. He grew in size. Arms sprouted out underneath his old pair. He grew metallic wings. Then a floor buffer grew out of the end of one of his tentacles. A vending machine sprouted out his back and Technus cried out.

What? What's going on? he cried, as his body started to bulge and bizarre new parts started sprouting out of him. I can't stop!Told ya' you couldn't do it, said Danny smugly, as he cupped his hands together and focused as much plasma energy in between them as possible. Tsk, tsk. Beaten by a half-human. What will the other Insurgents say? he said tauntingly, as the energy between the palms of his hands increased. He made the motions of a baseball pitcher about to throw a ball and then pitched his shot, hurling the plasma sphere straight at Technus.

cried Technus, before it tore straight through him and he exploded in a fiery ball of flames that sent metallic parts flying everywhere.

As the smoke cleared, Danny became tangible again and looked around him. There didn't seem to be any sign of Technus anywhere. He walked slowly over the charred floor to where Technus had been standing before the explosion and looked around him, moving the rubble away with a sweep of his foot. A smile suddenly spread across his face.
Hey, that you? asked Danny, as he knelt down.

Who are you? asked Technus' head, as it lay on the ground with a crack in the glass dome and fluid leaking out.

The name's Phantom, was Danny's reply.

You'll regret this, you… you… young whippersnapper, you! cried Technus angrily. Even now, Lord Skulker knows about you and can see you. He hears you. exclaimed Danny, as he picked up Technus' head. Well, listen here, Skulker. I won't let you get your way. You hear me? You and your Insurgents are going down. He suddenly heard the sound of footsteps and turned round.

Standing at the doorway was a man with a black beard, wearing a blue military trench coat and white military gloves, a military hat on his hat as he stood behind a podium with the Blue Bow insignia on it, a blue bow with a capital B in one end and a capital B in the other. Danny recognised him from the TV. It was Captain Lancer of the Metropolitan Police.

The vigilante! exclaimed Lancer suddenly.

Quickly, Danny dropped Technus' head and became intangible, disappearing through the charred floor.

Sam waited outside, looking towards the school with a worried look on her face.
I hope he's all right, she said quietly.

agreed Tucker with a nod of his head. Me too.

They waited there in silence, looking towards the school and at the smoke that poured out from its windows. Was it likely that Danny had escaped the Blue Bow Army before it could arrest him? What if Technus had killed him? What if the Blue Bow soldiers had killed him, thinking he was the Insurgent that had started the incident?

Hey, what's up? asked Danny, as he approached them.

Sam whirled round.
she exclaimed in surprised. She suddenly rushed him, hugging him. Don't you ever worry me like that again!

Danny felt a bit awkward being hugged by his sister. It was just, she never made outbursts of emotion like the one he found himself in.
Uh… Sam, he began, as he stood there with arms slightly rigid. Would you mind, letting go of me? he asked her curiously. It's just… well, somebody might take this the wrong way.Oh yeah… Sorry, apologised Sam, as she let go of him.

Oh man, exclaimed Tucker suddenly. I wish you hadn't said that. You're brother and sister… That's just… Ew!

cried the pale-faced man, as he slammed his black-gloved fist into the table, the phone receiver held against his ear. How could this phantom vigilante slip through your fingers?I'm sorry, sir, we're doing the best we can, came the apology from the other end of the phone line, but this vigilante is too good. He disappears after destroying every Insurgent.

The pale-faced man leaned back in his seat, placing a gloved hand on his dark blue military cap.
Well, your best isn't good enough, snapped the man, as he massaged the temples of his forehead with his free hand. Captain Lancer, he began in what sounded like a Texan drawl, I don't think you understand the situation. We, the Blue Bow Army, cannot let some vigilantes upstage us. The whole of the United States is watching us. It is watching the social experiment that FentonWorx has set into motion. If we succeed in destroying the Insurgents in this city, once and for all, we will be rewarded. Blue Bow will become the new Law Enforcer in the United States and we will be able to expand our forces out of Amitropolis and finally crush the Insurgents. Do you understand me, Lancer? We must not be upstaged!Yes, sir, came the reply from the other end of the connection. We'll do better next time.No, you won't do better next time, retorted the pale-faced man with a shake of his head. Your best isn't good enough. You will succeed! The Fenton Family is watching our every move and they're not pleased. Do I make myself clear, Captain?Yes, sir, General Walker, sir! was Lancer's reply.

That is all, snapped Walker sternly, before he placed the receiver back down on its hook. He remained silent, a cold and stern expression on his face, as he glared in front of him. A sigh escaped his lips, as he slumped in his seat. He hoped that it wasn't evident how scared he was from the tone of his voice. What he didn't want, was for Lancer to know how afraid he was.

There was an abrupt, curt laugh from behind Walker. Hands that looked like Danny's hands when he was in his robot form clapped on to Walker's shoulders. They were green with white fingers though, instead of black with white fingers, and they belonged to a greenish body with bits of white and orange. The helmet itself was green and near the forehead was a white gem, on which was the FentonWorx symbol, a cog with an F on top of a W inside the circle of the cog.
Harsh words, General, commented a Latino-sounding voice from behind Walker.

Praetor Raimundo? exclaimed Walker quietly, his body rigid. To what do I owe this honour?Come on, General, surely you must know? came the reply from the green cyborg. You must have been expecting a visit from us Praetors, right? I mean, you Blue Bow guys have been screwing things up real bad. There was a pause, as a smile broke on the Praetor's lips. He leaned closer to Walker, until his lips were nearly pressed against Walker's ear. I've got a message from the Fenton Family, he whispered quietly. They're really pissed off with you, Walker. They might even lock you up in the Ghost Zone. How's that sound, huh? Oh, you'd love it. The Ghost Zone's the perfect prison. Big, spacious… no way out.

Deep down, General Walker despised the Praetors. Though he had them commissioned, it was the FentonWorx Corporation that really controlled them and it was the Fenton Family that they obeyed, not him.
We're doing our best, he retorted.

Your best ain't good enough, retorted Raimundo in the same tone of voice that Walker had used with Lancer. Lady Fenton's come up with a great idea, though. You want to hear what it is? He waited a while and watched as Walker nodded slowly. Get him to join us. Sign him up. Convince him to fight with us. Great idea, huh? Personally, I'd love to see that upstart get what's coming to him, but… Hey, what can you do, huh?We'll try and sign him up, replied Walker quietly. We will sign him up.

Raimundo smiled, as he let go of Walker's shoulders.
You do that, he said calmly. See you at the next shareholder meeting? He stepped back into the shadows and then disappeared.

END TRANSMISSION #02