AN: I had planned to update Injustice Syndicate: The Rise first, but I wanted to get this Christmas oneshot out there for the holiday season. And as you can probably tell, it is indeed a Danny Phantom crossover. One that I've been thinking about for a few days now but have yet to write the full story for. And I probably won't do so for a while yet. This one is a crossover between Danny Phantom and Legend of Korra and is one that I hope you will all enjoy very much. Well, without further ado, on to the story, shall we?
Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit, fan-based story. Danny Phantom and all related characters are all owned by Billionfold Inc, Nickelodeon Studios, and Butch Hartman. Legend of Korra and all related characters are all owned by Nickelodeon Studios, Ginormous Madman, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzo, and Jaoquim Dos Santos. PLEASE SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE!
Note: This story was heavily inspired by DJ Rodriguez and his stories Danny & Desiree- Time, Love, and Tenderness, and Danny's Special Christmas.
Deep in purgatory, or the Ghost Zone as the inhabitants called it, at the realm that once belonged to the former King of Ghosts known as Pariah Dark, a man and a woman slept peacefully in each other's arms. These two were Daniel 'Danny' James Fenton, otherwise known as Danny Phantom: King of Ghosts through conquest, and Korra Fenton: the Avatar and Ghost Queen through marriage. Now that both of them were in their twenties, they both had changed a lot in their time together.
For one, Danny had really filled out in terms of his physical stature. Gone was the skinny fourteen-year-old boy who could barely outrun his high school tormentors. In his place was a grown man who was strong and confident. His muscles had become more pronounced and stronger as his pectorals were hard as diamond, his biceps and triceps looked like he could crush boulders just by bearhugging them, and his abs were so well defined and strong you'd think that you could grind meat on them! But these were not muscles that were meant for showing off, like those of the jocks back when Danny was in high school, but rather they were meant for fighting. And this was proven more than once when Danny had to fight off the ghosts that plagued Amity Park in the human world. In addition to these muscles, he did have a few scars scattered throughout his upper body, especially a rather large one on his back from when he took a direct hit from a GIW tank blast in order to protect Korra. He hadn't had enough time to put up an ecto-shield, so he tanked the blast with his own body! He survived and managed to drive off the obviously corrupt government agency afterwards but was also hospitalized for two months due to the damage, and it would have been longer had he not been blessed with his impressive healing factor.
Korra had also filled out a little more in the looks department. When she was seventeen years old, which is when she and Danny had officially gotten together, she already had the hourglass figure that many women coveted. But now she had a much more womanly appearance as her curves remained in all the right places, but thanks to her training in martial arts and bending the four elements, she kept her strength as proven by how her arms had some visible muscle, but not enough to take away from her feminine appearance. She had been thinking about getting her hair cut since it currently stopped at her mid-back when not in its signature wolftails, but decided against it when Danny said that he liked it at its usual length. Besides, she loved it when her husband would brush her hair.
Now, today was a very special day for the young couple. It was the morning of Christmas Eve, and they were going to spend the holidays with their immediate family, both Danny's and Korra's (the latter of whom made their way all the way up from the Southern Water Tribe located in the South Pole), as Danny and Korra had a big surprise for them. For you see… Korra was now seven months pregnant with hers and Danny's child!
But while that may be good news for the happy couple, you're all probably wondering why Danny would want to celebrate Christmas at all. And that he hates the holidays, right? Well, that would be the case back when he and Korra were still seventeen, but he's changed since that Christmas. And it was all thanks to the Avatar and a little lesson from the big man himself. And I'm not talking about Santa Claus.
The day started out just like any other…
***Flashback…***
"Now, what would make good stocking stuffers for mom and dad? Chocolate snowmen, or maybe peppermint santas?" Korra thought out loud as she browsed the Christmas candy.
She, Danny, Jazz, Sam, Tucker, and even Danny's parents, had gone to the mall to get their last-minute Christmas shopping done before the big day. Jazz tried to act natural as she walked out of the music store whistling a tune, but Korra gave her a knowing smile as she could tell that the elder Fenton child had bought the latest Dumpty Humpty album for her brother. Meanwhile, Sam was actually happy for a change as she wished everyone in the store a happy holidays. Korra still didn't understand why Sam celebrated Christmas if she and her family were Jewish. Wouldn't that mean they'd be celebrating Hanukkah? Anyway, Tucker was also getting into the jingle mood as he taped a mistletoe branch to his hat in hopes that he'd get lucky with a girl this year.
The Avatar had mentally scoffed as she rolled her eyes. With that kind of behavior, Tucker was going to remain single for the rest of his life.
But one person who didn't seem to have any holiday spirit was Danny. Korra frowned as she saw her friend lagging behind with the hood of his jacket up, a perpetual scowl on his face as he glared at all of the Christmas decorations.
"Danny, are you okay?" Korra asked, concerned about her friend.
"No, I'm really not okay. Everyone else may be having a jolly old time, but I hate this holiday with a passion." Danny replied with a slight growl in his voice.
Now THAT took the Avatar by surprise. She couldn't believe what she'd just heard!
"What? Danny, how could you possibly hate Christmas?" Korra asked in disbelief.
"Because I've never been given a reason NOT to! Just look!" exclaimed Danny as he pointed in his parents' general direction.
Korra looked and saw that Danny's parents were in a heated argument, both making animated (as in moving around a lot, not like animated cartoons) gestures with their arms. She didn't know what the argument was about, but as her highly trained ears focused on the Fenton matriarch and patriarch, it became clear to her just what they were arguing about. And it was… the existence of Santa Claus…
"You gotta be kidding me. They're seriously arguing about Santa Claus and whether he's real or not?" Korra said with a face that just screamed 'are you serious?'.
"Yes, yes they are. And they do this EVERY YEAR! Have been doing it since the day I was born, maybe even before Jazz was born! Because of them and their damn argument, I have never had a good Christmas! Did you know that my first Christmas as a baby ended with me being peed on by a reindeer?" Danny said, anger clear in his voice.
Korra couldn't help but wince in sympathy at the fact that such a thing happened to Danny while he was still so young. And the fact that he's had to put up with the antics of his parents near all the way into adulthood just made her cringe inside. She couldn't imagine the embarrassment she'd have gone through if her parents had a yearly argument about things like Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, or even the Easter Bunny.
"It's the same thing every year with those two! Santa's real, no he's not, just ONCE I wish those two would stop arguing about it and let everyone have their own freaking opinion on the subject!"
Unfortunately for Danny, he was so caught up in his rant that he didn't notice a door being quickly opened as it slammed right into his face and sent him falling flat on his back. Real hard.
"Danny!" cried Jack and Maddie as they noticed what happened.
They, along with Jazz and Korra, rushed over to the downed boy as the Fenton parents ceased their argument for the moment. Danny groaned as he sat up, revealing that the impact from the door had given him a bloody nose… and apparently knocked out a tooth as proven by how Danny spat one out. At first, Maddie was worried about that, but sighed with visible relief as she saw that it was only a milk tooth/baby tooth.
"There goes your last baby tooth, son! You better be sure to put that under your pillow tonight so the Tooth Fairy can come and collect it!" Jack said with a big old grin.
Maddie rolled her eyes at her husband's childish advice. First it was Santa that they were arguing about, and now they'd have to add the Tooth Fairy to that list? She gave him a look that clearly told her husband that they'd talk about this later before turning her attention back to her bleeding son.
"Hold your head back, honey. These should help stop the bleeding." she said as she rolled up some tissues and stuffed them up Danny's nostrils.
Danny quietly thanked his mother before saying that he was going outside to get some air. Korra volunteered to go with him because he was hurt, but also because she firmly believed that nobody should be sad and alone on Christmas. She found him across the street brooding as he sat on a park bench, which had been cleared of the snow that had recently fallen. Korra walked over and sat down next to Danny, glad that she'd kept her Water Tribe thermal clothing because that bench was cold!
"How's the nose?" Korra asked.
"Fine. The bleeding's already stopped." Danny replied as he removed the bloody tissues and pocketed them to throw away later. "This holiday season is really off to a crappy start. First my parents get up to their usual arguments about whether Santa is real or not,"
Faint cries of 'IS TOO!' and 'IS NOT!' could be heard from inside the mall, proving Danny's point.
"And then I get a bloody nose and a tooth knocked out by an impatient holiday shopper, and to top it all off I'm STILL miserable like I am EVERY Christmas! Can this day get any worse?"
"Ah! You said the cursed phrase!" Korra cried in panic before shushing Danny. "Maybe the universe didn't hear."
"I'm pretty sure that's just a silly superstition." Danny said.
"And what did people think that ghosts were before you got your powers?" she asked.
Danny gave a blank stare as he said "Touche.".
Both young adults were startled out of their conversation as the Box Ghost appeared in front of them while wearing a Santa hat.
"BEWARE! FOR I AM THE BOX GHOOOST, here to deliver you both an invitation!" he said as he gave the two a couple of envelopes with small candy canes taped to them.
With a final cry of 'BEWARE!' the Box Ghost vanished as he likely returned to purgatory. Danny and Korra looked from the invitations to each other and back before shrugging and deciding to at least see what they had been invited to. They removed the candy canes from the envelopes and popped them in their mouths before opening the letters… only to be met with illegible scribbles that passed for handwriting.
"Wow, Box Ghost's handwriting is almost as bad as Meelo's." quipped Korra.
"Can you read this? I don't speak scribble." Danny quipped back.
"Give me a minute, I just need to hold it up to the light, and…"
It only took Korra about two minutes to decipher the message as opposed to a half hour when she tried to read Meelo's handwriting. When she saw what it said, she was understandably confused.
"It says that we've been invited to a Christmas party in the Ghost Zone at eight pm sharp. Something about a 'Christmas Truce', whatever that is." Korra said.
Danny didn't like the sound of this. It seemed too convenient to him. All of his worst enemies gathered in one place for a supposed party? They could just be laying out a trap in order to kill them both. And for some reason, Danny found his heart aching at the thought of Korra dying for any reason.
"If we go to this 'party' in the Ghost Zone, my enemies could gang up on us and have us killed." Danny said as he thought aloud.
"But if we stay here, we'll get caught in the middle of your mom and dad's annual Santa Claus argument." Korra added.
The two looked at each other and nodded as they made a decision.
"Christmas Party in the Ghost Zone, it is."
After shooting his parents a quick text that he and Korra were going to a Christmas party that a friend of theirs invited them to, which they believed right away, Danny and Korra flew into the Ghost Zone with Danny transformed into his ghostly alter-ego, Danny Phantom, and Korra holding his hand so she could fly them to the address that Box Ghost had, thankfully, typed onto the invites. They were a bit apprehensive when they reached the door that would be leading to Ember's realm, but they pushed on as Danny reached up and rang the doorbell. The door opened, and…
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
The two were quickly brought inside by Skulker as everyone wished the two a merry Christmas, which was a complete 180 compared to how they usually acted around them. They saw spirits like Sidney Poindexter, Johnny 13 and his girlfriend (though I use that term loosely) Kitty, Ember McLain, Walker the Ghost Warden, Dorothea who is the princess of a medieval part of the Ghost Zone, Skulker, Desiree the genie ghost, Penelope Spectra, Box Ghost, the Lunch Lady, Cujo the ghost dog, and even Clockwork had made it to the party!
"Glad you guys could make it!" Johnny said, handing Danny a glass of eggnog.
Non-alcoholic, of course.
"Yeah, we were a little confused by the invites, honestly. Mostly because it was hard to see the words past the scribbles that counted for handwriting." Korra said before giving Box Ghost an apologetic "No offense."
Skulker rose an eyebrow and examined the invitation in question before taking out a tape recorder.
"Note to self: 'Don't let Box Ghost write the invitations next year.' End note." he said into the device.
"Well, the important thing is you're here now, so let's get this party started!" exclaimed Ember.
An hour later, and the party was in full swing. The Avatar actually had quite a lot of fun as she mingled with spirits that she normally wouldn't interact with unless they were fighting. She learned about Desiree's past and how she came to be a wish-granting ghost, and even why she put such cruel twists on her wishes in the first place. She even befriended Ember, Kitty, and Dorothea as they seemed to get along like a house on fire. She saw Johnny and Skulker getting drunk as she soon learned that somebody had spiked the punch, so she was sticking to water and eggnog to drink tonight, and she also saw many ghosts socializing like normal human beings instead of trying to kill each other like they normally would have been.
The only one not really having any fun was Danny. He just leaned against the wall brooding and pretty much being a Grinch. Korra knew that it was time for an intervention, and time for Danny to learn a little lesson about what Christmas is truly about. She walked over to him and put her plan into action.
"Danny, what's wrong? You've been here for the past hour just brooding while everyone else is having fun and socializing with each other." Korra said.
Danny sighed and replied with "Sorry, Korra. I know that I should be trying to have fun and enjoy the holidays for once, but it's hard to just let go of almost a lifetime of bad Christmas memories, you know? And the fact that I'm at a party with pretty much every ghost that wants us both dead just puts me on edge, too."
"You need not worry about anyone attacking you or Korra, Daniel."
The two looked to the side and saw Clockwork floating there, the Ghost of Time shifting from child to adult to old man, then back to child as per usual.
"It is the time of the Christmas Truce. During this time, ghosts of all types, friend and enemy alike, gather together to celebrate the holiest of holidays together in peace. You will not need to worry about being attacked until after New Year's." Clockwork explained.
"Holiest of holidays? What do you mean?" Danny asked.
"I see your parents, being scientists, never taught you about just what Christmas is really about." Korra said with a sad smile. "Let me tell you about the true meaning of Christmas, Danny."
She and the young Halfa walked to a more secluded area to talk, knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea for them to talk about this particular subject around so many spirits. Once they were out of hearing distance, Korra and Danny sat down on the floor as the Avatar cleared her throat and began to teach.
"You may think that Christmas is a time for exchanging gifts, being with your family, and creating new happy memories together. And in a way, it is in this modern interpretation of the holiday. But the present giving and the creation of Santa? Those are just fun little traditions that people slowly created to give more joy to children around this time of year. But really, Christmas is a birthday." Korra explained.
"A birthday?" Danny asked with a raised eyebrow.
Korra nodded as she continued to explain.
"That's right. Christmas is the day where baby Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem many years ago, way before any of us were born. It was a night where the angels came down from the heavens to welcome the son of God into the world, and three kings followed a great star to the newborn babe's manger where they gifted him with gold, frankincense, and mur. Christmas isn't just a day to exchange presents and party until you're totally wasted, it's more than that! It's a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, and to be thankful for all that he has blessed us with!" Korra exclaimed.
Danny was surprised by this new information and found himself seriously pondering it. He didn't know that Christmas had such significance as this. No one had ever told him. He began to think that perhaps he was wrong to hate Christmas as he did simply for the foolish arguments of his parents. That he really should have been more grateful for all of the blessings he truly had in life instead of always focusing on the negative aspects when it came to the holidays. But that still begged the question…
"Where exactly did you learn all of this from?" Danny asked.
Korra blushed in embarrassment and said "Sunday school." as she looked away from Danny.
Danny just chuckled and brought Korra into a hug, which caused her to blush even more as she felt his developed muscles through his suit. He wasn't buff like the jocks at Danny's school that kept trying to hit on her, mostly that Dash Baxter guy, but he was lean and toned and she could feel it. But regardless, she still hugged him back even as she began to feel little butterflies fluttering about in her stomach again. She had honestly never felt this way about anyone, before. Danny just… he just made her happy in ways she couldn't explain. She resolved to speak to her mother about these odd feelings if she ever saw her again.
But that was for later. For now…
"Oh lovebirds!~" Ember said in a sing-song voice. "Is that mistletoe I see?~"
The two looked up with blank anime eyes and indeed saw the traditional Christmas plant dangling above them. And Ember was silently giggling at the situation that the two had found themselves in, likely because she set the whole thing up while they weren't looking. As the two blushed furiously and began to lean in to kiss each other they silently resolved to get Ember back for that one.
But as their lips connected and they felt a strange spark in their hearts, that promise of revenge was quickly forgotten, and a new relationship was formed as the two soon rejoined the party and enjoyed themselves. Needless to say, Danny did indeed have a very merry Christmas that year.
***End Flashback…***
After that night, Danny had confronted his parents on Christmas morning and told them how much their constant yearly arguments about Santa being real or not had been hurting him and Jazz and had caused him to hate Christmas with a passion. Suffice to say, the two felt terrible for how they had hurt their children because of their arguments, even if it was unintentional. The two had enveloped their children in a group hug as they promised to stop arguing about such silly things like Santa from now on. It was a happy time for the Fentons as the emotional wounds began to heal over, but it became even more joyous when Danny and Korra had revealed that they had started dating and planned on having their first official date a week after New Year's Day. Jack and Maddie were absolutely ecstatic to hear about that, as proven by how Jack had nearly broken Korra's spine with one of his infamous bearhugs.
Seriously, those hugs of his could crush a garbage can if he wanted to!
Korra had been invited by the Fentons to spend Christmas with them since she couldn't exactly spend it with her own family, what with them being all the way back in the Southern Water Tribe, and she had happily accepted. It was a wonderful time full of laughs, joy, and now happy Christmas memories being made. Danny had even made up the guest bedroom for Korra so she could spend the night, since they had apparently gotten snowed in last night.
As the years went on, Danny and Korra's relationship had only grown as they got closer and closer together. They went on many dates, Korra had introduced her boyfriend to her parents when they had managed to go to the South Pole one time, which of course led to Korra's father Tonraq threatening to freeze Danny into an icecube if he hurt his daughter, while Senna, Korra's mother, had welcomed the boy with open arms. He was especially loved by Korra's pet Polarbear-Dog, Naga, who had practically covered his face in Polarbear-Dog slobber due to the many licks to the face she had given him. Sure, they had their arguments and their fights here and there, as all couples do, but they always talked about the cause of those arguments and worked things out to resolve the problem which made their relationship stronger than ever. They did have some problems with Sam, who had been very jealous of Korra's relationship with Danny and had tried more than once to break the two up. But each of her attempts had failed, especially when she tried to do so at Danny and Korra's wedding, but that's a story for another time.
Danny looked at his wife as he felt her stir and heard her groan as she woke up. Her beautiful cyan eyes were always a welcome and comforting sight for the Ghost King who smiled and kissed his wife on the forehead.
"Good morning, beautiful." Danny said as Korra smiled back.
"Well, good morning to you too, handsome." she said.
"What? Where?" Danny asked in mock confusion.
Korra just laughed and lightly slapped Danny's chest. What can she say? He's a dum-dum, but he's her dum-dum. And she wouldn't have it any other way.
"So, you ready for another eventful Christmas with our families?" Korra asked as she got up and went to get dressed.
"As I'll ever be. I just hope we don't run into Miss Manson again this year." Danny replied.
Korra scowled and wrinkled her nose in disgust at the mention of the gothic woman. Even after all these years, she had not stopped lusting after her half-ghost husband. She was, if nothing else, persistent. But Korra knew from day one that a relationship between Danny and Sam would have been a toxic and unsuccessful one. They'd likely have broken up after the first month.
"Let's not talk about her. For now, let's just enjoy our time with our families. After all, it's Christmas Eve, and I've missed mom and dad!" Korra said.
Danny chuckled as he watched his wife go into the bathroom to change before getting up himself so he could get dressed. It had been a long and arduous journey for the both of them, but it was all worth it in the end. Danny was now the Ghost King, Korra was a fully realized Avatar, and they were about to welcome their very first child into the world soon enough.
He was truly blessed this Christmas season and gave thanks to God every day for all that he had. His beautiful wife, his child who would be welcomed into the world soon…
And the many happy Christmas memories that he now has.
***The End!***
Ending AN: Okay, that's all for this oneshot! But it may not truly be the end of this story just yet! If you guys want to see a part 2 for this story you guys just let me know, and I might write a second chapter. Now, I'm off to go and update Injustice Syndicate: The Rise, so until next time… Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!