It was Dusk at the Circus Gothica big top.
"Please welcome a performer who puts the "death" in "death-defying acts"... the Grim Reaper himself!" Freakshow gestured to the high wire.
A hooded figure wielding a scythe glided across the wire, causing gasps of shock, then balanced on the blade, causing cheers.
Outside, Kurai entered the big top by the "Cast Only" entrance.
"What are you doing back here?" Freakshow said.
"Freakshow." Kurai said. "Give me that staff!"
"Who do you think you are?" Freakshow snapped. "This staff is mine, girl!"
The staff began to shudder and resonate.
"Ghost Princess?" Freakshow looked at her incredulously. "Why would you sacrifice your ghost powers?!"
The hooded figure approached.
"What are you doing, dolt?! Get back out there and do your encore!" Freakshow snapped.
The hooded figure pulled back their hood and was revealed to be Danny.
"Kurai?" Danny asked.
"What's that? Was that-was that free will?!" Freakshow held his staff higher. "Obey me, minion!"
"What? Stop controlling him!" Kurai said.
"Get the Princess." Freakshow said.
Danny raised his scythe and Kurai screamed.
Xxx
At the center ring, Freakshow stood.
"Please welcome a brand new vict- talent to the high wire in her first...and final...performance." Freakshow gestured to the high wire.
Kurai was perched precariously on the wire with a blindfold on that Danny sliced off. Kurai looked down and almost lost her balance.
Tucker ran in. "Kurai?"
"Danny, listen, you don't wanna do this! You're being controlled!" Kurai attempted.
Danny raised his scythe and cut the wire with an evil laugh. Kurai screamed as she fell and Danny returned to normal, leaping down and saving her. The crowd cheered.
"Danny, don't scare me like that!" Kurai said.
Danny controlled again. "How should I scare you?" Danny backed off.
"Consider that a warning, Ghost Princess." Freakshow walked off.
"Did you find Danny?" Tucker asked.
"That was Danny, under the hood, Freakshow's controlling him! C'mon!" Kurai ran out.
Kurai and Tucker ran right into the mob of parents.
"Kurai! Tucker! Shouldn't you be in detention?" Maddie said.
"Uhm.. Lancer let us out?" Kurai said.
Xxx
"Let me out!" Lancer pounded on the door in the school utility room.
Xxx
"Hey, isn't Danny supposed to be with you?" Jack asked.
"He's not with us." Kurai said, too upset to think of an excuse.
Tucker looked at her, worried.
"Well he's not here and he's not at school, so where is he?" Maddie said.
xxx
Museum alarm went off and Freakshow's ghosts emerged, carrying various paintings. Danny emerged, decked in royal jewelry.
"Ecto-butts in gear!" Danny said.
Danny fired ecto blasts at the ghosts' rears, causing them to cry out. The ghosts flew off.
"This party's just getting started!" Danny followed.
Police cars came flying up the road.
"Oh please!" Danny fired ecto blast at the cars' tires.