Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom
Coming to Terms pt. 16
"I understand," the President said gravely, "But if you change your mind about the pardon, let me know. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"You can keep an open mind."
"You have certainly given me a lot to think about," the President remarked.
"Actually, I want to talk about what I can do for you," Danny added.
"I thought you made it clear that you are not going to work for us," the President said.
"There is a big difference between being forced to do something and volunteering," Danny replied, "especially when it is on my own terms."
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"So what are your terms?" the President inquired.
"For starters, I'm going to continue with what I've been doing in Amity Park," Danny spoke with confidence, not so much as asking, but telling.
"Catching ghosts and returning them to the Ghost Zone?" the President asked.
"Yes," Danny confirmed.
"There are laws against employing children in dangerous jobs," the President said.
"I'll be working with my parents and with law enforcement. It will make it easier, safer, and more effective. Besides I'm not a 'child'," Danny rankled at the term.
"And…?" the President prompted.
"I want the Guys in White gone."
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The President sighed. "I can understand why you feel that way, but there are those who believe differently. Now that the existence of ghosts is a confirmed fact, many feel the need for protection."
"They need to be disbanded," Danny insisted.
"To be frank, it would be political suicide. My opponents would tear me apart if I proposed removing the only government agency between them and a hoard of evil invaders."
"It's the GIW that is evil," Danny snapped back.
"Sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils," the President said, his voice soft with regret. "That's politics."
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"So you justify condoning hunting, torturing and murder to further your political career?" Danny shot back almost contemptuously.
"No." There was a certain roughness in the middle-aged-man's voice. "Because removing the only visible official agency will leave some people thinking they need to take matters into their own hands."
"My parents have been doing that for years," Danny pointed out.
"My point exactly; they have caused more damage than the actual ghosts."
"They've gotten better," Danny protested, "Besides they are still more effective than the Guys in White."
"And how has that worked out for you?" the President inquired facetiously.
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Danny thought the question was rather unfair.
"Better, since they found out who I am and don't hunt me anymore," Danny mumbled.
"It would greatly reduce the risks to both innocent bystanders and ghost hunters if this was handled by people who are trained and accountable," the President said.
When Danny didn't say anything, the President continued in a quiet voice, "Putting aside party politics of privatization versus big government, you want this regulated. The best way to do that would be to have it under control of a government agency."
"That depends on who makes the regulations," Danny replied.
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"One of the advantages of working with us is that you and your parents will be able to have some input into those regulations," the President offered.
"The problem is having the GIW in charge," Danny objected.
"Enforcement is usually a matter for the police. But you have said it yourself; they cannot handle this."
"But I can," Danny declared.
"You're a ghost," the President countered.
"So saving the world isn't enough for some people," Danny didn't even try to hide the bitterness in his voice.
The President's voice was soft with sympathy, "For some people there is never enough."
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"I didn't mean to imply you haven't done enough…" the President apologized.
"No," Danny interrupted, "I actually think there is something I can do besides keeping a lid on things in Amity Park. I've thought about it and talked it over with my parents and friends. There are a lot of ways ghosts and humans could work together. I can help with that."
"Mr. Fenton, why do I have the feeling that you're asking for a major policy change as the price for your help?"
"One thing I've learned, Mr. President," Danny said softly, "is that there's always a price."
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"You know, Mr. Fenton, you drive a hard bargain—for a rookie, that is," the President slyly said. "You might make a good ambassador someday."
Danny was a bit put off by the 'rookie' remark after all the times he had to deal with one conniving, evil billionaire half-ghost. He wasn't the least intimidated by negotiations.
Still, he quipped, "I may not be as smooth and practiced as a career politician like you, sir. But I can tell you that where ghosts are concerned, politics have to be flexible, which might mean taking the form of a good right hook."
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There was a click followed by the dial tone.
Danny was shaking so badly that he couldn't even press the button to hang up, much less stand and walk as far as his bed.
"Danny?!" his sister cried in alarm, "What happened?"
"I've just faced down the leader of the free world."
Jazz helped her brother back into bed, murmuring soothingly as she pulled his blankets over his trembling form.
Danny's eyes drifted closed as Jazz gently stroked his dark hair but she couldn't help staring.
Whether he realized it or not, her baby brother had become a world power.
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AN: The end; finally! Poor Danny. I didn't exactly leave him in his nice comfy world but my Danny-muse asked for it. I just wanted to do a short little piece to give some background information on the Ghost Zone and maybe have a joke or two but he insisted on brining up all these serious topics.
AN: The second to last paragraph was written by my beta Truephan in response to some correspondence.
AN: Recently I saw "Man of Steel" in which Superman also demands to do things on his own terms. I wrote this long before seeing the movie and so claim any similarity is mere coincidence.
AN: Chapter numbers have finally caught up so it is no longer necessary to log off and review anonymously. An appreciative thanks for those who went to the extra effort.