Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Danny Phantom... Nor do I want the headaches that probably come with said ownership
Dragon had been in the Ghost Zone since the reign of Pariah Dark, He was one of a handful of ghost that knew afterlife under the rule of the Ghost King, and even back then he had tended his tavern the Dragon's Head as he did now. Few things if interest had happened of the centuries, that was of course until around a month ago when a portal to the world of the living had appeared. This news was followed by the new of a half-ghost child who had been sending back all those who choose to cross through the portal, and much to his own ire a sudden increase in Skulker showing up at his tavern bragging how he was going to hunt the unique prey.
"The day that tin can brings down a Halfa is the day I give him free drinks for afterlife." He muttered to him, "The Boy has already taken down Johnny 13, Lunch Lady and Technus," Thinking back how each ghost had come in here to bitch and complain to the old ghost about the Halfa, not realizing that they were fighting a losing battle. Dragon was not surprised that they had all lost to the young teen seeing as the Ancients had once thought of making a hybrid to fight Dark, a thought they quickly dismissed as it may have created a whole new problem to solve. Shaking his head Dragon went back to wiping down the bar, only looking up when a certain ghost rocker came stomping in.
"Dragon, Beer. NOW!" Ember snapped at the Barkeep as she made her way to one of the stools across from him.
"Let me guess, the young Phantom decided to party crash." The Old Ghost said as he poured some beer from the cask behind him.
"Yeah the Dipstick crashed my concert, and just as I was getting in zone." She said before taking the mug from Dragon and started to chug it. " Even after I made him fall for the goth!" Looking up to see the old ghost raise an eyebrow she started to shrink in her chair. "Yeah I know, I should know better, but he was really pissing me off."
Shaking his head Dragon grabbed her glass and start to pour her another when he heard a loud thud behind him, turning around he found a passed out Ember drooling on his bar. Putting the glass Dragon reached under the counter, pulling out a blanket and draped it over the rock diva.
"Sleep well young one." He said smiling down at the young ghost as he went back to cleaning.
...
A Few months later.
Dragon wound up having some unexpected guests in the form of the half-ghost and his two friends.
"Good Evening."He said to the two and a half humans that were blocking the front doors. "You appear to be in need of some help."
"Are you saying you'll help us?" The one in the red hat asked.
"No I was merely making an observation given the looks of worry upon your faces." He answer. "However I am not against the idea of offering you aid." The old ghost added with a smile.
"Good because we need it." The young Halfa said out of breath with his back against the door.
"Wait how do we know you're not going to just turn on us?" The Young woman to the boy's right asked, fixing the old ghost with a glare that might had worked if he hadn't once had a staring contest with Pariah Dark.
"Simple, if I didn't want you in my tavern I'd had thrown you out that door as soon as you entered young lady." Dragon answered calmly, though his smile told her that she shouldn't push him. "Now if you would be so kind as to move I shall deal with the tin can on the other-side of that door." He add walking past the three teens and opening the door to find Skulker on the other-side.
"Move Dragon my prey's in there!" The hunter shouted out in anger.
"Skulker, these young ones are my guest and if you wish to do them harm I will have to remove you from area." Dragon smiled at the hunter.
Seeing the smile Skulker just muttered something as he started to float away.
"There now that is dealt with I am sure you all wish to get home. " He said turning to the three shocked teens behind him. "And just to make sure there are no more issues I shall bring you to the portal myself." As he started to head out he noticed a lack of followers, turning to see all three still standing there staring at him he just shook his head, "Just to be clear I only have a faint idea where the portal is so it would be for the best to come with me." This seemed to shake them out of their shock.
"Yeah sorry, Mr..." The Halfa started.
"Dragon young one."
"Yeah sorry again, ." He said rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm Danny by the way and these are my friends Sam." gesturing to the young lady. "And Tucker." gesturing to the young man with the red hat.
"Nice you meet you all. Now shall we make our way to the portal." Dragon said with a slight bow.
"Yeah that might be a good idea." Danny chuckled.
...
It had been about a couple days since Danny with the help of most of the other ghost, had put a stop to the return of Pariah Dark. Something Dragon was very grateful for. As he was finishing the repairs of the damage Dark's armies had caused when they were raiding realms Ember came storming in and took her usual seat across from Dragon. Seeing the old ghost reach for a glass the rock diva raised her hand. "Sorry Dragon be no booze."
Raising an eyebrow at this he put down the glass and faced the teenaged ghost. "Are you having nightmares again Ember?"|
"No, thank God." She said shaking her head. " That's the last thing I need right now."
"Okay then what's happened?"
"Baby-Pop..." She muttered just loud enough for him to hear.
"Who or what is a Baby-Pop?"
"Phantom."
" Oh and what did he do to earn a new nickname, if I may ask?"
"Kicked that Dipstick Dark's ass." She said with a look that appeared to be torn between annoyance and admiration.
"Okay and this is a problem?" Dragon asked in confusion.
"Yes!" She almost screamed. "Now I can't get that idiot and his stupid grin out of my head! Do you have any idea what will happen if anyone finds out I like Baby-Pop?!"
"General ridicule for all of two minutes before you start knocking teeth in." Dragon chuckled.
"Dragon I'm serious!"
"As am I Miss McClain." He smiled at the rocker. "Trust me, there are fair worse to fall for then Young Danial." As he said this the rocker just buried her face in her hands.
...
After the Disastroid
Dragon was polishing tables when Danny came through his door and sat down in what had quickly become his seat at the bar. Taking out a rag and cleaning his hands Dragon walked over to the young teen. "What happened this time Daniel?"
"What always happens." Danny sighed. "I woke up to a massive crowd of screaming girl outside my house, then when I try and get to school the press is already waiting outside it to try and get an interview. Then once I actually get inside Paulina tries to corner me and kiss me, and when I get away she keeps trying for the rest of the day. And when schools over my fan club as well as the press are outside waiting for me. It's gotten to the point I just go intangible on my way to and from school." He said setting his head on arms. "And Sam and Tucker are so busy with clean up and improvements to the town they never have time to hang out. Though Sam might just be avoiding me after the break-up."
"I'm sorry to hear that Daniel, but for what it is worth you can as always, come here should you ever feel the need to vent." Dragon giving the young Halfa a sad smile and glass of milk.
As Danny started to down the contents of the glass, Ember came storming in. "Dragon Beer Now!" She said taking a seat not noticing the Halfa with a milk mustache beside her.
"Do I dare ask what he did this time?" Dragon said as he placed a glass in front of her.
"He went and forgot our date and when I asked him where he was he said and I quote. "Trying to find the Welp and take his pelt." I swear if that idiot actually catch Baby-Pop, I'll let Cajo use my guitar as a chew toy, after I finish beating Skulker to a pulp for hurting Baby-Pop." She said downing the beer. "Though I'm sure Phantom would have to be tied up, gagged and knocked out before Skulker could even have a chance of catching him." She add earning her a chuckle from a Barkeep and a look of utter shock for Danny.
"I feel that you are correct, I no not where the Tin Can gets he confidence but I assure you it not found in merit. After all all of the creature that adorn his realm are ones he pilfered or bought, as far as I know he has not once caught anything himself."
"Hahaha, you're kidding." Ember burst out laughing almost falling of her stool.
Chuckling as a look of joy formed on her face only to stop when she passed out on his bar again.
"She really can handle her beer." Danny said staring at the passed out ghost.
"No she just can't handle mine." Dragon said wiping up the drool poodle that started to form. "Mine is a special brew designed for the former king himself. That man has an unholy alcohol resistance ."
"You served Pariah Dark beer?" Danny stared at the old ghost in shock.
"Yes and then repaired the damage he left behind him." Dragon spoke like he as talking about some rowdy patron a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Okay," was all Danny could think of in response to this. "On that note I think I should head home." He added as he made his way towards the door.
"Danial before you go, may I ask a favor of you?" Dragon called after him.
"Sure Dragon, what do need?"
'Can you take Miss McClain back to her realm for me?"
"Um, Why?"
"Because if I leave her here she will keep drooling on my bar and in all honesty, I'd rather ask you to take her home then someone else, for the simple reason I know I can trust you not to take advantage of the situation. " Dragon said looking into the young man's eyes. "So I'll ask you again. Can you take Miss McClain home for me?"
"Yeah I guess." Danny said earning him a smile from the old ghost. Making his way over to the sleeping Ember, Danny phased through the bar and stool so that he could lift her on his back and started making his way to her realm.
...
Upon entering Ember's realm Danny noticed a few things 1. it was really clean, a lot cleaning then he was expecting 2. there were rock posters everywhere AC-DC, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Kiss to name a few. Off to the right Danny notice a couch with a large flat screen across from it, as well as what looked like a recording booth in the corner next to a set of stairs, that he guessed lead to Ember's room. 'Well, better go put her in her room before she wakes up and freaks out.' He thought to himself, making his way up the stairs.
Trying he best not to wake up his sleeping foe, Danny tried to genitally place her on the bed he found in the space at the top, after which he started making his way back down only to feel something grab his shirt, 'Crap!.' he cursed in his head, slowly turning he saw that Ember well asleep had grabbed onto him and didn't seem to want to let go. Looking down at the sleeping rocker he couldn't help a look of fear cross her face. It was then that he heard her mutter, "Please don't leave me, not again." Staring at her Danny realized that she was having a nightmare. Not knowing what else to do Danny just laid down beside her and started stroking her hair, surprised the it didn't burn him as he did so. "Shh it's okay I'm not going anywhere," He whispered to her as he felt her relax snuggling into him, 'Okay I'll just keep stroking her hair until I'm sure she's asleep then I'll phase out of here and go home.' Danny thought as he felt his eyes getting heavier and before he knew he had fallen asleep holding Ember in his arms.
...
A/N Okay so I was re-reading A Kindled Flame and I noticed something. It was a lot shorter then I remember so I decided to try and re-write it. Only I forgot to save before I fell asleep and lost it all when my computer decided to update... Yeah I was not best impressed. Anyway hope you enjoy.