I don't own Danny Phantom.
Ch. 2: Heist Plans
It took a couple hours, but Danny and his parents were almost done unloading all the ghostly artifacts from the, surprisingly roomy, Specter Speeder. Danny was carrying a large 100 pound statue made of gold that he could barely carry.
Maddie was showing Danny where to put it while Jack was looking at the shiny artifacts.
"Okay, just a little to the left. Okay keep going . Now a little to the right." Instructed Maddie.
"HOW IS THIS EVEN A GHOSTLY ARTIFACT! It's just a statue!" yelled Danny, before dropping.
THOOM!
"Perfect. Thanks Danny."
With that Danny collapsed panting for air. Jazz stuck her head through the door and yelled "CAN YOU GUYS KEEP IT-"
She gasped when she saw all the ghostly artifacts. Some of them looked thousands of years old. One even looked like it Incan.
"Uh, what's this?" Jazz asked.
"Nothing special. Just some ghost artifacts a ghost yeti gave us." said Jack nonchalantly.
"Ghost yeti? Ghost artifacts?"
"*Pant* Apparently *pant* being related to me *pant* makes Dad a *pant* wise guardian." Danny wheezed.
Jazz tried to refrain from laughing and had to cover her mouth to prevent herself chuckling. When she managed to control her laughter, she said "You're telling me some ghost gave you some artifacts that are worth millions, probably billions of dollars?"
Dani zoomed near Jazz and asked "What's worth billions of dollars?" Jazz pointed to the artifacts and Dani's gazed in awe at the artifacts.
"Where did you-?" she started.
"Frostbite thinks Dad is some wise guardian because he's my "parental guardian"." Danny said as tried to get back up.
Danielle and Jazz covered their mouths and tried not to crack up. After they managed to contain their laughter, Dani asked "So what are you going to do with this? Sell it?"
"NO! We're not selling it." Said Danny.
"Why not?" moaned Jack and Dani.
"For one thing, that ghost yeti, I mean, Frostbite trusted us with some of the most powerful artfacts in the Ghost Zone, and we promised to watch them. Also, if any of these got into the wrong hands, it could cause chaos. Finally, you don't know how much this stuff is worth."
"Wow Danny, since when did you get so responsible?" Jazz asked.
"Since I got these artifacts and he didn't." mocked Jack. "He's just jealous."
"I AM NOT JEALOUS!" yelled Danny.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Danny is right. These artifacts look thousands of years old. They belong in a museum or something, so these should be carefully guarded." added Jazz.
"Hmmm, you know that gives me an idea." said Jack.
Danny started to calm down after hearing that, hoping that his Dad was going to be serious and actually take care of these precious artifacts.
1 hour later...
But Danny's expectations fell short when his Dad hung a crudely made banner over the house reading "Coming Soon: Jack Fenton's Ghost Museum".
"You had to say museum." Danny said to Jazz, as they stood outside the house watching their dad hang the banner.
As Jack finished nailing the sign to the building, Tucker and Sam walked over and saw the sign.
"Do I even want to know what this is about?" Sam asked.
"Are you guysiring?" Tucker asked.
"Frostbite thinks that my Dad is some sort of wise guardian and trusted him with guarding almost every ghostly artifact in the Ghost Zone." explained Danny.
Tucker and Sam looked at each other and smiled, trying not to laugh hystarically. Jack climbed down the ladder, admiring his sign.
"Um Dad, remind me again why you thought making our house a museum would be a good idea?" Danny asked.
Jack said, "Danny, Danny, Danny. These artifacts shouldn't be hoarded. They need to be admired by the public and educate others in the history of-"
"You just want to gloat and rub it in the faces of everyone we know don't you?" Danny asked.
"... Yes. But don't worry. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I AM THE BOX GHOST!"
Danny sighed and ran inside and sighed as he saw the Box Ghost yelling at Jazz.
"I don't have time for this." sighed Danny as he pulled a Fenton thermos out and sucked the Box Ghost into it.
Danny looked at the displays of ghostly artifacts his Dad was showing off. Danny was worried about his Dad saying "What's the worst that could happen?", because the worst that could happen usually did happen to him. And Danny had a feeling a certain ex-billionaire was going to be that worst thing.
Ghost Zone
Deep in the Ghost Zone, there was a floating piece of rock that had a makeshift cave. Inside that cave, lied one of the most hated, evil, richest man in the world: Vlad Masters.
Ever since he returned to Earth he was forced to take refuge within the Ghost Zone since threatening the world with an asteroid. He knew he couldn't return unless he wanted a pandemic. Like Danny, he knew of the Ghost War to come, and he knew he played a big part in it.
That's why he wanted to be prepared. Before he exposed himself to the world, Vlad had a back-up plan in the event that something like this would occur. Unfortunately, he was poor, so he had to enact his plan the hard way. He had already used the Infinity Map Skulker stole and gave to him, but all it did was give him clues to the pieces of an artifact that would change his life, and everyone else's forever.
He had figured out the first clue, but to get it he needed something that was in the one place he couldn't go: Jack's house. He knew he could easily sneak in and get what he wanted, but Danny would probably stop him, not to mention that if anyone else saw him, his secret would be exposed, and every Guy in White and ghost hunter, would be searching for him in the Ghost Zone, making it harder for him to enact his plan.
"I'm back."
Harder because not only could he go into Amity Park, but because he had to rely on incompetent underlings, such as the Box Ghost.
"Finally. What did you find out?" Vlad asked impatiently.
"It's definitely there. They're even setting up displays and making it into a museum." The Box Ghost.
"Hmmm, maybe it will be easier than I anticipated." Said Vlad.
"My, how the great have fallen." Said a familiar voice.
The two turned to see the enchanting Desiree floating at the entrance.
"Ah, Desiree. I see you got my message." said Vlad charmingly.
"Yes, though I find it hard to believe that you're working with the Box Ghost."
"I know, but his weakness and lack of intimidation makes him the perfect messenger/spy. No one ever suspects this pitiful fool." Said Vlad.
"HEY!" yelled the Box Ghost.
"I tried to make it a compliment, but you make it so hard." Explained Vlad.
"Is there a purpose why I am here?" Desiree asked.
"Yes. I require the attendance of some…. Associates and I need your powers to retrieve them."
"Then why not wish for them?"
"And take advantage of a lady? Oh I wouldn't think of it. But if I could have your permission." Vlad said chivalrously.
"Save it. I appreciate it, but those tricks don't work on me. But since you asked nicely, it shall be."
Vlad smiled and leaned over to her. He whispered what he wanted and awaited his wish.
"Hmmm, interesting choices." said Desiree.
"Well I need them for an interesting task." replied Vlad.
With a wave of her hands, mist poured into the cave and when it cleared, standing there were 4 ghosts.
"What the- What just happened? I was in the middle of skinning my kill" said Skulker, the first to talk.
"Ah Skulker, so nice to see you again." Said Vlad.
"YOU! What is the meaning of this?" Skulker asked.
"That is what I want to know." said Technus, the second to speak.
"What's he doing here?" Skulker asked.
"Probably trying to hack his way onto Minecraft." joked Ember, who appeared next to Skulker.
"HEY! I, Technus, do not need to put up with your insolence child." Said Technus.
"Who are all of you?" asked the last ghost, Hotep-Ra.
"Excellent. Everyone is accounted for." Vlad said rubbing his hands.
"VLAD?" Skulker, Ember, and Technus said.
"Enchantress." Said Hotep-Ra, gazing at Desiree.
"What did you summon us?" Skulker asked.
"I require your assistance in a job." Vlad said.
"No dice man. You're broke, so you can't pay us anything." Said Technus.
"Not yet. If you help me, I can lead you to a place filled with treasure." Offered Vlad. This got everyone's attention, except Hotep-Ra's who was staring at Desiree still.
"What treasure?" asked Skulker.
"Desiree, would you make a holographic projector?" Vlad asked. Desiree sighed and with a flick of her hand, a holographic projector appeared, showing images of objects. Vlad typed a word into the keyboard attached to it and a picture of Pariah Dark's Keep appeared.
"I've done some research and have discovered that along with laying waste to thousands of enemies, the Ghost King did happen to do some plundering during his reign, or at least his minions did. Somewhere in his Keep, his treasure should be located."
"Let me guess, booby traps?" Ember guessed.
"Actually, the castle itself is trap free, however since Pariah Dark's escaped, the castle has been enchanted and is almost impenetrable. Probably done by Clockwork."
"What do you mean "almost impenetrable"?" Desiree asked.
"I'm glad you asked. The structure of the compound is surprisingly dense, so nothing can break through it by force. Not to mention that along with the enchantment, it can't be phased through. The only way in is to unlock the ghostly seal locking the entrance. And there is only one thing that can open it: The Skeleton Key."
"Don't you have it? Skulker asked.
"Unfortunately, when Frostbite and his people froze me and took the Infinity Map the first time I took it, they managed to discover the Infinity Key, and took it with them." Explained Vlad.
"And you want us to retrieve it from the Far Frozen people?" Technus asked.
Hotep-Ra finally stopped staring at Desiree and asked "The Far Frozen? They'll tear most of us to shreds." Everyone then eyed the Box Ghost.
"Not to worry, that won't be a problem. You see, I've been spying on the Far Frozen, trying to find the perfect time to strike, and today I witness as Frostbite hands over dozens, possibly hundreds of ghostly artifacts to Jack Fenton, the idiot father of Danny Phantom."
"That klutz? Why him?" Skulker asked.
"Apparently because he's related to Daniel, they think he's some sort of wise, powerful, all mighty,- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HA I'm sorry, I tried not to laugh but HAHAHAHAHAHAA! Anyway, I can't go because I'm still wanted on Earth, I need all of you to get the key forme." Said Vlad.
"Why don't just wish for it? And why do you need all of us?" the Box Ghost asked.
"Fine, I wish I had the Skeleton Key." Said Vlad.
Desiree made a motion with her hands, but for once, nothing happened.
"See? I bet Clockwork had something to with it. As for why I need all of you, I prefer to be prepared. If things get desperate, I'll send all of you to retrieve it. For now, I need it to be done carefully and quietly, not rushed and trigger happy. Not yet. So any volunteers?"
No one did anything for the first few seconds, until Vlad said "Fine, Desiree? How would you like to have the honor of retrieving the key?"
"Do I have a choice?" Desiree asked.
"Yes. I won't force you or make a wish; I mean what kind of gentleman would I be?"
As Vlad tried to convince Desiree, Hotep-Ra was getting jealous. He knew he had to step in.
"I volunteer to go with her." Said Hotep-Ra.
"Splendid. The two of you can go tomorrow night. As for everyone else, come back tomorrow so that we may rendezvous." said Vlad.
As the rest left, Hotep-Ra stared at Desiree until she said "What do you want?"
"My dear, let me just say that your beauty shines brighter than the desert sun and puts Cleopatra to shame." Hotep-Ra complimented.
"I'd rather be attacked by locusts." Said Desiree as she floated away.
Little did everyone know that Vlad was actually after something other than treasure. Something bigger, and more powerful.
End of Ch. 2
Uh-Oh. Vlad is back in the picture. But what is he after? Find out in Ch.3: Beauty and the Break-in. Happy Thanksgiving!