Howzit guys!

I am so so glad that everyone has been enjoying the story! It means so much to me that it's gotten this much attention, seeing as it is only my first. But because of this, you can be sure to be reading a lot more fanfics by me in the time to come!

I just have an extremely important notice for you guys! I have made a fanfic trailer including fanart by myself on my YouTube channel! So if you wanna, please go check it out! I think it's pretty appropriate. But please comment what you guys think about it, you know I love hearing from you all! The channel name is also Get Keen and it has the same picture as my author profile picture thing .

So, without further ado, let's get on with the story!

"What, you aren't gonna give me anything to say this time?!"

Ugh. You didn't want to say anything last time, Dan. Remember?

"Oh yeah…" (insert sheepish, fanged grin)

Chapter 14

Danny/Dan

Just before I can set fire to the miserable ghost-hunter on the ground before me, an indignant yell rings out across the field. It comes from Sam, and I scowl at the interruption.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, DANNY?!" she shouts at me, Tucker totally forgotten. I still hadn't seen him move. Anyone with half a brain knows what that means. I shake my head in exasperation, and turn towards her slightly, so that I can keep both her and Valerie in my field of vision. Wouldn't want her getting away now, would we.

Sam still has her mouth open, as if she wants to say something else. But, when she sees my pulsating scarlet eyes, her lips come together abruptly and she gulps. I smirk at her expression. It is so unlike Sam to be afraid, and yet here we are. Wordlessly, I summon up the rings and as they run the length of my small frame, both Sam and Valerie's jaws almost hit the floor.

Valerie

Just when I had come to terms with the fact that Danny and Phantom are the same person, he has to go and do this to me. Sam's expression tells me that this is new for her too.

Well, to make a long story short, it appears that Danny Phantom has finally hit puberty. It's the only way I can appropriately describe the transformations that have taken place in the ghost boy's appearance. As the blue-white discs that seem to have been pulled out of thin air move up and down over Danny's teenaged body, the wind gets knocked out of me in one fell swoop at the sight that greets my eyes.

Phantom's once tanned skin has paled and taken on a distinctly azure glow, his scruffy white hair has grown into a mane of raging fire that lights up the air around him and his body – well, it would probably have made me drool. His defined muscles ripple underneath the jumpsuit that now has the addition of a white cape, fluttering in a wind apparently only applying to him. His soft, round face has hardened and his strong jaw is chiselled and accentuated by the faint shadow of white facial hair lining his chin. His intense red eyes take in Sam's and my own gaping mouths and I feel a stab of coldness in my chest as he narrows his them and grins, displaying a set of gleaming, white fangs.

With his deep voice, smooth as silk, he chuckles, "Close your mouths please, ladies. That expression is dreadfully unflattering."

"Danny," Sam whimpers in response. She sounds like she's about to burst into tears and I make a move towards her.

Danny, noticing my momentary distraction, lets loose with the blast he'd been preparing. I don't expect it and am enveloped in burning green ectoplasm before I feel my body hit the trunk of the tree I'd narrowly missed a few moments earlier. I hadn't even been aware that the beam had lifted me into the air.

I flop down to the ground, the world spinning around me as darkness tickles the edges of my vision. As my sight slowly fades to black, the last thing I hear before slipping into unconsciousness is Danny's low, sinister chuckle, echoing throughout the abyss and haunting my dreamless state.

Danny/Dan

I revel in the power that courses through my veins as I watch Valerie's eyes grow unfocussed and flutter closed. I watch for the slight rise and fall of her chest and shrug noncommittally when I see that it is still there.

Ah, well. She's alive, which means I can have some fun later. I grin at this thought feeling, for the first time since I'd opened that thermos in Clockwork's tower, utterly free. If this pathetic, little town wanted to continually get itself in trouble, it could be my guest. Danny Phantom was not going to protect it anymore.

I whip my head around at a sudden sniffle. I'd forgotten Sam was still there. I float lower and alight on the ground next to her and the still unmoving Tucker. She visibly shrinks away from me, and sobs into Tucker's shirt. I roll my eyes and change back into my human self.

This time I put my hand on her shoulder and she turns around slowly, and gasps when she sees I'm 'myself' again.

"What happened to you?" she asks, and odd amalgamation of fear and concern in her voice.

I grin and say in my deep voice, "I grew up." She shudders at this statement and looks pointedly at Valerie.

"She is still alive, right?" she squeaks and pales even further underneath the Goth makeup at the chuckle I give as a response.

"Of course she is. What did you expect, Sammy?" she scowls at this, forgetting to be afraid. I don't see why she's so concerned with the ghost-hunter, with Tucker's so obviously lifeless body at her feet.

"Amity Park is on its own," I whisper, and the fearful look finds its way back to her face again.

"Well, perhaps not quite," I think out loud as an interesting train of thought begins its journey through my mind, "There could still be something of benefit for me here." She looks puzzled, not following me.

"Territory," I say with a soft growl, "now that's a good word. The whole of the human realm. My territory. Yes, it definitely has a nice ring to it." I wink at Sam mockingly before changing into my proper form again. I stretch my arms and flex my muscles unnecessarily.

"Well Sam, it's been nice talking to you, but I've got to run. You know me, busy busy busy!" I emphasise my words by running my hand through my flaming hair. I get ready to take off into the air, when a spur-of-the-moment idea comes to me.

"Oh, and if I see Tucker's ghost in the Ghost Zone – along with telling him that his death is what flicked the Dan switch on in me – I'll be sure to let him know you said hi," I laugh maniacally, not staying to hear her answer.

If I hadn't been so hasty in zooming off, or if I hadn't been so drunk on power to even leave in the first place, I would have heard Sam's sad, barely audible words that could have very well turned my mind right around.

"But, Tucker's not dead."