Chapter Twenty Three: Graduation

Disclaimer: See chapter one

Well, hello everyone. Welcome back. Hope you enjoyed the last chapter and are looking forward to the next one. Today, we get closer to the fateful day.

Anyway, on with the Show:

Return to normal

At the end of two weeks time, Danny was back to normal. What he did not tell anyone was his near death had given him a new perspective of what he had to fight against. Danny turned his mind toward the coming date with destiny that he was told about.

True to Clockwork's word, once Danny was healthy again, he managed to get caught up on his school work. Lancer was impressed. Once he returned to school, many had questions for him on where he had been and if he was okay. Danny would tell them that he would not speak of what happened. There was only one person he told what had really happened, Valerie. She had been horrified by what he had told her what happened. She promised that she would stand beside him when he had to face his evil self. Danny smiled at this, but secretly knew that he had to do it alone.

The next few weeks of school passed with relative normality for Danny. For which he was grateful. Finally, the day came that most would consider the beginning of the rest of their lives.

Graduation Day

The entire senior body was gathered in cap and gowns, sitting in chairs on the football field, family in the stands. Mr. Lancer walked up on stage in his own gown and cap. Lancer gave a typical graduation speech. He then called all the students up one by one to receive their diploma and a handshake from Lancer.

"Students, you are now adults. I hope you put your education to good use in your future endeavors. I wish you well." Lancer finished his speech. With the conclusion of the ceremony, all the students took their caps and threw them in the air.

While they were excited that they had graduated and looked toward the future with hope, one was not so full of joy. Danny's joy at this day was dampened however, as he felt in his bones that Judgment Day would be here before the summer was out. He did not tell anyone this however, as not to ruin their day. That fateful day hovered over him like a looming scythe.

During the first month of summer, every hour Danny had free he spent in the Ghost Zone, at Skulker's Island, training. Preparing for the day that he would face his mortal enemy in final combat. Of course, every hour was stretched into what would have been multiple hours, thanks to Clockwork's gift. However, there were also other things that he had to see to. Such as the election of his friend Tucker as mayor of Amity Park.

Mayor Tuck

Soon after Graduation day, Mayor Montez's term as temporary mayor ended. Amity Park would need new leadership, one that had the city's best interests at heart. This is when Tucker announced his bid for the mayorship. Danny, of course, gave him an endorsement like he had promised. It did boost Tucker's numbers, but it was hardly needed. Tucker's policies and vision for the city would have won him the position on their own. It was a landslide.

On the day of his inauguration, Tucker decided to wear a top of a suit, a red bow tie, and a top hat. Pants were his usual jeans. "Citizens of Amity Park, as the youngest mayor in the city's history, let me begin by stating that today is a new dawn for the city. By electing me, you have chosen progress toward a better future, and I promise, I will not let you down." Tucker began his inauguration speech on the steps of City Hall. Danny, Sam, and family stood at the front of the crowd, cheering their friend on.

Danny did realize that with Tucker as mayor, he could move toward his vision of the future. A city where humans and ghosts could work together in harmony. The day he and the APPDGD were no longer needed. The day he truly longed for. "We move forward together, toward a better and brighter future," Tucker finished his speech. The crowd roared in applause, even Dash and his group cheered for a nerd that they once picked on.

Later that day, in the Mayor's office.

"You know, this feels weird, sitting where Vlad once sat," Tucker remarked as he sat behind the desk, in front of the large window.

Everyone else laughed a bit. "Couldn't have picked a better candidate for the position," Jazz said.

"I will say, now that you are mayor, there is a matter I need to talk to you about," Danny paced back and forth a bit across the office.

"Anything you need, man," Tucker said, wanting to help his best friend, placing his hands, folded together, on his desk.

"We have similar, but different visions of the future of this city. I believe we can achieve both visions. You want a city that is high tech that makes life easier. I want a city where humans and ghosts can live and work together in harmony." Danny explained his idea, to which some others gave him a weird look, Valerie chief among them. "Val, did you read the epilogue of my book?" Valerie had to think on it for a moment, then her face changed to one of a bit of acceptance and one of skepticism. "Think about it, Tuck. Imagine, a package delivery system that was very fast and reliable, thanks to the Box Ghost. All your planned technological advancements accelerated with Technus' help. Perhaps even the city becoming self-sufficient, if I can get Undergrowth and Vortex to help out. May need Clockwork to yank their chain as it were to get that to happen."

Tucker didn't need much more convincing. "I will handle broaching the subject to the city council. You, of course, will handle the process of convincing the ghosts of this."

Danny smirked, "Box Ghost is very open to the idea, as well as the Lunch Lady, Ember as you know has been doing legitimate concerts. Technus may need some convincing, but I am sure we can come up with something."

Tucker stood from his desk, and offered Danny his hand in agreement. "Then we have a deal, old friend." Danny took his friend's hand and shook it. It truly was the beginning of a new era for the town. Danny just hoped he lived to see the day.

Cujo

One day during summer, Danny had recalled an idea he had wanted to explore. No time like the present. He called up Valerie.

"Hey, Danny, what's up?" Vaerie greeted as she answered the phone.

"Het, Val, I am wondering, are you busy today?" He asked her, hoping to that she was available.

"Not really, why?" Valerie asked in turn

"You want to meet Cujo?" Danny asked her.

"Cujo?" It took Valerie a moment to recall who that was, then she put it together, "the dog?"

"Yep, I feel with me here, we may make some progress with that." He told her, hoping that this was a good idea.

"I suppose, as I don't want to have another bad run in with him," she said, agreeing to meet the dog ghost.

"Good, see you in a bit," Danny ended the call.

Later that day

Both ghost fighters stood in front of the Fenton ghost portal, Valerie was nervous considering previous encounters with the ghost dog. Danny pulled out a dog whistle. "You sure that is going to work on a ghost?" Valerie asked him.

"Only one way to find out," was all he said, before he blew into the whistle. At first nothing happened, then they heard the happy barking of a dog. Out of the portal came a small happy puppy ghost. Seeing Danny, Cujo ran up to him and began to jump around him in joy.

Upon seeing Valerie, however, Cujo got angry and became his big dog form. "Cujo! Down!" Danny commanded. Cujo shrank back to puppy form, his head low to the ground, in sadness at being scolded. Danny picked the puppy ghost up and walked over to Valerie. "Be nice, Cujo. Valerie is a friend of master. She is a friend to you. Trust master."

Valerie held out her hand for Cujo to sniff. He sniffed at her hand, barked once in joy, and let Valerie pet him and scratch behind the ear. "Well, I think he likes you." Danny set the ghost dog down, who walked over to Valerie and stood on his hind legs with his front paws on her legs, signifying that he wanted to be picked up. Valerie did so, Cujo licked her face.

"Yeah, I think he likes me," Valerie agrees, as she sets him down.

"Good boy," Danny said, as he patted Cujo's head. He gave Cujo a treat, and sent him on his way back to the Ghost Zone. " I am glad that worked out."

"Yeah, that could have gone badly, real quick," Valerie said.

"Yeah," Danny was glad he could cross one more thing off his to-do list. All that remained was Dan. Judgment day was nearly upon him.

Well, there you have it everyone, chapter twenty-three of this tale. Wrapping up some last minute plot threads that I had not addressed earlier.

Next time, the penultimate chapter, the last battle: Judgment Day.

See you there. Peace.