Disclaimer: Still don't own Butch Hardman's wonderful show, Danny Phantom.
Seeing as to the fact that my full summary does not fit, I have decided to post a full summary here.
Summary: Three years after the accident that changed his life, Phantom, the CIA's ghost hunting prodigy, returns to Casper High for an undercover assignment investigating the Guys in White. There he meets Sam Manson, the high school senior responsible for the conversion of the enigmatic Phantom to Amity Park's public defender, Danny Phantom. DxS ( WIP)
Constructive criticism is very welcome. I hope you enjoy:)
Metanoia
Chapter 3
Vlad Masters was the cause of much controversy among ranks during the seventies and eighties. How he was recruited into the CIA, nobody knew for sure. His bizarre abilities had allowed him to infiltrate any facility, regardless of the level of security. Authorities had viewed him as an outstanding asset, a secret weapon that gave them a remarkable edge over the opposition.
Many were skeptical of Vlad Masters' true value, as his methods were completely unlike those of traditional agents, declaring his unusual approach flawed and that he would soon be discovered on the job. Others were distrustful, claiming it was only a matter of time before he betrayed them and began using his talents for more dishonest, personal goals.
But Agent Plasmius' one hundred percent mission success rate and unwavering loyalty to the state for over two decades proved them wrong on both accounts.
Once he had hit forty he decided he was too old for recon missions and began inventing a steady flow of ectoplasmic weaponry, the millions he made from patenting royalties enabled him to set up Dalv Enterprises, now a conglomerate worth billions involved in many areas of the market, from toothpaste manufacturing to banking, and of course, anti ghost artillery.
Ghost attacks were rare in Wisconsin, but that hadn't stopped Vlad from setting up his bureau at his hometown. The CIA, sorely missing their key source of intelligence, attempted to persuade Vlad to return, but to no avail. Vlad firmly declared he was sick of sneaking around dangerous buildings and desolate locations, insisting it was putting severe strain on his aging back. He was determined to try his hand at a more open career in business.
The CIA grudgingly accepted Vlad's decision, but not before offering the former agent a position as a senior spy coordinator, allowing him to assign younger agents missions on the field while calling the shots from behind a comfortable desk. Vlad reluctantly accepted.
As Dalv Enterprises grew more and more successful, the veteran agent was able to realize a passion he never managed to make time for during all his years of espionage -- ghost hunting. He established a covert syndicate for elite ghost hunters, scouring the country for new talent to recruit.
That was how he discovered Valerie Gray, three years ago. Despite her tender age of fourteen years, the girl was exceptional. Her hatred for ghosts and her determined nature made her the perfect candidate for a ghost hunter. Not to mention she was a ninth degree black belt and in excellent physical condition. However, it was her talent for the hunt and aptitude to act quickly and respond to any situation that made her a truly outstanding.
Valerie's father had lost his fortunes due to frequent ghost attacks in Amity Park, driving his daughter to take up ghost hunting to achieve vindication. Vlad was glad to have found Valerie. The adolescent ghost hunter provided companionship for Danny when she wasn't on missions, as the only friend he had around his age. As Valerie had no idea that Danny Fenton and Phantom were one and the same person, her over-protectiveness of Danny was endearing. She often chastised him for touching her dangerous weaponry, having no idea he was just as adept at using the artillery as she was.
Seeing how well the pair got on, Vlad had thought it would be best to couple Danny with Valerie for assignments for Danny so he could gain experience in the field. However, whatever affection Valerie Grey had for Danny Fenton was lost on Phantom. She remained oblivious to the fact that they were the same person, insisting to the senior spy coordinator that Danny's ghost half was a 'pretty boy jerk'.
Danny later confessed to Vlad that he couldn't bear to tell Valerie who Phantom really was, as he didn't want her to feel bad about her repeated insults towards him. Danny had always placed the needs of others before himself, the only flaw that he possessed should he intend to become an intelligence operative. Such selflessness could accidentally reveal himself to his enemies.
Vlad Master's longstanding association with the CIA provided Dalv Enterprises with links to the government, guaranteeing the secrecy of Vlad's employee's ghost hunting activities. In return, the authorities could call upon any of the members of Vlad's division to serve the government. The agreement served both parties, allowing Vlad to pursue his interests while serving his country, something Vlad was happy to oblige.
However, half a decade ago, the former spymaster, a veteran agent who had also worked in the field with Vlad, had been replaced by Caleb Jones, a man whose methods were far more ruthless than his predecessor's. Caleb Jones demanded information at all costs, his reckless assignments often putting agents in mortal danger against ridiculous odds.
It was no secret that Vlad Masters and Caleb Jones suffered severe disagreements. Vlad, who had always put the welfare of his agents before any reconnaissance mission, was disapproving at the unreasonable methods the spymaster employed.
Vlad was in his office, tucking into his morning tea of butter biscuits and scones when the call came. In all actuality, Vlad had been expecting the call. The higher authorities had been far too quiet lately.
"Vlad Masters speaking."
"Agent Masters, how have you been?"
The caller was Ethan Freeman, the CIA's number two. Like Vlad, he was also a former field agent, who had spent almost a decade in the field, until a blast to his back during a mission paralyzed him from the waist down, limiting him to office work.
"I am no longer an agent, Agent Freeman. It's Mister Masters to you." Vlad immediately corrected.
"Old habits die hard, old friend." The CIA's delegate laughed. Vlad joined him. It was good to catch up with his former teammate.
In Vlad's opinion, Ethan Freeman would make a far better spymaster than his superior. After his injury on the field, the former agent had worked his way up the office ranks for almost two decades. Having participated in the field missions, he could empathize with agents, something the current spymaster was unwilling to do.
After the usual exchange of pleasantries, the spymaster's deputy decided to cut to the chase.
"I have an assignment for a member of your division."
"Nowadays, nobody ever calls to say hello." Vlad feigned disappointment. "I knew it was a matter of time before you'd decide to try out my newest agent."
"Agent Phantom is to carry out an intelligence assignment at Amity Park. As you know, the new Headquarters of the Guys in White is now located in the now derelict neighbourhood that formerly housed Fenton Works. We believe they are withholding some of their research from us. Phantom is to infiltrate, and obtain as much information as possible on their motives for insubordination."
"No."
"E-excuse me?"
"Absolutely not!" Vlad Masters growled. "I am not sending a half ghost into the compulsively hygienic headquarters of professional ghost hunters who shoot first and ask questions later."
"The boy is impervious to bullets, Masters."
"Not to ghost weaponry! What if he is discovered?"
"But Mister Masters-"
"I wish to speak to Mister Jones." The veteran agent demanded. "Now."
Ethan Freeman sighed. "Alright Vlad, I'll transfer the call. But I'll warn you, he's determined to have his way."
The cheery transfer tune seemed out of place with the magnitude and significance of the organisation.
Vlad gripped the receiver so hard that it was in danger of crushing. Sending a half ghost into the Headquarters of the Guys in White. What was the spymaster thinking? Surely the incompetent fool had heard of risk assessment. Although he did not doubt Danny's skills, it was ridiculous to send a ghost hunter for an undercover mission to acquire intelligence. Danny did not know anything about intelligence operations.
Barely a minute later, the subject of his ire accepted the call transfer.
"Caleb Jones." The spymaster answered in a bored monotone.
"Daniel is going nowhere near Amity Park until he himself comes to terms with his losses. Furthermore, sending him to carry out intelligence surveillances at the very site of the accident is despicable." Vlad snarled.
"Phantom is a professional agent. He has sworn to serve the state however we see fit."
"He's seventeen! Most kids his age are worried about trivial matters like girls or college admissions!"
"Nevertheless, you cannot intervene, Mister Masters. Do not forget that you serve the state as well. It is our prerogative to send agents from whichever division we choose."
"I refuse! What are you going to do to me, pull my funding? I'm a billionaire, in case you haven't realised." Vlad challenged.
The conversation was rapidly turning ugly. Even the headstrong spymaster knew that it was not wise to cross Vlad Masters when he was angry. Caleb Jones decided that it was time to attempt persuasion.
"Mister Masters, your attachment to the boy is making you irrational. Consider the highly opportune prospects. Agent Phantom is a relatively new recruit. As an agent, he has only been on three missions to this day, none of them intelligence missions. He is unlikely to arouse suspicion. I doubt other departments even have a file on him yet. With his unusual-- stealth skills, for lack of a better descriptive, the assignment should hardly pose a challenge. "
"He has been trained by the best." Vlad deadpanned.
Mr Jones took the retired agent's accordance as a gesture to continue. "In addition, due to the death of his sister, Jasmine Fenton, he is the only heir to the property formerly known as Fenton Works, according to the copy of Jack and Madeline Fenton's will we hold. I believe you also have one in your possession?"
Vlad only grunted in response.
"Fenton is to instigate a fake case against the feds, in an attempt to reclaim his property. With luck the repeated appeals backed by his guardian Vlad Masters, one of the main driving forces behind the American economy, will send the case straight to Supreme Court. Hopefully the publicity will encumber whatever the Guys in White are planning."
"I suppose you're not going to take no for an answer."
"We need him, Mister Masters. Without him we do not have a case to use as a diversion."
Vlad grimaced. He knew if he put up any more of a fight, he would only succeed making his charge's life more difficult. Proving Phantom's worth in a big case like this could very well help jump start his charge's career, as well as dispel doubts among critics that Phantom's capabilities were not up to par to those of older, more experienced agents.
On the other hand, Daniel had to be protected from the overambitious spymaster. If he discovered what his apprentice was truly capable of, Danny could be transferred, and made to carry out ridiculously dangerous operations. If that were to happen, Vlad would possibly never see him again.
"Very well. I will offer the assignment to Phantom, provided he will have every right to back down from this mission at any time."
"I'm sure you'll see where we're coming from, Mister Masters. If our suspicions are correct, the Guys in White must be stopped at all costs."
"Let me think about it, Mister Jones. We'll be in touch."
Sighing as he hung up on the high security phone line, the veteran agent massaged his temples and steeled himself to break the news to Daniel. He was getting too old for this line of work.
Danny had insisted on several occasions that he was no longer mourning the death of his family, but Vlad, knowing better, had never quite believed him. The two were close. In fact, Vlad now regarded his apprentice as a surrogate son. Vlad, unmarried, had adopted him three years ago after the accident, officially declaring him the sole heir to Dalv Enterprises. However, as close as their relationship was, Vlad would never presume to take the place of a father or the rest of Danny's family. He understood better than most that some things in life just could not be replaced.
Later in the day, after copious amounts of calming earl grey on his account, Vlad decided that both he and his charge were about as emotionally prepared for the news to be broken as they would ever be. Danny had fully recovered from the operation Vlad had assigned him the day before, so hopefully his apprentice would take the news more calmly since he was no longer suffering from deprivation of sleep.
"Hey, Vlad." The adolescent grinned, casually depositing himself into the plush chair on the other side of Vlad's desk. "You called?"
"Danny, there's a new assignment for Phantom." Vlad informed the dark haired teenager, gesturing to the file on the table.
Normally being assigned a new mission filled Danny with a sense of thrill and excitement, but not today. Vlad had called him Danny. Vlad never called him Danny.
"Vlad? Is something wrong?" Danny asked, frowning. Usually Vlad was just as excited about assigning him missions as Danny was about accepting them.
"Your first undercover mission." Vlad attempted a faux smile. But the disquiet in his guardian's voice betrayed him.
Danny wasn't used to seeing his guardian on edge. The older halfa usually radiated confidence, an air of righteous arrogance that nothing seemed to be able to overcome. Vlad Masters never allowed anything to get the better of him.
Seeing his guardian eyeing him with a troubled, almost guilty expression was disconcerting. Vlad had been through too much for him to ever worry about himself. Danny grimly realised that he was the cause of Vlad's concern. Whatever this assignment was, Vlad wasn't happy about it.
Danny tentatively opened the case file and scanned the contents of the assignment.
"Fenton Works?" He asked, his disbelief evident. "The feds want me to infiltrate Fenton Works?"
"The Guys in White, another division of ghost hunters, set up their base in the remains of your parents' laboratories. They need you to find out what they're up to."
"So they want Danny Fenton to pretend that he wants his house back," Danny said, incredulous. "as cover for Phantom to snoop around and find out what they're doing with technology doctored from my parents' inventions?"
Vlad Masters sighed. "This is out of my hands, Daniel. There's nothing more I can do for you."
"This is insane." Danny declared, his mind whirling.
"That's what I told Caleb Jones." The spy coordinator agreed, frowning. "I insisted that you were given the opportunity to back out."
"Back out?" The half ghost repeated, stunned. "You know just as well as I do that I can't back out. This is my first assignment outside Dalv Enterprises. If I turn this down, my career is over."
"I realised as much." Vlad replied dryly. "The feds have a nasty habit of always getting their way."
He pretended not to hear the violent obscenities the teenager was muttering under his breath. Under normal circumstances, Vlad Masters regarded foul language as despicable, preferring milder, more refined alternatives such as the names of various biscuits and cakes when he truly felt the need to express himself. However, he fully understood the boy's frustration. He himself was furious.
Danny had yet to perform a single successful operation for the higher authorities, and yet they were already manipulating him for their own devices, compelling him to comply with their every order as though he was nothing more than a cheap puppet on a string. By threatening to undermine the future of his career, they had secured Phantom's involvement in the case. Caleb Jones was a despicable man.
Danny was quiet now, deep in thought. All visible signs of anger had left his features.
Vlad sighed as he watched the adolescent male on the opposite side of his desk visibly slouch in his chair as he stared at his sneakers, evidently unsure what course of action to take. One choice could easily kick start his career as a professional agent, while the other option would ensure that his already much abused emotional barriers would not be crossed before he was ready.
In the three years that Vlad had known Danny, never once had the pair experienced such uncanny silence.
He could practically see the cogs turning in his apprentice's mind. This choice would be emotionally one of the toughest he would ever have to make in his life, in which the outcome would determine the future of his career. The boy should be left alone to consider the possibilities. This was something Danny alone could decide for himself. Patiently the senior spy coordinator sipped his earl grey tea as he waited for Danny to reach a decision, for Vlad had already reached his.
Should his protégé decide that the mission would be too much for him, Vlad would do everything in his power to ensure that Caleb Jones' meddling would not jeopardize Danny's future. The boy was more important to him than any amount of money or business dealings. If this endeavor cost him his fortune, so be it. Danny's happiness was of utmost importance to Vlad.
Danny was gripping the wooden armrest of the armchair so hard his knuckles were white, and the chair itself seemed to be in danger of completely splintering under his inhumanly strong grip. When he finally reached a decision, the sudden hardened resolve in the boy's eyes told Vlad all he needed to know.
All along he knew the boy possessed the same fiery willpower that Vlad had admired in his parents. Had Danny been of weaker character, he never would have managed to survive the emotional trauma his family's death or gain control of his rapidly growing powers.
The boy was exceptional. Not only because of his "gifts" or his genetic makeup, but because of his emotional strength. Daniel Fenton was the strongest boy Vlad had ever met.
His charge's jaw was locked in a resolute fashion, the very expression he had seen countless times on the face of his old friend, Jack Fenton, especially when he was convinced an invention would work. The uncanny resemblance filled Vlad with a sense of sadness. The death of his best friends in college, Jack and Maddie was still as fresh in his mind as it was in Danny's. He regretted not contacting them more often after graduation. Perhaps if he had, their combined research could have prevented the accident from happening in the first place, and Danny would not have been cursed with the same gift he possessed.
Danny took a deep breath as his eyes finally met Vlad's for the first time in what seemed an eternity, his gaze filled with determination as he accepted the mission, voice unwavering.
"I'll do it."
Thanks to: cariadiorarua- thanks for sticking with me:), asdfetragsdfat, vladimir's disease, Black January and Danneh-n'Sam-4eva for your wonderful help and support. You guys are awesome! I fully appreciate your encouragement. It keeps a big smile on my face.
Author's Notes: I am terribly sorry for the slow start, but the relationship between Danny and Vlad will later be important to the plot, which is the reason for my heavy emphasis on their roles as master and apprentice at the moment. The exchange between Danny and Vlad was rather difficult to write, and I do hope that I have managed to keep them in character.
Anyway, I'm planning for Danny and Sam to meet in the next chapter, and I've already started writing it. I would love for your opinions. Should Danny be as clueless as he usually is? Should he be infatuated with Sam? Or should Sam first have a crush on Danny? Who should make the first move? Plus there's the matter of Phantom. Should Sam have feelings for Danny's alter ego as well, to throw more confusion into the mix?
Should the relationship be gradually developed, or should they hit off from the start? As readers, your opinion of what is credible is very important to me, in order to keep the characters IC.
Please read and review. Your views and ideas matter greatly to me.
Hugs and kisses, Twisted Creampuff.