Author's Note: Well, this is the last introduction chapter. Then we have two in-between-what-the-test-is chapters, and THEN we finally get into the story. I've only got two more chapters finished, but I've got three whole story arcs outlined, so hopefully I'll be able to write them up on Sundays, which is the only day I have extra time.
Introduction 5: Danny Phantom
Danny Fenton ran up the steps to his house and slammed the door behind him before the grabbing hands could lay hold on him. He braced the door to keep it shut while he locked it, and then collapsed onto the couch in the living room, panting.
His sister Jazz looked up from the book she was reading. "Skulker chasing you again?" she asked sympathetically.
Danny shook his head. "Worse. Fans."
The red-headed teen tried to look on the bright side, "Well, there aren't nearly as many as there were two months ago."
"Great, now only the really crazy ones are left."
"All they want is to show their appreciation. You did save the entire world."
"That's not all they all want." He groaned. Ever since he'd revealed his secret identity, Danny had been on the run from rabid fans. People trying to steal his cloths and random strangers proposing to him were among the least disturbing things they'd done. Of course, it could be worse; he could live in a world where superheroes didn't save the world on a regular basis. Then people would be making an even bigger deal out of it.
The teenaged ghost hero didn't want all this attention. He just wanted to enjoy his new life, which, aside from the lack of privacy, was pretty good. He finally had a definite relationship with Sam and his parents finally accepted him; all of him.
Danny's thoughts were interrupted by the telephone ringing. It was his parents. They'd been called into a meeting with the Guys in White earlier that day.
The Fentons didn't particularly trust the Guys in White. The organization had issued an official apology for all they'd done to the family, and especially to Danny, after the Disasteroid incident, but apparently a few operatives had been fired because they refused to believe Danny was a good guy. And really, a simple apology was hardly going to make up for all the trouble the Guys in White had put Danny through. Still, the GiW had made it out to be a very important meeting, so they'd gone.
"Hello?" The teenage boy answered the phone.
"Danny, we've got great news!" Jack Fenton said excitedly at the other end of the line.
What kind of great news could he possibly find out at a meeting with the Guys in White? Were they disbanding? "What is it?" Danny asked.
"You've been invited to the new Super School!" Maddie replied, just as excited as her husband. "Oh sweetie, I am so proud of you!"
"Yeah, most people have to try out!" Jack had apparently grabbed the phone back, "They're asking you to come! Isn't that great?"
"Uh…" Danny didn't know how to react. He couldn't go to a super-school! He couldn't leave Sam and Tucker (especially Sam, now that they were dating), and his family. He was Amity Park's protector! Who was going to fight off the frequent ghost attacks if he left? His parents? Ha! The thought almost made him laugh out loud.
But at the same time, he was rationalizing why he could go. Ever since the Disasteroid, there'd been a lot less ghost attacks. The Ghost Zone had gained even more respect for Danny Phantom. He trusted Sam and Tucker, and his parents had been getting better at ghost fighting lately. Maybe he was underestimating them. Being invited to the super-school was an honor. He'd be able to meet other kids with super-powers like him. People who would treat him like an equal instead of trying to raise him up on a pedestal.
"Danny, are you ok?" his mom asked him, concerned by his lapse of silence.
"Uh, yeah. I just… well, it's a lot to take in…" He stammered in reply.
Later that day…
After talking to his parents, Danny had immediately called Tucker and Sam to tell them the news. They'd agreed that they needed to talk about this in person, so they'd all met up in Danny's basement. (Their old hang-out, the Nasty Burger, was out of the question, as the fans had taken to staking out the entrances, waiting for him) They sat amongst the ghost-hunting equipment, discussing the predicament.
It all basically came down to one thing.
"Well Danny, it really comes down to what you want to do." Sam said.
"Yeah dude, we'll support you in any decision you make." Tucker agreed.
"That's the problem!" Danny insisted, "I don't know what I want! I know that this is a huge honor and stuff, and it actually sounds really cool, getting to meet other people my age with super-powers. But I don't want to leave you guys! I mean, what if something happens?"
"Don't worry so much Danny. Believe it or not, we can take care of ourselves." Sam reassured him.
"That's not the only reason I don't want to leave." Danny said, and his and Sam's eyes locked for just a second too long.
"Uh… Do I need to give you two some alone time?" Tucker asked slyly.
Sam punched him in the arm. "I'll take that as a no." He winced.
"Hey, it's not for another four months, and you'll still be able to come home on holidays and stuff, right? It's… really not a big deal." Sam said hesitantly.
Danny sighed and stood up to start pacing. "I still don't know."
"Hey, don't sweat it!" Tucker reassured him. "We'll come by and visit you!"
"Tucker, it's a top-secret government school for kids with super-powers. They're not going to let you just drop by and say hi." Danny pointed out.
"They will if I use my mayoral connections."
"Tucker, you got fired from that job after three weeks. Remember the 'ban veggies' thing?" Sam reminded him.
"But I've still got connections." Tucker assured her smugly.
It would take Danny a few more weeks before he decided he wanted to go, and even after that he flip-flopped back and forth a few more times until, a week before his acceptance letter was due, he made it final and sent in the letter.
Next time: The Test: Part 1
