I do not own Danny Phantom.

Technical Problems

Tucker let out a bored sigh as he stared at the seemingly unmoving clock. After Lancer called their folks to tell them about the trio skipping school, the lectures began with harsh tones and frantic hand gestures.

He of course got the worse end of the stick. Sam managed to get herself out of a grounding by threats, screams and one tantrum. Danny blamed his behaviour on 'emotional trauma', due to his sister being in the hospital and all. Maddie and Jack instantly comforted their son and the halfa got away without a grounding.

Tucker, however, got two weeks of extra chores and a lecture that lasted three hours. Now he was spending his time in detention, isolated from Sam and Danny. Lancer thought it would be best if they were separated. Sam was in the library, probably reading some creepy Goth book she always had with her. Danny was in Lancer's room, and there was a good chance Lancer was teaching him a two-hour lesson on Shakespeare.

The techgeek longed to pull out his P.D.A and play mindless games for the rest of detention. He didn't have anyone supervising him. No teacher wanted to stay behind during the last week of school. So Lancer just locked the door and warned him not to move or the punishment would be severe.

And his parents threatened to take away his technology if he acted out again, so Tucker was determined to be on his best behaviour.

...

Technus floated through the decaying corridors of the castle, a bored expression on his normally smug face. Master had ordered him away, and he was not allowed to leave the perimeter.

"I bet if I got one of those elements from the chosen warriors, master would see that I am way more useful than that annoying Box Ghost," he ranted in annoyance.

He paused for a moment. Why not? If he did manage to get at least one element, then the master wouldn't keep him locked up all the time.

"I shall destroy those puny humans!" Technus declared and sped off for Amity Park.

...

Tucker groaned loudly. The temptation to use his P.D.A had finally won, but when he turned it on he realized it was on low battery. Not wanting to waste it on Doom, he reluctantly turned it off again and stowed it in his pocket.

A flash of green and silver caught his eye. Tucker curiously walked over to the windows and peered outside. Nothing was there.

"I must be seeing things," Tucker muttered.

Something grabbed him by the front of his yellow sweater and turned him intangible. Tucker was pulled through the wall and he stumbled outside. He widened his blue-green eyes when a smirking Technus sneered down at him.

"I suppose you will do. Master will be pleased if I bring back at least one element. And you are just a human after all."

"A human with ice powers!" Tucker shot back and blasted the ghost away from him with an icy breeze. Technus righted himself and scowled. Tucker shot some icicles towards him and the tech-ghost went intangible. The ice shattered to the ground, crystals glinting in the sunlight.

"Is that all you got?" Technus taunted and sent black rays shooting for Tucker. The techgeek quickly threw up an ice shield. The first ray made a crack, and the second one slammed right through. As the ice gathered around Tucker's feet, the third ray knocked right into Tucker.

"Aagghh!" Tucker screamed in pain as black electricity coiled through him.

I'm so stupid! I forgot my belt!

A cold feeling spread through his chest, and Tucker realized with horror that Technus was trying to get his ice element orb. He gathered as much energy as he could and slammed it into Technus.

The tech-ghost hissed in pain and rubbed his sore head. Crystals were beginning to form in his wild white hair. Tucker hunched over in pain and panted. Danny was a ghost, and he had elemental powers. He could withstand the dark blasts way more than he-and Sam-could.

But if you remembered to wear your belt, than this wouldn't be a problem!

Tucker quickly shot some more ice at Technus. It encased his lower body and pinned the ghost's arms down. Technus snapped in anger and tried blasting his way out of the ice prison.

He had some time to think.

When Darkness corrupted someone, he took away their personalities. Ember never called Danny dipstick once when she was under his control. The Box Ghost didn't shout beware. Technus was a lot less talkative.

But just because their personalities changed didn't mean their weaknesses did.

Tucker pulled his P.D.A from his pocket and studied it. It seemed to be in working order. He turned it on. The red light flashed in the corner, and Tucker knew he only had about five minutes before his P.D.A shut down.

Technus blasted his way out of the ice prison and the shards scattered everywhere. Tucker punched the data into his P.D.A. Technus was lunging at him with his hands powered with dark energy. A black wire slipped out of the top of his P.D.A and connected itself to Technus' tech-suit, but only milliseconds before Technus' hands latched on Tucker's shoulders.

This is gonna hurt.

Both techgeeks fell to the ground. Tucker was vibrating with black electricity and trying hard not to scream, and Technus was screaming loud enough for the both of them. The tech-ghost was sparking with green electricity, as Technus tried desperately to stay online. With a loud humming noise and a popping sound, Technus slumped to the ground.

Tucker convulsed for a minute before going slack. The element power managed to give him enough energy to crawl over to Technus and seize his P.D.A.

"Restart system?" the electronic voice asked.

"Yes," Tucker commanded hoarsely.

His P.D.A gave a beep and Technus' system went online again. His P.D.A went dead. He pocketed it and slumped on the ground. Technus slowly stirred and stood up, one gloved hand holding his head.

"What is going on? Why do I, Technus, feel so woozy and discombobulated?"

"He's back," Tucker muttered. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a Fenton Thermos. "I'll explain later," he told the ghost and hastily sucked the protesting and confused ghost into the thermos. "Oh man...I'm gonna be sore for a week."

He stood up shakily and stumbled for the windows. He opened one and pushed himself over the sill. He crawled to his desk and hauled himself into his seat just as the doorknob twisted and the door was pushed open.

"How are we doing Mr. Foley?" Lancer asked, peering around the room with slight suspicion.

"Fine," Tucker managed. "No need to worry."

Lancer raised an eyebrow and exited the room. The door was once again locked, and Tucker let out a relieved sigh before going unconscious with exhaustion and pain.