Chapter 3: Game Plan

Freakshow glanced over the files in front of him. There were detailed records of the artifacts on display at the exhibit. At each file he looked at, the greater his evil smile became. Finally, he grabbed the files in front of him and threw them up into the air with absolute delight, as if he was swimming in cash. "Ha ha! All of the ghost artifacts in the world all in one place! With these in my possession nothing in the world can stop me! Really, this is going to be too easy!" he cried in evil glee.

Lydia gave another questioning look, which Freakshow replied, "No, Lydia, not yet. What's the point of absolute rule when one cannot enjoy it first? We'll make our move on the night of the gala, where everyone can see my crowning victory!" Lydia smiled; her master's plan was foolproof.

Freakshow was still laughing manically when he heard, "… and the exhibit is currently making preparations for the thief." Outside were two young men walking past the abandoned warehouse that they currently were hiding in. Freakshow stopped and listened to their conversation.

"So, they're taking it seriously, huh?"

"Yeah, I can understand why. He's probably some ghost causing trouble again. That and that Freakshow guy is probably behind it. He is a ghost expert."

"Yeah, but what it sounds like is that this Phantom Thief character is working on his own. But what idiot sends a note telling someone that they are going to steal from them?"

"That's why he has to be a ghost. You can't really stop a ghost unless you have some ghost weapons."

"That's true. So, what was the time again?"

"10: 34 tomorrow night, which is a really weird time if you ask me." After that, the pair turned at the corner and could no longer be heard.

"What is this?!" Freakshow exclaimed, "Someone is going to steal what is rightfully mine to steal?! The nerve of him!" Freakshow paced angrily in the room, Lydia watching anxiously. "Not only is he planning to steal MY artifacts, but he's an amateur! What fool sends a notice beforehand. Great thieves leave notices after the heists, not before."

Freakshow stopped and turned to Lydia, "Well my dear, it looks like there's a change of plans. Tomorrow night, we'll see this thief and stop him ourselves. Then we'll take the artifacts. I know it isn't a grand show that we were planning, but someone needs to show what common courtesy means." From there, Freakshow began to devise a plan for the next night.

Danny, Sam, and Tucker were walking home from school still laughing. The entire day had been one big fight between Paulina and Star. The argument of who was cooler, hotter, and etc. continued throughout every class, much to the annoyance of the teachers. However stupid the argument was, the rest of the students were thankful. The teachers were too busy trying to stop the girls that they hadn't done any teaching or gave any homework: something the trio really was happy about.

Sam was snickering the entire time. While she agreed with Paulina that the thief guy was probably some petty criminal ghost, she relished in the fact that the queen bee had her right hand man completely contradict her. The look on Paulina's face was priceless.

However, while most found the fight rather entertaining, pretty much the entire school sided with Paulina. If the ghost thief was actually a problem, Danny Phantom would take care of him.

Danny was enjoying the praise his classmates were given his alter ego. Sure, he'd like more attention besides his hero work, but it would have to do for now.

"So, what about Freakshow?" Tucker asked, bringing the conversation to a more serious light.

Danny thought for a second. Freakshow was now a serious threat. With the ghost exhibit in town, Freakshow would definitely try to obtain them. In fact, if he'd got his hands on just one of them, it could be a disaster.

"Well, we need to keep him from getting those artifacts at all costs," Sam stated.

Danny nodded, "Yeah, if he gets one of them, who knows what chaos he could create."

"Not to mention that he'd use it against you most likely," Tucker pointed out.

"Most likely," Danny agreed, "Man, I wish that exhibit wasn't going on. Beating him would be so much easier."

"My guess is that he planned his escape on purpose. He waited to get out until the exhibit was here," Sam reasoned. They all nodded; it was probably true.

Sam and Tucker left Danny as he got to his house. After waving goodbye and setting a time for patrol, he went inside.

Inside, Danny stopped. In the living room where his parents and two men with extremely worried faces (Jazz was still at school tutoring). Setting his backpack down, he came over as his parents waved towards him.

"Danny, this is Mr. Dankman and his assistant, Mr. Collers," Maddie said.

Danny glanced over. The man known as Mr. Dankman was a rather large man with blond hair and bushy mustache covering most of his face. He was wearing a brown suit and jumped slightly upon the introduction. Mr. Collers, on the other hand, was stoic by the literal definition. He was thin and tall with beady eyes and a perfectly parted black hair cut. He made no motion whatsoever.

Danny gave a curious look to his parents which Jack responded loudly, "Mr. Dankman has just asked us to help protect his exhibit tomorrow night!"

"Seriously?" Danny gaped.

Maddie nodded, "Yes, honey. With this ghost thief and that Freakshow character on the loose, the exhibit is in danger," she turned towards Mr. Dankman and gave a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Dankman, your possessions will be well protected. No one will get them, especially not that madman Freakshow."

Mr. Dankman's concern did not leave his face. "Thank you," he said quietly, "however, I would have you protect them more so from Phantom Thief than this Freakshow man."

Everyone blankly stared at him. He looked extremely pale as if he'd seen a ghost. Mr. Collers cleared his throat, "Excuse us, but this is a matter of extreme importance. This Freakshow character may be dangerous and, from what I hear, even more so when in possession of a ghostly artifact. But, until he can obtain such, his only means of harm is that ghost of his, which your town is highly apt in able to confine her. However, Phantom Thief has no such handicaps. He can do whatever he freely does."

"He's a demon!" Mr. Dankman blurted out suddenly.

Everyone was quiet, shocked at his statement.

"What do you mean?" Maddie asked.

Mr. Dankman shook his head, "He's any valuable treasure owner's worst nightmare. He can bypass any lock, any safe, any security system. Even an army of a thousand armed officers cannot keep him from obtaining his goal. Regardless of the recent stories, that man has never been truly stopped. His heists have been interrupted, but he's always managed to get his hands on his prize and has never been caught."

Well, he's never probably had to go up against real ghost hunters before, Danny thought, Amity Park is the only place with ghost all the time. No wonder this ghost has never been caught.

Maddie took hold of Mr. Dankman's hands, "You can count on us, sir."

Tearfully, Mr. Dankman thanked them and left with his assistant.

As they left, Danny's parents gave him three tickets. "There for you, Sam, and Tucker. We thought you would like to watch your folks show this ghost a thing or two about Amity Park!"

Danny gave an embarrassed smile. If anything, he'd have to show this guy a thing or two. He just hoped that Freakshow didn't show up too.

Yeah, realized that I should have had Freakshow find out about Phantom Thief last chapter, but oh well.

So, everyone knows now about Phantom Thief Kid. Only problem, they don't know anything about him and assume that he is a ghost, well besides the exhibit owner. Not good. (Btw, if you haven't guessed, I'm writing this in the view of an episode in DP so Kid won't have his thoughts shown probably.)

You know it is true, though. No matter how many times Conan "defeats" Kid, Kid always manages to get what he wants first before having his trick exposed and escaping. Also, he even manages to check the gem first, so he really has no need for it anyway.

I don't own either shows.

Next chapter is a big one, meeting Kid. Yay!

Enjoy and review!