So sorry for not writing for so long. I got a major writer's block for this story and just could not get around it for my life! Worst thing EVER! Anyway, on the upside, I'm back with this story, though I got another interesting one due to my writer's block for this one, so there's a plus.

Quickly, though, to answer the questions on whether or not Kid knows Danny is a ghost or not right now, I' m telling until it is revealed in the story. Maybe he knows, maybe not. Sorry, but I'm trying to keep it in the spirit of Kaito Kid, and like him, I'm not telling until it needs to be told. So have fun trying to guess whether or not he knows!

Anyway, have fun with this new chapter!

Chapter 8: The Challenge

The day after the Freakshow incident was nothing but torture for Sam. Due to the little scene with Kid, Tucker had done nothing but laugh at her. He would sarcastically claim that he was so amazed that their Goth, anti-mainstream, and outcast Sam would fall for such a character like Kid: tall, handsome, mysterious, what all teenage girls dreamed of. Kid was a major icon in the world and in the town, and she actually fell for him. His jeers earned him a shove into a locker. Sam, though, was absolutely embarrassed that she fell so easily for Kid's charm. Her, the Goth girl, swooning like a schoolgirl over some mysterious, handsome figure. It was ridiculous. She was furious with herself. But, he was just so handsome and charming in the moonlight and knew just what to say to make her feel like a woman. He was a complete gentleman. Not that she would ever admit it. Another thing was that Danny had become almost overly protective of her. After Kid left, Danny asked her a thousand times what happened and if she was alright. After finally realizing she was fine, he made it a point to make sure she got home safe. Sure, it was nice that he worried about her, but she could tell it was mostly out of that stupid boy jealousy that guys get all the time. Also, Danny's already existing grudge he held against the thief didn't help in any way.

Danny was, for his part, frantic about what he was going to do. Not only was Freakshow being annoying as ever but Kid was really starting to tick him off in ways he didn't think possible. It was almost like the thief was mocking him personally, daring him to come at him with full force. Half of the reason why Danny didn't use his ghost powers on Kid was because he was human and didn't want to accidently kill him (not that that handicap is present now). The other half was because he can't hit him due to Kid's disappearing and agile nature, not that Danny would admit it. He almost wished that Kid would send out another notice, just so he could get another shot at him.

However, for their present troubles, Danny and Sam did get a bit of a consolation prize. All the boys in school had taken to Kid's example in trying to impress and get girls. The only problem was that none of them could pull it off like Kid in the slightest. They didn't know why, but none of the guys could get girls to fall for them. They tried charming wink, gentleman term ology, and even a few worn suits the next day. However, none of them could do it. Dash tried the gimmick with Paulina only to be slapped for being rude. Tucker even tried it on some random girl and was slapped for being creepy. So, by lunchtime, several guys had red cheeks and low morale. Danny and Sam just snickered at them all.

After lunch they were starting their next class when the T.V. in the room turned on suddenly and strange, creepy, circus music began to play. Everyone turned towards the screen as Freakshow's form appeared.

"Hello, my wonderful audience. I am interrupting your boring lives to give you a special announcement." There was a dangerous mad gleam in his eyes that made Danny question his sanity.

"This Saturday night, during the Grand Gala at the museum, I shall take the gem known as the Spirit's Soul along with the other artifacts. However, there may be a little twist."

Freakshow, whose demeanor had been the creepy cheerfulness as always a moment ago, became slightly serious and menacing.

"I'm directing this to a one Mr. Phantom Thief Kid, who has had the audacity to take what is rightfully mine. As much as I would like to hunt you down and repay the checks against me you have committed in full, I hardly think that would be a proper course of action," his voice returned to its creepy cheerful tone, "A more enjoyable and fun approach would be having a little contest. Seeing as you are a world class thief and I am a ghost expert and thief myself and we are both entertainers, I am challenging you Phantom Thief to a battle of grand thievery. Whoever steals the items in the most impressive and compelling way, wins. Just one-on-one; no assistants or accomplices. The loser must admit defeat and turn himself into the police. I will patiently await your answer." There was maniacal laughter before the broadcast was cut.

Everyone began to talk and question the news, whether or not Freakshow was serious, if Kid will do it, etc. Danny and the others looked at the screen in disbelief.

"Wow. Kid must have ticked him off pretty good to go to such lengths just to beat him," Tucker said.

Sam nodded in agreement, "I haven't seen him this mad since you messed with him, Danny."

"Yeah, you're right," Danny agreed. And he meant it. If he wasn't so ticked at Kid himself, he'd probably congratulated the thief on his achievement.

"But it's obviously a trap," Sam said, "Kid won't take the bait."

"Unless he's stupid," Tucker said loudly, earning glares from many of the girls. They all looked ready to kill him. Tucker looked at Sam and said, "You set me up!"

"Yes," Sam was only able to answer before the girls chased Tucker out of the room in fury.

-00000-

Back home, Danny's parents questioned the same thing. They were talking of nothing else during dinner. Jack was of the impression that Kid was a coward and would go in fear of being caught. Maddie and Jazz weren't so sure. They were all discussing it when the newscast was interrupted by one of the cameramen walking over to the anchor and handing him a letter. The anchor looked at the letter with bewilderment and opened it despite the look from his co-anchor. Upon reading its contents the anchor's mouth practically dropped, staring dumbfounded at the letter. Clearing his throat and ignoring the signals from others, he spoke, "Breaking news! I have here a letter from the elusive Phantom Thief, stating that he will, in fact, take on the challenge set by the madman, Freakshow." This caught the attention of the entire family. The anchor continued, "The envelope states 'Please read during the five o'clock news after the story on school policies." Everyone blinked stupidly; wasn't that the story that was just on? "Inside it reads as followed, 'Good people of Amity Park, I'm delighted that I have made such an impression on you and as an entertainer, I thoroughly enjoyed giving a show to such a wonderful audience. You've made my trip to America most entertaining and enjoyable, so thank you. To Mr. Frederich Isak Showenhower, I would be absolutely delighted in a match between such skilled entertainers as ourselves. I agree to the terms which you have placed, and only wish to add another player to the field. In favor for a more exciting night, I ask that Mr. Danny Phantom join our game. The winning conditions for him would be if he can stop us both, we both turn ourselves into the police. If he catches only one, he must let the other go. And if he fails to catch either of us, both of us are to walk free. You can send your answer to the newscast tomorrow night as I imagine that you are a very busy individual and might not have the time to play, but in the spirit of entertaining, I ask that you at least consider. Sincerely yours, Phantom Thief Kid." The anchor lifted the letter to the screen to show the small doodle of Kid that was his trademark, proving the letter's origins.

Jazz looked at Danny who just stared at the T.V. in disbelief. First of all, was Kid insane? He of all people must know that this is some type of trap set by Freakshow. If he was such a genius, couldn't he figure that out? Second, why in the world did he want him there? What could he possibly gain from having another person to compete with and one that was trying to catch him? It did not make any sense. Was Kid trying to make things more difficult for himself?

As he wrestled with this question, a light bulb lit up. He remembered what Jazz said about Kid deliberately making things harder for him on his heists. Something about that just didn't make sense. Why would someone want it to be harder to steal things? Was he that arrogant that he thinks Freakshow isn't enough of a challenge? It certainly seems that way. But for some reason, despite all his anger towards the thief, Danny thought that there has to be something else behind it. Just what was Kid's game? Well, he'll find out Saturday night.

Well, that was fun! Man, I can't believe I got stuck in such an important spot. Oh well. But now the stage is set, the challenge issues, and the climax awaits! I'm going to have so much fun with this!

I hope you're having enjoying trying to figure out Kid like Danny. Trying to figure him out is not an easy thing to do. Remember, even Conan hasn't completely figured him out yet, and he's the closest one to it. This is why it's so much fun to write him!

Hope you enjoyed and please review and/or give any suggestions!

Disclaimer – I do not own Danny Phantom, Magic Kaito, or Detective Conan

Later~

P.S. I realize that I used the word fun a lot here. Oh well ^^;