I do not own Danny Phantom.

Trapping the Bait and Slimed

Valerie sighed, tapping her pencil against her desk, listening to the ticking of the clock that hung over Lancer's desk. School. Bah humbug.

She glanced at her bag, which held the Spectre Deflector and the dented thermos. Everything was ready, but if only the little pirate ghost brat would show up. The Fenton Thermos would be for Phantom, and her rocket sled had many gadgets that worked as containment devices. Unfortunately, Phantom had stolen her last set of containment cubes during their last encounter.

Turning around, she glanced at her fellow classmates. Dash and Kwan throwing paper airplanes at Mikey, Star and Paulina were comparing lipstick colours, same old antics. Even Lancer was staring at the infamous Amity Trio more than usual.

Something caught her attention at the window. Turning around, she spotted the exact ghost she'd been waiting for-the ghost brat. Or as Danny revealed during his presentation, his name was Youngblood. No one else seemed to notice the pirate ghost hovering near the windows.

Valerie knew only the young could see him, but she knew that wasn't the problem for this class. They all acted childishly, so everyone was just being oblivious to their surroundings. Not that she was complaining.

She raised her hand high into the air. "Mr. Lancer?"

Lancer tore his gaze from the three teens sitting in the back. "Yes, Miss Gray?"

"May I go to the bathroom?"

"Yes. Be quick, though."

Valerie quickly hopped out of her seat and slipped out the door.

"Think that's anything to be suspicious about?" wondered Danny.

Sam rolled her eyes. "I don't know. She's a human being with bodily needs, so it's not that farfetched."

"Geez. No need for the attitude. I was just wondering."

"Why does he keep staring at us like that?" Tucker whispered suddenly.

Danny wearily met Lancer's piercing gaze for a second before ducking his head back down. "He probably thinks we're going to disappear any second."

"You're the halfa, not us."

"Why not say it a little louder, Tuck?" snapped Danny.

"Whoops. Sorry, D. Look on the bright side. There haven't been any ghost attacks for a while."

Suddenly, the alarms started going crazy. Thanks to Danny's parents, no building in Amity Park was without an Emergency Ghost Alarm, to be pulled only in a ghost invasion. As the class began to scream and panic, Sam turned around in her seat, eyebrow raised.

"Tuck, you really are a jinx."

"Hey, it's not my fault!" protested Tucker. He thought for a moment. "Alright, maybe it is my fault. Sorry, dude."

Danny groaned. "Any chance I can sneak away?"

Tucker watched Lancer order his students to the auditorium, saying that he would meet them there. He strode quickly down the aisle and grabbed Danny by the arm and practically dragged him out of his seat and into the hall. Turning around, Lancer motioned for Sam and Tucker to walk in front of him.

Shuffling down the hallway, Tucker turned around and glanced at Danny. "I don't think so."

The boy scowled. "Thanks. Like I didn't already know that."

Lancer arched an eyebrow. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," the duo said in unison.

He nodded slowly. "Right."

Sam blinked as they entered the dimly lit auditorium. The teachers were gathered on the stage, talking quietly with each other. The only noise was the panicked hum of students whispering and the clanging alarms.

Lancer ushered them to the very front, where the first two rows were completely empty. Danny, Sam and Tucker obediently sat in the plush seats, glumly noting they were in the perfect spot where he could keep an eye on them while he conferred with the teachers.

"Stay put," he ordered before moving onto the stage.

"Well. Now what?" Sam asked.

Danny shrugged. "What can we do? You heard Lancer. No ghost hunting or Phantom whatsoever. We can't slip out, he'll catch us."

Tucker bit his lip. "I feel sorry for the poor spirit that gets snagged in Val's net."

Danny's eyes widened. "Oh, crap. You're right. What if-oh, wait. She's right there."

Sam and Tucker followed Danny's gaze to where Valerie sat, five rows behind them.

"A teacher must have caught her before she could get out," Sam thought aloud.

"Well that's good. But that means the ghost is still out there. Which means-"

"Don't say it Tuck," Danny warned.

The doors flew open, and Maddie and Jack came barrelling to the front of the auditorium.

"Too late," said Sam in amusement. "Maybe we should take his talking privileges away again."

"Hey!" cried Tucker. "Not fair!"

"Stay calm, kids, we'll catch the nasty ghost!" Maddie shouted.

"Ghost? Where?" Jack hollered, whipping the ecto-gun around, his finger accidently hitting the trigger.

Valerie clapped to hands over her mouth as a wave of green ecto-slime shot out from the nozzle of Mr. Fenton's gun and covered poor Sam, Tucker and Danny, who were sitting in the front row.

"Ugh!" groaned Tucker, flicking the green substance off of his fingers. "Okay, this is so gross."

"Are we going to die?" wondered Sam.

"No, no!" said Maddie, shooting her husband a stern glare. "You're going to be fine. Sorry, kids."

"I'll help you clean up," said Jack cheerfully. "Mads, let me know if the ghost appears!"

"Sure thing, dear."

Jack ushered the soiled teens from the auditorium.

Good thing that's not me, Valerie thought. Best part is it was easy to catch that ghost. I didn't even need to pull the alarm. But it's good to have a distraction, just in case. Though I'm surprised Phantom didn't show up.

That was her primary reason for activation the alarm, in case a battle broke out between her and Phantom, as it so often happened. On the chance he showed up, she needed all her peers and teachers in one place so she wouldn't get caught, and they wouldn't get hurt.

Unfortunately, Phantom didn't show up.

Too bad. It would have made things easier. But oh well. I can still lure him out. And Phantom won't stand a chance.