I do not own Danny Phantom.

Evacuation, Fights and a Red Recruit

Youngblood watched nervously as Phantom shoved a protesting Ghost Writer out of the Zone.

"You can get new books at the library! You can steal them from the bookstore for all I care...which I probably will later. But now you gotta get out of here!" With one last grunt, Danny managed to shove the Ghost Writer through. Spotting Clockwork duck into the massive crowd filing out through the Fenton's portal, he waved a fist in the air. "Yeah, you better run! I'll deal with you later!"

He groaned and ran a hand through his white hair. How many ghosts have they shoved through? He lost track after Spectra and Dora.

Sam turned and glared at Tucker. "You just had to put up a Ghost/Human shield, didn't you?"

"Excuse me for trying to protect my teacher and best friend's parents! I disarmed it long enough for us to get through, anyway!" Tucker snapped back.

"Yeah, after Danny tossed his parents and Lancer in the attic! There goes his secret."

"How was I supposed to know a bazillion ghosts would need to use the Fenton portal? Besides, Dan's in here. The portal won't be needed for at least ten more minutes. Anyway, we didn't have a choice. We needed to get in here and this was our only option!"

"Guys, focus!" Danny yelled.

Sam and Tucker scowled before silently helping the ghosts out of the portal. Sam looked ticked, Tucker looked annoyed, and Danny looked ready to kill the both of them. They had been bickering for the past two minutes, and Danny was reaching the end of his rope.

Most of the ghosts had been evacuated, with pretty good timing with only one portal open. The only ghosts left were Skulker, Technus, Ember, the Box Ghost, Bones and Youngblood. All of them were staring at the fighting trio.

Sam glanced up at the blinding green blast. "This is all Valerie's fault."

"Yeah, if she wasn't so obsessed with destroying ghosts this never would've happened."

Danny scowled. "How can you guys bash Val when she's in the hospital with a concussion?"

Tucker scowled. "You're right. She must have gotten that Fenton Thermos when she ran into you that day outside the Nasty Burger. So when you went to visit the Master of Time, you knocked Dan's thermos into your bag. So technically, this is all your fault!"

"Oh sure! Blame me! The guy who's saved your butt time and time again!"

"And how many times have we saved your butt?" snapped Sam.

"Yeah!" agreed Tucker. "And if you weren't so concerned about your girlfriend, we could've been blunt and just ambushed her!"

Sam would have stomped her foot if they were on ground. "She is not Danny's girlfriend!"

Tucker sneered. "Right. You guys are the lovebirds, I for-aaaagggh!"

Youngblood drew back as Sam tackled Tucker and throttled him. Danny swore and tried to pry them apart, getting a fist in the chin in his attempt. His patience broke and Danny shoved Sam off and went after Tucker. The young pirate's fearful gaze travelled from the green and red blasts and back to the fighting teens. "Stop it!"

Sam's fist froze, inches away from Tucker's nose. Danny's hand was frozen with Tucker's ankle twisted. Tucker had one fistful of Sam's hair and the other had latched itself on Danny's face.

Youngblood waved his arms in the air. "This is stupid! You guys are supposed to be the heroes! But you're fighting each other instead of working out a plan!" By this time Skulker, Ember, and the Box Ghost had Sam, Tucker and Danny away from each other.

The silence stretched out until Danny finally spoke. "All right. You guys get out of here while we think of something."

Ember slowly released her hold on the halfa. "You are going to behave, right?"

Danny smirked. "Shouldn't I be telling you that?"

Ember put her hands on her hips. "I'm serious, dipstick. As much as it pains me to admit this, you dorks are our last hope."

Seriousness descended upon the ghost boy's face. "Yeah. We'll behave. You'll be able to come home soon. Promise."

The last remaining ghosts flew out of the Zone, leaving only the two teens and a halfa, and the two fighting ghosts in the distance. Sam closed her eyes. "Guys, what are we doing? This is pointless, fighting with each other."

"Now I know why Clockwork said we should stick together." Danny rubbed the back of his neck. "Tuck, I am so sorry."

Sam nodded, and surprised the techgeek by throwing her arms around him. "Me too, Tuck."

Tucker smiled. "And I am sorry about the cracks I made about Val and the lovebird thing. Now, we need a plan."

Sam glanced off in the distance. "I wonder how Pariah is holding up."

…

Just before the teens arrived in the Zone, Dan slipped the key into the Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep and didn't even flinch as a red explosion signalled the release of Pariah Dark. Calmly placing the crown on his head, Dan waited for Pariah to emerge.

"I believe the ring now belongs to me. Hand it over before I eliminate you from the afterlife."

Pariah laughed in disbelief. "You free me and expect me to hand over my ring? I don't think so, child. In fact, I think you should hand the crown over."

Dan sighed. "Very well. I was on a schedule, but I believe I can be late for my little date with destiny."

Pariah slammed backwards into the wall as Dan released a green blast. "Fright Knight, retrieve my possessions!" he bellowed.

The Fright Knight stood aside Dan. "I am no longer your servant. I now serve Dark Dan, the Fearless One."

"Why, you traitorous little-" Pariah was struck again with green energy.

"Master, would like me to assist you?"

"No, Fright Knight. I would like to do this myself."

Dan narrowed his red eyes and shot another blast. Pariah managed to dodge it in time and retaliate. His red ecto-energy hit Dan in the chest and sent him to his knees. Grunting, Dan punched the ground with his fist, sending a large crack shooting along the base of the palace floor. Pariah shouted as his foot fell in, and green ropes stretched out and wrapped tightly around him. Dan stood up and swung his fist across Pariah's face. He went for a one-two shot but was blasted back as Pariah released a powerful red energy wave.

"You are powerful. But I have experience. I will not be beat by a child!"

Dan smirked. "But you already have."

He grunted again as he was held back by red spikes, but a green shield held them off. A red ecto-ball broke his shield and smashed right into his face. Swearing, he raised a glowing fist and punched the wall. The chandelier hanging above fell and collapsed on top of Pariah.

Pariah pushed himself up and was about to attack when green bubbles began bombarding him from all directions. Channelling as much of his energy as he could, he slammed a red wall into Dan, who went careening back into the oak doors. Dan snarled before taking a deep breath.

"Are you tired, child?" Pariah taunted, ready to strike another blow.

Dan let out his Ghostly Wail, sending Pariah crashing backwards into his throne and getting pinned down. Dan stormed up beside him and yanked the ring off and slipped it on his own hand.

"Oh yeah, baby. Give me the power!" Dan swung his head back as energy and power coursed through him, his body glowing a vibrant red.

Pariah stood up and roared. "No, it's not possible! I have only been beaten once before by that boy!"

Dan laughed. "Pops, I am that boy that beat you once before!"

Not waiting for a response, Dan grabbed the ex-king by his cape and grinned, baring his fangs. "Get ready to see what a real dictator can do!" A green explosion lit up the chamber, sending Pariah hurtling through the Ghost Zone.

The Fright Knight regarded his master. "What is our next move, sir?"

Dan chuckled darkly. "We are off to Amity Park. I have some damage control to do for my rep. But first, I have a Zone to destroy."

His evil cackle rang out for all to hear as he charged through the Ghost Zone at the speed of light, destroying everything in his sights. After he was satisfied, he headed for the Fenton Portal, ready to make his mark on his old future, his servant right behind him.

This time, it would be Danny that got sucked in the thermos.

…

"Hey, do you guys see something?"

Tucker squinted. "Looks like-"

They jumped as a smoking ghost crashed at their feet. Tucker face-palmed. "Pariah Dark," he finished.

Sam winced. Danny sighed.

"Why didn't Dan destroy him?" Sam asked, picking the moaning Pariah up by the arms and dragging him towards the portal.

"Because. He wants him to see the downfall of what he started," Danny said grimly. Sam had managed to get the ex-King of All Ghosts through the portal when Tucker screamed. A green projectile was heading towards them. It was the fact it was laughing demonically that sent Danny into a slight panic.

"Get in and close the portal!"

Diving through, Danny and Sam slid across the floor of Fenton's lab while Tucker frantically pushed the buttons. The door shut with a metal squeak, and he stumbled back when dents began appearing rapidly. Dan was punching his way through. Sam glanced up in the direction of the attic.

"Danny!" she hissed.

Danny turned to Tucker. "Is there any way you can create a ghost shield specifically for the attic?"

Tucker nodded and hurried off to complete his task. Danny and Sam grabbed as much Fenton ghost gear as possible and bolted outside, where a bazillion ghosts were milling about, and about dozens of people screaming and shouting at the sight of said ghosts.

"Oh give me a break," he grumbled. He floated high above the crowd and whistled sharply. Ghosts and humans alike went silent and stared at him. Danny pointed at the people below. "You lot, home, now. Something serious is going on and you don't need to be in the streets. You know the safe house the Fentons established in case of a ghost invasion? Go to it. Spread the word. And the ghosts are just going to chill until it's safe for them to go home, so don't even worry about them."

Skulker watched in slight awe as the humans obeyed almost instantly, making quick tracks away from the scene. "They listen to you."

The halfa shrugged. "They tend to. I never really steered them wrong before."

Tucker came racing out just then. "The shield is up, and I think Lancer threw a shoe at me. They will be safe as long as Dan doesn't try to break through the shield, and I seriously don't think that he can. So...what's the plan?"

Danny glanced at the ghosts surrounding the skies. "Er, Skulker?"

The Great Hunter of the Ghost Zone hovered in front of them. "What is it, whelp?"

Danny noted the nickname lacked the usual hostility. "Well, I kinda need an army. So I was wondering...can you guys be our army?"

Skulker raised an eyebrow. "Only because I have a debt to repay and our home has already been taken over."

Danny grinned. "Sweet. You guys rock. All right, we-"

"Yo, Fenton!"

Danny widened his eyes as he whirled around and spotted Valerie leaning against the porch railings from the house across the street, her backpack hanging off her shoulder. "So, where do I sign up?"

"Nowhere!" cried Danny. "You have a concussion, are you insane?"

Valerie tilted her head to the side. "I can't believe I never figured it out before. It was so obvious!"

"Yeah. He wasn't very creative when choosing his alter-ego name." Tucker smirked.

Valerie relaxed a bit. At least they weren't openly hostile towards her. Although she was nervous being surrounded by many of the ghosts she tried to eliminate. Danny must have noticed, because he smiled.

"Temporary truce. But I still don't want you fighting."

"You're letting Sam and Tucker fight!"

Danny tugged at his hair in frustration. "They don't have a concussion!"

"Great One, I think it would be wise to let the Red Huntress fight with us. She is a great battler," Frostbite said, looking at Danny.

"Oh sure. She's a great fighter. We're the servants. Don't you love the world?" Sam muttered.

Danny sighed, knowing that when Frostbite offered advice, it was usually wise to listen it. "Fine, all right. You can fight."

A roar echoed from inside Fenton Works. Shaking his head, Danny put on his game face. Sam and Tucker flanked him, expressions serious and determined. "All right. You guys are in charge of holding back Dan's doubles." He pointed a finger at Skulker. "Val, I need you to distract Dan while Sam and Tucker get set up in the aerial attack positions. They'll whistle, and that's when I need you to knock the crown off his head. Got it?"

The Red Huntress nodded. Danny continued speaking. "I want you to bring the crown up to Sam. I'll distract Dan while you do that. I'll get the ring from him. Sam, I'm going to fly the ring up to you, and you taunt him until he flies to get you. Tucker and I will jump out and suck the greatest jerk of all time in the stupid Fenton Thermos."

Valerie pointed to thermos besides Danny's feet. "The dented one?"

Danny frowned. "Yeah, we might want to use a new one. All right, Sam and Tuck, get in position."

Sam and Tucker stood rim-rod straight and saluted Danny. "Yes sir, Danny sir!" They took off for the roofs of nearby buildings. Danny smirked.

Valerie turned her gear on and watched Danny address the ghost crowd. "You guys ready?"

"Yes sir!" the ghosts called, tones ranging from sarcasm to sincerity.

Danny grinned. "All right. But watch out for his Ghostly Wail. I don't know how much energy he'll have with all those doubles, but duck and cover when he takes that first breath."

There was an explosion, and hundreds of Dans came pouring out of the windows and doorways. Danny narrowed his glowing green eyes when the original Dark Dan floated high above him, red eyes glinting with malice.

"All right, kid. Time for round two."